Jihad

CHAPTER 48

“It looks like the Saudi and his partner are going to get off at Bebek,” Telach told Rubens. “Asad is staying put.”

Rubens stepped over to one of the consoles and keyed up a map of the greater Istanbul area. Bebek was a small town north of the city on the European side, a relatively well-to-do area that might be compared to some of the Gold Coast towns near Miami. As he had with the others, Asad had spoken sparingly to the men, but it was clear that they were part of the same offensive he was coordinating; he gave them a date only four days away, which Rubens assumed was the date for whatever attack they were planning.

“Should I have Lia get off with them?” asked Telach.

“No. Continue as planned,” said Rubens. “Let the CIA people stay with them. She can check in on them later. Have they said anything?”

“Nothing useful, but he did give them a Koran. Maybe it contains a message.”

“Tell Mr. Karr about that, in case it’s of use to him.”

Telach nodded. “What time are you leaving?”

Rubens glanced at his watch. He was supposed to be at the Capitol for George Hadash’s lying in state no later than eleven; he should leave within the next half hour.

“As soon as we are sure that Asad is getting off at Eminönü and going back to his safe house,” said Rubens, deciding Hadash would have wanted it that way.

While he had appeared on his share of news shows, George Hadash was not a political superstar, and Rubens wondered if the two hours designated for his lying in state would prove to be too long. But there was a long queue of people waiting outside hours before the doors were even opened, and as Rubens escorted Irena Hadash through the vestibule, he realized that two hours would not be enough. That was as it should be, he thought: better to have a surplus of grief than not enough.

Art Blanders, the secretary of defense, was standing nearby; he caught Rubens’ eye and started toward them. Rubens introduced Irena, along with her little girl. The kindergartener seemed perplexed by everything, but Rubens thought it was good that she was there; it gave her mother something to focus on besides grief.

“You’ve heard of Secretary Blanders, I’m sure,” said Rubens. “He’s been with the president for years, and was his chief of staff before going to the Pentagon. Your father often spoke highly of him.”

More than that: Hadash was the reason Blanders had the job; he’d personally lobbied the president to pick the former Naval officer, who at forty-five was the youngest cabinet member by at least a decade.

Still, Rubens worried that he sounded like a flatterer, or worse. He resolved to say nothing more, to do absolutely nothing that could be misinterpreted as using the death of his friend for personal gain. And, he would introduce Donna Bing in the most positive way; give her no room for complaint.

President Marcke swept in with his characteristic energy, a controlled firestorm charging up everyone around him. He wrapped his arm around Irena and led her a few feet away, her small frame practically disappearing in his. Left alone, Irena’s daughter Julia grabbed for the nearest familiar hand, which turned out to be Rubens’. Her small fingers gripped his tightly.

By the time Irena was her daughter’s age, her father and President Marcke — probably a congressman then, thought Rubens — had been friends for many years. How strange it must be to see a man who bounced you on his knee become president.

“And you, little girl, I hope you are well.” The president had returned and now stooped down to one knee, addressing Hadash’s granddaughter face-to-face. “Do you remember me?”

“You’re Gran’pa’s friend,” said the girl.

“Absolutely, Your grandpa was an important man. A great man who helped many people, including me. He’s with God now.”

“Mommy told me we have to share him.”

“Yes. Share him with God.” Marcke nodded solemnly. “Now he’s with all of us.”

Rubens felt a twinge of jealousy as the president escorted them inside. Other emotions — grief, mostly, but also concern about the Deep Black operation — mingled with his remembrances of Hadash. There was no man he’d learned more from, no better person to argue with, no one more generous with support and encouragement.

There was a brief ceremony near the casket. When it was done, the president bent over again and told Irena something, then turned and nodded to everyone before leaving. Rubens found himself next to Irena, part of what turned into a kind of reception line as she accepted the condolences of senators, congressmen, foreign dignitaries, and high-ranking administration officials. Some of them, he realized, might think he was more than just a friend.

The idea made him feel guilty, as if he’d intruded on Irena’s grief. But when he started to ease away, she reached for him, and so he stayed.

“Mr. Rubens,” said Donna Bing, materializing in the line.

“Dr. Bing.”

“When you have a moment today, we should speak. I would like an update on the matter we’ve been discussing.”

“Certainly.” Braced by the national security advisor’s undisguised animosity, Rubens straightened and stared ahead, looking at the long line of people who had come to pay his friend and mentor their last respects.