her body and ducked into a doorway. She removed her skirt and scarf placing them into a small cloth bag. Underneath she had on her tourist clothing. She scrubbed her face with a rag prepared with makeup remover, getting most of the residue off her face. She placed a floppy hat on her head and moved out of the alley in the opposite direction from which she’d come. I’ve seen what I needed, Madeleine thought allowing herself a small smile, as she felt her ribs where she’d been kicked. Learning the layout of the home and the number of men inside was well worth her minor injuries. “I will see you soon,” she whispered, referring to the man who’d struck her.
It was now time to act, Madeleine thought, as she crossed the central market on the way back to the safe house. The others have waited long enough. Karen must be close to panic at this point, and John is ready to strike out against anyone. Tonight the PLO will begin to understand terror. These amateurs think they know terror. I taught the Gestapo what that meant. “ L’ange de la mort will show them the way,” the dark voice inside her whispering in certainty that its fury would soon be released.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Back at the safe house, the four sat around the dinner table discussing Madeleine’s plans for the evening. The knowledge that a major step would be taken in Tracy’s rescue improved their appetites as they piled their plates with the ground lamb and rice dish Karen had prepared during Madeline’s absence. The entrée and its numerous side dishes took up most of the table.
“Karen, this is very good,” Madeleine said, between mouthfuls.
“I wanted to make sure you were well fed for tonight,” Karen said with a pleased smile.
“What’s the schedule for later?” Jack asked.
“I’ll go in around 2 a.m. That should ensure that all of the occupants are asleep.”
“Any chance they’ll keep a guard on duty?” John asked.
“I’ll wait for signs of any regular sentries or men that have stayed up later than usual. I’ve watched the house at almost every time of the day, and for a supposedly trained paramilitary terrorist group, their routines are very predictable,” Madeleine added, sipping her coffee.
“What will you do when you get inside?” Karen asked quietly.
Madeleine, John and Jack looked at Karen without expression, knowing that Karen knew the answer. Men would die tonight, and all of them would be part of it. Time was running out and action was necessary.
“Karen, this organization thinks nothing of killing innocent men, women and children. They murdered Tracy’s girlfriend and maimed many civilians in the attack. This is the PLO team operating in the area. They took part in the bombing and abduction. I have no respect for their willingness to kill randomly. Regardless of what I do tonight or any other night until we get Tracy back will not change that. They will murder here and abroad in the name of their religion and ‘right’ to their homeland. I understand occupation. They will be sent an unmistakable message. I will give them an opportunity to release Tracy, but they won’t respect it unless I do what I have to do. I have prepared a statement that will explain my message clearly and the consequences if they don’t comply. I have a feeling that it will take more than the message I send tonight to get their attention, but it is a first step. They are too disorganized to have any real authority and I don’t think they would be trusted to hold Tracy. He is too valuable to their masters. No, he is being held somewhere else. I hope to gather some information tonight that will lead us in his direction. One man there may have some answers. If he does, he will give them to me,” Madeleine said, slicing into a piece of fruit.
Madeleine lowered herself down from the roof of the café, from which she and Karen had observed the
It was now time to act, Madeleine thought, as she crossed the central market on the way back to the safe house. The others have waited long enough. Karen must be close to panic at this point, and John is ready to strike out against anyone. Tonight the PLO will begin to understand terror. These amateurs think they know terror. I taught the Gestapo what that meant. “ L’ange de la mort will show them the way,” the dark voice inside her whispering in certainty that its fury would soon be released.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Back at the safe house, the four sat around the dinner table discussing Madeleine’s plans for the evening. The knowledge that a major step would be taken in Tracy’s rescue improved their appetites as they piled their plates with the ground lamb and rice dish Karen had prepared during Madeline’s absence. The entrée and its numerous side dishes took up most of the table.
“Karen, this is very good,” Madeleine said, between mouthfuls.
“I wanted to make sure you were well fed for tonight,” Karen said with a pleased smile.
“What’s the schedule for later?” Jack asked.
“I’ll go in around 2 a.m. That should ensure that all of the occupants are asleep.”
“Any chance they’ll keep a guard on duty?” John asked.
“I’ll wait for signs of any regular sentries or men that have stayed up later than usual. I’ve watched the house at almost every time of the day, and for a supposedly trained paramilitary terrorist group, their routines are very predictable,” Madeleine added, sipping her coffee.
“What will you do when you get inside?” Karen asked quietly.
Madeleine, John and Jack looked at Karen without expression, knowing that Karen knew the answer. Men would die tonight, and all of them would be part of it. Time was running out and action was necessary.
“Karen, this organization thinks nothing of killing innocent men, women and children. They murdered Tracy’s girlfriend and maimed many civilians in the attack. This is the PLO team operating in the area. They took part in the bombing and abduction. I have no respect for their willingness to kill randomly. Regardless of what I do tonight or any other night until we get Tracy back will not change that. They will murder here and abroad in the name of their religion and ‘right’ to their homeland. I understand occupation. They will be sent an unmistakable message. I will give them an opportunity to release Tracy, but they won’t respect it unless I do what I have to do. I have prepared a statement that will explain my message clearly and the consequences if they don’t comply. I have a feeling that it will take more than the message I send tonight to get their attention, but it is a first step. They are too disorganized to have any real authority and I don’t think they would be trusted to hold Tracy. He is too valuable to their masters. No, he is being held somewhere else. I hope to gather some information tonight that will lead us in his direction. One man there may have some answers. If he does, he will give them to me,” Madeleine said, slicing into a piece of fruit.
Madeleine lowered herself down from the roof of the café, from which she and Karen had observed the
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