Strait of Hormuz

7/30/2019 Strait of Hormuz

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Praise forLion of Babylon and Rare Earth

Derp mell e e e

desert sand. . . . Bunns ans will leap or this precise and intricatetale o cross-cultural riendship and loyalty in the heart o the

Gree Ze.

Publishers Weeklyon Lion of Babylon

Reer w were re Re Lion of Babylon wll

be glad or this new adventure in which they will get to know

him even better. Thorough characterizations, a ast pace, and

attention to detail make this a sure bet or ans o Christianpee re. . . .

Library Journalon Rare Earth

T ex, -pe rller ere r ee

ple ep e peple pl e Mle

E. I re plee [B] w m ew e.

Library Journalon Lion of BabylonSelee Library Journal r e 2011 Be B Awr

A -pe, rpp rller, Lion of Babylon r l

with adventure but also with visual details and dramatic, snapshot

insights into the Middle East, its traditions, history, and people.

Phyllis Tickle

Frmer Sr. Cl Er Publishers Weekly

A pemel re. Lion of Babylon r mre mpl

re rller. T ele ere rl e,

does so with a sensitivity that let me literally stunned. Bunn tells

a story that grips the reader and reuses to let go. . . . The descrip-

re ell re, e rer rl rw.

Keith Hazard

Dep Drer (re.), CIA

Lion of Babylon err , eepl m w ew -

sights into important connections between the worlds aiths. . . .

I e l mre ppree D wr I wll

I e.

Jane Kirkpatrick

Nel Speer


3/39

Books by Davis Bunn

Strait of Hormuz

Rare Earth

Lion of Babylon

Gold of Kings

The Black Madonna

All Through the Night

My Soul to KeepThe Great Divide

Winner Take All

Imposter

The Book of Hours

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Book of Dreams

Hidden in DreamsUnlimited

Acts o Faith *

The Centurions Wife

The Hidden Flame

The Damascus Way

Song o Acadia*

The Meeting Place

The Birthright

The Sacred Shore

The Distant BeaconThe Beloved Land

* w Jee Oe


4/39


5/39

5


6/39

2013 D B

Ple Be He Pler

11400 Hmpre Aee S

Blm, Me 55438

www.ee.m

Be He Pler

Ber Pl Grp, Gr Rp, M

Pre e Ue Se Amer

All r reere. N pr pl m e repre, re rerel

system, or transmitted in any orm or by any meansor example, electronic, photocopy,

rerw e prr wre perm e pler. Te l exep

re q pre reew.

Lrr Cre Cl--Pl D

B, T. D.

Sr Hrmz / D B.

p. m.Smmr: Ie e Ir ler prrm, Mr Re

m rel l ll elp m er e rere le

Pre pler.

ISBN 978-0-7642-1145-4 (l : l. pper)

ISBN 978-0-7642-1138-6 (p)

1. Iellee ereUe SeF. 2. Nler wepIr

F. 3. Preempe (Mlr ee)IrelF. 4. Hrmz,

Sr F. 5. Per Gl ReF. 6. Spee . I. Tle.

PS3552.U4718S87 2013

813 .5423 2013023254

Scripture quotations are rom the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV.

Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission o Zondervan.

All r reere wrlwe. www.zer.m

T wr . Nme, rer, e, le re pr

the authors imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual

ee r per, l r e, erel el.

Cer e Kr DPe, DEre DeAr prp Ael Gre

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 7 6 5 4 3 2 1


7/39

11

C h p t e r O e

Marc Royce had never been to Switzerland beore. Hewas there without backup. He was not prepped. He me ee e e per e wrl e l

reuse had asked or his help. Urgently. Marc checked his

w, e pree pe m l. Te m-

r were l. Mr , Im ple.

Hold one. Ambassador Walton did not bother to muethe phone as he asked an unseen associate or an update.

He l Mr, Te re rm reee

Mrex.

Y e mr ple?

We re r ellpe. H GPS w el

.W w ere, e w Wl ree

involve Swiss intelligence. There was a leak inside U.S. in-

telligence, o that Walton was absolutely certain. How or

were er ere ee ree, Wl e.

But Marcs target held such vital national importance that

Wl e m le e. He

come to Geneva without even alerting his embassy, which wasa serious breach o protocol. But Marc was also no longer o-

cially part o any intelligence agency. He had been red and


8/39

Davs Bnn

12

mpe e e W w. B e me

old man who now coughed into Marcs ear. Which meant his

superiors could not be reprimanded, since he didnt have any.

Mr er ew r e mr e,

e w l ee l wrrr. Are eel-

ll r?

Focus on staying alive, Ambassador Walton replied. You

re .

Marc let a ten-ranc note anchored beneath his coee sau-er ee r e ree e lee prmee.

He pe, D w me

ell me we le Im llw p ere?

Walton suppressed another cough. An old riend reached

.

Which was all Marc had gotten the last time he had asked.

Must be a good riend or you to give it this much credence.He w e . Te l m ee, l e

or Marc to assume he would not get anything more. But

Ambassador Walton tended to relax his iron-clad grip on

el we e were wl er. He Br-

rl. A re Ie w re r we

years. Weve long suspected he also supplies intel to Mossad.

W M e emele?

A qe Ie ee eer e e e me.

Tw ple me m. Fr, M w me-

thing we dont and want to rope us in. And second, they dont

r e re.

Me e l e e le?

Doubtul. But right now I am not ruling out anyone except. A I l le ee w e

e re.


9/39

s t r i t o f H o r m u z

13

Marc did not take the bait. There was no need to look

urther than WikiLeaks to know how dangerous secrets could

easily go public. He approached the gallery. Im in position.

Tre we-r me l.

Mr w rl e l per wl l e le-

ront with a phone attached to his ear. He was dressed in

standard business garb, a dark gray suit and striped shirt and

l e. He rre lm leer ree l er le

ler. He we e , Sw erme mple. Te ere r -

ness rom all over the globe. No one gave him a second glance

as he walked along the line o tall, bulletproo windows. The

err le r, le. I ee r.

Weve been over that. He relies on an electronic alarm

em.

Im rl e permeer.Rer .

The side windows overlooked one o Genevas many piaz-

zas. Marc turned another corner and entered a rear alley. The

tight lane was shadowed rom the morning sun. A restaurants

trio o rubbish bins smelled o old ood and disinectant.

Tr ee l ele.

Te e w . We e rle.

W ?

Te permeer ee ree.

Sw me.

Mr e e pp re pe e

mer w le ee. He lwl pe e mer le

across the rear loading platorm and the gallerys rear doors.The steel portals were no longer sealed. He stepped closer

lee rell.


10/39

Davs Bnn

14

Mr e pe, Tere lrm.

Me mple l.

Nee. T ple erwe l. A

wre. Tere re mer rer.

S er wll e rer r preee.

Te mer e ee me e I re e ree.

That isnt the point. You send me over, and the morning I

arrive there is a break-in. They knew I was coming. Your

w el ree.Wrw.

N. Im ere, Im ee. Im .

Mr, w

He cut the connection, turned o his phone, and slipped it

into his pocket. Any experienced operative knew the brass in

their sae little bunkers responded to uncertainty by applying

e re. Smeme e e el w gut. A successul operative was one whose hunches proved

rre. Te were e e w me me.

Kr Kr eer el ll er r

place. Not even when she had been kidnapped and held in

e pe pl weer Ke wle j p e r

l lere r. Se erel ere r e

e, j e, wl l pre le e-

l Erpe , elel ree rw re rm

peple w rr e we le

er er ler.

The air o Geneva was so dierent rom the plains o Gali-

lee. May was the rst ull month o the Israeli dry season.This year the rains had ended early. There was talk o a severe

drought. Two o the kibbutzs wells had already gone dry.


11/39


15

Kitras kibbutz was an island o green in a hot and dusty land.

There were problems with the new actorys rening process.

Te pme rre er rre rm Ke er

they could process them. Their potential customers were

upset, the actory managers deensive and edgy. Everyone

was exhausted, Kitra included. Other than the Sabbaths, she

ee m. Te were wr

r e l.

A rer e er rml, Mr broken o their long-distance relationship. She had sensed

this was coming or months. Marc was a member o the

American intelligence community. He was a patriot. He was,

in act, a hero. For most o the past year, Kitra had hoped

he would become herhero. But his decision was hardly a

rpre.

I l r m. Epell w.Recently she had pinned a postcard rom her parents to

er e wll. Aer ml er , er er e-

e e r l e er. Her rer w

gradually becoming accustomed to his new position as acting

head o the kibbutz. Kitra had always assumed she would run

er mm, me m ll ppe. B

j e, er were e w r e

r p pee. Te pr ee Pr .

Kr e re , er r e reem ej

idle hour. Europe might as well have been on the other side o

the moon. Until, that is, she had been asked to make this trip.

Te wer Le Lem prle r e w, le

as sapphires. In the ar distance, the Alps gathered a morningrp l. Se pe pr ler ee .

Be ere Gee l mple er l r Mr.


12/39

Davs Bnn

16

Te pree l pre e mme

me e r. Kr ree er pe, exe er ee-

ing Marc again and dreading the encounter in equal measure.

Marc tensed as the citys clocks began their hourly clamor.

Te Sw e el l e r. Te e

returned to his inspection o the gallerys rear doors. The steel

had been punched by two blasts, probably rom a shotgun

l l r. Depe we er l , er w w f ee. He eppe e.

The gallerys chamber was a concrete cube, windowless

and neat and precisely lit. Shelves held a wide variety o trea-

sure and art. In the stockrooms center, three easels supported

a massive canvas. Lights on tripods were positioned like a

Hllw lm e re r le-p. A r le

contained a variety o brushes and bottles. A magniyingglass was positioned above the center o the painting. The

mer melle le f.

Marc clicked on his phone and hit the speed dial. When the

ambassador answered, he asked quietly, Wheres the target?

Wl er lwere e e. B e m

was a pro. He had sent an operative into Indian country.

Nw w e me r le rme. Ne me

, me e.

Re pee?

Hold one. Walton returned switly with, Holding steady

e-e l.

A re e lmeer per r w ee

mph and ten klicks under the limit. I the gallerys alarmhad gone o, the companys owner would be pushing harder

rre.


13/39


17

Walton hesitated, then said, You have six minutes to com-

plee r m.

Kitra stood across the street rom the gallery and searched

e re r Mr. Te mr r-r r mpee

w e e r ll e l wer. Se

elt both exposed and conused. Even so, she remained where

e w. A m le e le.

I re w pe ll rm er er r-er erler. He e e me e we e

on the Israeli government, keeping his community intact and

le. He l l er, m m ee

. D weer e .

Bere Kr l reer e w er er

w l , e p.

A ew mme ler, e m e er peofce door. He had reused to give his name. Instead he simply

told her that the next morning, at precisely three minutes past

e r, Mr Re wl eer Gee m exle

r ller, e.

Just like that, her lie had fown into an entirely dier-

e r. Br er p. S Gee

le pp ree, epere e Mr Re.

Te er me m e reel l e eer we

pe w .

Marc slowly pushed through the leather swinging doors

eere e ller.

The rooms were high-ceilinged and impossibly elegant.The art on the walls was powerul and distinctive and expen-

e. Tree mer pee e er, e rme


14/39

Davs Bnn

18

by a mock passage and a single stair o polished granite. The

mle rm w me rl , p w

w pe rze R ller.

Mr e e er le le ere e

w e rpe.

Te e w pe e erl rm, e

gallery owner could watch the doors and survey all three

chambers. In the tight space between the ligreed legs and

e ww l e .The man wore a pinstriped suit and highly polished shoes.

H mpele r e were e e l

plle rm e w e.

Mr le pe. Te re e r.

Repe.

Sl Glle ere. A e e.

Sw me.Marc hit the camera app and started around the desk.

Then the light fashed, and he knew he was a breath away

rm e ll w.

The light was a laser trigger, mounted to a compact charge.

The package was tted into the corner o the room and pointed

r w. Ame preel were e w .

When the citys clocks nally went silent and Marc had not

ppere, Kr ee e e. Se re e

ree pe e ller r. T er me,

it was unlocked. She was surprised because the man who had

come or her had described the situation in precise detail. The

ller wl pe r er r. Mr ee re reree rm e ller mper. He

w Swzerl le pper. He wl wer


15/39


19

pe r e relr eml . He w per

outside normal intelligence channels. He would view anyone

w ppre m err. B e m e er

rel wr Mr eeme ew ll

and were waiting or him. I Kitra did not reach him in person

me, e wl e.

Ol ere w Mr. A e r pee el.

Kitra remained where she was, halway through the en-

re, lle , Mr?

He w e r r w pe, e er e m

el e e wrl ll, Mr?

He lre e w ep ere e rer le.

He then heard a urther two clicks, meaning three charges

were w prme.

He saw Kitras lovely eatures grow tight with shock. It wasmple Kr w ere, e e ew l e

me r . N e e rl.

He rppe er e w ee er j e r

bomb blew. The compressed air hammered them through

e r r. Mr llwe e e l e em

r e ree, we r r m well

e ee rze pe me.

He e e l ree Kr e.

He rppe er e le.

And then he turned to ace the danger he was certain lurked

ere.

I l e .


16/39


17/39

21

C h p t e r Tw o

R M plle p r er L -e we. Te Bele l we preel qrer e. Te erl pp ree reme

relatively quiet. The second hand clicked through twenty-nine

e, e e r eppe . R re rm

the car and said in Swiss German, Good morning, Arnold.

Mme M.Eer r?

Perel, mm.

Y m .

Thank you. He waited as she passed through the bullet-

proo doors. Then the guard locked the gallerys outer doors,

lppe e e Bele weel, re er r eerr pr re.

Rhana let the gallerys inner doors click shut and surveyed

er m. Her elme w e e e r l-

leries in the entire world. The item on the ront rooms central

pl w prme e Ge Mem. Aer

ee reere --we ller w

a room named in their honor at New Yorks Museum oMer Ar.

Se w lw r e rm we e pe e


18/39

Davs Bnn

22

rosewood desk rang. Her assistant was not due in or another

teen minutes. Rhana Mandana specically ordered her

rre ere e. N e were ere

er mr l l p e V Cle.

Se rmll wer e pe. B e l ew

e le w e e wer me p p.

A le eer lle e e p pee. Se

walked over and checked the readout. The caller ID had been

le. Neer .Se le e reeer , M.

M peple re .

Y re expee l ex . . . B e le

lre p.

Her shop was laid out like the ormal rooms o a grand

me. Te r r pee l ller. Te wll

were pale teak, the foors granite and marble, the chande-ler Bem rl. A rm e rml prlr

pee er le, er r w m . Her

e w pe j e e prlr r

she could survey the chamber, the hall, and the entryway. Her

w e w le e e . Te p

meant that her aide could lead a recalcitrant buyer along

walls holding almost a hundred million dollars worth o art

ere ll rr R re.

She coded in the security number that only she and her

e e r ew, eere e me rer

warehouse. The concrete and steel chamber covered almost a

r e p l fr pe. Few peple were wre

that over a quarter o her treasures never saw the light o day.Oe e ew w re ere we r er w.

Rhana waited or the gallery doors to click shut. She stood


19/39


23

j e le e r, e e p e ere p

w wep mer. Se pell e-

e e mer m p. O e wll ee er

head was a ake light switch. Rhana placed her thumb on

e erpr reer e e e w ple. Tere

was a sot click, and all the security cameras shited to a

mperze lp, w emp mer.

Rhana crossed the warehouse, punched in the security

code, and the rear door drew up. Outside, a rerigerator truckrumbled sotly. A swarthy man in blue coveralls jumped down

rm e r peer r. Te r e reer

e wrer le, meer e r r l

w e rm e r.

Rhana complained, I had nothing down or delivery

.

We ew l r r . He e era clipboard bearing the correct code. When Rhana motioned

him to continue, he opened the truck and fipped back the

r e er. I w lw w. Sme r, me

w me. Tr-ee em.

Normally this particular client brought her one or two

em, ree e m. Se ree e ere w

w . I m ew, e wl . P em

e e.

R wle er x ee r pe e

me lr e ree wll. Te r re

pem l. Ol we w pe l e ee

e r e w x e l eel. Se

w e me re e em er er errere rm.

As always, the driver handed Rhana his cellphone. She


20/39

Davs Bnn

24

re rm e w me eme l, W e-

ler , w m?

Emere, e m reple.

I le e le

I m reee e re mll llr.

Se wllwe er pre. T le w eree

r. S .

Oe re mll. C.

We?I wll le w. Tw .

Imple.

Neer. He e me re we I ll.

Even i I could get my hands on that much, you know

perel well lre m wl ler Ierpl.

Y re em. Y w e rll.

B re mll. I wll ee e r-e

That is out o the question. Do what is required. Be ready.

She expected him to hang up. He never spoke or very long.

R re m w mre e l reqre er,

w er mple em e e p

er, we e w e l em e wrer rre e.

I w pee. Sl Glle ple Gee

ller.

Oll, e ll e. Pr , w.

Y re me e?

N. T em e rl.

Rhana raised a hand. The workers obligingly set down

e lpre. R pee rell. Se rele Gee e ere Sl p pl, pe

ew moments alone with this treasure. She knew it intimately.


21/39


25

Se e er lpe. Se ee . Se ew e

w pe R lle er.

R we e me , re er em,

e, I ee rmre Sl re el

ere em e pre.

Te rmr were rre. Te mer ee rele.

Permel.

W e e?

Sl ller w ere mr.Te l e l me w p.

The man went on, His shop was demolished by a bomb.

Rhana understood then why the man had remained on

e pe. H mee w w le e erel w

er. Se w e e r

the man had entered her world. No. The message or her

w, e m plere l. Sere erel , I er.

I m e e re mll . Y e r-

e r. Be re r m ll.


22/39


23/39

27

C h p t e r T h r e e

Gee erl ple er e rlzone beyond the train station. The monolithic structurewas unctional, imposing, and stank o disinectant. They

ere Mr r e erl llpe, w rrw

llw, le m erew mer. Kr w

were e ee.The interview room had bland walls and plastic chairs

and a battered central table. A narrow slit was set at eye

leel e r. A e wll el lrer ww e-

w l. Mr rew er re ee refe. He

repeatedly asked or someone to call Ambassador Walton.

He lere ewee em Wl re leand reading out the central system that plugged straight into

e We He perr.

Two hours ater his arrival, they brought him out into

e llpe prper e m we e.

Mr me Wl e l e em

ocer, strings had been pulled, and he was soon going to

e relee. B e ere we e el rwl. We Mr e e p er w w

happening, the woman oered to return Marc to the holding


24/39

Davs Bnn

28

cell, otherwise he was to keep his mouth zipped shut. Her

mm El rpre m.

The police inspector in charge o the bombing case re-

turned to the bullpen. He looked like a middle-aged, midlevel

rer. A ree ple je rrw rme

like a cheerless costume. He was accompanied by a man in his

late orties or early ties, wearing a charcoal jacket and gray

re l. T e m m e ee ree

l, e m e ee lee ler x.B Mr ew prel we e w e.

Te per le mmeel r e wle er.

Y wll plee me w me w.

The entire bullpen watched as Marcs cus were unlocked

rom the bench and the two men walked back toward the

l ell. B e rre e rer ll, Kr p-

peared, led by the emale ocer who had ordered Marc tozp . Kr wre e r ple we. Te wer

w e ze lre, e leee ll er er . Her

makeup was gone, and her eet slapped the foor in cloth

sandals. Her dark hair was uncombed and stuck out in a

f. Mr e eer ee mre el.

Se w l er r. Y re m !

The outburst caught everyone by surprise, especially Marc.

I we pre rm e l.

O, e l w rm ? W re

, llepr?

Kitra, I just saved your lie. Marc knew her anger was not

over the suit. Or the lake. But she couldnt yell at him in public

er e rel re er r. Te ple re wLet them wait. Were not talking about what I want to

l .


25/39


29

Yre l, re ell. Mr ew e w

rell r ee e ree j er e -

z me le eer. Te l ll r em .

Being right did not make it go away. It only made the pain

eer er. Fr m. Kr l. A

e e. Im rr.

Yre sorry. O, ppe

E. Te per p l mm

l. Te er rm w. Mr. Re, ere.Kr, ell em e r.

Se rle lel e emle er rp

er rm. I m certainly not le.

The police inspector tugged on his arm. Now, Mr. Royce.

Yr ppr e r ll me Kr Kr.

Ye.The police inspector who had led Marc away was now

seated across the interview table rom her. The elegantly

dressed gentleman was seated beside him. The policewoman

w reme er w e rer,

observing everything. The police inspector demanded, How

me e Gee, M. Kr?

I w e me.

B wm?

I w me.

Te w me w e er r e erew le

pper e le rpre er wer. A e

me. W ?

M er l me I l r m.Yr er, me . . .

Dr. Le Kr.


26/39

Davs Bnn

30

He mel r?

Eeer. Elerl.

Dr. Kr mpe ?

No. He is in France. Narbonne. With my mother. Saying

e wr l e e er le er. Te

re . Ter r er. M mer Fre.

Do you have a phone number where they can be con-

e?

On my cellphone. Wait. It doesnt work anymore. Callmy brother. Serge Korban. She gave the kibbutzs central

le. He wll w w re em.

The policewoman, who had checked on her all day and

r er w ee, e er p

by the door and handed Kitra a tissue. The inspector was

seated directly in ront o her. The other man was dressed

in a charcoal-gray jacket and chalk-blue shirt and stripede. H r w perel . H r ee were elle

erele.

Kr le rel m. M I w re?

N, M. Kr, m . I m e qe

ere. Te plem we l e rere er ze

him. So a man who your ather introduced, and whose name

rell, l

That is not what I said. My ather called and said I would

reee r. He l me r m. A w-

eer e e.

Is this normal? Does your ather oten make such requests?

Neer. T w e r me.

Dere e m w e me ere.He w Irel. Le xe, perp ler. B ll er

r. He rre e. I . . .


27/39


31

Ye?

I e w M. B e . Perp w

er e-p e, e re, e mp e

explosion she still elt, but suddenly she was back there in the

desert. He looked like a bull. Muscular with huge hands.

His hair was thinning but still dark. I dont think it was dyed,

I e er.

Te elel ree ler m pe r e r me.

Y rell m qe lerl.Ie ee wr mplee ew r r z

l. We re m e ele. Tere re pr-

lem eerwere. I w mee w m.

Y re elem mpree .

Ver m. He w l lle re.

Te ele m e pl r w e ee

someone who had spent years growing comortable with him-el weer rr e mel. Plee

.

He told me that Marc was coming to Geneva and was

wl rp. Te we me wr

m.

Y re?

O re I . I ree. I l em Mr

embassy. He replied that he couldnt because there was a

mle.

The elegant man leaned orward. Did the man tell you

were e mle w e?

He didnt say anything more. He stayed ten minutes.

Le.Te w ree?

Bee e l e m w, e ,


28/39

Davs Bnn

32

ee w eel le le w e l le

r l. I . . .

Ye, M. Kr, were w?

But there was no way she would tell them that she had

already lost Marc once, and the pain was still almost unbear-

le. A, re, ere w e er ere, e e e

did not even like to coness to hersel. That despite every

reason to the contrary, she had hungered or one more glimpse

m. Perp r e l me. Kr e er ee we e. Tere ele ell .

Hw M. Kr mee? Te ple pe-

tor sat across rom Marc while the man in civilian clothes

ere rm e rer.

We were Ar, Mr were. Ke.

Were preel?A reugee camp west o the Rit Valley. Right ater the

l erpe. Me er .

Te ple per e, weer ee e

read about the eruption or because Marc conrmed what

Kr lre l em, Mr e. Nr e

re. He ee le w e l ell r er

hour. His let shoulder and ribs throbbed rom the blast.

M I e me e?

Perp ler, Mr. Re. I w w

How about now. I have been here all day. No ood, no

water, no charges. Has my associate been treated in this man-

er? I r Sw prl?

Te ele m re, e e r, pe someone in the hallway. The police inspector watched him

with a sour expression, but did not protest. The police in-


29/39


33

spector did not speak again until the other gentleman had

reme e. Tell w me M. Kr.

I w e U.S. ellee lre er rm

pee llel e Ke.

All agents o oreign intelligence services are required

Sw lw e emele ll re.

Mr ew e e m re lw e

o every developed nation. I was previously a member o

Se Deprme Iellee. B w.Y le?

I w re.

A e e rere ?

I reelance. I met Kitra because her brother was suspected

o being kidnapped by the group I was investigating. She had

e Ke m.

Hw e e w ere Gee?I e e. I eer expee ee er .

T me ee weer, Mr. Re. I m -

me re l. Yr emp er p

Tw m erme e me me Ge-

e. M jee w p le rm e ller m-

per. M er w e q p. Te

ee ex eml w Mr. Glle m me.

Breaking into a Swiss rm to steal data rom a Swiss com-

per. Te plem e pre m.

Yr rme rw wre e me.

Marc took heart rom how the gentleman to his let smiled

. Mr pree . Te pee Glle e

r e e errrm. Te we llw e rl m ee were le. Mr

described his arrival at the gallery, nding the rear door


30/39

Davs Bnn

34

pe, ee e le , er Kr ll

me.

Y expe er me wr , e.

N ll.

A e ere e w. R e me.

Marc described the explosive charges and the laser triggers.

They knew I was coming. They obviously planned or me to

e lw p, me l le I me ere mrer

m m w l.Te m e rl je e, Yr e

W were r e ller wer r?

Tr ellpe. Te ller r e m-

ple re Gee rm Glle me e. D

e r?

Abandoned at the train station. Wiped clean. No prints.

The police inspector bitterly disliked this exchange. Hereinserted himsel with, Here is what I think happened, Mr.

Royce. You were sent by outside orces not to buy anything at

ll. Y me mrer Sw ze. W . A

Ms. Korban was sent to stop you. Why? Who knows. Perhaps

e eee w ll er w r er. Per-

p me ele erel. B er rrl errpe r

destruction o the gallery, which meant you could not get

away, not without killing the woman who came to warn you.

Mr w rl er e er ll elee

what he had suggested. But he was a cop, and he was a proes-

l pl lme. Mr reple, Srr, eer

wr.

Marc assumed the well-dressed man was an agent with the

Sw FIS, e r le ellee e. Sw el


31/39


35

was generally a closed door, as in nothing came in or out.

Because o Switzerlands willingness to help tax dodgers and

criminals hide away their money, and because they reused to

accept court documents rom other nations as legal requests,

most nations reused to share any intelligence, under any

rme, me.

W me e ele m ex me er ere

ee.

He led Marc into the police inspectors oce. A brassplqe e r rme Mr e e per

w me Rem Rer. Te ele m r-

e mel. He le Mr , lppe em

into his pocket, and pointed at a steaming plastic cup and

wrppe w e ee e e. Tee re r

.

Thanks. Could you please make sure Kitra has been givenme?

Alre e re . Te m pe p e pe

e e , He ere. He lee mme, e

e e reeer Mr, wle e r

e m.

Mr pee e w. I le le pe

l e wrpper e lee mle e pl.

He e pe, T Re.

Hl plee r Amr Wl.

He p rm e pl p rme. Te -

ee w le. He mpe e lmp-l w

e per r .

Mr?Here, r.

Are le?


32/39

Davs Bnn

36

Rer . B I w m e le . Im

ll e

I w were re. Ie ee re ll -

dential. Waltons voice had turned reedy, and his breath

came in tight little pus, like he had to battle or air. On

e we re je rer Hmel

Security and a rear admiral who heads a section o DOD

el. Eere er me?

A man and a woman both responded with armatives.Wl , Tell w ppee.

Mr ee.

Were w, Mr.

Sr, perm qe.

Fre w.

D e r me rem -r?

Walton hesitated, as though giving his associates a chance repl. Arme.

Te I we l e er el pere j

or the discussion. Otherwise we run the risk o my being

re e rer e e .

Walton gave that ten seconds. I agree. Comments, anyone?

Te m e , I r.

Its trumped by what we currently ace, replied the woman.

Ie m .

Mr wle er pee e r. Te e

r e llpe, rm re, le e per.

The policeman looked irate, probably because Marc had been

released rom the cus and granted use o the inspectors

e. Kr e r we e e e wll.Se le re wrre er mll. All ree e

re re we Mr eppe .


33/39


37

Marc signaled to the agent. Can you join me or a moment?

What is this, a private gathering in my oce? The in-

per e re were e ere llpe ere e

exe. Y w me er me, perp? A

e fois gras, re we?

The agent shut the door behind them, and Marc hit the

peer . Wee ee je rr, I w

r me.

Berr Bele.Wl eme, Yre Sw el?

FIS. T rre.

My name is Walton. I am special adviser to the White

He mer per erl

I w w re, Mr. Amr.

Te pe we le, e Wl , Expl.

Y were rmerl rer Se Deprme Iell-ee, e mlle e Amer ee. We me e,

ll.

Srr, r me e r ell.

Tere re l, r. Te m e el

the calm strength o someone long used to dealing with power

e. I w emprr r W em-

bassy and accompanied our ambassador to a reception in

e Se Deprme rml mer.

R. Ver well. Le pree. W me re w er

rer le e rre . We w e

Mr ell

I you will excuse me, sir, I think we should invite the

ple per well.Te DOD er rwle, O, re.

Chie Inspector Reynard has a murder on his hands,


34/39

Davs Bnn

38

Bele we . Oe e r premer r llere

ee lw p. Te m ee r e le were

le r x r. Te l ze ere lm qre

kilometer and included Genevas most exclusive shopping

street. The city is in chaos. Reynard is already being pres-

re e l r wer. He eer re

e r m eem. I e prlem e mre

mpl e e r rere

I , e wm . M mre.Oh, come on, Sarah. Do we even know who this man is?

What I know is the clock is ticking, and we are desperate.

Ae Bele, r e per.

When the policeman was brought in and introductions

me, Rer re e Sw e Fre. Bele

replied in English, I know this is true because I have met

Amr Wl I reze e. I l wee e mer I w l l e erl le r

e We He. He e er lp pper. Y

e le rm.

The inspector had the ability to rown rom his reced-

rle r llr. He le , e -

fe rer je. Bele , Y m pree, Mr.

Amr.

Mr, re w ppee.

He l e ee e lppe mer Wl pre-

erre. Sr w rrl e rpr, e x re,

circling the gallery, seeing the rear door was ajar, entering,

p e , e rre rer, ee Kr.

Te re r e r, e l, ere.Walton said, Kitra Korban, the nurse you worked with

Ke?


35/39


39

Rer , r.

Te wm , W?

Royces last assignment was in Kenya, Walton explained.

He investigated a security corporation by the name o

Lee.

I remember this, the woman replied. The attempted

e rre er. T w Re?

I w. Mr, w r eme?

I was set up. He ought atigue, hunger, a pounding head,and aching ribs as he said, Even though we circumvented

ll relr el, ere w ll le.

The admiral demanded, How did this Korban woman

?

Ae Bele reple, M. Kr e e w e

m er er e m r. He e

mel, we m me w M.Marc said, Mossad must also know about the leak, so they

reused to send their warning through the same channels you

r. Me e e me e w r re .

Tere w mme lee, e Wl , W

me M w w we e.

O course they know, the woman responded. The threat

re Irel r. Te e w, e

re l ere we re, e le

e re.

Berr Bele lere r. M I qre w

lrme?

I or one would like to know the very same thing, the

ple per ree.Tell em, Wl .

Are you both out o your minds? The admirals voice


36/39

Davs Bnn

40

carried the strength o pounded steel. We already have a

er le, we e l, w re

el w rer?

Te wm e w er, eqll rm. We e

er me r. A er r e

Crre. Re ler memer e ere.

He w canned.

Walton corrected, I dismissed him because I had no choice.

He w perl rT .

Crre. T rl, e wm ppe .

I do not concur. There is no hard evidence to connect

Swzerl. Yr ex-e per e

wrong r.

Ce Iper Rer lee rwr pee

m. B ere e l pe, Berr le e .W. Mr le e m r m rl.

Walton replied, Marc Royce is trying to ollow the money

rl. Te er ller

Me .

With respect, I disagree, Walton replied. Regardless,

we re pree.

I je e re ple erm.

Duly noted. Walton rarely barked, but he did so now.

Pree.

Te wm , Elee , e er le

mle r Nr Kre. Te er rele

rail to Pyong Yang, where they were placed on a Liberian

reighter. The maniest claimed it was bound or Karachi,P. Fe ler, e p re w expe-

riencing engine troubles and put in at Singapore. Satellite


37/39


41

p e ll e er re w m. We

e ee le le em.

Wl e, Te r me mr e

em r l-re mle. Ir wl re r

rp e wle re. I wl e le p

bulls-eye on the side o the vessel. These motors are two

generations urther along than anything the Iranians have

built. An Iranian missile equipped with this propulsion system

e pl r Amer l.The woman continued, Just prior to this event, we re-

ceived credible reports o a pending attack on a U.S. port.

Atlantic seaboard. All indications point toward this incident

e lre e e e ere . We re l

preeee l Amer le.

Bele e, Were e e Gee e

?Te mrl rle, I e. A ll.

Wl reple, Tere w rmer eee e

gallery being a conduit or illicit unds used to circumvent

e Ir .

Te mrl ppe, Ie ee r -lle eee.

Tere nothing me re l ewee e ller

m e m pme.

Mr ere, B e me r pere me.

They must be planning a major incident to set me up and

lw p ller.

The timing, Behlet quietly agreed, could be signicant.

We have three options that are now on the presidents

le, Wl . Te Irel e wre wedo not stop this shipment, they will bomb the Iranian nuclear

acilities. All o them. Do I need to tell you what that means?


38/39

Davs Bnn

42

Behlet glanced at his associate, who had gone very still,

reple, N, Mr. Amr. Y .

Option two. We stop every ship coming through the Strait

Hrmz, l e er e Ir f. D

er w me?

I wr, Bele , ee ll e -

per.

The Strait o Hormuz ormed the only sea passage between

the Persian Gul and the open ocean. Almost a quarter o theere wrl l w ppe r e rrw wer,

m e m rell l pe er. A

rrwe, e Sr w le we mle we. T e

, w rere e Ue Ar Emre, Om,

l el S Ar. T r r e

rele Ir.

Ambassador Walton conrmed, The instant we board r eel, we wll e ll wr w Ir.

A p ree?

We determine where those containers are. We stop them.

Wl, re w m me, e mrl ppe.

I m ere.

When the admiral clicked o, Walton sighed. As you have

probably detected, the military eels we should support an

attack by Israel, and back them with a blockade o the Strait.

Te wm rm Hmel , Or l e pe

lere ll- wr r e me.

Wl , A mr we e p r -

l reqe e Sw erme r er e.

We ee e ller e rze, ll ree r re.

I wll ee w I pee l, Berr


39/39


said. I will inorm you through Agent Royce i anything

r p.

T wl e m ppree, Wl .

Mr e, Hw m me we e?

The woman replied, Tracking out the shipping time rom

Spre, e erle e eel l pl rre e

Sr ee .

Oe wee, elem, Wl rpe. Y er e

mrl. Aer , e le me .

Strait of Hormuz

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Transcript of Strait of Hormuz