The sum of all fears - Tom Clancy [125]
Number One, Ghosn told himself on lighting cigarette number 54 of the day, every book I can find on nuclear materials, their physical and chemical properties: bomb technology, bomb physics: radiological signatures the Israelis must know the bomb is missing - since 1973! he thought in amazement. Then why Of course. The Golan Heights are volcanic in origin. The underlying rock and the soil in which those poor farmers tried to raise their vegetables were largely basaltic, and basalt had a relatively high background-radiation count the bomb was buried two or three meters in rocky soil, and whatever emissions it gave off were lost in background count
I'm safe! Ghosn realized.
Of course! If the weapon were that 'hot', it would have been better shielded! Praise be to Allah for that!
Can I can I That was the question, wasn't it?
Why not?
"Why not?" Ghosn said aloud. "Why not. I have all the necessary pieces, damaged, but "
Ghosn stubbed the cigarette out in the dirt next to all the others and rose. His body was racked by coughing - he knew that cigarettes were killing him more dangerous than that but they were good for thinking.
The engineer lifted the sphere. What to do with it? For the moment, he set it in the corner and covered it with a tool box. Then he walked out of the building towards his jeep. The drive to headquarters took fifteen minutes.
"I need to see the Commander," Ghosn told the chief guard.
"He just retired for the evening." the guard said. The entire detail was becoming protective of their commander.
"He'll see me." Ghosn walked right past him and into the building.
Qati's quarters were on the second floor. Ghosn went up the steps, past another guard and pulled open the bedroom door. He heard retching from the adjoining bathroom.
"Who the devil is it?" a cross voice asked. "I told you that I didn't want to be disturbed!"
"It's Ghosn. We need to talk."
"Can't it wait?" Qati appeared from the lighted doorway. His face was ashen. It came out as a question, not an order, and that told Ibrahim more than he'd ever known of his Commander's condition. Perhaps this would make him feel better.
"My friend, I need to show you something. I need to show it to you tonight." Ghosn strained to keep his voice level and unexcited.
"Is it that important?" Almost a moan.
"Yes."
"Tell me about it."
Ghosn just shook his head, tapping his ear as he did so. "It's something interesting. That Israeli bomb has some new fusing systems. It nearly killed me. We need to warn our colleagues about it."
"Bomb? I thought-" Qati stopped himself. His face cleared for a moment and the Commander's expression formed a question. "Tonight, you say?"
"I'll drive you over myself."
Qati's strength of character prevailed. "Very well. Let me get my clothes on."
Ghosn waited downstairs. "The Commander and I have to go see about something."
"Mohammed!" the chief guard called, but Ghosn cut him off.
I'll take the Commander myself. There is no security problem in my shop."
"But-"
"But you worry like an old woman! If the Israelis were that clever, you'd already be dead, and the Commander with you!" It was too dark to see the expression on the guard's face, but Ghosn could feel the rage that radiated towards him from the man, an experienced front-line fighter.
"We'll see what the Commander says!"
"What's the problem now?" Qati emerged from the door, tucking his shirt in.
I'll drive you myself, Commander. We don't need a security force for this."
"As you say, Ibrahim." Qati walked to the jeep and got in. Ghosn drove off past some astonished security guards.
"What exactly is this all about?"
"It's a bomb after all, not an electronics pod," the engineer replied.
"So? We've retrieved scores of the cursed things! What is this all about?"
"It is easier to show you." The engineer drove rapidly, watching the road. "If you think I have wasted your time - when we are done, feel free to end my life."