“What’d you find out?” Samuel asked Ben.
“The target’s movements are very predictable. He does everything on a routine. Almost too much so.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s almost as if he knew he was being watched and was over-emphasizing a predictable routine. Like he was trying to demonstrate that he was always at the same places at the same times. Does that make sense?”
“There was no deviation?”
“No. You could set your watch by the guy. It seemed too good to be true.”
“If it seemed that way, then it’s probably so. You’re sure you didn’t get made? Maybe they were putting on an act for you.”
“I don’t think so. I was careful. But even if they did see me, why would they put on such an act?”
“To lure the watcher into being in a limited number of predictable places.”
“But how could they be certain I wasn’t there to do the deed? Only watch?”
“Because if you hadn’t struck by the second day, it was obvious you weren’t going to. Therefore, they felt safe putting on the show.”
Ben puzzled through the intricacies of the situation. Then shook his head in dismayed confusion. Samuel smiled.
“Don’t worry. It takes time.”
“I’m not sure I’m cut out for this. Perhaps Sam and I should change places. I could stay and run the school. He could go out into the field?”
“Don’t give up so soon.”
“But if they knew they were being watched, they now know they’re a target. Won’t that make completing the task more difficult?”
“It would if they were the real target. But they’re not.”
“What?! My mission was a fake?”
“Your mission was very important. You got everyone to look one direction while they should have been looking in another. The real target was eliminated earlier today. I suspect it will be on the evening news.”
“But who—”
“The question or questions you want to ask are better left unasked.”
Ben just stared at his father, unsure whether to be proud he’d accomplished the real mission or disappointed that he’d been sent on what was essentially a wild goose chase.
“You knew I’d mess up and be discovered!” he said accusingly.
“Ben, don’t beat yourself up. This was your first mission. Our targets are extremely high-profile, with the best-of-the-best security. It was highly probably you would be discovered. It was one of the reasons you were chosen to go out. It was a safe training mission for you yet allowed us to ensure delivery of the actual contract. Payment has already been made and appropriate gratitude expressed. You should feel proud you were part of it. Now let’s talk about what lessons presented themselves.”
They spent the rest of the hour before dinner going through every movement Ben made, with Samuel pointing out the pros and cons of each. Once they finished the first pass through, Samuel made him go through the whole process again. Ben sighed but started over. When he reached a certain point in his narrative, Samuel interrupted him.
“There. That’s the moment you were discovered. Now tell me how they figured it out.”
Samuel watched as Ben sat thinking. Suddenly his whole demeanor changed. Samuel smiled as he realized Ben had ascertained the answer. His smile became a wide grin as Ben began to explain in detail the steps leading up to his discovery.
“Excellent. Now you’ve named it, you won’t repeat it. I feel assured of that, and you should, too.”
Ben nodded. Samuel stood and put his hand on Ben’s shoulder.
“I’m proud of you son. And I’m glad you’re home safe. Even watcher missions can be dangerous. You did well. Now let’s go eat whatever your mom’s made that smells delicious.”