Koglu picked up a thin file, then dropped it unceremoniously onto a pile of black-and-white photographs. ‘I have read the chief of police’s interim report and I am far from satisfied. Perhaps you can enlighten me?’
Aslan paused. ‘First of all, sir, one of the perpetrators – the survivor – has confessed to murdering a Jewish dentist in Istanbul in 2003. This does suggest that the main target of the attack was Israel, rather than Freemasonry in particular.’
Koglu looked doubtful. ‘I cannot see the Israelis being hurt by an attack on a Turkish Lodge. But go on.’
‘Many Jewish businessmen and intellectuals belong to Turkey’s five Masonic organisations – which have, I believe, some 14,000 members.’
‘14,000? A significant number.’
‘That depends on the significance you wish to attach to the fact… sir.’
‘The bombing is significant.’
‘Regarding which, General, I think we should consider the Islamic Great Eastern Raiders Front.’
‘I thought we had IBDA-C either locked up or under close observation after the November bombing? Sixty-nine indictments only a fortnight ago.’
‘And a lawsuit is to be filed against another twelve suspects.’
‘Good! That’s something to tell the press!’
‘Indeed, sir. The point is that after the November bombings against British interests in Istanbul, the news agency Anadolu Ajansi received a call from a man who said those attacks were the joint work of IBDA-C and al-Qaeda.’
‘We already know this, Colonel.’
‘The man also said something that… well, it passed us by at the time.’
‘Yes?’
‘He said, “Our attacks on the centres of international Freemasonry will continue.”’
‘Is the Kartal Lodge a “centre of international Freemasonry”?’
‘Not exactly, sir. But from the point of view of the fundamentalist conspiracy theorist, any big British or US financial or political centre could be described as a centre of international Freemasonry, because they see Freemasonry and Zionism everywhere. That’s thanks to your anti-Semitic Protocols propaganda. According to the allegedly invisible “Elders of Zion”, the conspiracy is so vast that virtually any target is legitimate.’
General Koglu started rubbing his boot heels together.
‘Sir, we must work on science, not prejudice. After the bombing, the official statement of the Lodge read as follows…’ Aslan extracted a small card from his wallet. ‘“The bombing was an attack on modern and secular Turkish society.”’
‘Yes, Colonel. Celik wrote that at my dictation, then gave it to the Lodge Master to use.’
‘Then you agree with it?’
‘It was the right thing to say at the time.’
Koglu got up, folded his arms and turned towards the large plate-glass window. He gazed out at Ankara’s vast, monotonous panorama of grey, dusky blocks and conurbation. ‘I wonder, Aslan, what they out there would think of this discussion.’
‘Why don’t you ask them?’
‘Don’t be impertinent, Colonel.’
He turned to face Aslan. ‘If, as the Arabs have suggested, Jews and Freemasons contributed to the end of the caliphate, how can we be sure they don’t now oppose the regime that succeeded it?’
‘Jews and Freemasons are the victims of this bombing, sir, not its perpetrators! Nothing would please the extremists more than to hear this kind of conspiracy theory become a basis for policy. If we attack ourselves, we do their work for them.’
Koglu put his hands behind his back and locked his thumbs.
‘Nevertheless, Turkey must be prepared. The army must be alert to all interests that affect national security. One must cover all possibilities, without, as you say, prejudice.’
Aslan began to object but Koglu raised his right hand abruptly. ‘That is why, Colonel Aslan, I am requesting your department to ask all relevant local authorities – and you can get an article into Hürriyet while you’re about it – to assemble information on these individuals and groups.’
Koglu reached under the pile of photographs and pulled out a printed sheet. ‘It’s all here. Please phrase it in appropriate language. Thank you, Colonel. If there’s anything I can do to make your stay in Turkey’s capital a pleasant one…’
‘I’m expected back in Istanbul this afternoon, General.’
‘As you will.’ Koglu patted Aslan on the back and led him out of his office to the reception elevator. ‘We admire your loyalty to the state. You have friends here, Colonel. Don’t forget that.’
Aslan entered the brushed-steel lift and pulled the sheet out of his pocket:
In view of recent events, military staff request the authorities to gather intelligence that will enable us to take effective measures against incidents that could arise. Information is required concerning ethnic minorities, including Circassians, Gypsies, Albanians, Bosnians.
Information is sought on magicians, people who practise meditation, supporters of the EU and the USA, the socially elite, members of artistic groups, children of wealthy families, foreigners living in Turkey, Satanists, Freemasons, sympathisers with white supremacists in the Ku Klux Klan, and groups that congregate on the internet.
Aslan shook his head. More ‘usual suspects’? This was ridiculous.
Or was it?