Chapter Ten
Seker’s Apartment
Van, Turkey
The Turkish agent offered Jack and Riley red tea and baklava, the rich, crispy pastry filled with chopped walnuts and dripping with honey. The three of them were now in the living room, sitting cross-legged around a wooden table on a thick Persian carpet with a magnificent flowery motif. Seker had dismissed his guards and rested with his back against the beige wall, across from the Canadian agents.
His three-bedroom apartment was on the second floor of the building and had elegant, expensive-looking, glass-and-metal furniture. Seker had been enjoying a couple of pieces of baklava when the taxi had arrived. Crumbs and the sugary syrup were all that was left in a small bowl on the kitchen counter. Four diamond-shaped pieces of the rich dessert sat on the table in front of Jack and Riley.
After the first sip of tea, Jack’s eyes rested on Seker’s face. Seker noticed the inquiring look, but ignored it for a few seconds. He nursed his tea in a small curvy-shaped glass and said, “Your asset is still in Tabriz. My men have made contact with her. She’s in good hands.”
Jack knew that much already. He had talked to Bhada soon after the team had arrived in Istanbul and when they landed in Van. Bhada was still in good spirits, although slightly disappointed with the delay.
“The border is completely shut after the shooting of a second border patrol along the Armenian side in the north,” Seker said in an irritated tone. “The situation has gone from bad to worse.” A flush of anger crept up on his face.
Jack frowned. “A second one? When did that happen?”
“About half an hour ago. It’s still not in the news, but I have sources on the ground.”
Jack nodded. One of the reasons the CIS used Seker was because of his vast network of contacts and connections. He had been a colonel in the Turkish Army, before leaving that position three years ago. He never retired, just switched his line of work. The private sector paid handsomely, especially when it came to smuggling operations. Whether it was fuel, drugs, weapons, or humans, Seker had the right people for any kind of job.
“How does that affect our plans?” Jack asked, even though he knew the answer.
“How?” Seker put his teacup down on the table. “We can do nothing until all this is finished. The Iranians have crossed into Armenia and Azerbaijan, trying to keep the fighting between those two countries from escalating. Iran can’t afford for the conflict to spill out of control.”
Jack offered a grave nod. A few mortar shells had landed in Iran, killing a dozen or so people, causing panic and the evacuation of a handful of villages along Iran’s northwestern border. Turkey had dispatched Syrian fighters, taking the side of Azerbaijan. Russia was also involved, although the extent of their commitment was unclear. A large number of ragtag militias wearing no identifying uniforms or badges were seen operating throughout the area. A repeat of the quagmire of Syria and Iraq was very much in the works.
“So, are we staying here?” Riley asked.
Seker shook his head. “No, not enough room. I have another apartment. Not far from here.”
Jack asked, “How long do you think this will last?”
Seker glanced up to the ceiling. “Only Allah knows. A day or two. A week.”
Jack’s eyes sparked with impatience. “My asset doesn’t have a week.”
“Well, what would you do? Go and take her out yourself?”
He didn’t answer but studied Seker’s tight expression. His eyes had the unmistakable look that such an idea would be pure foolishness. Jack sighed and said, “Tell me about the Iranians. You said they’re everywhere…”
Seker cursed the Iranians’ mothers, comparing them to female dogs. “Yes, the patrols have increased along the border. Some troops have been seen crossing into our land. Iran, of course, denies such claims. They’re saying they’re being vigilant in monitoring and controlling their borders. But they’re doing more than that.” He sipped his tea.
Riley gave Jack an impatient look, but Jack returned a stern headshake.
Seker offered a small shrug and continued, “Small units from Artesh, the regular Iranian army, and members of the Revolutionary Guard have been targeting all kinds of smugglers. Even those that pay bribes or give a cut to the border guards and Iranian officials can’t move freely. Some people have been beaten. A couple who tried to resist were killed.” His voice took on a somber tone.
“That’s why you have guards downstairs?” Jack asked slowly.
Seker nodded. “Yes. A smuggler’s life is always dangerous, but now more than ever. Last week, I had to change bases every night. I wouldn’t have helped you, if it weren’t for Hijazi. I owe him my life.”
Jack was familiar with the story of how Hijazi had intervened to secure Seker’s freedom when he had been captured by border guards while smuggling fifty kilograms of cocaine on a horse’s back. If Seker had been tried in Iran, he could have been hanged. Instead, Hijazi had pulled in favors, and the Turkish agent was released after paying the mind-blowing sum of half a million dollars.
Seker finished his tea and looked at Jack’s half-empty glass. “Do you want more?”
“Sure, but not right now.”
“Why haven’t you tried the baklava?”
“I will, in a moment. Or maybe you want it,” he said to Riley.
“Oh, no. I already had my fair share.” He had wolfed down two pieces seconds after Seker had offered them.
Jack asked, “Have you seen Iranians in the city?”
“I haven’t, personally. A friend of mine saw two men on the northern outskirts of the city. They left hurriedly when they were spotted, heading toward the east, in the direction of the border. I’m sure there are others, mostly around the border area. Once they’re in Turkey, though, they can travel freely everywhere.”
He drew in a deep breath, and his eyes glinted with anger. “It’s a good time to settle old accounts under the pretext of restoring stability to the region and stop the flow of Syrian fighters headed to the battlefield.”
“Are those rumors true?” Riley asked.
The look on Seker’s face told Jack that the young agent should have known the answer. “Of course they are. The government can’t openly send the army. Too much exposure. They’ve learned the lesson from Russia: Use mercenaries, rebel fighters from another area, foreigners if possible, so there’s clear deniability.”
“It’s going to be messy,” Jack said.
“It already is,” Seker replied. “Let’s just hope we get your asset out of Iran. Then, it’s time for me to take that long vacation I’ve always promised myself.”
“Where would you go?” Jack asked.
“I’ve heard the Caribbean is a great place. Have you ever been there?”
Jack didn’t respond right away. He had spent his honeymoon in St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and elsewhere in the Caribbean. He nodded as a dark frown fell on his face. “I’ve been there. It’s a lovely place. Always sunny. Peaceful.”
“Exactly what I need,” Seker said. “I’ll get us more tea.”
He had just stood up when a engine’s loud gunning came from outside. Seker walked to the window and moved the heavy blinds to the side. He looked through the small crack as angry shouts filled the room.
The window erupted in a burst of gunfire.