Deadly States (Seaforth Files by Nicholas P Clark Book 2) (52 page)

that was the result Deeley wanted most, and the result Jack was not
prepared to give to him. He would find another way.

Over the years Jack had become an expert actor. Playing the role
of hardened terrorist
or passionate, but kind, lover, all came naturally
to him. But in those few precious moments with
Alexa, before he was
escorted to the airport, Jack
played an altogether
different
part. He
played himself. A man in love. A man in mourning for a life that could
have been. They kissed, said their goodbyes, and parted. Never in his
wildest nightmares would he have guessed at the number of years that
would pass before he looked into her eyes again. Had he known that is
what fate held in store for them he would have fought
harder. He
would have brought her home with him and to hell with his career.

As Jack and Deeley waited for their flight at the airport
Alexa’s
face was
being
displayed
on televisions, alongside the aftermath
of
the attack. It was just as Deeley had said—she was a hero and she was
broken
because
of it. Her
old life was well and truly
over. When a
minister from the Jordanian government appeared on the screens giving a statement in English, Jack knew that the situation was intense.
A press conference given in English was always a sure sign that they
wanted
America and Britain to come to their rescue. He spoke of his
government’s concerns
over Israel’s build
of troops
on the
border. He
also denied that his country knew anything about the planned attack
on Israel. For once the minister was speaking the truth and it was clear
that the
man was not
used to doing so. The truth left
him looking
shifty and lost. He was a man operating well outside his comfort zone.
He was a man on the brink of meltdown.

As they left the departure lounge Jack stopped for a brief moment
to watch an antique television. Images
of Israeli troops crossing the
border sent a shiver down his spine. Deeley had spoken of how no one
had come out of this with what they wanted, but it was clear from the
images on that screen that the mad men had got what they wanted, or
at the very least they
had
made a very
good start towards getting
what
they
wanted.
As
Jack
walked
away
from
the
television
towards the
plane he felt
empty. He had given up everything and the
region was just as unstable as it ever was—perhaps more so?

and he had no intention in engaging in small talk with Deeley. He
may
have had no part in what the Israelis were doing but he could
have taken a stand against it.
As long as Britain and
America stood
back and
did
nothing then innocent
people would
continue to
die.
Deeley was Britain as far as Israel was concerned and as long as he said
nothing then things would never
change—action followed
by
overreaction—state against state—neighbour against neighbour, until one
day, and soon,
someone would go too far. That
day
had just
been
averted, but for how long? Jack did not feel at all confident. The one
ray
of hope was
Alexa. She was resourceful and she was determined.
Perhaps she would seek political office? Perhaps she would continue to
fight for what was right, in a different arena, using unfamiliar weapons? Thethought brought a stupid smileto Jack’s face. Deeley noticed.

“I’m glad to see that you are in better spirits, Jack.” “A
s
you said, we are all alive,” Jack said.
“That’s more than will be said about the poor bastards living in the

border towns of Jordan, shortly.”
“We need to do something before it gets out of hand.”
“For Christ’s sake Jack, would you
ever grow up?
You know that

there is nothing that we can do about what is going on. You know that
we will go back home to London and within a few days we will have
turned our attention to something else. That is the way
of the world.
And besides....”

Deeley cut himself off. “Besides
what?” probed Jack. “Is it so
very wrong?”
“Is what wrong?”
“What Israel is doing? Is it so very wrong? Can we really
blame

them? If we were in the same position, wouldn’t we do the very same
thing?
You
have read some
of
the
classified files from the
Second
World War. You know some
of the diabolical things that
our nation
was forced to do to survive. Those things that will never be revealed to
the public. So terrible that they would change the very nature of our
hard won freedom forever. Israel is only doing what it has to do to survive and we would do the very same thing if we were in their shoes.”

“Some forms of freedom are not worth fighting for. If we have to
cover up those things that we did to guarantee our own freedom then
it was too high a price to pay. It takes away from who we are, and who
we will be. Israel is on the verge and if we don’t do something now to
stop her then she will be lost to the civilised world forever. I beg you
commander, don’t let this happen.”

Deeley smiled at Jack’s words.
“What am I going to do with you? Ours is not a business for such
sentimentality. We can
only
ever
do
our
best. The rest... The rest is
beyond
our control and the sooner you accept that simple truth the
sooner you will find contentment in what we do.”
“If I
ever find contentment in what we do,
please put
me
out
of
my misery.”
Deeley laughed.
“Jack, Jack, Jack. For the love of god, keep that kind of rubbish to
yourself when we get back to London or you will be finished. And stop
worrying about Jordan.
America is already instructing Israel to pull
back. Sure, a few towns and villages will burn in the retreat,
but a
bigger conflict will be averted. So you see Jack, everything has worked
out for the best. No real harm done and everyone in the neighbourhood will think twice
before taking
on the
biggest
kid in the
playground. Perhaps not peace in our time, but certainly peace for a time,
even if that time is very short. Now relax.
You and
Alexa have done
some real good. It would have been a hell of an inconvenience if I had
to wear a radiation suit on my next visit to the pyramids.”
Jack
didn’t respond. He turned and looked
out
of the window. In
spite
of
his words, Jack felt that Deeley was
more involved in the
events
of that day than he was letting
on. Men like Deeley were the
real
masters
of
mankind and as
much as Jack would liked to have
done something about that he knew that it would be a never-ending
battle.
As soon as
one was struck
his
place. During the
entire flight
thought about the grilling he was about to receive on his return home.
All thoughts were of Jordan and of
Alexa. Both now beyond his reach.
More regret in a life where regret was fast outweighing contentment.
down another would rise to take
back to London Jack never
once