Even as Israel became more diligent in their efforts to target the doctor, he was allowing his security to become more lax. For a decade and a half, he’d been told he could be killed at any time. But the intel Nir’s organization had received was that he was getting tired of hearing it. So many people had cried “Mossad” that he was starting to ignore the cries. This slipshod security reached into his carpool, and he’d begun to drive his own vehicle, relegating his protection team to cars in front and in back of his own. Nir and his agents would be counting on that sloppiness today.

Nir’s watch beeped. He climbed out of the back of the truck and started walking up the road. Soon, he heard a vehicle slowing behind him. The side door of the van was already open. He stepped in, and Lahav closed the door behind him.

“This is so cool,” said the analyst, obviously excited. “It’s like real secret agent stuff.”

“Go sit down before you blow a blood vessel.”

Nir opened the door for Imri and Doron, then again for Yaron before moving to the front passenger seat opposite Dima, who was driving.

“Hi, sweetie,” Nir said to the Russian whose disguise consisted of a woman’s headscarf and a long black dress. Dima glared at him. “Wow, hon, you don’t seem happy.”

Nir heard laughter in his coms as he reached to pull out his earpiece. “Great work, guys,” he called back. “Relax for the drive. Our babushka here has promised us a smooth trip.”

Let’s hope it’s smooth, Nir thought. Three hours from now we’ll be past Tehran and set up in Kaveh Industrial City. And three and a half hours from now, the unholy father will be meeting his unrighteous end.

Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

KAVEH INDUSTRIAL CITY, MARKAZI PROVINCE, IRAN—15:20 / 3:20 P.M. IRST

Term Lead, be advised that Father’s ETA is seven minutes. That’s seven minutes.”

“Root,” Nir answered Liora’s update. He tried to picture their crowded team control room. He figured a minimum of 30 people were packed in, watching and listening to everything done and said. Because this was such an important operation that would probably be reviewed and analyzed for years to come, Nir had insisted that everyone do and say everything strictly by the book.

If there had been room in the van, he would have been pacing. And despite the cold outside, he was sweating profusely. One reason was that he and the team had changed back to their full gear, and its weight was a continual workout. Yet he knew most of his discomfort was from nerves. It was essential that nothing keep Doron from pressing that trigger.