Ops Files II--Terror Alert Read Online Free PDF

experienced field agents to a wild-goose chase, but there was one promising candidate who the training program felt could benefit from additional seasoning. Yael pulled up her file and read with interest the report on her mission in Indonesia, and did a double take when he eyed her photograph.
    “Maya Weiss. You look like quite a handful for my old colleague Uri,” he whispered as he studied the image.
    He nodded to himself, and then called Uri to give him the good and bad news.
    “Sorry, Uri. No positive ID. But after considering your request, I’m delighted to tell you that I’m sending you one of our brightest stars to assist with your op,” Yael said.
    Uri sounded suspicious. “Why do I get the feeling you’re not giving me the whole story, Yael?”
    “Because you’ve been in the game far too long,” Yael said. “I’ll send you background on the agent and give you an ETA shortly.”
    “I’ll also need approval for an expanded budget.”
    “Which I’ll ensure you have by the time she arrives.”
    Uri snorted. “She?”
    “What, you have something against women now?”
    “I need a field operative, not a secretary.”
    “This operative single-handedly took out a heavily armed compound, Uri. I’d suggest you reserve judgment and park the chauvinism at the door.” Yael hesitated. “She’s relatively new, but the experience of working with a seasoned professional like you will do her a world of good.”
    “I can feel the smoke against the back of my legs from here, Yael.”
    “Trust me. She’ll be a big help. Just try to avoid the medieval mindset, would you?”
    Yael’s next call was to Jaron, to tell him that he wanted his star pupil. Jaron was unreadable, as always, but recommended that Yael speak with Elana, Maya’s instructor and mentor, whom Yael knew from past missions where they’d worked together. Elana sounded as she always did, no-nonsense and all business.
    “I can have her ready to ship out in a few hours. You want me to do the briefing, or will you send someone down?”
    “I’ll send someone,” Yael said, thinking he wanted to meet this woman himself before sending her to Bangladesh to be tormented by Uri, whom Yael didn’t for a moment believe would behave himself for long. “Any…reservations or advice? Is she ready for a full-time posting in the field?”
    “Oh, absolutely. From a skill standpoint, yes. As you know, there’s no substitute for more real-world experience, but she’s setting records every day here.”
    “How’s her judgment?”
    “She’s a machine,” Elana said, meaning it in a good way. The best operatives were dispassionate, not given to human traits like emotion…or remorse.
    “Anything to add I need to be aware of?”
    “No. I’d only caution you not to point her at anything you don’t want eliminated. She’s rather efficient – and you know I don’t say that lightly.”
    “Coming from you, that definitely means something. I’ll bear it in mind.” He checked the time. “Have her ready to ship out at three.”
    “Very well. Whom shall I tell security to expect?”
    “I’m coming myself.”
    There was no surprise in Elana’s voice. Typical. She’d invented the poker face. “I’ll let them know. See you when you get here.”
    Yael’s voice softened. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
    “We’re all busy. I understand.”
    Yael twisted his wedding ring. “See you in a few hours.”
    The line went dead. Yael set the handset back into the cradle, softly, as though handling a newborn, and stared off into space. His eyes roamed over the bookcase, the corkboard next to it covered with carefully worded bureaucratic missives, and settled on an ashtray perched on the corner of his desk – emptied that morning while he’d been in his meetings by his attentive assistant. He fished a pack from his shirt pocket and tapped out an unfiltered cigarette, and then lit it and blew a bluish stream at the ceiling.
    He had no idea why he felt