Read Fire in a Haystack: A Thrilling Novel (Legal Mystery Book Book 1) Online
Authors: Erez Aharoni
A flock of sparrows sang and leaped on the windowsill facing the Nahalat Binyamin pedestrian mall, as if the early morning hours would last forever and all cares would be chased away from the world.
Gali was sprawled on the spacious bed, the soles of her feet were sticking out of the blanket and gently caressing the flowered sheets. She emitted murmuring sounds of late morning awakening but refused to fully wake up.
A woman’s touch could do wonders with this place
, thought Ofer as he examined the disorganized organization of his apartment.
A few minutes later there was a knock on the door.
“Who is it?” asked Ofer.
“Mansherov.”
Ofer hastened to open the door.
Mr. Mansherov stood before him. Beneath his large skullcap was an even larger bandage, but it seemed as if the wound was not bothering him at all. His smile was so wide it could actually be tied behind his neck. He tried to get inside enthusiastically, but Ofer stopped him and whispered, “Sorry, but I’m not alone.”
“Got it…” Mansherov scratched his head and quickly retreated. “Anyway, I’ve brought you the newspaper. I’m sure you’ll find it interesting. And now,” he raised his voice, making sure his words were also heard inside the apartment, “let’s see if you can deny the existence of God, young man.”
“I’m not denying anything, and I thank both you and the Almighty.” Ofer hurried to close the door and opened the newspaper with excitement.
On the front page, there was a large, loud headline:
Ten Years After His Murder—Biological Institute Employee Is Cleared. Read the Full Story on page 6
Ofer feverishly turned the pages. The photo of his father standing in the shadow of a snowy mountain and staring at distant views was spread all over the length of page 6. The caption mentioned that attorney Gideon Geller, principal of Geller, Schneider and Associates, was arrested in connection with this affair. Additionally, it was written that several high ranking officials in the Ministries of Health and Defense and executives in several additional corporate and governmental bodies were being investigated to determine their part in the scandal.
The investigative journalist wrote that “The new and alarming discoveries were just the tip of the iceberg. These discoveries, which continue to accumulate, will cause a real earthquake regarding some very sensitive national security-related issues.”
“What’s it say?” asked Gali when she saw Ofer’s face stuck between the pages of the newspaper he was reading with fervor.
“Here, see for yourself,” he said and handed her the newspaper.
“Come to me,” she told him.
Ofer willingly obliged.
“How much time has passed? Can you believe that less than forty-eight hours ago you were almost a corpse?” asked Gali, her eyes scanning the headlines.
“Not really. It all seems like a distant illusion. I still don’t understand how we found ourselves in the middle of all this madness.”
“I need to ask you something,” said Gali.
“Go ahead, shoot.”
“I want to know why the Georgian bear came to rescue me and you didn’t come yourself?”
“You think I could have broken the door and neutralized your kidnapper?”
“Probably not. I’m not sure you’re properly equipped for such a task,” said Gali and felt the muscles of his arm. Her eyes sparkled, as they did whenever she recalled something. Ofer thought he knew what she had just remembered, but she said, “Did you manage to understand why they wanted to win the tender so badly?”
“Of course. The factory would become a private company, which doesn’t belong to the state, and Brick and Friedman would become its only masters. They planned to continue to sell toxins and control the viruses; they didn’t intend to destroy them. When you are running the factory that contains the secret laboratory, you can do whatever you want with the knowledge and the inventory. They figured they’d make a fortune selling the viruses to the highest bidder.”
“Who would buy them?”
“Who wouldn’t?” Ofer chuckled. “The world is full of crazy people. South Korea, for instance. Third world countries, such as Somalia, and those are only examples. Each such country would do anything to get its hands on biological weapons. And when buying the virus, they would also spend a fortune on the antidote, the vaccine that would protect their own people in case they became infected.”
“How come they didn’t change the name of the vaccine? One would think they’d be a little bit more careful after stealing an invention from one of their employees.”
“I guess they assumed enough time had passed. That was our lucky break. My lucky break, actually. Without that medicine, my address today would have been plot seven, row B, second pathway, the Yarkon Cemetery. When my father was developing the vaccine, he still did not fully realize its vast potential. He thought about developing the viral mutation without understanding it could be the cure. That’s why he chose the initials UUVAR1—Upgraded, Updated Variola. He was ahead of his time… But I’m bothered by something else—I know that Rodety, Brick and Friedman killed my father with Geller’s help and backup. But why did Harsovsky murder Natalia?”
“She simply knew too much,” ruled Gali. “And why were they after you?”
“I think they suspected I stole the money Harsovsky had given Rodety because I was the last one in his hotel room. That was why the messenger I hung in the restroom stall broke into my apartment. He couldn’t find the money and stole the carpet to make it appear like a regular break-in. From there, he continued to Natalia’s apartment, took care of her and rolled her in the carpet. He never imagined the two events would be connected. But why did he think I might have the test tube?”
“I gave that a lot of thought. Harsovsky must have tapped Friedman’s or Brick’s phones, maybe even both. They even imply that in the newspapers. That’s how the report reached Harsovsky, and he gave instructions to follow you. Here, look… they say Harsovsky’s death is also being investigated, and the police found documents and recordings that tie him to this entire affair.”
“That Harsovsky was a real piece of shit,” Ofer couldn’t contain himself any longer.
“I agree. He certainly fooled me. He competed with Brick and Friedman over Viromedical. He pretended he cared about environmental issues to improve his chances.”
“That’s why they sent someone to kill him at the association assembly.”
“Miraculously enough, this incident ended up without many casualties. I still don’t understand how I was able to escape this one.”
“But apparently Harsovsky didn’t stay down for long. That’s why he demonstrated his power and attacked Brick’s yacht as a warning. He hoped that Brick would get the message and withdraw from his efforts to win the factory.”
“They didn’t exactly invent kindheartedness and mercy either. They ended up sending him to heaven.”
“Then the mighty Fliegelman ‘shent’ them to the same exact place.”
“Fliegelman is an angel. Who would’ve believed it? He saved us both with his own hands…”
They grew silent and thoughtful.
“It’s a shame, really. Harsovsky had promised to continue to donate hefty amounts to the association… by the way, where did the money he gave to Rodety end up?” asked Gali.
“It’s here. With me in a suitcase. It’s always with me and I’m always with it. Now we can start planning how to spend it.” Ofer cuddled in Gali’s thin, warm hands and imagined a thousand bills fluttering like greenish butterflies all over the room.
“Are you kidding me? Come Monday, we start working on the Israeli Military Industries site in Ramat Hasharon.”
“Who’s we?”
“You and me… and the Mordechai Angel Association, formerly known as ‘The Environmental Action Association’ that has just now changed its name.”
Ofer looked at her burning brown eyes as tears welled in the corners of his own, but he reminded himself of his promise—he would never cry again.
“We can give this money to the association, right?” asked Gali.
“Of course. You yourself said that’s what Harsovsky would have done, make another generous donation. Why shouldn’t we fulfill his last wish?”
He kissed her on the mouth, not allowing her to answer. She clung to him. Ofer ran his hand over her smooth tanned leg, from the thigh all the way down to the sole of her foot.
“Don’t you dare… to even think about… pinching my ankle,” Gali whispered.
In order to envision the difficulties that writing a thriller entails, imagine yourselves facing the task of solving a sixty five thousand word crossword puzzle. That’s the easy task. The difficult one is causing the reader to be unable to put down the book. From my experience, one can’t successfully undertake such a task without the support and aid of others. Therefore, I would like to thank the following people, who offered their time and effort to help me in the process of publishing this book:
To Julie MacKenzie for her wonderful and smart English editing and proofreading. To Amnon Jackont for the thorough and learned editing, to Tamar Bialik and the rest of the publishing house’s employees for their dedication and professionalism, to Amira Nevo for the meticulous linguistic editing, to all my friends who read the manuscript and didn’t spare me their creative criticism: to Attorney Shmulik Zysman for his encouragement and wise suggestions for corrections, to Professor Lior Shapira for his explanations and updates regarding the field of medicine, to Shlomi Reizman for his practical remarks, which improved the book to no end, and last, but not least: to my dear wife Iris Aharoni for her ongoing support and willingness to accept my strange desire to write books.
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