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“You look a little haggard, Ben. Not enough sleep lately?”
“The only reason I am here is because your president requested that I meet you. What do you want?”
“I don’t want anything, Ben.”
Freidman scoffed. “I suppose you flew all this way because you missed my pretty face.”
“No, I flew all this way to thank you.”
The Israeli spy chief rolled his eyes. “For what?”
“For doing us all a favor and destroying Iran’s nuclear program.”
Freidman stared Rapp straight in the eye and said, “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
Rapp put one foot in front of the other, crossed his arms, and admiringly said, “I think you’re the best liar I’ve ever met, Ben.”
“That means a lot, coming from someone as accomplished as you.”
“Thank you. Now let’s get serious. I know you destroyed that facility, and you know you destroyed that facility. I’m on your side. I told President Alexander you guys did us a huge favor.”
“We did not drop bombs on that facility. I don’t care what that crazy little man has said…. No Israeli planes were anywhere near his country when this attack occurred, which leaves me with only one conclusion.”
Rapp smiled. “This should be good.” He waved his hand toward himself. “Let’s hear it.”
“I think maybe it was American planes that were spotted over Isfahan.”
“Yeah, right. One of our pilots decided enough was enough and he just went and bombed the hell out of that place without getting approval from the Pentagon or the president.”
“All I’m saying is that this plane that was reportedly seen over Isfahan was not one of ours, which means it was more than likely one of yours.”
“You’re unbelievable. I fly almost six thousand miles to save your ass and you think I’m dumb enough to buy some load of crap like that?”
“I don’t remember asking you to save my ass.”
“You didn’t, but I’m going to anyway.”
“I don’t need your help.”
“The hell you don’t,” Rapp said with frustration building. He took a step back and then admitted, “Maybe I was the wrong guy for the president to send, considering our history, but here it is. I am sincerely grateful that you guys had the balls to do what needed to be done. The president, while he can never say so publicly, feels the same way. I have permission from him to launch an operation that will take the blame off you guys, and expose the Iranian leadership for the lying bastards that they are.”
“I don’t…”
Rapp cut him off. “Ben, please let me finish. I know you did it, and I know how you did it. There was no plane or planes. No missiles. Nothing like that. You had someone on the inside. You guys blew that damn thing up and it collapsed into a nice little pile right on top of itself. I admire you for it, and if you weren’t such a pain in the ass I’d probably give you a hug right now.”
Freidman’s already sour face twisted into a deeper frown. “How many people have you discussed this with?”
“Only Irene and the president.”
Freidman exhaled and took a look around the hangar. The pained look on his face said it all. He was deeply troubled that Rapp knew one of his government’s most closely kept secrets. “What are your sources?”
Rapp smiled. For Freidman to ask such a question was as close to an admission as he was ever going to get. “I’ve got a friend in your building.” Rapp knew the lie would drive Freidman nuts. Changing gears, he said, “I need you to get your government on the same page. Stay silent. Keep denying. Whatever you need to do. I don’t care what kind of evidence the Iranians say they have, just don’t admit you were behind this thing. They’re going to show up at the UN on Friday and try to pin this whole thing on you. After they’ve presented their case, we’re going to pull the rug right out from underneath them and leave them looking like lying fools.”
Freidman was intrigued. “What do you have planned?”
“Don’t worry. You’ll see soon enough. Again the president sends his thanks. I don’t like you, Ben, but I sure as hell admire your audacity.” Rapp turned and started walking away.
“Where are you going?” Freidman yelled.