he became resourceful at an early age, siding with no one but creating friends and contacts with all. His parents taught him the customs of Islam and daily prayers like other Muslim parents and eventually encouraged him to participate in political discussions. As conflicts in Algeria and elsewhere in the Muslim world flared, he felt compelled to play an active role in supporting the fight against injustice.
It was during his late high school years and early university days that religion became a centrepoint to his life. Attending university in London, he met members of different religious groups and openly expressed his dissatisfaction with Western governments. As his studies came to an end he was recruited by an organisation of young professional Muslims known as The Brotherhood for Justice, who felt that his character, leadership skills and business management profession were just right for something new they had in mind.
Renowned as the cosmopolitan capital of Australia, Melbourne prides itself on its diverse cultural mix. Colourful Brunswick Street hosts a bohemian community of artists, writers and musicians; European-styled Lygon Street gives a taste of Italy with its many pizzerias and trattorias. Small, hidden hamlets boast cafes of all sorts throughout the suburbs, a delight for anyone in a search of culinary cravings.
Sam liked Melbourne. It reminded him of London, which he still missed. He was in the habit of arranging meeting points at the last minute and this time he chose a little corner cafe on Rathdowne Street in the leafy inner suburb of Carlton. Fallen leaves from the large plane trees covered the street with a brown and yellow rustling carpet. Sam and his companion sat at a corner table which was secluded from window views. They ordered their coffees and waited for the waitress to leave them before beginning their conversation.
‘He has agreed,’ Sam said. No formalities or small talk were exchanged; it was purely a business relationship.
‘Good. Make sure he sees only what he needs to.’
‘Of course. I sent him limited information.’
‘Have you found Aazim?’ the other man asked.
‘Not yet. I must find out what he plans to do before I make a decision. I sent someone to draw him out, a friend of his. Once he’s in the open my men will take care of him.’
‘I haven’t picked up his trace. He must be using cash because no payments have been made with a credit or savings card, but he can’t stay out there forever, not without help.’
‘Can you trace his mobile phone calls?’ Sam asked.
‘Probably has it switched off and uses it when he needs to or when he’s on the move. A leak to the media of a classified document was recently uncovered and traced back to us, and now everyone’s suspicious. So I can’t do much until the media’s distracted.’
‘We can’t let this continue. I don’t know what he’ll do with that information and we’ve got to get it back or destroy it before he shows anyone,’ Sam said, his anxiety showing.
‘That’s why we use McKane as a backup plan. He knows only what we want him to. I know Bill – if he gets a whiff of this he’ll run straight to his buddies at ASIO and I’ll find out about it. It might even work out better if he does.’
‘What if he gets suspicious? Are you sure he doesn’t pose a danger? You understand how much is at stake here.’
Sam’s contact responded angrily. ‘Yes, you don’t have to remind me. It’s your screw-up that placed you in this situation in the first place, do you understand that?’
‘We had no choice! Kareem had seen too much and we had to get rid of him. It’s unfortunate Aazim was in the office at the time.’
‘And now you have him on the loose. You should’ve taken care of him, along with his father.’
‘I couldn’t risk it, the time wasn’t right. Ilias has allies among the members and their attention would greatly complicate matters.’
‘Keep my enemy close, hey? In that case
It was during his late high school years and early university days that religion became a centrepoint to his life. Attending university in London, he met members of different religious groups and openly expressed his dissatisfaction with Western governments. As his studies came to an end he was recruited by an organisation of young professional Muslims known as The Brotherhood for Justice, who felt that his character, leadership skills and business management profession were just right for something new they had in mind.
Renowned as the cosmopolitan capital of Australia, Melbourne prides itself on its diverse cultural mix. Colourful Brunswick Street hosts a bohemian community of artists, writers and musicians; European-styled Lygon Street gives a taste of Italy with its many pizzerias and trattorias. Small, hidden hamlets boast cafes of all sorts throughout the suburbs, a delight for anyone in a search of culinary cravings.
Sam liked Melbourne. It reminded him of London, which he still missed. He was in the habit of arranging meeting points at the last minute and this time he chose a little corner cafe on Rathdowne Street in the leafy inner suburb of Carlton. Fallen leaves from the large plane trees covered the street with a brown and yellow rustling carpet. Sam and his companion sat at a corner table which was secluded from window views. They ordered their coffees and waited for the waitress to leave them before beginning their conversation.
‘He has agreed,’ Sam said. No formalities or small talk were exchanged; it was purely a business relationship.
‘Good. Make sure he sees only what he needs to.’
‘Of course. I sent him limited information.’
‘Have you found Aazim?’ the other man asked.
‘Not yet. I must find out what he plans to do before I make a decision. I sent someone to draw him out, a friend of his. Once he’s in the open my men will take care of him.’
‘I haven’t picked up his trace. He must be using cash because no payments have been made with a credit or savings card, but he can’t stay out there forever, not without help.’
‘Can you trace his mobile phone calls?’ Sam asked.
‘Probably has it switched off and uses it when he needs to or when he’s on the move. A leak to the media of a classified document was recently uncovered and traced back to us, and now everyone’s suspicious. So I can’t do much until the media’s distracted.’
‘We can’t let this continue. I don’t know what he’ll do with that information and we’ve got to get it back or destroy it before he shows anyone,’ Sam said, his anxiety showing.
‘That’s why we use McKane as a backup plan. He knows only what we want him to. I know Bill – if he gets a whiff of this he’ll run straight to his buddies at ASIO and I’ll find out about it. It might even work out better if he does.’
‘What if he gets suspicious? Are you sure he doesn’t pose a danger? You understand how much is at stake here.’
Sam’s contact responded angrily. ‘Yes, you don’t have to remind me. It’s your screw-up that placed you in this situation in the first place, do you understand that?’
‘We had no choice! Kareem had seen too much and we had to get rid of him. It’s unfortunate Aazim was in the office at the time.’
‘And now you have him on the loose. You should’ve taken care of him, along with his father.’
‘I couldn’t risk it, the time wasn’t right. Ilias has allies among the members and their attention would greatly complicate matters.’
‘Keep my enemy close, hey? In that case
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