Kim looked around the room. “For any of you who are not aware, Hezbollah is a legally recognized entity in Germany and in most of the European Union.”
Schröder said, “That is not true, Mr. Kim. The militant arm of Hezbollah is banned. And I assure you that the political arm is closely monitored.”
“Yeah,” said Kim. He raised his right hand and clenched his fist. “When I get into a fight, I throw the first punch with this.” Then he raised his left hand. “And I call this my political arm.”
General Kiernan laughed.
Whitmore said, “Agent Kim, please get to the point.”
“Right,” said Kim. “So, as I’m sure everyone in this room knows, Hezbollah is a Shia organization, and Shi’ism is the minority sect. They’re not dreaming of a world caliphate like the Sunni crazies in ISIS and al Qaeda. Their goals are material, political, rooted in a degree of pragmatism and power politics. Iran is the largest and most powerful Shia country. Iran funds and supports Hezbollah, as well as Shia militias in Iraq and the Shia regime in Syria. Why? Geopolitics. Iran and her allies are a check on the power of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, as well as Israel and the United States. Iran also participates in political assassinations for the same reasons. Hezbollah and other militant Shia groups generally don’t go out of their way to kill civilians or otherwise mount big, flashy attacks. They prefer hard targets. Players in the game, so to speak. So when I first heard about the murder of Mr. Vance, and learned that he was a counterterrorisminvestigator, I immediately thought of Hezbollah. He may have been investigating them, or maybe he had already put some of their people away. So, they killed him for it.”
Well, thought Brodie, David Kim was either a counterterrorism specialist or pretending to be one. Either way, that info about the political wing of Hezbollah still being legal was interesting. Why would Germany tolerate that? More than other liberal European countries, Germany was open and demonstrative about its support for Israel—for obvious historical reasons—and Hezbollah was Israel’s mortal enemy.
Chief Inspector Schröder said, “Interesting, Mr. Kim. But that is pure conjecture.”
Brodie said, “This is a briefing, not a trial. Nothing wrong with conjecture.” He looked at Captain Soliman. “What is Hezbollah’s presence in Neukölln?”
Captain Soliman appeared conflicted. He clearly wanted to be helpful, but the chief inspector outranked him and was probably burying his heel into the guy’s foot. He said, “You can trust that Inspector Schröder will share all relevant information when—and if—the need arises.”
Brodie looked at Schröder. “I look forward to that.”
Agent Whitmore said, “There is much we need to ponder. By this time tomorrow, we ought to have a better reconstruction of Mr. Vance’s travels as well as, hopefully, some additional forensics data.” She looked at Omar Soliman. “Have arrangements been made for our visiting agents to see the crime scene?”
Captain Soliman replied, “Yes. I will be going there now to personally walk them through.” He looked at Brodie and Taylor, then Agent Kim. “Please meet me at the southern entrance of Körnerpark.”
Taylor said, “Thank you, Captain.”
Whitmore announced, “This meeting is adjourned. I would like to reconvene at the same time tomorrow morning if that is amenable.” She looked at Soliman and Schröder. “Gentlemen, would that fit with your schedules?”
Both men nodded. Whitmore looked around the room to get assent from the group, and everyone indicated that they could be back in this room at 9A.M.tomorrow for a second helping of briefing, bullshit, and strudel.
Whitmore said, “Good. If there are any questions, concerns, requests in the meantime, please direct them to me or Jason. Good day, everyone.”
Whitmore stood and everyone followed. The Germans left quickly without a word to anyone. Sarah Hopkins and Howard Fensterman, the two State Department reps who were probably only there to say they were there—as well as to listen and take notes—departed as well. Brodie watched General Kiernan flip through the briefing materials in front of him before rolling them up in his hand, rising from his chair, and declaring to his compatriots, “This is my day of Germans.” He explained, “I’ve got meetings all day at the Defense Ministry.” On the way out he said to Brodie and Taylor, “Call Mark Jenkins.”
Taylor said, “We will, sir. Thank you.”
“And call me if you need anything.” He walked out of the room.
Brodie and Taylor threw on their coats, and Taylor put her and Brodie’s briefing materials in her satchel.
Jason Butler handed his business card to Taylor and said, “Call me for anything else you need.”
Brodie replied, “I will.”
Butler gave Brodie a look and left the room.
Sharon Whitmore said, “I trust that was informative.”
“It was a start,” said Brodie.
“I see you’re staying in Neukölln.”
Taylor nodded.
“Why?”
Brodie replied, “We’re on a tight budget.”
