A Tale of Two Countries

Azrael sat upon a bench in Trafalgar Square, awaiting contact from an SIS agent. As she sat there, she observed the people and things around her.

She stared at the statue of Admiral Horatio Nelson, the hero of the Battle of Trafalgar. That, of course, was a different type of battle than the one she fought.

Michal heard some cooing at her feet. She peered downward to see a cockeyed pigeon staring back at her. It was as if the pigeon were expecting something from her.

Amused, the Angel of Death giggled. “I’m sorry, I’m expecting a different type bird today.”

The Canary approached her, he looked tired. His hair a mess, his glasses slanted. "Sorry I'm late - I've been very busy. I assume I don't need to introduce myself."

Michal peered at the man before her. He was not at all what she had expected. Was this the man Adi spoke of that was her liaison during the seven days war? Is this the difference nine years makes? The man before her appeared to be someone’ grandfather. Perhaps this was the look that he intended. The look that made him successful.

“Perhaps,” Michal carefully chose her words, “you should introduce yourself. I need to be certain.”

"Usually it's the other way around. It's Yellow Bird, Canary, et cetera." The Canary adjusted his glasses pushing them further back up the top of his nose. He took another look at the agent.

Michal’s features brightened. “You are the One i was expecting. I am Azrael or the Angel.” She left off of Death, as she wasn’t sent to eliminate the Canary. Adi thought Canary could provide her with information as well as develop the film of the pictures Michal took of al Najjar.

Michal handed the Canary a manilla envelope. It had the undeveloped film. “I’m seeking information on Kaami Al Najjar. Adi thought you might have info on him. The undeveloped film you have there is pictures of him. Do you believe you can help us?”

"I can certainly try, I won't lie I have a lot on my mind at the moment. But this is definitely doable." The Canary nodded to Michal. "Providing you do something for us, when the time is right of course."

Michal knew that to get means to give back. This happened all the time in their world. It just never happened to her. Azrael had spent her career in the shadows. Now Adi had her reaching out to a foreign nation.

“What do you have in mind?” Michal inquired as she touched up her lipstick, looking in a mirror.

"I'll be in contact when something comes up. You can ask Adi I'd do these kinds of things for her and she'd do favours for us. It's only fair that way," the Canary explained.

Michal turned towards the Canary to get a good look at him. Her initial assessment shifted to an absentminded professor.

“Tell me,” Michal began a question with a friendly smile, “Adi doesn’t trust working aside other nation’s assets. What caused her to trust you? What made you different?”

"To put it simply your country owes the SIS a lot. It was Adi chosen to perform these operations, I'm not sure I had any part in it except for telling her where to go."

“And now,” Michal expressed with enlightenment, “I am the chosen one.”

Michal hadn’t ever considered doing a task for another country. The Brits and the Americans were Israel’s allies. In the long run, helping SIS would benefit the relationship between their countries, thereby benefitting Israel.

“Did Adi inform you of where I am staying?” she asked.

"She didn't, I'd appreciate if you could let me know."

Michal looked at the older man. Adi trusted him, so she could too.

“I am at the Renaissance Hotel, under the name Aida Schimmel. I look forward to hearing from you again, my Yellow Friend.”

She stood, stretching her legs. Her big eyes turned back to the Canary. “Thank you,” she said with a smile, before walking away, headed for the long way back to her hotel.

The Canary watched as Adi walked away, then gave a delayed silent nod. He turned in the opposite direction and made his way back to the office.