Free The Apostate by Jack Adler Page B

following him, but then it didn’t take a nuclear scientist to note the same person near him at different locations.
    Was he being followed in his dates with Abra? Going to work? Being tailed wasn’t a very appetizing aspect of his mission, but it obviously came with the territory.
    â€œYou’re doing good work, Ray,” Perkins said encouragingly. He took another sip of his coffee and wiped his lips again with a paper napkin.
    â€œThe letter to The Times probably helped,” Ray said.
    Perkins nodded. “Nice touch. The bit about Muslim fairy tales is a good idea, too.” He paused a moment. “So this imam seemed to accept you as a boyfriend to his niece, but her other uncle was on the suspicious side. Was that your take?”
    â€œPretty much. I’d say I passed muster with the imam’s wife, too.”
    â€œCouldn’t hurt,” Perkins said. “So romancing this Abra chick has been effective so far?”
    Ray winced at the word, effective . He felt guilty about deceiving Abra. He truly liked her. She was decent, honest, and damned good looking. Moreover, she clearly liked him.
    Perkins gave Ray a hard stare. “Are you hooked on this girl?”
    â€œI like her. I’m not sure what you mean by hooked?”
    â€œYou know damn well what I mean,” Perkins spat back. “Will the romance, such as it is or may become, stop you from doing your job, which is infiltrating that community?”
    â€œIt seems to me I’ve done a pretty good job,” Ray said, fighting back. He deeply resented Perkin’s charge, though he knew it was justified.
    â€œThat you have,” Perkins conceded. “But how far are you willing to go? Would you marry this girl?”
    Marry!
    Though the thought had occurred to him as well, Ray was still stunned by the question. But it was a logical query, and Perkins had a right to ask it. After all, he had volunteered for this assignment. No one coerced him, though the threat of being carted off to jail had a pernicious influence.
    â€œI like her,” Ray said again, afraid to use any other words or otherwise commit himself.
    Perkins shook his head. “Look, you’re doing a good job at getting in their good graces, but look ahead. Think ahead.”
    â€œI will,” Ray promised, hoping to get free of the basic question for the moment.
    Perkins hesitated a moment. “In light of your romantic situation, it makes sense if you do marry this girl. It would draw you in even closer. If you don’t it would probably end your chances of fitting in.”
    â€œNow I have to marry a Muslim girl as well as become a Muslim?”
    Ray gave Perkins a look to show how disturbed he was, but he knew it was a logical conclusion. He had hooked himself.
    â€œThe two probably go together,” Perkins observed with a laconic shrug.
    Ray scowled, feeling forced to accept the growing entanglements descending upon his once simple life. One thing led to another. It was foolish of him to think otherwise.
    â€œBut are you willing to take this step?” Perkins asked, showing uncharacteristic solicitude. “I know it’s a big one.”
    â€œI don’t want to deceive Abra.”
    â€œYou don’t have to,” Perkins argued. “Be a loving husband. She’s an attractive girl, right?”
    â€œVery.”
    â€œGreat. So that’s on the plus side. Just let us know what you learn.”
    Ray scowled again. Plus side! Perkins made it sound so easy and banal. “A couple of small things come in play. I have to propose and she has to accept me.”
    Perkins shrugged. “If she invited you to meet her folks, I think you’re okay. Look, Ray, I’m sure there’ll be bumps on the road, but you’ll be able to handle them. Won’t you?
    On the spot again, Ray saw. “I certainly hope so”
    â€œRemember, and I’m not offering up a pun, you’re a sleeper agent. Being