"I really don't know."
The Lieutenant Colonel was silent for two seconds.
Then he picked up the intercom.
"Report to headquarters, suspicious item found. Requesting instructions."
4:50 PM, Jerusalem, Prime Minister's Office.
Shamir had just finished a phone call with the Minister of Defense.
The Minister's conclusion was: they didn't recognize the box. It wasn't Squid's, nor was it commonly used by any known terrorist organization. But the seal on the box was made of a very special material—PTFE coating, typically used for storing radioactive materials.
Shamir's hands were trembling.
Radioactive materials.
On a Mexican's ship.
Twenty nautical miles off the Squid coast.
The secretary pushed the door open and entered.
"Prime Minister, the military is requesting instructions."
Shamir looked up.
"What do they want to do?"
The secretary hesitated for a moment.
"They want to board the ship—for a full search."
Shamir was silent for a few seconds.
Then he asked:
