The Traitor

He wanted to find the traitor. He called his three aides. He handed them the briefing in the red folder. Each one of them was to work independently and provide his assessment. When it was time for them to leave, he dismissed them with a nod. He stood at the window watching them leave.

Three days later, the TruthNews Bugle printed the transcript of the brief that had been given by him. Now, he only had to lay his hands on the person who was responsible for leaking the transcript. Same room. Same time. The three aides were summoned again. They were seated in the same fashion. All faces impassive. How could he find out which one of them leaked? They worked independently. They mistrusted each other.

He mixed them drinks. He was extremely calm and polite. His manners and courtesy were exaggerated. The aides were feeling uncomfortable. But they still remained in their seats with impassive faces. He looked at each one of them and smiled.

“I trust each one of you. Haven’t I done great things for you? Robert, you were a snotty nosed kid I picked out of the dumps. Didn’t I make you wealthy?”

Robert could only nod. He continued.

“And Dan, didn’t I find you Lisa and gave you much more than money could give you?”

It was Dan’s turn to nod.

“And Tony...Haven’t I always treated you like my own brother?”

Tony tried to speak, but only a choking sound came out of his throat.

“And yet, one of you dares to betray me. The confidential briefing, which I had given to you, is a public secret now. Do you think I cannot find which one of you did it? It would be best for the traitor to admit it, then I might let him go.”

Moments passed. No admission came. The traitor knew that he had to keep quiet and he would not be found.

He dismissed them. They left slowly. All the three of them found an envelope at the doorstep, when they returned home. Robert’s envelope had a cheque for 10,000 dollars and a dismissal notice. Tony’s envelope had a cheque for 10,000 dollars and a dismissal notice. Dan’s envelope had a court order – all his possessions had been seized and he had been served an eviction notice.

After the three of them had left, he mixed himself a drink. He was smiling at his ingenuity. He looked at the red folders. He went to Page 10 and started reading the 10th line.

Dan’s copy said: “The gold was sent to Belu Republic.”
Robert’s copy said: “The gold was given back to Belu Republic.”
Tony’s copy said: “ The gold was handed over to Belu Republic.”

And as he had correctly guessed, the TruthNews Bugle said “The gold was sent to Belu Republic.”