I Am Pilgrim

Murdoch explains that he decided the best interrogation strategy would be rapid-fire questions to keep his adversary off balance and uncertain of his goals. Bradley tells Murdoch later that he felt as though he were “dying on [his] feet” (570). Amid a barrage of random biographical data, he finally learns the details of the smallpox plot.

The interrogation ends when Cumali tells Murdoch that Nikolaides and his assistants are returning. He persuades her to help him escape by firing on the boats. He tells al-Nassouri that his bond with his son was “the only weapon [he] had” (579).

Losing strength as Cumali helps him to the boat, Murdoch can barely say his code name in time to reach the president and inform him of the details. Murdoch, distantly, is aware that Whisperer sounds concerned for him. He rejects a helicopter rescue, a signal that he either assumes he is dying or refuses to return to his life of espionage.

As he approaches the boat Cumali has found for him, Murdoch hears gunfire and realizes al-Nassouri has died by suicide, using one of the guns he left behind. Murdoch suspects he left the weapon as a subconscious gesture of respect. Murdoch tells Cumali to profess her innocence for the sake of the boy.