Emerald (46 page)

The El Al 747-200 left the tarmac of Geneva Cointrin airport at 11:15, ten minutes behind schedule and began its steep climb to her cruising altitude of 27,000 feet. Pressed firmly against the silver leather seat David stretched out as much as he could, closed his eyes and felt Miriam reach over and squeeze his hand. He wondered what lay ahead for them, now that Levi had indicated this assignment was over. The many conversations he and Miriam had had over the course of the last several years about retiring from the Mossad bothered him. He had to admit he was getting tired of this cloak and dagger stuff and it might be nice to relax and not have to worry about who was going to try and take you out next. But, marriage and a family – that was another serious, very serious step, and he really didn’t know if he was ready for that yet. He knew what Miriam wanted. She had made that very plain many times.

The big jet leveled off, he opened his eyes, the “fasten seat belts” sign was now off and he saw Levi moving quickly down the aisle toward them.

“How about you two joining me upstairs for a glass of champagne to celebrate?” Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked toward the stairs leading to the lounge. David raised his eyebrows and looked at Miriam questioningly.

“Well why not, especially if Levi’s buying.” Miriam responded and began pushing David to get out of the cramped seat.

Joining Levi at the small bar, the pair noticed that there already were two flutes of champagne waiting for them.

“Don’t waste any time, do you, boss.”

“I thought I’d share a little surprise with you before we get home. The Prime Minister called just before I left for the airport this morning and told me, as a favor to her, to give you two a month off before I find another simple little assignment for you. He chuckled, and continued, I argued with him that with all that free time on your hands there’s no telling what trouble both of you might get into, but she was adamant, and who am I to ignore Golda.”

Miriam almost choked when he used the prime Minister’s first name.

Noticing her reaction, Levi continued, “And if you ever repeat that I used her first name, you’re next assignment will be in Siberia. So enjoy your flight home, finish up your written reports to the powers that be and be on you way. Oh, one more thing. Would you at least let me know where you are every week or so?”

They finished the bottle of champagne, chatted calmly for a few more minutes, David shook Levi’s hand and Miriam gave him a tight hug and a kiss on his bearded cheek, which he tried to avoid and they retreated down to their seats.

As Miriam and David walked down the hall on the familiar eighth floor of the Hador Dafing Building, a number of those working saw them and reacted with either clapping or a two fisted thumbs up. The returning Mossad team reacted with waves and smiles, embarrassed that they were thusly greeted. David knocked on a door with out a number or name and without waiting for response held the door open for Miriam.

Without turning from his view of the Mediterranean Levi responded to their entry with, “Ready to go to work again, you two?”

“What do you mean go to work again? You promised us a rest!”

Levi swiveled in his chair to face them, grinning. “I know I did. I am just kidding you. You both have earned the gratitude of our country and you shall have your rest. If we gave out metals for your kind of service, I’d be the first to pin one on each of you, but we don’t. So instead, I have reserved a suite for you at the Blue Bay Hotel and Spa in Netanya for a week. I understand that this is one of your favorite places and one where you two have tried to hide from me on a number of occasions.

Miriam looked at David and blushed. “How did you know” She asked.

“Well we are an intelligence agency after all. That’s what we do, gather intelligence. I want you to just have fun, not think about Geneva, Munich, Emeralds or me, for a whole week in Netanya. And I don’t want to see you for another month. Think you can do that for me?”

David stood up and hugged Miriam and looking over her shoulder I know it will be hard not to think of the past couple of years, but for you, I think we can manage that.”

Laughing, Levi got up for his chair and came around and enfolded his two combatants in a bear hug. “Now get out of here, you two.”