by Mark Goodwin
“Yes, Rabbi Weismann follows the council of Saul Stein,” Herzog said. “Saul was the president of the Israeli Diamond Exchange near Tel Aviv. Saul holds a lot of clout in the Knesset. Particularly with Morty Berkowitz. Saul and Morty go way back. Morty was one of the biggest diamond traders on the exchange. I’m afraid they still carry some residue of the pride from their former lives; especially Saul. And I’m sorry to say Rabbi Weismann is still influenced by that air of power, even though it means very little now.”
Ms. Rosenbaum turned to Everett. “Although, this latest development may sway some opinions. When the sun rises and reveals a sea of blood, it will have quite a profound effect on anyone looking upon it. Everett, can’t you stay just a while longer? I’m sure the Knesset will come around.”
“We can’t ma’am. We’ve done all we can do in presenting the truth. My responsibility now is to my wife and my friends who need no further convincing. We’ll be leaving Wednesday morning, Lord willing.”
“I can’t say that I blame you.” Rabbi Herzog’s head hung low.
“You should come, Rabbi,” Tobias pleaded one last time. “Next week, if the pattern persists, the rivers and springs will also turn to blood. The journey will get much more difficult.”
“I fear what you say is true. But the Messiah has assigned me to be a shepherd of His people, and I cannot abandon my post, no matter how stubborn the sheep may be.”
“We should be going.” Everett took Courtney’s hand and led her toward the horse. “Let us know if you’re able to convince them.”
“I will, Everett.” Rabbi Herzog waved.
Courtney waved to Ms. Rosenbaum. “It was a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise,” she replied.
CHAPTER 4
But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.
Exodus 13:18
The following Tuesday evening, Everett took another load of supplies out of his cottage and packed them into the Golan military transport vehicle.
Gideon walked up the drive and met Everett as he finished placing his belongings in the Golan. “Good news.”
Everett shook his friend's hand. “Oh, yeah?”
“Dinah’s sister, Batya, and Batya’s husband, Levi, are coming with us. They both served in the IDF, so they’ll round out our security team.”
“Eight is better than six. We’ve got more room if they need to put some items in the Golan.” Everett looked inside the vehicle.
Gideon shook his head. “We’ll manage to get all of our belongings in the Jeep or on the cargo rack, up top.”
“And they’ll be ready to leave at first light?” Everett asked.
“First light.” Gideon gave a short nod.
The sound of a moped coming up the road caused Everett to turn his attention away from Gideon. “Who could that be?”
“Gas-powered vehicles are a luxury to operate. Must be someone with resources.” Gideon stood beside Everett, looking out at the road.
The motorized bike slowed and turned into Everett’s drive and cut the engine.
“It’s Rabbi Herzog.” Everett walked down the gravel path to meet the man.
The rabbi removed a military-style helmet that was acting as a riding helmet. “Everett, I’m so glad you haven’t left yet!”
“Are you coming with us? We’ve still got room.” Everett smiled and embraced the rabbi.
Gideon shook hands with the rabbi. “We can take the horses to get your things if you want. There’s plenty of space for your personal belongings.”
“No, no. I have even better news.” Herzog shook his head, his mouth grinning from ear to ear. “The Knesset has approved the move. Murry, Saul, Morty, and even Rabbi Weissman have agreed to leave the valley and go to the underground cities in Turkey. All of us will be going.”
“That’s fantastic!” Everett exclaimed. “Why don’t you come with us tomorrow? You can help us get the place aired out before the rest of them arrive.”
The rabbi took Everett’s hand with a firm grip. “Everett, we must all travel together, for safety.”
“There is security in numbers, but you have nearly 150,000 people to mobilize. It will take you weeks to get them organized. There’s no way they’ll be ready to move tomorrow.”
“No, but couldn’t you delay your departure?” The rabbi looked at him with soft eyes. “I’m sure we can have everyone ready to leave by this time next week.”
Everett shook his head and pulled his hand away from the rabbi’s. “We can’t. We’ve set tomorrow as our exit date for a reason. If our drinking water turns to blood this Friday night, the logistics of the trip are going to become much more complex. We gave plenty of notice and ample opportunity for the Knesset to reach a verdict in time for everyone in Goshen to leave with us. This isn’t my problem.”
“What can I say other than you are right.” Herzog held his hands up as if to surrender. “But think of the people—God’s people. You must consider your brothers and sisters.” The rabbi clapped his hands together in a plea.
“I have, Rabbi. I’ve gone above and beyond, but I also have a wife and a mutual assistance group to think about. My first responsibility is to them.”
“Moses, when he brought the children of Israel through the desert, had Arron to assist him. If you leave me here, I’ll have no one.” Herzog glanced at Gideon. “The former IDF soldiers look to Gideon and Tobias for leadership. And all of us look to you, Everett. Without the three of you, our security efforts will be very haphazard. We have lots of older folks, women, even a few babies. I might remind you, none of the children are older than six.”
Gideon turned to Everett with a look that said he was about to cave in under the pressure of the rabbi.
Everett patted him on the back and gave Gideon’s shoulder a squeeze. “I’m sure they’ll all be just fine. We’ll effectively be a reconnaissance team. If we hit any hot spots that you need to know about, we’ll radio back and let you know.”
The rabbi lowered his gaze. “No one can take your place. God has given the three of you a special gift. If you do not use it for the purpose he has given it, then the children of Israel will be very vulnerable.” He looked back up, glancing from Everett’s eyes to Gideon’s. “I just don’t want you to bear the guilt if something should happen that you could have prevented.”
Everett tightened his jaw and nodded. This attempt at manipulating him through shame wasn’t going to work. Not on Everett, anyways.
But Gideon, well—he was a different story. He turned to Everett with forlorn eyes. “Maybe we should just talk it over with Tobias—to make sure we’re all on the same page.”
Everett could feel the dam cracking. And once it lost its structural integrity, it was only a matter of time until the waters came crashing through, washing away any semblance of the barrier’s prior fortitude and every one of Everett’s hopes of leaving Batumi at first light. “Sure. We’ll talk it over with Tobias.”
The subsequent events played out in Everett’s mind as if he’d seen them all in a crystal ball before they took place. He could predict the intonation of the rabbi’s voice as he laid out his case to Tobias. He knew Herzog would manage to have Courtney and Dinah present so that Everett’s rebuttals would have to be tempered with compassion so not to make him look like a soulless monster. Everett didn’t even have to watch Tobias’ affirming nods. He sensed with precision, the very moment that Tobias would cave in. Everett stared at the ceiling as he counted down the final seconds that his plan remained alive. Six, five, four, three, two, one . . .
“Maybe we could just hang around until Friday morning.” Tobias turned to Everett. “We could advise the former IDF soldiers on a security plan, then head out at first light. We’d still be at Kaymakli before sunset Friday evening.”
Everett dropped his head into his palms and mumbled through hands. “Okay. Whatever.” There was nothing left to say. Rabb
i Hertzog’s years devoted to politics had given him a skill in persuasion that Everett simply couldn’t contend with.
Ali patted Everett on the back. “You know I do whatever you say is best.”
“Thanks, Ali.” Everett took a deep breath.
“Can I make you some tea?” Courtney offered the rabbi.
To the victor go the spoils. Why shouldn’t he want to drink in his triumph? Everett attempted to keep his bitterness over the matter concealed. After all, the man was still his friend, even if he’d just bested him.
“I’d be delighted, my dear.” Herzog nodded with the smile of a child who’d just convinced Mommy to buy him that coveted box of sugary cereal.
The rabbi turned to Everett who had, for the most part, regained his composure. “Since the area we will be traveling through is heavily populated with MOC fighters, it would be good if we could acquire some heavy weaponry. Not to mention that it could come in handy if Luz decides to pursue us into Turkey.”
Having lost his will to debate, Everett simply asked, “Okay, what do you have in mind?”
The rabbi held out his hand to Gideon and Tobias. “This is your area of expertise. I don’t really know. Some rockets, anti-aircraft guns, fifty-caliber machine guns mounted in the back of vehicles.”
Everett suddenly felt tired of discussing it all. He sighed. “Rabbi, you’ll be doing good to scrape up enough fuel to just get everyone there. Now you're adding a shopping list of heavy weaponry. All this stuff takes time. Which, thanks to the slow-moving gears of bureaucracy, we don’t have.”
“Perhaps if money were no object, things might move a little faster?” The rabbi spoke cryptically.
“There is no money,” Everett said plainly. “The Mark system is the only access to the currency of the land, and none of us have it.”
“No, but we have the next best thing.” The rabbi took a black velvet pouch from his pocket. He reached inside and took out the largest diamond Everett had ever seen.
Courtney had just returned to the room from starting the tea. She gasped and covered her mouth. “Is that real?”
“Eight carats. We have several more. Not many eight carats, of course, but three to six carats.” Hertzog poured the stones out into his hand. Most were white, but some were fancy yellow diamonds, and a few were pink or blue.
“Where did those come from?” Everett was mesmerized as he took the first giant round-cut stone.
“These constitute the lion’s share from Saul and Morty’s personal collections.”
Everett passed the stone to Courtney who held her breath as she took it. Everett looked back to the rabbi. “It’s a nice resource, but I don’t have any idea how we could put them to use.”
“Excuse me, Everett,” Ali said softly.
“What is it? If you’ve got something to say, go ahead.”
Ali looked at Hertzog, then back to Everett. “Perhaps Sadat can make some deal.”
“Sadat?” Everett chuckled. “We don’t even know if he’s still alive.”
“If he is, I am sure he is still at villa on Black Sea.”
Everett shook his head. “Sadat wouldn’t have that kind of firepower.”
“No,” Ali said. “But Tariq have.”
Tobias’ eyes grew wide. “Tariq the Sheik?” Being from the intelligence community, this was a man he was all too familiar with.
“You have contacts with Tariq the Sheik?” Gideon was also obviously acquainted with the name.
“Not me, but Sadat.”
Everett looked at Gideon. “Sadat was Ali’s old boss. Turkish mafia.”
The rabbi poured the stones back in the pouch and placed them firmly in Everett’s hands. “If it is remotely possible, you must try to find this sheik.”
Everett grunted as he tried to resist the responsibility of the gems. “Remotely possible, and unquestionably dangerous.”
“Yes.” Hertzog squeezed Everett’s hands to let him know that it was too late and that the stones were already in his possession. “But you have the blessing and protection of Adonai.”
Everett huffed in defeat. “We’re going to need it.”
CHAPTER 5
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
Luke 22:36-37
Everett inspected the map spread out on his dining-room table Wednesday morning. “So you don’t know exactly where he lives.”
Ali waved his hands. “I know when I see. It is between Rize and Trabzon. This road go along coast of Black Sea. Sadat house is on road directly off of road going by sea.”
“You’re talking about a fifty-mile stretch of road between Rize and Trabzon, according to this map.” Everett was already perturbed about the change of plans. This issue of uncertainty wasn’t helping.
“Yes, yes, but Sadat house almost in middle. So go twenty-five mile past Rize and be pretty close.” Ali seemed to think his approach to the situation was sufficiently accurate.
Everett rolled his eyes and looked to Tobias. “Can you help me out here?”
“What landmarks do you remember about the house?” Tobias asked Ali.
“Like I say for Everett, road have no sign and have only one lane that go up into mountain. Sadat want villa to be off main road, away from people but still close to small town for shopping and restaurant.”
Courtney stuck her hands in her pockets. “At least we don’t have far to go. It’s only about 100 miles from Batumi.”
“We? There’s no we. You’re staying here with Dinah.” Everett shook his head. “This is a quick trip. In and out. It’s just me, Ali, Tobias, and Gideon.”
Before Courtney had a chance to begin her protest, Ali said, “Everett, Sadat don’t let Tobias and Gideon come to house. He don’t know them. They cannot come.”
“But Sadat knows me.” Courtney crossed her arms. “Face it, you need me to come.”
Everett turned toward Tobias. “It’s only a hundred miles, but it’s a hundred miles through MOC-infested Turkey. What if we dropped you and Gideon off at the bottom of the hill and picked you back up when we left Sadat’s place? Think you could keep your head down for half an hour or so?”
Tobias nodded. “You’ll have to ask Gideon when he gets here, but that should be fine. As long as it’s not in the parking lot of a Sunni mosque.”
“No, no.” Ali shook his head. “Road up mountain to Sadat house is all trees and bushes around. No building.”
Gideon let himself in Everett’s back door. “You guys ready to go?”
Everett put the sling of his HK rifle over his shoulder. “Not really.”
Courtney dipped into the bedroom and came back out with her AR-15 and an assault pack over her shoulder. “Let’s roll out.”
Everett gritted his teeth. “You were already packed to go?”
She racked a round into the chamber of her rifle. “If Sadat thinks it’s just you and Ali with all those diamonds, it might be too tempting for him to resist. I know he likes you and all, but an extra shooter might help keep an honest man honest.”
“I’m not taking all the diamonds. Just enough to give him an idea of the quality we’re dealing with.” Nevertheless, Everett couldn’t dismiss her logic. Tobias and Gideon would be nearby, but that wouldn’t serve as a deterrent to Sadat who’d have no knowledge of their presence.
Gideon passed around branches from some type of herb to everyone gathered around Everett’s dining-room table. “These are from Dinah.”
Everett took one of the branches. “What is it?”
“Peppermint.”
“Thanks,” Courtney said. “What are we supposed to do with it.”
“Crush a leaf or two between your fingers and rub it beneath your nose,” Gideon replied.
Ali followed the i
nstructions without question. “It is for good luck?”
Gideon laughed. “It’s to cover up the stench. We’ll be driving directly down the coast for 150 kilometers, then 150 kilometers back. The Black Sea turned to blood Friday at sunset which means all the fish have been dead nearly five days by now. They’ll be about as ripe as they’re ever going to get.”
“Yuck.” Courtney’s nose crinkled.
“Not too late to back out.” Everett offered a hopeful smile.
“Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes as she pushed past him to the kitchen and out the back door.
“Good try.” Tobias patted Everett on the shoulder as he followed Courtney.
“Okay, let’s get this over with.” Everett huffed as he picked up his assault pack, corralling Ali and Gideon out, and closing the door behind him.
The Jeep didn’t provide enough protection and the Golan was too high-profile for the mission, so the team loaded into a black Mercedes Benz GL loaned to them by Saul Stein. Everett drove and Ali rode shotgun in hopes that he’d be able to identify the turn-off to Sadat’s villa. Since the SUV had a third row of seats, Courtney sat behind Everett next to Tobias, who was behind Ali. Gideon took the rear seats to himself so he could watch for threats approaching from behind.
Despite keeping the windows rolled up and recirculating the cabin air, the rancid odor of rotting fish grew stronger as they approached the coast.
Everett retrieved a pinch of the peppermint leaves from his shirt pocket and rubbed them under his nose. “Gideon, remember to thank Dinah for me. The mint really helps with the smell.”
“Sure thing,” Gideon said from the back seat. “Hopefully the uninviting aroma will be too much for the Martyrs of the Caliphate, and we’ll have an uneventful trip.”
Everett nodded. “I guess I’ll take a sea of decaying fish over a shootout.”
The team continued along E70 which overlooked the Black Sea all the way from Batumi until their destination point. The gently rolling waves, which would have made the trip a scenic drive, were replaced by mile after mile of decomposing fish undulating in thick, blackish-red blood. Everett made a conscious effort to keep his head turned slightly to the left to avoid the gruesome view on the other side.