Hana’s heart skipped a beat. “Jerusalem?” she whispered.
“But only if we believe it is God’s will and that this is the right time,” Daud continued. “Danger and threats don’t respect national boundaries.”
Hana glanced around the barely furnished kitchen. The new house suddenly felt temporary.
“Let’s talk later,” she managed. “Now that you’re home, I’ll be able to rest knowing you’re beside me.”
* * *
Daud awakened to a slender ray of sunshine penetrating the interior shutters of their bedroom. Hana was still asleep. Daud lay on his back for a few minutes. His mind was like a computer rebooting all the data downloaded within the past twenty-four hours. Once complete, he experienced the joy reserved for those who’ve peered into the abyss of death without being cast down into it. He felt a touch on his arm and turned his head. Hana was looking at him with her eyes open.
“What were you thinking?” Hana asked.
“It’s a new day,” Daud replied.
“Yes, it is.”
Daud turned on his side so that he faced Hana. He remained silent but looked into her eyes. She met his gaze, received it, and reciprocated. And in the following moments a level of connection took place between them beyond words and deeper than conscious thought. Neither looked away or spoke. They simply existed in the moment so that it could be what it was meant to be. Love flowed out of Daud because he sensed it coming into him from Hana. It wasn’t the romantic attraction he’d felt when he saw her at the rear of the church on their wedding day. That was wonderful. But this was a love with strength, a love with hope, an unshakable love, a love forged in unity greater than any threatening power, a love that could face the future, a love that would last forever, a love with its origin in the throne room of heaven. Neither of them moved. Time was irrelevant. Then, suddenly, it lifted. Daud took Hana’s hand in his.
“Speak it,” she said.
Daud was used to Hana initiating a spiritual conversation. But he didn’t hesitate to tell her what he sensed and believed had happened. Her eyes shone brightly.
“Yes,” she said when he finished. “That was heaven coming to earth.”
Peace accompanied them downstairs. The events and traumas and threats swirling around them remained real, but those things were no longer their greatest reality. They talked quietly while drinking tea.
“After our talk last night and what just happened between us, I’m free,” Hana said, then paused to take a deep breath. “From fear.”
Daud let her declaration linger in the atmosphere.
“Which means we can go and do whatever we believe God wants us to do,” she continued. “Not that there won’t be other battles, inside and out, but you’re right. This is a new day.”
“Anwar said you would possess the promised land within.”
“And the promised land without,” Hana added. “I want to keep praying, but my heart is turned toward the eastern end of the Mediterranean.”
After breakfast, Hana returned upstairs. Daud went into his office, turned on his computer, and began working on a written statement he knew someone within the US government would want. An hour later his phone vibrated.
“Mr. Hasan,” a male voice said. “This is Charlie in Washington. I talked to the FBI about what went down in Atlanta last night. Sounds like you’re a hero.”
“Nobody died.”
“Do you feel up to debriefing?”
“I was working on a written report when you called.”
“Excellent. Let me fill you in on what we know so far. The bomber was a man named Khalil Morsi. He’s originally from Lebanon but has been living for the past few years in Qatar. His bother Mustafa was the man who tried to kill the Kolisnyks in Sharm el-Sheikh. The Morsi brothers worked for a wealthy individual in Qatar named Rahal Abaza. He financed the operation to assassinate Artem Kolisnyk in Sharm el-Sheikh and then refocused the group’s efforts to eliminate you along with as many others as possible last night in Atlanta. The Qatari authorities arrested Rahal a few hours ago. We’d been closing in on them based on information obtained from Kolisnyk after he left Sharm el-Sheikh.”
“How broad is the network?”
“We’re not sure, but we think it is small. That should come out when the Qataris conduct their interrogation.”
Daud could imagine what that would include.
“Khalil is also talking,” Charlie continued, “but I can’t reveal any specific details.”
“Are you aware of the attempt to kill me near Al-Bireh in the West Bank?”
“No. Do you believe it’s related?”
“Maybe.”
Daud related the sequence of events.
“If you forward me the emails sent to you by the man purportedly from the UAE, I can have our internet forensics team check it out.”
“Why would you do that?” Daud asked in surprise.
“Because we want you to come to work for us.”
Charlie’s offer stopped Daud in his tracks.
“I realize today isn’t the optimal time to bring this up,” the CIA official continued. “But you deserved an update, and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to float the idea. This would be completely different from working as a contractor. You’d be part of our team. We’ll discuss it later after the dust settles. Obviously, anything I’ve passed along is off the record.”
“After what happened last night, I told my wife about Sharm el-Sheikh.”
Charlie was silent for a moment. “I think I understand why,” the CIA officer said in a softer tone of voice. “We’ll discuss future protocol if you’re interested in considering my proposal.”
“And I’m not sure how long I’ll continue living in the US.”
“That may not matter,” Charlie responded. “In fact, depending on where you go, it might be a positive factor.”
Chapter 43
Two months later Hana arrived early at work on a Friday morning. Her baby was in the middle of another growth spurt. Janet raised her eyebrows.
“Woman,” the assistant said, “I’m not sure I want to be around you at full term. It will be painful to see.”
“Come into my office for a minute and close the door,” Hana said.
Hana sat behind her desk and waited for Janet.
“Am I in trouble?” the assistant asked.
“No, no. I was going to talk to you later today, but now is a good time. You don’t need to worry about seeing me when I’m nine months pregnant.”
“Of course,” Janet said matter-of-factly. “You’ll take some time off. I recommend at least a month before and two months after the baby is born. I wish I’d not rushed back to work so fast when my first—”
“You won’t see me because I won’t be working in Atlanta,” Hana said. “Daud and I are going to sell our house and move back to Israel.”
Janet’s eyes widened, then teared up. She sniffled, and Hana quickly pushed a box of tissues across her desk.
Janet grabbed a couple. “You’re not just a lawyer. I’m so wrapped up in your life that it will be like losing a member of my family.”
“I’m not going to be lost,” Hana replied quickly. “The senior partners have worked out a plan so I can work for the firm on a contract basis with our Israeli clients and hopefully develop new ones. You’ll be my support person, which means I’m going to depend on you more than ever.”
By this point fat tears were streaming down Janet’s face. She shook her head and wiped them away with a tissue.
“It won’t be the same,” Hana continued, “but I’ll come for visits.”
Janet blew her nose before she spoke. “In the back of my mind I always knew this day would come, but I didn’t think about it because it made me sad. But after what happened at the hotel—” Janet stopped.
“That moved up the timeline, but you’re right. This has always been our future.”
“Your family must be thrilled.”
“Yes.”
“At the end of the day. It will be a few more weeks before we move.”
“Does Sadie know?”
“No,” Hana said and shook her head. “And I’m not sure how to tell her.”
Janet thought for a moment. “My advice is to give her something specific to look forward to. A possibility in the future for an eight-year-old girl won’t cut it.”
* * *
Daud, Hana, and Jakob were meeting for lunch at the Indian restaurant. Moving the base of operations for Daud’s consulting business from the US to Israel had been fairly seamless. The big challenge would be traveling from Israel to other countries in the Middle East instead of departing from the US. That would mean more U-turn flights to Europe, since direct air travel from Ben Gurion Airport wasn’t always possible. Daud would pass through London or Frankfurt. Like his previous work as a private investigator, the business was a cover for his real tasks. His new job working for the CIA included oversight of covert operatives in several Middle Eastern countries as well as coordination between the CIA and the Israeli Mossad.
“You’ll be like me, only able to speak four languages,” Charlie said when describing Daud’s duties. “And to keep you out of trouble, we’re tossing in a role as one of our liaisons with the Mossad.”
Since accepting the position, Daud had spent several weeks in Washington that included meetings at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. He’d found the Americans to be professional and serious, which meant the people he encountered were more like Charlie than Lynn. He’d not crossed paths again with the woman who cast him off onto the Red Sea beach with instructions to make his way home the best way he could. If he did encounter her again, he was prepared to be cordial but cautious.
Daud arrived early at the Indian restaurant and was able to hold a table. Five minutes later Hana and Jakob came in together.
Jakob looked surprised. “You’re ganging up on me,” he said to them.
“It’s necessary,” Hana answered. “If you separate us, you can get us to do anything you want.”
“The only new thing on my plate is going to be chilli paneer.”
They returned to the table after everyone went through the buffet line.
“If it’s okay, let me pray,” Jakob said.
Hana and Daud glanced at each other and bowed their heads.
“Father, I thank you for my friends and this food. Bless them both. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
They opened their eyes.
“One other thing,” Jakob said, closing his eyes again. “Forgive them for not asking my opinion about moving back to Israel. I’m not sure it’s a sin against you, but it was definitely a sin against me. Amen again.”
“Who told you?” Hana asked.
“I have confidential sources,” Jakob answered slyly. “And that part about you sinning was meant as a joke. I’m not sure about humor in prayers, but I did read the other day in the Psalms that God laughs.”
Daud chuckled. “I think that was in a different context.”
“Possibly. Anyway, I’m not too upset. I’ll have a permanent free place to stay. I hope you’re going to settle in Jerusalem. My source didn’t fill me in on that detail.”
“You talked to Mr. Lowenstein,” Hana said.
“Good guess. You know what great friends we’ve become. I even mentioned joining Collins, Lowenstein, and Capella to take your place, but he reassured me that was impossible. He claims God only made one of you and after that he broke the mold.”
“He didn’t say that,” Hana replied.
“In different words. But he mentioned you’d have a new role.”
Hana explained the relationship she would have with the law firm. Daud focused on the lamb curry. He would miss the Indian restaurant. He didn’t know of a comparable place in Jerusalem.
“And what about you?” Jakob asked Daud. “Are you going to be a house husband and take care of the baby so Hana can go to fancy dinners with prospective clients?”
“If she needs me to,” Daud replied as he shifted his attention to a lamb-and-potato stew.
“Daud is going to continue his consulting business helping American companies open offices in the Middle East,” Hana said.
“Will that keep you busy?” Jakob eyed Daud.
“If not, I can get a job as a clerk at Avi Labensky’s shop.”
“That’s hard for me to imagine,” Jakob answered. “But if you end up spending most of your time at home, remember that I like my coffee with one sugar and a dash of cream and prefer fresh pastries with fruit to anything sweet for breakfast.”
“We’ll prepare a menu and place it on your nightstand before you go to sleep.” Hana smiled.
“Excellent. I like that.”
At the conclusion of the meal, a waiter brought the check. Jakob pointed to Daud.
“Give it to him,” he said. “If I hadn’t convinced his wife to work with me on a case, they never would have met.”
Daud grabbed the bill. “Yes, let me pay.”
* * *
Hana talked to Ben on the phone about the best way to break the news to Sadie. They considered the ice cream parlor since that was one of Sadie’s favorite places but settled instead on a private time at Ben and Sadie’s townhome.
“We can fix supper together, then talk,” Hana suggested.
“And I’ll take Laura out for dinner so it will be just the two of you.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Yes,” Ben replied. “And stay long enough to tuck Sadie into bed. She’s always loved that.”
Ben’s words made a lump form in Hana’s throat. She was glad he couldn’t see her face.
“Sounds good,” she said, trying to sound lighthearted. “What evening works best for you? This is a priority for me, so I’m available anytime.”
“Let’s do Friday.”
“Tell Sadie to plan the meal, and you can send me an email so I can supply the ingredients.”
A couple days later Hana received a text from Ben letting her know they would be eating hummus, pizza, ice cream, and homemade cookies. Sadie didn’t want Hana to bring anything except Leon. When Hana and Leon arrived at the townhome, Sadie patted Leon’s head and greeted Hana with a hug.
“I can’t come close to wrapping my arms around you,” the girl said, pressing her face against Hana’s abdomen.
“If Daud said that to me, I’d be upset,” Hana replied. “But coming from you, I’ll treat it as a compliment.”
“Oh, it’s a compliment. When I hugged you, I was hugging two people.”
Ben appeared with his tie loosened around his neck. It had been over two months since he’d seen Hana. He raised his eyebrows.
“Don’t hug her if you think she’s fat,” Sadie warned. “That will get you in trouble.”
Ben lightly embraced Hana from the side. “She’s not fat,” he said. “She’s been hard at work.”
Sadie was leaning over rubbing Leon’s head again. “I have a surprise for you,” she announced as she stood up.
Ben adjusted his tie. “I’ll be on my way to fight through traffic to pick up Laura. I’ll text you when I’m on my way home.”
He leaned over and kissed the top of Sadie’s head.
“Have fun,” she said.
“You too,” he answered.
The door closed behind Ben.
Sadie turned to Hana. “I’ve been telling Daddy things I would like to hear myself. It’s working pretty good. Also, Laura is nice, and she’s trying really hard.”
Curiosity urged Hana to ask a follow-up question about Laura, but discretion restrained her. She followed Sadie into the kitchen. They let Leon loose in the backyard to play. There was a large pot on the stove.
“Lift the lid,” Sadie told Hana.
It was full of chickpeas.
“We’re going to use d
ried chickpeas,” Sadie announced. “They soaked in water all night in the fridge, and I’ve been cooking them for an hour. Mrs. Rosenstein says hummus made this way will be even better than what we made before.”
While they worked, Sadie talked. It took only a single question every so often to produce another stream of words. Hana loved every syllable. At first she tried to remember nuggets to treasure, but there was so much that she gave up and immersed herself in the moment. Sadie remembered every ingredient Hana liked on her pizza.
“It’s like I took a picture of it in my mind from the last time we made pizza at your old house and used it when Daddy took me to the store,” Sadie said when Hana asked about it. “I almost forgot one kind of olive, but then I remembered it.”
They cooked the pizzas, made the cookie dough, and snacked on hummus.
“This hummus is as good as what my mother makes,” Hana said as she spread some on a pita chip.
“I’d like to eat your mother’s hummus and see for myself,” Sadie said.
Hana kept quiet.
“It’s okay if everything doesn’t come out of the oven at the same time,” Sadie continued. “I like to let my pizza rest in my stomach for a few minutes before eating cookies. That way I get maximum enjoyment.”
“I’m in favor of maximum enjoyment too.”
Hana’s greatest enjoyment came from watching Sadie confidently orchestrate the meal.
“I think your pizzas were better because you have that stone thing to cook them on,” Sadie said after she’d eaten a couple of bites.
“This is just as good to me. I’ll see if I can talk Daud into buying you a pizza stone.”
Sadie was chewing a bite of pizza. “You can talk Daud into anything.”
While the cookies baked, they went into the backyard to play with Leon. Hana hadn’t realized how many dog toys Sadie had accumulated for his visits. They littered the yard. But the dog’s favorite activity remained tug-of-war using a short, thick rope with a big knot on one end.
“He’s getting stronger,” Sadie grunted as she held on to the knot to keep the rope from slipping through her fingers.
“You are too,” Hana said.
Inside, they each ate three cookies. Hana had been limiting her intake of sugar and savored every morsel.
Promised Land Page 35