“Amen,” said Eshkol, his smile frozen on his sallow face. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend. I’m afraid that for the moment, however, I’ll have to waive the right of reply. Should you ever find yourself in Jerusalem, young man, drop by and we’ll pick each other’s brains. And now, be well, all of you. If the prodigal son turns up, please be so good as to inform me at once, even if it’s the middle of the night. As for writings on the wall and all that, I never did put much stock in them. I say build our strength, keep a stiff upper lip, and go on hoping. God bless you all. Goodbye.”

On his way out, the Prime Minister absentmindedly patted Azariah, who had finally stepped aside from the door to let him pass, twice on the back. He was flanked by two good-looking, smoothly shaven young bodyguards, who, with their blond, American-style crewcuts and wide, conservative ties appeared to be cut from the same cloth. The wires of their earplugs vanished discreetly into the collars of their blue suits. They opened and shut the doors of the car, which departed immediately.

“Come with me, Azariah,” said Srulik. “I want to have a talk with you right now.”

Amused but excited, Yolek objected. “What’s wrong? Frankly I’m delighted Eshkol was subjected to that fusillade. It couldn’t have done him a bit of harm when you think of that crowd of apple-polishers and diplomaed scoundrels he’s surrounded with. Azariah gave him some piss and vinegar to drink, and it did my old heart good. Leave the boy alone, will you? Come over here, Azariah, you’ve earned yourself a shot of brandy. Bottoms up! To the health of the Devil! Quiet, Hava. Nobody asked you. The murderers are having a little nip. Did you get a good look at Eshkol? Why, it frightened me just to watch his face. He looks like death warmed over. Don’t listen to her, Rimon’ka! Leave that bottle where I can reach it. And a cigarette might be a good idea now too.”

“You’re lunatics,” said Hava. “All of you.”

“Zaro has a fever,” said Rimona. “So does Srulik. Yolek’s heart is bad. And Hava hasn’t slept a wink for two days. We’ve been talking for a whole hour, and now we should all rest.”

She cleared the table, wiped it, and left the room to do the dishes. At that very moment, the front door opened again and another visitor walked in.

16

Sunday, March 6, 1966, 10:30 p.m.