Adira and Hartogg immediately burst into action and frantically made for the surface, as the huge injured beast turned again. But her attack had worked, the blood and trailing organs were enough to attract all its primitive cousins – they shot towards the hemorrhaging beast, and a true frenzy began.

Matt had started for the boat as soon as Adira’s knife made contact with the shark’s belly, and, when he had just one hand on the rope net ladder over the side, he flung himself up and onto the gunwale, surprising himself at just how fast one could move when they needed to. Fear gives wings, he remembered.

Abrams grabbed him and pulled him onto the deck as if he were a stranded dolphin. He lay there momentarily, stunned and gasping, and feeling his fatigued muscles still buzzing with adrenaline. Hartogg came next, but immediately turned and reached back to grab at Adira and lift her over the side. She went down on her knees, breathing hard.

She pulled off her goggles. “I lost my knife.” She grinned up at the SEAL.

Hartogg threw his head back and roared his laughter. He looked down at her, still out of breath himself. “I’d kiss you, but you might do the same to me as you did to that shark.”

Matt reached out to her. “We’ll buy you a new one.” He squeezed her arm. “Thank you.”

She nodded, and he sat up beside her. “Hey, I thought you said they wouldn’t bother us.”

Her grin widened. “And they didn’t really, did they?” She looked at Andy, whose arm bled, and she shrugged. “A scratch.”

She turned to the captain. “Mahmood.” She pointed a thumb to the shore. The old man saluted, and flicked his cigarette into the water.

Hartogg helped Adira to her feet. “Not bad at all, Captain Senesh.”

Adira nodded. “It’s what we do, right? You can repay the favor by pulling in the anchor. I think it’s time to go home.”

“I heard that,” the big man said, turning to the thick rope.

Abrams came towards her smiling and holding the still-wrapped book. Adia snatched it from him and unwrapped it, momentarily examing the cover. She snorted and then handed it to Matt. “It better be worth it.”

*

Drummond and Kroen sat in the Mossad agent’s car and watched as the boat powered back to shore. Kroen held a pair of powerful field glasses to his eyes. “They have it.”

“Good.” Drummond unfolded his arms to look at his watch. “Make preparations to leave; I want to be home by tomorrow…with the Book.” He refolded his arms, smiling dreamily and almost hugging himself. “The Father will be so pleased.”

*

Adira squinted, frowning as they approached the shore. She turned to Baruk and nodded toward the distant shape of the faded Mercedes as it pulled away from the sidewalk, and then disappeared around a corner.

“They’re back?” He said to her in Hebrew, keeping his eyes on the disappearing taillights.