The old agent just shrugged his shoulders and smiled. It was hard for Nir to picture the cold-blooded killer in this mild-mannered grandfather, but he knew he’d been part of a Kidon unit that, all in a five-year span, had assassinated Gerald Bull, the Canadian who was working on a supergun for Saddam Hussein; Atef Bseiso, PLO head of intelligence and participant in the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre; and Fathi Shaqaqi, the founder of Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian terrorist organization.

Neeman tilted the arak bottle toward Nir’s glass, but he covered it with his hand. “I’m going back out tonight.”

“Well, then with your permission…” He poured the arak into his own glass as Nir nodded his assent. “Now tell me, what is your great plan for getting my team into this artist’s workshop without getting caught?” He lifted the glass to his lips.

“Well, that’s still in flux.”

His glass stilled, the old man’s expression didn’t change. But Nir noticed his face begin to redden. The glass returned to the table.

“I have eight people in there who are risking their lives, their careers, everything they have. I’ve got a high school volleyball coach. I’ve got a housewife. I’ve got a manager of an Applebee’s. They’re moms and dads who are missing the final night of Hannukah with their families to be here. If they’re caught, they’ll likely lose it all along with their freedom. I want more than in flux.”

Now Nir could see the warrior. But despite this man’s past and experience, Nir was still the man at the top of the org chart for this operation. “Apparently, it’s been a while since you were on the tip of the spear, my friend. In flux is the way Kidon operates.”

Neeman slammed the table with both fists. “You are Kidon! I am Kidon! Those people out there are not Kidon! They’re regular people using their training to help protect Israel and her citizens. And they are trusting you to protect them as they do it.”

Nir leaned across the table. “Avigdor, it is in flux.” He emphasized each word as he said it.

Neeman locked eyes with him, and they stared at each other until the old man sat back. Lifting his glass again, he said, “They told me I’d like you.” He tossed the contents into his mouth and swallowed. A harsh “Ahh” followed. Then he pointed at Nir. “You have three more nights. After that, those people are going back to their real lives.”

Chapter 38

CHAPTER 38

17:10 / 5:10 P.M. CST