“It’s a basic thing,” Decker said. “We may never know the truth unless we get Milligan. And frankly, I don’t think that’s likely. According to Israeli intelligence, she and her friend Donald Haas have the means to bury themselves for a long time. He’s got lots of friends in Arab countries. And she made lots of contingency plans. She owns places in Libya, Iraq, and Syria.”

“The countries that invested heavily in the diamond stocks.”

“Right. For all we know, she still may be calling some shots from wherever she is. And if the Palestinians ever get their own state, she’ll be a queen. Israel won’t be able to touch her. And she’ll be a hero among the terrorists, the woman who almost destroyed Israel’s biggest industry. You want to know the irony of the whole thing?”

“What?”

“She got the idea from Arik Yalom. Not the blowing up the Bursa part. But the idea of setting up competition in the industry, using Palestinian money as capital. Yalom probably felt his knowledge of diamonds was going to be indispensable to her. So he was probably walking around feeling pretty damn secure.”

“Or maybe not. Didn’t Gil say he wavered between euphoria and paranoia?”

“Yeah, you’re right. Could be he knew Milligan wasn’t trustworthy no matter how much he felt she needed him.”

“Or maybe he found out about Haas. Found out that Milligan was just using him.” Marge paused. “You know, she didn’t have to use him once he gave her the idea. Why bother killing him?”

Decker shrugged. “Maybe Arik found out about Milligan’s plan to blow up the Bursa. He might have been in love with her, he might have been greedy, but doing something like that…I don’t see even a schmuck like Arik going along with destroying his homeland.”

“So why didn’t he just say something to security?”

“Maybe he tried to reason with Milligan first. That would have been a big mistake.” Decker took a deep breath and let it out. “Milligan is a formidable enemy.”

“Think we’ll ever get our hands on her?” Marge asked.

“Truthfully?” Decker shook his head. “Not a chance.”

A grin on her face and a baby in her arms, Rina greeted Decker at the doorway. “Can you believe it! Hannah’s walking! She’s only ten months old!”

Decker grabbed the baby from Rina. “Ten months old and walking! Does that mean we’re going to have to put all the breakables up another notch?”

“Looks that way.” Rina kissed Hannah’s cheek. “She waited for us to come home before she took her first steps. I know it was a conscious decision.”

“Absolutely.” Decker handed the baby back to Rina. “Where are the boys?”

“Preparing the horse for the ride.”

“Oh, that’s right.” Decker frowned. “I did promise to take them, didn’t I?”

“What’s wrong?”