"Why not? I know it was hard, but that's all the more reason to talk about it. It can bring relief, unburden the soul."

"Let it go, Shmuel," I said, and something in my tone made him draw back in his chair. He raised a hand, palm out.

"All right. All right. So tell me, why have you come to see me?"

"I need you to find some information for me."

"What sort of information?"

I told him I was looking for a ship that had set sail from Greece in early March 1939, carrying Jewish immigrants. I did not know the port of departure, how many passengers were on board, and whether it had ever reached the shores of Israel.

"I want to talk to one of the people who were in charge of that voyage. If there's a passenger list, I want it, too."

Birnbaum listened intently, making no noise apart from a low slurping sound each time his lips met the spoon. Then he asked, "And why do you need this information?"

"For a case."

"Thank you, Adam, but I sort of figured that out for myself. Despite your best efforts, I did not suffer brain damage when you clobbered me. What sort of case? What are you hunting for?"

He had taken on a cunning, predatory look. Like a hound, he had caught the scent of a story in the air.

"I can't go into that."

"Oh, come on."

"Sorry, but that's how it is."

Birnbaum set down his spoon. "So why should I help you? I'm paid to write stories, remember? Not to dig up information for private detectives. And you're giving me bupkes."

"You owe me."

His eyebrows shot up. "Owe you? What for?"

"For printing that story about me, that's what for."

"Sorry, Adam, but that debt has long been settled. By my jaw. With interest."

"You'd be doing a good deed."

He snorted. Apparently, that was all the response my appeal to his charity was worthy of.

"I could always hit you again, you know," I told him, irritated.

He chuckled and wagged his finger at me. "Not you, Adam. Not you. That sort of thing would go against your nature, wouldn't it? Come on, you gotta give me something if you want my help."

I mulled it over. I could try someone else, but no one I knew had the contacts Birnbaum had. His position in Davar afforded him direct contact with government officials and politicians. Everyone wanted to be on his good side and would be keen on doing him a favor in the hope that he might one day reciprocate. He could get this information for me faster than anyone else.

"I tell you what, Shmuel, I'll make you a deal. You do this for me, and when I finish with her case, I'll ask my client to talk to you. If she agrees, you'll have an exclusive."