“You’re obviously not English.” Keller rubbed a porthole in his fogged window and frowned at the rain. “I’ve been wet since the day I got back to this godforsaken country.”

“It rains in Corsica, too.”

“Not like this.”

“Have you decided where you’re going to live?”

“Somewhere close to them,” Keller replied. “Unfortunately, they’ll have to carry on as though I’m still dead. That’s part of my deal with MI6.”

“When do you start?”

“Tomorrow.”

“What’s your first assignment?”

“Find Quinn.” Keller glanced at Gabriel and said, “I would appreciate any help your service can provide. Apparently, I have to play by MI6 rules.”

“Too bad.”

Keller’s mother appeared in the window again.

“What’s she looking for?” he asked.

“Could be anything,” said Gabriel.

“Do you think she’ll be proud?”

“Of what?”

“Of the fact that I work for MI6 now.”

“I know she will.”

Keller reached for the latch, then stopped. “I’ve gone into a lot of dangerous situations before . . .” His voice trailed off. “Can I sit here a little longer?”

“Take as much time as you need.”

“What time is your flight?”

“I’ll put a hold on it if I have to.”

Keller smiled. “I’m going to miss working with you.”

“Who says it has to stop?”

“You’ll be the chief soon. And chiefs don’t associate with plebes like me.” Keller placed his hand on the latch and raised his eyes toward the window of the house. “I know that look,” he said.

“What look?”

“The look on my mother’s face. She always looked like that when I was running late.”

“You are running late, Christopher.”

Keller turned sharply. “What have you done?”

“Go,” said Gabriel, offering his hand. “You’ve kept them waiting long enough.”

Keller climbed out of the car and hurried across the wet street. He fumbled for a moment with the garden gate, then bounded up the steps as the front door swung open. His parents stood in the entrance hall, leaning on each other for support, disbelieving of their eyes. Keller raised a finger to his lips and gathered them into his powerful arms before quickly closing the door. Gabriel saw him one last time as he passed before the window of the drawing room. Then a shade fell and he was gone.

82

NARKISS STREET, JERUSALEM