This novel, like the previous books in the Gabriel Allon series, could not have been written without the assistance of David Bull, who truly is among the finest art restorers in the world. Several Israeli and American intelligence officers gave me guidance along the way, and for obvious reasons I cannot thank them by name. Jean Becker, known to her legion of admirers as “the center of the universe,” and not without good reason, opened many doors for me. My copy editor, Jane Herman, saved me much embarrassment. Louis Toscano made countless improvements to the manuscript, as did my trusted friend and literary agent, Esther Newberg of ICM in New York. I consulted hundreds of books, articles, and Web sites, far too many to cite here, but I would be remiss if I did not mention the extraordinary scholarship of Dore Gold, Laurent Murawiec, Gerald Posner, and Derek Fell, whose analysis of Vincent van Gogh’s final days at Auvers inspired Marguerite Gachet at Her Dressing Table. It goes without saying that none of this would have been possible without the support of the remarkable team of professionals at Putnam: Ivan Held, Marilyn Ducksworth, and especially my editor, Neil Nyren.

We are blessed with many friends, who, at critical points during the writing year, provide much needed perspective and laughter, especially Betsy and Andrew Lack, Elsa Walsh and Bob Woodward, Michael and Leslie Sabourin, and Andrew and Marguerita Pate. My wife, Jamie Gangel, served as a trusted sounding board for my ideas and skillfully edited my early drafts, including some I did not like. She saw the essence of the story, even when it eluded me. Without her care, support, and devotion, The Messenger might never have taken flight.

Table of Contents

PART ONE The Door of Death

1. London

2. Jerusalem

3. Jerusalem

4. Vatican City

5. Vatican City

6. Vatican City

7. Rome

8. Venice

9. Jerusalem

PART TWO Dr. Gachet’s Daughter

10. Ein Kerem, Jerusalem

11. London

12. Tel Megiddo, Israel

13. London

14. The Marais, Paris

15. The Marais, Paris

16. McLean, Virginia

17. Georgetown

18. London

19. London

20. London

21. London

PART THREE The Night Journey

22. Harbor Island, Bahamas

23. Off the Bahamas

24. Gustavia, Saint-Barthélemy

25. Gustavia, Saint-Barthélemy

26. Pointe Mangin, Saint-Barthélemy

27. Gustavia Harbor, Saint-Barthélemy

28. CIA Headquarters

29. Off Saint Maarten

30. Saint Maarten

31. Kloten, Switzerland

32. Zurich

33. Zug, Switzerland

34. Canton Uri, Switzerland

35. Canton Uri, Switzerland

36. Zug, Switzerland

37. Vatican City

38. Rome

PART FOUR The Witness

39. Washington

40. Tiberias, Israel

41. Paris: August

42. Istanbul: August

AUTHOR’S NOTE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS