“I still have plenty of sources at King Saul Boulevard, despite the fact that Uzi has decided to cast me into the wilderness.”

“What did you expect? Did you think he was going to give you a big office on the top floor and reserve a place for you at the operational-planning table?”

“What I expected, my son, was to be treated with a certain amount of respect and dignity. I’ve earned it.”

“You have, Ari. But may I speak bluntly?”

“Tread carefully.” Shamron clamped his large hand around Gabriel’s wrist and squeezed. “I’m not as frail as I look.”

“You suck the oxygen out of any room you enter. Every time you set foot in King Saul Boulevard, the troops want to bask in your glow and touch the hem of your garment.”

“Are you taking Uzi’s side?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Wise boy.”

“But you should at least consider the possibility that Uzi can run the Office without your constant input. After all, that’s why you recommended him for the job in the first place.”

“I recommended him because the man I really wanted wasn’t available. But that’s a topic for another conversation.” Shamron tapped his cigarette against the side of his ashtray and gave Gabriel a sideways glance. “No regrets?”

“None whatsoever. Uzi Navot is the director of the Office, and he’s going to be the director for a very long time. You’d better make peace with that fact. Otherwise, your final years on this earth are going to be filled with bitterness.”

“You sound like Gilah.”

“Gilah is a very wise woman.”

“She is,” Shamron agreed. “But if you’re so pleased with the way Uzi is running things, then what are you doing here? Surely you didn’t come all the way up to Tiberias for the pleasure of my company. You’re here because you want something from Uzi and he won’t give it to you. Try as I might, I haven’t been able to figure out what it is. But I’m getting close.”

“How much do you know?”

“I know that Julian Isherwood retained your services to track down a missing portrait by Rembrandt. I know that Eli Lavon is watching over an old woman in Amsterdam. And I know you’ve set your sights on one of the most successful businessmen in the world. What I don’t quite yet understand is how these things are connected.”

“It has something to do with an old acquaintance of yours.”

“Who’s that?”

“Eichmann.”

Shamron slowly crushed out his cigarette. “You have my attention, Gabriel. Keep talking.”