“I will admit to being impressed by Uzi’s debut on the international stage. If this operation proves to be a success, it will go down as one of the greatest triumphs in the history of the Office. And to think Uzi actually tried to kill it before it could even take flight.” Shamron glanced at Gabriel. “Maybe next time he won’t let his ego get in the way when you try to tell him something.”

Gabriel made no reply.

“I see you didn’t include your wife on the team for Geneva,” Shamron said. “I assume it wasn’t an oversight.”

“She’s not happy about it, but I want her to stay here with you and Uzi.”

“Maybe you should consider doing the same.” Shamron smoked in silence for a moment. “I suppose I don’t have to remind you that you operated in Switzerland quite recently or that there was a great deal of bloodshed involved. It’s possible the Swiss are aware of your recent visits to the country. Which means that if anything goes wrong tomorrow evening, it might be a long time before I can get you out again.”

“I’m not going to let anyone else run the show in Geneva, Ari.”

“I assumed that would be your answer. Just make sure you abide by the Eleventh Commandment. Don’t get caught.”

“Do you have any other helpful advice?”

“Bring Zoe Reed home alive.” Shamron dropped his cigarette to the ground. “I wouldn’t want Uzi’s London debut to close after its opening night.”

IF THERE WAS a chink in the armor of the Office, it was the problem of passports. In most cases, undercover Israeli agents could not carry Israeli passports since Israeli citizens were not allowed to enter target countries or, as in the case of Switzerland, were regarded with suspicion by local authorities. Therefore, after a round of intense negotiations, it was decided that all eight members of the Geneva team would travel on false American or Commonwealth passports. It was a magnanimous but necessary gesture that guaranteed the operation would not crumble at the gates of passport control. Even so, Gabriel took the routine Office precaution of sending his team into Geneva on three different flights and by three different routes. There were some traditions that died hard, even in a multilateral world.