“He dropped his alias when the old man died. He’s established quite a reputation for himself in the Argentine wine business. He owns a very successful vineyard in Mendoza. Apparently, he produces some of the best Malbec in the country.”

“I’m happy for him.”

“Try not to be too judgmental, Gabriel. Peter Voss has tried to atone for his father’s sins. When Hezbollah blew up the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires a few years back, someone sent a large anonymous donation to help rebuild. I happen to know it was Peter Voss.”

“Will he talk?”

“He’s very private, but he’s granted interviews to a number of prominent historians. Whether he’ll speak to an Israeli agent named Gabriel Allon is another question entirely.”

“Haven’t you heard, Eli? I’m retired.”

“If you’re retired, why are we walking down an Amsterdam street on a freezing night?” Greeted by silence, Lavon answered his own question. “Because it never ends, does it, Gabriel? If Shamron had tried to lure you out of retirement to hunt down a terrorist, you would have sent him packing. But this is different, isn’t it? You can still see that tattoo on your mother’s arm, the one she always tried to hide.”

“Have you finished psychoanalyzing me, Professor Lavon?”

“I know you better than anyone in the world, Gabriel. Even better than that pretty girl walking behind us. I’m the closest thing to family you have—other than Shamron, of course.” Lavon paused. “He sends his best, by the way.”

“How is he?”

“Miserable. It seems the sun is finally setting on the era of Shamron. He’s puttering around his villa in Tiberias with nothing to do. Apparently, he’s driving Gilah to distraction. She’s not at all sure how much longer she can put up with him.”

“I thought Uzi’s promotion meant Shamron would have carte blanche at King Saul Boulevard.”

“So did Shamron. But much to everyone’s surprise, Uzi’s decided he wants to be his own man. I had lunch with him a few weeks ago. Bella’s given the poor boy quite a makeover. He looks more like a corporate CEO than an Office chief.”

“Did my name come up?”

“Only in passing. Something tells me Uzi likes the fact you’re hiding at the end of the earth in Cornwall.” Lavon gave him a sideways glance. “Any regrets about not taking the job?”

“I never wanted the job, Eli. And I’m genuinely pleased for Uzi.”

“But he might not be so pleased to hear you’re thinking of running off to Argentina to talk to the son of Adolf Eichmann’s right-hand man.”

“What Uzi doesn’t know won’t hurt him. Besides, it’s an in-and-out job.”