After your departure I, too, left Buenos Aires. I have been learning agriculture in Moïseville, just as you have been doing in the Holy Land. However, your family’s story has inspired me to follow in your footsteps to the land of our ancestors, and I plan to travel there as soon as the winter ocean winds calm down to make the long voyage less taxing.

I have been thinking about you a great deal these past many months. I cherished our tango dancing. Had life been written by a different divinity, we would be performing together now, maybe winning more competitions. It is my greatest regret that we failed in our mission. Señor Joaquin Ramos’s unfortunate fate will discourage another brave prosecutor, district attorney, or judge for years to come.

Batya stopped and placed her hand over her heart. How many more thousands of girls would be lured and snatched to South America? Could the Baron de Hirsch be this powerless against Zwi Migdal?

You’ll be glad to hear, though, that by an interesting twist of events we recovered that critical lost document I cannot name here. God willing, may it one day be used for the purpose you and I had intended.

She heard her own gasp. The ledger was back in the possession of those who could help the sisters! Probably it had been bought from a policeman on a night shift at the station.

“What is it?” Surale asked. “Bad news?”

“No. A letter from an old friend. Everything is well.” She read on.

On a more personal note, I would like to be brazen and tell you that during our collaboration—both on the dance floor and the investigation—I developed a great admiration for your bravery and valor. In spite of all that had befallen you, I saw neither bitterness nor the harsh cynicism that can chip away pieces of the soul until there’s nothing left of humanity. At a time that you could have saved yourself, you thought not only of your family but also of all your suffering sisters.

You also taught me to look into myself and recognize my own prejudices even when I had meant well. I ask your forgiveness for any cruel remark I thoughtlessly uttered. Your values and morals should have been beacons of character to anyone who ever met you.

You have inspired me to do in the Holy Land what I am doing in Moïseville: be a gaucho. I wish to come live in your village, where, no doubt, a strong laborer will be able to raise a herd of milk-producing cows.