CHAPTER 15

PRESENT DAY, MIDDLE EAST

“Miss Stevens, this is Harvey Goldman. I believe you’ll remember me. I visited you about a possible custody case. My wife was moving to Israel. I won’t share anymore over the phone, but, well, I just came across your name and number on the paperwork we did, and realized . . . well, your family heritage, and felt you should know what is happening with my family as it relates to your family, not so much your profession. Please return my call. I would very much like to discuss some matters with you. You were quite helpful that day we talked. Thank you, Miss Stevens.”

Tassie puffed out her cheeks, and then bit her lower lip. Why had he called now?

Omar put a finger under her chin and lifted her gaze to his. A wry smile greeted her. “So, this is the international custody case, the relic people, the oil people?”

Tassie turned her head and looked down. Omar would have none of it. The sting of the slap was enough for her to nod her head and look at him again.

“You will call him.”

Tassie groaned.

“You’ll find out about the relic. Then you’ll tell him you’re traveling in the Middle East with me, your fiancé, and you would love to visit.”

 

The plane touched down in Tel Aviv and Tassie prayed. Dear God, could You help me escape this man? Mr. Goldman would help me get home.

She looked up. Omar stared at her. She gulped.

“Tassie, you look beautiful, just like the old days. I’ll admit this is more appealing than the burkas. But when this is done, back to the burkas.” He laughed. “You belong to me now. I own you, so don’t get any ideas about escape here. I like you, but if you double cross me, you’re dead. Understand?”

Tassie nodded.

“Right now, you are again the happy lover that you were back in the States. Let me see you smile.”

Tassie started to grimace but realized it would accomplish nothing. Play the game, Tassie, play the game.

The heat and humidity lifted off the pavement in steamy tendrils as they exited the plane. The brightness of the sky assaulted her eyes and welcomed her at the same time. She’d not spent time outside since her abduction. How far is the sky blue, Tassie. That’s how far God will provide for you.

Tassie looked up. Is that You talking to me, God? Like a father talking to his little girl?

Mr. Goldman waited just outside the terminal.

Tassie extended her hand. “Mr. Goldman, how nice to see you again.” You have no idea. “This is my fiancé Omar from the States. You sounded like you may have the relic.”

“I do, Ms. Stevens. And, I’m so glad I returned to Israel. I hope that did not come back to haunt you, that I dropped the case.”

“They forgave me.” Tassie smiled.

Mr. Goldman coughed. “So sorry. I do apologize. But I needed to be here.”

Mr. Goldman took the handle of Tassie’s luggage and began walking toward a waiting car. Omar slung the strap of his bag over his shoulder and placed his hand on Tassie’s elbow, guiding her toward the car.

Horns honked, and people were everywhere. This was Israel. The land of her heritage, though she’d never had a desire to see it. The stone buildings, centuries old, mingled with new metal and glass buildings and seemed not to mind. Tassie had heard about all the dangers in Israel, why it was unsafe, but no one looked concerned. People were out and about just as in any U.S. city.

“Tassie has shared with me your great find of the relic. It sounds so fascinating. The fact that Columbus is related makes this such an interesting story.”

You are such a jerk, Omar. “Yes, Mr. Goldman, I’m so excited to actually see it.”

The door opened. “Jared, what do you have?” Rube was out of breath.

“Did you run or drive here? Don’t think you’ve made it to Langley this quickly before, even though we’re practically next door.” Jared stood up and shook Rube’s hand. Piles of folders and papers littered his desk. Three smart phones were within hand’s reach and two laptops sat side by side. On the side wall were two mounted flat screens with maps and information streaming across each one. On the back wall hung a white board with Tassie’s name and a few notes.

“Well, I called you on my way. I mean, this is my sister, definitely a priority for me. She’s clever, brilliant in fact, but I don’t think she had any idea this was coming.”

“Does she know about you or Jill’s dad?” Jared ran his hand through his red straight hair.

“No, Jill is the only one of the family that knows. Well, except my cousin, Jethro. He’s been the quiet researcher on the family history and end time predictions. Everyone thinks he’s as luney as his grandfather—who, by the way, recently died.”

“That’s right. I heard that. Sorry.”

Rube moved a stack of books to a side table then sat down in a leather covered chair with wooden arms. “I think we need to get Jethro to Israel. I gave him a call on the way, as well. He thinks Tassie’s boyfriend is after the relic.”

“We got on it as soon as you called. Omar Tugani, with a legitimate U.S. passport, went to school in the States and serves admirably with a Chicago financial law firm. Told his office that his mother in Syria is dying and had to go.”

Rube pounded his fist on the table. “Syria! What was Tassie thinking?”

“Apparently, he’s a looker, and smooth. Of course, there are sleeper cells in Syria connected with Nikoli Lemkrof. As things heat up in Ukraine, we’re picking up increased traffic between Syria and Lemkrof.” Jared took off his glasses and laid them on the desk.

Rube shook his head. “Jethro may already be on a plane. If so, he’ll arrive here in a couple hours. I think he has intel on the relic. He’s convinced the blood moons play a big part.”

Jared sighed and rubbed his head with his hands. He pulled out a pen and tablet. “Okay, we’ll cover all angles. First, any word from your sister?”

“Just the call to our mom. Nothing since.”

“Got a hold of Frank.” Jared shuffled through some papers, found one, glanced at it, and handed it to Rube. “He’s in the Mideast now and was able to get a read on her phone. She got a call from a Harvey Goldman about some case Tassie worked on and an indication of some family connection. Familiar with that name?”

“Goldman is the family that my family traveled with getting out of Spain with Columbus. The Goldman boy married my ancestor Lydia. So, they would be distant family. Did she call him back?”

“She did. Said she and her fiancé were traveling and would stop in Israel and meet him.”

“Are you kidding me? Fiancé? Oh, man.” Rube stood up and then sat down again.

“She said his name. So, it is confirmed she is with him.” One of the smart phones dinged. Jared glanced at the text message. “Rube, this is from Frank. Just uncovered that this Tugani guy has big connections.”

Rube nodded. “Figured.”

“Okay, so here’s the plan. You’re going to Israel.” He chuckled. “A lot easier than getting you into Syria. Extraction, if needed, will be a lot easier there.”

“You think extraction is needed?”

“She’s probably figured it out. She may be able to walk away from Tugani, with a few diversionary tactics.”

“What about Jethro?”

“We’ll keep him here for a while. I need a good debriefing on all this blood moon stuff and family history.”

Jared stood up and extended his hand. “You leave Reagan airport in two hours. We have a cab for you. More info in a folder in the cab. Who picks you up, more intel, a secure phone. Use it to call Jill, but keep it brief.”

Rube left the building and went to his car, removed his carry-on luggage, always packed, ready to go, turned his phone off after forwarding any calls that would come in to Jill’s phone, stuck it in the glove compartment, and turned his keys over to the cab driver who would have it in his locker when he returned, hopefully with his sister. And who knows, maybe the relic.