Eitan and Emma were relieved to see Yehoshua waiting for them at baggage claim. During the long flight from Miami, Eitan’s mind had raced incessantly. He could not imagine how he could possibly be in this situation. And he had endangered his wife. Only when he saw Yehoshua waving to him did he begin to feel a sense of comfort.
Had he known what had transpired in the office of the Ukrainian president the day the El Al jets started landing in Kiev, he would not find reason for any solace at all. According to the report of a Ukrainian bureaucrat secretly on the Mossad payroll, Ulyanna Kovalenko’s shouting could be heard all the way down the hall. She did not care at all for the tactics of the “dirty” Israeli government. She demanded that anyone involved in defaming her grandfather be made to pay. And she repeatedly berated the State of Israel and Jews in general. Officials in Jerusalem were surprised at the success of the Ukrainian operation to assassinate Noam, but they were not surprised at the attempt. Israeli intelligence assessments concluded that the Ukrainians likely communicated with multiple enemies of Israel in obtaining intelligence reports on the operation to free the Jews of Ukraine. They believed that the Ukrainians had knowledge of everyone who took part in unmasking Oleksander Boyko’s true identity. That included photos of everyone who entered and exited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the days leading up to Washington’s ultimatum to Ukraine to release its Jews.
It turned out that just a few weeks after the Ukrainian Jews arrived in Israel, Kiev fired its first salvo by ordering the hit on Noam. This, however, would not ameliorate the wrath of their first lady. She still demanded that her husband make each member of Israel’s despicable team suffer. Lany had been raised to suspect Jews of everything. She was taught never to trust them or turn your back on them. But she was also raised to keep her feelings about the Jews to herself. Never risk anyone discovering that her grandfather was a wanted Nazi war criminal, she was taught. But now that her secret had been revealed, and the Jews had once again shown their devious faces, she could no longer keep her hatred bottled up. While Emma and Eitan made their way to Yehoshua’s car, they could not have known that plans in Kiev had already been approved to target them as well.
After a few brief pleasantries, Emma and Eitan entered Yehoshua’s sedan and headed north. “I am so terribly sorry that you are mixed up in this,” Yehoshua said as his car pulled onto the highway towards the capital. “I don’t want to trouble you with details, but my office has done everything possible to assure your safety. I promise you are in good hands.”
“Thank you,” was all Emma could say as she gazed obliviously out the window. Grasping Eitan’s hand, Emma closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. Yehoshua knew there was not a whole lot else to say, other than to assure Emma and Eitan once again that he had gone to great lengths to ensure their security in Israel. They would stay at his kibbutz where they would be surrounded by layer upon layer of protection.
“We appreciate everything you do for us, Yehoshua, and we are glad we are here,” Eitan said, hoping to ease the tension of the moment.
With Emma dozing off, Yehoshua spoke a bit more openly to Eitan. “Yesterday, I went to the shiva for Noam. There were so many people. I never knew he had so many friends. I have known Noam for twenty years. He was such a good man. But I’ll tell you one thing for sure. I know he was proud of us for what we accomplished in Ukraine.”
Eitan appreciated the sentiment, but really was in no mood to focus on what had happened to Noam. Quickly he changed the subject.
“Tell me, Yehoshua, how are you holding up? You are in the same boat as us, no? I’m sure the Ukrainians are familiar with you as well,” Eitan asked.
“Of course they are. That’s one of the reasons I’m glad you are here. As long as I’m protecting you, I have a bigger budget for our security,” Yehoshua said with a smile.
“Very happy to oblige,” Eitan responded.
“Well, you did say you wanted to do more for the State of Israel. I guess to be a real Israeli sometimes you have to risk your life for the country. They taught us that in basic training,” Yehoshua added, sensing that Eitan was starting to feel more like himself.
“It’s true, I do want to do more for Israel. You know that. Just keep in mind I never had basic training. And I’m pretty new to the world of espionage. They don’t teach you this kind of stuff in rabbinic school,” Eitan responded.
“No, but they do teach you how to manage your feelings, and how to stay calm in difficult situations. And that’s where we are now. A situation that needs to be managed,” Yehoshua said as Eitan nodded. “And we will, Eitan. I promise.”