Ghosts of War

by Brad Taylor

  I watched the guy Shoshana had pinged on, but he seemed to be nothing but paid security, and had sauntered to the back of the room, reclining in a chair. Bored with the proceedings.

  I looked at Shoshana, and she was still feeling something from him. She didn’t show it outwardly, but she was on fire. I could tell.

  They went through a dance of putting on cotton gloves, talking about the Torah, and then Shohana inspected it, looking for the markings they had learned. I watched closely. As soon as she touched it, it was over.

  She glanced at Aaron and simply nodded, then proceeded to recite a bunch of memorized things about old shit, Torah markings, and the synagogue in Plonsk, ending with, “There’s no way to tell completely, of course, without a comprehensive examination, but we can help with that as well.”

  Dr. Kowalski said, “This is the examination. Can you not conclusively prove it’s from the synagogue in Plonsk? Is it not the one we thought?”

  Shoshana surprised me, as I would have expected her to just rip his head off at the sharp tone, then walk out. Instead, she sounded exactly like an expert. “Sir, it fits everything we know about the Torah in question. It is definitely centuries old, and it matches the description in its sheepskin and markings, but there’s really no way to know without bringing it to the people who actually used it. And those people are only in Israel. As I said, I can facilitate that, and maintain discretion. Nobody will know it came from the gold train, and nobody will question when it returns here. They’ll think it’s from a museum.”

  Dr. Kowalski sighed and said, “I thought as much. Unfortunately, I’m not authorized for such a move now. I’ll take your information and get back to you.”

  Aaron tried one last time. “Surely a simple trip with the Torah would do no harm? I’m positive I could arrange the travel free of charge.”

  Kowalski nodded and said, “Yes, yes, that would be the easy thing, but then we’d be traveling out every other day with paintings, candlesticks, and rings. We wanted to do the opposite and have each confirmed here, where we have control. I cannot risk a firestorm because of rabid idiots on the Internet. I’m sorry, but I promise I’ll take your recommendation higher.”

  The doctor shook his head and grinned, saying, “Truthfully, the government doesn’t know what to do. They want no blood splashed on them because of the find. They wish it had remained hidden forever.”

  Aaron nodded sagely and said, “I completely understand. I’m grateful you allowed us to see it, and wish you the best in its disposition. Rest assured, you have our discretion.”

  Kowalski smiled and said, “Exactly why I asked for you. There is nothing better than working with academics who are outside the political spectrum. When can I expect your report?”

  “Two days, at most. You’ll have it before we leave.”

  He held his arm out and said, “Come. Let me pay for your meal. Talk about other things.”

  We left without another word, Shoshana taking one last glance into the room, staring at the milquetoast in the corner.

  We ate at the restaurant adjacent to the castle, getting some typical Polish fare, which suited me fine. What I didn’t like was what had just happened. Something had occurred, and I wasn’t sure what it was. We spent the entire lunch talking about the bloody history of the castle, with Jennifer leading the way, and by the end of it, all I wanted was to ask some questions of the Israelis in private.

  We paid the bill and walked back to the hotel, Jennifer talking about the Torah with Aaron, and Shoshana weirdly walking right next to me. Rubbing up against my body and glancing into my eyes every thirty seconds. I knew it wasn’t because she was itching to tell me a good joke. I stopped and said, “Okay, you two, what’s up?”

  Shoshana said, “Nothing. Aaron and I are going to Wroclaw. This took much less time than we thought, and we have a nicer hotel there, about an hour away.”

  I said, “This hotel’s fine, and I’m sick of traveling.”

  “We can’t plan in this hotel. Too close to the castle. And it might be monitored.”

  I glanced at Jennifer and said, “What on earth are you talking about?”

  Aaron said, “Our flight out isn’t for two days. I’ll pay for you to leave tomorrow, if that’s what you’d like, or you could stay in Wroclaw, with us.”

  I stopped, knowing this was the endgame. I said, “I’m not looking forward to jumping right back on a plane, but it depends on what you have planned.”

  Jennifer looked from me to Aaron, not saying a word. Shoshana said, “You aren’t that stupid.”

  I said, “Apparently I am. What is it you want?”

  I knew the answer even before I asked for it. Knew that mission success was much more than utilizing our cover organization. They wanted our skill.

  Aaron glanced at Shoshana and she nodded. He said, “We’re going to steal that Torah. And we could use your help.”

  13

  Mikhail popped an olive into his mouth and said, “Some team of Jewish experts came to the castle today and looked at the Torah.”

  “From Israel?” asked Simon. “I thought your contact said that would never happen.”

  “No, some husband-and-wife team from America, facilitated by a company called Grolier Recovery Services. I checked them out, and they’re legit. They’ve done stuff like this before, but the team recommended sending the Torah to Israel for confirmation. You know if that happens, they’ll keep it.”

  Simon said, “The Poles know that as well. They won’t let it happen.”

  “They’d better not. That Torah is my payment. I already have a buyer in Vienna.”

  “I’ll reimburse you from my stake if that happens. From the rest of the gold we obtain.”

  “Even so, we should move the operation up. Do it tomorrow.”

  “Are we ready? Can we do that?”

  “Yes. The team is here, in Warsaw, and the plan is set. It’ll be easy. We roll up to the northern face of the castle right at the base. There is a road that leads to an underground loading zone. We meet our man, get the uniforms, get in an elevator, ride up, and secure the trunks. We load them, move back down, and leave. Outside of removing the other two hired men, we’ll avoid the entire security apparatus. It’s not going to get any better if we wait.”

  Simon took a sip of wine, then said, “And you trust this inside man?”

  “No. Of course not. But I trust the men I brought from Israel. You’ll get your gold. That I know. If we wait until after your crazy plan in Belarus, I can’t predict the outcome.”

  Mikhail fished another olive from the bowl, and Simon remained quiet for a moment. When he spoke again, it was from a different perspective.

  “Do you have any qualms about stealing from the deceased of the Holocaust? Does that bring you any pause?”

  Mikhail waited a beat, then said, “I have no connection to the Holocaust. My family moved to Israel in 1919. I’m fourth generation. The people who own the goods in that train are long gone. Whoever ends up with it will be stealing it, I’m sure. It’ll happen in a courtroom, or with me. No. I have no qualms.”

  He took a sip of his whiskey and said, “But you ask as if you do. Your family felt the death. Felt the pain. Are you having second thoughts?”

  Simon raised his glass and said, “I would, but if the camps taught anyone anything, it’s that survival is based on the ability to manipulate your surroundings. To make your own destiny. My grandfather survived the camps by sheer will and cunning. No. I don’t have any qualms. But I never served in Israeli intelligence. I’ve been fighting my entire life for survival. I’m a de facto Israeli citizen, but I feel no connection to the country. It only allows me to pursue my business.”

  “Then we are agreed.”

  Simon set the glass down and said, “Why did you leave the Mossad? I’ve dealt with them before, and they are all true believe
rs. What caused your fall from grace?”

  Mikhail chuckled and said, “Why does anyone leave any intelligence organization? What causes most falls from grace?”

  “A woman? You couldn’t keep your dick in your pants?”

  Mikhail’s glare became harsh, and he said, “Yes. It was a woman, but not because of sex. Because she was a traitor. Nobody would listen to me, and it ended badly. She was moved within the building, and I was moved out.”

  He relaxed and said, “Make no mistake; before being true believers, the Mossad is a bureaucracy. I was a true believer. The bureaucracy won.”

  He ate another olive and said, “And now, I ply those skills for you.”

  Simon said, “Good enough, but I worry about your commitment. If you’re willing to turn on your country, why should I think you won’t turn on me?”

  Mikhail scoffed and said, “I have never turned on Israel. Nothing I have done has affected them. It’s only enriched me.” He jabbed his small fork toward Simon’s face and said, “You are the last man who should be accusing me of turning on my country.”

  Simon laughed and said, “Yes, I suppose you’re right. Survival for self will always supersede anything else, but truthfully, I don’t think of Putin as being a part of my country. I love Russia, but not from the bottom of a pit with a bucket to shit in. I don’t expect you to understand. Only obey.”

  Mikhail nodded and said, “Fair enough. So we trust one another about as far as we can throw one another. You provide me what I want, and I do the same.”

  Simon glanced at him and said, “Mikhail, I would never turn on you. You and I are of the same build, with the same goals. But you didn’t appreciate me leveraging you for passports for the Night Wolves, and that causes concern.”

  “I don’t like being played. I didn’t like you throwing me into your little plan for World War Three without asking, but I got the passports, did I not?”

  “Yes. You did. And Kirill is on the way. Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s smart to do our mission in Poland earlier.”

  Mikhail downed the last of his whiskey and said, “No doubt. That gold train plunder will be inaccessible after Kirill lights the fuse.”

  14

  We were sitting in a pub called Whiskey in a Jar, forced to drink nothing but Coca-Cola because of the potential mission parameters. I said, “You made a decision? I mean, if Aaron comes back with what we asked for?”

  Jennifer fiddled with her straw and said, “No. On the surface it seems like the right thing to do, I suppose, but I don’t know about working for the Israeli government. I mean, is that even legal? I feel like a mercenary.”

  “It’s not about the money. You know that. I could care less about the cash.”

  She looked into my eyes and said, “There are more forms of payment than just money. Do you crave the excitement of the mission, using the purpose as a cloak to allow you to operate?”

  I chuckled, because she knew me too well. I said, “I honestly don’t know. But you’re in the same boat, except you’re more worried about breaking trust with Shoshana than the purpose of the mission.”

  —

  Earlier, standing inside the courtyard to Ksiaz Castle, I immediately told Aaron there was no way we were helping him—meaning the State of Israel—steal an artifact from another sovereign country. Especially not as Americans. I said I was sorry, but that was just the way of it.

  Shoshana looked at me with a touch of sadness, then turned to Jennifer, asking her the same question. Imploring her as a way to get to me. Jennifer was torn by the look, and glanced at me for support. I shook my head, telling her no.

  Aaron said, “Don’t decide here. Let’s go to Wroclaw, and let me lay out what we know. At least let me show you the plan, so you can make an informed decision.”

  We drove the hour to Wroclaw in our separate cars, mostly in silence. Pulling into the parking garage for the Sofitel hotel on the outskirts of the Wroclaw old city square, Jennifer said, “Separate cars. Large suitcases. Reservations for hotels in two different cities. The cryptic talk from Shoshana. They were planning this all along.”

  I pulled into the first available spot and said, “That thought has crossed my mind. And it pisses me off.”

  We met in Aaron and Shoshana’s room, to find Shoshana’s suitcase open and displaying a selection of thin nylon ladders and assorted climbing gear. On the bed was a historical blueprint of Ksiaz Castle. Standing behind the bed was Shoshana, looking contrite.

  I shook my head and opened my mouth to speak but Shoshana cut me off, saying, “Yes. We tricked you, but not completely. Don’t tell us no out of revenge.”

  I said, “Revenge? Jesus, you are a piece of work. How about I say no because it’s stupid? Like you knew I would have in Washington, DC?”

  Aaron said, “Wait. We didn’t completely trick you. We did need your company for the mission, and I really had hoped to convince him to send the Torah on his own volition, but he declined. That truly would have been the better way.”

  Jennifer said, “He didn’t decline. He said he had to send it up to his boss. Why don’t you just wait for the no instead of jumping into a theft?”

  Shoshana said, “The Torah isn’t going to be there much longer. None of the things recovered are. Someone is going to steal it, and the Torah will be lost forever.”

  “How do you know that,” asked Jennifer, “and why didn’t you say something like this to begin with? Why all the lying?”

  Aaron said, “We didn’t know. I swear, we didn’t know.”

  And I realized what had happened. “The man in the room. The one Shoshana zeroed in on.” I turned to her and said, “You saw something in him.”

  She nodded, the earlier fire coming out of her eyes. “Yes, I did. He’s working with someone. He had an aura coming off him like a pile of rotten meat. He’s planning to steal the trunks.”

  I heard the words and held up my hands, sick of the mental-magic crap. “Come on, there’s no possible way you can read that intent in someone. I’m sure he’s probably a bad guy, but maybe he’s stealing from the petty cash drawer at the ticket booth.”

  Shoshana slitted her eyes at me, saying nothing. Aaron said, “Look, I don’t expect you to believe, but I do, and I’m breaking into that castle tonight. I could really use your help. Both yours and Jennifer’s.”

  I pointed at the climbing gear and said, “You need Jennifer to establish an anchor outside?”

  “Yes.”

  In a past life, Jennifer had been a gymnast, and had actually trained with Cirque du Soleil. She could climb up anything short of plate glass—and even that would be doable if she were given a little help.

  “And you need me . . . ?”

  I let the question trail off.

  Shoshana said, “Why does anyone need you, Nephilim? Why would we ask for your particular skills?”

  I was disgusted at the question, because I knew. And it didn’t make me happy. “To break some heads.”

  She smiled and said, “Yes. Your abilities are formidable in that sense, but that’s not why. You bring with you the ability to succeed no matter how bad things have become. You bring something we cannot. I can’t describe it. But it’s real.”

  I looked to see if she was just blowing smoke up my ass, but she appeared completely sincere.

  I said, “That’s not me. You’re remembering Tirana. When Aaron and I saved your life. It wasn’t me. It was luck. Period. Luck doesn’t follow a person. I’ve been in fights when luck went the other way. When people died. When you would have died.”

  She looked me in the eyes, boring in, reading me. I could actually feel it. She said, “Nephilim, we need you tonight. I can’t explain it other than to say I need you. Aaron doesn’t agree. He thinks we can do this on our own, but I won’t do it without you.”

  She looked at Jennifer and said, “You
and Koko. I don’t know why, but it’s critical.”

  I paused, not sure how to respond. It was pretty compelling, even if it was a little crazy. I finally got out, “Okay, okay, I hear you, but what if we get caught? Get arrested? You’ll have Israeli help. Jennifer and I will be hung out to dry. I can’t risk that. Imagine the headlines—‘Grolier Recovery Services Arrested for Breaking into Ancient Castle to Steal Holocaust Gold.’ Apart from spending some time in a Polish jail, we’d never work again.”

  Aaron said, “I can fix that. If I can assure you that you will not—as you say—be hung out to dry, will you do it?”

  I said, “Like I would trust that word. Your government will hang me out as soon as I’m not viable.”

  With steel I had never heard from her, Shoshana said, “You’re wrong.”

  Jennifer raised her head at the statement, sensing a shift in the conversation. I remained silent.

  Shoshana looked at Aaron, then at me. She shifted toward me, sliding in a way that made me wary. She came close and looked me in the eye. I tensed, and she said, “If I say you will be protected, you will. Even if it means my life. Listen to Aaron. He does not lie. I know it. I follow him because of it. Do not sell us short.”

  Shoshana snaked her hand into Jennifer’s and squeezed without looking at her. Jennifer felt the touch and I saw the conflict on her face. Her wanting to do what was asked.

  Aaron simply looked at me, knowing how much weight the words held. Understanding there was nothing he could say that would mean as much. I shook my head and sliced through the emotion. “We aren’t doing shit until I see what brilliant plan you’ve come up with.”

  Aaron smiled, the tension cut, and said, “It really is brilliant in its simplicity.” And he stood over the blueprints and laid it out. In the end, there wasn’t much to it. If everything went right, we’d be in and out without issue. The only problem was if something went wrong. But I’d dealt with that before. I asked some questions about cameras and other surveillance, and Jennifer asked some about the facade of the building, but all in all there really weren’t a lot of moving parts.