She perked up.
"I believe both were required to stay and debrief."
She rolled her eyes. "I must be slipping in the popularity polls."
"To be quite honest, there may have been some confusion as to whom you wished to see most."
"So they both vetoed." Natasha yawned again. "I wonder why…why…" She blinked a few times. "Think I'll go to sleep."
"I will remain."
She closed her eyes. "Make sure you snore. I'm used to it now."
They allowed her to sleep through the remainder of the night. When she woke the next morning, John lay in the next cot, his Bible open on his lap. He looked up when he heard her stir.
"How are you…" They spoke as one then laughed.
"Ooh," moaned Natasha. "That hurts."
The doctor walked in, followed by the nurse. "You look much better this morning. Let's look at the wound."
They cleaned and re-bandaged it. "I would send you home to rest if you had a home. Since you don't exist, you'll have to remain. I don't want you putting undue pressure on that…making it bleed again. Lie still for another day. There's an antibiotic in your drip, but I want you to take these by mouth every four hours. How is the pain?" He looked up from the notes he was making.
"Bearable...if I don't move."
"No need for that. Take these every six hours. If it doesn't work, there's an alternative."
"Which is?"
"We knock you out. Just kidding."
He turned to leave.
"Wait," Natasha called after him.
"Yes?"
"Well?" she asked him sheepishly.
"You're my favorite again."
After breakfast, Natasha and John asked to visit the garden. They'd been imprisoned long enough to miss seeing living, growing things. The hospital was built around a flower garden. Whether or not you went outside, you saw the dazzling display of color through the glass walls.
Natasha wasn't supposed to walk, and John couldn't push her, so she sat in a wheelchair, and an aide took them out. In one corner of the garden, palms and ferns made a tranquil backdrop for a fountain modeled after the Star of David. Wrought iron chairs and benches offered numerous choices for repose. On the other side of the garden, a small waterfall trickled into a fish pond. When they were comfortably situated, the aide departed.
"Well," said Natasha leaning forward with a scheming tone. "We can say anything we want, and no one can stop us. What do you want to talk about?"
"Your young man."
"We can say anything, and that's what you pick? That's all talked out. Besides, I haven't exactly seen any young men banging down the door to take me away from here."
"You may not, but I have."
Natasha threw up her hands then placed them in her lap. "Ok, I'll bite. Where?"
"Both of the gentlemen arrived shortly after you fell asleep. They wished not to wake you. Dirk remained throughout the night in a chair by your bed. You cried out once, but his voice calmed you with amazing rapidity. David Benjamin returned early this morning to see you. Again, you were sleeping. They left together."
John waited for her response.
"In my life, there are two really important men. Well, three if we count you." Natasha smiled at John, and he inclined his head in acknowledgment. "But the two single men show up when I'm asleep. I have so many things to say. I've had plenty of time alone to think about how I feel…what I want…" She frowned. "What if he doesn't want the same thing?"
"First of all, TRUST. Second, to whom do you refer?"
"You're right. God knows what He wants for me. I can trust Him. But it still hurts. And you know which one. It's always been him. Now, can we talk about something else?"
John leaned forward with a twinkle in his eyes. "Where is the Garden of Eden?"
"In Jerusalem…through the Eastern Gate. I saw it. It looks like heaven, but the Tree of Life was there so I knew it was Eden."
"When did you see it?"
"The morphine. I had another dream."
"It seemed so to me at the time. Did you consider staying?"
"Nothing to consider. I saw Jesus, and I was going to Him."
"Your young man was quite desperate to wake you. You know, Natasha, he does his job well. But you were his first priority. God's timing will bring to pass all you desire."
"You sound like a matchmaker, John. But I'm glad you care…about both of us."
An aide walked into the garden, calling Natasha's name. "Miss Kelly, these flowers came for you." She held out a vase full of white lilies.
Apprehension settled on Natasha as she opened the card.
RIP And signed with a flourish. Yaakov.
She recoiled so quickly, she knocked the vase to the ground, where it shattered. The aide rushed to help.
"I'm so sorry," began Natasha.
"It's all right. Leave it. I'll get someone to clean it up. Would you like to return to your room? I'll get your lilies for you."
"No! I…please throw them away."
The aide rolled Natasha's wheelchair back to the room. Natasha felt John's concern from his constant glances, but kept her tongue.
Once she rested safely in her bed, the aide left the room. When the door closed, she sat up. "Those lilies came from Yaakov. Do you know what lilies stand for in the US?"
John shook his head.
"Death, which is what he put on the card. RIP means Rest In Peace. Look at it." Her hand shook as she handed off the card.
John took it from her and gave it a brief glance. "Let us pray."
He thanked God for His protection and blessings and asked that the enemy fall into his own traps. His utter faith and trust in God reassured Natasha, and she felt God's peace settle over her.
The nurse walked in, carrying a huge display of red roses. "Somebody likes you." She grinned and set them on the side table.
Natasha was hesitant to read the card this time. "You look, John."
He picked it up and brought it to her. "It's for you. Read it."
She opened it slowly. Three words. Ever Yours- Dirk 24-7
She handed the card to John. "Do you know what red roses mean in the States? I love you." She leaned her head on the pillow. "How would you like to get out of here?"
"I've been waiting for you to say the word."
"Good. I'll call Benjamin." Natasha picked up the phone and dialed David's beeper. She punched in her special code…911. He'd know she needed to speak with him as soon as possible.
A knock at the door startled them both. They exchanged a glance.
"Come in," called Natasha.
David Benjamin strolled in with a huge box of candy. He held up his beeper. "How's that for fast service? I was coming to check on you. What's up?" He handed her the box of candy and leaned over to kiss her cheek before settling in a chair.
"I don't want to stay in the hospital. I'm like a magnet for trouble, and I don't want anyone else poisoned, or their throat slit, or a bullet in their head because of me. Get me out of here. Yaakov sent me a bouquet of funeral flowers and a death threat. Here."
He took the card from her outstretched hand, a thunderous expression on his face. It reminded her of when he'd shot that traitor who broke into her room. David was scary when he got angry.
He slid the note in his pocket. "This isn't a safe location. For you or anyone else in Yaakov's way. You and John will be moved." His face softened as he smiled. "But first, how are you feeling? There is much to discuss. I guess that will have to wait."
"I take pain pills. I cope. Just get us out of here. Have you seen Dirk?"
No longer would she hide her interest.
"He asked me to give you this." David handed Natasha a letter in a sealed envelope and a small box.
She stared at the envelope, anxious to read the contents, but not with an audience. She put it to the side and opened the box. Her amethyst earrings. They'd been removed by the hospital staff. She put the box beside the letter.
"Well, n
ow, you two…out, while I take off this hospital gown. Call a nurse, please. I don't think I can change by myself."
John and David left the room while Natasha attempted to lift her arms from the gown. It was shocking how much one uses one's stomach when dressing. The sutures pulled, and fresh waves of pain rushed through her side. The nurse found her holding her side, leaning over the edge of the hospital bed.
"Miss Kelly, what are you doing? You'll tear open that skin and start bleeding again." She rushed to look at the bandages.
"I have to get out of here. You remember the lilies with the card? A death threat. You don't want someone to come in here with a gun and start shooting up your hospital. Too many civilian patients." She glanced at the nurse to see how she took the news. "Could you find me some clothes? I just realized I don't have any."
The nurse, well acquainted with the turbulent ways of the Mossad, returned with everything Natasha needed. "Here you are. Make sure you watch for bleeding and change your dressing once a day." She held out a bag. "I wrote it out for you. You can have another pain pill now, and one every four hours."
Natasha took the pill. At last she was ready.
David insisted on pushing her in a wheelchair to the car, the huge bouquet of roses resting on the box of candy before her and Dirk's letter clutched firmly in her hand.
John walked at her side, his arm still in the sling. It would have been the ideal moment for Yaakov to send an attack, but they made it to the car with no mishaps.
Inside David's military jeep, Natasha experienced the joy of freedom. She wasn't imprisoned, didn't have to report for training, and no one dear to her was missing or in trouble. How exhilarating! Completely free of responsibility.
She twisted her head to wink at John. He looked younger, more relaxed than she'd ever seen him. She turned her face to the sun, closing her eyes as the wind blew her hair in wild abandon.
Where was she? The last time she'd been treated by that doctor, he'd come to her at a medical facility on the Mossad base. She opened her eyes. "David, where are we?"
"Tel Aviv. Would you like to go by your room? When Anya was released from the hospital, she packed your things. By the way, she sends greetings and thanks. She said when your room was invaded, you handled the attackers well. She appreciated what you did for her. The wrapping on her bullet wound probably saved her life." He reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. "Your emergency words were a great idea. They informed me immediately of your peril when I called. I'm sorry I didn't reach you in time. The earrings were also a stroke of luck. Good job."
"It wasn't luck. The Lord told me something was wrong, and I couldn't get the earrings out of my mind. That's how He talks to me sometimes."
She watched his face to gauge his reaction. He didn't comment, but he did give her a look of admiration.
"When you feel better, the two of you will need a debriefing. What about the manuscript? Have you located the Garden of Eden? My superiors are demanding a report."
Natasha deferred to John. Any decisions concerning it would have to come from him. The manuscript belonged to the abbey.
He took his time answering. "There's nothing in the manuscript that would change the Orthodox Jew's perception of the Garden of Eden. The elders of Israel will probably hide the manuscript away and forget it. If it were released to the public, perhaps through the museum of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the people of the world could make their own judgments. They might even listen to the Father and let Him make their judgments.
"Natasha has informed me you have the ashes. Our government is welcome to the manuscript, as long as they understand I will not remain quiet. I have copies of the entire document. If they do not release the information to the public domain, I will. That was the desire of our abbot." He slapped both hands on his knees. "Let me give them a further inducement to see things my way. If our government does not release the manuscript, I will announce the discovery of the Parah Adumah ashes to the world's population. Whether the world believes me or not is irrelevant. There will be those who believe. Pressure will be placed upon the government to produce the ashes and to secure the Temple mount."
Whoa! And he always acted so meek and long-suffering. Here was a side of his character with some steel in it. "Go, John!"
David's response seemed mild. "Have you found Eden?"
"The manuscript clearly calls Israel, Eden. It also leads one to believe that Jerusalem is the home of the Garden…but not in this physical world. I believe it exists in a physical form in another of God's dimensions. He can see our beginning and our end, all at once. He must have more than one dimension. In addition, the Tree of Life is mentioned in the New Testament, concerning the end of this world. It must exist somewhere. Does that help you in any way, David?"
"I'm not sure. I have more questions than answers."
Natasha remained thoughtful. Bringing salvation to the Jews could be a long process. Thankfully, David admitted having questions. She would continue to pray for him to find the Messiah.
When they reached the Mossad apartment, David retrieved Natasha's belongings then drove them to the Mossad base where each received a private room.
After insuring Natasha sat comfortably in bed, John stepped to the door. "I'll leave you to rest for a while."
"I haven't slept alone for two weeks. I don't think I can without your snoring."
David laughed. "I'll be back later. John will need some provisions while he's here."
The door closed behind them, and Natasha peered around the quiet room. Sterile, white, but so different from her captivity. A formica table, two wood chairs. Her roses.
Dirk's letter!
She slit it open and drew it from the envelope.
Dear Natasha,
For some time, I've endeavored to find an opportunity to discuss some rather personal matters. At first, you avoided me, and I wondered if I'd been wrong in my assessment of our attraction. It's a new experience for me to pray about anything, but I've attempted to ask for God's direction. I hoped to share some conversations I had with the Abbot. He changed my thinking about several things. I've questioned who I am and what I do. Your recent decision to join the Mossad in Trinity Pictures surprised me, and I struggled with your refusal to communicate with me.
Once again, I find us separated by an ocean. I have a mission to undertake (need to know) with no time frame to estimate my return. I have no right to ask you to make no major decisions about your life until my return, but I do ask it. You once said if I truly wanted to know you, I would listen to what you believe. There are some things I must say that will only sound right in person. Please wait until I return before you make any attachments in your personal life. I'm declaring myself to you: I'm interested in you personally. Wait for me. If you don't feel the same, I ask you to wait anyway. Give me a chance to change your mind.
Ever Yours,
Dirk 24-7
PS If you agree there's something between us, please be advised of the following:
My parents and my sisters have seen the announcements of our pending wedding and are expecting a visit from you in the near future. If you could stop in London on your way home and pretend to be madly in love with me, I would appreciate it.
Ignore any publications that link me to any other woman in the world. They are fabrications for my public persona.
If you ever mistake me for David Benjamin again…
If you ever again allow David Benjamin to kiss you in an intimate manner…
…I may lose my religion and do something all three of us would regret.
Put on the earrings. That will be my answer.
Natasha stared at the paper. Wow.
She read it again. He'd left nothing to her imagination. If she wanted to be caught, he wanted to pursue. She had never felt more frustrated with the whole spy business than at that moment.
Meet his parents without him? No way.
She wished she could tell him she'd never in her life mistaken him for David Benjami
n. The pictures had definitely bothered him if he didn't want her to kiss David again.
In a way, that was extremely gratifying. But she wouldn't risk it again. No more experimenting or flirting. If only she never saw another picture of Dirk and some starlet. Without hesitation, she placed the earrings in her ears.
A knock at the door stopped her daydreams.
"Come in."
David loomed through the door. She had seconds to decide how to tell him of her decision.
He pulled a chair to her bedside. "How are you feeling?"
"Better…out of the goldfish bowl. I appreciate you more than I can say. How is John?"
"Settled in. I think he's forgotten what privacy is. He looked at the room and said, 'Is this just for me?'
"Now, what would you like for dinner? I thought we'd go out for a bite, see a show, do up the town." He looked at her, clowning. "Then again, maybe we could just order in and watch a show."
"Hmm." She absent-mindedly tapped the letter from Dirk.
"What did Mr. Movie Star have to say?"
"Did he say anything to you before he left?"
"He did." David's face was maddeningly unreadable.
"Well?" She shook her hands at him then regretted it, as it jarred her wound.
"Since you ask so eloquently…If I bloody well ever touched you again, he'd crack my skull. At least, I believe that's how he put it. Then he told me to take very good care of you, because if you disappeared again on my watch, I wouldn't have to worry about any terrorists killing me."
Natasha's jaw dropped. "You're kidding. Really?"
"You don't have to look so happy about it. He's one of my only friends."
"He once said the same about you."
"If you're happy…I'm happy…So, what movie do you want to watch? I can bring something in, since you're bed-bound."
What a relief. He seemed perfectly at ease with the new development.
"Why don't we ask John? I don't want him alone on his first night of freedom."
"Excellent idea. I'll ask him." David stood and walked out.
Almost immediately, a knock sounded at the door. "You know it's open. Come in!"
Anya stuck her head around the door.
The Syrian (Natasha Kelly, Mossad Spy) Page 17
