“Okay,” Daud replied with a nod. “It would be nice to say the property was truly ours.”
They retraced their steps down the alley to the main street. By the time they reached the car, Daud already wanted to turn around and walk through the house again. The pull of the bungalow on his soul was intense. He stared at the small part of it that remained visible from the street until Avi pulled away from the curb.
“Thanks for taking me there,” he said as they drove away. “You were right. It is a special property.”
“Which is another reason I’d better handle the negotiation for you. Once the seller sees your eyes, he’ll know you want it badly.”
“Thanks, but you can’t handle what will be the hardest part of the negotiations,” Daud replied.
“Why not?”
“It will be with my wife.”
Back at Avi’s home, they went to the art dealer’s office. It was a chaotic room filled with paintings leaning against the walls, small statues and busts, and folders filled with papers randomly stacked on the floor.
“How do you find anything in here?” Daud asked.
“It can be a challenge,” Avi replied as he sat down in front of an ancient desktop computer. “I clean it once a year when I have to pay my taxes.”
Daud touched a small ornamental chair that looked like an antique. “Can I sit on this?” he asked.
“Yes, it’s a fake,” Avi replied. “The real ones are worth fifteen thousand shekels. I rescued that one from circulation so no one could be duped.”
Daud sat beside Avi while the art dealer logged on to the computer and initiated the Skype call to the owner of the Abu Tor house, a man who lived in Marseilles.
“Keep clear of the camera,” Avi said. “Remember, I don’t want Louis to see your eager face.”
Fifteen minutes later Avi rolled away from the computer.
“That went well,” he said.
Daud shook his head. “I don’t know. He seemed set on his price.”
“Oh, that’s the first step of the dance. I’ll let Louis think about things for a few days, then contact him again.”
“Don’t spend too much time on this until I talk to Hana.”
“This is fun for me. And even if you’re not ultimately interested in buying the house, I’ll probably sell him a painting or two.”
* * *
Hana finished supper and took Leon outside. She checked her phone for the status of Daud’s flight from New York to Atlanta and estimated that he should be on the ground at Hartsfield Airport within an hour. Sitting on the living room sofa, Hana ran through scenarios of how to address her husband’s deception in failing to tell her that he went to Israel from Beirut. She couldn’t decide whether to pretend she didn’t know the truth and see if he volunteered it, ask questions that might result in evasive answers, or confront him directly. Listening to lies would be the most painful option, but if a deep flaw in their relationship needed to be revealed, that was the best course. Unable to sit still, she began to clean the kitchen counters that were already spotless. Leon whimpered and nuzzled her leg. She patted the dog on the head and scratched behind his ears.
“You know I’m upset,” she said. “If only people could be so perceptive.”
It turned out that Daud’s flight from New York to Atlanta was delayed. It was after midnight when the lights of a vehicle finally shone through the window. Hana brought herself fully awake. Leon woofed when Daud opened the door. Wagging his tail, the dog pattered over to him. Daud scratched him on the head and looked up at Hana.
“How are you feeling?” he asked. “Sorry I’m late.”
“Okay,” Hana replied. “How was Beirut?”
“Fine. I liked the young man who is going to run the office.”
While Daud unpacked his suitcase, he told Hana about Youssef.
“What kind of problems did you run into?”
“None, but I communicated with Avi while I was there and flew from Beirut to Athens and then on to Jerusalem. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing. That’s why I stayed over an extra day. I knew it would worry you, so I didn’t send a text or email.”
The fact that Daud wasn’t planning to lie to her unleashed the built-up tension and anxiety inside Hana. Tears sprang to her eyes.
“I already knew you went to Israel,” she said, her voice trembling. “And I couldn’t believe you didn’t tell me.”
Daud stepped across the room and wrapped his arms around her. Hana buried her head against his shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” he said after several moments passed. “I should have let you know.”
Hana lifted her head. “Jakob found out you had a meeting in Jerusalem with Avi and an archaeologist. He told me about it at lunch without realizing I was in the dark. It set off all kinds of alarm bells for me.”
Daud didn’t say anything but continued to hold her. When he released her, she looked up into his eyes.
“I have to think differently,” he said. “It’s not like the past when my family never knew what I was doing. I was wrong.”
Hana nodded. Daud rubbed his temples.
“Would you like some tea?” she asked.
“It’s late—”
“No, I want to stay up for a few minutes.”
While Hana was putting a pot of water on the stove, Daud called out to her from the living room. “Where did you find that painting?”
“Avi Labensky sent it to us as a wedding gift along with the information he collected for Jakob. If I’d known you were going to Jerusalem, you could have thanked him in person.”
Hana joined him.
“Do you like it?” Daud asked.
“Yes. Avi has great taste. I’d be interested in learning more about the artist.”
They sat on the sofa to wait for the water to boil.
“A lot has happened here while you were gone,” Hana continued.
“I have more news too.”
“I found a house,” Hana said slowly. “And it’s just about perfect.”
Taking out her phone, she showed Daud the photos from the viewing and gave him a running commentary of her opinion about every feature. Partway through, the water pot whistled and she went to the kitchen to prepare the tea.
“I should let you ask questions,” she said when she returned. “I’m talking way too much.”
“No, go ahead.”
Hana didn’t reveal the listing price until the very end. She felt Daud stiffen when she told him how much the owners wanted.
“But it’s worth every dollar,” she said. “And it’s not out of line for the neighborhood. I did some checking, and property values in that area are continuing to climb. Janet says we might end up in a bidding war that drives the price even higher. There’s no question a bank will approve us for the purchase. Our financial guidelines are much more conservative than most Americans’.”
“We’re not Americans.”
“True, but at least have an open mind about it, okay?” Hana said.
“Okay.” Daud stretched his arms out in front of him and yawned.
Hana yawned too. “I think we both need to get some sleep,” he said.
“But you have more news.”
“It really is late and can wait.”
* * *
The following morning Hana Skyped with her mother and cousins while Daud finished eating breakfast.
“We would love to have you visit America whenever you want to,” she said to her mother. “We may even be in a new house.”
“Really? That’s exciting.”
Daud listened again to the information about the house in Atlanta. He’d woken up early in the morning, partly due to time differences with the Middle East but also because he wasn’t sure what to say to Hana about the house in Abu Tor. He’d promised to be more open with her, but he couldn’t figure out how to mention returning to Israel and living in Jerusalem.
“My family is finally realizing that we’re going to live in America,” Hana sa
id to him when the call ended.
“That may change when your mother finds out about the baby. She won’t like the idea of a grandchild across the ocean where she can’t hold it as often as she likes.”
“That’s why having a house where they can stay with us is important. If they came now, we’d have to put them up in a hotel. The house I looked at is set up great for guests.”
Daud managed a weak smile but wasn’t sure it was very convincing.
“Do you think it would be okay to tell people at work that I’m pregnant even though we haven’t told our families?” Hana continued. “I’m so excited that I’m about to pop.”
“Uh, that’s up to you.”
Hana took a final drink of tea. “I’m going to do it. It fits so nicely with the news about the house.”
Daud didn’t point out that the same rationale applied to the conversation Hana had just completed with her family. “Okay,” he said.
Thirty minutes later Hana left for work. Daud was relieved that she didn’t ask him about his other news from the trip. Going for a run, he spent five miles thinking about the issue without reaching a conclusion.
* * *
Hana’s face beamed as she approached Janet’s desk. “Daud said I can officially tell you,” she announced.
“About what?” Janet asked innocently.
“I’m pregnant!” Hana exclaimed.
“Awesome! May I share the good tidings of great joy?”
“Yes, with anyone at the office except Mr. Collins and Mr. Lowenstein. I’d like to do that myself.”
Janet leaned over and pressed a button on her keyboard. “I have an announcement queued up to send to the people I know would want to celebrate with you.”
“Mr. Collins is out of town in New York, so I’ll email him,” Hana said. “What about Mr. Lowenstein’s status?”
Janet picked up the phone, pressed a few buttons, spoke, then listened. “Gladys says he’s on his way and should be here in a few minutes. He doesn’t have anything on his calendar for the next thirty minutes.”
Hana was staring out the window at the expansive view from Mr. Lowenstein’s office when he arrived.
“You needed to see me first thing?” he asked. “Is there a problem?”
“No, sir,” Hana replied. “I’m pregnant and wanted you to hear it from me.”
“Congratulations,” Mr. Lowenstein said as a broad smile creased his face. “How far along are you?”
Hana provided her best guess and answered several follow-up questions. The older lawyer was about the same age as her father, and talking to him made Hana miss her dad. She suddenly became teary.
“Are you okay?” Mr. Lowenstein asked. “There are tissues on the table.”
“Yes, it’s just that talking to you makes me miss my father. I Skyped with my family this morning, but we’re not telling them about the baby until I see the doctor. I really miss them and want them to come for a visit.”
“Are you still in that tiny rental house off Piedmont Road?”
“Yes, but I looked at a three-bedroom house that just came on the market. I think it would be a great place to start a family.”
As soon as she spoke, Hana felt she’d overstepped a professional boundary, but Mr. Lowenstein had raised the subject.
“Do you have any pictures?” he asked.
“Yes.”
The senior partner sat beside her. When Hana tried to scroll quickly through the photos, he made her slow down so he could ask questions.
“I’m taking up too much of your time,” Hana said.
“No, I need moments like these more than you do,” Mr. Lowenstein said. “If we bill an hour less today, it won’t make a difference by the end of the year.”
Hana’s eyes widened.
“But if you ever quote me, I’ll deny it,” the lawyer continued.
Hana smiled. “Agreed.”
Finally, Mr. Lowenstein returned to his place behind his desk. “Did you read the email about the forum on Israel?” he asked.
“Yes, sir. I’ve started organizing my thoughts.”
“Excellent. Have you decided how you’re going to conclude your opening remarks?”
It was an unexpected question.
“No, I’ve focused more on the beginning,” Hana responded slowly.
“Which is fine, but make sure you lay the foundation for where you want to take the audience.”
Hana was silent for a moment. An idea bubbled to the surface.
“I’d like to end with a message of hope, not based on a political solution but on a change in the minds and hearts of the people.”
“That’s ambitious.”
“And I’d relate it to the next generation,” she continued. “There are no three-year-old children in Tel Aviv, Ramallah, or Nazareth filled with prejudice and hate.”
“I like it,” Mr. Lowenstein answered. “It’s the kind of challenge that is practical as well as inspirational.”
* * *
Later that morning Hana took a call from Jakob.
“Is Daud back in town?” he asked.
“Yes, he got in last night.”
“It’s none of my business, but is he in hot water for not telling you about his side trip to Israel?”
“No, he immediately told me about the detour to Jerusalem.”
“That’s a relief,” Jakob said. “As a fellow male, I was rooting for him and hoping he would come clean without having to be cross-examined first.”
“Remember, I’m not a courtroom lawyer.”
“It doesn’t matter. Any woman wanting to uncover the truth can grill a guy better than a first-rate trial attorney.”
Hana chuckled. “Daud and I had some other things to talk about too. We have big news.”
“You’re leaving Collins, Lowenstein, and Capella to open your own law office?”
“No. Why would I want to do that?”
“To be free like me.”
“I like it here, and the only kind of leave in my future is maternity leave.”
“You’re pregnant?”
“Yes. That’s a requirement to be off work for the birth of a baby.”
“Congratulations! Maybe you should stay at the law firm and keep your insurance coverage,” Jakob replied with a smile in his voice. “I’ll call Daud to congratulate him, and there are new developments in the Ivanov claim. Daud’s detour to Jerusalem may have been stressful for you, but it was good for me.”
Chapter 23
Returning from his run, Daud turned on his laptop. Fifteen minutes later his eyes grew heavy and he lay down on the sofa where he fell asleep. He was in a semiconscious state when Jakob called.
“Hello,” Daud said groggily.
“Were you asleep? Hana told me you might be jet-lagged.”
“Just waking up from a nap,” Daud said.
“If you want me to call back later, just let me know—”
“It’s okay,” Daud said as he sat up on the sofa.
“First, sorry I blew your cover with Hana about the trip to Jerusalem. She told me a few minutes ago that she wasn’t mad at you.”
“That’s good to hear. I thought we worked through it okay last night.”
“You can be my counselor when I ask Emily to marry me. Anyway, I’ve been communicating fast and furious with Avi and Daniella.”
Daud was surprised that Jakob was now on a first-name basis with both the art dealer and the archaeologist.
“I sent Avi the digitally enhanced photographs of the Bar Kokhba coins along with the one of the ceramic queen’s head,” Jakob continued. “The next thing I know, I’m on Skype with both of them from Avi’s art shop in Jerusalem. Daniella believes she knows who has possession of one or more of the coins.”
“She mentioned that as a possibility at our dinner in Jerusalem but wouldn’t tell me.”
“The enhanced photographs changed her mind. They removed her doubts about the coins and convinced her it was her duty to notify the woman w
ho has them that they may have been stolen from the rightful owner. Daniella promised to contact her and let me know what she says.”
“Where does this woman live?”
“In an area of Jerusalem I’ve never heard of that sounded like Tabitha.”
“Talbiya,” Daud said.
“Yeah, that’s it,” Jakob replied.
Daud sat up on the sofa. “The president of Israel has his official residence in Talbiya,” he said. “The area has old mansions built by rich Arab Christians who purchased land from the Greek Orthodox Church a hundred years ago. It’s not far from the Old City. Anything else about the woman? Do you know her name?”
“No, but if she’s rich, she might fight to keep the coins. Mr. Ivanov may end up being more interested in recovering the coins than locating the queen’s head.”
If he had a base of operations in Jerusalem, Daud could be in the middle of the investigation. Jakob’s case had captured his interest.
“I’m shutting down everything else I’ve been doing on the Russian internet to focus on this,” Jakob continued. “The postings on Russian social media have dwindled to nothing except ads from people trying to sell me something that has nothing to do with ancient artifacts. Do you agree working with Avi is more efficient than starting up a similar program in the Middle East?”
“Yes. As long as he’s willing to help, you should ask him to do so.”
“Most of me believes that’s true, but even with the input from Daniella, I may send up a trial balloon by posting a request for information on a couple of websites I’ve already located. Would you have time to compose the text if I send it over to you? It shouldn’t take very long.”
Daud hesitated. He didn’t want to waste his time, but one lesson he’d learned as a private investigator was not to limit his efforts to one course of action. “Not until I finish a report for the client who sent me to Beirut.”
“Great.” Jakob paused. “And congratulations on your news.”
“Did Avi Labensky tell you about the house in Abu Tor?” Daud asked in surprise.
“I have no idea about a house in Abu-anything,” Jakob answered. “I’m talking about the fact that you’re going to be a father.”
“Yes, yes,” Daud replied, shaking his head at his own stupidity. “We’re excited. And don’t mention anything about Abu Tor to Hana. We’ve not discussed it.”
Promised Land Page 19
