Jerusalem
‘Y ossi will make a wonderful Prime Minister, David,’ Allegra said as Elie headed off with their order, ‘but I worry for both of you. Some of the ultra-orthodox Jews and the settlers are seething.’
As David and Allegra clinked their glasses in a toast to peace, two young men deep in conversation near the entrance to Numero Venti stopped talking and stepped aside to make way for a beautiful young woman. Wasfiheh Khatib walked confidently into the crowded restaurant and moved towards David and Allegra.
Elie moved out from behind the bar. He had seen her once before and it was not the young woman’s striking looks that prompted him, it was his years of training and a sixth sense that something was not quite right; none of his guests were expecting anyone and all the tables were full.
‘May I help,’ Elie asked with a polite smile, tapping her on the shoulder. As she turned, the brief look of concern in the girl’s dark eyes did not escape the old waiter. She put her hand in her pocket and Elie saw the wire. Instinctively he spun the girl around and wrapped both arms around her, but he was too late. Wasfiheh pressed the button, detonating nearly 2 kilograms of ammonium nitrate. A blast of flying nails, smoke and deadly shards of glass shattered the restaurant and the shock waves thundered off the old stone walls.
‘Allegra!’ David shook his head and staggered to his feet. Blood was streaming from a deep cut on the side of his head. Allegra had been closer to the girl and was now lying motionless in a pool of blood. In the distance the all-too-familiar sound of approaching sirens could be heard, the vision of which would be carried on news bulletin updates around the world.
‘We open this bulletin,’ Geraldine began, ‘with another tragic bombing in Jerusalem, with the first reports indicating that up to five people have been killed and a dozen more injured, some critically.’
Normally it would have been just another set of statistics to which the world had become anaesthetised by their sheer regularity, but this time the bombing had struck at members of Prime Minister Kaufmann’s family, and the footage showed scenes of ambulance workers trollying the wounded against a backdrop of destruction and the eerie hue of red and blue flashing lights. The picture faded to the entrance of the Hadassah Hospital at Ein Karem, with the pale face of a visibly shaken Tom Schweiker in the foreground.
‘Tom, what’s the latest there?’
Despite his personal connections to David and Allegra, Tom’s voice was calm and measured.
‘Another shocking tragedy for the people of Jerusalem with the bombing of one of the city’s most popular restaurants, Numero Venti,’ Tom began. ‘The casualties have been heavy and include the Prime Minister’s son, Dr David Kaufmann, and one of the world’s foremost scientists in the field of archaeological DNA, Dr Allegra Bassetti.’
‘Is there any word on their condition?’
‘It’s understood that David Kaufmann has been treated for cuts and abrasions but Dr Bassetti is still in surgery and as yet there is no word on her.’
In Rome the Cardinal Secretary of State, with prior warning of the bombing, was glued to the live broadcast, his anger growing at the mention of the woman’s name.
‘Will this affect the peace process, Tom?’
‘As tragic as it is, I don’t think so, Geraldine. A short time ago Prime Minister Kaufmann made a statement to that effect. Here’s a bit of what he had to say.’
The Prime Minister of Israel walked into the hospital foyer, and with a sad look he nodded to the waiting media.
‘Tonight we have together suffered another tragedy in what has for too long now been a cycle of bloodshed and violence. I want to convey my deepest sympathy to those who have lost their loved ones in this senseless attack on innocent people. I want those responsible to know that it only deepens our resolve to find a just peace. For both sides.’ It was a measure of the vision of Yossi Kaufmann that even in the middle of a personal tragedy, he could avoid the revengeful invective of previous administrations. ‘I want all Israelis to know that President Ahmed Sartawi of Palestine was one of the first to call me and offer his condolences to the people of Israel.’
‘How will this affect the peace process, Prime Minister?’ The question came from Tom Schweiker. He had got to know and admire the Israeli statesman, but the tough questions still had to be asked.
‘Two weeks ago, President Sartawi and I issued our draft peace agreement. Nothing has happened today that alters our resolve and both sides are very close to reaching agreement. This agreement allows for the establishment of a Palestinian State, and it lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of our own settlers from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, back into Israel proper. I have already acknowledged the pain this will cause some Israelis, but it is essential that we keep our land from the agreed pre-1967 borders and the Palestinians theirs; and the relocation of the settlers will be done under a very generous taxation and incentive scheme. The agreement also specifies compensation for nearly eight hundred thousand Palestinian refugees who will be able to return to the new country of Palestine. We have established a Joint Council for the government of the Old City of Jerusalem with a guarantee of religious freedom and access, with recognition of the Israeli capital of Yerushalayim centred on the present capital in West Jerusalem and recognition of the Palestinian capital of al-Quds in East Jerusalem. We have also agreed on a timetable for pulling down a wall that, like its counterpart in Berlin, has proven to be a divisive mistake.’
Many of the journalists were mesmerised by the moment. It felt like history in the making.
Now,’ Yossi said, wrapping up the interview, ‘I know you will excuse me if, on this occasion, I don’t take questions. I will be more than happy to do that next time.’ Not one question was thrown at Prime Minister Kaufmann as he walked out of the room full of journalists, a mark of respect for a true statesman.
‘Has there been any international reaction to this proposed agreement, Tom?’
‘The Kaufmann/Sartawi plan is visionary, Geraldine. It is not only a peace agreement, it has a much wider context. Hundreds of millions of defence dollars will now be channelled into one of the most sweeping Middle East investment programs in history, and if they’re successful in creating a stable environment both men are confident that there will be support from the international community, especially the European Union. Thousands of jobs will be created in water, transnational railways, canals, roads, de-salinisation projects, education and health. Prime Minister Kaufmann and President Sartawi have a vision for all the Middle Eastern States to work together with membership of a consultative council that will be similar in form to the European Union. The European countries have already been very strong in their support, especially France and Germany, although the United States has been less emphatic, and seems to be reserving judgement. Most interesting is the strong support coming from the Catholic Church.’
‘The Pope?’
‘Not quite, but still from a very senior level, the Cardinal Patriarch of Venice, Giovanni Donelli. The word is that Cardinal Donelli has accepted an invitation to be at the peace ceremony which will be held under the Damascus Gate.’
‘Professor Kaufmann is certainly showing people hope, Tom, but has anyone claimed responsibility for this latest bombing?’
‘Yes, Geraldine. Hamas has been quick to issue a statement to that effect, threatening further bombings, although that may well backfire on them. Even the Palestinians seem to want Kaufmann and Sartawi to succeed.’
‘Tom, thanks for joining us on International Correspondent. Now to the nuclear build-up in North Korea…’
Petroni’s fury was blazing. He tried to order his swirl of thoughts and calm the beginnings of panic he hadn’t felt in years. He took out his snub-nosed Beretta Cheetah and put his cheek against the soothing cool of the metal. Donelli was still very much alive, possibly the woman was as well. The remaining copy of the Omega Scroll was still out of reach, and Petroni knew that the journalist’s investigation into Lonergan was gathering pace. At least the doddering old Pontiff’s health was deteriorating, he mused; and if nothing else, Donelli’s visit to the Middle East could be cancelled and a media release issued to the effect that Vatican protocol had not been followed. If it wasn’t possible to eliminate him immediately, he would have to be kept away from the spotlight. Donelli’s presence at the signing of an international peace treaty with these Muslims, Petroni thought bitterly, was the sort of international recognition that might sway a conclave. Petroni gripped the Beretta more tightly. He hated not being in control, hated it with a passion, and he was now more determined than ever to get the results he wanted.