Enthroned in Sorrow: Hoshiyan Chronicles, #15

By Barry Dr. Nadel and Barry Nadel

Amidst the turmoil, Alberto's warns the Hoshiyans, which thrusts him into immediate peril. The enigmatic Cabal targets the traitor, Alberto. When an assassination attempt proves fatal, Dr. Jamerson's efforts to save him end in heartbreak. Alberto, in his last moments, entrusts crucial Cabal secrets to a courageous guardswoman.

Crown Prince Elisha Arieli takes bold steps to expedite a prophecy about Danny. He vanishes into the heart of the resistance movement as he battles Muglar and his formidable allies from occupied Hoshiya.

The pivotal Battle of Orenim claims the life of King Yona. Danny is thrust into becoming king. With the unwavering support of Yossie, they labor tirelessly to restore order in the wake of a devastating war. The loss of General Ori Yavetz leaves the nation in mourning. In a brutal slave labor camp, Yermi trains Hadassah to unleash her latent spiritual powers.

Can an unlikely duo save Yoshua's team from assassination attempt? Enthroned in Sorrow, an unmissable tale of intrigue, courage, and unbreakable love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Agrosearch
• Release date: Oct 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223604358

Book preview

The Hoshiyan Chronicles

Book 15

Enthroned

In

Sorrow

Barry Nadel

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the memory

Of my loving wife, who died 19 years ago.

Not here, but never forgotten.

The Arabs write of love in boasts, and the Romans of vengeance and battles

The Greeks of wisdom and cunning,

and the Persians of fables and riddles;

but Israel sings—in psalms and hymns of God, the Lord of hosts.

(Avraham Ibn Ezra, 1089-1167 AD

)

Request of the Author

This book has many references from holy sources.

Please do not read it in the bathroom.

Text copyright © 2022 Dr. Barry Nadel

All rights reserved

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. All sections written with the Times New Roman font are in the present tense.

All sections written in Centabel Book are concerned with the Hoshiyan Chronicles.

ISBN

Contents

Indian Invasion

Negotiations

Target: Alberto

Assassins & Retribution

Elisha and the RAMAG

Savta Bolon

Orenim

The Battle of Oranim.

Enthroned in Anguish

Order from Chaos

Matches

Bardalas

Stability from Turmoil

Advancement of Yshai Chamadi.

Ori Yavetz

Death of a Hero

In-Depth

Second Battle of Orenim.

Gila and Pinchas

Hadassah and Yermi

Excessive Force

Zeevi

About the Author

Appearance of Characters by Chapter

Indian Invasion

The mayor’s secretary escorted the consular general from India into the mayor’s office. The mayor saw who it was and his face fell.

I wish that stupid, incompetent monk had blown that troublesome chapel off the face of the earth, the mayor muttered in Spanish.

Mayor, I am here to lodge a diplomatic protest. My ambassador is calling the Foreign Minister as we speak, the consular general from India protested in poor Spanish.

Since our fifteen workmen showed up to repair the consulate, they have been greeted with cold shoulders and disrespect. Orders aren’t delivered and unless we pay cash, the merchants won’t sell us goods.

Since you have arrived, every day the unemployed gather to protest outside my office, the mayor moaned.

Why aren’t there jobs for Spaniards? We don’t want foreigners stealing our jobs. They shout at me, the mayor countered.

Our government is concerned about security. Due to your history of papal eavesdropping, our minister insisted on using our own personnel to repair the consulate. I understand your problem. While the shop owners are making money, the journeymen aren’t.

Perhaps, Mr. Mayor, with the increased taxes you will get from our purchases, you can make your own building project, the Indian Consul General suggested.

THE NEFARIOUS Father Emanuel Jorge Garcia phoned the Superior General of the Jesuits with daily reports. He explained what was happening with the consulate and the townspeople.

Father Emanuel, you are an important asset to the Church. I will send you an email address. Send your reports and photos to that address. By the way, Father, how old is the school in Nido?

The school was built in 1975 and refurbished in 2000.

Does the school need repairs?

Yes, Superior General, the school is in dire need of restoration.

Get an estimate for a local builder. Send it to me. The people of Nido de Aguila need to see that the church is taking care of their welfare.

I thank you in the name of my flock. They will be overjoyed.

Within a week, twenty men were hired to restore the school next to the consulate. The tension in town dropped considerably.

THE POPE CALLED ALBERTO to his office.

How are you, my son?

Much better, your holiness.

Do you know about the deal between the Israelis and the Indians in Nido?

Yes, sir.

The Superior General has provided funds for them to restore the school. I want you to set up in the attic once again with the top-of-the-line listening equipment. I have received reports that a deal for a mini-series about the Chronicles is being negotiated between Or LaGoyim and MGM. There is an Indian archaeologist already there. He and his wife enjoy taking long walks in the surrounding area. They are working for Professors Yoshua and Ruth Rosenberg to find the blood samples mentioned by Aharon Dori.

Alberto looked down at his shoes. He knew he shouldn’t criticize the Pope, but this fantasy turned real and was going too far.

Your holiness, are you convinced that the Chronicles are real? Alberto asked.

There have been too many coincidences to simply disregard its authenticity. The picture in the newspaper of Dr. Michael Arieli using a bow against the terrorists in Jerusalem clinched it for me.

You want the Indians followed.

Yes, use a high-altitude drone. The church owns three hundred hectares in the mountains twenty kilometers northwest of Nido de Aguila. There is an access road and a farmhouse. It has electricity and running water. I want you to set up a drone port there. I will transfer funds into the unit’s Swiss account.

I want these to be military-grade drones. The head of the Swiss Guard will provide the front for you to obtain the drones. We employ two drones flying over the Vatican twenty-four hours a day.

Your Holiness, if we fire a missile on Spanish soil, it would be considered an act of war, Alberto stated. He felt his stomach rumbling. He took out his bottle of antacids, took three tablets, and chewed them slowly.

The Pope watched Alberto carefully.

Alberto, I see that you aren’t in total agreement with me.

Yes, your holiness. I understand you called for a Zoom conference with the cardinals. You discussed the state of the Church’s activities against the Chronicles and the Israelis.

How did you receive information about that meeting? It was supposed to be a secret.

There are cardinals who are concerned about how far you are willing to go. They contacted me in secret, Alberto replied.

Who stands against me?

They were clever in how they contacted me. I couldn’t discern their identities. The communique was signed by thirty-six cardinals. It’s not a revolt, but a significant number of cardinals worried about how far the Church has gone."

I thought I clarified that the existence of the church is at stake. Are these fools, also idiots?

Alberto, can you do the job?

It seems not. I will start, but I need to find a replacement. I will contact the Superior General. Perhaps he has a candidate. If so, I will train him for six months. Your Holiness, this job has killed me. It is only a matter of time.

I will pray for your health and soul, my son.

Thank you, Your Holiness.

Alberto rose from his chair with a formed smile on his face. He kissed the Pope’s ring and headed for the nearest bathroom. He vomited into the toilet. His vomit was laced with blood."

ALBERTO WASHED HIS face and mouth. He left the bathroom and walked to his office. He took out his phone and dialed Dr. Simon Jamerson’s number.

Doc, I am vomiting blood.

I am in London; I could be in Rome by ten this evening. Is there a private clinic where we can meet.

Yes, my Mafia friends operate a secret clinic on the outskirts of town near the airport for emergency operations. I’ll send an associate to pick you up from the airport.

Simon called Yeshayahu Drori first.

Stay on the line. I am calling Yoshua.

Hi, Simon, how is London? Yoshua asked.

Great, Aviva is having a great time with my kids and Michal and Shaul Aharoni. They are painting together. That isn’t why I called.

What’s up, doc? Yoshua said like Bugs Bunny.

Alberto called. He’s in bad shape. That can only mean that the Pope is starting a new campaign of terror against us. Can you ask Yeshayahu to get me back up in Rome?

What time will you land in Rome?

British Air arrives at 22:08.

Naomi, is your passport valid?

Yes, why?

I need you to meet with Dr. Jamerson in Rome. You can pretend to be his daughter. He is going into a potentially dangerous situation.

"Simon, it’s Ruth. I am checking flights to Rome. Got one. Naomi will be in Rome at 21:50. You can meet her at the baggage claim. Inform Alberto that you will be coming with your daughter. We obtained video evidence of what his Mafia friends can do if they need. So, be extra careful.

I’ll text him right now.

Simon, be vigilant. I would come if the Italians wouldn’t arrest me on sight.

I appreciate the gesture. Naomi is an excellent choice. I trust her abilities.

While Simon and Yoshua spoke, Yeshayahu patched the call to Gad Aluz and Michal Ben Yosef. When the call was over, Michal called General Seth Har Zahav.

Seth, the church is starting a new campaign. We don’t know what or where the danger will originate. Put out an international warning. As soon as I obtain more information, I will inform you.

I will do it right away, director.

IN NIDO, Dr. Bhushan and Kimaya Deshpande planned a thorough search grid for the area surrounding Nido de Aguila. The consular general insisted that they wear body cameras, so that the consulate’s security team could track their location at all times.

The NIA’s spy satellite kept track of the Deshpande’s movements. Before the Deshpandes left Israel, Naomi Shoshani placed miniature tracking devices on many of their personal items, especially shoes.

THAT EVENING, NAOMI met Dr. Jamerson at the baggage claim after going through passport control. Both had small carry-on suitcases on wheels. A swarthy, short, portly man held a sign with Simon’s name on it.

Welcome to Rome, Dr. Jamerson, the man said in a British accent.

You speak excellent English.

I spent three years in England studying electronic engineering.

Oh, did you see the patient?

No. I wasn’t given any information about this situation. I was told to pick you and your daughter up at the airport and deliver you to my boss. It will take us only fifteen minutes to get there.

Fifteen minutes later, they were transferred to another car. Hoods were placed on their heads, and the driver drove away. He kept his speed within the speed limit to avoid drawing any attention to the vehicle. Ten minutes later, the car descended into an underground parking lot. Their hoods were removed. The driver escorted them to a security door. It required a retinal scan for entry.

Simon was astounded by what he had found. It was an ultra-modern operating theater. He was led into a changing room and Naomi was let into a small kitchen where there was a huge variety of fruit, fruit drinks, and beer.

Simon changed into green scrubs, washed up, and put on a surgical mask. He entered the operating theater, where he was met by a nurse who put gloves on his hands.

Another doctor showed him to the computer station. Simon reviewed Alberto’s tests and recent ultrasound. After ten minutes of whispering with the other doctor, Simon approached Alberto.

Oh, Alberto, you have to quit your job. It is definitely killing you.

I am aware of the situation. The Superior General is evaluating a shortlist of candidates to replace me.

Alberto, you have internal bleeding again. I saw on the ultra-sound two lesions. I have no choice but to sew them up again. I am sure this time will be less dangerous for you. You have maintained a proper diet and avoided excess stress. It can only mean that the pope wants you to do something immoral.

Alberto nodded his head.

We’ll talk after I repair the damage.

The operation only took forty minutes. Naomi watched from the gallery. She was amazed at how well Dr. Jamerson took care of a man who once had been ordered to kill him and the rest of the team.

The Mafia had a spare room for them with bunk beds. Naomi and Simon took the bottom bunks and fell asleep within two minutes.

At six in the morning, someone woke them up. In the kitchen was hot coffee and a box of pastries from the kosher bakery.

At six-thirty, Alberto woke up.

How are you feeling, this morning?

Better, but I feel like someone was playing with my intestines, chuckled Alberto.

Has the chuga tea helped?

Yes, it made a significant difference.

What caused the attack? Simon inquired.

The Pope is requesting military drones equipped with missiles to follow the Deshpandes 24/7.

My God, he is willing to kill them to prevent more information from leaking out against the Church.

Alberto nodded.

I’ll warn the Indian consular general.

Alberto nodded.

"Thank you for calling me. You can depend on me for medical care at any time. God, watch over you and may you make a speedy recovery.

On the way to the airport, Simon called Michal Ben Yosef. She debriefed him for five minutes.

Simon, do you think he will tell us what the Pope is planning in the future?

As soon as someone’s life is in danger, his body will react. His body is telling his mind what to do. Years of discipline and loyalty to the Pope have programmed him. The internal conflict is killing him.

I agree with you, Simon. The first time I met him, I realized he suffered from an internal conflict. Do you think the pope is crazy enough to take on the Indian government?

Michal, do you think we have sent the Deshpande’s into danger?

The pope has seen through our subterfuge. If Bhushan finds the blood samples, the Pope will have him killed, and the samples destroyed.

Do we have anyone in Nido? Simon asked.

Yes, I told our agent to be super vigilant about anyone else watching the consulate and/or the Deshpandes.

Michal closed her phone and stared at her deputy.

What is your opinion, Gad?

Counter the papal threat and a bigger threat.

We don’t have that kind of power.

Yes, but we have a man in the NSA. We fed him with information about the papal operations in Nido de Aguila and make Jose Mendez a hero again.

You are a sneaky man. I would have never thought of you as a manipulator. I always thought you were a top-notched intelligence evaluator.

This place is rubbing off on me. I guess I have a knack for this business. Michal, you need to call the general and tell him there is a definite danger to his people in Nido.

MICHAL NODDED AND OPENED her phone, and called General Sabharwal’s phone number.

After four rings, the general answered the phone.

Hello, Michal. I assume you have bad news for me.

General, I love you, but sometimes one needs tough love.

Ugh, what’s wrong now.

Michal explained the situation.

I will order the Deshpande’s to stay in the consulate until I can get an agent there to be a bodyguard.

I assume, one of your agents is in the vicinity?

Yes, general, but incapable of protecting from close up. Our agent is making sure they aren’t followed on the ground. We will need a totally different system to protect against drones. They will employ military-grade drones. Can you stop them?

I can get a locally made DRDO-developed anti-drone system. We will need to break it down into its component pieces. I will send a technician to rebuild it there and install it. If we go through the proper channels via the Spanish Foreign Ministry, it could take months.

What is its range?

The range of the system is four kilometers.

That should be broad enough for their searches.

Michal, thank you for the heads-up. We have a lot to do to protect our people. I will talk to the prime minister about the Pope’s interference with our consulate. Perhaps a few riots against the meat-eating Catholics might change his mind.

General, you are wrong. The Pope is on a crusade. He believes that the future of the Church is in danger.

I understand. I have a lot of work to do in a short time to get that system to our consulate.

MICHAL SENT A CODED message to Jose Mendez. An hour later, he called Michal.

Sorry it took so much time, but I had to go out and buy a burner phone. If you are contacting me, it must be important.

Michal took ten minutes to explain the situation to Jose.

Madame Director, the NSA is far too interested in us. They will jump at this information. However, I don’t know if they are for or against the Pope. When you work here in the higher echelons, you come to understand, there exists a significant shadow government. Those holding by conspiracy theories call it the deep state."

What is your opinion, Jose?

The deep state wants to continue robbing the country blind, while the media and justice system support them. Anything that upsets the status quo is dangerous.

Do you believe the NSA and the Vatican are partners or foes?

What happens publicly and in private are two totally different worlds. Bringing this information will probably get me another promotion.

Let’s play the long run. Bring the data to your bosses. We will see how the cookie crumbles.

As you requested, Madame Director.

God bless you, Jose Mendez, and your entire family. Be careful.

JOSE APPROACHED HIS boss with a complete folder of information provided to him by the director of the NIA. Jose read the material twice before he approached his new boss, George Lincoln, the Deputy Director for Western Europe.

Jose, you bringing me another big lead?

Yes, sir. Jose handed him the file.

I was kidding. What did you find?

The Vatican is deploying military drones equipped with air-to-ground missiles twenty kilometers from Nido de Aguila.

What could possibly be so dangerous in that little village?

The Israelis rented their consulate to the Indians.

The Vatican wants to go to war with India?

Not directly, sir.

Jose briefed his boss for the next fifteen minutes.

According to what you have found, the conspiracy theories regarding the Vatican’s war against Professors Rosenberg and the Chronicles are real.

Yes, sir. They can only deploy military-grade drones with the approval of the Spanish government.

This problem is beyond our paygrade. I will take this file to the director.

SIR, WE HAVE NEW DEVELOPMENTS in Spain at Nido de Aguila, George told the director of the NSA. He handed him the file.

George, thank you for bringing this to me. Leave it. I am busy at the moment. I will get to it as soon as possible. Good work, George.

Thank you, sir.

As soon as George left, the director of the NSA opened his bottom draw and pulled out a burner phone. He pressed send. The phone rang five times.

Hello?

Your holiness, we have a problem.

One of the analysts brought an entire file on your operation in Nido de Aguila. You have a leak.

I am so sad to hear that. I know that only one person could have leaked the information. He has been a loyal servant for decades.

Alberto betrayed you. I am shocked. Don’t worry about it. I’ll have one of my assassins take him out. We will leave information that he was an international mercenary working for terrorist organizations.

I am so disappointed. He has put the church in grave danger. Make his death quick. He served with distinction. He deserves that.

Where is he?

He’s in Rome. His bleeding ulcers are acting up again. He is under constant surveillance. He went to his Mafia friends for an operation. Dr. Simon Jamerson flew in from London to perform surgery on him. He’s recuperating with them.

You have an address?

I’ll send it to you within fifteen minutes.

"I have a team located in Germany. That can be there within four hours.

Negotiations

Tom Johnson called Susan Robinson three times a day. He sent a high-powered entertainment lawyer to Israel to assist Susan in finalizing the contract with Gila Chamadi. Gila felt like she had fallen into a pressure cooker. Together with a team of Israeli lawyers, they tried to close the deal.

They mistook Gila’s reluctance as her means of negotiating. In the meantime, Pinchas had received an anonymous screenplay about Gila and himself in English. It had to have been written by a Hoshiyan, because the storyline was far too close to the truth. Pinchas sent it, by email, to his Finnish screenwriters, Jenni and Yani Kanerva, for their opinion.

The next morning at 10:00, Jenni called.

Pinchas, we stayed up the entire night reading the screenplay. We were shocked to find that it didn’t need any editing. Either the manuscript is from a professional screenwriter, or by someone whose English is at an expert’s level.

Did you like it?

Fantastic story, so real. The writer gets you involved in the story, Jenni said.

Pinchas, I am sure someone used you as a model for the main male character, Yani mentioned.

Gila and I also read it last night.

We find it strange that the main female character is similar to Gila.

I don’t know who wrote it, but I’ll try to find out. Thank you for your assistance. Please send me a bill for your time."

It was our pleasure. We won’t charge you for our time. It inspired us to improve our own work, Yani replied.

I owe you one. I find more business for you.

Thank you, Pinchas, good luck with the manuscript.

Pinchas glanced at his watch. He had ten minutes to meet Gila at the entrance of Choron. Susan (Leah Shoshani) was coming with them to Tel Aviv to meet with the team of lawyers. Pinchas put on a white shirt and took a tie with him. He grabbed his suit jacket and briefcase. He dropped them onto his lap. He rolled out of his house. Once he got to the road, he took off. Even though he lived at the lower end of the town, it was still mostly a mild grade downhill.

Gila stood next to Leah beside his van. He stopped rolling and stared at her. Even the modest dress she was wearing couldn’t hide her athletic figure.

My God Gila, that is one serious hunk of man, Leah whispered.

Oh Ya, and he’s one hundred percent mine, she replied, smiling.

Look how he is staring at you. You have that man eating out of your hand, Leah commented.

We need to get married and fast.

Leah threw back her head and laughed."

Hey, mister, you planning on driving us, or are you going to sit there the entire day staring at me? Gila called out to Pinchas.

Sounds like a fantastic idea, he said, smiling.

Come on, big man. Get that idiot grin off your face. Let’s get his old bucket of bolts moving.

Pinchas rolled up and petted his car.

That’s no way to talk about my hunk of metal. I don’t badmouth your knives.

If you ever badmouth my knives, they might seek revenge, Gila said, laughing.

THE GREAT ADVANTAGE of driving a vehicle with an invalid sticker, is that one can find parking even in the most congested parts of Tel Aviv. They found a parking place in front of the InterContinental David Hotel. The American lawyer, Stephen Brisco, was staying there, waiting for them.

"Hi, I am Stephen Brisco, a consulting lawyer for the studio. I’ve rented a conference room here in the hotel. Pinchas put on his tie and jacket. The valet waited as Pinchas got out of the car. He had brought his new James Bond wheelchair, which Michal had given him. Despite its extra-large size, the jacket strained its seams due to his muscle mass.

Don’t you look handsome, Gila commented. She felt slightly flushed. Her heart was beating faster than normal. Pinchas handed her his briefcase.

What’s the briefcase for?

Gila, it makes you look more professional.

"You brought the manuscript?

Yes, I sent it to Rav Elisha for evaluation.

He gave me permission to use it at 09:00 this morning, Pinchas replied.

SIX LAWYERS WAITED for them on the mezzanine floor of the hotel. Stephen Brisco stepped forward and thrust his hand towards them. He introduced himself to the Israeli lawyers. Afterwards, Pinchas shook hands with the lawyers, while smiling.

Before we start, I would like to touch on a related subject, Pinchas stated in English.

What’s on your mind? Stephen asked.

I am a literary agent. Yesterday, I received a sample of a screenplay. I won’t mention it, but someone wrote a screenplay about Ms. Chamadi and myself. The person who wrote the screenplay employed a high level of English proficiency. Please forward this to Mr. Johnson.

Gila stepped forward to the conference table. She placed the briefcase on the table. Gila extracted a signed non-disclosure agreement from Pinchas.

Who is the author, Mr. Shamir?

I have no idea. The number of people who have firsthand information like this is limited. I am confident that I will find the anonymous author.

Stephen glanced over the NDA and signed it.

Gila extracted a printed copy and a flash drive, from the briefcase. She handed them both to Mr. Brisco. Brisco tossed the flash drive to one of the Israeli lawyers.

Please send the file to Mr. Johnson.

Everyone, please take a seat. After everyone was seated, Stephen handed Gila a sheet of questions.

"Ms. Chamadi, one of the important roads to success in Hollywood, is being multi-talented. So, today we are going to evaluate what other talents you have. I understand that you have prepared some videos for us.

Stephen stuck out his hand to Gila. Gila handed Pinchas a flash drive to Pinchas, who handed it to Stephen. He looked skewed at her.

Ms. Robinson, please assist our guests at the buffet table while we watch the videos.

"It would be my pleasure, Mr. Brisco. Leah nodded to Gila and Pinchas. They followed her to an extensive table, set for brunch. There were small plates of smoked salmon and mackerel. Pinchas emptied them onto his plate. He took five hard-boiled eggs and three Greek yogurts. Gila piled a plate with diced vegetables on another plate and sprinkled them with a mixture of roasted sunflower seeds.

Leah took a pitcher of fresh squeezed orange juice and handed it to Pinchas. He washed his hands and took a multigrain roll. He made the appropriate blessing and started to eat.

THE LAWYERS STARED in awe as the video unfolded Gila’s multiple talents.

My God, she can move her body better than a belly-dancer, was one comment.

Another clip showed her working out with weights and doing gymnastics. They were so impressed that they watched the four videos again.

In the middle of eating, Pinchas, put down his fork and stared at Gila.

Got something on your mind, big man?

Pinchas employed sign language.

I love you. I now understand why the king wants to remarry the queen at every opportunity.

Gila laughed. She signed in return.

I was in three of those marriages. The last one was in Spain. I am a fortunate woman to have you as my man.

Gila, how about having a small wedding soon.

Too many people involved for a small wedding.

We could have a small wedding, and a big sheva brachot.

You want me to get married without my sisters?

Pinchas’s head slumped in defeat.

There are over two thousand, present and retired guardswomen.

That is correct, our Rabbi will marry us.

Rav Chaim Yaroni is still your unit’s Rabbi?

Stephen looked up from the video to see Pinchas and Gila communicating in sign language. He had met many beautiful women in Hollywood. This woman had skills that made men fantasize. She was going to be worth hundreds of millions. He was jealous of Pinchas. He wanted her badly. Stephen was a man who got what he wanted.

Susan interrupted Gila and Pinchas.

We have a problem. Mr. Brisco is staring at Gila like she’s a piece of meat. Pinchas stopped eating, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and said grace after meals.

He put on his best smile on his face and he rolled over to Mr. Brisco.

Mr. Brisco, you need to get your sexual desires under control. I don’t believe your bosses want you to be the reason this agreement isn’t signed, Pinchas cautioned him.

Are you threatening me, cripple?

One of the Israeli lawyers stepped in between them.

Mr. Shamir, we will guarantee to keep Mr. Brisco under control, he told Pinchas in Hebrew.

What did you say to him? Stephen demanded.

Mr. Brisco, I have defused the situation. You don’t want to mess with a national war hero. If you remember, he recently killed two Iranian assassins by throwing knives.

Are you also trying to intimidate me?

No, sir, I am pointing out facts. Our firm was hired to make this deal happen, by removing every obstacle. If you get in the way, we will meet with the clients without you.

Do you know who I am? Stephen said, red faced.

Yes, sir, you are an attorney for MGM. You are also a self-centered deviant who thinks you can have any woman you want.

Stephen pulled his phone out of his pocket.

You will find yourself without a job within the hour, he shouted at the Israeli.

One of my associates has been streaming this entire encounter, live to Los Angeles. Your threats mean nothing to me. I am a partner in my firm and can’t be fired. Pinchas Shamir was in the most prestigious ranger unit in the army. I was in the second most, I was a naval commando.

Are you threatening me again?

No, sir, I am saying that you don’t intimidate me. I suggest that you take your things and leave the meeting.

At that moment, Stephen’s phone rang.

Listen to me, idiot. Don’t speak. You are fired. You put your personal desires before the firm. Now, get out of there and don’t screw up our negotiations. If this deal doesn’t go through, I will sue you for every cent you have, Tom Johnson screamed at him.

Red-faced, Stephen Brisco left the conference room.

Why don’t we meet again tomorrow and finish up the negotiations, Susan suggested.

I am sorry for his unforgivable behavior.

You did nothing wrong. In fact, you were correct in everything you did. I am happy we are dealing with you, Gila stated in Hebrew.

You didn’t get to finish your brunch. Can I invite you to lunch at the restaurant downstairs?

You are most kind, but the amount of food I eat, would ruin you, Pinchas replied.

Mr. Shamir, we would be honored to host you, the hero of Mumbai.

ON THE WAY HOME, AFTER dazzling the lawyers with the amount of food he could eat, they discussed their wedding plans. While Pinchas spoke, he glanced at Gila. He found her smirking at him.

I know what you are thinking?

Really, are you a mind reader.

No, but I pay great attention to everything you do and speak. You let me intervene with that slimly worm, to let me feel like I was protecting you, even though you didn’t need it. I thank you.

Leah, he isn’t only muscle, he can think as well, Gila said, laughing.

Pinchas, I haven’t seen Zvi Chevroni in the past couple of days. Is everything okay? Leah inquired.

Zvi goes for tests every four months. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is prevalent in people with Down syndrome people. Pulmonary infectious disease is the foremost cause of death in Down syndrome individuals. It can be caused by both morphological and immune dysfunction issues, Pinchas replied.

Does he have symptoms? Leah asked.

Yes, for a number of years. He works out to build up his heart. His best friend died a few years ago from CHD, Pinchas informed her.

Leah turned pale.

What’s wrong, Leah, Gila asked.

I like Zvi, he is so kind and gentle.

Leah, Zvi is crazy about you, Gila told her.

I know, I didn’t want to encourage him, especially since I have to go back to the States.

Leah, people understand why non-Down syndrome women don’t want to marry Down syndrome men. Most women want to have children; therefore, they don’t want to marry a sterile man.

I can’t help it. I am attracted to him because he is so kind, nice and gentle.

STEPHEN, THANKS TO the camera you planted in the conference room, we saw the entire episode. We shouldn’t have let Tom Johnson select the law firm, Arnold Wolf stated.

What are your orders, Mr. Wolf?

"The pope’s arguments haven’t convinced me we should put our organization behind this endeavor.

Two oligarchs agree with the pope.

They agree with him, because they believe that Prof. Rosenberg killed their men in Israel. They want revenge. This woman was part of his team. The Russians let their emotions control their actions. They want her dead, because they can’t get to the professor.

"Why kill her? We could kidnap