
       ,,five

  ,buck 2gan 6feel m 3fid5t t he wasn't 9 mortal dang}4 ,too _m p _h be5 9volv$ 9 gett+ hm f ,*icago 6,new ,york & n{ 6midt{n4 ,on ! o!r h&1 if ,nicolae ,c>pa?ia cd get away ) murd} 9 front ( m ?an a doz5 eyewit;ses1 he cd c}ta9ly elim9ate "o magaz9e writ}4
  ,! limo ev5tu,y w.d xs way 6! docks1 ": x /opp$ on ! circle drive 9 front (! exclusive ,manhattan ,h>bor ,ya*t ,club4 ,z ! doorman approa*$1 ! *au6eur l{}$ ! front pass5g} w9d{ & wav$ a f+} at hm1 z if w>n+ hm 6/ay away f ! c>4 ,!n ! bodygu>d got |1 hold+ ! c> door1 & ,buck /epp$ 96! sun%9e4 8,foll{1 pl1se10 ! bodygu>d sd4
  ,buck wd h felt "r at home 9 ! ,ya*t ,club except t he 0 walk+ )a suit$ man :o 3spicu|sly guid$ hm pa/ a l;g l9e ( patrons wait+ = ta#s4 ,! maitre d' gl.ed up & no4$ z ,buck foll{$ 8 escort 6! $ge (! d9+ room4 ,"! ! man /opp$ & :isp}$1 8,y w d9e )! g5tleman 9 ! boo? 0! w9d{40
  ,buck look$4 ,"s"o wav$ vigor|sly at hm1 draw+ />es4 ,2c ! sun 0 6! man's back1 ,buck saw only ! silh|ette (a smalli%1 /oop$ man ) wild wisps ( hair4 8,i w 2 back = y at "o-?irty %>p10 ! bodygu>d sd4 8,don't l1ve ! d9+ room )|t me40
  ,b--0 ,! bodygu>d slipp$ away1 & ,buck gl.ed at ! maitre d'1 :o ignor$ hm4 ,/ self-3sci|s1 ,buck made 8 way "? ! cr{d ( ta#s 6! boo? 0! w9d{1 ": he 0 exub}antly greet$ 0his old fr ,*aim ,ros5zweig4 ,! man knew 5 6:isp} 9 public1 b 8 5?usiasm 0 b.d.s4
  8,cam}on60 ! ,israeli exult$ 9 8 ?ick a35t4 8,h{ gd 6see y6 ,sit d{n1 sit d{n6 ,? a lovely place1 no8 ,only ! be/ = frs (! secret>yg5}al40
  8,w he 2 jo9+ u1 sir80
  ,ros5zweig look$ surpris$4 8,no1 no6 ,m* too busy4 ,h>dly "e a# 6get away4 ,5t}ta9+ h1ds ( /ate1 ambassadors1 "ey"o wants a piece ( hm4 ,i h>dly see hm m ?an five m9utes a "d myf60
  8,h{ l;g w y 2 9 t{n80 ,buck ask$1 a3ept+ a m5u & all{+ ! wait} 6drape a l95 napk9 on 8 lap4
  8,n m* l;g}4 ,0! 5d ( ? week ,nicolae & ,i >e 6f9i% prep>,ns = 8 visit 6,israel4 ,:at a glori|s "d x w be60
  8,tell me ab x1 ,doctor40
  8,i w6 ,i w6 ,b f/ we m/ cat* up60 ,! old man su45ly grew s}i|s & spoke 9 a somb} voice4 ,he r1*$ acr ! ta# & cov}$ ,buck's h& ) bo? ( his4 8,cam}on1 ,i am yr fr4 ,y m/ tell me /rai<t |4 ,h{ cd y h miss$ s* an important meet+8 ,i am a sci5ti/1 yes1 b ,i al 3sid} myf "s:at (a diplomat4 ,i "w$ h>d 2h ! sc5es ) ,nicolae &) yr fr1 ,mr4 ,plank1 6be sure y 7 9vit$4 ,i don't "u/&40
  8,i don't "u/& ei10 ,buck sd4 ,:at else cd he say8 ,ros5zweig1 cr1tor (a =mula t made ! ,israeli des}ts bloom l a gre5h|se1 _h be5 8 fr "e s9ce ,buck profil$ hm z ,global ,weekly's ,newsmak} (! ,ye> m ?an a ye> 2f4 ,ros5zweig 0 ! "o :o _h f/ m5;n$ ! "n ,nicolae ,c>pa?ia 6,buck4 ,c>pa?ia _h be5 a l{-level politico f ,romania :o _h ask$ =a private audi;e ) ,ros5zweig af ! =mula _h 2come fam|s4
  ,h1ds ( /ate f all ov} ! _w _h tri$ 6curry favor ) ,israel 6get a3ess 6! =mula4 ,_m c.tries s5t diplomats 6sweet-talk ,ros5zweig hmf :5 !y got no": )! ,israeli prime m9i/}4 ,o4ly1 ,c>pa?ia 0 ! "o :o mo/ impress$ ,ros5zweig4 ,he _h >rang$ ! visit hmf & -e on 8 {n1 & at ! "t he seem$ 6h no p{} 6make any d1ls1 ev5 if ,ros5zweig _h be5 op5 6"o4 ,all ,c>pa?ia _h s"| f ,ros5zweig 0 8 gd w4 ,& he got x4 ,n{1 ,buck r1liz$1 x 0 pay+ (f4
  8,": 7 y80 ,dr4 ,ros5zweig ask$4
  8,t's ! "q (! ages10 ,buck sd4 8,": >e any ( u80
  ,ros5zweig's eyes tw9kl$1 ?|< ,buck felt l a fool4 ,he 0 talk+ gi2}i%1 b he didn't "k :at else 6say4 ,he cdn't tell ! man1 ,i 0 "!6 ,i saw ! same ?+ y saw1 b y 7 bra9wa%$ 0,c>pa?ia 2c he's ! ,anti*ri/6
  ,ros5zweig 0 a b"r1 qk man )a love = 9trigue4 8,s1 y don't want 6tell me4 ,all "r4 ,n 2+ "! 0 yr loss4 ,( c|rse1 y 7 sp>$ ! horror x turn$ 9to1 b :at a hi/oric meet+ none!.s4 ,get ! salmon4 ,y'll love x40
  ,buck _h alw1 alw made x a habit 6ignore recomm5d,ns 9 re/aurants4 ,x probably 0 "o (! r1sons = 8 nick"n4 ,he r1liz$ h{ rattl$ he 0 :5 he ord}$ :at ,ros5zweig su7e/$4 ,& he lov$ x4
  8,let me ask y "s?+ n{1 ,dr4 ,ros5zweig40
  8,pl1se6 ,pl1se1 ,*aim40
  8,i c't call y ,*aim1 sir4 ,a ,nobel ,prize w9n}80
  8,pl1se1 y w honor me4 ,pl1se60
  8,all "r1 ,*aim10 ,buck sd1 b>ely a# 6get ! "n |4 8,:y am ,i "h8 ,:at is ? all ab80
  ,! old man pull$ ! napk9 f 8 lap1 wip$ 8 :ole be>d$ face ) x1 ball$ x up1 & plopp$ x onto 8 plate4 ,he pu%$ ! plate aside1 sat back1 & cross$ 8 legs4 ,buck _h se5 p w>m 6a subject 2f1 b n"e ) z m* reli% z ,*aim ,ros5zweig4
  8,s1 ! j|rnali/ 9 y -es |1 eh8 ,let me 2g9 0tell+ y t ? is yr lucky "d4 ,nicolae has x 9 m9d = y an honor t is s* a privilege ,i _c tell y40
  8,b y w tell me1 won't y1 sir80
  8,i w tell y :at ,i h be5 9/ruct$ 6tell y1 & no m4 ,! re/ w -e f ,nicolae hmf40 ,ros5zweig gl.ed at 8 wat*1 a pla/ic-b&$ tw5ty-doll> toy t seem$ 9c;gru|s ) 8 9t}n,nal /atus4 8,gd4 ,we h "t4 ,he has allott$ ?irty m9utes = yr visit1 s pl1se keep t 9 m9d4 ,i "k y >e frs & y may want 6apologize = miss+ 8 meet+1 b j rememb} t he has a lot 6(f} y & n m* "t 6d x4 ,he flies 6,wa%+ton late ? afn =a meet+ )! presid5t4 ,0! way1 ! presid5t (f}$ 6meet 9 ,new ,york1 if y c imag9e1 b ,nicolae1 hum# z he is1 wd he> no?+ ( x40
  8,y f9d ,c>pa?ia hum#80
  8,probably z hum# z any l1d} ,i h "e met1 ,cam}on4 ,( c|rse1 ,i "k _m public s}vants & private p :o >e hum# & h a "r 6be6 ,b mo/ politicians1 h1ds ( /ate1 _w l1d}s1 !y >e full ( !mvs4 ,_m ( !m h m* 6be pr|d ( & 9 _m ways x is _! egos t all{ !m 6a3ompli% :at !y a3ompli%4 ,b n"e h ,i se5 a man l ?40
  8,he's pretty impressive10 ,buck admitt$4
  8,t's n ! half ( x10 ,dr4 ,ros5zweig 9si/$4 8,?9k ab x1 ,cam}on4 ,he has n s"| ~! posi;ns4 ,he rose f a l{ posi;n 9 ! ,romanian gov}n;t 6become presid5t ( t n,n :5 an elec;n 0 n ev5 s*$ul$4 ,he resi/$ x60
  ,i'll bet1 ,buck ?"|4 8,& :5 he 0 9vit$ 6sp1k at ! ,unit$ ,n,ns n a mon? ago1 he 0 s 9timidat$ & felt s unwor?y1 he alm decl9$4 ,b y 7 "!6 ,y he>d ! spee*4 ,i wd h nom9at$ hm = prime m9i/} ( ,israel if ,i ?"| he wd h tak5 x6 ,alm immly ! secret>y-g5}al /epp$ d{n & 9si/$ ,nicolae replace hm4 ,& he 0 elect$ unanim|sly1 5?usia/ic,y1 & he has be5 5dors$ 0ne>ly e h1d ( /ate >.d ! _w4
  8,cam}on1 he has id1s ~u id1s6 ,he is ! 3summate diplomat4 ,he sp1ks s _m languages t he h>dly "e ne$s an 9t}pret}1 ev5 =! *iefs ( "s (! remote tribes 9 ,s|? ,am}ica & ,africa6 ,! o!r "d he %>$ a few phrases "u/ood only 0an ,au/ralian ,aborig9e60
  8,let me j /op y =a second1 ,*aim10 ,buck sd4 8,y "k1 ( c|rse1 t 9 ex*ange = /epp+ d{n f ! secret>y-g5}al%ip (! ,u4,n41 ,mwangati ,ngumo 0 promis$ a3ess 6yr =mula = use 9 ,botswana4 ,x wasn't q s self.s & altrui/ic z x seem$1 &--0
  8,( c|rse1 ,nicolae has told me all ab t4 ,b x 0 n "p ( any agree;t4 ,x 0 a ge/ure ( 8 p}sonal gratitude = :at ,presid5t ,ngumo has d"o =! ,unit$ ,n,ns ov} ! ye>s40
  8,b h{ c he %{ 8 p}sonal gratitude 0giv+ away yr =mula1 sir8 ,no "o else any": has a3ess 6x1 &--0
  8,i 0 m ?an happy 6(f} x40
  8,y w}e80 ,buck's m9d reel$4 ,0 "! no limit 6,c>pa?ia's p}suasive p{}8
  ,! old man uncross$ 8 legs & l1n$ =w>d1 8 elb{s on ! ta#4 8,cam}on1 x all ties tgr4 ,? is "p ( :y y're "h4 ,! agree;t )! =m} secret>y-g5}al 0 an exp}i;t1 a model40
  8,i'm li/5+1 ,doctor40
  8,x's too e>ly 6tell1 ( c|rse1 b if ! =mula "ws z well z x has 9 ,israel1 ,botswana w immly 2come "o (! mo/ f}tile c.tries 9 all ( ,africa1 if n ! _w4 ,alr ,presid5t ,ngumo has se5 8 /ature rise )9 8 {n n,n4 ,"ey"o agrees he 0 4tract$ f 8 duties at ! ,u4,n4 & t ! _w is bett} n{ =! new l1d}%ip40
  ,buck %ru7$1 b app>5tly ,ros5zweig didn't notice4 8,& s ,c>pa?ia plans 6d m ( ?1 brok}+ yr =mula = favors80
  8,y're miss+ ! po9t4 ,yes1 ,i h p}suad$ ! ,israeli gov}n;t 6lic5se use (! =mula 6! secret>y-g5}al (! ,unit$ ,n,ns40
  8,oh1 ,*aim6 ,= :at8 ,billions ( doll>s t ,israel no l;g} ne$s8 ,x makes no s5se6 ,hav+ ! =mula made y ! ri*e/ n,n on e>? = xs size & has solv$ myriad pro#ms1 b x 0 ! exclusiv;y t made x "w6 ,:y d y ?9k ! ,russians attack$ y7 ,!y don't ne$ yr l&6 ,"!'s no oil 6be f.d6 ,!y want$ ! =mula6 ,imag9e if all ! va/ r1*es ( t n,n 7 f}tile60
  ,dr4 ,ros5zweig held up a h&4 8,i "u/& t1 ,cam}on4 ,b m"oy has no?+ 6d ) ?4 ,i ne$ no m"oy4 ,israel ne$s no m"oy40
  8,!n :at cd ,c>pa?ia (f} t is wor?y (! trade80
  8,:at has ,israel pray$ = s9ce ! 2g9n+ ( h} exi/;e1 ,cam}on8 ,& ,i am n talk+ ab h} rebir? 9 #aidh4 ,f ! 2g9n+ ( "t z ! *os5 p ( ,god1 :at h we pray$ =80
  ,buck's blood ran cold1 & he cd only sit "! & nod resign$ly4 ,ros5zweig answ}$ 8 {n "q4 8,%alom4 ,p1ce4 ,8,pray =! p1ce ( ,israel40' ,we >e a fragile1 vuln}a# l&4 ,we "k ,god ,almi<ty sup}natur,y protect$ u f ! onslau<t (! ,russians4 ,d y "k t "! 0 s m* d1? am;g _! troops t ! bodies _h 6be buri$ 9 a -mon grave1 a crat} g|g$ f |r preci|s soil 0"o ( _! bombs1 : ,god r5d}$ h>m.s8 ,we _h 6burn "s ( _! bodies & b"os4 ,&! debris f _! w1pons ( de/ruc;n 0 s massive t we h us$ x z a raw res|rce & >e refabricat+ x 96m>keta# gds4 ,cam}on10 he a4$ /onily4
  8,s _m ( _! planes cra%$--well1 all ( !m1 ( c|rse4 ,!y / _h burna# fuel1 5 t we e/imate we w 2 a# 6use x = five 6ei<t m ye>s4 ,c y see :y p1ce is s attractive 6u80
  8,*aim1 y sd yrf t ,god ,almi<ty protect$ y4 ,"! cd 2 no o!r explan,n = :at happ5$ ! ni<t ( t 9va.n4 ,) ,god on yr side1 :y d y ne$ 6b>t} ) ,c>pa?ia = protec;n80
  8,cam}on1 ,cam}on10 ,ros5zweig sd we>ily1 8hi/ory has %{n |r ,god 6be caprici|s :5 x -es 6|r welf>e4 ,f ! *n ( ,israel w&}+ =ty ye>s 9 ! des}t 6! ,six-,"d ,w> 6! ,russian 9va.n 6n{1 we d n "u/& hm4 ,he l5ds u 8 favor :5 x suits 8 et}nal plan1 : we _c -preh5d4 ,we pray1 we seek hm1 we try 6curry 8 favor4 ,b 9 ! m1n"t we 2lieve t ,god helps ~? :o help !mvs4 ,y "k1 ( c|rse1 t ? is :y y >e "h40
  8,i "k no?+10 ,buck sd4
  8,well1 x's "p ( :y y're "h4 ,y "u/& t s* an agree;t takes a lot ( home"w--0
  8,:at agree;t >e we talk+ ab80
  8,i'm sorry1 ,cam}on1 ,i ?"| y 7 foll{+4 ,y d n ?9k x 0 easy ev5 = me1 despite my /ature )9 my {n c.try1 6p}suade ! p{}s 6rel1se a lic5se 6! =mula ev5 6a man z attractive z ,nicolae40
  8,( c|rse n40
  8,& y >e "r4 ,"s (! meet+s w5t l;g 96! ni<t1 & e "t ,i felt ,i _h 3v9c$ "s"o1 ano!r 0 br"| in4 ,e new e> _h 6be 3v9c$4 ,_m "ts ,i ne>ly gave up 9 despair4 ,b f9,y1 f9,y1 ) _m 3di;ns1 ,i 0 emp{}$ 6hamm} | an >range;t )! ,unit$ ,n,ns40
  8,) ,c>pa?ia1 y m1n40
  8,( c|rse4 ,make no mistake4 ,he is ! ,unit$ ,n,ns n{40
  8,y got t "r10 ,buck sd4
  8,"p (! agree;t is t ,i 2come "p ( 8 s5ior /aff1 an advis}4 ,i w co*air ! -mittee t decides ": ! =mula w 2 lic5s$40
  8,& no m"oy *anges h&s80
  8,n"o40
  8,& ,israel gets protec;n f h} nei<bors f ! ,unit$ ,n,ns80
  ,oh1 x is m* m -plex ?an t1 ,cam}on4 ,y see1 ! =mula is n{ ti$ 96,nicolae's global 4>ma;t policy4 ,any n,n ev5 suspect$ ( resi/+ ! de/ruc;n ( #ij p}c5t ( xs w1pons &! surr5d} (! rema9+ #aj p}c5t 6,nicolae--or ,i %d say 6! ,u4,n4--w n"e 2 all{$ 6ev5 2 3sid}$ z an applicant =a lic5se4 ,nicolae has pl$g$ t he--& ,i w 2 "! 65sure ?1 ( c|rse--w 2 m ?an judici|s 9 lic5s+ |r ne>e/ nei<bors & mo/ dang}|s 5emies40
  8,"! has 6be m ?an t40
  8,oh1 "! is1 b ! crux ( x is ?1 ,cam}on4 ,once ! _w has be5 4>m$1 ,israel %d n h 6worry ab protect+ h} bord}s40
  8,t's naive40
  8,n z naive z x mi<t appe>1 2c if "! is "o ?+ ,nicolae ,c>pa?ia is n1 naive4 ,"k+ full well t "s n,ns may ho>d or hide w1pons or produce new "os1 ! full agree;t 2t ! sov}eign /ate ( ,israel & ,secur;y ,c|ncil (! ,unit$ ,n,ns--)! p}sonal signature ( ,nicolae ,c>pa?ia--makes a solemn promise4 ,any n,n t ?r1t5s ,israel w su6} imm ext9c;n1 us+ ! full -ple;t ( w1ponry availa# 6! ,u4,n4 ,) e c.try donat+ #aj p}c5t1 y c imag9e ! firep{}40
  8,:at ,i _c "u/&1 ,*aim1 is an av{$ pcifi/1 a rabid global-4>ma;t propon5t = 8 5tire political c>e}1 ?r1t5+ 6bl{ c.tries (f ! face (! e>?40
  8,x's only semantics1 ,cam}on10 ,ros5zweig sd4 8,nicolae is a pragmati/4 ,"! is a gd bit (! id1li/ 9 hm1 ( c|rse1 b he "ks t ! be/ way 6keep ! p1ce is 6h ! :}e)al 65=ce x40
  8,& ? agree;t la/s =--80
  8,z l;g z we want x4 ,we (f}$ t5 ye>s1 b ,nicolae sd he wd n require ! freedom 6lic5se ! =mula = t l;g4 ,he sd he wd ask = only sev5 ye>s1 & !n ! full "rs 6! =mula return 6u4 ,mo/ g5}|s4 ,& if we want 6renew ! agree;t e sev5 ye>s1 we >e free 6d t1 too40
  ,y won't h any ne$ =a p1ce tr1ty 9 sev5 ye>s1 ,buck ?"|4 8,s1 :at does ? h 6d ) me80 he ask$4
  8,t's ! be/ "p10 ,ros5zweig sd4 8,at l1/ = me1 2c x honors y4 ,x is no secret t ,nicolae is aw>e ( yr /atus z ! mo/ a3ompli%$ j|rnali/ 9 ! _w4 ,& 6prove t he be>s no ill w = yr snub ( 8 la/ 9vit,n1 he is go+ 6ask y 6-e 6,israel =! sign+ (! tr1ty40
  ,buck %ook 8 h1d4
  8,i "k x is ov}:elm+10 ,ros5zweig sd4

  ,ray=d's plane hit ! gr.d at ,o',h>e at "o o'c ,*icago "t4 ,he call$ home & got ! answ}+ ma*9e4 8,y1h1 ,*loe10 he sd1 8,i'm back e>li} ?an ,i ?"|4 ,j want$ y 6"k ,i'll 2 "! )9 ! h|r &--0
  ,*loe gra2$ ! ph"o4 ,%e s.d$ aw;l4 8,hi1 ,dad10 %e mum#d4
  8,y "u ! w1!r80
  8,no4 ,j upset4 ,dad1 did y "k t ,buck ,williams is liv+ ) "s"o80
  8,:at80
  8,x's true4 ,& !y're 5gag$6 ,i saw h}4 ,%e 0 c>ry+ boxes 96his 3do4 ,a sk9ny ll spike-hair$ girl 9 a %ort skirt40
  8,maybe y _h ! wr;g place40
  8,x 0 ! "r place40
  8,y're jump+ 63clu.ns40
  8,dad1 li/5 6me4 ,i 0 s mad ,i j drove >.d a :ile1 !n sat 9 a p>k+ lot & cri$4 ,!n >.d noon ,i w5t 6see hm at ! ,global ,weekly (fice1 & "! %e was1 gett+ | ( h} c>4 ,i sd1 ,8,d y "w "h80' & %e sd1 ,8,yes1 may ,i help y80' & ,i sd1 ,8,i ?9k ,i saw y e>li} td10' & %e sd1 ,8,y mi<t h4 ,i 0 ) my fianc`e4 ,is "! "s"o "h y ne$ 6see80' ,i j turn$ & left1 ,dad40
  8,y didn't talk 6,buck !n80
  8,>e y ki4+8 ,i may n"e talk 6hm ag4 j a m9ute4 ,"s"o's at ! door40 ,a m9ute lat} ,*loe came back on4 8,i c't 2lieve x4 ,if he ?9ks ? makes any di6};e ''' 
  8,:at80
  8,fl{}s6 ,&( c|rse !y're anonym|s4 ,he _h 6h se5 me driv+ 0& knew h{ ,i'd feel4 ,un.s y want ~!1 y'll f9d !m 9 ! tra% :5 y get home40

  ,at a few m9utes af two 9 ,new ,york1 ,buck wait$ ) ,*aim ,ros5zweig 9 ! opul5t wait+ room |tside ! (fice (! secret>y-g5}al (! ,unit$ ,n,ns4 ,*aim 0 m}rily go+ on ab "s?+1 & ,buck pret5d$ 6pay att5;n4 ,he 0 pray+ sil5tly1 n "k+ if 8 =ebod+ s5se ( evil 0 psy*ological 2c he knew ,nicolae ,c>pa?ia 0 ne>by1 or if ! man truly emitt$ "s sort ( demonic aura detecta# 6foll{}s ( ,*ri/4 ,buck 0 w>m$ 0! k t ,bruce 0 pray+ = hm "r !n1 & he 0 hav+ second ?"|s ab n 9=m+ ,ray=d & ,*loe ( 8 trip4 ,8 return ticket 0 =! #e ,pm4 fli<t1 s he knew he'd 2 back 9 "t =! f/ (! #h ,pm4 /udy ses.ns ,bruce _h plann$4 ,buck look$ =w>d 6x alr4 ,he mi<t ev5 see if ,*loe want$ 6h a late d9n}1 j ! two ( !m1 2f ! meet+4
  8,s :at d y ?9k ab t80 ,dr4 ,ros5zweig sd4
  8,i'm s sorry1 ,doctor10 ,buck sd4 8,my m9d 0 else":40
  8,cam}on1 don't 2 n}v|s4 ,nicolae 0 upset1 yes1 b he has only gd ?+s 9 /ore = y40
  ,buck %ru7$ & no4$4 8,anyway1 ,i 0 say+4 ,my de> fr ,ra2i ,t.n ,b5-,judah has f9i%$ 8 ?ree-ye> /udy1 & x wdn't surprise me if he w9s a ,nobel ,prize = x40
  8,his ?ree-ye> /udy80
  8,y w}5't li/5+ at all1 7 y1 my fr80
  8,i'm sorry40
  8,y m/ d bett} :5 y >e ) ,nicolae1 promise me40
  8,i w4 ,=give me40
  8,x's all "r4 ,b li/51 ,ra2i ,b5-,judah 0 -mis.n$ 0! ,hebrew ,9/itute ( ,biblical ,rese>* 6d a ?ree-ye> /udy40
  8,a /udy ( :at80
  8,"s?+ ab ! prophecies relat+ 6,messiah s we ,jews w recognize hm :5 he -es40
  ,buck 0 /unn$4 ,! ,messiah _h -e1 &! ,jews left 2h _h miss$ hm4 ,:5 he _h -e ! f/ "t mo/ did n recognize hm4 ,:at %d ,buck say 6his fr8 ,if he dcld hmf a 8,tribul,n sa9t10 z ,bruce lik$ 6ref} 6new 2liev}s s9ce ! ,rapture1 :at mi<t he 2 do+ 6hmf8 ,ros5zweig 0 a 3fidant ( ,c>pa?ia's4 ,buck want$ 6say t a legitimate /udy ( messianic prophecies cd l1d only 6,jesus4 ,b he sd only1 8,:at >e ! major prophecies po9t+ 6! ,messiah80
  8,6tell y ! tru?10 ,dr4 ,ros5zweig sd1 8,i don't "k4 ,i 0 n a religi|s ,jew until ,god de/roy$ ! ,russian ,air ,=ce1 & ,i c't say ,i'm dev|t n{4 ,i alw took ! messianic prophecies ! way ,i took ! re/ (! ,torah4 ,symbolic4 ,! ra2i at ! temple ,i att5d$ o3a.n,y 9 ,tel ,aviv sd hmf t x 0 n important :e!r we 2liev$ t ,god 0 a lit}al 2+ or j a 3cept4 ,t fit ) my humani/ view (! _w4 ,religi|s p1 ,jewi% or o!rwise1 seldom impress$ me any m ?an ! a!i/ )a gd he>t4
  8,dr4 ,b5-,judah 0 a /ud5t ( m9e tw5ty-five ye>s ago4 ,he 0 alw an unaba%$ religi|s ,jew1 ,or?odox b %ort (a funda;tali/4 ,( c|rse he 2came a ra2i1 b c}ta9ly n 2c ( any?+ ,i tau<t hm4 ,i lik$ hm & alw h4 ,he rec5tly told me he _h f9i%$ ! /udy & t x 0 ! mo/ fulfill+ & rew>d+ "w he has "e d"o40
  ,ros5zweig paus$4 8,i suppose y >e wond}+ :y ,i tell y ?40
  8,frankly1 yes4
  8,i'm lo2y+ = ,ra2i ,b5-,judah's 9clu.n on ,nicolae ,c>pa?ia's /aff40
  8,z80
  8,_sual advis}40
  8,he's look+ = "o80
  8,n t he "ks (60 ,ros5zweig sd1 ro>+ ) lau<t} & slapp+ 8 knee4 8,b s f> he has tru/$ my judg;t4 ,t's :y y're "h40
  ,buck lift$ an eyebr{4 8,i ?"| x 0 2c ,c>pa?ia ?9ks ,i'm ! be/ j|rnali/ 9 ! _w40
  ,dr4 ,ros5zweig l1n$ =w>d & :isp}$ 3spiratori,y1 8,& :y d y ?9k he 2lieves t80

  ,ray=d _h _h tr|# r1*+ ,*loe f 8 c> ph"o1 b he f9,y got "?4 8,wond}$ if y want$ 6g | ) yr old man tn10 he su7e/$1 ?9k+ %e ne$$ 6be *e}$ up4
  8,i don't "k10 %e sd4 8,i appreciate x1 ,dad1 b we're go+ 6,bruce's ei<t o'c meet+1 >5't we80
  8,i'd l to10 ,ray=d sd4
  8,let's /ay in4 ,i'm all "r4 ,i 0 j on ! ph"o ) ,bruce4 ,i want$ 6"k if he knew :e!r ,buck 0 -+ tn40
  8,&80
  8,he wasn't 5tirely sure4 ,he hop$ s4 ,i hope n40
  8,*loe60
  8,i'm j afraid ( :at ,i'll say1 ,dad4 ,no wond} he's be5 cool t{>d me ) t1 t1 :at"e-y-call-h} 9 8 life4 ,b ! fl{}s6 ,:at 0 t all ab80
  8,y don't ev5 "k !y 7 f hm40
  8,oh1 ,dad6 ,un.s !y 7 f y1 !y 7 f ,buck40
  ,ray=d lau<$4 8,i wi% ,i'd ?"| ( x40
  8,s d ,i40

  ,hattie ,durham approa*$ ,buck & ,*aim ,ros5zweig1 & !y bo? /ood4 8,mr4 ,williams60 %e sd1 embrac+ hm4 8,i hav5't see y s9ce ,i took ? job40
  ,yes1 y h1 ,buck ?"|4 ,y j don't rememh}4 8,! secret>y-g5}al & ,mr4 ,plank w see y n{10 %e told ,buck4 ,%e turn$ 6,dr4 ,ros5zweig4 8,doctor1 ! secret>y-g5}al asks t y 2 prep>$ 6jo9 ! meet+ 9 ab tw5ty-five m9utes40
  8,c}ta9ly10 ! old man sd4 ,he w9k$ at ,buck & squeez$ 8 %|ld}4
  ,buck foll{$ ,hattie pa/ s"eal desks & d{n a mahogany-appo9t$ hallway1 & he r1liz$ he _h n"e se5 h} | ( uni=m4 ,td %e wore a tailor$ suit t made h} look l a classy1 w1l?y1 sophi/icat$ woman4 ,! look only 5h.ed h} /unn+ b1uty4 ,ev5 h} spee* seem$ m cultur$ ?an he rememb}$4 ,h} exposure 6,nicolae ,c>pa?ia seem$ 6h improv$ h} pres;e4
  ,hattie tapp$ li<tly on ! (fice door & pok$ h} h1d in4 8,mr4 ,secret>y-,g5}al & ,mr4 ,plank1 ,cam}on ,williams ( ,global ,weekly40 ,hattie pu%$ ! door op5 & slipp$ away z ,nicolae ,c>pa?ia adv.ed1 r1*+ = ,buck's h& ) bo? ( his4 ,buck seem$ /rangely calm$ 0! man & 8 smile4 8,buck60 he sd4 8,may ,i call y ,buck80
  8,y alw h10 ,buck sd4 8,-e6 ,-e6 ,sit6 ,y & ,/eve "k ea* o!r1 ( c|rse40 ,buck 0 m /ruck ) ,/eve's appe>.e ?an ) ,c>pa?ia's4 ,nicolae _h alw dress$ =m,y1 ) p}fectly coord9at$ a3essories1 suit coat button$1 "ey?+ 9 place4 ,b ,/eve1 despite 8 posi;n z executive $itor ( "o (! mo/ pre/igi|s magaz9es 9 ! _w1 _h n alw dress$ ! way y mi<t expect a j|rnali/ 6dress4 ,he _h alw worn ! obligatory susp5d}s & l;g-sleev$ %irts1 ( c|rse1 b he 0 usu,y se5 ) 8 tie loos5$ & 8 sleeves roll$ up1 look+ l a mi4le-a $ yuppie1 or an ,ivy ,l1gue /ud5t4
  ,td1 h{"e1 ,/eve look$ l a cl"o ( ,c>pa?ia4 ,he c>ri$ a ?91 black-l1!r portfolio & f h1d 6toe look$ z if he _h -e (f ! cov} (a ,=tune #ejj $i;n ( ,,gq4 ,ev5 8 hair /yle _h a ,europ1n flair--razor ,cut1 bl{-dri$1 /yl$1 & m|ss$4 ,he wore new1 design}-frame glasses1 a *>coal suit j ? side ( pit*-black1 a :ite %irt )a coll> p9 & tie t probably co/ :at he us$ 6pay =a sports coat4 ,! %oes 7 s(t l1!r & look$ ,italian1 & if ,buck wasn't mitak51 "! 0 a new diamond r+ on ,/eve's "r h&4
  ,c>pa?ia pull$ an extra *air f 8 3f};e ta#1 a4$ x 6! two 2f 8 desk1 & sat ) ,buck & ,/eve4 ,"r | (a manage;t book1 ,buck ?"|4 ,br1k d{n ! b>ri} 2t ! sup}ior &! subord9ate4
  ,yet despite ! attempt at an equal play+ field1 x 0 cle> ! 9t5t (! meet+ 0 6impress ,buck4 ,& he 0 impress$4 ,hattie & ,/eve _h alr *ang$ 5 6be ne>ly unrecogniza#4 ,& e "t ,buck look$ at ,c>pa?ia's /r;g1 angul> f1tures & qk1 seem+ly g5u9e 4>m+ smile1 he wi%$ ) "ey?+ 9 hm t ! man 0 :o he appe>$ 6be & n :o ,buck knew hm 6be4
  ,he n"e =got1 n"e lo/ si<t (! fact t he 0 9 ! pres;e (! slicke/1 mo/ 3niv+ p}sonal;y 9 hi/ory4 ,he only wi%$ he knew "s"o z *>m+ z ,c>pa?ia :o 0 r1l4
  ,buck felt = ,/eve1 & yet he _h n be5 3sult$ 2f ,/eve _h left ,global ,weekly = ,c>pa?ia's /aff4 ,n{1 m* z ,buck want$ 6tell hm ab 8 newf.d fai?1 he cd tru/ no "o4 ,un.s ,c>pa?ia _h ! sup}natural abil;y 6"k "ey?+1 ,buck hop$ & pray$ he wd n detect t ,buck 0 an 5emy ag5t )9 8 camp4 8,let me 2g9 )a humor|s idiom10 ,c>pa?ia sd1 8& !n we w excuse ,/eve & h a he>t-to-he>t1 j y & me1 mm80
  ,buck no4$4
  8,"s?+ ,i h he>d only s9ce -+ 6? c.try is ! phrase ,8! elephant 9 ! room40' ,h y he>d t phrase1 ,buck80
  8,y m1n ab p :o get tgr & don't talk ab ! obvi|s1 l ! fact t "o ( !m has j be5 diagnos$ )a t}m9al--0
  8,exactly4 ,s1 let u talk ab ! elephant 9 ! room & 2 d"o ) x1 & !n we c move on4 ,all "r80
  ,buck no4$ ag1 8 pulse 9cr1s+4 8,i 3fess ,i 0 3fus$ &a ll hurt t y did n att5d ! private meet+ ": ,i 9/all$ ! new ambassadors4 ,h{"e1 z x turn$ |1 x wd h be5 z traumatic = y z x 0 =! re/ ( u40
  ,x 0 all ,buck cd d 6keep f 2+ s>ca/ic4 ,"o ?+ he cd n & wd n d 0 apologize4 ,h{ cd he say he 0 sorry = miss+ a meet+ he _h n miss$8
  8,i want$ 6be "! & wdn't h miss$ x = any?+10 ,buck sd4 ,c>pa?ia seem$ 6look "r "? hm & sat z if wait+ =! re/ (! ?"|4 8,frankly10 ,buck a4$1 8t :ole "d seems a blur 6me n{40 ,a blur ) vivid details he wd n"e =get4 ,c>pa?ia seem$ 6loos5 up4 ,8 =mal pose melt$ & he l1n$ =w>d1 elb{s on 8 knees1 & look$ f ,buck 6,/eve & back4 ,he look$ peev$4 8,s1 all "r10 he sd1 8app>5tly "! is no excuse1 no apology1 no explan,n40
  ,buck gl.ed at ,/eve1 :o seem$ 6be try+ 6-municate ) 8 eyes &a sli<t nod1 z if 6say1 say "s?+1 ,buck6 ,apologize6 ,expla96
  8,:at c ,i say80 ,buck sd4 8,i feel badly ab t "d40 ,t 0 z close z he wd -e 6say+ :at !y want$ hm 6say4 ,buck knew ,/eve 0 9noc5t4 ,/eve truly 2liev$ ,buck _h n be5 "!4 ,c>pa?ia1 ( c|rse1 _h ma/}m9d$ & *oreograph$ ! :ole *>ade4 ,act+ upset t he wasn't gett+ an apology or an explan,n 0 ! p}fect move1 ,buck ?"|4 ,cle>ly1 ,c>pa?ia 0 fi%+ = "s evid;e t ,buck knew :at _h happ5$4 ,all ,buck cd d 0 play dumb & 2 evasive & pray t ,god wd "sh{ bl ,c>pa?ia 6! tru? t ,buck 0 a 2liev} & t he _h be5 protect$ f susceptibil;y 6,c>pa?ia's p{}4
  8,all "r10 ,c>pa?ia sd1 sitt+ back & -pos+ hmf ag4 8,we all feel bad1 d we n8 ,i grieve ! loss ( two -patriots1 "o a de> fr = _m ye>s40 ,buck felt 8 /oma* turn4 8,n{1 ,buck1 ,i want 6talk 6y z a j|rnali/1 & we w excuse |r fr ,mr4 ,plank40
  ,/eve /ood & patt$ ,buck on ! %|ld}1 l1v+ quietly4 ,buck 2came pa9;lly aw>e t n{ x 0 j hm & ,god sitt+ knee-to-knee ) ,nicolae ,c>pa?ia4 ,b x wasn't knee-to-knee = l;g4 ,nicolae su45ly rose & w5t back >.d 8 desk 6! executive *air 2h4 ,j 2f he sat1 he t|*$ ! 9t}com button1 & ,buck he>d ! door op5 2h hm4 ,hattie ,durham :isp}$1 8,excuse me10 took ! extra *air f 9 front (! desk1 & put x back at ! 3f};e ta#4 ,z %e 0 l1v+1 %e adju/$ & /rai<t5$ ! *air ,/eve _h us$4 ,j z quietly1 %e slipp$ |4 ,bucck ?"| t v /range1 ? seem+ly script$ >range;t (! 5tire meet+1 f ! =mal ann|nce;t ( 8 pres;e1 6! /ag+ ( :o wd 2 "! & ": !y wd sit4 ,)! (fice n{ back 6! way x 0 :5 ,buck 5t}$ & ,c>pa?ia 5sconc$ 2h 8 massive desk1 all pret5se ( equaliz+ ! p{} base 0 g"o4
  ,yet ,c>pa?ia / _h ! *>m turn$ all ! way up4 ,he 9t}tw9$ 8 f+}s & />$ at ,buck1 smil+4 8,cam}on ,williams10 he sd sl{ly4 8,h{ does x feel 6be ! mo/ celebrat$ ( yr "t80
  ,:at k9d (a "q 0 t8 ,x 0 precisely 2c ,buck didn't ask s* "qs t he 0 respect$ 8,"r n{ ,i'm j a demot$ hack10 he sd4
  8,& hum# 2ss10 ,c>pa?ia sd1 gr9n+4 8,9 a mo;t ,i am go+ 6make cle> 6y t ev5 ?|< yr /ock may h fall5 at ,global ,weekly1 x has n fall5 9 ! eyes (! re/ (! _w1 & c}ta9ly n ) me4 ,i %d h be5 m upset 0yr miss+ my meet+ ?an yr publi%} was1 & yet he ov}react$4 ,we c put ~! ?+s 2h u & move on4 ,"o mistake does n negate a life"t ( a*ieve;t4
  ,c>pa?ia paus$ z if he expect$ ,buck 6respond4 ,buck 0 2com+ m & m fond ( sil;e4 ,x seem$ 6be ! "r *oice ) ,c>pa?ia1 & x c}9ly 0 ! way ,god _h l$ hm dur+ ! murd}|s meet+ :5 ,c>pa?ia _h poll$ "ey"o 6assess :at !y _h se54 ,buck 2liev$ sil;e _h sav$ 8 life4
  8,by ! way10 ,c>pa?ia sd :5 x 0 cle> ,buck _h no?+ 6say1 8d y h ) y yr cov} /ory on ! !ories 2h ! vani%+s80
  ,buck cdn't hide 8 surprise4 8,z a matt} ( fact1 ,i d40
  ,c>pa?ia %ru7$4 8,/eve told me ab x4 ,i wd love 6see x40
  8,i'm afraid ,i wdn't 2 a# 6%{ x 6any"o until ! ,weekly gets ! f9al draft40
  8,surely !y h se5 yr "w+ copy40
  8,( c|rse40
  8,/eve sd y mi<t want a quote or two f me40
  8,frankly1 un.s y h "s?+ new1 ,i ?9k yr views h alr be5 s widely broadca/ t !y wd 2 old 6|r r1d}s40
  ,c>pa?ia look$ hurt4 8,i m1n10 ,buck sd1 8y / hold 6! nucle> reac;n ) natural =ces idea1 "r8 ,t li<tn+ may h tri7}$ "s spontane|s 9t}ac;n 2t all ! /ockpil$ nucle> w1pons1 &--0
  8,y "k yr fr ,dr4 ,ros5zweig al subscribes 6t !ory40
  8,i "u/& t1 yes sir40
  8,b x w n 2 repres5t$ 9 yr >ticle80
  8,sure x w4 ,i ?"| ! "q 0 :e!r ,i ne$$ a fre% quote f y4 ,un.s yr view has *ang$1 ,i d n40
  ,c>pa?ia look$ at 8 wat*4 8,z y "k1 ,i am on a ti<t s*$ule4 ,yr trip 0 all "r8 ,a3ommod,ns a3epta#8 ,a gd lun*8 ,dr4 ,ros5zweig fill$ y 9 "s80
  ,buck no4$ 6e "q4 8,assum+ he told y ab ! ,u4,n4 tr1ty ) ,israel & t ! sign+ w 2 a week f td 9 ,j}usalem1 let me ext5d a p}sonal 9vit,n 6y 6be "!40
  8,i d|bt ! ,weekly wd s5d a ,*icago /aff writ} 6an 9t}n,nal ev5t ( t magnitude40
  8,i am n ask+ t y jo9 ! press corps ( ?|s&s f >.d ! _w :o w 2 seek+ cr$5tials z soon z ! ann|nce;t is made4 ,i am 9vit+ y 6be "p ( my deleg,n1 6sit at ! ta# ) me4 ,x w 2 a privilege no o!r m$ia p}son 9 ! _w w h40
  8,global ,weekly has a policy t xs j|rnali/s >e n 6a3ept any favors t mi<t--0
  8,buck1 ,buck10 ,c>pa?ia sd4 8,i am sorry 69t}rupt1 b ,i w 2 v surpris$ if y >e / an employee ( ,global ,weekly a week f td4 ,v surpris$40
  ,buck rais$ 8 eyebr{s & look$ skeptic,y at ,c>pa?ia4 8,d y "k "s?+ ,i don't "k80 ,& z soon z x 0 | ( 8 m|?1 ,buck r1liz$ he _h un9t5;n,y ask$ ! core "q ( ? meet+4
  ,c>pa?ia lau<$4 8,i "k ( no plans 6fire y1 no4 ,i ?9k ! puni%;t = yr bl{n assign;t has alr be5 met$ |4 ,& ?|< y turn$ d{n an (f} ( employ;t f me 2f1 ,i truly 2lieve ,i h an opportun;y = y t w *ange yr m9d40
  ,don't c.t on x1 ,buck ?"|4 ,b he sd1 8,i'm li/5+40
