‘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.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Tel-Aviv
B ack in his Tel-Aviv hotel, Giorgio Felici watched a re-run of the interview between Tom Schweiker and the CCN anchor on International Correspondent. There was still no word on the condition of the Italian scientist. He thought back to the time he had those pert little breasts in the cross-hairs of his sniper sight. It would be a pity if she survived, but the announcement that Donelli was attending the peace ceremony had given Felici an idea. He had been wrestling with the problem of how to eliminate Cardinal Donelli and at the same time avoid getting caught up in the aftermath, and this plan might just work. If a cardinal was to die as a result of an attack on the Prime Minister of Israel, the inevitable investigation would remain focused on the death of Prime Minister Kaufmann. The death of Donelli would be dismissed as an unfortunate coincidence. Giorgio knew that Yusef Sartawi had a deep-seated hatred of the Israelis but was it enough to kill the Israeli Prime Minister, along with Donelli? Of all the countries in the world, Israel had to be one of the toughest in which to carry out an assassination.
Felici picked up his mobile and punched in the code to the Cardinal Secretary of State’s secure phone, anticipating that the Cardinal would be in a black mood. He was not disappointed.
‘Petroni!’
‘Giorgio Felici here, Lorenzo. I have just seen the announcement that Cardinal Donelli has been invited to the signing of the Peace Treaty at the ceremony in Jerusalem,’ he said, keeping the recovery of the Omega Scroll to himself.
‘An invitation that he will not be keeping, Giorgio. It hasn’t been approved by the Holy Father and it certainly hasn’t been approved by me.’ Petroni was livid and his words hissed over the phone line.
‘I would suggest you allow the visit to go ahead, Lorenzo,’ Giorgio replied evenly. ‘It will give me an opportunity to enlist the support of those I need to meet our requirements.’
Petroni didn’t answer immediately. He was in a corner and unable to do anything about it. ‘Judging from the results of your efforts so far, Giorgio, I have no option,’ Petroni replied acidly, and he slammed the handset on to the phone’s cradle.
Giorgio smiled. Petroni would be useful as Pope, but if not, there were others on P3’s list. In the meantime, he took great satisfaction from letting the ruthlessly ambitious Petroni stew for a little while longer over the whereabouts of the Omega Scroll.
David reached the third-floor ward of the vast Hadassah Hospital and knocked on the small outer office.
‘For me, Dr Kaufmann. You shouldn’t have!’ The ward sister smiled at the handsome visitor. His head was lightly bandaged and he held a dozen roses.
David returned the smile. ‘How is she?’
‘Much better this morning. Still a bit shaken so we’ll keep her under observation for another night but you should be able to take her home tomorrow.’
‘I know it’s not visiting hours but could I see her?’
‘Of course.’
David followed the ward sister down the corridor. A Shin Bet security agent was sitting unobtrusively near Allegra’s private room. Shades of things to come, David thought ruefully.
Allegra’s face was bruised and flecked with small cuts. Her arms were heavily bandaged, as were her feet. Fortunately her wounds looked much worse than they actually were. She still managed a smile for David as she supervised him with the roses and a vase. Arranging done, he gently kissed her unscarred lips.