The Rembrandt Affair

'It bothers my back on long walks.'

Shamron, sufferer of chronic pain, gave a sympathetic nod. 'I'm just relieved the British have finally given you formal permission to carry a gun at all times.' He gave a faint smile. 'I suppose we have the Iranians to thank for that.'

'Are you hearing anything?'

Shamron nodded gravely. 'They're convinced we were behind it and they're anxious to return the favor. We know that Hezbollah's top terror planner made a trip to Tehran last week. We also know that a number of operatives have been unusually chatty the last few days. It's only a matter of time before they hit us.'

'Has my name come up?'

'Not yet.'

Gabriel sipped his mineral water and asked Shamron what he was doing in the country.

'A bit of post-Masterpiece housekeeping.'

'Of what sort?'

'The final interservice operational review,' Shamron said disdainfully. 'My personal nightmare. For the past few days, I've been locked in a room at Thames House with two dozen British and American spies who think it is their God-given right to ask me any question they please.'

'It's a new world, Ari.'

'I like the old ways better. They were less complicated. Besides, I've never played well with others.'

'Why didn't Uzi handle the review himself?'

'Uzi is far too busy to deal with something so trivial,' Shamron said sardonically. 'He asked me to take care of it. I suppose it wasn't a complete waste of time. There were some fences that needed mending. Things got a little tense in the ops center on the final night.'

'How did I manage to stay off the invitation list for this little gathering?'

'Graham Seymour felt you deserved a break.'

'How thoughtful.'

'I'm afraid he does have a couple of questions before the case file can be officially closed.'

'What sort of questions?'

'About the art end of the affair.'

'Such as?'

'How did Landesmann know the Rembrandt had resurfaced?'

'Gustaaf van Berkel of the Rembrandt Committee.'

'What was the connection?'

'Who do you think was the committee's main source of funding?'

'Martin Landesmann?'

Gabriel nodded. 'What better way to find a long-lost Rembrandt than to create the most august body of Rembrandt scholars in the world? Van Berkel and his staff knew the location of every known Rembrandt. And when new paintings were discovered, they were automatically brought to Van Berkel and his committee for attribution.'

'How Martin,' said Shamron. 'So when the painting was moved to Glastonbury for cleaning, Martin hired a professional to steal it for him?'

'Correct,' said Gabriel. 'But his thief turned out to have a conscience, something Martin was never burdened with.'

'The Frenchman?'

'I assume so,' said Gabriel. 'But under no circumstances are you to say anything about Maurice Durand to the British.'

'Because you made a deal with him?'

'Actually, it was Eli.'

Shamron gave a dismissive wave of his hand. 'As someone who's devoted your life to preservation of paintings, have you no misgivings about protecting the identity of a man who has stolen billions of dollars' worth of art?'

'If Durand hadn't given that list of names and account numbers to Hannah Weinberg, we would never have been able to break Martin. The list was Martin's undoing.'

'So the end justifies the means?'

'You've made deals with people who are far worse than a professional art thief, Ari. Besides, Maurice Durand might come in handy the next time the Office needs to steal something. If I were Uzi, I'd stick him in my back pocket along with Martin Landesmann.'

'He sends his regards, by the way.'

'Uzi?'

'Landesmann,' said Shamron, clearly enjoying the look of surprise on Gabriel's face. 'He was wondering whether the two of you might meet on neutral territory for a quiet dinner.'

'I'd rather take your place at the interservice operational review. But tell him thanks for the offer.'

'I'm sure he's going to be disappointed. He says he has a great deal of respect for you. Apparently, Martin's become quite philosophical about the entire affair.'

'How long before he tries to dissolve our partnership?'

'Actually, his efforts commenced not long after the explosions at the Iranian plants. Martin believes he's lived up to his end of the deal and would like to be released from any further obligations. What he doesn't quite understand is that our relationship is just beginning. Eventually, the Iranians will try to rebuild those enrichment plants. And we plan to make sure Martin is there to offer them a helping hand.'

'Will the Iranians trust him?'

'We've given them no reason not to. As far as the mullahs are concerned, we tampered with the centrifuges while they were in transit. Which means Martin is going to pay dividends for years, and Uzi will be the primary beneficiary. No matter what happens for the rest of his term, Uzi will go down as one of the greatest directors in Office history. And all because of you.'

Shamron scrutinized Gabriel. 'It doesn't bother you that Uzi is getting all the credit for your work?'

'It wasn't my work, Ari. It was a team effort. Besides, after everything I've done to make Uzi's life miserable, he deserves to have a little glory thrown his way.'

'The glory is yours, Gabriel. It's quite possible you've derailed the Iranian program for years. And in the process you've also managed to restore three remarkable women.'

'Three?'

'Lena, Zoe, and Hendrickje. All in all, not bad for a few months' work.' Shamron paused, then added, 'Which leaves only you.'

Gabriel made no response.

'I suppose this is the part where you tell me you're going to retire again?' Shamron shook his head slowly. 'Maybe for a while. But then another Martin will come along. Or a new terrorist will carry out another massacre of innocents. And you'll be back on the field of battle.'

'You're sure about that, Ari?

'Your mother named you Gabriel for a reason. You're eternal. Just like me.'

Gabriel gazed silently at the purple thrift glowing atop the cliffs in the late-afternoon sun. Shamron seemed to sense that this time it was different. He looked around the terrace of the cafe and smiled reflectively.

'Do you remember the afternoon we came here a long time ago? It was after Tariq killed our ambassador and his wife in Paris.'

'I remember, Ari.'

'There was a girl,' Shamron said after a long pause. 'The one with all the earrings and bracelets. She was like a human wind chime. Do you remember her, Gabriel? She reminded me of—'

Shamron stopped himself. Gabriel seemed not to be listening anymore. He was staring at the cliffs, lost in memory.

'I'm sorry, Gabriel. I didn't mean to—'

'Don't apologize, Ari. I'll carry Leah and Dani with me for the rest of my life.'

'You've given enough, Gabriel. Too much. I suppose it's fitting it should all end here.'