Debra watched her father as he began to question David searchingly on
his reasons, or lack of them, for coming to Israel, and on his future
plans.
She knew precisely how the Brig's mind was working, for she had
anticipated it. Her reasons for inviting David to dinner and for
exposing him to the Brig were devious and calculated.
She switched her attention back to David, feeling the tense warm
sensation in the pit of her stomach and the electric prickle of the skin
upon her forearms as she looked at him.
Yes, you big cocky stallion, she thought comfortably, you aren't going
to find it so easy to escape again. This time I'm playing for keeps,
and I've got the Brig on to you also. She lifted her goblet to him,
smiling sweetly at him over the rim, You're going to get exactly what
you are after, but. in trumps and with bells on, she threatened
silently, and aloud she said, Lechaim! To life! and David echoed the
toast.
This time I'm not going to be put off so easily, he promised himself
firmly as he watched the candlelight explode in tiny golden sparks in
her eyes. I'm going to have you, my raven-haired beauty, no matter how
long it takes or what it Costs.
The telephone beside his bed woke David in the dawn, and the Brig's
voice was crisp and alert, as though he had already completed a day's
work.
If you have no urgent plans for today, I'm taking you to see something,
he said.
Of course, sir. David was taken off balance.
I will fetch you from your hotel in forty-five minutes, that will give
you time for breakfast. Please wait for me in the lobby. The Brig
drove a small nondescript compact with civilian plates, and he drove it
fast and efficiently. David was impressed with his reaction time and
coordination - after all the Brig must be well into his fifties, and
David allowed himself to contemplate such immense age with awe.
They took the main highway west towards Tel Aviv, and the Brig broke a
long silence.
I spoke with your old C. O. last night. He was surprised to hear
where you were. He tells me that you were offered promotion to staff
rank before you left -'It was a bribe, said David, and the Brig nodded
and began to talk. David listened to him quietly while he watched with
pleasure the quickly changing landscape as they came down out of the
hills and turned southwards through the low rolling plains towards
Beersheba and the desert.
I am taking you to an airforce base, and I might add that I am flouting
all sorts of security regulations to do so. Rastus assured me that you
can fly, and I want to see if he was telling me the truth David looked
at him quickly.
We are going to fly? 'and he felt a deep and pleasurable excitement
when the Brig nodded.
We are at war here, so you will be flying a combat sortie, and breaking
just about every regulation in the book. But you'll find we don't go by
the book very much. He went on quietly, explaining his own particular
