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"Take them out. I repeat, take them out."
The back door of the chopper swung open.
There were three large men in the back security types, Erin figured, probably
working for Medexco and they eagerly helped Bennett and the women scramble
aboard with all of their gear, then quickly closed the door behind them.
"Welcome to Air Jerusalem," Galishnikov said over the intercom as the chopper
began to gain altitude. "It is an honor to have you aboard this morning.
Please buckle your seat belts and make yourselves comfortable. We'll be flying
today at "
A gunshot suddenly shattered the side window. Two more shots ripped into the
fuselage. Natasha was screaming. Blood covered her face.
Another shot shattered the copilot's window, though fortunately there was no
one in that seat.
Bennett instinctively pushed Erin and Natasha to the floor and covered their
bodies with his own.
One of the men near Bennett smashed out one of the back windows with the butt
of a rifle and began returning fire. A moment later, another did as well.
Galishnikov swung the bird around, and they began to climb rapidly. They could
still hear rounds smashing into metal all around them, but before they knew
it, they had cleared the mountain and were racing west-ward, trembling,
wounded, and wondering who had found them and how.
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60
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20 - 8:12 A.M. - MEDITERRANEAN COAST OF ISRAEL
Eventually they landed at Galishnikov's seaside estate in Netanya.
Perhaps someday, thought Bennett, they'd be able to relax on the grounds of
the palatial, five-acre, $19 million compound, with its tennis courts,
swimming pool, and fountains, all overlooking the glistening Mediterranean.
But today, he knew, wasn't going to be that day.
Dmitri's wife, Katya, met them on the landing pad and hurried them inside and
into the spacious living room as Dmitri explained what had just happened. Then
Katya wrapped Erin in blankets, got her tucked in on a couch, and began
treating Natasha's facial lacerations, while Dmitri made coffee and brought in
some rolls and fruit.
"How about you?" Katya asked Bennett when she had finished with the others.
"Are you okay?"
"Just a little rattled," he said, grateful for the hot mug in his cold hands,
"and worried about those two."
"I'd imagine so," she replied. "I just feel sick about what's happening to the
three of you Eli, then Yossi, and now this. It's madness. I don't know how you
three are still functioning."
"Adrenaline," said Bennett.
"Caffeine," said Erin, peeking out from the blankets.
"Revenge, said Natasha.
"
A chill settled over the room, despite the fire now crackling in the
fire-place.
"Yes, well, how can we help?" asked Dmitri. "What do you need now?
"
Bennett looked at Erin, then at Natasha. "A lawyer, for starters," he said.
"I guess so, said Dmitri. "Well, I'm afraid Katya here doesnt practice much
anymore, "
'
but I could make some calls...."
"No, no, said Bennett. "You'd be perfect, Mrs. Galishnikov. Do you still have
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your
"
license?"
"Please, Jonathan," she replied. "We've known each other too long. Call me
Katya.
But yes, I still have a valid law license."
203
"And everything we say from this point forward would be covered by
attorney-client privilege?"
"Of course," she said. "And from what I can tell, you've got an airtight case
for self-
defense."
"Actually, that's not our main concern right now," said Bennett.
"What is?" asked Dmitri.
Again Bennett looked at Erin and Natasha. Both nodded, though each a bit
reluctantly. So he opened his backpack, pulled out the blanket, and set it on
the coffee table in front of them, where he unwrapped it until the scroll he
had found deep inside
Mount Ebal was visible.
The Galishnikovs stared in disbelief.
"
What is it?" asked Dmitri.
"
Bait," Bennett replied.
Mariano slammed down the phone and unleashed.
He threw a plate across the kitchen. When it smashed against the refrigerator,
he began heaving everything on the table across the room plates, glasses,
silverware. Then he flipped the table over and stormed around Miriam Gozal's
house, cursing at the top of his lungs.
Lost them? His team had actually lost the Bennetts and the Barak girl? It was
unbelievable. It was impossible. Now what was he supposed to do? Someone would
pay for this failure.
Bennett laid out the whole story.
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