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vehicle
albeit one like this on his own. He was on a journey that would lead him
somewhere. By dawn, he could be anywhere: detained, imprisoned, in the desert,
in the air, or in heaven.
CHAPTER TWELVE
IT didn't take Buck long to learn what Michael meant by feathering the
throttle.
Any time Buck clutched to shift, the engine nearly stalled. When he came to a
complete stop, he had to keep his left foot on the clutch, his right heel on
the brake, and feather the throttle with the toes of his right foot.
Along with the title to the dilapidated rig, Michael had included a rough map.
There are four different places where you can cross over from Israel into
Egypt by auto, Michael had told him. The two most direct were at Rafah on the
Gaza Strip.
But these have always been heavily patrolled. You might rather head south
directly out of Jerusalem through Hebron to Beersheba. I would advise
continuing southeast out of Beersheba, though that is slightly out of your
way. About two-thirds of the way between Beersheba and Yeroham is a southern
but mostly western cutoff that takes you through the northern edge of the
Negev. You're less than fifty kilometers from the border there, and when you
come within less than ten kilometers, you can head north and west or continue
due west. I couldn't guess which border would be easier to get through. I
would recommend the southern, because you can then continue to a northwest
route that takes you directly into Al Arish. If you take the northern pass,
you must go back up to the main road between Rafah and Al Arish, which is more
heavily traveled and more carefully watched.
That had been all Buck needed to hear. He would take the southernmost of the
four border crossings and pray he was not stopped until then.
Tsion Ben-Judah stayed on the floor under the seats until Buck had rumbled far
enough south of Jerusalem that they both felt safe. Tsion moved up and
crouched next to Buck. Are you tired? he asked. Would you like me to take
over driving?
You're joking.
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It may be many months before I am able to find humor in anything, Tsion
said.
But you're not serious about sitting behind the wheel of this bus, are you?
What would we do if we were stopped? Trade places?
I was just offering.
I appreciate it, but it's out of the question. I'm fine, well rested. Anyway,
I'm scared to death. That will keep me alert.
Buck downshifted to navigate a curve, and Tsion swung forward from the
momentum. He hung on to the metal pole next to the driver's seat, and he spun
around and smacked into Buck, pushing him to the left.
I told you, Tsion, I'm awake. You need not continually try to rouse me.
He looked at Tsion to see if he had elicited a smile. It appeared Tsion was
trying to be polite. He apologized profusely and slid into the seat behind
Buck, his head low, his chin resting on his hands, which gripped the bar that
separated the driver from the first seat. Tell me when I need to duck.
By the time I know that, you'll likely already be seen.
I do not think I can take riding long on the floorboards, Ben-Judah said.
Let us both just be on the lookout.
It was difficult for Buck to get the old bus to move faster than seventy
kilometers per hour. He feared it would take all night to get to the border.
Maybe that was OK.
The darker and the later the better. As he chugged along, watching the gauges
and trying not to do anything that might draw attention to them, he noticed in
his rearview mirror that Tsion had slumped in the seat and was trying to rest
on his side. Buck thought the rabbi had said something. I beg your pardon?
Buck said.
I am sorry, Cameron. I was praying. Later Buck heard him singing. Later
still, weeping. Well after midnight, Buck checked his map and noted that they
were rolling through Haiheul, a small town just a tick north of Hebron. Will
the tourists be out at this time of night in Hebron? Buck asked.
Tsion leaned forward. No. But still, it is a populated area. I will be
careful.
Cameron, there is something I would like to talk to you about.
Anything.
I want you to know that I am deeply grateful that you have sacrificed your
time and risked your life to come for me.
No friend would do less, Tsion. I've felt a deep bond with you since the day
you first took me to the Wailing Wall. And then we had to flee together after
your television broadcast.
We have been through some incredible experiences, it is true. Tsion said.
That is why I knew if I could merely get Dr. Rosenzweig to point you in the
direction of the witnesses, you would find me. I did not dare let on to him
where I was. Even my driver knew only to take me to Michael and the other
brothers in Jericho. My driver was so distraught at what happened to my family
that he was in tears. We have been together for many years. Michael promised
to keep him informed, but I would like to call him myself. Perhaps I can use
your secure phone once we have passed the border.
Buck didn't know what to say. He had more confidence than Michael that Tsion
could take yet more bad news, but why did he have to be the one to bear it?
The intuitive rabbi seemed to immediately suspect Buck was hiding something.
What?
he asked. Do you think it is too late to call him?
It is very late, Buck said.
But if the situation were reversed, I would be overjoyed to hear from him at
any time of the day or night.
I'm sure he felt feels the same, Buck said lamely.
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Buck peeked into the rearview mirror. Tsion stared at him, a look of
realization coming over him. Maybe I should call him now, he suggested. May
I use your phone?
Tsion, you are always welcome to whatever I have. You know that. I would not
phone him now, no.
When Tsion responded, Buck knew that he knew. His voice was flat, full of the
pain that would plague him the rest of his days. Cameron, his name was Jaime.
He had been with me since I started teaching at the university. He was not an
educated man;
however, he was wise in the ways of the world. We talked much about my
findings.
He and my wife were the only ones besides my student assistants who knew what
I
was going to say on the television broadcast. He was close, Cameron. So close.
But he is no longer with us, is he?
Buck thought about merely shaking his head, but he could not do that. He
busied himself looking for road signs for Hebron, but the rabbi, of course,
would not let it go.
Cameron, we are too close and have gone through too much for you to hold out
on me now. Clearly you have been told the disposition of Jaime. You must
understand that the toll the bad news has taken on me can be made neither
worse by hearing more, nor better by hearing less. We believers in Christ, of
all people, must never fear any truth, hard as it may be.
Jaime is dead, Buck said.
Tsion hung his head. He heard me preach so many times. He knew the gospel.
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