picture of Jerusalem, then whistled as he saw the importance of it. Someone had taken a photo, airbrushed out the El Aksa Mosque and Dome of the Rock, and added a computer-generated image of the Temple as it once had looked. He glanced up at Alexana. “I bet this fuels the fire between Jew and Muslim.”
They walked away from the window, past a coffee shop where men sat drinking dark liquid out of exotic-looking, long-necked pots. “That bookstore,” Alexana indicated, “has been firebombed several times and rebuilt. With a holy pilgrimage site on one hand and the passion, the calling, that Jews have to rebuild the temple, how can the two sides not battle?”
Ridge walked beside her, studying her face. “It all pains you, doesn’t it?”
“I feel this is my homeland, despite my dual citizenship with America. This is where my heart is. Even with the peace accord that began between Arafat and Rabin, the upheaval continues. I’ve had a Palestinian friend die in my arms, shot by accident, and I’ve seenJewish children wounded in other street battles. It is an insane, wonderful, passionate place to live.” Her eyes begged him to understand.
Alexana glanced at her watch. “Oh my, it’s almost four. I’ve got to pick up some food for dinner. My brother and a friend are coming over. Sorry, but I must go. I hope these last few days have been helpful.”
“Oh yes. Yes, they have. You’ve been a great guide, but I think I’ve only gotten a glimpse of what I’m seeking.”
“True enough. There will be other days.”
Impulsively Ridge reached out and took her hand. “When?”
She smiled and gently pulled her hand from his. “Call me,” she said evasively. “We’ll find a time. Good-bye.” With that, she walked away. Ridge stared after her for a moment, then forced himself to turn away as well. After glancing back over his shoulder several times, he finally gave up, stopped, and watched until she was out of sight.
C HAPTER S IX
S am and his dark-haired companion walked through the winding streets of Old Jerusalem, down countless stairs worn smooth by centuries of foot travel. The streets were nearly empty as cool darkness enveloped the city, making the damp streets even chillier. They passed the building that once housed the Knights of Saint John, then the towering Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.
Absorbed in conversation, neither paid much attention to the impressive buildings. Initially awkward, they had soon gotten past their shyness and talked nonstop from the airport in Tel Aviv, catching up on their personal and professional lives. Passing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, they entered the Christian quarter of the city, where Alexana lived, and were soon knocking on her door.
“Christina!” Alexana grinned and hugged her old friend from grad school. “It’s so good to see you.” She glanced over the brunette’s shoulder toward her brother, wondering if it troubled him to see his old girlfriend. It had been five years since they had broken off their relationship, but she knew that Sam had had a hard time forgetting the woman. Then he had finally found Lydia—his someone special—but that hadn’t lasted.
Losing love twice must have made his breakup with her even tougher,
Alexana thought for the hundredth time.
“How are
you?
” Christina pulled back to admire the attractive woman she had considered a little sister ever since their days atColumbia. “You look beautiful. And I hear that you’re making waves as a biblical archaeologist—the Temple Mount, no less!”
“Well, we haven’t started yet. And it doesn’t outshine what you’ve been up to. Sam and I have been keeping track of you. We were so worried last summer when we heard over the BBC that you were tangling with Hobard. Suddenly my most scholarly friend is playing Pirates and Treasure Hunter. But wait … we have so much to catch up on! Please, sit down, and Sam will get us something to drink. Dinner will be ready
They walked away from the window, past a coffee shop where men sat drinking dark liquid out of exotic-looking, long-necked pots. “That bookstore,” Alexana indicated, “has been firebombed several times and rebuilt. With a holy pilgrimage site on one hand and the passion, the calling, that Jews have to rebuild the temple, how can the two sides not battle?”
Ridge walked beside her, studying her face. “It all pains you, doesn’t it?”
“I feel this is my homeland, despite my dual citizenship with America. This is where my heart is. Even with the peace accord that began between Arafat and Rabin, the upheaval continues. I’ve had a Palestinian friend die in my arms, shot by accident, and I’ve seenJewish children wounded in other street battles. It is an insane, wonderful, passionate place to live.” Her eyes begged him to understand.
Alexana glanced at her watch. “Oh my, it’s almost four. I’ve got to pick up some food for dinner. My brother and a friend are coming over. Sorry, but I must go. I hope these last few days have been helpful.”
“Oh yes. Yes, they have. You’ve been a great guide, but I think I’ve only gotten a glimpse of what I’m seeking.”
“True enough. There will be other days.”
Impulsively Ridge reached out and took her hand. “When?”
She smiled and gently pulled her hand from his. “Call me,” she said evasively. “We’ll find a time. Good-bye.” With that, she walked away. Ridge stared after her for a moment, then forced himself to turn away as well. After glancing back over his shoulder several times, he finally gave up, stopped, and watched until she was out of sight.
C HAPTER S IX
S am and his dark-haired companion walked through the winding streets of Old Jerusalem, down countless stairs worn smooth by centuries of foot travel. The streets were nearly empty as cool darkness enveloped the city, making the damp streets even chillier. They passed the building that once housed the Knights of Saint John, then the towering Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.
Absorbed in conversation, neither paid much attention to the impressive buildings. Initially awkward, they had soon gotten past their shyness and talked nonstop from the airport in Tel Aviv, catching up on their personal and professional lives. Passing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, they entered the Christian quarter of the city, where Alexana lived, and were soon knocking on her door.
“Christina!” Alexana grinned and hugged her old friend from grad school. “It’s so good to see you.” She glanced over the brunette’s shoulder toward her brother, wondering if it troubled him to see his old girlfriend. It had been five years since they had broken off their relationship, but she knew that Sam had had a hard time forgetting the woman. Then he had finally found Lydia—his someone special—but that hadn’t lasted.
Losing love twice must have made his breakup with her even tougher,
Alexana thought for the hundredth time.
“How are
you?
” Christina pulled back to admire the attractive woman she had considered a little sister ever since their days atColumbia. “You look beautiful. And I hear that you’re making waves as a biblical archaeologist—the Temple Mount, no less!”
“Well, we haven’t started yet. And it doesn’t outshine what you’ve been up to. Sam and I have been keeping track of you. We were so worried last summer when we heard over the BBC that you were tangling with Hobard. Suddenly my most scholarly friend is playing Pirates and Treasure Hunter. But wait … we have so much to catch up on! Please, sit down, and Sam will get us something to drink. Dinner will be ready
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