Background
If John Morgan were a tree, he'd be an oak; others find shelter from his strength. A character firmly rooted, drawing others to his circle of family and friends: under the shadow of the Eden Tree.
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Sean closed his mobile phone and examined his plate at the dining table, while Joshua resumed his seat and placed a box on the table.
"I apologise for my colonel's seemingly curt manner. He's a hardened soldier, Captain Casey," Joshua said, "as you would say, 'a man's man'. He does not bullshit."
Sean picked up a forkful of mashed potato and nodded. He smiled when the sergeant addressed him as "Captain". Chewing mouthfuls of salad and rice, the two talked.
"What's the way forwards, Sergeant?"
"Please call me Joshua. I have some ideas but first we eat. It's an Israeli custom."
"OK. Sure, thanks Sarg...err, Joshua. And you can call me Sean."
"Coffee?"
"Please, black no sugar," Sean said. Joshua waved a waiter over. After a few minutes, the waiter returned with a tray with coffee, cream, sugar, and iced buns. As they sipped, Joshua pushed the box across the table. Sean looked inside at two mobile phones still in their packaging.
"For Joseph and Esther, the niece," Joshua explained. "We're not sure how good these terrorists are. But it's better to have secure comms."
"I think 'gangsters' covers it better than 'terrorists'," Sean said, but he now realised how Mossad were justifying their involvement. The sergeant passed across a document showing a golden seal in the shape of a candlestick with seven bowls.
"This authorisation," Joshua pointed to the document, "is a licence to carry firearms within Israel. I made strong representations to my colonel that you're a trained, experienced and responsible former officer of the UK military." Joshua sat back and looked amused.
Sean coughed at the term "responsible". But he appreciated that his teeth were not being pulled by Mossad and his admiration for the young sergeant grew. He gave a thumbs up.
"I'm assigned with an operational mandate to accompany your group," Joshua said. "I'm allocated resources and a team of four in Tel Aviv, enlisting the support of the local police if needed." Joshua swallowed and hesitated. "Though you outrank me, Sean, Mossad are in command. As far as my government is concerned I'm working with some civilians to locate and rescue a Jewish businessman, and recover an antique housing several scrolls of national significance."
He looked into Sean's eyes. "I know you tried to deceive us about the healing leaves, Captain Casey, and so does my colonel. He is not a man to deceive. We are eager to help, and anxious that the media is kept in the dark. However," Joshua paused, "you must not exclude us from any information that's in your possession. Any further deviation will lead to your group's arrest and deportation."
A tense atmosphere fell upon both men, who finished their iced buns and coffee in silence. Sean wiped his mouth and gave a humbling apology, and assured his new colleague he had a chastened obedient recruit, confirming it with a salute. Both men laughed.
"I'll call John," Sean said. "He'll give us an update."
Walking to the elevator, Sean talked into his mobile. Reaching the ground floor, he collected his weapons and equipment from the reception guards, who smartly saluted. He left the Mossad building in the hire car; Joshua followed in a sleek black 320D 3-series BMW. The vehicles were soon parking at Simeon's house in Me Ragusa street, adjacent to the Ha-Pisga gardens.
