Joe Fagan 01 The Simeon Scroll by Neil Howarth

Author:Neil Howarth [Howarth, Neil]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B01IM0983Y
Published: 2016-07-15T22:00:00+00:00

46

Haifa port, Israel.

The fishing boat Captain’s name was Rahim. He was a Palestinian with a thick black beard and long curly hair. Ari introduced him as if he was his brother. They made a strange pair, the Muslim and the Jew, the Palestinian and the Israeli. Everything seemed all wrong, but at the same time, it seemed perfectly all right.

Fagan shook the man’s hand. He had a firm, reassuring grip.

“Ari and I understand each other. We have been looking after each other for a long time. Many years ago he saved my young brother’s life.” The Captain’s face broke into a wicked grin. “And I have done the same for him. Do not worry, you and the beautiful lady are safe on my boat.”

Frankie and Ari hugged. “Give my love to Sami and the children. We will see each other soon, in better circumstances.”

Fagan gripped Ari’s hand. “I don’t know where we’d be without your help.”

“Take care of that lady. She is very important to me, and to all my family.”

“Ari, most of the time she looks after me.”

Ari laughed. “She’s been doing that for me for years.”

The fishing boat was a stubby, rusting bucket with a main housing that stood tall from the deck. It had once been white, but the constant thrash of salt water had streaked it with great rusty stains. Fagan and Frankie stood at the rail and gave a last wave to Ari, as the engines juddered into life and the boat pulled away from the dock.

“I noticed Ari didn’t ask any questions about what we had found,” Fagan said.

“Ari knows when I have something to tell, I will.”

“What is that — need to know?”

Frankie shook her head and looked at Ari standing on the dock. “What you do not know, will not hurt you - I hope and pray.”

They made their way below. One of the crew showed them to a cramped cabin. It had a pair of bunk beds, a sink in the corner, a tiny porthole on the far wall, and little else.

“Spending the night with a woman, again,” Frankie said. “You are beginning to make a habit of this.”

“I’ll find somewhere else to sleep.”

Frankie climbed up onto the top bunk. “No worries, you are completely safe,” she said, glancing back over her shoulder. “I am exhausted.” She rolled over and promptly fell asleep.

Fagan watched through the porthole as the lights of Haifa slowly faded, then stood for a moment studying Frankie as she slept. She lay on her back, a soft snore emanating from her slightly open mouth.

There was a battle going on inside him, and he had no idea what the outcome would be.

He stepped out of the cabin and headed up on to the deck. The Mediterranean undulated gently under the faint moonlight as he climbed up to the bridge and slid back the door.

“Good evening.” Rahim was alone at the wheel. “There is coffee in the pot.” He nodded towards a coffee maker that appeared to be built into the infrastructure.

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