"I won't ask how long it's been, because the answer would make me feel very old. But I hear you are now a duke! Has it gone to your head, Harry?"
Harry Pearce embraced his old friend, Levi Cohen and laughed, rolling his eyes. "I'm a knight, Levi. And on the day I became one, so did an eighty-year-old disc jockey and a champion shot-putter, so I don't dine out on it, no."
And that was the truth. It was bloody pointless, being a knight of the realm. The people who cared about it were people Harry didn't care to impress, really. Though he did suppose it came with some perks. What they were, he wasn't quite sure.
For now, he just changed the subject. "What about you?" he asked. "Are you hopeful?"
"That's not a term that's useful in what I do," Levi responded. "Although, with Lighthouse on board, I can't help it, Harry. We could really move on this time." No matter what he wanted to call it, the hope was very apparent. Though hope was so deeply ingrained in the Israeli identity. They'd used it as their national anthem.
Harry gave a satisfied nod at Levi's optimism. "I'm delighted to hear you say that." But not all was filled with bright feeling, and they both knew it. And Harry never really liked beating around the bush with things. "And how's Anna? How's she?" he asked.
Levi's expression went grave. "She still hasn't forgiven me, if that's what you mean. But she's excited about these talks." The optimism returned. "She may hate her father, but she loves Israel."
An understanding hum fell from Harry's lips. Despite the conversation he and Ruth had about the subject, Harry could not help but think that, in this one regard, his daughter was not unlike Levi's. If Harry had made the same choice that Levi did, Catherine never would have forgiven him either.
"Now," Levi said, patting Harry's arm, "if you pretend you're still on Tel Aviv time, like me, we can have a whiskey."
The men laughed and embraced again. Oh it was nice to see an old friend. And Harry certainly would like a whiskey. That was nearly always the case for Harry. He decided it wasn't really necessary to point out to Levi that Tel Aviv was only two hours ahead of London. It was still mid-morning for Levi.
They went down to the hotel bar which, given that it was a five-star London hotel, was always open. The room was dark and comforting, the kind of place two old men like Harry Pearce and Levi Cohen would sit and reminisce together.
And reminisce they did. They talked about their old days together, the things they'd seen and done, the people they'd known who were still around and those they'd lost. That talk of days gone by lasted for the first round.
Harry's phone rang just as Levi ordered another drink for them both. He stepped away to answer. "Lucas."
"Harry, the journo's playing ball. Ruth got her on side. We're going to work on her source. How's Levi?"
"I'm with him now," he answered.
It didn't escape him that Lucas felt the need to specifically mention that it was Ruth who had gotten the job done. People seemed to do that now, tell him when it was Ruth who did something. As though their personal relationship necessitated him being told these extra details. As though he somehow needed to know she'd done a good job. As though he possibly could ever need another reason to be proud of her.
But Lucas had asked about Levi, and that was what was important for now. "He's old beyond his years," he said. "The business he's in does that to you. But he's excited, too. He feels with Lighthouse coming, there's really some hope this time."
There was that word again, flitting into Harry's mind. Hope. It all seemed to revolve around hope.
"We cannot compromise on security," Harry went on to Lucas. "But we must give these talks every chance."
"Understood," Lucas replied.
With that, both of them hung up, and Harry rejoined Levi.
"Problems?"
Harry just looked at him, a hint of a smile on his face, and sat back down.
"Ah. You wouldn't tell me if there were. I think you are the only person I know hose silence is truly reassuring."
"I get tongue-tied," Harry quipped.
Levi just gave a sad sort of smile in return.
"You know, for a seasoned negotiator, Levi, your mind is remarkably easy to read." And that was true. It was etched in his every feature, the pain and guilt that still plagued him about Anna. Maybe Harry recognized in Levi Cohen a fellow failed father. Harry knew about that better than most. "One day she'll realize that you did what was right. At the time," he told him.
"And the one time she needed my support…" Levi trailed off sadly.
Harry watched him, unsure how to comfort or reassure his old friend any more than he'd already attempted.
But Levi Cohen was made of tougher stuff. With a small sigh, he forced himself back into better humor. "That is the past," he said. "We have talked so much of the past already. No more. We focus on the future now. Tell me, Harry, what does your future hold?"
And that caused Harry a very genuine smile. "I'm not often one to look forward to the future, but I am now," Harry said. "Believe it or not, I'm engaged to be married."
"You!?" Levi laughed in disbelief.
"Yes, me," Harry replied. "A leopard can change his spots. For the right woman."
"I can hardly believe such a thing! She must be quite special, this woman. Tell me about her. What is her name?"
Levi's excitement was infectious. Harry took another sip of his drink to keep from breaking out into a beaming grin. He said, "Her name is Ruth. We've had a bit of a tricky path, but I asked her to marry me, and she said yes. I thought I'd imagined it, actually. Never thought she'd say yes."
"Well, if she agreed to marry you…" Levi teased.
Harry laughed, "Exactly."
"She is beautiful?"
"She is. Though not my…usual type," Harry warned.
"And what does that mean?"
Harry wasn't entirely certain how to answer that. In the past—as Levi did know—Harry had gone for glamorous, charismatic women with a hint of danger about them. Juliet, Elena, Tessa, and all the others. Jane hadn't been like that, but Harry had been so young when he'd met and fallen in love with her. He'd not really come into his own yet. But Levi knew of Harry's past conquests. It was Levi Cohen, in fact, who had once told Harry, "You're like James Bond with your women. But instead of a damsel to rescue, you like a challenge to conquer." At the time, that had not been an incorrect statement.
And now Ruth was nothing like that. Oh she was a challenge alright, but not in the same sense. She hadn't been playing hard to get. She hadn't been playing any sort of game. Ruth didn't possess the cunning or cruelty for that. No, Ruth had just been terrified. Still was, sometimes. Harry hoped she'd overcome most of that by now.
"Ruth is different," he finally said. "She's brilliant. Most brilliant person I've ever known. Clever and pretty and wholly unassuming. She's gentle but so very strong. We sort of fell together, I think, thanks to all the horrors we've shared. And she's come out the other side even stronger."
"So she is one of your officers," Levi surmised.
"An analyst. My senior analyst now. Knows all about you, of course. She said she'd like to meet you."
"And I should like to meet her! This brilliant woman who has won your heart."
Harry chuckled lightly at that, taking another sip of his drink. "We'll have to find time to all have a drink before you leave London."
"I shall be back for the wedding, I hope," Levi added.
"It would be an honor to have you there, my friend," Harry told him. And so it would. Harry had told Ruth already, and it was true, that Levi Cohen was one of the few people in this world who had the unique combination of being someone Harry admired, someone he liked, and someone who was still alive.
Levi reached out to place a friendly hand on Harry's arm. "You are happy, Harry?"
"Finding happiness with Ruth has not been without its challenges, but yes, I am happy," Harry answered sincerely.
"I am glad to hear it. Hold on to her if she is precious to you."
Harry hummed in agreement and finished his drink. After all, they'd spent enough time on personal pleasantries. Soon it would be time to get to work.