Disclaimer: Still don't own anything
Chapter 7
Ziva took gloves and opened the letter. There were Ziva's fingerprints in envelope, but at least there wouldn't be any in letter.
Birth certificate", Ziva said.
Child's name: Talia Rivka Leah Shalit
Date of birth: 14.01.2013
Place of birth: Tel Aviv, Israel
Mother's name: Leah Talia Kasher
Father's name: Aaron Daniel Shalit
"Do you know them?" Gibbs asked.
"Leah was my childhood friend. They moved to Afghanistan when I was 10 and I never saw her again. I do not know Aaron", Ziva answered.
Next Ziva took the letter out of an envelope.
"It is in Hebrew, but I will translate it", Ziva promised.
Ziva read the letter first to herself and her face told that it can't be anything good.
Tel Aviv, Israel 10.10.2012
"Shalom dear Ziva!
I hope you remember me. I know it has been years, but I never forgot you, my friend. I always remember our childhood together. I have carried it in my heart all these years.
If you read this letter, something has happened to me and Aaron. I do not know if you know, what has happened to me later in my life. Ima and abba died and I was forced to return to Israel. I had no other choice but to join the Mossad. I asked about you, but they always said that you are in a mission somewhere. Finally I found out that you had left Israel and Mossad and became American. I am so proud of you!
I met an Israeli man named Aaron. He has refused to join Mossad or the army. He has not touched a gun during his entire life. And I am sure you can imagine what Mossad thought about me falling in love with him. I got pregnant and I was recommended to do an abortion. But I could not do it. We have contacted to all our friends everywhere outside Israel. We are ready to move on and abandon our life in Israel. But I am not sure, if it is going to happen. I am writing this just in case something happens to us.
We do not want our child to grow up in Israel. I am sure you know what the situation is in here. We want our child to have different kind of a life than we had. We want her or him to be able to be free and do hers or his own decisions. We do not want our child to grow up in the middle of the war and fear. We do not want her or him to touch a gun unless it is an only option. And Aaron agrees with me. We are trying to find our way out of here. But we only have three months left before my due date. It does not look good right now.
My pregnancy has gotten smoothly without any problems. We do not know the sex. We want you to raise this child, if we cannot. I trust you, Ziva, with all my heart. I trust that you are going to raise this child so that she or he knows Israeli culture, Hebrew and Judaism. I am sure that you will do everything in your power to keep this child with you.
Shalom my friend,
Leah and Aaron
Letter got everyone quiet.
"There is more", Ziva noticed.
Death certificate
Patients name: Leah Talia Kasher
Date of birth: 18.05.1982
Place of birth: Be'er Sheva, Israel.
Time of death: 14.01.2013
Place of death: Tel Aviv, Israel
Cause of death: complications during childbirth. Strong bleeding started after birth. Uterus was removed, but patient died despite the surgery.
Ziva now had tears in her yes, but she still took last paper from the envelope.
15.01.2013, Tel Aviv, Israel
Dear Ziva,
Like you noticed, the worst has happened. Leah died because of complications during childbirth. But I doubt that is the reason. I did not see any blood in Leah's hospital bed or in her body. There is probably some kind of a crime behind it. At least something what you consider crime.
I managed to take my daughter from the hospital. That is why I am in danger too. I know and accept my fate. I am most likely death by the time you get these certificates and letters.
I gave our daughter to American man and asked him to make sure you get her. I did not put these papers into baby's basket because of the safety issues.
Be happy and safe. Take care and love our daughter,
Aaron
Ziva was crying openly which was unusual, but it showed how much Ziva had changed during her years in America. Abby sat right next to her and placed her arms around Ziva. McGee didn't say a word.
"What now?" Tony asked with a quiet tone.
"Official translation", Gibbs answered. "Then fight with social services and court if it comes to that.
"I'll get a translator", McGee said.
"I'll call social services", Ziva stated.
"And I'll put together everything we have", Tony promised.
Gibbs nodded and left to talk to director.
So, mystery solved… But are things so easy? Read and find out