Annie got off the plane in Jerusalem and had to think back to her last two visits – the most recent one with the devastating news of her heart condition, and the earlier visit when she was still finding her footing in the spy game that had started off so playful and carefree. She missed those days – she half hoped Eyal would meet her at the airport with another witty sign.
She had been wandering around Jerusalem for a couple of days now, unsure of what to do next. When she had hopped on the first plane out of DC she had sort of pictured everything would fall into place when she got here, but of course things were more complicated now that his ex-wife was back in the picture. She would probably not take to kindly to her knocking on his door.
Getting information about his whereabouts from Auggie was no longer an option and she could just about see Joan raise an eyebrow skyward if she approached her – she had long suspected there was more to Annie and Eyal than just a friendship even though there never had been. Eyal's boss Rivka really did not like her so she was out as a source of information as well.
She would have to make up a cover-story and use her spy skills on one of the neighbors. Good thing her Hebrew was still pretty fluent. Half an hour and two cups of tea later she had what she needed – he had left yesterday morning with the duffle-bag that he always took with him when he went sailing. His wife and son had left 2 hours later with 3 big suitcases. Gotta love those nosy neighbors.
Back when they were saying goodbye in Amsterdam in what now feels like another life she had told him "I need to get home. Put down some roots." "For now. Timing is everything Neshama. But one day, you and I will be sitting somewhere, looking at a sunset thinking of nothing at all. Maybe not this boat in Greece, but one day. And then that will be a lovely evening." "I hope so" she had said and it seemed that 'one day' was getting closer.