Wings of Refuge Read Online Free PDF

tell me your name again?” she said. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t catch it the first time.”
    “That is quite understandable after all that you have been through. I’m Ari Bazak, Dr. Rahov’s associate. I’ll be working on the dig with you.”
    “Bazak? I don’t recall seeing your name on any of the materials Dr. Rahov sent.”
    He took his eyes off the road to glance at her in surprise. “That’s because I joined only a few days ago. The project I was supposed to be involved with fell through for lack of funds. Dr. Rahov allowed me to join her for the summer.”
    “Listen, Dr. Bazak—”
    “Ari. It’s short for Aaron.”
    “I don’t know what you said back there to get me out of that awful room, Ari, but I’m grateful. From the way everyone acted, I was sure I was going straight to jail—do not pass ‘go.’ Do not collect two hundred dollars.”
    “Two hundred dollars?” he said, frowning. “I don’t understand . . .”
    “It’s just an expression from a dumb Monopoly game. I’m exhausted and I’m not making much sense. But whatever you said to the police, thanks for rescuing me.”
    “I merely reminded them that Israel is still a democracy and that unless they had evidence of your involvement or charges to file against you, they had no right to detain you any longer.”
    Abby remembered Agent Shur’s accusations and shuddered. “They acted as if I had something to do with . . . with what happened.”
    “It is their job to be suspicious. Aren’t the police in your country the same?”
    “I don’t know. I’ve never been in trouble with the police before. Not even a speeding ticket. Umm . . . speaking of speed, do people always drive this . . . fast?” The ride resembled the view from the cockpit of an Indy car, wilder than anything she had encountered back home. Ari and all the other drivers were weaving between lanes, honking, swerving abruptly, barely touching the brakes, while dozens of pedestrians wandered heedlessly among them. She gripped the edges of her seat to keep from being flung about.
    “My driving makes you nervous?” he asked.
    “Yes, a bit. And I don’t think my nerves could survive another rush of adrenaline.” He braked and down-shifted, and a chorus of honking horns and angry shouts erupted all around them. Abby sighed. “Never mind. I’ve caused enough trouble for one day.”
    “You’re not in trouble, Abby,” he said as he accelerated again, narrowly missing a tour bus. “There will be no charges filed. They released you, didn’t they? In fact, they cautioned me not to talk about the . . . eh . . . incident . . . unless you want to.”
    “Did they tell you what happened?” She leaned her head against the headrest and looked through the windshield at the cloudless sky, trying to ignore the swerving, racing traffic.
    “Only that you witnessed a shooting and that the victim died. I’m supposed to make certain that you enjoy the rest of your visit to Israel. They don’t want any negative publicity.”
    “I’m sure a lot of tourists would be put off if they thought a secret agent might die in their arms.” Ari gave her an odd look, a mixture of puzzlement and displeasure. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled.
    Abby closed her eyes, hoping to avoid conversation and the harrowing traffic. She had been eager to see Israel, but the combination of heat and fear were making her nauseous. She didn’t open her eyes again until the car stopped a few minutes later and Ari shut off the engine. “Are we at the hotel?” she asked.
    “No. My favorite restaurant.”
    Abby groaned. “Look, I know you mean well, but the last thing in the world I want is food. I need a shower and a bed and—”
    “You don’t really think you’ll be able to sleep, do you?”
    “I’ll take a sleeping pill.”
    “On an empty stomach? Not a good idea.” His long bare legs unfolded grasshopper-like as he climbed out of the car and strode around to open her door. “A bowl of soup and a