Page 31 of Covert Past

“I think I’ll get in touch with Sashi too. See how the weather is holding up on Hope Island.” Eli stood.

When it was just her and Boone, she rubbed her neck again, a habit she’d gotten into when stressed.

“Is that injection spot bothering you again?” Boone noticed the tic.

“Sort of.” She lowered her hand. “It’s also a nervous habit.”

“Let me have a look.”

She shook her head. “I’m okay. Really.”

He gathered her hand in his. “I know it's frustrating. We’ll figure it out.”

Ellie tried to hold onto Boone’s confidence, but hers was fading again. “You said Gideon is running as opposition to the current prime minister?”

“That’s right. It was announced a few weeks back.” He searched her face. “You didn’t know.”

“No. I stopped keeping up with things from my homeland. It’s too painful.” She remembered Boone mentioned the Israeli prime minister’s upcoming visit. “Why is Prime Minister Mizrahi coming to the US anyway?”

“There’s a peace summit taking place at Camp David. He’ll bein attendance, and I believe several Arab leaders.”

“Syrian?” She asked on a hunch.

“No. We don’t have diplomatic relations with Syria.”

All the wind went out of her sails. Ellie couldn’t let go of the Israeli prime minister being in the US. Was it a big coincidence?

Gideon would report directly to the prime minister. She told Boone as much.

“There could be a connection.” He typed something into his phone. “Looks like all the dignitaries will be arriving this weekend.”

Declan came back. “If the storm keeps on course, it might graze Hope Island, but they won’t get a direct hit like we will.”

Ellie shivered. “Nothing’s changed on that course?” With everything going on, having to worry about risking their lives in a storm was the last thing they needed.

“Not so far. It’s still some ways out at sea.” Declan checked the laptop. “But it’s moving fast.”

Boone told them what he and Ellie had discussed.

“I agree with you. Finding the connection won’t be easy.”

“Sashi’s going to take Dottie and stay with JT and Rachel,” Eli told them. He cocked his head and listened to the storm. “It’s definitely getting worse out there.”

Ellie couldn’t sit. Too many things were up in the air. “The stew should be ready.” She went over and stirred it. Boone helped her spoon the thick stew into bowls they carried over to the table.

“Thank you,” Declan smiled up at her. “I can’t wait to taste this.”

“It was my grandmother’s favorite meal to serve on the Sabbath.”

Once everyone was served, Boone asked if he could pray for them.

“That would be nice.” Ellie squeezed his hand. He held onto hers while everyone around the table bowed their heads.

“Father, we thank You for your protection getting here, and we ask that You keep us all safe from the storm coming our way and from the danger Ellie is faced with. Give usanswers, Lord. Help us figure out what’s happening so that we can help her. So that she can have a life uninterrupted by danger. Amen.”

Ellie was humbled by his earnest prayer. She’d never had someone pray over her before.

“Thank you,” she whispered with a catch in her voice.

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