Page 93 of The Order

“Shall I run them over?” asked Mikhail.

“Why not?”

Mikhail lowered the two windows on the passenger side of the car and put his foot to the floor. The two security men retreated to the shelter of the guardhouse. One waved cordially as the cars passed.

“It looks as though your ruse worked, Allon. They’re supposed to stop every car.”

Mikhail raised the windows. To their left, across a snow-covered meadow, an Airbus executive helicopter stood on its pad with the sadness of an abandoned toy. Wolf’s chalet appeared amoment later. A single figure stood in the drive. His black ski jacket was identical to the ones worn by the men at the checkpoint. His hands were empty.

“That’s Weber,” said Estermann. “He’s got a nine-millimeter under his jacket.”

“Is he right-handed or left?”

“What difference does it make?”

“It might determine whether he’s still alive thirty seconds from now.”

Estermann frowned. “I believe he’s right-handed.”

Mikhail braked to a halt and climbed out with the Uzi Pro in his hand. Behind them, Yaakov and Oded, both armed with Jericho pistols, leapt from the second car.

Gabriel waited until Weber had been relieved of his weapon before joining them. Calmly, he approached the German security man and addressed him in the Berlin accent of his mother.

“Herr Wolf was supposed to be waiting for us. It is urgent we leave for the airport at once.”

“Herr Wolf asked me to show you inside.”

“Where is he?”

“Upstairs,” said Weber. “In the great hall.”

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Obersalzberg, Bavaria

The staircase waswide and straight and covered by a bright red carpet. Weber led the way, hands in the air, Mikhail’s Uzi Pro pointed at the small of his back. Gabriel was flanked by Eli Lavon and Estermann. The German appeared decidedly uneasy.

“Something bothering you, Estermann?”

“You’ll see in a minute.”

“Maybe you should tell me now. I’m not crazy about surprises.”

“Herr Wolf usually doesn’t entertain visitors in the great hall.”

At the top of the stairs, Weber turned to the left and led them into an anteroom. He stopped outside a pair of ornate double doors. “This is as far as I’m allowed to go. Herr Wolf is waiting inside.”

“Who else is in there?” asked Gabriel.

“Only Herr Wolf.”

Gabriel leveled the Beretta at Weber’s head. “You’re sure about that?”

Weber nodded.

Gabriel aimed the Beretta toward one of the armchairs. “Have a seat.”

“It’s not permitted.”