The Chase: One Courageous Skipper Battling The Perilous Evil Out To Destroy Him. (Sea Action & Adventure) (17 page)

EPILOG

There was a surprising phone call on his cellular. Someone identifying himself as Lieutenant Colonel Eli of the Israeli Navy had invited Avri to join an interesting event at Haifa Port that coming Tuesday. Avri's inquiry about the nature of the occasion was answered by a short chuckle, "I can assure you it will be most interesting. You wouldn't want to miss it".

So there he was. The guard at the gate checked Avri's ID against his list and waved him in. The massive barrier cleared the entrance and he drove in along the Haifa Port docks.

The security procedure repeated itself at the Navy gate. Avri was directed to the far pier at the South end of the harbor.

There was a small gathering on the dock, both uniformed and civilians, talking quietly in small groups. Avri scanned group for a familiar face, just as Danny came up from the left. He extended his arms toward Avri with a broad smile.

"What's that happy smile, Danny. Last time we met you screwed me up good. I needed your help and you left me with that Russian hardware and a goddamned submarine chasing me all over the islands. Some help you were".

Danny hugged his shoulders and turned him to the right. A woman stepped out of the crowd and toward them.

It was Sophia.

"I'll be damned. And what the hell are you doing here?" Avri asked, and then he added, "And who are you anyhow?"

Sophia hugged him heartily and whispered in his ear "welcome", in Hebrew. "Yes, Avri, I am not Italian. Sorry I had to deceive you, it is my job. I am with the Mossad, and so is Danny".

Avri regained his posture and smiled at both of them, "You sure got me fooled, both of you. Sure got me fooled. And what are we doing here anyway. And what's with all these people?"

"Let's see," Danny said. "It must be somewhere in the water, here".

He guided them to the end of the pier right at the waterline. In a few minutes a gray shadow approached from underneath the sea.

It grew bigger as it emerged from the water. The tower of the Slavianka slowly arose into the gleaming sunlight. Avri stood there speechless. He couldn't believe his eyes.

"You stole the submarine. You actually stole a Russian submarine! This is unbelievable. Stealing a submarine. You brought it to Israel. Wow, how incredible!"

There were speeches and handshakes and hugs and kisses while Avri questioned the events, putting things in order: where did it start, when did these guys decide to take over the Russian craft and what was his role in all that?

And then, when he figured it didn't matter anymore, he turned to Sophia and asked with a smile, "Would you have dinner with me? Please". 

The end