Jehovah

Chapter Four

The entire team was awake and ready to head to the museum by the time Josie came downstairs the next morning. Weapons and equipment were covering the dining room table as they checked their gear. Every team member would be armed from this point forward though they would leave the body armor at the villa while they were in the city. Josie packed some gear in a backpack and scarfed down some cereal before Alexi escorted the team to the Jerusalem Museum where the curator was patiently waiting. He greeted Josie with exuberance.

"Ah, Professor McDowell," he said in heavily-accented English. He kissed both of her cheeks before pulling her into an embrace. "It is so good to see you again. So sorry it had to be under such circumstances.

"Shalom, Dr. Leizel. I completely understand." Josie made sure to make introductions before conversing with the curator in Hebrew. Connor cleared his voice to get Josie's attention. She could see by the look on his face that he was not comfortable with the language barrier.

"I was explaining to Dr. Leizel the importance of your team viewing the video footage from the vault."

"Dr. Leizel, how soon can I see the files and photographs of the artifact?"

"I'm sorry, but the entire museum is closed today to prepare for the gala.

"You have got to be kidding," Connor muttered under his breath, which earned him a scowl from Josie.

"I am aware of the importance, Mr. West, but tonight we are holding an opening gala for a new acquisition from Jordan. Everyone who can help is quite busy preparing for tonight's event, to which you are of course all invited. Professor McDowell, I must insist you attend."

"I did not bring anything appropriate to wear, and we are in a bit of a time crunch."

Dr. Leizel began rambling in Hebrew not looking at any of them, but Alexi smirked here and there. Connor walked up to Josie.

"What is he saying?"

"Short version: That working today is simply not possible, and that if at least you and I do not attend this gala, he is going to be insulted." Josie looked at Connor's uncomprehending face. "We have to go otherwise this working relationship could get dicey. It would be insulting to him if we declined."

Connor looked exasperated but knew there was no way around it. They needed the information the curator was privy to. He was now wondering where he was going to find a suit to wear. Alexi walked over to where they were standing and asked that question.

"Will the entire team be attending?"

Connor turned to look at his team. They all looked like they would rather be drawn and quartered than go to a gala, and he shared their sentiment. Michael stepped forward.

"I'll go, boss. That way you'll have someone to talk to."

"Excellent! A driver will take you three to get proper attire after we leave here, and I will take the rest of the team back to your villa," Alexi said and started to walk towards his drivers, before turning back to Josie.

"Oh, and Jo...", Alexi finished his sentence in Hebrew. Josie smiled and nodded, relieved that he had received her text from this morning.

The afternoon was spent in a rush. Josie, Connor, and Michael were escorted to the garment district of Jerusalem to pick up "black-tie" attire for the museum gala. By seven o'clock that night, all the guys were waiting in the foyer for Josie to come downstairs. Michael and Connor cleaned up well in their black suits. Michael's was very traditional with a white shirt and black necktie. Connor had paired a charcoal shirt and black tie with his suit. The entire team waited to see what Josie would be wearing when there was a knock at the door. John opened it to find Alexi standing there in a black suit with a tall, blonde woman on his arm dressed in a black dress. Another younger man was standing behind them, also in a suit.