Contract with God aka The Moses Expedition

35

The old man got up on a chair and untied one of the knots that held up the sides of the tent. He tied it, untied it, and tied it once more.

‘Sir, you’re doing it again.’

‘Someone’s dead, Jacob. Dead.’

‘Sir, the knot is fine. Please, come down. You have to take this.’ Russell was holding out a small paper cup containing some pills.

‘I’m not going to take them. I need to be alert. I could be next. Do you like this knot?’

‘Yes, Mr Kayn.’

‘It’s called a double eight. It’s a very good knot. My father showed me how to do it.’

‘It’s a perfect knot, sir. Please come down from the chair.’

‘I just want to make sure-’

‘Sir, you’re falling back into obsessive compulsive behaviour.’

‘Don’t use that term on me.’

The old man turned so violently that he lost his balance. Jacob moved to catch Kayn, but he wasn’t quick enough and the old man fell.

‘Are you all right? I’ll call Dr Harel!’

The old man lay crying on the floor, but only a small part of his tears was due to the fall.

‘Someone’s dead, Jacob. Someone’s dead.’