Raisins and almonds - Poisoned Pen Press (UK)

Raisins and Almonds 8
‘Do your students study the Torah?’ she asked artlessly, and
Rabbi Elijah twitched, seemingly just becoming aware to whom
he was talking.
‘Always the Torah, and also the Holy Kabala. Not this…abomination.
I do not know what this is, Miss Er, but I hope that it helps
you. The murderer of my Shimeon should not go unpunished by
the law, though surely God knows and will repay.’
‘I’ll do my best. Is there anything you can tell me which
might help?’
Phryne saw that the old man was about to tell her something.
Words were hovering on his lips. But then he flickered again,
looking at Phryne’s fashionable clothes and her undoubted
gentility, shook his head and decided against it.
‘No.’
‘And your fee, Rabbi?’
‘Feed the widow and orphan, give shelter to the fatherless,’
said the Rabbi, then opened a book and began to read, dismissing
her from his mind entirely.
Mrs. Rabinowitz took her to the door.
‘No trouble, Miss, but I heard you asking about Shimeon. He
was Yossi’s friend, and David Kaplan and his brothers. And…’
her hand crept out, cupped. Phryne produced another note
which joined the first in its secret destination. Mrs. Rabinowitz
breathed, ‘He was mad for Zionism, that’s why the rabbi was
angry with him. Rabbi Elijah says that Israel is meant to be an
exile, and until the coming of the Messiah should have no home.
Oy, he’s calling you.’
Surprised, Phryne turned and looked back through the doorway.
The Rabbi’s face was blank, like an ink sketch which had
been crumpled and thrown away. He said ‘Woman,’ again in a
voice which came from somewhere deep in his chest.
‘He’s having a vision. Go on.’ Mrs. Rabinowitz pushed
Phryne back into the scholar’s room.
‘Beware of the dark tunnel,’ said the Rabbi. ‘Under the
ground,’ he added. ‘There is murder under the ground, death
and weeping; greed caused it.’