Summary

In Chapter 39, the narrative flashes back to Litvak’s initial planning and orchestration of the religious ritual. Litvak knew that he would need Heskel Shpilman’s influence on his side, so he tried to convince Shpilman of the merits of the plan. Heskel dismissed it, saying it was foolhardy, but then Litvak explained that it would help to win back Heskel’s son to him, as Mendel was potentially the messiah and would thus be part of the ritual. Heskel then assented to help with the ritual. In Chapter 40, Landsman and Berko break in to Litvak’s study in the Blackpool Hotel to arrest Litvak, but Litvak is smuggled out by federal agents. In Chapter 41, a federal agent called Cashdollar explains to Landsman that the government has helped orchestrate the religious ritual because they believe the arrival of the Jewish messiah will also...