“So Maria, did you have any success with Professor Aguirre from the university in deciphering the parchment you and Samuel discovered?” Eli asked, sipping his espresso.
“Yes, Dr. Turner, he was still working on it after we left for our meeting here, and promised to email the results to me when he was finished. That’s why I brought the laptop. They have Wi-Fi at this restaurant.”
“Well, if anything, I feel we should commence work on protecting the Guanche artifacts immediately to keep the site safe from looters, no matter what the results are from the translation,” Carlos said stroking his goatee. “The equipment, tents, and manpower can easily be transferred from the pyramid site within a day’s time.”
“What about the permits, Carlos?” Turner asked, knowing the excessive waiting periods for archeology permits.
“That won’t be a problem, Josh. I have already received a verbal from the assistant to Tenerife Administrator Fuentes to commence work. He was hesitant when I told him the location of the find, and he kept repeating something about staying clear of the Japanese research facility nearby.”
“So, the neighbors aren’t friendly I take it?” Turner asked.
“Not friendly at all, Josh,” Carlos said flatly.
“This will be much more exciting than our current project,” Maria said as she opened her laptop.
As the waiter cleared away the last vestiges of dinnerware from the table, she started the computer and opened her email program.
“Great! It looks like Professor Aguirre came through with something,” Maria said excitedly as the download began. Upon completing the download, she opened the document, and proceeded to read with all eyes at the table fixed on her. After a minute, they saw her eyes widen in surprise.
“Oh my God,” she whispered, and then promptly turned the laptop to face Turner, who read aloud the two emails sent by Professor Aguirre.
‘“Maria,
Attached below is the best translation I could procure for you in such a short period of time. This comes from Dr. Rabib of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem to whom I sent an enhanced facsimile of the parchment. Had I known the subject matter of what this document consisted of, I would have been more prudent and not have sent it at all.
If this discovery is valid, it could be a major find, but I fear word will get out quickly due to my carelessness in letting others read the translation. For that, I deeply apologize. Do not delay in getting the site secure as soon as possible, for I fear looting will be imminent. Contact me if I can be of any further assistance. Good luck, and give my regards to your father.
Alberto Aguirre.”’
Turner looked up at Maria with a quizzical look, and then continued reading.
‘“Dr. Hiram Rabib
To: Professor Aguirre
My Dear Dr. Aguirre,
Please find below the best translation I could make of your facsimile with my staff. Many parts of the document are missing, or illegible, but if this is not a hoax, it is an astounding find. Translation as follows:
Peace be unto you my Brethren in Thera.
…send to you my brother Simon, a disciple of our Lord. Safeguard the Cup of the slain Lamb, and His testament.
…Aide him in protecting the Master’s.…
Safe passage to.…
Joseph of Ramleh.”’
“Interesting stuff,” said Samuel, fighting a yawn, “but who in the world is Joseph of Ramleh?”
“If I recall correctly, Ramleh was a town in ancient Judea, but studies now show that the ancient maps of the first century don’t show what it is called today,” Maria stated as she turned the laptop back to face her.
“It’s called…Arimathea.” Turner whispered staring at the candle left burning on the table, “Joseph of Arimathea.”
The table fell silent for what seemed like minutes until Maria broke the spell.
“We must start work right away. The word will be out quickly, and I dare not think what would happen if looters get there before we do,” she said shutting down the computer and closing the lid.
“Do you really think it is possible after centuries of wondering and speculation that we may have stumbled on, by accident, a clue to the whereabouts of the Holy Grail?” Eli asked.
“Many hypotheses have been put out about its whereabouts or who had possession of it, or even if it actually existed at all. But if the carbon dating comes back close to the first century, we may have finally come very close to finding an important clue,” Maria said excitedly. “Imagine, even the remote possibility of verifying the existence of the cup that Jesus Christ reportedly shared with his disciples during the last supper. What a historical discovery that would be!”
“Even if it did exist, Maria, which I truly doubt, what a firestorm it would create,” Turner said. “Could you imagine the debate as to its authenticity? A theological war of words would rage for years between believers and non-believers.”
“That is not up to us to decide, Josh,” Carlos said rising from his chair. “It’s our duty to bring artifacts to light, no matter what the controversy. I’ll make a few calls and start the transfer of manpower and equipment to the site right away, then see about arranging for some type of security. I would suggest all of you begin packing your field gear, and start as soon as possible.”
“Maria and I can be ready to head up tomorrow,” Eli said.
“Same here,” Turner added.
“Sorry, Josh,” his father said. “I would like you to take the permit applications to the Canary Islands Administrator’s Office in Las Palmas on Grand Canaria Island right away, if you wouldn’t mind.”
“Great, Dad. I’m starting to feel more like an errand boy than an archaeologist,” Turner replied in protest. “Alright, I’ll leave first thing in the morning and will hopefully be back in a few days; that’s if I don’t get hung up with the red tape. Last time it took me almost five days to get the permits in order. I’ll take Samuel with me. That way he won’t break anything when you start on the new site.”
“I guess that means my days off are canceled,” Samuel moaned in mock protest. “The things I do for you guys; I‘m so unappreciated.”
“One more thing, Eli,” Carlos said in a serious tone to the elder Turner as they proceeded out of the restaurant and into the cool night air. “Do me a favor and stay clear of the Japanese satellite facility that Fuentes’ assistant spoke of. There are rumors going around that some of the island people who have gone there have disappeared.”
“Do you actually believe that, Carlos?” Eli asked, as Paulo headed off to get the Land Rover.
“Not really, but you never know about rumors. And one can’t be too careful,” the professor responded. “Just be careful, okay?”
“You worry too much, Carlos,” Turner said as he, Maria and Samuel followed the two professors toward their vehicles. “What could someone want to hide on an old, dried up volcano?”
3
Four days after the discovery on Tenerife, a lone American strolled down Tokyo’s bustling Ginza entertainment district. The streets were ablaze with the city’s bright neon lights, and throngs of people out enjoying the Tokyo nightlife. They paid little attention to the pale, slightly balding, five foot seven inch American as he made his way through the crowds, holding on to his briefcase with a vise-like grip.
If these people only knew what was in my possession, Robert Pencor thought with arrogant amusement as he rounded the corner, then walked up Yomati Street toward the Masari Club.
The Masari was a two-story private club catering to the more affluent residents of Japan. It offered food, drinks, card playing, and, the national craze, Pachinko; a slot machine basically set on end, but a mere third the size, which dropped tiny chrome balls down a vertical maze to the bottom.