Part 52 (1/2)
”We know Max can't be Jesus. But Lerner was sure he was Jesus, and look how he reacted. Maybe others think so, too, and they're playing hardball to make the bones disappear.” know Max can't be Jesus. But Lerner was sure he was Jesus, and look how he reacted. Maybe others think so, too, and they're playing hardball to make the bones disappear.”
”Proposition three.” Ryan gave my scenario a different spin. ”A group of Islamic fundamentalists have learned of Max's existence and believe he is Jesus. They want to use the bones to undermine Christian theology.”
”How?”
”Jesus at Masada would shatter the central concept of the resurrection. How better to kick the legs out from under Christianity?”
”And these Muslim fanatics will stop at nothing to get their hands on Max. That works.”
I pictured Sylvain Morissonneau in his office at l'Abbaye Sainte-Marie-des-Neiges. I made a note to contact LaManche to find out if an exhumation and autopsy had been ordered.
”Proposition four.” I offered a hybrid of my proposition two and Ryan's proposition three. ”A group of Islamic fundamentalists have learned of Max's existence and believe he is a Nazarene, perhaps even a member of the Jesus family. They fear both Christians and Jews might embrace this finding, reinterpreting Masada with zealots and early Nazarenes struggling against oppression, side by side. They fear the skeleton might be used to trigger a resurgence of religious ardor in the Judeo-Christian world.”
”And they've vowed to prevent that,” Ryan added. ”That works.”
We took a moment to consider our hypotheses. Fanatic Christians, Jews, or Muslims believing the bones were those of Jesus or one of his family or followers? Each proposition was as frightening as the next.
Ryan broke the silence.
”So who is Kaplan's mystery woman?” he asked. ”And how does she link to Ferris? And how does she link to Max?”
”Excellent questions, Detective.”
”I expect phone records this afternoon.”
Ryan pulled me closer.
”Friedman wants to let Kaplan stew for a day.”
”Stewing can be productive,” I said.
Ryan kissed my cheek.
”I think we're on the right track, Ryan.”
”Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.”
”Will Rogers,” I identified the quote. Another game.
Ryan's hand went to the back of my neck.
”Not much doing on the Sabbath.”
Ryan's lips brushed my ear.
”Day of rest,” I agreed.
”Little we can detect right now.”
”Mm,” I said. I think.
”But I have another excellent question,” Ryan whispered.
I had an excellent answer.
Yes!
In the Toronto airport I'd noticed a book on the tao of s.e.x, health, and longevity. I hadn't purchased it, but at the current rate, I was guessing I'd live to be 180. The deep breathing alone must have bought me a decade and a half.
Following breakfast and an argument concerning my driving solo to Beit Hanina, Ryan headed to police headquarters and I drove solo to Beit Hanina.
Jake was in better spirits than when I'd left him.
”Got something you're going to love,” he said, flapping a paper above his head.
”Beard's recipe for grouse pie.”
Jake dropped his hand. ”Your abrasions look better.”
”Thanks.”
”You have a facial or some kind of treatment?”
”Moisturizer.” I c.o.c.ked my chin at the paper. ”What do you have?”
”A memo from Haas to Yadin containing notes on the Cave 2001 bones.” Jake leaned close and squinted. ”Just moisturizer?”
I squinted back. ”Positively Radiant.”
”No treatment?”
Not one I was going to discuss.
”Let me see the memo.” I held out a hand.
Jake yielded the paper. The notes were handwritten in Hebrew.
”How long have you had this?”
”A couple of years.”
I shot Jake a look.
”It came mixed in with materials I requested on these first-century synagogue ruins I'm digging. Probably because there's a first-century synagogue site on Masada. The thing popped into my mind while I was eating breakfast. I vaguely remembered skimming some memo from Haas. It had nothing to do with the Talpiot site, so I set it aside. I dug back through my files, and there it was. I'd never really read it until this morning.”
”Does Haas mention an isolated articulated skeleton?”