The man spoke again. “It was love at first sight for both of us.”
As he came down the steps, Zane immediately recognized Roger Lawson’s features. He was a handsome man in his early forties with a high forehead and dark hair combed back with copious amounts of gel. He clutched a pipe in his right hand, something Zane had seen in most of the Australian’s online photographs.
When the two arrived at the table, Zane shifted his gaze to the child.
His eyes widened in surprise. It wasn’t a child at all.
The person Zane had thought was a small child was actually a mature woman. She was certainly an attractive woman, with wavy blond hair and soft facial features that made her look younger than she probably was.
“Jerusalem was a bit crowded for us,” Lawson continued, “so we figured the surrounding hills were a perfect substitute.”
Carmen rose and extended a hand. “I don’t think any of us would argue with your choice.”
Zane noticed Lawson leaned down and draped an arm across the woman’s shoulder, suggesting she was his wife. But if so, then who was the woman inside?
“I’m Roger Lawson.” He shook Carmen’s hand. “And this is my wife, Camilla.”
Amanda addressed Lawson. “A pleasure to meet you. I must say I was impressed with some of your pieces inside. Egyptian?”
“Brilliant,” Roger said. “You must be the archaeologist. The statues are a part of my Heracleion collection.”
“I’d narrowed it to Heracleion or Alexandria.”
Roger turned to the others. “My apologies. Heracleion — or Thonis-Heracleion to some — was a prosperous port city on the coast of ancient Egypt. It was built around a series of majestic temples and canals. Unfortunately, it sank into the ocean about two thousand years ago and has been shrouded in mystery ever since.”
“Dear, that’s enough.” Camilla nudged her husband’s leg. “They aren’t here for a history lesson.”
“No, that’s fine,” Zane said. “I’m not a historian, but I find it fascinating.”
“Just don’t talk to him about the Old Testament,” Amanda joked.
“Please.” Roger gestured toward the chairs.
As everyone settled into their seats, Eitan returned with five bottles of San Pellegrino. He set them gently on the table then retreated to the house.
“I was shocked at the news from the Vatican.” Lawson removed a pouch of tobacco and filled his pipe. “I still find it hard to believe my friend is dead.”
“Roger and Luca were like brothers,” Camilla said.
“My condolences,” Zane said. “I heard nothing but good things about him.”
Roger lit his pipe and took a few puffs before speaking. “There aren’t many people I trust in this business,” he said around the stem. “Luca was someone I’d trust with my life. He often asked for my help, and I was happy to oblige.” After a brief pause, he looked at Zane. “Do they know who did it?”
Zane shook his head. “As of this morning, they have very few leads. To be perfectly honest, it’s one reason we’re here.”
“I see,” Roger said.
Carmen leaned forward in her seat. “We want to thank you for agreeing to meet with us on such short notice. I hope we haven’t inconvenienced you.”
Roger and Camilla exchanged a brief glance. “You actually caught us at a good time. I’m in between projects.” He gestured toward the pool with his pipe. “As you can see, I’m a very blessed man, and I don’t take that for granted. When I came into all this wealth, I made a pact with myself… the more my material things grew, the more I would try to help my fellow man. Besides, you’re here investigating a mystery, so how could I refuse?” He beamed.
Camilla laughed. “Roger is like a little boy when it comes to these sorts of things. He’s been talking about your visit all day.” She reached over and placed a playful hand on his leg.
“It’s certainly a mystery,” Carmen said. “And it’s one that has a lot of pieces. In fact, I don’t even know where to begin.”
“Why don’t we start at the beginning?” Roger sank back in his seat, puffing on his pipe.
“Do you know Dr. Richard Pauling?” she asked.
“I’ve run into him at a few digs,” he said through a cloud of smoke, “but I don’t know him well. Someone told me he’s gone missing.”
“He did. Unfortunately, he’s presumed dead.”
“My heavens.” Roger removed the pipe from his mouth. “What on earth is happening? Surely this isn’t all related?”
“We believe it is.” Carmen looked at Zane. “Why don’t you take it from here?”
For the next half hour, Zane told the story from beginning to end. He divulged everything he knew about the map, the relic, and the shadowy group that seemed to be after both. He’d previously thought about withholding a few pieces of the puzzle but decided full disclosure was the right path. Lawson might be able to provide some crucial answers, and he couldn’t do that unless he had all pertinent information. There was a risk in putting all your cards on the table, but that was the only way to make progress.
When Zane finished, Roger puffed his pipe in silence, digesting all he’d heard.
Carmen said, “You indicated you had a good relationship with Father Cortesi. Did you ever discuss the stolen relic with him?”
“I haven’t spoken to Luca in months, and your description doesn’t sound familiar. Do you have a picture of it?”
“Yes, I have an image.” Amanda was already pulling it up on her smartphone.
“What are your thoughts?” Roger asked.
Amanda spoke as she searched through her files. “I’ve examined it for hours. Not only do I not recognize it, but I’ve never really seen anything like it before. My latest theory is that it might be some sort of ceremonial object.”
“That doesn’t sound like something anyone would kill for.”
“We agree,” Zane said.
“Here, have a look.” Amanda passed him the phone.
When Roger looked at the screen, his eyes widened. He stared at it silently for several minutes then enlarged the image and held the phone close to his face. Finally, he looked at Amanda. “You’re sure this is what was taken from the Vatican?”
She nodded.
Roger passed the phone to his wife.
“You recognize it?” Zane asked.
“When I first looked at the photograph, I immediately recognized the shape,” Lawson said. “I’d seen it before but couldn’t remember where or when. Then it hit me. I went to dinner with another collector several years ago, and he told me about rumors of a strange relic that had come on the market. Supposedly, it had been stolen from the American government, or at least it was held by the Americans at some point.”
“The U.S. government?” Zane asked.
Roger took the phone back from his wife and looked at the image again. “It was held at the National Museum of Iraq and was given to the Americans when they entered Baghdad in 1993.”
“It’s a well-known fact the museum curators turned over a lot of artifacts because they feared they might be taken by looters,” Amanda said. “As best I remember, it was done by mutual consent.”
“That’s correct. I’m not saying the Americans were at fault. In fact, it may have passed to them for safekeeping.” Roger took a few more puffs before continuing. “In any event, my dinner companion didn’t have a photograph, but he drew me a picture on a napkin. I think I may still have it in my office.”
“So you never saw the relic itself?” Carmen asked.
“Never. The rumors faded, so I assumed it was either a hoax, or someone had purchased it.”
Amanda sat forward in her chair. “So what is it?”
Roger set his pipe on the table and chuckled. “That’s the interesting part. It’s a key.”