36
Mamoud motioned to one of his men carrying a black duffle bag. “Bring me the Hoshen,” he barked.
The gunman obeyed and hurried over to where his employer stood. He set the bag on top of the sarcophagus and awaited further orders. Mamoud motioned for him to join the others. Once the minion was back in position, Mamoud spun around and unzipped the bag. He stuffed his gun into his belt and reached in with both hands, pulling out the golden breastplate with the twelve stones imbedded in the front. He held it up, admiring it as the shiny metal glimmered in the glow of the artificial light.
“It’s an impressive piece,” he said. His voice reverberated off the walls. “And it will bring about the downfall of the infidels.” He laid it gently on the flat stone and placed the Urim and the Thummim at the top edge of the breastplate.
Sharouf’s eyes flicked back and forth between his targets and his employer while the gun in his hands remained trained on the five huddled by the wall.
Mamoud gazed at the relics as if wondering what to do next.
Sean snorted a laugh. “Don’t know how it works, do you?”
Mamoud’s eyes barely lifted, peering under the lids at the American. “Oh, I know how it works. I was just considering what question to ask first. And now I believe I have one.”
He put his hands out wide with palms up and tilted his head toward the ceiling with eyes closed. “Mighty Allah, show me your will. Will I kill these infidels this day?” He waited for a moment and then looked back down at the relics. The silence crushed him as he waited. But nothing happened.
He raised his hands higher and prayed again. “Great Allah, will I kill these infidels this day for your glory?” His voice boomed through the chamber this time.
Sean could feel the weight of his gun hanging over his shoulder. Every instinct inside him wanted to draw down on the villain and end this right here and now. To do so would get him and the others cut down instantly, though. So he waited and used his sense of humor instead.
“I’m guessing right now is when something is supposed to happen, right?”
Mamoud looked down again. Still, the relics showed no signs of changing. The look on his face switched in seconds to one of terrible concern. His eyes widened in disbelief. “It should have worked. Why is it not working?”
Sean shrugged. “It happens to every guy sooner or later. You know, one in three have trouble performing—”
“Shut up!” Mamoud commanded.
Sean stopped talking but offered a sheepish grin to top off the insult.
“You,” he pointed at Nehem. “What is wrong with this? Why isn’t it answering me?”
Nehem shrugged. He truly didn’t know the answer, but he offered one nonetheless. “Perhaps all the stories about those objects were merely legends, myths created by the priesthood in Israel to keep the people under control. Or maybe it doesn’t work for someone like you, a man of evil intentions.”
Flames roared through Mamoud’s eyes. He looked back down at the objects and picked up the white stone. He examined it closely for several seconds and then threw it on the ground. The piece shattered into hundreds of pieces. His hand went to his gun, and he jerked it out of his belt, pointing it at Sean. Nehem desperately stuck out his hand as if doing so would somehow piece the broken stone back together.
“Very clever, Sean. You swapped out the stones.” He put out his other hand and motioned with his fingers for the American to come forward. “Bring them to me, slowly.”
Sean’s eyes were slits. “Suppose I don’t?”
“I can always just kill you and take them from you.”
“You’re going to kill us anyway. So what’s the difference?”
Mamoud pursed his lips and nodded. “That’s true. But you will have to watch your friends die first. I think I’ll start with the girl.” He steered the barrel to where Adriana was standing defiantly to the right of Tommy and the others. She had the same look on her face that Sean did, the look of a snake waiting to strike when the moment presented itself.
“Okay, take it easy. I’ll give them to you.” He held his hands up slowly, palms facing forward. “I have to reach in my pocket to get them.”
“I know you’re armed. Take out your gun first, set it on the ground, and move away.”
“Just now thinking of that?” Tommy snipped.
“Tommy, relax,” Sean said in a half-joking tone. “Remember, he’s not a professional. I’m guessing Mr. Al Najaar here is new to the kidnapping, hostage-taking, world terror game. Cut him some slack.”
“Shut up!” Mamoud’s voice shook with urgency. “All of you, remove your weapons, and put them on the ground. If anyone tries to be a cowboy, my men and I will kill you where you stand.”
Sean nodded and did as he was told. He pulled his pistol out and laid it on the ground. His companions did the same as Muhammad and Nehem watched out of the corners of their eyes.
“Good,” Mamoud said when he was satisfied they were unarmed. “All of you take two steps toward my men over there.” The group obeyed again, putting themselves several feet away from the guns on the floor.
“Now bring me the stones,” Mamoud beckoned, motioning with his fingers.
Sean kept his hands out and moved cautiously toward the sarcophagus. He stopped at the head of the heavy stone box and waited to see what Mamoud would say next.
“Put them on the lid,” he motioned with a tilt of the head.
Sean bit his lower lip and let out a sigh. He lowered his right hand and shoved it into the pocket where he’d deposited the stones a few minutes before. He felt the smooth, rounded pieces and withdrew his hand once he had both. They had an odd warmth that he’d not noticed before. He stretched out his fist and opened his fingers to set them on the sarcophagus. Everyone’s eyes locked in on the eerie sight as Sean placed the items on the surface. The black stone emanated a strange, purplish glow that lit up the immediate area.
Mamoud’s breath came quick and heavy, but he didn’t falter. “Move away from the stones. Now!” He waved his weapon, motioning for Sean to return to the side. His eyes kept drifting back to the strange objects.
Sean hesitated for a second, also mesmerized by the odd light. “You know,” he said, taking a wary step back, “the black one means the answer to your question was no.”
Mamoud’s nostrils flared. His face twisted in a frown, and his head snapped to the side for a second. “What? What do you mean?”
“You asked if you would kill us today. I’m guessing you figured it was a given. According to those relics, looks like it isn’t.” Sean nodded at the stones as he took another step away.
The young Arab cocked his head to the side. “Oh?” he said and raised the weapon, taking aim at Sean’s head. “I assure you. It is.”
A flicker of light passed across the room as a shadow moved through the floodlights in the antechamber. Mamoud turned his head to see what caused the anomaly, but it was already too late. The sound of a silenced pistol popped through the room, the bullet ripping through the forehead of his gunman on the right-hand side of the doorway. Another weapon fired from a different position, but it had the same result, its round piercing through the right cheek of another gunman. The remaining four henchmen reacted quickly, immediately realizing the danger. They spun around in unison and opened fire, choosing to shoot first and aim second. The mystery attackers landed one more round in the shoulder of a third gunman before retreating to cover on either side of the entrance. Tommy wasn’t sure, but he thought he recognized the silhouettes.