Vail turned back to the Israel Museum’s dome, where the Dead Sea Scrolls — and now the complete Aleppo Codex — were housed. She felt a sense of satisfaction that she had played a role in helping bring these ancient artifacts, these transformative documents — to their rightful resting place, back where they began millennia ago.
“You okay?” DeSantos asked.
“Huh?” Vail turned. “Yeah, fine. Just thinking. Waxing philosophical.”
“I didn’t know you had it in you.”
Vail had to laugh. “I learn something new about myself every day.”
Acknowledgments
I approached this book with trepidation because any time you wade into religion and/or geopolitics there’s potential for someone to get offended. That was not my intention. Any religious commentaries contained within are merely story points that evolved from ideas, discussions with experts, brainstorming “what if” sessions, character motivations, and dramatic potential. I was not attempting to discredit, support, proselytize, or convince. In other words, I was telling a fictitious story. That’s the definition of a novel.
Those of you who have read my previous works know that I strive to construct a compelling tale while keeping true to the facts of the source material. Although I have done that in the The Lost Codex, there are times when I deviate from the truth. One of those times involves the Aleppo Codex’s journey from Syria to Israel, which in reality was much more complex. While there are pieces of information — some verifiable and others based on witness accounts, statements, and court testimony — the current location of those two hundred missing pages remains unknown. A few books tackle the subject but one in particular is a standout read: The Aleppo Codex: A True Story of Obsession, Faith, and the Pursuit of an Ancient Bible, by journalist/author Matti Friedman. Using his skills as an investigative reporter, he peeled back multiple layers of subterfuge and deceit. Regardless, as my editor reminded me, I am writing fiction and my job is to tell the most entertaining story possible. Although I altered the facts of the codex’s journey once it left Syria, everything up to that point regarding its history, relevance, and contents is accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Finally, the issues affecting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians are fluid; public opinion changes frequently, and not everyone believes that the “mind-set” presented in The Lost Codex will prevail. Some believe peace is still possible. What form that takes, and if or when it happens, remains a mystery.
Because of the sensitive nature of some of the information I’ve included in this novel, certain sources wished to remain anonymous. Where possible I referenced the organization or agency, but in other cases I have remained silent.
With that in mind, thanks to the following individuals:
Steve Garrett, US Navy Hospital Corpsman Senior Chief (Diver/Free Fall Parachutist/Fleet Marine Force) — also known as HMCS (DV/FPJ/FMF) (ret.) — for his thorough review of the manuscript and for correcting my Special Operations Forces terminology and procedures, for his knife-related expertise, parachuting and skydiving instruction (I would never send Vail out the back of a C-17 without getting it right!), for details regarding RIBS, IBSs, and Zodiacs, as well as body disposal methods in bodies of water. I did not ask Steve how he knew the latter.
Mark Safarik, Supervisory Special Agent and Senior FBI Profiler with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (ret.) and principal of Forensic Behavioral Services International, for his review of the manuscript, for FBI and law enforcement procedural nuances, and for his assistance with details regarding behavioral analysis and fingerprint forensics.
Mary Ellen O’Toole, Supervisory Special Agent and Senior FBI Profiler with the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit (ret.), and Program Director for the Forensic Science Program at George Mason University’s College of Science, for her information and background on psychopathy, suicide bombers, and sniper attacks, and for reviewing the pertinent excerpts for accuracy.
Tómas Palmer, cryptographer (and technogeek first class), for once again saving the day. My initial email to Tómas carried the subject line, “Vail, Uzi, and DeSantos are in trouble again. Tómas to the rescue.” Tómas helped me understand cloud bouncing (yes, this is real), as well as satellite internet transceivers (also real), BlueJacking (real), RFID chip tags (real), and more. In Tómas’s lingo, he helps me “geekify” my novels and makes it possible for Vail and company to better the baddies.
Derek Maltz, Special Agent in Charge of the Special Operations Division (SOD), Drug Enforcement Administration (ret.), for his background, information, and stories regarding narcoterrorism and the collision — and collusion — of the drug cartels with Islamic terrorists. His framing of the issue helped immeasurably. Also, Paul Knierim, assistant Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Dawn Dearden, Chief of Public Affairs and Joseph Moses, Public Affairs Section Chief, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration.
Mark Spicer, Sergeant Major, British Army (ret.), sniper instructor/trainer, and counterterrorism expert, for his information regarding terrorist threats facing the US, the Hezbollah/Mexican drug cartel connection, law enforcement’s approach to reining in these groups, and his experiences in England and Northern Ireland. Rigo Durazo, Director of Combative Training, Craft International, for his knife-fighting expertise and close quarters combat instruction.
David Weis, rabbi, for background information and religious and philosophical discussions that helped me frame the issues, and for stimulating discussions regarding the Dead Sea Scrolls, The Aleppo Codex, and other ancient texts. His review of the manuscript helped ensure I didn’t make any egregious errors. Any remaining errors are my responsibility — or artistic license.
Theresa Moraga, theologian, for her background information, theories, and discussions on a variety of religion-related topics and for her contacts with professional theologians. All of this was crucial in helping me understand, and construct, the issues triggered by the Jesus Scroll.
Matti Friedman, journalist and author, for his background and insight on the Israel-Palestinian issue, citizens’ on-the-street sentiment, the Middle Eastern mind-set, the two-state construct, the Aleppo Codex, Gaza, and background on Islamic terror groups. Matti’s review of pertinent sections of the manuscript were vital. As noted, I recommend Matti’s nonfiction book, The Aleppo Codex, for a riveting nonfiction account of the codex’s disposition. David Pollock, PhD, Kaufman Fellow, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, for background information regarding Palestinian public opinion, Palestinian public opinion polling, the peace process, and West Bank security concerns in a two-state solution. Avi Isaacharoff, Middle East analyst for The Times of Israel, for background information regarding the two-state solution.
Lawrence Wein, squad detective, NYPD, for help with the New York City chapters and NYPD-related questions.
Mark Waldo, crime scene investigator, Santa Ana Police Department, Forensic Services Section, for his assistance with lifting fingerprints using makeup powder and Gun Bluing techniques.
Christopher Schneider, executive director, agency relations, 5.11 Tactical, and assistant SWAT team leader Anaheim Police Department (ret.), for assistance with the equipment and logistics regarding DeSantos’s Desert Eagle and SWAT/tactical unit terminology.