The Second Messiah

Cassini’s eyebrows arched higher. “The Vatican security service is looking into the shooting. So that’s what it was about.”

Weiss tapped the photograph with the tip of his finger. “We identified the one on the left as Nidal Malik. A brother of Hassan Malik. Does that last name ring a bell?”

“Should it?”

“Hassan Malik’s an Arab—of Bedouin extraction to be precise. He’s an international businessman. His full surname is Al-Malik but the family is known by the shortened version. He owns a villa near Rome.”

“Why do I get the feeling there’s more?”

“Israeli authorities investigated Malik on suspicion of being involved in illegal digs at historical sites. There were rumors he had smuggled precious artifacts out of the country and sold them to black-market dealers in Lebanon and Syria. Whatever the truth, he became a rich man.”

“Go on.”

“Other rumors suggest he helps the Palestinian cause with generous gifts of money. And that he has brokered arms deals for the same cause.”

“That’s a lot of rumors.”

“Hassan’s a crafty fox who keeps a low profile. Nothing’s ever been proven and no charges pressed.”

“Why should I know him?”

“Hassan’s father was a laborer who worked on several of Robert Cane’s digs. In fact, Hassan’s father died in the same accident twenty years ago.”

Cassini put down the photographs, pursed his lips, and tapped them with his finger. “How did Hassan learn about the scroll?”

“I’ve no idea. But he must want it badly if his own brother’s involved. That kind of direct family involvement is unheard-of for Hassan. We also think Nidal may have been wounded in the tunnel shootout.”

Cassini worriedly slipped the photos back in the envelope and slid it across the table. “I thought you had everything under control! This doesn’t sound like it, Julius.”

Weiss grimaced. “I’m doing my best, but right now we’ve hit a dead end.”

Cassini’s lips pinched thin as a razor. “You must try harder. Remember, we both have an agreement to honor.”

Weiss didn’t need reminding. Some years after the mammoth task of translating the scrolls had begun and extraordinary examples of Scripture material were revealed, some of it controversial, the Vatican and Israel had set aside their differences and agreed to a secret pact that sought to avoid the ultimate disaster. The core of that disaster was simple.

What if, among the rich mother lode of Qumran’s scrolls, there was evidence that irrefutably revealed Jesus as the true messiah? Not just the messiah of Christian tradition but the true messiah expected by the Jews two thousand years ago? Such a revelation would have devastating implications for the state of Israel and its people. It would also rock the foundations of Islam.

Equally, what if a scroll revealed that the Jesus of history and the Jesus of faith were two different people? Or doubt was cast upon Jesus’ resurrection, or his claim to be the Son of God? Such disclosures would destroy the Christian creed.

Israel and the Vatican had therefore agreed on a simple strategy: digs would be secretly monitored. Any discovered material deemed controversial to either religion would be withheld. It was a pact Weiss knew had worked well to date. “You don’t need to remind me, Umberto.”

Cassini’s flinty Sicilian eyes glinted darkly. “Maybe I do. Our collaboration hasn’t been needed in many years because there were no major finds. Otherwise your Antiquities Department would have confiscated Jack Cane’s scroll on site. They would have confiscated it anyway and alerted you once they had translated the scroll.”

“True.”

“I have a confession to make, Julius.”

“What are you talking about?”

Cassini scowled, his face troubled. “You already know my opinion that Cane’s discovery may contain a coded revelation buried deep within the text. And that I fear this revelation can harm our status quo.”

Weiss nodded. “I only have your word of that, Umberto. You said you’d provide solid proof. I’m still waiting.”

Cassini whispered, “You will wait no longer. I am about to expose to you a dark secret.”

94

“What dark secret?” Weiss demanded.

Cassini huddled forward, as if his bony shoulders were bearing a great weight. “You asked me how the Vatican knew that Jack Cane’s scroll was a danger to the church. As you know, some of the Dead Sea texts have copies. We believe we have a replica of the same scroll.”

Weiss frowned. “Explain.”

“You will recall that when Cane’s father died, his scroll vanished.”

Weiss gave a tiny nod. “It was burned in the crash.”

“The scroll didn’t burn, Julius. The Vatican took it.”

“What?” Weiss sputtered.

“John Becket and another priest, Father Kubel, were the first to arrive at the accident scene. They found the scroll in the wreckage and it was handed over to me. I decided that the scroll was too controversial and should be secretly transported to the Vatican.”

Weiss’s face burned red. “You’re a thief, Cassini. And Becket is no better. You stole Israel’s property. This breaches the spirit of our agreement.”