The Pilate Scroll

by M. B. Lewis

  The tall pilot smiled. Mac did too, more so than his younger partner.

  “It’s nice to see you, too. Is there somewhere we can talk?”

  She nodded. “There’s a patio out back on the way to the pool. It’s quiet and out of the way. I don’t want to go upstairs. Curt just went up.”

  Duke grimaced. “Yeah, we just came down from there. Brian said you were down here.” He paused. “We need to steer clear of that guy for now.”

  She looked at him, then at Mac, whose face was just as grim. “Duke will fill you in. In the meantime, I’ll go check us in.”

  Duke patted him on the back. “Thanks, Mac.” He turned back to Kadie. “After you.”

  She gathered her iPad, hijab, and latte, then led him out to the patio and sat at one of the empty tables.

  “So,” she said. “What’s up?”

  “Isaac’s dead.”

  Her eyes bulged. “What?”

  A solemn look fell over Duke’s face. “I went back to the museum the morning you left, and he never showed up for work. I persuaded the manager to give me his address. When I arrived, he was on the floor, bleeding. Someone stabbed him.”

  “Oh, my. That’s terrible.” A dreadful thought crossed her mind. “Was the knife still there?”

  “No.” Duke breathed deep. “Isaac was still alive, but I couldn’t do anything. He did tell me something before he died.”

  A myriad of thoughts raced through her head. “What?”

  “He mentioned something about the riddle of the three. Ring any bells?”

  The riddle of the three? Kadie bit her lower lip and contemplated years of information, stories, and legends. She had never even heard of the Aramaic Vase nor the Pilate Scroll, so the riddle-of-the-three fit right in there with them. “I can’t say that’s anything I’m familiar with, no.”

  Duke’s eyes shifted up and locked on to hers. “I think it was Curt.”

  Her lips tightened, and she nodded. His expression told her she had surprised him when she agreed with him. No doubt, Duke expected an argument.

  Kadie sighed. “When we were at the hotel in Tel Aviv, Curt produced an envelope that contained our boarding passes.”

  Duke’s head tilted to the side.

  “Then he pulled out a knife to open the envelope. It was the same kind of knife that the assassin threw at my head in Samuel’s room.”

  Duke squinted. “Anybody can have the same knife.”

  “No,” Kadie said. “When I brought up the knife to him, he said he pulled it from the wall in Samuel’s room. I know for a fact he didn’t. I saw the police remove both knives and take them to the station for evidence.”

  “He’s lying about the knives because he’s the one who threw them.”

  Kadie nodded as she felt the knot in her stomach grow tighter. “I think so. I wanted to believe it’s not possible.”

  “It’s possible, probable, and most likely. I’d bet money on it. Kadie, Isaac said you were in danger—”

  “He said we were in danger.

  “Okay, we’re in danger. But why? Why would he say that having just met us? What would tell him that we were in danger?”

  Kadie sat back and lodged her thumbnail between her teeth. Her eyes flitted from the table in front of her back to Duke.

  “It has to be the vase,” Kadie said. “Samuel learned about the Scroll, and he’s dead. Isaac knew about it and told us. Now he’s dead. Of course, we’re next, right?”

  “Yep.”

  “But why would Curt do this? What does he have to gain?”

  “I’m sure Curt is a lowly triggerman. A nobody who’s doing the bidding of a somebody. This conspiracy goes way higher than him. Have you googled the Global Disease Initiative?”

  “Well, yes, when Patri—Doctor Hastings—first approached me about the job. GDI is a very well-established, well-funded organization. We’ve received everything we’ve asked for. They even made accommodations for Brian.”

  “That’s my point,” Duke said. “While I think all that is great, who does that? What company in their right mind goes out of their way to give their employees everything they ask for? How many college graduates get a job making six-figures right out of school and a two-bedroom executive suite at every location?”

  “I have a master’s degree, thank you.”

  “My question still stands. These guys are dirty. They hid the idea of the Scroll from everyone because it is nobler to find a cure for a virus that will destroy the world than to find an ancient artifact to sell to the highest bidder.”

  Kadie pushed away from the table. “That is preposterous! There’s no way GDI is in this for the money. And who’s to say they hid the idea of the Scroll—”

  The realization of what she was about to say stopped her in her tracks. Her hands rubbed her upper arms as her skin began to crawl.

  Did someone else on the team know about the Pilate Scroll?

  33

  The lobby was less chaotic than when they first arrived at the hotel. The opulence of the place jumped out at him. The tan marbled floor glistened in the sunlight that pushed through the glass walls of the front of the hotel. Duke approached one of the desk clerks perched behind the curved check-in desk with a deep granite top to pick up his key.

  Once in his room, Duke tossed his bag on the white blanketed king-sized bed and admired the view that overlooked the marina next to the hotel. He stripped off his clothes, brushed his teeth, and stepped in the shower. The warm water was refreshing, and the scent of the fresh soap penetrated his nostrils, waking him up.

  When he finished in the shower and dried off, he pulled a fresh set of clothes out of his bag and dressed. After he plugged his cell phone in the charger, he grabbed his key and went to Mac’s room to ask about going to dinner.

  He wanted to bounce everything off Mac one more time because he had no doubt Kadie and her brother were in danger. They needed to leave Istanbul as quickly as possible, whether with them or on a commercial flight. The question was, would she be willing to go?

  Duke rapped on the door. When Mac didn’t answer, he rapped again. “Hey, Mac, you in there?” He beat the door loudly, in case his partner had fallen asleep. “Hey, Mac, you awake?”

  His first thought was that Mac must have gone downstairs for coffee or food. But he knew Mac would have contacted him first. Duke remembered his cell phone was on the charger and returned to his room to see if Mac called. He moved back to his door and swiped his key. Inside, he checked his iPhone. No messages from Mac or anyone else. He sat on the side of the bed when someone knocked on the door.

  Before he could get up, Kadie barged into the room. Still wearing the sleeveless button-up shirt and shorts she had on in the coffee shop, she wasn’t smiling.

  “What are—how’d you open the door?”

  Kadie held up a small, circular FOB. “Same thing I used to get into Samuel’s room. Works great in this hotel, too.” She stood still in front of the door, her shoulders slumped, her head down. This was not the confident woman he’d come to know. Something was wrong.

  “Brian’s missing.”

  “What?”

  Kadie walked closer, then stopped. Her right hand rubbed the length of her left arm. “After we left the patio, I went to the coffee shop to buy him a latte. When I returned to our room, he was gone. I wasn’t too worried at first, but then I checked with Doctor Upton, and he wasn’t there. I asked everyone on the team, and no one has seen him. That’s when I started to panic. I went downstairs and searched everywhere. I checked with the front desk, the doormen, and even the cabana guy at the pool. Duke, I’m terrified something may have happened to him.”

  Duke rose from the bed and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sure he’s okay. Look, I just tried to find Mac, and he’s not answering his door. Maybe the two of them ran into each other and went to find something to eat.”

  Kadie pushed away gently and gazed into his eyes. “Yes.” She hoped that might be the answer as the corners of he
r mouth slightly curved upwards. “Maybe that’s it.” Extending herself further from his embrace, Kadie moved back to the door. As she reached for the handle, she turned back to face him. “Would you come with me to find them?”

  “Of course,” Duke said. “Kadie, I was thinking about things . . .”

  “Things?”

  “Yeah, about this situation. It’s not safe to stay here any longer.”

  “Well, you should leave then.”

  The corners of his mouth started to curl. He got the sarcasm. “No, I mean, it’s not safe for you to stay here any longer. You and Brian need to either buy a commercial ticket home or leave with us tomorrow.”

  She said nothing right away, processing the statement. “You might be right. Things are unfolding at a rapid rate. I—I just want to find Brian first. We’ll talk about the rest later.”

  “Understood.”

  The two of them left Duke’s room and headed to the elevators. They stepped in, and Duke pushed the button for the lobby. Kadie reached over and pressed ‘4,’ the expression on her face serious.

  “I want to get Brian’s Lamictal from Doctor Upton.”

  Duke nodded.

  The elevator opened on the fourth floor, and they hurried to Upton’s room. She rapped anxiously on the door.

  “Kadie.” Doctor Upton’s eyebrows raised. “What a—” He stopped short when he saw Duke standing in the hallway.

  “Hello, Doctor Upton. I need to pick up Brian’s Lamictal.”

  “He took one earlier today,” the doctor said.

  “No, I mean, I need all of it. We’re going to leave.”

  “Leave? What? W-where are you going?”

  Duke’s eyes narrowed, and his head tilted slightly as the doctor responded to Kadie.

  “Is there a problem?” Upton said.

  Kadie paused. “We’ve got an emergency we need to take care of.”

  “You won’t be able to get the medicine through customs without a doctor.”

  Kadie paused again. Duke wondered if she had thought this one through. “We’ve made arrangements,” she said.

  The doctor glanced at Duke, who managed a slight wave from the wrist.

  “W-well, okay.” Doctor Upton turned and went into the other room and returned with a small bottle. “Can you tell me where you’re going?” he said as he handed Kadie the bottle.

  “The airport.” She took the bottle and hugged his neck. “Thank you for looking out for Brian during this trip. I hope it works out for you.”

  “What did Doctor Hastings say about you leaving?” Upton said.

  “I haven’t told her yet.” Kadie wondered if she should tell her at all.

  Doctor Upton appeared concerned. “Have you found Brian yet?”

  “No, but I’m sure he’ll turn up. He always does.”

  “You know, I thought I saw him in a bathing suit with a towel around his neck heading for the pool a little while ago.”

  Kadie’s face drew into a broad smile. It was a pleasant smile that made Duke’s heart flutter. “Thank you, Doctor. That saved me a lot of searching.”

  “My pleasure, my dear. I’m glad I could help.”

  Duke and Kadie turned to leave.

  “You two be careful,” Upton said as he closed the door and flipped the deadbolt into place.

  They took the elevator to the pool deck and walked outside. Brian was nowhere to be found.

  “He’s not here,” Kadie said.

  The worry on her face was evident to Duke. “I don’t see him either. Maybe he’s inside the hotel still.”

  “He’s not supposed to walk around alone.”

  “Maybe he got hungry.”

  “Maybe.”

  They searched the outdoor grill, and then went back inside the hotel. They peeked in the coffee shop and finally the restaurant. As they meandered through, Kadie let out an exasperated, “Thank God.”

  Duke scanned the room until he found Mac and Brian sitting in the corner, eating lunch. The small Pelican case holding Brian’s drone sat on the table.

  “Hey, Kadie,” Brian said, waving. “Come sit with us.”

  “Brian,” Kadie said. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”

  Brian lowered his head, and his smile faded.

  “Sorry, Miss Kadie. I was teaching him how to use the video camera on his drone. We had been out by the pool. When we finished, the boy was hungry, so I brought him down here.”

  Kadie ran her fingers through Brian’s hair. “It’s okay. But he knows he shouldn’t leave the room without me.”

  Traces of a smile return to Brian’s face as the boy looked up at Mac.

  “We need to leave, Brian. Let’s go upstairs and grab our things.”

  “I do not want to go.”

  “Well, we’re leaving,” she said. “And I don’t have time to argue.”

  “Leave?” Mac said, looking at Duke.

  “Yeah. We’ll talk about it on the way to the airport.”

  Kadie turned to Duke. “We’ll meet you downstairs in fifteen minutes.”

  Duke reached out and tenderly touched her arm. “I think we need to stay together.”

  Kadie glanced at Brian and Mac, who both seemed confused, then nodded at Duke. Mac threw some cash on the table, and the four left the restaurant and headed upstairs.

  34

  Kadie and Brian gathered their few remaining belongings and took the elevator up to Mac’s room. They had all agreed to meet there, then depart for the airport. Duke would ensure she and Brian boarded an airliner to somewhere; then, they would fly their plane back to the States. Secretly, she wished Duke would fly back with them, but the realities of their situation dictated otherwise.

  The elevator door opened, and the two of them shuffled out and walked down the empty hallway to Mac’s room. She knocked, and within seconds, Duke opened the door. Once inside, Duke checked the hall behind them, then closed the door.

  “Where’s Mac?” Kadie said as she turned around.

  Duke had a strange look on his face, and put his finger to his lips, telling her she needed to be quiet.

  Kadie, curious to what was happening, stood silent. Duke approached her and moved behind her. He reached up to her neck with his hand and pulled at something under her collar. When she turned to face him, his thumb and forefinger held a small circular device about the size of a nickel. Was that what she thought it was? Duke reminded her not to speak.

  “How about we watch some TV?” Duke said. He walked to the television, turned it on, and set the device next to it. Then he moved Brian and Kadie close to the door so they could speak without being heard by the small device.

  “That’s a transmitter,” Duke whispered.

  “That’s what I thought.” Kadie spoke softly as well. “I think Curt placed it there earlier before you showed up at the coffee shop.”

  “Then he’s heard everything we’ve said to this point.”

  Kadie’s eyes drooped. “I’m sorry. We need to get out of here. Where’s Mac?”

  “He went downstairs already to secure us a ride to the airport. If Curt is consistent, it will be difficult for us to exit the hotel without him seeing us. The biggest thing that can help us is he won’t know we are leaving right now.”

  Kadie thought about what Duke said. He was right, of course. Curt was like a corrections officer, and them leaving would prove to be a challenge.

  Duke’s phone rang, and he pulled it out of his pocket. The dark black Otterbox case was smudged with dirt, making the cover lighter than it was.

  “Yeah, Mac,” he said. She could hear Mac’s voice despite the television playing across the room, and Duke simply nodded and mumbled responses. He finally said thanks, and he’d meet him outside in the usual place. He slipped the phone back into his pocket and turned to face her.

  “Mac stopped on your floor on the way down. On a hunch.” Duke continued to talk in hushed tones.

  “A hunch for what?”

  “When the elevator
stopped, he stepped out. Curt and some thugs were kicking in your door.”

  “Oh, no.”

  “The good thing is, that device appears to be only a listening device, not a tracker. So, the only advantage we’ve got is they think we are still in my room. We need to get out of here now. Mine and Mac’s rooms will be next.”

  Kadie nodded. “Brian, let’s go.”

  “O—kay,” Brian said. The young man was frustrated; she could tell. He clung the Pelican case holding his drone close to his chest. She was confident he didn’t have a grasp on their situation yet. No sense in filling him in until it was necessary. They hurried to the door where Duke checked the hallway in both directions.

  “The elevator is not an option. We’ll use the staircase.” The three of them raced down the hallway to the stairwell. They slipped inside, and Duke paused as soon as the door shut. Kadie also paused and listened. It didn’t sound like anyone was in the stairwell, but you never know until you start down. Duke looked at her, nodded, and started down the stairs cautiously. It felt like forever descending from the sixth to the fourth floor. Duke was plastered with sweat, and Kadie felt her heart beating like a bass drum. Brian followed slowly, gripping on the steel rail that followed the stairs to the first floor. They paused on the fifth floor, just in case someone waited for them on the fourth. Hearing nothing, they continued with trepidation. The fourth-floor landing was empty, and they instinctively increased their pace down the stairs.

  As they reached the second floor, the silence shattered as Duke’s phone rang. He stopped immediately and retrieved it from his pocket, silencing the tone. He gave her an apologetic glance and answered the phone. After a few uh-huh’s and okays, he flipped the volume button off and stuck the iPhone back into his pocket.

  “That was Mac. GDI thugs are everywhere. He’s in a cab at the end of the driveway, but the lobby is filled with GDI.”

  “What are we going to do?”

  “I don’t know. This stairwell exits into the lobby. It’s probably a hundred feet to the front door from here.”