The Lost Codex (OPSIG Team Black Series Book 3)

by Alan Jacobson

  “Sometimes things aren’t black and white.” The voice came from a few feet behind them: DeSantos. “You did what was right for the one you loved. It didn’t meet the standards of the laws we strive to uphold. But if you—if we—hadn’t done what we did, a lot of people would’ve died. Good people. People who’ve done a lot of good things for a lot of other people since then.”

  Vail played with some loose dirt by her left shoe. “You talking about back then, or this op? I did things tonight that—”

  “Your moral compass is what matters, Karen. What’s in your heart. You always mean well. You always try to do the right thing. Sometimes it takes a while to know what the right thing is—or was.”

  Vail smiled inwardly. DeSantos’s comment was similar to something she had once told Robby. She looked out over the model of Jerusalem and tried to picture herself back thousands of years, standing where she was at this very moment … learning from the wise rabbis who roamed the streets, doling out wisdom and creating law for a population who was only beginning to learn how to conduct themselves, how to live for the benefit of the community. How to put their trust in a higher being. How to believe.

  It was the birth of a religion that would spawn other religions, changing the world in ways no one could have ever predicted. Good, bad, indifferent—organized religion had its positives and negatives. But its effect on civilization was palpable.

  Vail was not sure if she believed in God or some other entity that governed the souls on earth. In many cases she thought she did not—she had looked into the minds of countless killers and seen evil. No God would dare create that. Hitler, Stalin, Idi Amin, Pol Pot, Bundy, Chikatilo, Gacy, Dahmer. Yet these scourges of humanity existed. She was sure religious sages had an explanation, but at the moment it was unimportant.

  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 mi
nd-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.

  Jason Rubin, captain, United States Marine Corps, for help with the chapter dealing with the F-22. Richard Drapkin, restaurateur, restaurant consultant, and attorney, for his assistance with staging the kitchen fire aboard the dinner cruise ship. Valentin Robiliard, for ensuring my French translations were accurate. James Rollins, New York Times best-selling author, for being my eyes and ears for the C-17 cargo hold (he’s been there, done that). Lauren Dellar for her experiences living in Israel, for refreshing my memory regarding Ben Gurion Airport, and for her affiliated contacts at Palestinian rights organizations.

  Steve Israel, congressman (D-NY), and Gidi Weiss, Lt. Colonel, Israeli Air Force (ret), and International Marketing and Sales Manager, Raphael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., for information regarding Iron Dome, its funding, and technology sharing between Israel and the United States. (The assertion that the program was funded by the US contingent on the premise of money for technology was my invention. For obvious reasons, I did not ask if it were true.)

  Thank you to those who wished to remain nameless, who provided me with insight and perspective, and to those who gave me research and analysis regarding Congressional testimony pertaining to Iran and Islamic extremist groups.

  The terrific team at Open Road Integrated Media. There are many individuals toiling behind the scenes in the publishing and promotion of my novels, but among those I’ve worked with closely, I’d like to specifically recognize Megan Buckman, Lauren Chomiuk, Rachel Chou, Hannah Dudley, Nina Lassam, Emma Pulitzer, and Andrea Worthington. It would be tough to find a finer group of publishing professionals in the industry.

  John Hutchinson and Virginia Lenneville at Norwood Press, who produce those fine hardcovers that feel great in the hand and look wonderful on the shelf. Pride goes into every book they publish, and it shows. They are outside the box thinkers who never shy away from trying something new. It’s always a pleasure working with them.

  Few things are as important in publishing as having exceptional editors who know your genre and your style and who can help you make your work realize its maximum potential. The Lost Codex is the eighth novel on which I’ve had the fortune of working with Kevin Smith and, as always, his insight and feedback help me slather on the wax from which I go to work, polishing the manuscript. On the topic of polish, I can’t say enough about my copyeditor, Chrisona Schmidt, whose elbow grease brings it all to a brilliant shine. Chrisona is the best of the best and she makes a tough task—navigating grammatical rules and style manuals—fun to tackle.

  My agents, Joel Gotler and Frank Curtis, for their years of guidance and advisement. Publishing has become an ever-changing world and it’s vital having a team with decades of experience under their belts. Their counsel is a tremendous asset.

  Richard Prati and Steven Johnson for their support regarding Norwood Press’s hardcover edition of Spectrum. Norwood could not have done it without them.

  My fans and readers, without whom my novels would go unappreciated; my Facebook fan group administrators, Sandra Soreano and Terri Landreth, for keeping everyone engaged and plugged into what’s happening in the “Alan Jacobson universe,” and to all those who post and keep lively discussions going.

  As a writer, I am easily distracted, always thinking, observing, brainstorming. My wife Jill shares me with my fans and readers, publisher, publicist, agent, attorney, subject matter experts—and laptop, which is often mistaken to be an extra human appendage. But when I’m able to disconnect from my fictional world and step back into reality, my soulmate is always there for me.

  About the Author

  Alan Jacobson is the national best-selling author of ten thrillers, including the FBI profiler Karen Vail series and the OPSIG Team Black novels. His books have been translated internationally and several have been optioned by Hollywood.

  Jacobson has spent twenty years working with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, the DEA, the US Marshals Service, SWAT, the NYPD, Scotland Yard, local law enforcement, and the US military. This research and the breadth of his contacts help bring depth and realism to his characters and stories.

  For video interviews and a free personal safety eBook co-authored by Alan Jacobson and FBI Profiler Mark Safarik, please visit www.AlanJacobson.com.

  Connect with Jacobson on Twitter (@JacobsonAlan) and on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/AlanJacobsonFans).

  The Works of Alan Jacobson

  Alan Jacobson has established a reputation as one of the most insightful suspense/thriller writers of our time. His exhaustive research, coupled with years of unprecedented access to law enforcement agencies, including the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, bring realism and unique characters to his pages. Following are his current, and forthcoming, releases.

  STAND ALONE novels

  False Accusations > Dr. Phillip Madison has everything: wealth, power, and an impeccable reputation. But in the predawn hours of a quiet suburb, the revered orthopedic surgeon is charged with double homicide—a cold-blooded hit-and-run that leaves an innocent couple dead. Blood evidence has brought the police to his door. An eyewitness has placed him at the crime scene, and Madison has no alibi. With his family torn apart, his career forever damaged, no way to prove his innocence and facing life in prison, Madison must find the person who has engineered the case against him. Years after reading it, people still talk about his shocking ending. False Accusations launched Jacobson’s career and became a national bestseller, prompting CNN to call him, “One of the brightest stars in the publishing industry.” Note: Detective Ryan Chandler reprises his role in Spectrum (Karen Vail #6).

  FBI profiler KAREN VAIL series

  The 7th Victim (Karen Vail #1) > Literary giants Nelson DeMille and James Patterson describe Karen Vail, the first female FBI profiler, as “tough, smart, funny, very believable,” and “compelling.” In The 7th Victim, Vail—with a dry sense of humor and a closet full of skeletons—heads up a task force to find the Dead Eyes Killer, who is murdering young women in Virginia … the backyard of the famed FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit. The twists and turns that Karen Vail endures in this tense psychological suspense thriller build to a powerful ending no reader will see coming. Named one of the Top 5 Best Books of the Year (Library Journal).

  Crush (Karen Vail #2) > In light of the traumatic events of The 7th Victim, FBI Profiler Karen Vail is sent to the Napa Valley for a mandatory vacation—but the Crush Killer has other plans. Vail partners with Inspector Roxxann Dixon to track down the architect of death who crushes his victims’ windpipes and leaves their bodies in wine caves. However, the killer is unlike anything the profiling unit has ever encountered, and Vail’s miscalculations have dire consequences for those she holds dear. Publishers Weekly describes Crush as “addicting” and New York Times bestselling author Steve Martini calls it
a thriller that’s “Crisply written and meticulously researched,” and “rocks from the opening page to the jarring conclusion.” (Note: the Crush storyline continues in Velocity.)

  Velocity (Karen Vail #3) > A missing detective. A bold serial killer. And evidence that makes FBI profiler Karen Vail question the loyalty of those she has entrusted her life to. In the shocking conclusion to Crush, Karen Vail squares off against foes more dangerous than any she has yet encountered. In the process, shocking personal and professional truths emerge—truths that may be more than Vail can handle. Velocity was named to The Strand Magazine’s Top 10 Best Books for 2010, Suspense Magazine’s Top 4 Best Thrillers of 2010, Library Journal’s Top 5 Best Books of the Year, and the Los Angeles Times’ top picks of the year. Michael Connelly said Velocity is “As relentless as a bullet. Karen Vail is my kind of hero and Alan Jacobson is my kind of writer!”

  Inmate 1577 (Karen Vail #4) > When an elderly woman is found raped and murdered, Karen Vail heads west to team up with Inspector Lance Burden and Detective Roxxann Dixon. As they follow the killer’s trail in and around San Francisco, the offender leaves behind clues that ultimately lead them to the most unlikely of places, a mysterious island ripped from city lore whose long-buried, decades-old secrets hold the key to their case: Alcatraz. The Rock. It’s a case that has more twists and turns than the famed Lombard Street. The legendary Clive Cussler calls Inmate 1577 “a powerful thriller, brilliantly conceived and written.” Named one of The Strand Magazine’s Top 10 Best Books of the Year.

  No Way Out (Karen Vail #5) > Renowned FBI profiler Karen Vail returns in No Way Out, a high-stakes thriller set in London. When a high profile art gallery is bombed, Vail is dispatched to England to assist with Scotland Yard’s investigation. But what she finds there—a plot to destroy a controversial, recently unearthed 440-year-old manuscript—turns into something much larger, and a whole lot more dangerous, for the UK, the US—and herself. With his trademark spirited dialogue, page-turning scenes, and well drawn characters, National Bestselling author Alan Jacobson (“My kind of writer,” per Michael Connelly) has crafted the thriller of the year. Named a top ten “Best thriller of 2013” by both Suspense Magazine and The Strand Magazine.