Atlantis

Chapter 40

“With us live from his church in Utah is Bishop Hadel of the Kingdom Church.” Patricia Blount, the news anchor, was an attractive blonde of middle years, but her pleasant smile belied her reputation as a hard-nosed interviewer. She didn’t quite manage to disguise her frown as she introduced Hadel. Though the Dominion was an organization unknown to most, Hadel was well-known, both for his altruism and his controversial opinions. “Bishop, it is my understanding that representatives from your church are already on the scene in Norfolk, providing aid to displace families.”

“We call them missionaries,” Hadel corrected. “And, yes, they are on the scene. When tragedy strikes, we reach out in loving compassion to our brothers and sisters in need.”

Hadel’s easy smile turned Tam’s stomach. She knew what a monster the man was, even if the world didn’t, and the fact that she couldn’t yet prove it made it all the worse.

“With thousands already confirmed dead, tens of thousands more having lost everything to the second freak tsunami to hit the United States in less than two weeks, how do you comfort people who might think to give up hope in your God?” Blount winced at her own brief lapse in professionalism.

“He’s everyone’s God, Patricia, whether they know it or not.” Hadel smiled like an indulgent grandfather. “And we provide reassurance through acts of mercy like those we are performing in Norfolk.”

“How did your missionaries happen to be on the scene so quickly?”

“We have sister and satellite churches throughout the nation who assist us in our work.” Hadel said with a touch of pride.

“What do you say to those who claim a merciful, loving God would not allow a tragedy like this to strike innocents?”

“I would say there are few innocents in this world. Norfolk, I am sad to say, is not immune to the infection that is rotting or nation from the inside out. Norfolk is rated as one of the hundred most dangerous cities in the United States, with crime rates well above the national average.”

“May I ask why, in the face of this tragedy, you took the time to study up on Norfolk’s crime statistics?” Blount bore down. “It seems like you’d have other priorities.”

Hadel remained unflappable. “I sought to understand the reason for this seemingly-senseless tragedy, and came to the inescapable conclusion that God’s judgment and righteous wrath are at play here. This is a city peopled with some of the lowest of the low…”

“Who do you consider the lowest of the low?” Blount snapped, but Hadel rode over her.

“Not to mention the strong presence of the United States military, which aids and abets our corrupt government.”

Blount redirected the conversation. “Bishop, we’re going to play a cell phone video captured by one of the victims of the tsunami and we’d like your comments on it.”

“Of course.”

“The video shows your missionaries rescuing a white family from the flood waters, and then, almost immediately, fighting off a drowning African-American man…”

Tam’s phone vibrated just as an indignant Hadel shouted something about ‘ambush journalism’ and the tendencies of overcrowded boats to capsize. It was a text from Maddock. She fired off a reply and sagged against the wall, eyes closed. Why had she ever wanted to be in charge? What she wouldn’t give right now to be out in the field, matching wits with her quarry. Maybe she’d even get to shoot somebody. That would relieve her stress.

“What’s wrong?” Avery looked up from Krueger’s notebook. She was still upset with Tam for keeping her at headquarters, but she’d been working diligently since the others left on their respective missions.

“First the Dominion attacks the wrong city, making me look like a fool, and now Maddock finds the Hall of Records.”

“Really?” Avery sprang to her feet, upending her chair. “Where was it? What did he find?”

“It was under the Sphinx, just like Krueger said. And it was empty.”

The gleam in Avery’s eyes flickered and died. “What?”

“The Templars got there first. He’s sending me a picture of…” Her phone vibrated again. “Here it is. The Templars left a calling card.” She handed the phone to Avery.

“The cross looks authentic. Lord knows we’ve seen enough of these lately.” The Templars had been at the heart of a mystery Tam aided Maddock and his crew in solving. “But these squiggly lines are odd.” Avery’s gaze went cloudy and she bit her lip.

“What?” Tam could tell the young woman was deep in thought, but she dared not get her hopes up.

“I think I know where this is!” She snatched up the notebook and flipped through to a hand-drawn map. “See how the lines on this carving match up?

Tam looked at the map. It showed a stretch of river and an island. “It’s not an exact match. The Templar carving doesn’t show this island.” She tapped a chili-pepper shaped stretch of land that ran parallel to the shore, joined to the mainland by bridges at its north and northwest tips.

“That’s because this island wasn’t built until the 1800s but, according to Krueger, it’s one of the Templars’ most notorious ‘hide in plain sight’ constructions. He believes it’s the place where the Freemasons, the modern descendants of the Templars hid their most sacred knowledge.” She paused. “And it has Atlantean connections.”

“Where is this place?” Tam held her breath. Hope stirred inside her again, though she was reluctant to believe it.

“It’s in Washington D.C. I know it must seem like a stretch, but Krueger was right about the Hall of Records. Isn’t it at least worth having Maddock and the others check it out?”

For the first time in she couldn’t remember how long, Tam permitted herself a genuine smile. Now she recognized the location.

“Girl, forget Maddock. There’s no time to waste. Besides, I’m the one who can get us inside. Grab your toothbrush. You and I are going on a trip.”