The Cup

CHAPTER 10

Selena took the box with her when they climbed out of the hidden room. Back in the house, they sat down at a wooden table in the kitchen and waited for Forsberg's people to arrive.

Nick looked at the silver container. "What does the Latin say?"

"It says, 'The Book of Simon.'"

Selena lifted one of the scrolls from the box.

"It's still flexible. I think I can open it."

She laid it on the table. With great care, she unrolled it.

"This is written in biblical Aramaic."

Selena scanned the scroll.

"I don't believe this. If this is real… "

"Well?" Lamont said. "What does it say?"

"It's a description of the crucifixion, written by Simon of Cyrene."

Nick looked at her. "Who was Simon?"

"He's the one who helped Christ carry the cross. If this is authentic, it's an amazing find."

Forsberg said. "I'm surprised those barbarians didn't melt the box down and throw that scroll in the trash."

"They may be barbarians, but their leaders aren't stupid," Nick said. "They need money for weapons. Looted antiquities are a big source of income for them, right after oil. The black market for artifacts is huge. There are plenty of people who don't care how something was obtained. One of those little statues like Selena held up is worth thousands to a collector."

"Your man Andersson must have discovered what they were doing," Ronnie said.

Nick turned to Forsberg. "Everything points back to that refugee center. Are you going to raid it?"

Forsberg sighed. "The government is reluctant to do anything that involves Muslim immigrants. They're afraid of being criticized at the UN."

"I was them, I'd be more afraid of the terrorists," Lamont said. "Whoever hid those guns wasn't planning on hunting reindeer."

"We don't have reindeer down here," Forsberg said.

"Whatever."

"I'll have to go to the Minister with this. I can make a good case for a raid, but I can't do it without permission."

"What if you can't get it?" Nick asked.

Forsberg smiled. "Even a politician can be persuaded to do the right thing once in a while. They'll give it to me. There's an election coming up. Finding and eliminating an ISIS terror cell would look good in the papers. Not everyone in our government is afraid to do what needs to be done."

"I hear vehicles," Selena said.

Forsberg got up. Selena put scroll back in the box and took it with her as they followed him outside. Three cars and a van pulled up. A dark-haired woman wearing a red winter jacket got out of the lead vehicle.

"Wait here," Forsberg said. "I won't be long."

He walked over to the woman and began speaking with her. He pointed at the barn, then at the ditch, where the remains of the Volvo smoldered under a sullen sky.

Nick took out his phone. "I'd better call Harker."

Elizabeth picked up on the second ring.

"About time, Nick. Where are you?"

"Standing in the Swedish countryside looking at a wrecked car. It's been a busy couple of days."

He ran the events of the past forty-eight hours past her.

"The Swedes are going to raid that refugee center. I want us along."

"You think they'll have a problem with that?"

"I can't see them letting us go with them. For one thing, they won't give us weapons. They'll send in their SWAT team."

"Then let them go ahead and do the work," Elizabeth said.

"What if they miss something?"

"They're professional. KSI is small but they have a good reputation."

"Can't you pull some strings and get us on that raid?"

"What's your concern?"

"The government here is way over on the left and afraid of international opinion. The Muslim refugee issue is a mine field. Forsberg says he can get the raid approved but I'm sure that if something sensitive turns up it will be suppressed. ISIS is flooding Europe with stolen artifacts. The immigrant center is one of the distribution points and no one is monitoring them. There could be evidence inside that implicates someone in the Swedish government or identifies an important buyer, someone who's protected. If there is, I want to get a look at it."

"Mmm. It would be a big help if we could identify a buyer."

"That stuff isn't cheap. Whoever is paying for it is rich and that means he's got clout. If the buyer is Swedish, we're never going to hear about it unless we're on the scene."

"I see your point. I can't guarantee anything, but I'll see what I can do."

"Let me speak with her," Selena asked.

"Selena wants to talk to you."

Nick handed Selena the phone. "Elizabeth, we found something with the artifacts."

"Yes?"

"It looks like a lost book from the Bible, or at least part of one. I'd like to translate it before I have to give it to the Swedes. It's an incredible find. The government is sure to conceal it until they've had a chance to study it."

"And you want me to make sure you have the opportunity first?"

"Yes. I could take photographs but it will be more accurate if I have them in my hands. Can you make that happen?"

"That will be easier than getting the four of you on that raid," Elizabeth said. "With your reputation, I don't see why it should be a problem. You'd be doing them a favor."

"Wonderful. Thanks."

She handed the phone back to Nick.

Forsberg had finished speaking with his colleague. He started toward them.

"We're about to head back into town," Nick said. "Anything else, Director?"

"Play nice with the Swedes and keep a low profile."