The Nostradamus File

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Ari Herzog sipped strong black coffee and contemplated the glow of the sun as it reflected from the golden Dome of the Rock. So much beauty. So much hatred. So much history of blood.

Lev came into Herzog's office. He was carrying a newspaper. "You see the London papers today?"

"Not yet."

"Take a look." He handed the paper over. Ari sat down at his desk and looked at the front page.

The lead shouted.

"Temple Church. It has to be about the Ark," Lev said. "Your friends from the Project must have been there."

"And someone else," Herzog said. "Nick and the others would not kill the guards. They don't operate like that. If they're involved, they were in there looking for something and were discovered by the wrong people."

"What would they be looking for?"

"I don't know. Let's ask them."

Herzog picked up his phone and entered Nick's number. He turned on the speaker so Lev could listen. Ari and Nick had worked well together during the disastrous visit of the American President to the Temple Mount. Nick had helped save Israel from destruction, a debt that could never be repaid. There was a bond of trust and respect between the two men that crossed national boundaries.

"Yes."

"Nick, it's Ari. I've got you on speaker and Lev is here with me."

"Ari."

"Were you at the Temple Church recently?"

"I take it you've seen the papers."

"Yes."

"We were there. Not us who snuffed the guards, though."

"I never thought otherwise. I thought you were going to keep me informed, Nick."

"Subject to Director Harker's approval, yes."

"Can you tell me what you were doing in that church?"

"Following up on a lead. I can't tell you much more before I talk with Harker."

"You're not giving me much."

"Ari, you know how it works. I'll tell you what I can, when I can."

"The election here is not far away," Ari said. "Weisner is gaining in the polls. There have been terrorist incidents and it's helping him. Your government does not need Weisner as Prime Minister. Let us help you with this, Nick."

"What do you have in mind? Tell me and I'll run it by Harker."

"Put Lev on your team while you look for the Ark. He can report back to me."

It was the first Lev had heard about it. He had been listening to the conversation sitting slumped in one of Ari's arm chairs. Now he sat up straight, surprised.

"You know we have specialized training, Ari."

"Lev can handle it. He was with the Sayeret Matkal before I got him. He has the skills you need."

The Sayeret Matkal were the cream of Israeli Special Forces, as good as anything the Americans or Russians or British had. There wasn't any question Lev would have the skills needed.

Nick considered what Ari had asked him. With Lamont out of action they were one short on the team. With someone coming after them at every opportunity, adding an experienced gun to the team could improve the odds.

"I'll think about it. The political angle complicates things."

"That's all I ask, Nick."

They ended the call.

"You could have asked," Lev said, "before you volunteered me to work with Americans."

"They're not just any Americans," Herzog said. "If Nick takes you on, you're in for an interesting experience."