Free The Jerusalem Creed: A Sean Wyatt Thriller by Ernest Dempsey Page B

moments before spinning around and facing Sharouf. “Up the timeline for our preparations.”
    Sharouf seemed puzzled by the odd change of plans, and by the vagueness of the order. “How soon do you want them ready?”
    “The cells should be ready to begin operations when you give the command.”
    The bodyguard’s face contorted into a frown. “What if the archaeologist doesn’t produce what you’re looking for? Will we still move ahead according to plan?”
    Mamoud considered the question for a moment before he answered. “We have spent too much money and time planning this. The moment has come for the West to pay for its insolence. We were told by the great prophet that the infidels must convert or be destroyed. They have chosen the latter. And we will be the tip of the sword that brings their destruction.”
     

8
    Jerusalem
     
    Karem and the two Americans left the tomb and made their way back to the car. Five minutes later, they arrived at an apartment Nehem had rented for the duration of his research, however long that was going to take. The exterior looked like every other building in the area. Sean was always surprised at the almost Communist appearance of many buildings in the Middle East. It was especially surprising in Israel, considering the enormous amount of money that flowed into the country from tech startups, as well as research and development companies.
    One app startup had recently been purchased by Internet giant Google for the hefty price tag of $1.3 billion dollars. Even after it was bought out, Google decided to leave the startup’s headquarters in Israel, which kept hundreds of people employed and the money still rolling in.
    The bland-gray sides of the building soaked in the warm rays of the morning sun as Sean and Tommy followed Karem through the parking lot and up a flight of stairs to the second floor. Once there, they continued forward until reaching a door on their left.
    Karem had visited Nehem at his temporary residence on several occasions. He took a keen interest in what was going on with his research, and when the archaeologist had uncovered the strange tablet, his interest had only grown stronger. Karem seemed somewhat despondent as they approached the apartment door. He’d become friends with Nehem years ago, and the two had worked on many projects together. Now, it was a friendship that Tommy and Sean were grateful for, and one that seemed to cause Karem a great deal of concern.
    When the three reached the door, they saw no evidence of a break-in. The doorknob was still intact, and there were no signs of forced entry. Sean put his hand on the doorknob and turned it. The metal twisted easily, and the door swung open.
    Inside, it was a disaster area. Papers were scattered about on the floor, and the sofa and chairs were sliced open, their cotton innards strewn about chaotically.
    “Someone has definitely been here,” Tommy stated the obvious.
    Karem and Sean both looked at him with a no crap expression. 
    “What was your first clue?” Sean teased.
    “Hilarious,” Tommy said. He walked through the opening and into the trashed apartment.
    The refrigerator had been left open, and a puddle of water had collected at its base. The pantry door was open, too, as were several of the cabinets. A seat cushion was on its side next to a television that had been knocked onto the floor.
    “They really left no stone unturned,” Sean commented. “Whoever came through here was extremely thorough.”
    “Should we not call the police?” Karem asked with growing concern in his voice. “We should report this, yes?”
    “You might want to hold off on that for a minute,” Sean warned.
    “Why? Now we know that someone vandalized his apartment, things were probably stolen.”
    “Agreed. But we need a few minutes in here first to see if they missed anything.”
    “Missed anything?” Karem was adamant at this point. “Look around. They destroyed the whole place. How could they have