Free The Spear of Destiny by Julian Noyce Page A

a vault. They use replicas just in case of an incident like this.”
      “So Von Werner has a fake.”
      “Not exactly. The London one was abandoned. The real one he stole a month ago. He killed to get it.”
      “Then if he has the real one why did he take the one from the British museum?”
      “Inspector Bauer, that’s his name, the Austrian inspector, Thomas Bauer. He thinks Von Werner has tried to heal himself with the real one but failed. You see it only works where it is said that Christ himself spilt his own blood.“
      “So that means where he was crucified right! Which if memory serves me has the church of the holy sepulchre built over it. How is he going to get to the ground underneath it?”
      “It doesn’t necessarily mean there. Anywhere where Christ bled. It could be where he was whipped by the Romans. We need to read up on our bibles, search the internet etcetera.”
      “What do you mean we?”
      “Bauer has asked for my, our help.”
      “To do what?”
      “To locate where Von Werner will attempt to use the spear next.”
    Dennis looked across at Natalie.
      “You’re not saying much.”
    Natalie didn’t know what to say. She half shrugged.
      “Peter I’m an archaeologist not a treasure hunter.”
      “I know Nat but Bauer believes we might be the best people for the job.”
      “And last time we came face to face with Von Werner he was going to kill us.”
      “I don’t think he would have.”
      “He watched while his Russian thug tried to kill you, would have raped me. Von werner was going to kill us and make it look like it was self defence. Have you forgotten all this?”
      People in the next booth were now looking their way. Dennis leaned in to the middle of the table.
      “We’d better keep our conversation down a bit.”
      “What I still don’t get is what’s in it for us?” Hutchinson said.
      “First we’d be helping an international police team catch a known felon. A felon we all know and second? We’d be following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. One of the most famous men who ever lived.”
      “I meant financially.”
      “Oh I see. Look we don’t know how big this thing is going to be. First there will be a reward of one million euro’s for the safe return of the real spear and the apprehension of the guilty party or parties responsible.”
      Dennis saw their looks of concern.
      “Bauer has assured me the reward will be there.”
      “Is he going to provide us with guns?”
      “Guns?”
      “Last time we encountered Von Werner he had a private army that was considerably armed or did you assume he’s just going to let us waltz in and take it back from him. Look Pete it’s a lovely idea but I don’t see what we can do to help. I’m certainly not putting any of my team at risk again.”
      “What are the risks?” Natalie asked.
      “Forget it!” Hutchinson said.
      “We’ll have the full backing from Interpol that anything we do will not result in our being arrested or convicted plus Bauer will assist in any way possible. He already has the Israeli police on full alert in case of anything happening there.”
      “It’s too big,” the American said, “it’s out of our league Pete.”
    Dennis sat back in his seat.
      “Okay,” he took a swig of his beer and put it down on the table gently, “I’m in.”
      “What?”
      “I’m helping them.”
      “Pete I think it’s too dangerous. Natalie talk some sense in to him.”
      “To follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ babe,” Dennis said with a gleam in his eye,” just think of the untold treasures we could uncover. The very tomb he lay in. Magical. Mystical. Powers from a Roman spear used by some of the most powerful men and women in history.”
      “You’re crazy.”
      “No Jim he’s right. It would be amazing to hold the very spear that pierced Christ’s side in your very own hands.”
      “Oh don’t tell me you’re hooked