Free The Wolf and the Lamb by Frederick Ramsay Page B

throat or stab him in the heart.”
    “Which?”
    “The preferred method would be to slit his throat. That would eliminate any possibility he could cry out.”
    “What circumstances would require you stab him instead?”
    “If you don’t trust your blade. Sometimes, after a battle, it may be dulled. If you have not had time to hone it on a stone first, then slitting a throat is not so easily done. If the dagger has lost its edge, it will at least have a pointed end. Then stabbing is the option.”
    “Show me. I am your target.”
    Yakob stepped behind Loukas and pretended to have a knife. He put his left hand under Loukas’ chin and pulled back. At the same time he bent his knees into the back of Loukas’ which caused them to buckle and Loukas to lurch backward off balance. Yakob drew his hand across the Physician’s throat.
    “There, you see Gamaliel. Our killer must have lain in wait for Aurelius. When his back was turned he performed this maneuver. The place was dimly lit, and there were footprints deeper in the corridor. I am guessing that the Prefect’s dagger was ceremonial rather than practical and so it would not have an edge. Thus, he stabs rather than slits Aurelius’ throat.”
    “And you came to this notion in the Temple?”
    “I watched the kohanim sacrificing a bull. They had to stand to one side or behind the animal to get at its throat. It came to me that such an approach would explain the lack of any evidence the dead man tried to defend himself. You saw how helpless I was just now.”
    “Man or woman?”
    “Oh, surely no woman could execute that strike. Could she, Yakob?”
    The servant shook his head. Sarai arrived with a flagon of new wine and some cakes.
    “I am no soldier, but I wonder…Sarai,” Gamaliel said, “let us pretend your husband there is your enemy. However, he does not know that. Also, pretend you carry a dagger up your sleeve. That is, you grasp it by the hilt but twist your hand so that the blade is next to your wrist. Yes. Like that. You smile and approach him…go ahead.” The woman stepped up to Yakob. “Now, you slide your left arm around his neck. Very seductive…good. Now you bring your right hand up along his chest…is he alarmed? No he is not. He is a man and he expects something of an amorous nature from you. He is smiling back. As your right hand rises, you unfurl the dagger and then, pah! You strike down. Sorry, Yakob, you are dead. There, you see, it could have been a woman, Loukas. I believe you are correct in assuming it was a man and the attack came from behind. However, that fact will not exonerate Pilate. Hypothesizing a woman as the killer might.”
    “It creates some doubt?” Loukas frowned and waved his servants away. “You are mad to take this assignment. Somewhere Holy Writ says, ‘the wolf will lie down with the lamb.’ There is no doubt which of you is the wolf and which the lamb. We are not at that peaceful place Isaiah envisioned and wolves are not known for their sense of fair play. In the end the wolf, I fear, will devour you.”
    “If I am to be devoured by the wolf, then it shall be so. I am set in my course and cannot turn back. Thank you for your offer of a meal, Loukas, but I will not linger. Tomorrow is Shabbat, and I prefer to be home when it begins.”

Chapter XIII
     
    Gamaliel drained his wine cup and rose somewhat unsteadily from his bench. “Woof,” he said and steadied himself with his hand on the table.
    “Are you not well, Rabban?”
    “I am fine, Physician. You need not practice on me just yet. I suffer only from the effects brought on by a self-centered Roman official imposing on my time and conscience, compounded by the ravages of advancing age. I do not know which is more debilitating. My impression is it is the former.”
    “I will have Yakob accompany you.”
    “Yakob? Why would you think I need company on my way home? I said old age advances, not that it had arrived.”
    “I was not concerned about your