Solomon's Gold Read online

  Solomon's Gold

  by

  Alex Lukeman

  Copyright © 2017 by Alex Lukeman

  http://www.alexlukeman.com

  This is a work of fiction. Organizations, places, events and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or used entirely as an element of fiction. Any resemblance of characters in this book to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means except by prior and express permission of the author.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  Other Books by Alex Lukeman:

  Dedicated to those who keep the barbarians from the gates.

  The Team

  Prologue

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  CHAPTER 37

  CHAPTER 38

  CHAPTER 39

  CHAPTER 40

  CHAPTER 41

  CHAPTER 42

  CHAPTER 43

  CHAPTER 44

  CHAPTER 45

  CHAPTER 46

  CHAPTER 47

  CHAPTER 48

  CHAPTER 49

  CHAPTER 50

  CHAPTER 51

  CHAPTER 52

  CHAPTER 53

  CHAPTER 54

  CHAPTER 55

  CHAPTER 56

  CHAPTER 57

  NOTES

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Other Books by Alex Lukeman:

  Sign up for Alex Lukeman's Mailing List

  Further Reading: The Cup

  Other Books by Alex Lukeman:

  White Jade

  The Lance

  The Seventh Pillar

  Black Harvest

  The Tesla Secret

  The Nostradamus File

  The Ajax Protocol

  The Eye of Shiva

  Black Rose

  The Solomon Scroll

  The Russian Deception

  The Atlantis Stone

  The Cup

  High Alert

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  Dedicated to those who keep the barbarians from the gates.

  The PROJECT is an elite counter-terrorism/intelligence unit answering only to the President of the United States.

  The Team

  Elizabeth Harker: Director of the Project. Formerly part of the task force investigating 9/11 until sidelined for challenging the findings. Picked by the president to head up the Project for her independent thinking and sharp intelligence.

  Nick Carter: Former major, USMC. The team leader in the field, with years of combat experience. Suffers from occasional PTSD and nightmares. He's got it more or less under control.

  Selena Connor: Highly intelligent, a renowned linguist in ancient languages and expert in martial arts. Independently wealthy, the result of an inheritance. Introduced into Nick's violent world by accident, she is now a full fledged member of the Project team.

  Lamont Cameron: Former Navy Seal, of Ethiopian descent. Expert in all things water related. His humorous attitude sometimes drives Elizabeth Harker to distraction. A tough cookie.

  Ronnie Peete: Nick's oldest friend and a fellow RECON Marine. Expert with explosives, weapons and all things mechanical. A full blooded Navajo, Ronnie brings solidity and the wisdom of his culture to the team.

  Stephanie Willits: Elizabeth Harker's deputy; computer guru. Stephanie maintains the Project's Cray computers. She can hack into any system as needed. Among other duties, she is responsible for the satellite communication network that keeps Harker up to speed and the team connected in the field.

  And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.

  And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.

  And they came to Ophir, and fetched from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon.

  1 Kings 9:26 (KJV)

  Prologue

  Jerusalem, 587 B.C.E.

  The High Priest of Israel bent over a low table, feverishly copying a disintegrating scroll by the flickering light of an oil filled lamp.

  There wasn't much time.

  The heavy pounding of battering rams vibrated through the stones under his feet. Nebuchadnezzar's army would soon be through the gates. Once inside the walls, horror would descend on the people of the city.

  King Zedekiah had betrayed his oath to the Babylonian king, thinking the Egyptians would defeat him. That mistake would now cost him his kingdom, his family, his eyes, and the lives of almost everyone in the city.

  The temple would be sacked, the sacred treasures looted, the women raped before they were slain. Those not killed by the savage soldiers of Babylon would be taken off into slavery.

  There were some things that could not be saved, but others would never fall into the hands of the dark king. The elders had seen what was coming. The ark was hidden, deep below the temple. The great golden menorah had been spirited away, a clever replica left in its place. The High Priest's concern now was for the legacy of Solomon.

  An officer wearing armor and a short sword stood nearby, waiting for the priest to finish. He was a dark, wide man, hardened by combat, in the prime of his strength. His legs were like tree trunks, his bare arms knotted with muscle.

  The soldier said, "Is it ready, Teacher?"

  "Yes."

  The High Priest rolled up the sheet of parchment and tied a piece of cloth around it. Then he took an empty pot from a shelf by the table. He placed the scroll inside the pot and sealed it. He picked up the lamp and held a stick of beeswax over the mouth of the pot, watching the flame melt the wax down over the sealed opening. When he was satisfied, he set the lamp and wax aside.

  The officer stepped forward, his hand on the hilt of his short sword.

  "You know where to take this?" the High Priest said.

  "Yes, Teacher. You have told me many times."

  "Be careful, the Edomites have risen against us. God will protect you, but you must leave now. Use the tunnel that goes under the east wall."

  "Yes, Teacher," the soldier said again.

  "Now," the priest said. "Do your duty."

  "Teacher..."

  "Daniel, my son. I am too old to escape and I must not be captured. I am weak, I will reveal where the King's treasure lies hidden. Babylon must not have it. You know I cannot take my own life. Do your duty."

  Daniel knelt before his spiritual leader and grasped his feet.

  "
Forgive me, Teacher."

  "You go with God's forgiveness and His blessing," the priest said.

  The soldier stood.

  "Do your duty," the High Priest said again.

  Daniel drew his sword and drove it with a powerful blow into the aged priest's heart. The body toppled to the floor. Daniel sheathed the bloody sword and placed the pot in a leather satchel slung over his shoulder. He took a last look at the corpse of the man who had mentored him and headed for the secret tunnel that would take him under the walls and outside the city.

  Hours later, Daniel looked back. Black smoke rose from the burning city. It seemed to him that he could hear the cries of the dying on the desert wind.

  He turned and walked away, toward the rising sun.

  CHAPTER 1

  January sleet drove against the glass patio doors of Elizabeth Harker's office. Inside Project HQ, it was pleasant and warm. A large, orange tomcat lay on his back and snored loudly in front of a blazing gas fireplace set in a corner of the room.

  Anyone looking in through the windows would have thought they were observing a quiet domestic scene at someone's home. The building looked like an ordinary Virginia ranch house. In fact, it was one of the crucial nerve centers in America's endless war against those who would destroy her.

  Elizabeth had dressed for the weather, keeping to her favorite color scheme of black and white. She wore a white silk blouse with a high collar and a black, open front sweater. She'd chosen black wool slacks and ankle high black boots that added an inch or so to her short height. An emerald pin in an abstract shape was pinned over her left breast. It picked up the deep green of her cat-like eyes.

  Elizabeth was a petite woman. Some people made the mistake of dismissing her because of her size. It was a mistake they didn't make twice. She had a razor-sharp mind and courage big enough for someone many times larger than she was.

  She settled into her chair, ready to work. Work was what kept her going. She didn't like to admit it, but there wasn't much else happening in her life. Even her relationship with Clarence Hood was overshadowed by work. Hood was Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Elizabeth was Director of the Project, the President's secretive counter-terrorism unit.

  At least she was for the moment. In another few days, President-elect Corrigan would be sworn in, and she'd have a new boss. She wasn't certain the new president would see the Project for what it was: a covert, effective weapon against America's enemies. The future of her unit was something much on her mind.

  At the moment, there was something more immediate she needed to deal with. It concerned two key members of her team, sitting on the couch across from her.

  Nick Carter had the look of a professional warrior about him, from the hard appearance of a man who kept himself in shape, to a haircut that barely exceeded the military maximum. His face was square cut and serious looking. He wasn't what anyone would call handsome, but he didn't need to be. The lower part of his left ear was missing, where a bullet had clipped the earlobe. A loose, gray sport jacket concealed the pistol he carried in his shoulder holster. His eyes were smoky gray, flecked with bits of gold. Nick's eyes had seen things that would send most people screaming into the night. They reminded Elizabeth of the eyes of a wolf.

  An Alpha wolf.

  By contrast, Selena Connor's eyes were a dark blue that was more often violet. One of her cheekbones was a little higher than the other. Her reddish hair and the color of her eyes spoke of her Celtic ancestors. Her lips were full, sensuous. It gave her a deceptive look of femininity that served her well in the field. Enemies saw only a woman, and underestimated her.

  She wore a white knit Irish sweater, black slacks and black boots. A soft cast on her leg was a reminder that she'd taken a bullet in the thigh during their last mission. The cast was due to come off in a few days. A cane rested by the arm of the couch.

  "What is it that you wanted to see me about that we couldn't discuss with the whole team?" Elizabeth asked.

  "We thought it better to talk with you privately," Nick said. "It isn't anything that the rest of the team can't hear, but we wanted you to hear it first."

  "I'm not sure I like the sound of that," Elizabeth said.

  "Why don't you go ahead?" Nick said to Selena.

  "Where shall I start?"

  "Start with Junior."

  "Junior?" Elizabeth said.

  "I'm pregnant," Selena said. "I think about eight weeks."

  Elizabeth's mouth dropped open. Selena laughed.

  "I wish I had a picture of you right now, Elizabeth."

  "How long have you known?"

  "Not long. I didn't realize it until right before we left for Korea."

  Elizabeth took a breath. "This changes things."

  "You could say that," Nick said.

  "I want to go back to what I was doing before I joined the Project," Selena said. "Working with ancient manuscripts. I've received several requests in the last couple of months to either present a lecture or examine a document. As a matter of fact, I want to go to New York to examine a new find. "

  "Does this mean that you're quitting?" Elizabeth asked.

  Selena took a deep breath. "Yes. Nick and I have talked it over. I don't want to risk the baby by going on missions like the one we just finished."

  She tapped the cast on her leg.

  "You'll have to replace me with someone new for the rough stuff. I'll still be available for anything else, if you want me here. I'd like to stay involved."

  "Finding someone to take your place is going to take some time."

  "I know, I'm sorry. This wasn't something we planned, but I don't feel I have a choice."

  "No, of course not," Elizabeth said. "Actually, I think it's wonderful."

  "You do?"

  "I can't wait to see how Nick handles being a father," Elizabeth said.

  Nick said, "You're not the only one."

  Both women started laughing.

  "Okay, okay." Nick waited for them to finish.

  "I've been thinking about who we might bring on," he said. "There are three or four who come to mind. They're all active or former Special Forces. They have the skills and attitude we need."

  "Do the others know you're quitting?" Elizabeth asked.

  "Ronnie and Lamont both know I'm pregnant. They found out by accident."

  "Then they'll be expecting something like this."

  "I don't think it will come as a surprise."

  Elizabeth picked up her pen and began fiddling with it. "I won't pretend I'm happy about it." She set the pen down. "Selena, I'd like to propose a compromise."

  "What kind of compromise?"

  "I don't want to lose your expertise. You stay on as a consultant. You keep your security clearance and access. All I ask is that you keep yourself available if I need you."

  "As a consultant?"

  "What changes is that you no longer go with the team on a combat mission. You're free to do whatever you like when it comes to lectures, consultations and the like. You keep your pistol and your identification."

  "Why would I need a weapon, if I'm not going on missions?"

  "You've been part of the team for a long time and we've made a lot of enemies along the way. For your own safety, I think you should continue to be armed. It's a lot easier if it's official. Besides, if I keep you on the payroll it's a requirement."

  "I have to think about it," Selena said.

  "Fair enough. Let me know your answer as soon as possible."

  Elizabeth looked at Nick. "Nick, I want you to give me a list of the people you're thinking of. They'll need to be vetted. If they get through that, we'll go on from there."

  "I don't think that's going to be a problem, Director. High security clearance is or was part of their job description."

  "Good. Assuming they all get through that, we'll begin interviewing them."

  "At least there's nothing going on at the moment," Selena said. "It gives you a chance to evaluate my replacement with
out the pressure of a mission on top of it."

  "Let's hope it stays that way," Elizabeth said.

  CHAPTER 2

  Nick and Selena lived in a converted loft overlooking the Potomac River and Virginia. On a clear day, it was easy to imagine armies of blue and gray marching across the view. On a day like today, there was nothing to see except a blur of sleet and freezing rain beating against the windows.

  "When are you going to New York?" Nick asked.

  "Tomorrow," Selena said. "The airports are a mess, but I can take the train. I'll be back tomorrow night."

  "What do you make of what Friedman sent you?"

  Alan Friedman was the director of the Jewish Museum in New York, the oldest museum of Jewish history in the world. He'd sent pictures of a scroll to her, asking for help in translating it.

  "It's fascinating," Selena said. "It's written in biblical Hebrew."

  "What does it say?"

  "I can't read it yet," Selena said. "It's written in code."

  "Codes were pretty simple back then," Nick said. "It should be relatively easy to crack. It's not like what they do today."

  "That's true, but it could be unique to the person who wrote this. In which case I may not be able to translate it."

  "Whoever wrote it, someone else would have to be able to understand it. Otherwise, why write it in the first place?"

  "Sure, but that doesn't make it any easier. Codes were common in biblical days. The various armies used them. Merchants used them to conceal things from their competitors. When I look at this I can understand some words but they seem unrelated to each other. Until I can determine the underlying pattern, I can't read it."

  "It's a challenge. You like challenges." He changed the subject. "I thought Harker took it pretty well today. What did you think of her offer?"

  "I'm going to accept. Part of me feels like I'm letting the team down by pulling out of the missions, but mostly I feel relief."

  "It's not going to be the same without you out there," Nick said.

  "That's right. You're going to miss me."

  "I won't miss worrying about you getting killed," Nick said.

  "You'll still be out there. It's my turn to worry."

  "It might not be an issue, once Corrigan takes the oath. He may disband the Project."