Crown of the Nazarene: A Carmela Buenasuerte Case

By Jesse Edward Corralez

Fiction
Crown of the Nazarene: A Carmela Buenasuerte Case
Jesse Edward Corralez
Pre-publication

The Crown is the third installment in the Carmela Buenasuerte mystery series by Jesse Edward Corralez. In this book, Carmela and friends are called on to find an ancient relic the Vatican wishes to preserve for all of humankind regardless of religious affiliation. But the items elusiveness suggests that its purpose does not include being housed in a museum.

Archbishop Nicolas Rand, head of the Holy Antiquities Museum, is called on by the pope to authenticate a relic that is believed to be the crown of thorns that was worn by Jesus Christ during his crucifixion. The archbishop is given the directive to go to a museum in Switzerland and negotiate the purchase of the crown from the curator if he determines that it is the real thing. Money is no obstacle.

Once in Switzerland, the archbishop is shown pictures of the thorny wreath that a former visitor to the Switzerland museum sent to the curator. The archbishop and the curator travel to Portland, Oregon, to authenticate the wreath. When they arrive, they are informed that the wreath was taken during a robbery of the owners condo. Enter Carmela Buenasuerte, the crack private investigator who solved the curbside recycling and warehouse robbery mysteries. When her husband, police officer Shawn Sparrow, takes on the case of the stolen wreath with few results, Carmelas services are retained.

As the couple begins to acquire bits of information about the location of the wreath, first at a pawnshop and then across the country in New York City, they recruit their friends Abraham Joseph Dooley and Gideon Nathan Blaze, owners of a special security and transport business, to help with the search. The jaunt to New York to recover the wreath from a couple whod been visiting Portland leads the group all over the globe including Italy, Israel, Syria, and Iraq. With each attempt to retrieve the wreath, the foursome encounters people who have experienced a miracle after coming in contact with the crown: a child blind from birth can suddenly see and recognize her surroundings; a woman disfigured and crippled in a car accident as a child becomes beautiful and all her physical deformities are corrected; and a man who was positive for AIDS shows absolutely no signs of the disease after coming in contact with the wreath.

Corralez achieves in this book what he does best as a writer: the combination of action with a focus on human behaviorthe good and the badto weave a tale that not only entertains, but feeds the spirit. While the search for the crown of thorns is endless, one can determine that the wreath is not supposed to be found and possessed by one person or institution. The crown appears to belong to everyone, and as a result, it should be free to circulate among the masses.

Crown of the Nazarene is a strong addition to the Carmela Buenasuerte series. I highly recommend it.

Melissa Levine
for
Independent Professional Book Reviewers
www.bookreviewers.org

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jun 8, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466941205

Jesse Edward Corralez

I was born in Fromberg, Montana. After graduation from high school I joined the U.S. Navy and gave them 10 years. The last two served in Chu Lai, Vietnam- 1968 & 69. Left the Navy, went to work and to collage and then found a career with Farmer's Insurance as a claims representative. At age 48 I joined the U.S. Army Reserves and gave them 2 years. Then I joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves and gave them 10 years. I retired from the Military in 2000 and then from Farmer's Ins. In 2001. I reside in the Pacific Northwest. I had to live my life as it came. Adventure and misadventure, one step forward and one step back. A laugh here and a sob there, but I wish I had lived it from the start as a writer. Jesse Edward Corralez

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Italy: The Vatican, today. Archbishop Nicolas Rand, head of the Holy Antiquities museum was called before Pope Jon Thaddeus II.

Good morning, your eminence. I understand that you have a mission for me. I hope that it involves a place or country that I have yet not visited.

"Good morning to you, Archbishop Rand. I certainly hope that this will not ruin it for you but I’m afraid that where I am sending you is entirely too familiar to you, my son. Your quest will take you to Bergdorf, Switzerland.

"You are to go to The Schloss Bergdorf, the Castle. There you are to speak with the museum curator. I believe you are acquainted with him, Max Johann-Luder.

"He went to a great deal of trouble and effort to get word to me secretly of what he holds and is offering to sell to us.

You will travel in civilian clothes and remain so at all times. If you decide that the item is authentic or even close and needs closer scrutiny. I wish you to arrive at an equable price and make the purchase.

Yes, your eminence. When shall I leave? the Archbishop asked.

"You had better hurry and pack. Your airplane departs for Zurich in just over 3 hours. You have an open end return time, so you need not hurry negotiations. I trust that you will do your best for us but be fair in your dealings. You may draw from our treasurer what ever amount in cash that you think you will need. From Kloten airport in Zurich you will have to hire a taxi or other means of transport.

For the purchase of the item you are to take a cashiers check drawn on the Vatican treasury and blank for the amount. To be filled in by you when you know how much.

Your eminence, you are going to tell me what the item is that I am to purchase?

Oh! Yes, of course, you need to know that. You, my son are going to bring back to the Vatican the Crown, the Pope said.

The Crown, your Eminence? The Crown? As in the Crown of Thorns? The crown worn by Jesus Christ? Asked a thoroughly astounded Archbishop Nicolas Rand.

"But it has been missing forever, your Eminence. Starting with Mount Zion in Jerusalem then Byzantium and Turkey. The last place that it was supposed to have been at was the Cathedral at Notra Dame after it had been redeemed from Baldwin II, the Latin Emperor of Constantinople in or about 1238.

"Then, of course, there are the stories of many thorns having been removed from the Crown and given as gifts along the way to many. In Belgium, Germany, Spain and England.

"Why, your Eminence, there cannot be very much left of the Holy Crown!

Yes, yes, my son. I am well aware of all that you have stated, replied the Pope. "However, we must bring to the Vatican whatever remains of such a Holy relic. It will be up to you to determine the authenticity of what there is.

"You will be given a file that contains all that could be gathered from different sources to help you. There are descriptions and drawings and many tales.

As I said to you early on, do your best to authenticate what is there and if not sure but what is there is close . . . Bring it back with you.

From Kloten airport Archbishop Rand rode in relative comfort to Burgdorf and on to Schloss Burgdorf, the castle. He hired a limousine and sat back and sipped a fine wine that he had requested for the trip. Too, he enjoyed a couple of good Cuban cigars. He looked forward to trips away from the Vatican. That was the only times that he really got total satisfaction from wine and tobacco.

It was not like he was doing anything wrong, no. Maybe it had to do with being by himself. At the Castle, the Archbishop paid the driver a compliment by way of a large tip. The limo service he had paid back in Zurich. Before the limo was out of the drive Max Johann-Luder appeared to greet the Archbishop.

Nicolas, Nicolas! I am so glad that you were sent. It has been too long since last we were together.

They embraced briefly and then Max grabbed up one of the two suitcases that the Arch Bishop had brought.

Good, good, Max said. You plan to stay a while, then?

Yes, the Bishop replied. "I’m hoping that our negotiations carry on for at least a week.

CHAPTER 2

Nicolas, my friend, we may not be here for a week but you will certainly be away from the Vatican for at least that long, Max said. Come inside and after I show you to your room we will talk in the sitting room.

Alright, Max, but if I am staying in the same room as I did last time you do not have to show me to it. I will meet you in the sitting room just as soon as I unpack and hang up shirts and trousers, replied the Archbishop.

No, no, do not unpack yet. Drop off your suitcases and come meet me,

Archbishop Nicolas Rand stopped momentarily and looked at Max. Then he nodded and went on. In the room that he occupied twice before he took time to remove his coat and tie. By the time that he met Max in the sitting room Max had a decanter of Brandy and two Brandy snifters set on the coffee table in front of two easy chairs fronting a huge and ornately mantled fireplace.

Ah! said the Archbishop upon entering. Libation to soften the blow. What are you up to Maxamillian Johann-Luder?

Sit down, Nicolas, and let us have a nip of this very fine Brandy.

The Archbishop took a seat and watched as Max did the honors. When he had a snifter in hand, Nicolas Rand, Archbishop and head of the museum of Holy Antiquities in Vatican City, toasted Max, took a sip and said, I am ready to listen. How much do you want, Max?

Max also sipped his drink and then began his tale. "The Holy Crown or what was thought to be the one and only true Crown and was kept in the Cathedral at Notra Dame de Paris went missing. In 1939, during World War II, fear that German bombs could destroy the windows, on September 11 of that year arrangements were made to have the windows removed and safely stored.

"It was not until after the occupation of France that The Crown was found to be missing from where it had been stored within The Cathedral. Of course, the general consensus is that the Germans stole it. But not so, my friend. Not so according to my latest information.

"A few years ago an elderly Italian-American couple was here on tour and I spent some time with them personally guiding them through. They were quite older than the rest of their group an so as not to delay the tour of the Castle’s museum and grounds I volunteered to escort them.

We got along marvelously and I invited them to stay for super and then drove them to their hotel in Borgdorf. Dario and Valery Amato are their names. Two weeks ago I received a letter form Mr. Amato. He informed me that his wife had died two months hence and he did not expect that he would be around for too much longer. That he has in his possession an item of antiquity that I might be interested in buying for the Castle’s museum.

"He had obtained said item from an old acquaintance, a French man that had emigrated from France after World War II. That man had been one of the workmen that removed the windows from the Cathedral at Notra Dame.

"During the removal and carting off to store the windows the Frenchman took a wrong turn and ended deep under the Cathedral. There he spotted an ornate box and thinking that perhaps The Germans would invade and sack The Cathedral—taking everything—he grabbed up the unopened box and took it with him. When he got home that evening he opened the box and discovered that it held nothing but a ring of thorns. Not wanting to be arrested for having stolen from The Cathedral he decided that he would hide the box away and not mention it to anybody.

"Shortly after his immigration to the United States: in New York City he met Mr. Amato and they became friends. The Frenchman, Andre Laporte, told Mr. Amato that he was an experienced glazier and hoped to some day open his own window service. But it would be far off in the future, if ever, because it would take some cash to start the business.

"He then, Andre, told Mr. Amato that he had an old relic that he might sell and put away whatever it would bring towards the start of his window shop. Mr. Amato asked what the relic was and might he see it. Andre told him that it was an ornate box that had at one time been stored in the Cathedral at Notra Dame. Mr. Amato took interest and told Andre that he might be interested in buying it.

"He did and came to realize that the ring of thorns just might be significant beyond just a simple item. It was kept by him as a relic, put away on a shelf in a closet and all but forgotten.

"When Mrs. Amato died and Mr. Amato finally got around to cleaning out her belongings from the closet he came upon the ornate box. After a while he thought of me and that perhaps I would be interested in purchasing the box and its contents for display in the Castle’s museum.

"After my questioning him about the ring of thorns I asked him to photograph the box and the ring and mail the photos to me: He had called information—Telephone, that is—and obtained the number of the museum here and called for me.

"I received the photos and decided that the ring of thorns just may be the Holy Crown and contacted the Pope. Not an easy thing to do, you know? Took quite an act of God to be put through to him.

Nicolas, I am not looking to sell the box and Crown to the Vatican. I do not have it. I only will ask for a fair amount as a finder’s fee.

CHAPTER 3

Archbishop Rand set his brandy snifter down on the coffee table and asked Max for his and proceeded to fill both. He handed Max his glass and then asked, The box and ring are in New York, then?

No, Nicolas, Mr. Amato relocated to Portland, Oregon several years ago to be near his son and grandchildren. Let me show you the photos. I have them there on the mantle in the envelope they came in. They are quite spectacular. He stood and fetched the envelope and handed it to the Archbishop.

One look at the photographs and he knew that he had to see the Crown in person. He was so taken aback by what he was looking at that for a few minutes he could not speak. Then he looked at Max and asked? Portland, Oregon, Max? As in the United States?

Correct. Look at the return address on the envelope and the Post Mark. What do you think?

I think, said the Archbishop, that I need to borrow your telephone, please.

Of course, Nicolas. Help yourself.

Archbishop Nicolas Rand had no trouble getting through quickly to the Pope. The Pope told him that he was at his own discretion in chasing down the Crown. The Archbishop thanked his Eminence, hung up the telephone and turned to Max.

You will go with me to meet with Mr. Amato?

Yes, of course I will, Nicolas. Let me call the airline and arrange passage. When do you want to leave?

Tomorrow if at all possible, Max. But you had better call a travel agent to arrange the trip. It will take probably two or three flights . . . One from here to the East coast of the U.S. and then cross country there to the West coast. I don’t think we can book a flight direct to Portland International Airport.

Yes. You are right, Nicolas. It will only take a moment. Sit back and enjoy the photos and the brandy, my friend.

Their flight from Zurich to the U.S. left at 9:47 AM their time. Two days later they arrived in Oregon.

They rented a car from Enterprise Car Rentals and headed off to find Mr. Amato. His address was in an apartment building (now called Condos) in the Pearl District near downtown Portland. He could well afford to live there even though the average price per unit is in the $650,000.00 range. Mr. Amato’s son owned the building he lived in. Had been there well since before the renovations that turned apartments, name wise, into Condominiums.

The Pearl District is an area made up of Trendy Shops, Art Galleries, Restaurants and Pubs. Mostly located on the first floor of the spendy Condos.

When Max and the Archbishop arrived, Mr. Amato greeted them and bade them come in.

Max, oh, Max! exclaimed Amato. I forgot to call you. Please, please sit, he said and motioned towards a couch and easy chairs.

Thank you, Mr. Amato, Max said. First, let me introduce you to Nicolas Rand. He is the Archbishop in charge of the Museum of Holy Antiquities in Vatican City. He is here to inspect the box and ring. The Vatican may be interested in buying them.

Silently, but with a look of reverie clearly on his much wrinkled face, Mr. Amato slowly extended a hand to the Archbishop. Nicolas Rand held out his right hand, from which he had removed his Bishop’s ring. Mr. Amato took it up, stooped and brought the hand to his lips.

Your Eminence, Mr. Amato said, I am honored and blessed to make your acquaintance. Please, he said, Please, both of you, have a seat. He motioned towards the couch and a couple of wing-back chairs.

"I’m afraid that I have unpleasant news for you. Two days ago, while I was away visiting with my daughter-in law and the grand kids—my son was away on a business trip to Philadelphia—vandals broke in here. Well, not exactly broke in since I left the sliding door to the balcony unlocked. Some how he or they climbed up and in. There is not much to steal but small items were taken. I suppose that youngsters were involved. Probably looking for stuff to sell for drugs.

Anyway, the box with the ring of thorns was taken. Nothing of real value other than perhaps the box and ring. I did not report to the police. I was embarrassed to do so because, after all, it was my fault.

Archbishop Nicolas Rand slowly turned his head towards Max whose eyes were open as wide as they could be. Oh, my God, he breathed out. This can not have happened. We have come so far, Mr. Amato.

I am truly sorry, Max, your Eminence, but it has happened, replied a very perplexed Mr. Amato.

Is there anything we can do? Asked the Archbishop. There must be something that the police should do to try and locate the box and it’s contents. Perhaps they can have someone inquire at the local pawn shops to see if someone has brought in the box.

Yes, yes. Perhaps that is so, said Mr. Amato. Come, let us go to the local police station. It is not far from here. We can walk there."

Right, Max said. Then turning to the Archbishop, We need to check in at a hotel, Nicolas, we may be here a while.

To Mr. Amato he said, Can you recommend a suitable place?

Certainly, Max. The Benson is very nice. Has a good restaurant within it and next door is another great place to eat. El Gaucho is my favorite.

Well, then, the Archbishop said, Mr. Amato, will you be so kind as to summon a taxi? We will cab over to the hotel and check in. Afterward we will ask the concierge to have another taxi come and take us to an automobile rental business where we shall acquire transportation means for the duration of our stay. I am accustomed to driving in the United States and look forward to it.

CHAPTER 4

At the Portland Police Department the desk officer, after having listened to Mr. Amato tell of the break in—or walk in—at his condo and the urgent need to locate the ornate box, (Mr. Amato did not make mention of the contents.) rotated his head about the Precinct and spotted beat-cop, Shawn Patrick sparrow.

Yo, Spar! The Desk Officer yelled. Come over. You need to listen to these folks.

Officer Sparrow nodded. As he made his way over, the Desk Officer said to Mr. Amato and the two men accompanying him, Officer Sparrow is a Street—Beat Policemen, knows downtown Portland inside-out. He will check out the Pawnshops and Second Hand Stores for you. And by the way, if he turns up nothing, his wife is a private investigator. She is extremely good at her job. You may want to speak with her.

Shawn arrived at the Desk Officer’s location and Mr. Amato and friends were turned over to him. He led all three to a small conference room and Mr. Amato retold his tale.

I will start checking right away, Shawn told them. Do you have a photo of the box?" he asked.

Yes, Max replied, I do. He reached into an inside pocket of his suit jacket and extracted an envelope, took out of it several photographs and handed them to Shawn.

Very pretty, Shawn said as he viewed them. What is that thing in the box?

It is a . . . a ring of thorns, the Archbishop said and they paused momentarily.

You are Irish, correct? The Bishop asked of Shawn.

Yes I am, Shawn replied. Why do you ask?

And are you Catholic, too? the Bishop said.

As ever was, Shawn told him. Again, why do you ask?

Archbishop Rand glanced over at Maxamillian Johann-Luder and lifted an eyebrow. Max shrugged slowly.

Officer Sparrow, began the Bishop, I am going to tell you this because it is crucial that you understand the grave importance of that particular box. It is not it’s attractiveness or even the value of the stones that adorn it on the outside. What is inside . . . the ring of thorns . . . is the real prize. You see, officer Sparrow, I believe that it is The Crown of Thorns. The Holy Crown placed upon the head of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion.

Mr. Amato crossed himself.

Shawn sat silent for a dozen or so heartbeats and then stuttered, The th the c c c crown of Jesus Christ? The actual Crown of Thorns?

Yes, the very one, officer Sparrow. If you have no luck in locating it in any place you inquire, it is my understanding that your wife is a private investigator and I wish to retain her to continue the search. Please, when your search is completed and if not fruitful, may I, we, confer with her? By the way, I am Archbishop Nicolas Rand. I am here on behalf of the Pope and the Museum of Holy Antiquities in Vatican City. I am entrusted to authenticate the Crown and transport it to the Vatican.

Okay, you folks sit tight. I will do all I can within the next few days. Where can I contact you? Shawn asked.

The Benson Hotel, Archbishop Rand and Max told him. Mr. Amato filled out the necessary report form which included his home address and phone number.

You’ve gotta be kidding me, my giant leprechaun, Carmela said to her husband, Shawn Patrick Sparrow—the street cop.

The Crown of Thorns? The crown that was so cruelly shoved down onto the head of Jesus Christ? Carmela asked.

"Well, Archbishop Rand thinks that there is a good chance that it is. He said that after the crown was removed from Jesus it was taken to many places and by different individuals. Along the way, thorns were plucked off and given away as presents. The photos that Mr. Amato took of the thing and sent to Max and are in the hands of the Bishop show that