The Tomb, Book One: The Gospel of Susanna

By Rusty Burson

Taliya Kish is a professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem with doctorates in Ancient Semitic Languages and Archaeology. She is also special consultant at the Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA).

Rachel Fine is an expert in cataloging ancient works for the IAA and is Taliya's best friend.

Daniel Burrows is a professor at the Graduate Theological Union, who has taken a temporary leave to visit Israel and try to reconnect with his faith.

What do they have in common? All three find themselves in a life or death struggle to keep priceless first century documents out of the hands of the Eagle, a powerful antiquities crime organization in Israel. What makes these documents so priceless, is that they are scrolls that were written by one of the women mentioned in the Gospel according to Luke as a disciple and financial supporter of the Teacher, Jesus. The scrolls are the earliest writings in existence that record Jesus' teachings and as such, predate the earliest Gospel by approximately thirty years. The Gospel of Susanna paints a somewhat different picture of Jesus than that which is painted in any of the Gospels or the teachings of Paul. Eagle understands the great monetary value that the scrolls have and will stop at nothing to get them. Even if it means the murder of Taliya, Rachel or Daniel in the process.

From the hospital bed where Daniel lies recovering from a hit and run. To a wild and deadly chase through the winding streets of the Old City. To Taliya's escape from Eagle's yacht in the Mediterranean Sea on a personal water craft. The Tomb promises adventure, love, danger and new look at the life of the 'God in sandals'.

The purpose of this book is not to convince anyone into believing or disbelieving in Jesus. That is a personal choice and that choice should not suffer intolerance. The purpose of the book is to tell a story. One that I hope you will enjoy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rusty Burson
• Release date: Jul 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005769642

Rusty Burson

Rusty Burson is a native of the Pacific Northwest and currently lives in the city of Banks, Oregon. Aside from writing, his hobbies are fishing, camping, astronomy, singing, playing and writing music and riding his bicycle. He enjoys the simple things in life, like listening to the wind blowing through the trees, the sound of the ocean surf and listening to the music of nature. When asked what he hears, his usual answer is "I hear the universe singing to me."Rusty developed a passion for story telling shortly after college. Oh yes, his education. Rusty started his college years in the summer of 1969. What an experience! He was able to make it through alright, with only minor cuts and bruises. And for his efforts, he completed four years of education at Portland State University, Oregon, in only six years! Or was it seven? Well, what do you expect when you spend your time hustling pool and playing cards rather than attending classes. Anyway, six year is not bad for those crazy years don’t you think.Of course, 'all of the 'straights' did it faster, but they probably didn't have as much fun', Rusty has said. For his efforts, once he finally got kicked out of school and then found meaning for his life to continue his education, he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History, where he specialized in the History of Germany and the History of Christianity. He also had sub-specialty work in both Greek and Roman history.After college, Rusty went on to study at the well respected Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree. One could say, given all of the writing that was involved in that part of the journey, that it was then that he began his writing career. But unfortunately, one can not say that. Regardless, he had to write a lot of papers! And that, not just as punishment for skiving off chapel to play pool or ping pong.Oddly enough, seminary was where he had his most challenging moments with regard to his faith. But, that is a story for another time.

Book preview

Chapter 1: Memories Of The Faithful

Magdala, Israel - 33 CE

On the western shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel, sat one of the largest cosmopolitan settlements in the Eastern Galilee named Magdala. The ancient city of Magdala was important for several reasons. It was surrounded on three sides by the riverbeds of Wadi Arbel and Wadi Savona and on the fourth side are the cliffs of Mt. Arbel. This made it a naturally fortified setting and with a nearby spring it offered not only protection but also an important source of fresh water.

Magdala was situated close to the ancient route that led from the Sea of Galilee, through Wadi Arbel, to central Galilee and then on to the Mediterranean coast. Commerce and trade were prominent here. Magdala, an ancient port city, had a thriving fishing and fish curing industry that sent pickled fish as far away as Rome.

However, Magdala of the Galilee also had quite a dark reputation. It was recognized as a region that had a long history of rebellions lead by various freedom fighters, over much of the history of the area. It also vehemently opposed any interference into the traditions and lifestyle of the Jewish population who had settled there.

Simon ben-Jacob was a former scribe now turned businessman who worked for a fish processing business owned by his wife Susanna. Both he and Susanna were disciples of the teacher Jesus of Nazareth, whose ministry was primarily based in the region of the Galilee. Both Simon and Susanna were among those first followers, the ‘poor ones’, who continued the Jesus’ ministry with great devotion. With her wealth, Susanna, along with many other prominent women, provided financial support to Jesus’ ministry. Susanna and Simon had met each other on a mission that they were a part of, having been sent by Jesus to the towns of Galilee and beyond. They were also two of the many people who remained in Jesus’ company and traveled with him. Because of her belief in what Jesus taught and her strong conviction, Susanna began to record many of the things that Jesus taught. She did this partly to record the significance of Jesus teaching and also as a way for her to remember them clearly.

However, not everyone who heard Jesus message welcomed either him or his followers. Not least among their reasons was fear. Even in the Synagogue of Magdala, his message had been welcomed by some and scorned by others. Jesus had gained a favorable reputation for the work he had done in Capernaeum and the towns throughout the Galilee. His words of encouragement, hope and justice, as well as reports of miracles had performed, made an impact on the lives of many. But to others, Jesus was just another itinerant teacher who preached a message of defiance against the Judean ruling class of the Temple and their traditions. Being seen as an activist made him more popular with some that with others. That activism would eventually eventually bring his death just like many others before him. Although he had a message of non-violent resistance to Roman oppression, to them his teaching was subversive. Since the Galilee had a long history of resistance and open rebellion, many people feared anyone who might upset the tenuous peace. In the culturally mixed environment of Galilee, over whom the Judean faction of southern Israel had no power to suppress opposition to their political and religious beliefs, Jesus teachings were a direct affront to their power and authority.

Simon ben-Jacob sat at the table in his house staring at the two papyrus scrolls lying before him. He was tired, his eyes were burning and his thoughts were beginning to drift. His thoughts were focused on Susanna, who was in Jerusalem for a time. She had asked him to finish copying her original scroll so that others might have a copy. But he knew that Jerusalem was becoming even more dangerous for those whom Jesus called the ‘poor ones’ and he worried about her safety.

Simon was 55 years old but his hand was still strong and steady. With the precision and delicacy of a trained scribe he would copy each letter from one scroll to the other. He treated each individual letter he wrote with reverence, believing that they were sacred because they carried the sacred teaching of Jesus. Before he began reading the last few paragraphs he had written in Susanna’s scroll.

Set yourselves apart for the work of the kingdom. Your deeds will define you. But that is only on the outside of a person. If your deeds are pure then you will be holy. But if your good deeds come from an evil intent, then you will not be holy.

If you love in words only, then that love will never truly be shared. And if it is never truly shared, it will always feel empty. But love is not just a word we say, it is a way of life. It is something that we must live out in our lives every day. The word does not give meaning to love. Doing love gives meaning to the word. I tell you this because I love you and I want you to know love and do love in the world.

Strive to do the will of God and by that you will bring forth the kingdom of God in the world. And this is the will of God, love one another as God loves you.

The kingdom of God is not like the kingdom of the world. The kingdom of God is peace and justice for all. When you know peace, you will understand justice.

My life will be taken away and I will no longer be with you. Stand firm in your convictions and love one another.

Let peace guide your actions, but do not ignore injustice.

Do no repay evil for evil.

One day I will no longer be with you, but I will be present in your minds and in your hearts. You will see me in kindness and loving acts. When you hear truth being spoken, you will hear my voice. When you truly love others, you will understand my love. When you protect the weak, feed the hungry, clothe the naked and show kindness to a stranger, you will know who I am. When you gather together, I will be there among you.

Setting aside Susanna’s original scroll, Simon Ben-Jacob picked up the leather pouch at his feet and carefully placed the scrolls inside, then put the pouch into the clay jar where he kept them. He was in a hurry to finish making the copies he needed before Peter, or one of his followers, arrived to pick them up and take them on his journey. When he was finished, he would take all of the scrolls and hide them in a rock cleft he had found in the mountain near the town of Magdala. He had decided to do this because of the trouble that was being stirred up against the followers of the Teacher by many of the Temple leaders. Many of those followers in Jerusalem and the surrounding villages in Judea had already been persecuted for believing in and teaching the message that the Teacher taught. Some had even been put to death by angry mobs stirred up by agents of the Temple. Such was the case of Simon’s wife Susanna, who was taken outside the city and stoned for continuing to preach the message to any who would listen. The message was one of refreshing water, but also one of burning fire as the Teacher often referred to it. The water brought life to those who drank it in, but it was like fire to those who rejected it and were exposed by it.

Laying in his bed, Simon recalled the excitement and enthusiasm that they had all felt in the early days of the Teacher’s ministry. The Teacher’s followers, whom he liked to call the ‘poor ones’, were committed to the message that the Teacher spoke. His message was simple and direct, but also challenging. Be good and kind to each other and also to those who are different from you. Show hospitality to the stranger who comes among you. Respect your mother and father. Honor the widows. Do no evil to anyone. Do not lie or cheat or take that which does not belong to you. Resist the oppressor with peace. Resist those who would deceive you with the truth. Resist those who steal from you with generosity. Worship God with your whole heart, mind and spirit. The Teacher always said The Kingdom of God is here now. It is not something far off that you must wait for. It is now among us. Live in that Kingdom not the Kingdom of men. The Kingdom of God is greater than the kingdom of men. Think with the mind of the Kingdom and you will see the Kingdom plainly. The Kingdom of God turns no one away, but welcomes all as they are. You are the Kingdom of God.

Simon fell asleep thinking back on those days and wishing that the Teacher was still with them. But he had known for some time that the Teacher’s life would end like John’s and others before him who dared to speak the truth. The Teacher had as much as told his followers this himself. "You can not taunt a scorpion and expect that it will not sting you.

Chapter 2 : A Strange Bed In A Strange Room

(Jerusalem, Monday, May 15th 2017)

Daniel Burrows opened his eyes and looked around the hospital room. He thought to himself that he had woken up and found himself in a strange bed more than once in his life. But that was pretty much limited to and ended with his college days. Of course, there were always those times when one would wake up a little groggy from not getting enough sleep, or moving around from hotel room to hotel room while on one of those See five countries in four days! bargain vacations. You stare at the ceiling for a minute and then realize where you are and how you got there. When you realize that you are in the same room and the same bed that you went to sleep in, everything is fine. But this wasn’t one of those times.

He woke up feeling groggy, aching and could swear that he must have been run over by a truck. The clean white sheets, the safety rail to keep him from falling out of bed, the IV bag hanging next to him with a tube ending in a needle that was in his arm and the sound of the monitor that was automatically taking his blood pressure and keeping track of his vitals all told him that he was not in the place where he had been accustomed to falling asleep and waking up.

He laid his head back down on the pillow and stared at the ceiling trying to remember how he gotten there and under what circumstances. The monitor on the wall dutifully alerted the nursing staff that his heart rate and blood pressure had increased, prompting a nurse to come in to check on him.

Hello Mr. Burrows. I see that you have woken up. How are you feeling?, she asked.

Daniel Burrows turned his head to look at her and replied, I’ve felt better. Where am I and how did I get here?

There was an incident and you were brought here one and a half days ago. You are at Hadassah Medical Center – Mount Scopus in Jerusalem. Do you remember anything about yourself Mr. Burrows? Can you tell me the name of the hotel you are staying in?, she asked.

Daniel had to think for a moment. He thought that the question sounded odd somehow but his thoughts seemed to form slower. He replied I remember coming to Jerusalem, but I don’t remember that my trip involved a stay in a hospital. I came here to…, Daniel paused briefly as he tried to gather his thoughts… to visit the sights, the historical places I guess.

Daniel turned to look back up at the ceiling trying to reconstruct the past several days. I remember that I was.. Wait, did you say I have been in this hospital for one and a half days? he asked somewhat frantically. At this, the monitor on the wall once again felt obliged to let those caring for him know that there was a spike in his vitals.

Please Mr. Burrows, you are going to be fine., the nurse said in a calm and reassuring voice and putting a hand on his shoulder for reassurance. You have suffered some moderate injuries, but nothing life threatening or incapacitating and you will recover fully in a short time. You were brought in here by a medical team after the incident.

What incident?, Daniel asked. What happened to me? How did I get here?.

I can understand how upsetting this can be for you Mr. Burrows, but please try to calm yourself. You are alright. Your injuries are a minor concussion, perforated left eardrum and two broken ribs on your right side. These are not life threatening. The doctor will be in to speak with you about them. I have already let him know that you are awake.

Daniel looked at the nurse and said What the hell?. He tried sitting up and a sharp pain in his right side convinced him to lay back down. A throbbing pain in his head made him close his eyes and instinctively his hands went up to his head, fingers needing his brow.

I can get you some medication for the pain if you would like. Can you tell me if you are allergic to any medications?, the nurse asked? I’m sorry but you were unconscious when you were brought in. We only know your name and where you are staying from the contents of your wallet.

Yes .. I mean no, no I don’t have any allergies to medication that I am aware of. I can’t think straight. Something for the headache and the pain in my side would be welcomed. Daniel replied.

I will go and order you some medication and it should be right in. The doctor will be in soon as well. the nurse said and turned to leave.

Wait, wait dammit! What kind of incident are you talking about?, Daniel demanded. I would like some answers! What happened to me!

The nurse paused for a moment then said There was an attack. The police are still trying to understand what happened exactly. They don’t know if you were a target, or just a bystander, or what your involvement was. But you were involved to some degree. I’m sorry Mr. Burrows, I am not supposed to be discussing any of this with you. I don’t really know much besides that anyway. Please, the doctor will be in shortly and will speak with you. Please don’t worry. I will get your pain medication ordered for you. She looked back at him and gave him a friendly smile and said Just try to calm yourself. It will help with your headache and with your other pain."

Daniel closed his eyes and tried to calm down. An incident? What the hell did that mean? An attack? What kind of an attack? Think Daniel, try to think. What were you doing before you woke up in this hospital? His head was pounding and all he could see in his mind were bits and pieces like those of a puzzle that were laying on a table ready to be fitted together. I was near a bar or restaurant I think? What was the name? The name dammit! Mac or Mike or something.

A few minutes later a different nurse came in with the pills to help with his headache and some other medication that she introduced into his IV drip. Daniel tried to ask her a question but she just smiled and shook her head saying Ani lo medaberet Anglit, which he figured meant Hey, I don’t speak English ya dope. She left the room and as she did she was replaced by a tall man wearing slacks and a white coat. He looked to be in his late forties. He closed the door and turned to Daniel.

Hello sir, how are you feeling? he asked. It was said in one of those tones that you hear when you are walking down a hallway in a workplace where no one really wants to know how you are or means what they are asking. It’s just something to say as you pass in the hall so you don’t appear to be a snob. Daniel hated those types of feigned pleasantries that were meant only as an acknowledgment that you exist but don’t really care enough about you to wait for a response other than the expected Fine! How are you? Without waiting for a response the doctor reached for the clipboard at the end of the bed and began to read, flipping the pages as he did so.

Mr. Burrows, he said, do you have any recollection of the past few days?

Only scattered images but nothing that makes any sense., Daniel replied. I was hoping that you might tell...

The doctor cut him off and said, And do you not remember the woman who was with you?

Daniel frowned and said, Woman? No I don’t remember a woman being with me. I don’t really even remember where I was before being brought here. How long will I be in the hospital?

I’m sure that you will be out of here within the next five days. Now, do you remember which hotel you are staying at?, the doctor asked.

My hotel? What? No. No, I can’t remember. Why is that important? Doctor, when will I get my memory back?

Your memory should return to normal in a few days after your have gotten some rest the doctor replied.

What about my ribs and I am not hearing very good out of one ear? What all is wrong with me?, Daniel asked.

The doctor was paying more attention to the clipboard chart than to his patient and this was making Daniel more and more frustrated. It says here in your chart, Mr. Burrows, that you were hit by a driver who did not stop afterwards and that you had a companion with you. What is your companion’s name Mr. Burrows? How long have you known her?

It says what? Look doctor, I don’t have any idea what you are talking about. I came to Israel alone, I don’t have a ‘companion’ as you put it and I don’t know anyone here!

Then why did you try to save her life? What is she to you? Where is she now?

Daniel reached for the button to call the nurse. His head was pounding again and he was getting very upset. The doctor put the chart down turned and walked toward the door. A nurse came in at the same moment and looked surprised to find the man in Daniels room.

Excuse me sir, she said, what are you doing in here? You must be authorized to enter this room and I do not see your access and identification badge. How did you get in?

The nurse turned to her patient for an explanation and as she did, the doctor struck her on the back of her neck with his fist. She hit the floor hard and the doctor promptly left the room.

What the hell!, Daniel shouted, making his head throb even more. Hey what the hell are you doing?

Daniel pressed the call button over and over and began to shout for someone to come. Two staff nurses came running into the room and found their colleague laying on the floor. With a shriek, one of them bent down to attend to her and the other crossed over to Daniel’s bed to attend to him.

Mr. Burrows, are you alright? What happened here, the nurse asked.

The doctor came in my room and started accusing me and asking me a lot of questions, none of which included how I was getting along. The nurse that has been taking care of me came in and the doctor hit her on the back of the neck and walked out. I don’t understand what the hell is happening around here? asked Daniel.

Please Mr. Burrows. Please try to calm yourself

Please my ass!! What the hell is going on? I get brought into a hospital unconscious with injuries that I can’t remember getting! Some crazy ass doctor beats up a nurse! Is this really a hospital or some weird…. Some….

That was the last thing that Daniel Burrows remembered saying. The throbbing in his head hit a crescendo and grabbing his head, feeling that it was going to split wide open, he passed out and remained silent while the frantic actions by the nursing staff went on around him and without his notice. After a nurse revived him, she stayed with him until the doctor arrived.

After the nurse who was attacked revived, she told the others about the tall man in the white jacket. He was masquerading as a doctor. The white coat he was wearing looked like a waiter’s jacket or something. I still don’t know how he was able to get past the security guard that was outside. I came into Mr. Burrows room when I heard him calling. Then, the man hit me on the back of my neck. That’s all I can remember except that his hair was black and short, eyes brown and probably around six feet two or three inches tall.

A plain clothed officer from the Misteret Yisra’el (Israeli Police) showed up about thirty minutes later and wanted to talk to the physician on duty. I spoke to the security guard. He was found in the next room over. He says he was hit on the back of the head and was knocked out. A man whom he assumed was a doctor had asked him to help with restraining a patient who was becoming violent. The guard entered the room first and then he was attacked from behind. Oh, he will be fine I am sure. A bit embarrassed and he will have some explaining to do to his superiors. I have phoned my station and they want me to stay here and stand guard. I don’t have any idea who this Daniel Burrows guy is, but he has sure created a commotion. An apparent attempted kidnapping, this guy wrestling around with the attacker, shots fired and this guy gets run over. We don’t know if he fired the shots at the woman or at the attacker or whose gun it was in the first place. I would appreciate it doctor if you would keep me informed of anything he might say that could help shed light on the situation.

The doctor went in to see Daniel and check on his condition. Then he ordered Daniel a sedative after he had checked him over. Alright, let’s clear this room and give Mr. Burrows some peace and quiet. He has had a lot to deal with emotionally and I want him to have quiet. He may need another bump of his analgesic medication in a few hours. Just continue with the treatment plan that is in place. I want him to be checked on regularly, asleep or awake. If anything changes in his condition or his emotional state, I want to be notified immediately. I will be in the ward tonight. If there are no emergencies with him, you can tell him that I will be in to check on him personally at 9:30AM tomorrow when he wakes up.

Chapter 3 : I’m Only A Tourist

At 9:30AM, the doctor from the night before walked into Daniel’s room. Daniel was lying down in his bed with his head propped up on a couple of pillows listening to the American news station he had found on the television in his room. The Fox news channel was recounting the latest nonsense in the political theater back home. Who was lying about this? Who was telling the truth about that? Which democratic senator had been most recently charged for leaking information? The chances of a government shutdown, an account of the latest shooting victims in one city, how well the economy has been doing, fake news and ‘Trump derangement syndrome’. Well, seems like things at home are pretty much the same. Nothing changes. No wonder so many people hate politics, including me! And my friends wonder why I never bother to vote or pay attention to politics seriously! The whole government is a joke! ‘By the people, for the people’? Right! Pull the other one! he thought to himself.

He was tired of going over and over the events from the previous night and trying to make some sense of them, which he found could not. A phony doctor in his room asking him a lot of questions that made no sense to him. The attack on that nurse and trying to understand the reason he was taken to Hadassah University Hospital in the first place.

A different nurse had come in earlier to bring his breakfast, remove his drip bag and give him more medication for his headache. She told him the the doctor would be there in a little while and that he may even be released soon if he keeps improving throughout the day. That was good news for Daniel because he was not the kind of guy who enjoyed lying around in bed.

Good morning Mr. Burrows. the doctor said in a professional manner. How are you feeling this morning?

I’m feeling better than yesterday, but not one hundred percent.

No, said the doctor, I wouldn’t expect that. I do have some good news for you though. Your ribs were not broken. You do have pretty significant bruising though. You will have some soreness for about a week and then it will taper off. We have something for the pain that we can give you. But you will have to modify some activity for a few days due to the head injury you acquired. But do not worry. There is nothing life threatening about your injuries. You have been very lucky.

That’s good to know doctor. But I would say that the ‘life threatening’ part of the whole thing was what happened several days ago and I’m not sure if my ‘visitor’ last night may have been a threat as well.

Mr. Burrows, I am terribly sorry about what happened. Your room had been assigned a guard but...

Yeah about that, was that guard there to keep me in or to keep others out? Daniel interrupted.

From what I have come to understand, said the doctor, it sounds as though he was there for a bit of both.

Daniel’s eyes widened at this and the monitor on the wall indicated that his heart rate had increased. What’s this all about? he demanded, Why am I not free to leave when I want to? Am I under arrest or something?

His doctor spoke calmly to him. Sir, I am not the one doing all of this and quite frankly I don’t like not knowing any more than you do about what brought you here. I do not know for example if your encounter last night would have culminated in your death or if the person was just here looking to get information from you for whatever purposes he had. There has never been an incident like this in our hospital. It was a very unusual act. I’m very sorry that it happened to you here and I will do my best to see that you are protected and well taken care of.

The doctor’s calm and steady voice had the affect that both made Daniel feel more calm and assured that he he would be safe. His blood pressure cuff cycled automatically and it registered higher than normal because of the stress he was under.

Please Mr. Burrows, I would like you to just try and relax. I know that is a pretty easy thing for me to say because I am not in your situation. I can understand your frustration and also the fear that has come from waking up in a strange place, a hospital no less, after being in some kind of an accident and on top of that having someone showing up in your room who was not who he said he was. But if you can, I would like you to try to bring yourself into a calmer state. You head injury is not life threatening in and of itself, but becoming excited will raise your blood pressure excessively and cause you more pain which will trigger more anxiety. It can be a vicious cycle. If you like I can have the nurse bring in something to help you calm down.

Okay doctor, Daniel said, I will try. Maybe I do need something to help me. I just can’t believe the way this trip has turned out. How long do you expect I will need to stay in here?

Only another to days, three at most. You took quite a blow to your head and received a concussion because of it. We did a scan to look for damage to your brain such as bleeding, a contusion, but we found nothing that is alarming. But I want to make sure that you are healing well and are able to recall the events of the past week. Speaking on that subject, has your memory come back to you at all?

Daniel paused for a moment and then said, I can remember walking down a street looking for a restaurant or bar called Mike’s Place. I remember it was a nice evening. But things after that are still foggy to me. Just bits and pieces like flashbacks.

I understand. said the doctor. It may be that way for several days or more due to your concussion. That is why rest is the best thing for you. Mild activities are fine, but for five to seven days you will want to take it easy. No more saving ladies in distress for a while.

The moment those words had passed his lips, the doctor knew that it was a mistake.

No more saving ladies in distress? Daniel said. What do you mean by that? What lady? Is this what that phony doctor from last night was in my room about?

Mr. Burrows, please. I’m sorry that I disturbed you with that. Really, you must try to stay calm. said the doctor.

Daniel’s head was pounding and his breathing was becoming more rapid. Wait, I remember something. Something about a woman who passed me as I was waking down the street. She smiled at me. There was someone else. Something wasn’t right...

Daniel stopped there. The doctor had triggered something in his memory. It had startled him to regain some memories. He was happy to know that something was coming back, but it frightened him at the same time. Something about that scene he saw in his mind made him become tense and uncomfortable. The woman was in trouble. The other person in the scene was assaulting her. And then the fog came back in his mind and he could not remember anything else.

Doctor, Daniel said, you tell me to stay calm and then you say something to get me worked up. What’s going on here?

Mr. Burrows, the doctor said, I am truly sorry. It was a slip that..

Sure, it was a slip Daniel interrupted, But what do you know that you are not telling me?

Mr. Burrows, I think it would be best if I left now and sent a nurse in to give you something. All I can tell you is that you will be fine. The incident that occurred is not something I know of in detail and also something I am not free to discuss with you.

Then who can discuss it dammit? I want to know what has happened to me and why it did!

Alright Mr. Burrows, please calm yourself. This is not good for you. An investigator would like to speak with you. But I will only let that happen when you are feeling better. With that the doctor left the room.

Daniel was too tired to discuss it any longer. His head was pounding again and the muscles in his chest were throbbing from the tension. He just wanted out of there and he also wanted answers. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.

At 11:30 AM a nurse entered the room to check on Daniel and to see if he was feeling up to having a visitor. Daniel asked who the visitor was and the nurse told him that it was an inspector from the police department.

If you are not up to it, I can tell him that he should come back later, the nurse told him.

No, I want to see him now. I want some questions answered!

The nurse left and when the door opened again it was a tall, thin man with short cropped graying hair, gray slacks, light blue shirt and a dark blue tie. He didn’t really look like a cop, more like an insurance salesman.

He crossed the room, introduced himself and showed his badge. Hello Mr. Burrows. My name is Simcha Levinson. I am an Inspector with the Israeli Police. How are you doing today?

As well as can be expected I suppose. Daniel replied. I hope that you are here to answer my questions."

Ah, said the Inspector. That very closely matches what I was going to say to you. I have a few questions to ask you as well."

Well maybe we can both get some answers then. First among them is how did I end up in this hospital?

Inspector Levinson raised his eyebrows and said So you still have no recollection then? Your doctor told me as much and stated that your memory should return. Perhaps in bits and pieces at first, but he is confident that you shall recover fully. To answer your question Mr. Burrows, you were brought here after you were hit by a car near an establishment called Mike’s Place.

Jesus! Is that all? Daniel said. Then why all the mystery? Did you get the driver? Why the fake doctor and the guard outside my door? I’m not a criminal!

No, I would not say that you are a criminal. We have looked into your background and you do not have a criminal record or a record with the FBI, Interpol or with us.

A surprised look came over Daniels face. Why in the hell would they look to see if he had a criminal record? Wait a minute! Daniel replied. Why are you looking into my background for a criminal record. I’m just a tourist on holiday."

Do all Americans get involved thwarting attempted kidnappings when they go abroad Mr. Burrows?

What? What the hell do you mean?

Mr. Burrows, there was an attempted kidnapping of the woman with whom you were seen that night. You involved yourself and attacked the man who was holding the gun on her. You fought with him. Inspector Levinson took out a small notebook and read from it. According to witnesses you overpowered him and in the scuffle he dropped his weapon. Two shots were fired from the gun in the process, neither of which injured anyone. The woman who was with you ran and you were left standing in the street facing the would be abductor. He began shouting something that the witnesses could not understand. At that moment a car struck you, the abductor jumped in and the car sped away, apparently not wishing to be the center of attention any further. It is surmised that the car was there to assist in the kidnapping of your friend. The car, by the way, was stolen. No surprise there. Does any of that ring a bell Mr. Burrows?

Holy shit! Holy shit! Daniel said half to himself and half to Inspector Levinson. But wait, I don’t remember meeting any woman. I don’t know who you are talking about. Daniel’s head was pounding again and he was becoming concerned about what was going on and what they thought his involvement was.

Mr. Burrows, said Inspector Levinson, Are you telling me that you have never met this woman before? You risked your life to save a stranger? You risked getting shot and killed for a woman that you have never met? Usually people in that kind of a situation are too surprised or shocked to act. These things most often happen too quickly, especially when it had apparently been planned out quite well. A man with a gun to persuade the victim and a waiting car to swiftly come in and take them away. It can happen in a matter of seconds.

Look Inspector, I don’t know what the hell you are talking about. I don’t know who this woman is that you were talking about and I don’t know what the hell happened to this supposed gun that you say I took from the guy! Maybe one of the bystanders took it after I got run over! Daniel was much more agitated now and his head was pounding again.

Inspector Levinson had seen what he wanted to see. He was fairly certain that Daniel was not lying to him, so he decided to back off. Mr. Burrows, I’m sorry to have upset you. I do not have any further questions for you now. Do you have anything that you would like to ask me?

Daniel thought for a minute and asked, Who was the fake doctor last night and why was he in my room asking me a bunch of questions. What is going in here?

The Inspector paused and then said The security cameras were active and caught the man who posed as your doctor. He is a known criminal and works for anyone who will hire him for his talents. He is especially known for working for the criminal elements in the trade of black market items, artifacts, scrolls, jewelry and whatever else. There is a large market in many countries for this kind of thing. Here in Israel we have begun to crack down harder in this area to make it more difficult for black market dealers to sell the artifacts that they have stolen. But it is still a very big business. The larger dealers are no more than gangsters. The phony doctor’s name is Joshua Stampher. He has worked for some of the larger black market dealers in the past. One of them in particular that is known as Eagle. They are an extremely dangerous organization. We are going over the list of other suspected gangs he used to do work for.

What do you mean ‘used to work for’ Daniel asked.

"He is dead Mr. Burrows. His body was found in a dumpster early this morning. There was a single gunshot wound in the back of his head. He was assassinated. I would guess that his employer was not happy with his lack of judgment. Just walking into a facility where security cameras are known to be without some kind of disguise. Attacking a security guard and leaving him alive as a potential witness are not the kinds of things that these kinds of employers like to see happen. In their business, carelessness gets people killed.

Neither do they like witnesses to their deeds. This is why we are concerned about you Mr. Burrows, as well as the woman whom you say that you do not know. I would assume that you were meant to be killed on the street that night. You are very lucky to have survived it, but at the same time, you are, shall we say, a lose end.

At that moment Daniel’s doctor returned and said to the Inspector, I’m sorry Inspector Levinson, but I am going to have to ask you to leave now. I gave you the 5 minutes that you asked for.

From the look on his face, Inspector Levinson clearly did not want to leave just then. He was making good progress with Daniel and he seemed to be winning his trust. Alright doctor, he said reluctantly, I will leave you now Mr. Burrows.

But you will come back, right? asked Daniel. I to hear more about what you you know.

Inspector Levinson turned to the doctor and raised an eyebrow. The doctor nodded in the affirmative. Yes, said the Inspector turning again to Daniel, I will come back in the afternoon tomorrow. I will also be sending over an officer to protect against another attempt to gain access to you, but I do not think they will bother to try that again. The first time did not turn out to well for them.

With that, Inspector Levinson nodded to Daniel and the doctor and left the room.

Chapter 4 : A Person Of Interest

Daniel didn’t like the sound of what Inspector Levinson had told him at their meeting yesterday. In this context, a lose end certainly did not sound like a very good thing to be. Daniel thought to himself, It’s not enough that I came to Israel to find some hope, to see if I could recover some bit of what I have lost in my faith and now while trying to do that I’m mixed up in an attempted kidnapping, and the illegal trade of ancient artifacts, not to mention a target for another likely attempt on my life!

He spent half the night awake, unable to sleep. His mind was replaying events over and over and each time they became a little clearer. He began to see the streets, bystanders, the attacker and the woman more clearly. But the memories were still a little foggy. At three in the morning he asked the nurse for something to help him sleep and a few minutes later what she had given him had done the job.

Inspector Levinson showed up in Daniel’s room as promised the day before. The doctor had asked him to come in the afternoon so more testing and assessment could be done with Daniel. At 1:00PM sharp, Inspector Levinson knocked on the door to Daniel’s room.

Come. Daniel said in response.

How are you feeling today Daniel? How are your memories?

I am starting to feel better actually Daniel replied. The pain medication is kicking in well and I was even up walking the halls a little this morning after I ate breakfast. Inspector, please forgive me for my behavior yesterday. I am stressed out and confused from all that has happened to me recently.

Thank you for you apology, but I really do understand the strain that you feel. I have not taken any of it personally. The doctor told me that your actions were likely due to your trauma. said the Inspector. So, are the meals here, good? Do I dare stop by the cafeteria after I leave you?

Well, they are not Five Star quality, but they are better than any hospital I have ever been to.

I have been doing a lot of thinking Inspector, Daniel continued. "So, why don’t you get me released from here, I’ll