The Mystery of Mariamne Tower

By Donald Craig Miller

A robbery of 10, 000 denarii from the Temple in Jerusalem has just shocked the whole city. One high ranking Pharisee has disappeared after being badly injured during the robbery. Now, an innocent man is being accused of murder. Detective Jake Jezreel desperately attempts to ferret out the truth and help clear the innocent man of the crime. Jake will do anything to help the innocent man, because they are the closest of friends, even to the point of hiding out his friend to protect him from the angry mob. There are twists and turns in this tale involving deception, an angry gang, and a frantic, climactic chase on top of the wall of Jerusalem. This story exemplifies the power of personal loyalty between friends, especially Christian friends.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9781664262195

Donald Craig Miller

Donald Craig Miller has been writing Christian papers for local churches and newsletters for more than 50 years. In 2018, he launched his first in a series of Christian books based on a first century detective. His Christian writing is a result of attending a Billy Graham writing school in Minneapolis in 1971. This experience encouraged him to develop his already growing desire to write and redirect his desire toward glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ in his writings. Through the cooperation of pastors, he has been able to write for church newsletters and bulletin inserts for churches in the Dayton, Ohio area, and more recently in the Macon and Warner Robins, Georgia area. Miller also has been a Bible teacher for over 50 years, teaching in Sunday school and church settings, in home Bible studies, and as a lay preacher. He found Christ through The Navigators while stationed at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa. Not long after accepting Christ, Miller realized that God had gifted him with the gift of teaching. From then on, his great desire has been to dig scriptural truth from the Bible and pass it on to other Christians. Based on these years of teaching, the life of Christ has especially come alive for Miller. His desire is to translate his passion for the life of Christ into the lives of his readers.

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Copyright © 2022 Donald Craig Miller.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by

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except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents,

organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products

of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are

models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982

by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-6220-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-6218-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-6219-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022905860

WestBow Press rev. date: 04/02/2022

Dedicated to my two sons

And to my daughter

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1     The Missing Man

Chapter 2     Back Alley Meeting

Chapter 3     Unexpected Clients

Chapter 4     The Crime Scene

Chapter 5     Puzzle Pieces

Chapter 6     The Suspicious Note

Chapter 7     The Gang

Chapter 8     A Sack Of Proof

Chapter 9     Hidden Evidence

Chapter 10   Foray To Hebron

Chapter 11   Three Detectives

Chapter 12   The Crooked Man

Chapter 13   Code Name: The Third Tower

Chapter 14   Catching A Dead Man

Addendum

About The Author

INTRODUCTION

In my first book, in 2018, I introduced the world to a unique, one-of-a-kind first century individual. His name is Jake Jezreel. Why is Jake Jezreel unique? Jake has a one-of-a-kind profession. Jake is a first century private detective. There is no one like him during those Bible times. And like all private detectives after him, he makes his living by having clients hire him and then investigate their various dilemmas. In the first century, there is lots to investigate. Sometimes, it’s the political winds that blow the worst trouble in Jake’s direction.

My 2018 book was titled, Trailing the Bloody Footprints. In the book, Jake takes on a case of overwhelming magnitude. Jake is hired by a group of Pharisees to investigate a dangerous radical in Galilee, name Jesus of Nazareth. The Pharisees fear Jesus and his power. They demand that their detective dig up any kind of dirt they can use to destroy the Nazarene. In the course of his investigation, Jake is swept up into the swirling onslaught by the religious leaders to crush Jesus. The investigation comes to an explosive pinnacle when Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath. From that point on, the enraged Pharisees immediately begin plotting the murder of Jesus. Jake realizes he has been dragged into this vicious vendetta against Jesus. The detective now faces a life and death quandary. How can Jake proceed with his investigation, knowing that Jesus is innocent of any crimes? What can he do to protect this good and godly man he has been hired to destroy? In the end, events pivot in a way Jake could never have imagined.

In 2020, Jake Jezreel’s adventures continued when I told his story during the great Christian persecution of the first century church. The 2020 book is titled, Terror Outside the Door (The Persecution of Jesus Christ). The early church enjoyed wonderful joy and peace until the religious leaders brought down the hammer of persecution upon Christians. Jake finds himself caught in the onslaught and on the run. The heavy persecution was crashing in all around him. Jake tries to keep one jump ahead of the devouring enemy. But how long could he avoid the clutches of the vicious mob chasing after him? Terror Outside the Door (The Persecution of Jesus Christ) is a dramatization of the early chapters of the Book of Acts. During this ordeal, Jake has to deal with Pontius Pilate, imprisonment for his faith, and the snarling Saul of Tarsus. All throughout these troubles the presence of Christ never leaves. The assurance of Jesus’ guiding love lingers close by in Jake’s heart.

In the third entry in the series, The Mystery of the Black Diamond, Jake Jezreel again is drawn into a mysterious first century case involving a missing Christian pastor and a rare Black Diamond. This adventure will plunge him into an daring investigation like he had never experienced before. Where is the missing pastor? And what power does this gorgeous Black Diamond have over men that would make men hate and attack each other to own it? Only through a nerve-racking climax at the Hippodrome chariot races in Caesarea will God bring the answers Jake is looking for.

Now, in this fourth Jake Jezreel Adventure, The Mystery of Mariamne Tower, Jake is suddenly thrust into a life and death crisis, trying to protect his best friend from the angry mob, when his friend is accused of murder. Jake goes to all extremes, even risking his own life, to protect his Christian friend while at the same time attempting to ferret out the truth. Jake’s Christian love exemplifies the tremendous power of personal loyalty between friends, especially Christian friends.

I’ve introduced Jake Jezreel to help all of us to come to know Jesus Christ in a more intimate way. Jake’s experience mirrors every one of us who believe. He is someone, like each of us, who is trying to live for the Lord every day of his life. Hopefully, as you read this adventure that Jake experiences, you will gain an affinity with the detective. By putting yourself in his place, you will experience the new life that Jesus gives to each and every one of us who have surrendered our lives to Christ. Knowing and loving Jesus is the great endeavor of life. May God bless you as you read this book in helping you know and love Jesus Christ more and more affectionately.

Donald Craig Miller

1

THE MISSING MAN

L ate summer and it was hot. Not a breath of a breeze dared drift in through the open second story window. Private detective Jake Jezreel leaned over his office desk, gazing down at his latest investigative case notes. A quizzical expression stamped his sweaty face. He slowly shook his head. What a perplexing case the last investigation had been! His desk was littered with papyrus pages. He sifted through the collage of papers. attempting to line them up into some semblance of order. As Jake stood there sweating in the heat, he tried to stay cool by rolling up the long sleeves of his tan tunic. He then wiped the sweat from his forehead with his rolled-up right sleeve.

Some would call Jake a well put together man. Slender. About average height. He thoughtfully stoked his neatly trimmed black beard as he studied his notes. Then he brushed his jet black hair back from his brow with the fingers of his left hand. Once again he leaned on his desk with his arms spread out, supporting his weight. His probing brown eyes surveyed the papers scattered on his desk top. A drop of sweat dribbled down his nose and dripped off the end, landing squarely in the middle of his notes.

This latest case had been very confusing. Countless twists and turns which Jake had to sort out. It digressed into a nasty, irrational family inheritance squabble. Nasty is right! Irrational, beyond doubt! The situation was one of too many relatives. Too much anger and hatred among them. Too many claims upon the deceased relative’s estate. But Jake had helped the courts with the muddled facts. Miraculously, the case had finally been settled without any bloodshed. Fortunately.

The private eye stood up and slowly turned around for a moment to gaze out his elevated, second story office window. Before him stretched out the beautiful, amber-hued capital city of Jerusalem. The early evening sunshine cast a yellowish-orange glow on the city, etching chiseled shadows on the sprawling labyrinth of buildings. Over to his right, his eyes came to rest on the magnificent, gold-faced Temple in all its splendor. The immaculate white limestone of the Temple walls took on an orangish-cream radiance in the brightness of the evening sunlight. White smoke from the evening sacrifices still drifted heavenward. That thin ribbon of smoke rose as a testament to the devotion of the Jewish people to Jehovah God.

The drifting smoke caused Jake’s mind to drift; drift back into pleasant thoughts about his detective father, Jedidiah Jezreel. His famous father had pioneered the science of logical detective thinking. Herod the Great had utilized Jed Jezreel on occasion. The Roman government had also employed his talents, as well. As his thoughts drifted, Jake recalled the many lessons his father had taught him. Data, his father would repeatedly teach his son. Get more data. Pay attention to the smallest clue. That seemingly insignificant clue may be the very key to unraveling the entire mystery.

Jedidiah Jezreel’s advice had benefited Jake many times, in case after case. Those valuable details, the data Jake’s father had preached so vigorously, helped Jake time after time to uncover the vital evidence leading to the motives of the suspects under investigation who committed their crimes.

A pleasant smile crossed Jake’s lips as he reminisced about his father. Jedidiah Jezreel had died years ago fighting crime. But his intrinsically firm teaching lived on in Jake’s life. Thanks, father, he said quietly under his breath, still gazing out the window. Thanks for your strong guiding hand in my life.

Then suddenly, Jake’s pleasant past thoughts exploded in a noisy frenzy. He jerked around as he heard loud, frantic commotion beyond his office door. A frightened voice yelled out in panic in his secretary’s office. Jake shoved his brown leather chair out of the way and leaped around the end of his oak desk, rushing toward the outburst. He snatched open his office door. He found Hannah, his pretty wife and secretary, standing suspended in a daze in the middle of her office, with the main office door to the corridor yawning wide open.

Hannah! What just happened? Jake asked in a frenzy.

Hannah stood there with confusion draped all over her. I’m not real sure, she chanted, in a trance. A pudgy tornado just blasted through here. She turned toward Jake, her golden brown hair swept across her forehead. In semi-shock she stated, Suddenly the office door flew open and your friend Pudge rushes in here all covered in sweat and all confused. He’s talking a mile a minute. He says something about helping some man and the next thing he knew he was up to his ears in trouble. Then he pleaded for you to meet him out behind Caleb’s Doughnut Shop in the alley tonight at sundown.

What! Pudge in trouble? That can’t be right! Did he tell you what kind of trouble?

No, the last thing he said was, ‘They’re right on my tail! Can’t stay!’ And then he bolted out of here as fast as the wind. Jake, Pudge was really, really scared!

Well, we both know Pudge is a straight arrow, since he’s become a Christian, Jake stated. He gave up his life of crime a long time ago. So, I can’t image what kind of trouble he could be in.

Hannah stared at Jake. Wait a minute. The only major trouble in Jerusalem recently was that daring, daylight robbery of the money from the Temple collection boxes. You don’t suppose …

No, I don’t, the detective interrupted. Pudge would never do that! He has gone straight. He has Jesus as his guide, now, and I know for a fact Pudge is about as committed a Christian as I have seen.

I was just supposing, she shrugged. That news about the robbery has been the buzz of the city all day and the authorities are tearing the city apart looking for the crooks.

Jake shook his head. No, the robbery and Pudge just can’t have a connection, Jake stated, rubbing his