Book of the Just by Dana Chamblee Carpenter

Author:Dana Chamblee Carpenter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pegasus Books
Published: 2018-09-11T16:00:00+00:00

The antiques store sat next to an ice cream shop on a typical Amman street. But the inside wasn’t what Angelo expected. The long, low tables held gold dishes and cups crammed up against old radios and tourist trinkets. None of it had the dusty solemnity of authentic antiquities. As he ducked under guitars and lamps hanging from the ceiling, Angelo felt certain he was either in the wrong place or the victim of a scam.

Navigating the cluttered store with his crutches took time, but finally he made it to the counter in the far back corner. A young boy sat on a stool and stared at him.

“I’m looking for a Mr. Khalid,” Angelo said. “He’s expecting me.”

The boy slid off the stool and came to stand in front of Angelo. He looked him in the eye for several moments, saying nothing, and then walked to a large carpet hanging against the back wall. He motioned for Angelo to follow and pulled back the edge of the carpet to reveal another doorway that led to a shallow, dimly lit hall.

This was more what Angelo had expected—breaking dozens of national and international laws seemed to warrant some level of subterfuge. A thrill of anticipation ran through him.

The hall opened to another, smaller room crowded with crates and scattered packing materials. An older man stood near the far wall, speaking to a group of four young people. Angelo judged the oldest to be about twenty; the youngest was just a toddler. Based on their clothing, Angelo guessed they were Bedouins. One of the girls saw Angelo first. She pulled at the older boy’s sleeve and lifted her shawl to cover her face. The other girl followed suit, and the toddler whimpered and held his hands out, asking to be picked up.

The older man approached Angelo. “You are Mr. Angelo D’Amato, yes?” His English was excellent. A thick wave of sweet-smelling incense washed over Angelo as the man came near.

Angelo nodded.

“I am Khalid.” He reached his hand out to shake Angelo’s, then saw the crutches and moved with both hands to Angelo’s shoulders, half patting, half hugging. “Come, I have tea and chairs here at the back.”

Khalid led the way to a small curtained area at the side of the room where there were several seats on a soft rug crowded around a low table set with tea and dates. Angelo sat down as directed. The other four came and took seats as well. Khalid stood.

“This is our friend who has the artifact your Reverend wishes to procure,” he said to Angelo. “Our friend does not want to give his name, but please understand it is because of the danger this might bring to his family that he wishes to remain unknown.”

“Please tell him that I have no intention of revealing where or how I obtained the artifact,” Angelo said to Khalid. “He and his family are safe. You have my word.”

“You may speak to me yourself. I understand English, sir,” the young man said.

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