Promised Land by Robert Whitlow

Author:Robert Whitlow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2020-01-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

Returning from his run, Daud turned on his laptop. Fifteen minutes later his eyes grew heavy and he lay down on the sofa where he fell asleep. He was in a semiconscious state when Jakob called.

“Hello,” Daud said groggily.

“Were you asleep? Hana told me you might be jet-lagged.”

“Just waking up from a nap,” Daud said.

“If you want me to call back later, just let me know—”

“It’s okay,” Daud said as he sat up on the sofa.

“First, sorry I blew your cover with Hana about the trip to Jerusalem. She told me a few minutes ago that she wasn’t mad at you.”

“That’s good to hear. I thought we worked through it okay last night.”

“You can be my counselor when I ask Emily to marry me. Anyway, I’ve been communicating fast and furious with Avi and Daniella.”

Daud was surprised that Jakob was now on a first-name basis with both the art dealer and the archaeologist.

“I sent Avi the digitally enhanced photographs of the Bar Kokhba coins along with the one of the ceramic queen’s head,” Jakob continued. “The next thing I know, I’m on Skype with both of them from Avi’s art shop in Jerusalem. Daniella believes she knows who has possession of one or more of the coins.”

“She mentioned that as a possibility at our dinner in Jerusalem but wouldn’t tell me.”

“The enhanced photographs changed her mind. They removed her doubts about the coins and convinced her it was her duty to notify the woman who has them that they may have been stolen from the rightful owner. Daniella promised to contact her and let me know what she says.”

“Where does this woman live?”

“In an area of Jerusalem I’ve never heard of that sounded like Tabitha.”

“Talbiya,” Daud said.

“Yeah, that’s it,” Jakob replied.

Daud sat up on the sofa. “The president of Israel has his official residence in Talbiya,” he said. “The area has old mansions built by rich Arab Christians who purchased land from the Greek Orthodox Church a hundred years ago. It’s not far from the Old City. Anything else about the woman? Do you know her name?”

“No, but if she’s rich, she might fight to keep the coins. Mr. Ivanov may end up being more interested in recovering the coins than locating the queen’s head.”

If he had a base of operations in Jerusalem, Daud could be in the middle of the investigation. Jakob’s case had captured his interest.

“I’m shutting down everything else I’ve been doing on the Russian internet to focus on this,” Jakob continued. “The postings on Russian social media have dwindled to nothing except ads from people trying to sell me something that has nothing to do with ancient artifacts. Do you agree working with Avi is more efficient than starting up a similar program in the Middle East?”

“Yes. As long as he’s willing to help, you should ask him to do so.”

“Most of me believes that’s true, but even with the input from Daniella, I may send up a trial balloon by posting a request for information on a couple of websites I’ve already located.

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