She had been dozing softly for about twenty minutes and normally would have expected to remain asleep for another half hour or so before awaking refreshed, if a little stiff, and ready to attack the problem with renewed vigor.
But this time she was jerked awake by the sound of an alarm.
She sat up with a start, trying to get her bearings. Was there a fire? Had someone broken in to the foundation? Then she heard a series of loud noises in the lab next to her office. It sounded like things were being thrown about by a madman. Still not fully awake, she opened the door and turned on the light.
* * *
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A man with black hair and gray eyes set in a long, pale face turned to face her. He gave her a look that chilled her to the bone.
She'd seen that look before. So had Laura Murphy.
She stepped back from the doorway, aiming for her desk, where a .32 automatic--as yet unfired--nestled in a drawer amid a clutter of stationery.
She didn't even manage a single stride before he caught her.
He grabbed her with his left arm and whirled her around, and her forehead made contact with a solidly aimed fist. Isis flew backward across her desk, knocking the computer to the floor and spraying papers everywhere. She didn't have time to scream before a numbing blackness descended on her.
Talon quickly moved to her side and circled his hands around her delicate throat. His thumbs began to move down on her larynx.
"Exquisite," he breathed.
There was nothing more pleasing than a face-to-face kill. Especially if one had the time to draw it out.
"Hold it right there!"
Talon knew without turning around that a gun was aimed at him, but he showed no sign of alarm. He let go of Isis's throat, letting her slump unceremoniously to the floor, and turned toward the remaining security guard.
"Put your hands up where I can see them."
Talon slowly raised his hands, locking eyes with the guard. The guard took his eyes off Talon for a moment to look at Isis, and Talon instantly appreciated his dilemma. If she was badly hurt and needed immediate
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medical assistance, how was he going to do that while keeping Talon in his sights?
In the split second provided by the guard's indecision, Talon put a hand behind his neck and slipped a throwing knife into his palm.
"I said keep your hands up!" shouted Robertson, a moment before the knife embedded itself in his throat with a sound like a cleaver chopping through ribs. He dropped his gun, and both hands closed over the hilt to try and pull it out, but the life force was already draining from him. He sank to his knees in slow motion, then toppled almost gracefully onto Isis.
Talon looked at Isis, then cocked his head at the sound of approaching sirens.
"Later," he said with a sneer.
The phone jolted Murphy out of a deep sleep. Shards of a shattered dream--Laura laughing on a mountainside, birdsong, the word Jasmine --fell away into darkness as he came fully awake. The ringing continued. Finally it registered that it was his phone.
"Murphy."
"Michael, it's Isis. I'm sorry if I've woken you."
During the ordeals they'd shared together, he'd seen the full range of her emotions, from elation to despair, but the sheer terror he could now hear in her voice struck a shocking new note.
"Isis. What is it? What's wrong?"
Isis started to speak, and then the words dissolved into crying.
"Take a deep breath."
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Murphy waited until the sobbing subsided.
"Tell me what happened."
Haltingly, with several breaks for more crying, Isis related as much of her ordeal as she could recollect, though the blow on the head and subsequent concussion had jumbled the sequence of events in her memory.
A chaos of different emotions swirled through Murphy's mind. Sorrow, guilt, but most of all anger. "I'll be on the first plane out of Raleigh. I should never have gotten you involved in this. Are you sure you shouldn't be in the hospital? Did they discharge you, or was it that stubborn streak of yours--"
"No, Michael," she interrupted. "It's not your fault. And I'm okay. I'm just shaken up, that's all. The police asked me to go to my sister's in Bridgeport, Connecticut. That's where I'm calling from now. They have a patrol car guarding the house. They want me to stay here until they can figure out what happened."
Murphy gripped the phone so hard his knuckles turned white. "We know what happened, Isis. We know who did this--who killed the guards, attacked you. He would have killed you too if the police hadn't ..." His voice trailed off as another thought struck him.
"The fragment of wood--is it still in the lab?"
Isis laughed through another sob. "l thought for a moment you were just concerned about me."
"I am, Isis," he protested.
"But there are other, more important things to worry about, aren't there? Don't worry, Michael, I understand. But the answer to your question is no. The wood is gone."
"So that's what he came for."
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"Looks like it," Isis agreed. "But that's not all."
"What do you mean?"
"We did some further research. We discovered that the wood was not only about five thousand years old, but that it contained radioactive isotopes and almost no traces of potassium forty in it. What do you make of that?"
Murphy's brain started to go into overdrive. "Potassium 40 is found in just about everything. It's one of the things responsible for the aging process. For this piece of wood to have almost no traces of Potassium 40 could mean there was very little of it around in the pre-flood world. Which would make sense since it was normal for people to live for hundreds of years prior to the flood. After the flood, however, people's life spans were reduced to where they are today."
"How would you explain all this?"
Murphy thought for a moment. "There are some scientists who believe that at one time, there was a layer of water surrounding the earth called a water canopy. This could have filtered out harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. That might account for the reduction in Potassium 40. It's also believed that when Noah's flood came, the water canopy collapsed onto the earth and that's what contributed to the floodwaters rising above the hightest mountains. With the water canopy gone, Potassium 40 would begin to increase."
There was a long silence on the other end of the phone. Then Isis said, "You want to find the ark, don't you, Michael? You want to prove once and for all that the Bible story is true."
"I do. No question. But maybe there are other reasons
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for finding the ark. Maybe the secret of extending life. Maybe other secrets too." Murphy paused, lost in thought. When he spoke again, his tone had changed.
"I don't have to tell you how important this all could be, Isis. But right now none of it matters. The only important thing is that you're alive and safe. You know, I don't think I could endure a second loss."
For a long time neither of them spoke.
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TWELVE
LEVI SAT DOWN in one of the empty chairs in the lecture hall and watched as a handful of eager students plied Murphy with questions. He was amazed at the patience of the man. Most academics regarded the teaching of students as an annoying interruption of their own studies, but Murphy clearly cared about his students as much as he cared about archaeology. Levi knew his presence must have intrigued Murphy, but Murphy showed no sign of wanting to hustle the students away. Eventually, however, the last of them left the lecture theater and Murphy walked over to his old friend.
"I didn't know you were interested in Noah's Ark, Levi. If I'd known I would have saved you a seat in the front row."
"Maybe I know more about it than you think," said Levi coolly. "When I was in the Mossad there was always talk of the ark being on Ararat. Apparently the CIA
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took satellite pictures of the area. Very interesting, I'm told."
Mur
phy was hooked. "Did you ever see them?"
"It was all very top secret. I shouldn't really be talking about it. I could tell you, but then ... I'd have to kill you."
He looked at Murphy with those intense, dark eyes, and Murphy could believe it. Then Levi suddenly laughed and Murphy realized he was joking. The killing-him part, at least.
"So, you haven't come for a lecture from me, then."
Levi shrugged. "I was in the area on business and thought I would drop by. I brought my workout gear. How about a little sparring? Then, if you're still alive, I'll buy you lunch," he said with a grin.
"And if I'm not?"
"Then you buy, of course."
When they had first met a couple of years earlier, Murphy had formed an almost instant liking for Levi. They came from different backgrounds and had different perspectives on the world in many ways, but at heart they were both adventurers. They enjoyed testing each other, physically and mentally, and Murphy always felt he came away from their meetings having learned something--usually some new martial-arts move.
At the gym, Levi and Murphy warmed up with stretching exercises to ensure no pulled muscles. They then both dropped into a "horse stance" and held that position while throwing five hundred right and left reverse punches. Murphy could feel the strain in his thighs almost instantly, while Levi looked as if he was relaxing in an armchair in front of the TV.
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"Are you ready for something new?" asked Levi.
"Bring it on," grunted Murphy.
"We will practice a kata that has twenty-seven moves to it. It is called Heian Yodan. It was taught by Gichin Funakoshi, the master in Karate-do."
Levi was always the patient teacher, even in the midst of a high-intensity training session. He was a blinding combination of grace, speed, and sheer power. Murphy was always amazed at how quickly his stocky body could move--and with what lethal force.
Murphy knew that Levi had taken a job as head of security for a high-tech company in the Raleigh-Durham area. But he had suspicions that he still had strong ties to the Mossad and to other intelligence agencies in a number of countries.
For an hour Levi dragged Murphy through the unfamiliar kata, until Murphy could feel something new had been programmed into his aching limbs--a new way of moving and seeing. Just at the point where he thought he was going to collapse, Levi clapped his hands and dropped into a relaxation posture. Murphy gratefully followed his example.
He waited for his breathing to steady, then said, "Okay, Levi. Thanks for the lesson. But what's the real reason for your visit?"
"Your body may be slow but your mind is still sharp, I see," Levi laughed. "I got a call from Bob Wagoner last week. He was concerned about how you were dealing with the loss of Laura." He looked his friend in the eye. "How are you handling it?"
Painful as it was, Murphy didn't resent the question. Levi wouldn't have made much of a diplomat, but his
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directness was sometimes refreshing. Murphy hated it when people didn't mention Laura's name in case it upset him. He wanted people to talk about her and remember her, even if made the heartache more intense.
"Some days have been harder than others. I've been pouring myself into work, trying to do something positive and not dwell in the past. But every day I think about her, try to concentrate on the good times, try not to focus on--" He took a breath and tried to clear his throat, but the words wouldn't come.
Levi finished his sentence for him. "On Talon."
Murphy nodded, glad he didn't have to say the name. Then he suddenly realized that was why Levi had come.
"Listen," said Levi. "I heard about the break-in at the Parchments of Freedom Foundation. How your friend Isis was almost killed."
"You're always remarkably well informed," Murphy said.
"I have my sources, as you know. Anyhow, I was turning it over in my mind, thinking about the way the guards had been killed--"
"And you thought of Talon. Of course. I know it was him, Levi. He killed Laura, and now he almost killed Isis. It was a miracle he didn't."
He looked at the floor, suddenly overcome with emotion.
"Don't worry," said Levi. "I believe Talon got what he was looking for. He won't be coming back."
Murphy was amazed at how much information Levi already had. How much more did he know that he wasn't sharing?
"Look, Levi. If Methuselah is involved, and Talon is
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involved, something big must be going on. Something to do with the ark. I just wish I knew what it was. But I think there's only one way to find out."
Levi scratched the iron-gray stubble on his chin thoughtfully. "If the ark exists, of course."
Murphy locked eyes with his friend. "I think you know more than you're telling on that score."
"Maybe," conceded Levi. "And what if the ark does exist?"
"I believe it does," said Murphy firmly. He gripped Levi's forearm. "And I want to try and find it. But I'll need help. The kind of specialized help I think only you can give me. If I set up a discovery team, I think the Parchments of Freedom Foundation might be interested in funding it."
Levi shook his head. "From what I know, Ararat is a very dangerous place. Not only do you have Turkish soldiers, Kurdish rebels, and wild dogs, there are also many rock avalanches and snow avalanches on the mountain. Even earthquakes. If you go to where everyone thinks the ark might be located, you will have to climb in high-altitude snow conditions."
"I know. That's why I'm asking for your help. We would need you to train us for all the kinds of problems we might encounter."
Levi continued to look doubtful but Murphy plowed on.
"I'm going to the CIA headquarters at Langley. I think they have information about Ararat that they've been sitting on for some time."
"You may be opening a big can of worms, Murphy. Are you sure that you want to do that?"
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"You know me, Levi. I love an adventure. And I don't mind rattling a few cages in the government. Especially when it involves the possible discovery of the most important archaeological find in human history. If we can find the ark, it would be the greatest blow that could be struck against the theory of evolution. It would be a confirmation that the Bible is correct and that God created the world. And I have a feeling there may be other amazing things on the ark. Maybe then we could even convince an old skeptic like you, Levi!"
Levi didn't smile. "You are getting into areas that you know little about. There is more danger than you think."
"From what? I've already encountered Methuselah and Talon."
"Spooks," said Levi evenly.
"Spooks? Are we talking about ghosts?"
"We're talking about freelance, unofficial government operatives. They're no joke, Murphy, if you get in their way. I should know."
Murphy fixed him with an intense gaze. "Then I'm going to need all the help I can get, aren't I?"
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THIRTEEN
50 miles from the great city of Enoch, 3115 B.C.
A SCREAM OF AGONY filled the night air .
Whirling around, eyes wide, Noah turned toward the noise. Down below the walls, through the flickering light of the torches, he saw Ahaziah. He was staggering backward, both hands gripping the arrow that had pierced his chest. He was gasping for air .
The men at the post near him ran to his aid. As Noah started to move toward his beloved servant he heard a tremendous noise, like a great wave crashing on the shore--the rushing cry of Zattu's attacking army .
"To your posts, men, to your posts!" he yelled .
Turning quickly, he shouted, "Japheth, the archers!"
Noah's archers began to take aim at shadowy figures on the ground below, some of whom were already climbing up the long siege ladders. But the enemy archers were at work too, sending 119 a blinding spray of arrows up toward Noah's men, killing or maiming many before they could loose their own shafts. But worse, many of the arrows had been dipped in pitch an
d set on fire to become flying torches, lighting up the sky before landing on the roofs of the buildings below .
Fire could soon be seen everywhere in the city, and no one could be in any doubt that Zattu's army was determined to capture or destroy it before another dawn rose .
On the walls, Ham and his men were pushing the ladders away with long poles, desperately trying to prevent the enemy from overrunning them. Everywhere there was shouting and yelling--a violent cacophony in which it was impossible to tell the screams of the dying from the bark of orders .
On the ground, inside the walls, women tended to the wounded as children drew water from the last remaining wells, trying to slake the fighters' terrible thirst .
Now Shem and his men began to pour scalding water on the attackers below from great iron pots, while others toppled large rocks down on the enemy holding the ladders. Soon all the ladders had been smashed, and the enemy's momentum seemed to have been halted. Suddenly, there was a mighty cheer from those lining the walls .
Zattu's men were retreating .
Once he was certain that it wasn't a ruse, that the enemy truly was in disarray, Noah gathered his sons and his chief officers beneath the walls .
"Shem, take some of the officers and see how many men we lost in the attack. See how many of the wounded can still fight. Japheth, gather as many of the enemy arrows as you can. Have your men move more rocks to the top of the wall and to the towers. Ham, have you gotten any signal from Massereth?"