“As a matter of fact I do,” said Agent Swift, reaching into his briefcase and withdrawing a thick file folder. After searching through a large number of photographs he said, “Here it is, Dr. Saxon. You can clearly see the two sixes.” Oliver looked at the photo and immediately froze. Here before his eyes in white numerals was the number 616, the mark of the beast! His shocked expression caused everyone in the room to look from Oliver to the agent and back to Oliver.
“What do you see, Dr. Saxon?” asked Swift.
“This is the mark of the beast!”
“We’ve been thinking the two sixes may somehow be related to the famous U. S. highway. Isn’t the mark of the beast three sixes?”
Oliver was now aware that he was in danger of a security breach. After some hesitation he said, “The oldest known scrap of manuscript from the Book of Revelation defines the mark of the beast as six-sixteen. Only serious biblical scholars even know of this early reference.”
Albert Penny and Bill Carson looked at one another with some alarm.
“What is it gentlemen?” asked Agent Swift, “Can you tell me something about this mark of the beast?”
“Well,” said Albert, “I’ve known Pierce since we worked together at the SSC. He often spoke of his fear that the tunneling would ‘release the beast’, but I never gave his comments any thought because I had never heard of such a thing. What was he so afraid of? What beast lives in Texas bedrock?”
“The beast is a biblical reference to an agent of the Devil who turns people to the dark side and places his mark on their right hand or forehead,” said Oliver.
“Well,” said Albert, “Forrest has some markings on his right hand.”
“What kind of markings,” asked Agent Swift?
“They are small tattoos that I always thought were models of his favorite cars, ‘EX20 and RV20.’”
Oliver imagined himself back at the ghost town church. Those were the scripture references he had seen on the marquee. It was Forrest Pierce’s voice he had heard say, “…but I must get back to the lab before I am missed.”
All Oliver could say at the moment was, “Those are biblical references to the ten commandments and to the End of Days. I’ve reason to believe Forrest may have committed this crime. It is urgent you find Pierce as soon as possible. He may have become psychopathic and in his religious zeal carried out this murder as a religious act. If so, we all may be in danger while he is at large.”
Agent Swift said, “Thank you all for your help, especially you, Dr. Saxon for your knowledge of religion. This discussion has provided much more than I had hoped. We will act on this immediately, and if we can find Forrest Pierce, you may soon be able to go back to a normal life. For now you may return to your rooms or remain here and talk to one another. Dr. Saxon, may I have a moment in private with you?”
Oliver followed Agent Swift down the hall and to a locked door which he opened with a pass key. Inside was a series of workstations, each occupied by a technician. It became obvious that this evening’s discussions before, during, and after dinner had been video recorded and now were being carefully studied for body language and reaction of speakers as well as listeners.
“Dr. Saxon, we’re letting you see this because we know you are an analyst with I&A. During tonight’s dinner, before I entered the room, I received a call from Director Clark requesting we bring you into the investigation. He indicated you had information from your recent trip that may have bearing on this one. The two investigations have now been linked together. Maxine Phillips, your partner, has been brought up to date and will be made available to you through your normal channel of communication. I’m returning your cell phone and passing along a request from Agent Phillips that you contact her. She will pass on to my investigative team the findings from your work in Texas that are relevant to what is now a murder investigation of Dr. Peter Newbury.”
Oliver took his phone and then said, “Please ask your team in Waxahachie to find and retain Reverend Benton Spencer. He must be considered an accomplice if Pierce is found guilty. Also have them examine the Trinity River Bible Church, a ghost town church five miles south of the SSC site. This appears to be a gathering place for their meetings, and there were others present with Spencer and Pierce. The two scripture references on Forrest’s right hand were also on the church marquee.”
Agent Swift looked at Oliver with alarm but replied, “I’ll contact these agents right away since they just phoned into this center to indicate that Pierce’s mother passed away just two months ago from an apparent heart attack. We’ve put out an APB for his arrest as a person of interest. He may be dangerous and we’ll continue to provide protection for Alice and Peter’s team while they are here. We know Pierce boarded his flight in DFW but was not spotted at O’Hare when the plane landed. We’ve found his car abandoned at the airport and think he has now gone to ground somewhere in the Chicago area.”
Oliver moved into a small anti-room adjacent to the operations center, activated his cell phone, and called Maxine.
“Max,” he said when she answered, “it looks like my hunches are right, and now we’re both on a murder case and a possible terrorist plot that are somehow coupled. Isn’t this the way Homeland Security’s supposed to work-- FBI and CIA working together but separately?”
“Well, I guess so,” quipped Maxine, “but however much that might double our involvement, it also doubles my work. So, since the FBI guys there in Chicago are working day and night on Dr. Newbury’s case, what would you like me to dig up for you related to your findings in Waxahachie?”
Oliver realized Maxine was miffed at being on the outside looking in while this case was rapidly expanding. “Max, I want to bring you into this case so we can work together. I’ve linked Fermilab and Waxahachie together but still have not made the connection to Damascus or Jerusalem. I may soon be running all over the Middle East looking for clues, and I refuse to do that without you with me. Our search for the three has not yet begun.
“All I know for sure,” continued Oliver, “is that one of the three is Benton Spencer. See what you can find out about him. I want to know everything I can because he may be the driving force behind the other two. All I can tell you at present is that Benton Spencer’s a man of about six foot two and some seventy years. He’s a spellbinder and apparently very well educated. It’s also likely he’s on the run like Pierce, the person we think killed Peter. So now you get a chance to go one up on this team of agents working feverishly here in Chicago and in Texas.”
“OK Oliver, I’m on it. I’ll call you as soon as I find anything.”
Oliver left the operations center with Agent Swift, who walked with him to his room. The two men stood at the door to Oliver’s room and quietly discussed what each had found so far in this murder case and suspected conspiracy.
Finally Robert Swift said, “I must say, Dr. Saxon, you have the killer instincts of a top field agent. I’m going to enjoy working with you on this case in the coming days. However, I must warn you that before you have any more close contact with possible murderers and terrorists, you should seriously consider taking some small arms training.”
“As a university professor, I consider myself armed. I’ve always been told by my students that my tongue was my sword with which to cut down the ignorant and ill-prepared,” said Oliver with a smile.
“I’m serious, Dr. Saxon! You could find yourself in grave danger,” replied Swift as he left Oliver’s doorway.
After Agent Swift had left, Oliver stood in his hotel room pondering the weapons of might, balanced against those of reason. He then thought of Maxine, the armed Quaker. How did Max deal with the possible use of force in her field work? Which weapons will I be called to use in this battle, and how will that choice be made?
7
Mass
We need to replace aggression with empathy,
which brings us together in a peaceful loving state.
-Stephen Hawking
Oliver awoke ea
rly the next morning to a periodic buzzing which, in his drowsy morning stupor, first appeared in his mind as a giant angry wasp slowly approaching his head. He then realized it was his muted cell phone on the bedside table indicating an incoming call.
“Good morning, sleepy-head,” said Maxine, “you must have fallen into a semi-coma last night; I’ve called you twice and you’re just now answering with a growl that sounds like a grizzly bear coming out of hibernation.”
“I am coming out of hibernation,” said Oliver, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. “This was the first real sleep I’ve had in a week. Unlike me, Max, you sound like you’ve been up for hours.”
“After all, I can’t let your wonder boys there in your safe-house get ahead of me, can I?”
“I’m due for breakfast in thirty minutes. Give me what you’ve found so far, and I’ll stack it up against the frantic research and sleuthing in Texas that our boys have been doing since last night.”
“Well, here’s what I have on your Reverend Benton Spencer. You were right; he’s well educated. He has a Doctor of Divinity from your old institution, Harvard Divinity School. At age 25 he entered the doctoral program in 1971, so today he’d be 68. He distinguished himself at Harvard, graduating at the top of his class with special honors in homiletics and theology. He was a popular preacher at various denominational churches in North Texas, but apparently became more and more radical in his preaching. He lost one after another congregation because of what they called, ‘his apocalyptic approach to salvation, rather than the accepted approach to salvation through grace.’
He last had a position at a small church in the Waxahachie area that had to be condemned in 1986 to make way for the SSC tunneling operations. The government paid him a handsome fee for the church and parsonage out of respect for this place of worship. In spite of that, in 1993 Spencer went on a campaign of criticism as work began on equipping the sensitive control facilities in that complex of buildings you photographed this week.
One Sunday evening he managed to get past the night watch and smashed three racks of expensive electronics with a sledge hammer. He was apprehended before causing more damage and put on trial for trespassing and destruction of government property. The trial was held in the federal courthouse in Dallas where he was found guilty, fined, and sent for a short two-year “sabbatical” at Leavenworth, Kansas. Here’s the kicker, Oliver! Peter Newbury was one of the Fermilab scientists who testified against him as a witness for the prosecution!”
“Wow, Max! The boys here are going to have to come up with something special to top what you’ve just told me. I’m now more certain than ever that Spencer’s not only our man but may be the principal conspirator. The odd thing is, he thinks he is doing God’s work; but then the most dangerous terrorists are always the ones that are intent on doing God’s work.
“I’ve got to clean up and get ready for breakfast, but as soon as it’s over, I’ll call you so we can compare notes. I’ve more to tell you about the meaning of some of the symbolism that I’m beginning to see as the evidence is presented.”
This morning’s breakfast began with a platter of sweet rolls followed by coffee and juice. Crisp bacon and Eggs Benedict were then served by the two waiters. Oliver knew that a normal murder investigation was not afforded this level of resources. He began to realize just how important this case had become to Homeland Security. During breakfast the conversation had been friendly but somewhat limited since all present had begun to feel they were under constant observation, without actually knowing for sure.
When the table had been cleared of the plates and juice glasses and more coffee served, Agent Swift again entered the dining room. All conversation stopped in anticipation of what would be learned next, or who would be accused, or who would make a sudden confession. Somewhat of a hostage mindset had begun to develop in all present.
After a polite greeting, Swift said, “I have good news for all present. We now have sufficient evidence to charge Forrest Pierce with the murder of Dr. Peter Newbury and have issued a warrant for his arrest. We have a rough idea of his location, and know he is without transportation. We will continue to provide protection for Alice and for the others of you who wish it, but as of this morning you are free to return to your homes and to your work.
“We are looking for a second conspirator in Texas, but as yet have not been able to locate him or the meeting place where he apparently conspired with Mr. Pierce to commit this terrible crime. I will inform you of any developments regarding the apprehension of Mr. Pierce.
“I’ll now return your cell phones and allow you to return to the social and scientific community at large. You must keep in mind, however, that this investigation is still on-going. I request that you not talk to the media just yet. Alice is already being sought by the press, and we have had to say that she is in seclusion planning the memorial service for her father. In fact, she has been doing just that with the help of Father Patrick Ryan, and the funeral Mass is scheduled for late this afternoon at the Queen of Peace Church here in Chicago. I thank you for your patience in this investigation as well as for your cooperation. You are now free to go.”
The suddenness of this development left everyone somewhat stunned, but almost immediately the sounds of cell phones being activated and the chiming of message alerts, so familiar to all those present, were heard. The world that had stopped turning for one day, was now spinning with activity, as messages were received and sent.
Khalil Ahmed spoke to Alice after reading his messages. “I’ll be present at the Mass this afternoon but will have to leave at five to catch a flight to Europe. My colleague, Steven Nash, at CERN will be conducting an important test of the superconducting magnets in a critical section of the accelerator and has asked for my assistance.”
“It’s what my father would have wanted you to do, continue the work he so loved and shared with you.” Alice then turned to Oliver and asked, “Uncle Oliver, would you come with Elizabeth and me to the services this afternoon at three?”
“I’d be honored to accompany you, Alice.”
The others were heading back to their respective rooms to gather up their belongings, and Oliver did the same. In the privacy of his room he called Maxine. “Congratulations, Max, you blew our guys completely out of the water; they were not even able to find the ghost town church. We’ve identified the murderer and a manhunt has begun. I’ll fill you in later this evening, but for now I’ve got to get home and change into a dark suit. After I’ve figured out how to protect Alice from the media, I’ll sit down in a quiet room and go over all I’ve discovered and where I think we should next begin to look for the other two parts of the conspiracy.”
“Sounds good. Sorry I can’t be there to pay my respects and to meet Alice; she must be a strong young lady.”
“She is.” He had just put away his cell phone when he heard a knock at his door, which now stood partly open.
“I’m glad I caught you before you left,” said Agent Swift. “As it turns out, there’s no record of a Trinity River Bible Church anywhere in Texas. Can you help me identify the church on Google Earth?”
He was holding a digital notebook with satellite imagery of the area around the SSC site. Oliver looked at it and tried to mentally retrace his somewhat random drive south of the SSC complex following the small country roads. At last he spotted the faint remains of the ghost town with the church near the end of the broken street.
“Here,” said Oliver as he pointed.
“Thanks,” replied Swift, as he dialed a number on his cell phone and immediately began giving directions to the agents in Texas.
“Please let Max know what you find. I’ll be back in touch with her this evening after the funeral.”
After a brief stop for lunch, Oliver returned to his apartment and changed into a dark suit. He drove to Peter’s home and parked behind the large hearse at the end of the sidewalk. Alice greeted him warmly at the door and led him to the living room where Elizabeth and Fathe
r Ryan stood next to a coffin covered with a gold-trimmed white coverlet. Father Ryan was wearing a white vestment. “We shall begin the Mass here in the home and then proceed to the church. Oliver, you will be joined at the front steps by Drs. Benjamin and Ahmed, and along with Elizabeth, will form an honorary pall bearer procession following the coffin into the sanctuary where you will be seated in front with Alice. The coffin will be carried by attendants from the parish who knew and loved Peter. After the Mass we will all be transported to the cemetery where a brief grave-side service will take place.”
Father Ryan sprinkled holy water over the coffin as he recited the De profundis and the antiphon Si iniquitates. This was followed by the bearing of the coffin to the hearse. Oliver entered a second vehicle along with Alice and Elizabeth and rode in the procession to the church. The entry into the church proceeded as Father Ryan had indicated, the coffin placed with its foot toward the altar, which in this sanctuary was eastward, a fact not lost to Khalil.
Oliver was not surprized the church was filled to overflowing. In addition there was a troublesome crowd of reporters and cameramen outside. He worried for Alice and wondered how he would keep her safe from this crush of attention. The Mass began with the tolling of the bells followed by the familiar Latin words, Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine; et lux perpetua luceat eis, (Eternal rest give to them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them). As these words echoed through the sanctuary, Oliver became aware of the faint odor of candles and incense. Father Ryan’s brief words described Peter’s life of dedication, not only to the work for which he was so well known, but also to his faith and to his daughter. When the Dies irae was sung Oliver thought again about the conspiracy, seemingly based on the Day of Judgment, such a universal part of religious belief. The Mass ended with the rite of commendation, and the coffin was again sprinkled with holy water and incensed.
Three Page 10
