The cleric took Brian’s call immediately. “What did you find out?”
“Excellency, I think this is the proverbial good news-bad news call. I hate to be flippant about something the Pope considers so serious, but I think the good news for the pontiff is going to be this. If the inscription can be believed, the bones in the box aren’t those of Jesus Christ.”
There was a faint sigh of relief on the other end of the conversation. “And…?”
“I did a bit of research on the Catholic faith before I made this call, Excellency. I know you believe in Mary’s assumption to Heaven – God took the Virgin Mary’s body to Heaven after her death. So I think the inscription on the ossuary may be the bad news. The inscription says
Mary, blessed Virgin, mother of Jesus, wife of Joseph
“Archbishop, the Most Holy Relics guarded by the Templars for centuries are the bones of the Virgin Mary.”
Chapter Seventy-One
Dallas – Six months later
The opening of Bijan Rarities’ new gallery in Dallas was a major event. The beautiful store in the Crescent Court was just blocks away from Nicole’s condo in the Ritz-Carlton. High-profile clients and celebrities joined news crews from Texas and the nation to toast Brian Sadler’s glitzy showroom in his home state of Texas.
The Government of Nova Scotia had quickly reached an agreement with Brian and Harold Mulhaney on the division of the gold coins and jewelry. There were a number of laws on the books governing antiquities and treasure, given discoveries in the past and the province’s history as a hangout for pirates. In the gallery a side room was dedicated solely to the gold and it was the must-see highlight of the evening. The room was named the Collette Conning Hall in memory of Brian’s valued assistant in the New York. The area had displays of the exquisite Spanish coins and jewelry they’d found, all of which certainly had been buried by pirates. A diorama with thrilling tales of the buccaneers’ exploits entertained the visitors.
The disposition of the bones and ossuary were more challenging. The artifacts obviously couldn’t be divided three ways so attorneys for Brian and Harold were negotiating with the provincial government toward a solution. Brian had offered to donate the half of Oak Island he had purchased from Harold Mulhaney to the government for a national park. Local and provincial officials already were planning a museum surrounding the Money Pit itself. It was sure to be a major tourist draw for this otherwise quiet locale. For now the bones and ossuary remained in the American Museum of Natural History’s sealed chamber for protection.
Since he couldn’t show the ossuary itself Brian did the next best thing – there were videos and slideshows showing the excavation and the discovery. These ran on huge screens hanging from the ceiling along the main showroom walls. Photos of the artifacts also lined the walls. The guests loved the presentation, especially the press who occupied Brian with interviews as much as he’d let them. He gave them time but he had to circulate among his guests – in this crowd were people who frequented the top social scenes of New York, London or Dubai.
Along with the celebrities and clients were two people who had become very close to Brian Sadler – Carissa Borland and Harold Mulhaney. He and Nicole would meet them tomorrow for lunch once things settled down after tonight’s gala event.
This was Nicole’s first appearance in public since her accident. Outwardly she looked as beautiful and poised as she had always been. Inside she was still mending both mentally and physically, but her physician assured Brian she’d be fine for an hour or so. She sat in a chair and greeted dozens of friends she knew through her legal practice and social activities in this metropolitan city. Shelia stood close by and took her home once she began to tire.
The party wrapped up and by eleven Brian was with Nicole. Back at her condo he changed into sweats and met her on the patio for a nightcap. He told her how he’d missed the glittering skyline of downtown Dallas. He sipped Pyrat Rum with a cube of ice; she drank Perrier from a bottle.
“I’m glad we agreed on our future, Brian. I’m so glad you’re willing to be here with me, even if I’m not the person I once was. I promise I’ll try. I’ll try so hard to get back to normal.”
Brian smiled and held her hand. “You’re great, sweetie. If nothing ever changes you’re just perfect right now. I want you just the way you are, and I’ll take care of you.”
There were a number of things that still weren’t right for her. Nicole couldn’t drive – her reaction time was slow and her intuition and concentration were lacking. But she was wealthy – she could hire a driver if she needed. The best news was that her doctors said she’d likely improve over time.
She also wasn’t ready to go back to work. Randall Carter offered to hold a place for her at the law firm indefinitely, but after a long discussion with Brian she decided what would come next. She resigned her high-stress, long-hours job and would eventually open a solo practice. It would be totally opposite from the crazy world of Randall and Carter, but at this point it sounded wonderful. And there was no hurry. She could take her time, get better and spend valuable moments with Brian right here.
He had agreed to relocate to Dallas and move in with Nicole. The gallery here would be the flagship and they would split their time between Texas and London. As he traveled making acquisitions and seeing clients she would be free to go with him. Shelia would travel with them as long as Nicole required assistance. She’d made it clear that was fine with her.
Nicole yawned and stretched. Brian smiled at her. “I know you’re tired, baby. Let’s go to bed.”
She turned out the light and snuggled with him. He reached to the nightstand then turned to her and took her hand in the darkness.
“Oh yeah, something I forgot,” he said as he placed a small box into her palm.
“Will you marry me?”
Thank you!
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Books by Bill Thompson
The Crypt Trilogy
THE RELIC OF THE KING
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GHOST TRAIN
Brian Sadler Archaeological Mystery Series
THE BETHLEHEM SCROLL
ANCIENT:
A SEARCH FOR THE LOST CITY OF THE MAYAS
THE STRANGEST THING
THE BONES IN THE PIT
ORDER OF SUCCESSION
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