“No thank you. Eight? But—”
“Yes, that’s seven too many, even for the Son of God. Many were proven fakes fairly easily. It got narrowed down to just three. The three they hired you to test.”
“What are they looking for exactly?” Jim says.
“Christ was born of a virgin birth. The thought is that he couldn’t have had both Mary and Joseph’s DNA. Certainly Mary’s but what of the other? Who supplied the “Y” chromosome? If not Joseph then who?”
“They are looking for the DNA of God on Earth?” Jim says.
“Yes, basically,” the One Who Turns tells him.
“Bingo night didn’t work out? Don’t these people have a hobby? Why don’t they just go golfing?” Jim says.
“Maybe it will help if I fill you in on some history. They were, it is said an odd bunch, kept to themselves, claimed to be devoutly religious but mostly struck people as an odd group of self imposed outcasts. Their beginnings are legend, or hearsay depending on who one believes. They lived in a large village in what is now southern Germany. This village was later wiped from the map in a violent bloodbath as a result of the great dispute over doctrine and relics. (They had a passion about relics.) Their bishop who they adorned themselves without consent from Rome, went to the Vatican to seek approval and blessings on the sect’s collection of relics. He didn’t get it. The Pope wasn’t about to listen to this group who had set up their own schools and monastery. They would fight over doctrine (the Elite believing that one is born into an animal’s body and must work along a progressive path with God’s help in becoming a full spirit) and the relic issue. The bishop returned to the village with the bad news. They grew angry and made him go back to make even stronger demands, doing so of course just made matters worse. They were now seen as even more extreme. They were told to conform or move on, so they chose to immigrate to America after years of opposition in Europe. They figured they could build a base and grow in America until one day they would rise to a pinnacle of power and Rome would have no choice but to recognize them. This would occur they predicted during the span of the 27th Elite generation. Then they would overtake Rome in power. I don’t know why the 27th. I guess the early ones figured it would take a long time or maybe they knew something they weren’t sharing. When they arrived in America in the 1830’s it was getting close to the time of the 27th so great expectation was placed upon the American project. The idea was to infiltrate the local population and convert them. They set up churches in fairly new communities with little success. They were rejected as oddball extremists, heretics and such. Angry, they closed themselves off from outsiders, closed ranks and went underground to plot their next move. Convinced that the 27th generation would rise to overtake Rome they felt it their responsibility to set the stage, but how? A seed of disputation began to grow when the time of the 27th came into being and still no prospect for the power and revenge they desired. It all seemed fairly hopeless until technology kicked in and allowed for DNA testing and cloning. The Elite knew about the supposed relics of the Lord’s foreskin. If they could acquire this then surely that would provide the avenue and just in time for the 27th. But there were at least eight different claims and only one could be real, if any of them were. So where was the One? They began the great search and it wasn’t long before they located the first sample, stealing it they brought it to America only to discover that they weren’t the only one’s looking for the foreskin relic. Rome was looking too. Now, with the fate of the faithful lying in the balance it became a race pitting two old adversities against one another in a fanatic quest for the circumcised ringlet of Jesus’ flesh from when He lived on the Earth,” the One Who Turns says.
“No wonder they paid me so much cash,” Jim says.
“It gets better.”
“Great, I’m feeling safer all the time.”
“With the DNA from the sacred sample they plan to clone and impregnate a woman who is now waiting to begin. They will then raise The Child as one of their own. Thus, they will have the Son of Christ at the helm of the Elite.”
“They sure believe in setting some high goals,” Jim says.
“Yes they do.”
“They want their own church?” Jim asks.
“They are their own church. But as you can see they aren’t your typical nuts. They’ve been around for centuries. They have money, power and they operate covertly.”
“No big choir on Sunday then?” Jim jokes.
“They will remove their covert coat and reveal to the world that the Son of Christ is their leader, thus, hoping to draw all the fateful into their fold. Their ultimate objective is to replace Rome and become the dominate religion on Earth.”
“Hell of a plan.”
“Yeah, ambitious and crazy, but you see Mr. Dunbar as strange as it sounds they’re not that far from it. And they believe that you have the Sacred Sample. Once they have that they’re in business. Right now all that is standing in their way is you.”
“How do you know so much about these guys?” Jim asks.
“I’m one of them.”
CHAPTER 46
“Why didn’t you follow them?” he asks.
“You’re lucky I let you ride along,” she says her eyes glued to the freeway.
“Boy, I feel lucky,” he says noticing how good she looks with her sunglasses on as she drives, not wanting to stare he returns his attention to the highway passing underneath their wheels.
“Actually I am following them. They could lead us right to Dunbar provided they don’t kill him before we intervene,” she says while focusing on the road ahead.
“That would be good.”
“The only problem is that we are becoming increasing aware that the little Elite gang don’t have much of a clue where Dunbar is,” she says.
“Well, I’m sure they’re doing their best.”
“We thought he might be north of town.”
“North? I heard nothings north of here, small towns and farms. Why would he go north?”
“Well, those would be places to disappear to,” she says her eyes still glued to the freeway.
“He probably has relatives upstate.”
“He doesn’t, don’t you thing I would have checked that out?”
“Maybe not family but someone, an old friend or college roommate,” he says.
“Well, now you’re getting a little warmer.”
“What do you mean?” he asks.
“It’s a long shot but Jim Dunbar has an old college professor living upstate. We’re not sure it means anything. The guys got to be about 100 years old by now.”
“If I were old Jimbo I’d be heading straight to Canada. The Elite doesn’t operate there.”
“How would Dunbar know that? And do you really think a border is going to stop the Elite?” She says.
“Sure,” he answers.
“Bull, they’ll go wherever they have to in order to get the job done.”
“Where are we going?” he asks.
“Their van just pulled off the freeway. My bet is they’re heading somewhere we need to know about,” she says.
“Why am I here anyway? How about a lift back to my car?” he asks.
“You’re going to stick with me for awhile.”
“What?”
“The Elite know you’re in America. They’ve been following you. My thought is they’d like to pick your brain concerning Mr. Dunbar. Then after that it may get ugly.”
“So what?”
“Were certain they’ve been to your hotel room,” she says.
“You’re kidding,” he says.
“Yep, I’m a regular comedian,” she says.
“How did—?” he asks.
“You’re with me for the next few days for you own protection.”
“Or what?” he asks.
“Or you’re dead. This isn’t rocket science,” she says coldly.
CHAPTER 47
“The chip is active, putting out a good signal,” Clovis say
s, his hands at the two and ten position on the steering wheel of the Elite van driving down the highway.
“Jim Dunbar here we come. We have you now you little bastard,” Cosward jokes as he rides along on this job, “How much further?” He asks.
“A few miles, not far,” Clovis answers.
“Finally, it will be nice to get this over with, get the sample and get going on this,” Cosward says.
“Impregnation can take place by the weekend, nine months later we have The Child. Then we will have the power. All the cards will be in our hands,” Clovis boosts.
“Rome will be sorry they ever messed around with the Elite. Our fathers and their fathers are surely smiling down on us knowing that we are so close to arriving upon the pinnacle of power.”
“The revenge they only dreamt of is soon in our hands. I can’t wait. I remember growing up that’s all that was talked about at home and at church, how important this day would be, the day we overtake Rome.” Clovis says.
“It’s been a lot of work and worry that’s for sure,” Cosward says.
“We will have power, money, everything. It’ll be our ballgame, and there’s nothing that Rome can do about it!”
“Our child born from the Sacred Flesh of the savior Himself installed as the true leader of our true church. We can’t lose can we?”
“Nope,” Clovis answers.
“How much further?” Cosward shows his restlessness.
“Not far,” Clovis assures.
“I hate staying at the warehouse.”
“I know you’d think Haggai could have the place spruced up a little. He just doesn’t want to spend any money.”
“I can’t sleep there. If I don’t get a good eight hours I’m worthless,” Cosward says.
“Tell me about it,” Clovis answers.
“What?”
“Nothing, the turn is up here.”
“We get the sample and the $100,000 if he has it with him and then what? Drug him and bring him back?” Cosward asks.
“I know Haggai said to bring him back if we can but I’d rather just be done with him.”
“What about the body?”
“There’s always a nice landfill that Mr. Dunbar could join,” Clovis says.
“Poor guy.”
“What?”
“He really didn’t know what he was getting into,” Cosward says.
“If he had just done his job and not taken off and ran with the sacred sample he would have been fine.”
“True.”
“Don’t feel sorry for him. If I was getting paid like him I’d keep my mouth shut and just get the job done,” Clovis says.
“Me too, you think the government got to him?”
“Maybe, but he definitely knows much more than he should.”
“What does he think he’s going to do with the sample anyway?” Cosward asks.
“Probably sell it to Rome,” Clovis answers.
“He should have joined us as an associate.”
“Too late now.”
“Yeah,” Cosward says.
“Here we are its coming up. Get your gun ready he’ll run when he sees us. The chip signal is very strong right about here.” Clovis pulls the van up into the small parking lot.
“What the hell is this? They both say in unison.
CHAPTER 48
“Well, that didn’t work out,” he says as they get back into the car.
“Jim Dunbar’s old college professor, I knew he was old,” she says.
“But the fact that he died six months ago somehow escaped the attention of the FBI?”
“Hey, every organization has information jams.”
“Information jams? What are you talking about?” he says as she drives the car out into the country road.
“Listen, Dunbar’s obviously not here but I got a feeling that he’s somewhere in the area.”
“That’s narrow,” he says again trying to not let her notice how much he enjoys looking at her.
“There’s nothing but small towns up here. People notice strangers.”
“So?”
“He’s had to stop to eat, get gas. No one’s invisible— not completely at least,” she says.
“So what do we do now?” He asks.
“We keep looking.”
“You know, I’d really rather just go home,” he says.
“I’m sure you would. But you’re a little too far into this to back out now.”
“You think so?”
“I’ve done my homework buddy. I know,” she says.
“Buddy? Hey, I’m hungry. Is a cheese burger in your expense account?”
“Sure.”
“Maybe Dunbar is working the drive-thru. No one would think to look there,” he says.
“Unless the Elite are moving into the fast food business,” she says.
“It wouldn’t surprise me. Those clowns are everywhere; it’s like lifting up a rotten board and finding a bunch of slimly maggots.”
“Thanks for the visual,” she says her eyes glued to the road.
“Isn’t the restaurant back that way?” he points.
“How about a nice little coffee shop instead like the one back in town.”
“That dive?”
“Not so bad and plus people gather there. They talk,” she says.
“Not to us,” he says.
“Oh yes, to us. If Dunbar’s been around someone’s seen him.”
“You’re so smart. I’d like a job like yours.”
“Shut up,” she says.
“What?” He looks at her.
“If you’re so smart what are you doing messed up with all this?” she asks.
“I made some unfortunate choices in judgment when I was younger. This position of mine I’d guess you’d say is my pentene. I’m paying. That’s why I’m here. I’m paying.”
“Interesting, how much more do you have to go?” she asks.
“Good question. They don’t like to talk about that part too much. But, I’m thinking this assignment should do it one way or the other,” he says.
“How so?”
“It's been long enough, my service to them. They’ll either release me or I’ll just leave and substantially screw myself but at least I’ll be a free man.”
“Sounds like a plan,” she says.
“It’s not really much of a plan but it is all I have to work with so—”
“You gotta work with what you have,” she says.
“How would you know?” he asks.
“You’re not the only one who’s guilty of bad judgment.”
“If you’re trying to cheer me up spare me okay.”
“I’m just relating facts.”
“Have you?” he asks.
“Have I what?”
“You know, bad judgment has it ever graced your actions?”
“Sure, when I was in the second grade I stole some gumballs from the grocery store,” she says.
“That’s rich. I feel better already,” he says mockingly.
“Okay, that’s bull— but I can tell you I’m here because of bad judgment too.”
“Your bad judgment?”
“No, not mine, my kid sister,” she says.
“She used bad judgment?” he asks.
“You might say so yes,” she says.
“How so?”
“The woman the Elite intend to impregnate with the Sacred DNA—.”
“Yeah?”
“That’s her, that’s my kid sister.”
CHAPTER 49
“I have never seen a bigger mess,” Logo says looking around at the ransacked warehouse.
“We are fortunate that we got all the important items moved back to the offices, just the day before too,” Solor says.
“I thought they were FBI the way they burst in here shooting at everything that moved.”
“Yeah, I did too. It’s a good thing we’re out of here. I think it’s safe to move back to the offices in town. A shooting has a way of
drawing attention,” Logo says.
“I never realized Pedro had such a tight family.”
“They must have been their own little mafia: his cousins, ready to take us all out.”
“You gotta love loyalty like that,” Solor says.
“It’s something,” Logo says.
“So what was the final count?” Solor asks.
“Three dead, one got away. I don’t think he’ll be back though.”
“I’m just glad they weren’t FBI that means they don’t know where we are, which means we still have time.”
“Hopefully, but we’re no closer to finding Dunbar than we were yesterday,” Logo says.
“Clovis and Cosward stuck out on the microchip,”
“Yeah, big time.”
“Where did they end up?” Solor asks.
“Handy’s Adult bookstore and Laundromat,” Logo says.
“Odd combo,” Solor remarks.
“The old soap and stroke.”
“Dunbar’s a smart little clown to throw us off like that. I didn’t think he had it in him.”
“Almost a stroke of genius on his part,” Logo says.
“Just lucky that’s all. He won’t get far. I sent Clovis and Cosward to pick up a couple of folks who should be able to tell us a little more about Mr. Dunbar. Now, let’s get these last two boxes get out of here,” Logo says.
“I never did like this old warehouse, cold drafty, a relic from another age,” Solor says as they step out into the cool crisp night.
“Well, hello gentlemen.”
“What are you doing here?” They both ask.
CHAPTER 50
“Your sister? How the hell did she get mixed up with the Elite?” he asks.
“It’s a long story. Let’s just say dependence had a lot to do with it,” she says as they get out of the car and begin walking toward the coffee shop.
“Dependency,” he ponders the thought while walking along side her. “I’ve heard that can be a real problem.”
Sacred Flesh Page 8
