Dead Men Don't Bite (Jake Dillon Adventure Thriller Series)

by Andrew Towning

  “OK, but you still haven’t told me exactly where this place is.” LJ remonstrated.

  “And that’s the way I want it to stay,” The words came out as they were intended, bluntly and without negotiation.

  LJ sighed, stood up, and went over to the far wall. He was a peripatetic man who could not think unless his body was in motion. Concealed behind an austere oil painting of Winston Churchill was a solid looking safe. Placing his thumb on to the biometric fingerprint scanner, the door bolts released with a heavy thud to reveal various documents inside, along with his prized stash of fifty-yearold, single malt whisky.

  Taking two crystal glass tumblers, he poured a generous measure into each of them, turned around and walked back to the sofa.

  “Nat, I do understand that you want to protect the island from marauding journalists and the like, I really do. But, you’ve also got to be realistic, old son, this discovery of yours is like no other ever made.”

  “In what way, do you mean? There have been many U-boats found all over the world. What makes this one so special?”

  “Well, firstly this particular one just so happens to still be tied up inside a cavern underneath the island of Jersey. Secondly, according to the official records, it was supposed to have been sunk a month before it was sent on that mission. A mission I might add that Adolf Hitler had ordered personally, and which involved two of the highestranking men in the Nazi Party. Put this all together with a mythical artefact that is supposed to give whoever has possession of it unspeakable power on the battlefield, to the point of never being defeated. Well, I’d say we have ourselves a very strange mystery on our hands, wouldn’t you?”

  “And the point is?” said Nathan.

  “The point is, so to speak. That if the Spear of Destiny is still on board that submarine. Well as you can imagine, old son, there are those out there who would love to get their fanatical or criminal hands on it. Whether or not it’s genuine or actually has any power is completely irrelevant.”

  “What do mean?” Nathan asked.

  “I’ll show you.” LJ went to his desk and logged back onto the central archive database. A moment later the information he had asked for, was on the large screen in front of them.

  LJ said, “Look at this, the Spear of Destiny is also known as the Holy Lance and the Spear of Longinus. It is considered to be one of the most important Christian relics of the Passion of Jesus Christ. Good grief, look here. The spear was used by a Roman soldier named Gaius Cassius, who was also later called Longinus. He used the spear at the crucifixion of Jesus, piercing his side as he hung on the cross. This caused blood and water to spurt forth from the wound. The mixture apparently splattered Gaius Cassius’s face, restoring his vision, which had been failing. The centurion went on to become an early convert to Christianity, which played a significant role in the fulfilment of the Old Testament prophesy. The spear is believed to have acquired tremendous mystical power and it was passed down from dynasty to dynasty over the centuries. Truly amazing.” “Amazing, is an understatement? So, we now know a little about the legend of the spear. But, what information is there, about whom had possession of it after this Roman centurion?” said Nathan.

  LJ scrolled through the pages until he found what he was looking for. “It states here, that the spear subsequently passed through a multitude of hands. Apparently it became the possession of many of Europe’s most important political and military leaders. Some of these included, Constantine I, Alaric, he was the Visigoth king who ransacked Rome in the year 410, Frankish General Charles Martel, Charlemagne the Great, Frederick of Barbarossa and Frederic II. This Nat, reads like a gruesome and bloody guest list to a butcher’s convention. But it is quite apparent old son, that a leader who possessed the spear was said to be invincible. If I recall my history correctly, Charlemagne and Frederick of Barbarossa were both undefeated in battle. Yes, here it is, undefeated until they let the spear fall from their hands. It was then that a legend arose that whoever claimed the spear: ‘holds the destiny of the world in his hands for good or evil.’ LJ poured them both more single malt, and then brought up the final page onto the large screen.

  Nathan sat quietly on the sofa, while his old university chum narrated the text. It was just like old times and something LJ had always done for some unexplainable reason.

  “Here’s the bit about Adolf Hitler. According to this, he first saw the spear displayed in the Hofsburg museum in Vienna in 1909. He was only a young man then of course, but knew of the legend of the holy lance. His interest was further amplified by its role in the 1882 opera Parsifal, which if my memory doesn’t deceive me, was about a group of ninth-century knights and their quest for the Holy Grail. Hitler’s fascination with the spear was pivotal in sparking his interest in the occult, and it gave birth to his ideas on the origins and purpose of the Germanic race and most definitely contributed to his unwavering belief about his own destiny as a world conqueror. Well, there we have it. He was a megalomaniac even at a young age.”

  “This last bit is odd though. On the twelfth of October 1938, not long after the German annexation of Austria, Hitler ordered the SS to remove the spear, and other artefacts from Vienna. They were all crated up and taken by train to Nuremberg, where they were stored in St Katherine’s Church. But it looks like the spear was moved in 1944 to a specially constructed vault beneath the church. This had been built in secret, and by the looks of it, at an enormous cost. But wait a minute, what’s this? It states here that the spear was captured by allied troops in April of the following year and confiscated by American army officers. Either this account is incorrect or Hitler ordered a replica made to ensure it didn’t fall in to the possession of the allied forces. That would give credence as to why our sub was given that mission. Hitler would have had the real spear probably taken by air from Austria direct to Sicily.”

  “I’d certainly go along with the theory that he had a replica made, but why go to all the trouble of taking it by air to Sicily, and then back to Jersey by sea. I can’t see why he would have done that.” Nathan argued.

  “Because during that final year of the war, everything was very uncertain. I would speculate that Hitler was being extremely careful with his prized possession. Wouldn’t you agree?” Before Nathan had a chance to answer, LJ continued his rhetoric. “And if that’s the case, then the real artefact is in the hold of that U-boat.”

  “So what are you saying?” Nathan said.

  “What I’m saying, old son, is that the sub on its own is a revelation but that spear could cause chaos if it fell into the wrong hands.”

  “You can’t be serious, I’ve never heard such fanciful rubbish” Nathan replied.

  “Deadly serious old son. Suppose, for just one moment, that an International terrorist group or even one of these fanatical religious groups had found the U-boat and subsequently took possession of the spear. They would most certainly use the mythology and legend surrounding it to stir things up. Firstly, they would make known the history of it, which in turn would instil a belief in the followers that they were now invincible. Which secondly, I’m sure, would lead too unspeakable mayhem everywhere. I’m not saying for one minute, that anyone in his or her right mind would believe such mumbo jumbo about such things. But never forget, at the very base roots of these fanatics’ causes, is power. The majority of these fellows are no different to Adolf Hitler himself, have no doubt Nathan, this will be deemed to be a powerful and priceless thing to own. Why, it’s absolutely unthinkable what could happen if it fell into the wrong hands.”

  LJ poured them both another large malt whisky, got up and started pacing the office, pondering in silence. A moment later, he came back to the sofa and sat down again, before saying, “Are you positive that nobody could accidentally find this place. You told me that the rocks, which covered the entrance to the tunnel, had been shifted during the storm. Is it possible that another diver could also find it, just like you did?”

  “As I’ve already pointed out, nobody
would ever, under normal conditions, dive in that area. It’s claimed far too many lives, LJ.”

  “Yes, but my point is, old son. Would it be possible to get back down there?”

  “Well I suppose so, only a hardened and experienced diver would stand the remotest chance of surviving those waters. Firstly, he or she would have to make sure that they weren’t smashed against the jagged slabs of granite that hide just beneath the surface of the water. Then there are the extreme tidal movements of course; they change in the blink of an eye. And finally, there is the swim back up the tunnel against that fresh water flow that comes from inside the cavern. I almost had to give up; it was so strong, even under the calm conditions that prevailed there this morning. I’d say, that you would have to be exceptionally lucky to make it back to where that U-boat is.”

  “There’s always someone, Nat, you know that as well as I do.” LJ sat there looking up at the ceiling for a moment then said, “I would like a friend of mine to cast his eye over what we have here, would you mind?”

  “No, of course I don’t mind. You know I trust your judgement, but can he be trusted, not to go straight to the press and blab?”

  “I would trust him, just the same as would I trust you, Nat. With my life.”

  “So what’s his name and what does he do, this other friend of yours?” Nathan asked, a little agitated by LJ’s eagerness to now involve someone from outside.

  “Professor Oliver Asquith, or to give him his correct title, Lord Bartholomew, Oliver, Asquith. He’s a very eccentric British Philanthropist and one of this country’s most prominent Archaeologists in the field of Middle Eastern antiquities. Works over at the British Museum. That is, when he’s not flying around the world after the next great discovery. I’ve known him for many years. He might have some ideas.”

  “Well if you think that he might be able to help?”

  “Oh he’ll be able to help, of that I’m sure. This sort of thing is right up his street, old son.”

  “Okay,” Nathan said. “But the exact location stays with me.”

  “Look, Nat. That’s fine by me. You will of course, come along to meet him?”

  “Would you mind awfully, if I said no? Only, I’ve been on the go all day, and to tell you the truth, I’m exhausted and could do with a nap. Recharge the old batteries for an hour or so.”

  “I’ll get young Roberts, to take you round to the apartment. Have a bath and a sleep old son. I’ll go and see Oliver Asquith. Say, I collect you around eight-thirty, for dinner at nine at the Ritz Grill. How does that sound?”

  “Sounds perfect. But I insist that dinner is on me, and that is non-negotiable.”

  * * * LJ looked up Oliver Asquith’s personal number at the British Museum, and was speaking to him at once. “Oliver, LJ here.”

  “My dear chap, seems like years since we last spoke.” LJ came straight to the point. “Oliver, I have something that I think you should take a look at, tonight if possible. A rather amazing discovery has been made. Look I don’t want to talk over the phone, but it really is imperative that I see you immediately, old son.”

  Asquith remained as urbane as ever. “Can you come over now? Only I’ve got a dinner engagement at ninethirty.”

  “This will only take up half an hour of your time, Oliver.”

  “Well, I’ll be at the museum for another hour. I’ll

  have security show you down”

  “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

  Professor Asquith was sat at a workbench, peering

  through a magnifying glass at something held in pincer like

  clamps at the end of two long arms. At the age of sixty-one,

  he still had a round almost boyish looking face, with dark

  blue eyes and greying fair hair. After a lifetime of good living

  he now carried too much weight and had a physique that

  showed it. He’d never had to pine for the material things in

  life as his family had owned a couple of small banks. These

  had been absorbed into a bigger banking complex, and

  that into another, so that now his shares were worth more

  money than he needed for his very British eccentric lifestyle. Edward Levenson-Jones was sitting opposite the

  archaeologist, on the other side of the long metal table. When

  the door to the laboratory opened, and a graduate student

  came in. He assisted Asquith with the research and dating of

  artefacts, that were sent to the museum came in. But, on this

  occasion, he’d brought with him a tray containing two cups

  of strong black coffee. After he’d left, Asquith picked up his

  cup, and sipped at the hot black liquid, before continuing

  to read the letter from Grossadmiral Karl Donitz. Finally he

  put it down, and looked up over the top of his spectacles. “Intriguing, isn’t it?”

  “You believe it could be true then?”

  “The Spear of Destiny? Good God yes. The U-boat,

  well I mean you obviously don’t think that your friend

  Commander Cunningham is playing some sort of elaborate

  hoax or simply looking to spice up his life down in Jersey?” “Absolutely not. We shared a room at University,

  and then worked together on many assignments while I

  was at MI5. He retired from the Navy with full military

  honours, and then went on to build a construction empire which he sold shortly after his wife died. That’s when he moved down to Jersey. Oh, and he’s a millionaire ten times

  over.”

  “But he won’t tell you the exact location?” “Oh, I think that’s understandable, don’t you? Given

  the enormity of his discovery.” LJ smiled. “But have no fear,

  he’ll tell me soon enough. In the meantime; the question is

  Professor, what should we do with it?”

  “Well, the right thing to do, is to simply hand the

  whole thing over to MI5, or the Ministry of Defence,

  Edward. Although, they are likely to treat the whole thing as

  a hoax, and immediately file it for all eternity. Alternatively,

  Ferran & Cardini could simply investigate the mystery as a

  private matter on behalf of Nathan Cunningham.” “You’re right of course, handing it over will raise

  nothing more than a few eyebrows at a funding committee

  meeting. And, after a number of negative grunts the case

  we will most certainly be filed under, ‘no further action’.

  Once that happens, we’ll never know why that U-boat was

  sent there by Himmler and Donitz; or why it was carrying a

  priceless religious artefact, that was so important to Adolf

  Hitler. No, there’s more to this, than just the spear? What

  else did Hitler own and value?”

  “Gold Bullion, and he had lots of it too.” “Yes, Gold Bullion,” LJ said enthusiastically, adding.

  “The Nazis went to a lot of trouble to hide the sub in that

  cavern. But why use Jersey, and I would bet on the fact

  that the cavern wasn’t just created for the sole purpose of

  parking that submarine. What were they really up to, that’s

  the question?”

  “Perhaps that was the reason for Himmler and

  Donitz to be involved. But even so, the Spear of Destiny

  would certainly have warranted such secrecy because of the

  myth surrounding it. Did you know that Napoleon once

  attempted to seize the spear after the Battle of Austerlitz?

  But failed because it had been smuggled out of Vienna just

  prior to the battle and he never did get his hands on it? To

  underestimate its significance or the power that it holds LJ,

  would be extremely foolhardy. You see, Hitler along with the others, whose hands it fe
ll into, knew only too well that it’s not enough too simply own it. You have to be a true believer for it to work and protect you. Hitler was obsessed with not only the legend, which he truly believed in, but was also flirting with the darker side of the occult. So that in his own mind he was without any doubt, destined to become the next Emperor of his New World Order. But forgive me, as usual I’m rambling on. Of course, it may be that the cavern holds the key to all of this. But, I feel that the SS being involved is very intriguing. Were they there merely to ensure that the spear was protected or was it that Himmler and Donitz were going to hide more than the spear there.

  What do you think?”

  “Umm, Himmler was definitely a tricky character.”

  LJ said, but before he could continue Lord Asquith

  continued his rhetoric.

  “You know that he believed Hitler to be a

  reincarnation of past warriors and kings. So much so, that

  he was totally consumed with the Aryan myth, and only

  chose officers that were pure Aryan decent from at least one

  hundred and seventy years back. Furthermore, he felt that

  children should be conceived in Nordic cemeteries in order

  to manifest spirits of the heroes buried there. He actually

  published a list of cemeteries for breeding, you know?” “This was an organisational genius, LJ. Someone

  who held meetings in the great hall of a rambling old castle,

  and where they all sat at a royal round table. They say that

  beneath this hall was a crypt filled with urns containing

  the last mortal remains of heroes destined for worship.

  Himmler was also completely obsessed with the Teutonic

  Order, to the point where past and present were telescoped

  together. One important thing that we should also remember

  is that Himmler, like Hitler, used certain occult practices to

  communicate with so called, ‘Eastern Masters’ that were no

  longer human, but divine.”