by Sammy Sutton
Her claims were that if, she had not witnessed, with her own eyes, Solomon’s wisdom, she would never have accepted it as fact. Being in his presence would be enough for her, or anyone else for that matter.
Her awe ascended to the height of God, as she announced, ‘God is lucky to have Solomon as King of Israel to take care of Judgment and Justice’.
King Solomon returned her gifts and affections. He constructed terraces to the house of the Lord from the algum trees she brought for him. He also used her gift of algum trees to make harps and Psalteries for the singers, they were of the most beautiful Judah had ever seen.
The King gave to Sheba everything she wanted and desired. Still, she returned to her land taking her servant and his guests, leaving King Solomon without her. The love-stricken King wanted her to stay.”
“Amanda, you’re not crying are you? How many times in your life have you been over these texts.”
“Many times, but it was the beginning of his end. Antonio, he was mad at God. This was a turning point for Jerusalem. God said, if Solomon broke the deal, the Temple would be destroyed.”
“You think Sheba’s departure was the turning point?”
“You know I do. The question is, what do you think?”
“I agree. I think we need to include that reference now.”
“God warns King Solomon to abide by his statutes and judgments, or else the deal is over for King Solomon in Jerusalem.
I Kings
“…if ye turn away, and forsake my statuettes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;…this house which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations…this house shall be an astonishment to everyone that passeth by it…shall say why hath the Lord done this to this house to this land?...because they forsook the Lord thy God…liad hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.”
Antonio added, “King Solomon did ultimately violate his agreement with God. The first Temple of Yahweh stood thirty-three years, the foundation three-hundred and seventy-four years. However, God’s wrath seemed to lead to the destruction of the second Temple of Yahweh built partly upon the first foundation.”
“Perfect, Antonio.”
“That concluded the references to the Hebrew Bible. We should stop there. It’s late. We’ll pick up with the Talmud, Zohar, and others, hopefully tomorrow.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more.
She left him alone to proofread King Solomon’s credibility. He read the document and made a few minor changes. The stacks of papers and documents overwhelmed the office. It took a few minutes to eliminate the mess of files they used.
Antonio arranged and filed them, helping with the overall confusion of her eclectic system.
He fumbled through the contents of some of her research. She had jumped ahead, beyond Solomon’s credibility, and researched the purpose of the Temple structures, saving the planet from a cataclysm, including the alchemy and science involved.
One thing that caught his eyes perplexed him; King Solomon declared, ‘He is she and she is him, and the light of Shekinah is the true light of all truths’.
Chapter 38
“Pure love and suspicion cannot dwell together: at the door where the latter enters, the former makes its exit.”
— Alexandre Dumas
Suitcases sat open on the bed. Clothes were hanging off everything a hanger might hang on. Dresses hung from the armoire knobs, with shoes underneath them. It looked akin to a room full of invisible ghosts, with visible clothes and coordinating shoes everywhere. The spooky part was he didn’t see Amanda.
“Amanda…” She popped out of the bathroom, brushing her teeth.
“Is this a fashion show for ghosts or what?”
“Don’t be silly, I always pack this way. I get where I’m going, with everything I need. What if I were to arrive in Miami with a great outfit to wear, but no shoes to match? “
“I don’t know - what, the apocalypse?”
“Yes, if a woman does not have the right shoes, it will cause serious cataclysms.”
“Okay, I won’t question that. Are you staying a lot longer than I am? I want you to stay with me, not move in with my family for a month.”
“I am deciding what to take, not all of it will go, and I am weighing my options.”
“Looks too heavy to carry, did you ever think about thinking inside your head, without all the props?”
“Very funny…!”
“One minute, you’re biting the big boys in the ass with the transmutation of metals. The next minute, you are a girly woman. It’s hysterical.”
“I am sorry, I truly am not schizoid, and I can just see the organization, through the chaos. You need to help me decide what to take, so I can get this mess straightened.” She took his shirt in her fists. “You see, I am having trouble knowing what to expect. I do not know what to take.”
“If I help you, can we exercise the ghosts out of here?”
“Yes sir.”
“Good, they are giving me the creeps. Go brush your teeth again, and I’ll have you all packed up.”
“Don’t forget the right shoes.”
“And risk a cataclysm - I don’t think I would.”
He was shocked she left him to pack. Hell, he didn’t know what they would do outside of Rosie’s fiesta de quince. He glanced around and decided he would take what he wanted to see her wearing. The activities would have to work with the clothes, instead of the other way around.
He called out. “Amanda, you’re packed.” She came out of the bathroom.
“Great, you did it.” She gave him a peck on the cheek. She had on one of his shirts, with nothing but panties. In the evening, she loved wearing his shirts. He liked it too.
“Should I help you with the ghost gals?”
“Yes, please. Start handing and I will hang up.” She waited at the closet door as he handed her a couple of hangers, and she dropped them. He looked up. She was startled. Running to the window, he looked out over the pool area.
“Amanda what is it?”
“I saw someone. Antonio, I know I did.”
He opened a drawer in the armoire and grabbed the .738. He walked over to the bedroom alarm panel and activated an alert.
“Amanda, stay right here, I’ll be back.”
“Antonio, no.”
“Amanda, I’m not kidding.”
Someone could not just accidentally get onto the property. In fact, it required someone to breach the back of the property, a task of deliberate effort.
Antonio went downstairs, prepared to fire the .738 at anything that moved. He traced the inside perimeter of the house. He set the alarm to let himself out, and surveyed the area from the safety of the shadows. He wanted to stay close to Amanda.
He was not enthusiastic about it, but he knew he needed to check the guesthouse. He made his way, and stopped a few times to survey his path, staying to the shadows, he watched for movement.
The guesthouse was in his view from this vantage point. Antonio sensed something wasn’t right.
He prayed. He hated having her in there alone. He positioned himself to move, and a man in all black ran out of the guesthouse, headed towards the back of the property.
Antonio aimed and shot. He ran as fast as he could after the perpetrator, but it was no use. Investigating the guesthouse, he discovered evidence the perpetrator had rummaged for something. What in the hell did he think would be in here, this made no sense.
He went back to the house, hoping Amanda did not hear the gunshot. Inside, he would call Ruger.
Antonio opened the door and reset the alarm. Amanda ran to him, without saying a word. She held him tight. She could not let go of him. Pulling out his phone, he dialed Ruger. He said only what was necessary.
“Ruger, we had a breach.” He hung up. “Amanda, we’re all rig
ht. Come on, we’ll sit on the sofa, Ruger will be here soon.”
“Amanda, stay right here, I’ll get you some shorts. Ruger will need to come inside.”
He went up to get her shorts, and checked each of the windows again along the way.
He returned, and she slipped the jean shorts on, and then again held onto Antonio. He realized she had still not spoken.
“Amanda, are you okay?”
“Yes.” That is all she said. She had her arms back around his waist.
He placed the .738 on the table next to him and put his arms around her. “Amanda, I will protect you better, I promise. I didn’t think we were in any danger yet, I’m sorry.”
She spoke, “I want to forget it. I want us to go to bed and forget it.”
“We will as soon as Ruger gets here.” He kissed her head.
A voice came from the intercom. Amanda jumped. “It’s Ruger, letting himself in the gate.” He knew she heard the alarm, but not the voice. He sat Amanda down in the large chair, and assured he would be right back. He disarmed the system and went outside to talk with Ruger.
Antonio explained the events of the evening to him. They agreed Ruger would stay in back, at the guesthouse, beginning immediately. Ruger asked about Amanda.
“Ruger, she’s acting odd about the whole thing. She said she wanted to forget about it. She hung onto me for dear life after I came in and until you arrived.”
“Yeah, sometimes people, especially women, act strange in these situations. You know Antonio, maybe you should take me in to see her, for two reasons.
Last time I was here, I didn’t get to meet her. The other reason is, to reassure her that I’m here, and letting her know I’m capable. Otherwise buddy, you could have a bad night in there.”
“Good idea, Ruger. Hey, there’s one thing I should tell you, I’m not sure she heard the shot. I haven’t mentioned it. She has this tumor inside her head, and it creates a problem with her hearing some sounds. She can’t hear them. Inside, it was probably muffled so I suspect she didn’t hear it.”
“I’m glad you told me. That’s something I need to consider in keeping her protected. What’s up with the tumor? Are they going to fix it?”
“We’re trying to find a capable surgeon, it’s impossibly crazy. She’s not in immediate danger, that is, if I understand the situation. Otherwise, she’s very capable of handling challenges, Ruger. Believe me, when you meet her, it won’t be obvious, but I have seen her talent when it comes to protecting herself or me for that matter...”
“Okay, Antonio, introduce me to this tigress of yours.”
They walked into the house. Antonio expected her to be in the chair, but she wasn’t there.
“Hold on, Ruger. I’ll find her.” He went up to the bedroom, she’d put all the clothes away from the Phantom models.
“Amanda, you need to talk to Ruger.”
She said nothing and walked out of the closet, where she was putting clothes away. She started towards the door. Antonio followed, thinking of how strange she acted. Ruger stood in the great room, waiting for them. He stepped towards Amanda, and held his hand out to shake hers.
“You must be Amanda.”
“Yes, nice to meet you Ruger.” She said this in a pleasant tone, as if everything was normal. Antonio suggested they sit.
“Amanda, I guess you had a bit of a scare earlier.”
“Yes, but we are fine, now,” she was matter-of-fact.
Ruger raised his brows. “I’m going to watch out for things. While I’m here, I’ll make sure you two stay safe.”
“Okay, thank you,” she replied.
Antonio rolled his eyes at Ruger to let him know she was out of character.
She got weird. “Antonio, will you leave us for a moment, please? I want to talk to Ruger alone for a couple of minutes.”
Antonio started to protest, he stopped when Ruger waved his hand in a gesture for him to exit the room. Antonio left, feeling confused.
She waited until he was gone.
“Ruger, I hope we can actually trust you.” She waited for his reply. He looked at her straight in the eyes.
She began to speak, direct and lucid. “This is early in the game for someone to even know about the Scrolls and King Solomon’s ‘Chosen 13’. This concerns me a great deal. We are making a trip to Miami tomorrow of monumental personal importance to Antonio.
I do not want this trip plagued with extra mental baggage, let alone physical danger. Do you understand what I am saying?”
Ruger had known Antonio for years, and he had listened in the past days when he sang Amanda's praises. Antonio described her as a brilliant researcher, author, woman with three sons, and a bit of a mystic or as Antonio referred to them, those 'whoo whoo people'. In his own mind, Ruger had pictured a woman who was not really into reality or facing unknown situations with calmness.
What sat in front of him now, was a cold, calculating woman who understood exactly what reality meant. He wasn't sure if her act was to trap Antonio as a man, or she was after something more; like the Scrolls for her own agenda. Either way, she just climbed the wrong tree.
"Lady, I am not sure just who you are, or what you are. But, one thing is clear; Antonio has no idea who he has in his house. Before I answer your question-you will answer mine, or you will leave now, and I will handle Antonio!"
Amanda was shocked; this soft spoken big man had just given her an ultimatum! How had he seen through her so quickly? She had lost control of the situation, and now all she could do, was play with his rules. She nodded her head, agreeing to the question.
"Do you really care for Antonio, or is this an act to facilitate some kind of cover story?"
"I care deeply for Antonio, and my days of cover stories have ended. I am what I appear to be; a woman who writes books, researches obscure subjects, and on occasion, accepts help from old associates."
Ruger looked into the eyes of the woman before him. If she was lying, she hid it better than anyone he had ever known.
"For now, I will take your word for that. But be warned, I will be watching. Just like those 'associates' of yours, I have ways to discover information and take care of problems, just as quickly.'
"I understand."
"Now tell me exactly what has you so rattled."
"Tonight, this attempted break-in does not make sense. Who would precipitate this action against Antonio? If they want the Scrolls, that means they have a way of knowing their power. Yet, I have played the game long enough to know the rules. What we have seen and experienced so far are non-violent actions that are more of a reminder of their ability to stay close to us, with a hovering presence.
Coming here to his home is overtly violent and raises the level of threat beyond any that has come before. It is almost as if there are two players in the game, neither of which we know. The important thing right now is Antonio's safety. Without him, the world is lost and so am I.
"Amanda, you are underestimating the man. Yes, he needs to be protected, but so do you. As far as Antonio is concerned you are the most valuable component to this…whatever it is, journey, quest, mission. You have to let him protect you, and I will protect Antonio; that's what I do."
"You make it sound so easy, and maybe it is."
"One more thing, you need to tell him, everything. Leaving him in the dark about your connections and past is just as dangerous as any new threat our unknown players can dish out."
I will, I promise, just not right now, please give me the time to do it in my own way."
"Well, it's your neck. I better talk to Antonio; he's probably sulking about being asked to leave the room by now!
Ruger left to get Antonio.
Chapter 39
“Control is never achieved when sought after directly. It is the surprising outcome of letting go.”
James Arthur Ray
He was sulking in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, sucking on a beer bottle. Ruger watched him for a minute and smiled. For a gr
own man, he sure could pout!
"Antonio, while that may have put you off, Amanda felt it was necessary. She just wanted to be assured that I had your best interest at heart." Antonio tried to interrupt, but Ruger stopped him.
"Let me finish. She wanted my promise to protect you before her, and I did not give it. I told her that was your job."
"Of all the lame-brained thinking females in the world I get one with a Pollyanna complex! Did she really think I would put my safety before hers? Does she think I am that weak?"
"No, not weak; she just believes you are not as capable as she is. She does not seem to know just how well armed you are in the defense department. After all, the few encounters the two of you have had with the bad guys; she is the one who has been the aggressor."
Antonio sat down the empty beer bottle and reached for a new cold one. He was not sure whether he should feel glad she cared for his safety, or mad that she underestimated him on so many levels.
Shrugging in a very male fashion, he let it go, for now. He walked over to Ruger and punched him in the arm. "I hope you bragged about my manly prowess!"
"Not really, some things should be discovered on their own."
The two of them walked back to join Amanda.
“Listen. You two go get some rest...I’m going to the guesthouse. Let’s talk before you depart tomorrow morning, and I’ll see what I can figure out.”
“Well thanks, Ruger. Maria will be here in the morning. I’ll tell her we’ll all have breakfast.”
“That works. Goodnight, Amanda, goodnight, Antonio.”
They told him goodnight as he left. Antonio looked at her.
“Antonio, I know I should have told you, but I didn’t want you upset before we left for Miami. I was wrong.”
Antonio sat back down on the sofa, and took a drink of his beer, contemplation written all over his face. It made Amanda feel weird. She left him alone to think.
Right now, the bedroom was where she needed to be. The first time she came into this room, she did not feel comfortable, now she wanted to be there. It was all so crazy. Taking the shorts off from under Antonio’s long shirt, she was at a loss. What did she need to do?
