The History Thief: Ten Days Lost (The Sterling Novels)

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The History Thief: Ten Days Lost (The Sterling Novels) Page 62

by Joseph Nagle


  Michael shrugged, but he reassured his father. “But I’ve seen it, and now you know. One day the world will know, too. Learning is exponential, Dad; it always has been. It can only be stifled for so long.”

  Dr. Sterling, Senior, didn’t necessarily share his son’s optimism.

  “Dad,” Michael said, pulling out his camera. “Would you like to see it, too?”

  “What?” replied his father, eyeing the camera. “Pictures? You have pictures?”

  Michael nodded.

  His father’s hands shook slightly as he scrolled slowly through the images. One hand went to his mouth. A look of disbelief and elation both draped over his face.

  Handing the camera back to his son, he walked with a steady stride to his office window, out of which he stared upward. The sky was brightly lit by the day’s sun. Across the horizon, to the west, the moon was sitting just above the outline of the mountains. It was one of those rare days where both the sun and the moon shared the same sky. At one time in history, they were called Osiris and Isis, the ancient Egyptian gods of the sun and the moon.

  They had a child.

  At his birth, three kings who had been guided by a star to his birthplace had greeted him; his mother—called Mery—was a virgin; in the spring he was resurrected from the dead.

  He was named Horus, the begotten son.

  The Son of God.

  The story was told in Egypt, from one generation to the next, starting over six thousand years ago.

  Dr. Sterling, Senior, looked at the sun and the moon again and smiled at them both. Proof! The birth story of Jesus was nothing more than Horus’s with the names changed.

  One story begat another…

  The End

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  JS Nagle is a former intelligence professional who spent many a night with his face hidden by camouflage with a rucksack on his back, or in the guts of cargo planes with his ripcord in hand, readying to jump into the unknown.

  A graduate of the Universities of Minnesota and Wisconsin with degrees in economics and an MBA, respectively, JS Nagle left the intelligence profession for aerospace, where he worked with the firm that puts government payloads into space.

  An avid adventurist, JS Nagle spends his free time skiing the black diamond slopes of Colorado mountains, climbing ‘fourteeners,’ recovering from broken bones and torn cartilage, and wrestling with his infant daughter.

  JS Nagle is also a father to the next generation of military officer: a talented, strong, and altruistic son, as well as a husband to a gifted, beautiful, talented, and athletic clinician.

  ADDITIONAL NOTES:

  My research guides my pen: I have worked diligently to ensure that references to matters of history—whether it be locations, works of art, historical events, or individuals—are as accurate as possible.

  In addition, when including matters of a technological or innovative nature, I work toward that same level of aforementioned accuracy. The descriptions included within this novel of many of the technological components or innovations are true.

  I readily admit that I do take literary privileges in the authoring of the Sterling novels; one must remember that this work is first and foremost a piece of fiction; all characters and actions that occur and transpire that are not specifically traceable persons or events of a topical or historical nature are purely a creation of my imagination and for the reader’s enjoyment.

  If I have erred—as we human beings are prone to do—I welcome and encourage your feedback, corrections, and suggestions. Please feel free to do so at [email protected]

  As always, while I understand that religion and politics are two very sensitive issues that bring out certain sides of humanity—both vile and beautiful—my work is not designed to belittle, diminish, or to take sides, but to do two very straightforward things: to attempt honestly to entertain the reader while making one consider that what we are taught as truths may simply not be the case.

  It is up to you to question anything stated to you as fact and know that when done so without physical evidence or a primary source, any story told is merely a version of the teller’s interpretation…

  Table of Contents

  DEDICATION

  BOOKS BY JS NAGLE

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  PROLOGUE

  PART I

  CHAPTER ONE: WALDORF ASTORIA HOTEL MANHATTAN

  CHAPTER TWO: TYRANNY IS TYRANNY PARIS, FRANCE

  CHAPTER THREE—THREE WEEKS LATER: OPERATION MONGOOSE SOUTHWEST OF JALALABAD, AFGHANISTAN

  CHAPTER FOUR: PLACE DAUPHIN PARIS, FRANCE

  CHAPTER FIVE: OPERATION MONGOOSE TARGET: ABU MOHAMMED IBRAHIM

  CHAPTER SIX: HOME OF DR. MICHAEL STERLING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE NCS OAKTON, VA

  CHAPTER SEVEN: HOME OF SENATOR MATTHEW FAUST GEORGETOWN—WASHINGTON, DC

  CHAPTER EIGHT: 6 PLACE DU PARVIS NOTRE DAME ÎLE DE LA CITÉ—PARIS

  CHAPTER NINE: BENEATH PONT NEUF ON THE QUAIS

  CHAPTER TEN: A FEW MINUTES AGO INSIDE THE SOUTH TOWER

  CHAPTER ELEVEN: RER PLATFORM PARIS, FRANCE

  CHAPTER TWELVE: RER LINE B AULNAY-SOUS-BOIS

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN: CITRONELLE RESTAURANT 3000 M STREET NW WASHINGTON, DC

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN: 1725 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW WASHINGTON, DC

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN: AULNAY-SOUS-BOIS PARIS, FRANCE

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN: NEAR KOFE SOFAID AFGHANISTAN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: POST EXCHANGE, 82ND ABN DIV FAYETTEVILLE, NC

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: SEEKING PROOF PARIS, FRANCE

  CHAPTER NINETEEN: CASELLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT NORTHERN ITALY

  CHAPTER TWENTY: THE UNIVERSITY CLUB 1135 SIXTEENTH STREET NW WASHINGTON, DC

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: HOME OF DR. MICHAEL STERLING OAKTON, VIRGINIA

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: TAFT DINING ROOM THE UNIVERSITY CLUB WASHINGTON, DC

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: CIA HEADQUARTERS LANGLEY, VIRGINIA

  PART II

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: DUOMO DI TORINO TURIN, ITALY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: OLD FRIENDS, NEW PROBLEMS OAKTON, VIRGINIA

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: CIA HEADQUARTERS LANGLEY, VIRGINIA

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: WHEN THINGS GO POP OAKTON, VA

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: CNN STUDIOS WASHINGTON, DC

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

  CHAPTER THIRTY: OLD DOMINION DRIVE FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: DO YOU SEE ME? ROUTE 267

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO: EVERYONE GETS WHAT THEY WANT PIAZZA SAN CARLO TORINO, ITALY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: A STERLING SURPRISE CIA HEADQUARTERS LANGLEY, VA

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: OLD FRIENDS, NEW ENEMIES US GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE: JUHU BEACH MUMBAI, INDIA

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: A RUSE IS A RUSE THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN: A TIME TO RUN MUMBAI, INDIA

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT: LEAVING IT ALL BEHIND DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE: DISTANT RELATIVES PARIS, FRANCE

  CHAPTER FORTY: HOW TO SATIATE A SOCIOPATH TORINO, ITALY

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE: FLYING IS FOR BIRDS FLIGHT TP-0104 DC TO LISBON

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO: THE BIGGER THEY ARE… AEROPORTO DA PORTELA LISBON, PORTUGAL

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE: DEATH IS INEVITABLE LISBON, PORTUGAL

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR: INTERROGATION ROOM 4A CIA HQ, LANGLEY

  CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE: THE RESURRECTION SOLAR DO CASTELO

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX: PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE BETWEEN TWO CASTLES LISBON, PORTUGAL

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN: SHOTS OF ESPRESSO, ONE TO THE NOSE CASTELO COFFEE HOUSE

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT: DEAD FISH & TRACKING CHIPS BELÉM TOWER LISBON, PORTUGAL

  CHAPTER FORTY-NINE: LISTENING IN CIA HQ—LANGLEY, VA

  CHAPTER FIFTY: COPS & COFFEE LISBON, PORTUGAL

  CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE: IN CONTROL CIA HQ

  CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO: BELÉM TOWER LISBON, PORTUGAL

>   CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE: SOUTH PARKING LOT CIA HQ

  CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR: PUERILE MEANS KID BELÉM TOWER

  CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE: STAMPS & COINS LEAVING LISBON

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX: GETTING ANSWERS LANGLEY, VA

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN: CALLE OFICIOS, 1 GRANADA, SPAIN

  CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT: IT TAKES A THIEF IN THE MAUSOLEUM

  CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE: BOUND & ALONE LOCATION UNKNOWN

  CHAPTER SIXTY: BECOMING THE HUNTER TO PARIS: NINE HOURS LEFT

  CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE: CURB APPEAL 67 RUE DU CHABROL

  PART III

  CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO: IN A DARK ROOM CIA HQ

  CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE: HIS MASTERPIECE THE LOUVRE—PARIS, FRANCE

  CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR: THE WATCHMEN RETURN 67 RUE DU CHABROL

  CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE: THE FLY’S LAST THOUGHT PARIS, FRANCE

  CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX: KEEPING HER SANITY DR. SONIA STERLING, MD

  CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN: WHERE THERE’S A THIEF PARIS, FRANCE

  CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT: A PERFECT SONATA AULNAY-SOUS-BOIS

  CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE: A SONATA IMPERFECT PARIS, FRANCE

  CHAPTER SEVENTY: SEEK AND YE SHALL FIND PARIS, FRANCE

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE: ONE HOUR, TWO LIVES AULNAY-SOUS-BOIS

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO: SOMETHING’S MISSING AULNAY-SOUS-BOIS

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE: COMPLETE CONTROL AULNAY-SOUS-BOIS

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR: YORK’S DEAD IN THE HOME OF THE THIEF

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE: SOMEONE WOULD DIE IN SONIA’S CELL

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX: DEAD, NOT DEAD AULNAY-SOUS-BOIS

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN: AND THEN THERE WERE THREE LEAVING THE BOIS

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT: INTIMATE SECRETS 67 RUE DU CHABROL #4

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE: KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE… LANGLEY, VA

  CHAPTER EIGHTY: EVERYONE’S GOING TO ROME AIR FRANCE: FLIGHT 1204

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE: CASTLES, COFFEE, AND BLOOD CASTLE D’CAMINI

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO: REVELATION 14:9 CASTLE D’CAMINI

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE: THE TOWER OF WINDS THE VATICAN, ROME

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR: THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL OF FRANCE NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE: THE KING WILL POINT THE WAY THE TOWER OF WINDS

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX: DEBTS & DEMOTIC THE SECRET ARCHIVES

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN: A MOMENT ALONE THE VATICAN

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT: ONE LAST STOP FROM ROME TO PARIS

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-NINE: TWENTY HOURS LATER PARIS, FRANCE

  CHAPTER NINETY: HOT TARMAC, COLD WORDS LE BOURGET AIRPORT PARIS, FRANCE

  CHAPTER NINETY-ONE: FROM THE ASHES MOMENTS AGO

  CHAPTER NINETY-TWO: HOW CAREERS BEGIN WHILE OTHERS END CANAL 16—PARIS

  CHAPTER NINETY-THREE: ALWAYS HEDGE YOUR BETS SOMEWHERE OVER THE ATLANTIC

  CHAPTER NINETY-FOUR: NO TURNING BACK

  CHAPTER NINETY-FIVE: JUDGMENT DAY

  CHAPTER NINETY-SIX: BELIEVING ISN’T THE SAME AS TRUSTING OUTSIDE OF LANGLEY

  CHAPTER NINETY-SEVEN: CNN NEWSROOM ATLANTA, GEORGIA

  CHAPTER NINETY-EIGHT: WHY, ALLAH, WHY? KOFE SOFAID, AFGHANISTAN

  EPILOGUE

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  ADDITIONAL NOTES:

 

 

 


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