escaped or were taken hostage.”
“Why take the ambulance crew hostage and not the policeman. He would be worth more as a ransom.”
“Because he was armed. Maybe he pulled his gun on them. That was probably the reason for killing him.”
“Maybe. Well whatever happened here we need to find the ambulance crew and where the ambulance came from. I want names, addresses. Find them.”
“Yes sir.”
A forensics expert got Al-assad’s attention. Al-assad looked at the laptop screen.
“None of the DNA samples match Von Werner.”
Al-assad looked at the neatly lined up dead. A team nearby examining bullet casings.
“How sure are you?”
“One hundred per cent.”
Al-assad’s lieutenant came running up holding a field telephone. Al-assad frowned.
“It’s the General sir.”
Al-assad reluctantly took the handheld.
“General Al-din. It’s bad news sir. We’ve lost him. You might want to tell
the Americans.”
CHAPTER TWO
LONDON, ENGLAND
Peter Dennis poured himself another cocktail while trying not to spill any. He was leaning forward in the limousine to make sure he didn’t splash any of the red liquid onto his white shirt.
“Would you like one?” he asked the girl opposite.
Marine archaeologist Natalie Feltham shook her head while holding her flute up.
“No thanks. I’ve still got most of my champagne left and you’d better not have too many of those in quick succession. I don’t want you slurring your speech all night.”
“Hey that’s what Limo’s are about. Drinking in the back of them. It was good of Jim to put it on for us.”
“He wanted us to arrive in style.”
“That we’ll do. You look sensational tonight.”
“Oh thanks and I don’t usually. Is that what you mean.”
“What! Of course you do. You always do,” Dennis replied eyeing up a shapely ankle, “That dress was a good idea. It is stunning.”
Natalie was wearing a long, ankle length, sleeveless, black dress, with a long split down each thigh. The neck of the dress was gold. She was also wearing gold, strap heels. Her long blonde hair was held high on her head with pins. Two long strands of hair hung down, prettily, either side of her face.
“You don’t look so bad yourself but your bow tie is a little crooked.”
He leaned in to her.
“Straighten it for me.”
While she did he sneaked a quick kiss.
“Oi! Cheeky! You’ll smudge my make up.”
Then she laughed.
“What?”
“You’ve got my lipstick on your lips. Come here.”
She wiped it off then became serious.
“I love you.”
“Love you too,” he replied, “And I love this car. Fancy a quickie?”
“What? No! The driver might see.”
Dennis shrugged.
“And besides there’s not enough time. Kinky bugger.”
Dennis smiled.
“There’s plenty of room.”
The car turned a corner and Natalie saw the British museum ahead.
“Too late. I think we’re here,” she said as the car passed under a huge banner and stopped at the bottom of the steps. The door was opened and Natalie and Peter put their drinks down and she stepped out first, onto the red carpet and into a sea of press photographers and flash photography. Dennis stepped out and the chauffeur wished him a good evening, closed the door, got back into the driver’s seat and moved off slowly past a television camera getting ready to start shooting. In front of the camera a beautiful reporter with Asian features.
“Three. Two. One. Go,” the cameraman clicked his fingers at the reporter.
“Good evening and a very warm welcome from the British museum in London on this the opening night of the exhibition of what is perhaps the most important exhibit in the christian world, the ‘Holy lance’ sometimes referred to as the ‘spear of destiny’ the mysterious Roman spear that supposedly pierced the side of Jesus Christ while he lay on the cross. I’m Kim Nguyen reporting from a star studded occasion where the world of archaeology meets those of politics, film and stage as a host of stars pay tribute to this, the first exhibit of it’s kind here at this magnificent building for many years. The museum was founded by Sir Hans Sloane in 1753 who exhibited his own collections, a museum which currently holds the Elgin marbles and the controversial Rosetta stone, requested by Egypt for its return to its rightful country. Never before has an exhibit such as this, the ’holy lance’ graced this the most famous museum in the world. On loan from its home in the Schatzkammer, Vienna, Austria the spear was once in the hands of Holy Roman emperors, Adolf Hitler and the American General George Patton. One of the world’s truly great treasures it will be here on display for the next two months….” she glanced