The Complete 8-Book Guardians Adventure Saga Read online

  It was dark now, and Achava needed to go to Jerusalem before preparing to return to the United States. First, she wanted to get the feel of what was going on in the city. Second, she hoped to see someone from her childhood—someone she could chat with.

  She caught a bus into Jerusalem and walked around. Seeing an open coffee shop, she went inside and ordered a cup to go.

  While sipping her coffee, she smelled an unusual scent—one she had not experienced since childhood. Looking around, she saw a hooded man in a dark-colored robe sitting alone in a corner. He was the one with the vile smell, and he glared at her.

  He was Cana, the Canaanite. Her number one enemy.

  Achava was not afraid, and could not afford to be. She picked up her hot drink and went outside. Finishing her coffee, she tossed the Styrofoam cup in the trash. Flagging down a cab, she went straight to the airport.

  In a short period of time, she was back in North Dakota. Now Achava had a mission to fulfill. She would take Dr. Salinger on his last assignment.

  ***

  DAYS HAD PASSED since Dr. Salinger’s unexpected female visitor had posed a question to him that he could not answer. He had researched Masada thoroughly and had taught about all of the artifacts and scrolls found there in 1963.

  He was so enamored with the find that he even dug further. He had researched Yigael Yadin from the beginning to the end of his career. His thirst for knowledge grew as he then found out about the team that Yadin had hand-picked for the Masada dig.

  Dr. Salinger was not just satisfied with information about who was on the team, but he wanted to know what they did afterward as well. He enjoyed following the lives of those affected by the greatest Israeli archaeological find of the twentieth century.

  Though it was costly and time-consuming, Dr. Salinger managed to track down everyone on the team and discover what they did after Masada, except for one archaeologist—Eldad Ben-Tzion.

  Ben-Tzion had disappeared out of sight soon after Yadin had unearthed the scrolls of Deuteronomy and Ezekiel. According to his information, Ben-Tzion had abandoned the Masada dig immediately after the find. He had never been seen again.

  Salinger tried to come up with a reason why Ben-Tzion had requested the removal of his name from the Masada excavation. Dr. Salinger would have given anything to be a part of it. He had dreamed himself into Masada several times and pictured his name sitting side by side with Yadin’s. Ben-Tzion was not as accomplished as Yadin, but learning about him was a chance for Dr. Salinger to be a part of something that would withstand the test of time.

  The mysterious disappearance of Ben-Tzion remained perplexing. Around the same time as the excavation on Masada, there were a few rumors about Mt. Nebo. He had heard about artifacts dealing directly with Moses that might have been found in that area, and even in that time frame of Ben-Tzion’s disappearance, but any solid details seemed to have been hushed up.

  He had never been able to find any traces of Ben-Tzion after the scrolls had been discovered at Masada and that raised several questions. He wondered if maybe Ben-Tzion had found something important, somewhere else and had been silenced.

  The Canaanites always seemed to be in abundance every time anything of historical significance was either being discussed or there was an archaeological find. Although few in number, the Canaanites were a nuisance. Most of them had been killed during Joshua’s time. Others had probably blended in with descendants of Ishmael. It was the ones who had escaped by sea that spread evil around the world, even unto this day.

  Salinger pondered his contact with the young lady who pegged him as prideful. He sighed. Perhaps it was somewhat true. She had definitely taken him down a peg.

  He wondered about what group or organization that this mysterious girl represented. Someone else would have to research her for him. He was too old to deal with this now. It had been a few days. Maybe she was gone.

  He picked up the business card with the woman’s number on it and studied it. He looked again at the phone. None of the research he had ever done had come to him by accident. He had never stumbled into it, nor had it fallen into his lap. He had always had to search for it. This time would be no different.

  Reluctantly, he picked up the phone and dialed the number on the card. Nervously, he waited as the phone rang several times. Just as he was about to give up, it was picked up.

  Instead of a “Hello,” he heard, “Smart move, Dr. Salinger.”

  It’s her.

  Dr. Salinger began slowly, “I don’t know who you are or who you represent, but you obviously know more about the scrolls from Mt. Nebo than I do.”

  “That’s apparent. I’m surprised with all of your resources that you hadn’t found out anything about the scrolls hidden in Mt. Nebo.”

  “Is that what this is about? You want me to reveal what I know about that mountain? If I knew anything, I would have told the whole world. I would have written papers and books. You would have had to physically shut me up.”

  “I don’t have time for this.” Her voice was impatient. “Why did you call me?”

  “I am confused.” He sighed. “You told me to call you when I stopped playing games. I never started. You said that you believed that I knew more than I let on.”

  “That’s right,” she snapped. “So, why are you calling now?”

  “I want to know what you want from me.”

  “You know what I want. I want a specific artifact from Mt. Nebo. I can’t say what it is over the phone. Now where is it?”

  “I don’t know what it is you want! Why are you doing this to me? I’m just an old man trying to have a life!”

  The doctor had not been this worked up about anything for years. He always kept control over his emotions, but this was getting to him. He could feel his heart racing as he gritted his teeth.

  “You? You strut around like a peacock, flaunting your knowledge in front of those whom you will never consider equals.”

  He could hear the rage in her voice.

  She continued to blast him. “Now that you are without answers, you flail about like a wounded animal. I am disgusted to even talk with you!”

  Dr. Salinger was breathing even harder now as he temporarily put the phone down to catch his breath. He did not want to finish this conversation with this rude woman. He slowly lifted the receiver to his ear and heard nothing from the other end. He sighed and said nothing. Hanging up the receiver, he went to the kitchen and opened his refrigerator. He needed a break.

  Removing a pitcher, he poured himself a glass of iced tea and added a few cubes of ice.

  He turned and went into his small living room and sat in his favorite chair. While watching television, he caught a glimpse of the mystery woman reflected in the television screen. She was in the room, behind him!

  Shocked, he dropped his glass, which shattered all over the floor.

  Hair stood up on the back of his neck. Feeling weak all over, he slumped back into the chair. Pain shot through his chest and down his left arm. He grabbed his chest and gasped.

  “That trick won’t work with me now. It didn’t work with me in your classroom either.” She stepped around in front of him.

  “Why are you doing this…to…me? Are you trying to kill me?” His breathing was erratic as he reached for his heart medication on the small table near his chair. The bottle wasn’t there. “I need my nitroglycerin.”

  She held up a small medicine bottle. “I believe you’re looking for these.”

  “You monster! Give me my pills!” He reached for the bottle, only to fall over onto the floor. Now he was sweating profusely. Only mustering a whisper, he said, “Why…are…you…”

  “Doing this?” She smirked. “I think you already asked that question.”

  He felt faint. “I need an aspirin.”

  At that point, she opened another bottle and placed an aspirin in his mouth. “Chew it up and swallow.” He did as she said.

  When she helped him to his chair, she placed the nitroglyc
erin under his tongue. She gave him a few minutes for the pill to take effect. “How is that?”

  He looked surprised at her actions and change in demeanor. He muttered, “What the heck?”

  “It is part of my recruiting test.”

  “Recruiting for what? I have a bad heart.”

  “I know. But I am recruiting for the good guys. You passed my test.” She smiled, waiting until he caught his breath. “I had to be sure that you knew nothing about the treasure at Mt. Nebo.”

  He looked at her in disbelief. “Are you insane? You could have killed me!”

  “Not to sound cold-hardhearted, but if I wanted you dead, you would be dead.” She sat down. “I was just checking to see if your heart was strong enough for another risky adventure. I needed to test you. If you were to die, now would be a better time than later.”

  “You’re crazy, lady.” He raised his eyebrows. “I’m not impressed with your methods.”

  “That’s fine,” she said. “You are free to not go.”

  “Wait! If this is about Mt. Nebo, I want to go.”

  “Really?” she asked, laughing. “Mt. Nebo interests you?”

  “Yes,” he said. “I need to go to Israel one more time.”

  She walked up to him and looked him in the eye. “Give me a good reason why I would work with you now.”

  “Because I need to know about Dr. Eldad Ben-Tzion. I have found answers to everything I’ve researched in the past, except for what happened to him in 1963.”

  At the mention of that name, her face hardened. “Ben-Tzion? Is that all you want? You will only slow down my search, old man, if you just want to look for his dry bones, which I assume is what happened to him. But you are in no shape to make the journey.”

  “Perhaps. Perhaps not. There is someone who could come along and help me. He can look after my things. I have money to pay my own way. I’ll pay for both of us.”

  By now, he looked at her with the eyes of a desperate man. Everything she had said so far now made sense. He assumed that she wanted to test him, and just needed to see what he was made of. He needed to convince her that he was strong enough to go as well.

  “You know.” Her expression softened. “There is a chance that you won’t survive this trip.”

  “I realize that,” he said. “Then I will die doing that which I have loved doing all my life.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I will not babysit you.”

  “I’m not asking you to look after me. My assistant will do that.”

  “He or she could die, too.”

  “He. If you allow my assistant to come with us, then he will agree to help me. I will inform him of the risk. Whether he comes or not, this is something I need to do to complete my dream.”

  “I’m the leader,” she said. “You will not question anything I say or do.”

  “Agreed. You make the rules. This is to be my last, great adventure. I’ll just enjoy it.”

  She looked at him for several moments. “We leave in two days,” she said firmly. “Make whatever arrangements you must for the trip, and then I will contact you in exactly 48 hours. Tell your assistant to be ready as well. Whether he comes or not is of no concern to me. If you slow me down, I will leave you where you stand. Him, too.”

  “Again, agreed. Your name?” He motioned for her to fill in the blank.

  “Achava, daughter of Aviela.”

  Chapter the Fifth

  SAM GODFREY franticly rang Dr. Salinger’s doorbell. The call from Dr. Salinger had been vague, but seemed urgent enough for Sam to come quickly. Concerns about his professor having a heart attack crossed his mind.

  With apprehension, he again rang the doorbell.

  Sam’s stomach churned from nerves. He knew that the doctor calling him this late at night meant that something was wrong. He tried to keep his imagination from running away from him, but it was easy to believe the worst—especially since Sam had seen firsthand the professor having a reaction to that woman—that unusual woman. Sam was fascinated with her more than any woman he had ever seen before. He would love the chance to talk to her himself.

  He tapped on the door with his knuckle.

  The door opened slowly, revealing Dr. Salinger. He looked upset and was breathing heavily.

  Sam rushed into the house and grabbed the professor’s shoulders. “Dr. Salinger! Are you okay? Did you have another heart attack? You seem to be out of breath!”

  Dr. Salinger closed the door and slowly caught his breath. “My health is fine.”

  “What’s the emergency?”

  He placed a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “Sam. Please sit down. I want to talk to you.”

  “Why, is it urgent?” asked Sam. “You scared the heck out of me!”

  Salinger chuckled as he sat across from Sam in his favorite chair. He picked up a fresh drink that he had poured and sipped on it. “Sam, I called you because of all the students I have ever taught, you are the one who has shown the most interest in my stories. I watch the reactions of my students. I don’t see much in their blank faces. Most are there to get their degrees so they can get their lifework started. I don’t blame them, Sam. But I see interest in your face.”

  He took another sip of his iced tea, showing a look of realization. “Forgive me for not asking if you would like a beverage. Would you care for some iced tea? Or a bottle of water?”

  “I’m good.”

  “Or perhaps some crackers?”

  “No, thank you.” Sam felt calmer. He sat and looked questioningly at the professor. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

  “Good. I love going on archaeological digs. For years, it was my life’s work. I do regret not completing my dream. I am primarily talking about finding the missing pieces of one particular area that has eluded me for quite some time. I have now been offered the possibility of closing the only open chapter in my life and I do not hesitate to jumping at the chance.” There appeared to be a sparkle in his eye that was new.

  Sam said, “That is good. I’ve never seen you so happy.”

  Dr. Salinger said, “Students usually react casually to my stories. They say I give rather longwinded speeches.”

  “You do.” Sam chuckled. “But I like them.”

  “Some students humor this old man so that they can get the credits they need to get their degree. Sure, they have come from all around the world to take the classes, but they look out for number one.”

  Sam smiled and said, “As I think about it, Dr. Salinger, I’d say you enjoy telling stories from your past better than you do teaching from textbooks. Personally, I love the stories.”

  “I know. That is why I called you.”

  “All right. Tell me why I’m here.”

  “Sam. I will be leaving in less than forty-eight hours on a journey that will complete the ambition of my life.”

  “What?” Sam immediately stood and asked, “Are you sure?” Now he was worried about the mental health of his favorite teacher.

  “Yes. And I have a proposition.”

  “For me?”

  “Sam. I understand if you don’t want to do this, but I am not a young man. I need someone to help me on this journey. I can’t think of anyone, other than you, that I’d rather have with me on the road to complete the last chapter in my life. You have a passport?”

  “Well, yes, but…” Sam was surprised to hear that not only was Dr. Salinger leaving on another excursion, but he was being invited to go as well. “Doctor, before I answer you, I have to know a few things. What’s going to happen to your classes and the school?”

  “The school has been taken care of and will continue to be run while I’m gone. They can get a substitute professor for next semester.”

  “When will you return?” Sam was trying to get as much information as he could before he even considered the offer.

  Dr. Salinger leaned forward in his chair and looked Sam in the eyes with the utmost sincerity. “I don’t expect I’ll be coming back, Sam.”

  This was too
much. Sam felt his heart jump into his throat. The aspect of never again being taught by his favorite professor, let alone never seeing him again, frightened him. “You have to tell me what’s going on, Doctor!”

  Dr. Salinger sipped his drink and swallowed hard before leaning back in his chair. “Do you remember that young woman who stumped me with a question the other day?”

  The woman hadn’t stopped invading his thoughts since he had first seen her! He should have guessed that she was the only one who could make this kind of impression on Dr. Salinger. “I vaguely remember her,” he lied.

  “Well, Sam,” he said. “I will be traveling with her.”

  Sam’s eyes widened. “What?”

  “I need to tell you,” the professor said, “she has not, nor have I asked her, to guarantee my safety on this trek. I don’t need a protector. My goodness, I wouldn’t feel right asking for one at my age!”

  “But you said you needed someone to help you.” Sam was even more puzzled.

  “I know,” Dr. Salinger interrupted Sam before he could continue his thought. “I don’t need a nursemaid, Sam. I do need someone to record my last great adventure.”

  Sam had a lot of trouble comprehending the favor that Salinger was asking. Then again, that woman would be there. “I would be honored to record your adventure, but I will not believe that it’s your last.”

  Salinger looked at Sam as if he was sizing him up for what he was about to say. “I hope your presence can make that possible.”

  Sam was overwhelmed. “I’m not sure what to say.”

  “Do you believe in God?”

  “Yes, of course I believe in God. With all my heart!” He paused. “What does that have to do with the adventure?”

  “This expedition is of a biblical nature. There are secrets involved that will require your faith and sometimes, your silence. Can you do that?”

  Sam gave him a confused look. “I’m sorry if I sound stupid, but how am I going to record your journey if I have to remain silent?”