The Temple Mount Code (23 page)

Von Volker launched his vitriol from an elaborate stage. The man was definitely a crowd-pleaser, if the reactions of the people gathered there to listen were any indication. Behind him, two large wide-screen projectors mounted on utility trucks showed ‘Zionist oppression.’ The footage was primarily of Israeli military rolling into contested areas, tanks crushing cars in the streets, soldiers shooting anyone who opposed them, and familiar politicians screaming.

‘For too long, Israel has dictated the shape of the future in the Middle East. The Zionist government makes economic war on Iran, and their war has poured over onto us.’ Von Volker walked the length of the stage like a rock star, touching the hands of his ardent supporters. ‘The United States and other members of the European Union have reduced their trade with Iran, and they expect us to do the same. Not only expect it, for that is too genteel a word, they
demand
Austria’s compliance as well. But the United States and her peers have alternate sources of oil.’

Lourds knew the argument held some validity. The sanctions the US and EU were trying to impose limited the amount of oil bought from Iran. That was primarily because the corporations outside countries dealt with tended to be – more and more – straw companies for the Revolutionary Guard, the Ayatollah’s private murder squad.

A few people in the audience dissented from Von Volker’s claims, though most of them appeared to be tourists or young people. Bullyboys who evidently worked for Von Volker circulated through the crowd and ousted those people. The Viennese uniformed police appeared not to notice the semiphysical encounters.

‘The United States allies itself with Saudi Arabia and other countries.’ The PA system thundered Von Volker’s words over the crowd. ‘They can afford to cut back on oil because they have agreements with those countries to produce what they need. But what does Austria have? Do we have access to those other oil reserves?’

‘No!’ The crowd’s response was deafening.

‘The Zionists are seeking to hold our country back! They don’t want to see Austria strong again!’

The crowd booed and hissed and cursed the United States and Israel.

‘The United States has seen fit to pursue its “War on Terror” throughout the world. These days, it seems, the president and his advisers can find
terrorists
anywhere they choose to look!’

Another cry of protest filled the park.

‘Could the previous American president find “weapons of mass destruction” in Iraq?’

‘No!’

‘And now they use their “War on Terror” to paint Austria’s desires to advance her economy and her position in the global market. How long will it be before the United States tries to patrol
terrorism
in our country?’

An incensed howl went up from the crowd.

‘If we do not stand together, if we allow Israel and her lapdogs to choose our allies, we will be defenseless before them one day. That is their agenda.’

More condemnation surged from the crowd, much of it directed against the United States.

Von Volker grinned like a wolf as he paced more furiously. ‘Israel penetrated the infrastructure of the United States and took control a long time ago. Now they tell that greedy country what to do, commanding it like a lapdog trained to please its master. In these recent years, the United States has posited itself as the policeman to the world. Now they chase their shadows of terrorists around the globe. All the while, they continue consuming everything, becoming a monstrous leech that will suck the life from both the Western world and the Eastern one.’

More curses against the United States ran rampant through the crowd. As Lourds watched this time, he saw that the chanting was led by embedded cheerleaders, young, handsome men with strong Aryan features. They could have been poster children for Adolf Hitler’s master race.

‘How do you like the show?’

Lourds turned to look at Alice, who’d appeared from seemingly nowhere. ‘Frankly, your husband makes me sick.’

‘This is in a crowd. You should have to endure him at home.’

‘I couldn’t. This is the kind of blatant hostility and threatening posture that World War II was fought to stop.’ Lourds shook his head. ‘All that’s missing is a martyr.’

Von Volker stood in front of the crowd again. ‘The United States is inept. Look at how they poisoned the waters in the Gulf of Mexico when they lost control of the offshore oil rigs there. Millions of gallons of oil spewed into the ocean and killed wildlife in the waters and along the coasts for months. Did they take responsibility for their greed and destruction?’

‘NO!’

Reluctantly, Lourds had to admit that Von Volker had plenty of ammunition against the United States.

‘The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was disastrous.’ Von Volker emphasized his words with a bunched fist. ‘The world won’t know the true cost of that blunder for possibly generations. In the meantime, all that oil the United States was counting on will need to be replaced. And do you know how they’re going to replace it?’

The question thundered over the crowd, which responded in a disjointed burst of general unhappiness.

‘By taking more oil from the Middle East! And in doing so, they will take more than their fair share. Austria will be like a homeless person begging for crumbs at the rich man’s table.’ Von Volker paused theatrically. ‘Unless Austria rises up to take control of her own destiny!’

The furor rose to a fever pitch.

‘Israel has already bemoaned Germany’s dealings with Iran to the point that German business with Iran has been restricted. Iran has the oil we need. We have political support that country needs if it is to survive and move successfully into the twenty-first century. When the rest of the world is using nuclear power, Israel and her allies continue to lobby against Iran gaining that power to better maintain their nation and provide for their people.’

‘As if that’s all nuclear technology will be used for.’ Lourds took a deep breath. ‘He’s a very dangerous man.’

Alice nodded. ‘I know.’

‘Together, Austria and Iran, we must rise up against the Zionist oppressors and kick the boot of the United States off the back of our necks.’ Von Volker strutted before his constituency. ‘We are a race of warriors!’

Cheering and whistling broke out.

‘We are Austrian!’ Von Volker roared his declaration. ‘We will not submit like some meek schoolgirl in the face of a harsh taskmaster. All we need to do is rise up and stand our ground!’

Wild cries of support filled the park.

Alice touched Lourds’s arm. ‘Have you heard enough? He’ll continue in this vein for another hour or two. If we leave now, we can reach the
schloss
just after his people leave the rooms.’

‘Definitely.’ Lourds took her hand and let her lead him through the crowd.

‘
Herr
Von Volker.’

Von Volker finished mopping his face and glanced up at the bodyguard standing near him. He’d taken a break to briefly rest his voice. He wasn’t finished inciting the crowd yet. Media people from all around the world were streaming the news footage live. CNN and Fox News were staying with the story as political analysts tried to interpret the coming worldwide reaction.

‘Yes?’

‘Your wife and Thomas Lourds are leaving the park.’

As he took in this news, Von Volker was surprised at the tiniest twinge of jealousy that flared through him. He quickly quashed it. ‘Let them go. But make sure they are followed. Keep me apprised of where they’re going and what they’re doing.’

The man nodded and turned away to speak over the headset he wore.

Von Volker drained a bottle of water, then stepped back up on the stage. He had a rebellion to raise, and somewhere in there the Ayatollah’s demands had to be met as well.

Ruling Palace of the Supreme Leader

Tehran

The Islamic Republic of Iran

August 7, 2011

The Eurasian lynx sat like stone in the shadows of the acacia tree and watched a young hare come closer. The lynx was young. Every now and again, its hindquarters twitched uncontrollably. The hare, like the lynx, lived in the lower portions of the Ayatollah’s garden.

The beast was forty pounds of speed and muscle. Dark spots looked faded against the amber coat. The distinctive ears stood up in sharp points.

Hands behind his back, Davari watched the lynx with wide-eyed interest.

‘Do you think the lynx will take the hare?’

Startled, Davari turned to face the Ayatollah. The older man had come up behind him without a sound, reminding Davari again that he had once been a warrior and had shed blood in God’s holy name.

‘Good evening, Supreme Leader.’

The Ayatollah nodded but never took his dark eyes from the lynx. ‘You have not answered my question, Colonel.’

‘My apologies.’ Davari returned his attention to the lynx.

The animal’s hindquarters trembled again as the hare came a little closer.

‘I don’t think so. The lynx is young.’

‘He has speed and strength on his side.’

‘True, but he lacks patience. He’s letting his belly guide his instincts.’

‘Yes.’ The Ayatollah stepped up beside the colonel. ‘You see the lynx’s impatience, yes?’

‘In the line of his body, the way he sits, of course.’

‘Do you think the lynx sees these things?’

‘How can he?’

The Ayatollah nodded. ‘So we can agree that the lynx does not see these things in himself.’

‘I don’t see how he could, Supreme Leader.’

‘I received your news that the professor – ’

‘Thomas Lourds.’

‘Yes. Thomas Lourds is in Vienna. But you do not know why.’

‘I believe it is because Von Volker has transported Lev Strauss’s collection of artifacts to his manor home.’

‘I am certain you are correct, but how did Thomas Lourds learn those artifacts were there?’

‘I believe
Frau
Von Volker told him. As our investigation indicated, they were once lovers.’

The lynx gained momentary control over himself and was still again. The hare crept closer to the succulent blades of grass, almost within striking range now.

‘It has been years since Lourds has seen
Frau
Von Volker.’

Davari nodded.

‘So, why does he leave the search the Jew set him on to go to Vienna?’

‘To see the collection of artifacts.’

‘Does he know what he’s looking for?’

Davari thought about that for the first time. ‘I would assume so, Supreme Leader.’

The Ayatollah frowned. ‘Assumptions will not find Mohammad’s Koran and the Scroll for us, Colonel.’

‘My apologies, Supreme Leader. I have failed you.’

‘Not yet. I am merely adjusting your thinking.’

‘I welcome your wisdom.’

‘If Mohammad’s Koran and the Scroll were among the Jew’s things, we would have found them by now. Since we know Thomas Lourds is hunting those things as well, he wouldn’t have gone to Von Volker’s to find them. Therefore, he is seeking a clue.’

Davari nodded. That much he had already figured.

‘The Jew will have been clever. Even if we found the clue, the Jew would have couched it in terms that would make it hard for an outsider to understand.’

The lynx’s hindquarters twitched again as it readied itself.

‘Thomas Lourds may solve whatever clues the Jew left for him. So we must be patient and give him room to work. Do you understand?’

‘Yes, Supreme Leader.’

Coiled muscles exploded into action and thrust the lynx into motion. The big cat had misjudged his abilities, though. The hare had time to avoid him, then break away and seek shelter in the woodlands. Frustrated, the lynx yowled and stalked off.

‘That lynx will go hungry, Colonel. Do not be that lynx as you proceed with your hunt. Give Thomas Lourds room to pick up the Jew’s trail. God is on our side.’

‘Thank you for your wise words, Supreme Leader.’

30

Schloss Volker

Vienna, Austria

August 7, 2011

As she watched Lourds’s pained face, Alice knew he was reliving precious memories he’d shared with Lev Strauss. When she’d been with them, sharing their friendship while loving Lourds, she’d heard many of those stories. Only a few held special memories for her. She’d been along for the acquisition of only a handful of pieces and, sadly, she couldn’t really remember much about them or how excited Lev had been.

At that time, she’d been so deeply in love with Thomas Lourds that little else mattered.

Studying him now as he worked his way through the collection, Alice felt those same feelings surfacing again. She wasn’t sure exactly what the attraction was that existed between them, but she was more certain now that it was heavily weighted on her side.

She wanted him more than he wanted her.

It was a sad, hard thing to admit, but there it was. Thankfully, she was adult enough and experienced enough to recognize that.

Lourds was aloof, but it wasn’t by choice. His work satisfied him on levels that no flesh-and-blood companion could ever hope to equal. That was frustrating and scary and addictive at the same time. What woman in her right mind could let such a challenge pass by without making an attempt to gain his attention?

Alice smiled to herself, but the humor was melancholy at best and painful at worst. She had been young and naïve when she’d fallen for him, but she was certain that even worldly women found themselves in a swoon over Lourds just as she had.

Lourds wasn’t even aware of the effect he had on women. As far as she knew, he’d never taken the time to try to figure out why they were attracted to him. She knew from personal experience that he had an immense appetite for the pleasures of the flesh, and she’d come to suspect that making love only allowed him to take necessary mental-health breaks from his true passion.

He took what women willingly offered, but he didn’t chase after them the way he did his mysteries. That had been a hard lesson to learn.

She had spent a few years thinking about everything that had happened to her in that relationship, trying to figure out what she’d done wrong. As she’d come to realize, she hadn’t done anything wrong. If anything, she knew she should take solace and pride in the fact that their relationship had lasted through most of the two years they had spent together at the university.