Three (12 page)

Bill Carson, the other fifth
floor support staff member said, “The fact that Pierce isn’t here is no reason
to suspect him; he’s deeply religious and lives by the Bible.  His mother may
have taken a turn for the worse.  I’ll bet he is still there with her.” 

“We’re looking into that and
are in no way singling him out,” said Swift.  ”We’ve already sent a person to
her home in Texas this morning.” 

Oliver then rose to speak.
“You mentioned that there was a set of white figures marked on Peter’s right
thumb.  Do you have a photograph of them from your examination?” 

“As a matter of fact I do,”
said Agent Swift, reaching into his briefcase and withdrawing a thick file
folder.  After searching through a large number of photographs he said, “Here
it is, Dr. Saxon.  You can clearly see the two sixes.”  Oliver looked at the
photo and immediately froze.  Here before his eyes in white numerals was the
number 616, the mark of the beast!  His shocked expression caused everyone in
the room to look from Oliver to the agent and back to Oliver. 

“What do you see, Dr. Saxon?”
asked Swift. 

“This is the mark of the
beast!” 

“We’ve been thinking the two
sixes may somehow be related to the famous U. S. highway.  Isn’t the mark of
the beast three sixes?”  

Oliver was now aware that he
was in danger of a security breach.  After some hesitation he said, “The oldest
known scrap of manuscript from the Book of Revelation defines the mark of the
beast as six-sixteen.  Only serious biblical scholars even know of this early
reference.” 

Albert Penny and Bill Carson
looked at one another with some alarm. 

“What is it gentlemen?” asked
Agent Swift, “Can you tell me something about this mark of the beast?” 

“Well,” said Albert, “I’ve
known Pierce since we worked together at the SSC.  He often spoke of his fear
that the tunneling would ‘release the beast’, but I never gave his comments any
thought because I had never heard of such a thing.  What was he so afraid of? 
What beast lives in Texas bedrock?” 

“The beast is a biblical
reference to an agent of the Devil who turns people to the dark side and places
his mark on their right hand or forehead,” said Oliver. 

“Well,” said Albert, “Forrest
has some markings on his right hand.” 

“What kind of markings,”
asked Agent Swift? 

“They are small tattoos that
I always thought were models of his favorite cars, ‘EX20 and RV20.’”

Oliver imagined himself back
at the ghost town church.  Those were the scripture references he had seen on
the marquee.  It was Forrest Pierce’s voice he had heard say, “…but I must get
back to the lab before I am missed.” 

All Oliver could say at the
moment was, “Those are biblical references to the ten commandments and to the
End of Days.  I’ve reason to believe Forrest may have committed this crime.  It
is urgent you find Pierce as soon as possible.  He may have become psychopathic
and in his religious zeal carried out this murder as a religious act.  If so,
we all may be in danger while he is at large.” 

Agent Swift said, “Thank you
all for your help, especially you, Dr. Saxon for your knowledge of religion. 
This discussion has provided much more than I had hoped.  We will act on this
immediately, and if we can find Forrest Pierce, you may soon be able to go back
to a normal life.  For now you may return to your rooms or remain here and talk
to one another.  Dr. Saxon, may I have a moment in private with you?”

Oliver followed Agent Swift
down the hall and to a locked door which he opened with a pass key.  Inside was
a series of workstations, each occupied by a technician.  It became obvious
that this evening’s discussions before, during, and after dinner had been video
recorded and now were being carefully studied for body language and reaction of
speakers as well as listeners. 

“Dr. Saxon, we’re letting you
see this because we know you are an analyst with I&A.  During tonight’s
dinner, before I entered the room, I received a call from Director Clark
requesting we bring you into the investigation.  He indicated you had information
from your recent trip that may have bearing on this one.  The two
investigations have now been linked together.  Maxine Phillips, your partner,
has been brought up to date and will be made available to you through your
normal channel of communication.  I’m returning your cell phone and passing
along a request from Agent Phillips that you contact her.  She will pass on to
my investigative team the findings from your work in Texas that are relevant to
what is now a murder investigation of Dr. Peter Newbury.” 

Oliver took his phone and
then said, “Please ask your team in Waxahachie to find and retain Reverend
Benton Spencer.  He must be considered an accomplice if Pierce is found guilty. 
Also have them examine the Trinity River Bible Church, a ghost town church five
miles south of the SSC site.  This appears to be a gathering place for their
meetings, and there were others present with Spencer and Pierce.  The two
scripture references on Forrest’s right hand were also on the church marquee.” 

Agent Swift looked at Oliver
with alarm but replied, “I’ll contact these agents right away since they just
phoned into this center to indicate that Pierce’s mother passed away just two
months ago from an apparent heart attack.  We’ve put out an APB for his arrest
as a person of interest.  He may be dangerous and we’ll continue to provide
protection for Alice and Peter’s team while they are here.   We know Pierce boarded
his flight in DFW but was not spotted at O’Hare when the plane landed.  We’ve
found his car abandoned at the airport and think he has now gone to ground
somewhere in the Chicago area.” 

Oliver moved into a small
anti-room adjacent to the operations center, activated his cell phone, and
called Maxine. 

“Max,” he said when she
answered, “it looks like my hunches are right, and now we’re both on a murder
case and a possible terrorist plot that are somehow coupled.  Isn’t this the
way Homeland Security’s supposed to work-- FBI and CIA working together but
separately?” 

“Well, I guess so,” quipped
Maxine, “but however much that might double our involvement, it also doubles my
work.  So, since the FBI guys there in Chicago are working day and night on Dr.
Newbury’s case, what would you like me to dig up for you related to your
findings in Waxahachie?” 

Oliver realized Maxine was
miffed at being on the outside looking in while this case was rapidly
expanding.  “Max, I want to bring you into this case so we can work together. 
I’ve linked Fermilab and Waxahachie together but still have not made the connection
to Damascus or Jerusalem.  I may soon be running all over the Middle East
looking for clues, and I refuse to do that without you with me.  Our search for
the three has not yet begun.

“All I know for sure,”
continued Oliver, “is that one of the three is Benton Spencer.  See what you
can find out about him.  I want to know everything I can because he may be the
driving force behind the other two.  All I can tell you at present is that
Benton Spencer’s a man of about six foot two and some seventy years.  He’s a
spellbinder and apparently very well educated.  It’s also likely he’s on the
run like Pierce, the person we think killed Peter.  So now you get a chance to
go one up on this team of agents working feverishly here in Chicago and in
Texas.” 

“OK Oliver, I’m on it.  I’ll
call you as soon as I find anything.” 

Oliver left the operations
center with Agent Swift, who walked with him to his room.  The two men stood at
the door to Oliver’s room and quietly discussed what each had found so far in
this murder case and suspected conspiracy.

Finally Robert Swift said, “I
must say, Dr. Saxon, you have the killer instincts of a top field agent.  I’m going
to enjoy working with you on this case in the coming days.  However, I must
warn you that before you have any more close contact with possible murderers
and terrorists, you should seriously consider taking some small arms
training.” 

“As a university professor, I
consider myself armed. I’ve always been told by my students that my tongue was
my sword with which to cut down the ignorant and ill-prepared,” said Oliver
with a smile. 

“I’m serious, Dr. Saxon!   You
could find yourself in grave danger,” replied Swift as he left Oliver’s
doorway.

After Agent Swift had left,
Oliver stood in his hotel room pondering the weapons of might, balanced against
those of reason. He then thought of Maxine, the armed Quaker. 
How did Max
deal with the possible use of force in her field work?  Which weapons will I be
called to use in this battle, and how will that choice be made?

We need to replace aggression with empathy,

which brings us together in a peaceful loving state.

-Stephen Hawking

Oliver awoke early the next
morning to a periodic buzzing which, in his drowsy morning stupor, first
appeared in his mind as a giant angry wasp slowly approaching his head.  He
then realized it was his muted cell phone on the bedside table indicating an
incoming call. 

“Good morning, sleepy-head,”
said Maxine, “you must have fallen into a semi-coma last night; I’ve called you
twice and you’re just now answering with a growl that sounds like a grizzly
bear coming out of hibernation.” 

“I am coming out of
hibernation,” said Oliver, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.  “This was the
first real sleep I’ve had in a week.  Unlike me, Max, you sound like you’ve
been up for hours.” 

“After all, I can’t let your
wonder boys there in your safe-house get ahead of me, can I?”  

“I’m due for breakfast in
thirty minutes.  Give me what you’ve found so far, and I’ll stack it up against
the frantic research and sleuthing in Texas that our boys have been doing since
last night.”

“Well, here’s what I have on
your Reverend Benton Spencer.  You were right; he’s well educated.  He has a
Doctor of Divinity from your old institution, Harvard Divinity School.  At age
25 he entered the doctoral program in 1971, so today he’d be 68.  He
distinguished himself at Harvard, graduating at the top of his class with
special honors in homiletics and theology.  He was a popular preacher at
various denominational churches in North Texas, but apparently became more and
more radical in his preaching.  He lost one after another congregation because
of what they called, ‘his apocalyptic approach to salvation, rather than the
accepted approach to salvation through grace.’

He last had a position at a
small church in the Waxahachie area that had to be condemned in 1986 to make
way for the SSC tunneling operations.  The government paid him a handsome fee
for the church and parsonage out of respect for this place of worship.  In spite
of that, in 1993 Spencer went on a campaign of criticism as work began on equipping
the sensitive control facilities in that complex of buildings you photographed
this week. 

One Sunday evening he managed
to get past the night watch and smashed three racks of expensive electronics
with a sledge hammer.  He was apprehended before causing more damage and put on
trial for trespassing and destruction of government property.  The trial was
held in the federal courthouse in Dallas where he was found guilty, fined, and sent
for a short two-year “sabbatical” at Leavenworth, Kansas.  Here’s the kicker,
Oliver!  Peter Newbury was one of the Fermilab scientists who testified against
him as a witness for the prosecution!”

“Wow, Max!  The boys here are
going to have to come up with something special to top what you’ve just told
me.  I’m now more certain than ever that Spencer’s not only our man but may be
the principal conspirator.  The odd thing is, he thinks he is doing God’s work;
but then the most dangerous terrorists are always the ones that are intent on
doing God’s work. 

“I’ve got to clean up and get
ready for breakfast, but as soon as it’s over, I’ll call you so we can compare
notes.  I’ve more to tell you about the meaning of some of the symbolism that
I’m beginning to see as the evidence is presented.”

This morning’s breakfast
began with a platter of sweet rolls followed by coffee and juice.  Crisp bacon
and Eggs Benedict were then served by the two waiters.  Oliver knew that a
normal murder investigation was not afforded this level of resources.  He began
to realize just how important this case had become to Homeland Security.  During
breakfast the conversation had been friendly but somewhat limited since all
present had begun to feel they were under constant observation, without
actually knowing for sure.  

When the table had been
cleared of the plates and juice glasses and more coffee served, Agent Swift
again entered the dining room.  All conversation stopped in anticipation of
what would be learned next, or who would be accused, or who would make a sudden
confession.  Somewhat of a hostage mindset had begun to develop in all present.

After a polite greeting,
Swift said, “I have good news for all present.  We now have sufficient evidence
to charge Forrest Pierce with the murder of Dr. Peter Newbury and have issued a
warrant for his arrest.  We have a rough idea of his location, and know he is
without transportation.  We will continue to provide protection for Alice and
for the others of you who wish it, but as of this morning you are free to
return to your homes and to your work. 

“We are looking for a second
conspirator in Texas, but as yet have not been able to locate him or the
meeting place where he apparently conspired with Mr. Pierce to commit this terrible
crime.  I will inform you of any developments regarding the apprehension of Mr.
Pierce.

“I’ll now return your cell
phones and allow you to return to the social and scientific community at
large.  You must keep in mind, however, that this investigation is still
on-going.   I request that you not talk to the media just yet.  Alice is
already being sought by the press, and we have had to say that she is in seclusion
planning the memorial service for her father.  In fact, she has been doing just
that with the help of Father Patrick Ryan, and the funeral Mass is scheduled
for late this afternoon at the Queen of Peace Church here in Chicago.  I thank
you for your patience in this investigation as well as for your cooperation.  You
are now free to go.” 

The suddenness of this
development left everyone somewhat stunned, but almost immediately the sounds
of cell phones being activated and the chiming of message alerts, so familiar
to all those present, were heard.  The world that had stopped turning for one day,
was now spinning with activity, as messages were received and sent. 

Khalil Ahmed spoke to Alice
after reading his messages. “I’ll be present at the Mass this afternoon but
will have to leave at five to catch a flight to Europe.  My colleague, Steven
Nash, at CERN will be conducting an important test of the superconducting
magnets in a critical section of the accelerator and has asked for my
assistance.” 

“It’s what my father would
have wanted you to do, continue the work he so loved and shared with you.” 
Alice then turned to Oliver and asked, “Uncle Oliver, would you come with
Elizabeth and me to the services this afternoon at three?” 

“I’d be honored to accompany
you, Alice.”

The others were heading back
to their respective rooms to gather up their belongings, and Oliver did the
same.  In the privacy of his room he called Maxine.  “Congratulations, Max, you
blew our guys completely out of the water; they were not even able to find the
ghost town church.  We’ve identified the murderer and a manhunt has begun.  I’ll
fill you in later this evening, but for now I’ve got to get home and change
into a dark suit.  After I’ve figured out how to protect Alice from the media,
I’ll sit down in a quiet room and go over all I’ve discovered and where I think
we should next begin to look for the other two parts of the conspiracy.” 

“Sounds good.  Sorry I can’t
be there to pay my respects and to meet Alice; she must be a strong young
lady.” 

“She is.” He had just put
away his cell phone when he heard a knock at his door, which now stood partly
open. 

“I’m glad I caught you before
you left,” said Agent Swift. “As it turns out, there’s no record of a Trinity
River Bible Church anywhere in Texas.  Can you help me identify the church on
Google Earth?” 

He was holding a digital
notebook with satellite imagery of the area around the SSC site.  Oliver looked
at it and tried to mentally retrace his somewhat random drive south of the SSC
complex following the small country roads.  At last he spotted the faint
remains of the ghost town with the church near the end of the broken street. 

“Here,” said Oliver as he
pointed.

“Thanks,” replied Swift, as
he dialed a number on his cell phone and immediately began giving directions to
the agents in Texas. 

“Please let Max know what you
find.  I’ll be back in touch with her this evening after the funeral.”

After a brief stop for lunch,
Oliver returned to his apartment and changed into a dark suit.  He drove to
Peter’s home and parked behind the large hearse at the end of the sidewalk.  Alice
greeted him warmly at the door and led him to the living room where Elizabeth
and Father Ryan stood next to a coffin covered with a gold-trimmed white
coverlet.  Father Ryan was wearing a white vestment.  “We shall begin the Mass
here in the home and then proceed to the church. Oliver, you will be joined at
the front steps by Drs. Benjamin and Ahmed, and along with Elizabeth, will form
an honorary pall bearer procession following the coffin into the sanctuary
where you will be seated in front with Alice.  The coffin will be carried by
attendants from the parish who knew and loved Peter.  After the Mass we will
all be transported to the cemetery where a brief grave-side service will take
place.” 

Father Ryan sprinkled holy
water over the coffin as he recited the
De profundis
and the antiphon
Si
iniquitates
.  This was followed by the bearing of the coffin to the
hearse.  Oliver entered a second vehicle along with Alice and Elizabeth and
rode in the procession to the church.  The entry into the church proceeded as
Father Ryan had indicated, the coffin placed with its foot toward the altar,
which in this sanctuary was eastward, a fact not lost to Khalil.

Oliver was not surprized the
church was filled to overflowing.  In addition there was a troublesome crowd of
reporters and cameramen outside.  He worried for Alice and wondered how he
would keep her safe from this crush of attention.  The Mass began with the tolling
of the bells followed by the familiar Latin words,
Requiem aeternam dona
eis, Domine; et lux perpetua luceat eis
, (Eternal rest give to them, O
Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them).  As these words echoed through
the sanctuary, Oliver became aware of the faint odor of candles and incense.  Father
Ryan’s brief words described Peter’s life of dedication, not only to the work
for which he was so well known, but also to his faith and to his daughter.  When
the
Dies irae
was sung Oliver thought again about the conspiracy,
seemingly based on the Day of Judgment, such a universal part of religious
belief.  The Mass ended with the rite of commendation, and the coffin was again
sprinkled with holy water and incensed. 

Oliver joined the other pall
bearers and Alice as the coffin was borne from the church to the hearse.  The
procession slowly wound its way through Chicago to the cemetery.  Again Oliver
felt some concern for the large number of reporters who followed them to the
cemetery.  He was comforted by the security guards at the entrance who
prevented all but the designated family and friends to enter. 

The gravesite was in an
isolated part of the cemetery next to that of Alice’s mother, Jane.  Oliver
again stood before the grave of Jane, and now watched as she was joined by
Peter, his thoughts going back to their times together. 
My soul longs for
both of you, Peter and Jane, as you are now together again.
  Tears welled
up in his eyes as he put his arm around Alice.  For a moment they stood
together, each comforting the other.  There beside their graves, Oliver made a
silent pledge to Peter and Jane that he would be a good and steadfast father to
Alice.  As he thought of the three of them, he no longer found the darkness in
his soul that had grown since he first learned of Peter’s death.  Now the words
of the requiem seemed to shine eternal light where the darkness had been,
breaking its long hold on him. 
 I have allowed my judgment to be overtaken
by fear and grief.  Here in the cemetery I now know my mission of solving
Peter’s murder and the associated conspiracy is no longer about wrath and
revenge, but about judgment and justice. 

Following the graveside
service, the limousines, each with different members of the final service,
drove in different directions away from the cemetery.  Onlookers were unable to
tell who was riding in which limo because of their darkly tinted windows.  The
one carrying Oliver, Alice, and Elizabeth took a circuitous route westward
through Chicago and out toward Fermilab.  It did not go to the lab, however,
but drove north into Batavia and parked in front of a small house, set back
from the street, on a tree-filled lot. 

As the three approached the
front door, Elizabeth said to Oliver, “Welcome to my home; this will be Alice’s
home-away-from-home and safe house for the time being.  One of the agents, whom
we met yesterday, will stay in the garage apartment and keep an eye on us, so
you don’t have to worry so much.” 

Oliver was invited into the
small living room and the three sat for a moment in silence as they each
reflected on the events of the day.  Oliver finally broke the silence, “Thank
you, Elizabeth, your kindness to both Alice and to me gives me more comfort
than you can know.”

“Oliver, you would do the
same for me.  We’re all one family here, and especially at this time must look
out for one another.”