Keepers of the Lost Ark Read online

  KEEPERS OF THE LOST ARK

  A JAMES ACTON THRILLER

  J. ROBERT KENNEDY

  BOOKS BY J. ROBERT KENNEDY

  The Templar Detective Thrillers

  The Templar Detective

  The Templar Detective and the Parisian Adulteress

  The Templar Detective and the Sergeant's Secret

  The Templar Detective and the Unholy Exorcist

  The James Acton Thrillers

  The Protocol

  Brass Monkey

  Broken Dove

  The Templar’s Relic

  Flags of Sin

  The Arab Fall

  The Circle of Eight

  The Venice Code

  Pompeii’s Ghosts

  Amazon Burning

  The Riddle

  Blood Relics

  Sins of the Titanic

  Saint Peter’s Soldiers

  The Thirteenth Legion

  Raging Sun

  Wages of Sin

  Wrath of the Gods

  The Templar’s Revenge

  The Nazi’s Engineer

  Atlantis Lost

  The Cylon Curse

  The Viking Deception

  Keepers of the Lost Ark

  The Special Agent Dylan Kane Thrillers

  Rogue Operator

  Containment Failure

  Cold Warriors

  Death to America

  Black Widow

  The Agenda

  Retribution

  State Sanctioned

  The Delta Force Unleashed Thrillers

  Payback

  Infidels

  The Lazarus Moment

  Kill Chain

  Forgotten

  The Detective Shakespeare Mysteries

  Depraved Difference

  Tick Tock

  The Redeemer

  Zander Varga, Vampire Detective Series

  The Turned

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Table of Contents

  The Novel

  Preface

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Acknowledgments

  Don't Miss Out!

  Thank You!

  About the Author

  Also by the Author

  For Glen Goudie, taken from us far too soon.

  You will be missed, my friend.

  “And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more. At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.”

  Jeremiah 3:16-17, King James Version

  PREFACE

  Our art, whether paintings by the masters, or movies made by Hollywood moguls like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, have given us a consistent image of how the Ark of the Covenant should appear. What many don’t know, is that their inspiration has always been the extremely detailed description provided in the Bible. Exodus describes it in detail:

  “They shall construct an ark of acacia wood two and a half cubits long, and one and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits high. You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and you shall make a gold molding around it. You shall cast four gold rings for it and fasten them on its four feet, and two rings shall be on one side of it and two rings on the other side of it. You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to carry the ark with them. The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be removed from it. You shall put into the ark the testimony which I shall give you. You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide. You shall make two cherubim of gold, make them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub at one end and one cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends. The cherubim shall have their wings spread upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings and facing one another; the faces of the cherubim are to be turned toward the mercy seat. You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony which I will give to you. There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel.”

  Those who believe, will not doubt that the Israelites followed their instructions to the letter, as did generations of artists.

  What many, if not most, have overlooked, is the prophecy delivered by the Lord in Jeremiah 3:16-17, in which He tells of a time when the Ark will have been forgotten, there no need to remember it, as all man will be united under Him in Jerusalem.

  And what better way to forget something that has been lost, than to destroy it before it can ever be rediscovered?

  1 |

  Ethiopia Present Day

  “I’m on my last mag!”

  Archaeology Professor James Acton nodded, picking a target and squeezing the trigger, one of the many rushing their position grabbing for his stomach before crumbling to the ground. He glanced over his shoulder at his wife, Professor Laura Palmer. “Me too! Make them count!”

  “There are too many of them! They’re not giving me any time to line up a shot!”

  Acton fired another precious bullet, eliminating another of their too close enemy before ducking, a hail of gunfire nearly finding its mark. “Let them get closer!”

  “Closer? Are you barmy?”

  “Obviously, I married you!”

  Laura laughed then popped up, taking a single shot before dropping back down. He heard the grunt of someone rushing their position and rose, firing and catching the man in the shoulder, but not before someone returned the favor. He cried out and collapsed, grabbing at his shoulder, the pain quickly subsiding.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, just a graze. Le
ft shoulder. I’ll live.”

  “Too bad. It would have meant I could use that bullet you were saving for yourself.”

  He laughed, amazed at how calm she was knowing what was about to happen. “God, I love you so much!”

  Their enemy seemed to sense they had won, and sustained gunfire rained on their position, tearing apart the ground above them as they huddled in the stairs carved into the ancient stone.

  “I think this is it,” he said, taking Laura by the shoulders. “I love you!”

  “I love you too!”

  “See you on the other side?”

  She nodded, tears in her eyes, his own burning. He grabbed her, hugging her hard for the last time, then jumped up, firing what remained of his bullets on full auto, and cursing the day he had ever met the Keeper of the Ark.

  2 |

  Royal Palace of King Solomon Jerusalem, Kingdom of Israel 10th Century BC

  It wasn’t that he was handsome, it was that he was powerful. She had never met such a man before, though she had met kings before. Yet none were like this one. King Solomon, leader of the Israelites, was powerful, wealthy, confident, intelligent. He was everything any woman would want.

  If they wanted to be kept.

  She was a queen, and though her people were not as mighty as the Israelites, they were equally as proud, as she was to lead them. And the Queen of Sheba would be second to no one.

  No matter how obsessed her host was with her.

  She was a novelty in his court. A dark-skinned woman from a land the wise King Solomon knew little about. She had proven her wealth with the generous gifts she had brought, demonstrating her kingdom was mighty.

  And King Solomon had been generous as well. Not only with his daily gifts to her, but his hospitality, and willingness to share his wisdom. And that was why she had come. An emissary she had sent to the Israelites had returned with stories of Solomon, and she had become determined to meet him. Her journey had been long and difficult, though now that it was coming to an end, she had no regrets, the time away from her people well worth it.

  She looked forward to seeing her kingdom again, despite Solomon’s repeated pleas for her to stay. It was obvious he was infatuated, and he had even proposed marriage. Though to be one of his hundreds of wives was of little interest to her, despite his insistence she would be first among them all.

  She loved her people, and would take a husband when she returned, ensuring her royal line would continue, though under her own control.

  She took a drink of wine, the food tonight particularly flavorful, if not a little too salty, and spicy, for her liking. She noticed her host, staring at her once again. “Is there something on your mind?”

  He smiled as he took a generous draw of his own drink. “You, of course, Makeda.”

  Makeda wagged a finger. “You know what I said. I must return to my people a free woman. And besides, you know as well as I do that your interest in me is merely because I am different than any queen you have seen before.”

  He smiled. “While it is true that others’ beauty pale in comparison to yours, it is your mind that enthralls me. Our conversations are the most riveting that I can recall, and our silences even more so. The words whispered between us in silence fire my dreams with a passion unlike any I have ever felt. You interest me. All of you. Can you not see that?”

  She chuckled, his flattering words not lost on her, though she was determined not to give in to the temptations on offer. She took another drink, even the wine tasting of salt this evening, her thirst going unquenched. “You flatter me, my liege, and were I not a queen, I might be tempted. But I must think of my people first, and to that end, I must take my leave of you. I depart early in the morning, and have a long journey ahead.” She rose, as did all those gathered. She turned slowly, addressing them all, stopping at Solomon. “I thank you all for the hospitality shown me during my visit. It has been a highly rewarding undertaking, and I look forward to sharing what I have learned in your great kingdom with my people when I return.”

  She bowed deeply, the room following suit, along with Solomon, though the king merely nodded. He held out his hand and she took it. He led her from the hall they were gathered in, and toward her chambers.

  “You’re certain I can’t change your mind.”

  “I am, and I beg of you to respect my wishes on the matter.”

  He stopped, taking her hands in his and clasping them to his chest. “Of course, of course.” His eyes narrowed slightly as he stared into hers, her heart beating a little faster. “I shall ask nothing of you again, as long as you ask nothing of me.”

  She smiled. “I sense you are playing games with me yet again.”

  He chuckled, his smile intoxicating. “You know me too well, Makeda, my love.” He leaned in closer, his lips almost pressed against her ear. “Take nothing of mine, and I shall take nothing of yours. You have my word.” She was about to respond when he continued. “But should you take anything of mine this night, I will consider it your blessing for me to take anything of yours that I desire.”

  She patted him on the chest. “You are a clever man, and I fear there is a trick hidden in there somewhere, but fine, I agree. You have my word as well. After all, I am to bed now, then I depart in the morning.” She stepped back and bowed. “Goodnight, my good king.”

  She entered her bedchambers, her guards closing the doors behind her. Her chambermaids made quick work of removing her clothes and jewelry, her ablutions swift and efficient. She dismissed them with a flick of her wrist and dropped into a deep, satisfying sleep within moments.

  Makeda awoke with a start, sitting upright in her bed. She looked about for what had woken her, but found nothing. Nothing beyond an unquenchable thirst. As her eyes adjusted, she surveyed the room for a jug of water to satisfy her thirst, and froze. There were dozens surrounding her bed.

  Those weren’t there before.

  The only explanation she could think of was that her servants had provided them after she fell asleep.

  But why so many?

  It made no sense.

  She reached for the nearest jug, finding it heavy with liquid, and picked up a cup that sat beside it. She filled the cup and raised it to her lips.

  A throat cleared and she flinched, her heart slamming as she spun toward the sound.

  “Who dares enter my chambers without permission?”

  Her voice was firm, brimming with authority, betraying none of the terror she felt at this moment.

  “It is I, your king.”

  She relaxed, though only slightly, as she recognized Solomon’s voice. Why was he here, in the middle of the night, watching her sleep? The invasion of her privacy was unconscionable, and never would have been tolerated if she were back home. “Then I ask you, why are you in my chambers without permission?”

  He rose, his form silhouetted by the moonlight pouring through the windows. “I’m merely here to make certain you obey the oath you made to me.”

  Her eyes narrowed as she struggled to determine what it was the impetuous man was talking about, when she remembered her final words of the evening.

  She peeled her tongue off the roof of her dry mouth. “I have taken nothing of yours.”

  He rounded the bed, gesturing at the cup in her hand. “That water is mine, and you are about to drink it.”

  Her eyes widened and her head tilted forward slightly, incredulous at his words. “Surely you are not serious.”

  “I am always serious when it comes to oaths made to me.”

  She shook her head, her thirst demanding satisfaction. “Forget the oath. Just let me drink.”

  “You are always free to make your own decisions.”

  She gulped down the precious water, refilling her cup several times as she sated the demand before returning the jug and cup where she found them. She turned to Solomon. “Now, if you would, please leave. I have a long journey ahead of me.”

  He shook his head, instead stepping closer. “You have brok
en your oath.”

  “It was a silly one, and you know it.”

  He grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around, her back now facing him. “I told you that if you took anything of mine, I would consider it your blessing for me to take anything of yours I wanted.”

  He pressed against her and she could feel his desire. A wave of fear washed over her. “But…surely this was all in jest!”

  He shoved her shoulders, bending her onto the bed as he lifted her robe. “Oaths are never something to be taken lightly.”

  “Please, I beg of you, don’t do this.”

  “I am your king, and you have violated your sworn oath. And now I take that which you have offered in return.”

  And with one swift stroke, that which she had been saving for her wedding night was taken by a man she had thought wise and honest, instead revealing to her that both wisdom and carriage meant nothing to men of ultimate power.

  Yet she didn’t cry out for her guards, for the shame of it would be too great.

  Instead, she cried into her bedding, biting down on her knuckle, and swore should she ever make it home, she would never again leave the sanctuary that was her kingdom, where no one would dare violate their queen such as this man.

  King Solomon of the Israelites.

  3 |

  Ethiopia Present Day, One Week Earlier

  “Careful, brothers, remember how old it is.”

  Grunts were the only replies as the twelve men, much younger than Father Abune Amanuel, though still closer to middle age than their teens, strained to lift that which had been under their protection their entire lives, and for three thousand years before any of them had been born. It was a duty handed down over too many generations to count, though the Kebra Nagast did attempt to document much of it.

  It was the history of the Ethiopian people, descended from the Queen of Sheba herself, and her illegitimate son, Menelik.