The Resurrection Tablet - A James Acton Thriller Book #34 Read online

  But it shouldn’t have. There was no reason for it.

  Yet it had.

  The fact she was providing the funding must mean that either she had never blamed him, or all was forgiven. Either way, he was looking forward to seeing her again. But more importantly, he was looking forward to solving the riddle on the tablet they had discovered.

  Should you find my friend, treat him with the respect he deserves, and find the truth that so haunted him. And God have mercy on all our souls should the truth be what we feared.

  What could it possibly be referring to?

  6 |

  Great Palace of Constantinople Constantinople, Eastern Roman Empire AD 1067

  “You realize there is only one sentence I can give you for your crimes.”

  Eudokia continued to assess the man that stood before her, something she had been doing from the moment he had been escorted into the room. He stood in front of her, his shoulders back, his chest thrust out, but stripped of his uniform, instead merely sporting a loincloth to maintain what little dignity he had left.

  He was gorgeous.

  He stirred feelings deep inside her she hadn’t experienced in years, even with her husband. Yes, she had felt the same for him in the beginning, but years of marriage and children changed things, and lust became love, which was a wonderful thing.

  But this was pure animal lust and it had her tingling.

  Yet at this moment, she was empress, and held this man’s fate in her hands.

  “I do, Your Majesty.”

  A hint of resignation betrayed him, and it was disappointing, tarnishing the fantasy slightly. The brave warrior, who had attempted to usurp her throne, was scared. “You fear death.”

  For the first time since he had entered the room, he made eye contact. “I don’t fear it, though I don’t embrace it, Your Majesty. I am prepared to face the punishment for my perceived crimes, but I die weeping for my empire, and bitter that I failed in my duty to it.”

  She pursed her lips, her stomach filled with butterflies at his words. He wasn’t afraid. He wasn’t a coward. And he still defied her. “Perceived?”

  He bowed slightly. “Forgive my choice of words, Your Majesty, but if I had succeeded and taken power, then restored the empire to its former glory, history would brand me a hero, my deeds necessary and virtuous. But I failed, therefore I will die labeled a traitor, my actions crimes. I lost, and history will judge me in accordance with that.”

  Her upper chest flushed for the first time in years. It was a quirk of hers that when turned on, her skin revealed the fact with red blotches. It had always embarrassed her, though her late husband had loved it.

  “It shows me that I still excite you.”

  Guilt washed through her as her late husband’s voice echoed in her head. She shouldn’t feel this way about another man. She should remain loyal to her husband and his memory. Yet his first wife had died and he had remarried. Never did she have the sense that he loved her or his first wife any more or less. He loved them both, and if a man could have enough room in his heart to love two women, then so could a woman for two men. He was dead, and would always remain her first love. But there was no shame, and no guilt, in loving again.

  Yet this wasn’t love, though perhaps in time it might be.

  “I have a proposal for you.”

  Romanus eyed her suspiciously. “A proposal?”

  She rose from her throne and stepped toward him, the guards standing nearby shifting uncomfortably as she approached. She circled him, her eyes racing up and down his body, glistening from the midday heat. “I agree with your assessment of my empire.”

  His head turned ever so slightly as she came to a halt behind him, admiring his taut buttocks. “I didn’t mean to offend. What has happened to our great armies long predates even your late husband.”

  She wanted to smack the ass revealed by the skimpy loincloth, though resisted. “You didn’t offend me. A prisoner cannot offend me.” She tore herself away from the view and replaced it with another, coming to a halt directly in front of him, staring him in the eyes, barely the width of a hand separating them. “I love my empire. I love my subjects. I would do anything to protect them. You do believe that, don’t you?”

  “Yes.” It was a stuttered response. It meant he wasn’t in control. It meant he just might find her attractive. She was fully aware that she was, of course. One didn’t catch the eye of a potential emperor if one wasn’t. And she had been blessed to maintain her figure despite giving birth multiple times. She leaned even closer, running a finger from his Adam’s apple to his navel.

  “Good. It’s important that you understand I am willing to make any sacrifice necessary to preserve the empire for not only its subjects, but the future glory of my sons and their sons.”

  “I-I do, Your Majesty.”

  She twirled her finger around his belly button before leaning in even closer, her lips nearly touching his ear. She inhaled, his scent powerful, masculine, intoxicating. “Do you want to hear my proposal?”

  His breathing had quickened with hers, and his response was a throaty whisper. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  She leaned in even more, her lips touching his earlobe, her hot breath on his skin, his on her shoulder. “You are to be my husband, and rule at my side as emperor.”

  He gasped as she pulled away, and she suppressed a smile as she noticed his hands covering the loincloth. “I-I’m not sure I understand, Your Majesty.”

  She flicked her wrist at the guards. “Leave us.”

  She was met with confused stares.

  “Now!”

  The guards quickly left the room, leaving her alone with her future husband. She stepped closer to him, reaching down and taking his hands in hers, revealing his excitement. “You are to be my husband, I am to be your wife.” She glanced down. “That excites you, doesn’t it?”

  “Y-yes. I mean, I still don’t understand. I am convicted of treason. How—?”

  “I am pardoning you for all your crimes. I cannot have a husband who is a convicted criminal, now can I?” She inched closer, her chest brushing against his. “Will you be my husband, and rule my empire as the figurehead it needs while you rebuild our armies and crush our enemies?”

  He finally lowered his gaze, staring her directly in the eyes as he grabbed her by the shoulders, his firm grip setting her heart racing and her desire afire. “I would do anything for my empire, and for its empress.”

  The kiss was fervent, passionate, the embrace rough, raging, and she knew from that moment on that not only did she control him, he commanded her.

  A fact she could never let him know.

  7 |

  Acton/Palmer Residence St. Paul, Maryland Present Day

  “You’re new to this, aren’t you, sir?”

  Archaeology Professor James Acton blushed at his housekeeper. “Umm, is it that obvious?”

  She took the vacuum from him. “Sir, it is my job to do the vacuuming. All the cleaning.”

  He shifted uncomfortably. Their new home was far larger than they had planned on, and it was too much for them to maintain, especially with their friend, Interpol Agent Hugh Reading, convalescing in his private suite upstairs. They now had a gardener that maintained the grounds, and a housekeeper.

  And it made him uncomfortable.

  He didn’t like being waited on, and guilt racked him every time he saw either of their “staff,” as young Tommy Granger called them, doing something he or Laura would traditionally do. “I just thought…” He paused. He wasn’t certain what to say without insulting the woman.

  She regarded him. “You feel bad when you see me doing my job?”

  He sighed. “Yes, I suppose.”

  “Then you must think I’m ashamed of what I do.”

  His eyes bulged. “No! Oh God, that’s not what I meant. I meant…” He groaned. “I don’t know what I meant.”

  “Let me tell you, sir, I have been doing this for over twenty years. I am a hard worker, I d
o my job well, and when I leave work at the end of the day, I feel good about what I have done. I feel no shame in the work I do. It is honest, hard work. Please don’t feel sorry for me, or feel guilty about what I do for a living. I have raised my son on my own, and send money back to help my family. I am here legally, I pay my taxes, and I obey the laws. Yes, my life is hard, but it is far better than back home in the Philippines.” She sniffed, becoming misty-eyed. “Please don’t make me feel bad for what I do.” Her voice cracked and his wife, Archaeology Professor Laura Palmer, rushed into the room.

  “Rose, dear, what did he say to you?” Laura embraced the woman, the height difference considerable.

  “Nothing, ma’am. I just overreacted.”

  “You did no such thing,” said Acton, his stomach a mess as guilt racked him. “I let my own societal prejudices lead me into thinking I should help her do a job she didn’t want to do. Rose, you’re absolutely correct. There is no shame in the work you do, and you should take pride in the fact you do a remarkable job. We couldn’t do what you do, and thanks to you, we always come home to an impeccable home.”

  Laura agreed as she released the woman. “James is right. I’ve never seen a home so clean, and we value every little thing you do. If we’ve ever said or done anything to make you think otherwise, please forgive us, and if there’s anything we’re doing that makes you uncomfortable, just let us know.”

  Rose shook her head as she wiped her eyes and nose with a tissue. “I’m sorry, I’m just emotional today. My son…well, you don’t need to know my problems.”

  Laura sat on a stool at the breakfast bar. “I want you to feel free to tell us anything. If you’re going to be in our home five days a week taking care of us, then you’re family. Perhaps there’s some way we can help.”

  Rose grunted. “Not unless you can pry a teenager’s bum from the couch. He plays too much video games and I’m worried about him.” She batted a hand. “It’s my problem to figure out. Nothing for you to worry about.”

  “How old is he?” asked Acton.

  “Seventeen.”

  “College plans?”

  She shrugged. “None that I know of, though he does seem to be interested in computers. I can’t get him to apply, and time is running out. And, well, he needs a scholarship or bursaries or something if he’s going to go. I’ve saved some money, but the last couple of years have hurt my savings.”

  Acton felt for the woman, and he could see from the concern on Laura’s face she shared his feelings. “Listen. We’re both professors. I work at St. Paul’s University. Perhaps there is something we can do.”

  Rose’s eyes widened. “You’re professors and you can afford a house like this?”

  Laura chuckled. “Well, we came into money, let’s put it that way.”

  Acton sat beside his wife. “How about we arrange a day for me to take your son to the university? I can give him the grand tour, and if he’s interested in computers, I know exactly who we should hook him up with. We have a friend named Tommy Granger who is a wizard on computers. He might be able to spark an interest in your son. I can have one of the counselors help with the application papers, and I’ll make sure his tuition gets covered by one of the programs the university offers.”

  Rose stared at him. “You would do this?”

  “Why wouldn’t we? We do what we do for the children, right? You work hard for your son, and we work hard to teach the next generation.”

  “It takes a village.” Laura patted Rose on the arm. “So, you figure out a day for that tour, James will promise to keep his mouth shut about what you do around here, and I’ll go check on Hugh. Deal?”

  Rose smiled. “Deal.” She darted forward and hugged Laura then Acton. “I knew getting this job was a blessing. You’ll be in my prayers every night.”

  Acton grunted. “With the trouble we keep getting in, every good word counts.”

  Rose eyed him, puzzled. “Trouble?”

  Laura gave him a look. “He’s just kidding. Our job can be dangerous sometimes.”

  “But you’re teachers?”

  “My husband fancies himself Indiana Jones.”

  Acton eyed her. “And my wife fancies herself Lara Croft.”

  Rose giggled. “You two are too funny. Movie stars!” She grabbed the vacuum cleaner that had precipitated the entire conversation. “I will get back to work now.”

  Acton stood. “Just let me know when you want to do that tour.”

  “I will, sir. Thank you. Thank you both.” Rose hurried into the next room and the vacuum turned on.

  “I’m going to check on Hugh,” said Laura as she headed for the stairs. “Can I trust you to not put your foot in your mouth again?”

  Acton shook his head. “Nope. We’ve established I’m an idiot. I’ll come with you.”

  They both climbed the stairs and smiled as Rose could be heard humming a happy tune as she worked.

  “I think she deserves a raise,” said Acton.

  “For what you put her through, I agree. Let’s talk to the agency and see what can be arranged. Perhaps benefits as well. Do you think you can get her son’s tuition covered?”

  Acton shook his head. “I doubt it. Some of it, probably, but we’ll have to take care of the rest. I don’t want her to know that, though. I don’t want her feeling obligated to us.”

  “Agreed. I’ll leave that in your hands.” She knocked gently on the door leading to their friend’s suite, the house specifically purchased so he could vacation here, and perhaps one day retire here. “Hugh, are you decent?”

  “What kind of question is that? I’m not your husband!”

  Laura giggled and opened the door. Reading sat in his recliner, watching the television, some soccer match playing. “How are you feeling?”

  Reading muted the game then gestured at the couch. “Still a lot of pain.” He patted his chest. “The bastard really carved me up, but my strength is starting to return. That stent they put in after the heart attack just might be doing its job.”

  Reading had been put through the wringer a couple of weeks ago in Thailand, and was facing weeks more of recovery. He was spending it here rather than heading back to England. He didn’t want his son seeing him like this, pride the determining factor in the decision.

  “What did the nurse say?” asked Laura as they sat.

  “She changed the bandages and said everything was looking good. No infections or complications evident, so that’s good. She thinks everything will be closed up in a few days so the bandages won’t be necessary anymore, and the risk of infection will be lower. I’ll have some sexy scars to show for it, but it will be worth it.”

  Acton smiled, though his heart ached for the man who had helped save them all including so many children and innocents. His sacrifice had provided the necessary delay. “Well, you definitely will have one hell of a story to go with them. You’ll drive the ladies wild.”

  Reading rolled his eyes. “I’m a little old for that.”

  Laura reached out and squeezed his hand. “Nonsense. There’s someone out there for you.”

  “Not interested. This old man is a confirmed bachelor.”

  “Famous last words.” Laura’s phone chirped and she pulled it out. “It’s Deniz Boran. Do you mind?”

  Reading waved a hand. “Not at all.”

  She took the call and put it on speaker. “Deniz, how are you?”

  “Hi, Laura. I’ve got news that couldn’t wait until tomorrow. I’m sorry if I’m interrupting your dinner or anything. In fact, I don’t even know what time it is here. It’s been an exciting day.”

  Laura exchanged a thrilled grin with Acton. “What’s happened?”

  “We made entry! The excavation is complete. We were able to enter through the original doorway and install support braces and protection from anything coming down from above again.”

  “That’s good. We don’t want anyone getting hurt again. But you didn’t call us just to tell us that, did you? I can hear i
t in your voice. You opened the sarcophagus, didn’t you?”

  Boran chuckled. “After all these years, you still know me too well. Yes, we were able to remove the lid. Check the cloud account. I’ve uploaded photos. You’re going to want to see them. We’ll still need to do carbon dating and further examination, but I’m quite certain we have indeed discovered the remains of Emperor Romanus IV Diogenes.”

  Acton indicated Reading’s tablet. “May I?”

  “Knock yourself out.”

  Acton grinned. “Look at you, becoming all American.”

  Reading was about to retort when he thought better of it. “You’re lucky I’m stuck in this chair.”

  Acton logged into the cloud account then brought up the photos, holding the tablet so all could see. He flicked through the various shots of the dig, including the safety infrastructure, then the all-important opened sarcophagus. “Incredible. You’re doing an amazing job, Deniz.”

  “Thank you, Jim. That means a lot coming from you.”

  Acton flipped again then paused at a closeup of a stone tablet that appeared as if it had been buried with the man, gripped by both hands. Writing was etched on it. “What can you tell us about this tablet?”

  “Not much yet. It’s in Hebrew. We’ve sent some photos out for translation.”

  “Give me a sec.” Acton pulled out his phone and launched Tommy Granger’s app that did instant translations. He had paid the young man to add ancient languages, and it had proven convenient at times, mostly for research. Today, it might pay for itself on a live dig. He snapped a photo of the tablet and the app went to work, producing a text a few moments later. “Holy shit!”

  “What?” asked everyone at once.

  Acton reread the translation, shaking his head. “This has to be a fake. Are you sure this was buried with him? I mean, someone didn’t add it after the fact?”

  “Why? What does it say?” asked Boran.