Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18 After searching with no luck for hours all over the airport— ticket counters, parking lots, security gates and baggage claim —Dr. Gomez and Michael found themselves at the rental car counter. "No. Haven't seen them. I'm sorry, sir," the agent said. In fact, even though this was the very same agent who had rented a car to Ruben, he was telling the truth. Merle and Pearl had been locked away in Ruben's luggage and out of sight of the agent. Michael let out a frustrated sigh. "Somebody must have seen them."

"Excuse me? Dr. Gomez, Michael?" A voice suddenly rang out behind them. Michael and Dr. Gomez turned to see a man in a clerical collar walking up to them. "I understand you are looking for these two?" The airport's chaplain held up a photo of Merle and Pearl sitting on a desk. Michael gasped. "Where are they?!" "They're safe and sound at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth," the chaplain replied, handing Michael the printout. "Where's Nazareth?" Michael asked. "About an hour to the east!" Dr. Gomez replied. They thanked the chaplain and ran toward the car.

Meanwhile... about two hours to the south, in Jerusalem, Dr. Simon at the Antiquities Museum read an email from an unknown friar in Nazareth. He immediately picked up his phone and made a call...