The Greatest Gift (20 page)

Workers were packing carts and loading materials while Roman soldiers were putting on their armor. Michael spent some time near the shore, looking for Dennis. He gazed into the distance wondering if his best friend would return.
He did say he would be there if he was needed. I know he said this. This means he will come back. But when? Where are you, Dennis? Where did you go? I do need your help. I need you now. Can you hear me?

He juggled the remaining silver Dennis gave him and returned to the camp. He dried himself off and bought two more tablets from Julius. He spent the final moments on Malta watching, listening and transcribing the experiences Paul was living.

He only rested when his hand would tire, taking periodic breaks to drink water and eat bread. Elizabeth joined them later in the day and helped write some thoughts of his time on the island.

“You are like the brave women that follow us,” Paul said to her. “Smart,” he said, pointing to his head. “Loving,” he continued, touching his heart. “Loyal.”

Elizabeth smiled and kept writing. When she tired, Michael would resume.

“There will be men who will try to destroy the work,” Paul said as Michael wrote on the last empty space. “There will be men who will try to poison these words. You must be careful of whom you give this to.”

“We shall.”

Paul gave him a big piece of cloth. “Place the works inside this. Carry it with you until you are approached.”

“Until I see Luke?”

“Yes. Only him.”

“What does he look like?”

“Much like me. More hair.” Paul pointed to the top of his head.

Michael nodded and wrapped the cloth around the tablets.

“You would be wise to eat before we take our next journey,” Paul said.

“Elizabeth, go get something. I’m fine.”

She left and Michael sat back down across from Paul. “I have so many questions for you.”

“It is I who have questions for you,” Paul said.

“Really?”

He nodded.

“I guess you want to know about our progress, the technology that has made our world so wonderful.”

“Is it? Are there no more wars? No more hate?”

Michael hesitated and shook his head.

Paul looked down for a brief moment and rubbed his forehead. “This is confusing. During our last talk, you told me so much about your world, where you come from. All this progress man has made. I want to know how such progress can still lead to hate. If man communicates better in your time, why is there still anger? Still wars?”

Michael sat back. “I never thought of it that way.”

“I sense men from your time look at us as old relics and believe they are more wise than we are. More aware. Yet the men of your time still kill, still destroy, still do not respect life.”

Paul shook his head. “We live in an unforgiving time where new ideas become reasons to silence the faithful. I do not see much difference between our time and the time you have told me about.”

“I think we are a more tolerant society.”

“Are you?” Paul leaned forward, his eyes as wide as Michael had seen them. “Your time is only possible because of what my rabbi has done and taught. Perhaps someday the men of your time will be grateful and shun the tables of silver your men place before you.”

“There are many good men and women who give from their hearts,” Michael said.

“There are. Seek them out. They will not be present in tall buildings or tables that are full of glitter.” He raised his hand high. “They will not ask you for your silver in my rabbi’s name. The people you need to seek will live in poverty, limp with ills, and love more with little.”

“Paul, we are almost prepared to travel,” said Julius, peeking his head into the small tent. “Are you ready to leave?”

He nodded and looked at Michael. “Are you prepared to travel?”

“I am,” he said.

Paul left while Michael noticed several men with buckets dousing the remaining flames of the campfires. A long line of workers stretched from the tents to the shoreline as they hauled boxes of supplies. “How long is the trip to Rome?” Michael asked Augustus.

“How the wind blows is my best guess.”

“Is it wise to leave now while there is no light?”

“There is danger behind us. Another ship. Warring soldiers we are told.”

“Who said this?” Michael asked.

“A soldier from the other ship that has just arrived. He said there is a soldier named Titus seeking some vengeance. I gain more silver when I bring my prisoners in alive than dead. I have lived enough to know that I should stay out of such a man’s way.”

“We must leave now,” Michael said, with urgency.

“Remain calm. We are almost ready.”

“Do you know where my daughter is?”

“She is in your shed.”

Michael rushed back and found her talking to Paul. “We need to be ready to leave as soon as possible.”

“You look pale as a ghost. What’s wrong?” asked Elizabeth.

“Your father understands this journey now,” Paul said. “Rome is not the only city where your journey should go.” He walked past them and out of the shed. Three Roman soldiers followed, their spears drawn around him.

Elizabeth joined Michael outside. “He is coming. Am I right?”

He nodded and gripped the cloth with the tablets, tucking them under his right arm. “Whatever happens on the ship, protect this. Do not worry what happens to me. If need be, it will be you who carries it to Rome.”

“You aren’t going to stay behind, are you?” she asked.

“It’s not my intention to do so. But if need be, I will.”

“No. We have taken the journey this far together. We either leave together or we stay together.”

He held the tablets with both hands. “This is why we were asked to take the journey.”

Elizabeth nodded. “I know now. I know why you’re here. I just don’t know why I am.”

The last boxes were removed from the sheds and taken to the shoreline. The captain thanked the natives and left behind some supplies and food for the community. Michael and Elizabeth followed Julius along the narrow dirt road to the beach. A bigger boat awaited them. The last bit of light on the horizon faded as they found a corner below deck to rest. Paul was huddled in the far corner across from them, his eyes open. The soldiers sat on wooden boxes facing him, their helmets off and spears on the floor. A lone light shone between the four on a cart.

“There’s something wrong,” Michael said.

“What? I do not see anything different. He is not being threatened.”

“No, he’s not but look at his eyes. I do not know him well, but I have looked into his eyes many times. Before I saw hope. Now I see sadness.”

Elizabeth pushed herself forward with her hands. She leaned back. “Maybe he’s worried about the ship.”

“No. He knows something. I am going to have to see what is wrong when the soldiers fall asleep.”

“What if they don’t?”

Michael moved a few yards behind her on his knees. He opened a cart and removed a tall jug. He stuck his nose inside the container and held it up. “My weapon.”

“What is it?”

“Wine. The heavy stuff.”

“Heavy stuff?”

“Yes. No water added.”

Elizabeth grimaced. “Oh, God. Not again.” She put her head between her knees.

“Are you getting seasick?” he asked as the ship bounced a little.

She shook her head.

“What’s wrong?” Michael said, touching her shoulder.

“I’m seeing people again.”

“What?”

Michael tried to lift Elizabeth’s head. She pushed him away.

“What is the problem?” shouted a Roman soldier standing near Paul.

“Nothing. My daughter is feeling a little sick.”

“Keep her silent,” the Roman said.

Elizabeth rocked back and forth, moaning.

“You have to keep quiet,” Michael said, rubbing her back. “I know about sea sickness. You may just need to go to the deck and get it out of your system.”

Elizabeth turned and glared. “I’m not seasick.” She started to cry.

“I’m sorry, honey. I don’t mean to upset you. You’ve been through a lot. Rest.”

“We can’t rest. We’re in danger.”

“I know that.”

Elizabeth shuddered and leaned into Michael’s shoulder. “No. We’re in danger now.”

Connie strolled along the pier alone. There was a period of peace as she had the dock to herself. She thought about Elizabeth and Michael, wondering if they were somewhere safe so they could celebrate Christmas. She also questioned if Hewitt was right – that her brother had skipped town and was in another country with her niece.

As she neared the end of the pier, his voice startled her. “Hewitt, what are you doing out here? I thought you were going back home.”

“I did,” he said.

“Why are you back here?”

“I got more bad news,” he said, facing her.

Connie’s heart sunk into her stomach. “My God, you found them?”

Hewitt pulled away from her. “No. I haven’t.”

“Well, what’s the news? Oh dear Lord, please tell me they’re alive.”

Hewitt took a few steps to the edge of the pier.

“What are you doing?”

“I have nothing left in my life. My boss just took me off a case for the first time in my career. I live alone at home. I stare at the walls after I finish my job. Now, I may not even have a job.”

Hewitt sat down on a bench as the wind pushed the docked boats around Northport Bay. Connie sat next to him. “Divorce happens, and we all fail at our jobs every so often.”

“I can’t afford to fail at my job. When I fail, it means little boys and girls are coming home in body bags. Can’t you understand that?” He stood and went to the edge again.

“Why don’t you come back here and sit and talk?” Connie asked, patting the old wooden bench.

“I’ve done enough sitting and talking.” He took off his coat and dropped it to the ground.

“Whoa,” Connie said, standing. “Come back here.”

“For what? To tell you how I can’t figure out where your brother and niece have gone? To give you advice on how to handle a divorce? To tell you how I screwed up the only worthwhile aspect of my life? To cry about how I couldn’t protect my daughter despite having all the money in the world?”

Hewitt slumped. “I used to think playing basketball was my identity. Then it changed when Hailey was born. She became my world. I was a father. I thought that would be my identity. When Hailey was taken from us, I had nothing. So, I made sure her disappearance wouldn’t be in vain. I gave up everything – the money, the glory, the crowds. I knew if I were to make anything worthwhile out of my life, I had to do something big for Hailey. So I did. I became the best at what I did. Now, I have nothing. I am nothing.”

Connie ran and put her arms around him.

“What are you doing?” Hewitt asked.

“I’m not letting you go.”

“Then I’ll take you with me,” he said.

“Fine. We’ll both sink to the bottom of the bay. But I’m going to try and convince you it will get better.”

“Better,” he said, trying to pull her hand off of him. “It doesn’t get better.”

She stuck her hand inside his belt, latching onto it.

“Let go,” he said.

“I know you’re bigger and stronger,” she replied, gripping it tighter, “but you’ve helped so many people. And you still have to help me find my brother and niece. You can’t give up.”

Hewitt pulled her hand out from under his belt. “I suggest you leave. I wanted to find you and at least apologize. I had my doubts at first whether you truly cared about your brother. I do know now that I was wrong.”

“I’m not leaving until we leave together.”

“We’re old and divorced and broken, Connie.”

“We may be broken, but we’re not dead,” she pleaded. “There’s no reason why we can’t still think young, right?” She held onto his shirt pocket and put her hand on his cheek.

He grasped her hand and pushed her away.

“Don’t,” she screamed. “You’re such a selfish bastard.”

Hewitt shook his head and turned to her. “What? Selfish? Do you understand how many parents I’ve made happy the rest of their lives by finding their children? Do you realize how much commitment and emotional strength it takes to do such a job? Do you know how I felt when the only news I could give to parents was when their kids’ bones were found? Do you? How dare you call me ungrateful! All that work I’ve done. I gave up my life.”

Connie started to cry.

“That won’t work,” he said. “It worked before but not anymore.”

She continued to weep, never letting her eyes move away from his.

“Go ahead, keep crying. It’s typical of a woman to use tears to manipulate a man. I deal with women like you strictly with my brain and not my heart.”

Hewitt continued to batter Connie with his classroom knowledge of how to cope in stressful situations. “This is the problem women have,” he said, digging into his pocket. He pulled out a tissue. “It’s why there are no females in our department. You need to remove the emotional attachment you might feel in these cases.”

Connie glared and rushed him. Hewitt backed up slightly, holding onto a pole. She slapped him. “Your work isn’t done. So put your jacket on and get back to finding my brother and niece.”

Then she kissed him hard. “And I mean it.” Her phone rang. She pulled it out of her purse and looked at it. “I’ve got to go and help a friend.”

She stared at him for a brief moment. “Do you still want to take a swim?” She pushed him into the bay.

“Why’d you do that?” fumed Hewitt, flailing around. He grabbed onto the wooden pole and started to climb out of the water.

“I don’t have any time for sulkers,” she said, walking away. “Find my brother and niece!”

The sea was quiet. Only the bellowing sound of Augustus’ voice stirred the evening calm. Michael watched Paul close his eyes. The three Romans scattered across the floor, armor removed. Two lay asleep on their sides, while the third sat on a box facing Paul. Michael could see his back slump and head lower.

“Go to sleep,” he whispered to Elizabeth.

“How can I sleep? I’m a nervous wreck.”

“You shouldn’t be. There is no storm tonight.”

“It’s not the weather I’m worried about.”

Michael put a finger up to his mouth. “Quiet.” He reached into a cart behind him and retrieved a jug of wine. Michael grabbed two cups and got up. He steadied himself, holding onto a beam.
Relax. The sea is not so bad. Not like the last trip.
He bent over and took a short breath, running some saliva around his mouth to get rid of the nauseous taste.

“Are you sick again?” Elizabeth asked, holding onto his arm. “Sit down.”

He put his hand out and took another breath. “I’m fine.” He wobbled a few steps toward Paul, grabbing a beam every few feet.

Paul opened his eyes as Michael approached. His eyes widened as he pointed to the soldiers.

Michael held up the jug and winked. The Romans snored and shook, one kicking his spear away.

The soldier facing Paul tumbled off the cart. “What?” He turned and clenched Michael’s arm. “Where are you going?”

“To share this,” he said, handing him a cup. The Roman held onto his arm and glared. “You take risks, traveler. Not a wise one.”

“I am sorry. I had this and it was fulfilling. Can I pour you some?”

The soldier released his grasp and nodded. Michael filled the cup to the top and sat down beside him. “Why not enjoy the journey?” he asked. “Michael is my name.” He raised his cup.

“Alexander. Are you a Roman?”

“No.”

“What is your business traveling this way?”

“I am with my friend, Paul,” he said, lying.

“For how long?”

“A few sunsets.”

Alexander stretched his arms and yawned.

“You look tired, my friend,” Michael said.

“I am. This is my first journey. They sleep. I do not.”

“I understand your superior does not give you much respect.”

He nodded.

Michael poured wine into his cup. “Relax. The prisoner has nowhere to go. He cannot swim.”

Alexander looked puzzled. “A man of the world like him cannot swim?”

“He is old, feeble.”

“I am,” Paul agreed.

Alexander gulped the wine and yawned again. “I need sleep. It will be a long journey to Rome.”

“Rest then,” Michael said.

“I will lose my pay if I do.”

“I will watch him and wake you if he tries to move.”

Alexander shook his head. “I cannot risk my pay. He is not to be touched. His safety fetches us all more silver.”

“Well then, let us celebrate your first journey,” said Michael, taking a sip and raising his glass again. “So good. I feel wonderful. Do you?”

“Let me have more of that,” said Alexander. He took the jug away from Michael and emptied the last drops into his cup. He leaned on the cart and stretched his body after swallowing the remainder of the wine. As he rubbed his eyes and tried to straighten up, he held onto the wooden box. “Keep an eye on the prisoner,” Alexander said. “I will share my silver with you.”

He closed his eyes and lay on his side. His pouch fell to the floor, and two silver coins rolled toward Michael. He clamped his foot on them and placed the coins in his pocket. “Never know when I might need this,” he said, looking at Paul.

Michael watched Alexander slip into a deep sleep, his snoring reaching a high pitch within minutes. He inched his way to Paul and looked behind him, noticing his hands were shackled.

“What happened?” Michael asked.

“Their kindness is no more,” Paul said.

“I do not understand. What did Julius say?”

“He is frightened of me. He heard of your snakebite and how you were healed.”

“I thought he knew.”

“He only saw you getting up.”

Michael rubbed his forehead. “That makes sense, but how did he find out?”

“A worker told him about your writing. He wanted to know why you needed the tablets.”

“What are they going to do with you now?” Michael asked.

“I am preparing.”

“For what?”

“The worst.”

Michael stood. “We have to do something. We need to escape.”

Paul bent over and showed him the chains.

“I know. It is another problem to deal with.” Michael held up the silver coins. “This money speaks here and anywhere I have been.”

“It may not be enough.”

Michael held onto a beam and looked around. He noticed another soldier sound asleep whose pouch lay near his face.

Paul shivered. “No,” he said. “There is much risk for you and your daughter. Remember the tablets.”

He grimaced. “I will not stand by and do nothing. I can tell Julius you did not heal me. I can say it was a spider bite, not a snakebite. He will believe me.”

Paul shook his head. “The truth is the truth. Why change it? Is the truth not worth defending with one’s life?”

“Do you not fear what the Romans will do to you?”

“No. I fear what you will do.”

Michael sat beside him. “I see sadness in your eyes.”

Paul did not answer. Michael noticed Elizabeth’s eyes wavered, shutting and then opening several times.

Alexander rolled over on his stomach, his pouch wide open and showing more silver. Michael stared at it for several seconds and sighed. He crawled over to him and put back the two silver pieces. He rejoined Paul, took a deep breath and leaned against a beam.

“You are a good man, Michael.”

Augustus’ shouting had quieted on deck, and the rowing sounds of the oars striking the water were silent. The boat swayed back and forth. Julius came down the stairs in a frantic rush.

“We must leave. Now,” he said, leaning down to unlock the shackles on Paul.

Michael got up. “Why? Are we there already?”

“No.”

“Wake up,” said Julius, nudging Alexander.

“What is wrong? Did the prisoner escape?”

“No, you fool,” Julius said. “You fell asleep. We must swim the last part of the journey.”

“Swim? How far?” Michael asked.

“I do not know. It is still dark. I cannot see the shoreline.”

“We must go now,” said Julius. “Alexander, get the others up. The prisoner and you will go. I will stay.”

“Why must we do this now?” Michael asked.

“There is a rogue ship approaching us. They seek the prisoner. I have my orders to get him to Rome safely.”

“I will go with him.”

“Can you swim?”

“Does it matter?” He rushed to Elizabeth and shook her shoulder. “We need to go now.”

“We’re there?” asked Elizabeth, stretching her arms.

“No.”

“Where are we?” she asked as she stood.

“I don’t know.” Michael emptied two carts. “Here,” he said, handing her one. “Use this as a float.”

He tucked the cloth with the tablets under his arm.

Julius stared at him.