After a few moments they come to the end of one of the alleyways. Andy pushes open an old wooded door and leads them across a stone and cement courtyard. A weathered looking Arab man who introduces himself as Mujeeb warmly greets them.
"Greetings most favored guest," he says extending a handshake. His other hand
contains a small menorah and a gold chain. "I was just getting ready to close up. Are you the ones Izmur told me
about? If so youre late. You almost missed me. Now lets see
youre
looking for a map of the chambers under Mount Olivet.
"Yea, sure," says Michelle cynically. "And you just happen to have a "special" on them right now. "
Mujeeb reacts quickly to this western females impolite remark with a quick barb of his own. "Well, well, since you have such little confidence in their value Ive just raised the price."
"No, please, no Mujeeb. Forgive my friend's lack of faith. Shes just been exposed to all the frauds down in the pubic markets and heard the horror stories from the other members of our team. Im personally confident you have the real thing. I trust Izmur. Ive known him for years and if he says youre for real." Andy nervously rubs his hands together and gathering up all his hope burst out, "So do you have the map with you?"
Without a blink of an eye Mujeeb answers. "Yes," he says pulling a roll of faded parchment from beneath his cloak. "Theres only one like it," he quietly snaps, looking narrowly at Michelle. "It was given to me by an Arab shepherd boy. He found it in the Dead Sea area. The Scroll hunters missed this one. Its real alright and it will cost you plenty."
"Well, I just happen to have what you want," says Andy taking out the leather pouch the professor had earlier tossed aside. Shaking out three gold coins he offers them to Mujeeb.
"It will take
five of those for something of this value," says the seller with incredulity.
"Im taking a great risk.
Earlier today I had a nasty visit with some men who would have paid much more. Of course I
didnt take it. Their threatening manner and cheap foreign currency turned me off.
'But gold!'" says
Mujeeb,
his eyes gleaming down at the coins in Andys hand. "Now
that a different matter completely.
Andy shakes two more coins from the bag. "Well let's make this quick. Were late. Heres your price."
Mujeeb, apparently as eager as the hungry students are to close the sale, takes the coins and bids them a hasty farewell.
As Andy and Michelle leave the private courtyard and turn up another narrow corridor, a mysterious figure darkens the entrance to Mujeebs private bazaar. Seeing the owner quickly putting away his wares the stranger approaches menacingly.
[ Previous Page ] [Next Page ]