Dead Men Don't Bite (Jake Dillon Adventure Thriller Series) (7 page)

“OK, but you still haven’t told me exactly where this
place is.” LJ remonstrated.
“And that’s the way I want it to stay,” The words
came out as they were intended, bluntly and without
negotiation.
LJ sighed, stood up, and went over to the far wall.
He was a peripatetic man who could not think unless
his body was in motion. Concealed behind an austere oil
painting of Winston Churchill was a solid looking safe.
Placing his thumb on to the biometric fingerprint scanner,
the door bolts released with a heavy thud to reveal various
documents inside, along with his prized stash of fifty-yearold, single malt whisky.
Taking two crystal glass tumblers, he poured a
generous measure into each of them, turned around and
walked back to the sofa.
“Nat, I do understand that you want to protect the
island from marauding journalists and the like, I really do.
But, you’ve also got to be realistic, old son, this discovery of
yours is like no other ever made.”
“In what way, do you mean? There have been many
U-boats found all over the world. What makes this one so
special?”
“Well, firstly this particular one just so happens to
still be tied up inside a cavern underneath the island of
Jersey. Secondly, according to the official records, it was
supposed to have been sunk a month before it was sent on
that mission. A mission I might add that Adolf Hitler had
ordered personally, and which involved two of the highestranking men in the Nazi Party. Put this all together with
a mythical artefact that is supposed to give whoever has
possession of it unspeakable power on the battlefield, to
the point of never being defeated. Well, I’d say we have
ourselves a very strange mystery on our hands, wouldn’t
you?”
“And the point is?” said Nathan.
“The point is, so to speak. That if the Spear of
Destiny is still on board that submarine. Well as you can
imagine, old son, there are those out there who would love
to get their fanatical or criminal hands on it. Whether or
not it’s genuine or actually has any power is completely
irrelevant.”
“What do mean?” Nathan asked.
“I’ll show you.” LJ went to his desk and logged
back onto the central archive database. A moment later the
information he had asked for, was on the large screen in
front of them.
LJ said, “Look at this, the Spear of Destiny is also
known as the Holy Lance and the Spear of Longinus. It is
considered to be one of the most important Christian relics
of the Passion of Jesus Christ. Good grief, look here. The
spear was used by a Roman soldier named Gaius Cassius,
who was also later called Longinus. He used the spear at
the crucifixion of Jesus, piercing his side as he hung on the
cross. This caused blood and water to spurt forth from the
wound. The mixture apparently splattered Gaius Cassius’s
face, restoring his vision, which had been failing. The
centurion went on to become an early convert to Christianity,
which played a significant role in the fulfilment of the Old
Testament prophesy. The spear is believed to have acquired
tremendous mystical power and it was passed down from
dynasty to dynasty over the centuries. Truly amazing.”
“Amazing, is an understatement? So, we now know
a little about the legend of the spear. But, what information
is there, about whom had possession of it after this Roman
centurion?” said Nathan.
LJ scrolled through the pages until he found what he
was looking for. “It states here, that the spear subsequently
passed through a multitude of hands. Apparently it became
the possession of many of Europe’s most important political
and military leaders. Some of these included, Constantine I,
Alaric, he was the Visigoth king who ransacked Rome in the
year 410, Frankish General Charles Martel, Charlemagne
the Great, Frederick of Barbarossa and Frederic II. This
Nat, reads like a gruesome and bloody guest list to a
butcher’s convention. But it is quite apparent old son, that
a leader who possessed the spear was said to be invincible.
If I recall my history correctly, Charlemagne and Frederick
of Barbarossa were both undefeated in battle. Yes, here it
is, undefeated until they let the spear fall from their hands.
It was then that a legend arose that whoever claimed the
spear: ‘holds the destiny of the world in his hands for good
or evil.’ LJ poured them both more single malt, and then
brought up the final page onto the large screen.
Nathan sat quietly on the sofa, while his old
university chum narrated the text. It was just like old times
and something LJ had always done for some unexplainable
reason.
“Here’s the bit about Adolf Hitler. According to this,
he first saw the spear displayed in the Hofsburg museum in
Vienna in 1909. He was only a young man then of course,
but knew of the legend of the holy lance. His interest was
further amplified by its role in the 1882 opera Parsifal,
which if my memory doesn’t deceive me, was about a group
of ninth-century knights and their quest for the Holy Grail.
Hitler’s fascination with the spear was pivotal in sparking
his interest in the occult, and it gave birth to his ideas on
the origins and purpose of the Germanic race and most
definitely contributed to his unwavering belief about his
own destiny as a world conqueror. Well, there we have it.
He was a megalomaniac even at a young age.”
“This last bit is odd though. On the twelfth of
October 1938, not long after the German annexation of
Austria, Hitler ordered the SS to remove the spear, and
other artefacts from Vienna. They were all crated up and
taken by train to Nuremberg, where they were stored in St
Katherine’s Church. But it looks like the spear was moved
in 1944 to a specially constructed vault beneath the church.
This had been built in secret, and by the looks of it, at an
enormous cost. But wait a minute, what’s this? It states here
that the spear was captured by allied troops in April of the
following year and confiscated by American army officers.
Either this account is incorrect or Hitler ordered a replica
made to ensure it didn’t fall in to the possession of the allied
forces. That would give credence as to why our sub was
given that mission. Hitler would have had the real spear
probably taken by air from Austria direct to Sicily.”
“I’d certainly go along with the theory that he had a
replica made, but why go to all the trouble of taking it by
air to Sicily, and then back to Jersey by sea. I can’t see why
he would have done that.” Nathan argued.
“Because during that final year of the war, everything
was very uncertain. I would speculate that Hitler was being
extremely careful with his prized possession. Wouldn’t you
agree?” Before Nathan had a chance to answer, LJ continued
his rhetoric. “And if that’s the case, then the real artefact is
in the hold of that U-boat.”
“So what are you saying?” Nathan said.
“What I’m saying, old son, is that the sub on its own
is a revelation but that spear could cause chaos if it fell into
the wrong hands.”
“You can’t be serious, I’ve never heard such fanciful
rubbish” Nathan replied.
“Deadly serious old son. Suppose, for just one
moment, that an International terrorist group or even one
of these fanatical religious groups had found the U-boat
and subsequently took possession of the spear. They would
most certainly use the mythology and legend surrounding it
to stir things up. Firstly, they would make known the history
of it, which in turn would instil a belief in the followers
that they were now invincible. Which secondly, I’m sure,
would lead too unspeakable mayhem everywhere. I’m not
saying for one minute, that anyone in his or her right mind
would believe such mumbo jumbo about such things. But
never forget, at the very base roots of these fanatics’ causes,
is power. The majority of these fellows are no different to
Adolf Hitler himself, have no doubt Nathan, this will be
deemed to be a powerful and priceless thing to own. Why,
it’s absolutely unthinkable what could happen if it fell into
the wrong hands.”
LJ poured them both another large malt whisky,
got up and started pacing the office, pondering in silence.
A moment later, he came back to the sofa and sat down
again, before saying, “Are you positive that nobody could
accidentally find this place. You told me that the rocks,
which covered the entrance to the tunnel, had been shifted
during the storm. Is it possible that another diver could also
find it, just like you did?”
“As I’ve already pointed out, nobody would ever,
under normal conditions, dive in that area. It’s claimed far
too many lives, LJ.”
“Yes, but my point is, old son. Would it be possible
to get back down there?”
“Well I suppose so, only a hardened and experienced
diver would stand the remotest chance of surviving those
waters. Firstly, he or she would have to make sure that they
weren’t smashed against the jagged slabs of granite that
hide just beneath the surface of the water. Then there are
the extreme tidal movements of course; they change in the
blink of an eye. And finally, there is the swim back up the
tunnel against that fresh water flow that comes from inside
the cavern. I almost had to give up; it was so strong, even
under the calm conditions that prevailed there this morning.
I’d say, that you would have to be exceptionally lucky to
make it back to where that U-boat is.”
“There’s always someone, Nat, you know that as
well as I do.” LJ sat there looking up at the ceiling for a
moment then said, “I would like a friend of mine to cast his
eye over what we have here, would you mind?”
“No, of course I don’t mind. You know I trust your
judgement, but can he be trusted, not to go straight to the
press and blab?”
“I would trust him, just the same as would I trust
you, Nat. With my life.”
“So what’s his name and what does he do, this other
friend of yours?” Nathan asked, a little agitated by LJ’s
eagerness to now involve someone from outside.
“Professor Oliver Asquith, or to give him his correct
title, Lord Bartholomew, Oliver, Asquith. He’s a very
eccentric British Philanthropist and one of this country’s
most prominent Archaeologists in the field of Middle
Eastern antiquities. Works over at the British Museum.
That is, when he’s not flying around the world after the next
great discovery. I’ve known him for many years. He might
have some ideas.”
“Well if you think that he might be able to help?”
“Oh he’ll be able to help, of that I’m sure. This sort
of thing is right up his street, old son.”
“Okay,” Nathan said. “But the exact location stays
with me.”
“Look, Nat. That’s fine by me. You will of course,
come along to meet him?”
“Would you mind awfully, if I said no? Only, I’ve been
on the go all day, and to tell you the truth, I’m exhausted
and could do with a nap. Recharge the old batteries for an
hour or so.”
“I’ll get young Roberts, to take you round to the
apartment. Have a bath and a sleep old son. I’ll go and see
Oliver Asquith. Say, I collect you around eight-thirty, for
dinner at nine at the Ritz Grill. How does that sound?”
“Sounds perfect. But I insist that dinner is on me,
and that is non-negotiable.”

LJ looked up Oliver Asquith’s personal number at
the British Museum, and was speaking to him at once.
“Oliver, LJ here.”

“My dear chap, seems like years since we last spoke.”
LJ came straight to the point. “Oliver, I have
something that I think you should take a look at, tonight if
possible. A rather amazing discovery has been made. Look I
don’t want to talk over the phone, but it really is imperative
that I see you immediately, old son.”

Asquith remained as urbane as ever. “Can you come
over now? Only I’ve got a dinner engagement at ninethirty.”

Oliver.”
“Well, I’ll be at the museum for another hour. I’ll
have security show you down”
“I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
Professor Asquith was sat at a workbench, peering
through a magnifying glass at something held in pincer like
clamps at the end of two long arms. At the age of sixty-one,
he still had a round almost boyish looking face, with dark
blue eyes and greying fair hair. After a lifetime of good living
he now carried too much weight and had a physique that
showed it. He’d never had to pine for the material things in
life as his family had owned a couple of small banks. These
had been absorbed into a bigger banking complex, and
that into another, so that now his shares were worth more
money than he needed for his very British eccentric lifestyle.
Edward Levenson-Jones was sitting opposite the
archaeologist, on the other side of the long metal table. When
the door to the laboratory opened, and a graduate student
came in. He assisted Asquith with the research and dating of
artefacts, that were sent to the museum came in. But, on this
occasion, he’d brought with him a tray containing two cups
of strong black coffee. After he’d left, Asquith picked up his
cup, and sipped at the hot black liquid, before continuing
to read the letter from Grossadmiral Karl Donitz. Finally he
put it down, and looked up over the top of his spectacles.
“Intriguing, isn’t it?”
“You believe it could be true then?”
“The Spear of Destiny? Good God yes. The U-boat,
well I mean you obviously don’t think that your friend
Commander Cunningham is playing some sort of elaborate
hoax or simply looking to spice up his life down in Jersey?”
“Absolutely not. We shared a room at University,
and then worked together on many assignments while I
was at MI5. He retired from the Navy with full military
honours, and then went on to build a construction empire
which he sold shortly after his wife died. That’s when he
moved down to Jersey. Oh, and he’s a millionaire ten times
over.”
“But he won’t tell you the exact location?”
“Oh, I think that’s understandable, don’t you? Given
the enormity of his discovery.” LJ smiled. “But have no fear,
he’ll tell me soon enough. In the meantime; the question is
Professor, what should we do with it?”
“Well, the right thing to do, is to simply hand the
whole thing over to MI5, or the Ministry of Defence,
Edward. Although, they are likely to treat the whole thing as
a hoax, and immediately file it for all eternity. Alternatively,
Ferran & Cardini could simply investigate the mystery as a
private matter on behalf of Nathan Cunningham.”
“You’re right of course, handing it over will raise
nothing more than a few eyebrows at a funding committee
meeting. And, after a number of negative grunts the case
we will most certainly be filed under, ‘no further action’.
Once that happens, we’ll never know why that U-boat was
sent there by Himmler and Donitz; or why it was carrying a
priceless religious artefact, that was so important to Adolf
Hitler. No, there’s more to this, than just the spear? What
else did Hitler own and value?”
“Gold Bullion, and he had lots of it too.”
“Yes, Gold Bullion,” LJ said enthusiastically, adding.
“The Nazis went to a lot of trouble to hide the sub in that
cavern. But why use Jersey, and I would bet on the fact
that the cavern wasn’t just created for the sole purpose of
parking that submarine. What were they really up to, that’s
the question?”
“Perhaps that was the reason for Himmler and
Donitz to be involved. But even so, the Spear of Destiny
would certainly have warranted such secrecy because of the
myth surrounding it. Did you know that Napoleon once
attempted to seize the spear after the Battle of Austerlitz?
But failed because it had been smuggled out of Vienna just
prior to the battle and he never did get his hands on it? To
underestimate its significance or the power that it holds LJ,
would be extremely foolhardy. You see, Hitler along with
the others, whose hands it fell into, knew only too well that
it’s not enough too simply own it. You have to be a true
believer for it to work and protect you. Hitler was obsessed
with not only the legend, which he truly believed in, but was
also flirting with the darker side of the occult. So that in his
own mind he was without any doubt, destined to become
the next Emperor of his New World Order. But forgive me,
as usual I’m rambling on. Of course, it may be that the
cavern holds the key to all of this. But, I feel that the SS
being involved is very intriguing. Were they there merely to
ensure that the spear was protected or was it that Himmler
and Donitz were going to hide more than the spear there.
What do you think?”
“Umm, Himmler was definitely a tricky character.”
LJ said, but before he could continue Lord Asquith
continued his rhetoric.
“You know that he believed Hitler to be a
reincarnation of past warriors and kings. So much so, that
he was totally consumed with the Aryan myth, and only
chose officers that were pure Aryan decent from at least one
hundred and seventy years back. Furthermore, he felt that
children should be conceived in Nordic cemeteries in order
to manifest spirits of the heroes buried there. He actually
published a list of cemeteries for breeding, you know?”
“This was an organisational genius, LJ. Someone
who held meetings in the great hall of a rambling old castle,
and where they all sat at a royal round table. They say that
beneath this hall was a crypt filled with urns containing
the last mortal remains of heroes destined for worship.
Himmler was also completely obsessed with the Teutonic
Order, to the point where past and present were telescoped
together. One important thing that we should also remember
is that Himmler, like Hitler, used certain occult practices to
communicate with so called, ‘Eastern Masters’ that were no
longer human, but divine.”
“Such as?” LJ asked.
“Well, his favourite method was to pick out a fine
male specimen from the SS, and behead him. Shocking isn’t
it? Then he would use the head to communicate with. All
very strange if you ask me.”
LJ took out a clean white handkerchief and blew
his nose loudly into it. “But that apart, it also remains a
fact that in those last months of the war, many of the top
Nazis were lining there own pockets. So why not Himmler
and Donitz with gold bars. After all, it’s a currency that is
acceptable anywhere.” LJ said.
“Look, LJ, it’s getting late. Why don’t I get my
assistant, Tom Attwood on to it, he’ll be here for at least
another hour or so? Regular bloodhound.” He slipped the
copies of the two letters back into their envelope and gave
them back to LJ who put them into his briefcase.
“That’s good of you, Oliver. But, as long as he can be
trusted, I really do want this matter to be kept low key and
between ourselves. You understand of course”
“I’d have thought that after all these years, you
wouldn’t actually deem it necessary to say that. You
forget, I know how paranoid you are about secrecy. And of
course I’ll be discreet with him. But, he will have to be told
something?”
“Okay, then tell him that the U-boat is one thought
to have disappeared under dubious circumstances at the end
of the war. And, you’re helping me look into it’s possible
last known whereabouts, because it was carrying stolen
antiquities and religious artefacts from France to South
America. And of course, I apologise for even thinking that
you would be anything less than discreet, old son.”
“No need to apologise but just for the record who is
actually involved?”
“The only people who know the details apart from
you and I are, Nathan Cunningham and of course the
Partners of Ferran & Cardini. You do appreciate that I
had to brief them about this revelation. It will be at their
sole discretion, as to whether the firm will get involved
any further with this matter or if the whole thing is simply
shoved over to the Ministry of Defence. If the answer is
a yes, then I’ll see how quickly before we can mount an
assignment down to Jersey.”
LJ stepped out of the British Museum into a clear
bright evening. Guy Roberts was waiting outside with the
engine of the luxury Mercedes already running. It was
eight-twenty, just enough time for him to collect Nathan
from the flat, and drive the short distance to the Ritz Grill
for dinner at nine.
Both men decided on sirloin steak, sitting opposite
each other at the small circular table in the dining room,
with coffee and cigars in the bar afterwards which was
where the manager found them.
“Ah, there you are Mr Levenson-Jones. Lord
Asquith’s chauffeur gave me this message a few moments
ago, sir. He asked me to ensure that you received it before
you leave us this evening.”
“Thank you, Gerald.” The manager bid them
a good evening, and left. LJ ripped open the envelope
without ceremony. He read the brief hand written message
that Oliver had sent. “Well, that’s a turn up for the book.
He wants us both to meet him at the museum first thing
tomorrow morning. I really didn’t think that he would
be interested, you know. After all, he was all in favour of
handing it to the ministry to be covered up and forgotten
about. Must have had a change of heart, I suppose.”
Nathan said, “Does he say why he wants to see us?”
“No, just to be there promptly at eight o’clock, and
to make sure that you’re with me.”