“And my grandfather was part of all this?”
“Oh yeah. Up to his eyeballs. He was a key member of both expos. It was his expertise – and his colleague’s – that revealed the second location. He was not only a first-rate geologist but also a gifted historian. Seems that brains run in the family, right Professor? Anyhow, his colleague, guy by the name of Reeves-Churchill, was the archaeologist on both expeditions. We have no record of what happened to him. But as you know, although your grandfather made it back in one piece from both expos he didn’t keep too well after his return to the UK.”
“That’s an understatement. He was committed in 1921, the year after this diary was completed.” Dracup had picked up the diary from the bedside table, but quickly put it down again with a silent curse. Brilliant, Dracup. Now he knows you’ve got it.
If Potzner was excited at the sight of the diary, he didn’t show it. He reclaimed his former position on the settee and nodded. “Right. It was tough. A brilliant mind wasted – but it wasn’t all for nothing. Like I said, they found something extraordinary.”
Something in the American’s tone sent a cold wave down Dracup’s neck. He cleared his throat. “The discovery of the Ark is extraordinary enough, but it might help my understanding if you told me exactly what they found in this… other location.”
The American shook his head. “I’m not at liberty to say any more about that, Professor.”
Dracup leaned back against the headboard and folded his arms. He appeared to have reached the inevitable brick wall. The one that read ‘Classified’. “All right. So what do you want from me?”
Potzner hesitated and once again looked uneasy. The cigarette case appeared. “The item I’m referring to has been – mislaid.”
“Mislaid?”
“Okay. Stolen.”
Dracup exhaled slowly. So that was it; they needed Theodore’s record. Some clue, perhaps, to help them find – what? He emptied the dregs of his tonic water into the heavy bathroom tumbler. Another thought occurred to him. “But you knew my aunt had the diary. So why didn’t you ask her for it?”
“Our problem has only recently arisen, Professor, otherwise we would have done.” Potzner drew on his Winston. “So your little acquisition has come at about the right time for us.”
“Little? If this is genuine, the implications are – staggering.” That’s putting it mildly, Dracup thought. He swigged back his tonic and looked at the American. “So how exactly will the diary help you?”
“I really can’t tell you any more, Professor.”
Dracup shook his head in exasperation. He wondered how far he could press the American. Potzner hadn’t threatened him – yet. He caught Potzner’s gaze and held it. “Perhaps I’ll keep hold of it for the time being.”
Potzner laughed softly. “Mr Dracup – I can’t emphasize enough – your cooperation would be a real convenience for us.”
“And if I refuse?”
“I’ll tell you what.” Potzner consigned the second stub expertly to the recesses of the waste bin. “I’ll let you sleep on it, okay? Have a read through if you like; hell, I’d do the same myself under the circumstances.” Potzner was on his feet and at the door. “I’ll look you up in the morning. Perhaps you’ll see things in a fresh light.”
Dracup got up to see him out. “I’m not parting company with the diary until I know what this is all about.”
Potzner shrugged. “Your decision.”
Dracup watched him walk down the corridor; a tall man in his late fifties, with a slight limp. Before he entered the lift he called back: “Professor Dracup?”
“Yes?”
“Take care, won’t you?” The lift doors opened and Potzner was gone.
Dracup sat quietly for ten minutes before kicking off his shoes and lying back on the king-size bed with a fresh drink. So it was true. It had to be if the CIA were after the diary. Dracup had no doubts concerning Potzner’s ‘Embassy’ role. But more fascinating was their stolen item. He picked up his grandfather’s diary and began to read. He studied the first entry:
21st Apr ‘20
First night in situ. Hardly believe we’re on board, after all the anticipation. RC is elated. Estimates are that we’re in the mid section – 3 fragments theory seems vindicated. The size of it is what thrills me! OT seems spot on re dimensions. It’s vast – the decking is clearly visible and quite well preserved
Three fragments? Presumably referring to the condition of the Ark – the way it had broken up over the years. OT? Dracup frowned. Of course – Old Testament. Dracup shook his head in disbelief. Could this vessel really be the Ark of Noah? A dark stain obscured the next two lines. Dracup raised the book to his nose and took a sniff. Impossible to say what had caused it. He picked up at the next legible point in the entry: