The Spear of Destiny

Chapter FIVE



Peter Dennis rang Natalie’s phone again for the umpteenth time. She was just entering his pin number on the chip and pin device when she suddenly realised her phone was vibrating in her handbag. She saw the caller was Dennis.

“Hello,” she said, putting the phone between her shoulder and ear to keep her hands free.

“Babe where are you?”

“I’m still shopping in Harrods. I’ve bought some great shoes and some really nice lingerie I just know you’re going to love.”

“That’s great babe. Listen. Sorry. I know you’re excited but something has come up. Something you’re not gonna believe. How long is Jim in London?”

“He leaves on Saturday.”

“Is there somewhere we can meet him? How about his hotel?”

“If he’s there. He’s giving a talk tonight at a gallery in Chelsea. Why? What’s all this about?”

“Look can you get hold of him and arrange to meet him. Tell him he really doesn’t want to miss this.”

“Why don’t you ring him.”

“I’ve tried and besides I’m not sure how safe it is. My phone may have been hacked.”

“Hacked!”

“From what I’ve heard today. Listen I’ll explain when I see you. Get Jim. We need to meet somewhere to talk. All of us. A quiet bar somewhere if not his hotel. Okay.”

“There’s a winebar not far from me. I’ll get Jim to meet us there.”

“I know the place. I’ll see you as soon as I can get there.”



Forty five minutes later Peter Dennis burst through the front door of the pub. Natalie and Jim Hutchinson were standing at the bar waiting for him. He kissed Natalie briefly on the lips, then shook the American’s hand.

“What are you having to drink? It’s my shout,” Hutchinson said.

“Budweiser please,” Dennis answered to the girl behind the bar.

“Make that three,” Hutchinson said placing a twenty pound note on the bar. Dennis waited until the three bottles of beer had been handed out and Hutchinson had received his change before saying.

“Let’s sit in that booth at the back. It’s a bit quieter.”

The men waited for Natalie to sit and as Hutchinson sat Dennis threw himself into his seat and puffing up his cheeks he blew his breath out.

“You won’t believe the day I’ve just had.”

“I guess by the urgency you’re about to tell us.”

Dennis looked at Natalie long and hard, not sure of where to start. Then he began.

“I now know who was behind Friday night. Who stole the spear.”

Hutchinson leaned closer.

“Who?”

Dennis looked straight into Natalie’s eyes.

“Von Werner.”

“What?” Hutchinson said.

Dennis nodded.

“It’s true.”

“But we saw Tunisian marines pull his dead body from the sea.”

“Well he clearly wasn’t dead.”

Dennis saw the concerned look from his girlfriend.

“It’s all right. He won’t be coming after us. He’s got what he wants. He’s long gone.”

“Are you sure?”

“Trust me.”

He reached out to grasp her hand.

“How do you know all this Pete?”

“That man in the brown suit,” he said to Natalie, “He’s an Austrian police inspector from Interpol. He came into the office,” he continued for Hutchinson’s benefit, “he had a photograph of Von Werner from CCTV. Von Werner was sitting in the front range rover on Friday night. His face is badly disfigured but there was no mistaking it. It’s definitely him.”

Natalie felt herself shudder.

“It’s all right. He’s gone.”

“So my best guess then,” from Hutchinson, “is that he’s heard of the mystery surrounding the spear of Longinus and that’s why he’s stolen it. He intends to use it.”

“This is where it gets interesting. The spear from London is a fake. A replica.”

“What?”

“That’s right Jim. The Austrians had the real one locked away in a vault. They use replicas just in case of an incident like this.”

“So Von Werner has a fake.”

“Not exactly. The London one was abandoned. The real one he stole a month ago. He killed to get it.”

“Then if he has the real one why did he take the one from the British museum?”

“Inspector Bauer, that’s his name, the Austrian inspector, Thomas Bauer. He thinks Von Werner has tried to heal himself with the real one but failed. You see it only works where it is said that Christ himself spilt his own blood.“

“So that means where he was crucified right! Which if memory serves me has the church of the holy sepulchre built over it. How is he going to get to the ground underneath it?”

“It doesn’t necessarily mean there. Anywhere where Christ bled. It could be where he was whipped by the Romans. We need to read up on our bibles, search the internet etcetera.”

“What do you mean we?”

“Bauer has asked for my, our help.”

“To do what?”

“To locate where Von Werner will attempt to use the spear next.”

Dennis looked across at Natalie.

“You’re not saying much.”

Natalie didn’t know what to say. She half shrugged.

“Peter I’m an archaeologist not a treasure hunter.”

“I know Nat but Bauer believes we might be the best people for the job.”

“And last time we came face to face with Von Werner he was going to kill us.”

“I don’t think he would have.”

“He watched while his Russian thug tried to kill you, would have raped me. Von werner was going to kill us and make it look like it was self defence. Have you forgotten all this?”

People in the next booth were now looking their way. Dennis leaned in to the middle of the table.

“We’d better keep our conversation down a bit.”

“What I still don’t get is what’s in it for us?” Hutchinson said.

“First we’d be helping an international police team catch a known felon. A felon we all know and second? We’d be following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. One of the most famous men who ever lived.”

“I meant financially.”

“Oh I see. Look we don’t know how big this thing is going to be. First there will be a reward of one million euro’s for the safe return of the real spear and the apprehension of the guilty party or parties responsible.”

Dennis saw their looks of concern.

“Bauer has assured me the reward will be there.”

“Is he going to provide us with guns?”

“Guns?”

“Last time we encountered Von Werner he had a private army that was considerably armed or did you assume he’s just going to let us waltz in and take it back from him. Look Pete it’s a lovely idea but I don’t see what we can do to help. I’m certainly not putting any of my team at risk again.”

“What are the risks?” Natalie asked.

“Forget it!” Hutchinson said.

“We’ll have the full backing from Interpol that anything we do will not result in our being arrested or convicted plus Bauer will assist in any way possible. He already has the Israeli police on full alert in case of anything happening there.”

“It’s too big,” the American said, “it’s out of our league Pete.”

Dennis sat back in his seat.

“Okay,” he took a swig of his beer and put it down on the table gently, “I’m in.”

“What?”

“I’m helping them.”

“Pete I think it’s too dangerous. Natalie talk some sense in to him.”

“To follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ babe,” Dennis said with a gleam in his eye,” just think of the untold treasures we could uncover. The very tomb he lay in. Magical. Mystical. Powers from a Roman spear used by some of the most powerful men and women in history.”

“You’re crazy.”

“No Jim he’s right. It would be amazing to hold the very spear that pierced Christ’s side in your very own hands.”

“Oh don’t tell me you’re hooked too.”

Natalie smiled at her boss who rolled his eyes.

“Jim?” Dennis said.

Hutchinson picked his beer up and downed it. He banged the bottle back down onto the table.

“Well it appears you two have made up your minds. A million euro’s eh? I must admit we could do with the money.”



Natalie and Dennis were in his studio apartment where they had been since they’d got back that afternoon. It was nearly eleven o’clock and both were very tired and on strong coffee. They were expecting Hutchinson back soon. He had text messaged Natalie to say that his talk had finished and as soon as he could leave he would. At that time of night the taxi journey would take less than thirty minutes. His message had been received over an hour before.

Dennis and Natalie had arrived back armed with every book they could buy or borrow from the nearest library with any reference to Jesus Christ in the index. Both having quickly showered they’d settled down to study. Both had a laptop each and had searched every link and pop up possible.

Dennis was flicking through piles of mail and paper on his table in the lounge.

“Darling have you seen that menu for the Chinese takeaway. I’m sure it was here the other day. You can’t mistake it. It’s got a large golden dragon on the front.”

“I think I pinned it under a fridge magnet on the side of the fridge.”

“It’s not here.”

Natalie came into the kitchen drying her hair with a towel.

“Right what did I say?”

He stopped searching to look at her.

“I said on the side didn’t I.”

“Oh yeah. Got it,” he said reaching for the wall mounted phone, “What do you fancy?”

“You’re not ordering without Jim are you. Do you not want to wait.”

“I’m not sure what time they stop delivering.”

“Why don’t we just order one of those meals for three. At least that way we’ll get a mixture. I don’t even know if Jim likes Chinese.”

“Everyone likes Chinese.”

She went into the lounge and sat on the sofa whilst still drying her hair. Then she stopped.

“Oh my God.”

He turned with the phone pressed to his ear. She held a book up for him to see.

“You bought a bible.”

“Yeah we’ll need it.”

“You bought a bible!”

“Yes. If we’re researching Jesus Christ it seemed like the perfect answer.”

“I suppose,” she said, “but you can be the one who reads it.”

Dennis ignored her as the phone the other end was answered.

“Chinese will be half an hour,” he said rejoining her in the lounge, “Okay so where do we start?”

She grabbed the first book from the pile.

“Anything on Jesus Christ. Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Needle in a haystack.”

“We’ll need to define our searches. The internet will help.”

“Okay. So what should I look for? Seriously.”

“Von Werner has been gravely injured. The burns to his face, neck and hands are extensive….”

Natalie remembered back to that day standing on the ‘wavecrest’ ship when she saw Von Werner’s body brought back on board. She could still remember the blistered flesh. It still made her feel sick.

“If he is intending to use the spear to heal himself we need to work out what he will do next. The legend of the spear states that whoever holds it will be invincible. I think we should start with the history of whoever has owned the spear. If anyone in history or legend has had any kind of miracle or anything unusual happen to them whilst the holy lance has been in their possession. What do you think? Is that a good place to start?”

“I don’t know. I guess so. You’re the archaeologist.”

Dennis quickly tapped in the holy lance on google. The third link on the first page included images.

“That’s our piece,” he said. He clicked on the top link which was Wikipedia and began to read.

“Anything?” Natalie asked after seeing his intense concentration.

“No it’s pretty much everything I’ve already written about it in the magazine. There’s a blue link here for St Maurice but it’s something I’ve already read before and something about the town in Switzerland named after him. Nothing new I’m afraid.”

“Why don’t you try Jesus Christ.”

He entered the name in the search box and clicked on the top link. Wikipedia again.

“What am I looking for?”

“Is there anything about his travels?”

Dennis checked the box of headings on the left.

“A little.”

“What about his acts?”

“Acts?”

“You know, his miracles.”

“Oh.”

Dennis re-entered his search.

“Ah! Here we are. The supernatural deeds of Jesus Christ….”

There was a buzz from the kitchen.

“That’s either Jim or the take away.”

“I’ll go,” Natalie said.

She resumed her seat, empty handed.

“Now the miracles of Christ,” Dennis continued as if she hadn’t left, “Are put into four categories. We have exorcisms, cures, controlling nature and resurrecting the dead.”

“You’ll just have to go through them all.”

“Here’s the list. We have for cures, healing the mother of Peter’s wife. Healing the deaf mute of Decapolis. Healing the blind at birth. Healing the paralytic at Bethesda. The blind man of Bethsaida. The blind man Bartimaeus of Jericho. Healing the centurion’s servant. Healing an infirm woman. The man with a withered hand. Cleansing a leper. Cleansing ten lepers. Healing a man with dropsy. Healing the bleeding woman. Healing the paralytic at Capernaum. Healing in Gennesaret. Two more blind men. Shall I go on?”

“Yes I’ve got one in mind we can go back to. Carry on.”

“Okay. Next we have exorcisms. Probably not what we’re looking for but I’ll read them out. A boy possessed by a demon. The Canaanite woman’s daughter. The Gerasenes demonic. The synagogue in Capernaum. Exorcising at sunset. The blind and mute man and exorcising a mute.”

“Nothing there. What’s next?”

“Resurrecting the dead. A young man from Nain. The daughter of Jairus. Raising Lazarus. The others are under nature, controlling nature. The marriage at Cana. Walking on water. Calming the storm. Transfiguration. Feeding the multitude. The draught of fishes. Cursing the fig tree. The coin in the fish’s mouth….”

“That’s one hell of a list,” Hutchinson said joining them, “What is it?”

“The miracles of Christ.”

“They’re just the ones we know about.”

“What?”

“They’re just the ones recorded. You know from the gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. There were other miracles he performed outside of the new testament.”

”Where will I find them?”

“Try the internet. I think he performed the others when he was a child.”

“Wait,” Natalie said, “Go back.”

“Back where?”

“Something about a man with a hand.”

Dennis scanned the computer page again. Then he said.

“Under cures. The man with a withered hand.”

“Yes read that one.”

“This is recorded by Mark, Luke and Matthew. On a Sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue. The Pharisees of the law watched him to see if he would perform. They were looking for an excuse to have him accused and arrested so they asked him if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus replied ’If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath will you not take hold of it and lift it out. Is a man not more valuable than a sheep. Therefore it is perfectly lawful to do good on the Sabbath. Jesus then turned to the man and said ’stretch out your hand’ The man stretched it out and it was healed.”

Natalie looked from Dennis to Hutchinson.

“Not much to go on there is there?” Dennis said.

“These events all occurred before the holy lance comes into the story though,” Hutchinson added.

“Well keep searching,” Natalie replied, “We’ll find a link somewhere.”

The kitchen buzzer sounded again.

“That’ll be the Chinese,” Dennis got up and took fifty pounds from his wallet. He returned with the food and placed it on the table, then went into the kitchen and returned with plates and cutlery. The three of them settled to eating. Every once in a while Dennis would click on his laptop.

“We’ll just have to keep searching,” Natalie said, “There will be something.”

“It must be a cure,” from Hutchinson, “The other categories don’t really fit in with Von Werner’s injuries.”

Dennis checked every miracle of christ that he could find. He shook his head.

“Nothing really gives us a clue.”

“What about that journal Von Werner had. Have you still got it?”

Dennis jumped to his feet.

“Yes.”

He went to his bookcase and rummaged through a pile of books laying down flat.

“It’s here somewhere,” he said moving some more. Then he found it, “Ah here it is.”

He gave it to Natalie. She opened it and began flicking through the pages. Then a quarter of the way through it she stopped. Hutchinson was watching her.

“Have you found something?”

Natalie’s eyes continued to move over the page she was on.

“Nat.”

“There may be something here.”

The two men joined her on the couch, sitting either side of her.

“Saint Helena,” Hutchinson said, “Who was she?”

Dennis reached across the table for his laptop. The page in the journal was hand drawn. There was a large sketch of a shrine. There was a detailed drawing of a woman under a domed ceiling holding a large wooden cross. Underneath the sketch were the words ’St Helena’s shrine, St Peter’s basilica’

“Is that in Rome?” Hutchinson asked.

Natalie nodded.

“Vatican city.”

She turned the page. There were more drawings. Simple sketches, of pieces of rope, what looked to be a tunic, some nails which looked to be Roman, some pieces of wood and the holy lance. Under each drawing were words in German.

“Saint Helena,” Dennis said, “also known as the empress Helena was the mother of the Roman emperor Constantine the great. Birthdate not known but thought to be either 246 or 250AD. Died 330AD. Famous for finding the relics from Christ’s crucifixion. She found the nails and rope used to fix him to his cross. She also found the cross on which he was crucified. She found a total of three crosses and had a woman from Jerusalem, who was near death, touch each one. When the woman touched the third cross she was cured.”

“Now we’re getting somewhere,” Hutchinson said, “Do we know where this took place?”

“Yes. She was appointed by Constantine as Augusta Imperatrix, Greek for empress. He gave her unlimited access to the imperial treasury. She went on to build many churches. One on the site of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem. Another on the mount of olives in Jerusalem where he ascended into heaven. She ordered a temple built hundreds of years earlier by the Roman emperor Hadrian to be pulled down. This temple was built over the site of Christ’s tomb in Calvary. When her men excavated the ground under the temple they found the remains of the three crosses said to be those of Christ and the two thieves Dismas and Gestas who were crucified either side of him. Dismas went on to become a saint.”

“Pete.”

“Oh sorry. Getting a bit sidetracked. Anyway, after the find Constantine had the church of the holy sepulchre built. Right over the spot where Helena found the relics.”

“Great,” Hutchinson said, “We’ve got no chance of searching that.”

“Now wait a minute. There’s more. Helena left Jerusalem for Rome in 327AD. She took the ‘true’ pieces of the cross with the nails, rope and the tunic of Christ with her. They are currently on display in the basilica of the holy cross in Jerusalem where they have been since she placed them there.”

“And that’s in Jerusalem,” Hutchinson said.

Dennis shook his head.

“Rome.”

“Rome?”

“Rome.”

“Great! We’ve got no chance of getting to that either.”

“Guys,” Natalie said, “I’ve got something here. I’ve just translated this German writing Von Brest made. It’s not dated but he believes that the items on this page, the rope, cross, etcetera would all have magical healing powers if used together.”

“All of them. But where.”

“That’s the next bit of the puzzle,” Natalie continued, “Von Brest was convinced that it was the sap from the tree from which the cross was cut that contained the healing powers after it was mixed with Christ’s blood. The holy lance of Longinus will have touched Christ’s blood mixed with the sap. This is what healed his blindness.”

“It all sounds a bit far fetched,” Dennis said.

“It’s the bible,” Natalie replied.

“Okay. Supposing it’s true where is this tree?”

Dennis quickly searched google.

“Cut down,” he said.

“I knew it,” Hutchinson added, “It was too good to be true.”

“Herod had the trees cut down and they were used in the building of the temple in Jerusalem. When, years later, the temple was rebuilt the wood was removed. Eventually it was made into Christ’s cross.”

“I’ve just translated the last of Von Brest’s description,” Natalie said, “He believes that St Helena took seeds from these trees and planted them. One tree has survived to today. It stands outside of the monastery of the holy cross in Jerusalem in Rome.”

“So if Von Werner was to obtain all these relics and take them with the spear of destiny to this tree he could heal himself.“

“Yes.”

“And the relics he needs are in Rome?” Hutchinson asked.

“Yes.”

“Then we know his next move.”

“Yes.”

Dennis reached for his phone.

“I’ll alert Bauer.”