The Scorpion
A Novel
by
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Prologue
“Senator Richards here, what can I do for you?”
“Tyree this is Isaiah Hamilton; sorry that I had to call you on your private line can you talk?”
“Yes I can Dr. Hamilton, what a pleasant surprise. It must be important otherwise you wouldn’t have called, especially on my private line.”
“Tyree, I know you are very busy so let me get to the point. I recently received from a dear friend of ours, a letter that was written in the fourteenth century. It was written by our founder, Count Fernando Joaquin De La Cruz, a letter written to his son passing on the mantel as head of Twelfth Knight’s. But there are some facts that I was not aware of. I will read the letter to you. There is another matter that has also come to my attention. Our two staunch enemies, Heilman and Fenneman. My concern is that if there is any truth to what the Count entrusted to his son, we must act as soon as possible. Oh; one more thing before I read the letter to you, I was also informed that a well known drug king pin named the Alacran aka Scorpion has been hired by Heilman and Fenneman.”
“This is very serious regarding the Scorpion, one of our fellow brothers who I am recommending as a candidate for a Twelfth-Knight. He is currently head of the FBI, but has stated to me in private that he would like to resign and serve full time for the Lord. Gregg Johnson is the fellow I mentioned to you a few months ago. What is in the letter that is so earth shattering?”
“Let me read you the letter----then you can see why it is so imperative we act as soon as possible. The letter reads as follows.”
12 of June 1330 Place, Insnis Austria
Diego my son; please put another log in the fire, it is chilly for an early summer night. Also come close to me my son. I have thought long and hard about a vow I took over fifty years ago concerning the guarding of the robe and parchments entrusted to me by my best friend Alberto de La Vega. He was instructed by our Lord in a dream to guard these artifacts from the wolves of the world. As I think back to that day in Jerusalem when the king of Spain, King Ferdinand, issued orders to arrest all the remaining Knights we ran for our lives in order to protect what we were instructed to do, by De La Vega. Now I am ready to meet my Lord and feel I have met my obligations.
My son Diego I have prayed to God almighty over whom to leave in charge. God answered my payer and selected you. I have written a letter of trust and hope that you will accept the responsibility as I have outlined in the letter. Come close to me my son, my sight is not what it used to be----so I may read the vow to you as you kneel before me and God; and accept this sacred vow. Please repeat after me.”
“I Diego De La Cruz do hereby accept this pledge to guard the secret manuscript and the robe belonging to our Lord. I have taken a sworn oath that I will give my life if necessary to guard these artifacts. They will be hidden in a secret vault at my discretion in order to guard its secrets after my father’s demise. I believe that in the hands of the wrong person they could cause much harm. At my demise I will pass on the mantle to the next Knight selected as successor by the leading of the Holy Spirit.”
“As Paul the apostle wrote to Timothy I Count Joaquin Fernando-----likewise instruct my youngest son Diego. “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”
xxxxx (2 Tim. 2:1-4 NASB-U).
“My son; my fellow Knights have succumbed to the inevitable, death on this earth. I alone am left, but I am passing the mantle to you. Prayerfully you will select eleven other Knights of good character in order to guard what is entrusted to us. I also warn you my son to be on the alert for those who would try to steal the manuscripts and especially the robe. It is believed to have healing powers because of the blood stains; which is the blood of our Lord. I now take the sword that has helped guard my lifelong pledge to Christ my Lord and God, do hereby pass on the mantle to you. As Paul the apostle entrusted Timothy I now entrust you. I crown you head Knight.”
“I now ask my Lord to bless you and keep you always with a pure heart. Thank you Lord Jesus the Christ. Amen”
“I Diego pledge my life to faithfully keep this vow. Father; I have one question, where shall I store the artifacts?”
“My son Diego, it is your choice to select. You should inspect them on an annual basis as you gather with the other Knights once a year and replace those knights that pass on to be with our Lord. Remember being one of the twelve is a lifetime commitment. We are called to serve the ‘Brotherhood’ and mankind to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have one last request my son, before I pass on from this life. I ask that you bury my remains close to where you store the artifacts.”
“Father I will do as you have instructed me. You can rest in peace that you have given me this responsibility and that I will do my best with God’s help to oversee all that you have commanded me. Christ my Lord shall be my witness” Amen!
Signed June 12th 1330 in the day of our Lord and attested and signed by me Diego De La Cruz.
Count Fernando Joaquin De La Cruz so witness this letter by my signature and seal! Count Fernando Joaquin De La Cruz.”
“Isaiah I have known you many years. If you say the letter is authentic, then we must act without delay. I have read second Timothy many times and felt that there was more to what Paul the apostle was saying. There have been rumors of all sorts, but this find in the wrong hands, especially like Heilman a former Nazi and a man with an incurable disease of the skin could control the world, which has always been his aim.”
“Tyree I’m scheduled to speak in a few weeks at your place Lords Land, perhaps we can persuade our brother to go in search of the manuscripts and cloak. Oh. I almost forgot----there is a map held by one of our brothers in Europe that has the location where the artifacts are located. He will release the map to the person we select to go on our quest. I will let you know if I here anymore on this matter, God speed.”
“Isaiah, I will be praying to the Lord that somehow Gregg will accept the challenge. I can think of no other man that is equal to the task. God bless you my brother. I look with great anticipation when we gather at our home. Good bye.”
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About the Book
Agent Gregg Johnson is called upon by the Brotherhood to investigate strange killings. However, Gregg and his fellow agents are soon forced to fight several fronts on the criminal landscape. With the help of two of Gregg’s nemeses, the infamous drug czar Scorpion has unleashed a highly toxic drug that stretches the limits of the FBI and ADF.
Gregg’s enemies, Fennemen and Heilman, are working with the Scorpion, but their goals differ. While the Scorpion hopes to keep control of his toxic drug, the other two men have been hired to find a manuscript and robe supposedly once belonging to the apostle Paul. Under orders from the Brotherhood, Gregg seeks this same artifact, which supposedly has healing powers.
In an effort to thwart his opponents, Gregg leaves on a quest to Europe, where the Scorpion threatens his life more than once. Gregg eventually winds up in Spain, searching the catacombs of a cathedral. However, he soon learns the Scorpion has not only issued a bounty on his head but on his loved ones, as well. He remains steadfast in his mission, putting his faith in God, because the only way to save the people he loves is to find the lost artifact in time.
About the Author
Dominic Contreras has a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family. He served as a hospital chaplain and worked for various community agencies as an at-risk counselor. He has also overseen several mainly Spanish-speaking churches. He and his wife have four children and several grandkids.