“How much longer will you need that?” Dirk asked, pointing to the cane.
“Just another few weeks. The doctors in Cyprus did a splendid job of patching me up.”
“It was good of you to agree to loan the Manifest to their new museum.”
“It belongs with the other artifacts that NUMA bestowed,” Bannister replied. “Perhaps it will make a few amends to your sister. Summer is quite a saucy young lady, by the way. Please tell her that I’d be honored to dine with her some time.”
“I’ll pass the word. What’s next for you?”
“The Ark of the Covenant. I’ve uncovered a lead that suggests it may be hidden in a cave in Yemen. It looks promising. How about yourself?”
“I think I’m through working in the Mediterranean for a while,” Dirk said quietly.
“Well, cheers to you wherever you end up next. And give my best to your father and Summer.”
“Good luck, Bannister. I’ll see you around.”
Dirk watched as the archaeologist hobbled over to a taxi stand and hailed a cab. Dirk’s own hotel was only a few blocks away, so he decided to proceed there on foot. Walking through the streets of west Jerusalem, he soon fell oblivious to the dense traffic and crowded sidewalks, his mind lost in an emotional fog.
He marched past the hotel and continued walking for another mile, entering the Old City through Herod’s Gate. He stepped absently through the narrow streets, pulled to the east by an unseen compass.
Following a nun jaywalking across a side street, he looked up to find himself standing on the grounds of St. Anne’s Church. He felt a calmness settle over him as he made his way around the back to the Pool of Bethesda.
The bench where he had shared lunch with Sophie was empty, and he took a seat under the shade of the sycamore trees. Lost in thought, he stared at the empty pools long after the sun had dipped beneath the horizon. He was still sitting in silent contemplation when the evening sky rustled up a cool breeze that carried the sweet scent of jasmine gently across the ancient grounds.