The Key to the Map
by
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Command Post Beit Jake took David and both of communications women with him and told the officer who had been in charge of Command Post Beit to stay with the forward blocking unit. He instructed the commander of Command Post Aleph to also divide his men and to start down the tunnel. Jake prepared to lead the third unit ahead. “This is unusual,” the officer said. “How are we going to maintain communications with you in case something goes wrong?” “Nothing is going to go wrong here. If I am required, you will be able to reach me. If Amit is needed, he is going to be with the unit following the terrorists. Call on me if you need me through my friend here,” said Jake. “My other friend will keep me in touch with the Knesset.” “Well, if you say so, sir,” replied the officer. Communications checks were successful and they proceeded forward. Jake sent two scouts ahead and followed with the main body. They headed carefully toward a location Jake had picked for an assembly position, maintaining silence as they went. As they approached the assembly point they heard sounds from ahead. The two scouts had engaged the terrorists. Jake ordered his men to throw flash bangs at them. As they ignited, terrorists stopped in their tracks. They realized that they were running right into their enemies and immediately reversed course, running back the way they had come. Jake and David led the way after the terrorists down the dark tunnel. They could hear the pounding feet of their men right behind them and knew Amit's men were coming toward the terrorists from the Silwan side and the troops from Command Post Aleph should be advancing toward them. The terrorists were trapped but Jake had to get to the bomb to make sure the explosive device would not go off. He heard weapons firing in front of him. The two men slowed down as they rounded a corner with their men. They heard frantic commands shouted in Arabic in front of them. A few of the terrorists had managed to get back to the bomb and were starting to do something with it. “Quickly, do it now!” yelled one of the men. Amit's men suddenly appeared at the entrance to the tunnel from Silwan. “Freeze!” screamed Amit. Jake knew he had to act fast. He fired his MTAR at the group and the man nearest the bomb collapsed. The remaining terrorists turned and fired back. Jake and David dropped to the floor, but not before David was mortally wounded. Jake shielded David as best he could but there was no way he could stop the bleeding. The rest of the unit passed him. “Do you feel it?” gasped David. “Can you feel the power flowing through the tunnel? The Holy Ark is here.” Jake did feel a slight vibration running through the floor. With David's last breath, he said, “Find and protect the Ark. I can feel it now. You will fulfill my family's destiny and your own.” Finally, the Israelis were able to subdue the terrorists. Jake ran over to the bomb quickly and examined it. He told Amit it was safe. Jake delegated some of the soldiers to guard the bomb parts and turned the rest of the unit over to Amit's control. He called for a medic to attend to David and suggested that Jake return to the headquarters to coordinate the cleanup. Jake replied, “I am going to check things out here for a bit yet and then I will move on. Why don't you have Avi come down here to help you find any other terrorists that might have eluded us?” “That is a good idea,” said Amit. He immediately had one of the communications people contact Avi. Amit then barked out orders at his team and they left to pursue the rest of the terrorists down the tunnel toward Command Post Aleph.
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About the Book
A squad of terrorists eagerly waits in a small Jerusalem home at midnight. Their mission is to plant a radioactive device under the Temple Mount and cause catastrophic damage to the Dome of the Rock, which will be blamed on the Israelis, igniting the final struggle for dominance and control over the Holy Land. Across the sea in Rome, Jake Greene, a retired Homeland Security operations executive, and his daughter, Rebecca Gould, an anthropologist, stumble upon an antique map and a strange medallion. They are immediately thrust into a world of ancient secrets, modern warfare, and government conspiracy. As they begin to decipher the mysteries surrounding these objects, they meet and join forces with David Robinson, whose family is sworn to help someone who will one day appear to him holding the medallion. They are caught up in a thrilling search for the lost Ark of the Covenant. They must find a way to foil the terrorists, find the Ark, and conceal it from a world not yet ready for its discovery.
About the Author
Bruce Chudacoff was born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin, and practiced law there for over forty-five years. He is currently retired and resides in Glenview, Illinois, with his wife, Nancy, of almost forty-eight years. They have three children and six grandchildren. Bruce has degrees from the University of Michigan and Harvard Law School and continues to devote much of his time to the Boy Scouts of America. Tanya Solomon is the daughter of Bruce Chudacoff and resides in Northbrook, Illinois, with her husband, David, of over twenty years. They have two children. Tanya has degrees from the University of Michigan and continues to devote much of her time to retail sales while doing volunteer work in her local community.