surmise, the treasure from Solomon’s Temple, which contained some of the most amazing religious artifacts known to mankind, including the Ark of the Covenant?
That, of course, got me to thinking about the Bible and the plagues brought down to earth by Moses, so that the pharaoh would free the people of Israel. Scientific evidence has been offered to show that the plagues were possible, and that there was a natural explanation-whether one believes or not. Some historians have surmised that the Ark may contain the staff that Moses used to bring forth the deadly plagues. Is it possible that this Ark, built to specific standards as indicated in the Bible, contained the original source or location of these plagues, so that Moses could bring them forth at the right time?
More importantly, can a deadly plague remain dormant for centuries, only to emerge as dangerous or even more so than it once was? My medical sources and research state yes. (For further reading on this subject, try:
But back to the Templars and Freemasons. I bring up the historical figure of Raimondo di Sangro, Prince of Sansevero, and perhaps my own contribution to the idea that the Templars emerged centuries later as the Freemasons. In 1750, di Sangro, a genius (mad genius according to some), became the first Grand Master of the Freemasons in Naples, and because of this was excommunicated by the pope. (And why is it that the church is so dead set against the Masons?) How does this connect di Sangro to the Templars? Quite simply, the principality that gave him his namesake, the town of San Severo, was sold to the Templar Knights in 1233. If the Templar Knights emerged as the Freemasons in the 1700s, it is certainly conceivable that a man, a Freemason, whose principality was owned by the Templars, could be hiding a treasure that they intended to guard-a treasure still being sought to this day.
Beyond that, the prince’s body has never been found, he did plan to enlarge his crypt, and his entire chapel is filled with Freemason iconography. Adding to the mystery are the vast miles of tunnels beneath Naples equal in size to the entire Vatican City, and even more still unexplored to this day-it certainly sparks the imagination that there might be a chamber or two left holding secrets that we may never know about. Why not a missing treasure or map?
Acknowledgments
This book would not have been a twinkle in my eye without author extraordinaire James Rollins, who helped me come up with the first germ of a plot by showing me the back of a dollar bill and its relation to conspiracy theories. That plot grew with the help of my dear friend and writer Susan Crosby. Thanks also to my fellow investigator Arnd Gartner, history buff, who (not on duty-should our bosses read this) helped me with plot points. And to John Clausen; he knows why.
Any FBI agents depicted are not based on real persons. But if I were to include any qualities of real agents it would be those of my good friend Supervising Special Agent George Fong, for answering questions and coming up with a really cool plot idea when I needed something plausible with which to threaten the world. Any deviation from reality is my fault, not his. I also owe thanks to Peter Mygdal, MD, who helped vet one such idea to determine if it was still plausible two thousand years later when this book takes place.
Thanks also to my mother, Dr. Francesca Santoro L’Hoir, who accompanied me on my research trip to Rome and Naples, sharing her extensive knowledge of Italy and the columbaria. While in Rome, we dined at the Hostaria Antica Roma (one of her favorite restaurants); therefore thanks are owed to Paolo Magnanimi for the use of his name, his restaurant and the wonderful food he served. If you go, try the tiramisu. It’s to die for.
Last but not least, thanks to my agent, Jane Chelius. To Barbara Peters, Robert Rosenwald, and all at Poisoned Pen Press who ensured a top-notch special edition hardcover. To all at HarperCollins for an awesome book and cover. To Wendy Lee, for all her help. And most of all to my editor, Lyssa Keusch, who let me try something different, embracing the idea for
For a Couple Worthy Causes
To my friends who contributed to the LHS cheer/drill team fundraiser, on behalf of my daughter: Special thanks to Dan Randolph of The Randolph Investigative Group for your sponsorship. You guys rock! And to HarperCollins for sending books for a raffle.
For the character auction: On behalf of the team, to Ron Nicholas McNiel II, for his son, Ron Nicholas McNiel III. To Natalie Bay and Kris Talley for their friend, Denise Woods. And on behalf of Sacramento DART (Drowning Accident Rescue Team), to Robin Morgan, for her daughter, Amber Jacobsen.
About the Author
ROBIN BURCELL, an FBI-trained forensic artist, has worked in law enforcement for more than two decades as a police officer, detective, and hostage negotiator. A two-time Anthony Award winner, she is the author of a previous Sydney Fitzpatrick novel,
