“Matthias,” he said, using my name for the first time and with much less rancor in his tenor voice, “Joseph tells me that you are a close friend of Vitellius. Because I have great respect for my honored legate in Antioch, I will cooperate with you, as much as my memory allows, despite my distaste for that entire Jesus affair. Proceed with your questions.”

“Thank you. When did you first become aware of Jesus? Was it on that night when Caiaphas came to you for soldiers to assist him and his guard in making the arrest?”

Pilate refilled his goblet, drained it slowly, and slouched back on the low couch, his eyelids drooping. “My friend, I have already managed to survive in this pesthole for ten years, policing the most difficult and unbending people on the face of our earth. I could not have done so without loyal and well-paid agents throughout the land, even in those provinces not under my jurisdiction. I knew about Jesus almost as soon as he began preaching in that village near the lake … what is it? … Yes, yes, Capernaum. I was kept constantly informed of his so-called miracles and his inflammatory discourses to the people and fully expected that Herod Antipas would put an end to his activities while he was still in Galilee, just as he had done with that one called ‘the Baptist.’ Then I was told that Jesus had allegedly raised a dead man from his grave in nearby Bethany, and I knew we would have our confrontation before long.”

“You intended to arrest him at the first provocation?”

“Certainly. Anyone who dares to incite the people under my jurisdiction with promises of a new kingdom is clearly committing an act of sedition against Rome. From the time of Augustus, there has been only one punishment for that crime—death!”

“Then there’s something I don’t understand, sir. Five days before Jesus was crucified, I have been told that he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey accompanied by many of his followers, who created a great disturbance along the way by laying their cloaks and palm branches in his path as if he were royalty while the crowds going up to the city acclaimed him. Why didn’t you arrest him immediately, for inciting the people?”