“What color was his hair, Joseph?”

“Brown—more a dark walnut, perhaps. His eyes also—and his skin, because of his days spent in the sun.”

“His voice?”

“Not deep, more a medium range, and always soft Even when he spoke in anger the words did not offend one’s ears.”

I stepped back, still trying to photograph that face through the lenses of my eyes. In the upper half of his face especially, I could see the resemblance to his brother, James. James? Suddenly I remembered who held the missing piece to my puzzle. Turning to Joseph I almost shouted, “I must see James again!”

“Why?” the old man asked, his voice filled with concern.

“Don’t you remember, Joseph? I asked him why, if he had refused to follow Jesus when he was alive, he was now risking his own life, every day, by preaching a philosophy that had brought death to his brother.”

“Yes.”

“And he refused to answer me at the time. He told me to come back and ask him that question again, after I had spoken to all the others. Well, I’ve spoken to all the others.”

“Matthias, your time here grows very short. Remember, when you first arrived, I warned you that should something happen here, during your visit, that caused you to lose your life, I would be unable to revive you in order to return you to your own time and place.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Is a visit to James worth such a risk? Are you not already convinced that you know the truth about Jesus without any further proof from anyone?”

“Joseph, don’t send me back without my talking to James again, please!”

He sighed. “When do you wish to see him?”

“Today—now—the sooner the better, if, as you say, Pilate is ready to strike.”

Joseph wrung his hands nervously. “I cannot go with you today, Matthias. I must soon be at my warehouse.”

“Where would we find James at this hour?”

“Probably at his place of business. He has a stall in the market, where he builds and repairs furniture, wagons, and farm tools. In the afternoons he is always in the Temple.”

“Is your warehouse near his stall in the market?”

“Beyond.”

“Well, why not drop me in the market where James is located and then go to your warehouse. Allow me an hour with James and then send Shem for me. Please!”

“It can be very dangerous, my son.”

“Don’t worry. I can take care of myself. And it will only take an hour.”

“Is it truly that important to you, Matthias?”

“Joseph, it means everything to me, especially after talking with John and Mark and Shobi yesterday. Through all my years of research for the book, I always wondered what it was that made James change his mind about Jesus after the crucifixion. Twenty years, old friend.”

“Most people spend a lifetime wondering.”