“Same reason as Caiaphas. He has managed to keep his post here for ten years because of his friendship with Sejanus, who was the closest adviser of Tiberius. But now Sejanus is dead, strangled by orders of the senate after having been implicated in a plot to slay Tiberius. Pilate’s future here has grown uncertain, to say the least. He has already stumbled several times, and he is well aware that the Jews have no qualms about going over his head, either to Vitellius or directly to Rome, if they feel mistreated. Pilate, like Caiaphas, will do anything to please you.”

It sounded too pat, too easy. “But suppose he begins to suspect that my visit here, and what I might uncover concerning the Jesus matter, might implicate him in some sort of cover-up of an execution that, instead of suppressing a potentially rebellious movement, has been the cause of its great growth, none of whose details he has probably ever bothered to report to Rome?”

Joseph sighed. “There is always that danger, of course. Undoubtedly he will have you followed, if your questioning of witnesses becomes too obvious, and should he decide there is a chance you might uncover facts which could jeopardize his position he would probably arrange to have you slain and your body buried where no one will ever discover it. Pilate would do anything to protect his career. Neither should you take Caiaphas lightly, or any of the original followers of Jesus. All have much to lose, should they be implicated in anything that might displease Vitellius or Rome.”

More and more I was getting the feeling that solving an exotic homicide committed behind locked doors would be a simple finger exercise compared to what I was about to face. I sighed. “Well, I asked for it. Can’t remember who wrote that fate’s saddest joke is the granting of our wishes.”

The old man laughed. “Whom do you wish to interview first?”

“If possible, the brother of Jesus—James.”

Joseph nodded. “It is possible. James is in the Temple every day, praying and preaching. But why James? Would he have been the first witness called by the Christ Commission in your book?”

“Yes. He would have been their best available source of firsthand information concerning the early years of Jesus. As I mentioned on the Carson show, if the commission then called succeeding witnesses in the order that they played a major role in the life of Jesus, it would enable Vitellius—or my readers, if you will—to move through the pages of testimony as if they were reading a story from beginning to end.”

“Ingenious!”

“You’re very kind,” I replied, before I realized what I was saying.

“Very well then, Matthias, let me show you to your quarters. There will be an orderly there to draw your bath so that you can sleep almost as comfortably as if you were in your own bed.”