But Simon was still in full stride and wanted to make Alex aware of the high stakes. “That’s what they are fighting for. They know the rules of propaganda. Moreover, they will use any tools of fear and intimidation—as you discovered firsthand, Lucy. So if you thought the Inquisition was an unrepeatable and tragic piece of ancient history, think again. They are frighteningly well funded. In the current political climate they are finding powerful and gullible audiences. The intention is what it ever was: to convert the Jews to Christianity on the way through—my apologies to your Jewish father, Grace. It’s a fresh Crusade they’re looking for, and the magnitude of death they are anticipating will dwarf even the Holocaust. Their extended nation of old Israel runs all the way to the border of the Nile and the Euphrates, and the Mediterranean Sea—and even Jordan’s wilderness. This would force a showdown with the Egyptians and the Syrians as much as the Iraqis and the Lebanese.” Simon turned right around to confront Lucy and Alex from the driver’s seat, making Grace’s stomach lurch. “Can you imagine the scale of the conflict?”

RED CLOUDS STREAKED THE EARLY EVENING SKY AFTER WHAT HAD BEEN A day of blazing heat, and Professor Fitzalan Walters took his panama hat off to allow a cooler flow of air to his head. It had been a grueling day, driving from Caesarea in scorching temperatures to visit the archaeological digs that showed layers of civilization over thousands of years, right to the fortifications of King Solomon. He had been schmoozing his two guests with energy, aware that they brought both funds from the oil business and power from Congress: it was worth everything to get them fully on board. Now they had arrived at the site of Armageddon, and it made his heart jump. The elation couldn’t really be translated—but he had a sufficient power of oration to give it his best try.

“Gentlemen, here we are at last at the awe-inspiring Megiddo, the site of more than twenty civilizations over ten thousand years, piled one atop the other. From the time of Alexander through the blessed Crusades, and even down to Napoleon, men have fought and wept over this land. Ours will be the last layer—for this is designated Armageddon, the place for the cataclysmic battle of the Revelation, the site of the future victory of our Lord.”

“Well, that’s just why we should pay no mind at all to this silly talk on global warming, FW!” The taller of the two men, with a huge girth and intense gray eyes, laughed. His strong Texan drawl spoke of merriment and would have been charming in any other context.