the government of the Middle Ages and produced an oppressive world order run by a pope. See where I am going?"
Burchel nodded his head several times. "Yes. Yes. Germany suffered under such controls. I see the possibilities, but what are you reading that gives you these ideas?"
Albert held up a book. "This is The Gospel of Judas. I also have The Gospel of Thomas and The Apocalypse of Adam. Other such books await my scrutiny."
Klaus scooted to the edge of his chair. "Can you tell me some of what you are discovering? Some of the ideas?"
Stein shrugged. "For example, some of the texts suggest that Jesus believed in two messiahs. These messiahs' objective would not be some eschatological end-time return but the founding of an earthly kingdom."
"That's wild," Klaus said. "Never heard of such a thing."
"I fascinate you?" Stein smiled. "Yes, Burchel, I can fill your empty head with many ideas that will give you a new perspective. You are working with a man who can pay with much more than just money."
Klaus rubbed his chin. "Do you believe anything in the Bible?"
"I find passages that fit with these Gnostic gospels and I accept them because I find meaning that other scholars have missed."
"Interesting." Klaus kept nodding his head. "Can you give me an example of a passage that you believe is true?"
Stein flipped his cigarette into the ashtray. "Try this one. 'The kingdom of God must be taken by force.' "
"By force?"
"Yes, by the use of physical strength!" Albert slammed his fist onto the desk with such abruptness that Klaus jumped slightly. "I am following the path of truth when I exert my personal power. The Nazis understood this principle well." Albert jabbed his finger at Klaus. "Force is essential. I can teach you how to walk down this same route if you are inclined to learn."
Stein watched Burchel's eyes carefully. The young man appeared bewildered and mystified. Albert could tell he was wrestling with what he had heard. Like a hypnotist dragging a victim under his spell, Albert could see Klaus sinking deeper and deeper into the sphere of his total control. In addition, to securing a new employee, Albert was gaining psychological superiority. His plan was working.
"I must think about these matters," Klaus said with uncharacteristic maturity. "At this point, it sounds as if we are on the same page."
Stein smiled. "I hope so. It is to your advantage that our thoughts stay as one." He stood up and leaned back on the desk. "If you are ready to practice taking the kingdom by force, your first assignment now awaits you." Motioning for Klaus to stand, he pushed across his desk a Smith & Wesson 459 pistol. The young man immediately sprang to his feet.
"I want you to find where a couple lives and the address of their offices. If you get caught for some inane reason you must not indicate any relationship to me whatsoever." Stein shifted back into a hard, authoritarian voice. "Understand?"
Klaus nodded.
Stein handed him a piece of paper. "The names of the Drs. Jack and Michelle Townsend with there last address are here. That's all I have at this moment. It may take you some time, but there was a story on the Townsends in Il Messaggero several days ago. That should give you a lead. I want to know where they are and how to make contact should I choose to do so. Any questions?"
Klaus shook his head.
"Call me the moment you have uncovered them. I will be expecting a prompt response."
To Stein's surprise, Klaus abruptly saluted with military precision like a soldier responding to a military officer. The young man turned on his heels and marched out of the room. Albert Stein watched in consternation, concluding that he had made far more of an impact than he would have anticipated.
Klaus hurried down the stairs, patting the gun hidden in his suit coat. He knew Stein had been testing him by making him sit immobile, and he didn't like the strain. But Stein was no fool. Obviously, the man was brilliant and understood power. Not just because his
Burchel nodded his head several times. "Yes. Yes. Germany suffered under such controls. I see the possibilities, but what are you reading that gives you these ideas?"
Albert held up a book. "This is The Gospel of Judas. I also have The Gospel of Thomas and The Apocalypse of Adam. Other such books await my scrutiny."
Klaus scooted to the edge of his chair. "Can you tell me some of what you are discovering? Some of the ideas?"
Stein shrugged. "For example, some of the texts suggest that Jesus believed in two messiahs. These messiahs' objective would not be some eschatological end-time return but the founding of an earthly kingdom."
"That's wild," Klaus said. "Never heard of such a thing."
"I fascinate you?" Stein smiled. "Yes, Burchel, I can fill your empty head with many ideas that will give you a new perspective. You are working with a man who can pay with much more than just money."
Klaus rubbed his chin. "Do you believe anything in the Bible?"
"I find passages that fit with these Gnostic gospels and I accept them because I find meaning that other scholars have missed."
"Interesting." Klaus kept nodding his head. "Can you give me an example of a passage that you believe is true?"
Stein flipped his cigarette into the ashtray. "Try this one. 'The kingdom of God must be taken by force.' "
"By force?"
"Yes, by the use of physical strength!" Albert slammed his fist onto the desk with such abruptness that Klaus jumped slightly. "I am following the path of truth when I exert my personal power. The Nazis understood this principle well." Albert jabbed his finger at Klaus. "Force is essential. I can teach you how to walk down this same route if you are inclined to learn."
Stein watched Burchel's eyes carefully. The young man appeared bewildered and mystified. Albert could tell he was wrestling with what he had heard. Like a hypnotist dragging a victim under his spell, Albert could see Klaus sinking deeper and deeper into the sphere of his total control. In addition, to securing a new employee, Albert was gaining psychological superiority. His plan was working.
"I must think about these matters," Klaus said with uncharacteristic maturity. "At this point, it sounds as if we are on the same page."
Stein smiled. "I hope so. It is to your advantage that our thoughts stay as one." He stood up and leaned back on the desk. "If you are ready to practice taking the kingdom by force, your first assignment now awaits you." Motioning for Klaus to stand, he pushed across his desk a Smith & Wesson 459 pistol. The young man immediately sprang to his feet.
"I want you to find where a couple lives and the address of their offices. If you get caught for some inane reason you must not indicate any relationship to me whatsoever." Stein shifted back into a hard, authoritarian voice. "Understand?"
Klaus nodded.
Stein handed him a piece of paper. "The names of the Drs. Jack and Michelle Townsend with there last address are here. That's all I have at this moment. It may take you some time, but there was a story on the Townsends in Il Messaggero several days ago. That should give you a lead. I want to know where they are and how to make contact should I choose to do so. Any questions?"
Klaus shook his head.
"Call me the moment you have uncovered them. I will be expecting a prompt response."
To Stein's surprise, Klaus abruptly saluted with military precision like a soldier responding to a military officer. The young man turned on his heels and marched out of the room. Albert Stein watched in consternation, concluding that he had made far more of an impact than he would have anticipated.
Klaus hurried down the stairs, patting the gun hidden in his suit coat. He knew Stein had been testing him by making him sit immobile, and he didn't like the strain. But Stein was no fool. Obviously, the man was brilliant and understood power. Not just because his
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