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a few moments. Everything was dark in Jerusalem. He turned round and broke the heavy silence.
    â€œTwo urgent problems. First, Jesus’s body: none of us can accept seeing it being thrown into a common grave, like all those condemned to death. It would be an insult to his memory.”
    The Judaean glanced at the indistinct shapes slumped along the walls of the upper room. Obviously, none of them would be able to offer the dead man a decent burial place. Joseph of Arimathea would not accept having Jesus in his family vault for ever. They needed to think of something else.
    â€œThere might be a way out… The Essenes always viewed Jesus as one of them – even if he never agreed to join their sect. For a long time I was part of their lay community: I know them well. They will certainly be prepared to place his body in one of their burial grounds in the desert.
    â€œCan you get in touch with them? Right away?”
    â€œEliezer lives nearby, I’ll take care of it all. And the second problem?”
    Peter looked the other man straight in the eye – just then, the moon emerged from behind a cloud and heightened his rugged features. It was the former Zealot who replied, in harsh tones:
    â€œThe other problem is Judas. And I’ll take care of him .”
    â€œJudas?”
    â€œDid you know that this morning he went to the Temple to kick up a fuss? Did you know that he accused the High Priest offelony, and that he called God to witness between Caiaphas and himself, in front of the crowd? According to Jewish superstition, one of the two must now die at God’s hand. Caiaphas knows as much, and he’ll have him arrested: then he’ll talk. Both you and I will be unmasked. Me in particular. For the priests, it’s of no importance. But think of the sympathizers: if they learn that it’s because of us that Jesus was captured – even if we had no other intention than of ensuring his safety – then we have no future to speak of. Do you see what I’m saying?”
    The Judaean stared in stupefaction at the Galilean. “What future?” he thought. “You’ve only just managed to save your wretched skin from a botched venture. What future do you have, other than going back to your fishing nets? You should never have left them in the first place!”
    He said nothing. Peter bowed his head, and his face was again plunged into darkness.
    â€œThis man has lost his head, he’s become really dangerous. We need to do something to eliminate that danger. Don’t you worry about it, I’ll look after Judas.”
    And his hand instinctively caressed his left thigh, where his sica rubbed against his flesh.

14
    Acts of the Apostles
    Leaving the Judaean standing there open-mouthed, Peter left the room, crossed the impluvium and slipped out of the house. The day was dawning tremulously on this Passover Saturday. The streets would be empty: he knew where he could find Judas.
    He threaded his way through the labyrinth of ever narrower streets in the Lower City, where the cobblestones ran out and the sand crunched under his sandals.
    He knocked at a door.
    The anxious face of a veiled woman peered out.
    â€œPeter! But… at this time of day?”
    â€œIt’s not you I’ve come to see, woman. It’s the Iscariot. Is he here?”
    She still did not let him in, and lowered her voice.
    â€œYes, he arrived in the middle of the night. He was in a real panic. He really seemed out of his wits… He begged me to hide him until the end of the festival. He said that he had publicly accused the High Priest Caiaphas of treachery, and he called God to witness – now one of them must die.”
    â€œYou don’t believe all that, do you?”
    â€œI am a disciple of Jesus, like you: he has delivered us from all those fables that keep the people in thrall.”
    Peter smiled at her.
    â€œIn that case,” he said, “you have nothing to fear: