Finally, the mesmerizing blue eyes swung on her. Her stomach lurched.

“Don’t you just hate violence?” He sat beside her. Held out his hand. “Hello again, Virginia Darrow. I’m Harold R. Holt, Harry, at your service.”

Cautiously, she reached for his fingers. She didn’t even want to know how he knew her name.

“Let’s get down to business, okay?”

She nodded, knowing she should be weighing her options. What options?

“There’re always options.” He smiled at her reaction. “This one you’re gonna dig. Got a story that Perry’s upstairs pals would kill for.”

Virginia was so muddled, she wasn’t surprised the stranger knew Perry. It finally dawned on her. This guy needs me! Otherwise, I’d have been wall art long ago! “Okay, what’s the scoop?”

“The greatest story ever told.”

“Huh? Isn’t that about Christ? Oh...the Apostle, I get it...” She flashed her nails. “Already on it.”

His nose crinkled. “Forgive me, Ms. Darrow. I’ve underestimated you.”

She waved dismissively. This’s more like it!

“So...you know of the remnant.”

“The what?”

“But Ms. Darrow, you’re already working on it.”

“Cut the crap, okay? What’re you talking about?”

So he told her. Everything.

Afterwards, she leaned against the headboard. “Get freaking outta town! That’s amazing!” She giggled. “Joke, right? Gotta be.”

The dazzling eyes bored into her.

“No? Look, Harry, it...it is the greatest story, but I can’t go to Perry without proof. Not on something’s wild as this.”

“Proof?” he hissed.

Virginia tensed. “Hey...uh not...not for me, understand? For my bosses. Lawsuits, y’know. Lot of idiots out there."

“The locket. It’s ancient. The remnant used to be inside.”

“Inside? Okay. So where do I find it?”

“Today, round his neck.” Harry smirked. “Tomorrow, who knows?”

“Round his neck?! No way!” Harry stiffened. “Wait! I didn’t mean that.” She roughed up her hair. “Okay. Locket’s valuable, he’s never gonna let it out of his sight.” Virginia hesitated. “How’m I supposed to get my hands on it?”

Harry scratched his soul patch. “O ye of little faith.”

She waited.

He sighed. “Look for the word sindon. Etched on the front.”

“Sindon? What’s that going to prove?”

“It means shroud.”