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In modern day St Albans, England there is a grisly discovery in Verulamium Park and Australian DI Chris O'Rourke is the investigating officer.
A crucified body, ancient coffins, 2000-year-old skeletons, Latin writings and an old pair of sandals -- it is an investigation that baffles even the tenacious O'Rourke.
In a story that spans three continents and two thousand years what O'Rourke eventually discovers is about to send shockwaves around the globe.
Read an Excerpt from Calvus
Jerusalem, Judea
15:00 HRS, FRIDAY, APRIL 7, AD30
Gliding with a grace reserved for angels a lone steppe eagle crossed out of the Kidron Valley and continued his journey north-west – a southerly breeze, the calm exhalation of an invisible gentle giant, helped him on his way. The afternoon sun spilt a hint of sheen onto the dark brown plumes of his outstretched wings and it was as though he knew there was an air of majesty about him. He’d been searching for food, a task really beneath his station, when instinct told him there may be some ahead for he’d been here before. But as he crossed the south-eastern walls of the city his senses sharpened as if to remind him that cities can harbour danger as well as sustenance. There was something different about the place this time – strange, eerie, which encouraged him to keep moving, to continue his search for food elsewhere. Suddenly the clear blue sky darkened, the breeze freshened and warmed metamorphosing into a hot wind, he felt himself being whipped by thousands of minute particles of sand. Passing over the north-western walls he saw some high ground. He knew this place too – it was less crowded, less noisy and there were some poles where he’d rested in the past – he could wait here until the sand-storm passed. As he glided downwards towards the poles instinct kicked in again and he quickly veered away. Now he sensed danger but at the same time he was driven by morbid curiosity. He found a tree away from all the activity and he settled there – soon the storm would pass and he could continue his hunt for food. In the meantime he would remain vigilant, placing more trust in his instinct than in those he saw below.
‘What are you going to do with those?’ Dannicus enquired, staring down at a pair of well-worn sandals on the ground beside the young legionary, ‘aren’t they a bit big for you?’ Quintus Valgus Dannicus was tall, thick-set and muscular with a wine-barrel chest, jet black, close-cropped hair and dark, brooding eyes. He was forty-two years old and nearing the end of his sixteen years active service in the army – after that would come four years of lighter duties and eventually if the gods were kind, retirement. He’d been conscripted when he was twenty-six and his younger colleague reminded him of himself when he’d first joined—adventurous, keen, ready to take on the world. But his eagerness had tempered over the years. He’d remained a legionary throughout, yet he had been a tough well-disciplined, loyal soldier. Many times he’d seen others with less service than him, promoted. By now he should have been a centurion – he resented that though he kept his feelings to himself. It was true he’d never fought in any major battles but that was hardly his fault. He’d always been ready to serve anytime and anywhere and despite the lack of front-line battle experience he’d served his masters and the empire well.
Calvus looked down at the sandals – the storm had blown sand over them so they were almost buried. When he and the others divided the condemned man’s clothing, he’d accepted the sandals not wanting to explain to his fellow legionaries why he didn’t think it fitting to take his meagre belongings – there was no way they’d understand.
About the Author:
As an author, Darryl has written in his spare time for as long as he can remember. Prior to his focussing on novels, he had a respectable number of paid articles published in British and international magazines. In 2009 he self-published his novel "The Election," a political thriller. In 2012 he won a competition with one of his other manuscripts "Calvus," and this led to a publishing contract with Morris Publishing Australia. With the demise of that publisher he has re-published that title himself.
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