Devil's Island Read Free Page A

wandering now, and she drummed her fingers on the large napkin spread protectively over the curved head of the couch.
    The twins presented a contrast, as always. Peter was typically quiet and merely picked at his food, while Jacob ate heartily and conversed with the others. He did seem a bit subdued, however, and Rebecca was quick to pinpoint the cause.
    â€œWhen are you and the apostle John leaving?” she said to Jacob.
    â€œWe’re not. At least not right away.” Disappointment was etched in the set of Jacob’s square jaw. “It’s difficult for him to ride long distances anymore because of his advanced age—”
    â€œAdvanced? He’s older than Methuselah.” Naomi nibbled at one of the boiled eggs and grimaced. “Too much vinegar in the pine-kernel sauce,” she commented. “Surely we could afford a better cook.”
    â€œI’m surprised you even know who Methuselah is,” Jacob said dryly.
    â€œI know much more than you’d ever give a woman credit for.”
    Elizabeth shot Jacob a warning look that stopped him from offering a quick retort.
    He contented himself with a frown at his older sister and continued. “Anyway, John was chilled to the bone when I arrived this morning, and too stiff to mount a horse. He said he would write Polycarp and ask him to come to Ephesus, but I suggested we hire a carriage. I think John could make the trip that way.”
    â€œWho is this Polycarp, dear?” Elizabeth did not recall hearing the name.
    â€œHe’s a disciple of John, someone he wants me to meet—a leader of the church in Smyrna, even though he’s only a few years older than I am.”
    Two servants began bringing the main course to the table: mackerel smothered in herbs and coarse pepper, pieces of roast duck rolled in honey and poppy seeds, and several vegetable dishes. All of the household servants were Christians, and Jacob spoke freely in their presence.
    â€œJohn said I could preach in some of the churches,” he said eagerly, “and he feels an urgent need to visit them—‘one last time,’ he said—because he feels that something cataclysmic is about to happen.”
    For the first time during the meal, Abraham’s attention was piqued. “What do you mean, ‘cataclysmic’?”
    Jacob shrugged. “I don’t know—I don’t think John knows, either. Perhaps it’s simply that he’s nearing the end of his life and knows he may never have another opportunity to minister to the other churches. Or maybe he senses in his spirit that something . . .” Jacob paused to take a sip of wine while he groped for the right words. “Something unusually significant, or disastrous, is about to happen.”
    Abraham stared so intently at Jacob that Elizabeth wondered if father and son were about to renew the argument they’d had this morning . Dear God, no, she prayed silently. Let there be peace.
    â€œIf you ask me,” Jacob continued, “it obviously has something to do with Emperor Domitian’s declaring himself Lord and God—”
    â€œOh, please. Spare us another sermon about the perils of emperor worship.” Naomi spoke over her brother while rolling her eyes dramatically.
    â€œâ€”And receiving sacrifices at the grandiose temple our city fathers so thoughtfully built in his honor.” Jacob glared across the table at his sister as he finished speaking.
    â€œHush, Naomi! As for you, Jacob—” Abraham’s stern voice dropped a notch as Elizabeth placed her arm on his sleeve. “Son, your righteous indignation is appropriate, but you have a tendency to express it without thinking. You must be careful about speaking so openly in public, as I’ve warned you.”
    â€œBut Father, how will people know the truth unless we preach it? They are lost and dying without God, worshiping idols of gold and silver, and now worshiping a man