Excerpts from the short story
Roslyn Research Yields Templar Secrets
by
Ernest Bywater


PROLOGUE

> First let me say that I've never been to Scotland, the UK or Europe. That's easy to prove as there are no airline tickets or accommodation bookings in my name any where outside Australia. I've never been issued a passport by the Australian Passport Office, contact them they can confirm that. Despite his memory of events my cousin George is wrong, he couldn't have seen me on a QANTAS flight to the UK as my name isn't on the passenger list. He checked after landing as he was angry when I was supposed to have ignored him.

The two electronic transfer deposits of US$100,000 into my bank account from two Swiss banks in late 2005 relates to some general contracting work I did, nothing else.

THE AWAKENING

Slowly I wake up, I'm uncomfortable, my head hurts and I'm cold. I'm sitting upright, tied to a rough wooden chair in a dank stone walled room, with a very bright battery lantern shining in my face. A male voice says “He's awake." There's movement in the room, I can hear shoes scuffle, clothing rustle, and the chink of metal on metal. I can't see a thing beyond the light.

A very deep voice says "What are you, a relic hunter, a government agent, a thief, a papist spy?" I laugh, I can't help it, this is so melodramatic and ridiculous. A figure steps forward and slaps my face hard, I laugh harder, he slaps me again - harder. I continue to laugh.

Don't get me wrong, the slaps hurt and I'm no masochist. But I can't help laughing, the silly bugger is in medieval clothing - a Knight Templar in armour, no less. The whole situation is seriously ridiculous.

A third male voice says "The fool is hysterical, out of the way." I get hit in the face with a bucket full of icy cold water. I stop laughing to start choking on the water that went down my throat. Several minutes later I'm settled down.

A fourth male voice says, in a commanding tone, "Who are you?" I tell him my legal name. He continues "The author of 'Living Ethically' and 'Hire the Right Investigator?" I acknowledge my claims to limited fame. He says "Why does the ID you're carrying say Jack Campbell of Australia, born in Glasgow?"

Calmly I say "It's a cover identity set up by my client so I won't be recognised."

They talk as they all turn and leave the room, I can hear them walk into another room nearby. I sit there shivering and thinking about how I got into this mess. My mind goes back to a day four months ago.

..................................................

CLEAN UP

Once home I decrypted the records and spend two weeks preparing a report for my sponsors, including the scan data as annexes. Printing a copy of the report, I sign it, add a DVD copy of everything they need and post it to them. A week later they ring to tell me I'd been paid and to thank me for such a thorough report.

With that out of the way I spend most of December writing a story about the Knights Templar and include what I found in their secret chamber in Dunbar. Much of the information is from the records I found at Roslyn and Dunbar, they explain how they avoided the persecution and set up the new secret order in Scotland. The records also include letters with surviving Templars who moved to what is now Switzerland and set up as bankers in that land. Sending the book off to my publishers I wonder what effect it will have.

Three months later I'm not surprised that it is a controversial book with lots of discussion, but I didn't expect the huge sales, over 100,000 copies already. Or the media circus about it. My publisher is not happy that I won't give interviews about the book or its research.

In April 2006 I get a call from Miranda, she says “I just read your new book. Now I know what you were doing in Scotland.”

Laughing I reply “Actually my trip was to do with investigating alien bases under Scottish chapels.”

She laughs and says “Oh, yes then what is this about?”

I reply “Read the book, especially its last page.” I wait as she does so.

She laughs again saying “The poor fools. They have no choice but to make them public now. Is that what you're after with this book?”

I reply “Yes.” We hang up.

...................................................

AFTERWARD

Four men are sitting in an elegant lounge room watching a TV interview.

The interviewer says "Good evening Ernest, welcome to 'In the News.' Your new book, Hidden Templars, is causing quite a stir in many places. Is it True?"

Ernest replies "Good evening, it's nice to be here." He also holds up a card with 'No Comment' printed on it.

Puzzled the interviewer says "I was told that this interview was about your new book and you would answer questions about it. Now you refuse to speak about it, what's going on?"

Ernest says "I gather you haven't read my latest book yet, I suggest you read the last page. Please ask all future questions in a manner that I can answer with Yes or No. For anything else please refer to the promotional material."

The interviewer opens the book to the back and starts reading, after a moment he starts to laugh loudly.

One of the men watching has been swearing since the interview started and his abuse is getting louder and more vindictive with each passing minute. Another two of the men are watching the TV with deep frowns. The fourth man has a copy of the book in his hand and has turned to the last page. He reads it and starts laughing loudly. The others turn and stare at him.

Shaking his head he says "He's absolutely honest and ethical. We knew he was pedantic in the use of English. It's all our own stupid fault, so lay off him. We wrote the contract exactly as we wanted ........"

........................................

Laughing the Grand Master of the Knights of the Temple turns and walks out the door, leaving his three senior Masters alone in the room.