Heiser-The-Facade - Sparkling Eyes

leather chairs surrounding a large, polished, black marble table. Brian looked around theroom, taking note of the team's membership. Several of the team members were scatteredthroughout the room, engaged in hushed conversations among themselves. One ofMalcolm's foursome, an apparently high ranking Air Force officer whom Brian nowpresumed to be Colonel Ferguson, stood behind a podium situated at the head of thetable. Behind him a large viewing screen was suspended from the ceiling. The Colonel'sattention was captured by Neil, who stood next to him, his back toward the door throughwhich Brian and Malcolm had entered. Malcolm took one of the empty seats, and Brianwas headed for one of the remaining chairs when someone grabbed his arm from behind.Startled, he turned abruptly, his gaze falling on the unfamiliar face of a thin, balding,elderly priest. The old cleric was a good bit shorter than he was, and conveyed theimpression of frailty. His eyes brightened in response to Brian's attention, his ebullientsmile seemed to stretch the corners of his mouth beyond the tip of his gaunt, taperednose."Excuse me," Brian said, "Were you sitting here?""Not at all, Dr. Scott," the priest said politely. "I just wanted to meet you beforewe got started. My name is Andrew—Andrew Benedict.""It's good to meet you, Father," Brian said pleasantly, and shook the priest's hand.To Brian's surprise, the grip was strong and sure."Please call me Andrew. I've spent more years in the class-room than days in aparish. The Church and my Order deemed my gifts more appropriate to a life of studythan pastoral ministry.""Is there necessarily a difference?" Brian asked good-naturedly.The priest smiled and shook his head. "There shouldn't be. How refreshing to findsomeone with my own viewpoint of scholar-ship. Well said, Doctor.""Brian.""Very well. You know, Brian, our paths nearly crossed last November at theAmerican Academy of Religion meeting. I went to hear you read your paper, only todiscover you'd been scratched from the program. I was quite disappointed.""So was I ... 1 couldn't afford the plane fare, so I had to cancel.""Unfortunate . . . but providential." Brian couldn't hide the hint of surprise on hisface at the priest's choice of words."Don't look surprised. You Presbyterians don't have a corner on sovereignty!" thepriest chuckled."No offense meant.""None taken. I should tell you," the priest said in a lowered voice, as he lookedpast Brian in the direction of the Colonel. "I've read your dissertation through severaltimes. Some of my own academic training is in the area of Semitics as well. A brilliantpiece of work, really.""Thanks. You're one of the few who've taken an interest. The microform servicehasn't exactly had a run on them.""It's not unusual," the priest shrugged."Well, it's to be expected. There isn't exactly an abundance of scholarly interest inthe perspective from which I argued.""That is true, although you have your admirers. John Paul found your argumentsutterly absorbing."Brian gasped in amazement. "You mean to tell me the Pope actually read my30