Cast of Characters
Jack Kelly
Dr. Barry Hoffman
Dr. Barry Hoffman
Whether it's the dusty confines of an archeological dig in the Mideast , the fast paced world of intrigue and deception that is Washington DC or the stillness on the quiet campus of a Chicago university, action is never far away in the life of Jack Kelly. He is a man of many talents and as in any good recipe, if mixed in the right proportions an excellent result can be had. Take that result and mix it in with a heavy dose of Belief and you have "Vincit Omnia Veritas" that is, Truth Conquers All Things
Dr. Barry Hoffman
Dr. Barry Hoffman
Dr. Barry Hoffman
Chair of the Old Testament and Archaeology department at Evangel International University near Chicago and mentor to Jack. He looks at Jack as the son he never had. While only being on one of the many expeditions Jack has taken, he is able to participate when Jack returns and uses Jack's amazing talent for remembering details to describe how each place looked, sounded and even smelled.
Laura Kelly
Dr. Barry Hoffman
Marcus Brodean
Laura Kelly was happy . Always happy. That's what set her apart from most people. She was happy growing up in the suburbs of Chicago and happy when she met Jack Ryan the day she started at Wheaton College. So much happened in those four glorious years . Getting married the fall of their sophomore year and Karin being born just months before graduation. Then moving to NY so Jack could get his Doctorate from NY University and then back home to Chicago where Jack had accepted a position at EIU to teach his beloved Archaeology of the Mideast. All those trips that Jack took while gaining a reputation for always coming back with what he set out to do...
Marcus Brodean
Marcus Brodean
Marcus Brodean
Marcus is a Director at the British Natural Museum and one who has helped Jack finance a number of expeditions. An extensive world traveler and a master of seven languages, he is able to not only help Jack in learning more about the places he is heading to but work within the local politics to get things accomplished.
Lewis Kelly
Marcus Brodean
Lewis Kelly
Lewis Kelly has worked as the City Desk Editor for the Chicago Daily Herald for the past 15 years. While many events he has covered have been memorable, the one that stands out was the Democratic National Convention in 1968. It was here he met Marya McLaughlin and developed a strong working relationship with her that has lasted the last dozen years.
Mrs. Ford
Marcus Brodean
Lewis Kelly
Mrs. Ford came to be the housekeeper for Jack Kelly after his wife and child's tragic death. She is a close friend of Laura's mom and seems to have a sixth sense in what Jack needs at the moment to get him through. She has talked to him, cried with him, fed him, and scolded him when needed. Just what he needed to keep pushing on. She has been his angel of mercy in his times of need.
DJ Ryan
Erich VanDamme
Erich VanDamme
Deborah Jo Ryan (DJ), a petite dark haired Grad student with deep green eyes, has made several trips with Jack on his archeological digs in the Mideast. Sometimes it seems that the two are more like brother and sister than teacher and student. She has found she can excel by utilizing the new and emerging technology available to the Research field. While all the time and energy put into her schooling has pleased DJ, she has remained single; not interested in settling down yet much to the dismay of her mom Margret. Unless of course Mr. Right was to pop up unexpectedly.
Erich VanDamme
Erich VanDamme
Erich VanDamme
Erich VanDamme has been a thorn in Jack's side more than once. His network of associates has been honed to a keen edge during his tenure as Chair of the Archaeology Department at Durham University in England. It is this shapeless and formless cloud of contacts that has allowed VanDamme to stay two steps ahead of trouble....and the law. There have been rumors. Rumors of bribes, beatings and even killings. But it seemed as if there was always an angel sitting on his shoulder to whisk him away when the times got tough. Maybe there was...
Gary Lowell
Erich VanDamme
Sallah Khalid
Gary Lowell is one of Jack's closest and some would say best friend. They have known each other since kindergarten and have many remarkable times together. He works for one of the major airlines at OHare airport outside of Chicago specializing in International flights.With this position he has been a lifesaver for Jack on several occasions to be able to get the artifacts back from a dig. He is married with three kids and is a Diehard Cubs fan.
Sallah Khalid
So many others
Sallah Khalid
Sallah has been a good friend of Jack for many years and they frequently work together when digs are in Egypt. Sallah has a natural ability to be able to barter and trade for what ever is needed whether laborers, supplies or information. He, his wife and 10 children reside out side of Qena , just a stones throw from the fabled Valley of the Kings.
Leonard
So many others
So many others
No last name needed for the protégé of VanDamme who uses his special "talents" to help gather people and information for the Professor. He is always willing to do "whatever it takes" to accomplish his task.
So many others
So many others
So many others
The supporting cast of characters are just as important as those you meet early in the story. But they they will be just as unforgettable.
Karin Kelly - the daughter Jack will not see again this side of Glory
Walter Burns - One of a dying breed of quick talking , fast acting newspaper men
Tim Kelly - the brother who always has looked up to and tried to emulate his older brother Jack
Nancy Clarkson - Two years the senior to Jack, her nurturing spirit has helped Jack pull out of some tough times when his melancholy was deep. She is the mother to Jack's twin nieces.
Vanya Lobov - a perfect example of how a chance (?) meeting may change many peoples lives in ways they never expected