by Tim LaHaye
“It won’t be easy, unless he checks into a hotel using the name Emile Cornelle.”
Not likely. Talon didn’t make stupid mistakes like that. “Were you able to get any information about the ship lines?”
“Yes, we were.”
Rozen opened his briefcase, took out a folder, and handed it to Murphy.
“Inside you will find the routing for the passenger ship from Istanbul to Constanta, Romania. It is almost a straight line. It also lists the speed it travels, along with other navigational details. If you know the time when the man you were fighting with went overboard, you could be as close as a half mile from the spot.”
Murphy looked at the route and calculated where the ship should have been at the corresponding time.
“It looks like the location is not far off the coast of Bulgaria, between Burgas and Varna. The navigational chart suggests that the depth of the water there varies from two hundred to six hundred feet. Was Levi able to secure the use of a mini-submarine?”
“Yes. You will also find that information in the folder. Much oil is shipped out of the ports at Constanta. Israel has been working together with the Romanian government in exploring some offshore drilling sites. We have two small Neptune class mini-subs stationed at the port in Varna. We have secured the use of one of them for you. The small submarine has enough fuel and oxygen for about seven days underwater.
They were letting him borrow a sub for a week? Levi sure knew the right people.
“And what about metal detection?”
“The submarine has a very sensitive metal-detection device. It can pick up readings from as far as an eighth of a mile. The meters can also determine the type of metal, from steel to silver or gold.”
“How about bronze?”
“Of course. It has readings for most of the common metals. It can also tell the approximate depth of the metal in the event it has settled under the sand. It is quite impressive.”
“It sounds just like what I’ll need.”
“One other thing. We have also checked out the port here in Istanbul to see if there are any mini-submarines in dock. There are three of them. One is in dry dock being repaired and the other two are down at pier number 103. We are still trying to contact the owners to see if anyone is scheduled to use them. That might provide one other possibility for finding the man you are searching for.”
“I appreciate all of the work you have gone to. This man is very dangerous. Death and terror are his specialties. He must be stopped.”
“We are pleased to help in any way we can, Dr. Murphy. We have also booked a room for you in one of the hotels south of the Golden Horn. It’s in the older section of the city, at the top of one of the hills that leads down to the sea. It’s not far from the Covered Bazaar. I’m sure that you will find it acceptable.”
“Thank you. I think I’ll settle in and then maybe explore the mini-subs at pier 103.”
SIXTY-ONE
IT WAS ABOUT 6:00 P.M. when Murphy arrived at the hotel. He checked in and then went for a walk in the direction of the Covered Bazaar. It brought back memories of his time with Isis in Turkey. They had shared some wonderful times and some dangerous times together in their search for the Ark of Noah on Ararat.
Murphy let out a long sigh. He missed her.
After dinner Murphy took a taxi down to pier 103. The sun was just starting to set when he arrived.
“Do you want me to wait, sir?” asked the driver.
“No. That’s all right. I’m not sure how long I will be. I’ll catch another taxi later.”
“Not a lot of taxis come down here at night, sir. There are not very many people around.”
“I’ll walk to a busier area.”
“I don’t know, sir. This is not a good place for an American to be walking around alone. Do you have an international cell phone?”
“Yes, I do,” Murphy replied.
“Good. I’ll give you my personal number. When you want to come back, you call me and I will come and get you. I would feel better if you did that. My name is Abd-Al-Rahim.”
“Thank you for your concern. That’s a good idea.” Murphy wrote down the number. “You have been most kind.”
“Be sure to watch your back, sir.”
Murphy watched as the taxi drove away. He turned and looked around for a moment. No one could be seen in the dock area. Pier number 103 was about a block long and only had two light posts that were on, spaced quite a ways apart from each other.
Murphy walked down the pier until he found the two mini-submarines floating near each other. They both had white lettering reading CARSON OCEANOGRAPHIC on the side of their dark gray hulls.
I wonder who they are?
Murphy recognized the subs as the Ocean Ranger models. He had read about them in an issue of Popular Science magazine. They had an operating depth of 1,000 feet and were propelled by a combination of battery and diesel electric. They only needed one pilot and could carry up to four passengers if needed. Their surface speed was five knots and the submerged speed was three knots. Most importantly, they had a life support of—400 man-hours. If five people were on board they could last almost three and a half days. A single occupant could extend his stay to sixteen days.
Murphy wandered farther down the pier and sat on some crates in the shadows. A wave of pessimism settled over his thoughts. The pursuit of Talon seemed like a long shot and finding the backpack would be even more difficult. He was tired of battling against someone so evil who always seemed to come out on top. He was also physically tired after his adventure in the Temple of Dagon, the search for Talon at the airport, and his unplanned flight to Istanbul. He closed his eyes for a minute.
The sound of car doors closing startled him. He opened his eyes and looked at his watch. To his surprise, an hour and a half had passed since he had first closed his eyes.
I guess I was more tired than I thought.
In the poor light on the pier, Murphy could make out three men. They had just gotten out of a taxi, and as it drove away, the men began walking down the pier in his direction. He quietly slipped behind a large crate and watched.
As the three men passed under one of the lights on the pier, Murphy recognized Talon. His hair was back to its original dark color. He was clean-shaven. The two large men with Talon looked like Arabs. A combination of excitement and anger coursed through Murphy’s body.
What Levi wouldn’t give to be here now.
He watched as they stopped in front of the mini-submarines. They were speaking in Arabic. Every now and then Murphy could make out a couple of words.
After about ten minutes they walked back down the pier and into the street. Murphy followed, being sure to keep in the shadows. They turned right and walked toward a group of warehouses. Murphy waited until they rounded a corner before he went into the open street.
When he reached the edge of the building he carefully looked around the corner into a long alley between two warehouses. A light was on over a doorway on the warehouse to the left. Murphy saw no one, but he felt uneasy. He wished that Levi were with him … or at least Levi’s automatic.
Murphy decided to continue his pursuit. He had moved about halfway down the alley when one of the Arabs stepped out of the shadows about twenty feet in front of him, blocking his way.
The man said something in Arabic and Murphy heard a noise behind him. The other Arab had been hiding behind a garbage bin and was behind him about thirty feet away. Murphy was surrounded by warehouse walls on two sides and Arabs in front and back. Talon had disappeared.
He probably left them to do his dirty work for him.
Murphy quickly processed the situation. The words of a Civil War general flashed into his mind.
When surrounded on all sides … attack!
Murphy moved quickly toward the Arab in front of him. The man had not expected him to charge. He reached in his pocket, pulled out a switchblade, and pushed the button on the side. The blade shot straight out of the handle.
Murphy caught the flash of metal but kept moving forward. Just before he got within stabbing distance he quickly darted to the left. At the same time the Arab lunged forward with the knife. Murphy quickly turned back, using his right hand for a downward block on the Arab’s forearm.
He let out a cry of pain and dropped the knife, his arm almost paralyzed from the force of the blow. Murphy raised his left arm high and then drove his elbow into the face of the Arab, shattering his nose. For a moment he tottered and then toppled backward like a giant tree that had been chopped down.
Before Murphy could shout “Timber!” the second Arab had closed the distance. He had a metal bar in his right hand and Murphy knew that he intended to split his skull open with it. As the Arab raised his arm, Murphy dropped low and charged into his stomach with his shoulder. He felt the bar glancing off his back muscles as they went down in a pile together.
The Arab was strong and was attempting to put a bear hug on him. Murphy made a fist with his right hand, his thumb sticking out a little. He then drove the extended thumb into the top of the Arab’s rib cage just under his left armpit. The Arab yelped and released his grip.
Murphy then quickly drove his braced thumb a second time. This time it struck home in the Arab’s left temple. He was stunned and disoriented. He was no longer on the attack but trying to retreat.
Murphy rolled away and bounced to his feet as the Arab attempted to get up. Murphy drove his right elbow into the upper back of the Arab and it was all over. The blow had rendered him unconscious.
What seemed like an eternity of fighting was over in less than a minute. Murphy was breathing heavy and shaking with adrenaline. He backed out of the alley, thinking it best to leave before any more of Talon’s friends arrived.
He reached in his pocket for his cell phone. “Hello. Is this Abd-Al-Rahim? This is the wandering American in Istanbul. If you have a moment, I would appreciate a ride back to the hotel.”
SIXTY-TWO
MURPHY RUBBED HIS FINGERS through his hair as the phone rang. He had a sense of urgency that he couldn’t quite explain. It was just a feeling.
“This is Levi Abrams.”
“Levi. Michael here.”
“Michael. How’s it going? Have you found Talon yet?”
“Yes and no.”
“What do you mean?”
“I saw him at a distance last night but I have no idea where he is now. I lost him when two of his men jumped me in an alley.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just a little tired. The two men who jumped me are a little worse for wear. Anyway, I saw him down at pier 103. He was standing next to a couple of mini-subs belonging to Carson Oceanographic. Do you know anything about them?”
“I’ve heard of them. They’re a reputable company. They’re helping in the search for possible oil sites in the Black Sea. My guess is that Talon is either going to steal one of the subs or rent one. Are you planning to wait for him and try to catch him?”
“I don’t know, Levi. I’d like to catch him but what if he obtains a submarine from a company other than Carson Oceanographic? I’d be sitting around waiting while he was in the process of finding the backpack.”
“You’re probably right, Michael. You’ve got to find the bronze plates before he does. Then after that you could try to find him. Why don’t you charter a plane to Varna and get the sub we have reserved for you. You could approach the site in the Black Sea from the north. Even if Talon used one of the Carson mini-subs, you might arrive at the site before he does. He’d be approaching from the south.”
“Do me another favor, Levi. Call the people in Varna and let them know that I’m on the way.”
The twin-engine charter plane banked in a wide circle over the city. Murphy was sitting next to the pilot. They both had on earphones so they could hear each other over the intense drum of the motors.
Murphy pointed. “What is that large building?”
“That’s the nineteenth-century Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin. It is an important landmark in Varna,” responded the pilot.
“The city is larger than I thought it would be.”
“Yes. It is the third largest city in Bulgaria. However, it wasn’t always called Varna. From 19-49 to 1956 it was called Stalin after the Russian leader.”
“How old is the city?” asked Murphy.
“It is quite old. The first colony was established in 580 B.C. In 1444 A.D. thirty thousand Crusaders came to the city awaiting passage by ship to Constantinople. However, they never did go because a hundred and twenty thousand Turks attacked them. This started a retreat from the advancing Ottomans.”
“I notice a lot of ships in the harbor.”
“Varna is the capital for shipping in Bulgaria. It’s also the home of the Bulgarian Navy and the Naval Museum. Many of the ships you see are part of the Bulgarian Navy.”
“Well, it sure is a beautiful city. Thanks for the information.”
Murphy spent the rest of the day getting a crash course in the operation of the mini-sub and how to use the metal detector. The leader of the oil exploration crew spent time helping Murphy practice retrieving items off the floor of the ocean with the use of mechanical arms that extended from the ship and deposited the items in a watertight holding compartment.
They also discussed the underwater terrain, ocean depth in the search area, and escape procedures in case of an emergency.
“We’ve done some exploration in that general area,” said the leader. “You need to be aware that there are a number of sunken ships at about a six-hundred-foot depth. We’ve seen four fishing trawlers and one cargo ship. Your metal detector will be sure to go off around them. You’ll need to remember to switch from general metal detection to specific metal detection. Just adjust the setting to search for bronze.”
“How long do you think it’ll take for me to get to the general area?”
“Less than a full day. Maybe seven to eight hours, depending on where you begin the search. Your best bet will be to pick an area and utilize a crisscross pattern.”
“And if I experience any difficulties?”
“Just use the radio unit and call our headquarters. We already have it dialed in for you. All you’ll need to do is turn it on.”
“I appreciate all of your help. My plan is to leave early in the morning.”
“We’ll have some men here to assist you with any last-minute details. I do hope you find what you’re looking for, Dr. Murphy. We wish you the best of luck.”
SIXTY-THREE
TWO MEN WERE at the dock when Murphy arrived. They helped load some of the food stores, checked the diesel fuel, oxygen tanks, and water supply. They also double-checked the underwater lights to ensure that they were all working.
Murphy shook their hands and then climbed into the mini-submarine. He screwed down the hatch to seal it tight and then slid into the driving seat. He started the engine and checked out all of the gauges. He said a little prayer and buckled his seat harness.
He looked out the window one more time at the men and gave them the go-ahead signal. They slowly lowered the sub into the water. He pushed the lever forward and moved into the harbor for the slow trip to the ocean. As he reached the breakwater he increased the speed.
About a mile from shore, Murphy began to experiment and test the ability of the sub to move forward and in reverse. He then practiced submerging the ship and resurfacing. He tested his ability to turn the ship quickly and the various functions of the underwater lights and grappling arms for picking up objects from the ocean floor.
He slowed to a stop and checked his charts one more time. Being satisfied, he set the directional gauges, which were hooked to the internal compass. It was now just a matter of time until he reached the possible location of the backpack. He began to feel some excitement and, at the same time, a healthy dose of fear. He knew there was a good chance that he might run into Talon.
The mini-sub was dwarfed by the vastness of
the ocean. With each passing hour Murphy felt more and more alone. It was just endless ocean with only his own thoughts for company.
After about seven hours of monotony, Murphy noticed the flashing of a red light on the control panel. It flashed again a half minute later. It was the metal detector. The flashing increased in frequency until, after about ten minutes, the light remained constantly on. He leaned over and turned up the loudspeaker and heard a beeping sound. When he turned the sub to the left, the beeping got louder. When he turned to the right, it got softer.
This is not too hard.
He continued to move toward the spot where the beeping was extremely loud. The gauge registered “steel” at about twenty-five yards. Murphy turned on the outside lights for better viewing. He slowed the engine and effortlessly drifted toward the spot. Soon he could see the object coming into view.
It was a 55-gallon steel drum that must have rolled off a ship or maybe was thrown overboard. Murphy smiled.
At least we know the metal detector works.
Murphy went on for another hour and then slowed the sub to a stop. He reviewed the navigational charts and the gauges. He was now in the general area. He drew a half-mile grid pattern on the chart and began the slow task of piloting back and forth across the ocean floor in a standard search pattern.
I’ll bet the pirates of old would have liked to have something like this ship. They could have found buried or sunken treasure.
After another half hour he began to pick up a slight beeping sound. He moved in the direction his gauges indicated. His heart began to beat a little harder when the metal detector registered a lot of steel and a little bit of brass. His excitement drained away when a sunken fishing trawler came into view. It looked like it had been on the ocean floor for many years and was extremely rusty. The registration of the brass on the metal detector must have come from the bands of brass around the decaying mast. As his lights shined on the vessel, a number of fish swam by.
