Ingenious.
He removed the Glock pistol from the holster underneath his arm and chambered a round.
Are we ready? he asked the other four men on his team.
They grunted their responses as each prepared his own weapons. Febonio, Yelverton, and Wallace, in the backseat, put rounds in the chambers of their hand weapons, while Cole, in the front passenger seat, flipped off the safety of his Mac 10 semiautomatic machine gun.
Mathias hoped it would be enough. They had no idea what they were walking into.
Lets go, he said, turning off the engine and stepping out into the tropical heat.
Mathias led the way up the rocky dirt path. A mutt tied to a rusting swing in a backyard overrun with weeds began to bark ferociously at their approach, and Mathias was tempted to put a bullet in the mangy beast. But they had to appear harmless; no sense in alerting those inside of potential danger.
As they neared the falling-down porch, he motioned his men to step back out of the line of sight and walked up the four cracked concrete steps to the front door. He could hear the sounds of a television from inside.
He took a quick glance over his shoulder to be sure his team was in position, then rapped loudly on the dented, rusted aluminum door.
Mathias waited, listening to the sounds from inside. The volume on the television went down, and that was his cue to knock again.
Now he could hear muffled voices coming from insidea man, a woman, and at least one child. The door suddenly opened a crack, and half a face peered out, glaring at him over a short length of chain.
Yeah?
Mathias could smell the stink of beer wafting from the mans breath. Hi, he said with his biggest, fakest, nice-guy smile. Is this thirty-seven Nautical Way? he asked, reading from a wrinkled piece of scrap paper he pulled from his jacket pocket.
Who wants to know? the man asked.
He could hear the woman in the background whispering. A child started to cry, and she instantly barked for it to shut up.
A mother after his own heart.
Im from Destination Delivery, and I have a certified letter for thirty-seven Nautical, Mathias said, pretending to reach inside his jacket for the envelope.
What is it? the man demanded.
I dont know, but if you want to sign for it, you can see for yourself, Mathias said, wearing his mask of harmlessness.
The door slammed closed and Mathias could hear the man and woman talking again. Then came the sound of the chain being moved and the door opened wide to reveal a scruffy middle-aged man wearing shorts and a sweat-stained T-shirt, a filthy NASCAR hat perched atop his head, with long straggly hair like straw creeping out from beneath.
Im the resident, he said.
He held out a filthy hand, but instead of holding an envelope, Mathias had withdrawn his Glock, which he was pointing at the mans face.
Sorry, he said with a sneer. Guess I dont have a certified letter after all, but I do have this loaded gun.
The mans hands flew into the air. What the fuck! he exclaimed, slowly backing away from the door.
Mathias gestured for Febonio and Wallace to follow him inside, leaving Cole and Yelverton to watch the perimeter.
The woman immediately began to screech as Mathias closed the door behind him with his foot.
What the fuck do you want? Get the fuck out of here! she hollered. The child was crying all the louder now; a little boy or girlMathias couldnt tellno older than two.
Febonio pointed his weapon at the child clutching at its mothers leg and brought a nicotine-stained finger to his lips. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Listen, I dont know what you want, but if you see it, take it, the man said. We dont even live here.
Mathias was taken aback. You dont live here?
Naw, the man said. Friends of my old lady here do. . . . They asked us to watch the place while theyre away.
Mathias had been in places of unnatural power before, and this didnt feel like one of them. Had Poole screwed up? he wondered. He looked around. The place was certainly nothing special from what he could see.
Wallace came around a corner, finished with checking the place out.
Anything out of the ordinary? Mathias asked.
The man shook his blocky head. Looks like a fucking pigsty to me.
What do you want? the woman asked again, her voice shaking with fear and anger. She had picked up the crying child and was cradling it in her arms.
Mathias ignored the question, pulling his phone from his pocket. He had other things to concern himself with right now, such as the possibility of disappointing his mistress.
She didnt like to be disappointed, and he so hated to be the one to give her bad news.
Delilah was waiting for the phone to ring.
She sat in the backseat of another Range Rover, trying not to stare at the phone on the seat between her and Clifton Poole. But no matter where she looked, her eyes always returned to the phone lying silently beside her.
If only Poole could be so silent.
The Hound muttered incessantly, rocking back and forth, still clutching the infant-shaped vessel that had once contained her prize. Ever since she had forced him to lay his hands upon it, he had refused to let it go.
Poole had been driven nearly mad by his contact with the vessel, but he still seemed to be useful. Between bouts of screaming and crying, he had been able to tell that the object, which had been stored within the container of metal, was very aware that they, or rather she, was looking for it, and was doing everything in its power to hide its trail.
But Poole was good, very good, and was able to lift a reading even though the objects vast amount of power threatened to utterly destroy his mind.
Delilah hoped he would live long enough to receive the funds that were owed him for his services. He certainly was earning them.
He had demanded maps, and she had obliged him, laying map after map of the entire charted world down upon the floor before him. And after some time, and a great deal of pain, the Hound had found what he believed to be the location of her precious hearts desire, and it had brought them here, to the United States.
To Palatka, Florida.
The phone suddenly rang and she gasped, picking it up and quickly placing it against her ear.
Did you find it? she asked immediately.
Not exactly, Mathias replied, and Delilah felt the world drop out from beneath her.
What do you mean, not exactly? she snarled, glaring at Poole. She was tempted to order him to stop breathing; that would certainly fix him for his incompetence.
Perhaps you should come inside, Mathias suggested. And bring Poole along.
Delilah broke the connection, letting the phone drop from her hand.
Poole, she said.
The man immediately stiffened, his gaze slowly turning toward her.
Youre coming with me, she commanded.
The driver was already out of the truck and opening her door to the sweltering Florida air.
Poole followed, still clutching the metal container forged in the shape of a child, still mumbling beneath his breath, as he trailed his mistress up the overgrown path to the dilapidated house.
Mathias averted his gaze.
Im sorry, mistress, he said.
Delilah strode into the room, her eyes scanning the paltry location.
A woman held a child in her arms, placating the little boy with animal cracker after animal cracker. Who are you people? the mother demanded. Is this about the weed Ron sold? Because if it is . . .
Janie, shut your fucking yap, the filthy man said, scowling.
Be quiet, Delilah snapped, and Ron was compelled to shut his mouth at once. She then looked back to the woman.
The child smiled warmly, offering Delilah one of his half-eaten treats.
She approached
the mother and child, her anger and disappointment partially dissipating with the childs attention.
I used to have a little boy just your age, she told the little one, reaching out to stroke the side of his head. He died of pox while I cradled his tiny body in my arms, Delilah continued, remembering in a violent slash of recollection the death of one of her sons.
Janie twisted her child away from Delilahs affections, her eyes filled with a mothers rage. Dont you touch him.
Delilah remembered that rage. She had used it to fuel her survival through the ages.
And there was so much of it, so much pain.
She often wondered how much damage her pain would do if it were somehow turned into a weapon and unleashed upon the world.
Have Poole come in, she said, turning away and focusing on Mathias.
Her head of security went to the door and opened it. Bring the Hound, he said.
Yelverton dragged the wild-eyed man through the doorway. He looked around, his head bobbing as his entire body began to twitch.
What the fucks wrong with him? Ron asked.
The little boy started to laugh, clapping his cookie-covered hands together as Poole dropped violently to the floor, the vessel clattering from his grasp.
Mathias moved to haul the man up, but Delilah stopped him.
Leave him, she commanded, watching as Poole thrashed and bucked upon the floor.
Maybe we should call 911 or something, Ron offered, fear in his eyes. Looks like the poor bastards having a fit.
In a way the man was correct; Poole was indeed having some kind of fit as his body attempted to lock on to traces of Delilahs prize, and by his reaction, it had most definitely been here.
What is it, Poole? she asked, striding closer as he lay on the floor moaning, his hands reaching for the vessel.
Hiding, the man croaked, dragging himself toward the metal container. Trying so hard . . . trying so hard to mask its trail . . . but it was here. . . .
His hands finally closed around the vessel, and he fought to stand.
It was here, he screamed again, hurling himself across the house toward a cabinet in the corner. He smashed the panes of glass in the cabinet door, scattering the gaudy knickknacks displayed inside.
It was here, he said again, and again, his eyes scanning the contents of the cabinet.
It had become deathly silent in the room; all eyes were riveted on the crazy man as he stood before the cabinet. Holding the vessel beneath one arm, he reached inside and fumbled about.
It was here.
He stumbled backward, his eyes darting here and there.
I can . . . I can hear it. . . . I can . . .
His eyes fell upon a drawer just below the cabinet door. He reached out and yanked it open. There was all manner of refuse inside, from take-out menus to old calendars, but that wasnt what the Hound was searching for.
It wasnt what was speaking to him.
And then the man became very still, his hand deep inside the drawer.
What is it, Poole? Delilah asked. Did you find something?
He turned toward her, an insane look upon his pale features. Slowly he withdrew his hand, clutching a colorful pamphlet.
There it is, he said over and over again, his body slumping as he held out the paper. There it is.
Delilah strode toward him and took it. It was an informational flyer about Franciscan Hospital for Children in Boston.
Do you know what this is? Delilah turned to the woman holding the child.
Its the hospital where Deryn and Carl took their kid, Janie said.
Deryn and Carl, Delilah repeated.
Theyre the ones who really live here, Ron said. Were just house-sitting til they get back.
And theyre still in Boston? Delilah asked.
Janie nodded. Why? Who are you fucking people anyway?
Janie, shut up, Ron said, rising from his chair.
Dont you fucking tell me to shut up, Janie shrieked. I want to know who they think they are coming in here and pulling guns on me and my kid and . . .
Their bickering annoyed Delilah, distracting her from the excitement of what shed just learned.
Both of you be quiet, she said, rubbing her brow with a perfectly manicured hand.
Janie and Ron were silent, and Delilah could see the deep, primal fear in their eyes as they struggled to understand why they suddenly couldnt speak.
Much better, Delilah said, turning her attention back to the pamphlet. So Deryn and Carl are in Boston, and theyve taken their child here . . . and my prize?
Poole nodded. Yes, its there. Its there with the child.
She then looked at her soldiers, who watched her with cautious eyes. This is good, she said with a wide smile that was returned by each of the mercenaries. She showed them the pamphlet. This is where Ill be going next, she added.
She glanced back at Ron and Janie, and their little boy smiled at her. Her heart practically melted. She turned and held out her hands to him, and he did the same, leaning forward in his mothers arms.
Janie instantly reacted, pulling her child back.
This made Delilah angry.
Give him to me, she commanded.
And though it was apparently excruciating to do so, Janie handed the baby boy to her.
The child was laughing, playing with the gold chains that hung around Delilahs neck. She had no idea what his name was, but she really didnt care. It didnt matter anymore. Shed decided to keep him and give him an entirely new name.
I think Ill call you Maximilian, she said, bouncing the boy in her arms. Max . . . Do you like that name?
Janie let out an animal-like moan, throwing herself toward Delilah and her child.
Come no closer, Delilah bellowed, stopping the woman in midstride.
Im going to give him a better life, she explained. A much better existence than anything you and that hopeless wretch of a father could provide for him.
The womans face twisted as she struggled to speak.
Go ahead, Delilah said. You can thank me if you like.
You fucking bitch, Janie screamed from the very depths of her soul. Give me back my son.
How ungrateful and rude, Delilah thought.
Your old mother has quite the filthy mouth, doesnt she, Max, Delilah said as the child continued to squeal happily, grabbing at her chains.
I think its time for Ron to put himself to good use, she said, her cold gaze falling upon the man in the NASCAR hat.
Kill her, Delilah said with a sly smile. And dont tell me youve never wanted to.
The weak-willed were always the easiest to manipulate. Ron didnt even hesitate. He lunged forward and wrapped his strong hands around Janies throat.
Thats it, Delilah said, bouncing the child who was now watching his father kill his mother. This is how Daddy shows how much he loves your old mommy, she said in a soft voice. She kissed the top of Maxs head as Ron drove a thrashing Janie to the floor of the living room.
Ron was moaning now, trying to stop himself, but he had a better chance of holding back a tidal wave than trying to defy Delilah.
Are we ready to go to Boston? she asked the baby in her sweetest voice. The child cooed excitedly, arms flapping, as Delilah glanced at Mathias and headed for the door.
She stopped as she heard a pitiful cry behind her, then turned to see a pathetic Ron, kneeling beside the strangled body of his wife, his cheeks flushed from the exertion of murder.
No, he managed, reaching out for his child.
She smiled at him, holding the baby she called Max all the closer. Hes mine now, she said, kissing the side of the childs head. And when were gone, I want you to burn this place. She looked about the disheveled interior with a scowl, then tur
ned and headed out the door that Mathias held open. Burn it to the ground.
She was singing a Mesopotamian lullaby to her new baby when the house at the end of the path exploded, fingers of fire and thick black smoke reaching up into the sky in a futile attempt to blot out the bright Florida sun.
CHAPTER FOUR
Will you help me, Mr. Chandler?
Remy heard Deryn Yorks plea again, echoing through his mind as he took a right into the visitor lot of Franciscan Hospital for Children, pulling into the first empty space he could find.
How could he resist? This case reeked of the bizarre; one of those weird ones that Mulvehill loved to give him shit about. The missing child was drawing pictures of herself being taken by her father weeks before it happened, never mind the fact that she had drawn him as an angel, and Marlowe, and had even managed to get down his telephone number and address.
There wasnt a chance he would have turned this one away.
He pulled a wallet photo of a six-year-old girl in an Elmo sweater from his shirt pocket and gazed at it. According to Ms. York, it was taken at Sears last Christmas, but Zoes sad, vacant stare was a sharp contrast to the usual childlike excitement of the season.
What are you really looking at? he wondered.
Then placing the photo back in his pocket, he headed toward the hospitals main entrance in the still-sweltering heat.
The automatic doors slid open with a hiss, and a cold blast of air-conditioned air flowed out to greet him. He stepped into the small lobby just as an ear-piercing scream filled the air.
To his right, in the reception area, Remy caught sight of two very nervous-looking parents with a little boy about Zoes age. They were trying to coax him deeper into the hospital, but the childs body was rigid as he rocked rapidly back and forth, and every time they placed a hand on his shoulder, he began to scream and flail wildly.
Remy slowed his pace as he passed by and caught the childs eye. Almost immediately the little boy settled down.
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