by R D Shah
Both Alonzo and Davidson were now both eyeing Dietrich suspiciously.
‘Is this true, Dietrich?’ Alonzo demanded, as Davidson’s fists began to tighten.
‘No, of course not,’ Dietrich yelled. ‘Why would I do such a thing?’
‘The why is not yet fully clear to me,’ Wilcox remarked, ‘but I have no doubt it is part of a power-play to take over this Council as sneakily as you did in the case of your own family.’
Dietrich leapt from his seat as quickly as his bulging stomach would allow, and glared down at his accusers. ‘That is an absolute lie. I have never challenged this Council and I never would.’
Wilcox stared at the plump little man with his eyebrows raised doubtfully. ‘And we can take your word for that, can we?’
Before Dietrich could answer, a loud throaty cough sounded from behind, and all four of the council turned around to look for the source of the noise.
‘You can take my word, if you like.’
Captain McCray stood in the doorway with his arms folded across his chest, and he looked extremely relaxed given that the armed guards were now pointing their handguns in his direction.
‘McCray!’ Wilcox gasped in astonishment, then called out to the guards, ‘Secure him!’ Immediately the six men surrounded McCray as he raised both hands up in the air, as if to ward them off.
‘There is no need for that,’ McCray said, before folding his arms once again. ‘I just wanted to stop by and offer this Council my congratulations on failing the Magi, and having become what I always said it would be… Useless.’
Wilcox seemed to ignore the slight while the other members of the Council remained silent, clearly stunned at McCray’s sudden and unexpected appearance. ‘You’re very energetic for a dead man,’ Wilcox finally remarked.
‘Aren’t I,’ McCray replied with an amused grin.
‘And very cocky for someone with six gun barrels pointed at him.’
‘Ah, yes … let’s change that situation shall we,’ McCray said, and with a click of his fingers all the armed guards did a 180 degree turn and trained their guns on Wilcox and the others instead.
‘What!’ Wilcox gasped as, behind him, Alonzo got to his feet.
‘I demand an explanation,’ Alonzo growled.
‘You may demand all you want but you deserve nothing,’ McCray replied. Then, with a shake of his arm, a slender dagger dropped from his sleeve into the palm of his hand, and in an instant he hurled it directly towards Alonzo. It struck him in the neck, sending the man back into his chair in convulsions and gripping at his throat as blood gushed deep into his lungs. After a few strained gurgles, his expression became blank and his body motionless.
‘So sit down and shut up?’ McCray ordered, motioning the guards to close in on the rest of the Council, which they did dutifully. ‘Now, unless you want to end up like your friend there, I recommend that you all keep your mouths closed and listen to what I have to say.’
McCray made his way over to Alonzo’s body and, with a sharp kick, toppled the still bleeding corpse off the chair and sent it to the floor with a thump. He then sat himself down in the empty seat, dropped his feet up on the table top, and shuffled about until he was comfortable. ‘Even though you tried to have me killed … which, as you can see, was a wasted effort … I have forgiven you for your betrayal and I am willing to make a trade. You keep your lives and I take control of the Magi.’
Wilcox was already looking totally outraged with his mouth wide open as, with a shake of McCray’s other arm, a razor-sharp arm-sword slid down his sleeve and over the top of his hand. The Magi’s official weapon of choice then clicked into place with the tip only centimetres from the Magi Prime’s neck. ‘Now, now … no interruptions,’ McCray reminded, as Wilcox struggled but finally succeeded in restraining himself, his cheeks becoming ever redder.
‘Since taking over the Magi you have all been guilty of wasting its potential, and in doing so brought all the work of successive generations to a monumental stall. Dietrich, your betrayal is the worst and you are without a doubt the most useless of the lot. Let me offer you a piece of advice.’ McCray swivelled his eyes towards the fat little man. ‘If you choose to murder your way to the top, brother, then you should first make sure you are actually capable of taking on the role in the first place … As for you,’ McCray continued, his gaze moving on to Davidson, ‘your continuing corruption of the position you hold, coupled with your devilish preoccupation with lady boys, makes you without doubt the wrong man for the job, wouldn’t you agree?’
Davidson now looked highly embarrassed at this revelation of his sexual tastes, and even Wilcox took a moment to mouth the word ‘lady boys!’ in both surprise and disgust.
McCray continued with his reasoning. ‘As for Alonzo,’ he said and gesturing to the limp body lying on the floor next to him, ‘I don’t think that really matters now, does it? And then there is our illustrious leader, Pope Adrian VII, who is quite possibly the most sought-after person on the planet.’ McCray shot Wilcox a look of disappointment. ‘It’s not really a situation that suits a highly secretive organisation such as ours, is it?’
Wilcox remained silent and his eyes drooped slightly at the reality with which he was being forced to confront.
‘Under your guidance the Magi has become a bloated and directionless slug, your holiness, and the time has come for new leadership and a return to the values that have guided it successfully for almost two millennia which, I might add, you have fazed out in just a matter of years.’
McCray pulled the arm-attached sword away from Wilcox’s neck, then stood up and, with a shake, it retracted back up into his sleeve. He placed his hands behind his back and turned to face his captive audience. ‘In light of your recent notoriety and entry into the glare of the world’s most wanted, the Magi are expecting a change of leadership. Therefore you, John Wilcox, will contact them and announce that I have been appointed as your successor. I will also need an official endorsement from two Council members and, seeing as Alonzo is no longer with us, that leaves just you two.’ McCray gestured to both Davidson and Dietrich.
McCray’s demand was met with a look of seething defiance from Wilcox who, incensed by the outrageous suggestion, finally broke his silence.
‘You insolent little shit. If you think you can threaten us into giving you the keys to the Magi, you are as stupid as Alonzo is dead,’ Wilcox fumed, motioning to Alonzo’s still haemorrhaging corpse. ‘The position of Magi Prime is not something that can be bartered … it must be earned.’
‘Then I will set about earning that right this very instant.’ McCray replied, making his way back to the open doorway where, with a flick of his finger, he signalled for the nearest guard to join him. ‘I need you to make all of them agreeable in this matter and then have them inform their respective families by video phone, just as we planned, but just make sure you leave their faces unblemished. They can’t look like they have been tortured into submission. As for Alonzo’s clan, have Wilcox make the announcement.’
The guard gave an understanding bow of his head. ‘Yes, my lord. I will notify you when it is done.’
‘Good,’ McCray replied, glancing back at his captives who looked increasingly twitchy. ‘Because when it is done I think I would rather like to kill them myself.’
* * *
Down below, in the grounds of the chalet, one of the perimeter guards on watch took a moment to enjoy the sight of the night’s bright moon bathing the mountainous skyline and the surrounding forest in a cold silver light. The view was stunning and the guard waited for a few more moments before continuing his perimeter sweep of the property, as the rustling of a cool breeze carried itself through the hedges. The sounds and the views on offer were as close to heaven on earth as the guard could imagine and, had it not been for the screams and squeals of agony now coming from the chalet, it would have seemed perfection itself.
Chapter 24
‘Professor,’ Captain Jones called out from the c
ockpit, ‘I’ve got an incoming call for you.’
Harker was already looking around for any sign of a phone, when Jones called out, again his voice muffled by the drone of the jet’s engines.
‘In the arm-rest,’ he shouted, turning briefly to point at the side of Harker’s chair. ‘Flip it open.’
Harker tugged at the grey leather-lined arm rest, which opened up to reveal a tiny storage compartment, and the top of a small plastic-encased monitor comfortably hidden inside. He pulled at it and the device automatically extended upwards on miniature hydraulic pistons, unfolding directly in front of him. The screen then flickered into life revealing a close-up image of Sebastian Brulet.
‘Alex can you hear me?’ the Templar Grand Master squawked, due to the bad interference.
‘Yes, I can hear you,’ Harker replied loudly as Chloe, seated behind him, took an interest and poked her head over his shoulder inquisitively.
‘Ahh. And hello to you too, Doctor Stanton. It is nice to finally meet you. I had a feeling you would still be with us.’ Brulet said it with a hint of sarcasm and briefly glanced towards Harker with raised eyebrows.
‘Nice to meet you too,’ Chloe replied and having absolutely no idea who this man was.
Brulet offered her a polite nod and returned his attention to Harker. ‘I see you’ve found the third Secret then?’
‘Yes,’ Harker replied, ‘but there was a problem.’
‘I know,’ came Brulet’s blunt response. ‘I’ve been watching the coverage of Jerusalem. It’s all over the news.’
‘No, not that’ Harker said, now fumbling his words. ‘I mean, yes, that’s a problem but – ’
‘I would say that is a major problem, Alex,’ Brulet interrupted, leaning closer to the screen.
‘Sebastian, there was a Magi operative with us back at the Temple Mount,’ Harker blurted out, eager to get the conversation immediately back on course. ‘It was one of Rabin’s men. He pulled a gun on me and he opened the third Secret himself.’
‘He pulled a gun on both of us!’ Chloe interrupted and was immediately silenced by a dismissive wave of Harker’s hand.
‘OK, us! But the important thing I found out is that the Magi don’t have possession of the child, and they are just as much in the dark as we are regarding the Secrets … That’s why they were there,’ Harker continued gruffly, allowing his vehemence to get the better of him.
Brulet pulled back from the monitor and raised a finger to his lips pensively. ‘It seems I owe you an apology, Alex. I should have given you considerably more attention after Notre Dame.’
The Grand Master turned away and stared off to one side thoughtfully, before refocusing with renewed enthusiasm. ‘We need to determine who this Father Strasser was working for.’
Before Harker could say anything, Chloe forcefully pushed Harker to one side and thrust her head closer to the small camera embedded into the top of the monitor. ‘They’re called the Skoptsy.’
‘Do you mind,’ Harker exclaimed pushing her back to her previous position, ‘this is a private conversation.’
The anger evident on his face did nothing to dissuade her and she squared up to him with a look of equal irritation.
‘Not this time, Professor,’ Chloe fumed and this use of his formal title received an unamused blank response from Harker, ‘I’m just as much involved in all of this as you are, whether you like it or not. So deal with it!’
The uncomfortable silence and unyielding stares exchanged with one another was finally broken by Brulet’s calming tone.
‘I must say Doctor Stanton you have a persuasive knack for implanting yourself in other people’s business.’ The Grand Master paused until both Harker and Chloe had returned their attention back to the screen. ‘Not wholly unlike the man sitting next to you, I might add.’
This friendly observation brought a smile to Harker’s lips, as he remembered the vigour with which he had forced himself into the Templar’s affairs. Even if initially it had been a matter of circumstance rather than Chloe’s less tactful approach.
‘Fair enough, Chloe,’ Harker said reluctantly, ‘but allow me to do the talking until I’ve brought you up to speed.’
‘Thank you, Alex.’ Chloe replied graciously, and swiped an imaginary zip across her lips as Harker returned his full attention to Brulet.
‘Before Strasser committed suicide, he told us that he was a member of a group known as the Skoptsy. They were … are … a semi-Christian religious sect commonly thought to have died out during Stalin’s purge of Russia’s religious community back in the nineteen-fifties. Strasser implied that the group was involved or would benefit from the ‘end of days’ as he put it, brought about by the revealing of the Secrets and the prophecy thereby foretold. He also said he knew nothing about a fourth Secret and, far more importantly, that the Skoptsy would soon have the child in their possession and …’ Harker hesitated as he prepared to mention the single and most important fact he had left out during his message to Brulet back in Warsaw. ‘And that they planned to sacrifice him, for lack of a better word, which they believe will ensure that their version of the prophecy comes true.’
‘What!’ Brulet yelled, his eyes widening, offering a clearer view of those cross-shaped pupils of his. The sight produced a soft gasp from Chloe, who had only now noticed the Grand Master’s unusual appearance. ‘Why didn’t you let me know?’ he fumed.
‘Because you already mentioned how many of your people were divided over what to do about the child, and I thought it was best if I explained the situation to you directly rather than pass it on in a message, having no idea who might read it first.’
The sincerity with which Harker delivered his explanation appeared to ease Brulet’s anger and the Grand Master resumed his calm demeanour once more, remaining silent as Harker continued.
‘And what with the earthquake at Vatican City and then the chaos in Jerusalem … well, events just took over and I’ve not had a chance to speak with you until now.’
Brulet took a few moments to consider, then a smile began on his lips, ‘I understand,’ he replied, ‘and we should put aside the notion of a fourth Secret and now simply concentrate on finding the child.’
Harker watched as Brulet exhaled a deep frustrated sigh but not as a result, Harker sensed, of his own omission but rather due to the problems they now faced. ‘What happened at Vatican City was a tragedy, and now with the appalling events unfolding in Jerusalem …’ Brulet let the sentence taper off, not knowing how to adequately verbalise such a terrible loss of life. ‘And you were right not to mention it in your message. In light of recent occurrences, my people are becoming ever more fractured in their attempts to agree on a course of action. But, knowing now that these Skoptsy have the child – or at least soon will – and the implications, I think we can begin to move forward.’
Brulet’s positive response was as relieving to Harker as it was confusing. ‘How so?’
‘After you left the message concerning Strasser’s death, I took it upon myself to dig a little deeper into his background,’ Brulet declared with a heavy frown. ‘I had a contact of mine gain access to his apartment before the police sealed it off as a crime scene, and she came up with some interesting if not peculiar findings. Apart from his morbid collection of bottled remains, which now that I know he is Skoptsy makes a grim kind of sense, she found a data disk containing the names of hundreds of thousands of people. Now, we have not had time to fully sift through it – the list is too vast – but they all seem to have a single connection: they are all devout church-going Christians.’
Before Harker could voice the most obvious question, Chloe asked it for him.
‘How did you managed to figure that out?’
‘Because, other than a name, address and an identity number of some type, the only other piece of information was which parish they attended. We did some checking and, for the ones we have verified so far, I can tell you they were all dedicated and active members of their local ch
urch. Now,’ Brulet continued swiftly, ‘we’ve only been able to check a couple of hundred names on that list, but so far that consistently appears to be the case.’
‘Could those churches themselves become targets for attacks like at Notre Dame and Jerusalem?’ Harker posed and still hoping to put a more down to earth reason on the day’s events.
‘Unlikely,’ Brulet replied flatly. ‘So far as we can see none of these churches have been affected in any way. No, whatever the reason for that database, it seems to relate directly to the people listed themselves.’
Harker sat back in his seat and tried to comprehend the reason for making such a data file but nothing immediately came to mind. And before he had time to think about it further, Brulet unloaded another more immediate piece of information garnered from Strasser’s stench-ridden apartment.
‘My contact also found a notebook containing a log of all Strasser’s travels during the past six months. The man was obsessive in the details. Everywhere he’s been, flight numbers, restaurants he visited, even the taxi firms he used. Everything neatly logged in this one little notepad and, even though the locations are far and wide and all over the world, he kept returning to one single location again and again.’
Harker was almost salivating at what he hoped Brulet was leading up to. ‘Where?’ he pressed impatiently.
‘In the Ukraine.’ Brulet replied. ‘About ninety miles from Kiev.’
‘Isn’t that where they found the priest who was attacked by supposed demons?’ Chloe asked.
‘Father Baziak, yes. He was found dumped just outside Kiev. It has to be the Skoptsy’s headquarters,’ Harker assumed, ‘and I’ll bet there’s a very real possibility that the child is being held there.’ He continued eagerly, ‘So that’s where we’re going now.’
Harker was already out of his seat and halfway past Chloe towards the cockpit when Brulet’s scratchy voice called out after him, the satellite connection beginning to encounter major interference once again.
