The pilot’s gaze was on Roland. “You’re certain?”
“Go,” Caleb said.
A moment later, Marc was lifting off.
Jane handed Roland the portable container. “You turn the switch to open the case. Where’s your expert?”
He turned to a thin, tall man wearing glasses. “George Kandor. George, take the case and run a check on it.”
“Be careful,” Jane said. “And don’t remove the stopper.”
“I know my business.” Kandor took the case and turned back to his equipment beside the tree. “I won’t be able to tell much, Roland.”
“I just want to make sure that bottle contains the same objects that were in the photo.” Roland turned to Jane. “This won’t take long. I know you’re eager to be on your way.” His gaze shifted to Caleb. “You must be Seth Caleb. You’re something of an unknown factor to both Millet and me. We’ve been able to access your CIA and Interpol records, and they’ve come back with very little information. Which means that you’ve been exceptionally law-abiding or that you’re very clever.”
“Guess,” Caleb said.
“It doesn’t matter. I’ve got both possibilities covered. Though I really expected Jane to bring Jock Gavin. Gavin has the reputation of being lethal.” He gestured to the fair-haired man, who had been silent throughout the exchange. “Carl Trobell. Naturally, I can’t tap Millet’s resources, but Trobell comes with excellent references.” He smiled. “He has almost as much experience as Jock Gavin, and he’s fully capable of protecting my coins.”
Trobell nodded, but didn’t speak.
Dead eyes, Jane thought. Like the photos of killers you see in the newspapers who had committed hideous crimes, and you realized that there was nothing behind those eyes that had anything to do with humanity. She quickly glanced away from him. “They’re not yours yet.”
“Soon.” Roland paused. “I’m sure you have a weapon. Give it to me.”
“Go to hell.”
He shrugged. “I can understand your concern. I’ll let it pass as a gesture of good faith.” He turned to Kandor, who was replacing the bottle in the case. “Well?”
“It appears to be the same as the photo you showed me.”
“I thought it would be.” He turned back to Jane. “You wouldn’t take a chance on cheating me. You have too much at stake. Shall we go? I have a jeep parked in the trees, as I’m sure you verified on that pass.”
She nodded and started to turn away but suddenly whirled back to face Caleb.
“It’s all right,” he said quietly. “Stop worrying, Jane.” He smiled. “I’m Samson, remember.”
But he hadn’t been Samson when he’d faced Faruk yesterday. He’d been tragically, almost fatally weak. What if Trobell was like Faruk? Or even if he wasn’t, every instinct was telling her that Trobell was every bit as deadly as Roland claimed.
“Eve,” Caleb reminded her.
Yes, Eve. Eve needed her, and she couldn’t change her mind now.
She whirled and headed for the trees.
“WHAT IS IT?” JANE GOT out of the jeep and gazed at the sign that was posted on the barbed-wire fence. “What does it say?”
“Contaminated. Deadly.” He swung open the gate. “Words to that effect, I believe. I don’t speak Russian.”
“Russian? In the middle of Syria?”
“Yes, the Russians did some bacteria experiments here during the Cold War.” He got back in the jeep. “Do you see that huge building over there? It was the main lab before the accident. One day there was an unfortunate leak in one of the tanks, which killed several scientists and about two hundred workers. They examined the ground surrounding the lab and decided that it was going to be deadly for the next century. The installation has been deserted ever since then.”
“ ‘Unfortunate leak,’ ” she repeated.
“Unfortunate for them. Fortunate for the chosen. The temple is in the mountains directly behind the lab. Hadar made sure that it was well hidden in the rocks, and it was safe for centuries as long as it was guarded. But modern-day technology made it more difficult to conceal.” He smiled. “So we decided to take advantage of the lab. After the accident, the Syrian government was only anxious to conceal the deal they’d made with the Russians. The Russians discreetly pulled out of the area.”
“And you falsified reports that the land was contaminated.”
“We have friends in high places. No one dares come near the lab now. So our members are entirely safe from discovery when they come to the Offering.” He parked in front of the rear door of the installation. “And Millet was able to build his secret tunnel from the lab to the temple.” He pointed to a bluff some distance away. “The temple is behind those massive boulders. The main entrance of the temple faces the other way.” He took out a flashlight from the glove box. “We’ll go in the back door.” He started to laugh. “It just reminded me of Adah. She was always fond of using the back door.”
TWENTY-ONE
THE PASSAGEWAY WAS LONG, dark, and winding, the ceiling barely seven feet high. It’s like the tunnels in tombs I visited in Egypt, Jane thought.
“Keep up,” Roland said, beaming his light on her face. “Mustn’t hang back. I’m judging that we may have another forty minutes at most before Millet comes roaring back. We have to be on our way before he gets here. Only a little farther to go. We should be under the Offering Room now.”
Under the Offering Room.
She deliberately slowed.
“Frightened?” Roland asked softly. “It’s easy to be brave and self-sacrificing when you’re not this close to the end.”
She stopped. “But you said that it wasn’t the end. We made a deal.”
“And of course, I’ll keep it.”
She didn’t move.
He pushed her forward. “Go!”
She staggered, lost her balance, and stretched out her hand to the wall of the passage to catch herself. “Don’t touch me. I can’t see anything. Shine that beam ahead of us.”
The beam focused on the dark corridor, and Jane strode forward. “Let’s get out of here. I hate close places.”
TROBELL WAS GOING TO MAKE a move, Caleb thought. But he couldn’t tell when or how.
The bastard was hard to read and when Caleb went in and tried to manipulate him it was like wading through tar. He was blank yet focused. Caleb had run across an occasional schizophrenic who had that same mental profile. Trobell was very likely genuinely insane.
He glanced at his watch—5:50. He’d been waiting until six to move, as he’d promised Jane, but Trobell seemed to be on his own schedule.
“You’re watching me,” Trobell said. “You want to kill me.”
“Do I?”
“Roland said whoever she brought would want to kill me.”
“And what are you going to do about it?”
“I’m not going to kill you.” He turned away and pulled out his gun. “Yet.”
The next moment he was gone, running for the trees. No, running toward one particular tree where Kandor, Roland’s coin expert, sat.
Kandor’s eyes widened as he saw the gun. “What are—”
Trobell shot the man in the chest.
Then he was whirling on Caleb.
But Caleb was gone, drawing his own gun as he streaked toward the trees, zigzagging in and out as Trobell got off two more shots.
Get to cover, then go on the offensive, he told himself. Too early, but he’d done his best to delay.
Sorry, Jane.
No, that was a lie. He wasn’t sorry that he had an excuse to break free and go on the hunt. He was never sorry about that. He was just sorry that he’d have to struggle to strike a balance that would please both him and Jane.
He’d reached the trees and glanced over his shoulder.
Trobell was starting after him.
“Come on,” Caleb murmured. “I have time. I’ll wait for you. Let’s see how good you are . . .”
“THE DOOR THAT LEADS TO the corrid
or by the Offering Room is just ahead,” Roland said. “It took longer than I thought to get through the tunnel. We’ll have to hurry.”
Jane’s pace quickened. “Then stop talking and let’s go.”
“One more thing.” He pushed her against the door. “I’m sure you have a weapon, and gestures of good faith can only go so far. If one of those guards searched you, it would be all over.” He reached into her windbreaker pocket and pulled out the 38 Special. “Nice efficient weapon. I’m sure you’re very competent with it.” He slipped the gun in the pocket of his own jacket. “You’re very competent at most things, aren’t you?”
“Let’s go,” she said through her teeth.
“But I have to add one more touch of authenticity.” He slapped her with such force her head snapped to one side. “That does it. Your lip is even bleeding a little.” He tore the front of her shirt open. “Now you look like a suitably abused prisoner.”
Her lip was stinging, and she wanted to punch him in the gut. Don’t fight back. Not until I get to Eve. “And you enjoyed it.”
“I believe I did.” He reached behind her to open the door. “I’m not generally a brutal man, but you’ve caused me a great deal of trouble.” He pushed her forward. “You’ll forgive the roughness, but the first guard is right down the corridor. We have to impress him.”
“NO!” EVE SAT BOLT UPRIGHT on the cot as Roland pushed Jane into the room. “Dammit, Jane, why? It’s not going to do any good. He won’t let me go.”
“I know.” Jane moved across the room. “You look terrible.” Eve’s eyes were sunk and dark-rimmed. She touched her forehead. “And you’re burning up.”
“You shouldn’t have listened to them.”
“Can you walk?”
“Of course I can walk.” She looked at Roland. “Who are you?”
“Roland,” Jane said. “He tells me that he’s going to get us out of here. Isn’t that right, Roland?”
“You sound skeptical. And after all I’ve done.” His phone rang, and he glanced at the ID. “My friend, Trobell.” He answered. “Roland.”
He listened, then said, “Yes, you’ve done everything right. I’ll be there to pick you up shortly.” He hung up. “It seems that your friend, Caleb, had a fatal accident. His neck is broken.”
She stiffened with shock. He was lying. He had to be lying.
Dead eyes. She could see Trobell’s face before her.
No, there had to be a mistake.
But Trobell had been on the phone with Roland.
“I’m sorry.” Roland’s mocking gaze was on her face. “You appear to be upset. Was Caleb more than a business acquaintance?”
She wouldn’t believe it. Caleb might have left Trobell alive, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t control him. But what if that hadn’t happened?
Dear God.
“Jane.” Eve reached out and touched her arm.
“Yes, definitely upset.” Roland pulled out the gun from his jacket pocket. “But you’ll be happy to know that you’ll be able to join him soon.”
She shouldn’t have let him know that his words had cut deep. She had to get a grip. She looked him in the eye. “You told Trobell to kill Caleb.”
“Oh yes, that’s why I got the very best.”
“And now you have the coins, and you have no need to keep us alive. What about Kandor?”
“He was a witness. Trobell was to take him out first.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s fifteen to seven. Now we can all settle down for an evening of fun entertainment. Millet should be back any minute.”
“It was a setup.”
“You’re a clever woman. You suspected that could be the case. But you were desperate enough to take the chance.” He nodded at Eve. “I always thought you might be the way we could trap her. You’ve been a valuable asset. I think I’m going to truly regret having to let Millet have his way with you.”
“Let her go,” Jane said. “Take her out of here after this damn ceremony starts. I’ll do anything. What do you want?”
“I’m afraid you no longer have any bargaining power. I have the coins.” He added, “And I have to stay with Millet for a little while longer. He has something I need.”
“If you have those coins, you’ll have all the power you’ll ever want. And you told me you didn’t care about this damn cult.”
“Did I fail to mention that Millet has photos of me as well as the other members at the Offerings? It would be so much easier to deny any connection without that bit of proof. No, I have to have those photos.” He turned to the door. “Now I have to leave you and go meet Millet in the Offering Room. For once, he’ll be very pleased with me.” He glanced back at Jane. “I wish you hadn’t gotten in my way. I’m really not going to enjoy the Offering tonight.”
“You’re lying,” she said. “You’ll love every minute of it. You like to pretend that you’re different from Millet, but you’re both savages, just like Hadar, who built this temple.”
His smile faded. “Perhaps you’re right. I’ll see when I watch Millet tear into you with his dagger.” He opened the door, and they were suddenly bombarded by a roar of sound; laughter, excited chatter.
“They’ve just let the members into the Offering Room,” Roland paused, listening. “All that excitement is for you, Jane.”
“Blasphemer. Blasphemer. Blasphemer.”
Jane’s hands clenched into fists. That horrible, archaic word again.
“Yes, all for you,” Roland said. “I believe I’ll join them for the next chorus. I’ll see you when the guards bring you to—” He was suddenly thrown back into the room. “What the—”
“Out!” Caleb was in the room. “Jane, Eve. Get out in the corridor. It’s almost time.”
Alive. He was alive. Relief soared through Jane as she helped Eve get to her feet. “The guards?”
“One down, I couldn’t take time to break him. The other three are sure they’re doing what Millet would want them to do.” He whirled toward Roland. “Trobell wants to see you.”
Roland’s eyes were wide with shock. “Trobell killed—He called me.”
“He lied. But then he has no conscience. That’s why you chose him.”
“My coins. Where are—”
“With Trobell.” He started toward him. “He’s protecting them with his body. Of course, it’s his dead body. I think it—”
Roland raised his gun.
“No!” Eve grabbed his arm.
Roland backhanded her and she fell to the floor. He pointed the gun at her.
But Caleb had reached Roland, and his hand closed like a vise on the man’s wrist.
Roland screamed as the gun fell from his hand.
Jane could see the dark blood spread under the skin of his wrist and lower arm as the blood vessels ruptured.
“Get in the corridor,” Caleb said between his teeth. “Don’t wait. He’s . . . strong.”
“You get out.” Jane snatched up the gun that had fallen from Roland’s hand. “This is no time to rely on all that damn blood stuff.” She pointed the gun at Roland. Monster puppeteer. Send a photo, make a phone call, and destroy the lives of innocent people. Celine, Yvette, Mrs. Dalbrey. He would have shot Eve just now if Caleb hadn’t stopped him. Millet would never have entered any of their lives if Roland hadn’t been there pushing and prodding and destroying. “I think Caleb is right. I think you should join Trobell.”
She shot him in the heart.
“That’s the first time that you’ve totally agreed with me in this kind of circumstance,” Caleb said as he reached down and helped Eve to her feet. “Eve, you really shouldn’t make a habit of this. You can’t protect the entire world.”
“Shut up.” She was swaying as she headed for the door. “Get Jane out of here. The shot . . . would someone hear it?”
“Not with that hysteria going on in the Offering Room. Come on, Jane.” He supported Eve as he started down the corridor. They passed two guards who merely nodded at Caleb and ignored Eve and Jane.
“Three more minutes,” Caleb said.
“Three . . .” Eve moistened her cracked lips. “What are you talking about?”
He glanced at Jane. “You managed to do it?”
“Yes, when I braced myself against the wall of the tunnel.” Her gaze was fixed in fascination on the arched door ahead of them.
The chanting was like nothing she had ever heard. It was hideous, rhythmic, and full of excitement.
Blasphemer.
Take her.
Kill her.
Tear her.
“One minute,” he murmured as he stopped to the left of the arched opening. “We stay back here until the stampede starts, then we let them take us out of the temple.”
The screaming rose in intensity, and Jane could see why. Millet was striding up the ramp into the Offering Room. He was dressed in black leather jeans and jacket, and he was arrogance personified.
How he loves it, Jane thought. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes shining, and every muscle in his body seemed electrified, fed by the screaming horde.
He had reached the altar.
He bowed to the mosaic of Judas, then turned to the crowd and raised his arms. “You want the Blasphemer. I heard you shouting your will. How much do you want her?”
The screams shook the room.
“Then I’ll give her to you. I’ll show her how you punish Blasphemers.”
Another shout.
“You want her blood? I’ll make her scream as I take her blood for you.”
“Blood? I’m beginning to take this personally,” Caleb murmured. “It brings back too many memories. I’m not sure I can wait for—”
The floor of the temple exploded, the stones heaved upward!
Millet was thrown to the ground.
The altar cracked and shifted to one side.
The audience was screaming but in terror now. Jumping from their seats, they bolted toward the ramp that led outside.
“Now!” Caleb pushed Jane and Eve through the archway into the midst of the panicky crowd. “Get Eve outside before the next explosion goes off. It’s due in about six minutes.”
Jane was already pulling Eve through the mob. “Just keep on your feet,” she told her. “If we go down, we’ll be trampled.”
Eight Days to Live Page 35
