by Ian Jarvis
Watson continued his blank stare.
‘She was in the restaurant.’ Quist gazed at the floor, straining to remember the details. ‘Later I helped her in the water.’
‘Titanic?’
‘I don’t think she knew my name.’
‘Er, right. Okay, right.’ Watson cleared his throat. ‘Would that matter? I thought you keep changing your name?’
‘I do, but I rotate identities. I was Bernard Quist at that time too.’
‘So you were on the Titanic and you survived?’ The stunned youth allowed it to sink in and grinned nervously. ‘What did you do? The doggy paddle?’
Quist smiled tightly. ‘That horrific night was nothing to joke about, Watson. I knew the cold water wouldn’t kill me, but it closed down my system and I appeared lifeless. I managed to lash myself to driftwood before I passed out and it kept me afloat until the rescue ship Carpathia found me.’
‘Bloody hell, Guv. This is unbelievable.’
‘I eventually woke in their makeshift morgue on the way to New York. Ligeia must have been aboard the Carpathia too, but I never saw her again.’
‘You’re telling me Ligeia was on the fucking Titanic? So that means...’ He shook his head. ‘She looks about twenty, but it must make her...’
‘Well over one-hundred years old. Yes, she’s obviously a supernatural creature of some sort.’
‘Maybe a werewolf?’
‘No, I don’t think so,’ murmured Quist. ‘I remember now, she was travelling with some Scotsman who bragged about making a fortune from her. He was probably exploiting her singing talents, just as this Adler woman is now doing.’
‘Ligeia was on the Titanic,’ repeated Watson, still attempting to process the information. ‘Jesus!’
‘The man was taking her to America from Scotland. If he’d been profiting from her on the stages up there...’ Quist thought for a moment. ‘Is that why she wanted to go to that awful Edinburgh nightclub? Did she perform there when it was the old music hall?’
‘Unbelievable,’ muttered Watson, shaking himself and returning to fiddle with the lock. ‘I honestly can’t get my head around this.’
‘Stand back, said Quist. ‘The sun has now set. If I transform, I should be able to bend those bars.’
‘No need.’ Watson’s face lit up as the lock clicked and the door opened slightly. ‘How about that? I did it.’
Elva opened the door further.
‘Oh!’ Watson sagged. ‘You did it.’
‘Thank you, Elva,’ whispered Quist, hurrying into the corridor and looking around. ‘Are you alone? Why did you let us out?’
The girl signed to Watson.
‘She says these are bad people.’ He laughed quietly. ‘Hey, who’d have guessed that, Guv? She says Ligeia wanted her to let us out and told her to get Rex out too.’
‘Do they know you’re here?’ asked Quist. ‘Did anyone see you come here?’
She shook her head.
‘Where is he?’ asked Watson. ‘Where’s Rex?’
Elva pulled at the teenager’s arm and led them through the doors to the other makeshift cell further down the menagerie corridor. Alerted by the sound of footsteps, Rex stood looking through the hatch and grinned to see them.
‘We’ve had a word with the governor,’ whispered Watson through the bars. ‘Good news - your parole has come through.’
‘Am I glad to see you.’ Rex laughed nervously. ‘I take it you’ve been looking for me?’
‘Yeah. Everyone thinks you killed someone, but we knew that was crap.’ The teenager unlocked the door. ‘We realised you had to be in trouble.’
‘I had nothing to do with that murder is Scotland,’ said Rex, hurrying out. ‘Ligeia’s manager is responsible for all this. The people here are absolutely crazy.’
‘But evidently not this young lady,’ said Quist. ‘You have Elva to thank for your freedom. She released us from another animal enclosure further along the passage.’
Rex smiled at her, running an eye over her blue mini dress and recalling their night in Edinburgh. The current situation was desperate, but old habits were difficult to supress. ‘I’ve been their prisoner for three days,’ he said. ‘Have you met Colonel Adler? That one-eyed lunatic will do anything to keep Ligeia happy, including kidnapping me. She even has Laurel and Hardy here because Ligeia likes them.’
‘Yeah, they called on us,’ said Watson, following Quist to the external door. ‘They’re identical to the real thing. How’s that possible?’
‘Adler and her doctor can alter faces with drugs of some sort. By the way, Hardy was the one who killed Charlotte in Edinburgh. He has a knife contraption up his sleeve and...’ He recalled it sinking into his heart. ‘It’s pretty lethal.’
‘I’d already deduced that,’ whispered Quist, opening the door slightly and checking for guards in the darkening grounds outside. He turned to Elva. ‘Why would the Colonel do that? Why did she kidnap Rex and why does she want Laurel and Hardy here?’
She signed to Watson.
‘They make Ligeia happy,’ said Watson. ‘She only sings when she’s happy and content. When she’s sad, there’s no magic in her voice and no one listens to her.’
‘Magic in her voice?’ Quist peeped through the door crack again, sniffing the twilight air. ‘I see. Add that to her longevity and this is beginning to make sense. Unfortunately, we don’t have the time to discuss such things. The most important thing right now is to get away from this place.’
Elva quickly signed again.
‘She won’t leave Ligeia,’ said Watson. ‘She says she doesn’t like the Colonel anymore and she won’t leave Ligeia with her. She says Rex can’t go either. What do you mean, Elva?’
The girl signed and pointed to the door.
‘Apparently, the Colonel has done something to stop him leaving.’ Watson shrugged. ‘She heard them talking about it and she’ll show us.’
‘Lead the way,’ murmured Quist, opening the door. ‘But please be very cautious.’
Elva spoke to Watson and he nodded. ‘She says they’re leaving Charlington Hall after the concert. Most of the Colonel’s men have now gone and only her main team of twelve are left.’
‘Good,’ said Rex, swallowing uncomfortably. ‘But twelve are still too many. Adler’s loaded some of their guns with silver bullets, so we need to watch ourselves.’
‘Indeed,’ said Quist. ‘We also need to discuss that particular point the moment we’re safe. Come on, let’s go.’
Mellow twilight illuminated the gardens and, utilising his lupine senses, the detective listened and watched for security personnel as Elva led them swiftly past the rhododendron hedge and through a thicket of trees. They neared the mansion moat and cut through a small gravel car park with a dozen black vehicles. Three were upmarket saloons, but the majority were Range Rovers, Land Rovers and Hummers. Glancing through one of the windows, Quist noticed keys in the ignition. With potential thieves unable to gain access to the grounds, the chances of anyone stealing these were nil.
Seeing Elva drop to her knees, the detective grabbed Watson and Rex by the shoulders, silently pushing them down behind a car as one of Adler’s armed guards walked past on patrol. Quist had picked up the approaching footsteps, but evidently this girl had acute hearing too. Elva turned as the man disappeared behind the bushes, smiled nervously and waved them on. Beyond the vehicles stood another copse of trees and the small chapel. Rex eased open the door and found it was empty.
‘Incredible,’ stammered Watson, seeing the occult temple with the pentagram banner and skulls. ‘This is straight out of a Hammer horror film.’ The dash across the gardens had left his heart racing. It wasn’t so much the burst of exertion, as the knowledge that, at any moment, machine guns might be fired in his direction. ‘Is this shit for real?�
�
‘Yeah, this must be Lafont’s place,’ said Rex, quietly closing the door behind them. ‘He’s Adler’s very own voodoo witchdoctor. She calls him the Padre.’
‘Don’t switch on any lights,’ warned Quist. ‘We still have enough daylight shining through the windows.’
Elva took them along the short aisle to point at the altar.
‘This?’ asked the detective, astounded. He peered closely at the model of Charlington Hall with the circle of blood-soaked ash surrounding it. ‘You’re saying this is preventing Rex from leaving?’
She nodded.
He leant close and sniffed. ‘This is your blood, Rex,’ he said. ‘I know the scent.’
‘You should,’ said Watson, uneasily. ‘You once tasted it.’
‘This chapel has been turned into an occult temple,’ said Quist, gazing around at the bones and paraphernalia. ‘From the little I know about such matters, this model house looks to be part of some occult ritual. If Adler has a practitioner of voodoo working for her, as you say, I assume he’s performed a ritual to construct a supernatural barrier. This is crude, but it’s built to scale and the blood circle will represent an invisible wall that prevents you leaving the grounds.’
‘Piss off,’ laughed Watson. ‘That’s impossible, Guv.’
‘Oh, no, it’s possible,’ growled Rex. ‘And it works too. No matter what I tried last night, I couldn’t cross the thing.’
‘Amazing.’ Watson turned to Quist. ‘Elva claims Ligeia has magic in her voice. Is the Colonel using voodoo to make her so successful?’
‘I don’t believe so.’ The detective shook his head. ‘No, that doesn’t explain her being over a century old, or how she had power in her voice back then.’
‘What the hell do you mean?’ asked Rex, confused.
Elva signed with Watson.
‘She says no, Guv. Ligeia is Lamarai.’
‘What?’ Quist searched his memory. ‘I know the name Lamarai. Why do I know that name?’
‘We don’t have time for word puzzles,’ said Rex. ‘What about this supernatural force field shit? Do you have any ideas?’
‘I have one.’ Quist smashed the model and wiped away the blood with the altar cloth. ‘My knowledge of such things is limited, but destroying the ritual model should end the magic and allow you to leave. One of those Range Rovers back there had the keys inside, but just to be on the safe side, I’ll drive through the barrier and...’ He paused for several seconds. ‘Of course - Lamarai. Suddenly, this begins to make sense.’
Watson frowned. ‘What are you talking about, Guv?’
‘But the danger...’ gasped Quist. He turned to Elva. ‘Ligeia is Lamarai? You’re certain about this?’
The girl nodded timidly.
‘Does the Colonel or her occultist know?’
She shook her head.
‘I can’t allow this to continue,’ he muttered, irately. ‘From what I recall, the risks are unthinkable.’ The detective hesitated, quickly deliberating and reaching a decision. ‘I need you three out of harm’s way right now, but I’m not coming with you.’
‘What?’ snapped Watson. ‘Why not?’
‘I have to speak to Adler. She’s doesn’t know what she’s dealing with, but I have to enlighten her. Ligeia can’t be left with her; it’s far too dangerous. I know what Lamarai means.’
‘Which is what?’ asked Rex. ‘What did you mean about her being over a century old?’
‘Oh, you won’t believe it,’ said Watson, grinning nervously. ‘Apparently, they used to go cruising together.’
‘We don’t have time for explanations.’ Quist turned to the black candles on the altar, pondered for a moment, then broke off a lump of melted wax and handed it to Watson. ‘You have to take one of those cars and go now.’
‘What am I supposed to do with this?’ he asked.
‘Hopefully nothing, but it’s best to be prudent. Keep it in your pocket.’ The detective glanced at Elva. ‘Am I right?’
The girl looked scared, but nodded.
‘The sun has set,’ pointed out Rex. ‘I could stay and help you.’
‘No, go with Watson,’ said Quist. ‘If you want to help, protect him.’
The teenager looked dubiously at Rex.
Quist gripped Elva by her shoulders. ‘Listen to me, you really need to get away from here too.’
The girl shook her head emphatically and signed to Watson.
‘Sorry, Guv.’ He shrugged. ‘She says she won’t leave Ligeia.’
‘Please, Elva. If you go with them, I promise I’ll help your friend and...’
Elva signed again and hurried away, leaving silently through the chapel door.
‘She trusts you, Guv,’ said Watson. ‘But she’s staying to protect Ligeia. The Colonel is a bad woman and she’s going back to the house.’
‘Very well,’ sighed Quist, following the girl to the door. ‘We have to hurry. They took Watson’s phone and I assume you don’t have one either, Rex? They can’t track you, so get away from here, find somewhere safe and lie low. You need to wait a couple of hours before ringing the police. I want some time with Adler before the authorities arrive.’
‘You really should come with us,’ said Rex. ‘These people are mercenaries. They’re cold-blooded killers and you’ve no idea what they’re capable of.’
‘Sorry, but there’s too much at stake.’ Quist eased open the chapel door and checked the route was clear. ‘Remember the moon, Rex. Use your music to overcome any dark urges as I’ve taught you.’
‘Er, yeah, no problem.’ Rex had been trying and, so far, the technique had been as useful as a chocolate ironing board. He decided not to mention this, but there was one thing he definitely ought to mention and it involved biting a psychopath. ‘Er, listen...’
‘By the way...’ Quist closed the door and narrowed his eyes. ‘Why did Adler load her weapons with silver? How does she know about our little secret?’
‘Oh, that.’ Rex cleared his throat. ‘The voodoo guy did some ritual on my blood and he found out. Then last night I changed and, er, Adler saw me.’
‘How discreet,’ snapped Quist, angrily. ‘What the hell have I told you about transforming during the full moon?’
‘I was kidnapped,’ said Rex, defensively. This might not be the best time to bring up the lupine bite. ‘I wasn’t thinking straight.’
‘Well think straight now,’ hissed Quist, opening the door again. ‘Come on, it’s time to go.’
***
Watson parted the bushes at the edge of the car park and looked around. ‘It seems to be all clear,’ he whispered, trembling. ‘Let’s move.’
Scurrying across the gravel and staying low, Rex followed to the nearest car, a black Range Rover. He eased open the door, grimacing as the internal light winked on, but Watson jumped in the driving seat and quickly reached to switch it off. The keys were in the ignition as Quist had said and he started the engine. Leaving the headlights off for concealment, they turned out of the parking area and onto the drive, picking up speed on entering the trees.
‘The voodoo barrier thing was somewhere back there,’ said Rex. ‘Hey, we crossed it and I didn’t feel a thing.’
‘Great.’ Watson squinted into the darkness ahead and let out a dry laugh, the fear tightening his throat. ‘To be honest, I’m more concerned with the feeling of bullets tearing through the car.’
He switched on the lights as the gates appeared. A security guard walked out from the gatehouse, shielding his eyes from the blinding beams, and realised the approaching vehicle had no intention of stopping.
‘You know what?’ said Watson. ‘I’ve seen this in so many films and I’ve always wanted to do it.’
The guard dived into the safety of his shelter as the Range Rover smas
hed through the gates, ripping them from the stone pillars and launching twisted metal across the road ahead. Watson skidded into a tight turn and headed up the lane.
‘Nice one,’ laughed Rex. ‘That’s fucked their lovely front entrance.’
‘Yeah.’ Watson pointed to the steam gushing over the bonnet. ‘Er, but both headlights are smashed and it doesn’t seem to have done our radiator any favours.’
Chapter 28
Adler stood at the library window looking out over the moat as she spoke with the gate personnel on her phone. She thumbed off the mobile and tugged up her sleeve to check where Rex had sunk his teeth. The forearm bite marks had virtually vanished, which meant her plan had worked - it had actually worked. This was incredible. Her heart beat faster, excitement coursing through her lithe frame.
‘Remarkable,’ she murmured, fingering the fading redness. Grant had given her the supernatural power and abilities she craved. ‘Truly amazing.’
According to the guards on the gate, the prisoners had crashed their way through in a stolen car. The Colonel and her team were vacating Charlington Hall after tonight’s concert, but she now debated whether it had been an oversight to dismiss the extra security personnel so soon. She smiled cruelly and rolled down her sleeve. It didn’t matter too much. The trio would soon be brought back and disposed of and, besides, the most important thing was that the werewolf bite had worked.
Ligeia burst into the library and ran up to the Colonel. ‘You lied to me,’ she snapped. ‘Why did you say that Rex had gone? Elva says he’s in the zoo.’
‘No, he was in the zoo,’ said Adler, calmly. ‘We discussed this, didn’t we? Like I told you, he was with your lovely tiger, but then he left to see your concert. Elva is mistaken.’
‘She says you hurt her.’
‘It was an accident. Why on earth would I hurt you sweet young ladies? I take care of you and give you everything you want. You know that.’
Ligeia looked puzzled. ‘So Elva was wrong?’
‘Of course, my dear,’ soothed Adler. ‘It’s soon time for your concert and a wonderful helicopter ride. You know how you like to see cities all lit up at night.’
