Abraham Metcalf, diviner of the Blessed Nephilim, emerged to greet his son. “I see you didn’t get lost,” the old man said tartly.
Joshua gave a bland smile. “No, sir. Your instructions were very clear.” He noted that his father looked more frail every time he saw him though the old man attempted to compensate for the infirmities of age by exhibiting increasingly irascible displays of temperament. Joshua silently repeated his prayer for a speedy deliverance from the pleasure of his father’s company.
“Wait here,” his father instructed the limo driver who then closed his window so as not to overhear the diviner’s conversation.
Taking Joshua by the elbow, Abraham steered him out of earshot just to be safe. They walked along the shoulder of the road for several yards before the old man came to a standstill. He fixed his son with an inquisitive stare. “How is your work progressing?”
“Very well, sir,” Joshua answered readily. “My men have been deployed at all the American compounds. I’ve also set up similar units at the European compounds, and our lines of communication are operating smoothly on all fronts.”
Abraham gave a curt nod. “That’s acceptable. Now tell me, have you been able to identify any individuals who are particularly troublesome to the community at large? I mean men or women who openly criticize the brotherhood or my leadership. Also, I’m interested to learn of individuals who have strayed from the teachings of our founder by showing an undue interest in the ways of the Fallen—in such things as the internet or the lewd customs of the worldly folk.”
Joshua considered the question. “Yes, there are several troublesome cases. Not at the main compound, of course, because of the strength of your leadership. But the satellite compounds are more inclined to display conduct which doesn’t strictly conform to our tenets.”
“That’s very good,” Abraham said approvingly.
Joshua had to stifle a reaction of surprise. He was prepared for his father to launch into some bitter invective at the laxity of the archwardens at the satellite compounds. The last thing he expected was approval at the mention of godless behavior.
“Have you been able to pinpoint specific individuals who are the worst offenders?”
Warily Joshua replied, “Yes, sir. I have a list of their names.”
“Good. That’s very good. I want you to select the six most unrepentant sinners of the lot. After that, I want you to bring these people to the main compound.”
“Father, they are at far-flung locations around the country.”
“No matter. Instruct the agents you have deployed at those compounds to escort them here. Tell these selected miscreants that they are being summoned for an interview with the diviner. Do not allow them to suspect they have been singled out for chastisement. We will prepare guest quarters for them.”
“Just as you wish, sir.”
Abraham continued, barely hearing him. “They are to be kept separate from one another. At the appropriate time, I will single out one from among their number for you to transport. You will follow the same procedure for the other five when their turn arises.”
“And where am I to take them, sir?” The spymaster was becoming increasingly confused.
“You will drive each one here. Why else do you think I would bring you out to this forlorn spot?”
“I... uh... I had no idea. What am I to do with them once we arrive here?”
“You are to wait. There.” Abraham raised his arm and gestured to the spot where the two vehicles were parked. “Another vehicle will arrive. You will load each of your passengers into that car.”
“Do you want me to accompany these people to their destination?”
Abraham’s demeanor grew fierce. “Absolutely not! Your responsibility in the matter ends once they enter the second vehicle.”
Joshua hid his considerable curiosity. Never in his life, had he known his father to exhibit such odd behavior. He asked mildly, “What am I to tell them if they should ask about their ultimate destination? I believe they will be easier to control if we give them a reason to cooperate.”
The diviner nodded in agreement. “You are right about that.” He paused to consider the question, then gave a grim smile. “Tell them they have been specially chosen to help fulfill God’s plan for the Blessed Nephilim.”
Joshua was burning to know what that plan might be, but the set of his father’s jaw told him he was unlikely to receive any enlightenment. For the third time that day, he found himself praying for his father’s speedy demise.
Chapter 5—Toasted Breadcrumbs
Faye rested at the top of the steps to the old schoolhouse in the clearing. She needed to catch her breath. It was a lovely Indian Summer afternoon. She noted that there were a few cars parked in the glade rather than in the underground garage, but nobody was stirring about outside. She advanced to the door and twisted the handle.
The portal swung open without warning, nearly pitching her headfirst into the room.
“She’s here!” Cassie called to someone behind her. “Oh Jeez!” I’m sorry, Faye. I didn’t mean to knock you off your feet.” She caught the old woman as she toppled forward.
Faye’s hand had involuntarily flown to her chest at the unexpected welcome. “Just a slight turn, my dear. That’s all.” Before she knew what was happening, the two other members of Cassie’s field team had flanked her. Griffin took her right elbow and Erik her left, propelling her into the main hall.
The schoolroom was devoid of life, the round table empty though dust free. Her chair of office was stowed against the back wall. How different from the cacophony that prevailed in this chamber during a meeting of the Concordance.
“We’re going to be leaving for the airport in a little while,” Cassie explained. “But we wanted to be here to... um...” The pythia shot her companions a furtive look. “To say goodbye,” she finished brightly.
“Smooth.” Erik sounded sarcastic.
Faye’s suspicions were aroused. “What’s going on?” She peered at each of the three faces in turn. They all assumed blank expressions.
“Nothing,” Griffin said a bit too innocently. “Nothing at all. Please step this way.”
The old woman decided not to challenge their strange behavior. She allowed herself to be led to the elevator and down into the vault. When they disembarked, Faye made a move toward the chatelaine’s office.
“No, not there,” Cassie blurted out.
The paladin once more gave her a dirty look.
“But I have a meeting with Maddie,” Faye protested.
“Um... Maddie’s not in her office.” Cassie retorted quickly. “She told us to bring you someplace else.”
“I hope she isn’t in the chimney,” Faye protested. “I don’t believe my old legs are up to the challenge of that spiral staircase.”
“No, she’s not in the chimney,” Cassie countered. “There won’t be any stairs, scout’s honor.”
“Very well.” Faye knew something funny was going on, but she decided to play along. “Lead on.”
They didn’t turn down the row of desks in the main vault with its barking dogs, napping cats, and squawking parrots. They didn’t head for the Continent rooms which housed the records of all the Arkana’s troves around the globe. In fact, they turned their backs entirely on the main chamber with its trickling waterfalls and artificial sky.
The trio guided Faye down the corridor that led to Cassie’s office. The pythia’s door was ajar, and Faye glimpsed the quartz wall panels glowing softly over sheets of falling water, but they didn’t stop there either. The little band continued farther on to another door and halted abruptly in front of it.
“Just a second.” Cassie came to stand behind Faye. She put her hands on the old woman’s shoulders and positioned her so she was facing the closed door. Then she placed her hands over Faye’s eyes. “No peeking,” she cautioned.
“What on earth...” the memory guardian murmured but didn’t res
ist.
“OK, guys.”
Faye could hear the door being opened and the flick of a light switch.
Cassie removed her hands. “Surprise!”
Faye blinked. “My goodness. What is this?”
“It’s your new home-away-from-home.” Cassie took her by the hand and drew her into the room. “You like?”
“It was Maddie’s idea,” Erik explained.
“Hannah’s presence at your home has made the farmhouse an inconvenient venue for our group meetings,” Griffin added. “Since the girl still doesn’t know about Erik and me, nor about the scope of the relic hunt, we’ve had to keep our distance. The only logical place to meet with you is here at the vault. Although you have the reception room upstairs, Maddie thought you might like a space that’s less formal. A place you could call your own.”
Faye smiled. “Well, this certainly feels like home to me.”
The room was outfitted as a cozy parlor circa 1900. A plush purple armchair complete with antimacassar was angled in one corner of the room. It was flanked by a small occasional table. Behind it stood a brass floor lamp with a fringed shade.
Faye’s eyes were drawn to the two windows on the opposite wall. Daylight slanted warmly through lace curtains and left bright squares on the plush oriental carpet. “We’re still underground, aren’t we?” the old woman asked cautiously.
Cassie clapped her hands in delight. “Isn’t it fantastic? Same principle as the ceiling in the Central Archive. It’s set on a timer to mimic sunlight at this time of year, but if you want a moonrise, you can have that too.” The pythia walked over to the wall panel between the windows and twisted a dimmer switch. Immediately, the sun outside set and the floor was bathed in moonlight.
“Remarkable,” Faye murmured.
“In deference to your love of nature,” Griffin observed. “It seemed fitting that your parlor should have windows.”
Cassie readjusted the lighting and sunlight returned.
The old woman shifted her attention to the right of the armchair where a walnut mantel topped with porcelain figurines surrounded a fireplace.
Apparently noticing the direction of Faye’s gave, Cassie said, “It works, and you don’t need to haul wood either. Just turn the key on the side. See.” The pythia bent and turned a metal key protruding from the base of the mantel. Instantly, flames fanned out around the ceramic log.
“Oh, my stars!” Faye exclaimed, impressed. “How convenient.”
Griffin drew her attention past the fireplace to a floor to ceiling bookcase sparsely filled with volumes. “We thought it best to leave the selection of reading material up to you,” he remarked.
The side of the room adjoining the bookcase was taken up by a large camelback sofa with mahogany ball and claw feet.
“Look familiar?” Erik grinned. “It’s almost like the one at your house. So’s the armchair.”
“You must have gone to a great deal of trouble to set this up,” Faye murmured. She crossed the thick carpet and ran her hand over the upholstered chair. “My goodness, this fabric feels like my chair at home.”
“It wasn’t easy,” Cassie said. “We had to go to the Merchandise Mart to get the pieces custom-made.”
“The idea of the room was Maddie’s,” Erik informed her. “But Cassie and I did most of the leg work to set it up with a little input from Griffin.”
“You did?” Faye wheeled on him in surprise.
The paladin shrugged. “It’s not like we had anything exciting to do for the past couple of months.”
“Just hanging around waiting for our scrivener here to finish his research.” Cassie sighed.
Faye lost no time in making herself at home. She lowered herself into the armchair and gestured for the trio to seat themselves on the sofa. Turning to Griffin, she asked, “Speaking of your research, where do things stand?”
“Aside from digesting everything in the vault related to the Indian subcontinent, I’ve finally determined a starting point for our search. We’re ready to leave today. I must say the riddle wasn’t particularly helpful in guiding my efforts.”
“Ah, yes. The riddle inscribed on the golden bull.” Faye recollected the small figurine with a spangle of blue stones decorating its neck. “After our initial discussion at Maddie’s house, the verse completely slipped my mind. How does it go again, dear? Please refresh my memory.”
The scrivener readily obliged, rattling off the lines from memory. “The sands behind, on an island tower she alights to drink, biding til her kindred fill the jaws of the lion.”
“When last we spoke about this, I recall you had a theory that the riddle points to somewhere in central India,” Faye said. “Is that still the case?”
Griffin nodded. “Yes, I’ve been having a devil of a time trying to locate the island tower though. I’m hopeful that we’ll find it in the vicinity of Mumbai.”
“That’s where we’re headed today,” Erik added.
“But we couldn’t leave until we showed you this,” Cassie said. “We wanted to see the look on your face.”
Faye chuckled. “I hope I was sufficiently surprised.”
“Absolutely.” The pythia grinned with satisfaction.
“And I might add that I am very grateful for all the effort you expended on my behalf,” Faye added, beaming on them all.
Erik ducked his head shyly.
Griffin stood up. “It’s time we were leaving for the airport, but now that the rightful owner has taken possession, I move that we christen the room.”
“Let’s call it Faye’s Parlor,” Cassie suggested.
“That’s confusing” Erik objected. “She’s already got a parlor at home.”
“Faye’s Retreat?” Griffin looked at his two teammates for confirmation. They nodded.
“Right then. The motion carries unanimously.” Griffin cleared his throat importantly. “This chamber shall henceforth be known as ‘Faye’s Retreat.’”
“Yes,” the old woman agreed softly, stroking the arm of her chair. “I like the sound of that.”
***
After bidding the trio bon voyage, Faye was about to walk to Maddie’s office when the chatelaine herself appeared in the doorway of Faye’s Retreat.
“Can I come in?”
“Please do.”
Maddie strode into the center of the room and surveyed the interior. “So, what do you think of your new digs?”
“They made it very homey.” Faye smiled. “And thank you for suggesting the idea to them. That was most considerate of you.”
“I had an ulterior motive.” Maddie dismissed the compliment. “Cassie and Erik were in lame duck mode while Griffin was doing research. What with Cassie validating backlogged relics all day and Erik stuck at his desk filing reports, I had a real morale problem on my hands. They needed something to give them a boost, so I thought of this.” She took a seat on the couch.
“Did you have a reason for arranging a meeting with me today, dear, or was it just a pretext to lure me to the vault to view my lovely new haven?”
Maddie grew temporarily distracted as her eyes wandered around the chamber. “What?” She caught herself. “Oh, sorry, Faye. It’s just that the kids wouldn’t let me in here while they were working on this.” In wonderment, she added. “They did a really good job.” Switching gears, she sat forward and fixed her superior with a serious gaze. “The main reason I asked you to come out here today was because I wanted to run an idea past you.”
Faye braced herself for the worst. She remembered the last time Maddie had wanted to run something past her. Sending a spy to infiltrate the Nephilim compound was a suicide mission if ever there was one. “Is it about that spy business again?” she asked warily.
Maddie scowled, taken aback. “No, it’s got nothing to do with that. I haven’t had any luck finding somebody crazy enough to take the assignment. I promised you I wouldn’t assign anyone, so I put out the word I was lookin
g for a volunteer. It’s been a month, and nobody’s come forward.”
“Apparently, your people have a fondness for remaining alive,” the old woman observed dryly.
The chatelaine waved her hand airily. “I’ve back-burnered that project for a while anyway. More pressing business.”
Faye looked around distractedly. “I don’t suppose there’s a means to brew a pot of tea here, is there?”
“Way ahead of you. I already ordered a tray from the vault kitchen. I had a feeling you’d want a pick-me-up.”
At that moment, a tyro walked through the open door bearing a tea tray. He silently placed it on the coffee table in front of Maddie, trembling slightly as he set it down. Giving a frightened nod, he scuttled out the door.
Faye chuckled at his behavior. “Maddie, dear, I’m afraid the tyros have amplified your reputation for fierceness ever since that war club incident.”
The chatelaine shrugged matter-of-factly as she set about pouring tea. “Fine with me. At least they’re too scared to pester me every five minutes now.” She handed Faye a cup. “For future reference, the kitchen will prepare anything you want. Just pick up the phone.” She tilted her head, indicating the phone on the table next to Faye’s chair.
“I feel like a queen.” The memory guardian chuckled as she took a sip of tea. “Well, if it wasn’t about the spy mission then what was it you wanted to see me about, dear?”
“A trail of breadcrumbs,” the chatelaine said enigmatically, spooning sugar into her cup and stirring it.
“Come again?”
“I want to find a way to keep Leroy Hunt out of our hair without making him suspicious. So far, I haven’t had to take action because luck’s been on our side. Right after the Africa trip, that lunkhead got into a bar fight, and he’s been laid up ever since. I just received some intel that he’s back on his feet which means it won’t be long before Metcalf sets him after Hannah again.”
“Aren’t you at all concerned that he and Daniel might leave immediately for India?” Faye countered.
Arkana Archaeology Mystery Box Set 2 Page 3
