The Stone of Madness

by Nick Baker

  ‘Lex returned to the sewer the following day to see if he could find any sign of … your … er … I mean … what happened to you.’

  ‘And rather unpleasant it was, too, going back so soon,’ said Lex. ‘You can imagine what I expected to find after all that rain.’

  ‘We had men scouring the riverbanks and visiting your usual haunts, but we found nothing,’ said Strange. ‘It was as if you’d vanished into thin air. The river’s currents are notorious and the tides treacherous. Bodies take weeks to wash up, and often many miles downriver. We feared you’d drowned, and the longer we waited, the more likely it seemed. And now you turn up wondering what we were doing. What did you expect us to do, thinking you were dead? You’ve kept your plans hidden from the outset. It’s about time we had some answers,’ said Strange, feeling emboldened by the ale.

  Frankl laughed, sending a further barrage of saliva in Strange’s direction. ‘Well, well, Abel, I do believe you’re threatening me.’

  Strange did not reply and turned to Lex for support.

  ‘Abel’s right, Josef,’ said Lex. ‘It’s time we had some answers.’

  ‘You’ll have your answers this very evening,’ said Frankl.

  ‘Er, you mean you’re actually going to tell us what this is all about?’ said Strange uncertainly. ‘Does that mean Aurelia’s on her way, too?’

  ‘Unfortunately, she’s otherwise engaged. What is planned for us tonight does not require her sublime talents, although I do not doubt she’ll be utilising her skills to the best of her abilities elsewhere at this very moment.’

  ‘What are you talking about?’ demanded Lex.

  ‘You have a short memory, Lex. Have you already forgotten my last conversation with Aurelia?’

  ‘You mean just before the sluice gates opened?’ said Lex.

  ‘Indeed! We’re about to enter the final phase of my plan, but it’s imperative that everything is timed to perfection.’

  ‘So, er, what exactly is Aurelia up to?’ said Strange, draining the dregs of ale from his glass.

  ‘Do you recall Aurelia’s less than enthusiastic response just before we were so rudely interrupted?’

  Strange nodded. ‘You mean, er, about abducting Price?’

  ‘That’s right,’ said Lex. ‘She wasn’t too impressed, if I remember rightly.’

  Frankl smirked. ‘I contacted Aurelia some days ago, and I’m pleased to say that, after a brief conversation, she had a change of heart. She’s currently in the throes of conducting the task I set for her.’

  ‘But surely seizing Price is beyond even Aurelia?’ said Lex.

  ‘I think, perhaps, you underestimate her, Lex. She knows that every man has his weakness, and Price is no exception. She has no intention of going directly to Price, but believes—and in this I’m sure she’s right—that he will present himself to her.’

  ‘And what makes you think that?’ asked Lex sceptically.

  ‘Aurelia has managed to lure Price’s daughter away from the house she shares with him and, as we speak, she’s planning her abduction. With the girl as a bargaining tool, Price will do anything to get her back.’

  ‘Er, yes, and that will undoubtedly make him more dangerous than ever,’ said Strange.

  ‘Perhaps, but like I said, don’t underestimate Aurelia. Now that she realises what’s at stake, she won’t let us down.’

  ‘Aurelia knows your plans?’ said Lex, sitting bolt upright. ‘It’s about time you shared your thoughts with all of us. We’re equal partners in this, I assume.’

  ‘Indeed we are, Lex, indeed we are. Now drink up, men, it’s time we were on our way,’ said Frankl, peering at his wristwatch through the smoke infused atmosphere.

  Strange raised his eyebrows. ‘Where are we, er, going?’

  ‘We’re off to visit Dr Lucas Neil. His premises are just round the corner. Come on,’ said Frankl, struggling to lift his bulk off the stool.

  Strange looked confused. ‘Er, what on earth do we need to see a doctor for?’

  Frankl leant forwards and whispered conspiratorially in Strange’s ear. ‘You may know him better as Dr Luca Nexus, but he no longer practises under that name for reasons perhaps even you might recall, Abel,’ he said acerbically. ‘Now, if you wish to be involved, I suggest you follow me.’

  ‘That’s exactly it, Josef. Involved in what?’ said Strange, making no move to vacate his seat.

  ‘You still haven’t got it, have you? For a man of such prodigious intelligence, Abel, you sometimes display a complete lack of common sense. Go on, Lex, tell him,’ he said, finally defying gravity and pulling himself up from the stool.

  ‘Tell him what?’ said Lex, shaking his head vacantly.

  ‘Very well,’ said Frankl, and as he shuffled towards the exit, he grabbed Strange by the arm, pulling him forcibly from his seat. ‘Come on, men, we’re going to visit an old friend of ours. You won’t want to miss this!’ he cried with a look of frenzied excitement on his face. ‘We’re off to see Pearly!’

  25

  THE STONE OF MADNESS

  The Shaman

  STRANGE RUBBED WARILY AT his arm after being yanked unceremoniously to his feet. He was still unsure of what Frankl had in store for them, and it took him a moment to catch up with Lex, who had set off after Frankl along the narrow cobbled street. It felt chilly after the warm ambience of the tavern, and Strange shivered due to a combination of the unseasonably low temperature and Frankl’s final words as he was leaving the bar.

  ‘Ah, I see you’ve decided to join us,’ said Frankl. ‘Come on, it’s not far.’

  ‘B-but … ’ spluttered Strange.

  ‘Hurry up, and you’ll see,’ Frankl said impatiently.

  The two men followed Frankl in silence through a neighbourhood of depressingly similar streets until he pointed towards a terraced house that was entirely in keeping with the equally shabby properties surrounding it. The paint was peeling off rotten wooden window frames, and the rickety front door hung askew, indicating that the house was desperately in need of maintenance.

  Frankl strode confidently up to the front door and gave it a loud rap with a wooden cane that he was carrying to support himself. Strange wondered whether the door would splinter from the force of the blow, but the tone rang out resonantly, suggesting the door was far sturdier than it looked.

  The door opened to reveal a tall man whose face was hidden in shadow. He invited them in without reservation, confirming that he was expecting them, and one after the other, the men marched silently inside.

  The man bolted the door behind his guests then flicked a switch to illuminate a surprisingly spacious antechamber plushly decorated in a manner that contrasted strikingly with the property’s exterior. The men craned their necks at expensive artwork adorning the walls and marble busts nestling on sturdy columns as they followed their host into a larger, but equally luxurious, room towards the rear of the property. The room was lined with bookcases housing a vast range of medical literature, and in a far corner sat an oak desk with several large books open on stands, displaying grisly anatomical plates.

  ‘It hasn’t changed much,’ Lex whispered to Strange, shivering involuntarily.

  ‘You’ve been here before?’ Strange asked behind Frankl’s back.

  ‘Ten years ago,’ Lex affirmed.

  Frankl turned round and glared. ‘Shh!’ he said, ushering them forwards.

  ‘Abel Strange, I presume. Pleased to meet you, my name’s Luca Nexus,’ said the householder, extending a hand in Strange’s direction. ‘And, of course, we’ve already met,’ continued Nexus, shaking hands with Frankl followed by Lex. He directed the men towards a sofa adorned with opulent drapes and fashionable cushions. ‘It’s a pleasure to welcome you all here at last. I’ve been waiting a long time.’

  Nexus was wearing an exquisitely cut Italian silk suit that fitted him perfectly. He had an angular, gaunt face framed by groomed, shiny black hair and a neatly cropped goatee, which he stroked methodically as he spoke
. Strange estimated that Nexus was in his early fifties, but his effortlessly manicured appearance was deceptive; he could easily have passed for ten years younger.

  ‘Can I offer you some refreshment before we begin?’ Nexus said in a slightly clipped, foreign accent that Strange found difficult to place.

  ‘That won’t be necessary, Luca,’ replied Frankl on behalf of his comrades. ‘I think we should get down to business.’

  Nexus nodded. ‘Of course.’

  ‘Now, there are a few things we need to clear up before we begin,’ said Frankl. ‘Lex, perhaps you’d like to start?’

  Lex looked perplexed. ‘I’m not sure wha—’

  ‘Perhaps you’d like to begin with the night Pearly died. There are a few things Abel needs to know,’ cut in Frankl.

  ‘Ah, yes,’ replied Lex with a look of dawning comprehension.

  ‘What, er, are you talking about?’ demanded Strange, frowning.

  ‘Please don’t interrupt, Abel,’ said Frankl, holding up a podgy hand. ‘Just be patient and let Lex continue.’

  Strange glared at Frankl like a scolded schoolboy but kept his counsel.

  ‘You probably know much of what happened that night, Abel, but there are certain things that you were never told.’

  ‘What! Er, such as?’ demanded Strange sullenly.

  ‘I hardly know where to start,’ said Lex. ‘It was such an odd evening from start to finish.’

  ‘In what way?’

  ‘Well, for a start, I still don’t know why Pearly came with us; it wasn’t as if it was an important job, but he was determined to be involved. Internal Security were swarming all over the place as soon as we broke in, and from that moment on, Pearly’s behaviour was very peculiar.’

  ‘Why? Er, what did he do?’ Strange asked.

  ‘He knew it would’ve been risky trying to escape, but nothing’s impossible; after all, he’d done it before. For some reason, though, he decided to stay put. He knew that Fox would send for Price, and for some reason, he was determined to wait. I was in the stairwell leading to the roof when Price arrived. I alerted Pearly and he immediately came up. After Price blew up the door, Josef and I tried to follow Pearly onto the roof, but he sent us back. We observed the proceedings from the hatch and watched in horror when Price sent Pearly tumbling over the parapet. My instinct was to run to his aid, but Josef dragged me back, reasoning that we had to get to Pearly before anyone else. We descended the stairs and found an exit where I took out the guard with one of Aurelia’s beloved concoctions. We set off in search of Pearly, and by the time we found him, he was dead. Josef barely had time to retrieve the stone before one of Fox’s men turned up. We only just managed to get away in time and return to a nearby safe house.’

  ‘Is that, er, it?’ said Strange.

  ‘Not quite. Once we were at the house, it wasn’t long before Josef ordered me back to the factory.’

  Strange looked nonplussed. ‘That’s ridiculous! What for? I can’t even remember why you went there in the first place.’

  ‘A chemical for the doctor,’ Lex said, inclining his head towards Nexus. ‘Something fundamental to his research, I believe. Pearly knew exactly what to look for and where to find it, and although we had no intention of staying there for no more than a few minutes, Fox and his men arrived the moment we broke in. I still don’t know to this day how they got there so fast. We must have been set up, I suppose, but we never found out who was behind it. With Pearly dead, anyone with ties to the Order scarpered quicker than ale turns to piss.’

  ‘So why, er, exactly did you go back?’ said Strange.

  ‘For Pearly’s body, of course!’

  ‘His body!’ Strange repeated. ‘Er, what for?’

  ‘All will become clear, Abel, but for now, hear Lex out,’ said Frankl.

  Lex cleared his throat. ‘When I returned to the factory, I watched the comings and goings for some time. Price and Fox were with Pearly’s body, and soon after, a pathologist joined them. They spent some time going over the body, but eventually, they bundled poor old Pearly into an ambulance emblazoned with the name of the old Eastern Hospital. I suppose it was the ideal place to take the body given the circumstances. It was originally built as an infectious diseases unit, but by then, it was in the throes of being demolished. I knew the hospital wasn’t far, so I followed on foot. They took the body straight to the morgue, and after a couple of hours, the pathologist left the body in the care of a mortuary attendant with one of Fox’s men standing guard.

  ‘Fortunately, I still had a supply of Aurelia’s darts, and so it didn’t take much to take out the guard. The mortuary attendant was happy to turn a blind eye for a wad of cash, and he even lent me the keys to the ambulance. So off I went with Pearly’s body.’

  ‘Where did you go?’ Strange asked.

  ‘I thought you’d have guessed by now, Abel. I came here.’

  ‘What!’

  ‘That’s right; those were Josef’s instructions. I left the body with the doctor together with the vials Pearly had stolen from the factory, and I’ve never been back since … until tonight, that is.’

  ‘So what, er, happened to Pearly’s body?’ said Strange.

  ‘Why, the body’s still here,’ replied Frankl. ‘Luca, please be good enough to explain what you’ve been up to these past ten years.’

  Nexus rose from his chair, rhythmically stroking his beard while carefully appraising his guests. ‘Before I start, I ought to tell you about my relationship with Pearly,’ he said, looking down his thin, pointed nose at his audience. ‘We became extremely close, you know.’

  Strange raised his eyebrows but passed no comment while he waited for Nexus to elaborate.

  ‘I came to his attention not long after he’d left the Academy because of my eminence as a neurological surgeon and my innovative surgical techniques. My groundbreaking research was respected the world over.’

  ‘Doesn’t think much of himself, does he?’ Lex whispered to Strange behind the back of his hand. ‘Not sure fame’s the right word for it … more like infamy. Wasn’t he struck off?’

  Nexus glared at Lex but continued undeterred. ‘Pearly was fascinated by my work, and in particular, a paper I’d written on a new stabilisation system for the cervical spine following exposure of the skull base. He was also interested in my work on cryonics,’ Nexus continued, barely stopping to draw breath.

  ‘Cryonics?’ repeated Lex, sounding bemused by the complex medical terminology.

  Nexus sighed. ‘Cryonics is the freeze-preservation of tissue following death.’

  Lex shook his head uncomprehendingly and looked around for support, but Frankl gestured for Nexus to continue.

  ‘Pearly saw the potential in my work, which is more than can be said for those idiots at Queen’s Square,’ spat Nexus, exhibiting a brief show of rage. ‘Pearly believed in what I was doing.’

  ‘Even when you were struck off?’ said Lex.

  ‘I was struck off because of an orchestrated campaign led by ignorant fools in the medical profession,’ replied Nexus, self-consciously rubbing at a tic that had appeared at the corner of his eye. ‘By then, I’d been collaborating with Pearly for some time, and despite my erasure from the medical register, he was happy to provide financial backing that allowed me to continue with my work and still live comfortably … as you can see,’ he added, gesturing at the opulent surroundings. ‘He also set up a research foundation that supported me after his death—’

  ‘Explaining how you managed to carry on with your interest in cryonics,’ interrupted Frankl.

  ‘Exactly. Well before Pearly’s death, my research had already broken new ground. After considerable success working with animals, it was a natural progression to begin trials on human volunteers. My patients were happy to act as guinea pigs, knowing that my research would not necessarily benefit them, but fervently understanding the long-term benefits for all of mankind. Somehow, word got out, and I found myself at the centre of a witch-hunt. Coll
eagues feigned outrage at what I’d been doing. They claimed my work was unethical, but they didn’t understand. Once the press got wind of it, I was doomed. An enquiry was set up with an outcome that was inevitable, and after a hearing that barely lasted a couple of days, I was banned from practising medicine. I was hung out to dry.’

  ‘What did your research involve?’ enquired Strange.

  ‘The extraction and preservation of nerve cells.’

  Strange frowned. ‘Was it successful?’

  ‘To some extent, yes. Cells die when they’re frozen because of intracellular ice crystals that form during the process. The damage is irreparable, and this, in essence, is the conundrum associated with cryonics. I developed a mixture known as a cryoprotectant with the aim of preventing the damage that results from cellular freezing.’

  Lex shook his head. ‘I’m not sure I understand.’

  ‘Hmph.’ Nexus sighed again. ‘I’m trying to explain as clearly as I can.’

  ‘Go on,’ Frankl prompted, ‘but perhaps you could be a bit more simplistic … for Lex’s sake,’ he added in an attempt to placate both men.

  ‘If I must,’ Nexus replied. ‘For years, scientists have fervently believed that cryonics would provide the means to prolong life and that freezing cells would prevent the deterioration seen after death. In this way, a body afflicted by disease could be stored until a time when they might be cured. Unfortunately, cryonics was plagued by many obstacles and this was only made worse by the charlatans aiming to make an easy buck from the sick and the desperate. Not surprisingly, cryonics fell into disrepute, and the way I was treated bears testimony to this,’ he added bitterly.

  ‘However, toiling in secret, I overcame the many difficulties that had previously beset my work, slowly making many unique advances to counter the lethal effect of ice crystal formation by preserving the cells in a suitable medium prior to freezing, thus raising the possibility of returning them to full functionality at a later time.’

  ‘And were you, er, able to accomplish this?’ asked Strange.