The Shadow Conspiracy

by The Shadow Conspiracy (epub)

  Brulet licked his finger and with it pulled a single sheet of paper from the folder, then dropped the folder back onto the desk. ‘Because John here was able to get a copy of your phone records, and it shows you’ve made three calls to him during the past twelve hours.’

  Schroder shot Carter a smirk. ‘One of benefits of working for GCHQ is the access to information – in this case yours.’

  Carter’s neck was beginning to twitch visibly and, although he looked the image of a guilty man, he shook his head fervently. ‘How could I? I don’t even know this man. Now, come on, what’s all this about?’

  ‘It’s about betrayal, David,’ Schroder snapped, pointing a finger directly into Carter’s face. ‘You’ve been working for the Mithras, haven’t you?’

  Carter at first looked stunned, then his cheeks began to flush as the nervousness turned to outrage. ‘How dare you accuse me! I would never throw my lot in with that bunch of degenerates,’ he yelled. Then, looking over at Brulet, he added, ‘I don’t even know any of them.’

  The three men stood in silence for few moments, and then Brulet waved the sheet of paper in his hand. ‘Herbert Pelosi is a contract killer regularly working for the Mithras, and he has been hot on our heels ever since we took Avi Legrundy into custody.’

  Carter was having none of it. ‘Then perhaps you should ask her about him, Sebastian.’

  ‘We would have,’ Brulet answered, pulling a phone from his pocket and holding it out for Carter to see, ‘but she’s been murdered.’

  The screen displayed an image of Avi Legrundy on her knees and bent forwards in a hunched position. Her shirt had been removed, and from her back two white lungs were protruding from her skin and hanging down like fleshy wing flaps. All the skin had been removed between her neck and shoulder blades and three of her ribs, on each side of the spine, had been violently cracked, and then pulled backwards so they stuck upright like thorny spikes.

  ‘The Vikings called this a “blood eagle”, I understand, and I should tell you we believe Ms Legrundy was most likely alive throughout that torture.’

  Blood drained from Carter’s cheeks and he raised his hands to his mouth, looking as though he might vomit.

  Brulet continued, ‘We’re not sure of its significance or why Pelosi killed rather than rescued her, but there can be no doubt that he – and the Mithras – want to get hold of that inscribed coin Alex discovered, and will do whatever it takes to secure it.’

  As Carter composed himself, Brulet slipped the phone back in his pocket and returned his attention to the sheet of paper. ‘And looking at your phone records, it appears you’ve been contacting this sick individual, Pelosi – one can only assume to aid in his quest.’

  Carter was now breathing heavily, his eyes darting back and forth. But suddenly he grew calm, as if a realisation had popped into his head. ‘How do you know it’s this Mithras assassin’s mobile number?’

  ‘What?’ Schroder asked, still looking ready to punch Carter there and then.

  Carter stood up straight and drew his shoulders back. ‘I said, how do you know that number I supposedly called was Pelosi’s? You would have needed to know his number in the first place.’

  There was instantly a lost look in Schroder’s eyes, and Brulet now turned his attention to the MI6 agent. ‘That’s a very good point, John. How did you know?’

  All eyes were now on Schroder, including the two security men right behind him, whose hands hovered inside their suit jackets.

  ‘I checked it and the number was registered to one Herbert Pelosi.’

  ‘It seems rather a foolish move for a contract killer to place his working phone under his actual name, doesn’t it, John?’ Brulet questioned, taking a step back from Schroder and moving closer to Carter. ‘And, come to think of it, how did you know Herbert Pelosi was involved with Mithras in the first place?’

  A vacant look spread across Schroder’s face, but he was already shaking his head defiantly. ‘I ran his name through the GCHQ database, and it turns out we have quite a dossier on him.’

  Brulet slowly removed his glasses to reveal those cross-shaped pupils of his as he let out a sigh. ‘As good as MI6 may be, you know as well as I do that the Mithras people don’t even appear on their radar, as neither do we. The fact that both our groups have been around for so long – centuries before modern intelligence services were even imagined – has thankfully allowed us to unnoticed and remain in the shadows, as it were.’

  Schroder said nothing to this as Brulet continued. ‘Dear God, John, how long have we known each other, trusted each other, been each other’s confidants? I never in a million years would have believed that you, of all people, would be the one to betray us.’

  Schroder still said nothing – and thereby said it all.

  ‘How long?’ Brulet persisted, sounding bitterly disappointed.

  Schroder relaxed his body and then he expelled a deep breath. ‘From the beginning, Sebastian. From the very beginning.’

  Brulet looked sad and shocked as the MI6 agent continued.

  ‘I was born into the Mithras – like my father, and his before him. At a time when the Templars were waging an all-out war with each other… you remember?’

  Brulet gave a slow nod of his head. ‘I remember.’

  ‘Well, I was tasked with infiltrating MI6, purely to become an asset, which I did. Then, later on, when you believed the Mithras had been defeated, I wormed my way into your ranks. A ploy which, judging by the look on your face, was a complete success. And as the years have passed, I have kept them updated on the Templars’ actions – mainly so they could keep out of your way, I should add. But that all changed a few months back when Father John Davies decided to rekindle our association through his attempts to induct Alex Harker into the Order.’ Schroder shook his head contemptuously. ‘Through one idiotic act the Mithras were dragged back out of the shadows, as you put it, and placed centre stage once again. And with their anonymity in shreds, they are coming back fighting, Sebastian. They’ve amassed a lot of power and wealth, and you should know that this is just the beginning. They will stop at nothing in bringing you down and resetting the balance as they view it. You see, the discovery of that pyramid in Gibraltar was a complete fluke. But what they now hope to gain from it is nothing short of miraculous.’

  Schroder smiled in admiration and clasped his hands together. ‘You see, the stories are all true. That corpse you took from Legrundy is a genuine bona fide extraterrestrial, and the coin Harker has in his possession is the key to a world of wonders.’

  Brulet and Carter stood rigid in stunned silence as Schroder seemed to find renewed energy from what he was saying, his gesticulations becoming more animated. ‘They arrived long before humanity got its act together and their civilisation ruled here for thousands of years. But then something happened: a worldwide calamity that sent the planet back to square one. We haven’t been able to figure out how or why, but we do know the new arrivals helped mankind rebuild, planting the seeds of knowledge that would grow into the modern world. They were the gods regularly described to us in ancient texts, giant beings with technology that we can only imagine, and then… poof, they retreated into the shadows until they might be needed again.’

  Schroder’s story was now sounding as outlandish as a sci-fi B-movie plot. But Brulet remained silent because, regardless of what he thought, it was clear that Schroder spoke with absolute conviction.

  ‘The coin Alex found? He was almost right. It’s not an invitation exactly, but the means of finding the location where these beings still wait to this day, and many within the Mithras believe that place – that Ark of Knowledge – holds technology that has not only the power to change the world but grants absolute power to those who possess it. And therefore they will stop at nothing to find it.’

  This all sounded preposterous, and the only thing that had Brulet withholding judgement was the strange humanoid corpse they had in their possession. ‘Where did the body come from and why did L
egrundy have it, if she was so out of favour with the Mithras?’

  Schroder gave a small shake of his head and rolled his eyes. ‘Two of the archaeologists working at the site – Audrey Banford and her sidekick Miguel – claimed they had found the location of this Ark of Knowledge, or whatever you want to call it, and then they simply disappeared without another word. A week later a boat was found adrift in the Bay of Bengal, with the dead body of Miguel and no sign of Banford. But what they did find on board was the corpse you now have, then still alive and caged. From what I hear, it was half dead already, and when the Mithras got wind of it they ordered it to be retrieved immediately. Unfortunately for us, Legrundy got there first.’

  ‘I thought Legrundy was one of the Mithras,’ Carter said.

  ‘She was, but after that stupid induction stunt carried out at Father John Davies’s instruction, she wanted to barter it for the safety of their little bunch of merry idiots.’ Schroder let out a grunt. ‘As you know, Alex got to her first and now here we are.’

  ‘But why the need to barter? And for what?’

  ‘What do you think? For their lives. A peace offering, if you will. After screwing up royally and letting the cat out of the bag that the Mithras were still around and as strong as ever, they were put on a kill list… They deserved it too.’

  This casual mention of murder had Brulet unable to hide his revulsion as he realised his trusted friend was nothing like the man he had believed him to be. He was just as immoral as the Mithras and had the complete lack of empathy that the cult considered a positive trait. ‘Is John Davies still alive?’ he asked.

  Schroder shook his head. ‘Not any more. Their loss of the creature’s body to the Templars was the final straw. I don’t know the details but I guarantee you won’t be seeing him again.’

  He threw up his arms like a man with nothing to lose. ‘And there you have it, a fantastical tale that happens to be true, and I can see in your face that you don’t know what to believe. The great Sebastian Brulet, for once in his life, completely at a loss.’

  Schroder appeared to be enjoying the stunned reaction he was receiving, and as he let out a single joyous bellow of laughter, Brulet’s mouth clamped shut and his usual calm composure returned to him.

  ‘Not so much confused, John. Just a bit disappointed at realising you’re not the good and honourable man I always believed you to be.’

  Schroder’s hands now dropped to his side and he snarled at the Grand Master. ‘Disappointed! Let me tell you what real disappointment is,’ he cried out. ‘Real disappointment is my having so many opportunities over the years to slit your throat before you even knew what was happening, but having to restrain myself for the greater good. The greater good of the Mithras.’ He was now swaying from side to side and his jaw muscles tightened. ‘Real bitterness is spending years having to serve the Templars – the ones who caused the Mithras such devastation.’

  ‘The Mithras were – and are – murderers, liars and psychopaths, with little care for anyone but themselves and their own interests, John.’

  Schroder puckered his lips and spat on to the floor. ‘Such a veritable knight in shining white armour you are, Sebastian. So decent and good and kind. Please… it’s enough to make me puke. Empires aren’t built on your beloved morals. No, they’re built on oppression, brutality, and the sweat and blood of the people they dominate.’

  ‘And all empires fall eventually, John, but ideology – belief in whatever god – remains untouched and continues in the minds of people forever.’

  Schroder was now looking pretty full of himself, and clearly glad to be able to finally express himself after so many years. ‘And when Dr Cordon gets you the results of the DNA taken from the corpse, and you realise that everything I’m saying is true – that the gods are truly nothing but evolved beings who used technology to planet-hop and shape our world as they wished it – what then of your Christian God and all the Papal bullshit you’ve shaped your whole life around? When you come to realise that ultimately we’re all just animals with base instincts, and that violence and power are the only things that matter… what then?’

  Brulet gazed down at the floor and thought about that for a moment, before looking back up again with a smile. ‘Then I believe I’ll have a drink in your honour, and thank the heavens that your primitive, primordial and twisted sensibilities have been cast out by the majority of humans existing on this planet. I will then have another drink and thank God that you are locked up behind bars or in a mental facility, incarcerated for the rest of your life where you will never cause anyone harm again.’

  Schroder took in this veiled threat with a smile and did not struggle as the two security guards grasped him by both arms and began to drag him back towards the lift. Then suddenly he screamed out loudly, ‘You’ve not heard the last of me, Sebastian. I’ll be back.’

  ‘How very clichéd of you, John. Have a safe trip… and be sure to write.’

  The lift doors clunked shut, leaving Brulet and Carter alone amongst the rows of shelving, and a few seconds passed before either one of them spoke.

  ‘Bloody hell,’ Carter said loudly, resting his fists on the desk top. ‘Do you think all that stuff about aliens is true?’

  Brulet gave a gentle shrug. ‘To be honest, David, I don’t know what to believe. But I’m sure Dr Cordon will find out soon enough.’

  The Grand Master’s answer was delivered in such a placatory manner that it had Carter staring at him wide-eyed. ‘How can you be so calm about all this, Sebastian? John Schroder is a Mithras spy and there’s potential proof of extraterrestrial life on our planet!’

  ‘That’s exactly why. Until we have such proof there’s not much to discuss, so let’s keep our heads down and deal with other things first.’

  ‘Such as?’

  ‘Such as – are there any other spies within the Templars? If Schroder managed to pull the wool over all our eyes, then anything is possible.’

  Brulet placed a hand on Carter’s shoulder and tapped it lightly. ‘And I must apologise to you for the deception, but I was worried Schroder might take off if I hadn’t suggested confronting you with his false phone records.’

  Carter grinned. ‘Glad to be of help,’ he said proudly as Brulet began making his way towards the lift. ‘So long as you know I’m on the side of the Templars.’

  Brulet paused, turned back and wagged a finger. ‘My dear David, I would never believe otherwise.’

  As Brulet was about to step into the lift, Carter called after him with a final query. ‘There’s one thing that’s been bugging me, Sebastian. How did you know the name Herbert Pelosi in the first place?’

  The Grand Master turned back to face Carter. ‘Ah, now that’s the real question, isn’t it?’

  Chapter 20

  ‘I just can’t believe that John Schroder was a Mithras spy,’ Harker gasped, and Doggie seemed equally flabbergasted. ‘He’s been with the Templars for so many years, and I’ve known him myself for at least two!’

  Botha gave a solemn nod, looking thoroughly demoralised. ‘It gets worse. Sebastian confronted him about an hour ago, and Schroder took off – managed to get away. God knows where.’ Botha looked like a man about to go on the warpath. ‘I’m glad I wasn’t there to see it as I’d have shot him in a heartbeat. But trying to put a positive spin on it, at least we know how Legrundy came to be in possession of the creature, and what the Mithras are looking for. Not sure it helps us much, though.’

  Gathered on the available seating in a small hotel room not far from Zermatt, the three men stared at each other thoughtfully, while the fourth simply looked confused.

  ‘Who is John Schroder?’ Wexler asked, and received a stern look from Botha.

  ‘I would have thought you’d know, Doctor, seeing as you worked for them.’

  Wexler looked offended by the mere association and began to deny it vehemently. ‘I have absolutely nothing to do with those murdering psychopaths,’ he declared. ‘I hadn’t even heard of t
he Mithras people before you lot turned up. I assumed they were a privately funded company which had secured a unique archaeological site.’

  ‘Well, that part is true,’ Harker conceded. ‘They are privately funded.’

  This did little to pacify Wexler. ‘Might I remind you that I’ve just seen a good friend of mine murdered in cold blood, and if Mr Botha had not rescued us, I would most likely be in the same condition.’

  After Botha’s miraculous appearance and their escape by helicopter, they had been flown to a field on the outskirts of the small town of Tasch, about five miles from Zermatt. Botha’s colleague had then taken off again, leaving them to make the short walk to the Hotel Elite. In their puffer jackets they looked like tourists and had not garnered much attention, although the receptionist had raised an eyebrow at four men taking a room containing only one bed.

  ‘How the hell did you find us anyway?’ Harker asked, until now so thankful for Botha’s shock appearance that this had not crossed his mind.

  ‘The same way I found out that Schroder was a spy,’ Botha replied. ‘We were intending to move Avi Legrundy to a more secure location, so I went ahead to make sure it was suitable. It was, but when I got back I found we’d been hit.’

  Botha’s grimace gave the impression that he felt partially responsible. ‘Legrundy was dead – and you don’t want to know how, believe me.’

  ‘I do,’ Doggie interrupted, oblivious to the painful story Botha was telling.

  Botha pulled a mobile from his pocket and tapped its surface before passing it over. ‘It’s not a pretty sight,’ he warned. ‘Anyway, almost all my men were dead, along with one of our associates, and that was the grisly scene we found.’

  Doggie recoiled at the gruesome image of Legrundy and quickly passed the phone to Harker.

  ‘Oh my god, nobody deserves to die like that. Not even Legrundy,’ Harker exclaimed wincing and, soon having his fill of the gory pictures, he thrust the mobile back into Botha’s hands. ‘You said almost everyone was killed?’