Antler Plan (A Konrad Loki Thriller Book 1)

by Joonas Huhta

  Konrad thought of the black horse in the woods. Could it have been Oona, forcing him to solve the puzzle?

  “I think, Konrad,” Lennart said, “that you invoked a Dead Soul. Someone, perhaps, you knew. Contacting a Soul can go beyond our understanding and feel non-human. But it was a contact still.”

  Konrad and Gideon shared glances.

  Lennart closed his eyes. “I can hear ancestral voices…” He tried to move and initiate a yoik, but he collapsed.

  Konrad and Gideon watched Lennart lying down in front of the weakening fire. He spoke in his sleep, “The most vital forces of nature for Sámi people were the wind and the sun... the wind and the sun…”

  Konrad reached to wake him up but withdrew his hand. Lennart didn’t want to be woken up anymore.

  The two walked away from where Lennart had arrived. As they moved through the trees, they both could hear peaceful snoring behind them.

  Then the final, loud inhale and release.

  The woods grew darker around them.

  Konrad let a loose tear freeze on his cheek.

  59

  PATRICK PULLED JULIA closer to him and planted a kiss on her lips. A busload of Japanese tourists sprawled around them. A Japanese couple, as concentrated on each other as Patrick and Julia were, collided in Patrick’s back. The rest of the visitors continued with their waterproof jackets rustling.

  “I thought all Japanese were interested in the Christmas Land,” Patrick said.

  After a small hesitation and exchanging of blushes, the young couple cleared their throats.

  “Our wishes have come true already,” the man said, looking at his wife. “Christmas should be about family and love. All these decorations and lights, the money machine behind it, they make us sad. My father paid for our trip, so we don’t complain. I might propose to her.”

  “We are glad you have found each other,” Julia said.

  The man and the woman stared into each other’s eyes for ten heartbeats.

  Another tourist bus with noisy brakes swerved into the parking lot. Patrick and Julia were delighted by the pool of multiple languages spoken among the flow of people: Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Russia, German, an Australian accent here, a word of Mexican there. Only an American arrogant accent was like a train screeching brakes in Patrick’s ears.

  Like you own the world…

  The Japanese man pointed at the machine Patrick had just installed. A mixture of interest, hope, and anticipation grew on his face. “Is that what I think it is?”

  “Yes.”

  “Delightful. People can forget all the troubles of the world, even just for a few seconds.”

  “I’m quite sure this little invention works as the opposite,” Patrick said. “It will remind everyone what needs to be done. That we all must act as the ambassadors of good will, love, and peace.”

  The man nodded. He interpreted to his wife what the machine was and what Patrick had just said.

  “Kawaii!” the woman enthused, and they both walked after the next wave of tourists.

  Patrick grabbed Julia by the arm.

  “Let’s catapult civilization into new heights, shall we?”

  60

  KONRAD AND GIDEON dodged through the trees. Gideon slammed headfirst into a dark old warfare trench and knocked himself almost unconscious as all air was forced out of his lungs.

  They had arrived at the road that connected Santa Park and Santa Claus Village. Konrad saw no emergency lights or vehicles parked at the entrance to the Cave. Hadn’t anyone heard the blasts, or were those living adjacent used to bedrock explosions?

  “Konrad,” Gideon said. “The other day Patrick took me snowboarding with Viktor. Patrick replaced me with a skiing instructor. Just like that.”

  “What are you suggesting?”

  “Santa Claus may be replaced. What if he’s the one delivering the moral enhancement to children? Or to adults?”

  “Delivering the presents to the world,” Konrad concurred. “You are right.”

  Gideon shrugged. “Probably our best shot.”

  “But did you see anything on that day with the president?” Konrad said as they jogged toward the Santa Village. “Tell me everything.”

  Gideon recapped. He couldn’t come up with anything new. “An invisible weapon. I felt they were bluffing about its existence.”

  “Damn, Julia,” Konrad snapped. “What have you done…”

  “Is she your wife?”

  “Ex.”

  “How could she build something this big without you knowing?”

  “She loves to work alone.”

  “You love her?”

  Konrad leveled his gaze.

  Gideon said, “What? We need all the leverage we can get.”

  “I have no idea what love is anymore,” Konrad said.

  “I think she loves you.”

  “Gideon, look. I messed up. She messed up even worse. End of story.”

  “But…”

  “No.” Konrad decreased speed, breaking their rhythm. “We have a two-kilometer hike ahead. Ten minutes. It might mean losing this war.”

  “Let’s hope the party hasn’t started yet.”

  “Come. The darker it gets, the darker it will be for the world. Santa will hold his welcome speech for the tourists and soon after that hop to his sleigh and depart with Rudolph.”

  “Their next target is Israel. I’m starting to doubt Patrick’s replacing Santa. He hates animals. He wouldn’t jump into Rudolph’s sleigh.”

  “Santa is still our best bet. Besides, people change.” Konrad held a pause. “Patrick may have Julia nearby in the woods so that she’ll take the reins and guide them to the airport. It’s their Symbolic Path. Eventually, they will fly, but with an airplane.”

  “Would they truly be that stupid? I mean going to all the trouble? Why don’t we just call or head to the airport or cause a scene that would ground all the planes? A bomb threat.”

  “We could. If anybody believed us and if it wouldn’t jeopardize seizing them both.”

  “We had better behave well. We can only hope for a miracle.”

  “Have faith in me,” Konrad said. “Hope is not our best weapon tonight.”

  “What is then?”

  “I’m still working on it.”

  Gideon sighed.

  “Don’t worry,” Konrad said. “The only truly frightening thing here is Patrick who thinks he’s right. I don’t believe Julia would ever match that.”

  “It’s frightening that I don’t have a clue what’s right anymore.”

  “Chin up. Maybe we are here to find out what’s right.”

  Gideon said nothing.

  “I’m sorry,” Konrad said. “I must have sounded just like your mother.”

  Gideon jogged for a few seconds in silence.

  “It’s okay.”

  61

  AT THE GATES of Santa Claus Village, the artificial-snow-capped wooden buildings were bathed in all shades of pink, blue, and neon green. Pretty much the whole gigantic industrial complex was a decorated Christmas tree. Tourists flocked by the hundreds into the center where crossing the line of the Arctic Circle was an attraction. Darker and sinister back alleys branched like antlers, littered with dimmer lights.

  “The people are waiting for Santa already,” Gideon said. “What shall we do?”

  Konrad remembered the vision of Gideon bombing the people.

  “We’ll spread out. Patrick and Julia might be anywhere, so be careful. Sneak. They’re not expecting us to still be alive.” Konrad snatched an elf hat from a tourist who left one unguarded. They separated, and Konrad gave the hat to Gideon. “Mask yourself. Do what it takes.”

  “What will happen?”

  “I honestly don’t know. Let’s hope we still have time.”

  Gideon pulled the hat on. “I’ll get up to the roof for a better view.”

  “Good.” Konrad looked around him, searching for clues. “I’ll go to meet Santa.”

  �
��Be careful.”

  Konrad drew in a breath. “Time to spoil the party.”

  “That’s what you’re good at.”

  “Really now?”

  “At some point, it has to stop. Believers think their party will go on forever. Because their Big Boss says so.”

  “One day I’ll tell you why it’s problematic to use mental images as a hobby horse in one’s favor. We must live our lives as if we deserved it. Many times, people believe that they’re doing good, being morally enlightened, but their actions are born out of fear.”

  “How about us?” Gideon asked. “Aren’t we scared? What if we aren’t doing good?”

  “We have lived thus far; we deserve this chance. I’m not going to lie to you—I have no idea how this day is going to turn out. Your mother believed in unity as one of the driving forces of humankind, but she also warned about the means to get there. I’m doing this for your mother. I’m only beginning to understand her strength in her Faith.”

  Gideon stared at Konrad, his face hardened with determination.

  “Let’s do this.”

  “I’ll sneak into Santa’s chamber.”

  “Shall I try to call for backup?”

  “No. We must avoid panic. More people will only be infected if they leave or run away.”

  “What if—”

  “Gideon.” Konrad placed his hand on the young man’s shoulder. “It’s only us now.”

  Gideon pulled in a deep breath.

  “Okay.”

  They parted ways. Konrad walked through the tourists trying to get around the corner and behind the palace of Santa Claus. He passed one the biggest Christmas trees he ever saw and listened to all the languages around him. He glanced at the tree one more time and his heart gave an extra pump when he realized what the colorful hanging decorations were.

  Country flags of the world.

  GIDEON STOLE A mobile phone from a tourist’s bag side pocket. Upon calling Ville, he was surprised he could remember the phone number. A familiar phone song sprang into life behind him.

  Gideon hung up, turned around and saw Ville staring at his phone. Gideon tapped on the shoulder of the tourist and apologized to him in Finnish for stealing the phone from him.

  “Merci!” the tourist said.

  Ville spotted Gideon. “I’ll be damned. The thief in action.”

  “I’m so glad to see you,” Gideon said, “I need your help.”

  Ville shook his head and hid his phone. “Don’t even try.”

  Gideon leaned forward and pressed his cheek against Ville’s, whispering, “They killed my mother.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re trying to use me again.”

  “They. Killed. Ruut.”

  It took Ville’s breath away.

  “They are planning to attack this place any moment now.”

  “What?”

  “My God!” Rebecca yelled close by. “Boys! Get yourself a room.”

  Now it was Ville who rushed to whisper the news into Rebecca’s ear. She looked at Gideon, surrendered to a fog of confusion. “Tell me it’s not true.”

  “I’ll tell you both what’s true,” Gideon said, “and what will happen if we don’t work together.”

  62

  THE PITTER PATTER of eager tourists’ feet in an outlet shop drummed while Konrad’s stomach churned at the sight of the worldwide commercial holy day. The commercial orgy, spending in overdrive. Everybody barraged by the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas.

  Konrad sneaked into the Santa’s Chamber through a cracked open window. Fire burned in a big hearth, and he saw a pair of Santa’s boots in one corner, dark and heavy. Upon them, two jackets hung casually on a sofa, and in the warm light, the red appeared to be the deepest he ever saw. Two snow-white beards hung on a stand next to the door.

  There’s only one Santa Claus…

  An intoxicating odor wafted to his nose, and it took only two seconds to realize who it belonged to.

  Julia.

  Her presence was haunting.

  Something moved behind the door of the restroom.

  Konrad jumped behind the door as quietly as he could but tripped and smashed his shoulder against the wall.

  The door opened and for a second Konrad smelled the odor more precisely. He pushed the door hard against the man who seemed to threaten him.

  The door hit the man in the head with a loud crack. Hands ready in fists, Konrad witnessed a lifeless body smack the floor. In a blur of adrenaline, Konrad gasped and held his head.

  The man lying on the floor was his chubby doctor Olaf from the hospital.

  A little side job?

  Olaf was nearly all dressed for Christmas. Only his white beard was misplaced—hanging on his chest.

  A knock sounded at the door, and a woman spoke in the clear voice of a rock musician manager. “Everything okay in there?”

  Konrad mimicked the big man’s voice by pulling his chin back, “Uno moment!”

  Silence was tangible.

  Konrad cleared his voice audibly as if preparing for a speech.

  “Good,” the woman said, “see you in five minutes.”

  “Where?” Konrad immediately regretted his words.

  “What are you talking about? I’m coming in.”

  Konrad attacked the door with a panther’s leap. He yelled in a low voice, “I just had to take a whole hectare of shit. Stomach problems. I’ll change and come right up.”

  Again silence.

  Nothing seemed to happen until a little white pill rolled under the door near the tip of his shoe.

  “That’ll help you over the worst,” the woman said, “Hurry up now. The world awaits your speech and departure.”

  This time Konrad managed not to ask what the pill was. He picked it up and threw it into the fire. He planned to hide Olaf in the toilet and shove a sock in his mouth.

  Then there were not many options left.

  Konrad held up a sofa pillow against his stomach.

  Father-fucking-Christmas…

  63

  GIDEON, VILLE, AND REBECCA spread out in the crowd. Looking for something they had absolutely no idea about felt hopelessly idiotic. Why didn’t they just announce the danger, warn the people, and call the cops?

  Gideon concentrated on the mass of individuals. Patrick and Julia could be anywhere. He did his best to figure out their plan, looked up, wished for miracle, but nothing gave him hope. Was their struggle in vain?

  The bulletproof vest under his clothes kept rubbing, pinching and itching. Had someone told him a week ago about this situation he would have just shrugged. But the nightmare was real. Soon there would be no option but to act, threaten with a suicide vest if necessary. Nobody could escape.

  Ville had climbed atop a snowy slope. He spread his hands at Gideon. Rebecca was gazing into the sky on the other side of the square. Something in her momentary calm spoke to Gideon, as if she was saying her goodbyes to Ruut’s soul.

  Gideon looked up, but quickly lowered his gaze to rooftop level. On one balcony was something familiar. A machine he had seen twice before.

  In the snow hill.

  In the Cave.

  He made a three-sixty. Six more machines, barely visible behind searchlights.

  The lights started turning slowly, automated toward the Santa Claus Office.

  Two little elves, a girl and a boy, opened the entry doors. While they slowly walked down the stairs and the lights turned down on them, everybody grew quiet. The show was on.

  In an eerily heavy silence, the elves placed their hands on their forehead and looked from side to side far away.

  “Has anyone seen Santa Claus?” the girl elf asked, turning to the boy elf.

  The boy wiped the back of his hand across his forehead. “Phew! We have wrapped the presents. Millions of presents. My hands are so tired and full of blisters. And we checked the weather and the route.”

  “Yes, but the primary mission still belongs to Santa Claus,” the girl sa
id. She added a big arm movement. “Every year he delivers gifts to children all over the world on Christmas Eve.”

  More time passed.

  The elves looked at each other.

  “Oh, no,” the boy said and placed his hand near his mouth. “What if Santa is late? What will happen?”

  The girl looked fearful. “Let’s call his name.”

  After a few yells, the audience joined the chorus.

  “Santa Claus—where are you?”

  JULIA HEARD SANTA CLAUS’ name being called a few hundred meters away in the woods. She gave a hug to Rudolph, the first in the line of reindeer.

  “You always do all the hard work.”

  Rudolph didn’t protest Julia’s tighter hug.

  “You are just like me. We work hard in the background so that everyone can lead their lives. So that Christmas can come every year. So that everybody around the world can forget war just for a moment.”

  Julia stared in the direction Rudolph was focusing on.

  People celebrating,

  Time to cross the Rubicon.

  Julia kissed Rudolph’s antlers, rose to her feet, and went to witness the miracle.

  64

  KONRAD EXITED THE ROOM, sweating inside the red clothes. The beard itched, but the combination of hotness and uncomfortable clothes didn’t go near what bothered him the most. The overheated room had caused his body to protest. His body tingled all over, and every step hurt as if a thousand rusty needles were stuck in his thighs.

  What the hell am I going to say?

  There was no plan, no procedure. Probably everything the marketing bosses had expected was inside the head of the unconscious man lying on the floor of the toilet.

  Hands and legs trembling, he took his balance from the walls. He feared falling on his face in front of the people. If his real identity were revealed, he would probably be killed by the angry mob.