The Cult of Osiris

by Andy McDermott

  The shocked cult members stopped. Diamondback barged through them, drawing his revolvers.

  Nina was at the exit to the street. Eddie slammed the temple door and tipped over a table, stacks of DVDs clattering across the floor. The next stall was still being set up, a cardboard box of books half-unpacked upon it. The flat plastic tie that held it closed in transit had been cut; he grabbed it and sprinted after Nina.

  The temple door crashed open. One of the men in green ploughed through it, Diamondback right behind him, guns raised—

  The goon stepped on the scattered DVD cases - and fell, plastic gliding over plastic like ice beneath his foot. Diamondback couldn't stop in time and tripped over him. One of his guns went off as he hit the ground. The stallworkers fled screaming.

  Eddie ran through the wooden double doors after Nina and slammed them shut. The handles were heavy knobs of time-worn brass; he looped the plastic tie repeatedly round them and knotted it, pulling it as tight as he could.

  Macy ran to them. 'Dr Wilde! What happened?

  They didn't like having their beliefs challenged,' Nina said. She looked for the fastest escape route.

  Eddie had already seen it. He whistled sharply to signal the women, hurrying to Osir's parked limousine. The startled chauffeur took the impacts of Eddie's fist and the road surface to his face in rapid succession as he was thrown out on to the street. 'Come on!'

  We're stealing his lima?' Macy cried.

  Nina opened the rear door and shoved her inside. It's better than a cab!' She dived in after her. 'Eddie, go!

  Eddie floored the accelerator. The limo leapt away from the kerb, clipping the car parked in front of it as he swerved. Then they were clear.

  Nina looked back, seeing the wooden doors shaking violently before the plastic tie finally broke. Diamondback ran on to the street, shouting after them - but with enough presence of mind not to open fire right outside his employer's building on a busy thoroughfare.

  Eddie powered through the Parisian streets for barely more than a minute before skidding to a stop near the entrance to an underground Metro station. All out!' he called. They abandoned the vehicle - though Macy was surprised that they ran past the station rather than into it. They'll think that's where we went,' he explained. Tf les flics are all busy checking the subway stations, they won't be looking for us in a Starbucks round the corner.'

  You're pretty good at this stuff, aren't you?' said Macy with a certain amount of admiration.

  Not bad,' he said, smiling as they rounded a corner to see an Internet cafe ahead. 'There we go. Not a Starbucks, but near enough.' They went inside.

  A police car sped past the cafe a few minutes later, siren wailing, but that was the only sign of pursuit they saw. The authorities and the Osirian Temple appeared to have fallen for Eddie's ruse. All the same, he remained tense, looking out through the front window until the noise faded. I think they've gone,' he finally said, turning back to Nina and Macy. They had booked time on a computer, initially so as not to attract any attention, before looking up the cult on the Internet again. 'So, what now?'

  Nina had been giving that exact question some thought. 'Osir's definitely got the zodiac, and he really is after the Pyramid of Osiris. You saw how he reacted when I mentioned them.'

  Yeah, and we were bloody lucky to get out of there. I think we ought to tell the Egyptians what we've found out and let them handle it. It's their zodiac, they can get it back themselves.

  We don't have any proof yet,' Nina objected. Tt's probably at his headquarters in Switzerland,' she indicated the Osirian Temple's web page on the PC's screen, 'but we'll need more than that to convince the minister or Dr Assad to take anv action/

  Whatever we do, we'll have to do it fast,' said Macy. Otherwise they'll find the pyramid and take everything inside it.'

  There's not a lot we can do to stop them, is there?' Eddie said irritably. 'They're not just going to let us stroll into their HQ and take a gander at the thing.'

  Well, obviously not,' Macy replied, annoyed, 'but - but you could break in!' she went on, suddenly enthusiastic again. You were like some special forces guy, weren't you? Dr Wilde and I could cause some sort of distraction, and you could sneak in and do your ninja thing to find the zodiac—'

  Nina put her fingertips to her temples. 'Oh, shut up, Macy,' she growled. Macy was startled, and hurt. No, really, we could—

  This isn't a movie, and Eddie sure as hell isn't a ninja. It's a stupid idea.' She frowned, rubbing her forehead. 'Let me think.'

  Speaking of stupid ideas,' said Eddie as Macy sat back tight-lipped, going into that temple and telling those nutters about the time their god had his knob chopped off was pretty fucking dim.'

  Nina glared at him. 'Right, like getting into a macho pissing contest with an armed murderer was a smart move. Way to keep out of trouble there, Eddie.'

  Excuse bloody me/ he cried sarcastically. 'I'm not the one who's looking for trouble. I didn't decide to blow up Times Square or wreck the Sphinx or pick a fight with a load of fucking looney-tunes cultists! Quick, tell the shrinks - you've found a new way of getting out of a depression!

  They don't like being called shrinks,' Macy snapped.

  Nina ignored her. 'Yes, of course! Why didn't I see it before? Obviously what I need to get me past the worst time of my life since my parents died is being chased and shot at!'

  Eddie snorted in a mix of anger and dismay. 'Oh, good to know our marriage got off to such a great start.'

  I didn't think you'd noticed!' she shot back. 'Since you'd apparently found other ways to occupy your time.'

  He looked up at the ceiling, rolling his eyes. For fuck's sake! Not this again.'

  What am I supposed to think?' Nina demanded. T find out that not only are you spending time with another woman, but you're also lying to me about it!

  And I told you there's nothing going on between me and Amy.

  Then why won't you tell me what you were doing?'

  He threw up his hands. You know what? I was going to, even though I wanted to keep it a secret until the right time, but I'm not going to bother. It's not like you've paid any attention to anyone but yourself for the past seven months, no reason you'd start now.

  What the hell does that mean?' Nina demanded.

  He made a sarcastic sound. 'You're not the only one who got fired, remember? I lost my job too. And look at all the crap I've had to do to support us both, working all bloody hours buying orange juice for a bunch of paranoid rich tossers while all you do is sit around and moan about moving out of your precious bloody Manhattan!'

  I didn't just lose a job,' Nina snarled. I lost my career, my reputation - everything! And if you can't see why I might be a bit goddamn depressed about that, maybe you don't know me atallF

  Maybe I don't,' he shot back. I didn't think the woman I married would be such a bloody winner, for a start.'

  ■ What?

  You didn't hear me going on and on about how crap everything was, did you? No, I got off my arse and actually did something about it!'

  Oh, so the five hundred letters I wrote trying to find work didn't count?' she cried. Maybe you think I should have gotten ajob at McDonald's!'

  Macy slapped a palm on the table. 'Okay, look! This isn't helping. We need to find—

  Shut up!' they both shouted. Macy stared at Nina, then, lips quivering, jumped up and hurried out.

  Shit,' said Eddie, after a moment. T'd better go after her, make sure she doesn't run straight into Diamondback or someone.'

  You do that,' Nina replied coldly. Eddie shook his head and followed Macy. God damn it.' She looked at the screen. Osir's portrait beamed back at her. Nina regarded him, silently thinking.

  And making a decision.

  After a few minutes, Eddie and Macy returned. She still looked upset, and his expression didn't appear to have lightened either. Nina was sure what she was about to say wouldn't improve their moods. T've decided what I'm going to do,' she announced.

&nbs
p; Oh, you have, have you?' Eddie replied suspiciously.

  That's right. Macy's plan wasn't entirely stupid.

  Glad you think so,' Macy said, unimpressed.

  I'm going to Osir's headquarters in Switzerland, like she suggested. But there won't be any sneaking around. I'm going to give him what he needs to find the Pyramid of Osiris.' She stood. 'And you know something? I'm going in alone.

  12

  L2

  Switzerland

  Nina walked along the short road to the edge of the lake, tension churning in her stomach. A gatehouse on the shore marked the entrance to the headquarters of the Osirian Temple . . . which were not what she had imagined.

  Some forty feet out from the lake's edge was a rocky island, bordered by a sheer wall of grey stone battlements with men patrolling them. Circular towers stood higher at the corners, topped by conical roofs of bright red slate; another, larger rectangular roof above the far wall marked the castle's Gothic keep. A drawbridge, its two halves currently raised, linked the castle to the mainland.

  The whole scene, backed by a range of Alpine peaks beyond the blue lake, was almost ridiculously picturesque - with the exception of one thing that stood out as utterly incongruous. Inside the castle's expansive courtyard, rising above the walls, was a pyramid of black glass. It was the same structure Nina had seen behind Osir in his photo on the Osirian Temple's website

  The drawbridge s heavy dark wood beams rose like a wall through the gatehouse archway, blocking her view of the castle beyond. To one side was an intercom, a camera regarding her glassily.

  The knot in her stomach tightened. She was taking a huge risk in coming here. But she still reached up and pushed the intercom button.

  'Yes?' said a voice from the panel's speaker.

  'My name is Dr Nina Wilde,' Nina said as she stared directly at the camera to make sure the guard got a good view of her face. 'Tell Khalid Osir ... I want to make a deal.'

  T must admit, Dr Wilde,' said Osir ten minutes later, Tin surprised to see you again. Certainly here.'

  I'm still a little surprised myself,' she said, as she was escorted into a large room inside the keep. It was a museum, dedicated to a singular subject.

  Osiris.

  Why are you even talking to her?' snapped Shaban. He had met her at the main gate, leading a squad of green-blazered men, and Nina was sure that if he had been in charge rather than Osir, he would have had her killed on the spot. 'This is obviously a trick. Bobby can dispose of her somewhere she will never be found.'

  You must excuse my brother,' Osir said, giving Shaban a dismissive wave that only increased his anger. 'He has never been one for social pleasantries.'

  Yeah, I got that impression,' said Nina, taking a closer look at one of the display cases. It contained an ancient papyrus scroll, carefully preserved between two sheets of glass.

  Osir saw her interest. I think you know what that is.'

  The fourth page of the scrolls that led to the discovery of the Hall of Records, I'm guessing.'

  Yes. The Osirian Temple funded an archaeological digjust beyond the Egyptian border in Gaza, which my experts - who are also my followers - thought might uncover something interesting. They were more right than I could have imagined.'

  So you kept the final page for yourself

  I had no problem with the Egyptian government taking possession of the Hall of Records. It's a national treasure. But once I found out what was inside it,' he gestured at the papyrus, 'I knew it was something I had to keep for myself. Whatever the price.' He indicated the other exhibits, which ranged from carved figurines of the ancient god to large sections of stone, seemingly cut from walls, bearing more hieroglyphs. 'This is the greatest private collection of

  Osirian artefacts in the world. I've been collecting them for years - but I hope the collection will soon become much larger.'

  Once you find the Pyramid of Osiris,' said Nina.

  Indeed. And apparently you are willing to help me do that/

  If she can be trusted,' Shaban growled.

  We'll see. This way, Dr Wilde.' Osir guided her towards a door. They passed a space amongst the exhibits which to Nina seemed the perfect size to accommodate the zodiac, but she had no time to remark upon it as Osir led her into the next room.

  Despite the Egyptian theme to the decor, the luxurious lounge was decidedly playboyish in style, all chrome and pale wood and black leather. 'Please, sit down,' said Osir. Nina took a place on a plump leather couch with white sheepskin cushions and drapes. She expected Osir to sit in the chair facing her, but instead he joined her on the couch. Shaban remained standing. So,' said Osir with a smile, 'can I get you anything?

  No, thank you.

  Then I hope you don't mind if I have something myself.' There was a stylish speakerphone on a glass coffee table; he pushed a button and said, Fiona? My usual coffee, please.' A glance at Shaban, who scowled and shook his head. Just the one, thank you.' He leaned back and rested an arm along the top of the couch, fingertips almost touching Nina's shoulder. 'Well then, Dr Wilde ... or may I call you Nina?'

  Sure, I guess,' she said uncertainly.

  Call me Khalid, if you like. Whatever makes you most comfortable.'

  Okay . . . Khalid.' She managed a faint smile, which Osir returned with added magnitude.

  So, Nina. You want to offer me a deal.' The smile was still there, but it was now businesslike. 'I am very interested to hear it.'

  So am I,' Shaban said coldly.

  Let's put all our cards on the table,' Nina said. You've got the zodiac from inside the Sphinx - you know it, and I know it.'

  Osir looked to Shaban. 'We scanned her,' Shaban told him. No bugs, no wires just a phone.'

  I don't want anyone knowing about this any more than you do,' Nina told them. So, the zodiac. You have it?

  Yes, I have it,' said Osir.

  Ha, you admitted it! Busted!' She jabbed an accusing finger at him - then withdrew it, grinning at the angry Shaban. 'Psych.'

  Osir chuckled. I think I am going to like you, Nina. But yes, I have the zodiac'

  Which you intend to use to locate the Pyramid of Osiris, right?'

  Again, you are correct.'

  I usually am.'

  Except about the Garden of Eden,' Shaban said scathingly.

  Nina shot him a nasty glance. 'No, even about that. Except that I got utterly screwed over by people who wanted to keep its existence a secret.' She looked back at Osir. 'Which is one of the reasons why I came to you. I can help you find the Pyramid of Osiris . . . but I want my cut.'

  One eyebrow twitched quizzically. I hadn't expected the famous Nina Wilde to be quite so . . . mercenary.'

  It's new. I'm trying it on for size.'

  I don't believe her,' said Shaban.

  Yeah, nobody has, lately.' Nino's voice was cutting. You know why I came to you? Because those bastards at the IHA ruined my life. They destroyed my career and took away everything that mattered to me.'

  What about your husband?' asked Osir.

  She smiled sarcastically. Eddie and I are ... on a break. We had a fight - over this, over coming to see you. He said he wouldn't go along with it, and I knew he wasn't going to change his mind. He never does. So I came on my own/

  And what made you decide to come?

  Everything,' she said, then more bitterly: 'Everything! They made me into a joke, a goddamn joke) And I'm sick of it. The IHA can go fuck themselves!' Osir, and even Shaban, seemed surprised by the vehemence of her outburst. You want to know the truth? I enjoyed making the IHA look like a bunch of incompetent assholes in front of millions of people. Screw them. I already took the Hall of Records away from them - so now I want to finish the job with the Pyramid of Osiris too. So long as I get well paid, I don't care any more.'

  Money will not be a problem,' said Osir in a concerned yet soothing voice. He lightly touched her shoulder; she didn't pull away. But are you sure about leaving your husband?' His tone suggested that he approved of the dec
ision.

  My husband,' said Nina, almost growling. 'My husband makes me so goddamn mad sometimes. He's inflexible and sanctimonious and - and an idealist. He's an idealist in a pragmatic world. Well, this is me being pragmatic. I've had enough of sitting around and hoping the world takes pity on me. If everyone else is getting ahead by playing the system, then screw it, I want my share.' Her gaze dropped to her hands, her voice lowering. If Eddie doesn't like it, then to hell with him.' She was breathing heavily and her cheeks were flushed, realising she was genuinely angry as pent-up grievances boiled to the surface.

  After a moment of silence, she looked back up at Osir to find his dark eyes regarding her intently - he was reading her, as one actor scans another. Judging her performance.

  If he thought she was faking, he would turn her over to his brother—

  Osir's face broke into a broad smile. T think we can make a deal, Nina. If you have something to offer me.'

  I do,' she said, relieved. 'I've made some deductions about the pyramid's location/

  How?' demanded Shaban. 'You never even saw the entire zodiac!'

  I saw enough. Let me guess - you're trying to work out how to read the zodiac as a map.'

  Shaban sneered. You hardly need to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce that.'

  Maybe not - but how about if I also deduce that you've had no luck relating what you see on your star map to anything in the real world?'

  It was clear from the tightness of Shaban's mouth that she was right. Osir nodded. But you have?'

  Like I said, it's one of my deductions. And I'll give you this first one for free. Just to prove I'm serious about helping you. Everything after this'11 cost you.'

  Another small smile from Osir. 'I'm intrigued what you could have discovered without even seeing the full zodiac.

  Pretty simple, really.' She explained what Eddie had shown her at the Louvre: that a map intended to be viewed on the ceiling would have to be mirrored left to right when viewed more conventionally. 'I'm taking a guess here, but I'm fairly sure you haven't stuck the zodiac to the ceiling.