‘Thank you.’ Frederick said politely. ‘Father?’
The priest turned and stared at him. ‘I’m Father Janus.’
Cones looked over at the bar and noticed that everyone was staring in their direction. The priest joined the rest of the locals who remained silent. ‘Man, he is one creepy guy.’ He whispered.
8:38pm
Frederick shut the door behind him and sat down on the bed. ‘I don’t know about you chaps but I’m glad to be back upstairs. The silence in that bar was deafening.’
‘It was like that last night as well, the locals aren’t exactly the friendly type.’ Baker said.
‘What did you make of that Janus fellow?’ Lloyd asked.
‘That’s the first person who has had a decent conversation with us since we got here.’ Cones said. ‘He was in the bar last night, but didn’t speak to us; the locals seem to view him as a key figure. We have never seen him alone, he always has two or three people with him. The guy gives me the creeps.’ Cones shuddered.
‘The villagers seem to be his bodyguards.’ Frederick speculated.
Cones nodded.
‘So what do we do now?’ Lloyd said looking at his watch. ‘I would have been quite happy propping up the bar all night if it weren’t for the locals.’
‘We wait.’ Cones said grinning.
‘For what exactly?’
Cones checked his watch. ‘You’ll see Professor.’
Chapter 43
The Light Show
8:59pm
All four men stood at the window of the guest room. Cones had instructed Frederick to turn the light off. The American stood looking up into the crystal clear sky.
‘What exactly are we looking for?’ Lloyd asked.
Cones scanned the sky without answering. A wall clock in the hall outside the room started to chime nine o’clock. ‘There!’ He stated, pointing low on the horizon. The clock continued to chime. ‘Right on schedule.’
Frederick and Lloyd stared in the direction where Cones had pointed. A single light came into view growing in size.
‘It’s happened last night at exactly the same time.’ Baker said.
Frederick watched as the light took the shape of a disc, which had a soft blue glow, similar to the objects he had witness at RAF Church Fenton the previous year. The four of them watched as the object glided across a field about half a mile beyond the farm buildings. The object stopped but had disappeared behind some trees.
‘We need to get over to where that object is.’ Frederick said turning and walking towards the door. Doctor Lloyd followed closely behind, whilst the Americans stayed by the window.
‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you Professor.’ Cones called out, watching as Frederick and Lloyd disappeared out of the door.
Frederick stopped dead in his tracks as he stepped out of his room. Lloyd failed to notice and slammed into the back of him shoving him forward. The landlord of the pub stood in the hallway glaring at the two men. ‘Get back in your room please gentlemen.’ He ordered.
Frederick stared at the double barrel shotgun the man was pointing at him. ‘What’s going on here?’
‘I said get back in your room, now!’ The landlord demanded, cocking the gun.
Frederick locked eyes with the man for several seconds before backing away.
‘I told you.’ Cones said. ‘We tried that last night when we first spotted the light.’
‘Look, there they go.’ Baker pointed out.
Frederick and Lloyd returned to the window and looked out towards the farmyard entrance onto the main road. Torch lights could be seen making their way up the road, in the direction of the group of trees.
‘Looks like a god damn town meeting.’ Cones stated shaking his head.
‘How did you know that the light would show up at this time?’ Lloyd said.
‘We have a man on the inside, we met yesterday.’ Baker revealed.
Cones looked towards the door and started to whisper. ‘We have a plan to break out of here tomorrow night.’
‘In the meantime we just sit here and do nothing.’ Frederick said.
‘I don’t like it anymore than you do Professor, but unless you want that guy to start blasting at you with his blunderbuss there’s not much we can do. We will meet with our contact tomorrow.’
How many villagers live here?’ Lloyd asked watching the procession of torch lights head up the road.
‘We’re guessing about fifty maybe more.’ Baker answered. ‘They don’t usually come back until eleven o’clock, so I suggest we make ourselves comfortable because the guy outside the door doesn’t move until then.’
Frederick sighed looking back out of the window at the mysterious blue aura that lit up the trees beyond the farm buildings.
Chapter 44
Man on the Inside
Stoke Lacy – Herefordshire – 12:34pm
Tuesday 20th January 1953
Frederick and Lloyd accompanied the two Americans to a deserted farm building about a mile beyond the boundaries of the village and in the opposite direction of the location of the UFO which they had observed the night before. The landlord of the pub seemed oblivious to the previous night’s events and served them breakfast without an explanation. Straight after breakfast the four of them headed out to where the mysterious object had landed. They examined the area for an hour before deciding that there was no trace of whatever it was that had been there.
As they approached the barn a young man in his early twenties appeared out of the main door.
‘Hey Jimmy!’ Cones called out.
Jimmy held up his hand. ‘Hello Mr Cones.’
Cones shook hands. ‘How you doing pal?’
‘Very well thank you Mr Cones.’ Jimmy replied in a slow voice.
Lloyd studied the young man taking a deep breath. ‘This is your man on the inside, looks more like the village idiot.’
Cones ignored the doctor’s cruel insult. ‘Jimmy why don’t you tell these nice folks what you told me and Mr Baker.’
‘The blue light comes every night.’ He replied. ‘The blue light comes and everyone goes.’ He sniffed and wiped his nose. ‘I don’t go though he doesn’t like me.’
‘Who doesn’t like you Jimmy?’ Lloyd asked.
‘The nasty man, he says I’m not clever like the others.’
‘Nasty man?’ Frederick said.
‘The nasty man who lives in the church.’
‘Father Janus.’ Guessed Lloyd.
Cones nodded.
‘He calls to them, he calls to them every night to stand under the blue light.’
‘Tell them what happens to them when they stand under the blue light?’ Baker coaxed.
‘They go to sleep, they close their eyes and go to sleep holding hands.’
‘Now Jimmy, do you remember what we discussed yesterday. Are you ready for your big adventure.’
‘Adventure?’ Frederick said.
‘Jimmy says he used to play at the back of the guesthouse which overlooks the farm. He can climb in through the guest bathroom window and create a distraction for us.’
‘Can you remember what time to meet us Jimmy?’ Cones asked.
‘When the blue light comes.’
‘That’s right buddy when the blue light comes.’
‘James!’ A voice called out from several metres behind the group. Frederick and his companions turned to see Father Janus with three other men. ‘What are you doing here? Why aren’t you helping Mr Diggle with the painting?’
‘I was talking to my friends.’ Jimmy replied staring at the ground, he seemed unwilling to look at Janus or the other men.
‘Well now that you’ve finished talking to your new friends go back to work!’ Janus’ tone was firm.
Jimmy nodded and ran off back towards the village.
Janus stared at the four visitors. ‘I think gentlemen you’ve worn out your welcome in this village. First thing tomorrow morning you are to pack up and leave.’
&
nbsp; ‘Says who?’ Cones replied in an equally firm tone.
Janus stepped up to him. ‘You’re American, so I’ll excuse your arrogance for not knowing our customs.’ He then turned to Frederick and Lloyd. ‘As for you two, I suggest you conduct your road map survey elsewhere, and stop bothering the villagers.’
‘We were just talking to the young man.’ Baker stated. ‘What’s wrong with that?’
Janus glared at the American. ‘As you can see Jimmy has learning difficulties, and an overactive imagination. Now I would appreciate it if you would return to the guesthouse and remain there until you leave. Or I’ll have you escorted from the village this very moment.’
The three men glared at Frederick and his party, who started to walk back towards the village.
Chapter 45
The Gathering
9:00pm
All four men looked out of the guesthouse window and watched as the object came into view, and took up the same position as it did the night before. Below exiting the main barn, Frederick caught sight of a dark shadow sprinting across the farmyard.
‘That’s my boy Jimmy.’ Cones said smiling.
‘Are you sure this is a good idea.’ Lloyd said.
‘Do you have a better one doctor?’ Asked Baker.
The four of them looked back out of the window. The villagers were already making their way up the road.
‘Taking his time isn’t he.’ Frederick said.
Suddenly the landlord could be heard shouting outside the guest bedroom door. ‘What are you doing here Jimmy.’ He growled. ‘Go back home now!’
Cones bent down and picked up the empty chamber pot before creeping towards the door. He opened it slightly and saw that the pub landlord was further down the hallway shouting at Jimmy. The landlord had his back to Agent Cones.
‘I said go home Jimmy!’ The landlord ordered.
Cones pushed the door open hoping the landlord wouldn’t hear the creak. Jimmy stood at the bathroom door laughing. Cones lifted the pot above his head, and with lightning speed hurtled down the hallway.
The landlord barely had time to turn and face his assailant before the chamber pot came crashing down on the side of his head. The man was sent stumbling backwards, before hitting the floorboards with a loud thud. Frederick, Lloyd and Baker joined Cones who was man handling the landlord. ‘Give me a hand will you, I want to show you something.’
They hauled the unconscious landlord onto his front. Cones pulled up his shirt and pointed out a small blemish at the base of his spine.
‘Looks like an identical incision to the one we found on the doctor in Ripley.’ Lloyd said taking a closer look. ‘The wound is perfectly straight.’
‘Along with the two air force pilots a few months back.’ Frederick mentioned.
Cones looked at Frederick. ‘I would have tried to explain if that air force guy hadn’t have tried to shoot me.’
‘What is this mark exactly?’ Frederick asked.
‘We’re not sure but we have discovered a number of people with these marks.’
‘I don’t mean to rush you guys.’ Baker interrupted. ‘But there are other things to see tonight.’
Cones stood picking up the shotgun the landlord had dropped and walked over to Jimmy. ‘Thanks buddy, now you stay here and keep an eye on this guy.’
Jimmy nodded.
Chapter 46
9:23pm
Frederick could feel his heart pound against the wall of his chest as the four men made their way up the road. A blue glow illuminated a field up ahead. The gate to the field was wide open. A large oak tree stood guard at the entrance, giving the group ample cover.
The villagers who had assembled in the field stood to attention in a perfect circle holding hands. The craft hovered about twenty feet off the ground emitting a blue aura that reached out to the circle of people. Frederick noted what Jimmy had described earlier that day. Each villager had their eyes shut, but seemed to be mumbling something.
At the exact centre of the circle was the priest who was stood directly under the UFO with his arms outstretched in a cross formation. His eyes were open and were glowing white.
‘What do you suppose they are doing?’ Lloyd said.
‘Looks like their communicating with that craft.’ Baker answered.
‘What do we do?’ Frederick stated.
Cones cocked the shotgun. ‘We crash this party.’ He stepped out from behind the tree and fired off a round into the air.
Immediately all the villagers let go of each other’s hand turning to face the American opening their eyes, which like the priest glowed white.
Boldly Cones walked towards the circle pointing his shotgun at the priest. The villagers remained in a circle formation. ‘Everyone stay exactly where you are!’ He shouted.
Janus stared at the man with the shotgun smiling as he stepped into the circle of people. Frederick, Lloyd and Baker walked stealthily behind watching the villagers who remained motionless. The static electricity that the craft emitted was intense.
Cones stood several feet away from Janus pointing the barrel of the shotgun at the priest’s head. ‘Just who the hell are you?’
‘Someone you’ve encountered many times before Agent Cones.’
‘Trust me pal I’d know if we already knew each other.’
Janus laughed. ‘You’ve no idea the destiny that awaits you Agent Cones.’
‘How the hell do you know my name?’
‘I know everything about you agent Cones, including the future that awaits you.’
Cones nodded. ‘I know what awaits you asshole!’ He squeezed the trigger but nothing happened.
‘Your arrogance is compelling Agent Cones.’
Cones stepped back, he looked at the shotgun before pointing it again and pulling the trigger, still nothing happened.
‘Did you honestly think you could just turn up and put an end to this? I can see your thoughts gentlemen. I know everything that’s going on in your heads. I knew your plan was to come here tonight.’ Janus stared at the American pointing the gun at him. ‘Agent Frank Cones, hero to kings of old, history’s protector. Always rushing in where angels fear to tread. It’s a shame you couldn’t do that on the beaches of Omaha instead of cowering under the corpses of your fallen comrades, watching helplessly as your younger brother was gunned down.’
Cones dropped the shotgun on the floor backing away, fear ran through his entire body as the memory of that day suddenly became as clear as day in his mind.
Omaha Beachhead – Normandy – France – 3:34pm
Tuesday 6th June 1944
The artillery shells rained down on the small band of soldiers who had taken cover in an impact crater unable to move. Machine gunfire seemed never ending, clattering around them. Through the din screams of injured and dying men filled the air crying out for help. Other soldiers advanced up the beach but were being mown down by the machine gun fire.
‘Sir we cannot stay here, we have to push forward!’ The young private screamed.
‘We’re pinned down private, if we move then we’re all dead. It’s a fucking shooting gallery!’ Cones yelled back. ‘Get on the radio and see where that fucking air support is!’
‘If we stay here we’re all dead anyway it’s only a matter of time before those German bastards make our position.’
‘Frank, he’s right, if we can take that German gun position further up the beach then we can pave the way for more of our troops.’
Cones looked at Mike his younger brother eventually nodding. He looked around at the eight other soldiers. ‘Ok, if we do this then we go all the way, we don’t stop until we reach that gun emplacement, then we light it up with grenades!’ A shell exploded close to their position throwing sand into the crater. ‘Ok get ready, Higgs, Hutchinson, when there’s a break in the machine gunfire lay down covering fire. The rest of us will make a break for it.’
The two soldiers held their breath looking out over the edge of the crater. The machine g
unfire suddenly stopped.’
‘GO! GO! GO!’ Cones screamed.
The group of men hurled themselves over the edge of the crater and started scrambling up the beach, clambering over the corpses of fallen comrades. Cones tried to shield himself from the sight of broken and dismembered bodies. A burst of machine gunfire spewed from directly in front. The man behind Cones stumbled and fell forward. Cones tried to avoid the falling body but it was too late. The weight of the dead soldier smashed into the back of Cones’ legs, causing him to trip and fall forward. A volley of machine gunfire streaked over his head. Cones looked up and saw his younger brother sprinting towards the gun emplacement. A shell came down hammering the area, bodies were sent flying through the air. Heavily concussed Cones started to lose consciousness, the last thing he saw was his younger brother being cut down by a volley of machine gunfire.
The American, suddenly found himself back in the field, Janus’ eyes burned into his mind, he dropped to his knees.
Janus then looked at Jack Baker. ‘You still live as that young boy who witnessed such horror, seeing your own mother’s dead corpse with your father standing over her before he killed himself in front of you.’
Baker tried to look away but Janus’ words brought a memory long buried back with frightful vengeance.
New York City – United States of America – 11:45pm
Wednesday 30th October 1929
Twelve year old Jack Baker had been awake for about twenty minutes, trying to shut out the noise of his screaming parents.
‘Don’t you get it, it’s over!’ Charles Baker shouted. ‘We’ve lost everything, the bank has collapsed along with the markets, millions in stocks and shares gone down the pan.’
‘There must be something we can do, is there no one you can call.’ Janet Baker suggested.
‘No, we’re all in the same boat, everything is gone I should never have made that investment. Tomorrow Freeman is going to come here with his goons and toss us out onto the streets.’
‘You can start again.’ Janet said. ‘Surely there must be someone who owes you a favour.’
Codename Angel (The Angel Chronicles Book 1) Page 13