“That’s what’s being reported.”
Leroux shook his head. “Why the hell would they have a plane circling over the Atlantic, long enough that they’d need to refuel it multiple times?”
Child shrugged. “Got me, boss. Could this have something to do with it?”
Leroux shook his head. “I still can’t believe the Russians would do this, but those are definitely Russian military”—he gestured toward the screen—“or at least that one is. We’ll soon see if the other is.”
“Just a sec.” Another feed appeared, one of the aircraft having broken off to cover the new arrival. “Looks Rooskie to me.”
“Okay, pull the tail numbers, find out what we know about these aircraft. Are they legit? Where are they based? Everything.”
36
EQ Hotel & Casino
Shanghai, China
Dylan Kane hated to admit that he was having a good time. As soon as he had eliminated the expectation of sex, the young Tien had calmed, and after a couple of hours, became comfortable. Room service had been ordered and eaten, desserts now enjoyed, as they sat in separate chairs, laughing at 22 Jump Street on Pay Per View with Chinese subtitles. Their conversation had been minimal, since he didn’t want to get her in any trouble. He was sure the room was bugged, and he stuck to character for the same reasons. What little conversations they did have, surrounded favorite foods, movies, and music—the safe things. No discussions of where she was from, or her family.
She seemed like a wonderful, nice girl, who would probably make a great wife if she hadn’t been forced into working for Zhang Qi. It broke his heart, because in so many ways she reminded him of his girlfriend when he had first met her. Desperate, with no options but to accept help from a stranger. Part of him wanted to save this poor woman, but he couldn’t. Too many lives were at stake.
Tonight, the cameras would be overridden, allowing him to go out on the balcony, and up the side of the building to the roof of the luxury hotel owned by Zhang, where he’d tap their data lines. Langley would pull the information they needed off his server, he’d remove the tap, and return.
Hopefully undiscovered.
Then tomorrow morning, he’d continue with his cover, the boat would turn up in Macao, and it would be over. Dylan Kane, insurance investigator for Shaw’s of London, would depart that afternoon.
I wonder if I should ask for a parting gift.
He glanced at Tien. He could perhaps arrange for her to return to her family, at least.
But what if it was the family that sold her into slavery?
His watch pulsed again, demanding his attention. He entered the code and read the message. Leroux. Which meant it was urgent. He rose, and Tien began to follow. He smiled, waving her down. “I just have to use the bathroom. You keep watching.”
She nodded, her eyes glued back to the screen, her four scoops of ice cream gripped in her hands forgotten. He headed for the bedroom and closed the door. He used the bathroom then grabbed a cigarette, something he only ever did out of necessity, and used it as an excuse to go on the balcony once again. He pulled up the encrypted message and frowned.
Let’s hope Agent Reading can handle things.
There was nothing more he could do from this end, and the message indicated the location of Acton and his wife had been forwarded to the Interpol agent. All that was left was to pray that they weren’t moved before Reading’s flight landed, and that he could get local help in a timely manner.
He fired the agent a message, indicating to contact him if he couldn’t get assistance. If needed, Kane would send some of his contacts to help. It wasn’t his preferred method of resolving this, as it would probably mean bodies and cover-ups, but he wasn’t about to let the professors be harmed because of red tape.
I wonder what could have had them pulled off the assignment.
He checked his phone’s newsfeed and saw nothing of significance. Whatever it was, it wasn’t public. He flicked his cigarette over the side, then cursed at himself for using the world as his ashtray.
37
East of the Azores, Atlantic Ocean
“There’s been a technical problem. The satellite we’re using to communicate with the detonators went into a maintenance cycle. We can’t risk sending it from another satellite, because we could be traced.”
Thatcher pulled at his hair, his eyes closed. “How much longer?”
“We’re not sure, but it should be any minute. We’re being refueled shortly, so don’t worry about it.”
“Refueled?”
“Never mind, nothing you need to concern yourself with. Besides, the later in the day on the east coast of the United States, the better. We’ll make the supper hour news.”
“Okay, just keep us posted. People are getting jittery here.”
“Tell them not to worry. As soon as the satellite is back online, we’ll be sending our message and the detonation codes. I have to go, but I don’t want to be contacted again. It’s too risky.”
Thatcher tensed. “Umm, okay. How will we know?”
“Just watch the news.”
The signal went dead, and Thatcher tossed his headset onto the console. Something was wrong. He didn’t know where Kozhin was located, but if it needed refueling, it sounded like an airplane.
We’re being refueled shortly.
It had to be a plane. If it were a boat, there’s no way they’d need refueling already, and if it were a truck or some other sort of vehicle, you just pulled up to the pump and refilled the tank. He had assumed Kozhin would be in a building somewhere, not mobile, but perhaps being mobile was safer. In the air might, in fact, be brilliant.
He shook his head. He didn’t understand the ins and outs of satellite communications, so he had to take the man’s word for it. It made sense that there were maintenance modes that could interrupt communications.
He rose, a pit forming in his stomach, as he tried to figure out what he should tell the others.
38
Beja Airport
Beja, Portugal
Reading stepped off the airplane with Spencer, his phone rapidly vibrating with multiple messages. He checked to see there were several from his partner, Michelle Humphrey, back in London, plus two that he recognized as encrypted. He logged into the secure messaging service Kane had given him access to, and found a message from the Special Agent, and one from Langley’s Leroux. He read Kane’s first, and cursed.
“What?”
He glanced at his son. “They’ve been taken off the case. We’re on our own.”
“Who?”
He gave him a look. “Don’t be daft.”
Spencer suddenly caught on. “Oh, right.”
Reading quickly read the attached file, and grunted with satisfaction at the address and GPS coordinates provided. He brought up the CIA message which was mostly a repeat, without the offer of less than legal help at the end.
His phone rang and he smiled at his partner’s caller ID. He swiped his thumb. “Reading.”
“Oh, good. I just saw you landed, so I took a chance. Have you heard anything new?”
“Yes, I’ve got an address.”
“How’d you manage that?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“You and your mysterious sources. Anyway, I’ve got good news. Lisbon is cooperating. Local police should be meeting you at the airport.”
“Umm, Pops?”
Reading looked at where his son was pointing, several uniformed officers rushing toward them. “Yeah, I think I see them now. You’re sure they’re not about to arrest us?”
Michelle laughed. “If they do, call your friends to post bail.”
“Haha. If you don’t hear from me in the next ten minutes, send out a search party.” He ended the call and put on his most pleasant of faces. The man in charge, short with an impressive beer belly and a sweat covered brow, snapped out a quick salute.
“Are you Agent Reading of Interpol?”
Reading nodded. �
��I am.”
The man gestured at Spencer. “And this is?”
“My assistant.”
“Very good. I am Chief Ventura of the Polícia de Segurança Pública.”
“Pleased to meet you. I have a location on our kidnap victims.”
The man’s eyes widened, an excited smile shared with his compatriots. “Excellent news! We will leave at once.”
They followed the small entourage through the airport, their escort making a show of shouting for the thin crowds to get out of the way, Ventura clearly one who reveled upon the small amount of power he possessed.
It made him nervous.
Three squad cars were waiting outside, filled with men, none of whom appeared properly equipped for an assault.
“Are your men trained for this?”
Ventura laughed. “Absolutely. Just tell your friends to keep their heads down when we get there.” Laughter erupted from the cars, a little too much eagerness visible in the eyes. Reading sighed as he climbed into the back seat of Ventura’s car.
It might have been better to get Kane’s people.
39
Professor Gadeiros’ Residence
Atlantis
Before the fall
Senior Enforcer Kleito stepped inside the residence she had tracked her suspects to after the all-clear had been announced by her men.
And found herself disappointed.
“Is this it?”
The head of the assault team nodded. “Yes, ma’am. He’s the only one we found.”
She shook her head, her eyes wandering the room as the old man continued to nurse a glass of wine. “I saw another man arrive here with you, and I heard Professor Ampheres speak.”
The old man stared up at her. “My companion left, and I’m afraid I haven’t seen Professor Ampheres in over a decade.” He shrugged. “We had a bit of a falling out, you see.”
She stopped her examination of the room for a moment, eyeing the liar with disdain. “See, that is the problem with people who aren’t accustomed to lying, Professor. They take it too far. I could have believed that your companion left, because I too had to leave to call for backup. But by denying that Professor Ampheres was here, when I know he was, it makes everything you tell me suspect.” She twirled her hand over her shoulder, keeping her eyes on Gadeiros. “Tear the place apart if you have to. They’re here, or they had some way out of here that let them get past our men out back.”
The old man’s eyes darted toward the rear of the house and she smiled. She leaned closer, turning her head toward where he had looked. She spotted a large cabinet against the wall in the next room. “I wonder what’s behind that.”
The old man paled slightly, then recovered, taking another sip of his wine. “Nothing but dust, I’m sure.”
“And why don’t I believe you?” She strode into the next room and grabbed the cabinet by the corner, pulling on it. It didn’t budge.
The old man laughed. “I had it bolted to the wall when the tremors started. You won’t be moving that any time soon.”
She frowned, one of the younger Enforcers snickering. She ignored him, instead turning her attention to the floor. And the wide arc cut into the dust that covered the tile, left behind by the numerous earthquakes and the damage inflicted to the ceiling. She pointed at the floor. “Now doesn’t that look odd?” She stepped back. “Rip it off the wall if you have to.”
Two of her men stepped forward, apparently eager to break something, tearing at the wood of what must be a very expensive piece of furniture. It didn’t take long before it suddenly broke free from the wall, revealing a hidden doorway drenched in darkness. She flicked her wrist, the men stepping out of her way as their chests still heaved from the destructive effort.
“Light.”
A torch was lit and handed to her, the shaped polished stone surrounding the tip causing the reflected flame to form a beam of light that stretched into the darkness, revealing a set of stairs. The ground suddenly shook, fiercely, and she struggled to maintain her balance as the walls around her cracked, the floor at her feet splitting several inches before things settled.
“There isn’t much time.”
She spun toward the old man. “Then why resist?”
“Who’s resisting?”
“Why are you protecting him?”
“Because he was the closest thing to a son I ever had.”
“But he’s a thief!”
Gadeiros shook his head. “No, he’s desperate. Everything we know is about to be destroyed, and our government does nothing about it.”
“Obviously they don’t agree with you.”
The old man rose, striding toward the window at the rear of the home, an immaculate courtyard visible through the opening. He pointed to the mountain in the distance that dominated the skyline.
And she gasped.
Harsh reds and oranges now streaked its sides, and a dark plume of smoke regurgitated into the sky. It was unlike anything she had ever seen. “What is it? What’s happening?”
“We’re not sure, but our scouts have told stories of mountains that erupt with fire and ash, and that consume the lands around them, absolutely nothing but the sea able to stop the onslaught.”
She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the sight, her team gathering beside her, the fear in the room palpable. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying, as Professor Ampheres has been saying, that Atlantis is already lost, and that everything that we were, or will be, will soon be obliterated.”
“Surely we can escape? We have boats!”
“Yes, some will, hopefully, but too few, and completely unorganized. That is what we have been doing here. Planning for our future. Ampheres will lead a group to sea, and they will return when this calamity is over to rebuild, or find a new home if that isn’t possible. Some will survive because of what we did here today, but most will die. There is no stopping that now.”
Kleito tore her eyes away from the sight, her ears filling with the screams in the streets. She turned to her team. “Return to your posts, our city will need us to maintain order.”
“Yes, ma’am!” came some of the replies, but the avoided eye contact told her few would heed what might be her final order, instead running to spend their last few minutes of life with their loved ones. She didn’t blame them, and she longed to have someone to share her final moments with as well. She looked at the old man.
“I should take you in.”
“For what?”
“For harboring a fugitive.”
He shrugged. “I wasn’t aware he was one. And besides, even if you lock me up now, I’ll never see the inside of a courtroom. Nothing will be left.”
She stole a glance out the window, the sky rapidly darkening. “How long?”
Gadeiros frowned, shaking his head slowly. “I don’t know. We have no experience with this. Days? Hours? Minutes? I don’t know.”
She turned to him. “If you knew, why didn’t you save yourself?”
He chuckled, returning to the living area and retrieving his glass of wine, refilling it before taking a sip. “I’m too old to rebuild.” He regarded her. “But you aren’t. Why don’t you join them?”
Her eyes narrowed, her heart hammering. “Who? The group you put together?”
“Yes, why not? You’re young, strong, intelligent. You’re exactly what a new Atlantis will need to rebuild.”
The house shook again, and part of the ceiling collapsed. She lunged forward, throwing herself over the old man as debris rained down on them. It stopped, and she rose, dusting off. “Are you okay?”
He nodded, frowning at his dust-filled glass. “Yes, but I’m afraid my drink has been ruined.” He tossed its contents against the wall, apparently no longer concerned about the cleanliness of his home, then refilled his glass. “I think I shall retire to the garden. There are fewer things to fall upon my head there.” He made for the backyard, then stopped, turning back toward her. “If you choose to join them
, then you must hurry. They’re at Pier Six, at the farthest end of Canal Four.”
She didn’t reply, unsure of what to say. The screams outside were a mix of panic and anger, and she knew the city she loved was descending into anarchy as she stood here, debating an offer to escape it all. Part of her wanted to flee the destruction, but another part of her couldn’t get past what her duty to her people meant. These were exactly the times people like her were needed, when law and order collapsed.
Suddenly the ground shook violently, tossing her off her feet, a terrifying howling sound filling her ears, as if a beast were emerging from under the ground.
And it nearly caused her to soil herself.
“What was that?” she cried as she picked herself up, rushing to help the old man who had collapsed in the next room, his glass miraculously saved.
“I have no idea,” replied the visibly shaken man, his own eyes filled with the fear she shared.
“It sounded like some beast!”
The man headed for his courtyard, shaking his head. “Don’t be a fool. There are no such beasts.”
Her hammering heart and jittering limbs were threatening to overwhelm her, and she began to grow faint when she finally remembered to breathe. She sucked in a deep breath, the world coming back into focus before she was slammed with a thought that almost knocked her out.
“It’s the gods!”
Gadeiros stopped and turned to face her. “What?”
Her eyes were wide now, her ears pounding as her thought turned into absolute certainty. “It has to be! The gods are angry, and they’ve come to take their revenge on us for tossing them aside. We were arrogant to think we could survive without them, and now they’re back to deliver justice!”
Gadeiros frowned at her. “I see now I was mistaken in thinking you were intelligent.”
She glared at him. “And you have a better explanation?” She jabbed the air between them with her finger. “Today Poseidon’s Trident was not only desecrated, touched by a human for the first time in centuries, but it was stolen as well. And now, only hours later, the mountain erupts with fire, and our city shakes and our buildings collapse around us? You think that’s only coincidence?”
Atlantis Lost Page 12