“I need more windows to help,” the spirit replied.
“Why don’t you stop tracking the history of all the weapons? Why can’t you use those windows?” Banyon suddenly asked.
“Don’t you want to find out where they came from?” The spirit was always interested in finding the origins of things. Banyon could wait.
“You can always go back to where you stopped and start again — can’t you? I mean the lost time searching for their origin has no impact on the crisis today does it?”
“It is more for my understanding of the universe,” the spirit replied truthfully. “If you want me to stop, I will,” the spirit replied sadly.
“Tell you what. Just track the Time talisman. Stop tracking the rest for now. I need you to research the Russian, the North Korean, the mercenaries, Professor Crane, Professor Orlich, and Wilks Aunt Josephine. I suspect his aunt can recover if we get to her in time. Can you do that?” Banyon asked.
“That’s a lot of people,” Wolf protested.
“I need to know about them. It’s part of the plan Wolf. Do you understand?”
“I agree,” the spirit agreed reluctantly “I’ll go back to the other talismans when we are done with this case,” the spirit said.
“Good, Can you tell me about the other three talismans now?” Before Wolf could answer, Loni chimed in.
“Not now Colt, We’re approaching the castle.”
Chapter Eighteen
Loni pulled the car off of the long gravel driveway leading up to the castle. She parked it behind a small grove of Popular trees about a hundred yards from the dwelling. She turned the engine off and began to put her hair up into a ponytail. She donned her black gloves. She then inserted an earplug, just like the one Banyon had in his ear. Her face was stoic, she was all business now. She stepped out of the car and began doing some limbering exercises. When she was ready, she spoke to Colton Banyon.
“Make the call,” she said.
Banyon quickly dialed the number Pramilla had given him for the cabin in the jet plane which was now somewhere over the Balkan Peninsula.
“Hello,” A man answered.
“Eric, its Colt. How soon before you guys land.” He said without preamble.
“We’re about five hours from touchdown. How is it going? Hope you left some adventure for us.” Eric remarked casually.
“We are about to go after one of the talisman now, but I need Maya’s help,” Banyon responded quickly.
“She’s right here, I’ll put her on speaker,” The tall blond lanky ex-SEAL said as he pressed the speaker button.
“Hi Colt, what’s going on?” Maya inquired sweetly.
“I need you to make a call for me,” he told her.
“From all the way up here?” She didn’t believe she heard him right.
“Well,” he explained. “The call needs to be in German. You speak German. None of the rest of us does,” he said as rationale.
“Okay,” she replied after hesitating for a few seconds. “Who am I calling? What do I say?”
“I want you to call the Hamburg, Germany police department,” he said. He gave her the number. “Report that you are a neighbor and have noticed all the activity at the Goss castle.”
“Then what?”
“Tell them you are looking at six heavily armed men who are about fifty meters from the entrance gate. Tell the police they look like bandits they should investigate.”
“Okay, I’ll do it. How will it help you to get the talisman?”
“It will create enough of a diversion for Loni to steal the talisman. Call me back as soon as you get off the phone with them.”
“Done,” she replied and hung up.
“It’ll be a few minutes,” Banyon said as he climbed out of the car and hugged Loni. “You will be careful in there, okay?”
“It’ll be a few minutes,” Banyon said as he climbed out of the car and hugged Loni. “You be careful in there, okay?”
“I can’t wait to get my hands on the weapon,” Loni said with a determined grin. “I’ll be careful, I always am.” Banyon knew her statement was not necessarily true. He signaled her. They both began to jog towards the imposing castle’s rear entrance.
***
About five minutes later, Banyon’s cell phone rang. It was Maya.
“They bought it,” she said happily. “Clever thinking Colt,” she complimented him.
“No,” he responded. “There really are six armed mercenaries near the entrance. They are after the same talisman we seek, but the police are all over the castle and we can’t break in without detection, so we are creating a diversion.”
“Which talisman are you after?” Maya asked.
“It’s the one that contains the Vril energy source?”
“I’ve been reading a copy of the journal. That’s the Time weapon right?” She, like her sisters, spoke in precise English.
“Yes,” he responded as he continued to jog.
“How many talismans are still unaccounted for?”
“We still don’t know where three of them are located. So you guys will be busy. They all have to be collected by Friday.”
“Why are there mercenaries after the talisman?” She suddenly asked.
“There does appear to be mercenaries after all of the talismans. I’ll fill you in when I can,” he promised.
“Previne told me you have a special assignment for her. What is it?”
“Actually, I may need all three of you women for the assignment. Did you bring some slinky clothes?”
“No, but I do have a credit card,” she replied seductively. “Tell me more?”
“I’ll fill you in while I wait for Loni. We are at the entrance now. We just have to wait for the diversion to begin. Hold a second. I need to get an update from Wolf.”
Soon, Loni began to pick the lock on the door. Banyon held a penlight for her to see the old lock. Seconds later she went inside as Banyon continued to talk to Maya.
Chapter Nineteen
Out in front of the castle, the mercenaries were getting restless. They had been on station for several hours. There was no sign of the man and woman who had the location of the talisman. The leader was fuming with rage. That damn Wilk better come through with the location, he thought.
“Something is happening,” the lookout cried out. He had his binoculars trained on the doorway.
“What?” The mercenary leader screamed in anger.
“There are cops coming our way,” he screamed back.
The leader grabbed the glasses. He focused on the castle. He saw several cops sprint from the entrance to the five foot wall which surrounded the castle gate. He quickly realized the cops had cover and he and his men were caught in the open. They were situated in a small depression in the field.
“Ambush,” he screamed.
“Drop your guns and put your hands in the air,” someone ordered over a megaphone from behind the wall.
“We may have to fight our way out of this,” the leader said to his men.
“Let’s do it then,” one of his more fanatical men yelled back. He opened fire with his machine gun. All hell broke loose. The police and the mercenaries fired at each other from close range. Bullets popped again the stone wall, but the shots by the police had nothing to stop them. Soon, two of the mercenaries where hit. The leader drew back from the firing line just as two more of his men went down. He sprinted away into the darkness. The remaining mercenary tried to follow, but was cut down by the police. The entire gang was now dead, except for the leader. He ran as fast as he could and all the while he had revenge on his mind.
Wilk you led us into an ambush. You will pay for it with your life.”
Chapter Twenty
Loni stood inside the large machine shop in the back of the castle. It was dusty and dirty, with machinery from another age placed all over the open space. She wasn’t looking at any of the antique machinery though. She was staring in awe at a huge metal object that looked like a flying sa
ucer. It sat regally in the middle of the room. She whipped out her penlight. She began to methodically search the oval brushed-metal ship for some sort of an opening which would lead into the interior. She knew the talisman was inside.
She noticed a metal ladder around the back of the vessel and trotted over to examine it. She discovered the fold-up ladder had been pulled over to an opening in the hull which was big enough for someone to crawl through. She had found her way into the interior. She quickly pressed her earplug. She told Banyon she was going in. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. She sprinted up the ladder. Banyon had given her an update.
She heard him before she saw him. He was hunched over some sort of cockpit undoing some clips which held the talisman in place. She crept up closer. She already knew it was Professor Crane.
“What are you doing in here?” she asked in an official cop-like voice. When he turned around she shined her penlight into his eyes. The professor was shocked, but held the talisman close to his chest. There was fright in his eyes. She held the penlight so it shined directly into his eyes because she knew he could not see her, all he saw was a small figure standing in front of him. She blocked the way out. Banyon had told her the professor had slipped away during the diversion in the hope of recovering the talisman.
“I’m…I’m,” he stammered. “I’m just getting something that belongs to me. Goss borrowed it — I need it back,” he lied.
“If you mean the talisman, it doesn’t belong to you Professor Crane,” Loni replied calmly.
“No, it’s mine,” the Professor cried out. “I deserve it.”
“Give it to me and I’ll let you go unharmed,” Loni threatened. She held out her hand to receive it.
“No, never,” he screamed back. He held it tighter to his chest.
“If you don’t give it to me, I’ll have to take it,” Loni hissed.
The professor started to say a chant. Loni knew she had to react immediately. She chopped with her right arm and caught the man completely off guard. The talisman spun down onto the floor, but the professor kept chanting. He opened his arms to wave them, but Loni kicked out with her foot and drove him back into the control panel. It broke his chant. He slumped to the floor, unable to breath.
She scooped up the item and raced out the opening. She pressed her earplug. She addressed Colton Banyon.
“I’ve got it!” she exclaimed. “I’m heading out. You start towards the car. I’ll catch up with you.”
“Roger,” Banyon answered.
She caught up to him before he was half way to the car. “That was real fun,” she cried out. She then added “Whoopee!”
“Did you have to hurt the professor?” Banyon wondered.
“No, well maybe a little,” she said. But he knows too much.
We need to do something about him,” she replied as she removed her ponytail holder and ran effortlessly. Her silky hair spread out in the breeze as she ran.
“I’m working on it,” Banyon answered between gulps of breath.
Chapter Twenty-One
Colton Banyon was once again driving. Loni was sound asleep in the rear seat of the speedy BMW. She had curled up like a kitten. She was small enough to fit nicely on the seat. They had agreed he would drive the first three hours and then she would drive the last two hours back to Warsaw while he slept. They expected to reach the hotel by seven o’clock in the morning, in time to greet the Patel clan.
He smiled to himself when he thought of his brave little partner. He adjusted the rearview mirror to take a peek at her. He never wanted to live without her. She has made my life fun and meaningful, keeps me safe, and she is so damn sexy. He wanted to think more about how sexy she was, to kill time, as the miles flew past, but he had more work to do on his plan. He addressed Wolf instead.
“Wolf, are you there?”
“I’m here Colt.”
“Have you given any thought to my plan to end this crisis?”
“I think it could work,” he answered. “There are still a number of variables which need to be addressed.”
“Have you checked on Wilks Aunt?”
“Yes. She is only fifty-six years old, Colt,” Wolf announced. “I peeked at her medical records and while I’m no doctor” he disclaimed, “she appears to be in good health. It’s just that she has been drugged four times a day for a year. I believe she could make a speedy recovery, but I uncovered something more sinister while researching her.”
“What’s that?”
“The private hospital, the Warsaw Adult Patient Care Facility, is very small only twelve patients have rooms there. All the patients are being drugged too. This place needs to be burned to the ground. The head doctor, his name is Dr. Herman Horst, needs to go to jail. He is collecting bribes to keep the patients out of touch with reality.”
“Are they all rich like Josephine?”
“Yes. And the other common factor is greed on the part of their families.” Wolf replied sadly. “The families are bleeding dry the estates of the patients. This guy Horst even helps them to get a power of attorney over the patients.”
Banyon said nothing for a few seconds. He knew he had to do something about the fraudulent hospital, but he was short on resources — especially people. Suddenly, an idea hit him. He could kill two birds with one stone. “Wolf, let me make a phone call,” he said knowing he wouldn’t get a response.
Chicago was seven hours behind Warsaw. It was around 7:00 p.m. there, so he decided to call her cell phone. Mandy answered Banyon’s call on the third ring. “Colt, I’m so happy to hear from you,” she said happily. “Are you alright?”
“I’m just glad you are safe and not hurt,” he replied sincerely.
“The stakeout at the farm didn’t turn out as I had planned.”
“Oh, Colt, it was horrible. So many people died up there in Wisconsin. We couldn’t stop your friend Barbara from dying. I’m so sorry.” She wailed.
“Mandy, stop, please,” Banyon pleaded. “Barbara was not my friend,” he said reasonably. She and her husband Carl were, at one time, my arch enemies. She died doing what she loved best, mixing it up with the big boys. I am sorry about Paul dying though. He was a good man.”
“Actually, she said she liked Loni better,” Mandy said with a hint of mischief in her voice.
“I know about that too,” Banyon explained.
“When are you coming back?” Mandy asked hopefully. “Bart has me stuck here in the office until you come back. I have The Magic Belt.” Banyon could hear the depression in her voice.
“Well, I was hoping you would bring the belt to me here in Warsaw. Are you up to it?” He knew she would jump at the chance to be around him. She was crazy about Colton Banyon, but he had never encouraged her because he had Loni. It didn’t stop her from trying, just like Previne did. He had no intentions of changing that either.
“You want me to come to Warsaw?” she exclaimed with joy.
“Yes,” he simply replied. “I also need someone who has some medical background, especially with drugs and someone who can create mayhem.”
“Heather is the company first aid responder and no one can create more mayhem than Steve,” she replied hopefully. Steve and Heather were dating and she was also Mandy’s best friend, so it was logical for her to push for them.
“Sounds like the people I need,” Banyon agreed. “I’ll give all the details to Bart, but I need you here ASAP.”
“I won’t let you down this time,” Mandy promised before she transferred the call to Bart’s cell phone.
Banyon and Bart went over the details. Bart looked up flights online while they talked. “I can get them there by noon tomorrow your time,” Bart promised. “I’ll also make the hotel arrangements for you. This is going to cost you, Colt,” he added. “Are you sure they are up for more danger?”
“Money is not the issue, Bart.” Banyon replied with a little annoyance. “And what I have planned for them won’t involve gun fire, I hope.”
“Okay, the flights are
set,” Bart said. “Is there anything else you need?”
“That will do,” Banyon agreed. “Oh, and I also need Edgar,” Banyon suddenly announced.
“You want the ferret?” Bart said with surprise. “He never travels.”
“He speaks Polish,” Banyon reminded Bart. He didn’t mention that the ferret would also bring him the forged journal Banyon needed to end the crisis. He made a mental note to call the ferret as soon as he finished his call with Bart. Things were finally coming together. His plan just might work.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Banyon made his call to the ferret. Edgar told him the fake journal was ready and guaranteed no one would be able to prove it wasn’t an original. He also said Bart was unaware of the project. He told Banyon he spoke three dialects of Polish and was willing to travel to help, as long as he was paid. Banyon hung up the phone wondering how much money he would spend before this was all over. While money was not the real issue on this case, the goal was secrecy; he didn’t want to bankrupt himself either.
“Wolf, can we talk about the remaining three talismans now?” Banyon spoke to the roof of the car.
“There are some problems there,” Wolf replied.
“I’m getting tired of hearing that word. What problems?”
“The Courage Talisman is not the problem,” Wolf said. “I’ll give you the easy one first.”
“Where is it?”
“It is actually still in Josephine’s house. It’s hidden in her vault.”
“Well, that gives me two reasons to go there then,” Banyon commented. “Where in the vault is it hidden?”
“Her house has been in the family for several generations going back before World War II. Her father, who was the head of the society before her, hid it behind the light fixture in the ceiling. It has been there since Hitler invaded Poland in nineteen thirty-nine. She doesn’t know it is there, otherwise Wilk would have gotten the hiding place from her.”
“Okay, I’ll send Eric to get it,” Banyon quickly said. “Tell me about the problems?”
The Polish Discovery: The Society of Orion 1-3 (Colton Banyon Mystery Book 17) Page 20