Admiral Stone went to great lengths to praise Lemke and his invention. He went into fantasies about how well this new development would be received by the association.
“I know that I don’t need to urge you on. You are one of those rare people who not only look forward, they also go forward. Again, my heartiest congratulations. And any new invention of yours would be very welcome indeed.”
Gustav Lemke was just made a very happy scientist.
THIRTY-ONE
With the sense of urgency carried over from the previous board meeting, Anne requested a recap of what the association had ready—especially those inventions that were ready for immediate use. She ticked them off on her fingers:
“First, we have the fertilizer to halt vehicular convoys. Second, there’s Excalibur, the irradiation machine that detonates explosives on the ground from an aircraft flying over. Third, we have Paganini, our acoustic communications disruptor. Now, we can add Lemke’s pebbles and conditioner. And the fuel pellets that Hoffman mentioned. We haven’t tested them yet, but I’m pretty sure they’ll work. Martin, would you please see to it? We’ll also need to think up ways to make use of these pebbles. All ideas welcome.”
Sir Cedric stood up.
“You can add my laser machine to your list, Anne,” he said pompously. I have completed my lab tests. Bottom line—it can melt most metals from afar as long as there is a direct line of sight. Most intervening non-metallic objects will not be affected, nor will they affect the laser beam. I am hoping that the machine will disable certain crucial metallic components in nuclear reactors, even if they are protected by thick layers of concrete. That still needs to be field-tested.”
The old knight was smiling broadly. Anne was not smiling at all.
“Won’t damaging a nuclear reactor have drastic ecological consequences?” she asked. “We all remember Chernobyl …”
“No, Anne, we’re not going that far. I am not talking about a nuclear explosion or a meltdown of the core. That would be beyond the power of my beam, as these locations are far more protected than the others. We have learned that in Iran the reactor is under several meters of concrete, over which about twenty meters of earth were amassed. My laser beam could not penetrate that.”
“So what’s the use?” the admiral asked.
“There are several other vital elements of the nuclear process that are not so heavily guarded. Take, for example, those centrifuges that Ahmadinejad is so proud of. My guess is that if they, or at least some of them, were neutralized, it would put a serious crimp in his plans.”
“That’s that, then,” Anne declared. “We need to complete the outstanding tests as soon as possible, and then start preparing our real projects. If new inventions come along we’ll test them, but meanwhile we’re going to go for the real thing with what we have! For our next meeting, please all of you think of the most suitable target we could begin with, and what exactly you propose to do there. And when.”
Martin reminded Anne about the signatory issue of the bank accounts. The admiral and Martin were assigned to arrange all the necessary paperwork.
Sir Cedric and Professor Albert Allier had arranged to meet at the same brasserie where they had dined previously. Over their choucroute garnie, Sir Cedric praised the scientist for his brilliant invention.
“Your compliments make me blush,” Allier said modestly.
“Not at all, my friend,” boomed Sir Cedric. “Your device is the solution to several of the problems we were facing. I cannot think how I can thank you enough. We have tested your invention in the field recently. It works beautifully.”
A look of slight concern flitted over the professor’s face.
“May I inquire—what exactly did you mean when you said you performed a test in the field?”
“Just that, Albert. We irradiated various test charges and examined the detonations.”
“Really? Where and when did you conduct these experiments?” Allier was beginning to become agitated.
“About two weeks ago in the Sahara desert. My dear Albert—you look upset! Are you feeling ill? Perhaps the wine …”
“No, no.” Professor Allier was frowning deeply, and he spoke slowly. “I am all right. What about the charges?”
“Four different types,” Sir Cedric said, but his tone was addressed to the welfare of his colleague. “They were buried in the sand and they all detonated. Albert, you really—”
The transformation of the professor’s features was profound. His face was livid with fury. He gritted his teeth, his cheeks changed color from red to purple, and his breath came in short gasps.
“How—dare—you!” he whispered, emphasizing each word. His brow was covered in perspiration, and he put two clenched fists on the table. “How dare you conduct an outdoor experiment without consulting me first!”
Sir Cedric’s concern switched channels at lightning speed. Gone was the worry for Allier’s health. Instead, he was facing outraged opposition to the association’s program.
“My dear friend, calm yourself, please!” he said. “You’ll do yourself damage. Didn’t you send me the device with a specific request that I test it? Because your laboratories would not allow the tests done here? So what’s the problem?”
The professor’s gaze was ice cold.
“We did not agree that you conduct experiments outside your laboratories. You distinctly suggested that the tests would be made only there! I most certainly oppose your free and unauthorized usage of the irradiator in whatever environment you please—particularly not out in the open! You should have informed me of your intentions first, and I would have considered the pros and cons of permitting or forbidding your actions. As things stand, I must request you to return the device to me immediately!”
Sir Cedric was dumbfounded. This was a totally unexpected turn of events. And there didn’t seem to be much he could do about it.
“Listen, Albert,” he said, “I’m sure there’s been a misunderstanding. We can work it out. If you would—”
“I’m sorry, Sir Cedric,” Allier said bitingly. He had never used the “Sir” title before. “That won’t do at all. It seems I cannot trust you. I must warn you that if I do not receive the machine within forty-eight hours I shall inform the authorities. And I shall tell them everything. Do you understand my meaning, Sir Cedric? Everything!”
Sir Cedric sat in silence. Inwardly he was fuming at this reversal of allegiance. But his features showed only humility and attempts at appeasement.
“Don’t you think this is rather extreme, Albert?” he said soothingly. “I mean, obviously we did not go against your wishes intentionally or maliciously. I regret any blunder we may have made, but I’m sure—”
Professor Allier threw a fifty-euro note on the table and got up.
“Say no more, please. I will not associate with irresponsible adventurers who are likely to stir up additional international trouble. And the French government is strongly opposed to violence of all kinds. You may take that as a warning!”
Sir Cedric was now truly alarmed. He looked around at the other diners and was relieved to see nobody was paying them the slightest attention. Allier had suddenly become a threat to the association and would need to be dealt with by the severest of means. Right now, however, he needed to assuage the Frenchman’s anger and buy some time. He was prepared to promise him anything—even lie through his teeth to achieve a reprieve of a few days.
“We have no desire to do anything contrary to our friends’ wishes—that has always been our policy. Of course we shall consult with you before any future action regarding your device. Right now, it is on its way back from Africa. The moment it arrives, I shall notify you and have it shipped back to you immediately. It’s a matter of a few days only. Could you spare us that time? I promise you we shall do nothing with it until you get it.”
Professor Allier stood motionless for a long time as if preparing his next outburst. But he was apparently mollified by Sir Cedric’s arguments.<
br />
“You have a week, then,” he hissed through his beard. “If I don’t get it by then, I go to the authorities.”
He strode out of the brasserie. Sir Cedric yanked out his cellphone and dialed frantically.
THIRTY-TWO
It was past 10 p.m. before Admiral Stone and Martin arrived at Anne’s apartment. They had both dropped everything they had been doing in answer to Sir Cedric’s call for an emergency meeting. Neither of them, nor Anne for that matter, was used to being summoned so hurriedly without an explanation. But Sir Cedric had mentioned “life or death,” and that was enough.
Sir Cedric and Anne were waiting patiently. Anne had heard the bad news about Allier the minute Sir Cedric had arrived at her apartment, breathless and white as a sheet, and she became as disturbed as he. But by now, both of them had composed themselves and were ready to face the problem rationally and level-headedly.
Sir Cedric reported the events regarding Allier to the others.
“As you may recall,” he concluded, “when we established our association we made a solemn decision that if any of our recruits were to turn coat and become a threat to us we would have to eliminate him. The rationale was that we are set to prevent a global holocaust, and that the life of one person attempting to hinder our cause was outweighed by the lives of millions who could be saved. I am afraid we are facing such a situation right now.”
“Couldn’t you have repeated our ideology to him?” asked the admiral.
“No, Patrick. This was a person who was listening only to himself.”
A moment of silence ensued.
“I’ve been doing some thinking,” Sir Cedric said finally. “I know Allier pretty well. I am not medically qualified, but it seems to me that this is a case of mental disturbance—I really cannot name it in any other terms. I have managed to get him to agree to postpone his plans for a week, but we must act quickly. He must be terminated, and I think I have come up with a manner to do so that would not incriminate us.”
He had everyone’s close attention.
“We should prepare a machine that closely resembles the original device we got from him. I shall explain to him that we made a few ‘cosmetic’ changes to make it look like an ordinary household appliance.”
Sir Cedric took a deep breath.
“What then?” asked Martin, echoing everyone’s thoughts.
“The machine we send will be booby-trapped. Two of Martin’s lads will deliver it to Allier, unpack it, and make sure it’s plugged into the electric outlet. Then they’ll leave. When Allier touches it he’ll be electrocuted to death.”
The others remained silent, pondering over the details they had just heard, trying to find loopholes in Sir Cedric’ tactics. This was a description of an execution.
“Martin,” Anne said after a couple of minutes, “do you think any of your lads has the stomach to make the delivery?”
Sir Cedric interrupted.
“If not—I’ll deliver it myself!”
Martin remained unruffled.
“My boys are not pansies. They’ve all participated in acts of violence far beyond what Sir Cedric has suggested—you don’t want to know about them, believe me. They’ll do it all right. Otherwise,” he smiled at Sir Cedric, “you and I will deliver it together.”
“What about the booby trap?” Admiral Stone asked.
“Bernard Webb knows a lot about electric circuitry. As a matter of fact, I have a smattering of knowledge on that subject myself. I’m sure we can buy an appliance that resembles Excalibur, and Bernard can rig it so that it will electrocute anyone who touches it.”
Everybody was feeling dismal and distressed. They all knew this was a calculated, rational decision, and that the association’s decision to implement it now was correct and proper. Nevertheless, this was a human life they were planning to take, and it went against their primal feelings of decency.
Admiral Stone noticed this and decided to address the issue.
“Killing a fellow human can fall into one of three categories,” he said. “Manslaughter, murder, and execution. Manslaughter could be inadvertent or unintentional, as in an accident or a fight. Murder is always intentional and involves emotions such as love, hate or jealousy, or it is motivated by money or other material benefits. An execution is different. It is always decided upon by an authorized body, be it a court of law, a tribunal, the underground, or even the mafia. The executioner is not emotionally involved with the victim and usually doesn’t even know who it is.
“This is what we have here and now. And that is how we all should see it. We have an enormous challenge—saving millions of lives—and anyone who stands in the way of the accomplishment of this creed should be eliminated. History is full of examples—and I’m sure Anne will back me up on this—of military leaders who have sacrificed individuals, even thousands, to save an entire nation.”
“This is very hard for me,” Anne murmured. “But it’s got to be done. Right!” She raised her voice. “Martin, please get to work on the Excalibur replica—it should be ready in two days, latest three. When we have the … thing, Cedric, please call Allier and inform him of the expected date and time of the delivery. Tell him that the couriers will know nothing about their cargo, and that it would be better that he be alone when examining the device.”
Three days later, the booby trap was prepared and camouflaged. The lab tests confirmed that when plugged into the mains, it would deliver four thousand volts at three amps through the body of the operator, stopping his heart instantly. It would then short-circuit itself and become harmless.
Sir Cedric called Professor Allier in Paris.
“My dear Albert,” Sir Cedric found it hard to say the words, “I hope you have calmed down since our meeting.”
“Yes, I have,” Allier replied civilly. “But that doesn’t change anything. You still have three more days to deliver my irradiation machine back to me.”
“That is exactly the reason I called, Albert. It has returned and I am sending it to you by courier. I am paying them to have their Paris branch deliver it to you at your most convenient hour. When would that be?”
“I think around six in the evening would do, after work. Better still, six thirty. By then, everyone should have left. You realize, I am sure, that I have no interest in having anyone witnessing the arrival of the package. And, of course, I shall want to examine it.”
Sir Cedric was delighted. Allier was making things so much easier for him. However, his tone of voice remained businesslike.
“Naturally, naturally. I shall request the couriers to unpack the device onto your desk, plug it into the electric outlet and leave. Is that all right with you?”
“I couldn’t ask for more, I suppose. I appreciate your punctuality. When will they arrive?”
“How about tomorrow?”
“Fine.”
“Au revoir, Albert,” Sir Cedric said and hung up.
At exactly six thirty in the evening, two sturdy men in grey overalls and carrying a large cardboard box, arrived at Professor Allier’s office and knocked on the door. They had made sure that the corridors in the laboratory building were empty and that they had been seen by no one.
“Entrez,” came a voice from inside.
They opened the door. Professor Allier was seated behind his desk, obviously anticipating their visit. One of the men glanced at a slip of paper in his hand.
“M. Allier?”
“Yes, it is I. Come in, please. Put the contents of the box on the table here.”
The men removed a large device from the box and placed it directly in front of the professor. The object had retained most of the dishwasher shape that Allier had designed.
The two couriers were busy setting up the machine. One of them unraveled the electric power cable and plugged it into the electric socket as if it was an integral part of his duties. The other pushed a delivery order toward the professor.
“Sign here, please.”
The professor sig
ned and returned the slip.
“Thank you. You may leave now.”
The two men left. The device on the table was positioned at an angle to Allier. He reached out to straighten it.
THIRTY-THREE
It was nine o’clock in the morning. Commissaire Felix Duval of the Police Judiciaire took in the scene. He was standing near a large desk in the office of Professor Albert Allier, dean of the Department for Irradiation Research at the Paris University. The professor was seated behind his desk. His two charred hands were on the table, book ending an appliance that looked like a mini-dishwasher. An electric power cable ran from the dishwasher to the mains outlet in the wall. The professor’s head was thrown back on the headrest of his comfortable chair and he appeared to be deep in thought. But he was dead.
Commissaire Duval was one of the most experienced and respected investigators on the force. His name had appeared more than once in the press as the solver of particularly tough cases. An hour earlier, while driving to his office, he had received the call from the dispatch center, and he changed his route accordingly.
It appeared that the cleaner had entered Allier’s office without knocking, as she did every morning, expecting the room to be empty. She was surprised to see the professor at his desk and wished him a good morning. When she got no response from the man she had known for years to be a very polite gentleman, she looked at him again and suspected something may be wrong. She approached the professor with the intention of helping him, but then suddenly realized that he was dead. Her screams brought the guard on duty rushing to her side, and he was the one who called the police. Two police officers arrived and kept the other employees of the department, who had started to assemble, away from the arena. They then notified the Police Judiciaire and the commissaire was summoned.
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