Lourds took off his hat and placed it on the table. ‘I’m sorry, Alice. I never intended to hurt you.’
‘I know. This isn’t about you, Thomas. If I’d allowed you to take me off with you, I’d have been just as unhappy.’
Lourds grimaced, the hurt from her comment evident on his face.
Alice laughed at him. ‘Don’t be so fragile. It doesn’t become you. I like remembering you as the aloof, self-centered young professor who once told me life was too big to live in one place.’
‘Did I ever say that?’
She placed a hand over her heart, almost cupping one delectable breast. ‘I swear. That was almost word-for-word.’
‘I was something of a bounder, wasn’t I?’
‘No. You were young.’ She studied him unashamedly. ‘In many ways, you still are, and – I think – always will be. You’ll always be the boy I fell in love with, always seeing the fascinating things and adventures in the world that no one else sees.’
‘Still. If I had known – ’
‘You would have only made things worse for yourself and for me. I still cling to that memory of how we were. Some days that’s my only solace. I would not have it destroyed.’ Alice took a breath. ‘The fault was mine. I hadn’t planned for my own life. I had no place to go, Thomas. No money of my own to make a life anywhere. That was one of the keenest interests my parents had in arranging the marriage with Klaus. They hoped their fortunes would increase when they aligned with his.’
‘Did they?’
‘Of course not. Klaus is not a generous man. Not even with me. Though I do think he is more generous with the string of mistresses he’s kept over the years.’ She shrugged. ‘Still, my parents have some consolation. They get to claim kinship with one of the most powerful men in the Austrian People’s Party.’
‘The man foments anti-Semitic behavior and calls for Austrians and Germans alike to rise against Israel. He lobbies for Iran to become a nuclear power, which would endanger all of the Middle East, and the Western world if the Ayatollah could make that possible. Various news agencies have accused Von Volker of supplying munitions to the Ayatollah, and have all but proven it.’
‘I know. I live with the man. It’s all true. Including the arms trafficking.’ Alice pursed her lips in distaste. ‘My parents idolize him for his opinions. They believe, like a lot of other Austrians and Germans, that Klaus Von Volker is the man who will bring about a new glory for a resurrected German empire.’
Lourds shivered at the thought. He looked out at the Ringstrasse. ‘Austria has a long history of anti-Semitism.’
‘Yes, but we’re here to talk of the evils done by my husband.’
Lourds took her hand and kissed it. ‘True, but we’re not going to forget the evils he’s done to you as well. Maybe – together – we can find a way for him to get his comeuppance as well.’
‘There’s a rally tonight. Klaus is speaking. We should go.’
‘Why?’
‘Because Klaus expects me to put in an appearance before he speaks.’
‘I thought you said Lev’s things were at your house.’
‘The schloss, yes. But if I don’t show up at the rally, Klaus might become suspicious that I’m snooping into his private business.’
‘Perhaps I could go there myself.’
‘You’d never get through the security. You’ll need me.’
‘Won’t Klaus notice when you disappear from the rally?’
Alice shook her head. ‘No. Once he’s in front of his adoring audience, I cease to exist. He’ll be swept away into the arms of one of his mistresses at the after-rally party while I go home to be the dutiful wife. Only tonight, I don’t plan on being so dutiful.’
29
Stadtpark
Heumarkt (Hay Market Street)
Vienna, Austria
August 7, 2011
Klaus Von Volker had set up his rally near the north end of the Stadparkbrucke. The City Park Bridge, once known as the Karolinenbrucke, was a popular place. The bridge spanned the Wienfluss, and the Vienna River cut through the heart of Vienna.
When he’d gone to school in the city, Lourds had been fascinated by the river. People weren’t allowed to walk or cycle along the concrete riverbed that had been laid. The headwaters in the Wienerwald sat on a bed of sandstone that saturated quickly. As a result, the Wienfluss could turn from a slow-moving creek to a roaring river pushing nearly 130,000 gallons of water a second. Even heavy equipment machines would get washed away in the deluge.
Von Volker launched his vitriol from an elaborate stage. The man was definitely a crowd-pleaser, if the reactions of the people gathered there to listen were any indication. Behind him, two large wide-screen projectors mounted on utility trucks showed ‘Zionist oppression.’ The footage was primarily of Israeli military rolling into contested areas, tanks crushing cars in the streets, soldiers shooting anyone who opposed them, and familiar politicians screaming.
‘For too long, Israel has dictated the shape of the future in the Middle East. The Zionist government makes economic war on Iran, and their war has poured over onto us.’ Von Volker walked the length of the stage like a rock star, touching the hands of his ardent supporters. ‘The United States and other members of the European Union have reduced their trade with Iran, and they expect us to do the same. Not only expect it, for that is too genteel a word, they demand Austria’s compliance as well. But the United States and her peers have alternate sources of oil.’
Lourds knew the argument held some validity. The sanctions the US and EU were trying to impose limited the amount of oil bought from Iran. That was primarily because the corporations outside countries dealt with tended to be – more and more – straw companies for the Revolutionary Guard, the Ayatollah’s private murder squad.
A few people in the audience dissented from Von Volker’s claims, though most of them appeared to be tourists or young people. Bullyboys who evidently worked for Von Volker circulated through the crowd and ousted those people. The Viennese uniformed police appeared not to notice the semiphysical encounters.
‘The United States allies itself with Saudi Arabia and other countries.’ The PA system thundered Von Volker’s words over the crowd. ‘They can afford to cut back on oil because they have agreements with those countries to produce what they need. But what does Austria have? Do we have access to those other oil reserves?’
‘No!’ The crowd’s response was deafening.
‘The Zionists are seeking to hold our country back! They don’t want to see Austria strong again!’
The crowd booed and hissed and cursed the United States and Israel.
‘The United States has seen fit to pursue its “War on Terror” throughout the world. These days, it seems, the president and his advisers can find terrorists anywhere they choose to look!’
Another cry of protest filled the park.
‘Could the previous American president find “weapons of mass destruction” in Iraq?’
‘No!’
‘And now they use their “War on Terror” to paint Austria’s desires to advance her economy and her position in the global market. How long will it be before the United States tries to patrol terrorism in our country?’
An incensed howl went up from the crowd.
‘If we do not stand together, if we allow Israel and her lapdogs to choose our allies, we will be defenseless before them one day. That is their agenda.’
More condemnation surged from the crowd, much of it directed against the United States.
Von Volker grinned like a wolf as he paced more furiously. ‘Israel penetrated the infrastructure of the United States and took control a long time ago. Now they tell that greedy country what to do, commanding it like a lapdog trained to please its master. In these recent years, the United States has posited itself as the policeman to the world. Now they chase their shadows of terrorists around the globe. All the while, they continue consuming everything, becoming a monstrous leech that w
ill suck the life from both the Western world and the Eastern one.’
More curses against the United States ran rampant through the crowd. As Lourds watched this time, he saw that the chanting was led by embedded cheerleaders, young, handsome men with strong Aryan features. They could have been poster children for Adolf Hitler’s master race.
‘How do you like the show?’
Lourds turned to look at Alice, who’d appeared from seemingly nowhere. ‘Frankly, your husband makes me sick.’
‘This is in a crowd. You should have to endure him at home.’
‘I couldn’t. This is the kind of blatant hostility and threatening posture that World War II was fought to stop.’ Lourds shook his head. ‘All that’s missing is a martyr.’
Von Volker stood in front of the crowd again. ‘The United States is inept. Look at how they poisoned the waters in the Gulf of Mexico when they lost control of the offshore oil rigs there. Millions of gallons of oil spewed into the ocean and killed wildlife in the waters and along the coasts for months. Did they take responsibility for their greed and destruction?’
‘NO!’
Reluctantly, Lourds had to admit that Von Volker had plenty of ammunition against the United States.
‘The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was disastrous.’ Von Volker emphasized his words with a bunched fist. ‘The world won’t know the true cost of that blunder for possibly generations. In the meantime, all that oil the United States was counting on will need to be replaced. And do you know how they’re going to replace it?’
The question thundered over the crowd, which responded in a disjointed burst of general unhappiness.
‘By taking more oil from the Middle East! And in doing so, they will take more than their fair share. Austria will be like a homeless person begging for crumbs at the rich man’s table.’ Von Volker paused theatrically. ‘Unless Austria rises up to take control of her own destiny!’
The furor rose to a fever pitch.
‘Israel has already bemoaned Germany’s dealings with Iran to the point that German business with Iran has been restricted. Iran has the oil we need. We have political support that country needs if it is to survive and move successfully into the twenty-first century. When the rest of the world is using nuclear power, Israel and her allies continue to lobby against Iran gaining that power to better maintain their nation and provide for their people.’
‘As if that’s all nuclear technology will be used for.’ Lourds took a deep breath. ‘He’s a very dangerous man.’
Alice nodded. ‘I know.’
‘Together, Austria and Iran, we must rise up against the Zionist oppressors and kick the boot of the United States off the back of our necks.’ Von Volker strutted before his constituency. ‘We are a race of warriors!’
Cheering and whistling broke out.
‘We are Austrian!’ Von Volker roared his declaration. ‘We will not submit like some meek schoolgirl in the face of a harsh taskmaster. All we need to do is rise up and stand our ground!’
Wild cries of support filled the park.
Alice touched Lourds’s arm. ‘Have you heard enough? He’ll continue in this vein for another hour or two. If we leave now, we can reach the schloss just after his people leave the rooms.’
‘Definitely.’ Lourds took her hand and let her lead him through the crowd.
‘Herr Von Volker.’
Von Volker finished mopping his face and glanced up at the bodyguard standing near him. He’d taken a break to briefly rest his voice. He wasn’t finished inciting the crowd yet. Media people from all around the world were streaming the news footage live. CNN and Fox News were staying with the story as political analysts tried to interpret the coming worldwide reaction.
‘Yes?’
‘Your wife and Thomas Lourds are leaving the park.’
As he took in this news, Von Volker was surprised at the tiniest twinge of jealousy that flared through him. He quickly quashed it. ‘Let them go. But make sure they are followed. Keep me apprised of where they’re going and what they’re doing.’
The man nodded and turned away to speak over the headset he wore.
Von Volker drained a bottle of water, then stepped back up on the stage. He had a rebellion to raise, and somewhere in there the Ayatollah’s demands had to be met as well.
Ruling Palace of the Supreme Leader
Tehran
The Islamic Republic of Iran
August 7, 2011
The Eurasian lynx sat like stone in the shadows of the acacia tree and watched a young hare come closer. The lynx was young. Every now and again, its hindquarters twitched uncontrollably. The hare, like the lynx, lived in the lower portions of the Ayatollah’s garden.
The beast was forty pounds of speed and muscle. Dark spots looked faded against the amber coat. The distinctive ears stood up in sharp points.
Hands behind his back, Davari watched the lynx with wide-eyed interest.
‘Do you think the lynx will take the hare?’
Startled, Davari turned to face the Ayatollah. The older man had come up behind him without a sound, reminding Davari again that he had once been a warrior and had shed blood in God’s holy name.
‘Good evening, Supreme Leader.’
The Ayatollah nodded but never took his dark eyes from the lynx. ‘You have not answered my question, Colonel.’
‘My apologies.’ Davari returned his attention to the lynx.
The animal’s hindquarters trembled again as the hare came a little closer.
‘I don’t think so. The lynx is young.’
‘He has speed and strength on his side.’
‘True, but he lacks patience. He’s letting his belly guide his instincts.’
‘Yes.’ The Ayatollah stepped up beside the colonel. ‘You see the lynx’s impatience, yes?’
‘In the line of his body, the way he sits, of course.’
‘Do you think the lynx sees these things?’
‘How can he?’
The Ayatollah nodded. ‘So we can agree that the lynx does not see these things in himself.’
‘I don’t see how he could, Supreme Leader.’
‘I received your news that the professor – ’
‘Thomas Lourds.’
‘Yes. Thomas Lourds is in Vienna. But you do not know why.’
‘I believe it is because Von Volker has transported Lev Strauss’s collection of artifacts to his manor home.’
‘I am certain you are correct, but how did Thomas Lourds learn those artifacts were there?’
‘I believe Frau Von Volker told him. As our investigation indicated, they were once lovers.’
The lynx gained momentary control over himself and was still again. The hare crept closer to the succulent blades of grass, almost within striking range now.
‘It has been years since Lourds has seen Frau Von Volker.’
Davari nodded.
‘So, why does he leave the search the Jew set him on to go to Vienna?’
‘To see the collection of artifacts.’
‘Does he know what he’s looking for?’
Davari thought about that for the first time. ‘I would assume so, Supreme Leader.’
The Ayatollah frowned. ‘Assumptions will not find Mohammad’s Koran and the Scroll for us, Colonel.’
‘My apologies, Supreme Leader. I have failed you.’
‘Not yet. I am merely adjusting your thinking.’
‘I welcome your wisdom.’
‘If Mohammad’s Koran and the Scroll were among the Jew’s things, we would have found them by now. Since we know Thomas Lourds is hunting those things as well, he wouldn’t have gone to Von Volker’s to find them. Therefore, he is seeking a clue.’
Davari nodded. That much he had already figured.
‘The Jew will have been clever. Even if we found the clue, the Jew would have couched it in terms that would make it hard for an outsider to understand.’
The lynx’s hindquarters twitched again as it
readied itself.
‘Thomas Lourds may solve whatever clues the Jew left for him. So we must be patient and give him room to work. Do you understand?’
‘Yes, Supreme Leader.’
Coiled muscles exploded into action and thrust the lynx into motion. The big cat had misjudged his abilities, though. The hare had time to avoid him, then break away and seek shelter in the woodlands. Frustrated, the lynx yowled and stalked off.
‘That lynx will go hungry, Colonel. Do not be that lynx as you proceed with your hunt. Give Thomas Lourds room to pick up the Jew’s trail. God is on our side.’
‘Thank you for your wise words, Supreme Leader.’
30
Schloss Volker
Vienna, Austria
August 7, 2011
As she watched Lourds’s pained face, Alice knew he was reliving precious memories he’d shared with Lev Strauss. When she’d been with them, sharing their friendship while loving Lourds, she’d heard many of those stories. Only a few held special memories for her. She’d been along for the acquisition of only a handful of pieces and, sadly, she couldn’t really remember much about them or how excited Lev had been.
At that time, she’d been so deeply in love with Thomas Lourds that little else mattered.
Studying him now as he worked his way through the collection, Alice felt those same feelings surfacing again. She wasn’t sure exactly what the attraction was that existed between them, but she was more certain now that it was heavily weighted on her side.
She wanted him more than he wanted her.
It was a sad, hard thing to admit, but there it was. Thankfully, she was adult enough and experienced enough to recognize that.
Lourds was aloof, but it wasn’t by choice. His work satisfied him on levels that no flesh-and-blood companion could ever hope to equal. That was frustrating and scary and addictive at the same time. What woman in her right mind could let such a challenge pass by without making an attempt to gain his attention?
Alice smiled to herself, but the humor was melancholy at best and painful at worst. She had been young and naïve when she’d fallen for him, but she was certain that even worldly women found themselves in a swoon over Lourds just as she had.
The Temple Mount Code Page 18