The Lost Power: VanOps, Book 1

by Avanti Centrae

  Will pressed, “What about the symmetry of Vilnius being the Jerusalem of the North? Bear mentioned that earlier.”

  Maddy mimicked Will. “I don’t buy it.”

  “What would Ramiro know about Buddhism?”

  “Maybe he’s religiously agnostic. Jerusalem is central to Judaism, Christianity, and the Muslim faith.”

  Will stroked his beard. “Sorry, Maddy, but I think Bear is right. You’re reaching. He was Christian.”

  Outside the café, the rain stopped as suddenly as it had begun.

  Maddy grimaced and lowered her voice. “Looks like I’m outvoted. I sure hope you guys are right. It will be a long way out of our way if you’re wrong.”

  CHAPTER 45

  The Mediterranean Sea, July 9, 8:25 p.m.:

  On the ferry, following a dreadful meal with the twins, Bear excused himself with a sweet tea “to go,” grabbed a sweatshirt against the coming chill, and went on a self-guided tour of the ship to make sure they hadn’t been followed on board.

  Bear reviewed the last twenty-four hours, considering if someone could have tailed their movements. After spending the night at a youth hostel in Old Jerusalem, he and the twins had taken a bus from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv and then purchased ferry tickets to Athens at a dockside kiosk.

  To throw off their pursuers, they were heading to Greece by boat and then would take a train through Europe to Vilnius. Their ferry, Zeus’s Pride, had departed with the afternoon tide. Now the shadows of night were beginning to cling to dark corners of the ship. He hadn’t seen anyone following them, figured they were in the clear, but wanted to check out the ferry to be sure.

  There was not much to see. The vessel was intended to ferry tourists from Europe to the Holy Land and, as such, was nowhere near a luxury cruise liner. Not that he’d ever been on a cruise, but he’d heard tales. There was no swimming pool, no movie theater, no delicious all-you-can-eat buffet. But what he cared about and, best of all, there was no burned Russian or minion of Prince Carlos.

  Most of their fellow travelers carried backpacks and were planning to sleep the night under the stars on lounge chairs. Bear passed the rows of their budget beds and soon found himself at the front of the ship, where he paused to watch the sunset.

  The sea gave off that exceptional, intoxicating scent that was unique to salty bodies of water. Bear loved the smell. Although moved by the aromatic textures as he watched the clouds slow dance through the colors of the rainbow, a battle raged inside him.

  Am I doing the right thing?

  On one hand, he always wanted to work as an undercover agent. The cat-and-mouse game of international espionage got his blood moving. It was his lifelong ambition.

  Fighting with the marines over the last decade had held an appeal for a time. He had enjoyed piloting helicopters, gathering tactical intelligence, and it was an awesome feeling to lead a unit. At least until everything went to hell on that mountaintop. That was the side of war that his dead father had known and wanted him to experience: the guns-blazing, bloody, kick-ass side of war.

  But since he was young, he had yearned for the covert, stealthy side of war. From studying history, he knew where conflicts were often won: off the battlefield, not on it, in the shadows and streets, through the hearts and minds of lone wolves like him. And in many ways, covert ops were often more dangerous than just being shot at. With no parachute, you had to use your body and your mind as a spy.

  Perhaps he should have gone to a military college to become a commissioned officer, but he’d been eager to get out from under his stepfather’s thumb. Bear had thought intelligence in the marines would scratch his itch, but he found the experience too focused and tactical. It was not at all strategic or what he’d imagined. He yearned to play a bigger game and one where he’d have more respect from his peers.

  That was why he’d signed up with VanOps.

  On the other hand, it wasn’t his nature to keep secrets from his friends, especially a friend that he wanted to be more than a friend. Maddy.

  He knew his feelings for Maddy were a pipe dream. She’d never shown any interest in him, even in high school when he couldn’t hide his feelings and he was such a pup he never even got up the nerve to ask her out. She never once flirted with him and, ever since he’d known her, had only dated tall guys, like Juergen.

  Yet, his heart sang when they were together. Fool for love that he was, he’d have come along willingly, even if his possible new boss, D’Angelo, hadn’t suggested it.

  D’Angelo was a director at VanOps, the most secret CIA group in Washington, the blackest of the black. It was an outgrowth of the old CIA Stargate psychic spying program and now had a broader mission--to keep an eye out for any sort of advanced or obscure technology that threatened the security of the United States.

  That’s why VanOps was under the Department of Extreme Threats. Bear had heard that the definition of “advanced or obscure technology” was pretty loose, and might include any number of things he found fascinating but that the world didn’t understand, such as ancient obelisks with esoteric powers. The forward-thinking part had given rise to the name, VanOps, as in vanguard operations.

  But how had VanOps known about the Argones family obelisks? Maybe they didn’t know, at least when they sent him on the mission, that he and the twins might be the key to stopping the Russian e-bomb threat. Why else would they send an untrained rookie, unless it was a dead-end, milk-and-cookies jaunt?

  The only explanation that made sense was that this quest was the VanOps version of what Maddy had just been through. Even though he had some experience in intelligence gathering, was considered a war hero, his dad had been a general, and he had his old master gunnery sergeant’s recommendation, getting into VanOps was no shoo-in.

  After his latest tour had finished, it was his superior’s recommendation that landed him on that arched bridge in DC’s Rock Creek Park a few weeks ago for what wasn’t even called an interview. The director shared some background about VanOps, asked questions about Bear’s service record and his interests. Provided whitewashed innuendos about saving the world. The guy was hard to read and told him to take some time off back home in California, and that they might have a casual way to see if he was a good fit in a couple of weeks.

  After two long weeks at his parent’s house and just when Bear was going to shave his new beard and re-enlist, he got a phone call from Director D’Angelo and a request to meet at Jake’s on the Lake for dinner. That led to a short conversation on the back deck, with the director asking him if he wanted to test drive an undercover role in what was most probably a wild-goose chase with some old friends.

  Curious and excited to try his hand at the job, Bear agreed. A new credit card exchanged hands. He ended up minutes later under strict orders to stay quiet, keep Will and Maddy safe, go along with wherever their quest might lead, and to call a memorized number once they were home. The number could also be used in case of a true emergency, but Bear gathered that would be frowned upon.

  He’d be told in the morning where to “accidently” run into the twins. Against the backdrop of a dramatic Lake Tahoe thunderstorm, he was told that he was to, under absolutely no circumstances, share that his finding them was anything other than coincidence. He was to act the friend. So, act he did. But now things were getting more complicated.

  He’d not put all the pieces together yet, but he figured Will was onto something with the superconductive aspects of the ancient obelisks. Why else were the Russians on their tail? The complications could also be an opportunity, as he guessed that VanOps might give him a bonus if he could keep the obelisks out of harm’s way and talk Maddy and Will into giving them to the government for safekeeping after all was said and done. Family artifact or not, if Will was right, who wanted to have Soviets after you forever? It would be a good way to join the VanOps team.

  Somebody touched his shoulder. “Maddy!”

  “Hi, Bear, sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “No
worries, was just lost in my thoughts and watching the sunset.”

  Maddy moved to the railing. “Mind if I join you?”

  The last rays of the sun lit her emerald eyes with a golden glow that took Bear’s breath away. She used just a tad bit of makeup around her eyes to make them stand out. Bear found them stunning.

  He took a swig of his sweet tea. “Not at all, it’s a lovely night. Get settled in your cabin?”

  “Yes, then I got restless. Will found a book in the trade-in library and has his nose buried in it.”

  Bear gestured west. “He’s missing out on this sunset.”

  “Pretty, isn’t it?”

  “It is. I like the sea.”

  For some reason, Bear felt nervous. He and Maddy weren’t alone that often and she stood close to him. A band of sweat broke out on his forehead, and he had to consciously deepen his breathing.

  “Me, too.”

  They leaned on the rail together in companionable silence for a time, smelling the fresh salt air, watching the sun sink below the horizon. The colors tonight were incredible. Pink bubbles. Orange lines. Purple swirls.

  Bear gestured to Maddy’s thigh wound. “How’s the leg feelin’?”

  “Better today. I think resting a day or two will help.” She paused and turned toward him. Her hand found its way to his forearm and, at her touch, tiny, invisible fireworks of pleasure shot off all over his body. “Bear, do you think we’re safe out here?”

  For a moment, as he looked into her eyes, he had a hard time concentrating. Every fiber of his being wanted to confide in her.

  Or kiss her.

  Was there any way he could tell her the backstory and stay true to his mission? He swore. No.

  “I think we lost them all in Israel. I scouted the ship and didn’t see them. You can sleep well tonight.”

  She gave him a grateful smile. “Thanks for keeping an eye out. I appreciate it.”

  “No problem.”

  “Are you sure you want to stick around with us, Bear? This has to be more than you bargained for.”

  “I’m a marine, Maddy. I’ve been shot at before.”

  Her eyes held his for a moment, the demand in them clear. “That wasn’t personal. These guys are stalking us for a reason. Why did you want to come along?”

  With the sun almost below the horizon, a sudden chill from the breeze gave him goosebumps. Did she suspect? Either his feelings for her or his other, ulterior motive?

  To gain a second to think, he put his tea down, took his sweatshirt from his shoulders, and put it on over his head.

  “Maddy, I--”

  “Hey, what are you guys doing up here?” Will strode out of the shadows. “There’s a poker game happening down below. Want to join me?”

  Bear heaved an internal sigh of relief.

  Maddy gave Bear a last look with a raised eyebrow that let him know she’d ask him again later. They left the sun’s multicolored masterpiece and followed Will downstairs.

  Spared for the time being, Bear hoped he wouldn’t need to keep up the ruse for much longer. Surely, they would find the obelisks in Lithuania and be home in no time. He’d talk the twins into putting the obelisks into the protective hands of the government. Maddy would be so grateful he’d kept her safe that she’d ignore his sins of omission, kiss him passionately, and then he’d get the official job offer from VanOps.

  What the hell, a guy can dream.

  CHAPTER 46

  Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, 10:25 a.m.:

  Maddy looked out the brick-lined, open window of Upper Castle, at the top of Gediminas Hill. The entire city of Vilnius was spread out below her, a picturesque red-roofed medieval town littered with modern concrete buildings.

  “You guys are nuts,” she said.

  Her leg broadcast a dull ache from making the climb, which would have irritated her once, but she’d noticed since Jerusalem that she didn’t get irritated quite so easily. Maybe it was the time she’d been putting into her practice. Traveling three days to get here had given her ample opportunity. Listen and feel the Power. She even tried directing some of the Power to her leg and it seemed to be healing better. If nothing else, it felt good, and it seemed she was truly on track to become a teacher someday. If they ever found the châsse.

  Maddy pointed. “Look at that skyline. This town is huge. There’s no way this is the ‘Center of the Pagan Empire.’”

  Will stood a half-step behind her, looking out. “Probably some nice pagan bars down there.”

  Bear explored antique swords behind them.

  “William!” Maddy gave him her best “mother-warning” voice to dissuade him from the bar idea.

  He smiled the grin of the intentionally ornery. “And good restaurants. After travelling for days, I’m ready for some fine dining. And an adult beverage.”

  “I could push you off this tower, you know. You’re not helping.”

  He gestured with his head. “Okay, well, how can I help? I can see the river, Old Town. That’s the Lower Castle down there. A couple of cathedrals and the Gate of Dawn is over there.”

  Maddy waved her hand in the general direction of the sprawling city. “I’m guessing the next pointer to the châsse is another signum regis.”

  “I’m guessing you’re right.”

  “Okay, but where is it? This is a city of over five hundred thousand people.”

  Will shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m still worried about what Dad’s attorney told me when I called this morning while waiting for our bus to depart the train station.”

  “I’m still not sure that contact was such a great idea. You mentioned you called her, but I’d like details.”

  “I wanted to pick her brain to see if Dad had told her anything about Ramiro or why he called us together that day. But remember her receptionist--the one that was shot?”

  “Yes, hard to forget those fingernails.” Maddy’s tone was sarcastic.

  “Be nice. She’s dead.”

  Maddy didn’t feel contrite. “Sorry.”

  “Anyway, she had traveled to Russia on her last vacation.”

  That was a surprise. “What?”

  “Yes, she lied to the attorney, said she was going to Cancun. Instead, went to Moscow. After the shooting and the dead Russian in that crashed BMW, the FBI did some research and asked the attorney if she knew why the receptionist had made the trip. Of course, she didn’t know.”

  “Another Russian connection,” Maddy said.

  Will spun his flashlight around his fingers. “Yep. But why would she go to Russia?”

  “Good question. Any theories?”

  “No, not yet. But I’m wondering if her murder was to shut her up. Tie up a loose end.”

  Maddy looked out at the red-roofed skyline. “I can see that. Without the travel to Russia, I figure she’d just gotten in the way of our sniper friend...hmm, this means that maybe he didn’t even know we were there.”

  Will reached for a cigarette then let his hand drop. “That’s a possibility we need to consider as well.”

  Maddy was thrilled he’d quit smoking. “The shooter may have thought he hit the jackpot when he saw us leaving out the back door.”

  “Too bad he missed us.”

  They grinned at each other.

  Maddy turned to Bear, who was inspecting a set of armor on the other side of the old, brick-lined tower. He looked good today in cargo shorts, a blue T-shirt that highlighted his physique, and a matching blue bandanna.

  “Hey, Bear.”

  He walked over and joined them at the window. “Nice view.”

  “Overwhelming view,” Maddy replied.

  “I heard y’all talking about the Russian gal. Maybe she put a tracker in all that stuff from your dad.”

  “A GPS tracker?” Will asked.

  “Yeah. We’re alone up here. Can I see the packet?”

  Maddy pulled the backpack off Will’s shoulders and dug around until she found the packet. She handed it to Bear, who rifled through the g
old, diamonds, and letters from her father.

  “Nothin’ obvious, but they’re making them pretty small these days. While we’re in town, I’ll see if I can find an electronic sweeper.”

  “So, that would be great, but it doesn’t help us figure out our next move.” Maddy’s heart sank farther as she looked out the window again. She could see cinammon-roofed hotels, white-stone government buildings, even a McDonald’s. The skyline seemed to go on forever. “It’s such a big town.”

  Will nodded in the direction of the town below. “More like a city. Impressive, in a needle-in-a-haystack-kinda way.”

  “I’m feeling like our three days to get here was a big waste of time.”

  “Why’s that?” Bear asked.

  “This place is not only huge, but also checking out the guidebooks, it seems it was mostly built after Ramiro’s time. The first written record of the town was about one hundred years after Ramiro died. According to one book I was looking at this morning, there are one thousand four hundred eighty-seven buildings in Old Town alone.”

  Bear took some lip balm from his pocket and swiped at his lips. “I do recall the king mentioning after dessert that not all sites were necessarily from Ramiro’s time.”

  “You think Isabella or Ferdinand may have redone a clue?” Will asked.

  “It’s possible. Much may have changed in the four hundred or so years between their two reigns. The original clue from Ramiro may have, in their time, been in danger of disappearing.” Bear redeposited the balm in his shorts’ pocket.

  “Lame. That means there’s a whole lot more to search,” Will said.

  “Yes, and the search is not without some additional historical challenges. There were five famous fires that destroyed much of the Old Town between 1700 and 1750. It’s possible the clue may have perished in one of those fires.”

  “Oh, boy,” Maddy said.

  “It gets worse. During the next century, Napoleon and his Grande Armée trundled through here. Also, more recently, both the Germans and the Russians were not kind.”