“And that’s all?”
“Yes, should there be more?”
So, the treacherous angel was trying to turn the tables on him, but Abraham was too clever for that. “Daniel told me you are responsible for teaching him how to use a computer.”
“Was,” the librarian corrected pointedly. “That was about a year ago. Now that he knows how to use one, he has no more questions to ask.” The young man regarded the diviner blandly, offering no further details of their interaction.
Abraham changed the subject. “I didn’t come here to find my son today. I’m looking for an associate of mine. We were to meet in this department.”
Chris gave a mirthless chuckle. “You must mean that extra from a Randolph Scott Western skulking over in the corner there.” He pointed.
Abraham followed his gaze to see Hunt seated at a long table by the window mouthing out the letters to a large volume he was pretending to read.
The librarian paused a moment to study the cowboy. He leaned over the reference desk and whispered archly, “I’d be surprised if your friend has cracked a book since the day he flunked out of grammar school. He doesn’t exactly fit the profile of a scholar.”
The old man cast an indignant look over his shoulder before stalking off to meet Hunt. The librarian was insufferable. Daniel would be told to limit his contact with this Chris person.
Abraham pulled out the chair next to Hunt’s and sat down.
“Howdy, boss. You’re a sight for sore eyes, and I do mean sore. I spent more time readin’ today that I done in the last year.”
“Shhhh!” Abraham raised a warning finger to his lips. “Let’s go,” he murmured.
Leroy needed very little encouragement to abandon his pursuit of knowledge. He slammed the heavy book shut, drawing more than one annoyed glance from other patrons of the reading room.
The two men hurried wordlessly out of the Ancient History section. Abraham noticed that Chris’s eyes followed them until they disappeared into the elevator. Yes, the diviner was going to speak most emphatically to Daniel about avoiding that particular Fallen angel.
***
Fifteen minutes later the diviner and the cowboy had taken up a position on the concrete banister outside the Art Institute. They were seated several feet above the sidewalk and far enough away from the lions guarding the entrance that there was no danger they would be overheard.
“At least the weather’s better than our last outdoor meetin’,” Hunt observed with satisfaction. “Why’d you all want me to wait for you at the library anyhow?”
“I wanted to see where my son spends his days.”
“Well, that place surely does explain his pasty complexion. No sunshine. Stale air. Lots of moth-eaten books. The boy must be in hog heaven workin’ there.”
“Yes,” Abraham said vaguely, his thoughts still distracted by the enigmatic librarian.
“So, you got your new doodad locked up safe and sound?” Hunt ventured. He hadn’t accompanied Daniel to the compound after their arrival the day before.
“Yes, I have it hidden away,” the diviner replied, his focus returning to the present.
“I sure hope you do because your boy says it’s worth a king’s ransom. Can’t be too careful about security for somethin’ like that. What you got? A safe or some such?”
Abraham’s gaze narrowed. “It seems to me you’re taking a very particular interest in where I store my treasures, Mr. Hunt.”
The cowboy shrugged artlessly. “I’m just lookin’ out fer your interests, boss. Security is my business.”
“Suffice it to say, the relics are very well-protected. Nobody knows their whereabouts but me and nobody ever will.”
Hunt seemed annoyed, but he forced himself to smile. “That’s good to know. Glad you got it all covered. So, what you want to see me about today?”
The diviner paused, choosing his words carefully. “I wasn’t entirely satisfied with Daniel’s report of what happened during your mission.”
“Oh?” The normally voluble cowboy seemed uncharacteristically guarded. “Why’s that?”
“I believe he may have left out some pertinent details.” Abraham shifted uncomfortably on the concrete railing. His bones were aching, but he didn’t like giving way to the weakness of the flesh.
“So, what did he tell you?”
Abraham felt that Hunt was being deliberately evasive. “Something peculiar happened during your time in Sudan, Mr. Hunt, and I intend to get to the bottom of it. I want you to tell me about the retrieval in your own words.”
For a second, Abraham thought he detected an unaccountable look of embarrassment cross Hunt’s face. The cowboy removed his hat and fanned himself with it. “Well sir, it was like this. We had a bead on that doodad and was goin’ to nab it when yer son ran afoul of some gun smugglers. I’m sure he told you that.”
The old man nodded. “Yes, he did. What I don’t understand, Mr. Hunt, is what happened after that point. Daniel said you rescued him.”
“Oh ho. So, that’s how it is.” The cowboy smirked at some secret joke.
“That’s how what is?” Abraham flared, growing impatient.
“He left out the part about them three thieves. They showed up too.”
The diviner peered at him uncomprehendingly. “You mean the three thieves that you encountered on Crete?”
“Yessir.”
“The three thieves you killed on Crete?”
Leroy scratched his head. “Funny thing about that. Turns out they wasn’t so dead as we all thought.”
“What!” Abraham’s voice echoed so loudly that the pigeons perched on the lion statues flapped away in alarm.
“Boss.” Hunt gave him a warning shake of the head. “Yellin’ ain’t gonna do no good. It sure ain’t gonna turn ‘em all back into corpses. They’re as alive as you and me.”
Abraham went pale with shock. He felt dizzy and listed to the side until Hunt grabbed his arm to steady him. “How is this possible?” he asked in a hoarse whisper.
“I’m just as stumped as you. Guess they escaped that landslide somehow and been on our trail ever since.”
Abraham rounded on him. “Why didn’t Daniel tell me?”
Hunt’s face bore a looked of confused innocence. “I reckon he didn’t want to worry you about it, especially since there ain’t no harm done. We collected all the doodads, not them.”
“So, I take it they escaped from these smugglers you encountered as well?”
“Well, it all got a little mixed up right in the middle of things. Here’s how it went. These three got to the hidin’ place ahead of us and nabbed the doodad. That’s when the smugglers showed up and grabbed two of ‘em. The third thief got out of the cave before the smugglers seen him. He was hidin’ outside tryin’ to figure out how to help his buddies when Daniel and me showed up. You son went on ahead into the cave and got nabbed himself.
“I was aways back, so they didn’t know I was there, but I could see Daniel was in a pickle. I climbed back outside to figure out what to do when I got jumped by that third thief. He was a big feller. A giant. Taller than me and outweighed me by fifty pounds or so. We tussled back and forth all over that mountainside. Musta been sluggin’ it out for a half hour. Let me tell you I gave as good as I got but this feller had a stun gun up his sleeve, and he zapped me with it. Laid me low so’s I couldn’t move.”
“Really?” Abraham sat forward on the rail, enthralled by the drama of the cowboy’s story in spite of himself. “Why didn’t he try to kill you?”
Leroy leaned in confidentially. “He says to me, ‘Oy mate!’ See, he’s a Limey, and that’s how they talk over there. So, anyways he says, ‘Guvner, I need your help to get me mates out. Let’s strike a bargain. You help me and the trinket’s yours. Cor, blimey!’”
The old man rubbed his chin contemplatively. “Well, I suppose under the circumstances, there was nothing else to be done.”
“N
o sir,” Hunt agreed. “He had me dead to rights, so all I could do was throw in with him. We shook on it and rescued his buddies and Daniel. The feller was good as his word. When it was all over, he give Daniel the package.”
“Why didn’t you try to kill them all then?” The diviner asked.
Leroy rolled his eyes. “Boss, there was four smugglers and three thieves in that cave with us. If I’d started shootin’ chances are your boy would of took a stray bullet. Even if he didn’t, seven’s a mighty high body count. Seems like somebody might notice that many corpses lyin’ around and start askin’ questions.”
Abraham pondered the comment. “Yes, it wouldn’t do at all.”
“Besides, you got no call to worry. Your boy’s the only one who can crack the code of that next clue. Them thieves gotta follow us to find it.”
“That’s true,” the diviner admitted. “I have all the relics locked safely away, and without the next clue, they won’t be in a position to get ahead of you.”
“Besides, now that I know they’re on our trail, I’ll be waitin’ in the weeds. The minute one of ‘em shows his face, I shoot to kill.”
“Very good,” the old man concurred. “That’s exactly what I want you to do.”
Hunt put his hat back on and rose to go. “So, everything’s all tied up nice and neat?”
“Apparently.” Abraham rose too, wincing at a twinge in his spine. “Until Daniel is able to decipher this newest acquisition, I want you to go back to finding my Hannah.”
Hunt beamed. “Boss, I got a line on that just before I left the States. I’m gonna circle back to that antique store lady, and we’ll have us a confab. Maybe I’ll have some good news about little Miss Hannah for you in a couple days.”
Abraham allowed himself the luxury of a fleeting smile. “It seems that God is smiling on our endeavors, Mr. Hunt. May He continue to do so.”
“Amen, boss. Amen.”
Chapter 48—MMIA
Hannah set the tea cup down on the kitchen table and peered at Faye with concern. “You seem a bit distracted today. Is everything alright?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, dear.” Faye smiled apologetically at her young house guest. “I have quite a bit on my mind right now.” She had been waiting for Maddie’s call to let her know the Arkana team had arrived safely back home. But the call never came. Her last intelligence on the subject was two days before when the trio were about to leave Sudan.
“Is there anything I can do?’ the girl asked, slipping into the chair beside her.
“I’m afraid not. It’s a business matter.”
“It’s about Cassie, isn’t it.” It was a statement, not a question. “Is she safe?”
The old woman smiled ruefully. “I’m not sure. She should have arrived back in the States by now, but I haven’t heard from her yet.”
Hannah slumped forward in her chair as if the life had been drained out of her. “Oh no. Please God, don’t let them catch her!”
“Now, now.” Faye put a comforting arm around her shoulder. “Cassie is a very resourceful young woman. If anyone can elude the Nephilim, she can.”
At that moment, the doorbell rang. Faye and Hannah stared at one another in surprise.
“Is Zachary supposed to come over today?”
The girl shook her head. “It’s not him. He never rings the bell. He knocks.”
They both rose and headed toward the parlor. Hannah rushed to the door and swung it open.
She burst into a smile. “Good heavens! We were just talking about you.”
Cassie had no sooner walked over the threshold than the girl swept her into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re safe,” Hannah murmured.
The pythia gave Faye a puzzled look. “Of course, I’m safe. Didn’t Maddie tell you?”
“I haven’t heard from Maddie for two days, dear. Her last report had you flying out of Khartoum.”
“Oh.” Cassie seemed on the verge of saying several more things but stopped herself. Instead, she transferred her attention to Hannah. “Just look at you.” She held the girl at arm’s length. “Life on the outside sure agrees with you.”
“On the outside of what?” Hannah asked blankly.
“You need a slang tutor,” Cassie observed laughingly.
“Oh, I have a very good tutor. Zachary has helped me so much.” Hannah blushed.
The pythia noticed the girl’s reaction. Her eyes narrowed. “Zachary, huh. Does he do anything besides tutor you?”
“Oh, we go to the movies sometime. I love the movies.”
“So, you’re dating him?”
Hannah grew even more flustered. “Oh, no. I don’t think so. That is...” she trailed off awkwardly.
“I think I need to meet this Zachary kid to find out if he’s good enough for you.” Cassie’s voice sounded positively parental.
Hannah made a “shushing” sound. She darted a nervous glance at Faye and then said in a low voice, “Zachary is Faye’s great-great-something-or-other grandson. I’m sure she wouldn’t let me associate with a bad element.”
“Relax, I know who he is.” Cassie laughed. “I’m just teasing you.” She gave the girl another brief hug before transferring her attention to Faye. “I need to say hello to this lady.” She walked over to embrace Faye, whispering in the old womans’ ear, “We have to talk. Now!”
“Oh yes, quite right.” Faye recovered herself. “Hannah, would you mind giving us a little time together? Cassie has some urgent business to report to me.”
“Oh, of course. I’m behind on my Chemistry reading, and Zachary is going to give me a pop quiz tomorrow. I’ll be up in my room if you need me.” She paused at the banister and cast one final look at Cassie. “I’m so glad you’re alright.” Then she scampered up the stairs.
“Bye, Hannah,” Cassie called after her. “You make sure that Zach minds his manners!”
The two women waited until they heard the bedroom door close.
“Something’s up with Maddie,” Cassie began in a subdued voice.
“Whatever do you mean, dear?”
“Erik and Griffin and I have been trying to reach her ever since we got back yesterday to set up a debriefing. You were supposed to attend too. But we haven’t heard anything back from her. She isn’t returning texts, voice mails, or even emails. The guys and I drove over to the vault this morning, but she wasn’t there. The artifact that got smuggled out of Sudan was sitting right on her desk, but her office was empty. One of the tyros said there was a rumor that she left in the middle of the afternoon two days ago. He wasn’t there when it happened, so he didn’t know the whole story.”
“Oh, my.” Faye sank into her armchair. “It’s as I feared.”
Cassie took a seat on the couch and leaned forward anxiously. “What is it?”
The old woman sighed. “The past month has been quite stressful for her. Worrying about the three of you in danger overseas, defusing the threat of Leroy Hunt on the home front, and a new batch of tyros to train. She picked a terrible time to quit smoking. It’s her coping mechanism, you see. Without it to defuse her tension, she may be on the verge of nervous collapse.”
Cassie squinted at the old woman in disbelief. “So, you’re saying she’s having some kind of meltdown? Not Maddie. She’s a force of nature—indestructible.”
Faye shrugged. “Even forces of nature need escape valves. That’s what volcanic eruptions are for.”
“Has she ever gone off the deep end before?” The pythia sounded alarmed.
“Once. Many years ago. We never speak of it.”
“Cripes! You don’t think she’s done anything to hurt herself, do you?”
“There’s only one way to find out.” Faye rose and shuffled over to Hannah’s desk. She scribbled something on a sheet of paper and handed it to Cassie.
“Collect your teammates and meet me at that address in an hour,” she instructed.
“Not a problem,” the pythia replied. “The
guys drove out here with me, but I dropped them in the village to wait because, you know...” She trailed off, glancing significantly toward the stairs up which Hannah had disappeared.
Faye understood. Hannah still believed Cassie was pursuing her relic hunt alone. Bringing Erik and Griffin into the mix at this point would raise all sorts of questions.
“What’s at this address?” Cassie asked.
“Hopefully, Maddie is,” Faye replied. “It’s her home.”
Chapter 49—Testing the Subject
Dr. Rafi Aboud straightened his tie and smoothed the front of his white lab coat. He was about to receive a visit from his benefactor. Much depended on the outcome of this conversation. He positioned himself expectantly before the doors of the elevator to his underground facility and waited. Right on schedule, the doors parted, and Abraham Metcalf stalked off.
Aboud gave a small bow. “Welcome, Mr. Metcalf. I am glad of your arrival.”
The diviner’s characteristic scowl softened by a fraction of an inch. “Judging by your demeanor, Doctor, I expect you have good news to impart?”
“Very good,” Aboud agreed. “Come, let us talk in my office.”
The reception area was, as usual, unoccupied but the doctor wished to take no chances of any of the staff overhearing their conversation. He had doubled the number of lab technicians originally hired because the complexity of the project required it. There were now a few dozen individuals milling about the test site at any given time. One couldn’t be too careful.
He shepherded the elderly man into his private quarters.
“May I get you a cup of coffee?” he asked.
“I don’t take stimulants,” was the diviner’s curt reply. He lowered himself awkwardly into one of the conference chairs.
“Very well.” Aboud reached for a clay mug cup perched on the edge of his desk. “You’ll have no objection if I indulge?”
Metcalf waved his hand in assent.
The doctor took the opposite chair. He sipped slowly at his beverage.
“What have you to tell me of your progress?” the diviner inquired.
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