James cut her off. “Anyhow, now’s not the right time to argue about it. This time you’ll step aside. If you interfere, you’ll jeopardise Malee’s life. I wouldn’t forgive you for that.”
“You’re giving yourself into the hands of the cult. They’ll kill you like Costov and God knows how many more. Your veins will be cut. They’ll draw symbols with your blood while you’re still alive. At the end they’ll stab you with a horn.”
“Malee’s in their hands because of me!” James shouted. “They’ll kill her like they did Elizabeth.” His face was red from the explosion of rage in his heart.
For a moment, Irina thought he might hit her. But he pulled himself together as quickly as he had become angry.
“I hope you stay away. That’s the only thing I’m asking you for,” he said calmly.
“They won’t let her go. You know who you’re dealing with. They’ll kill both of you.”
“If I don’t go she’ll be dead for sure.”
Irina lowered her head and grabbed her forehead with both hands, thinking with almost painful intensity. “Okay. I’ll help you. You’ll need backup in case these people play dirty,” she said.
He shook his head. “Impossible. You’re a cop. The two men from the shooting here might recognise you. If the cult finds out you’re involved, everything would go down the drain.”
“We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen. By the way, I’m done policing in the UK. Interpol gave up on the ritual killings case. This morning the case was officially closed. I was ordered to go home and take some holiday. So I’m not here as a cop, just a friend.”
James raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Interpol gave up! Why?”
“Insufficient evidence. My boss thinks that the data I accumulated is only good for a movie plot. And, more or less, that’s what your secret services think. Although they were more polite to me. In short, we do not possess sufficient proof to link Stefan Costov’s murder with similar murders in other countries. Ergo, no case for Interpol.”
“Lino warned that sooner or later Interpol would come to that conclusion.”
“He’s obviously experienced in the matter. Now, we need to forge a plan.”
“We must wait for Lao. He’s on his way here from the hospital where Pema is … However, I haven’t yet agreed that you can take part in this.”
“We’ll talk later about your attitude,” said Irina semi-jokingly, semi-seriously. “I can just say this – I’m already in.”
They stared at each other for some moments.
“I’ve made my choice,” said James. “I’ll exchange myself for her. Your task will be to make sure Malee comes out alive and unharmed. Do you agree?”
“All right. Even though it’s not easy watching you walk into a death trap.” She hesitated before adding, “If they perform that ritual on you there’ll be no hope for the world. That’s what Lama Tenzin said.”
“I’m sure Lao and Lama Tenzin sincerely believe that. I may believe in the possibility that the royal blood of Shakya runs in my veins. But I can’t abandon Malee. Maybe I’m not what I’m expected to be. I don’t know. I know what my heart wants. The prophecies are a delicate business, you know. Each one can be interpreted in different ways.”
“I can see you won’t change your mind. Okay. I’ll do what you ask.”
“Thank you. When Lao arrives, let me talk to him alone first. If possible, without eavesdropping.” He tossed the last words in carelessly.
“No need for sarcasm. However, I think we’d better leave the bug in your mobile for now.”
“Could you track the number they called me from through your listening-in system?”
“The device I use tracks the caller automatically. It didn’t work this time.” Irina went to her car and pulled out a travelling bag from the front passenger seat. “I’d like to change first. Then we’ll speak about the tactics we should use against those bastards,” she said.
“Of course. Follow me.”
“The police guards have been recalled,” she said, waving a hand towards the place where the police car had been parked.
“Yes. I found a letter from the police. The patrol was removed because of my absence from the house.”
“It’s better that they’re not here. We can act with more freedom.”
They set off towards the house, but after a few steps James stopped and said, “Irina, this time we must be extra careful. One mistake and they’ll kill her. Above all, we should avoid attracting the attention of the police. I’m not among their favourite people right now. I don’t think you are either after the shooting here. They could arrest me easily if they suspect what I’m doing.”
“I know. We’re on our own this time.”
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
The Whiteway Estate, Hampshire, UK
James glanced at the watch and the mobile phone placed on the floor in front of his crossed legs. An hour and a half had elapsed since he and Lao had sat to meditate in the estate’s gym in front of the marble statue of the Buddha. No call from the cult yet. He slowly looked to his left, where Lao was sitting next to him in the lotus posture. His eyes were closed, his back perfectly straight and yet relaxed. His chest was still; no sign of breathing. He was in the state of Samadhi, or deep meditative concentration, during which his body had switched to ‘internal breathing’. This breathing was not at all a physical action. Lao had explained the process as ‘breathing through the energy body which any living creature possesses’. Years ago, due to James’ scepticism, Lao had told him that he could check in a practical way if what he said was true. James had to hold a mirror in front of Lao’s nose and mouth. If there was physical breathing, the mirror would mist up. This didn’t happen, even though James held the mirror next to Lao’s face until his arm began to hurt.
James looked at the marble Buddha. The thought that he belonged to the bloodline of that great man, who had left to the world the teaching of ultimate human development, made him feel some mystical pagan connection with it. He joined his palms and prayed as he had never prayed before.
Lao stirred. With ease, he kneeled, made three bows in front of the Buddha and stood up. James followed suit.
“I felt her spirit in my meditation,” said Lao in a deep voice which sounded as if it came from the bottom of his stomach. “Malee is strong. She will die without fear and will achieve a good rebirth.”
“Malee is not going to die.” James’ tone was as hard as his look. “You and Irina will bring her home alive and well.”
“I hoped that the meditation would stimulate the right thinking in you.”
“That’s what happened.”
“I understand. It’s difficult for you to accept the words of two old Asian men like me and Lama Tenzin as the unquestionable truth. I cannot convince you. What I can assure is that everything we told you is one hundred per cent true.”
“I believe you. While we were sitting I was thinking. If I’d any doubt regarding the rightfulness of my decision, it’s gone. Never before when I’ve had to take an important decision have I felt such perfect harmony of mind and heart. There’s no way I could leave Malee behind. What kind of world protector would a man be who hides like a rat and condemns his beloved to death?”
“You’re not going to be just killed. Your consciousness will be expelled to float forever in a cold, cheerless world without any chance of salvation. After your death, the shadow of evil will spread out over us. It will begin slowly to dive upon the world until peoples’ souls are filled with darkness. Sometimes, the death of one brings salvation for many others. My daughter is an initiated protector of the royal Shakya bloodline. I and Pema have prepared her to become the personal protector of your son. She is ready to sacrifice herself.”
James smiled. “Malee is my sister. That’s the best explanation I can give you. Now we have to think and act as one – you, I and Irina. It would not be helpful for you to try to make me reverse my decision.”
Lao lowered his head. Wh
en he looked up, his eyes were wet. “Malee is my daughter …”
James put his hand on his shoulder. “I understand, Lao. Until now I have followed you. Today, I want you to follow me. I want you to trust me.”
“Of course I trust you, James.”
“I’ve got a plan. I need you to help me with it.”
Lao nodded in agreement.
“I vowed to myself and to Elizabeth’s spirit that I will fight these people till the end, this cult, the dark billionaire, Rodnov, and everybody else who serves them. I’m not going to make their victory easy by giving myself into their hands.”
Lao looked at James in bewilderment. “I don’t get you.”
“I’ll explain.” James went to a built-in two-metre high wall cabinet near the door. He dialled in the combination on the digital lock and opened it. The air was filled with the diverse aroma of herbs and other organic materials. The shelves were packed with little pouches and plastic bags with crushed herbs in them, bottles and jars containing dry pieces of vegetation and roots and a variety of ointments and liquids. This was Malee and Pema’s healing arsenal. “I want you to prepare a single dose of quick-acting dry poison for me,” he said and drew out of his pocket a small perforated plastic pellet. He used the nail of his index finger to open it. “The poison is to go in this pellet. This is between you and me. Irina must know nothing about it.”
Lao glanced at him in astonishment. “You want this poison for yourself, to use after you give in to the enemy!” he exclaimed.
“Yes. I’ll swallow it if I see that my situation has become hopeless.”
“In that case, the cult would not be able to perform the ritual on you. They wouldn’t win.” Lao’s voice still carried the residue of surprise.
“Exactly. Lama Tenzin mentioned how heirs were killed and were reborn immediately afterwards. The Order of the protectors found them and continued to take care of them. That would happen to me. After we save Malee, you’ll inform the police about her abduction and me swapping places with her. This time they’ll have to investigate. They’ll get to the cult. They’ll find someone who has worked for the cult and ask questions. Something will be discovered and the media will get involved. Publicity is the greatest foe of the cult. Lino, my university friend – you know him – will continue to fight. I’ve talked to Irina. She wouldn’t stop going after them, too. She’ll broadcast Rodnov’s name and every piece of information we’ve managed to collect. Then, I hope, the world those people so desperately want to rule will become a much more hostile place for them.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Hampshire and Devon, UK
Two hours later, James, Irina and Lao sat in silence in the lounge. They had already discussed what they were going to do. The only thing left to do was wait.
James’ mobile, placed in the centre of the table between them, began ringing and vibrating. He switched it to speakerphone.
“Get in your Land Rover. Direction Southampton,” said the distorted metallic voice. “Alone.”
“Malee’s father will be with me,” said James. “He’ll take her back.”
“Which part of the word ‘alone’ don’t you get? If you want her alive, you come alone.”
James looked at Irina and Lao. They nodded. This point had been cleared between them. He had to be firm. If the kidnappers didn’t agree to this, it would mean that Malee’s death sentence had been signed. “No. He comes with me. That’s not negotiable.”
The man delayed his response. He was probably consulting with somebody. “The old man can come,” he said eventually. “If either of you don’t follow my orders, she’ll scream and writhe in pain.”
* * *
James reversed the Land Rover very close to his front door and opened the rear door. Irina slipped into a previously prepared place in the luggage compartment and closed the door behind her. If the house was under surveillance, her movement would go unnoticed. Lao sat in the front seat and James drove off.
Just before the Southampton turning they received brief instructions to continue ahead for Devon.
Almost three hours had passed since their departure before the metallic voice told them to take an exit into a side road. Several kilometres further on they received new instructions. They were to turn into a lane going through slightly hilly woodland. It was dark and James was driving with the headlights on. A car had been following them at a distance for some time, but suddenly its lights went off.
Another incoming call brought the last instruction. “You’ll see a sign on the left for Preston Industrial Estate. Turn in there. Stop at the first warehouse and turn off the lights.”
The no-through road was about two hundred metres long. The Land Rover’s headlights illuminated three huge warehouses on a flat grassy square area surrounded by a two-metre-high wire fence. Woodland bordered two sides of the square, tree branches reaching over the fence. Beyond the other two sides, a vast meadow stretched into the darkness. There were no lights on anywhere in the industrial estate.
Irina had moved into the rear seat. She was looking around through both side windows. “James, drive slowly, as close as possible to the trees,” she said. “I’ll jump out and use the cover of the woods. I’ll take position opposite the warehouse entrance.”
James did as she had asked. Irina got out, closed the door silently and dived into the dark wall of the forest.
The gate of the industrial estate was wide open. Slowly, James drove the Land Rover through the gate and continued to the first warehouse. The building seemed to have been neglected for a long time. A rusty sign about MOT checks on different types of vehicles hung on the door. Obviously, some time ago, the building had been used as a garage.
James drove in a big S-shape while he and Lao scanned the area. As far as they could see, there was nobody around. He stopped at the building’s entrance and turned off the lights.
* * *
Irina waited until her eyes got accustomed to the darkness, and then walked ahead. She kept close to the woodland’s edge where, with the help of the moonlight, she could more or less see where she was placing her feet. She advanced slowly and carefully. The noise from any broken branch would be heard clearly in the stillness of the night. She allowed herself to walk at a good pace while the engine of James’ car was still running. After that she slowed down. She calculated that three to four minutes more were necessary for her to get to her intended position.
She began climbing a slight bank. The thick blanket of fallen leaves was wet and slippery. She had to slow down even more to avoid falling. She had reached the middle of the bank when a small, dim flashing light ahead caught her attention. She focused on the area where she had seen it. Somebody was standing there. For a moment it looked like a figure was leaning against a tree, but the shape melted into the darkness. She needed to get a bit closer to get a better look. With even more care she moved forward. It had not been an illusion. About fifteen metres ahead was a man. Like her, he was standing just behind the first line of trees facing the industrial estate. Irina discerned a rifle with a telescopic sight fixed on a stand next to him. The rifle was quite long, maybe two metres. The moonlight shone on the silvery metal and reflected a murky gleam.
Irina realised it was an ambush. There was a high probability that more snipers were hidden in the forest. They had clear sight of James and Lao’s position. Again, she regretted that she didn’t have the usual technical equipment designed for field operations, which would have provided them with a better chance of escaping the trap. The only thing she had at her disposal was the portable listening-in system, which she owned personally. She had pinned a microphone to James’ clothes and could hear him, but they didn’t have a two-way connection. She feared that if James and Lao got out of the car, Lao would be shot and James captured. James had brought Lao’s hunting rifle, but it wouldn’t do him much good.
She had to warn James and Lao immediately. She sheltered behind a big tree and slowly unzipped her jacket, trying not to m
ake any noise. She covered her mobile with the jacket and texted James: ‘Ambush. Snipers in the woods. Take cover behind the rear side of the warehouse.’ She hit ‘send’ and put her phone back in her pocket. Suddenly, she heard the roar of car engines. Soon after, three cars appeared in the lane heading towards the industrial estate.
Irina moved to take better cover from their beaming headlights. Her heart threatened to burst out of her chest. James could surely see the cars, but he wouldn’t be able to act to avoid the situation if he didn’t read her text. In that case, he and Lao wouldn’t stand a chance.
She heard the Land Rover fire up and saw it move behind the warehouse where it would be protected from the snipers. She sighed with relief. For the time being, James and Lao had avoided the immediate danger.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Preston Industrial Estate, Devon, UK
The three cars entered the fenced area of Preston Industrial Estate, manoeuvred themselves to form a row with several metres distance between them and stopped. Their headlights shone on the parked Land Rover.
James’ mobile rang.
“Wrong move,” said the metallic voice. “You shouldn’t have moved the car—”
James cut him short. “Leave the bullshit. I’m here. I want to see Malee.”
The phone was silent. The headlights of the cars either side were switched off; only the lights of the car in the middle stayed on. Sounds of car doors opening could be heard. Men dressed in dark clothes and mackintoshes began walking to the front of the cars. James counted sixteen. Some of them carried handguns and machine guns – all the weapons were fitted with silencers.
One of the gang, a tall, well-built man, lifted hand to his mouth. That was the man on the phone. “Get out of the car,” he said, and hung up. The sixteen men advanced slowly, keeping their formation.
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