The Gods' Gambit

by David Lee Marriner

  She continued driving through the forest as fast as she could for ten minutes more. Then she stopped, killed the engine and got out. She stood still, listening for a minute. Nobody was coming after them – no sounds, no lights. She heard the very distant roar of car engines, but it was coming from ahead of them. Most probably there was a road there, which they could use to get away from the area. Heavy rain began clattering on the treetops. Irina got back in the car and took a look at James. Lao had strapped him in with the safety belt and was holding his shoulders.

  “How is he?” she asked.

  “I coated his gums with the cream. Let’s hope it will have an effect soon.”

  “I don’t know if we can trust that man’s words,” said Irina.

  Lao smiled sadly. “He can be trusted. I broke his spirit. May Buddha forgive me for what I did,” he said.

  “It’d be better if we took James to a hospital. The road is not far from here—”

  “No hospitals,” muttered James. His speech was somewhat unclear. He hadn’t yet regained full control of his facial muscles. He lifted his eyelids and looked – first at Irina, then at Lao. “Malee?” he asked.

  “She was not there. They never had any intention of releasing her,” Lao informed him.

  James swallowed with an effort. “Let’s get out of here,” he said.

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  Devon, UK

  The fine raindrops penetrating through the slightly lowered side-window of the Land Rover refreshed James. He was breathing the cool air while listening to Lao who was telling him what had happened during the time he had been unconscious.

  They were already on a highway. Irina had hit the gas. James felt how the jet of air flicking on his face was almost literary blowing the drug out of his blood. But his mind was still playing the vivid memory of what he experienced after the gang leader had shot him with the syringes. In a matter of seconds the drug had suppressed fundamental qualities of his personality– the desire to fight, to take decisions, and, in some obscure way, the desire to live. Then, loss of will and tactile sensations up to a degree of full senselessness had come, followed by a swift and complete blackout. Knowing that this drug could keep a victim motionless and yet conscious, James thought that he must have been injected with a big dose.

  That’s what a man on his dying bed might be experiencing. That’s what the victims of the rite killings felt.

  The realization filled him with anger.

  That must be put to an end. There is no option for reconciliation with this enemy. It’s simple: us or them.

  With effort, James put away all the bluster. Now more than ever he had to keep his head cool.

  The rain became heavy and he closed the window.

  Malee, where are you now? Asking himself this question, James felt like his mind separated into two parts. One was asking the question; the other knew the answer. Lao had extracted very important information from the gang’s leader. It would help them to find Malee.

  Everything is like a tangled knot. Until now we have tried to untangle it. What we should do is cut it instead.

  “Capra Ibex Siberica,” said James and squeezed the forearm of Lao. “Yes.”

  “What do you mean? Are you okay?” asked Lao. His worrying tone and the wonder in his eyes showed that he thought James was still under the influence of the drug.

  “It’s a mountain goat that ranges in Middle Asia, including the Pamir Mountains,” said James.

  “Stefan Costov was killed with a horn from that species,” Irina clipped in. “The murder we investigated with James,” she reminded Lao.

  “One of the cult’s bases, probably the main one, is in the Rodnov’s mine in Pamir,” said James.

  “You think that from there the cult killers are supplied with the horns,” said Irina.

  “I don’t think it’s a coincidence,” responded James. “More importantly—”

  “Malee,” Lao chipped in.

  “O, yes,” Irina exclaimed. “Malee has been taken to the mountain from where the ‘horn of Perfecty’ comes, ‘the horn of eternal death.’

  “Pamir. The mine of Rodnov,” said James.

  “I don’t understand,” said Lao. “Why would they take her to the Pamir Mountains?”

  “I think it may be in connection with the artifact … that Divine Eye”, said James after short deliberation. “In Don Federico’s diary there was a drawing of the so-called Divine Eye and a man sitting against it. The man looks into the Eye through some sort of pipe. The Indian tale talks about priest-seers. They looked into the Eye to discover people who rebelled against the gods. I think these priest-seers were people with extrasensory abilities. Like Malee. The cult needs such people to discover the illuminating souls.”

  “Those villains are crafty,” said Lao. “They kidnapped my daughter to use her in their sorcery and at the same time as a decoy.”

  “They are the embodiment of evil. Their hostility towards the rest of the people is total. As if they do not belong to our kind,” said James.

  “They won’t win,” Lao said. “Neither will they succeed in making Malee work for them.”

  “Do you think that they could see … the protectors of the world and you, when they want. For example, now?” Irina asked James.

  “I strongly doubt that. If they could, they’d have acted much more effectively,” he responded.

  For some time they travelled in silence.

  “We must think everything over very well,” Irina spoke first. “The kidnapping of Malee cannot stay hidden for long. We may have a problem with the traces left at the industrial estate. That could lead the police to us.”

  “We shouldn’t worry about traces. They have been erased already,” said James.

  “You’re so sure,” said Irina.

  “There is one thing these people do really well – covering their traces. What they leave is insufficient and partial. I’m sure we wouldn’t find a single shell on the ground if we went back now,” said James.

  “James is right. Right now, keeping low profile is in the best interest of the cult,” said Lao.

  “The rain is getting torrential. That’ll help erase the traces at the industrial estate,” added James.

  “I think the sooner we inform the police about Malee, the better. Nothing about the abduction and the cult, though. The police must know that she is missing. That will help if the cult still hasn’t taken her out of the country,” said Irina.

  “Yes. We have to do that,” James agreed.

  “I’ll talk to the police. It will be as Irina says – Malee’s been missing. This morning I’ll speak to my wife. Then I’ll go to the police,” said Lao.

  Another period of silence followed and again Irina resumed the conversation. “Everything is so complicated,” she sighed. “I wish we were able to handle this in a normal way, with the police and Interpol on our side.”

  “I wonder about how widespread the cult’s influence is. The British police turned the cult investigation into a hunt for Islamic extremists. Interpol decided that the international conspiracy hypothesis is unreal. Are these happenings just accidental?”

  “I try not to ask myself this,” said Irina. “Maybe because I’m afraid I wouldn’t like the answer.”

  “Irina, what does Interpol know about the cult? Have you submitted all the information we’ve dug out?” asked James.

  “I still haven’t sent the summary report to Sofia, nor to MI5. We only know about the discoveries we made in Italy. The bosses shut down the case right after we came back.”

  “So the name ‘Rodnov’ has not appeared yet in the official investigation.”

  “No.”

  For a little while only the rumbling of the engine could be heard. Irina had figured out why James had brought this subject into the conversation. She started thinking if there was an alternative to what he intended to do.

  “The cult people mustn’t know what we’ve found out about them,” said James, and he turned
to Lao. “When you interrogated that man, could anybody have overheard his answers?”

  “I don’t think so. We were behind a car. At least fifteen metres separated us from the other gang members. He screamed when he was in pain. But when he spoke, he was barely audible.”

  “That’s true,” confirmed Irina. “I was only a few steps away and had to strain to catch his words.”

  “That’s good. Irina, we must play safe. We must assume that the cult has high level access in Interpol and our security service,” said James.

  “I’m not trilled to admit that, but I can’t say such a possibility doesn’t exist,” said Irina.

  “The cult could read your report.” James reached and touched her shoulder. “Please, delay submitting it. Let’s say, for a week or two. I know it’s a lot to ask. But this is of vital importance.”

  “I won’t let you do this without me,” said Irina.

  “Irina—”

  She didn’t let him continue. “You may not realise it but you need me. I will help you with Malee.”

  James held back for a moment. Irina had already done a lot. She had risked her career and her life. Now, she wanted to do it again.

  “Malee is in the cult’s base in the Pamir Mountains. The Eye must be there as well. That means the place will be very well protected. Going there will be extremely dangerous. For you, Irina, it’d be very tough,” said Lao.

  “We’ll manage, Lao. We have to,” said James.

  “I don’t doubt it. I wouldn’t try to restrain you. My concern is about Irina. She will make a big sacrifice if she comes with us. You don’t need to do that, Irina” said Lao.

  “It’s my choice,” Irina responded. “Besides, I have good knowledge of that region. I did some time there on a few drug trafficking jobs from Tajikistan and North Pakistan. I know how we can get quickly and unnoticed to Rodnov’s mine.”

  “I have two goals. To save Malee and to destroy the Eye. That artifact is an indispensible asset of the cult. In this fight we can only rely on ourselves. People who should be our allies would consider our actions unlawful,” James said.

  “Why do you think I work as a policewoman?” asked Irina rhetorically. “It wasn’t my childhood dream. My motive is straightforward. I want to protect good and fight against the bad guy. Right now, the line between these two is very clear. So, as you say, we’re alone against this enemy.”

  “You’re a good person, Irina. A good fighter too. It’ll be an honor to stand next to you in this,” said Lao.

  “It’s decided then,” Irina cut short.

  “Lao, I want you to answer one important question. To what extent do you trust lama Tenzin?”

  “Without reserve. I could entrust my life to him.”

  “Fine. Before we make our next move, we must talk to him again,” said James.

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

  London and the Whiteway Estate, Hampshire, UK

  They arrived at the refurbished Victorian building where lama Tenzin resided at a quarter to three at night. The woman who lived in the house opened the door half-asleep a minute after they rang the doorbell and let them in without speaking.

  Lama Tenzin arrived from his room on the second floor and invited them upstairs. He was completely dressed and his face didn’t show any signs of drowsiness.

  “I’ve been practicing until just a little while ago. I still haven’t been to bed,” he explained, pointing to a small cushion used for meditation on the floor.

  He gestured to them to sit at the round table in the dining room where the day before he had spoken with James and Lao. Before taking their seats, Lao explained to lama Tenzin who Irina was. James told him how she had listened in to their conversation the previous night. Lama Tenzin met this news with a kind smile and didn’t make any comment. James continued talking about Malee’s kidnapping and the events that followed. Irina and Lao interrupted several times during the story. Finally, James spoke about their intention to make their way into the cult’s base in the Pamir Mountains.

  “Rinpoche, we need your help. Do you know the whereabouts of the man who was in Rodnov’s mine? He could be an invaluable source of information,” James finished and looked to the old lama with hope.

  Lama Tenzin stroked his chin with the palm of his right hand and became thoughtful. A minute passed before he answered. “To find this man would not be difficult. He is one of the sponsors of my monastery. He pays us regular visits. I’ll contact him on the phone.”

  James sighed with relief. This was hopeful. The news visibly cheered Irina too.

  “You are an international policewoman, as I understand?” Lama Tenzin turned towards Irina.

  “You could say that,” said Irina.

  “These people are enemies not only to James, or our Order. They threaten everybody and everything. Your organization would have a better chance of defeating them and freeing Malee,” said lama Tenzin.

  Irina frowned slightly. “It’s more complicated than it looks. Neither Interpol, nor the British Secret Service considers the threat real. They don’t even assume that such an enemy exists,” she responded.

  “I suspect that Rodnov’s money and power have given the cult access to the police and Interpol. Thanks to Irina, no one except us is aware of our latest discoveries. That means the cult doesn’t know either. This is what gives us a chance for success.”

  “If they somehow find out what we know, they’ll hide. They will relocate the artifact and Malee from the base in Pamir. We may never find them again,” Irina explained.

  “Rinpoche, they are right,” Lao intervened. “I see a small chance of success, but only if we keep everything secret and act swiftly.”

  Lama Tenzin shook his head and gave a long sigh. “I see all has been decided. All right. I suggest you rest now. You can stay in the house if you want.”

  “Let’s stay,” suggested James and looked to Irina. She nodded in agreement.

  “Come. I’ll show you your rooms,” said Lao, and stood up. “As you are probably hungry, we could go to the kitchen first.

  “I prefer the bed,” James replied.

  “Me too. It’s been a tough night,” said Irina.

  Lama Tenzin opened a small brass box that was hanging from round his neck. It was full of tiny green-brown pellets. He gave each one of them a pellet.

  “Take it right before going to bed. It will help you to sleep and recover your strength. In a few hours I’ll call the man who knows the enemy’s lair. His name is Sonam. Hopefully there will be good news when you wake up.”

  Lama Tenzin’s pills secured several hours of deep and restorative sleep. The three woke up almost at the same time at about ten thirty. They were alone in the house with lama Tenzin.

  The old monk interrupted Irina’s attempt to start a conversation and took them to the kitchen. There were several covered dishes that the lady of the house had prepared for them before she left. They ate and then Lao made them coffee, which everyone welcomed.

  James turned on the TV and checked the news. He also checked out several news pages on his smart phone. There was nothing about the events that had taken place in Preston Industrial Estate the previous evening. Meanwhile, on her laptop, Irina checked the police crime bulletin for the south-west. Nothing either.

  “I got hold of Sonam,” lama Tenzin began. “He’s ready to help. But he said that if you go there alone you are doomed. The place is very difficult to access and well guarded.” Lama Tenzin’s face suddenly acquired a discontented look. “He said that without a guide who knows the area you won’t succeed. That’s why he’s ready to go there with you. He will show you the passage through which he and his father escaped.”

  “That’s great. I don’t understand why you’re unhappy, Rinpoche,” said Irina.

  “For me to know that Sonam will guide you there is big relief too. What worries me is Sonam himself. His motives are self-destructive. Sonam is full of hatred towards those people. He craves revenge for his father and friends who lo
st their lives in that mine.” There was a note of sadness in his tone.

  “I can understand him,” said James.

  Lama Tenzin shook his head and passed James a slip of paper. “Here is his phone number. He’ll be waiting for your call.”

  “Thank you for everything. We have to go now,” said James.

  “I also leave today to return to my monastery. If there is something I could be of assistance with, give me a call,” said lama Tenzin. “I must tell you, Sonam doesn’t know who James is. He’s a good Buddhist friend, but he doesn’t belong to our order.”

  James lifted his eyebrows and moved in the chair as though it was uncomfortable. “It seems I’ll need time to assimilate to who I am.”

  * * *

  James pulled into the closest lay-by off the alley that led to his house to make way for the approaching taxicab and the taxi driver waved as he passed by.

  Irina lowered her jacket’s zip and settled the gun she carried in a suitable position for quick drawing. “Do you expect someone?” she asked James.

  “No.”

  James accelerated and turned the car behind the trimmed bushes concealing the house. He stopped near the edge of the porch.

  There were two big suitcases by the front door. One of them shielded a squatting male figure who was doing up his shoelaces. The man rose. It was Lino.

  The three of them got out of the car. Lino walked towards them, a wide smile on his face.