Erik snorted. “In a coma, thanks to you.” The thief glared at Hunt.
The cowboy raised his eyebrows. “What you talkin’ about, boy? I was over in China gettin’ fleeced by some bandits when that went down. It musta been...” He hesitated, obviously remembering Metcalf’s injunction against mentioning Joshua’s name. “It musta been the boss’s other son.”
The diviner knit his brows, clearly troubled. “Joshua made no mention of harming an old woman during the raid.”
“Yeah, well he did,” Erik insisted. “The night Hannah was carried off, Joshua or one of his goons pushed Faye down a flight of stairs. The powers that be whisked her off to a private hospital someplace and now she’s in a coma. That’s all I know.”
“He would have done far better to bring her along with Hannah, so we might have questioned her. It was a valuable opportunity lost.” Metcalf uttered the words more to himself than his audience.
“Father, it seems you’ll have a number of topics to discuss with my brother next time you see him.” Daniel made the comment as inoffensively as possible, but the pointed remark wasn’t lost on Leroy, who chuckled quietly.
“This Faye might have led us to Mr. Big,” the diviner murmured, still thinking out loud.
“Who?” Erik squinted at him.
The cowboy intercepted the question. “The brains behind your operation, boy. The head honcho. The guy who’s been jerkin’ me around like a puppet on a string for nigh on a year now. I come to call him Mr. Big.”
“As far as I know, there’s no man in our organization like your Mr. Big,” Erik said.
“You’re lyin’.” Hunt stalked across the room and leaned over Erik’s chair.
The thief gave him a relaxed smile. “Look me in the eye and see if I am. I tell you there’s no such man as Mr. Big.”
The cowboy searched Erik’s face for a long moment. He straightened up. With a sense of wonder, he announced, “I do believe he’s tellin’ the truth.” He swung toward the diviner. “But that don’t mean he don’t know more than what he’s sayin. C’mon, boss. Let me spend a little time tearin’ up them stitches, and I’ll make him sing like a mockin’ bird in springtime.”
“Mr. Hunt, be quiet and let me think!” Metcalf was rubbing his temples.
Leroy stomped back to the windowsill, crossed his arms and fumed in silence.
The diviner gazed at Erik. “Your presence here is an act of Providence. You survived multiple gunshot wounds in addition to Doctor Aboud’s best efforts to kill you. His viruses—” He caught himself. Apparently, what happened in the doctor’s lab was meant to be a closely-guarded secret, even from Daniel and Hunt. “In any event, it’s clear the Lord has preserved you for a purpose. I just don’t know what that is.”
“Perhaps I do, Father.”
All eyes turned to Daniel.
“Think how much more incentive it would be for our new allies to find the Sage Stone if they know we have their associate.”
“New allies?” Erik asked carefully.
“Yes,” Daniel informed him. “Several days ago your friends contacted us to strike a bargain. They agreed to give the Nephilim the Sage Stone in exchange for Hannah as a temporary hostage.”
“I guess I missed a lot during my stint as a drugged lab rat,” Erik admitted ruefully.
Daniel turned toward the diviner. “Think about it, Father. Even with the promise of Hannah, these people might still be tempted to take the treasure and run. After all, she’s nothing to them but a bargaining chip which might be abandoned at any time. Erik is one of their own. We can be doubly sure of their loyalty by promising to deliver both Hannah and Erik to them once the Sage Stone is found.”
Metcalf steepled his hands, considering the plan. “That’s a very good idea.”
“Of course, we’ll need to produce him intact at the end of the quest.” Daniel focused on the cowboy. “I don’t believe it would be wise to allow Mr. Hunt to pummel him in the interim.”
“I agree,” Metcalf nodded. “Do you hear that, Mr. Hunt? Hands off our hostage.”
“Yessir,” the cowboy muttered resentfully.
“It might also be a good idea if you allowed me to oversee arrangements for our captive,” Daniel added as an afterthought. “This Erik has a history with Joshua. I would hate to think my brother might want to take matters into his own hands and finish what he started a few weeks ago.”
“You think Joshua might try to kill him?” The diviner sounded appalled.
“Honestly, Father, I don’t know what to think. Joshua has certainly failed to bring other significant facts to your attention.” He trailed off with a helpless shrug.
Metcalf frowned and tapped his index finger on his desk. “Very well. You will be solely responsible for the prisoner. Joshua will not be informed of this man’s presence among us.”
“Thank you, sir,” Daniel replied humbly. He cast a glance at Erik who seemed to be studying him with newfound respect.
“I think the visitors’ wing would be the best place to keep him,” the scion suggested. “I’ll put him in the room next to Hannah where he’ll be away from prying eyes.”
“Whoa, hold on a minute there, Brother Dan’l,” Hunt objected. “You ain’t thinkin’ things through. This is the same feller who tried to carry off Miss Hannah, and now you want to give him the room next door. Son, that’s like buildin’ a lean-to on a hen house and rentin’ it to a fox.”
“Mr. Hunt, really.” The scion eyed the cowboy dismissively. “Look at this man. In his current condition, he can barely walk much less stage an abduction. It will take him months to recover from his injuries. By the time he’s fit again, we’ll have retrieved the Sage Stone, and the point of escaping will be moot. He knows as well as we do that his best option is to remain with us until the hostage transfer is complete.”
Erik nodded solemnly. “Scout’s honor, I won’t give you any trouble.”
“There, you see,” Daniel said flatly.
“I believe that concludes our business,” Metcalf announced. “Mr. Hunt, you will escort Daniel and our guest to his new quarters.”
The thief did his best to stifle a grin as the scion helped him rise unsteadily from his chair. The cowboy grumbled under his breath but moved forward to assist Daniel with the prisoner.
“You may now send in Doctor Aboud,” the diviner called after them. “We still have a matter to discuss.”
***
Aboud had apparently been hovering right outside because no sooner had the other three departed than he bustled into the office and took a seat.
“What are you going to do with my test subject?” he demanded abruptly.
“His future is not your concern,” the diviner snapped back.
“Will you at least tell me if he’s going to remain alive?”
Metcalf’s eyebrows shot up. “Have you grown fond of your patient, doctor?”
“Certainly not, sir!” Aboud registered offense at the remark. “There’s nothing special about him. It’s what he represents. That man’s survival is the crowning achievement of my career. The fact that he breathes at all is a testimony to my skill. I would hate to see my trophy destroyed before I’ve had sufficient time to savor such a victory in the name of science.”
Metcalf gave a thin smile. “Then be assured, doctor. Your patient will live. He’s far more useful to me that way.”
Aboud relaxed.
“Now tell me about the vaccine.” Metcalf sat forward in anticipation.
“It’s everything I hoped to achieve and more,” the doctor enthused. “Not only will it subdue the original virus I created but several other strains as well. After inoculating our test subject, I tried exposing him to numerous variations of the plague, and he exhibited immunity to them all.”
“That is excellent news.” The diviner allowed himself a smile of genuine pleasure.
“I’m ready to move forward with the design of a delivery device,”
Aboud added.
Metcalf’s smile faded. “Not quite yet, doctor. First, I want you to concentrate on manufacturing a quantity of the vaccine for certain key people in my organization. Initially, I’ll want enough for 150 adult male subjects.”
“Why so much?” Aboud sounded surprised.
“I’m planning a large undertaking. You will, of course, be required to supply enough for all the Nephilim brotherhood eventually.”
“We’ll have to work round-the-clock,” the doctor objected.
“Put on as much additional staff as you need. Just get the vaccine done quickly.”
Aboud seemed on the point of asking several more questions but thought better of it. “Just as you say, sir.”
Metcalf yawned wearily. “And now, if you don’t mind, I need to retire for a while. It’s been a very long day, and I must take my medicine.” The old man rose, steadying himself by holding the rim of his desk. He took a few tentative steps toward the door.
Aboud appeared to notice his benefactor’s haggard appearance for the first time. Alarmed, he stood up to help him. “Sir, you don’t appear well of late. Perhaps there’s something I can do. If you’d allow me to draw a sample of your blood.”
“No, no.” Metcalf waved him away. “I have an excellent medicine that helps me to sleep. Or at least it did until recently. Perhaps I need to double the dosage again. I’ll be fine.”
The doctor took him by the elbow and guided him to the door anyway. “Mr. Metcalf, you need to keep up your strength.”
“I’m doing well enough, doctor.” He extricated himself from Aboud’s grasp. “The tide appears to be turning in my favor at last.”
Chapter 17—Who Ya Gonna Call?
It was a long walk to the guest quarters at the rear of the compound. Daniel and Leroy made slow progress given Erik’s limited mobility. Members of the community eyed them curiously as they passed down one corridor and up another. Hunt made a point to tip his hat to the consecrated brides who passed his way. They responded with furtive glances before scampering out of sight, much to the cowboy’s amusement. When the trio arrived at their destination, Daniel paused to remove the key which had been left in the lock on the outer side of the door.
“C’mon. Give me five minutes with Blondie,” Hunt urged.
“It’s Erik,” the thief corrected.
Daniel turned to face the cowboy. “You heard my father’s orders. Hands off our hostage, Mr. Hunt. We need him to appear in good health when we turn him over to his associates.”
“I won’t mess up his face. He’ll still look good,” Leroy offered. “Can’t answer for how he’s gonna feel though.”
Daniel adopted a menacing tone. “Mr. Hunt, unless you wish me to report your insubordination to my father, you’ll do as you’re told.”
“Alright. Don’t get your pinfeathers ruffled.” The cowboy held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Boy, I tell you what. You’re makin’ me pine for the days when you was just a pasty-faced runt scared to say ‘boo’ to his own shadow.”
“We all change,” the scion observed coldly.
“Not me,” Hunt countered. “I like myself just fine as is.”
“What a pity,” Daniel murmured. “In any case, thank you for your assistance. I’ll take it from here. You may show yourself out.”
The scion turned his back and opened the door, leaving Hunt to grouse and retreat the way he came.
Erik limped into the room and immediately sank into an easy chair. “That’s the most walking I’ve done since the night of the break-in,” he admitted. “How long ago was that?”
“Almost a month,” Daniel said, closing the door. He took a seat on the edge of the bed.
The thief surveyed the room. “As prison cells go, this is pretty cushy. A double bed with a dresser and my own private bathroom. Hey, there’s even a telephone.”
“It’s an intercom system actually,” Daniel countered. “It will get you as far as the kitchen in case you need food or some other help. Since this suite of rooms was designed for visiting archwardens, it’s considered guest quarters. I’m going to tell the kitchen staff that you’re working on a confidential project for my father and nobody else is to know you’re here. That ought to keep Joshua out of your way. I’ll also tell the staff that you’re to be treated as a guest but mustn’t be allowed to wander freely through the compound. Hence the locked door.”
“How are you gonna keep the kitchen workers from blabbing? You told me yourself that the rumor mill in this place works nonstop.”
Daniel smiled thinly. “As the scion, I have the power to threaten them with immediate excommunication. Trust me, that’s a fate worse than death to the Nephilim. They’ll obey my orders to keep silent.”
Erik raised his eyebrows. “Seems like you thought of everything.” He transferred his attention back to his surroundings. “Does Hannah have a set-up like this?”
“Hannah’s room looks about the same, but there’s no intercom phone. It wouldn’t matter anyway since she hasn’t spoken since her return.”
“She hasn’t talked? Why not?”
“It’s a ruse to deflect inconvenient questions. Of course, she speaks to me all the time, but the rest think she’s afflicted.”
“Smart kid.” Erik nodded approvingly. “Speaking of smart, you did one hell of a job getting me out of that mess in your father’s office. I owe you bigtime.”
Daniel felt pleased at the compliment, but his mood immediately shifted to one of deep gloom. “You can pay me back by telling me what’s going on in the secret lab. To the rest of the Nephilim, that place is just a rumor, but you’ve actually been inside.”
Erik rubbed his forehead, apparently trying to recollect what he’d seen. “It’s a high-tech operation. Aboud has been creating a supercharged strain of plague. Something that’s impervious to any known vaccine.”
“Plague?” The scion’s tone was skeptical. “As in the Black Death?”
“A variation of the same virus. It’s called pneumonic plague because it goes airborne. You inhale the germs, and you die ugly in a matter of hours.”
“But you lived.”
“Yeah, lucky me.” Erik chuckled sardonically. “While I was out of commission Aboud said he tried to kill me six ways from Sunday, but apparently the vaccine formula he initially gave me did the trick. So, here I am.”
“What’s the purpose of it all?”
The thief shrugged. “I’d guess your father is planning to turn the plague loose on somebody. The vaccine is probably for the errand boys who’ll be distributing it.”
“This is insane.” Daniel raked his fingers through his hair. “Who is he targeting? He can’t pick a fight with the entire world. That would be madness. All the super-powers would rain destruction down on the Nephilim. Even my father can’t want that.”
“I never found out who the target is,” Erik admitted. “I don’t think Aboud knows either.”
Daniel stood and began to pace fretfully. “It looks like my librarian friend Chris was right about everything. I thought he was being an alarmist when he said my father was planning a war. Then I saw with my own eyes that the satellite compounds have been turned into armed fortresses. And now you’re living proof that the secret lab exists. What am I going to do?”
“For starters, you can stop wearing out the carpet,” Erik observed.
The scion plopped down on the bed and stared at his captive blankly.
Erik winced with pain as he sat forward in his chair. He gazed at the scion earnestly. “Daniel, if a war really is coming, you might start by picking a side.”
“That’s just what your friend Cassie said when we were trapped in that cave in Sudan.”
“She isn’t wrong about that or about much of anything else.” Erik gave a wry grin. “Of course, I’d never tell her so because she’d never let me hear the end of it.”
“But he’s my father.” Daniel pleaded for understanding.
“You wouldn’t be the first kid to walk away from a bad home life,” Erik consoled. “Maybe it’s time to cut your losses.”
The scion gave a deep sigh. “Let’s just say that, for now, I’ll do what I can to help you. In any event, defying my father outright would be madness.”
“Agreed.” Erik nodded. “You’re far more useful as part of his trusted inner circle.”
“We need to figure out what his plan is before someone gets hurt.” Daniel was speaking half to himself. “And I mean on either side of the conflict.”
“I sure could use some advice from the Arkana about now,” Erik said ruefully. “That’s the name of my organization, by the way.” He cast a glance at the in-house phone.
Daniel brightened. “I’d almost forgotten. Wait here. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Taking care to lock Erik inside, he ran down the corridor to his own room.
***
Ten minutes later, the scion let himself back into the prisoner’s quarters. He was carrying a paper bag.
Erik peered at him quizzically.
“Here. You can keep this but remember to keep it well-hidden.” Daniel reached into the bag and produced a cell phone and charger. “It’s the burner phone you gave me when we first planned Hannah’s escape, remember?”
“Well, alright!” Erik smiled broadly. “I can get back in touch with headquarters.”
“I thought you said you didn’t know where your organization’s headquarters were located.” Daniel sounded mystified.
Erik treated him to a pitying look. “And a prisoner who’s being questioned by the enemy would never lie.”
“Oh, I see.” Daniel flushed with embarrassment and retreated to his seat on the bed. “Then who are you planning to speak with?”
The thief chuckled as he punched a number into the phone and listened to it ring. “I’m calling Maddie, our chatelaine. You people know her as ‘Mr. Big.’”
Daniel’s mouth dropped open in surprise.
Erik raised a cautionary finger for silence. Apparently, someone had picked up on the other end.
Arkana Archaeology Mystery Box Set 2 Page 68