“And the snake?”
“My way of taking care of the situation without revealing myself. I could hardly come right out and shoot you. That would have blown my cover with CUSP, and I spent years working on that.”
“Looks like it’s blown now,” Emma said. She glared at Garrett.
“Not really,” Garrett said. He nodded toward the soldiers. “My men here shoot you all, and I leave with them. Then all I have to do is show up back at base camp and say unknown forces attacked us. They killed everyone except me. My cover stays intact.”
“And all for petty revenge against me,” Decker said. “Hardly seems worth it.”
“Oh, it’s not just about you. Don’t be foolish. We’re sending a message.”
“To whom?” Decker said, although he thought he already knew.
“Why, Adam Hunt, of course.”
“What did he ever do to you?”
“Not me. My employer. He and Hunt go way back. This storm has been brewing for a long time.”
From their left, the heavy gold-clad doors rattled and bowed inward. Decker resisted looking toward them, for fear he would glimpse the Gorgon.
“Looks like those doors won’t hold much longer,” Garrett said. “It’s going to be bad when that Gorgon gets in here. Not that any of you will care. You’ll be dead already.” Garrett turned and started up the steps. “Now, I think that’s my cue to leave.”
The four soldiers aimed their guns.
The doors into the room shuddered with another impact as the angry Gorgon tried to break through.
Garrett was almost at the top of the stairs. Another few steps and he would be on the roof of the pyramid. He stopped and looked down at his men. “Whenever you’re ready. Make sure they’re all dead before you leave.”
“Aye, sir,” one of the four responded.
Decker guessed he was their leader. He stared down the barrel of the man’s gun and tensed for the bloodbath that was about to come.
Garrett disappeared through the opening in the ceiling and out onto the exterior of the pyramid. At the same moment, the Gorgon hit the doors with a chorus of angry hissing. This time, they didn’t hold. The doors slammed inward and smacked back on their hinges. Then all hell broke loose.
58
All four soldiers’ gaze swung to the right when the doors crashed inward. Directly into the stare of the Gorgon. For the closest three, the effect was immediate. Their skin lost its color, their faces contorted in agony. One of the three let out a strangled scream. He took a step forward, then froze, caught mid-stride. His skin lost the elasticity of flesh and took on the hue of stone. Then, with only one foot on the ground and his center of gravity off, the man pitched forward. He slammed face first into the floor and broke into four pieces. His petrified head rolled a few feet and came to rest at the base of the steps, sightless eyes, now nothing but pebbles, looking upward toward the ceiling. One hand still gripped his M-16, a stony finger curled around the trigger. The other two men fared no better, but at least stayed on their feet.
Emma screamed.
Cassie averted her eyes with a choked sob.
The last remaining soldier, his view of the Gorgon blocked by his comrades, made a fatal mistake. He stepped out to see what turned his friends to stone, readying his gun at the same time.
And in that instant, Decker saw an opportunity.
He broke ranks and lunged forward, reaching out for one of the grenades hanging from the soldier’s belt, just as the man’s eyes widened with pain and his skin took on the mottled hue of stone.
Decker’s hand closed over the grenade, and he slipped it free.
If the soldier even registered Decker’s sudden movement, the man didn’t have time to react. Instead, he froze in place. “Everyone, keep your eyes away from the door,” Ward shouted. “Unless you want to end up like those men.”
“Everyone, up the stairs,” Decker said, aware that the Gorgon was in the room with them even though he didn’t dare glance in her direction. “Before she walks into our field of vision. Hurry.”
Emma pulled herself together and dashed for the steps. Cassie followed right behind, and together they started up. Decker waited for Yates and Rory, then made Ward go next before following up the rear.
They raced upward, even as the creature below let out a frustrated howl.
Decker couldn’t be sure, but he sensed the Gorgon start up the stairs up behind them, intent upon claiming more victims.
Emma and Cassie reached the top of the steps and hurried onto the pyramid’s flat outer top.
Decker could hear the helicopter hovering above. He expected to hear the chatter of gunfire, for them to be picked off one by one as they exited the pyramid. But none came and soon he emerged into the late afternoon sunlight.
Now he realized why they weren’t being fired upon. The helicopter-a Sikorsky UH–60 Black Hawk-hovered directly above, the angle too oblique for any gunman to get a bead on them. The side door was open, with ropes dangling onto the pyramid, left behind when the four soldiers rappelled down.
One of those ropes was now being used by Garrett, who was climbing back up toward the helicopter’s waiting hatch. He was almost at the top. After that, the helicopter could circle around and fire upon them.
There wasn’t much time.
Decker glanced around. The top third of the crystal emerged from the pyramid and soaked up the sun. Around it was a gap of a couple of feet. A vertical drop straight back down inside. But there was another way out of the line of fire. Just as Ward had said, a set of exterior steps sloped downward into the jungle on each of each of the pyramid’s four faces.
“Get to the other side of the crystal,” Decker said, realizing they could use it for cover. “Then start down the steps toward the jungle floor.”
“What about you?” Emma asked.
“I’m going to take care of the Gorgon,” Decker said. He was still gripping the hand grenade. He hoped it would be enough.
“I’m not leaving you up here on your own,” Ward said.
“There’s no time to argue. Do as I say. I know what I’m doing.”
“I hope you’re right,” Ward said, taking off behind the others.
“Me too,” Decker said under his breath. He risked a glance back up toward the helicopter, equally aware that the Gorgon could not be far from the top of the steps.
Garrett was clambering aboard now. He scurried into the darkness within and disappeared from view. Decker wished he’d grabbed one of the M-16s, but there was no time, and he wasn’t sure he could even get them out of the petrified soldier’s hands.
Decker took a step backwards, intending to dive for cover should the need arise, but no gunfire came. Instead, the side door slid closed. But before it shut all the way, a figure appeared in the helicopter’s hatchway.
Decker saw the man for only a second. Just a brief glimpse before the door slid home. But he recognized the face all the same.
Thomas Barringer.
59
Decker’s breath caught in his throat. He stared up at the helicopter, unable to believe his eyes. Thomas Barringer was looking right back at him, large as life. The man met Decker’s gaze, his lips curling upwards in a smug, superior, half-smile. Then the helicopter’s side door slammed shut, severing their silent exchange.
The helicopter banked, circled once, and flew off over the treetops.
Decker glanced around, careful not to look toward the stairs, where he could hear the Gorgon’s snakes hissing as she climbed toward him. He was relieved to see that the rest of the group had taken his advice and were already starting down the steep staircase leading to the pyramid’s base.
But now there was another problem. Above the group scrambling down the outside of the pyramid was a winged creature that flew in lazy arcs, silhouetted against the low hanging sun. It observed them with deadly intent, getting closer with each pass. This was, he guessed, the same beast that had carried Cassie’s producer off days before.
But it wasn’t enough.
The creature made one more pass over their heads and then swooped toward them.
Decker heard startled cries, saw the group frantically beating the winged beast away, to no avail. It screeched and slashed at them with deadly talons before settling on Emma and taking hold. She screamed and struggled against the beast as it tried to lift her up and away.
And now, Decker remembered the other danger. The Gorgon, which must by now surely be at the top of the steps. If his gaze even swept across her countenance, one accidental glimpse, he would be a goner.
His only chance to save Emma, and everyone else, was the grenade still clutched in his hand.
Without another moment’s hesitation, he pulled the pin and raced forward toward the gap where the crystal emerged from the pyramid. Praying that his hunch was right, he dropped the grenade down through the gap and into the room below.
It had a five second delay.
Just enough time to get clear.
But he would still be atop the pyramid. He’d never used a grenade before and didn’t know how much damage the blast would do. He hoped it would destroy the crystal, but it might also take the entire top of the building. If that happened, he would be toast.
But none of that mattered.
The Gorgon was moving toward him across the pyramid’s flattop. He could sense her. Hear her sibilant voice calling for him to glance her away. He had no intention of doing that. Decker raced to the edge of the pyramid and started down the steps after his companions.
The winged beast had lifted Emma off her feet and was now engaged in a tug-of-war with Ward and Rory, who held on to her legs to prevent it from carrying her off.
She twisted and turned, struggling against the beast. Her terrified screams sent a shiver down Decker’s spine.
If the grenade didn’t destroy the crystal, or he was wrong about its role in keeping the creatures here, Decker knew it would cost Emma her life. It would probably cost all of them their lives.
He was about to find out.
From inside the pyramid, there came a rumbling bang.
A shudder ran through the steps under Decker’s feet. The grenade’s concussion wave. But the stonework didn’t cave in around him. The building had contained the blast.
But had it destroyed the moldavite crystal?
Decker stopped and turned, squinting back up toward the top of the pyramid despite the danger of inadvertently looking into the Gorgon’s face.
His heart fell.
The crystal was still there. He could see its tip protruding from the apex, catching the sunlight and soaking it in.
Below him, Emma was still screaming.
Then, just when Decker thought he had failed, there was a sharp cracking sound. A spider web of lines weaved their way up through the crystal, becoming deep fissures. It stayed that way for a moment, held together by nothing but the oppressive air around it. And then the crystal caved in upon itself and dropped from view through the center of the pyramid.
Decker turned back toward the others, further down the steps. The winged creature was still there, battling to carry Emma off. But not for long. It let out a frustrated squawk, beat its mighty wings, and released her, even as it faded. A moment later, it vanished as if it had never even been there.
Decker raced down the steps and joined his companions. When he looked back up toward the top of the pyramid, only a cloud of dust billowed where the crystal had formerly been.
Of the Gorgon, there was no sign.
He let out a long sigh of relief. And then Decker noticed something. The air was full of birdsong. Further away, in the treetops, he could hear monkeys chattering and calling out to one another. The jungle, which only seconds before had been the playground of monsters, was back with its rightful inhabitants, maybe for the first time since a prehistoric meteorite slammed into the ground and shattered the barrier between worlds.
He looked at Emma, and she looked back at him. And in that moment, an understanding passed between them. She had her career, and he had Nancy. They were both where they wanted to be, and that was the end of it. The only thing left to do was hike out of the jungle and leave this godforsaken place behind for someone else to clean up.
Decker looked around the tired and bedraggled group, noting how Cassie had taken Rory’s hand and was gripping it tightly. He smiled, and started off back down the steps toward the pyramid’s base, calling over his shoulder. “Come on, last one back to base camp is on dish washing duty.”
60
They arrived back at base camp three hours later. By then, it was already getting dark. The four men waiting there were relieved to see them. The soldiers greeted Ward with open arms, while Hugh Henriksen, the producer, rushed forward and embraced Cassie and Darren Yates. Tristan Cook even grudgingly admitted he was pleased to see them, even though Decker suspected he was secretly a little disappointed that he would not get to host a TV special, lamenting the loss of his rival in the jungle.
They stayed at base camp that night, building a fire and huddling around it, talking of their adventures, and passing around a bottle of bourbon that Henriksen had retrieved from his backpack. It was, he reminded them, New Year’s Eve. They should celebrate fresh beginnings and tip a glass to those who hadn’t made it back.
Later, as Decker stood up the cliff’s edge, gazing over the dark forest below, Emma approached and joined him.
“We should probably clear the air,” she said. “I know you’ve never forgiven me for what I did, and I understand that, but I’d like us to part as friends.”
“Me too,” Decker admitted. “I’ve moved on, and I’m happy now.”
“I’m pleased to hear that.” Emma turned to look at him. “It was really hard when I left you. I’ve always been so career driven, and CUSP made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Unlimited funding and resources. The ability to dig anywhere I wanted. It was the chance of a lifetime.”
“I get that,” Decker said. “I just wish you’d told me.”
“I wanted to. You have to believe that. But their terms of employment were very clear. I couldn’t tell anyone what I was doing or where I was going. And they wanted me to leave right away.” She reached out and touched Decker’s arm. “I almost said no.”
“Almost.”
“Yes. You would never be happy with me, anyway. I’m just not the domestic type.”
“It wasn’t your place to decide if I was going to be happy or not. I knew what your job demanded when we got together. I knew you’d have to go on digs and I was fine with it.”
“I know. But you would always have been second to the job. I’m not saying that to hurt you. I’m saying it because it’s the truth, even though it makes me look heartless and unfeeling.”
“You’re anything but heartless and unfeeling,” Decker said, turning to meet Emma’s gaze. “It’s okay. Like I said, I’m happy now. It all worked out for the best in the long run.”
“Yes. I suppose it did.” Emma looked thoughtful. “You know, I really didn’t have a clue you worked for CUSP now. If I did, I might have reached out earlier.”
“It hasn’t been that long,” Decker said. “Still, you didn’t look very surprised to see me.”
“That’s because I already knew you were coming. You weren’t the only one to have a briefing.”
“Right. Of Course.”
“I was terrified of what you’d say when you arrived at base camp.” Emma ran a hand through her hair. “I’ve never been good with confrontation. You know that much. I decided attack was the best form of defense. I know I came on too strong. It’s just that I didn’t want you to see my vulnerability.”
“You came on a little strong.” Decker said. “And if I wasn’t with Nancy, you might have tempted me.”
“I’
m pleased that you’re with Nancy,” Emma said. “And not because I would have broken your heart again, which I probably would have, but because you’re happy.”
“That’s good to hear.” Decker glanced back toward the fire, and the group huddled around it. “Want to go see if there’s any more of that bourbon left?”
“I think there’s plenty,” Emma said with a grin. “Henriksen just found a second bottle. I don’t think he brought anything but booze in that backpack of his.”
“In that case, I feel it’s our duty to help him dispose of it,” Decker said. “Don’t you?”
“Absolutely.” Emma took Decker’s hand and led him back toward the fire pit. “I think it’s time we toast your upcoming nuptials.”
“You do know I’m not inviting you, right?” Decker said as they rejoined the others.
“Well, that’s just mean,” Emma laughed. “But I guess it’s fair payback, even though I’d make a great bridesmaid.”
61
One week later.
Decker sat in Hunt’s office at CUSP headquarters on the tiny island off the coast of Maine. He’d already been debriefed, as had Rory and Emma, but what he wanted to talk about with Adam Hunt now was of a more private nature.
“Thomas Barringer,” Decker said, watching his boss’s face as he spoke the words. “He was supposed to be in prison.”
“Not prison.” Hunt corrected him. “A secure facility run by us. A place that was supposed to be escape proof and secret.”
“Except it clearly wasn’t,” Decker said. “Or we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
“Correct.”
“And you didn’t think it was worth mentioning that Barringer was out there, running free?”
“No.” Hunt sat straight in his seat, meeting Decker’s gaze with cool detachment. “I absolutely did not. As with many things around here, it was need to know.”
“And apparently I needed to know,” Decker said. “He sent hitmen after Rory and me in Manaus. He almost succeeded in killing us. It also affected the mission because I didn’t know why we were being pursued. I made a false assumption based on faulty knowledge.”
Cryptid Quest: A Supernatural Thriller (The John Decker Supernatural Thriller Series Book 8) Page 23