The Crypt (23 page)

Rosalie nodded.

They sat in a corner booth with Sarah’s back to the wall. She wasn’t going to let anyone get the drop on her again. She watched the windows and scanned the cars parked along the road. Her eyes were drawn to the random people walking by. Having men hired to kill her had caused a new level of paranoia.

She looked back at Rosalie. “You’re lost in thought. Pray tell.”

“I think I know the crypt you mentioned earlier.”

Sarah set her cup down and leaned in. “Where?”

“It’s in Esztergom.”

“Where’s that?”

“Just north of us. About an hour.”

“What’s special about this Crypt?” Sarah asked.

“When you said vampires, it clicked. The place is called
Esztergom Basilica
. It’s the largest church in Hungary. The crypt there is huge and it’s the resting place of many famous people. Bela Lugosi, a Hungarian actor by the way, filmed part of the original Dracula in that crypt.”

Sarah sipped her coffee and leaned back. “How would you know that kind of detail?”

“I toured it five years ago when I was first stationed in Hungary. We knew then that they were using crypts as meeting places so I went as a tourist to over a dozen in the country. The Esztergom one is quite impressive. It sits overlooking the Danube River.”

A plan began forming in Sarah’s head. “How close to the river?”

“Oh I don’t know exactly, but you could hit a golf ball from the main dome and make the water. On the other side is Slovakia. It’s a long climb up narrow winding steps to get to the top of the basilica but it’s a gorgeous view of the city. The crypt itself is magnificent. Inside the church area they have the largest painting in the world that’s painted on one canvas.”

“You sound like you know the place well.”

“I only bring it up because of the vampire connection. And it makes sense that this crypt is important to Armond. It would be an ideal place to hide. There are entire areas of the crypt cut off from the public by iron gates. After you told me about the crypt this morning, I had one of my men make an inquiry.” She looked at Sarah more intently. “Did you say the event would happen Friday?”

Sarah nodded, gripping her coffee with both hands now. Something about what Rosalie was saying felt right. This had to be the place. This was where she would make her stand. Whatever happened wouldn’t be good though. Each time Vivian brought up the crypt she apologized to Sarah. That wasn’t very consoling.

While Sarah scanned the outside looking for an asshole with a gun and a hope in hell, Rosalie continued talking.

“On the first Friday of each month the church is closed to the public for mass. This happens in the late afternoon, early evening. Based on what you’ve said, we think Armond will be there this Friday when the church will be closed.”

Sarah took a couple big swallows of coffee to warm her insides. She felt cold, and the coffee wasn’t helping.

“So you believe in what I do?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know I receive messages from the Other Side and then act on them. I told you about the crypt and that it has to do with vampires. You’ve taken this on, investigated the place and set the time. That tells me you believe in the Other Side. That tells me you believe in me.”

Rosalie looked away.

Could I be too intense even for someone as strong as Rosalie?

Sarah watched her fidget with a fingernail and then look back up.

“I believe in what you are, yes. It’s just hard because I didn’t believe until I met you. The fact that you showed up in Montone because of something your sister told you was miraculous. It took years to get the kind of information you got in a note so it’s kinda hard to dismiss it. I still don’t
want
to believe but I have no choice.”

“Good. That means you’ll help me escape.”

“Escape?”

Sarah could see the expression on Rosalie’s face. She didn’t like those words.

“Am I a prisoner?” Sarah asked.

“Well no, not really. Not in the traditional sense where charges are to be laid, but you are here, aiding us in a criminal investigation.”

“Then what?”

“We’re to hand you over to the American authorities. They’ve made arrangements to take you home once this is over. That’s it. My understanding is that you’re not in trouble at all. Rod said you were considered a hero. You’ve saved countless people.”

Sarah drained the rest of her coffee. “And I want to continue doing that but I can’t if I go with Rod.”

“So what are you saying? Spell it out for me.”

“You’ll know when the time comes and you’ll know what to do. Just make sure you check your conscience before acting. Do what you think is right.”

Rosalie’s phone chirped. She held up a finger for Sarah and reached for the phone. After reading the screen she looked up.

“Parkman is pretty mad. He wants to see you right away.”

“Sure, he wakes up and I’m gone without a note. He’s probably worried. He did travel to Europe to watch my back.”

“Okay, let’s go. We’ll drive you to the hotel but only to pick up your things. From here on in you stay with us. I can’t let Armond send another sniper after you.”

“Gee thanks,” Sarah said as she rose from her chair. “I don’t really like the idea of being picked off either.”

“Are you always this sarcastic?”

“Only with people I care about or work with.”

“How do you treat the bad guys?”

“I don’t
treat
them, I just shoot them.”

They made it back to the Best Western hotel in good time. On two different occasions Sarah was sure they were being followed. They were using the same vehicle that took a bullet in the hood. Rosalie had said that the bullet had gone right through to the pavement, damaging nothing in its path.

While jumping from the vehicle, Sarah scanned the cars passing them. Something was bothering her. Armond was getting desperate. He’d hired a guy and then showed up dressed as an old man. He had gotten close. Too close. Now he would make sure there was no more fucking around as he meant to kill her and make it final. But everywhere she looked in the immediate area looked normal. She still felt in a heightened state of alert. After what happened that morning she had to be more aware. With the way Armond worked, at any time a man could walk right up and shoot her in the face.

She turned to Rosalie who was getting out of the vehicle.

“Give me a gun.”

“No way. You’re here in advisory capacity only. You’re not a member of the law enforcement community. I can’t arm you.”

Sarah shook her head. “You saw what happened this morning. I was lucky there was a bar nearby to break the car’s window. Don’t be difficult. Give me a gun.” She reached out and held her hand up.

Rosalie stood across from her on the pavement, looking her up and down. “Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. What if you shoot somebody?”

“I plan to.”

“You’re not helping.”

“No, you’re not helping. You know the alternative.”

“What’s the alternative?”

“If you won’t give me a weapon, I will take one.”

“Sarah, are you always this difficult?”

“You should see me when I’m pissed. Now, I’ve asked nicely. Do this or my cooperation goes downhill fast. Seriously, think about it. I have a guy like Armond out there somewhere wanting me dead. I have had the damnedest time trying to stay armed in Europe and I have almost been killed a few times because of it. Get me a gun for protection or I start taking care of myself. These aren’t ultimatums or threats. This is me. This is who I am. I get a gun or fuck you and your advisory role bullshit.”

Sarah could spell shock on Rosalie’s forehead. She had never heard Sarah talk like this. They’d chatted after the Montone incident and then this morning after the attempt on her life. But now things were being amped up.

I need a weapon and fuck anybody who thinks different,
she thought.

Rosalie’s mic on her waist beeped. She ignored it.

“Okay, say I
want
to give you a weapon. How would I do that? Whose name would I use to register it under? Do you want a police issue gun so it can all be traced back to me? Whose career do you want to end?”

“The better question is whose life do
you
want to end? Mine or the bad guy’s?”

She knew it would come to this. As much as she wanted to do the right thing, working with cops had rules. They couldn’t give her a weapon as much as Santa Claus couldn’t hand out Easter eggs. Just didn’t happen and wouldn’t happen. She was better off on her own. Always had been and always would be.

She heard Rosalie’s mic beep again.

“You better get that,” Sarah said as she stepped away.

At that same second a piece of stone chipped off the wall behind where Sarah had been standing. It startled her enough to turn and stare at the wall.

In a rush, the realization that a bullet had smacked into the wall, thereby missing her head because she turned, hit her like a meteor. She spun, ducked and dove for cover as another bullet pinged off the side of the vehicle.

As she landed on the hard cement she heard Rosalie yelling over her mic, “We’re under fire.” Sarah nestled up against the rear tire of the SUV. After assessing the trajectory of the bullet to figure where the shooter was, she confirmed he was somewhere across the street. The shooter sat low this time, and not in an elevated position.

She looked at Rosalie who had crouched down by the front tire of the SUV. “Gonna rethink your position on arming me?”

“This isn’t the time—”

Another ricochet shot past Rosalie’s head cutting her off.

“I knew we were being followed,” Sarah offered.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“You guys are the professionals. Thought you’d know. I mean, how else could Armond keep tabs on me? He’s not a God. He has to follow us to continue trying to kill me.”

“Why the hell are you so important?” Rosalie sounded pissed as she let off her frustration. She looked across the expanse of the SUV’s wheelbase for all of three seconds before reaching into an ankle holster. She tossed Sarah a small caliber weapon.

“I want it back. You Americans have a right to bear arms so I know where this desire for a gun is coming from. I will cover it in my report as we are under fire. Just don’t kill a citizen or worse.”

Sarah looked back at her. “What’s worse?”

“Killing me.”

Another shot rang out. A car on the road turned hard, its wheels protesting on the pavement. Sarah heard its tires squeal as it careened off something solid. It came into view and hit the wall of the hotel ten feet in front of the SUV they were hiding behind.

“We have to move,” Sarah shouted.

“Why? We’re covered here.”

“The shooter is attacking drivers, trying to get them to ram this SUV we’re hiding behind. We need to move and now.”

Another shot rang out. This time Sarah heard an engine revving. The gunman must’ve missed, spooking the driver.

Lucky us.

“On my count,” Rosalie shouted.

“No, now!” Sarah shouted as she got to her feet and ran for the hotel doors, head down.

A gun began firing bullet after bullet. It sounded like a speed metal drummer double kicking. She made the door and half fell, half dove into the cover of the hotel lobby. Gratefully, Rosalie fell in behind her. They sprawled along the tile floor of the lobby of the Best Western. As far as Sarah could tell Rosalie hadn’t been hit. The driver was still in the SUV. She had no idea if Rosalie’s vehicles were bullet proof but she guessed that they weren’t as there’s still a hole in the hood.

“How did they miss? That gun was on rapid-fire,” Rosalie gasped.

“I have no idea but I wonder how much more my heart can handle. This has been a dangerous day. I don’t like days like this one. This kind of day bites ass.”

She could feel her mouth getting away from her. The anger at always having to run and duck and hide could weigh on someone.

Footsteps pounded down the hotel stairs. A door banged open.

Rosalie and Sarah both raised their weapons in unison and got ready to plug the bastard coming through the door. It was Sarah who yelled first.

“Wait!”

Parkman stood there, gun in hand. He was smiling.

“Got him,” he said. “Lone gunman across the street. He was sitting in a black car. Some Russian model. Dead now. Didn’t you hear me unloading on him from our room?”

Sarah looked at Rosalie. Rosalie looked at Sarah. Knowing how close they came to being killed and having thought the barrage of bullets were coming from their attacker made Sarah feel like a defibrillator had been applied to her chest. She was sure Rosalie felt the same as her chest was heaving up and down rapidly.

“We didn’t know,” Rosalie tried. “We thought…”

“Oh you thought the rapid fire was the shooter?” He stopped smiling. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”