The Gods' Gambit (34 page)

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.

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.”