The Library of Shadows (36 page)

She had no idea how strong of a Lector Henning might be. So far he hadn't been much help. On the very first day he'd taken to his bed feeling sick, and he hadn't been able to take part in the search. Maybe he wouldn't even be capable of reading.

'I'm sure I could get Nessim to find out Pau's room number,' said Mehmet.

'Nessim?'

'The desk clerk downstairs,' replied Mehmet. 'I have a feeling he has a good network here in the city. When he heard that we knew Luca, there were no limits to what he wanted to do for us.'

Before leaving Denmark, Mehmet had dug up as much information as possible on Luca's trip to Egypt just before he died, and one of things he found out was that Luca had stayed at this hotel where they had now taken rooms. Otherwise Luca had left behind very few clues. He'd used his credit card at a few places in town, including at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, but that was all.

'Was Nessim able to tell you anything about Luca?' asked Katherina.

'No. Nothing except that they talked about the weather, the library and various trivial matters. He described Luca as a friendly man who gave generous tips.' Mehmet went over to the door. 'I'm going to get him on the case right away.'

After he left the room, Katherina sank down onto the bed. She hadn't allowed herself to get much sleep since the night she spent at Clara's. It was only when she was about to collapse with exhaustion that she'd been forced to give in and take a nap for an hour or two. Even then she slept uneasily and usually awoke drenched in sweat without feeling rested, yet unable to go back to sleep. Her encounter with Jon hadn't made things any better. She sensed that if they didn't get to him soon, it would be too late.

She gave a start when the phone rang.

'It'll take a couple of hours before Nessim can get Pau's room number,' said Mehmet on the other end of the line. 'Try to get some sleep in the meantime. Henning too.'

Katherina reluctantly accepted Mehmet's suggestion and put down the receiver. Henning seemed relieved to return to his own room.

Katherina was extremely glad Mehmet had come with them. He had turned out to be the perfect guide; with lightning speed he'd made friends with the locals and developed a thorough knowledge of the city. It probably had to do with the colour of his skin, because she and Henning could hardly walk around unnoticed. Henning and Katherina had gone out to have a look at the library on the first day, before Henning got sick, but Katherina had been much too worried to enjoy exploring the impressive building.

Henning, on the other hand, had been overwhelmed at the sight of the enormous monument – even more so when they entered the huge reading room under the glass roof. They had exchanged glances at that moment. The energy presence was so massive that the hairs stood on end on the back of Katherina's neck. It was the same tingling feeling she'd had in the basement of Libri di Luca but ten times, even a hundred times stronger. Henning's eyes shone like a man who was newly in love.

Katherina stretched out on her bed and closed her eyes. Pau was their last chance, and there was nothing to do now but wait.

She must have fallen asleep after all, because when the hotel phone woke her, the sun had gone down.

'Mehmet here. We're waiting for you in the lobby.'

Still slightly groggy, Katherina got out of bed and went into the small bathroom. She washed her face and pulled her red hair into a knot at the nape of her neck. Then she left the room and went downstairs.

Henning was still as pale as a corpse, but even so he mustered a smile when he caught sight of Katherina. Mehmet, who was once again wearing the head-dress, led them through streets that were now almost deserted. Only when they were further down in the city, closer to the harbour, did they find tourist shops that were still open and much more life on the streets.

The buildings surrounding Hotel Seaview were all taller, so the hotel looked like it was shrivelling up in their shadow. The facade was in disrepair with the paint peeling off in big patches and the shutters faded. It might once have been possible to see the ocean from Hotel Seaview, but that was long ago. Only the lights on the hotel sign gave any indication that the building was still in use, along with a couple of double doors that were open, welcoming them inside.

The lobby floor was marble, while the walls had coverings ranging from wallpaper to wooden panelling to a heavy velvet tapestry that hung from the ceiling. The front desk was made of dark wood as shiny as a mirror; on top stood a highly polished brass bell. On the wall behind were mirrors in gold frames as well as pigeon holes containing keys to every room.

There was no one behind the counter, so all three of them walked silently through the lobby and up a red-carpeted staircase. Every inch of the walls was covered with paintings in ostentatious gold frames.

Not until they reached the third floor did they dare speak.

'Three-oh-five,' said Mehmet, pointing down the corridor, which on this floor had white walls and a pink marble floor.

'Are you sure he's there?' whispered Katherina.

'Nessim said Pau would be in his room now, for about an hour,' replied Mehmet in a low voice.

'How can he be so sure about that?'

'He knows the front-desk clerk here. Apparently they all know each other. At any rate, he was told that ten of the guests are due to be picked up by a minibus in an hour.'

Katherina didn't care for this plan of theirs. She thought it seemed overly optimistic to just stroll right into a hotel filled with Lectors and expect to interrogate someone without anyone else noticing. 'How do you plan to stop him from slipping through our fingers?'

Mehmet stuck his hand under his robes and pulled out a gun. 'It's a toy,' he assured her. 'I'm just going to scare him a bit.' Mehmet smiled. 'But it looks like the real McCoy, doesn't it?'

Katherina and Henning positioned themselves on either side of the door marked 305, while Mehmet knocked. He was holding the gun in his hand, but behind his back.

'What is it?' they heard from inside the room. It was definitely Pau's voice.

'Are you ready?' called Mehmet, disguising his voice.

They heard footsteps approaching the door.

'Ready? What are you talking about?'

The key was turned in the lock and the door opened.

In the doorway stood Pau. He was wearing a long, cream-coloured robe with a snake-patterned black border around the sleeves and hem. The first thing Pau saw was Mehmet in full Arab regalia. He looked the man up and down in astonishment.

'Who the hell are you?' he asked angrily, but at that instant Mehmet whipped out the gun and aimed it at Pau's forehead. Terrified, he backed away, followed closely by Mehmet. Katherina and Henning entered the room.

'You!' cried Pau when he saw them. 'Shit.'

Something about Katherina's expression was worrying Jon. Her green eyes had been filled with a mixture of relief and astonishing warmth. How could she believe that such a ploy would still work? Was it a ploy? If he didn't know better, he would say her gaze had been filled with love. Love for him. He shook his head as if to shake off the uncertainty that had seeped into his mind.

'Are you okay?' asked Remer from the driver's seat.

After sending Poul Holt and the red-haired man after Katherina, Remer had hurried Jon back to the car. On the way they once again saw Katherina, this time running away from the marketplace. She saw them too. Jon was struck by her hesitation when she noticed them. For a moment she seemed frozen to the spot in the noonday heat. Then she looked straight at Jon for one last time before she disappeared down a side street.

'I'm fine,' he said moodily.

He noticed Remer glancing at him in the rear-view mirror. Jon was sitting on the back seat, looking out at the city as it passed. There were so many people on the streets. How was it possible that he had run into Katherina, of all people? Was she tailing them? Planning to catch him off guard by turning up at the marketplace? It seemed unlikely. Her surprised reaction looked genuine.

Remer hadn't waited for the two other men to come back. He started up the car at once and drove off without Poul Holt and the red-haired man, as if Jon were in grave danger. Jon thought he was overreacting. What could Katherina do? On the other hand, he was glad that the Order stood behind him and offered protection. It made him feel important but also a little helpless, as if he wasn't capable of taking care of himself.

He couldn't get Katherina's expression out of his mind. There was something inside him that had been awakened by that moment when their eyes met. As if a fist had struck him square on the chest, knocking all the air out of him and making it impossible for him to breathe. Maybe she really was dangerous after all.

'How do you think she managed to find us?' he asked without taking his eyes off the side window.

'Luck,' said Remer. 'Maybe they have spies in Egypt. Who knows?'

Jon frowned. Something didn't match up. The whole time Remer had claimed that the group in Libri di Luca was a collection of unorganized fanatics who had put all Lectors in danger through the lax use of their powers. Now he was saying they might have a network extending across continents.

'Don't worry,' said Remer. 'We'll be home soon.'

Why should Jon be worried? He studied Remer's face in the rearview mirror. It looked as if he was the one who was worried. He kept casting concerned glances at Jon, and his driving was bordering on reckless.

They had left the city behind now, and Jon knew it wasn't far to the country house where they were staying.

'Are we in a hurry?' he asked, studying Remer's reaction in the mirror.

'Well, no, not really,' said Remer, casting yet another uncertain glance at Jon. 'But it's probably best if you get some rest before this evening.' He broke out in a big smile. 'We're going to the library tonight,' he said proudly. 'It's important for you to be prepared.'

Jon nodded. He had sensed that there was something special about this day. Partly because of the excursion to Alexandria, but also because a mood of anticipation had infused the whole day. Right up until Katherina turned up and spoiled everything, that is. He'd been looking forward to this day when he would finally make his contribution to the Order, but now he no longer felt as eager. It was obvious he was going to take part in some form of initiation, but he was no longer so sure what the purpose behind it might be.

They had reached the country house, and several people came out of the building as the car turned into the driveway. Remer got out and spoke to them in Arabic while Jon stretched his limbs after the drive.

'Come on, let's go in,' Remer said, motioning Jon into the house ahead of him.

They immediately went upstairs to Jon's room. He sat down on the bed. He had still not finished working through his thoughts about Katherina, and he would have liked to do it in solitude.

One of the guards came into the room and handed the chronicle book to Remer.

'So, shall we continue?' said Remer, settling himself into the chair next to the bed.

The guard had not yet left the room, but stood just inside the door. Remer looked at Jon with an expectant expression on his face, as if he was the one who was about to listen to a bedtime story.

'I think I'd prefer to wait a while,' said Jon. 'I'd really like to be alone.'

Remer's smile froze. 'It's important for you to be prepared for this evening, Campelli,' he insisted. 'And not just for your own sake.'

Jon was taken aback. There was a threatening undertone to Remer's voice, and he didn't like the sound of it.

'All I'm asking for is half an hour to gather my thoughts,' said Jon.

'I'm sorry,' Remer quickly responded, 'but there's a lot we still have to do.' He turned towards the man standing at the door and gave a curt nod.

Jon got up from the bed. 'I don't think you heard what I said,' he began, but the guard reached him in two strides. He took Jon by the arm and forced him back down onto the bed. With a look of indignation, Jon looked down at the guard's hand gripping his arm.

'This is really not necessary,' he said. 'I just need—'

'It
is
necessary,' said Remer. 'As you'll see.'

Another guard came into the room and went over to the opposite side of the bed. Calmly but firmly the two men moved Jon into a sitting position. He tried to resist but they were too strong, and soon he was held down by the leather straps with no chance of escape.

'What's going on? There's no reason for this. Now tell me why!'

'Don't worry, I will,' said Remer and again nodded to one of the guards.

'No!' Jon managed to shout before the guard pressed a piece of tape over his mouth.

It really had been necessary after all.

That much Jon could now see. He should have trusted Remer's judgement and not underestimated Katherina's power. They were skilful, those Lectors from Libri di Luca, experts in creating discord and distrust between members of the Order if they didn't remain vigilant. If it hadn't been for Remer's quick-witted intervention, they might have succeeded in upsetting Jon so much that he might have denied himself the future he now had with the Order. He might even have turned against them.

After about an hour of reading, they removed the tape from Jon's mouth and the restraints from his limbs. He had been utterly calm, almost exhausted, and was allowed to sleep until Remer woke him again. It had grown dark outside, and Poul Holt had returned. He examined Jon with the routine movements of a doctor, shining light in his eyes, peering down his throat, checking his reflexes.

'You're in top form,' he said at last, giving Jon a smile.

Remer, who had retreated to the background, now came over to the bed.

'You'll have to forgive us for strapping you down,' he said, sounding truly remorseful. 'Unfortunately, it was necessary. I hope you understand.'

Jon nodded.

'It was necessary,' he said. 'I was about to cave in under their influence. It won't happen again.'

'I'm sure it won't,' said Remer, with a nod of satisfaction. 'And don't worry. Tonight you're among friends. Nothing is going to stop us.'

Jon felt reassured. The cloud of confusion he'd felt a few hours earlier had been swept away with such force he couldn't really remember what the whole thing had been about.

'About tonight,' said Remer, pointing at a black robe lying at the foot of the bed. 'Would you mind making sure it fits?'

Jon got up from the bed and held the robe in front of him. It was pitch black with white snakes in a border around the sleeves and hem.

'Are we going to a toga party?' asked Jon.

Remer laughed. 'Something like that.'

Jon put on the robe. It was made of silk, with a thick belt also of silk. Even with his normal clothes underneath, the robe was amply big, and when he pulled up the hood his face was in shadow. It gave him a wonderfully secure feeling. He felt like a monk; he smiled at the thought.

'Perfect,' declared Remer, and nodded with satisfaction.

'What about the rest of you?' asked Jon.

'Don't worry,' said Remer. 'We're all going to wear the same type of robe, but ours will be white.'

'Am I the only one in black?'

'Of course,' said Holt. 'You're the guest of honour.'