[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.Especially in light of your trying to kill us all, and protecting a bunch of terrorist butchers.Oh yes, this is the most stable bunch I've been around in a real long time.""You saw what happened here today," Laika said."You think that was all a trick? That Joseph and I weren't really shot and near death? Then maybe you'd like to explain just how we pulled off that little Siegfried-and-Roy bullshit, huh?""No, I.I don't know.""And it really doesn't matter," said Skye."Get her in the basement.If there are no windows and nothing she can use to escape, there's no point in tying her up, as long as the door's secure."The operatives removed their supplies from the basement, leaving it empty.While Tony pulled Molly's car into the small storage barn behind the cottage, Joseph and Laika tried to make the cellar as comfortable as possible for Molly.Then they locked her in, and, at Skye's direction, met in one of the bedrooms so that Molly would not hear them."I think," Skye began, in a voice even icier than usual, "that there's an awful lot that you haven't been telling me, Agent Harris.We'll deal with that later." He turned to Joseph."Agent Stein, are you certain that this Mulcifer is in the castle?""Yes sir.At least, I believe he was when I left last night.""I want to contact him.Do they have a telephone?""Yeah," Tony said."Unlisted, but we got the number a few days ago."Laika cleared her throat."Sir, believe me, you don't want to meet with him face to face.His powers are.well, there's just no knowing what he might do.""You seem to know a lot about Mulcifer, Agent Harris.Have your paths crossed before?""I know that if he can make Agent Stein try and kill us, he can do just about anything to anybody.""It's very doubtful that Agent Stein and I," said Skye, "come from the same genetic stock.My family has been Nordic.There are no traces of any Mediterranean or Jewish influence that I know of."Joseph's lips tightened."When Mulcifer raped women, he didn't ask about their background.Agent Harris could be a relation, for all we know.""A distant one, I assume," said Skye."I've heard your concerns, Agent Harris, and I assure you I'll be cautious.But as I said, I know a great deal about this person, and I feel confident that our meeting will be productive." Then he held out his hand for the phone."The phone number, Agent Luciano?"Tony told him, and he dialed the castle."Hello," they heard him say when someone answered."I wish to speak to someone there at the castle.my name isn't important.This person is a former prisoner who was recently released from years of captivity.Many long years.I believe he goes by the name of Mulcifer.Yes, I will." Two minutes passed before Skye spoke again."Hello, Mr.Mulcifer, I wonder if it.all right, Mulcifer, then.I wonder if it would be possible to schedule a meeting with you.Well, I have a proposition that I think you may be interested in.It concerns recent activities that have taken place in London.Let me just say that I represent certain parties who have a great deal of interest in your rather special gifts, and that a meeting might prove beneficial to all of us.I'm delighted to hear it.Wherever you like.where precisely would that be?.Very well.And when?.Yes, that would be fine.Tell me, would it be all right if I brought along a few associates?.Excellent.Thank you.I'll see you then." Skye hung up."So how long do we have to keep Inspector Fraser locked up?" Joseph asked."I'll be meeting the gentleman tomorrow evening," Skye replied, "so she'll have to be our guest until then.""You'll be taking us along?"Skye shook his head."Agents Finch and Weyrman will accompany me." He didn't give any explanation, and Laika knew that to ask for one would only anger him further."Now, if you'll excuse me, there are some other private calls I need to make.Would the three of you mind going outside for a moment." It wasn't a question, and the operatives went out through the back door."Damn, I'd give a lot to hear that call," Joseph said."You will," said Laika."Tony hooked up a recorder.We'll get the other side of the call to Mulcifer, too." She put an affectionate hand on his shoulder."I'm glad you're back.And I mean, I'm glad you're back."Joseph shook his head."I am so sorry.God, I would have killed you all if." He looked at Tony."I'm sorry, too," Tony said."It was the only way to stop you.It's a miracle that it worked out the way it did.""This time I'll buy that miracle story," Joseph said."But that doesn't mean I'm converted." They laughed softly together."I don't know how to tell you what it was like." Laika could barely hear him."I didn't want to, but I didn't have any choice.I couldn't fight it.I just wasn't strong enough.""From what we know," Tony said, "if he can touch you, if you.share his blood, like you said, I don't think anyone is strong enough.""Somebody's got to be," Joseph said."I don't think we've got much of a chance otherwise."Chapter 42Two hours later, when Finch and Weyrman picked up Skye and drove him to Gairloch, Laika, Tony, and Joseph listened to the tape.The first conversation was with Mulcifer, and Joseph closed his eyes when he heard the voice.It sent a chill through Laika, too.It was a voice that seemed totally in control, yet also twisted, as though its owner was about to start cackling at any moment over his imaginary—or, in this case, all too real—power.Mulcifer and Skye were going to meet on the beach at the foot of Castle Dirk the following evening at sunset.When Skye had asked if Mulcifer would mind if he brought associates, he had replied, "The more the merrier.""I wonder what kind of merriment Mulcifer has in mind," Laika said [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]