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The low rumbling growl from my stomach warned me that it was past the time when sensible people ate lunch, but the narrow window given to us by Edward Knight left no room for such luxuries. Standing outside Royal Albert Hall, Charles and I waited in silence.
Charles was one of my father’s most loyal confidants, but I found talking to him was like speaking to a brick wall. In the twenty minutes we’d been waiting, I’d hardly got more than a grunt out of him.
Conversational shortcomings aside, he was a wall of muscle and manpower, and I was glad to have him in my corner.
I admired the national treasure that was Royal Albert Hall. The weathered red brick was more than a century and a half old. Named for Queen Victoria’s late husband, it was now managed by a trust and hosted hundreds of grand spectacles each year, from the Cirque du Soleil to Adele.
A wintry breeze cut through the streets of London but in spite of the cold, Hyde Park was thronged with Londoners out for a stroll. The hall was closed, but seemed to be gearing up for an evening performance of Romeo and Juliet. Located in the northern fringe of Kensington, the hall made for an unusually crowded rendezvous for someone like Knight, a well-established resident of the world’s most wanted lists.
A charcoal black sedan peeled out of traffic and pulled into the bus stop in front of the hall.
Its passenger door opened, and a lean man emerged. His head was shaved smooth, and he was of Asian descent. His suit was Italian, with a sharp cut and well fitted enough to show the bulge beneath his arm where a holster rested. His eyes swept over us before scanning the street, and the fringe of the park. Seemingly satisfied, he turned and opened the back door of the sedan.
A man in his late forties emerged in a three-piece suit, clutching a cream fedora in hand. His graying hair had been cut back to stubble but left enough indication of a hairline to know it was beating a hasty retreat.
His oxfords hit the pavement and he straightened up. “Thank you, Tan. Keep an eye out, will you? We won’t be long.”
Edward Knight, the underworld’s connoisseur of crime, wasn’t nearly as tall as I had imagined. Five foot six and a little rotund in the center, he was clearly possessed of a love of the finer things in life. As he slipped on the hat, I couldn’t help but smile. At least we had one thing in common: the love of a good hat. With the biting cold they were as functional as they were fashionable.
Edward Knight strode toward us, extending his right hand. “Seth Caldwell, as I live and breathe.”
I shook his hand. “Edward Knight. Your reputation precedes you.”
He made a dismissive wave with his hand. “Yes, yes, but you can call me Red. All my friends do.” Placing one hand on his chest, he leaned closer, his voice little more than a conspiratorial whisper. “And I dearly hope we’re going to be friends, Seth.”
“As do I,” I replied, fighting the urge to take a step away from him. His face had a warmth to it, but his small dark eyes were cold and hard.
“I must say, your father’s call intrigued me. It’s not every day that I get a call from Frank Caldwell looking for a chat and a favor. In fact, it’s unprecedented. I must admit it stoked my curiosity; a situation that was only inflamed when I discovered that it was you that I’d be meeting. Some might be offended that Frank didn’t have the time in his busy schedule to come himself.” His voice rose with indignation.
I raised a hand.
“It’s not like that, Red,” I said, my voice not nearly as firm as I had hoped. “It’s me who needs the favor. I asked my father to broker the introduction.”
“As I said, fascinating.” His furrowed brow relaxed, as his mouth flared up into a smile. “I’d heard you were in New York, Seth. Or at least you were. I must say your escapades there have created quite a stir, my young friend. For a short while, you were even more popular with law enforcement than I, and that’s an achievement to be commended.”
My cheeks flushed red. Notoriety was not what I’d been going for with my harried flight from the museum. Unsure of what to say, I opted for silence.
Red eyed me carefully. I could feel the judgment in his stare.
“Yes, from non-existent to most wanted in a matter of minutes, and then forgotten just as quickly,” he said. “You must teach me that trick, though I dare say your father’s friends had something to do with it?”
I kept my mouth shut. It was worth more than my life to talk freely about the Brotherhood. Secret societies frowned on that sort of thing.
The Red Knight seemed well informed, but I had no way of measuring what information he was privy to, and what he was not. It wouldn’t do to bandy about the Brotherhood’s operations. Clandestine organizations tended to take offence at that sort of thing. I also doubted it would do anything to engender Red’s confidence.
Red slapped me on the back. “Don’t worry, young Seth. I’ve known about your father’s little boys’ club for some time. They wanted me to join at one point, but I’m more of an independent contractor than a team player. Besides, our goals are somewhat different, but that isn’t to say we can’t find an accommodation that suits us both.”
I let out a low breath. “I hope so. I’m looking for something quite particular.”
Red held a finger up to my mouth. “That’s a conversation for a more private setting. While you might enjoy the protection of your father’s influence, I remain quite popular with her Majesty’s more dutiful agents. Seth, I have an appointment I can’t be late for, so if you don’t mind accompanying me, we can speak on the way.”
Red’s words were congenial, but I could tell I had little choice in the matter. If I wanted his information, I was going to have to play along with his game.
“Lead the way,” I replied, pointing at his car.
Charles stepped close but Red raised a hand. “Sorry, friend, but we only have room for one. They might sell the Mercedes as a five-seater. What do they say about car salesmen? Slipperier than an eel dipped in baby oil. But let’s be serious, on the best of days it’s a modest four, and you my man would take two seats all on your own. I’m not at all fond of the squeeze, but not to worry. You wait here. We’ll be back in a jiffy.”
Charles shook his head. “Frank’s instructions were clear—I go where Seth goes.”
Red smiled, showing his top row of pearly white teeth. “I’m sure he was. But it’s my ride. I set the rules. So you’ll be staying here. Don’t worry, I’ll have him back to you before you know it.”
“Not going to happen,” Charles said, looming over Red, who didn’t move an inch. “It’s both of us, or none of us.”
Red looked up at the towering bodyguard. “Your diligence is admirable, Charles, noteworthy even, but I’m not in the habit of making compromises. None of you it is. Seth, it was a delight to meet you. I hope our next chat will be a little more fruitful.”
Red signaled to Tan and turned for the car.
Charles just watched him go. My heart sank as the connoisseur of crime strode back to the waiting Mercedes.
I couldn’t afford to leave empty handed.
Red slid into the back of the Mercedes, leaving the door open for Tan who paused at it.
Resting my hand on Charles’ chest, I said, “Relax, I’ll be back in a few minutes. Don’t worry, I’ll deal with Dad. He’s used to me not doing what I’m told.”
Charles gripped my wrist. “Be careful, Seth. It’s the ones with silver tongues and smiling eyes that are the most deadly.”
I nodded, eased his hand off my wrist, and took off after Red. Charles’ warning still rang in my ears as I slipped into the back of the Mercedes. Tan slid the door shut behind me.
What was I getting myself into?
Tan slipped into the passenger’s seat and the driver pulled out into the London traffic.
I glanced at Red and found he had a smile on his face.
The Mercedes turned North onto the A5. Old brick buildings lined each side of the busy stretch. Some of their first-floor storefronts had been renovated but the majority of the buildings looked every bit their age, their paintwork faded and peeling.
“Tell me, young Seth,” Red began, “just what is it that you need that your father’s near limitless resources can’t get you? Can’t be money or power. You have plenty of both already. What do you want from a humble purveyor of petty crime?”
In spite of his words, there was an air about the man that conveyed complete control. Edward Knight was anything but a petty criminal. He went about his business without a care in the world, in spite of the fact that most governments would pay handsomely for his capture. He had all the concern of a man out for a Sunday stroll about the town. He either didn’t care about the risk, or as I was beginning to suspect, didn’t feel as if he were at risk at all. It spoke volumes about the breadth of his own influence.
“Information,” I replied. “There is something I must know and my father believes you to be the best chance of finding it.”
Red’s eyes narrowed on me. “Information is a dangerous currency. Knowledge is power, and the kind you’re after might be important to you, but I dare say if you have to come to me for it, its sharing will disturb someone in my orbit. Who is it you are hoping I will tattle on?”
I raised my hands. “I, uh, don’t need you to tattle on anyone. I’m just looking for a location.”
Red let out a throaty chuckle. “I’m just playing with you, Seth. Relax, let us consider what you need, and we can determine a fair price for the information. Tell me more.”
“I’m looking for a location in Panama,” I began. “It has been well concealed, and my family has sought it for some time. We believe another organization has recently stumbled across it. We need to know where it is, so that we can intervene before too much damage is done.”
Red pulled the central seat down until it formed an armrest that he leant on heavily, the motion bringing him much closer to me. “Panama, fascinating. It’s been such a quiet little part of the world until recently. You’ll be the second person to ask a favor concerning Panama in as many weeks. I dare say that’s no coincidence.”
“The second?” I asked, my voice rising. “Who was the first?”
Red smiled. “Easy, Seth, I’m going to need to know more before I can help you.”
I brushed my sweating palms against my slacks and hoped Red wouldn’t notice. “There is a site of archaeological significance near Portobelo. We suspect it’s been buried for some time. We know that someone has recently uncovered its location. We suspect the Spanish are involved, and my father believes that someone, perhaps even yourself, is responsible for moving a large contingent of individuals and equipment to this location.”
Red sighed. “No coincidence at all, I suppose. Then again it seldom is.”
“So it was you?” I asked, my heart beating a little faster.
“I know the place of which you speak. I was indeed responsible for moving a consignment of men and earthmoving equipment. They paid a handsome price for the transport, but my discretion is what keeps me in business. The only reason they contracted me and not someone else, is to keep themselves and that location you mentioned off the radar to the rest of the world. If you go showing up there, what do you think that’s going to do for my reputation? I don’t see how I can possibly give you what you want, without angering my existing clientele. They themselves are an organization of not inconsequential means. Such petty conflict would be bad for business.”
“I can make it worth your while,” I offered. “You know Caldwells are good for it.”
Red waved his hand as if he were shooing a bad smell. “I have enough money. More than I can spend in many lifetimes and accruing more at a rate that would boggle your mind. They say a life of crime doesn’t pay, but those people simply lacked imagination. I find it pays spectacularly well. It’s one’s life expectancy that is the concern. The information you seek can’t be had for money, I’m afraid.”
“Then what?” I replied. “I have a considerable collection of arcane relics. Perhaps there is something in my collection that might help a man in your position. A little magic can tilt the odds in your favor. Perhaps something that might balance the scales on your life expectancy concerns.”
Red tapped his fingers slowly on the rich leather armrest. “An intriguing proposition, but dabbling with the arcane is something I’m not quite comfortable with. I don’t have the talents you wizards bandy about as a birthright. It’s a tempting proposition to be sure, but one that brings with it risks of its own.”
The Mercedes peeled off the A5 into Oxford Lane. Brick buildings had given way to a commercial district with warehouses stretching as far as the eye could see. The buildings were old and beat down but still close enough to London to be valuable.
“Fascinated as I am by your request, Seth, I don’t believe that I can accommodate it. I’m sorry to have wasted your time. If you can bear with me, we will just be a few minutes taking care of business here, then I will get you back to the hall.”
My heart sank. I’d torched my life in New York just to get the mask. Now I was face-to-face with someone who had the information I needed but simply wouldn’t part with it. I couldn’t stop here. I couldn’t walk away now.
I needed to know where the temple was.
I looked at Red, my heart beating quickly as I weighed my options.
Red leaned in a little closer. “Careful, Seth, I wouldn’t dream of that if I were you.”
“Of what?” I replied, a bead of sweat running down the back of my neck.
“Whatever it is you’re planning. I know desperation when I see it. You’re weighing your choices, but can’t possibly know the extent of the consequences. Does it not give you pause to know that I’m willing to both hear out and dismiss you, a wizard, and a wealthy one at that, with no seeming concern for my well-being?”
It was true. His bodyguard hadn’t even patted me down or checked me for weapons. Clearly, he didn’t see me as a threat.
Red whispered, “You might be a wizard, Seth, but I am a man of means, reputation, and single-minded focus. There is little I set my mind to that I cannot make happen. Your father has friends in high places—I have friends in low places. I take no pleasure in it, but if you try to force my hand, I will be compelled to rain hell down on you and those you know and love. I have a reputation to uphold. Whether you fail or succeed, you would bring catastrophic consequences on those you care for. Everyone has someone they care for. Don’t make me find yours.”
Red’s threat hung heavily in the air between us. I let out a low breath and sank back into the seat as the car pulled into a driveway that led to an old steel shed. Its angled corrugated roof had seen better days. As the car approached, the door rolled up revealing a warehouse with wooden crates piled throughout it.
The car pulled into the warehouse and Red flashed me a smile. “I’m going to need you to relax, Seth. We can’t have your nerves setting off my clients.”
Inside the warehouse was a large truck, its rear open. A large black polymer case rested before it. Beside the case stood a man and woman in jeans and thick parkas. The man wore a set of aviators and had a jawline that should have been on a Hollywood set, not a dingy warehouse in North London. The woman hanging off his arm was striking, olive-skinned with curves that her jeans did nothing to hide. Her sparkling brown eyes settled on the Mercedes as I forced my gaze away.
About twenty paces beyond the case were a pair of SUVs beside which stood a handful of men in slacks and open collared shirts. They made no effort to conceal the guns tucked in holsters at their waists.
I began to panic as they all eyed the car. What were we doing here? My stomach twisted itself in knots as I considered the possibilities. I’d left Charles in London and accompanied one of the world’s most dangerous criminals to an unknown location filled with armed and potentially hostile parties. I already knew that Red had business with the Inquisition. Had he sold me out?
I eyed the crate and my heart raced.
Was this an abduction? I’d evaded them at the airfield. Maybe they wanted to kidnap me and trade me to my family for the mask.
I gathered my power about me. If the Inquisition wanted me, I wasn’t going quietly.
“What are we doing here, Red?” I asked. “Why have you brought me here?”