part0096

G erhard opened the rear door of the limousine and stepped back, bowing. “Sorry to keep you waiting, sir. We had a minor security situation that needed to be taken care of.”

The man stepped out and glared at him. “You call that minor? I call that an utter failure. I’ve never seen such incompetence.”

Gerhard bowed once more. “Again, I apologize, however I can assure you that you are safe.”

“The situation should never have been allowed to happen in the first place.”

“I agree, and we’ll be reviewing our security procedures. I can assure you that when you leave here, you will have a full escort.”

“I better.” The man started up the steps. “Now, take me to your employer. I want to be out of here in fifteen minutes.”

“Come with me.” Gerhard led him into the main house, the security team following, Kriel ordering one of his men to remain inside at the main entrance, the rest accompanying them to the viewing room.

K ane was shoved unceremoniously through the door into what appeared to be servant quarters, happy to see the professors still alive. “Sir, ma’am, so good to see you’re well.”

Acton and Laura caught on immediately, successfully suppressing the urge for any flashy reunion until the door slammed shut. He surveyed the room and spotted a camera out of the corner of his eye.

“Sorry to say my rescue attempt hit a little snag.”

“I can see that,” said Acton as Kane stepped backward into the corner with the camera and leaned against the wall.

“Your security chief asked me to help since he’s in Peru and I was in the area. Unfortunately, the chauffeur they sent to pick up the buyer was a relative of Tattoo from Fantasy Island, and my cover was blown.” He twisted the top off his watch and raised it over his head, placing the magnetic transmitter onto the base of the camera. “Just continue to cooperate, and hopefully they’ll realize it’s not worth killing you two because you don’t know where they are.”

Kane shrugged as he stepped back into view of the now tapped camera, and hopefully entire security system. “My life is expendable. I knew that coming in. If I die and you two die, then my mission was a bust. If I die and you survive, then it was a success. So, I’m not telling you where we are, you don’t know where we are, so they have no reason to kill you.” He spun toward the camera. “Because I know you’re listening! I’m saying this for your benefit as much as theirs! Because if you kill them, you’re in for a world of hurt, because if I can find you, then anybody can find you. Let them go, and there’s no reason for anyone to come looking for them.” He turned back to the professors, Acton smiling slightly.

“Do you think that will work?”

Kane shrugged. “Doubt it, but you never know.”

G erhard showed the buyer into the viewing room, the Bible in the middle, several bright lights overhead focused on the artifact, one of many seen here over the years. Richter was a history buff who enjoyed purchasing, or borrowing from friends, rare antiquities, and Gerhard had been privileged to see dozens of wonders over the years.

Though this was the first that had been stolen.

Gerhard backed into a corner and out of sight, all light focused on the center of the room, as his employer conducted his meeting remotely, his voice piped in through speakers overhead.

The buyer looked about the room. “Are you kidding me? Sorry, but that wasn’t the deal. In person or not at all.”

“This is as good as you’re going to get.”

“Very well.” He turned toward Gerhard, squinting into the dark. “Take me back to the airport.”

Gerhard didn’t respond.

“Fine.” A door opened at the rear of the room, hidden in the paneling, and Richter emerged.

“Finally, enough of this nonsense.” The buyer extended a hand as Richter approached, his own clasped behind his back.

“Forgive me, but handshaking is a custom that I never understood nor entertained.”

The buyer regarded him for a moment. “You’re every bit as eccentric as has been described.”

Richter smiled slightly. “One of the benefits of being rich. The larger the bank account, the more such things are embraced.”

“There aren’t many bank accounts larger than yours.”

“No, I suppose not. Are you ready?”

“Are we secure?”

“Absolutely. Nobody is getting inside this compound.”

“Very well. You have the professors? They are willing to confirm the provenance?”

“I do, and they are, however, this is the end of our face-to-face contact. They cannot see me. They can’t know who I am or where they are. I assume that is satisfactory?”

“I don’t understand. Why should that matter?”

Richter slowly circled the Bible, and Gerhard realized this was the first time his employer was seeing it.

“When this is done, I plan on returning them to Europe and releasing them. I’m not a murderer.”

“Despite all evidence to the contrary.”

Richter spun toward the man, the Bible forgotten. “You and I both know I had nothing to do with what happened at the Guggenheim. I merely took advantage of the situation. Those deaths are not on my hands. And as someone who believes that all creatures should be treated equally, I can no more kill an animal than I can kill a human being, without being a hypocrite.”

The buyer stared at him for a moment before finally speaking. “Unfortunately, you’re going to have to get over your scruples, because my employer insists that the professors be terminated the moment the exchange is complete.”

Richter’s eyes widened. “Why?”

“Because he is as paranoid as you, evidently, and doesn’t want the professors alive to provide any details that might lead the authorities to you, me, or my employer. If they disappear, and the Bible as well, then eventually everyone will give up looking, and we can all continue with our lives. There can be no evidence the Bible was ever sold.”