Forces from Beyond (20 page)

“I didn’t ask to be burdened with it,” said MacAbre. “With the weight it carries, in certain circles.”

“You always did disappoint me, Grand-daughter,” said Latimer.

“Stick to what you’re good at, that’s what I always say,” said MacAbre.

JC and Melody both sat bolt upright on their chairs, looking from Latimer to MacAbre and back again. Chang grinned broadly.

“Grand-daughter?” said JC. “Damn, Boss, are you related to everybody?”

“Be still, Mr. Chance,” said MacAbre. “Pay attention to your betters.”

“You find some, I’ll listen to them,” said JC.

“Hush,” said Latimer. “Grown-ups talking.” She hadn’t looked away from MacAbre for a moment. “You do know what’s happened at the Institute? Not just that I’m no longer in charge, but . . .”

“Of course I know,” said MacAbre. “We’ve been observing the cabal’s progress inside the Institute for some time. I did think it might be possible for us to do business with them, on certain matters of mutual interest; but when I reached out to them, they just looked down their noses at me as unworthy of their attention. No-one does that to the Crowley Project and gets away with it.”

“So we both disapprove of the cabal,” said Latimer. “And their plan to try to take control of the Flesh Undying.”

“Damned fools,” MacAbre said dispassionately. “They must have known we could never accept that. It would upset the balance of power.”

“Do you believe they can control the Flesh Undying?” said Latimer.

“Of course not,” said MacAbre. “It’s beyond them. My scientists are still studying the data we acquired at Brighton. And the only ones who aren’t wetting themselves are the ones with limited imaginations. The Flesh Undying is, by its very nature, a threat to us all, to the continued existence of this world. It must be stopped. Destroyed.”

“If possible,” said Latimer.

MacAbre smiled briefly. “We’ll find a way. We know all there is to know about destruction.”

“You say that like it’s a good thing,” said Latimer.

“The point is,” said MacAbre, not rising to the bait, “that no-one here wants an open war between the Project and the Institute. If only because it’s better to work with the she-devil you know . . .”

JC raised his hand, like a child at school. “Can I ask a question?”

“Depends,” said Latimer. “Is it a good question?”

“I don’t know about good,” said JC. “But it’s certainly relevant.”

“Then go ahead,” said Latimer. “But don’t you dare show me up in front of the enemy.”

JC looked steadily at MacAbre. “I was just wondering. Since you know so much about the cabal . . . Could they be just another face for the hidden agents of the Flesh Undying?”

“All right,” said Latimer. “That is a good question.” She looked steadily at MacAbre. “I’d be interested to hear your answer. If you have one.”

“Yes; and no,” said MacAbre. “The cabal started out on its own, with its own agenda, but there are definite indications it has since been infiltrated and steered in directions that would best serve the Flesh Undying. It’s our understanding that some of the cabal know this; some suspect; and most just follow orders like the good little drones they are. Some serve the Flesh Undying, some still believe they can control it. Which must make for very complicated conversations, inside the cabal. However . . . once we destroy the Flesh Undying, that will undermine the cabal’s power base, and it should turn upon itself and fall apart. Leaving the Institute in chaos. Allowing you to return to save the day, Grandmother; and put the Carnacki Institute back together again.”

“Good answer . . .” said JC. “Though I’m not sure whether I feel better for knowing all that or not.”

“If you’re feeling better, you didn’t understand the answer,” said Latimer.

MacAbre brought her hands together and leaned forward across the desk. “We have to move fast, while the new regime is still finding its feet. We have the advantage, in that we know exactly where the Flesh Undying is, and they don’t. So we have to strike first, before they can put something in place to stop us.”

“Are you saying you’re ready to try to destroy it?” said Latimer.

“Definitely ready to try,” said MacAbre. “Rather than wait and risk its falling into enemy hands.”

Latimer shook her head. “We need more information. About what the Flesh Undying actually is. Its physical nature, its weaknesses and vulnerabilities.”

“Can I just point out,” said Melody, “that our last attempt to poke it with sticks almost got us killed? And did get a whole bunch of innocent bystanders killed?”

“I haven’t forgotten,” said Latimer.

“My scientists have come up with a new plan,” said MacAbre. “Which they assure me presents far fewer dangers.”

“Liking the sound of it already,” said Melody.

“It involves you and your team taking a close-up look at the Flesh Undying, in person.”

“Gosh, is that the time?” said Melody. “I really must be going.”

“Sit down!” said Latimer.

“You’re ready to go along with this?” said Melody, reluctantly subsiding again.

“I’m . . . considering it,” said Latimer.

JC fixed MacAbre with a thoughtful stare. “And we’re supposed to just . . . place ourselves in your hands? Trust you?”

“You came here looking for the Project’s assistance, didn’t you?” said MacAbre.

“Yes. We did,” said Latimer. “An indication of how desperate we are. What, exactly, do you have in mind?”

“We’re ready to provide you with transport to a ship of ours out in the Atlantic,” said MacAbre. “Its cover is a scientific research vessel, but actually it’s maintaining a position directly over the Flesh Undying. The scientists on board work exclusively for us. They ran the drone submersible that took a look at the Flesh Undying.”

“The one that was destroyed because it got too close?” said Latimer.

“Hold it,” said Melody. “Are we really assuming the Flesh Undying hasn’t made the connection, between the drone and the ship above it?”

“I think we can,” said MacAbre, “On the grounds that if it did know, it would have destroyed the ship by now.”

“What exactly are we supposed to do once we’re on board this ship?” said Latimer.

“The scientists assure me they’ve come up with a whole new way to approach the Flesh Undying,” MacAbre said carefully. “One it shouldn’t be able to detect. Because you have the greatest experience with, and knowledge of, the Flesh Undying . . . the plan is that you will go down in a new submersible and make the approach yourselves. Study it up close and deliver us the information we need to destroy this monster.”

“So we take all the risks,” said JC. “And if we succeed, you take all the credit.”

“Exactly,” said MacAbre. “A plan with no drawbacks.”

JC looked at Latimer. “She’s your grand-daughter, all right.”

“Do you find this proposal acceptable?” MacAbre said to Latimer, ignoring JC.

“In principle,” said Latimer. “But none of us are going anywhere until I’ve had a chance to pick up a few useful items for the journey.” She smiled briefly at JC. “You started me thinking. I want to be in a position to defend myself if it all starts going horribly wrong.”

“You have something in mind that could do that?” said Melody.

“Possibly,” said Latimer. “I need to do some research first.”

“I feel I should make it clear that Natasha Chang will continue to accompany you as my liaison,” said MacAbre.

“To keep an eye on us,” said JC.

“Exactly,” said MacAbre.

“I thought we might stop off at the Project Armoury,” Chang said brightly. “Pick up a few useful weapons of mass destruction . . .”

“No,” said MacAbre.

“Why not?” said Chang.

“Because there are limits to the secrets I’m prepared to share with the Carnacki Institute,” said MacAbre.

“I’m not with them any more,” said Latimer.

“But you might be again, one day,” said MacAbre. “Or at the very least, working with them in some capacity. A lifetime’s dedication and service doesn’t end with one setback. Our alliance is a strictly temporary thing—until the threat of the Flesh Undying is over.”

“So we don’t get to visit the Armoury?” said Chang. She pouted prettily. “Damn. I was looking forward to some serious showing off.”

MacAbre ignored her, fixing her attention on Latimer. “Where were you thinking of visiting first?”

“I thought I’d start with the Institute’s Secret Libraries,” said Latimer. “The cabal probably think they can keep me out, but they’re wrong.”

Natasha Chang clapped her hands together delightedly. “Oh, I’ve always wanted to visit the Secret Libraries!” And then she stopped, as she took in the expression on MacAbre’s face. “What? What do you know that I don’t?”

MacAbre looked steadily at Latimer. “You haven’t heard.”

“Heard what?” said Latimer. “We have been rather out of the loop just recently.”

“And just a bit distracted,” said JC.

“Yes,” said MacAbre. “I heard about the Hound. A most impressive performance, Mr. Chance. It seems there really is more to you than meets the eye.”

JC smiled, in spite of himself. Because Kim was concealed inside him and had been ever since they left the lockup. Because he didn’t trust Natasha Chang, or the Project, or its Head. Learning to hide the glow that normally surrounded him when he was joined with Kim was one of the first tricks he’d taught himself. Just as Latimer had learned to hide the glow from her eyes.

“What about the Secret Libraries?” said Latimer. “What’s happened to them?”

“They’re gone,” said MacAbre.

“The cabal destroyed them?” said Latimer.

“No,” said MacAbre. “They’re
gone
. You know the Project has agents inside the Institute, just as you have people working inside the Project . . .”

“We do?” said JC.

“Of course we do,” said Latimer. “How else can we be sure of what’s really going on?”

“One of my people fairly high up in the cabal has just informed me that its leaders are currently panicking because they’ve lost all access to the Secret Libraries,” said MacAbre. “Getting their hands on the secret knowledge in those books was one of their top priorities, so they could use it to pay off old favours. But apparently none of the ways in work any longer. All entrance points have just . . . disappeared. Nothing left to show they were ever there. My psychics are saying they can’t find the Libraries anywhere on this plane, or in any of the adjoining ones. Even the ghost guard Tommy Atkins has disappeared.”

The Ghost Finders looked at each other, shocked and shaken. Latimer looked especially grim.

“The Libraries probably removed themselves,” she said finally. “Rather than risk being misused by the cabal.”

“They can do that?” said JC.

“Apparently,” said Latimer.

“How is that even possible?” said Melody.

“The Secret Libraries were founded by the Travelling Doctor,” said JC.

“Oh . . .” said Melody.

“Quite,” said JC.

“I have to wonder . . .” said Latimer. “What other Institute resources are no longer available, because they don’t approve of the new regime. I think I’d better go straight to my old office.”

Chang clapped her hands together again. “Oooh! I’ve always wanted to go there!”

“We’re supposed to take a Project agent right into the heart of the Carnacki Institute?” said Melody. “Oh, this can only go well . . .”

“What do you need from your office, Boss?” said JC.

“Hush,” said Latimer. “Not in front of the allies.”

MacAbre smiled. “The sooner you pick up what you need, the better. So, we will provide you with transportation. Thoroughly shielded, of course, so the Institute psychics won’t be able to see you coming.”

“Thanks for the offer,” said Latimer, “but that won’t be necessary. I know a short cut.”

She rose unhurriedly from her chair and walked around MacAbre’s desk to face the far wall. She produced a shapeless black blob from an inside pocket and rolled it around in her hands for a while, as though to wake it up. She slapped it against the wall, where it immediately flattened itself out to form a Door. JC realised his mouth was hanging open and shut it quickly. He’d never seen a portable Door in action before.

MacAbre was on her feet, glaring at the new Door and pointing a shaking finger at it.

“
A dimensional Door?
That is not supposed to be possible! Not inside Project Headquarters, and especially not inside my office! Security protocols are supposed to block all other-dimensional access!”

“This particular portable Door is just a bit special,” said Latimer. “It was a present from the late Drood Armourer.”

MacAbre shook her head speechlessly and sank back into her chair. With all the dignity she could muster.

“Oh,” she said. “Him. Jack Drood really did get around, didn’t he?”

JC fixed Latimer with an accusing gaze. “You’ve had an in with the Droods all this time, and you never told us? Were you and he . . . ?”

“Certainly not,” Latimer said firmly. “We were just good allies. And only occasionally enemies. That’s Droods for you . . .” She looked steadily at JC. “It’s always a good idea to have an ace up your sleeve . . . I liked knowing I could never be trapped anywhere, as long as I had my own secret exit.”

“And you never told anyone,” said Melody. “You didn’t tell the Institute; even before this cabal stuff started.”

“Always keep your closest eye on your friends,” said Latimer. “You know where you are, with your enemies. My three predecessors as Head all died in their office, and none of them peacefully. From the first moment I accepted the position, I was determined not to follow in their footsteps.”

“Even if that Door can take us straight to the Institute,” said JC, “how are we going to get into your office? I mean; even apart from the standard shields and protections, won’t the new Boss have people standing guard? Heavily armed standing guards? Hell, Allbright has probably had people tearing your office apart, looking for hidden treasures, ever since they heard about the Secret Libraries.”

“I don’t think so,” said Latimer. “After I walked out of my office, certain prearranged protocols kicked into place. The moment Allbright leaves the office, the door will scramble its entrance codes and lock itself down. And given all the protections I’ve added, down the years, the cabal couldn’t break that door down with a nuclear battering ram. No; my office is still mine. I have no intention of handing it over to any new Head I haven’t personally approved.”