The Great Fury (19 page)

The intended rendezvous was in the pool area of the water system under Central Park.

“Will the rest of the party be able to find us?” Dutronc asked.

“Yes,” Morag reassured, “ the Greyman knows the secret of the route.”

“Good, good,” Dutronc said.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

It was cramped in the boot of the car.

“Sorry,” Peter apologized as another bump in the road pushed him against Maedbh.

“Not your fault,” Maedbh said as she fitted into a sixty-six position with her back against Peter.

The Tramp was waking up, grunting and snorting. He began to howl like a mad animal.

“Please!” Oengus demanded. He was next to the Tramp and the smell was getting to him.

The Tramp thrashed about much to Oengus's discomfort but he was too tightly secured and could not get loose. He tried to kick the boot and following his example so did Maedbh, Peter and Oengus . But there was very limited room to move and the boot lid was too near to leverage properly. They were thrashing about to no avail.

Oengus brought up his knees and braced the Tramp against the side of the boot. It took all his strength to pin the tramp in position. The tramp stopped struggling and became limp again. He continued to breathe heavily and Oengus gagged against the body odors that wafted from the tramp. Clearly the tramp was one of the great unwashed.

“Do you think you could get your fingers into my pants...?” Peter whispered.

“I beg your pardon,” Maedbh interjected, hissing in indignation.

“Please, I have a penknife in my pocket. I always carry a field penknife when I'm out on field work.”

Maedbh fumbled into Peter's pants. Her fingers clasped the penknife. It was a bulky Swiss army type penknife with multi functions and this made it difficult to maneuver out of his pocket in the cramped bouncing boot.

“I dropped it,” Maedbh whispered in frustration.

“Keep looking,” Peter hissed.

“Got it,” Maedbh said after searching about for a while.

“You've got to get your back to me so I can cut the plastic tie.”

“OK,” Peter agreed.

“Oengus, make room,” Maedbh hissed.

Oengus didn't know what was going on but he heard the urgency on Maedbh's tone. Taking a deep breath he squeezed up against the tramp.

Peter and Maedbh twisted and turned until they were in position, back to back tied hands touching.

“I can open the blade if you can hold it still,” Peter had said in the course of their movements.

Peter worked the blade open while Maedbh held the penknife steady. Then Maedbh sawed the plastic tie on Peter's wrists. She could tell from his reactions that she cut him a few times and she hoped she wouldn't cut his wrists.

“Got it,” Peter said as his hands became free. He took the knife and freed Maedbh and then Oengus.

“Cut the tramp free,” Peter said handing the penknife to Oengus.

“Are you nuts?” Oengus said.

“When we get wherever we are going we will need a diversion. The tramp is nuts enough to go at them and maybe we can get away,” Peter reasoned.

“Maedbh can you do a spell?” Oengus asked.

“Forget it,” Maedbh said. “I'd need a clear target line. I don't know how to do it through a car seat.”

“I'm not nuts,” the Tramp growled.

“Who are you?” Peter asked.

“A former colleague of John. He addicted me to the sword. I felt it calling. I need it like an addict needs heroin.”

“Addicted?” Peter asked.

“It's complicated. Just cut me loose.”

“We are not the enemy,” Maedbh said.

“Understood,” the tramp agreed.

Oengus cut the tie and the tramp stretched his long arms.

“They'll open the boot carefully,” the tramp said. “So stay still and look beaten. As they lift us out we make our move.”

“What move?” Oengus asked.

“They intend to kill us,” the tramp said.

This left a silence in the air.

“What?” Peter asked.

“It's complicated,” Maedbh said.

Before she could speak further the limousine came to a sudden halt. Hugo pulled the ford pickup in behind and waited.

The Greyman turned in the front seat and smiled.

“This is the 86
th
street transverse. We need to move our friends in the boot into the park and over to the reservoir which is just here.”

“There's very little traffic at this time,” Leanan said.

“Motor traffic is forbidden through the park on the weekend so we should be good. Hugo will help and two of his gang will take our limo and their pickup away. That way it won't attract attention. But we need to move quickly and decisively with little fuss.”

They climbed out of the limo and gathered at the boot. Hugo and Joey joined them and one of Hugo's men climbed into the driver's seat of the limo.

“All set,” Hugo said.

“As we drove along there was a deal of noise from the boot,” Leanan said.

“But then they went quiet,” Dearg Due added. “Very suspicious.”

“Expect the worst when I pop the boot,” the Greyman said.

Hugo took out his cosh.

“When I pop the lid, Hugo you hit the tramp immediately. I want him out cold, he's trouble,” the Greyman said.

“Gotcha,” Hugo said balancing on his toes ready for action.

“I've got my Smith and Weston revolver,” John said, taking it out of his inside pocket.

“That should induce a reasonableness,” Leanan said in good humor, apparently fully recovered from her encounter with Oengus.

“Are we ready,” the tramp hissed, made nervous by the distance sound of voices outside the boot of the Limo.

They tensed, ready to spring into action once the lid popped.

The Greyman popped the boot and Hugo struck immediately just as the tramp's head came up. The tramp fell back unconscious and Peter's penknife fell to the ground. Joey swooped it up.

The remainder of the passengers in the boot found themselves staring into the barrel of John's Smith and Weston. Maedbh's frozen spell hit Leanan and she froze on the spot.

“Any more of that and I shoot,” John threatened.

He put the gun against Maedbh's head as he spoke.

Joey hauled Oengus and Peter out of the boot and then, by now cowed, Maedbh.

“Joey will carry the tramp,” the Greyman instructed.

Hugo helped Joey get the heavy tramp onto his shoulder.

“I'll take Leanan,” Dearg Due said and effortlessly lifted her onto her shoulder, carrying her like a frozen plank. “Morag or Deirdre will unfreeze her,” she added.

Maedbh shrugged and cast her antidote unfreeze spell.

Leanan cuddled into Dearg Due for warmth but otherwise seemed sleepy.

“Thank you for being sensible,” Dearg Due said with a touch of a smile for Maedbh.

John retrieved the Great Fury from the Limo.

Hugo went and took some electrical equipment from the back of the pickup. He pulled down a trolley and put the gear onto the trolley including some heavy batteries.

“You may have to carry that gear over the break in to the main system but the trolley will do to get down the system,” the Greyman said.

Joey dumped the tramp on top of the trolley and together with Hugo prepared to push the load.

The Greyman gave the ok. The Limo and the Pickup pulled away leaving the group at the edge of the road.

“This way,” the Greyman said and led them into the park and the adjacent reservoir.

The tunnel entrance was heavily overgrown and the gap in the ironwork was not obvious but the Greyman led them through unerringly.

The tramp stirred and Hugo hit him again. They maneuvered the trolley and equipment through the gap and onto the smooth internal walkway and rolled forward.

“He's going to have a terrible headache,” Leanan said with satisfaction. “Can I borrow that cosh and hit Oengus?” she added.

“Not now,” the Greyman said irritably. Ever since his failed romance with Dearg Due he had retained little tolerance for women scorned and their wily ways.

Deeper inside the water system Morag, Deirdre and Dutronc saw the light of the approaching torches as they shone down the disused reservoir tunnel, accompanied by the noise of the trolley and distant footsteps.

“That should be the Greyman and party approaching,” Morag said.

“We better get set up,” Dutronc instructed.

Morag took a position near the entrance from the disused tunnel in case it was other unexpected visitors.

“I'll handle it,” she said as Deirdre came to join her. “Deirdre, you get on with it.”

Deirdre sprang to action, anxious to show what she could do.

She took the backpack from Dutronc and spread out the contents under the light of a torch. She began a low melodic chant, getting in the mood for magic. Humming as she went Deirdre dragged a large old cauldron from an obscure corner where it was concealed under tarpaulin and bricks.

“Hugo is bringing some lighting equipment and batteries,” Morag pointed out.

“Good thinking,” Dutronc said. He found a convenient spot where he could sit and watch.

“Will I use the strong spell first?” Deirdre asked.

“Yes, we want maximum contamination in minimum time,” Morag said, adding, “Then we'll trial this sword device. If it works we'll re-contaminate on a slower timescale but we will be confident that we have the means to reverse quickly when we wish.”

“I have the reversing spell, but it's back at my place,” Deirdre pointed out.

“Just keep it as backup, if the sword is more certain we may as well use it.”

“OK,” Deirdre said. She was proud of the reverse spell she and Morag had developed but she was on Morag's team and a team worker for the present and if Morag wanted sword magic that was all right with her. Her ambition was to do well and persuade Morag to keep her in America and on the team.

With a clatter the second group arrived with the Greyman leading at the front. Behind him came the prisoners herded by John with his gun. Joey picked up the tramp and carried him the last few yards and unceremoniously dumped him on the ground near the water's edge. Behind them Hugo began to bring in the electrical gear, the rubble from the break in to the water system having blocked the easier passage of the trolley. Joey went back and helped him to carry in the cabling wires for the lights. They began to set up, cutting the cabling to size and connecting the batteries to the lights.

John instructed Peter, Maedbh and Oengus to sit at the wall of the tunnel and they gathered together in a huddle.

Then Greyman introduced John to Deirdre and Dutronc and John shook Morag's hand. He remembered the Greyman had had to clear his deal with her.

“You have this sword?” Dutronc asked.

“Yes,” John said. He held the sword aloft in its scabbard for a second and Dutronc gave him a tolerant smile.

“A million dollars and a new identity,” John said.

“I understand that's the deal. But only if the artifact performs as described.”

“Don't worry,” John said, adding, “And I get to keep it when this project is done.”

“Yes, yes, lets' get on with the job,” Dutronc instructed.

Morag gave Deirdre a helping hand. Hugo set the lighting so it was easier to see everything. The lamps reflected off the clear clean water.

Around a fire of wood Deirdre and Morag danced and chanted while the large cauldron bubbled.

Maedbh watched with keen professional interested, delighted to see two mature witches in action.

Dutronc fussed with his cell phone and looked up from time to time. Eventually he gave up on the cell as it could not get a signal in the tunnel system.

Hugo and Joey kept an eye on the prisoners but watched the two witches in action.

“This is nuts,” Joey whispered.

“Maybe they'll get naked,” Hugo whispered back.

“Quiet,” the Greyman hissed.

John watched the tramp who seemed comatose, but he was ready to hit him a crack with the butt of his gun if the tramp caused trouble.

Leanan and Dearg Due enjoyed the show but their glances returned repeatedly to check Oengus and Peter and Maedbh on the floor.

“It's ready,” Morag said.

Dutronc put the cell back into his pocket.

“Impress me,” he said.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Fox news was in full flow. The report on the New York contamination and its after-effects dominated over other national and international news.

However the celebrations faltered.

It was during the award for ‘rat-catcher of the day,' where a certain Carlos was to be given an award for the most rats caught by a single individual in his building, that the newsflash came.

The contaminant had re-emerged stronger than ever. The same sequence had followed as on the previous occasion, the contamination commencing at the downstream water treatment plant. However this time it had spread with lightning speed back up through the water system.

Residents of Manhattan were advised not to drink the water but to go to bottled supplies but they were also permitted to draw from the Reservoir Lake in Central Park as, since it was disconnected from the modern system, it had not become contaminated. But for health and safety reasons it was advised that this water be boiled before consumption.

The cameras of Fox and other news stations gathered in the park and nearby streets alongside the Reservoir where the city authorities were organizing orderly queues with reasonable success.

The claim for favorable treatment by the residents of the buildings surrounding the park were rejected by the Mayor and despite the vocal subsequent demonstration, the rich were forced to queue in the line with the poor, in an orderly manner for their water ration.

The long line watched in curiosity as Jane arrived in a convoy of black vehicles in the company of the Fire Chief, having been hauled out in consequence of the emergency of the recontamination.

“Why here?” the Fire Chief asked.

“Because your fireman John took Peter and me down here. He was convinced that this was the source of the problem,” Jane explained.

“And where are John and Peter now we need them, disappeared, that's where,” the Fire Chief complained.

“Did you call ahead?” Jane asked.

“Yes, yes, we have a number of teams searching for a forced entry point.”

“If John is anywhere he will make for the pool below the reservoir. That's where we solved the problem the last time.”

“If you mention a magic sword,” the Chief threatened.

“John may have said that. I mentioned a sword of un-ascertained metal content which was capable of acting as a counter contaminant.”

“And where is this artifact,” the Chief demanded.

“In the care of your Fireman John. I left my man, Peter to keep an eye on him.”

“Now in places unknown,” the Chief said grimly.

“Just get me down below the reservoir,” Jane said.

In truth she did not know what to do but action was demanded and she would act. And hope John and Peter would turn up with the sword. Having been given the credit for solving the problem she was now on the spot and needed a solution fast.

Below ground Deirdre cackled with delight as the artificially lit pool revealed the purple red color of the contamination.

“We did it,” she cackled and danced a gig. Catching Dutronc's frown she toned it down to a light jig.

“Your turn John,” Dutronc said indicating to the water.

John drew the Great Fury from its scabbard and it pulsated in the glow of the artificial lighting. The batteries Hugo had brought were beginning to go down and the lamps had a yellowish glow.

As the sword came out its scabbard the tramp shuddered and came to life. Hugo made to cosh him again but in a show of great strength the tramp brushed him aside and charged at John.

John his attention focused on Dutronc, almost missed him coming but he sidestepped in time and the tramp went sliding along the walkway an into the cauldron where it lay on its side dripping the remains of its contents into the water system.

The tramp picked up the cauldron and threw it at John. It struck him and knocked the sword out of his hand.

The sword skidded across the concrete and came to rest at Oengus's feet.

Oengus grabbed the sword and stood at the ready, wondering if this was their opportunity to make an escape.

“You have my darling sword,” the tramp shouted while running at Oengus at great speed.

There were three shots as John fired his Smith and Weston, taking down the tramp with two shots to his back and one to his leg. The Tramp's charge was stopped but he continued to crawl towards Oengus.

“Now darling nephew,” John said with a heavy Kerry accent, “do bring here the darling sword before I shoot you dead.”

Oengus liked the feel and balance of the sword. It seemed to fit his hand like a glove. But despite the lilt in tone he sensed the serious intent in his Uncle John's voice.

He looked at Maedbh and Peter.

From nowhere a cat called Venus launched herself into attack, landing in John's face and toppling him into the water. Fastidious though they are and although they avoid water, cats can swim, and in a panic at the outcome of her attack Venus let go of John and scrambled for the side. But the sides were too steep and her claws scrabbled at the edge. John surfaced and in annoyance at the sting of the contaminated water and the unexpected attack he swung the now wet gun to crack Venus on the head and finish her.

But a Kerry fisherman who seemingly appeared from nowhere scooped her out of harms way. John fired his remaining shots at the apparition but unsteady in the water, and although the gun fired, his shots hit the walls of the tunnel and the noise reverberated through the system.

“Morag!” Dutronc shouted in alarm, “get on top of the situation now!”

Astride Puca the horse Venus made her escape upstream on the tunnel pathway.

The diversion sufficed for Maedbh and she sprang to her feet throwing her freeze spell. One caught Leanan who fell over like a plank. The second took Joey out, freezing him to the tunnel wall. He knew he was frozen and he knew he was alive and stare eyed he watched the proceedings.

Peter ran to help John out of the water.

John just stopped himself pulling the trigger. Gratefully he let Peter haul him on to the walkway.

“This has got to stop, where's the sword John. We need to put it in the water,” Peter demanded. John knocked him out with a straight uppercut and Peter fell into the water. With a shriek of alarm, Maedbh dived across and leaned over to the edge of the walkway reaching out to try save him.

“It burns,” he said, as she grabbed his hand and pulled.

“You'll have to strip,” she said as she hauled him out of the water.

“The sword!” John demanded again, pointing his gun at Oengus.

With a gesture of annoyance Morag cast an immobilization spell at Maedbh, catching both Maedbh and Peter full on as Peter struggled out of his clothes.

“Turn the tramp into a frog, he's still breathing?” Deirdre suggested.

“Good idea,” Morag said.

But Oengus was on his way to John with the sword and was in the direct line of fire.

As Oengus stepped past the tramp he was grabbed by the ankle.

“Bullets won't stop me,” the tramp said, albeit weakly.

He twisted on Oengus's knee to bring him down and Oengus stumbled. The tramp grabbed the sword by the blade and it turned a deep crimson.

To his horror as Oengus fell the sword went through the chest of the tramp. There was a flash of red light and then the sword lost its pulsating color.

John shook his head. “Oengus for your information you just killed your father,” he said.

In shock, Oengus let go the sword.

“Takes a God to kill a God,” John said pulling the sword out of the tramp.

He plunged the sword into the water to clean it and the contaminant disappeared in a pulse of energy. The pulse of energy touched everything wet in the tunnel including those who had been in the contaminated water.

“Well done,” Dutronc said. “It appears to work.”

“We need to proceed with reasonable haste,” Dutronc added. “But I think we will just sit tight for long enough to be sure the contamination of the water is gone. Then we should recommence, contaminate the system and get out of here. We can then manage going forward once we have tidied up.” As he spoke Dutronc took an automatic pistol out of his shoulder holster and checked that the safety was off.

Up above in the park the Chief took a call on his cell.

“The contaminant has gone again,” he said.

“Just get me down there, it looks like John and Peter are the hero's of the day,” Jane said, feeling relieved and thinking ‘John must have plunged the Great Fury into the water again.'

Fox news led the charge as the news came through. Jane left the Chief to deal with them.

“We've broken through,” a fireman said.

“How?”

“We followed the drawings. But it looks like someone else made a gap before us,” he said.

“Take me there,” Jane said.

“Excellent result,” Dutronc said, adding, “`now we can contaminate and de-contaminate at will.”

“If I get my deal,” John said with a smile.

Dutronc shot him in the forehead, pleased that his eye was in and he was still a good shot. He'd figured a headshot would result in the sword dropping onto the walkway and he was correct. He walked over and picked it up. “I'll look after this,” he said.

“Put it back in the scabbard,” Morag suggested.

Dutronc picked up the scabbard and sheathed the sword.

“Carry on Morag,” he said, “I've seen enough.”

Hugo shook himself. He was in shock at the apparent casual end of John's life.

“Joey,” he said, indicating to his frozen friend.

Morag undid the spell with a gesture and Joey hit the ground shivering but otherwise ok. Hugo helped him to his feet.

“We're out of here,” he said.

“Sorry,” Dutronc said and shot them both.

I'll leave my pistol,” Dutronc said, putting it on the ground. But only after he'd wiped off his fingerprints, adding, “It may be useful.”

“And then there were eight,” Morag said as Dutronc disappeared upstream towards the normal exit, guiding his way by torch, holding the Great Fury under his arm.

“Where's he going?” Deirdre asked.

“His limo is prearranged for the upstream exit,” Morag explained.

“I think me and Dearg Due and Leanan should go also,” the Greyman suggested. “You don't need us now.”

Dearg Due pushed John's body into the water.

“They'll all end up in the Water Treatment Plant,” she said with satisfaction as John's body was taken by the current.

She retrieved Hugo's handgun and Joey's knife and pushed their bodies into the water.

“Just hang about until we reset the contaminant,” Morag instructed. She threw John's gun to the Greyman who caught it and put it into his voluminous cloak. She carefully picked up Dutronc's gun by the barrel and threw it to Deirdre who caught it and put it into her dress pocket.

“What about Maedbh and Peter?” Dearg Due asked.

“Oh yes, should I push them in?” the Greyman suggested.

“No, we have to be sure to kill them,” Morag said firmly. “We don't want any witnesses running around.”

“We should keep the witch, she has a sound heart,” Deirdre reminded her.

“Can I have the boy, he looks tasty,” Dearg Due asked.

“Leanan has first go at Oengus,” the Greyman added.

“Oh, Leanan?” Morag said.

She'd forgotten Leanan. She undid the frozen spell and with a groan Leanan got to her feet.

The Greyman and Dearg Due grabbed Oengus and pushed him in the direction of Maedbh and Peter.

Deirdre cackled and began her spell to recontaminate the water. But she stopped when they heard noise.

They knew someone was coming when a flashlight came through from the disused Reservoir tunnel.

“Tie them,” Morag said, indicating to Peter and Maedbh and to Oengus.

“Deirdre get on with it,” she added.

The Greyman used some of the electrical cable and secured the three of them together.

Then they waited to see who was coming down the tunnel.

Jane and two firemen arrived with a clatter of shoes and heels.

They were amazed to find the area fully illuminated by artificial light. Then they took in Deirdre dancing around a cauldron that she had replaced over her fire. She was adding ingredients from her pile on the floor with obvious industry and enthusiasm.

The Greyman watched as Leanan moved on one of the firemen. Her smile was pretty and attractive and she embraced and kissed him like a long lost friend. When she stood back he looked like a shipwreck as all the negatives of his life came to the fore. In despair he threw himself into the churning water.

Dearg Due's embrace was of different kind. Jane watched in horror, too terrified to scream, as Dearg Due slurped the blood from the other fireman's body and threw the remains into the water. Jane fainted before the Greyman could take her in his embrace.

“Put her with the others,” Morag said impatiently.

The Greyman dragged Jane over to the others and secured Jane in place.

“Can I keep them as food stocks for special occasions?” Dearg Due asked, referring to Peter and Jane.

“I think we have to kill them soon,” Morag said with a smile.

“Maybe wait a few minutes until I get my appetite back,” Dearg Due requested.

“Yes and I have a vengeance to pick with that Oengus,” Leanan said.

“Priority one, we do the spell,” Morag insisted, getting into position alongside Deirdre.

As she spoke a gunshot reverberated through the tunnel seemingly coming from upstream in the direction in which Dutronc has disappeared. In addition from a different direction, there was a noise and light flashes as it appeared more people were coming down the tunnel track by which Jane had arrived.

“Greyman,” she said, “your job is to make sure no-one else comes down that tunnel.”

“Dearg Due, you go upstream and investigate who fired that shot.”