Tomb of the Lost (90 page)

“
I see you
’
re interested in my little book. Well there
’
s no harm in you knowing. My grandfather kept this diary as a record of everything he ever did or found out about the sarcophagus, possible locations, events, legends, etc. He spent his whole life looking and he made notes of it all, even the most minute detail. He took it everywhere and yet ironically on this, which was to be his final journey, he left it behind. I keep it for sentimental reasons. For you see my dear fellow,
”
he said to Dennis,
”
You found the sarcophagus for me. All of you.
”

Dennis
’
reply was drowned out by the Lynx helicopter returning. It flew in low and landed on the heli-pad of the
’
Volante
’
. Danilov glaring out of the windscreen at Dennis. Dennis swallowed hard, his future prospects didn
’
t look good. He was quite sure that Danilov would happily kill them all single handed. The helicopter engine was switched off and the rotors began to slow. Danilov climbed out carrying a large aluminium briefcase. He never once took his eyes off Dennis as he strode over. He looked Natalie up and down approvingly as he passed.

Von Werner was checking carved inscriptions with the pages of his notebook. He ran his hand over the cartouche while thumbing through pages searching. Nothing as yet matched. Nothing, recognisable.

’
This has to be it. My grandfather wouldn
’
t, couldn
’
t, be wrong
’

Danilov stopped a few feet away. Von Werner took a few steps back.

“
This is it,
”
he said,
“
Prepare it to be lifted,
”
he ordered the team leader.

“
Yes Sir.
”

Three of his men jumped into action.

“
So that
’
s it is it?
”
Hutchinson said,
“
You
’
re no more than a petty thief.
”

“
On the contrary,
”
Von Werner said, not in the least insulted,
“
I
’
m about to make you an offer you can
’
t refuse. Danilov!
”

The huge Russian came forward and put the briefcase on a crate. He entered the combinations and the locks clicked open. He opened the case and moved away. Von Werner invited Hutchinson to the case. Inside there was a red digital display and a computer keyboard.

“
I would like to offer you $5 million U.S. dollars for the sarcophagus or 3 million euros. Whichever you prefer. All you have to do is enter your bank address and account number and it is yours.
”

Hutchinson stared at the display screen showing a row of zeros .

“
As you can see,
”
Von Werner continued,
“
I am no thief.
”

Natalie and the dive team watched with bated breath. What would their boss do. Five million dollars was what the institute made in about ten years. Von Werner moved aside to give Hutchinson some room. The American reached forward with his index finger poised near the keypad. He closed the finger, his hand now a loose fist. He turned his head in Von Werner
’
s direction. His eyes settled on the Nazi party badge, his gaze taking in the swastika. Hutchinson
’
s grandparents had been Jewish. Immigrants who
’
d arrived in the United states at the beginning of the twentieth century. He tore his eyes away from the hated symbol, once a sign of friendship used by the Romans, now the remnant of what was once evil in war torn Europe six decades ago, and looked up at Von Werner. The count stared back behind his small round spectacles, his eyebrows raised in surprise. Hutchinson not taking his eyes off the German took four steps back until he was alongside Dennis and Natalie. George stared at his boss open mouthed.

‘
Has he gone mad? He should take the money offered, for our pay day. Now they will take the sarcophagus and the money and we
’
ll have nothing.
”

George suddenly wished he had the power to negotiate, but he didn
’
t have the tongue for it.

Peter Dennis was also surprised.

’
Five million dollars for something we know is only worth a few hundred. Whatever his reasons they must be good
’

“
Danilov!
”

The huge Russian came forward.

“
Put it back in the helicopter.
”

Danilov closed the steel case and reset the combination locks. He carried it over to the Lynx and placed it behind the co-pilots seat. On his return he was carrying a Heckler and Koch G36. He reached into his black combat trouser thigh pocket and took out a suppressor and calmly fitted it to the gun. Dennis guessed this action was the start of general killing.

The
‘
Volante
’
crew now watched as Danilov and two others set about dismantling the outboard motors on the dinghy. They pushed the engines over the side where they slipped into the deep. Next Danilov stood back and fired a burst into each of the ship
’
s life rafts puncturing them. Ali and his crew stood by helpless. The team leader returned.

“
Everything is done Herr Count.
”

“
Thank you.
”

Von Werner faced Hutchinson.

“
You may regret not taking my money. It was a genuine offer. Now I will take the artefact for free. You may begin loading the helicopter. Take the sarcophagus first and then these crates,
”
he instructed the team leader.

“
Yes Herr count. Do you want me to open them first to see if they
’
re of value?
”

“
No there is no time. Just take them. We can get rid of them later if they
’
re of no use.
”

Von Werner extended his hand to Natalie.

“
It
’
s time for us to leave my dear. If you
’
d be good enough to join us.
”

Dennis got in front of her and held her behind him.

“
What?
”
she asked.

“
My dear Fraulein we can hardly sail away with our prized possession without an insurance policy. I need to take one of you with us. I mean after all I can
’
t leave you all here to contact the authorities. So you will be my insurance.
”

“
Don
’
t move Nat,
”
Dennis said.

“
You
’
ve got what you came for,
”
Hutchinson shouted across the deck.

“
Indeed I have. Your ship
’
s communications and guidance controls have been neutralised by a virus we
’
ve installed. You will be unable to pursue us. Your ship
’
s position is currently being given as ten miles from here. Even your mobile phones won
’
t work.
”

Hutchinson reached into his pocket.

“
Please feel free to try.
”

There was no signal obtained. On anyone
’
s.

“
You will be quite alone out here once we
’
ve left. Now please miss Feltham. I
’
m a busy man!
”

“
Stay where you are Natalie. Nobody is going with you,
”
Hutchinson said to Von Werner as he moved in front of her and alongside Dennis.

“
Danilov!
”

The Russian pointed the Heckler and Koch as he advanced on them.

“
Take me!
”
Dennis blurted out.

He stood directly in front of Danilov who now shouldered the sub machine gun. He grabbed Dennis in both hands and was about to throw him bodily out of the way.

“
Danilov wait,
”
Von Werner called.

The big Russian let Dennis go. Von Werner came closer.

“
What did you say Mr Dennis?
”

“
I said take me instead.
”

“
May I remind you that I am a professional doing my job. I assure you Miss Feltham will not be harmed. I could not hurt such beauty
…
.
”

He tried to touch her face but she pulled her head away.

“…
.Miss Feltham will be put down, blindfolded, but quite unharmed at a neutral port. She will be quite safe. I give you my word.
”

“
If you
’
re a gentleman as you say you are then take me as a hostage. You don
’
t need the girl.
”

“
Now there
’
s a thought. How very gallant of you. How very English.
”

Danilov was bored with all these mind games.

’
Why can
’
t we just kill them all now?
’
he was thinking.

“
Very well Mr Dennis,
”
Von Werner said,
“
I shall use you as a hostage.
”

He looked at Danilov.

“
Take them both.
”

“
Wait a minute. That wasn
’
t part of the agreement.
”

Von Werner reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a small Beretta pistol and levelled it at waist height.

“
Who said we had an agreement? Now move!
”

Dennis knew he had no choice.

“
It
’
ll be all right,
”
he said to Natalie, cradling her face in his hands. He turned and led her towards the steps and down to the small boats waiting. Danilov right behind. Von Werner raised a hand and said in a cheery voice.

“
Thank you gentlemen for your hospitality. I bid you good day.
”

“
I swear to you if anything happens to them.
”
Hutchinson shouted after him but Von Werner was now too far away to hear it.

Once in the boat and away Dennis looked back at the
‘
Volante
’
, apparently now adrift, stricken, the crew still safely on board. He tore his eyes away and looked at Danilov. The big man just stared back coldly. Dennis stared at him for thirty seconds or so and finally tutted, rolled his eyes and focused back on the
‘
Volante
’
.

‘
There must be something they can do,
’
he was thinking.

The three little boats were zipping across the water towards the
‘
Wavecrest
’
flat out. Natalie rubbed the goose pimples on her arms. The wind was making her cold. Her nipples had become hard and were pressing through her vest. This had not gone unnoticed by Danilov who was looking at them, his mouth open. She caught him looking and tried to cover herself with her arms. Dennis, sitting directly behind her, leaned forward and spoke into her ear.

“
Are you cold?
”

She half turned and nodded. He reached around her, held her close and rubbed her skin to help. This stirred Danilov even more. His tongue flicked out over his lips. Natalie saw it and fought the urge to vomit.

Dennis was now studying the
’
Wavecrest.
’
As their boat got near he could see it was much bigger than the
’
Volante.
’
The two domes, one at the bow and the other at the stern, he could now see were machine guns. Once on deck he could see more crew members.

“
How many crew does your ship carry?
”
Dennis asked.

Von Werner only replied with a smug grin. Dennis guessed it had to be at least forty. He also noted that he couldn
’
t see any of them carrying arms.

’
That
’
s good,
’
he thought,
“
But there are fifteen that are.
”

“
What?
”
Natalie asked. He hadn
’
t realised he
’
d said the latter out loud.