The Atlantis Stone (18 page)

CHAPTER 44

Valentina called General Vysotsky and told him what had happened.

"We sent an ROV down. There's nothing left. The pyramid and everything else is gone."

"Der'mo."

"The Americans have sailed."

"We're tracking them," Vysotsky said. "They're heading back to Cairo. The pictures you sent of the writing in that pyramid are being translated as we speak."

"My sister has done that by now. Harker's people will act on whatever they discovered. The
Tolstoy
is still out of commission. I need to get back to the mainland."

"I agree. A helicopter will retrieve you and Major Rostov. It should arrive within the hour."

"Can't we leave her here?"

"Much as I would like to, it isn't an option. Orlov is watching. He's playing me against Volkov. He also has his eye on you, to see how you handle the situation. You're stuck with Rostov for now."

"What are my orders? "

"This mission has been a fiasco for Rostov. The only thing she has to show for the deaths of her men are those pictures. If they provide new information to lead to the archive, the two of you will pursue it. In that case her best chance to redeem herself with Volkov is to sabotage us. You will be there to stop her."

"I understand."

"You will arrive in Egypt before the Americans. Follow them. Do not allow yourself to be seen. If Rostov interferes, eliminate her. If you do, make sure it looks like an accident. You understand?"

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, sir."

"That's better. Keep me informed."

Valentina put her phone away as Rostov approached.

"I have just spoken with General Volkov," Rostov said. "It seems we must continue working together."

"A helicopter is coming for us."

"So he told me."

"We'll be waiting for the Americans when they arrive," Valentina said. "What they do next will determine our own actions."

"A sensible plan."

"I'm glad you agree. For now we will observe."

"And if they have found the archive?"

"Then they will go there and we will follow them," Valentina said.

"And then?"

"What do you think we should do, Rostov?"

"Once we're certain they are in the right place, we should intervene."

"Intervene?"

"We can't let them send anything back."

"How do you propose to stop them?"

"If necessary, we kill them."

"You'd like that, wouldn't you? Has it occurred to you that there will be retaliation if we kill them?"

"There's nothing the Americans can do. There may be a few incidents with our operatives outside the country. Of course that has more significance for your department than for mine. Aside from that, nobody's going to start a war because of a few dead spies."

Rostov smiled at her.

"I can see you don't like the idea. Is it because your sister is among them? I'm sure Moscow would be interested to see you put loyalty to an American spy above patriotism."

"Do not question my loyalty, Rostov. If I were you, I'd be more concerned about losing everyone under your command. It shows bad judgment. But that's nothing new for you."

"You think Vysotsky can protect you," Rostov said. "You could be right. But what if you aren't? You have much to learn, Antipov."

We'll see who has much to learn,
Valentina thought.

In the distance she heard the
throp throp throp
of a helicopter approaching.

CHAPTER 45

General Basu Karimi's enormous gut was only the outward sign of his large appetites. Food was the least of his addictions. Karimi was fond of thin women, morphine and expensive liquor, though the last two were frowned upon by his religion. His face was broad, pocked with acne scars, his lips swollen and purplish from the digestive problems that arose from his gluttony. Thick black hair was slicked back on his moon-shaped head. His hands were almost dainty for such a coarse man, the nails manicured and covered with clear polish.

General Karimi was chief of the Egyptian secret police, the most feared and hated man in Egypt, a man whose name was used to frighten disobedient children. His uniforms were tailored to fit his huge girth and adorned with rows of medals. He looked like an Egyptian version of Hermann Goering. Like Goering, Karimi was a shrewd and dangerous man.

In the great political game playing out in the Middle East between America and Russia, Karimi was an important player. He'd grown rich accepting what he called "charitable donations" to secure his influence. Washington and Moscow both thought he was on their side and useful, if corrupt. The only side Karimi was on was his own.

When his aide told him Elizabeth Harker was on the phone, he felt a glow of satisfaction. His bank account was about to grow fatter. Whatever she wanted, it would not come cheaply. That she wanted something, he was sure. Why else would she call?

"Director Harker. It has been too long since I had the pleasure of hearing your voice."

In Virginia, Elizabeth put the Egyptian general on the speaker so Stephanie could listen. Karimi's voice oozed false charm. Stephanie pointed a finger at her mouth and made a gagging gesture. Elizabeth almost broke out laughing but stopped herself in time.

"General. Thank you for taking my call. I trust you are well?"

"My health is good, Allah be praised. Director, you have been very naughty. Your operatives created many problems for me in Marsá Matruh. It was very bad for business. I am unhappy."

"I am desolated by your unhappiness, General. Please accept my apologies. I'm sure some compensation can be arranged for your inconvenience. Perhaps a donation to one of your charities would help soothe your discomfort?"

"Your generosity is not unappreciated, Director."

"A contribution will be made in the regular way," Elizabeth said.

"Excellent," Karimi said.

"I'm glad to clear up any misunderstanding about what happened before. However, that's not why I'm calling. We have information ISIS is planning an attack near Cairo. I felt that because of your official role you should be aware it."

ISIS was a sore point for General Karimi. They were a spreading cancer, creating problems throughout the country. Karimi was under pressure to expose their followers and arrest them.

"Those lunatics are always planning trouble. We have handled them successfully in the past. How accurate is this information?"

"Of the highest accuracy. The attack will come soon. We believe it is aimed at your president. It's to our mutual advantage to prevent them from succeeding. I would like to assist you."

Now we're getting to it,
Karimi thought.

"What kind of assistance?"

"I would like to send in my team. After the unfortunate events at the hotel, I need your cooperation for them to enter your country. They will not get in your way. Whatever they discover will immediately be made available to you."

"What do you think they can find out that my agents cannot?"

"ISIS has ties into the Western community in Egypt. My people have a much better chance of rooting out those connections than you do."

"I would say that depends on the situation." Karimi's voice was hard.

Elizabeth was well aware of Karimi's interrogation methods.

"We believe ISIS is ready to put their plan into action. There isn't much time for, uh, traditional techniques to be effective. My people are very good at what they do. You have nothing to lose and you will have the assistance of my government helping you without any appearance of dependence on the West. Needless to say, a large contribution to your favorite charity would be appropriate."

It was what Karimi needed to hear.

"I'm sure something can be arranged."

"In that case, I'll arrange the transfer of funds immediately. My team will arrive tomorrow. It's a pleasure to do business with you, General."

"I am always happy to help, Director."

After the call, Karimi leaned back in his chair and considered his options. He didn't believe for a minute that Harker wanted to assist him in thwarting a possible terrorist attack. She had some other goal in mind. The Americans were usually quite obvious in their manipulations but Harker was a different sort. Of course she was a woman, and all women were devious in their thinking.

Whatever she was after was certain to interest the Russians. Karimi had no reservations about playing one side against the other. He took out a small, black notebook and turned pages until he came to the entry he was looking for, a man who could be counted on to make a sizable donation in return for useful information.

He picked up his secured phone and called General Volkov in Moscow.

CHAPTER 46

There were no problems entering Egypt. They booked into a hotel on the edge of the Giza complex. The Great Pyramid of Khufu filled the view outside the windows of Nick and Selena's room. The lesser pyramids of Khafre and Menakaure were visible as well.

Lamont and Ronnie came in. Lamont went over to the window.

"That must've been pretty impressive when it was new," he said.

"Still is," Ronnie said.

Selena pointed at the peak. "You can still see some of the white limestone they used to cover it when it was new. The facing was stripped off and used for buildings in Cairo."

"Let's figure out what we're going to do," Nick said.

Selena opened up her laptop. "I talked with Stephanie on the way here. She sent me plans of the pyramid and an article about that sealed entrance. You see the long descending passage? What we're after is about halfway between ground level and the pit, on the left as you're going down. That's in the direction of the Sphinx."

"I thought the Sphinx was in front of the Great Pyramid," Ronnie said. 

"No. It's at the end of a buried causeway that leads from the pyramid of Khafre. That's the next one over."

"I've never seen the pyramids except in pictures," Lamont said.

"You'll get a good look at them this afternoon," Nick said. "We'll hire a guide and do an initial recon."

"We have time for lunch before that?" Lamont said.

CHAPTER 47

Karimi's aide came to the open door of his office.

"General, the Russian woman is here."

"Send her in."

Karimi belched and thought about his growing bank account. The call to General Volkov had been most productive.

The aide escorted the woman into Karimi's office and left, closing the door. His eyes wandered over her body. She was tall and thin, the kind of look that appealed to him. Her black hair was cropped short over cold, black eyes. He could see no jewelry. She was attractive in a harsh way, all angles and planes. He wondered if the rest of her was as hard as her face.

"General. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice. I am Major Katerina Rostov."

"General Volkov told me about you, Major. Please, sit down. I can give you ten minutes."

Katerina smiled at him.

"General Volkov speaks of you with admiration," Rostov said.

Bullshit,
Karimi thought.

He smiled back at her. "That is most gratifying. I am a great admirer of the Russian security services."

"I will come directly to the point, General. Director Volkov says you are aware that American spies have entered your country. I've been instructed to seek your cooperation."

"Go on."

"These
svolochi
are in possession of information of vital importance to our country. With your permission, we will observe them and try to recover it."

"What information are we speaking of?"

"I don't know. I am told it is highly classified and critical to our national security."

Karimi
heard the words roll off Katerina Rostov's tongue as if she were discussing the time of day.

Only a fool would believe that.
He pretended to consider what she had said.

"I am willing to give permission on the condition that you do not interfere with them at this time. I, too, wish to observe. I want to know why they are here. Once I know that, I will arrest them and allow you to interrogate them."

"General..."

Karimi let a hard edge creep into his voice. "That is my decision."

"Of course." Rostov stood. "Your help is appreciated. We will observe only."

"If you find anything, inform me immediately. For our mutual benefit."

A threat,
Katerina thought.
What a pig, look at him. Why are men like him always the same? He has to make sure I know who's boss.

"As you wish."

"My aide will show you out."

He pressed a button on his desk. The door opened and the aide waited.

Karimi hoisted his bulk out of his chair, a small concession.

"Thank you for coming to me. I am always ready to assist the Federation."

The woman nodded and followed the aide out. Karimi watched them go. Everyone wanted to take advantage of the turmoil of modern Egypt. Spies and plots had been part of Egypt's history since the days of the pharaohs. These foreign newcomers would soon learn they were amateurs when it came to the art of conspiracy.