Viktoriya smiled at Alexi, sitting next to her on the sofa. ‘We want to go to America, Robert. We want to see New York, Washington DC, San Francisco, Hollywood, Vegas…’
Rob laughed, ‘Okay! I get the message, … but what about your families, have you considered that?’ Rob asked.
Alexi shook his head. ‘Neither of us has any family any more; there’s nothing to keep us here.’
‘No brothers or sisters to worry about?’
‘No,’ Viktoriya confirmed.
‘You realize that life in America is very different to life here in Russia. In America, money is everything.’
‘Will there be problems?’ Alexi asked.
‘More like challenges. Firstly you’ll need to learn English, then you’ll need to think about where you want to live in America, after all it’s a big place. And then you’ll need to think about your futures; you’re still young and maybe you’ll want to continue your studies or possibly set up in business somewhere. Quite frankly the world is now your oyster and I hope you enjoy every moment. There’s a government organization that will help you to integrate into the American way of life with your new identities.’
Rob knew that too much money too soon was a recipe for disaster. They would need managing, like all young people with a lot money. Rob also knew there were plenty of very clever people out there who’d love to get their hands on the couples fortune.
‘It all seems too good to be true,’ Viktoriya said.
Alexi chuckled, ‘and all because I found a strange book that nobody can understand.’
‘This book, Robert, what is it all about?’ Viktoriya asked.
Robert was looking out of the window at the Kremlin, expecting the question. He turned to face Viktoriya. ‘The book is very important. It’s one of nine in total and until Alexi found it, it had been lost for a very long time. The nine books are a source of great knowledge, so powerful that they have to be protected.’
‘But nobody can understand them?’ Alexi said.
Rob explained, ‘That’s because they don’t know how to use the books. The books are not meant to be read like you’d read a normal book.’
‘Then what are they for?’ Viktoriya asked,
‘That, I’m afraid, I can’t tell you.’
(See details of how to use the books in appendix 1)
Alexi turned to face Viktoriya, ‘Well, I’m just glad I found it… Almost as much as finding you, he said, and kissed her.’
Rob smiled but slowly his expression turned to a concerned frown.
‘…Are you sure you want to do this, Alexi?’
Alexi looked surprised. ‘Yes, of course we do.’
‘I’m referring to the phone call you intend to make.’
Alexi’s jaw dropped. ‘Oh my God! How do you know about that?’
Chapter 41
Two months before at Camp David, Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland, some sixty-miles north of Washington DC and the country retreat of the President of the United States.
‘This is about as private as my life gets, Robert,’ the President said, enjoying the vista of leafy trees. ‘And what I’m about to tell you is for your ears only — Is that clear?’
‘Very clear, Mr. President.’
Robert McPherson, Vicki and Daniel had been invited to Camp David for the weekend. Ostensibly the visit was in gratitude for the bravery Robert had shown in landing the Pakistani President’s jet on the sea and averting a potential catastrophe on the eastern seaboard; for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
The President turned to look at Robert. ‘You’ve already seen things that most people would find difficult to believe.’
Robert smiled at the comment, not sure where the conversation was leading.
‘You’ve shown great courage, Robert, and most of all you’ve demonstrated the one great strength we’re looking for — discretion.’
Robert frowned.
‘Things will soon become clear, I promise you,’ the President added as he removed his glasses and wiped the lenses with a white handkerchief. ‘Walk with me and I’ll tell you more.’
It was not until the both men had entered a wooded area, thick with trees that the President continued talking. ‘The trees keep breaking up the signal and they can’t follow the conversation. It drives my agents mad.’
Robert looked around in surprise.
‘Oh yes, even here at Camp David we’re being monitored’… The President stopped, closed his eyes and breathed in… ‘Tell me, Robert, have you ever heard of an organization known as The Nine Men?’
‘I’m afraid not, sir,’ Robert replied, as they continued walking side-by-side in the pine scented air of the woodland.
The President took another deep, nasal breath and filled his lungs… ‘We are an organization with a long history. Our purpose is to protect the human race from self destruction and to do this we have a little help from our friends. Friends you’ve had the privilege to meet; the owners of the crystal.’
‘The aliens?’
‘Our guardians, as we refer to them…’
‘The Angels of Destiny.’ Robert added, profoundly.
The President grinned and continued. ‘Yes, I like that, Robert…The Angels of Destiny. You see, the Nine Men are charged with looking after nine very special books. Each book contains a blue-print of coded information about us, the human race, and the complex, diverse world we live in; but like all information if it fell into the wrong hands it would be devastating for mankind. Generations of the Nine Men have guarded the books and used them wisely, but only when necessary and guided by our guardians.’
‘What kind of information are you talking about, sir?’ Robert asked, incredulously.
The President continued walking amongst the trees followed closely by an intrigued Robert. ‘These little beauties drive my agents fucking mad!’ he said, patting a tree as if it was an old friend…‘I’m talking about nuclear fusion, quantum mechanics, space travel, thought communications and a whole host of things not even you have heard of. Things that mankind would not be able to comprehend — yet.’
‘Forgive me ,sir, but why are you telling me these things?’
The President walked in silence for a short while, hands clasped behind his back like a thoughtful professor. ‘… A very important position has recently become vacant, Robert, and we want you to take it… To become one of us…One of the Nine Men.’
Robert looked stunned.
The President’s expression hardened. ‘…One of the books is misplaced and we need you to get it back.’
‘…And just how do I do that, sir?’
‘Very soon a manuscript will be found in India, and that discovery will trigger the start of your mission to Russia.’
‘Russia?’
‘Yes, Moscow to be precise. — Let's keep walking — I have a lot to tell you about the Nine Men; but only if you accept the role. You must understand that we don't advertise or interview for this position. You are chosen and in fact you have been groomed for this role for some time now; without being aware of it. Very few people have ever been entrusted with a crystal. Nine, at anyone time, to be precise. Nine crystals and nine books.’
‘You say that I’ve been chosen?’
‘Yes — by the owners of the crystals. You’ve already met two of them.’
‘I have?’ Robert asked, frowning.
‘The two aliens below the Pentagon! They’ve been here since the 1960s and, obviously, they aren’t dead!’
‘Where are they from?’ Robert asked.
‘Somewhere very far away.’
‘So time travel is possible!’ Robert said, in awe.
‘No… not time travel, Robert, that’s very inefficient.’
‘Then what, Mr President?’
‘…Imagine a long roll of paper, say, just for example, thirty-feet-long. At each end of the roll of paper there is a black circle, and the circles represent their world and our world, two worlds, divided by thirty feet. A
re you with me?’
Robert nodded enthusiastically, ‘I’m all ears.’
‘Now imagine that roll of paper was Space-Time and the thirty-feet was actually thirty-million light years! As you know, Space-Time is bent and distorted by mass. Imagine being able to roll that piece of paper up into a tube so that the black dots actually lined up with each other. Then, they would be apart by the thickness of a few sheets of paper, and not thirty feet! Those sheets of paper represent different dimensions. Cross those dimensions and you can travel from one world to another in less than a second! Who needs time travel, Robert?’
‘But how do roll up the paper?’ Robert asked, incredulously.
The President smiled, ‘Simple… you use Black Holes!’
Astounded, Robert shook his head, struggling with the President’s words.
‘Over the years, Robert, there have been many guardians of the books, some famous, some recluses. The books seem out of place, don't you agree? Ancient manuscripts and futurist crystals in a symbiotic relationship!’
Robert nodded, ‘It does seem odd.’
The President continued:
‘The books and the crystals are symbolic, they represent frailty and strength; but the thing is they need each other. If we destroy our world the books will be destroyed with us; and never again will the beauty and diversity of life on this Earth be allowed. We will not get a second chance.’
Chapter 42
The Holy Danilov Monastery
‘I agree — until he is found there is obvious cause for concern,’ said Bishop Remizov, as he poured out freshly brewed tea into two mugs.
Bishop Yakunin rubbed his temples, trying to relieve the stress before excepting the steaming mug from Remizov. ‘If he talks we are finished, both of us; you know that don’t you?’
Remizov took a deep breath. ‘If he talks, Brother; we are assuming the worst here. And talking in prison isn’t going to get him very far, is it? Who’s going to believe a common thief?’
Yakunin blew on his tea before taking a small sip. ‘What exactly did you say to the FSB?’
‘I told them that a number of precious artifacts had gone missing along with Gorinyenko. I stressed that their intrinsic value was enormous, let alone their historical significance to the church. Commander Tsvetaeva from the FSB promised me he’d hunt them down. The latest word is that they believe Gorinyenko headed for Odessa, to sell the stuff on the black market.’
‘And what if they find them?’ asked Yakunin. ‘They clearly won’t have the artifacts will they? As they never had them in the first place.’
‘The FSB will think they’ve already sold them.’
Yakunin, rolled his head and rubbed the back of his neck.
‘I’m not sure if you’re ready for this,’ Remizov said.
‘Ready for what?’
‘Gorinyenko has taken copies of the accounts.’
‘Which accounts?’
‘Our private accounts.’
‘Oh my God; we are finished!’ Yakunin cried out. ‘How do you know this?’
‘The bastard left us a note in the file.’
Chapter 43
Commander Tsvetaeva had arrived back from his trip to Odessa angry. Angry that it had been a complete waste of time. He now realized that that bitch, Olga, had lied to him and he was angry because he realized the Bishop had lied to him, too. ‘Nobody makes a fool out of me,’ he said. ‘They’ll regret this for the rest of their miserable lives.’
The commander flopped into his chair and lit a cigarette. He inhaled the smoke deep into his lungs and considered his next move.
Within the hour he’d put the word out on the streets of Moscow that he was looking for Alexi and Viktoriya and that he was prepared to pay a handsome cash reward for anyone coming forward with information that would lead to their whereabouts. Someone was protecting them and he knew it; but he couldn’t trust the FSB to find them now, he needed to go it alone.
Word had reached the kitchens of the National Hotel by evening time and a young waiter by the name of Yuri happened to be there when he heard two kitchen staff talking about it. Immediately, he realized the descriptions of the two matched the descriptions of the couple upstairs, in the Kremlin Suite.
I wonder if it’s them? 10,000 Rubles would come in very handy, he thought.
‘It’s time to find out if his name is Alexi Gorinyenko,’ he said to himself, and walked out of the kitchen.
There was a tap on the door of the Kremlin Suite.
Viktoriya looked at Alexi. ‘I wonder who that is?’ she said as she walked to the door and peered through the security peep-hole. ‘Who is it?’ she called out.
‘Room service, madam,’ came the reply.
Viktoriya opened the door to see a young waiter holding an ice bucket containing a bottle of champagne. ‘Champagne for Mr. Gorinyenko, madam,’ he said.
‘Champagne?’ Viktoriya looked confused. ‘Alexi, did you order champagne?’
‘No, not me,’ came the reply.
‘I’m sorry, it must be a mistake, it’s not for us,’ Viktoria said and closed the door.
Yuri walked away, smiling.
Chapter 44
Tsvetaeva parked his Skoda and walked the short distance to the GUM department store in Red Square, where he’d arranged to meet Yuri the waiter from the National Hotel.
‘You must be Yuri?’ he asked the tall, thin guy dressed in a waiters uniform, standing near the entrance.
‘Yeah, that’s me,’ replied Yuri, blowing cigarette smoke down his nose.
‘So what have you got for me?’
‘The couple you’re looking for… they’re staying at the National Hotel, where I work,’ he said.
The Commander looked skeptical. ‘Are you sure, kid?’
‘Positive; they’re staying in the Kremlin Suite. I saw them earlier. His name is Alexi Gorinyenko; I checked, and he fits your description exactly; so does the girl staying with him. They’ve been there for a couple of days.’
The Commander said, ‘okay. I’ll be in touch,’ and strode off in the direction of the hotel.
A few minutes later he walked through the main entrance of the National Hotel heading for reception.
‘Can I help you, sir?’ a receptionist said, seeing him approach.
‘Can you tell me the room number of my friend, Mr. Alexi Gorinyenko?’
‘Just a moment please,’ she said, and checked her computer screen. ‘I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t have any one of that name staying here.’
Tsvetaeva frowned. ‘Could it be that they’re staying in the Kremlin Suite.’
‘Just a moment, sir.’ She checked her display again. ‘Well, that suite has been booked out in a different name; by a Mr. Sergey Volodin; I think he works for the government,’ she said, quietly. ‘According to the notes the couple are due to leave for the airport the day after tomorrow.’
Tsvetaeva raised his eyes, mockingly. ‘Where is he going next?’
‘Would you like to go up, sir? The elevators are over there.’
‘Thank you,’ he said, walked towards the elevators, turned, and walked out of the hotel.
Outside he stopped and lit a cigarette.
It’s going to be a busy couple of days, he thought, as he walked back to his car. His mind had already gone into overdrive and a rush of adrenaline was flowing through his veins. The rush he got from planning a good, clean kill.
As he walked his cell phone rang in his inside pocket. When he checked, it was the young waiter calling him back.
‘Yeah,’ he said, coldly and listened to the young kid ranting on about the money he owed him.
‘Shut the fuck up, kid. I’m a man of my word and you’ll get your money, okay; but when I’m ready to give it to you; do you understand?’
Tsvetaeva ended the call just as he approached his car. He flicked his cigarette butt into the gutter, got into his Skoda and drove away.
Back at Victor’s suite at the National Hotel, he was pour
ing a glass of wine for Robert. ‘If I say so myself, Robert, they really do believe the book is genuine. I did a fine job.’
Rob sipped his wine and said. ‘I never doubted you for one minute, Victor.’
‘But when the call came through about the other scrolls I really struggled not to laugh,’ Victor said, sitting down opposite Rob.
‘Shastri will go back to India and spend the rest of his life frantically digging in the hot, dusty sand, for something that isn’t even there.’
‘Good enough for the pompous bastard!’ Victor added before they chinked glasses. ‘Cheers.’
‘Cheers… So how was your date with Dr. Zhukov?’ Rob enquired, with interest.
Victor’s eyes lit up. ‘What a wonderful evening that was, and Swan Lake was just, formidable!…Dr. Zhukov is a lovely lady, and I must admit, I do feel guilty about leading her on like this. Although saying that, I’m definitely coming back next week.’
Robert laughed. ‘To quote the famous lines: Do not go gentle into that good night.’
Victor looked smug. ‘I have no intention of going gentle, as you say, mon ami. As far as I’m concerned it’s an all expenses paid holiday; eating good food, drinking fine wines and… most importantly, enjoying the company of a very beautiful woman, whom, it would appear, enjoys the company of Victor Canseliet.’
‘And why not, mon ami?’ Rob agreed. ‘Incidentally, the passports should be here tomorrow so it looks like we’re all leaving Moscow two-day’s from now. We have a private jet organized that will fly us to Germany; from there Alexi and Viktoriya will go to the US to start their new lives as Alex and Victoria.’
‘I can’t imagine how excited they must be feeling at the moment.’
‘And we’ll get you back to Paris. I presume you’ll make your own way back here next week?’
‘It’s already booked; Air France and First Class! It’s not a bad life, is it?’ Victor said, topping up their wines.
Chapter 45