“Really?”
“You haven’t heard about it? That’s strange when you’ve been living intimately with the people of Tibet. Shambhala is an essential part of their culture.”
“I’m a journalist, not a historian.”
“I think you do know about it. But I’m not going to try to make you betray yourself or your word or whatever.” She smiled. “That would be pouncing. Instead, I’ll tell you how I came around to finding Shambhala.” She gestured to Erin’s necklace. “I thought that could be the key, so I googled eight-sided lotus and spent hours trying to find a clue.”
Erin’s hand tightened around her pendant. “A clue to this Shambhala?”
“I didn’t know anything about Shambhala. Oh, I might have heard a reference to it sometime or other, but it wasn’t on my radar. Until I finally found a reference to an eight-sided lotus that connected it to Shambhala.” She slowly shook her head. “It blew me away.”
“Why? You said yourself this place is only a myth.”
“I said that it was said to be a myth. What if it actually existed?”
“Then it would have been discovered and debunked decades ago.”
“Would it?”
“People are always hunting for hidden treasures or lost cities like Atlantis. Do they find them? No, because they don’t exist. And because of modern technology and satellites, there’s no place to hide any longer.”
“Perhaps.”
“No perhaps,” she said firmly. “Anything else is the stuff of Indiana Jones or Tomb Raider movies.”
“It’s strange you should mention movies.” She smiled. “Though the one that could pertain to Shambhala wasn’t that recent. It was a vintage classic. Lost Horizon. It was based on a novel by James Hilton and was all about a perfect place called Shangri-La. Where people only wished to live in peace. I’m sure you’ve heard of that particular myth.”
“Of course, I even saw the movie on late-night TV.”
“Hilton modeled his hidden city of Shangri-La on Shambhala. He borrowed some of his material from the memoirs of Abbe Huc and other Catholic missionaries who explored Tibet and the culture of the lamas in the nineteenth century.”
“So he built on one myth to perpetuate another.” She moistened her lips. “Shangri-La doesn’t exist either though it’s become part of world culture. I understand that the Chinese even built a tourist-trap city in Yunnan Province and claimed it to be the location of the Shangri-La in the movie.”
“Yes, the Chinese are nothing if not opportunistic. You can even fly into Shangri-La airport. Though the Chinese located their Shangri-La in the Kunlun Mountains and not the Himalayas. But they assured the world that their scientists had studied the topographical features of the entire area, and they were sure they were correct. They did a good, though extremely commercial job, of building their city, and millions flock to the place every year.”
“You researched it?”
“I had reason,” she said. “Shangri-La was modeled after Shambhala, and I had to know everything about it. Because Shambhala had to be the center of what was happening around me.”
“Just because of my lotus necklace?” Erin’s brows rose. “You’re reaching, Catherine.”
“And I don’t know all the answers. But I have a feeling I’m on the right track. I think Shambhala exists and that you know something about it. Oh, I don’t mean as an actual place. But the idea of creating a perfect world like that, with those values, would attract you. When I thought Cameron was some high-priced security mogul working for an organization that was trying to control the world through technology and political manipulation, I couldn’t understand why you’d be drawn to it. From what I knew about you, that didn’t compute. But then I ran across this connection with Shambhala. It clicked. What if you thought that this committee was trying to be guided by all those highfalutin goals that are attributed to Shambhala. You’re an idealist. I know how persuasive Cameron can be. He could paint you a wonderful picture of this conglomerate trying to save the world, of working to create a new Shambhala. Yes, I think you know a good deal about all of it.” She looked her in the eye. “And I think Kadmus wants to know what you know. I believe that’s why he wants to find Cameron. Because he’s sure Cameron knows even more than you do about the place. I’m not sure he’s even aware of Cameron’s conglomerate or that committee. He may be looking for Shambhala itself.”
“Kadmus is searching for a lost city? That’s hardly likely, is it?”
“That’s what I thought until I started thinking and putting together the pieces. Kadmus has a king complex, he worships power. That’s why he set up headquarters at that royal palace at Daksha. He wants to rule all of Tibet, and if he could manage, he’d branch out into China. But his opportunities appear limited considering his background, and he doesn’t like limits. So he began to look around, searching for a way to obtain power without running a risk to his military kingdom at Daksha. I don’t know how or why he focused on Shambhala. Perhaps he saw something, heard something that intrigued him.” She paused. “And perhaps he ran across someone else who had one of those necklaces and was able to force information out of them. What do you think?”
“I think that you’re trying to turn fantasy into reality, and it’s not working. Why would he even think that some lost city would be profitable for him? Is it supposed to be some kind of treasure trove?”
“It’s possible. Or he might think it possible. The legends surrounding Shambhala aren’t the usual stories of hidden treasure. It’s a place where physical and psychic powers are blended in a perfect whole. That psychic aspect has been mentioned in the legends for thousands of years. Yes, the ground is supposed to be strewn with gold and silver, and jewels are everywhere. But it’s also supposed to be a wonderful place whose people live for a long, long time in beautiful, perfect bodies. They hate war and violence and won’t tolerate it. Their main purpose is to store power and knowledge for the time when the outer world destroys itself and comes seeking that knowledge. They also have so-called supernatural or psychic powers and high, high intelligence that enable them to survive and keep the outer world at bay.”
“Gold and silver and jewels would appeal to Kadmus. Not the rest.”
“But what if that intelligence and psychic ability could translate into producing wonderful products and influence the minds of people in power? That would be a tremendously valuable asset for Kadmus to control.”
“If he could do it.”
“Kadmus thinks he can do anything. He wouldn’t be intimidated. He’d assume that he’s the exception to any rule. Did you know that one of his more legitimate investments is a share in one of the most powerful Chinese companies that run several of the hotels and tourist concessions in Shangri-La?”
“No, that could mean nothing or that the idea is an obsession for him.”
“I’m voting for the obsession.”
“And why would you think that legend is true and Shambhala actually exists?”
“I told you, I don’t know if it exists as a real place. Not in this day and age. It would be terribly hard to hide from satellites. In this modern day, I’m leaning toward the idea that it’s not a city or country but could be a group of people who might possess some of those qualities and set themselves up to dedicate and maintain that kind of control and skill. Perhaps a conglomerate.” She paused. “Or a committee.”
Erin was silent.
“And they would need an awesome security force to keep anyone from knowing exactly what they were doing to manipulate the global process.” She added softly, “A Guardian at the gates. Cameron was perfect. He has certain mental abilities, and he’s tough as hell. But I’m wondering if he had another job. It must be difficult to recruit new blood to keep that kind of organization going. I don’t even know what the criteria would be. Perhaps you could help me out there? Let’s see, you’re intelligent, brave, self-sacrificing. What else?”
“A very ordinary journalist.”
?
??There’s nothing ordinary about you. You said Cameron ‘sort of’ gave you that necklace. Was that to seal the deal?”
“No,” she said. “And I have no psychic talents, and I’m fairly smart but no superbrain. So that blows your theory to hell. Cameron did not recruit me.”
“Did he try?”
Erin gazed at her with exasperation. “I’m not going to let you lead me down that road. You’ve convinced yourself that this outrageous fairy tale you’ve uncovered is true. Well, believe it if you wish, but don’t expect me to confirm it.”
“It’s kind of a nice fairy tale,” Catherine said. “Particularly the part about them creating a better world for all of us. I like the idea of a safety net waiting if all we do to keep the world from blowing up doesn’t work.” She added with a hint of grimness, “Providing that the idealistic purpose is real and that it’s just not another giant commercial scam. In that case, the fairy tale would have to be torn apart and burned to cinders. Right now I’m giving it less than 50 percent.”
“Because you’re cynical?”
“Yes, I guess that’s the reason. And I don’t like the idea of anyone’s hiring someone like Cameron to manipulate everything and everyone to suit himself. I don’t want someone in an ivory tower making decisions that I want to make myself.”
“Neither do I,” Erin said quietly.
“I can see how you’d let that stand in the way. Is that why Cameron couldn’t recruit you? You said that you hadn’t done what he told you to do. That had something to do with the necklace. He did try to recruit you, right? Did he give you that necklace as an invitation? You weren’t supposed to wear it? Did he warn you that you mustn’t be seen in it?”
Erin held up her hand. “I only agreed with your philosophy. That was not an admission.” She shook her head. “Nor will there be one, Catherine.”
“I didn’t really expect anything else,” Catherine said. “But I don’t think I need one. You tried very hard, but you don’t exactly have a poker face. I may not have hit a bull’s-eye but I came very close.” She got to her feet and picked up her computer. “I’ll let you relax now. I have a word to say to Hu Chang.” She started to leave, then stopped. “And though you have great faith in Cameron, there must be a little doubt in your mind about the people behind him. Because you really do want to believe the fairy tale.” She smiled. “Maybe that’s one of the qualities that are important in their recruits. The ability to believe in fairy tales. I’d never make the first cut.”
She moved down the aisle toward Hu Chang’s seat. He was watching her, and when she stopped beside him, he said, “You disturbed Erin. Was it necessary?”
“Yes, I needed confirmation. It was a bizarre idea, and I wasn’t totally at ease with it.”
“Bizarre? Now I wonder what that could be.”
“Shambhala.”
“Are you watching to see my reaction?”
“No, you’re harder than Erin. You would show nothing. But now that I’ve broken through the barrier, I think you’ll talk to me. Is this conglomerate bad business?”
“I have no idea. Like you, I worked my way through to the same conclusion. Cameron could be doing idealistic work in a wicked world. Or he could be a paid operator with no conscience who carries out corrupt missions.”
“He seems to be close to the monks in the monasteries.”
“Is he deeply religious? Is he recruiting the lamas and monks? Neither to my knowledge. He’s more interested in the plants and brews that they concoct. If he’s after anything but intelligent conversation from learned individuals, I’d say it was their expertise and discoveries in the field.”
“I’ve never felt anything like those blankets Cameron wrapped around Erin and me. They were incredible. They completely blocked the cold. He said a friend invented them.”
“There may be quite a few friends providing inventions and discoveries if the people in the organization are both intelligent and gifted.”
“And that young Indian boy Cameron hijacked off that train going to China might have been tapped to become one of the new breed of gifted in the organization.”
“It’s possible,” Hu Chang said. “It occurred to me at the time.” He paused. “And now you’re excited, and your mind is working triple time. I was afraid of that. Before you were only concerned with Kadmus. Now you’ve got your eye on Cameron and his employers. Much more dangerous, Catherine. They won’t permit you to reveal anything about them to the CIA. The only way they’ve survived and flourished is because they were virtually invisible.”
“I don’t know enough about Cameron to reveal anything. All I have is vague suspicions, nothing concrete.” She added, “And I won’t betray Erin. She went through hell to protect Cameron. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not going to dig until I find out whether I should go after him.”
“You may not have to dig. You may be able to ask him yourself. Cameron won’t leave Erin unprotected.” He shrugged. “And he seems to be able to read you very well. If he thinks you’re on the attack, he won’t wait for you to make the first move.”
“He reads everyone very well.” She paused. “But he promised me that he would stay out and not intrude unless there was some threat to me or Erin. Can I trust that promise?”
“As I told you, he’s kept his word to me. But I don’t know if he would if he sensed a danger to himself.”
“Is he able to do that?”
“It wouldn’t surprise me. How else would he sense the danger to you? I don’t know. Cameron doesn’t want me to know what other talents he possesses. I imagine he feels more at ease if the people around him aren’t aware of anything more than he has to show them. I’ve always been comfortable with that.”
“I’m not.”
“No, you want everything spelled out. Cameron would find that difficult. And I didn’t mean that Cameron was using any mental tricks to read you. He could probably stay out and just use what he’d already found out about you. He was interested enough to make a thorough exploration. He even wanted to see how you and Luke interacted.”
She stiffened. “Luke? That’s not good.”
“Because you think that he could manipulate your relationship if he chose? But there’s always that threat when dealing with Cameron. I find it a trifle bittersweet that he can never get away from having that hang over the heads of anyone with whom he has a relationship.”
“And I only find it terrifying.”
“Yet you’re far more empathetic than I am. And you’re always challenged to find a way to work around a problem that appears unsolvable. Why aren’t you reacting like that toward Cameron?” He added softly, “I am very curious to know why you’re afraid of him when I can’t remember anyone else who intimidates you.”
“I have my moments.” She changed the subject. “When will we arrive in San Francisco?”
“About two hours.”
“Then I think I’ll go back and talk to Luke for a while.” She wrinkled her nose. “If I can tear him away from that electronic game. He seems fascinated.”
“He likes puzzles,” Hu Chang said. “Like his mother. By all means, go talk to him. He may be feeling a little insecure after giving you that jolt with Tashdon.”
“I’m the one feeling insecure.” She turned and moved back down the aisle toward Luke.
And she was definitely feeling insecure about Cameron’s unusual interest in Luke. She had felt an instant of pure panic that had turned into the beginning of fierce anger.
Yet you’re far more empathetic than I am.
Hu Chang was right, her response wasn’t characteristic. None of her responses to Cameron were characteristic. She had been on the defensive since the moment she had seen him and felt that first explosive bolt of sexual attraction. The knowledge of what he was and what he could do had only compounded that initial burst of wariness. His effect on her mind and body was incredibly sensual. She had only to look at him, talk to him, and she felt weak, breathless. Every time she had to make an eff
ort to block it, to stop feeling and fight it.
Empathetic? Yes, she had empathy for Cameron. She could feel what he was feeling because what he was feeling was lust. The electricity between them was like a powerful wall that she wanted to reach out and touch, wrap herself, sink into the flames.
Oh, God, if he was eavesdropping now, then she was lost.
Get control. You’ve been able to keep steady and not do anything stupid or unprofessional. She didn’t even know whether he was one of the good guys or a master criminal. She didn’t care, she realized with shock. All she wanted to do was go to bed with him. She’d worry about the rest later.
Wrong. Worry now. Walk away.
He was too dangerous to her, maybe too dangerous to Luke.
She had reached Luke’s seat, and she smiled with an effort. “Hi, I thought I’d come and let you teach me that game that you’re finding so cool. Hu Chang just pointed out to me that we both have a passion for puzzles.”
HONG KONG
Blood.
The blood was staining the floor and the rush mat where Jack Sen’s mother had been doing her prayer ritual.
Her throat had been cut.
Cameron gazed down at her and felt the anger begin to surge through him. She was white-haired, small and fragile. She had not had to die. She would have told what Kadmus wanted to know with very little torture.
Or perhaps she would have not told where her son had taken Erin and Catherine. Maternal protectiveness was an amazingly strong feeling. He had just encountered that particular emotion in Catherine.
At any rate, the sight of the old lady’s blood-soaked body filled him with rage. A waste of an innocent life. And he’d had a part of the ugliness that had been brought down on her. The innocent were often savaged by Kadmus, but Cameron’s not being permitted to kill the bastard had caused this particular atrocity. The domino effect had started and wouldn’t stop until Cameron halted it.