Calling the Beast Read online

  Berran continued to speak quietly to his charges, assuring them that all would go well if they kept their heads. After counting thirty beats of his own thudding heart, he gestured to the next child.

  Freddy...

  The boy rose slowly to his feet. He frowned at the rattle he still held in his hands and then glanced up, his penetrating gray eyes locking with Blair's blue ones.

  Truth or fiction? Freddy asked softly.

  With a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, Blair realized that the perceptive youngster had seen through the illusion that he'd been trying to weave. I should have expected it... The anthropologist sighed and met Freddy's gaze evenly. What's the adage? Sometimes truth is stranger?

  Freddy's expression didn't change, but his eyes widened slightly. No bullshit?

  Blair shook his head.

  The boy ran one hand through his stringy hair, pushing it out of his face, then bent and placed his rattle on the floor. Hitching up his jeans, he stalked over to the door. Freddy opened it, stuck his head out to peer at the corridor, then turned around and gestured to Talan.

  You go next. I'll guard the door. Freddy's gaze shifted to Blair and his chin lifted defiantly. I'm the oldest... it's my right, he said firmly.

  Blair glanced toward Talan, who was watching him uncertainly. Knowing they couldn't afford any delays, the grad student swallowed hard and wordlessly nodded his agreement. The dark-haired boy was on his feet in the blink of an eye. He scurried across the room to the door. Freddy placed a hand on the younger boy's shoulder, halting him. He bent close and whispered something in his ear. Blair couldn't make out what was said, but Talan's head shot up and he straightened, throwing his shoulder's back. He met Freddy's offered 'high- five' and then zipped out the door.

  Freddy turned back to meet Blair's amazed stare. The boy shrugged and leaned against the door, assuming a casual stance, although Blair could see that he wasn't nearly as calm as he pretended to be. The grad student gave him a quick nod of thanks and glanced at the clock.

  Ten minutes to ten... our time's running out... How soon will Hennesey start to wonder where that tour group is?

  Blair? The anthropologist shifted his attention to Jenny, who was eagerly bouncing on her knees, but it was Julia that had spoken. I know you said we had to go one at a time, but do you think Jenny and I could escape together? I'm kind of supposed to watch out for her and keep her out of trouble since I'm the oldest.

  You're only three minutes older, Jenny objected crossly, punching her sister in the arm. You don't have to take care of me.

  Sounds like a plan, Blair interrupted before what was obviously an old argument between the twins went any further. He waved the girls closer so that they would be able to hear him over the noise from the tape. It's good to be independent, but it's also nice to know that someone cares enough to see you through the rough times, he said, eyeing Jenny thoughtfully. Your sister loves you, that's why she looks out for you. She balances your headstrong impulses and you keep her from getting too serious for her own good. I know it's probably hard sometimes, being a twin --

  It is, Julia said soberly. People treat you like a half person instead of a whole one.

  Blair nodded his understanding. But turn it around and you'll see that you've got something that most people search their whole lives for -- you've got a built-in kindred soul in your sister.

  The two girls eyed each other in surprise. You're right, we do, they both said at the same time. The double response almost sent them into a fit of giggles, but Freddy's baleful glare when they joined him at the door made them both quiet again. They slipped out into the hallway in perfect sync.

  Watch out for one another, Blair's silent command mirrored that which Berran might have said. The anthropologist closed his eyes, once more wishing he had the powers he had attributed to the fictitious Shaman.

  Frank Nollan heard a scuffling noise coming from the hallway. He started to turn to investigate the cause and stopped abruptly when he felt something crawl across the top of his right hand. He looked down and saw a small black ant, patiently making its way toward the cuff of his shirt. With a grimace, he shook the insect off. He raised his foot, intending to squash the annoying creature, but he lost track of it in the short pile of the patterned carpeting.

  Shaking his head in disgust, he suddenly remembered the sound he'd heard and stepped over to the corridor to check it out. He glanced right and left, but there was no sign of anyone or anything in the hallway -- just the sounds of the kids down in the classroom.

  Deciding that those noises must have been what he'd heard, he returned to the display chamber and resumed his post. When Hennesey looked in his direction, he met his boss' questioning stare with a shake of his head.

  Reassured that things were still going according to plan, Hennesey resumed his eager contemplation of the exhibit's contents. While it was an impressive collection overall, his admiration and greed were focused on select items.

  He ignored the stunning Vicus pottery and concentrated on the numerous metal artifacts: masks, nose ornaments, and other objects fashioned of gold and of alloys of gold, copper, and silver. He glanced at the description in the museum catalog detailing the expertise of the goldsmiths. The centuries-old pieces were depletion gilded, which meant that the base metals had been removed from the metal alloys, leaving a layer of relatively pure gold.

  Mentally calculating the current market value of the items in the case, he moved on to the next one.

  The blue-green jade Olmec axeheads, carved to represent incredibly realistic jaguars, would bring a good price from a collector he knew who had a seriously 'private' gallery. Those were the only collectibles that they planned to remove and keep intact. The snarling faces of the wild cats stared up menacingly at him from their places -- as if daring him to try to take them.

  He smiled smugly and wandered from the smaller room to the larger one.

  A significant portion of the bigger chamber was devoted to Chavin art. There were several castings made from the lintels, cornices and doorjambs outside of the temple at Chavin de Huantar. Hennesey absently noted that they were incised with animal shapes -- eagles, jaguars, and crocodiles. The monochrome ceramics on display also featured realistically modeled jaguars.

  The sampling also included several hammered gold headdresses. Hennesey studied them thoughtfully. Strange, whiskered cat-gods were depicted with diving- bird headdresses, bared claws, and long tails often ending in human heads. The 'gods' held severed heads by strings, like headhunter trophies. Skeletal human figures seemed alternately to bend over backward or tilt forward, providing a crude mirror image when seen from either side of the mantle.

  These will be my trophies, soon, the thief thought smugly.

  He walked slowly around the glass-cased displays of Mochican artifacts. Most of the brilliant polychrome ceramics, colorful textiles and even the flints and other ancient weaponry, featured some kind of animal design -- remarkably realistic animals with turned heads, alert eyes, and heavy bodies. A stirrup- spouted Mochica vessel was decorated with high molded reliefs of the solar god, identifiable by his Sun-ray headdress and feline-fanged mouth, surrounded by animal assistants.

  Hennesey shook his head. They all must have been damn animal lovers, he mused in disgust.

  He paused before a display featuring items discovered in a Moche warrior priest's tomb north of Trujillo, Peru. He ignored the ceramics, but the numerous gold, silver, and jeweled ornaments practically made his mouth water.

  He passed by the Huari display with only a casual glance, unimpressed by the brightly colored, linear patterned pottery and textiles. He'd already decided which of the metalworked artifacts would be leaving with him.

  The display of Chimu art was worth a second look, however. The graves of the Chimu kings at Chan Chan had yielded a rich supply of gold and silver work and the exhibit contained at least three dozen pieces of finely crafted gold jewelry. Their historical significance and craftsmanship meant no
thing to him -- the fortune he'd earn from them once they were rendered to their base metals was something else entirely.

  He lingered for a moment over the lustrous black pottery and then moved on. The ceramic vessels -- with their modeled figures and relief scenes featuring rows of identical profile birds or fish, frontal humans, and zigzag stepped patterns -- were eye-catching, but not what he'd come for.

  However, the six Chimu gem and feather studded masks that hung in the outer exhibit area -- next to a hammered gold sunburst headdress from Tiahuanaco, inscribed with winged human and bird figures linked together by a celestial serpent with multiple heads -- were on his list.

  He took a final look at the Incan textiles and the Necropolis weavings that had been included to round out the exhibit. They were undoubtedly priceless from an antiquities standpoint, but he intended to use them as casually as a moving crew used their quilted blankets -- as protective wrappings around the more valuable masks. He glanced at his watch and started to walk back to his position of choice -- the arched doorway between the two rooms. It was almost time for the fun to begin.

  Henri Brown rounded the corner of the museum just as Jim was lowering Talan to the ground. Ellison glanced in his direction and gestured for the detective to join them. As Brown strode forward, his jacket gaped open, revealing the gun in his shoulder holster. Jim suddenly had an armful of trembling little boy as Talan tried to hide within the Sentinel's embrace. Ellison took a quick look at Henri and realized what had caused the child's reaction.

  It's all right, Talan. He's a friend of mine, Jim murmured, giving the child a gentle squeeze. His name is Henri Brown. He's a policeman. That's why he has a gun.

  Dark, worried eyes flicked in Brown's direction and then shifted back to meet the Sentinel's. My new parents say that a policeman comes when there is trouble, the boy said quietly. There is trouble here?

  Nothing we can't handle, Ellison quickly assured him. Henri's going to take over for me, while I go take care of something else. Do you think you could give him a hand?

  Talan looked up warily at the big black detective who towered over him. Are you a friend of my teacher's as well, Policeman Brown.

  Henri knelt down on one knee and smiled. You bet. Hair Boy and I are good friends.

  Talan frowned. Hair Boy?

  Brown smiled. That's what I call him. It's a nickname... you know, because of all that wild hair he has.

  I see. And it is... acceptable to Blair that you call him this? He is a teacher, and in my country... my homeland... teachers are honored. Perhaps you should treat him with more respect.

  Henri looked startled at the quiet reprimand, but then he nodded. You know, you're right. The detective glanced up at Ellison. Remind me to tell your partner how smart he is, next time I see him, will you Jim?

  I'll do that, the Sentinel answered. He patted Talan on the shoulder. Can I count on you to help Henri with the others?

  Talan inclined his head in a formal bow. I would be honored.

  Jim started to point to the far edge of the lawn, where he'd sent the two girls. A sharp hiss snapped his attention back to the window. He did a double take before he realized that he wasn't seeing double.

  You must be Jenny and Julia, he murmured to the two identical faces that peered down at him. You're going to have to come through one at a time. Who's first? He grabbed the first set of hands that reached out for him and tugged the freckled red-head through the opening. Henri had her sister standing on the ground next to her seconds later.

  Ellison ushered them both into Talan's care. Take the girls over to join Marisa and Claire, and stay there with them, all right?

  As the dark eyed boy led the twins away, Jim turned to Henri. There are only three kids left, plus Amanda. Can you take over?

  Brown gave him a push. Go, man. Your partner needs you.

  Snatching up the cell phone from where he'd laid it on the grass, the Sentinel took off at a run. He'd done his duty to the others, now he had a Guide to rescue.

  Why do you doubt yourself, Shaman? Blair's eyes snapped open at the sound of Kim's soft voice and he found himself staring into a pair of deep brown eyes that brimmed with ancient knowledge. You have the power to Call the Beasts --

  Blair shook his head, a slightly sad smile playing at the corner of his mouth. I think you're confusing the story with the story-teller, Kim.

  No veil blinds my sight, Shaman. I know what I saw... what you saw. She leaned forward and spoke in his ear. The wolf awaits the panther as the Guide awaits the Sentinel.

  Blair jerked back and stared at her in speechless shock.

  She smiled gently. Almost reverently she placed her hands together, palms touching. Raising them to her lips, she bowed. Turning gracefully, she walked across the classroom. Freddy opened the door for her without a word, as entranced as Blair at her solemn, dignified exit.

  Kim hesitated just outside the door. She was not as calm as she had led them to believe, but she had an ancient heritage of her own to draw upon for courage when the situation demanded it, as it did now. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, forming a picture of her maternal grandmother in her mind. The image brought with it an immense sense of peace. She placed both hands together and then opened them, palms up this time. In her hand sat the mantis, its jeweled eyes studying her intently.

  Yours is the power of stillness... the power to move between moments... lend me your wisdom gentle spirit, she prayed.

  Before her eyes, the mantis disappeared. She glanced ahead to the restroom door and saw it sitting on the carpeted floor at the base of the wooden panel.

  So... it's that easy, is it? Kim closed her eyes and took a step forward, one slender hand outstretched before her. When she felt the grain of the door against her fingertips, she opened her eyes and smiled. She reached down and the mantis crawled into her welcoming grasp. She risked a look behind her and saw a dark coated man in the outer chamber staring in her direction. She stood motionless, radiating stillness, blending into her surroundings as easily as the insect in her hand managed in the wild. She held that pose until the man looked away. He never saw her push open the restroom door and close it behind her, never heard her satisfied whisper.

  Grandmother will be pleased to know that I have followed in her footsteps...

  Around the corner from the front entrance of the museum, Simon glanced over at the leader of the SWAT team, who immediately signaled his group's readiness. He barked a quick question into his com unit and got the same answer from the men in charge at the rear of the museum, and from Rafe. The status report from Brown's position wasn't as positive.

  // Still three... no, wait... another one just showed up... make that two more kids, plus Sandburg's assistant, before we're clear. //

  Simon chomped on the end of an unlit cigar, taking his frustration and anxiety out on the stogie instead of on the man on the other end of the line. We're coming down to the wire on this. I'm sending some additional backup to provide cover in case all hell breaks loose. Speaking of which, where's Ellison?

  // Where do you think, sir? //

  Wait here until I give the word, Jim tersely instructed the officers assembled at the emergency exit. If things go as planned, you're to escort the museum staff out this way. If not, you each take an office and defend it. At their equally terse nods of agreement, he drew his gun and slipped soundlessly inside the museum.

  The Sentinel reached for his mental dials, cranking them all up to higher levels. As he absorbed the sudden sensory assault, a shaft of pain lanced through his skull, aggravating his already pounding head. He ignored the discomfort, but heeded the warning. The headache was a reminder that he'd been pushing his senses for an extended period of time. He'd have to be doubly cautious operating without his Guide's grounding presence -- he could easily find himself losing control just when he needed it most, or worse, lose himself in a zone-out.

  He hugged the inside wall, inching his way down the corridor. A flash of movement made him hal
t and level the gun toward a partially open door. When he saw Robert Pike's anxious face peering out at him, he curtly gestured for the man to get back inside.

  Once the Director's door was shut, Jim worked his way toward the opening that led to the inner exhibit room. Sentinel senses swept the chamber, pinpointing four distinct heartbeats easily. He shifted his focus to the outer room. Picking up one more heartbeat on the far end of the larger chamber, Ellison made an 'X' on his mental floor plan to mark the man's position.

  That accounts for five of the six. Hopefully the last man's still out front...

  He widened his sensory scan, intending to check on his partner and the remaining children when a new sound clamored for his attention. Targeting the noise, he quickly identified the scuff of hard-soled shoes against carpeted floor.

  Someone's headed in this direction... probably Hennesey's lookout... so much for wishful thinking...

  Jim retreated back to the door and waved the other officers in, motioning for them to hug the wall. He flashed a hand-signal to ready them, then crept back to within a few feet of the passageway to the inner room. From that position, he could see Hennesey's reflection in the glass of one of the display cases. Keeping an eye on the group's leader, he extended his hearing and found that his suspicions about the identity of the new arrival were correct.

  Gavin!

  Hennesey looked up from the exhibit catalogue he was pretending to examine and frowned when he saw his younger brother hurrying through the outer exhibit room toward him. You're supposed to cover the front, he hissed as Ben joined him in the inner chamber.

  I know, but I think we've got trouble, Ben replied. No one's shown up yet for the tour.

  Gavin's scowl darkened. No one? Not even one of the museum's volunteers?

  Uh, uh, the younger man responded with a firm shake of his head. I know we expected the place to be nearly empty, but it's like a ghost town out there. I haven't seen anyone in the last fifteen minutes, except a guy in an expensive suit who headed into the south wing.