‘What do you have in mind son?’
Archer was reluctant to talk to his father, but this was bigger than his issue, from what Jacob had told them. ‘We get the amulets back and return them to Osvaldo Rodrigo.’
Kevin was unsure of Archer’s reasons, ‘Why would we do that?’
Jacob responded, ‘Because Kevin, if we do not get the amulets back to that complex in the next twenty hours, the Gulf coast will be a very quiet place tomorrow.’
TWENTY SIX
Enzi landed within two and a half hours at Isla Joya Verde; unusually The General was there to greet him.
‘Hello General, I am surprised to see you here? To what do I owe the honour?’
‘You have valuable cargo Enzi; I just want to ensure it is all accounted for.’
Laurent exited the plane, and began to carry one container to The General, ‘The amulets sir, all of them.’
Enzi was surprised that Laurent knew The General, but did not comment, noting The General’s lack of reaction. The three men walked back to a waiting jeep, while some soldiers loaded up another with the containers from the plane. The General drove, taking them directly to the private entrance of his hangar, passing two helicopters, one black combat, the other civilian transport. The elevator ride up to The General’s office was silent, all men knowing they did not want their conversations monitored, even here.
After securing the room, The General offered the men refreshments, and got down to business.
‘Christophe and Enzi, you are probably wondering how I know both of you, and your connection. You have both been working on the same puzzle from opposite ends, something I have been most interested in. Chui, you discovered an ancient Chinese parchment from the treasure fleets, and Christophe you found an artefact in an Inca city, correct?’
Chui answered first, with a polite nod to Christophe, ‘I was in Moscow on business, looking for leads on a solar energy device that my President had heard of. I was approached by the curator of a museum, he was aware of a solar device mentioned in a Chinese script. He sold me the parchment, and the accompanying translation for two games consoles.’
‘A bargain Chui?’
‘The translation revealed the parchment was from the treasure fleets, which had been in South America in the 1430’s and come across something they called the Bow of Yi. When I researched this I found out about the legend of the Ten Suns, and a Bow of Yi that supposedly destroyed nine of the suns.’
‘What utter rubbish! It is just an old legend, a myth!’
Chui was offended by Christophe’s comments, ‘Maybe so Mr Laurent, but you should know that many myths and legends have an element of truth. The Chinese had found four amulets and with the help of the blue light people had established that the Bow of Yi was real, not a bow, but a device of extraordinary power.’
‘And how does this link to the artefacts?’
The General butted in, to deal with the arrogant Frenchman, ‘The black stone amulet you found in Peru is one of the four amulets we require to locate and operate this device, whatever it is. And I suspect the parchments you have, contain the location of something they call, the complex.’
Laurent began to smile, annoying Chui further, ‘What are you smiling at you arrogant fool!’
‘Because not only do I know where the complex is, but I also know about the fifth amulet.’
Mastasson paused processing the information, and how to play Laurent, ‘Really Christophe, so share this information.’
‘Well General, there is a price, it is vital to you, and I have no concern what you do with the amulets, just the money for my cooperation.’
The General had planned for this eventuality, and confronted Laurent with what he had discovered. ‘Before you attempt to blackmail me, I suggest you listen carefully.’
The General sat down behind his substantial desk, leaning back and staring at Laurent briefly, noticing the Frenchman’s obvious nerves. ‘You have not been completely honest, or loyal have you?’
‘I have, I gave you the location of the black stone object and parchments in the museum in Washington? You got them didn’t you?’
‘Yes, Mr Enzi acquired them for me with some collateral damage.’
Enzi was again concerned by his lack of involvement in The General’s commentary.
‘And Mr Laurent you gave us the ability to locate Mr Mathias, should the need arise. But you have not been honest!’
Laurent attempted to answer, but was cut off by the raising of The General‘s hand, ‘I know you have not, I have recordings of conversations between you and a Chinese gentleman, discussing a price for the amulets and information.’
Laurent was going crimson, the sweat appearing on his brow in the air-conditioned office, just confirming the accusation.
‘You betrayed me Laurent, and that I do not permit.’
Laurent foolishly tried to respond, ‘I did not betray you! I was seeking out other informants to confirm the information I had obtained!’
‘That is bullshit Laurent, and we both know it!’
The General had stood up behind his desk, and moved to stand before Laurent. The Frenchman reacted standing face to face with The General, ‘You thought you could take me for a fool, sell me out! I! Don’t! Think! So!’
With each word he hit Laurent around the head, striking his nose, jaw and eyes. Laurent fell to the floor, face bleeding, snivelling as he looked up at the furious General.
‘I am sorry Vincent, truly I am! Please don’t hurt me again!’
‘That was not hurting you. That was a warning. Oh don’t worry Christophe, I won’t kill you. But you will give me all the information you have, in return for your life.’
‘Yes, yes of course.’ Laurent continued to snivel as The General returned to his seat. Laurent then told them about Luis Alfredo’s information and his dying words, ‘he said we need the fifth. I think he meant the fifth amulet, and the only one that does not appear identical is the black one from Peru, so you have it.’
‘So Christophe, we are only missing one crystal amulet, and where do you suppose that is?’
‘I am sure that the leader Osvaldo Rodrigo has it, I could not get it from him, but I saw it glowing in his bag.’
‘And the complex? Where is that?’
‘The walled crater the place that Jones picked me up from. Had he not shot the young Luis, I could have him giving us all the information we need.’
‘Yes well, I am not happy with Enzi and his methods, but still we have gained much with his help.’
‘There is nothing else I know, I swear.’
Enzi nodded in appreciation of the recognition, if not the language.
‘You were not going to mention the necklaces then?’
Christophe gasped, fearing further attack, ‘No, no I did forget, we need the necklaces for protection, anyone entering must wear one, I do not know why though, I swear!’
The General stepped back moving back to his desk, ‘Thank you Christophe, now leave us, clean yourself up before you bleed onto my carpet.’
Enzi had remained silent and still throughout, surprised at the violent outburst, and Christophe’s confessions, ‘and what do you need me to do?’
The General waited until Christophe had departed, took a deep breath, ‘Well Chui, I want you to organise a new group of men, as you have lost your previous allocation.’
‘Can I not have some of your soldiers, they are well trained and disciplined?’
‘No you cannot, this is my personal venture, and I do not want Colonel Briggs knowing of it. Taking any men from here would be noticed and questioned, equipment I can explain.’
‘I will get some locals then, how many?’
‘About twenty. You will take boats and go back to this complex, and with the amulets we have we will get control of it.’