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The doomsday conspiracy chapter 41: another coincidence
His first call was to Fort Smith, Canada. A distraught woman’s voice answered the telephone. “Yes?”“William Mann, please.”The voice said, tearfully, “I’m sorry. My husband is … is no longer with us.”“I don’t understand.”“He committed suicide.”Suicide? That hard-headed banker? What the hell is going on? Robert wondered. What he was thinking was inconceivable, and yet … He began making one phone call after another.“Professor Schmidt, please.”“Ach! The professor died in an explosion in his laboratory …”“I’d like to speak to Dan Wayne.”“Poor devil. His prize stallion kicked him to death last …”“Laslo Bushfekete, please.”“The carnival’s closed. Laslo is dead …”“Fritz Mandel, please.”“Fritz was killed in a freak accident …”The alarms were going full blast now.“Olga Romanchanko.”“The poor girl. And she was so young …”“I’m calling to check on Father Patrini.”“The poor soul passed away in his sleep.”“I have to speak to Kevin Parker.”“Kevin was murdered …”Dead. Every one of
The doomsday conspiracy chapter 42: another coincidence
The building was old and unprepossessing, a relic of better days. Robert had visited it many times before, on various missions. He walked down three basement steps and knocked on the door. An eye appeared at the peephole, and a moment later the door was flung open.“Roberto!” a man exclaimed. He threw his arms around Robert. “How are you, mio amico?”The speaker was a fat man in his sixties with white, unshaven stubble, thick eyebrows, yellowed teeth and several chins. He closed the door behind him and locked it.“I’m fine, Ricco.”Ricco had no second name. For a man like me, he liked to boast, one name is enough. Like Garbo. “What can I do for you today, my friend?”“I’m working on a case,” Robert said, “and I’m in a hurry. Can you fix me up with a passport?”Ricco smiled. “Is the Pope Catholic?” He waddled over to a cabinet in the corner and unlocked it. “What country would you like to be from?” Hepulled out a handful of passports with different-coloured covers, and sorted through
The doomsday conspiracy chapter 43: it is a long stroy
The group surged toward the man. “Where’s the liquor, buddy? … Where are the girls? … Let’s get this party on the road …”The thin man was trying to get through to Robert, but the crowd was blocking his way. He watched helplessly as Robert bolted out of the door. Hetook the stairs two at a time.Downstairs in the lobby, Robert was moving toward the exit when the concierge called out, “Oh, Commander Bellamy, Imade your reservation foryou. You are on Air France flight 312 to Paris. It leaves at one a.m.”“Thanks,” Robert said hurriedly.He was out of the door, into the small square overlooking the Spanish Steps. A taxi was discharging a passenger. Robert stepped into it. “ViaMonte Grappa.”He had his answer now. They intended to kill him. They’re not going to find it easy. He was the hunted now instead of the hunter, but he had one bigadvantage. They had trained him well. He knew all their techniques, their strengths, and their weaknesses, and he intended to use that knowledgeto st
The doomsday conspiracy chapter 44: drunks could be trouble
Day SixteenRome, ItalyRobert placed a call to Colonel Cesar from a phone booth in the Piazza del Duomo. “Whatever happened to friendship?” Robert asked.“Don’t be naive, my friend. I’m under orders, just as you are. I can assure you, there is no use in your running. You’re at the head of everyintelligence agency’s most wanted list. Half the governments of the world are looking for you.”“Do you believe I’m a traitor?”Cesar sighed. “It doesn’t matter what I believe, Robert. This is nothing personal. I have my orders.”“To take me out.”“You can make it easier by turning yourself in.”“Thanks, paesano. If I need more advice, I’ll call Dear Abby.” He slammed down the receiver.Robert was aware that the longer he was at large, the greater the danger he was in. There would be security agents closing in on him from half adozen countries.There has to be a tree, Robert thought. The line came from a legend about a hunter who was relating an experience he had on safari. “This hugelion wa
The doomsday conspiracy chapter 45: she's my wife
Day SeventeenRome, ItalyRobert was awakened by the sun hitting his face. He sat up abruptly, looking around for an instant in alarm, disorientated. When he saw Pier,memory flooded back. He relaxed. Pier was at the mirror, brushing her hair.“Buon giorno,” she said. “You do not snore.”Robert looked at his watch. Nine o’clock. He had wasted precious hours.“Do you want to make love now? You have already paid for it.”“That’s all right,” Robert said.Pier walked over to the bed, naked and provocative. “Are you sure?”I couldn’t if I wanted to, lady. “I’m sure.”“Va bene.”She began to dress. She asked casually, “Who is Susan?”The question caught him off guard. “Susan? What made you ask?”“You talk in your sleep.”He remembered his dream. Susan had come back to him. Maybe it was a sign. “She’s a friend.” She’s my wife. She’s going to get tired ofMoneybags and return to me some day. If I’m still alive, that is.Robert walked over to the window. He lifted the curtain and looked out. Th
The doomsday conspiracy chapter 46: how did it go?
Robert listened to the phone ring again and again. It was six a.m. in Washington. I’m always waking the old man up, Robert thought.The Admiral answered on the sixth ring. “Hello …”“Admiral, I…”“Robert! What …?”“Don’t say anything. Your phone is probably bugged. I’m going to make this fast. I just wanted to tell you not to believe anything they’re saying aboutme. I’d like you to try to find out what’s going on. Imay need your help later.”“Of course. Anything I can do, Robert.”“I know.”“I’ll call you later.”Robert replaced the receiver. No time for a trace. He saw a blue Fiat pull up outside the bar. Pier was at the wheel.“Move over,” Robert said. “I’ll drive.”Pier made room for him as he slid in behind the wheel.“Are we on our way to Venice?” Pier asked.“Uh huh. We have a couple of stops to make first.” It was time to spread some more chaff around. He turned onto Viale Rossini. Ahead was theRossini Travel Service. Robert pulled over to the kerb. “I’ll be back in a minute.
The doomsday conspiracy chapter 47: promise me
At the Hotel Victoria, a man in a dark suit was studying the guest register. He looked up at the clerk. “What time did Commander Bellamy checkin?”“He has not been here yet. His secretary reserved the suite. She said he would be here within the hour.”The man turned to his companion. “Have the hotel staked out. Get reinforcements. I’ll wait upstairs.” He turned to the clerk. “Open the suite for me.”Three minutes later the clerk was opening the door to the suite. The man in the dark suit moved in cautiously, gun in hand. The suite was empty. Hesaw the envelope on the table and picked it up. The front of it read: “Commander Robert Bellamy”. He opened the envelope and glanced inside. Amoment later he was dialling the headquarters of SIFAR.Francesco Cesar was in the middle of a meeting with Colonel Frank Johnson. Colonel Johnson had landed at Leonardo da Vinci airport two hoursearlier, but he showed no signs of fatigue.“As far as we know,” Cesar was saying, “Bellamy is still in Rom
The doomsday conspiracy chapter 48: sexy vegetable
She wandered down the broad boulevard, barely conscious of where she was going. How many days had it been since the terrible crash? She hadlost count. She was so tired that it was difficult for her to concentrate. She desperately needed water; not the polluted water that the Earthlingsdrank, but fresh, clear rain water. She needed the pure fluid to revive her life essence, to gain the strength to find the crystal. She was dying.She staggered and bumped into a man.“Hey! Watch where …” The American salesman took a closer look at her and smiled. “Hi, there. Imagine bumping into you like this!” What a doll.“Yes, I can imagine that.”“Where are you from, honey?”“The seventh sun of the Pleiades.”He laughed. “I like a gal with a sense of humour. Where you headed?”She shook her head. “I do not know. I am a stranger here.”Jesus, I think I’m on to something. “Have you had dinner?”“No. I cannot eat your food.”I’ve got a real weirdo here. But a beauty. “Where are you staying?”“I am no
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chapter 73
When I found that I was a prisoner a sort of wild feeling came over me. I rushed up and down the stairs, trying every door and peering out of every window I could find, but after a little the conviction of my helplessness overpowered all other feelings. When I look back after a few hours I think I must have been mad for the time, for I behaved much as a rat does in a trap. When, however, the conviction had come to me that I was helpless I sat down quietly, as quietly as I have ever done anything in my life, and began to think over what was best to be done. I am thinking still, and as yet have come to no definite conclusion. Of one thing only am I certain. That it is no use making my ideas known to the Count. He knows well that I am imprisoned, and as he has done it himself, and has doubtless his own motives for it, he would only deceive me if I trusted him fully with the facts. So far as I can see, my only plan will be to keep my knowledge and my fears to myself, and my eyes open. I a
chapter 72
When I found that I was a prisoner a sort of wild feeling came over me. I rushed up and down the stairs, trying every door and peering out of every window I could find, but after a little the conviction of my helplessness overpowered all other feelings. When I look back after a few hours I think I must have been mad for the time, for I behaved much as a rat does in a trap. When, however, the conviction had come to me that I was helpless I sat down quietly, as quietly as I have ever done anything in my life, and began to think over what was best to be done. I am thinking still, and as yet have come to no definite conclusion. Of one thing only am I certain. That it is no use making my ideas known to the Count. He knows well that I am imprisoned, and as he has done it himself, and has doubtless his own motives for it, he would only deceive me if I trusted him fully with the facts. So far as I can see, my only plan will be to keep my knowledge and my fears to myself, and my eyes open. I a
chapter 71
When I found that I was a prisoner a sort of wild feeling came over me. I rushed up and down the stairs, trying every door and peering out of every window I could find, but after a little the conviction of my helplessness overpowered all other feelings. When I look back after a few hours I think I must have been mad for the time, for I behaved much as a rat does in a trap. When, however, the conviction had come to me that I was helpless I sat down quietly, as quietly as I have ever done anything in my life, and began to think over what was best to be done. I am thinking still, and as yet have come to no definite conclusion. Of one thing only am I certain. That it is no use making my ideas known to the Count. He knows well that I am imprisoned, and as he has done it himself, and has doubtless his own motives for it, he would only deceive me if I trusted him fully with the facts. So far as I can see, my only plan will be to keep my knowledge and my fears to myself, and my eyes open. I a
Chapter 70
When I found that I was a prisoner a sort of wild feeling came over me. I rushed up and down the stairs, trying every door and peering out of every window I could find, but after a little the conviction of my helplessness overpowered all other feelings. When I look back after a few hours I think I must have been mad for the time, for I behaved much as a rat does in a trap. When, however, the conviction had come to me that I was helpless I sat down quietly, as quietly as I have ever done anything in my life, and began to think over what was best to be done. I am thinking still, and as yet have come to no definite conclusion. Of one thing only am I certain. That it is no use making my ideas known to the Count. He knows well that I am imprisoned, and as he has done it himself, and has doubtless his own motives for it, he would only deceive me if I trusted him fully with the facts. So far as I can see, my only plan will be to keep my knowledge and my fears to myself, and my eyes open. I a
Chapter 69
When I found that I was a prisoner a sort of wild feeling came over me. I rushed up and down the stairs, trying every door and peering out of every window I could find, but after a little the conviction of my helplessness overpowered all other feelings. When I look back after a few hours I think I must have been mad for the time, for I behaved much as a rat does in a trap. When, however, the conviction had come to me that I was helpless I sat down quietly, as quietly as I have ever done anything in my life, and began to think over what was best to be done. I am thinking still, and as yet have come to no definite conclusion. Of one thing only am I certain. That it is no use making my ideas known to the Count. He knows well that I am imprisoned, and as he has done it himself, and has doubtless his own motives for it, he would only deceive me if I trusted him fully with the facts. So far as I can see, my only plan will be to keep my knowledge and my fears to myself, and my eyes open. I a
Chapter 68
When I found that I was a prisoner a sort of wild feeling came over me. I rushed up and down the stairs, trying every door and peering out of every window I could find, but after a little the conviction of my helplessness overpowered all other feelings. When I look back after a few hours I think I must have been mad for the time, for I behaved much as a rat does in a trap. When, however, the conviction had come to me that I was helpless I sat down quietly, as quietly as I have ever done anything in my life, and began to think over what was best to be done. I am thinking still, and as yet have come to no definite conclusion. Of one thing only am I certain. That it is no use making my ideas known to the Count. He knows well that I am imprisoned, and as he has done it himself, and has doubtless his own motives for it, he would only deceive me if I trusted him fully with the facts. So far as I can see, my only plan will be to keep my knowledge and my fears to myself, and my eyes open. I a
Chapter 67
When I found that I was a prisoner a sort of wild feeling came over me. I rushed up and down the stairs, trying every door and peering out of every window I could find, but after a little the conviction of my helplessness overpowered all other feelings. When I look back after a few hours I think I must have been mad for the time, for I behaved much as a rat does in a trap. When, however, the conviction had come to me that I was helpless I sat down quietly, as quietly as I have ever done anything in my life, and began to think over what was best to be done. I am thinking still, and as yet have come to no definite conclusion. Of one thing only am I certain. That it is no use making my ideas known to the Count. He knows well that I am imprisoned, and as he has done it himself, and has doubtless his own motives for it, he would only deceive me if I trusted him fully with the facts. So far as I can see, my only plan will be to keep my knowledge and my fears to myself, and my eyes open. I a
Chapter 66
When I found that I was a prisoner a sort of wild feeling came over me. I rushed up and down the stairs, trying every door and peering out of every window I could find, but after a little the conviction of my helplessness overpowered all other feelings. When I look back after a few hours I think I must have been mad for the time, for I behaved much as a rat does in a trap. When, however, the conviction had come to me that I was helpless I sat down quietly, as quietly as I have ever done anything in my life, and began to think over what was best to be done. I am thinking still, and as yet have come to no definite conclusion. Of one thing only am I certain. That it is no use making my ideas known to the Count. He knows well that I am imprisoned, and as he has done it himself, and has doubtless his own motives for it, he would only deceive me if I trusted him fully with the facts. So far as I can see, my only plan will be to keep my knowledge and my fears to myself, and my eyes open. I a
65
When I found that I was a prisoner a sort of wild feeling came over me. I rushed up and down the stairs, trying every door and peering out of every window I could find, but after a little the conviction of my helplessness overpowered all other feelings. When I look back after a few hours I think I must have been mad for the time, for I behaved much as a rat does in a trap. When, however, the conviction had come to me that I was helpless I sat down quietly, as quietly as I have ever done anything in my life, and began to think over what was best to be done. I am thinking still, and as yet have come to no definite conclusion. Of one thing only am I certain. That it is no use making my ideas known to the Count. He knows well that I am imprisoned, and as he has done it himself, and has doubtless his own motives for it, he would only deceive me if I trusted him fully with the facts. So far as I can see, my only plan will be to keep my knowledge and my fears to myself, and my eyes open. I a
