Her watery eyes conveyed a look of annoyance. 'Come now, Herr Malone, let's not you and I fool each other. I'm being straightforward. Could I ask the same from you? You want to know, as badly as I do, what happened thirty-eight years ago. My husband and your father died together. The difference between you and I is that I knew he was going to Antarctica. I just didn't realize I would never see him again.'
His mind reeled. This woman possessed a lot of firsthand knowledge.
'He was in search of the Watchers,' she said. 'The Holy Ones.'
'You can't really believe that such people existed.'
'Einhard believed. They're mentioned in the will you hold. Hermann believed. Dietz gave his life for the belief. Actually, they've been called many things by many different cultures. The Aztecs named them Feathered Serpents, supposedly great white men with red beards. The Bible, in the Book of Genesis, calls them Elohim. The Sumerians tagged them as Anunnaki. The Egyptians knew them as Akhu, Osiris, and the Shemsu Hor. Hinduism and Buddhism both describe them. Ja, Herr Malone, on this Christl and I agree, they are real. They influenced even Charlemagne himself.'
She was talking nonsense. 'Frau Oberhauser, we're speaking about things that happened thousands of years ago-'
'My husband was utterly convinced the Watchers still exist.'
He realized that the world had been a different place in 1971. No global media, GPS tracking systems, geosynchronous satellites, or Internet. Staying hidden then was actually possible. Not anymore. 'This is ridiculous.'
'So why did the Americans agree to take him there?'
He could see that she possessed the answer to her own question.
'Because they had searched, too. After the war they went to Antarctica in a massive military jaunt called Highjump. My husband spoke of it many times. They went in search of what Hermann found in 1938. Dietz always believed the Americans discovered something during Highjump. Many years passed. Then, about six months before he left for the Antarctic, some of your military came here and met with Dietz. They talked of Highjump and were privy to Hermann's research. Apparently some of his books and papers had been part of what they confiscated after the war.'
He recalled what Christl had just said to him. It could matter a great deal. In fact, it could literally change the world. Ordinarily he would consider this whole thing nuts, but the US government had sent one of its most advanced submarines to investigate, then totally covered up its sinking.
'Dietz wisely chose the Americans over the Soviets. They came here also, wanting his help, but he hated communists.'
'Do you have any idea what's in Antarctica?'
She shook her head. 'I've wondered a long time. I knew of Einhard's will, the Holy Ones, the two books Dorothea and Christl have. I've sincerely wanted to know what is there. So my daughters are solving the riddle and, in the process, hopefully learning they may indeed need each other.'
'That may prove impossible. They seem to despise each other.'
Her eyes found the floor. 'No two sisters could hate each other more. But my life will end soon, and I must know that the family will endure.'
'And resolve your own doubts?'
She nodded. 'Precisely. You must understand, Herr Malone, we find what we search for.'
'That's what Christl said.'
'Her father said that many times and, on that, he was right.'
'Why am I involved?'
'Dorothea initially made that decision. She saw you as a means to learn about the submarine. I suspect she rejected you because of your strength. That would truly frighten her. I chose you because Christl can benefit from your strength. But you are also someone who can level things for her.'
As if he cared. But he knew what was coming.
'And by helping us, you may be able solve your own dilemma.'
'I've always worked alone.'
'We know things you don't.'
That, he couldn't deny. 'Have you heard from Dorothea? There's a dead body in the abbey.'
'Christl told me,' she said. 'Ulrich will deal with that, as he will deal with the one here. I'm concerned about who else has involved themselves in this matter, but I believe you're the most qualified person to solve that complication.'
His adrenaline rush from upstairs was rapidly being replaced with fatigue. 'The gunman came here for me and Dorothea. He didn't say anything about Christl.'
'I heard him. Christl has explained to you about Einhard and Charlemagne. That document you're holding clearly contains a challenge-a pursuit. You've seen the book, written in Einhard's hand. And the one from Charlemagne's grave, which only a Holy Roman Emperor was entitled to receive. This is real, Herr Malone. Imagine for a moment if there actually was a first civilization. Think of the ramifications for human history.'
He couldn't decide if the old woman was a manipulator, a parasite, or an exploiter. Probably all three. 'Frau Oberhauser, I could not care less about that. Frankly, I think you're all nuts. I simply want to know where, how, and why my father died.' He paused, hoping he wasn't going to regret what he was about to say. 'If helping you gives me the answer, then that's enough incentive for me.'
'So you have decided?'
'I haven't.'
'Then could I offer you a bed for the night, and you can make your choice tomorrow?'
He felt an ache in his bones and did not want to drive back to the Posthotel-which might not be the safest haven, anyway, considering the number of uninvited visitors over the past few hours. At least Ulrich was here. Strangely, this made him feel better.
'Okay. I won't argue with that suggestion.'
TWENTY-NINE
4:30 AM
RAMSEY SLIPPED ON HIS BATHROBE. TIME FOR ANOTHER DAY. IN fact, this could well become the most important day of his life, the first step on a life-defining journey.
He'd dreamed of Millicent and Edwin Davis and NR-1A. A strange combination that wove themselves together in unsettling images. But he was not going to let any fantasy spoil reality. He'd come a long way-and within a few hours he'd claim the next prize. Diane McCoy had been right. It was doubtful he'd be the president's first choice to succeed David Sylvian. He knew of at least two others Daniels would certainly nominate ahead of him-assuming that the decision would be the White House's alone. Thank goodness free choice was a rarity in Washington politics.
He descended to the first floor and entered his study just as his cell phone rang. He carried the thing constantly. The display indicated an overseas exchange. Good. Since speaking to Wilkerson earlier, he'd been waiting to know if the apparent failure had been reversed.
'Those packages for Christmas you ordered,' the voice said. 'We're sorry to say they may not arrive in time.'
He quelled a renewed anger. 'And the reason for the delay?'
'We thought there was inventory in our warehouse, but discovered that none was on hand.'
'Your inventory problems are not my concern. I prepaid weeks ago, expecting prompt delivery.'
