Chapter 36
England 2010
‘Steady,’ said India, as Brandon struggled back to consciousness, ‘Slowly does it.’
Brandon groaned. He could feel India’s hands on his face and knew he was lying on his back. His head ached, and his skin felt hot. He knew something awful had happened but could not remember what. He opened his eyes slowly.
‘I can’t see,’ he said, ‘I’m blind.’
‘Don’t be so bloody dramatic,’ said a familiar male voice, ‘The effects will wear off soon enough.’
‘Who’s that,’ asked Brandon.
‘Cheeky fucker!’ said the voice in amusement.
‘All in good time,’ said India, ‘You just rest for a few moments.’
India poured some water from one of the bottles they had been given onto a handkerchief and dabbed it on Brandon’s face. Slowly, Brandon regained his senses and sat up alongside India. He looked around the room, his vision clearing up by the second.
‘Feeling better?’ asked India.
‘Much,’ said Brandon, ‘What happened?
‘You happened,’ said India, You saved us, Brandon.’
‘How? I don’t understand.’
‘Your mates, the special forces you promised,’ said India, ‘They turned up just in time. It seems you managed to send the signal after all.’
Brandon patted his pockets.
‘I can’t have,’ said Brandon, ‘I don’t have my transceiver, I’ve lost it somewhere.’
‘Well, someone pressed the panic button,’ said a familiar voice, ‘And here we are. Just in time too, it would seem.’
Brandon looked up at the special forces officer standing over him. He was dressed head to foot in black combat gear, and the tinted visor of his assault helmet was lifted up revealing his sweating face.
‘Mike, you old bastard,’ said Brandon, ‘What are you doing here. I thought you were flying a desk these days.’
‘You didn’t think I was going to miss this one, did you?’ asked his old friend. ‘We have been following you for days. All other leads in the Camille case have come to nought so when it became clearer your investigations were getting somewhere, we prepared for the worst. As soon as that signal came, we came in John Wayne style.’
‘But you told me the case was cancelled,’ said Brandon.
‘Had to’, said Mike, ‘Boss’s orders. This thing is so sensitive; we had to keep you at arm’s length. Just in case you pissed someone off right at the top.’
‘Nice to feel wanted,’ said Brandon.
‘Come on, mate,’ said Mike, ‘You know the score.’
‘Just a number, right?’
‘Just a number,’ confirmed his friend.
‘Anyway,’ said Brandon, ‘How did it go?’
‘Seamless,’ said Mike, ‘Caught then with their pants down, so to speak. No casualties on our side, though some of the bad guys will have a headache for days.’
‘I know how they feel,’ said Brandon, ‘What was that thing?’
‘Stun grenade,’ said Mike.
‘Naah, too big,’ said Brandon.
‘New version,’ said Mike, ‘Designed for larger spaces like this one, takes everyone out in one hit. Incapacitates anyone in range for over ten minutes.’
‘Wow,’ said Brandon, ‘That’s some firepower.’
‘Keeps the body count down,’ said Mike, ‘And you caught it full frontal. Anyway, how are you doing? Feel strong enough to shed some light on this mess?’
‘Think so,’ said Brandon, ‘Help me up.’
India and Mike took an arm each and lifted him to his feet.
‘Where is everyone?’ asked Brandon looking around.
‘They’re fine,’ said India, ‘They’ve been taken back through to the convent. A fleet of police cars and ambulances are on their way as we speak.’
‘What about Mr Smith and his friends?’
‘We’ve got them secured,’ said Mike, ‘Borrowed some of the Nun’s cells.’
They made their way past the pulpit and down the wooden stairs to the cavern floor. Several soldiers were dotted around the room, automatic rifles held across their chest, alert to any further danger. Two more were kneeling down alongside someone in the centre, a rucksack open at their side. They had removed their helmets and flak jackets, and were working furiously to save a wounded man.
‘Who’s that?’ asked Brandon.
‘Hoped you could tell me,’ he said, ‘Got a smashed knee and a chest wound. We’re doing our best but don’t think he’s gonna make it.’
‘That’s Jacob,’ said Brandon, ‘The caretaker’s son and self styled high priest. It seems like he is the one responsible for the two girls in Victoria.’
‘What about Camille?’ asked Mike, ‘Any sign of her?’
‘No,’ said Brandon, ‘Only he knows what happened to her. Let’s hope you can save him.’
One of the medics stood up and approached Mike.
‘Sorry Boss,’ he said, ‘We managed to get a drip into him, but he’s losing blood internally. He needs an operating theatre, not a medic.’
‘Shit,’ cursed Brandon, ‘Can I talk to him?’
The soldier looked at Mike, before answering.
‘It’s okay,’ said Mike, ‘He is one of us.’
The medic turned back to Brandon,
‘He is conscious,’ he said, ‘But only just. He won’t last long.’
‘Then I have to speak to him.’ He walked over and knelt down besides the dying man.
‘Jacob,’ he said, ‘Can you hear me?’
The man opened his eyes slowly.
‘What do you want?’ he asked weakly.
‘I want you to do the right thing, Jacob,’ said Brandon, ‘I want you to tell me where Camille is.’
Jacob smiled weakly.
‘Oh yes, Camille. Still haven’t found her then?’
‘Is she still alive, Jacob?’
‘She may be,’ said Jacob, ‘I don’t know.’
‘Then tell me where she is, Jacob, don’t let another little girl die for nothing.’
‘Am I dying?’ asked Jacob, weakly.
Brandon nodded slowly.
‘You are,’ he said,’
‘Then I have nothing to gain by telling you where she is, you he said and closed his eyes.
Brandon thought quickly.
‘Don’t do this, Jacob,’ he said, ‘In the name of Vesta, don’t let her die.’
Brandon’s gamble paid off and at the sound of the Goddess’s name, the dying man’s eyes flickered open.
‘Don’t you dare use her name in vain,’ he coughed, spraying spots of blood over Brandon’s face. ‘She is greater than anything this world has ever seen. Her name was ancient when Christianity hadn’t even been thought of.’
‘Are you a true follower, Jacob? Do you really believe?’
‘You know I do,’ said Jacob, ‘And I welcome this final journey with open arms.’
