this plan you’ve described will work?”
Margo took a deep breath, nodded. “If the Extrapolator is correct, this beast hunts by smell rather than sight. And if its need for the plant is as strong as we think it is—” She paused, shrugged. “It’s the only way.
Pendergast remained motionless a moment. “If it will save those people below us, we have to try.” He pulled out his radio.
“D’Agosta?” he said, adjusting the channel. “D’Agosta, this is Pendergast. Do you read?”
The radio squealed static. Then: “D’Agosta here.”
“D’Agosta, what’s your status?”
[363] “We met up with that creature of yours,” came the response. “It got into the Hall, killed Ippolito and an injured guest. We moved into the stairwell, but the basement door was jammed. We had to go to the subbasement.”
“Understood,” Pendergast said. “How many of your weapons were you able to take?”
“We only had time to grab one twelve-gauge and a service revolver.”
“What’s your current position?”
“In the subbasement, maybe fifty yards from the stairwell door.”
“Listen closely, Vincent. I’ve been speaking with Professor Frock. The creature we’re dealing with is extremely intelligent. Maybe even as smart as you or I.”
“Speak for yourself.”
“If you see it again, don’t aim for the head. The slugs will just bounce off the skull. Aim for the body.”
There was silence for a moment, then D’Agosta’s voice returned. “Look, Pendergast, you need to tell Coffey some of this. He’s sending some men in, and I don’t think he has any idea of what’s waiting for him.”
“I’ll do my best. But first let’s talk about getting you out of here. That beast may be hunting you.”
“No
“I can direct you out of the Museum through the subbasement. It won’t be easy. These blueprints are very old, and they may not be completely reliable. There may be water.”
“We’re standing in half a foot of it now. Look, Pendergast, are you sure about this? I mean, there’s a mother of a storm outside.”
“It’s either face the water, or face the beast. There are forty of you; you’re the most obvious target. You’ve got to move, and move quickly—it’s the only way out.”
“Can you link up with us?”
“No. We’ve decided to stay here and lure it away from you. There’s no time to explain now. If our plan [364] works, we’ll join you further on. Thanks to these blueprints, I’ve discovered more than one way to get into the subbasement from Cell Two.”
“Christ, Pendergast, be careful.”
“I intend to. Now, listen carefully. Are you in a long, straight passage?”
“Yes.”
“Very good. Where the hall forks, go right. The hall should fork a second time in another hundred yards or so. When you get to the second fork, radio me. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“Good luck. Pendergast out.”
Pendergast quickly switched frequencies. “Coffey, this is Pendergast. Do you copy?”
“Coffey here. Goddammit, Pendergast, I’ve been trying to reach you for—”
“No time for that now. Are you sending a rescue team in?”
“Yes. They’re preparing to leave now.”
“Then make sure they’re armed with heavy-caliber automatic weapons, flak helmets, and bulletproof vests. There’s a powerful, murderous creature in here, Coffey. I saw it. It has the run of Cell Two.”
“For Chrissakes, you
Pendergast spoke rapidly into the radio. “I’ll only warn you once more. You’re dealing with something monstrous here. Underestimate it at your peril. I’m signing off.”
“No, Pendergast, wait! I order you to—”
Pendergast switched off the radio.
= 52 =
They slogged into the water, dim flashlight beams licking the low ceiling in front and behind. The flow of air in the tunnel continued to blow gently into their faces. D’Agosta was alarmed now. The beast could come up behind them unannounced, its stench wafted away from them.
