The Emerald Scepter Page 26

  The divers were only a few feet from the body when the C-4 exploded in a huge fireball that created a geyser of lake water, neoprene and body parts.

  The shock wave from the blast surged up the cliff and rolled inland, where it slammed Marzak in the back and knocked him forward like a ball hitting a bowling pin. His face crashed into the rocky ground, breaking his nose. If the impact had not rendered him unconscious, he would have spit out the word that had been on his lips.

  Hawkins.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  Amir’s scout team returned within an hour. The men gathered around the sheik, babbling in Pashto and jabbing their fingers toward the far shore of the lake. Amir turned to Abby and Cait.

  “My men got to within a quarter a mile of the camp. They were afraid to go any further because a helicopter had landed at the encampment. The troop carrier was heavily damaged and they saw bodies lying on the ground.” Anticipating the unspoken question, he added, “They were too far away to identify the bodies.”

  Abby was worried about her friends, but she pushed her personal misgivings aside and her military training took over.

  “Did your men report anything else of interest?”

  “Yes. They heard an explosion, and a short while after that the helicopter took off and flew over the camel’s back.”

  Abby glanced up at the clear blue sky.

  “The helicopter may have set down to refuel and rearm,” she said. “We’re totally exposed to an air attack out here. We’d better get out of sight before it returns.”

  “What about Matt and Calvin?” Cait said. “We can’t just leave them!”

  “There’s nothing we can do,” Amir said.

  Abby put her arm around Cait’s shoulders. “Matt and Cal are highly-trained soldiers. They’re fully capable of taking care of themselves. They’ll be fine.”

  “But what if they’ve been wounded and are just lying there?” Cait said with pleading eyes.

  “If they are dead they are dead,” Amir said bluntly. “We must get back to the village, see to the living and prepare a defense.”

  As Amir shouted orders to his men, Cait walked to the edge of the bluff and looked across at the wispy clouds of smoke rising from the far shore of the lake.

  She was about to turn away, but her eye caught a strange V-shaped ripple and trail of bubbles around fifty feet from shore. Something was moving in her direction.

  Keeping her eyes glued to the object, she called Abby over and pointed.

  Abby squinted against the glare. “What the hell is that thing?”

  Amir noticed the two women staring into the lake and hobbled over. He saw a light-colored blur moving toward land and called his men over. He pointed his cane at the object which became more yellow in tone as it rose to the surface.

  The black muzzles of six automatic weapons tracked the object until it stopped around twenty feet away. It was a tribute to their discipline that they didn’t unleash deadly fire when one head, then another, popped to the surface. A hand reached out of the water and pulled the hood back and goggles down to reveal the grinning face of Hawkins.

  “Hello,” he said as if returning from the dead were a normal occurrence.

  Calvin pulled his mask down as well. “You-all going to stand there or give us a hand?”

  The two men pushed the AUV in until it touched the bottom of the sloped bank. Amir’s men hauled Fido out of the water and onto the top of the cliff. Then they helped Hawkins and Calvin who crawled out of the lake as if they were antediluvian water creatures making the transition to land. They stood on shaky legs at the top of the cliff and slipped out of their dive gear.

  “This is a miracle,” Amir said. “Did you swim underwater all the way across the lake?”

  Hawkins patted his friend on the back. “It was nothing for a navy SEAL. Right, Calvin?”

  “An ex-navy SEAL,” Calvin corrected. “Speak for yourself, man. You said we could ride Fido all the way.”

  “What Cal is saying is that Fido gave us a tow until its batteries ran down,” Hawkins said.

  “And our propulsion units fizzled.” Calvin puffed his cheeks out. “We had to drag the submersible the last couple of hundred feet. It was like moving a refrigerator underwater.”

  “Fido is a prototype,” Hawkins explained. “Still got a few bugs to work out of its battery system.”

  “I’ll carry some extra double AAs next time,” Calvin said.

  “Maybe you two could stop your bickering long enough to tell us what happened over there,” Abby said.

  “Sorry, Abby.” Hawkins took in a lungful of air and let it out. “There was an air attack. Three Cobra gunships with missiles and Gatling guns.”

  Amir was familiar with the Cobra’s capability and he knew better than to ask if anyone had survived. “Many of my men have wives and children in the village. The people responsible for this will pay with their lives.” He clutched Hawkins by the arm. “Do you know who is behind the attack?”

  “Partially. A Blackhawk helicopter landed after the Cobras did their work and three men who seemed to be in charge got out. I knew two of them. One is the twin of the man who tried to kill me. The other is a professor from Georgetown University.” He looked at Cait. “His name is Saleem.”

  Cait gave a coughing laugh. “That’s impossible. The professor isn’t a killer and this is the last place he would be. I’m sure you’re mistaken.”

  “I’m afraid not, Cait. I talked to Saleem a few days ago at Georgetown,” Hawkins said.

  “How is it that you escaped the attack?” Amir said.

  Hawkins explained that they’d been underwater looking at a possible mine entrance and then told of the run-in with the dive team.

  “My men said they heard an explosion,” Amir said.

  “We used the dead diver’s body and made an improvised floating mine before the divers could make a second try at us.”

  “I’ll bet that isn’t in the SEAL bag of tricks,” Abby said.

  “Yeah, but it’s in Calvin’s bag,” Hawkins said like a proud father.

  “I had the C-4, but Hawk was the one who figured out how to use it,” Calvin said. “Dumb luck.”

  “We won’t be as lucky if the choppers come in while we’re out here like sitting ducks,” Hawkins said.

  The sheik ordered his men to help lift the AUV onto the desert vehicle. Then they tied their dive gear onto the side carriers. Amir and the women and two guards got in the touring car. The other guards followed in the Russian jeep. Hawkins and Calvin brought up the rear in the desert vehicle.

  They dashed through the countryside at a breakneck pace, prompting Calvin to say, “These guys are running as if the hounds of hell are after them.”

  Hawkins, who was behind the wheel, glanced in the rear-view mirror and let out an oath.

  “What’s wrong?” Calvin said.

  “Those hounds of hell you just mentioned?”

  “Yeah?”

  Hawkins jerked his thumb at the black speck in the sky behind them.

  “Hope you brought some dog biscuits.”

  He squeezed a few more miles of speed out of the desert vehicle’s engine, knowing even as he did so, that there would be no escape from the helicopter closing in for the kill like a fierce-eyed Valkyrie.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  When Marzak regained consciousness, Professor Saleem was bending over him. Sledge hammers pounded against the inside of his skull.

  The professor spread Marzak’s eyelids open wide with his fingers. “Do you know your name?”

  Marzak slapped the arm away.

  “Don’t be a fool!”

  “I have some first aid training and was checking for signs of dilation, which would indicate a serious condition. My guess is that it is only a concussion; although your nose may be broken. There�
�s lots of blood.”

  Marzak pushed himself up to a standing position.

  “Wonderful.” Marzak said, spreading his mouth in a grin that looked ghastly against the drying blood that streaked his upper lip. “Simply wonderful. You can send me the bill for your insightful diagnosis.”

  The mercenaries stood around awaiting orders, but he only gave them a glance and staggered to the edge of the cliff. Three bodies floated in the bloodied waters a few yards from shore. He couldn’t believe it! Hawkins had wiped out his entire dive team.

  He scanned the lake surface further from shore. Nothing. Hawkins could have swum further out, but it was doubtful he would have had the strength or the air supply to reach the far side. Marzak guessed that Hawkins was swimming parallel to the shore, looking for a safe spot to come out onto land.

  He whirled around and shouted at the mercenaries to spread out along the bluff. Then he strode over to the pile of hand grenades and clipped them onto his belt. He walked along the lake and lobbed the grenades in, one-by-one, creating a line of foamy explosions. He quickly exhausted his supply of grenades, and paced up and down the shoreline, exhorting the mercenaries to keep a sharp eye out, promising a reward to the first man to report seeing a diver, dead or alive.

  After a while it became clear that the reward would go unclaimed and he ordered the mercenaries to get back into the helicopter.

  The professor confronted Marzak at the door of the aircraft. “What are you going to do about the treasure?”

  “You saw for yourself, the dive team is no more. Kaput! We will now proceed to the next stage of our mission, the destruction of the village. Unless you want to walk home, I suggest you get into the helicopter.”

  A few moments later, the helicopter was rising into the air. The Cobras were taking on fuel and ammunition on the other side of the camel’s back. Marzak had the pilot radio the gunships to get in the air for an attack.

  While he waited to rendezvous with the Cobras, he directed the Blackhawk pilot to fly over the lake on the off-chance that his prey had actually attempted the crossing. There was no sign of anyone in the water, but at five hundred feet altitude, they had a clear view of the entire lake.

  The pilot pointed at the dust cloud being kicked up on the far side of the lake and Marzak told him to check it out. As the helicopter sped across the lake, Marzak leaned out the window. In his excitement, he no longer felt the throbbing pain from the ugly bruise in his forehead and the smashed bridge of his nose.

  Seconds later they caught up with the three vehicles. He had the helicopter circle around the convoy and saw the open car with two women in it, leading the way. Some of the men in the jeep raised their guns and were trying to get a bead on the helicopter.

  As the helicopter banked out of range, the driver of the last vehicle looked up. Marzak recognized the tanned features immediately. Hawkins had somehow made it to safety. He ordered the pilot and mercenaries to prepare for a strafing run.

  The helicopter circled around and followed the line of vehicles.

  “It’s Hawkins and another man,” Marzak said to the professor. “They’re wearing dive suits. Somehow they swam across the lake.” He laughed. “It’s too bad we have to spoil their day at the beach.”

  “Wait,” Saleem said.

  “No need. We can take care of Hawkins without the help of the gunships.”

  “No!” the professor said. “We need them both alive.”

  The smile froze on Marzak’s lips. “Alive? What are you talking about?”

  “Our dive team is dead. We need experienced divers to look for the treasure.”

  The helicopter had made its turn and was coming in at a low angle, running a parallel course that would allow the mercenaries to unleash a deadly fusillade from the doors and window.

  Marzak glared at Saleem. “I know Hawkins. He’s not going to dive for you,” he said with unveiled contempt.

  “He might if there was enough at stake. I want them alive for now. Or I’m calling this mission off.”

  The professor’s insistent voice and hard-eyed expression told Marzak that there was no room for debate. He watched the vehicles recede to pinpoints in the distance and called on almost superhuman willpower to issue his next order.

  “Lower your guns,” he said.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  Amir’s village was in complete chaos.

  The Cadillac braked to a stop just inside the gate, unable to proceed further in the traffic gridlock. Hawkins got out of the desert vehicle and strode over to the touring car.

  “What’s going on?” he said.

  “I gave orders for women and children to move to safety,” Amir said. “I assumed that the evacuation would be well under way. This is insanity. I will take care of it.”

  Amir rose from his seat and in a booming voice issued a series of angry commands. All commotion ceased and every eye fell on the sheik before the people once again sprang into action. Within minutes, the traffic had parted just enough for the caravan to continue to Amir’s compound. His daughter Nagia stood on the veranda with his granddaughter Yasmeen. Nagia was trying to herd the aged cook and housekeeper into a khaki-colored Land Rover.

  Nagia’s expression of angry frustration changed to relief when she saw the procession drive up to the house. Amir and Nagia had an exchange in Pashto, and then he gave her a quick embrace, picked up the little girl and handed her to his daughter, who had gotten into the vehicle. He told one of his men to drive the Land Rover. As the vehicle left the compound he came back to the jeep.

  “My daughter will lead the villagers to some caves a few miles from here where they can hide,” Amir explained.

  “Good move,” Hawkins said. “The village will be a death trap if the choppers attack.”

  “Why didn’t they shoot at us back at the lake?” Calvin said. “They had us dead in their sights.”

  Hawkins shook his head. “Haven’t a clue, but it’s only a matter of time before they return.”

  “We’re not completely defenseless. I have something to show you that might help,” Amir said.

  Hawkins and Calvin were still in their wetsuits, and now they were sweating profusely under the tight neoprene coverings. “But before you do that, you don’t know where we could get some street clothes?”

  Amir told them to wait and disappeared into the house.

  Abby and Cait got out of the touring car. “What’s going on?” Abby said.

  Hawkins repeated what Amir had said.

  “What do you want us to do?” Abby said.

  “The sheik’s daughter may need a hand getting the villagers to safety. We’ll follow as soon as we see what Amir has up his sleeve.”

  “See that you do, Matt,” Cait said. “I’m holding you to that dinner invitation.”

  Abby shot an unfriendly glance at Cait and turned to Hawkins with narrowed eyes.

  “What dinner invitation is that, Matt?”

  Hawkins was struggling to come up with a diplomatic answer when Calvin came to his rescue.

  “Dinner we’re all going to have to celebrate getting out of this mess,” he said.

  Abby flashed an alligator smile, and then she and Cait climbed into the jeep and headed out of the village to catch up with the evacuation.

  “Thanks for the save, pal,” Hawkins said.

  “You wouldn’t be much help fighting the bad guys once Abby got through with you, Hawk. She doesn’t like you hound-dogging other pretty ladies.”

  Hawkins told his friend to assume a position that would have been anatomically impossible.

  Amir came out of the house and handed them two sets of clothing. “This is all I have, unfortunately.”

  Hawkins and Calvin stripped down to their bathing suits, then put on the baggy tribal trousers and robe, and the mushroom-shaped hats. They got in the car and the sheik dro
ve to the airstrip. They stopped in front of an old hangar that Amir said the Russians had built. Amir asked for help sliding open the wide wooden door, then led the way into the darkened interior and switched on the overhead lights.

  Hawkins let out a low whistle. The walls were covered with weapons that spanned centuries. More weapons were displayed on wooden shelves and in glass cabinets.

  “Looks like a military museum,” Hawkins said.

  “Actually, it’s a museum dedicated to the folly of empire. These weapons were left behind by armies that invaded my country. We’re in the small arms section.” He reached up and touched the sharp point of a long spear hanging from the wall. “Alexander the Great’s infantry used these Macedonian sarissa pikes with devastating effect. Next to it is a bronze helmet and shield of the same era. This curved sword came in with the Arabs. That saddle was used by a cavalryman in the time of Genghis Kahn.”

  Calvin ran his fingers along the wooden stock of a rifle. “Nice Martini-Henry. We saw tribesmen still using these when we were in the SEALs.”

  “That weapon goes back to the British invasions,” Amir said. “These are Russian weapons. Kalashnikov automatic rifles, Spetsnaz and Malarov pistols. Grenade launchers. Now the Taliban are using them.”

  “I don’t see any U.S. weapons,” Hawkins said.

  “All in storage while the war is in progress. No doubt future insurgents will be using leftover firearms from the current war.”

  “No doubt,” Hawkins said. “You said this is the small arms section.”

  “That’s right. The bigger toys are in the next room.”

  Even if Abby had not stomped the Russian jeep’s gas pedal with a lead foot, she and Cait would have had no problem catching up with the fleeing villagers. The more-or-less orderly procession had degenerated into a rout. By the time they caught up it was at a standstill. In their panic, some of the truck drivers had tried to sprint past the slower moving vehicles. The rear guard had gone after them and pulled them over like traffic cops, blocking the narrow road.