The Alexandria Link

“Why did you kill George Haddad?”

“I didn’t.”

Movement behind the two men caught Malone’s attention. He saw a third figure step from the doorway.

Eve from Haddad’s apartment. Alive and well.

“Mr. Malone,” she said. “I’m the assistant librarian and we owe you an explanation, but it must be quick.”

He kept his composure.

“We were there in London to create an illusion. It was imperative that you continue forward, and the Librarian believed the ruse was the best way to accomplish that goal.”

“The Librarian?”

She nodded. “He leads us. We aren’t many, but have always been enough to protect this place. Many Guardians have served. I’m sure you saw their bones in the church. But the world is changing. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for us to continue our mission. We are about to be without funds, and our recruitment, of late, has been dismal. Then there is the threat.”

He waited for her to explain.

“For the past several years someone has been seeking us. They’ve even involved governments. The incident five years ago with George Haddad-where you were able to secret him away-left an invitee both known and exposed. That has never happened before. All the invitees from the past kept their pledge of secrecy, save one-Thomas Bainbridge. We’re fortunate, though, in that his transgression proved useful. Your quest was made possible by Bainbridge’s lack of character.”

“You knew we were coming?” Pam asked.

“Most of your journey was stimulated by us, except that the Israelis have been quite aggressive in trying to find you. Even the Americans were involved. But it seems for different reasons. Everyone was willing to bargain us away. The Librarian decided to set into motion events that we controlled, ones that could lead the relevant players straight here.”

“How is that possible?” he asked.

“You’re here, aren’t you?”

“We were in London,” Adam said, “to move you. We used some theatrical special effects to convince you of the shootings.” Adam faced Pam. “Shooting you was an accident. I didn’t expect you to be outside.”

“That makes two of us,” Malone said. But there was something else. He faced Eve. “George shot you. I took his gun. It was loaded with live ammunition.”

“Yes, thank goodness he has good aim. I’m still sore, but the vest did its job.”

“We went to Lisbon,” Adam said, “to keep you moving forward, along with diverting the Israelis. We needed the three of you to come here alone. The others, in the abbey, were part of a Mossad assassination unit. But you eliminated them.”

Malone glanced at Pam. “Looks like you definitely weren’t the only one played.”

“The man who came here with you is named Dominick Sabre,” Eve said, “though his birth name is James McCollum. He works for an organization known as the Order of the Golden Fleece. He’s come to take the library.”

“And I brought him,” Malone said.

“No,” Adam said. “We allowed you to bring him.”

“Where is this Librarian?” Pam asked.

Adam motioned at the doorways. “In there. He went with Sabre. At gunpoint.”

“Cotton,” Pam said. “You realize what they’re saying? If Eve wasn’t killed then-”

“The Librarian is George Haddad.”

Eve nodded, tears forming in her eyes. “He’s going to die.”

“He’s taken Sabre inside,” the younger Guardian said, “knowing that he will not return.”

“How does he know that?” Malone asked.

“Either the Order or Sabre wants this site for themselves. Which one? That remains to be seen. But we will all be killed, regardless. Since we’re but a few, that will not be difficult to accomplish.”

“No weapons in this place?”

Adam shook his head. “Not allowed here.”

“Is what’s back there worth dying for?” Pam asked.

“Without question,” Adam said.

Malone knew what was happening. “Your Librarian was responsible for the death of a Guardian long ago. He thinks his death will be an atonement for that sin.”

“I know,” Eve said. “This morning he watched as you parachuted and knew this was his final day. He told me what he had to do.” She stepped forward. Tears now streaked her cheeks. “He said you would stop what was happening. So save him. He need not die. Save us all.”

Malone faced the doorway marked M and gripped the gun tight. He dropped his pack to the floor and told Pam, “Stay here.”

“No,” she said. “I’m going.”

He faced her. This woman, whom he’d both loved and hated, seemed, like Haddad, at a crossroads herself.

“I want to help,” she said.

He had no idea what would happen in there. “Gary needs at least one parent.”

Her gaze locked on him. “That old man needs us, too.”

SEVENTY-SEVEN

MARYLAND

STEPHANIE LISTENED TO FOX NEWS RADIO. THE CAR BOMBING had been reported, the vehicle’s registration run, and Daley identified. Patrons inside the restaurant had corroborated his physical identification, along with describing a woman who’d been sitting with him. Witnesses had told how the woman and another dark-ski

Not surprisingly, no press reported that armed men had been found dead a few miles from the scene of the explosion. The Secret Service’s cleanup had been fast and thorough.

They were driving another government car, a Chevy Tahoe, supplied by Daniels. The president wanted them away from Camp David before she made the call. They were now seventy miles south, on the outskirts of northern Washington. She grabbed her cell phone and dialed Green’s mobile number.

“I’ve been waiting,” Green said when he answered. “Have you heard about Daley?”

“We had a front-row seat.” And she told him what happened at the restaurant.

“What were you doing there?”

“Having breakfast. He was buying.”

“Any reason why you’re being flippant?”

“Watching a man die has a way of jading your attitude.”

“What’s happening?” Green asked.

“The same people who killed Daley tried to kill Cassiopeia and me. But we managed to get away. They were apparently on Daley’s tail, and they moved on us right after we left the restaurant.”

“You seem to have a number of lives, Stephanie.”

“Daley told me things, Brent. There’s a lot going on. He was privy to it. He also has proof.”

“Was he the traitor?”

“Hardly. The vice president gets that crown. Daley had amassed quite a lot on the VP.”

She kept the car on the road and listened to the silence on the other end of the phone.

“Solid evidence?”

“Good enough for The Washington Post. He was terrified. That’s why he met with me. He wanted help. He gave some stuff to me.”

“Then your life is at risk, Stephanie.”

“We’ve already figured that one out. Now we need your help.”

“Of course. You’ll have it. What do you want me to do?”

“Those flash drives from Daley’s house. They relate to the evidence I have. Together they’re enough to take the VP down. Once he goes, then we’ll learn the rest, since I doubt he’ll graciously take the fall alone. Treason comes with a harsh penalty. Death is one of the options for the jury.”

More silence.

“Do you know if Cotton has checked in?” she asked.

“I haven’t been told if he has. I’ve heard from no one. How about Thorvaldsen? Has he contacted Cassiopeia?”

“Not a word.”

Her heart sank as she realized that Brent Green was part of what was happening. The pain on her face conveyed to Cassiopeia his betrayal.

“We need to meet, Brent. Privately. Just you, me, and Cassiopeia. How’s your schedule?”

“Nothing I can’t change.”

“Good. Daley has more proof. Stuff he said would conclusively show who else is involved. He’s been amassing it for a while. Those flash drives you have contain taped conversations of the VP’s chief of staff talking about succession after the president is dead. But there’s more. We need to meet at Daley’s house. Can you get there?”