Captive, p.26
Captive, page 26
“And you were very polite. So instead of doing what I want to do, we’ll spend a good portion of the night checking out the north trails and the forest.” He took her elbow and turned her back toward the camp. “And then I’ll open the trunk of the Range Rover and go over the three semiautomatic pistols and two rifles that I stashed there for you. I’m not sure about the handguns, but I’ve already got a plan for the rifle. I approve of long-range weapons for you.”
“I’ve no objection. Just so it’s effective.”
“But before we go into hunting and any other skills Joe Quinn might have taught you, I suggest we go lie down and you let me hold you for a while.”
“That’s a fine suggestion.” Jane’s voice was trembling as she reached out and took his hand. “I can see why Fraser was so impressed by you.”
“I hoped you’d feel that way.” He slipped his arm around her waist and was leading her into the rail yard. “Because I really want to hold you and my little girl tonight.”
* * *
2:40 A.M.
Jane’s eyes snapped open.
“There’s more!” she said aloud.
Caleb woke and turned over. “What?”
Jane quickly reached for her tablet computer and scrolled through the hundreds of photos she’d taken the day before. “I’ve been dreaming about the mural.”
Caleb sat up and rubbed his eyes. “Of course you have.”
“I’m serious.” She was still scrolling through the photos. “I’ve been going through every inch of that mural in my mind ever since we first saw it. The right side looks…different.” She pinched her screen to zoom in on one of the mural shots. “See what I mean?”
Caleb squinted at it. “I’m afraid I don’t.”
“The style and colors are the same, but the brushstrokes have a slightly different quality to them.” She zoomed in on the lower right-hand corner, where there was a slight discoloration. “And look at this.”
“An imperfection?”
“It’s more than that. It’s a chip.” She pointed at the spot. “Maybe something was bumped against this painting at some point. In any case, it shows that there’s something underneath this section of the painting. It’s been painted over.”
Caleb nodded. “Don’t artists do this all the time when they’re creating their works? Including you?”
“Of course. But coupled with the difference in brushstrokes in this entire side of the painting, this looks like a drastic revision, possibly by someone else. There has to be a reason for it.”
“Interesting.”
She stared at the photo a moment longer. “I want to see what’s underneath.”
He nodded. “Museum researchers have equipment that can do that, don’t they?”
“Yes. They use infrared reflectography scanners.”
“I know some people at the Louvre who can—”
“I want to see it now.”
He smiled. “Well, unless you happen to have an infrared reflectography scanner with you…”
“I do, kind of.”
His smile faded. “What?”
She reached for her bag and pulled out her camera. “Most digital cameras can be modified for infrared photography. If you know what you’re doing, it only takes a few minutes.”
“And you know what you’re doing?”
She nodded. “I’ve done some IR work myself for a mixed-media piece I did a few years ago. It’s not at the level of a full-bore museum scanner, but depending on the paints used, it could work. You just have to try different focus points to find the layer underneath. I want to go over to the Reiver train now and check it out.”
“Now?”
“Why not?”
“Well, perhaps because we’re waiting for people to arrive who want to kill us?”
“You told me there’s an entire squad of MI6 agents out there making sure that won’t happen.”
“It won’t happen.”
“So if we’re stuck here, why not make use of our time? We’re here, the mural’s here, let’s do this.”
He leaned his jaw on his fist, his lips curving with amusement. “It’s still early. We have plenty of time to do anything we feel like doing.”
“No, we don’t.” She sat up. “We’re on borrowed time just as Farrell and Fiona were. Only this is our decision. I was just lying here and wondering if they were struggling to find a way out, too, when Farrell was painting that wonderful mural.”
“Maybe. We don’t know.”
“But maybe we could if we tried.” She smiled at him. “I think I want to try, Caleb.”
He suddenly laughed out loud. “I know that glint in your eye. You’re not going to take no for an answer.”
She leaned down and gave him a kiss before she tossed the blanket aside. “I’m glad you realize that. It’ll save us both a lot of time and aggravation.”
* * *
Reiver Car
“It looks different, doesn’t it?” Jane walked slowly down the aisle toward the painting, her gaze intent. “Earlier I thought it gave off an aura of eternal power, but that’s not what I see now.”
“What are you doing?” Caleb asked as Jane bent over to get a closer look at the mural. “May I help?”
“No.” Jane crouched in front of the mural. “It’s strange…”
“What’s strange?” Caleb asked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s the same mural we saw yesterday.”
“Yes, but the light’s different now. It’s amazing the difference it makes. In my exhibitions, I always specify the type and color temperature of the lightbulbs they use. Yesterday this looked warm and welcoming. Now it looks a little…menacing.”
Caleb studied the mural and then nodded. “I think I see it. Or could it be just a warning?”
“Either way, it’s a powerful piece of work.” Jane set her tripod on the floor and rooted through her bag for the camera. She pulled it out and inspected it.
“How did the modification go?”
“Well, I think. It may not be as effective as a museum infrared camera, but it may show us what’s on the layer beneath this one.”
“You’re certain there’s another painting underneath this one?”
“I won’t be certain until I can verify. But I’d swear I’m right about this, Caleb.” Her eyes were glittering with eagerness and excitement as she stared at him. “And why would anyone want to do that unless they had a very good reason? Don’t you want to know if MacClaren had one?”
He chuckled. “Oh, yes. And if you’re ready to swear, that’s certainly enough for me.” Caleb checked his phone. “Okay, but I’m afraid you’ll need to work fast. The last time Rodland texted he said there are some signs that Bohdan’s already on our trail. But we should be safe here until the MI6 strike team can take them into custody.”
“Good.” Jane turned her attention back to the camera. There was no guarantee this would work, however effective she thought her camera’s infrared capabilities might be. Lead-based paints could reflect the IR radiation, obliterating any opportunity to see the layers beneath. Alternatively, certain paints and materials absorbed IR, making them visible with astonishing clarity. It could go either way.
She set up her camera and adjusted the lens. She had already programmed dozens of focus points since any of them could be the one to best reveal the painting underneath. There were no shortcuts, at least not with her makeshift rig. She just needed to keep trying different focus points until one would hopefully reveal this mural’s secrets.
Focus point one…
* * *
Mulberry Access Road
Rodland didn’t like this development at all.
He crouched in the shrubbery half a mile from the rail yard, his gaze on the dense brush in front of him. He should be able to hear someone, something, in that wall of trees and shrubs that bordered the tall wire fence enclosing the yard.
He wasn’t hearing anything, dammit. Which could be a silent threat. The MI6 strike team commander had lost contact with his outer-perimeter sentries shortly after they reported that Bohdan’s men were on the move.
Those sentries were twenty highly trained agents on the roads surrounding the rail yard, surely more than enough to rout the small but lethal team that Chiswick had sent to capture Caleb and Jane.
Unless the report of the size of that unit was false. It was entirely possible. Bohdan was known to be a crafty snake in the grass, and he might have brought in an extra-strong unit to guarantee that he’d be able to take Caleb down at last.
He looked down at the one-word text from Caleb: STATUS?
He wished he had an answer. Caleb and Jane had agreed to use themselves as bait, and now—
RAT-AT-AT-AT-AT-AT!
Automatic weapon fire shattered the early-morning silence. It had come from behind him.
RAT-AT-AT-AT-AT!
Another burst came from ahead.
Suddenly there was gunfire all around him!
He hit the ground and started to crawl through the shallow creek deeper into the forest.
The MI6 commander’s voice blasted over the radio. “Speak up! What’s going on out there?”
The only replies were screams and more gunfire.
Dammit!
Finally, one of the team members shouted through the shared frequency. “Bohdan’s brought in a bloody auxiliary unit to take us down. I’ve already lost two men. Watch your backs! They’re coming from all—”
RAT-AT-AT-AT-AT-AT!
The agent was silenced.
Rodland kept on crawling. What was the status? If he didn’t find a way to take down those bastards, it could well be terminal.
* * *
Jane joined Caleb at the train car window as the shots continued. “What the hell’s going on out there?”
“I don’t know.” Caleb looked down at his phone. “Rodland isn’t answering. I need to get you out of here.”
“To where?”
“I’m working on it. Presumably anywhere they won’t be looking for us.”
There was a sound at the rear of the train car. Someone was tampering with the locked door!
Caleb pulled out his gun and crept toward the door. The knob jiggered.
Caleb’s phone vibrated.
It was a message from Rodland: IT’S ME. LET ME IN.
Still keeping the gun trained in front of him, Caleb unlocked the door and flung it open.
It was Rodland, and he was covered in mud and blood.
“Oh, God.” Jane rushed toward him.
Rodland stepped inside and closed the door behind him. “Don’t worry. I’m okay. The blood isn’t mine.”
“Then whose is it?”
Rodland walked over and peered out the window. “Two gunmen who tried to ambush me on the access road after I’d jerked Adams away from Bohdan’s troop and sent him into the forest to hide out. Bohdan had sent word to stagger the number of his military forces to keep MI6 from knowing the exact number; he wanted to keep them off guard until he was ready to strike. It turned out to be a massacre. I may be the only survivor.”
“What?” Jane said.
“I saw eight dead MI6 agents on the way over here. Bohdan’s mercenaries are swarming all over the roads.” His gaze was searching the darkness outside the window. “He really wants you, Caleb.”
“Then we need to get out of here,” Jane said.
“It may be too late for that,” Rodland said. “They’ve surrounded the railway station, and they have all the roads covered. I phoned MI6 for backup, but it could be hours before we get any help. I barely made it here.”
“So what’s the plan?” Jane asked. “Hole up here until the cavalry arrives?”
“You’ve got a better one?”
Caleb slowly nodded. “I just might.” He reached for his phone and started dialing. “We know someone who’s a lot closer.” When MacDuff picked up, Caleb’s words were clipped. “It appears we have a problem. Would you care to have your marines join us at the Highland Railway Yard and attempt to save the day?”
“I never attempt,” MacDuff said. “I always accomplish, unlike some people. Is Jane all right?”
“At the moment. Get the hell up here.” He cut the connection and then turned back to Jane and Rodland. “His marines are a formidable fighting force and they’re spoiling for a fight after what happened at the castle. They may keep some of Bohdan’s men at bay, but Bohdan himself will probably be knocking down that fence and trying to blow up this car to get at us within minutes.” He glanced at Rodland. “I’m the main target. Is there any way you can get Jane out that fence and into the forest if I distract them?”
“Only a marginal chance,” Rodland said. “There are too many. And they’re like hungry crocodiles smelling blood.”
“Then maybe a trade if I can contact—”
“You’re doing it again.” Jane stepped in front of Caleb and said fiercely, “I won’t lose you. I won’t go anywhere without you. Think of something else that will get us out of here together. You’re supposed to be damn brilliant, now figure it out. You always have triple plans in mind before you go into any assignment. It’s instinctive with you. I don’t believe you’d do anything less to save your daughter and me. What was your first thought when you sized up the situation?”
“The train.”
Her eyes blazed into his. “Then find a way to use the damn train to keep us safe.”
“Talk about marginal,” he said hoarsely. Then he whirled again on Rodland. “Before he left, I had Fraser set up the engine computer programing on my laptop. It’s comparatively simple since Fraser was anything but a genius when it came to computers. That simplicity might be a help. But you’re definitely a whiz at them, so go get my computer out of my backpack and see if you can make it sit up and do tricks.”
“Ah, computers…” Rodland was already moving toward the seat where Caleb had thrown his backpack. “I already like this plan better.”
“I’m not sure I do,” Caleb said. “But we’ll make it work. Though, as Jane ordered, I’ll just have to figure out how.”
Jane was gazing speculatively all around the train car. “You know, there are all kinds of places to hide in these cars. The passengers were afraid of the reivers and the owners of the trains made certain adjustments to keep them riding the trains. But you’re right, those marines might not be here for another hour or so. We can’t defend ourselves for that long.”
“No way,” Caleb agreed thoughtfully. “We’ll have to leave.”
Rodland shook his head. “We can’t do that. I was just out there, remember? Bohdan’s men have the place surrounded. If we go out on foot, it would be a massacre.”
“Not on foot.”
“Even if we managed to get to a car, the roads are covered.”
“We won’t be using the roads.”
“Then how do you suggest that we…” His eyes widened as the realization hit him. “You can’t be serious.”
Jane took a step closer. “Are you suggesting…that we actually take the train?”
“You asked what I thought of first,” he said simply.
“I didn’t think you meant to steal it. I didn’t think you could. I thought maybe you’d find a way to use it to hide us from Bohdan.”
He shook his head. “Not efficient enough. Why not just take it? This car is already connected to a two-hundred-ton locomotive engine. And there are five other cars connected as well. We’ll pulverize anything that gets in our way.” He smiled at her. “Let’s take it for a spin.”
“Just like that?” Rodland said. “It’s not that simple. Modern rail lines use a central control system.”
“You would know,” Caleb said. “As I remember, you were fairly well versed on the PRAM software package that MI6 was trying out before the London Olympics. As I understand it, it enabled the operator to hack into any of the U.K. rail systems.”
“It was buggy as hell.”
Caleb shrugged. “Any port in a storm. Can you access it?”
Rodland thought about it for a moment. “Maybe.”
Caleb nodded at his computer. “Use this.”
Rodland produced his key ring, where a tiny USB stick was attached. He inserted it into Caleb’s laptop and booted the computer into his own operating system. As his fingers flew across the keyboard, Jane turned to Caleb. He took her hand into his. It was meant as a gesture of reassurance, though she was anything but reassured.
After a couple of minutes, Rodland leaned back. “I have it. The PRAM was still on the MI6 training server. But we’ll still need to go to the forward car and manually power up the engine. Once it’s online, I’ll be able to control it and the local track switches from this laptop.”
“Good,” Caleb said. “You and I will make our way up there and see if the engine is as efficient as Fraser told me it was.”
“What am I supposed to do?” Jane asked quietly. “How can I help?”
“Keep yourself and the baby safe so I won’t regret doing this. I’ll tell you if there’s anything else for you to do as it comes along.”
“That’s not enough. I’ve got to do something.” She glanced back at the paintings. “Maybe MacClaren will help to keep me busy so I won’t go crazy. I’ll finish the job I started.”
“Only you,” Caleb murmured.
“Don’t worry, I have my priorities straight. I’ll keep our daughter safe.” She was opening the weapons box and removing a 9mm Luger pistol. “I won’t let those assholes touch her.”
“I can see you won’t.” Caleb gestured toward the two long guns on the floor beside the box. “Why don’t you take one of those?”
She shrugged. “I will.” She ignored the AR-15. “I prefer the carbine. It handles better if you have to use it short range.” She took the M4 carbine. “I remember you said you liked the idea of me with a long gun.”
“I definitely do. And if anyone but the two of us tries to come in here, don’t hesitate to use one of those.” He added grimly, “Like Rodland said, Bohdan really wants us.”
* * *
“Why the hell haven’t I heard something?” Bohdan stood up in the rear of his mobile command center, an old Russian war-surplus vehicle he found much more robust than the newer and shinier units he’d owned. “Chiswick has his orders. He knows what I want.” He’d ordered the vehicle parked five miles north of the train yard, but it still wasn’t close enough to make him feel part of the action. He whirled on Lasoff, the young tech who was communicating with his attack team via a headset. “Well?”
