| Subject: Whispered Identities - Chapter 246 |
Author:
Lynuslinus
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Date Posted: Wednesday, March 22, 06:29:47pm
In reply to:
Lynuslinus
's message, "Whispered Identities - Chapter 237 and forward" on Sunday, October 23, 08:00:17pm
Nikita smiled at a security guard while wheeling the pram along the cavernous corridors of the abbey. Michael had activated the tracking detection equipment but nothing was registering. As Michael stopped to overlook a large gothic opening that gave a vast view of the open sea, Nikita pushed the pram towards the stone wall and whispered.
“That last information piece said there were two separate monasteries....with four crypts that evolved into a labyrinth of underground passages and secret chambers.....how will we ever be able to scrutinize every area?”
“We’ll have to start thinking like a Medusa Society member....namely, their egos will put them into the most luxurious accommodation.”
“Maybe Adrian can upload a more detailed map of each monastery....we’ll never cover the whole abbey before closing time.”
Michael moved into a more discreet corner and pressed his comm unit. “Adrian, can you upload any detailed maps of underground passageways....the abbey is made up of two monasteries and we are having difficulty covering the whole area in the allotted time....yes...fine, I’ll check in ten minutes.”
Michael and Nikita continued walking slowly along the many corridors; Michael continued to check his PDA for any sign. Nikita whispered into his ear. “How confident are you with this equipment Michael?”
“It’s more than heat sensitivity....it is state of the art.”
“The thickness of these walls is huge....not that I’m questioning what a million dollars of technology can detect....perhaps the million dollars you transferred to their account .....ahhhh, bounced so they gave you a dud,” she smiled.
“Very funny Nikita....keep moving....let’s carry the pram up that narrow staircase....check for onlookers.”
“Yes sir...on it.”
They manoeuvred the stroller up a narrow stairway that gave way to an open meditation room; Michael’s comm unit alerted him to an incoming message from Adrian. “Yes...I’ll switch over to a new screen....okay, send the maps.”
Michael scrutinized the map layouts Adrian was sending him; he scrolled through quickly, then stopped on one display, passing over the PDA to Nikita. “Look at that area in the upper left corner....isn’t that an extension of this same meditation room?”
Nikita looked around. “It could be....the monastery is the same....the upper level....the staircase we climbed...but there appears to be another compartment off that end.” She walked over to the far wall and ran her fingers over the rough stone. Michael pushed the pram up to the wall, switching the PDA from the incoming map intel to the detection program. “Go to the stairwell and watch for any interruptions....I’m going to open the box and put the manual scanner over the wall.”
Nikita darted to the top of the staircase and nodded back to Michael. He proceeded to wave a wand over the stone wall; suddenly the detection equipment began to register a reading. Michael pushed a series of buttons on the PDA: A view appeared on the screen of a hidden room, a group of men sat before a large table. Michael whispered into his comm unit.
“Adrian, I think we’ve found something....I’m going to send a scan of a room showing a group of people....see if you can clear up the resolution and possibly identify the occupants....okay, sending the scan.”
“Michael.....innocents approaching...they’re coming up the staircase....a group of tourists.”
“I’m just about finished....are you receiving this Adrian....yes....but we need to sign off....we have non-hostile company....do your best. We’ll check for possible ingress points then return to the cottage.”
Michael quickly covered the detection box in the pram and stuffed his PDA in his leather jacket as Nikita smiled at the tourist who had now arrived at the top of the stairs. “Hello....isn’t this beautiful.... oh, sorry, you don’t speak English....oh you do, you’re Dutch.....beautiful country Holland.” She motioned to Michael. “We should be going dear....it’s almost feeding time and we don’t want the baby waking up until we leave the abbey.”
Michael began pushing the pram towards the staircase as the women in the group began motioning to see the baby in the pram. Nikita smiled and quickly intervened. “Oh, sorry but we don’t want to wake her....she is very cranky when she wakes and hasn’t been breastfed....and I’m somewhat embarrassed to do that in public...so we really need to leave now....thank you....bye.”
Michael bumped the pram down the staircase, much to the chagrin of the female tourists; they exclaimed their concern about waking the baby and the rough handling. Nikita shrugged her shoulders as she darted after Michael, turning back she responded. “Men....will they ever learn!”
As they walked rapidly toward to main entrance of the abbey, Michael turned to Nikita. “Breastfeeding....in public....good thing they didn’t want to assist you.”
Nikita shrugged. “You want to walk to the outside perimeter of the monastery....below the meditation room?”
“Yes....there must be a secret access route....but we need to peruse detailed schematics of that area....let’s take a quick look from outside, then leave.”
Nikita nodded as they quickly pushed the stroller to the wall housing the meditation room. Nikita pulled a digital camera from her pocket and took a series of pictures including the surrounding area; she signalled she was finished as Michael swivelled the pram around and they began to head for the entrance causeway of the abbey.
As Michael and Nikita walked past the many tourist kiosks at the entrance; a man stood in the shadows of a souvenir stand; he was reaching into his suit jacket to pull out a cigar, when something caught his eye. He quickly pulled the cigar from his mouth and adjusted his prescription sunglasses. The wind had caught a woman’s black, floppy hat as she strode by with a man pushing a pram; a blonde woman, shapely with long legs. The man’s hand jabbed into his suit pocket; he quickly pulled out a Blackberry and punched in a code. A picture of a blonde woman appeared. The man peered intently and began following the couple until they disappeared down the causeway. He pulled out his cell phone: “Balcour here....I think I’ve spotted the blonde....the one named Nikita....yes with a man pushing a baby carriage. I agree, we need to commence stage one.....if they are here, they will return. I’ll join you in the staging room immediately, if we’re lucky they will return when the high tide begins....then they will be ours.”
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