Charles Brokaw - The Lucifer Code

L ourds yelped as Kristine pulled him up by his trapped arm, his wrist still bent in the form of a dying swan. A few of the passers-by saw what was going on and backed away. Lourds staggered ahead of Kristineif that was really her nameas she pushed him forward. Black spots danced before his eyes and he felt certain he was going to pass out.

His thoughts raced. He had always been like that. No matter what happened to him or around him, his mind worked to ferret out answers to puzzles. The young womans stalking and kidnapping of himhe didnt want to think this might be the prelude to a murderwas certainly something he hadnt expected to face upon his arrival in Istanbul. It was a puzzle, all right, possibly a lethal one. He needed to find a way out.

Are you positive you have the right person? Lourds asked.

Kristine twisted his arm and increased the pain for a moment.

Lourds knees wobbled and very nearly went out from under him. Sweat broke out across his face and he blinked back tears.

Silence, Professor. We do this quietly and we do it quickly. Talking is not an option.

A bear-sized man wearing a Green Bay Packers football jersey stepped towards Lourds. A large woman and two cub-sized boys trailed in his wake.

Hey, buddy, the bear-sized man said with an American accent, you okay? Need some help? He glanced at Kristine. Hey, miss, if you need some help with your dad, Id be happy to do it. Im a paramedic.

Dad? Lourds thought in mortification.

A lot of guys get sick overseas their first time, the big man said. They cant handle the local hooch so well.

Damn that wine. Lourds thought he must reek of it if this guy had noticed the smell. But the man wasnt quite the paramedic he thought he was if he couldnt tell the difference between someone in pain and someone who was wasted.

We dont need any help, Kristine replied smoothly, giving Lourds a shove. My father and I are fine. Thanks for the offer.

You ask me, the man said, your dad doesnt look so fine. He took another step towards them and reached for Lourds.

Hope sprang up in Lourds as he realized they were starting to draw attention to themselves. Surely someone would call the police. The police in Turkish tourist areas were abundant and meant business. When they showed up this whole situation would be resolved. He only hoped his arm wouldnt get broken in the meantime.

Kristine didnt even bat an eye. She slid her other hand up to join her first on Lourds wrist. Smooth metal caressed his palm but he had no clue what it was. Then she forced him to lift his arm and point it at the man. A harsh click sounded from under his hand and was followed by an eerie humming noise.

Two thin cords suddenly ran from Lourds hand to the bear-sized man. It looked a bit, the professor thought vaguely, like Spider-Man shooting his webbing.

The bear-sized man looked down at the wires protruding from his chest and abdomen. Ow! he yelled. What the hell did you just do?

Lourds wanted to tell the man that hed done nothing, but he knew Kristine would damage him for breaking her rules about talking. The bear-shaped man reached for the wires.

Then he started convulsing, twitching, and jerking. His head shook back and forth violently.

Hey, Mom, one of the cub-shaped kids said. Dads breakdancing.

He hasnt even been drinking this time, the other cub put in.

Harold! the large woman exclaimed. What do you think youre doing? Get back over here and leave those people alone. Harold! Are you even listening to me?

Harold quit convulsing, twitching and jerking. He fell like a puppet whose strings had been cut. He tumbled forwards and lay spread-eagled on the concrete. A waiting cab braked to a sudden halt only inches from him.

Harold! the woman screamed.

Dad! the cubs screamed.

Other people started screaming. The level of general confusion escalated to the point that Lourds was suddenly lost in a sea of upset people. If Kristine hadnt been holding onto his hand with such dogged purpose, Lourds felt positive he could have escaped.

Oh my God! the big woman yelled, pulling at the wires in her husbands chest. Hes killed my husband! That mans killed my husband! She pointed accusingly at Lourds.

No, Lourds protested automatically. No, I didnt! It was urfff ! Pain stole away his breath and he nearly dropped to his knees again. Kristine kept her grip on his hand and grabbed his collar as well.

He tried to struggle, but to no avail. The girl knew what she was doing.

Move, Professor Lourds, she ordered. As amusing as it would be to watch you get arrested for this, I have plans for you.

A million questions flooded Lourds mind, but he didnt ask any of them. He kept moving, mostly in a straight line, out into the next street.

Can you see me? Kristine asked.

Lourds hesitated, remembered the orders not to speak, and looked back over his shoulder at his captor.

Can you see me? Kristine repeated.

No, Lourds answered. No, not well. Its an awkward angle.

Shut up, Kristine said to him. I wasnt talking to you.

Lourds shut up. He glanced back at the bear-shaped man and saw with relief that the man was starting to stir. He looked incredibly confused. Lourds knew exactly how he felt.

Behind the downed paramedic, three men were shoving their way through the crowd. They pointed at Kristine and Lourds and then reached inside their suits. That wasnt, Lourds decided, a hopeful sign.

Kristine cursed and Lourds couldnt help but think the young woman had quite the mouth on her. Ive got company, she said. Three men.

Then the men brandished weapons. The flesh and blood barrier separating them from Lourds and the young woman evaporated. Pedestrians and cab drivers screamed in terror. People dived for cover among the cars and kiosks.

Kristine yanked Lourds into motion, pushing him across the street at a run. A car swerved to avoid them, crashing into one of the parked cabs. Lourds boots crunched over shattered glass that sprayed across the street from the crash. He hoped none of it had managed to injure anybodyincluding him.

No, Kristine retorted angrily, though Lourds hadnt said a word, I dont know who they are. Evidently your little surprise party has a leak somewhere. Wheres that car?

She yanked Lourds to a halt, nearly choking him on his own shirt. He gagged reflexively. To his right, a silver SUV squealed round a corner, barrelling straight for them. Pedestrians tried to get out of the way, but one of them was too slow and the vehicle collided with him, knocking him to the side. He rolled, then staggered to his feet, clutching his arm.

Lourds cursed in three languages, remembered that he wasnt supposed to talk, then realized he was probably going to get that broken arm, thanks to his lack of control. He braced himself for the excruciating pain. Instead, the SUV skidded to a halt in front of Lourds and Kristine. The passenger door swung open and a hulking man reached out and caught Lourds by his shirt front.

Get in, Kristine ordered, pushing him from behind.

The hulking man yanked Lourds into the SUV as if he were weightless. The professor banged his knees against the transom, but the pain was only an echo of what was being done to his wrist. Unable to keep his balance, Lourds tumbled into the vehicle and sprawled on the floor.

Twisting his head to see who his new captor was, Lourds looked at the big man just in time to see the top of his left ear explode in a crimson burst. Blood speckled the window behind his captor, a window that now had a thumb-sized hole punched through it.

Theyre shooting at us! Lourdes screamed.

More bullets tore through other windows and the sound of bullets rang out against the SUVs body. The big man pulled a machine pistol from under his suit jacket. He pushed Lourds head into the carpet with one hand while he aimed the machine pistol with the other.