Sheba's Gambit Read online

  “One eighty.”

  “Dean, that’s pretty heavy. Are you certified for that much of a load?”

  “One fifty’s the heaviest, but he wouldn’t be dead weight.”

  Marshall looked thoughtful. Everyone in the room was quiet while Marshall looked from Tony to the screen above their heads. “Sam would you pull up the house?”

  He tapped the keys. “I don’t have anything on the inside of the house.”

  Tony looked startled. “You should. I took pictures when I broke in.” He thought for a moment. “Check under TonyNB.”

  “Let me see the roof before you do that.” Marshall ordered. When the roof came up, he looked around, “Does anyone know the square footage of that roof?”

  When no one responded, Dean said, “That’s a huge roof. It’s got to be 5,000 square feet minimum.”

  Marshall said, “I don’t like the chimneys. We need to know if there are sensors or cameras on them.”

  Dean said, “Marshall, Satellite 2DKY will be overhead in a few minutes. I’m going to jockey it so we can get some telephoto shots.”

  “Go for it.” He turned to Sam, “Did you find any house plans?”

  Sam shook his head. “No. That file’s empty.”

  Ignoring the pain in his head, Marshall said, “Tony, think back, was there a stairway to the roof?”

  Tony closed his eyes. It was obvious that he was going over the house floor by floor. Then he shook his head. “No. There’s a balcony on each floor but I don’t remember seeing any stairs going to the roof, at least on the outside.”

  Dean said, “2DKY is overhead now. I’m sending you the photos.”

  Nagle said, “Is there anyway Breckenridge can know that we’re taking pictures of his house?”

  Dean said, “No, ma’am. We didn’t have to move the satellite’s orbit. It was on course. We just had to adjust the cameras to take telephoto shots.”

  “Ssh-h.” Sarah said. “They are talking.

  Marshall strode over to her console. “Turn it up, please.” He could hear Sheba’s voice. “I want to sit with my nephew,” she said.

  Marshall ground his teeth when Slater said, “Sit down there. You aren’t sitting with your nephew. He’s in my charge.”

  Marshall said, “Did Frank get that module synchronized?”

  Tony said, “He couldn’t get it to work.

  Damn,” Marshall said. “If it were synchronized, I could talk to her.”

  “Marshall, do you have the Ferris laboratory software?” Dean asked. “Jason took the course on that module.”

  “I have it,” Sam said. “Can Jason walk me through how to synchronize it? We’ve been looking into getting this, but Director Wyatt didn’t think it was that useful.”

  Dean said, “Marshall, can you put me on a separate link so Jason can walk him through it. Remember he did it on our last mission but one.”

  Marshall handed his cell to him. “Here. Let me know when you’re finished.”

  While Marshall studied the satellite photos of the roof, Tony said, “Sarah, what have you got on Sheba?”

  Not a lot, historically. The Queen of Sheba was a mystery woman. No location is mentioned in the Bible or in Josephus. However, Carr Carmichael thinks it is in Ethiopia or the Sudan. Antoine Bergeron thinks that it was in Yemen based on historical documentation, whatever that is.”

  Tony said, “Neither Breckenridge or Sheba think that it’s there. When Sheba talked to Aaron Aschler, I got the idea that both of them thought it was somewhere in Turkey. Sheba said that she got the name of the place out of that sea captain’s diary, but the place wasn’t on any of the modern maps. Aschler found a map for her that did have that name. He said that the sea captain was trying to hide his findings and had written a lot of the names in code. Aschler got all excited and told Sheba that she would vindicate his research. I saw the map but didn’t recognize the place, but--”

  He turned to Sarah, “Pull up a map of the southern coast of Turkey.”

  She quickly did as he had requested.

  Tony studied it then said, “Move toward the east. He traced the coastline with his finger. “I don’t see anything that resembles what he pointed out. He had her move the map northward. From what I saw of the map it looked like the town was directly south of Ararat.

  Sarah quickly found Mt. Ararat and then began moving south. ”This area here, is all volcanic.” She said.

  “That’s it,” Tony said loudly. “They talked about how Sheba needed to be in or near volcanic country in order to have gold mines and precious metals. It was some geology issue.”

  Marshall turned to Tony, “So you’re saying we rescue Sheba and Braden, then find Sheba?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying. There are other people who have theories about Sheba. We need to find it before someone in ISIS or the Taliban figures it out.”

  Nagle said, “That’s okay, but it won’t do us much good if we get don’t get Sheba and Braden. They MUST be our first priority not just to save their lives, but because we screwed up when we let them get taken.”

  Marshall said, “I certainly won’t forget it. I promised Braden that I’d be there for him and even though I had a good reason, my grandmother’s funeral, I wasn’t there. His father failed him, and now I failed him. The kid will never trust another man again.” He looked at Ms. Nagle and said desperately. “You’ve got to let me go on this mission. I need to be the one to rescue him.”

  The despair in his voice gripped at her heart. “Marshall, I know this means a lot to you, but I can’t let you go. You aren’t up to it, you just don’t know it.”

  Tony gripped Marshall’s shoulder. “If you are too emotionally involved, you’ll fail. You have to put this behind you.”

  “Yeah, right,” Marshall said, grimacing a little.

  Sarah said, “Guys, Dean has walked me through this synchronization process and I just discovered that the module records conversations, if there is no one on the other end. If you want I’ll play the recording.”

  “Sarah, you’re a genius,” Tony said. “We definitely want to hear it.”

  “Okay, here it is.” As Sheba’s voice came over the speaker, the room became deathly quiet. The recording stopped then they heard a repeat of what they’d heard before. Sheba said almost inaudibly “I think they are taking us to Switzerland. Breckenridge has some plan, but I don’t know what it is. If anyone can hear this, please track me. Please come.”

  Marshall looked at Nagle. “You said it was your decision. Are you going to let us parachute on to Breckenridge’s roof or do we need to come up with another plan?”

  “I don’t have another plan. Dean, do you think you can carry Tony?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I can and will carry him.”

  Tony said, “I promise not to eat anything until after the mission.”

  Marshall said, “Let’s do it people. We want wheels up in thirty minutes or less. We need to be in Switzerland by 2:00, or it will be too close to dawn.”

  Dean said, “Marshall, there’s no way we can be ready in thirty minutes. There’s no sense in going if we fail.”

  Marshall’s lips closed into a hard, thin line. Then he gripped his head with both hands.

  Nagle said, “Marshall, are you all right?”

  “I’m fine. I just have a bit of a headache. It’s nothing.’

  “Marshall, another day will give your head a chance to heal,” Nagle said.

  Tony added, “I don’t think Breckenridge would go to all the trouble to kidnap Sheba if he was going to kill her.”

  “You’re probably right, but he could hurt Braden in order to force Sheba to give him what he wants.”

  “True, but give Sheba some credit here. She’s smart. I think she’ll find a way of protecting Braden especially if we can get that module to work.”

  Sarah said, “Jason says that we should try to contact Sheba to make sure that we have things synchronized.”

  Tony picked up the mike. “Go ahead
, Marshall. She trusts you more than any of us.” He looked at Nagle. “We probably ought to tell her that Maitland didn’t accept her resignation so she’ll know that we’re serious about saving her.

  “I told her but I’ll tell her again.” Nagle said. Marshall pressed the send button.

  Sheba clutched the chair arms as the plane began its downward slant.

  Oh, Marshall, what am I going to do? She groaned inwardly. Once they touched down and the lights came on, Sheba just sat, tiredly staring out the window,

  “Sheba” a voice said in her head. It sounded like Marshall’s voice. She shook her head. Man, she thought, I must be more tired than I thought.

  “Sheba, I know you can’t answer this but we’re listening to you. If you can hear me, place your hand against your face and groan, but don’t act like you’re hearing anyone.”

  Sheba leaned her head against the window, put her hand to her face and groaned.

  “We’re coming after you, but we can’t get there until tomorrow night so you’re going to have to stall.”

  Tony sounded in her head. “Sheba, it’s Tony. I’m working with Marshall. I’d explain why but it would take too long. Listen, play up to Breckenridge, and compliment him. Don’t fight him. Try acting humble instead of hostile. He wants to be worshipped. Don’t make such a big deal out of Braden. That is playing into his hands. Focus on Sheba and working with him. One of the best ways to stall is to pretend that you can’t stay awake. Since it’s two a.m., it shouldn’t be hard to let him know you need sleep. We know you can’t talk to us now, but all you have to do is talk and we’ll hear you.”

  Breckenridge gripped her shoulder when she didn’t get up. Startled she jumped. “I must have dozed off.” She said, stifling a yawn. She put her hand to her mouth, yawning again. “It must be late, I can barely keep my eyes open.”

  He motioned for her to precede him down the aisle. When they got to the plane door, Sheba looked up at the stars. “I’ve never seen the stars so bright.”

  He marched her down the stairs and across the tarmac to a helicopter. Sheba recognized it as a Eurocopter EC 155.

  “Get in,” Breckenridge said as Slater placed Braden in the middle of a three passenger seat at the back of the helicopter. He snapped Braden’s seatbelt closed.

  She nodded and stepped up into the cabin. Wow, she thought. It has all the comforts of a home I wish I could afford.

  She sat down next to Braden, who laid his head on her shoulder. She fastened her seatbelt as Slater and Breckenridge sat opposite of her.

  Breckenridge said, “I know this helicopter can seat six, but that is too crowded. We should have had Jeremy bring the bigger helicopter.”

  “You have a bigger helicopter than this one?” Sheba asked. “This one is incredible.”

  I have an AugustaWestland AW101 VVIP.” He said smugly. “It’s very luxurious, but it’s a little big for four people.”

  “You have incredible taste,” she said, looking around. “I saw one of these in an air show, but I never thought I’d ever fly in one.”

  When they landed in a large open area, Sheba said, “Where are we? This doesn’t look like England or the Middle East.”

  “My home in Switzerland.” Breckenridge said crisply.

  Slater opened the door, and as Sheba went down the steps she noticed that the sun was just coming up over the mountains.

  Breckenridge led the way up the steps to the huge double doors, one of which stood open. Sheba walked in and stopped. When Slater pushed her from behind, she stepped into the foyer. The walls were a deep teal. The floor was a deep, rich mahogany parquet. There were real suits of armor scattered around the room. The walls were covered, not in portraits but in swords, both ancient and modern. There were huge Scottish Claidheamh and pikes and spears.

  The butler appeared in a doorway to the right. “Breakfast is served, sir.” He said. He looked at Braden who was still asleep. “Perhaps the child could be put on the day bed in the morning room.”

  Breckenridge nodded at Slater, then looked at Sheba. “The morning room joins the breakfast room. When he awakes, he will hear us.”

  Sheba looked around again. “An English mansion in Switzerland? That seems a bit unusual.”

  “Not at all,” Breckenridge said. “This house belonged to my great uncle, Robert Charles Walter Breckenridge.” He motioned towards the door where the butler was standing. “This way, please.”

  I can’t believe that my kidnapper’s treating me like an honored guest. Is the guy nuts?

  Smiling, she walked toward the butler who stepped back to let her enter. Again, she stopped on the threshold of the room. “What an incredible room.” She said.

  The room was painted pale yellow with a deep gold carpet and matching drapes. The windows looked out on a perfectly groomed lawn with deep flower beds surrounding huge boulders. The furniture was a rich dark walnut that blended perfectly with the yellow and gold.

  Slater said, “You’d better make her go last when we enter a new room. She seems to be overwhelmed by your possessions.”

  Sheba glared at him over her shoulder.

  “Slater,” Breckenridge said with a grin, “Just because you are a Philistine, that doesn’t mean that all of my visitors are.”

  Sheba tossed her head. “I’m sorry, but I love beautiful homes. I think that this is the most beautiful home I have ever seen.” I hope that’s enough praise.

  The butler opened a door off to the left. Slater walked through, while Breckenridge watched Sheba.

  Hey, Sheba, she thought to herself, you’d better act a little concerned about Braden or Breckenridge will smell a rat.

  She walked over to the doorway as Slater lay Braden on an elegantly flowered day bed. There was an afghan on a marching chair. Slater covered him with it.

  She stepped back as Slater stood up.

  Breckenridge was standing at the head of the table. The butler looked at her, pulling out a chair. Once she was seated they both sat down. Is the formal or what?

  The butler placed crystal bowls of fresh tropical fruit in front of each of them. Trying to remember the rules of formal behavior, if she ever knew them, she waited until Breckenridge picked up his spoon, then she picked up hers. As she lifted the spoon to her mouth, she realized that the spoon was real silver and the bowls were real crystal.

  When the butler removed the empty bowls, he placed an egg cup in front of her. When she caught sight of the pattern she nearly gasped out loud. Sheba, that egg cup is real Old Royal Albert in the Old Country pattern..

  When the butler came to clear their plates, Sheba said, “Please give my compliments to the chef. That was the best breakfast I’ve ever eaten.”

  He smiled thinly. “I will give your compliments to Mrs. Creevey.”

  Breckenridge stood up. “Let us go into the library.” He led them toward the back of the house.

  Sheba nodded. “I’m sure that you want to know what Dr. Aschler told me during our interview since I understand that Mr. Slater didn’t get much out of him.”

  “Dr. Aschler did not approve of me.” Breckenridge said. “I believe the nicest name that he ever called me was Philistine. He called me many other things that I won’t repeat in polite company.”

  I’ll bet you won’t. Sheba thought. “He was a very old, opinionated man. He seemed to approve of me, but he really didn’t like Tony. He was very rude when Tony took the map that he had given me.”

  Breckenridge turned to look at her, his voice betrayed his excitement. “He gave you a map? I hope you didn’t burn that during your pyromania attack.”

  He opened a set of white double doors and motioned Sheba to enter. She took three steps into the library and stopped.

  Slater said grimly, “I told you she wouldn’t be able to enter a room without parking in the doorway.”

  Without speaking, Sheba stepped to the side so the two men could see what she saw.

  Breckenridge stopped, as shocked as Sheba was. Slater followed, his
face turning deep maroon with anger.

  Standing in the middle of the room was a man dressed in sand colored robes and a Keffiyeh. His eyes and beard were a deep ebony. He was holding a curved knife to the throat of the woman Sheba had rescued in Florida. Her sightless eyes were terrified. She had both hands clutched around his arm.

  “Come in, Nathan Breckenridge,” he said in heavily accented English. “You too, Michael Slater.” He looked at Sheba. “You sit down there and keep quiet. This is a conversation between men.”

  Sheba shrugged saying quietly. “Are you getting this?”

  Breckenridge put his hand out to stop Slater from moving. “Assid, what do you want?”

  “You sent ISIS. They murdered my whole village. You will pay.”

  Breckenridge said, “I told you I’d finance your group, but you said no.”

  “You said you’d finance my group but under your terms. I don’t do what you want. I do what I want.”

  “Then you can’t expect me to finance you. ISIS does what I want. We need to work together to accomplish our goals. You can’t go your own way if I finance you.”

  “You didn’t need to send them to wipe out my village.”

  “I can’t have rogues running around derailing my plans. If you’re not with me, you’re against me. I send ISIS to deal with those who are against me.”

  “Then you die. You and him and his sister.”

  Well he didn’t say he was going to kill me, Sheba thought. I hope he remembers that when the bullets start to fly. Stay asleep, Braden, stay asleep.

  Slater said, “My sister has nothing to do with this. Let her go.”

  “But no, my friend. You work for him, you kill for him. If I let her go, you will kill me.”

  Sheba said, “Did you know I saved your wife’s life in Florida?”

  Breckenridge looked at her startled.

  “You be quiet.” Assid spat.

  “No,” she said, “When someone saves another’s life, that life belongs to them.”

  “Why do you say this?” Assid said. “You are not involved.”

  “But I am. I saved her life so her life belongs to me. You can’t have it.” She stood up. “You need to let her go.”