Stones of Fire

85

Pondering his next move, Cædmon stared at the watchtower that loomed a hundred yards away. Absently, he stroked the smooth metal of the MP5, wondering if a little shock and awe wasn’t in order. That would certainly get MacFarlane’s attention.

And, no doubt, get him killed into the bargain. Without ever having set eyes upon the Ark.

No, he needed a far more subtle tactic. Something that would lure MacFarlane’s men away from the tower, where he presumed the Ark was stored, enabling him to sneak inside and decapitate the snake. And maybe, if he was lucky, he could then escape with none of the snake’s bully boys the wiser. The wily fox outwitting the ferocious pack of hounds.

But how best to create a diversion?

Anywhere else in the world he would have started a fire. However, other than a few wind-blown brambles, there was nothing combustible to be had. He did have the laser light, a last-minute purchase. Perhaps he could do something with that.

Like a man mesmerized by a swaying crystal, he continued to stare at the tower. The Ark of the Covenant was near at hand. Yet completely unattainable.

Had Stanford MacFarlane deciphered its secrets? Had he donned the Stones of Fire, stood before the Ark and communed directly with God?

‘We’ve got a breach on the north-west quadrant. Somebody just tripped the security laser.’

Hearing the disembodied voice in his earpiece, Cædmon’s breath caught in his throat.

Edie.

He scanned the promontory, searching for that familiar, curly-haired silhouette, knowing he had to find her before MacFarlane did.