The Lost Labyrinth

II

The look on Rafiel's face was all the confirmation Mikhail needed that the fleece was his ticket to the presidential palace.

'Is that…?' he asked in awe, reaching out to touch it.

'Keep your hands to yourself.' The helicopter blades were slowing down, but he still had to shout to make himself heard. He nodded to the second man, who was holding Gaille with his arm around her throat and his gun against her side. 'Who are you?'

'Nukri, sir,' replied the man, clicking his heels as best he could.

'You're a soldier?'

'Yes, sir.'

'Good.' He turned back to Rafiel. 'Where's the boat?'

Rafiel gestured south. 'We were about twenty-five knots southeast when we set off. She'll be closer now. But we need to get moving. There were police on the slopes when we were coming in.'

'We're dealing with Knox first.'

'Yes, but if they call in their Air Force-'

Mikhail turned to him. 'Don't ever question my orders again,' he said. 'Do you understand?'

'Yes, sir. I'm sorry, sir.'

Mikhail nodded emphatically; but the man was right, they needed to be quick. He grabbed Gaille by her hair, pressed his knife against her throat and dragged her over to the gorse. 'Give yourself up,' he shouted out to Knox. 'Give yourself up now or she dies. You have five seconds. Four. Three.' He watched intently for movement as he finished the countdown, but saw nothing. What a coward that man was! He turned his knife around in his hand to make it easier to slash her throat, but then he paused, inspired by a better idea.