A Calculated Magic

32

Big John met them in the front of the resort lobby at eight-thirty. Relief flooded the giant chauffeur’s face when he spotted them approaching. “I was beginning to worry,” he admitted, squeezing Jack’s hand in a grip of steel. “You said eight o’clock.”

“We encountered an unexpected surprise or two,” said Jack. “Megan, this is Big John. John, my fiancée, Megan Ambrose. She’s the love of my life. Please take good care of her.”

“You can count on me,” said Big John. His massive hands curled into fists the size of coffee cans. “I won’t let nobody lay a hand on her.”

“Wait a minute,” said Megan, indignantly. “I’m not going anywhere. That auction’s tonight. You can’t send me scurrying off to safety while you take all the risks. I want to help.”

Jack nodded. He had anticipated exactly this reaction from Megan. And was prepared to deal with it.

“As I explained climbing the stairs, I deceived Hasan al-Sabbah into inviting me and Cassandra to the auction. We’re attending as his honored guests. However, I doubt that I could explain your presence there. There’s no way you can attend.”

He paused, preparing himself for the big lie. “Besides, Cassandra and I won’t be in any danger until the event’s nearly over. That’s when my scheme goes into effect. Before, we’ll act as observers, nothing more.

“When the action starts, I’ve mapped out our precise moves. I’m not going to minimize the danger, There’s an element of risk in my plan, but with Cassandra there to protect me, I’m not very concerned. We’ll destroy the anthrax virus and neutralize the genie using advanced mathematics. Loki won’t interfere once he realizes there’s no profit to be made. Nergal, judging by his past attempts, prefers working behind the scenes. The only ones who worry me are the representatives from the Brotherhood of Holy Destruction. Fanatics can be remarkably unpleasant, especially when their dreams go awry.”

“I’ll handle them,” said Cassandra, rubbing her hands together in anticipation. “Don’t forget Mr. Wesson called me a decadent bitch. I owe them one.”

“There,” said Jack. “Another worry put to rest.”

“You studiously avoided mentioning the Old Man of the Mountain,” said Megan. “He’s the mastermind directing this whole operation. Maybe Hasan al-Sabbah’s not a demigod, but he’s centuries old, impossible to kill, and plenty mean. Meeting him the night I was kidnapped, I could feel the evil force oozing out of him. He’s no pushover.”

“I’m well aware of that fact,” said Jack. “Which is why you can’t stay here with me. I need you elsewhere. When you leave the resort with Big John, he’s driving you directly to the airport. The two of you are meeting a very important surprise guest flying in for tonight’s auction. His plane is due at eleven sharp. Your father and I arranged his appearance this evening. Your job is to make sure he shows up at the auction before Hasan leaves. All of my plans hinge on his arrival.”

“Who is this mystery man?” asked Megan.

“I’ll leave that for you to discover,” said Jack. “Merlin assured me that you’ve met him before. That’s why I particularly want you to greet him at the airport. He’s a wary, exceptionally cautious gentleman, and your familiar presence will put him at ease.”

“I’m not certain I understand what you’re planning,” said Megan.

“Neither am I,” said Jack. “But I’m convinced this conspiracy is our only chance of permanently dealing with the Old Man of the Mountain.”

He consulted his watch. It was less than twenty minutes to the hour. “Convinced?”

“Not one hundred percent,” said Megan. “I suspect you’re trying to shield me from danger. That’s typical of you. But there’s no time to argue about it now. I'm stuck following orders and I know it.”

She grabbed him by the collar and kissed him hard upon the lips. “Take care of yourself, Jack Collins. Life without you would be dreadfully boring.”

Megan turned to Big John. “Come on, my chauffeur. Let’s get moving before I start bawling. You know any good songs to chase away the blues?”

“Miss,” declared Big John, starting to hum his theme, “I am a good song.”

Watching them walk away, Jack wondered if he would live to see Megan again. He had deliberately minimized the danger he would face in the auction. Cassandra was incredibly tough. But even she couldn’t defeat stupendous odds. If their surprise visitor didn’t arrive exactly at the right moment, things could gel awfully grim.

“Let’s make a quick stop at our suite,” said Jack. “We can change clothes and collect our special package. Then it’s off to the races.”

“Cheer up. Jack,” said Cassandra brightly as they headed for the elevators. Faced with the prospect of imminent battle, the Amazon was bubbling with good spirits. “Whether we succeed or fail, it will be a glorious fight.”

“I just hope it’s not our glorious funeral,” said Jack. “I sort of looked forward to spending the next few years enjoying my life.”

“That’s the trouble with you mortals,” declared Hugo, invisible as usual on Jack’s left shoulder. “You worry too much about living dull lives and not enough about dying magnificent deaths.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” declared Jack. “You spent centuries preparing for Götterdämmerung. I’m not ready yet for the Twilight of the Gods.”

“Hmm,” said Mongo. “That image raises an interesting notion. Hugo, fly with me for a minute. I want to ask you something.”

“Ravens with secrets?” said Cassandra. “That’s a novelty.”

The birds returned to Jack’s shoulders as he boarded the elevator to their suite, “Don’t fret too much about tonight, Johnnie,” said Mongo, mysteriously. “Hugo and I promised your mom we’d take care of you. And we aim to keep our word.”

“Would you mind explaining exactly what mischief you birds are plotting?” asked Jack, bewildered.

“Sorry,” said Hugo, chuckling. “If you can keep secrets from Megan, we can do the same with you. Trust us.”

As Jack saw it, he didn’t have much choice.