Alexei had survived purges, plots and the transition to the new so-called democracy. He'd kept his deepest ambitions concealed, which was one reason he held his position of power. Few things took him by surprise anymore. Even so, he was surprised when his encrypted satellite phone signaled a call from Elizabeth Harker.
This will be interesting. What could she possibly want?
Vysotsky opened a drawer and activated an unapproved and unofficial security system that blanketed his office from every kind of electronic surveillance. He assumed the room was bugged in ways he had not discovered. It wasn't personal, he knew, just the nature of the business. Especially in Russia. Whatever Harker had to say, he didn't want anyone else to hear it.
Alliance with her in the past had resulted in the end of a threat to the Motherland and confusion to the CIA. A satisfactory conclusion, but Alexei was wary of pressing his luck. Cooperation with Americans could easily be seen as treason. He didn't trust Harker. But he had to admit he enjoyed and appreciated her sharp decisiveness.
"Vysotsky."
"General. This is Director Harker." Her voice was clear over the satellite link. He pictured her in his mind. Probably dressed in black and white. Every picture he'd seen of her showed her in black and white.
"Director. How delightful to hear from you."
"General, there is something I would like to discuss with you."
"Please do."
"It might be better if we met in person."
Alexei was intrigued. Major Korov had given him a detailed briefing about Harker. Vysotsky's files on her were extensive. Briefings and files were a poor substitute for direct impressions.
Harker was a serious woman. Vysotsky respected seriousness. She kept her word. She was unafraid to do what needed to be done. They'd crossed boundaries together, but they were not allies. He smiled to himself. This woman had balls. What was so important it could not be discussed over a secure line?
"What could require us to meet?" he said.
"It concerns Foreign Minister Ogorov."
When she said that, Alexei knew he would have to meet with her. Ogorov. Why would she want to talk about Ogorov? He waited.
"I realize a trip to Washington might not be in your best interest. I suggest someplace nearer to Moscow. Copenhagen, perhaps?"
In the West, but not far away. A short flight for him, a long journey for her. Neutral ground, but he was vulnerable there. She was more vulnerable than he was, that close to Russian territory.
If he were in her place he would want to maintain the working status between them. Any unfortunate incident at their level within the intelligence world would lead to serious repercussions. She had nothing to gain by setting a trap.
"Copenhagen is acceptable. When do you suggest this meeting take place?"
"As soon as possible."
"I can be there in two days." He heard something tapping in the background on her end.
"Tivoli Gardens, then. Say morning? 9:00 A.M.?"
"Agreed. The veranda in front of the Nimb Hotel."
"Good. Until then." She ended the call.
Ogorov, he thought, what have you done?
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
The large monitor on the wall behind Harker's desk was blank.
It ought to have a screen saver, Nick thought, one of those aquariums with dolphins swimming around. Or sharks.
Harker finished reading Selena's report on the Mafra Codex and set it aside. She looked up.
"You're sure about this, Selena?"
"I'm sure."
"This reads like a documentary about ancient aliens. Something dreamed up for one of those UFO shows."
Selena nodded. "It goes against everything we think we know about those pyramids. Aliens might be as good an explanation as any."
"How about letting us in on the secret, Director?" Ronnie said.
"If you tell me where you got that shirt."
Ronnie smiled. "You like it?" He looked down at his shirt.
Noble Hawaiian chiefs stood heroically in outrigger canoes, gazing toward the most hallucinogenic island Elizabeth had ever seen. The scene was repeated several times over. The waters of the Pacific were a poisonous blue, the sky streaked with what were supposed to be the rays of a sunrise. Harker thought they looked more like streaks of blood.
Elizabeth sighed. "I was kidding, Ronnie. Selena, explain it, please."
Selena wore black casual slacks and a silk lavender blouse that brought out the color of her eyes. Gold earrings with sapphire accents caught the overhead lights. Nick thought she looked beautiful.
"The Codex is a detailed construction record of a pyramid in the Yucatan."
"What's unusual about that?" Nick asked.
"Everything. No one knows how any of them were built. Mostly it's informed speculation. Slaves dragging stones, that sort of thing. Archeology says they were used for religious sacrifices. That's correct, as far as it goes."
"Why do I hear a 'but' in there?"
"The Codex says it was an electrical power source."
Nick looked at her in disbelief.
"Power? The ancient Mayans had electricity? Come on."
She shrugged. "They didn't call it electricity, but there's no other possibility. The Codex describes a series of engineered channels that carried water under the pyramid. Rods of metal were extended down into the earth and the inner chamber was lined like an insulator. It was like a giant battery. Nikola Tesla designed something similar back in the last century."
Something tugged at Elizabeth's intuition.
Nick said, "It's a pile of stone. How does it get to be a battery?"
"It used Telluric currents."
Lamont said, "What's a Telluric current?"
"It's a geomagnetic phenomenon."
"Oh, yeah, of course." He smacked his forehead with his palm. "How could I forget about Telluric currents?"
Selena laughed. "Telluric currents are waves of very low frequency electrical energy caused by the earth's magnetic field. We can measure their intensity, predict their flow, map their locations. Do you remember I mentioned Tesla? He started to build a tower at the beginning of the last century that would have broadcast free electricity in every direction. It tapped into Telluric currents."
"I guess it didn't work," Nick said. "You look at your electric bill lately?"
"It would have worked except for J.P. Morgan. He and his cronies financed the project. Morgan pulled the plug when he saw he couldn't make money from free electricity. It was never finished. The plans disappeared."
"Figures," Nick said. "Not much changes. But how does that tie into the pyramid?"
"Telluric currents travel in predictable patterns. There are points along the earth's surface where they're especially strong. Hotspots of power. The Yucatan is one of those places."
"What would Mayans do with electricity?"
"Mayan TVs," Lamont said. "Ancient toasters."
"Lamont…" Harker's voice carried a warning note.
"Sorry." He didn't look sorry.
Selena continued. "The Codex describes a kind of lighthouse. There was something in it that focused the stored energy and emitted a beam of light. That's the closest I could come with the translation. It might not be right. But definitely a light of some kind, right at the top. I think the Mayans were trying to send a message to their gods."
"Is that it?" Nick asked.
"There are warnings about the light. Basically, stay away or the gods will punish you. The Codex isn't complete. It doesn't say what, but there was something at the top of the pyramid that made the light. There aren't any details."