The eye of the lion

“Exactly what are you going to consult us about, Mr. Kratz?” asked Jessica, her tone tangibly hostile.

We were all in Randall’s office, meeting the intruder who had just joined the team, without being able to understand how the hell this annoying situation had come about, which was in itself disconcerting.

The Colonel’s letter, which seemed to us to be totally artificial, completely different from the Carter we knew, had fed our suspicions that it had been written under pressure or threat, and what I had heard in our last telephone conversation had only increased my certainty that someone was setting a trap for us.

My presentiments about the extraordinary nature of the work we were undertaking, and its inherent dangers, had so far been very accurate.

Kratz smiled courteously at Jessica, and replied in that accent that I still hadn’t been able to place,

“Well, just like your boss Colonel Carter’s letter says, I’m a member of the group that contracted your company to carry out the investigation of what happened to Dr. Kelly. We have been supporting your investigation in France for some time.”

“The group has sent me to consult you on the evident difficulties which have arisen concerning electronic access to Netgen,” he added.

“Consult us?” Jessica asked again, giving a sarcastic edge to her question. Kratz ignored her tone and replied with a casual air,

“I’m an expert in electronic security, Ma’am.”

Mark got up and turned to face me, his jaws clenched. Then he looked at the blond man with a defiant expression. The latter perceived it and adopted a conciliatory tone.

“Of course, I’ve come to help you, not to interfere. We thought my experience might be useful to the mission...”

“We?” I interrupted. He looked at me. “Tell me more about this group of yours. What’s your interest in the Kelly business?”

He seemed to weigh his words before speaking.

“I thought the Colonel would have mentioned it to you. I belong to an ancient historic foundation. We are dedicated to the preservation of invaluable historical relics. As I’m sure

you understand, we have a considerable investment in Dr. Kelly’s investigations. We believe we have the right to benefit from the fruit of such investigations, and we suspect that Mr. Waiss has some of that fruit in his possession, in a - let’s say - illegal manner.”

“Fruit...” I commented. “Like for example, a lock of Christ’s hair?” I let out point-blank.

He seemed uncomfortable.

“Among other things.”

He looked at me for a moment, weighing me with the steel of his icy blue eyes. His expression was inscrutable.

“Well, if we have no other option... You’ll come with us,” I murmured. “But, I just want to make one thing very clear...”

I looked him right in the eye and said without blinking,

“I have led this team for many years and we have never failed, Mr. Kratz. I give the orders, is that clear?”

Kratz answered, raising his eyebrows, “Like crystal.”

“And I don’t care how much your group is paying. If you put any of my men in danger, we’re off, is that clear?”

Kratz’ blue eyes looked at me for a few seconds. Then his thin lips smiled. He looked at the others.

“Like water. I understand your hostile sentiments, but I don’t in the least intend to get in your way... Hey, we all

want the same thing, don’t we? I’m just here to help, and so that my associates feel more at peace about how this business is going...”

“We can manage”, affirmed Mark, evidently worked-up, making his way towards the kitchen. Jessica tried to stop him but he ignored her. He gave Kratz an airy glance.

I pressed on.

“So, Mr. Kratz, what do you have in mind for tomorrow? I’m sure we’d all be delighted to hear your plans.”

The blond man looked at his palms before replying. Then he spoke calmly.

“Your plan is good, but risky. Waiss could suspect something if your bathroom break during dinner lasts too long, and the way you’ve calculated it, it will be. Five minutes is too much time, and that’s without taking into account that the operation of the cameras can only be cut off from a distance for no more than two minutes from the moment you start walking down the corridor towards Waiss’ office.

He shook his head. “Many things could go wrong. Too many loose variables... Very risky.”

We looked at each other, weighing his words. They weren’t at all unreasonable. He continued, getting up and walking towards me.

“That’s without considering that we know almost nothing about the reinforced metal door which doubtless guards the nucleus of Netgen’s operation. We don’t know what kind of security it has, and...”

“The vault isn’t the target of the operation...” said Mark from the kitchen door. “We’re only going in for Kelly’s note-book.”

Kratz looked at me in silence.

“It’s true,” I confirmed. The information it contains is key to knowing Waiss’ objectives, which, as far as I know, is the motive of our mission.”

Kratz shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, even so. There’s only one way we can get you more time to be able to access Waiss’ office, open the door, block the cameras, open the safe and switch the booklet for the copy Jessica designed, giving you those necessary two minutes, maybe even more...”

We all exchanged looks in silence.

“We need a distraction,” announced Kratz.

I looked at Kratz, who suddenly appeared more somber and enigmatic than before.

“A distraction?” I asked.

“What kind of distraction?” asked Jessica in turn,

interested.

Kratz looked at her and smiled.

“One which will keep him occupied for more than two minutes.”

The guy wasn’t a total idiot after all. He could be useful.

Mark seemed to sense that, and approached.

“What would it consist of?”

Kratz simply took a glass of water from the table. He took a sip and then looked at us all.

“I’ll take care of that...”