The Thieves of Darkness by Richard Doetsch

Author:Richard Doetsch
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Atria Books
Published: 2010-07-05T16:00:00+00:00

KC HAD TRANSFORMED herself from a grimy, dust-covered thief to a woman of model caliber. She carried herself like royalty, projecting an air of confidence and celebrity as she strode across the street and straight up to the blue carpet. Heads turned, a collective murmur hummed, trying to figure out who the statuesque blonde with the deep green eyes was.

KC walked right past the flashing cameras and paparazzi and straight up to the security detail as if this were her own party.

“Good evening, gentlemen.”

Three guards manned the airport-sized metal detector. They were dressed in the tan outfits and black-brimmed hats of the local police. They wore unrelenting stares upon their faces and Glock pistols upon their hips.

“I don’t have my invitation,” KC said in apology as she opened and reached inside her purse.

“I’m sorry, miss, but—”

KC handed over a flipped-open billfold, presenting her ID along with a picture badge. The lead guard took it and examined it closely. “The European Union…?”

KC smiled, her friendly look disarming and practiced over many years of deceit. An expert in the use of her feminine charms, she glanced at the guard’s badge. “Yasim,” she said, addressing him by name, speaking in the familiar to relax his attention, “I’m presenting this on behalf of Ulle Regio of Switzerland, the president of the EU, repatriating this artifact as a token of welcome to Turkey from the European Union collective.”

The two subordinates looked at their leader as he motioned KC to open the case.

KC flipped open the latch and lifted the cover, displaying the snake-head staff, its head with silver teeth and ruby eyes dazzling beneath the bright security lights.

KC continued to smile as she fought the sudden sickening feeling in her stomach; the rod that she had sworn not to look upon again stared back at her, filling her with dread, making her skin crawl. She hoped it was not an emotion felt by the guards. “The embarrassment for all if I do not present this will mean the end of my career.” KC hoped the insinuation of lost jobs was carried in the subtext.

Yasim stared at KC, his look conveying no emotion. KC never broke eye contact or diminished her disarming smile. The moment dragged on until Yasim finally averted his eyes, looking back at KC’s ID. He closed the billfold and handed it back, nodding KC through. “Please behave yourself. Neither of us wishes to experience a career-ending moment this evening.”

“Thank you.” KC smiled at the man as she closed the case. Yasim waved KC around the metal detector and she walked through the welcome archway into the Courtyard of Janissaries.

KC entered the reception and followed the crowd as they moved toward the Gate of Salutation. The walkway was lined in flaming torches, their orange glow painting the ancient buildings a golden hue, sending tendrils of black smoke dancing skyward.

As KC approached the second gate she broke off to the left and stepped beyond the lamps’ illumination. She reached into her purse, feigning a makeup break, and scanned the area.

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