Relic by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

Author:Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child [Preston, Douglas & Child, Lincoln]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: Horror, Fiction, Horror Fiction, General, Science Fiction, New York (N.Y.), Antiquities - Collection and Preservation, Indians of South America, Indians of South America - Amazon River Valley - Antiquities
ISBN: 9780812543261
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 1996-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

= 34 =

Down in the temporary command post, D’Agosta froze in the act of rapping on Pendergast’s window. He peered in to get a better look.

Some tall guy in an ugly suit was moving around Pendergast’s office. His face looked sweaty and sun-burnt and he swaggered like he owned the place, picking up papers on the desk, laying them down somewhere else, jingling his pocket change.

“Hey, pal,” D’Agosta said, opening the door and walking in, “that’s FBI property. If you’re waiting for Mr. Pendergast, how about doing it outside?”

The man turned. His eyes were small and narrow, and pissed off.

“From now on, ah, Lieutenant,” he said, staring at the badge hanging from D’Agosta’s belt as if trying to read the number, “you’ll speak respectfully to the FBI personnel around here. Of which I am now in charge. Special Agent Coffey.”

“Well, Special Agent Coffey, as far as I know, and until someone tells me different, Mr. Pendergast is in charge here, and you’re messing with his desk.”

Coffey gave him a thin smile, reached into his jacket, and pulled out an envelope.

D’Agosta examined the letter inside. It was from Washington, putting the New York Field Office of the FBI, and one Special Agent Spencer Coffey, in charge of the case. Stapled to the directive were two memos. One, from the Governor’s office, formally demanded the change and accepted full responsibility for the transfer of power. The second, with a United States Senate letterhead, D’Agosta folded up without bothering to read.

He handed the envelope back. “So you guys finally snuck in the back door.”

“When will Pendergast be back, Lieutenant?” said Coffey, sliding the envelope back into his pocket.

“How would I know?” said D’Agosta. “While you’re poking through his desk there, maybe you’d like to check his appointment book.”

Before Coffey could respond, Pendergast’s voice sounded from outside the office. “Ah, Agent Coffey! How delightful to see you.”

Coffey once again reached for the envelope.

“No need,” Pendergast said. “I know why you’re here.” He sat down behind his desk. “Lieutenant D’Agosta, please make yourself comfortable.”

D’Agosta, noting only one other chair in the office, sat down with a grin. Watching Pendergast in action was something he’d grown to enjoy.

“A madman is apparently loose in the Museum, Mr. Coffey,” Pendergast said. “Therefore, Lieutenant D’Agosta and I have both come to the conclusion that tomorrow night’s opening party must not be allowed to proceed. This murderer works at night. He’s well overdue for another attack. We cannot be responsible for more people being killed because the Museum is kept open for, shall we say, pecuniary reasons.”

“Yeah,” said Coffey, “well, you’re not responsible anymore. My orders are that the opening proceeds as planned, and on schedule. We’re bolstering the police presence with additional field agents. This place is going to be more secure than the Pentagon lavatory. And I’ll tell you something else, Pendergast: once this little party is over and done with and the big shots have gone home, we’re gonna wrap this sucker. You’re supposed to be hot shit, but you know something? I’m not impressed.

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