The Tomb of the Gods (Matt Drake) by Leadbeater David

Author:Leadbeater, David [Leadbeater, David]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2013-01-16T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

Hayden and her team made Zurich train station by the skin of their teeth. Once inside, even as she ran and scanned the big blue boards for their platform number, Hayden was struck by the polished cleanliness of the station. The vast floor seemed to shine, the arched alcoves that led to retail outlets looked cozy, warm and inviting, quite the opposite of most train stations she’d ever visited. Bizarre and colorful balloons hung from the ceiling. Tourists dressed in all manner of clothing drifted and bumped past each other, focused on their own schedules. The noise level swelled and decreased as groups marched past them.

Karin was first to spot it. “Singen!” She raced off in the direction of the platforms and Hayden and the rest rushed after her, painfully aware they had only minutes to make the train. When they found the big engine burbling loudly, the CIA agent heaved a sigh of relief.

Karin sent a questioning glance.

“Just get on,” Hayden shouted. “We’ll worry about the ‘where’ later.”

A red and white stripe ran for a few carriages at the point she jumped on to the train. She noticed a huge green Starbucks logo as she leapt through the door. The craving for a double-strong Caramel Macchiato hit her like a bullet, but at that moment, there was the sound of the doors locking and the engine’s note strengthening. They were on their way.

Dahl spoke up immediately. “We have one hour,” he said, “to find the pieces and stop them reaching Singen. Let’s move.”

Hayden stepped up. She led the way through the first carriage and then, as if in odd answer to her prayers, the Starbucks logo appeared once again and she was suddenly walking through a coffee shop right there on the train. A fully functioning outlet.

Ben’s voice could be heard from the back. “I never heard of a Starbucks on a train before.”

The Barista popped up from behind the counter with startling efficiency, making both Dahl and Kinimaka flinch and reach for weapons they had decided not to risk carrying through the busy station.

“It’s a trial train,” she said, blond hair tied fiercely back. “Built here in Zurich.” The lilt in her voice betrayed her pride. “If it works— it could go global.”

“Smart idea,” Ben said. “Do trial trains offer free drinks?”

The Barista’s eyes twinkled. “We stop at waitress service, I’m afraid. And that’s only at trial.”

Hayden paused as she reached the next carriage, studying the passengers. Every seat was taken. But all she could see were women and children, students and tourists. Big backpacks stacked everywhere. A thumping musical beat heard through tiny earphones. A youth talking loudly into his mobile phone.

She walked on, clearing the carriage in seconds. The next proved to be a mirror image of the first. When they reached the third and it too was jam-packed with a mixed bunch of happy-go-lucky tourists and blithe locals, Dahl called for a halt in the corridor between cars. Quickly he tugged down the window and stuck his head out.

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