The Sixth Seal

Just as Lee suspected, the man who had been following them boarded their plane. Ana chanced a few brief glances back down the aisle, but each time he avoided her gaze.

She slid into their row and took the seat by the window. Lee took up the seat next to her, and leaned in close.

“I’m pretty sure he’s alone.”

“How do you know?” She examined the man coming down the aisle.

“I don’t know for sure, but I haven’t seen him making contact with anyone else. So, either he’s alone, or he’s very good.”

“I hope it’s the former.”

“Doesn’t matter either way. He won’t make a move until we’re on the ground.” He sat back in his seat. “We have plenty of time to think. About nine hours to be exact.”

She nodded and continued to study the man coming down the aisle. He didn’t look particularly intimidating, but there was an air of readiness about him. His eyes roved over each passenger as he made his way down the aisle as if he was studying them, sizing them up, assessing potential threats.

When the man reached their seat, he gave them a cursory glance.

She turned in her seat and watched as he took an aisle seat in the middle section five rows behind them.

“He’s behind us.” She turned back to Lee. He was leaning back in the seat with his eyes closed.

“Very good.”

“What’s the plan?”

“Meditate.”

“Meditate? What kind of plan is that?” She sat back in her seat. She fidgeted with the in-flight magazine as the other passengers took their seats.

“Meditation isn’t a plan. It is the means to a plan.” Lee kept his eyes closed.

“But how are we going to lose this guy once we land?” She was beginning to get irritated with Lee’s casual demeanor.

Without opening his eyes, he placed his hand over hers and whispered. “Don’t worry, there is a plan. I just need to meditate to fill in the details.”

His touch calmed and soothed her. She felt the tension release as though his energy were flowing through her, gently guiding and reassuring her. Her breathing steadied and fell into a gentle pattern, pushing away panic and doubt. The plane rocked backward and then moved steadily away from the gate. She closed her eyes and did her best to meditate as the flight attendant began giving the flight safety speech.

A slight shift in the floor beneath her brought Ana out of her meditation. Lee smiled and pointed out the window.

“It’s quite a site. We’re approaching our destination.”

She looked out the window down to the scene below. The clean, parallel lines of the sprawling airport were in sharp contrast to the sea of green that enveloped it. A vast forest stretched out in all directions. Its northern advance halted by a wide river that separated the airport from the city.

“Frankfurt on the Main,” said Lee.

She gave him a quizzical look.

“What?”

“The Main River. It’s a tributary of the Rhine. Is it bringing back any memories?”

She returned her attention to the water below. There was something familiar about the river, the way it cut through the land and kept the forest at bay. Was it a memory? She couldn’t be certain, but she had stood on those banks before. There had been an army on her trail that day.

“Ana? Anything?” Lee’s voice brought her back to the present.

She looked at him and shook her head. “Nothing useful I’m afraid. Now, how are those details coming along?”

“I’m still pretty certain the Horsemen won’t try anything with too many witnesses around.”

“So what, we just take our chances and walk casually out of the airport?”

He hesitated a moment. “Not exactly. Once we get through security, I want to split up.”

She gave him an incredulous look, but he held up a hand and continued before she could argue. “Hear me out. I’ll give you the keys to the car, and you’ll head for the garage. I’ll get our bags and see which one of us he follows. It will also give me an opportunity to see how organized they are on this end.”

She felt the plane level out and the landing gear descend. “What if I’m followed? We don’t have any weapons.”

He chuckled. “You’re about all the weapon that you need. Don’t worry. If you feel you’re being followed, run for the car. There’s a gun in the glove box. It’s loaded and ready to go. There’s also a small arsenal in the trunk.”

She shook her head again. “I don’t know. I think we should stay together. I don’t even know what the car looks like.”

He took a set of keys out of his pocket and placed them in her palm. Again, his touch was reassuring.

“Don’t be afraid. I’ll be right behind you. The car is a silver BMW on the ground floor of the parking garage. It’s in the first row. Just press this button when you get close and the lights will flash.” He smiled at her again.

She returned his smile, but she wasn’t convinced that she was ready.

The plane lurched forward as the wheels made contact with the tarmac.

Ready or not, here we go.

Lee was right about the man with the briefcase. He kept an ample distance behind them as they got off the plane. When they arrived at the security counter and presented their passports, the man took up a spot in another line. He didn’t even appear to be too interested in them. She wondered if that was because there were others waiting for them on the other side. She thought it a little more than likely.

Lee nudged her. The man behind the counter was looking at her.

“Your passport, Frauline?”

She smiled and handed over her passport. He eyed her up and down, and then scrutinized the little blue book. She wondered if she looked as nervous as she felt.

“Business or pleasure?” The man asked, looking up from behind thick glasses.

“Pleasure,” Lee interrupted, winking. “All pleasure.”

The man gave him a brief smile that seemed to indicate he got his meaning. He handed Ana her passport and waved them through. “Welcome to Frankfurt.”

Lee took her arm gently, and guided her toward the nearest wall. He glanced behind them and then turned back to her.

“Our friend is coming this way.” She looked behind Lee. She returned her attention back to him after she caught sight of their pursuer. “He’ll probably stick close to us, so I want to put on a little show for his benefit.”

“What kind of show?” She smiled knowingly.

“Not that kind of show.” He chuckled. “I’m going to point you in the direction of the car, and then I’m headed to the baggage claim. I’ll duck into the bathroom up ahead and see which way he goes.”

“What if he follows me?”

“Then I’ll leave the bags where they are, and follow him. Otherwise, I’ll pick up our luggage and see if I can spot any more agents. Are you ready?”

She nodded. Lee pointed to the overhead sign indicating the directions to the parking garage. He kissed her on the cheek and left her on her own.

She made her way through a sea of people across a gleaming, white expanse of tile toward a corridor that led to the garage. She felt safe in the midst of so many people, but she wished Lee were by her side.

The signs hanging high above clearly delineated the correct path with bright arrows and abbreviated directions.

Since when do I understand German?

Posters plastered the walls along the walkway. She glanced over them, understanding every word.

She stole a glance behind to see if anyone was following her. There was no sign of the man who had followed them on the plane, but it was difficult to tell with so many people around. She quickened her pace, taking the next hallway as indicated by the signs.

The corridor slanted downward and tapered inward funneling those heading for their cars into an orderly column.

A sign at the end of the corridor pointed down toward ground level. Another indicated a set of stairs leading to the upper garage levels. She dug the car keys out of her pocket. Her palm was sweaty. Something about the smaller space and the thinning of the crowds made her apprehensive. The area was still well lit, but it was artificial and hollow. A set of sliding glass doors swished open as she approached, ushering her out into the drab gray concrete of the garage. Where the airport had been gleaming and serene, the garage was worn and desolate.

Rows and rows of cars sat in orderly lines awaiting their owners. Several people fanned out from the garage entrance and made their way toward their vehicles. She pressed the button on the keychain, but nothing happened. She stood still and pointed the keys at the first row of cars. Before she could press the button again, a man grabbed her arm.

She pulled back reflexively, locking eyes with the man. It wasn’t the same man from the plane. This one was stockier. His hair was buzzed short and his green eyes didn’t back down from her glare. A thin white wire snaked up from beneath a navy turtleneck and ended in his ear. His grip was firm.

“I’ve got her.” He spoke into the air.

She tried to pull away again, and swiveled around so that she could see behind her. Another man, similarly dressed, was coming straight for her from the opposite side of the garage.

“No use struggling, little one.” The man’s Slavic accent was thick, but his resolve was clear.

She pushed her back into the man that held her arm. He placed an arm around her chest and locked her upper body in an iron grip. The other man smiled and pulled a set of handcuffs from a pocket in his trench coat.

“Good work, Johan--”

She kicked him in the throat before he could complete his sentence. His eyes went wide as he dropped the handcuffs to the cold, concrete floor. They skittered along the ground right before he fell on top of them gasping for air. The man behind her tightened his grip and lifted her off the ground.

The vice-like grip made it hard to breathe, and her vision was blurring. She could still feel the keys in her sweaty palm. With the last bit of energy she had, she gripped the key, allowing the metal shaft to slip between her fingers. She thrust it down into the meaty part of the man’s upper leg, pressing it in like a dagger. His grip loosened and she wiggled free.

She turned around and brought her knee up into his groin. He grunted, momentarily stunned, then slapped her hard across the face. The force of the blow sent her sprawling to the floor. She hit the ground hard and rolled up against the tire of the nearest car. Her head swam and she tasted blood in her mouth. She lifted her upper body off the floor and spat, dotting the concrete with her blood. The sight of it infuriated her.

Johan was still grabbing at his manhood when she stood up. He spoke rapidly into the air while holding a hand over his ear.

“I need backup. I repeat, I need backup. Garage--”

He didn’t get the chance to finish his distress call. She punched him in the throat, kneed him in the groin a second time, and finally raked her nails across his eyes.

Johan fell to the floor in a heap, murmuring and gurgling. The man in the trench coat began to stir behind her. He stared up at her, the unmistakable look of fear in his eyes. She brought her foot down hard on the man’s throat, feeling it give easily beneath the sole of her boot.

From the opposite side of the garage a man in police uniform shouted at her.

Great, just great. Lee, where the hell are you?

She sighed and slowly raised her arms over her head.

The policeman stopped several yards in front of her and motioned for her to get on her knees. Just as he was fumbling for his radio, Lee rounded the corner with a desperate look in his eyes. He was pumping his arms in a flat-out run, a briefcase in one hand.

The policeman dropped his radio, brought up his gun and turned. He didn’t have a chance.

Lee clipped the man in the head with the briefcase, and sent him barreling over the hood of a bright yellow sports car. Immediately a piercing alarm sounded, sending wild echoes through the garage.

“Keys!”

She looked around furiously. Lee skidded to a stop in front of her. He grabbed her arm.

“Where are the keys?”

She pointed to the man on the ground. “There. In his leg.”

Lee shook his head, handed her the briefcase, and then pulled the keys out of the man’s leg. A little fountain of blood erupted before settling into a slow trickle.

“Get in the car!” He pointed behind her and pushed the button on the keychain. Lights flashed on a silver BMW.

She raced to the passenger side and fumbled with the door handle. Her hand, slick with blood, slipped from the handle.

What have I done?

Gunshots rose above the din of the car alarm, setting off two other alarms. Lee pulled a handgun out of Johan’s pocket. He returned fire, pinning down a couple of men near the entrance.

She wretched open the car door, and retrieved the gun from the glove box. She flicked off the safety, turned, and unleashed a barrage of fire toward their attackers. They kept low behind a row of cars, giving Lee enough time to make it to the car and slide into the driver’s seat. She was still firing when Lee started the engine.

“Get in!”

She fired once more for good measure before dropping into the seat.

“What in the hell happened?”

He backed the car out, running over one of the men on the ground. He threw the gearshift into drive and roared toward the exit. “I guess they don’t give a damn about witnesses.”