Eye of the God Page 18

  Abby's speech was periodically interrupted with applause, and he waited until another such outburst occurred to unscrew the ventilation grate before him. The screwdriver he used was compact and noiseless, but he could not take the chance of being heard. Isaac loosened the screws and pulled the grate into the duct beside him. There was now little room to maneuver, but he had long since become accustomed to working in small spaces. He carefully aimed each of the penlights at an individual security camera.

  Isaac clenched the last penlight between his teeth. In a few moments that one would be centered on the diamond around Abby's neck. Unique among blue diamonds, the Hope, when exposed to UV light phosphoresced a deep red, not unlike a swollen, angry eye. In a matter of seconds, the glowing jewel would be the only thing visible in the room.

  “What I find most interesting about the legacy of the Hope Diamond is not the drama that played out on a large scale in the lives of those associated with it, but by the private misery they endured behind closed doors.” Abby lifted the diamond with a finger, “This thing has wrought more suffering than many human beings. Yet it is so much more than a blue rock dug from the bowels of India. It is a cultural icon, an object of spirituality, a symbol of greed at the deepest level. Those who long for power seek it, but rarely are they satisfied. It is a magnificent display of artistry, but ultimately, it is nothing more than a curse—”

  No sooner had the word slipped from Abby's mouth than a loud pop was heard, and the room fell into utter darkness.

  20

  A STUNNED SILENCE SETTLED OVER THE ROOM, AS THOUGH THE GUESTS had yet to process the fact that they sat in the dark. Abby tried, unsuccessfully, to speak into the microphone and tell everyone to remain calm. Her voice fell flat, unmagnified.

  Then pandemonium broke out. It was a woman who screamed first, her voice shrill and panicked. And like a series of dominoes tumbling over, the shrieks spread from table to table. Chairs scooted back, knocked over. Dishes and silverware fell to the floor. Abby remained at the podium, invisible, vulnerable, and terrified.

  Everything in Isaac's line of sight was transformed into varying shades of green once he put on the night vision goggles. Chaos reigned below; people crawled like ants under a magnifying glass.

  He set the timer on his wristwatch for ninety seconds, aimed the small crossbow at the medallion in the peak of the Rotunda, and pulled the trigger.

  The anchor, attached to a fifty-foot line of thin climbing rope, whizzed toward the ceiling and entered the elaborately carved stone with a chink. Isaac pulled the rope taut, tested his harness, and swung headfirst into the open air above the crowd. He held the last penlight in his hand and aimed the ultraviolet beam toward the diamond around Abby's neck. An angry red began to burn within the depths of the jewel, growing brighter by the second. Isaac's harness whirred, as he descended five feet per second and then slowed to a stop. He dangled a mere two feet over Abby's head.

  “Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen,” Alex mouthed the words, opening his eyes on fifteen. He moved toward Abby, hands outstretched, as he navigated the room from memory. When his fingers met with soft black velvet he jumped onto the stage riser and pulled Abby into his arms. Her body stiffened in surprise, and she tried to pull away.

  “Hey, it's okay. It's me.”

  Abby leaned into him, her breath ragged. “What just happened?”

  “I don't know, probably a power outage.”

  “Please don't leave me. I don't like this.”

  Alex winced, but pulled her tighter. He wrapped his arms around her waist and laced his fingers through hers, knowing that Isaac dangled in the darkness above. The smile on his lips fluctuated between guilt and elation.

  Isaac tapped Alex on the head with a gloved finger and waited for the signal. He watched his brother through the goggles, dismayed at the hesitance etched across his face.

  Again he reached out and tapped Alex, counting down seconds they didn't have to spare. As if on instinct, their eyes met in the darkness, and yet Alex waited. Then, resigned to the inevitable, he shifted his weight and revealed the clasp that secured the Hope Diamond around Abby's neck.

  Isaac descended the remaining two feet and with nimble fingers unclasped the necklace.

  Abby heard the shriek before she realized it was hers. Yet it was different than the screams that echoed through the room from frightened aristocrats. Hers was primal and involuntary.

  “What's wrong?” Alex leaned in to hear her above the noise.

  Abby writhed frantically, trying to twist free from his grasp. “The necklace. It's gone!”

  “What do you mean? I've been right here.”

  “I don't know,” she panted. “Fingers. I felt fingers on my neck and then the weight of the necklace was gone.”

  The sob came from somewhere deep within, rushing from her chest with wavelike force. With it came fresh tears that sprang from her eyes, drawing from the well of intensity that descended on her like the tide.

  By the time flashlight beams pierced the darkness below, Isaac had ascended thirty feet and was level with the ventilation grate, the diamond safely hidden in a velvet pouch beneath his shirt. As though he were a child on a swing, he rocked back and forth on the harness, spending precious seconds gaining momentum that would thrust him back to the opening. It only took a moment for Isaac to retreat into the safety of the ventilation shaft. He pressed the release mechanism on his crossbow and disconnected the anchor from the ceiling. A small hole, no wider than an inch, was the only evidence left on the medallion. The rope and anchor pulled back with a whiz, like a tape measure retracting. He reattached the vent cover, disassembled the tripod and pen lights, and replaced the equipment in the tool belt at his waist.

  The mini-electro magnetic pulse only allowed ninety seconds of blackout, and his time was running out. Isaac followed the green residue from the phosphorescent light through the ductwork.

  As he slithered on his belly through the maze of air-conditioning vents, Isaac Weld felt the weight of his greatest conquest resting beneath his shirt.

  When the lights came on, it was not the muted lighting of the staged event, but the full, harsh, fluorescent glare produced by the emergency generators. The hundreds of panicked guests stood, relief evident on their faces. As they turned toward the stage, their expressions told Abby what she already knew. The diamond was gone.

  The crowd's confused murmur grew into a cacophony of exclamations and gasps. Abby stood before the crowd, fully clothed, yet feeling totally naked. She shrank into Alex, seeking what protection she could find in his embrace.

  Dow and DeDe remained seated the entire time, knowing full well what had happened the moment the lights went out. Their eyes remained fixed, unmoving during the ninety seconds of darkness as they held hands. When harsh light flooded the room, they saw the look of panic etched on Abby's face. Alex stood behind her, arms around her waist.

  DeDe attempted to stand, but Dow laid a hand on her arm and pulled her back into the chair. A smile stretched the corners of his mouth. “Sit darling,” he said.

  “Shouldn't we—”

  “No,” he interrupted. “Let's see how this plays out.”

  Blake Marshall's heart pounded as he counted down the seconds before the emergency lights kicked back on. He knew what had happened the moment the security cameras went white ten seconds before the power outage. He knew, and he was helpless to stop it.

  As the generators clicked and chugged in the distance, building power, he shuffled in the dark toward the main security console, eyes focused blindly on the blank screens. When power returned to the small room, chaos played out on the monitors.

  “Daniel is going to skin me alive,” he gasped, throwing himself into the chair before the consoles.

  “The cameras reverted to their default positions,” Marshall yelled at the security crew. “Get her on the screen now! I don't care about anything else; I want to see Dr. Mitchell.”

  Technicians scrambled to adjust cameras throughou
t the Rotunda. A few seconds later Abby's panic-stricken face appeared on the screen. Her hands fluttered around her bare neck as she spoke with her date.

  Marshall gaped at the screen. The diamond was gone. It took a moment before he regained control of his thoughts to insert his security card into the main processor. His fingers flew across the keyboard, typing in the distress code. Three seconds later, dozens of alarms went off, echoing down the halls of the Smithsonian Institute's Museum of Natural History, and every exterior door and window immediately locked. No one was going anywhere for a while.

  Isaac Weld slipped through the door leading from the HVAC maintenance shaft onto the roof a mere two seconds before the alarm sounded. A steel rod jammed into the deadbolt, effectively locking him from the building. His original plan was to be clear of the door by twenty seconds. When Alex hesitated, it cut into Isaac's escape plan. Now the thief raced across the roof toward the back corner of the building.

  Daniel Wallace plowed through the Rotunda like a bull at Pamplona, ready to charge anyone in his path. His bloodshot gaze locked on Abby. One hand pressed against his earpiece and the other held a small bullhorn.

  “Cut the sirens,” he ordered.

  With nostrils flared, he took the stage steps two at a time and confronted Abby. She stepped back into Alex's protective embrace.

  “Dr. Mitchell, do you want to tell me where that diamond is, or do we need to go about this the hard way?” Daniel challenged.

  Abby gasped. “Daniel, you don't think—”

  He leaned closer. “I'll tell you what I think—” His hot breath hissed against her ear. “—I think you are a very smart woman, Dr. Mitchell. And I think you have a great deal of explaining to do.” Daniel locked glares with Alex, warning him not to interfere.

  “Daniel, I … surely, you can't—” She shook her head in disbelief.

  “I'm not a patient man. Talk to me now, or I can make this difficult. You don't want that to happen.”

  Tears welled up in her eyes, and she blinked them back.

  “Okay, Dr. Mitchell, just remember that this was your choice,” the security chief growled.

  Daniel turned to the crowd and lifted the bullhorn to his mouth. His harsh voice echoed off the arched ceiling. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are in lockdown. We will remain so until we have recovered the Hope Diamond.” He glowered at Abby's bare neck. “What that means,” he continued, “is that every one of you is a suspect.”

  Stunned shouts of protest erupted from the guests.

  “As suspects, you will be subjected to a body search and interrogation before leaving the Smithsonian tonight.”

  Daniel lowered the bullhorn and questioned Abby. “Am I correct in assuming that this is going to hurt the bottom line of your little fund-raiser?”

  “You think I still care about that?”

  “I think you planned this entire thing.”

  “You can't be serious!”

  Daniel ignored her and spoke into the bullhorn again. “This is how it's going to work, ladies and gentlemen. Men will be escorted to the left into the Hall of Mammals. Ladies will be taken to the right into the Dinosaur Room. There you will undergo a physical search. Men will be searched by male security officers; women will be searched by female security officers.”

  Cell phones materialized among the guests; attorneys would earn their retainers tonight.

  Horrified, Abby tugged at Daniel's arm and pulled the bullhorn down. “Are you insane? Do you know who these people are? You are looking at some of the most well-connected attorneys and politicians in the country. This will open the Smithsonian up to a class-action lawsuit that could destroy it forever.”

  “Then why don't you start talking, Dr. Mitchell?”

  “Because I don't know anything!”

  “I don't believe you.”

  “Daniel, think about what you're doing.”

  “The choice is yours, Abby. Where is the diamond?”

  “I've already told you. I don't have it!” she yelled. Alex squeezed her arm in support.

  “That's funny. You were the one wearing it five minutes ago.”

  Alex stepped forward. “What are you insinuating?”

  “This is none of your business, Mr. Weld.”

  “I'm making it my business. You just accused Dr. Mitchell of a felony.”

  Daniel turned to Alex and eyed him closely. “Do you mind telling me what you were doing when that diamond magically disappeared from around her neck?”

  “Standing right here with her.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes, it is, as a matter of fact,” Abby said. “He found me as soon as the lights went out.”

  “How convenient.”

  “What are you saying?” Alex gently moved Abby aside, shoving his face inches from Daniel.

  “I'm saying that the Hope Diamond is gone. She was wearing it. And you were standing right next to her. You expect me to believe that neither of you know where it is now?”

  “Alex had nothing to do with this!”

  “And how do you know that, Dr. Mitchell?”

  “His arms were around me the entire time. He came up here to keep me safe, not to steal the diamond.”

  “Safe from what, Dr. Mitchell? Are you afraid of the dark?”

  “He's a gentleman, Daniel, unlike you.”

  “Apparently not. He stood there and let someone make off with a $250 million dollar necklace while it was hanging on your neck.”

  “Now wait just a minute! I had no idea—”

  “You didn't know someone was taking it off her neck?”

  “No.”

  “And what about you, Abby?”

  “I felt someone unlatch the necklace, but it wasn't Alex. I'm telling you, he was right here. His arms were around me the whole time.”

  “Don't go anywhere,” Daniel said. “I'll talk to you two later.”

  “We need to start the search, Dr. Trent,” Daniel said. The head of the museum looked stunned. “The longer we wait the greater the possibility of losing that diamond.”

  “You can't be serious, Daniel. Do you know the lawsuits we would face by searching our patrons?”

  “Someone in this room stole the diamond. If we don't search them, they could walk out of here, and you will never see it again. Are you prepared to let that happen?” Daniel ran a hand over his face. “It may already be gone.”

  Peter Trent paused and then leaned in, whispering, “Are we talking about strip searches?”

  “No. Voluntary searches with full pat downs. The innocent have nothing to hide. Those who protest will be subjected to a vigorous interrogation. Now can we please do this?”

  Peter closed his eyes and nodded.

  Isaac dropped to the ground and crouched in the shadows. The alarm fell silent, but he heard the roar of sirens approaching. He stowed the tool belt in the briefcase, along with the mask and gloves, and slipped into his sport coat.

  With the Hope Diamond tucked safely beneath his shirt, Isaac headed down Constitution Avenue, away from the scene of the crime.

  21

  “WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN'T FIND IT?” PURPLE CAPILLARIES PRESSED to the surface of Daniel's nose, and his eyes bulged.

  A security officer cowered before him, the harbinger of bad news. “We searched everyone, sir. Every single person. Some of them down to their underwear. No one has it.”

  “Do cavity searches then. I want that necklace found!”

  “Er, yes … well … I doubt that would help.”

  “And why is that?”

  “Sir, the diamond is too big to … fit … in a cavity.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes sir.”

  Beads of sweat popped out on Daniel's forehead. This couldn't be happening—not on his watch.

  Daniel observed Dr. Trent approaching him from the Hall of Mammals, jacket in hand and shirt partially unbuttoned.

  “We have to let them go, Daniel.”

  “We haven't found the d
iamond, Dr. Trent.”

  “That is exactly why they have to be released. These people didn't do anything.”

  “I'm not letting anyone out of here until we find that thing.”

  “You are going to do exactly what I tell you, Daniel, because you work for me!”

  “My butt is on the line here.”

  “No, Daniel, mine is. I made the decision to take the diamond out of the vault. The Board of Regents approved. You were just doing your job.”

  “And failed.”

  “Apparently, we all failed. But in the end I will be the one to answer for it. Now let these people go.”

  “I'm going to find it, sir. I promise you that.”

  Dr. Trent said nothing and just walked away in defeat.

  Abby listened as Daniel made the announcement on his bullhorn that everyone was being released. The irate crowd of guests collected their belongings and made their way to the front door. She stood a few feet from Dr. Trent, dreading the conversation they were about to have.

  “You okay?” Alex slid an arm around her shoulders.

  Abby lifted her eyes, meeting his briefly. It was answer enough.

  Dr. Trent shifted from foot to foot. He finally cleared his throat. “We need to talk, Dr. Mitchell.” He motioned with his head that he wanted her to come with him for a private conversation.

  Abby nodded and followed him toward a corner of the room, holding her head as high as possible.

  “I must say, Dr. Mitchell, there are no words. What I mean is, I just don't … how could you let this happen?” He spat out the angry question.