Andy Mcdermott - Temple of the Gods

‘And what did you find?’

‘Nothing.’ He shook his head. ‘I had the stone analysed. It was unusual, apparently a meteorite, but it did not possess any special properties. At least, not that I could find.’

Again, Nina refused to take the bait. ‘So you bought it and kept it… until it was stolen.’

A grunt of annoyance. ‘Yes. I had a second property at the time where I kept my collection of antiquities. It was robbed, very professionally — but the robbers took only the statue and left other items of far greater value. I believe you also encountered these thieves.’

‘Yes, I did,’ she said, recalling a mad chase through San Francisco to recover a stolen Atlantean artefact. ‘They were employed by Pramesh and Vanita Khoil.’

Takashi nodded. ‘I was told they used their Internet technology to intercept people’s private communications. I imagine that is how they learned about my statue. But that raises a question.’

‘Why they wanted it in the first place?’

‘Yes. For them to have gone to such lengths to steal it, the statue must be of greater importance than it appears to be.’

Nina had another question. ‘Why didn’t you report it stolen? When it was recovered from the Khoils, you could have got it back from Interpol. Rather than buying it on the black market.’

‘You do not approve, Dr Wilde?’

‘No. It just encourages the illegal trading of antiquities — if thieves know they can get a high price for what they’ve stolen, they’ll keep on doing it.’

‘On this occasion, I had no choice. There were other interested parties, and I could not let the statue — the statues, all three — fall into their possession.’

‘Which other interested parties?’

‘That is no longer important. What matters is that I now have them.’ Takashi stood. ‘In answer to your question,’ he told her as he slowly walked round the table, ‘I did not report the theft of my statue because even though I have rightful ownership, there are those who want it taken from me and returned to China. For the sake of diplomacy — and their own political ambitions. If the statue had been brought to me through Interpol, they would have interfered, or even attempted to seize it.’ He gestured to Kojima, who went to another set of doors and opened them. Takashi started for the exit. ‘Please come with me, Dr Wilde. I am sure you are keen to see the statues for yourself.’

Unable to deny that, she followed him. Near the door, set against the outer wall, was a wood and glass booth that she had assumed was some sort of display cabinet. Closer up, she saw that it contained an orange sphere around five feet tall. Takashi noticed her curiosity. ‘My escape pod.’

Nina couldn’t believe her ears. ‘Your what ?’

‘In case of a major earthquake.’ Seeing her still incredulous expression, he went on: ‘You do not have escape systems in American skyscrapers?’

‘No — or if we do at the UN, nobody’s ever let me in on the secret.’

Now it was his turn to look disbelieving. ‘I hope it is never needed,’ he said as they left the office.

To Nina’s surprise, the next room contained a beautiful rock garden, shrubs and miniature trees carefully arranged amongst large rounded stones, all surrounded by gravel precisely raked into wave-like patterns. She wanted to stop for a moment to admire it, but before she could even offer any praise Takashi had moved on to the next set of doors. They went down another hallway, passing more rooms of the penthouse. Outside, a tall white mast rose from a tier a few storeys below: the tower of one of the wind turbines she had seen from the limo. Light from the setting sun flickered off the rapidly turning blades above. ‘That’s something else I’ve never seen on an American skyscraper,’ said Nina, looking up at the structure.

‘They generate up to ten per cent of the building’s energy needs,’ said Takashi with pride. ‘I would like more, but I must battle with the city planners over such things.’ He stopped, turning to face her. ‘This is why I am so interested in the earth’s natural energy. Renewable sources like wind and wave power are a beginning, but the world’s energy demands are growing faster than they can be met. We need more, and it must be non-polluting, or we shall all choke. If earth energy can be harnessed, it could be the key to the future of humanity.’

‘It could be dangerous, though.’

‘All energy sources are dangerous, if used wrongly. That is why they must be kept in the right hands.’

The obvious question was somewhat rude, but had to be asked. ‘Yours?’

‘Not mine alone. But those who are seeking global stability and security.’ He set off again. ‘This way.’

He led them into a large, softly lit gallery, the walls of which were home to numerous paintings and woodcuts. Nina didn’t recognise any, but from their style and condition took them to be the work of Japanese artists dating back at least two centuries, some of them clearly much older. At the room’s far side was another set of double doors. Takashi signalled to Kojima, and the secretary pushed a button on the wall. The doors were panelled in dark oak, but the hum of powerful machinery as they slowly swung open suggested that there were heavier and more secure materials behind the façades.

‘My strongroom,’ said Takashi. ‘After the statue was stolen from me, I had the rest of my collection made as secure as possible. It is why I live here now, at the top of my own skyscraper. No intruder can reach this place without being caught. My guards see to that.’

Nina was dubious. ‘What, the two guys all the way downstairs?’

A knowing smile. ‘They are not my only guards. But come, come.’ He beckoned her through the doorway. Lights came on as they entered.

Her eyes went wide at the sight within. The industrialist had an incredible collection of antiquities. Most were Japanese, which was not her area of expertise, but she recognised other items as being from China, India, Tibet and more. Scrolls bearing gorgeous calligraphy; exquisite carved statues of ivory and jade; a full set of ornate samurai armour; jewellery in gold and silver, precious stones glinting from the settings. The value of the room’s contents was easily tens of millions of dollars, perhaps even hundreds.

Kojima’s phone trilled. He spoke briefly to the caller, then bowed to Takashi and Nina. ‘My apologies, but there is a matter I must see to. I will be back soon.’

Takashi nodded, then continued into the room as his secretary departed. He paused as he reached one item. ‘Do you recognise this, Dr Wilde?’

Nina examined it: a sword, the white blade long and notched in places with the scars of battle. ‘I’m afraid not. What is it?’

He looked disappointed, apparently expecting her to be more impressed. ‘This is Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, the sacred sword of the great warrior Yamato Takeru. It is one of the three Imperial Regalia of Japan.’

The sword’s name dredged up a vague memory from her childhood, when her parents had taught her the legends of other countries. ‘Kusanagi… that’s the Japanese equivalent of Excalibur, isn’t it? I thought it was kept in a temple.’

‘The Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya, yes. That is what the priests there claim. It is good for business.’ A brief, grunting laugh. ‘But I have owned it for more than thirty years.’

‘If it’s part of the Imperial Regalia, doesn’t it really belong to the emperor?’

Takashi struggled to conceal his irritation. ‘A few politicians have suggested that. But they are now former politicians.’ He moved on, keen to change the subject. ‘Here, Dr Wilde,’ he said, standing before one particular display case. ‘Here is what you have come to see.’