Wu straightened. The German’s dead eyes stared up at her. She returned the blade to the Kevlar pocket on the bag’s underside and set off, without even a glance back at the man whose life she had just ended.

Chapter 5

5

Rotterdam, Holland

‘I don’t think this is a good idea,’ said Eddie, shifting uncomfortably as they waited in the reception area of the Henkeman psychiatric hospital. ‘I mean, the guy’s obviously got major problems if he’s been locked up here for four months – and you want to show him the thing he’s freaked out about.’

The key was now in Nina’s bag. They had left Hamburg with no further trouble, and her fame as an archaeologist even got them through airport security with no awkward questions about the ancient artefact. ‘He’s the only person who can tell us anything about it,’ she reminded her husband. ‘He knows where it was found – and what happened there.’

‘Krämer said he was ranting about demons! I don’t think he’s a reliable witness.’

‘What will you do if he tells you where it came from?’ asked Cheng, working on his laptop. He had already taken advantage of the wait at the airport and their overnight stay in Rotterdam to type up a record of events.

‘I don’t know. We might not get anything coherent from him – hell, they might not even let us see him.’

The wait lasted several more minutes. Finally a door opened and one of the facility’s medical staff approached. ‘Professor Wilde?’ said Dr Eline Kuiper.

‘Yes?’ said Nina hopefully.

‘We would not normally allow Wim to receive visitors who are not relatives. However, because of your standing, and because you may be able to help break through his catatonic state, we have decided to allow it.’ The tightness of her lips suggested she disagreed with the decision.

‘Thank you.’

‘His health is the most important consideration, though. So your visit will have limits.’

She nodded. ‘I understand. What are they?’

‘Only you will be allowed to see him, in my company. You may try to speak to him for five minutes, no longer. If he becomes agitated, you will leave immediately. Is that understood?’

‘Absolutely.’ She gave the two men a glance. Eddie was relieved to avoid the encounter, though Cheng seemed disappointed. Kuiper gestured for Nina to follow her.

‘Good luck,’ said Eddie.

‘Thanks,’ Nina replied with trepidation.

The facility was a hospital, not a prison, but it still had strict security measures. Nina and Kuiper, accompanied by a male orderly, passed through two sets of entry-coded doors before reaching the accommodation section. While all the rooms were soundproofed, Nina still heard muffled sobs and shouts from some. Unsettled, she stayed close behind the doctor.

Kuiper stopped outside a door. ‘I will check on Wim’s condition.’

‘Does he get violent?’ Nina asked.