The Lure of the Pack (17 page)

“Very clever indeed Vitali,” said Oratz, his thoughts
running amok. “Tell me,” he asked, “the device in the speaker above us, will it
disrupt visual monitoring as well?”

“Yes my friend,” now Menkov looked intrigued.

“Can you obtain one…for me?”

Menkov shrugged his shoulders, “yes, I should think so,
why?”

“Oh, shall I say I have a feeling it may…come in useful.”
Slowly, thoughtfully, Wilhelm Oratz sat back in his chair, another rare smile
sitting ominously on his thin, scrawny face.  

7

A PURCHASE IN ST PETERSBURG

“Your expertise in modifying the MP44s has been exceptional
Vitali. Otto wanted you to know how pleased we both are.”

“The modifications have nothing to do with me Wilhelm; I
only found the location of the production facility. It is my ex workers from
Kalashnikov you should be thanking.”

Wilhelm Oratz nodded his head in appreciation, “it is
ironic, isn’t it my friend? Your fellow countrymen stole the blueprint for
their AK47s from German inventiveness and now, we steal it back!”

“My weapons production people are geniuses, their
modifications, second to none. We can manufacture and supply any type of weapon
you wish…so long as the price is right!” Menkov laughed, the smile on his face
quickly vanishing as the pupils in his amber and brown eyes narrowed to fine
slits. “So, my dear Wilhelm, tell me…” it was time to dispense with
pleasantries, “why did you order a hold on the arms shipments?”

“Unfortunately we have encountered, shall I say…a problem.”

“Oh?”

“Our warehouse facility, where the shipments are stored?”
Menkov nodded his head as he listened carefully, “Building Four has been
infiltrated. The intruder gained access through our infrared security system,
he was a highly trained specialist, well versed in covert operations.” Oratz
loosened the tie and collar of his pristinely clean, white shirt, “it has
been…a disturbing setback!”

Menkov sat back and took a sip of his ice-cold water. “Mmm,
you say…HE, obviously you have an idea who this intruder is?” There was no
reply from Oratz as he began scratching the birthmark under the right side of
his chin. “What are Otto’s thoughts on this matter?” Menkov’s voice was cold.

“The intruder and whoever he works for are a thorn in our
sides, but we still go ahead as planned as time is of the essence. That is why
I am here, discussing this matter with you.” Oratz began to sweat. He took a
handkerchief from his suit pocket and dabbed it across his forehead, “this
matter concerns the Were. There is a lone wolf in our midst; we think it is the
same man.” Putting the handkerchief back in place, Oratz’s voice became a
whisper, “…he is hunting Otto.” Even with the delightful rhythms of classical
music playing softly in the background, the atmosphere surrounding the two men
had become distinctly tense.

“I have also sensed the lone wolf and certain other issues
of concern,” said Menkov, “I also sense deep anxiety in Otto.” Oratz nodded his
head as Menkov let out a long sigh, as if his thoughts were suddenly elsewhere,
then Oratz realised…they were.

“How I used to enjoy the hunt with Otto, our strength, our
unity, the power of two…working as one. Our kills were always so imaginative.”
Menkov paused, his face pallid as vivid memories flooded back. “Who would have
thought hey Wilhelm, all those years ago, when I was only fourteen years old,
that fate would lead me into the path of a stray wolf whose pack line had previously
fed on human remains from Nazi werewolf experiments.” Just for a moment Wilhelm
Oratz thought he saw a look of sorrow cross Menkov’s hardened facial features.
“I remember the look on my father’s face when the wolf attacked. He had taken
me hunting on the outskirts of Volgograd when the animal appeared, seemingly
out of nowhere. My father shot the beast as it tore into me, killing it. But
the damage…was done. As you are well aware my friend, the wolf’s saliva
infected me with the genetically engineered werewolf DNA. Little did I know
then, how those wounds would change my life.”

“Otto has told me of your friendship many times over, and of
how you met his father. Karl was of great assistance to you during your
transformation, was he not?”

“Yes, poor Karl, a man of great courage and honour. It was
such a pity he could not live with the wolf any longer. Otto told me of his
father’s abhorrence of the hunt, especially the killing of children. It took
its toll on his soul, I fear.” Lifting his glass, Menkov gazed into it, the
ice-cold water reflecting his stare like a crystal ball. “Karl’s contact, help
and guidance during my transformation, was so greatly appreciated. The Were
watch over each other very carefully. For all I know, we may only be a handful of
human-wolf kind, but above all else, we are totally unique.” Menkov’s gaze slid
from the glass, across the table to Oratz. “But tell me, and be truthful
Wilhelm…” Oratz’s heart thumped, he sensed Menkov’s next question would not be
a pleasant one. And it wasn’t! “Who made sure Karl…was dead?”

“Otto did!” The answer was straight to the point. “The media
were told Karl had committed suicide, he couldn’t cope with the stress from all
the years of directing VKE.”

Menkov sat back, his thoughts racing, “what happened?”

“Otto had discussed the hunt time and again with Karl. He
tried so hard to assist his father in coming to terms with the animal inside
him. But it was no use. Of course, when Otto was a boy, he knew there was
something not quite right with Karl, but the truth did not reveal itself until
much later. Then, as you know, Otto pleaded for his father’s blood, which after
much deliberation, he gave him. But the memories of the experiments and the
screams from his human prey were still so vivid. Karl could not live with
himself any longer.” Oratz paused, his breathing shallow. He took another sip
of orange as a waiter refilled his glass and moved on.

“Tell me more about the experiments Wilhelm. Otto always
changed the subject when I tried to dig deeper.”

Oratz shrugged his shoulders, what the hell, he thought!
“The concept of the project Karl became involved in was to create a new breed
of Waffen SS soldier…a wolf soldier, with the strength, power and cunning of a
wild wolf. The scientists and doctors utilised a special, highly secret camp
for the initial trials, namely the injections of the wolf DNA into their human
subjects. From what Otto had told me, there was a great deal of suffering
during the initial stages, but that did not matter, the first…guinea pigs, were
just filthy Untermenschen! No, the grim reality of Project Were was only, truly
realised when Karl, Jurgen and Fritz offered themselves for further trials.
They had to, the war was reaching its final stages, with the Communists and the
Allies moving ever closer to Berlin.” Another drink of orange was required as
Oratz’s throat began to feel very dry, “as you are fully aware, the rest, as
the old saying goes…is history.”

Menkov nodded, the look in his eyes telling Oratz further
answers were required. “But what of the initial success of Project Were, what
happened to the others, from the early trials?”

“No one knows! All Otto told me was that side effects were
common at first, especially feelings of great depression, of paranoia,
schizophrenia, all leading to suicide.”

“Mmm, two personalities in one mind, one human, the other a
wild predator, yes…a God to be sure!”

“What did you say?” Oratz leaned forward inquisitively.

“Oh…nothing my friend, nothing! So, tell me…how did Karl
die?”

“He shot himself through the skull. After a quick autopsy,
Otto had to swiftly remove Karl’s head, before the healing process began! ”

“Fucking hell!”

“Remember Vitali, Karl was going insane. He could stomach
the hunt no longer! That is why Jurgen and Fritz had to leave him alone. They
live for the hunt, just like you!”

“And what of Otto, does he live for the hunt?” Again,
Menkov’s eyes narrowed to fine slits. There was silence!

Be very careful with this answer thought Oratz, “yes, I’m
sure he does.”

“Mmm, I am not so sure my friend. Something is greatly
troubling him at present and it is not just the lone wolf.”  

“Are you still in contact with the others?”

“Yes, two live in the Taiga, they prefer the company of
their wild brothers and sisters, like Falck and Kempler. As for my comrade in
the SVR, he has pledged his allegiance to our cause. I have promised to hunt
with him when I next visit Moscow.”

“Your Were colleague in the SVR, how often does he hunt?”

“Not as much as he would like. He is based in Moscow, so his
time for carnivory,” Menkov laughed, his gaze returning to the glass of cold
water, “…is shall I say…limited.”

“But the authorities, surely they must know of his
existence? I mean…the remains from the kills.” Oratz swallowed hard, his voice
quivering slightly.

“Oh yes, the authorities know of his existence, but not his
true identity. Besides, they always turn a blind eye when a fresh kill is
discovered, believe me!” Silence crept in again as Menkov sipped his water, the
look on his face now of cold, ruthless cunning. Change the subject thought
Oratz, quickly, “Otto was very pleased when you heeded his advice, Vitali!”

“What! Oh…the Rostov incident. Ah yes, after that I could
stay in the city no longer!   Ha, September 2001, my…how time flies by!”
Menkov’s amber and brown eyes suddenly became aglow with passion. A passion for
the hunt!

“You were far too foolhardy, you killed too many times. Otto
was greatly annoyed at your, what he called…stupidity!”

Angrily Menkov growled, a low growl, just audible as he sat
bolt upright, staring deep into Oratz’s eyes. “When was the last time Otto
hunted…my dear Wilhelm?” Oratz scratched at his birthmark again. “Well Wilhelm,
I am waiting for your reply!”

Oratz didn’t like the look in the Russian’s eyes, but he was
not prepared to be brow beaten. “You know as well as I do, Otto controls his
urges. He has to, he cannot afford any mishaps due to the position he holds at
VKE!”

“And that is where Otto’s weakness lies, my dear friend,
HA!” Hastily, Menkov’s hands smashed down on the table, the crockery shaking
once again, “the Were need the hunt! It is our symbol of strength, of power, to
taste the flesh and blood of our prey. The more we kill, the more powerful we
become. Otto is mistaken trying to control his urges. He will grow weak if he
continues to do so.”

“There is nothing weak about Otto, Vitali. You know that, he
is as powerful as ever!”

“Is he now?” It was the way Menkov’s lips turned downwards
that made Wilhelm Oratz shiver slightly. Did the man in front of him, this
powerful Russian werewolf, know something that Otto didn’t? “Listen to me
Wilhelm,” Menkov continued, “Otto must kill when he feels the urge, when he
feels the hunt coursing through his veins. When you return to Dusseldorf, you
can tell him I said that…it is important!”

“I will!”

“Good,” Menkov hesitated, then sat back, “but my good
friend, you are right of course,” the tone in the Russian businessman’s voice
became calmer, making Oratz breathe a little easier. “Yes…Rostov! I was
foolhardy, but it was such a challenge. The city was ideal for the hunt. So
many hideaways in the darkened streets and the houses, so easily entered. The
hunt for human flesh is difficult here, now I kill only when I have too, ha,
the police always think my kills are the result of mafia violence. That suits
me fine!”

“You took far too many risks in Rostov; you know that! Otto
tried to warn you in your dreamscape. As soon as we heard of the attacks by the
Rostov Ripper, we knew instantly that it was you.”

“HA!” Menkov opened his arms wide in a gesture of open
compliance, “and…you were both right! But it was the challenge my friend,
eighteen killings over seven weeks! Men, women and children, ah, how I
surpassed myself, and the police could do nothing, they were helpless,
dim-witted fools. HA!”

“Keep your voice down Vitali.” There was an urgent feeling
of panic coursing through the German businessman’s veins. Shit he thought, if
anyone could hear this conversation!

“What have I told you Wilhelm, no one can hear us? This
little corner is ideal for interesting conversations and besides, as I have
already stated, the device in the speaker above us will disrupt any electronic
surveillance, so relax!”

Wilhelm Oratz breathed a little easier, the smell from the
kitchens enticing his taste buds. Where the hell is the food he thought, I’m
starving? “Anyway,” he continued, “Otto breathed a huge sigh of relief when you
moved here. When you were hunting in Rostov he became greatly concerned that at
some time or other your exploits would be captured on film.”

“Mmm!” Again came a telling, thought ridden look in Menkov’s
eyes, a look perhaps pertaining to hidden secrets. “Actually Wilhelm,” Menkov
smiled, a sinister smile, “I was caught on film.”

“WHAT?”

“Gentlemen, if you please!”

“Ah, Viktor, perfect timing! Food at last!”

“As Europe ignites after further horrifying terrorist
attacks, we will bring you up to date with events, as and when they happen.
This is Rick Wellinger, for CBS News…”

“The world’s news channels are revelling in this!” Jean-Paul
looked across at Nick Lucas.

“Yeah I know, what’s the current update on revenge attacks?”

 “Not good, I’m just compiling information regarding areas
of violence and total casualties. Many police forces are struggling. There’s
talk of martial law and curfews in the UK and France. These attacks by armed
gangs seem to be so well co-ordinated, it’s really alarming, and now Muslim and
immigrant youths are fighting back. There’s going to be a bloodbath if
something isn’t done, and quickly!”

“So werewolves do exist?”  Tim Winters’ smiling face peered
through the door into Ash Piper’s small, but comfortable sleeping quarters.

“Come on in Tim and make yourself at home, if you can call
this home!” The smiles on both men’s faces were relaxed and warm. Ever since
their first meeting in the Parachute Regiment, there had developed a true
feeling of deep, professional friendship between the two well-trained
combatants. “How’d the meeting go?” asked Piper.

“Very well, the FSB are pledging full support once again.
We’re taking White Swan to its next phase within a couple of weeks. The
Commander and Colonel are confident we can get results and close the bastards
down.  I’m looking forward to hitting back at the shits and hopefully saving a
few kids’ lives in the process!”