Duke Elric - Michael Moorcock [119]
The elegant boulevardier paused and selected one of his opium cigarettes from his slender, silver case. He lit it with an equally elegant silver Dunhill. “I must be truthful with you, Sir Seaton. I am not sure.
Theoretically, if Chaos or Law achieves total ascendancy, then time stops. Like those fellows down there, we shall be frozen for ever at the moment before our deaths. Scarcely a palatable fate.”
“Indeed.” Begg looked around him and then at the great Balance below. “What is this gem they said you'd steal?”
“It is already stolen.” Zenith smiled to himself. “That is what brought me here. I possessed it before the ship ever left Jerusalem. Their perception of time remains, as ever, very crude. The gem emits both light and vibrations and acts as a kind of compass. Madame Persson understood this, I believe? It was what we discussed before the situation grew less controllable. My objective remains the Da Vinci in the Louvre, which I expected to possess by now. They have absolutely no right to it, you know. I had not reckoned, however, on Herr Klosterheim's involvement. The rules of this game seem to be constantly changing. I underestimated its nature. Madame Persson suggested …”
“I regret that I misled you a little, old friend.” Mrs. Persson still stood close to the expressionless Klosterheim. “Self-interest sometimes demands a fresh strategy. A new reality.”
“The Nazis continue to be useful,” said Klosterheim. “Whether their souls go to Chaos or their bodies serve my cause matters not. Like all women, Mrs. Persson understands where her loyalties are best placed.”
“Great Heavens, man! Does life have no value to you?” Taffy Sinclair broke away from his fellow investigators and strode towards the cadaverous creature. “How on earth can you allow such infamy?”
Klosterheim's dreadful laughter echoed into the void. “You speak to one who has defied both God and Lucifer and now stands ready to challenge their mastery of reality itself. I am not the first to try. But I shall be the first to succeed.”
“Such confidence is reassuring in these uncertain times.” Zenith seemed amused. “I envy you, Herr Klosterheim. When do you expect my lord Arioch?”
“He will arrive imminently. He gave his word.” Klosterheim turned those hollow eyes on the albino. “He shares my impatience as well as my ambition.”
“Some would say he is already with us.” Monsieur Zenith motioned with his swordstick. Klosterheim's eyes followed its direction as if he thought Zenith pointed out the powerful Chaos Lord, but he saw nothing but the Balance below and four bodies suspended above one of the cups, an instant from being absorbed into the cause of Entropy.
Behind Begg, Commissaire Lapointe was forcing Hitler to his feet and handcuffing him. “It is my duty, gentlemen, to get this fellow back to the authorities in Berlin. As to the rest of the matter, I fear it is far beyond my competence. So if you will permit me …” He began rapidly to push the whimpering insurgent colonel ahead of him, followed by his wounded assistant whose expression was one of regret and embarrassment. “Duty demands,” said LeBec.
“Of course,” agreed Begg, “I have no objection. Were the situation a little less complicated, I would be with you. Can you find your own way back?”
“I think so. With good fortune we will meet again in Paris very shortly.”
“You may count on it, Commissionaire.” Monsieur Zenith bowed and again raised his hat. “I will take the most conscientious care of your colleague.”
Herr Klosterheim however was having none of this. “I cannot permit any of you to leave. Not now. Your souls are the price of my success.” When LeBec's pistol was again aimed at his chest he let out an explosive guffaw. “Oh, fire away, my dear policeman. Have you any idea how many times I have been killed by the likes of you. Your lives are mine, just as these others belong to me. All are promised to my patron …”
“My dear Klosterheim,” drawled Zenith, “are you truly so ignorant of the change