The Missing Medium Read online

  “Was that really necessary?” he said with annoyance. “I’m not a child, Anna.”

  “You are not familiar with the bustle of the city,” she replied absently as she scanned the dark spaces along the wall for Ganon, but the platform appeared to be deserted. “I don’t see him,” she said with a concerned expression.

  “Maybe he got picked up by the police for vagrancy,” the doctor suggested, his hopefulness at the thought barely concealed. Anna scowled and resumed her search.

  “He is here somewhere.”

  “Well, no one else is,” Lamb replied, noting that last of the crowd on the opposite platform had vanished up the stairs at the far end. The tunnel was completely empty save for the two of them. And quiet. There were no sounds. No voices in the distance. No train noises. No water dripping or rats scurrying about. It was dead quiet. This disturbed the doctor, and he quickly but quietly caught up with Anna, who had kept moving.

  When they were roughly equidistant from both ends, Anna felt a rush of cool air. Glancing into the darkness, she discovered a man-sized side tunnel blocked by a grate The cool air came from there.

  “There is an access tunnel here,” she said, pointing it out to Lamb.

  “And the grate is loose.” Lamb took hold of it and caught the metal lattice as it fell toward him. “The screws are broken. If anyone touched it, the cover would have just fallen off.”

  “That must be where Ganon went,” Anna said with certainty. “We will not fit in there with our luggage. We will have to leave it here.”

  “You want to go down there? Just because the cover is loose?” Lamb shook his head. “The breeze is coming from there. There’s probably a just big fan to improve air circulation.”

  “Where else could he be?” Anna asked with frustration, trying to make out anything in the darkness of the side tunnel.

  “I was under the platform,” Ganon said matter-of-factly. Anna jumped in surprise, Lamb reaching around to stop her from hitting her head on the lip of the opening. “There’s a lot of space under there,” Ganon tapped on the concrete floor, “and nobody ever looks there.”

  “Very resourceful,” Anna said, catching her breath.

  “That’s me,” the vagrant replied, pulling out the scroll from his coat. “That’s why you hired me, Nygof. You needed someone who could find things and get you out of tight spots.” He pointed at her in the drawing. “You were the leader.” He pointed at Lamb. “You were the thinker.” He pointed to the figure on the other side of Lamb in the drawing. “Govil was the muscle.” He moved to the other woman. “And Sif was the client. Remember?”

  “Perhaps we should go talk in private,” Lamb said, looking about. The platform was still deserted, and there were still no sounds.

  “There’s nobody here,” Ganon said.

  Suddenly, the coolness of the side tunnel was replaced by a chill that permeated the entire tunnel. The lights dimmed, and an uneasy, electrical sensation flowed through them.

  “They’re back again,” Ganon said warily, looking from side to side in the dark spaces.

  “Who’s back?” Lamb said worriedly.

  “The assassins,” he replied, putting his finger before his lips to signal quiet.

  “What assassins?” Anna whispered.

  “Gho-Bazh’s assassins,” Ganon replied evenly. “Been after me since I escaped. Even sent his minions all the way here.” He moved away from the platform edge and started back toward the grate. “We need to hide,” he said anxiously, “but they know all the secret places by now.” Lamb was annoyed. This had gone on long enough. The man was clearly delusional.

  “Come with us,” he said, grabbing Ganon’s arm to lead him toward the far stairwell. “We’ll hide you where they won’t think to look.”

  As the doctor turned in the intended direction, a cloud of inky blackness rose through the platform and congealed into a humanoid shape covered with thick, curly hair and crowned by a pair of short, curved, serrated horns.

  As it became more substantial, a bipedal form with cloven hooves became apparent. The being was slightly taller than Lamb. It was covered head to foot with coarse hair. Its feet were cloven and its head was indeed crowned with a pair of short, curved horns. Its mouth was abnormally wide and lined with two rows of sharp, inward-pointed teeth, and it had large, curved, and pointed ears.

  It reached out toward Ganon with triple-joined fingers, half as much longer than human fingers, that ended in bony points. As it lunged, the light struck its octagonal, dark red eyes, and they seemed to glow. They were protected by bony brow ridges and did not appear to blink.

  Lamb was frozen at the sight of the thing, but Ganon pushed him aside and thrust a flashlight in the attacker’s face. The red eyes glowed brightly, and then it shrieked and swung its arms blindly in search of the light.

  “Come on,” Ganon shouted as he pulled Lamb to his feet and down the platform. There was a gunshot from behind them. Lamb turned to see Anna holding her smoking revolver. The being was now prone on the platform, and as they watched, it started turning to smoke. “Let’s go! There’ll be more soon!”

  Anna glanced at the vague outline of the being she shot before it too faded away and then she ran after the others. The electric sensation increased, and she could feel her hair starting to stand up. Then, several more of the inky clouds erupted from the floor, walls, and below on the tracks.

  Lamb fumbled to draw his own pistol. Ganon continued to drag him toward the steps up to the Manhattan platform on the upper level. Anna followed at a run. Just short of Ganon and the doctor, but in front of Anna, a cloud consolidated into another of the beings, and another appeared, fully-formed, from below on the tracks.

  Lamb fired two shots that caused the head of the one between him and Anna to explode into a vanishing cloud. At the same time, Anna feinted away from the one that had climbed up from the tracks and used the added distance to aim and fire two rapid shots into its chest. Anna’s ears rang as entrails sprayed onto the track bed, briefly sparking against the third rail before they vanished. The mass of the attacker fell forward onto the platform. It reached out with its clawed fingers to rake at Anna, but fell short and exploded into a black cloud on impact with the floor, inches from her feet.

  “Come on,” Ganon cried as he tugged on Lamb’s arm. “We need to get out into the light. They can’t see good outside.”

  “They don’t seem so tough,” Lamb said as he watched more clouds form around them.

  “They can’t handle bullets,” the vagrant shouted. “They got them energy sticks. But just as guns don’t work where they’re from, their sticks don’t work here ‘crept as clubs.”

  Just as Lamb and Anna emptied their weapons and dispatched the last solidified assailants, an express train, as if on cue, zoomed though on the center tracks. The gust of wind caused by its passing dissipated the still-forming clouds and allowed the three to reach the stairwell. They climbed quickly back into the heat and humidity of the crowded upper level.

  ◆

  “What were those things?” Lamb asked, panting from the exertion of running up the stairs.

  “Those were Pointees,” Ganon replied, “don’t you remember?” His weathered visage bore an expression of surprise and distress. “They were sent by Gho-Bazh to get me for helping Deb-Roh to escape.” He looked suspiciously at Anna and Lamb. “How come they’re not after you?”

  “Perhaps they did not know where to find us,” Anna replied quickly.

  “Well they know where you are now,” Ganon replied. “We best get out of here.”

  “We will find a hotel and talk there,” she replied, steering the other two toward the Center Street exit. They milled cautiously through the crowd. Lamb looked around every now and then, but there was no sign of the extradimensional attackers or any clouds of inexplicable inky blackness.

  When they reached the exit, Anna quickly made her way down the block and held up two fingers to hail a cab. A blue, Ford sedan with “TAXI” painted on
the door pulled to the curb. The driver stepped out and opened the door for Anna. She climbed in, immediately followed by Ganon. Lamb and the driver stowed the luggage in the trunk.

  “Where to?” the driver asked from behind the wheel after Lamb closed the rear door.

  “We need a hotel in Midtown,” Anna said. “Can you recommend one?”

  “There’s the new Hotel Lexington on 48th Street,” the driver replied. “I hear that’s nice.”

  “Take us there, please,” Anna said with a smile.

  “Sure thing,” he said as he pulled out into traffic.

  Chapter 6

  July 11, 1929

  Dodging cars, delivery trucks, pedestrians, and trams, they arrived at the entrance to the Hotel Lexington just as the sun was sinking below the skyscrapers to the west. A red-coated doorman opened the door of the taxi and a bellman ran up with a luggage cart to collect their bags. Lamb gave the doorman a nickel as Ganon and Anna stepped out of the cab. When he saw Ganon, the doorman started moving to stop him.

  “He’s with us,” the doctor said, handing the man a quarter.

  “Of course, sir,” the doorman replied and tipped his hat at Anna. “The front desk is inside to the right.” He glanced at the vagrant again and added, “The lavatories are to the left, next to the smoking lounge.”

  “Thank you,” Anna said with a polite smile. “I will see to some rooms. Harry, take Ganon to the washroom and help him clean up a little.” Lamb nodded as they passed through the revolving door into the lobby. The vast chamber beyond was decorated in reds and golds, reminiscent of an eastern palace. Settees and divans occupied a sunken space in the center of the room, beyond which a bank of elevators lined the far wall. To the right was a long marble counter, behind which a line of fashionable young women assisted guests queued up before them. To the left, nearest to the entrance, was a space decorated in deep wood and brass railings where well-dressed men and a few much-younger women sat within a cloud of tobacco smoke. Next to the smoking lounge was a pair of alcoves concealing the entrances to the men and women’s washrooms. Lamb guided Ganon toward them while Anna proceeded to the right and joined the shortest line.

  Suddenly, there was a commotion as sighs and hushed whispers filled the room. From one of the elevators, a petite woman in a form-fitting, low-cut white evening dress emerged. Her red hair was styled in short tight curls, and she wore a large necklace that reflected the light of the great chandelier that hung over the recessed central area. There was a stampede from the smoking lounge as the men surrounded her and started hounding the woman with questions.

  Anna took advantage of the distraction to step up to the counter, followed by the bellman. A pretty blond in a Hotel Lexington blazer smiled.

  “May I help you, ma’am?”

  “I would like two adjacent rooms please,” Anna replied pleasantly. The woman frowned.

  “How long will you be staying with us?”

  “A few days. We are not certain at this time.” The woman bit her lip and flipped through several stacks of cards. After a moment, she perked up.

  “I’m afraid that we don’t have any adjacent rooms available at the moment,” she said apologetically, “but we’ll have a residential suite available shortly.” She indicated the woman, who now preceded a string of bellmen pulling luggage carts. “Ms. Miller is leaving us.” Anna did not react to the name. “That’s Marylin Miller, the dancer.”

  “I’m afraid I am not familiar with the theater,” Anna replied flatly. The woman behind the counter adopted a professional demeanor again. “The suite will be acceptable.” The woman picked up a telephone and dialed.

  “Housekeeping,” she said. “I need suite 1806 cleaned up as soon as Ms. Miller has vacated.” There was an agitated flurry on the other end. “I need the suite cleaned up immediately. Guests are waiting!” There was more chatter from the other end. “Very well. Contact me as soon as it is ready. This is Lorraine at the front desk.” Lorraine hung up the telephone and noted Anna’s concern. She blushed. “Ms. Miller is a... um… spirited woman. She took many liberties with the decor.”

  “I understand,” Anna replied with a polite smile. “How long will it be before the suite is available?” The woman glanced at the large clock mounted above the elevators. It was almost nine.

  “I would guess about an hour, she said, holding up a finger. “One moment, please.” She picked up the telephone and dialed. “Mr. Lyons? I have guests waiting for suite 1806.” The voice on the other end spoke. “Well Ms. Miller just left, and it will be at least an hour before the suite is ready for occupancy.” The voice on the other end spoke again and hung up. “Mr. Lyons, the night manager, will be here shortly to take care of you until the suite is ready.” She rotated a book toward Anna. “Please sign the register.”

  Anna took the offered pen and wrote their names. The woman retrieved the pen and rotated the book back toward herself just as a well-groomed man in a tuxedo sauntered over in front of the counter.

  “Mr. Lyons, this is Doctor...?” The woman looked at the registry and then looked to Anna.

  “Dr. Anna Rykov,” Anna replied, taking the manager’s offered hand.

  “Charmed madam,” Lyons said as Lamb and Ganon stepped up beside her.

  “And this is Dr. Lamb and Mr. Ganon…”

  “Major Ganon,” Ganon interrupted.

  “Major Ganon,” Anna corrected. Lyons looked over Ganon, who now wore Lamb’s oversized, but clean jacket. His face and hands had been washed and his wet hair was neatly combed, but he still looked out of place.

  “Um, yes,” the manager replied, an expression of distaste flashing across his face for an instant before his artificially professional face returned. “As it will be some time before your suite is available, the Hotel Lexington would be honored if you would accept a complimentary dinner while you wait.” He glanced at Ganon again and said, “I will arrange a private dining room for your group.”

  “That is very kind,” Lamb said with a smile.

  “Not at all, sir.” Lyons snapped his fingers and the bellman stepped up. “Store their belongings in the luggage room and see that it is brought to their suite as soon as it is ready!”

  “Yes, sir,” the bellman said as he snapped to attention. “Miss Lindsey will attend to your arrangements. Now excuse me while I make the preparations for your meal.” With that, Lyons indicated the woman behind the counter and stepped hastily away.

  ◆

  Fifteen minutes later, the three were seated at a large table in a mahogany-paneled dining room. A crystal chandelier hung over the table, which had been set for three, though it could clearly accommodate a dozen. Anna sat at one end, with Ganon and Lamb on either side. Before them was a plate of chilled oysters, pate, caviar, and small crackers. A waiter in a white jacket periodically refilled their glasses with iced tea. Having obligingly consumed Mrs. Teplow’s cookies earlier, Anna and Lamb ate sparingly, but Ganon ate with abandon.

  “Now, Ganon,” Lamb began, “you said that this Gho-Bazh sent those cloud beings…”

  “Pointees,” Ganon corrected through a mouth of pate.

  “Yes… Pointees to kill you? Why?”

  “We helped Deb-Roh escape. He was a big prize in Gho-Bazh’s fight against Utgarda.” At the mention of the name, both Anna and Lamb almost choked.

  “Gho-Bazh is fighting Utgarda?” Anna asked intently.

  “Of course!” Ganon said through a mouthful of oyster. “Gho-Bazh wants to banish Utgarda from this world so he can have it himself. Sure, he says he’s trying to save humanity from Utgarda, but wizards are all hungry for power.”

  “And why is Deb-Roh so important to Gho-Bazh and Utgarda?”Anna probed.

  “You sure ask a lot of base-level questions for the woman that set up an expedition to rescue him,” Ganon said skeptically. “Maybe you’re not who I thought you were.” He continued eating with abandon.

  “Let’s assume that our memories of the events you are referring to have been
somehow erased or hidden from us,” Lamb interjected. “You seem to know a lot about this world, as well as the other one. Why is that?” Ganon looked critically at the two of them before continuing.

  “Because Gho-Bazh banished me back here,” Ganon replied, “‘stead of coming me back by myself.”

  “What different does that make?” Anna asked with extreme interest.

  “There are two kinds of travelers,” he began, stopping to swallow and take a drink before continuing. “Those who travel by choice, and those who get taken there. Those who travel by choice know both sides. Those who get taken know only one side or the other.”

  “So why does Gho-Bazh sending you back make a difference?” Anna’s curiosity was growing.

  “Because them that can travel by themselves can make up who they want to be there…”

  “Like a fantastical…” Lamb interjected.

  “Or heroic,” Anna added, “version of themselves.”

  “I suppose. Ganon nodded.

  “And when they return,” Anna continued, “the voluntary travelers know the difference between their traveling persona and the… other one.”

  “That’s right,” Ganon said.

  “But if a voluntary traveler is sent back involuntarily, they won’t know who they are here?” Lamb asked, a smile slowly forming across his face as he began to catch on.

  “So Ganon is your traveling persona, but you do not know your identity in this world.” Anna considered this information while nibbling on some pate. “So if he banished you,” Anna said inquisitively, “why is he out to get you now?”

  “I don’t know,” Ganon replied with a shrug. “Perhaps it was so I didn’t run into you.”

  “But clearly we have met before,” Anna said, digging in her purse. She produced Brian Teplow’s sketch book and flipped the pages until she found the duplicate of Ganon’s drawing. The vagrant’s face lit up and he covered his mouth in astonishment.

  “Where,” he stammered, “where did you get that?”