Scant followed him down the corridor. Any idea where the problem could be?
I have a hunch. Lets try the parking lot, or maybe the basement.
Whatever you say. After all, you are the older brother.
And wiser, added Merv. Dont forget that.
The pixies continued down the corridor, their brisk banter masking the fact that their knees were shaking and their hearts were battering their ribcages. It wasnt until they had removed the evidence of their acid bombs and were well on their way home in the van that they began to breathe normally again.
Merv unzipped Koboi from her sealed hiding place back in the apartment he shared with Scant. Any worries theyd had about Opals IQ taking a dip were immediately banished. Their employers eyes were bright and aware.
Bring me up to speed, she said, climbing shakily from the trolley. Even though her mind was fully functioning, it would take a couple of days in an electro-massager to get her muscles back to normal.
Merv helped her on to a low sofa. Everything is in place. The funds, the surgeon, everything.
Opal drank greedily, straight from a jug of core water on the coffee table. Good, good. And what of my enemies?
Scant stood beside his brother. They were almost identical, except for a slight wideness in Mervs brow. He had always been the smart one.
We have kept tabs on them, as you asked.
Opal stopped drinking. Asked?
Instructed, stammered Scant. Instructed, of course. Thats what I meant.
Kobois eyes narrowed. I do hope the Brill brothers havent developed any independent notions since Ive been asleep.
Scant stooped slightly, almost bowing. No, no, Miss Koboi. We live to serve. Only to serve.
Yes, agreed Opal. And you live only as long as you do serve. Now, my enemies. They are well and happy, I trust.
Oh yes. Julius Root goes from strength to strength as LEP Commander. He has been nominated for the Council.
Opal smiled, a vicious wolverines smile. The Council. Such a long way to fall. And Holly Short?
Back on full active duty. Six successful reconnaissance missions since you induced your coma. Her name has been put on the list for promotion to major.
Major, indeed. Well, the least we can do is to make sure that promotion never comes through. I plan to wreck Holly Shorts career, so she dies in disgrace.
The centaur Foaly is as obnoxious as ever, continued Scant Brill. I suggest a particularly nasty
Opal raised a delicate finger, cutting him off. No. Nothing happens to Foaly just yet. He will be defeated by intellect alone. Twice in my life someone has outsmarted me. Both times it was Foaly. Just killing him requires no ingenuity. I want him beaten, humiliated and alone. She clapped her hands in delighted anticipation. And then I will kill him.
We have been monitoring Artemis Fowls communications. Apparently the human youth has spent most of the past year trying to find a certain painting. We have traced the painting to Munich.
A painting? Really? Cogs turned in Opals brain. Well, lets make sure we get to it before he does. Maybe we can add a little something to his work of art.
Scant nodded. Yes. Thats not a problem. Ill go tonight.
Opal stretched out on the sofa like a cat in the sunlight. Good. This is turning out to be a lovely day. Now, send for the surgeon.
The Brill brothers glanced at each other.
Miss Koboi? said Mervall nervously.
Yes, what is it?
The surgeon. This kind of operation cannot be reversed, even by magic. Are you sure you wouldnt like to think -
Opal leaped from the sofa. Her cheeks were crimson with rage.
Think! Youd like me to think about it! What do you imagine I have been doing for the past year? Thinking! Twenty-four hours a day. I dont care about magic. Magic did not help me to escape, science did. Science will be my magic. Now, no more advice, Merv, or your brother will be an only child. Is that clear?
Merv was stunned. He had never seen Opal in such a rage. The coma had changed her.
Yes, Miss Koboi.
Now, summon the surgeon.
At once, Miss Koboi.
Opal lay back on the sofa. Soon everything would be right in the world. Her enemies would shortly be dead or discredited. Once those loose ends were tied up, she could get on with her new life. Koboi rubbed the tips of her pointed ears. What would she look like, she wondered, as a human?
* * *
Chapter 2: The Fairy Thief
M UNICH, G ERMANY, P RESENT D AY
Thieves have their own folklore. Stories of ingenious heists and death-defying robberies. One such legend tells of the Egyptian cat burglar, Faisil Mahmood, who scaled the dome of St Peters basilica in order to drop in on a visiting bishop and steal his crozier.