Houdini's Last Trick (The Burdens Trilogy) by David Khalaf Page B

Mr. Houdini?”
    “I need you to come with me, back to New York,” Houdini said. “Together, I believe we can reason with Atlas. And if we can’t, I believe we could overpower him.”
    Fairbanks sniffled and Pickford stirred her drink. Chaplin bit his lip. No one said anything for a long while.
    “I’m sorry, Harry, I’m not sure what we could do,” Chaplin said. “We have talent, sure, but for entertainment. We’re the best at what we do, but not much else.”
    “That’s where I think you’re wrong,” Houdini said. “I think show business is the very tip of your talent. Look at how Mr. Fairbanks got the waitress to do as he wanted with just a few charming words. Look at how every man in this restaurant is turned toward Mrs. Pickford. And you, Charlie, look at how your clever turn of phrase transforms the worst enemy into your friend.”
    Chaplin shrugged and nodded noncommittally.
    “We just can’t,” Fairbanks said. “We’re so busy right now. We’ve got this massive premiere coming up this weekend, and with interviews and promotions… We simply can’t escape. We’d love to, but we can’t.”
    “Perhaps I could go with Mr. Houdini,” Pickford said. “While you take care of business here.”
    “Certainly not!” Fairbanks snapped. “We’re too busy, all of us.”
    Houdini couldn’t tell whether Fairbanks thought the mission too dangerous for his wife, or whether he simply didn’t want to let her be alone with another man.
    “You fail to understand the gravity of the situation,” Houdini said. “People have died. The Pope himself gave his life to protect this object. This giant will kill me if he finds me.”
    Houdini knew his story sounded unbelievable. Perhaps they even thought him a crazy old codger. It was a lot to take in, but he didn’t know any other way to convince them. He stood.
    “Very well,” he said. “I can’t make you use your gifts for good, just like I can’t prevent Atlas from using his gifts for evil.”
    “Harry,” Chaplin said. “This is all a lot to digest. Surely there’s some other way we can help. Some way that’s a little less lethal.”
    “A life of adventure doesn’t start until we take risks,” Houdini said.
    He stared pointedly at Fairbanks, who shifted uncomfortably.
    “Very well,” Fairbanks said. “I’ll tell you what. If you can bring this Atlas fellow to us here, I promise I will talk to him with you.”
    It was an easy promise to make because Fairbanks knew he would never have to fulfill it.
    “And how would I go about bringing Atlas here,” Houdini asked, “when I don’t know his true name or where he is? Shall I post a personal ad in the New York Times ?”
    Fairbanks shrugged apologetically.
    “I can only say what I’m able to do. Bring him here, and I’ll help. But Mary stays out of it. It’s too dangerous.”
    Pickford grimaced but said nothing.
    “The only way to get his attention would be to get myself on the front page of every major newspaper in the country,” Houdini said. “It’s impossible.”
    He paused a moment.
    Maybe it’s not.
    He felt the envelope full of money in his pocket.
    “Very well,” Houdini said. “I may be able to find a way to draw Atlas here.”
    But you won’t like it.
    “Thank you for the offer, Mr. Fairbanks, and good luck with your premiere. What’s the movie?”
    “It’s a grand Arabian adventure called The Thief of Baghdad ,” Fairbanks said. “It’s my greatest role yet. There’s a lot riding on it. I’m sure we could scrounge up a ticket for you. Would you like to go?”
    “No, thank you,” Houdini said.
    I already am.

 
     
     
     
    C HAPTER N INE
     
    H OUDINI STARED OUT his window at the massive sails of a 17 th Century merchant ship. They billowed in a light ocean breeze, even though the shore was a good five miles away.
    “Action!” someone shouted.
    Thirty sailors darted across the deck with swords in hand as a dozen pirates scurried up the ship like rats up a