“They are somewhere in the north of France, in or near the Pyrenees but I don’t know exactly where. Only his wife, Misti knows the answer to that.”
“Fair enough.”
“My second question is, what is the location of your new base? You seem to have disappeared off the face of the earth?”
“Would you believe we relocated to the moon?”
Musso laughed, “Unfortunately, no.”
“I am not exactly sure. What I can say is that it is in the bush somewhere, remote, but underground. I am not allowed to leave, and its exact location is only known to a very few. I am not important enough to be one of those few.”
“I see. Well, you are to remain here with me then. For now, I believe you. If that changes, I can assure you of only pain and regret.”
Vera relaxed.
“However, when we arrive at my Villa in Como we have drugs and instruments that will extract the truth, and if not that, at least verify whether or not you are not being truthful. Then we shall see whether you become the plaything of my children and wife or are exonerated in full.”
Vera was unworried, as she could seal all the relevant knowledge deep in her mind, but for how long, she didn’t know. She hoped forever, but if not that, then long enough for Adam to find and rescue her. She had no doubt he was already on his way.
***
Hannah was brought aboard a very elegant jet plane on loan from some wealthy hedge fund manager who probably didn’t even know he owned it. Probably just a tax write-off for the investment banker with no real economic value to him to speak of. Accelerated depreciation and tax credits made it all worthwhile.
She was seated across from a very attractive late twenty-something corporate executive probably sent to fetch and mind her on the journey back to America.
Hannah said, “I don’t have my passport with me. We’ll never get into the US.”
“Then perhaps I should just dump you out over the Atlantic at forty thousand feet and solve that little conundrum.”
The woman paused.
“Oh, don’t look so fussed, I was only joking. I’d have to explain that to Dr. A, and that would be a bother.”
“Dr. A?”
“Yes, your boyfriend, or ex-boyfriend or lover, or consort or whatever he is or was to you. I even heard a rumor that you’re married to him now. Congratulations, dear! Now isn’t that a little naughty of you as he already has that lovely monster of a wife, Misti Alarcon St. James. Plus, you already had your chance, and fairs fair, right?”
Hannah was growing tired of the banter and asked, “Who are you and what do you want from me. And I want my wife, Vera, back unharmed. Bear in mind this is a package deal, whatever it is you’re looking for.”
“Your wife? Well, isn’t that delicious. Never though you two were doing the old horizontal nasty. No records in the States.”
“Yeah, but there are in the UK.”
“OK, let’s put all our cards out on the table. My name is Saldana Ri, leader of the Black Shirt Movement. I have you and your lovely bride Vera, while your hubby has Patrick Murphy O’Brien and four hundred of my best men. Plus, you have some film, and other personal items and documents I want back. I propose a trade. Give me back what I want and I give Dr. A what he wants. Simple exchange of value, no?”
“Perhaps. But my wife and I are apart, and she’s with this Musso fellow. What’s his story? And why not just take us together? Fuck up of some sort? We’re much more valuable together, you must know that?”
“Well, since it doesn’t matter, there is a slight problem.”
“Which is?” Hannah was now almost in full on panic mode. She calmed herself as Adam had taught her too to do, and, on the outside, hardly seemed ruffled.
“Musso has your bride as collateral for the exchange between Dr. A and me. My thinking is Dr. A would probably eliminate me and PMO as soon as he got you and that adorable tartlet back. By the way, is he doing you and her too? Why does he care so much about that little confection anyway?”
“Let’s try to stay on topic here, Saldana and solve one curiosity at a time. Then we can gossip later. Now who is Musso and does he present a danger to Vera?”
“Musso and his entire family are complete psychos, sadists and murderers. So yes, he does present a challenge vis-a-vis your sweetie. He has promised to not harm her in any way, just confine her, but his kids and wife, well they are difficult to control. They may act on their own, and it’s hard to say what they might do. Musso is actually as good as his word, but he’s got Vera at his home, and the snarling pack of sexual psycho’s he calls family are there with him. Usually, he would not be involved in anything like this, but in this case, he is. And, to be truthful, I seriously doubt that Vera ever walks away alive from her captors. He’ll kill her and simply tell me she tried to escape; an accident, but her ashes were spread over the Lake in a beautiful ceremony. He’s quite the prevaricator when he wants to be. Very much like Dr. A’s dad, Dr. E.”
“Maybe you should call him and give him a reminder to behave.”
“Wouldn’t help. Seems he trained his kids, and he and his wife like to watch. The son is the real nut job; he usually gets his way. But some surmise the real horror is the daughter. Apparently, the son likes to - how shall we say this delicately – enjoy physical pleasures with his mother and his sister while dad records each episode. If Vera is with them, she’s fresh meat but she will not be used as a toy only so long as Musso keeps them in line. And he’ll do that only if he has a really good reason for it.”
“Then make something up. Something plausible. Money?”
“He has scads. We need something else.”
“What does he do for a living?”
“Aside from just being filthy rich, murder for hire.”
“How about new tech? New weaponry?”
“You have that?”
“Of course. I suggest you call him right away.”
“Yeah, that’s the other problem. He’s hard to get to or each through normal channels. Sometimes takes weeks. He would like to see me dead after first starting a war with the Collective, and I want to see him dead on general principles. I don’t much care for him. We Gens don’t generally like to play with our prey, and torture is not our thing. In general, that is. I find well done torture very entertaining.”
“You have to call him when the exchange takes place. You must’ve known that would only be a matter of days.”
“Didn’t really give it much thought, and your sweetheart was really not a factor at the time.”
“You mean she was security until you got had what you wanted, then she was Musso’s to use as he pleased.”
“Pretty much. Yeah, I’d say that was the deal. But he wants information about you folks too. That should keep her alive a little longer. Never know with him. He’s all freaky deaky.”
“You know you’re a dead woman when this is over. Adam may offer your men back, but not PMO if Vera isn’t a part of the package. I hope you understand that. Vera is married to Adam too. You probably didn’t know that either.”
“Nope, didn’t factor in at all.”
“Why does Musso really want Vera? You’re not telling me the truth. Or at least all of it.”
“He wants to know Adam’s present location, and activities, and the location of the new base. Wants to sell it to the Collective, maybe your military, and ramp up the war between us and the Collective. I almost got a spark close to the gasoline when I tried, but failed, to kill Vera and her partners in London. Then I blamed the entire episode on Musso and Derek Nobilus. No one bought what I was selling, however.”
“How did he know any of that to begin with?”
“Dr. E is fucking some old flame from the State Department. She’s reporting back to Washington, and we have someone on the inside at State. We don’t know much, and neither does the Collective, but we know at least this much. The Collective really wants to take out that base, and fillet Adam at the same time. All good from th
eir perspective; I think the Collective is leaking info to the US security folks and using Musso and his Vatican connections to confirm.”
Hannah thought better of saying anything further to Saldana, except, “I’d start looking for Musso right away if I were you. If Vera is harmed, he will forget all about the Collective and come exclusively for you. And by ‘you’, I don’t mean the Black Shirt Movement. I mean you.”
“Big talk, anthropologist. But he can’t touch me.” Saldana didn’t believe that and began planning how to find Musso.
Your human husband and kids know you. Bet there are some nice snaps of the family all together. Would your enemies in the Movement like to see what we have on you?”
Saldana was shaken by that news and said, “Call your sweetie and tell him I’m willing to cooperate to retrieve his pet fuck doll. Tell him not to do anything rash until we speak.”
Chapter 47
“You’re where? She what? Is she there? I’d like a word with her.”
Hannah said, “OK, but no threats. My absolute preference is for both Vera and I to be alive at the same time and intact at the end of all this kerfuffle. So, please listen, and if she can help, then let her help.”
“I promise,” he said. “But afterwards, we’re back to normal, and by normal, I mean …”
“I know what you mean. I want Vera back safe and sound. Don’t lose focus.”
Saldana took the phone. “You must be the vaunted Human that everyone is in such a tizzy over. I’m Saldana, Saldana Ri. You’ve heard of me I presume.”
“Where’s Musso. We can chit, chat later.”
“When all this is over, and you have your little fuck toys back, can I have a go with you. Something rough and kinda mean?”
“Sure. I can make sure you can’t walk straight for a week. And you may have to spend some time in bed healing. Hard to say how game a girl you might be. Like toys?”
“Why yes I do. And you little heartbreaker, you know just what to say to a female Gens psychopath, don’t you?” My, my you’re a naughty boy.”
There was silence.”
Saldana continued, “OK with that business out of the way, the answer is no, I have no clue where he is, but I think I can find him for you.”
“Do tell.”
“I have a phone I use to contact him when he is at home. I was supposed to destroy it afterward, and told Musso I had; but, well, you know me. Difficult relationship with the truth.”
“Wow. And I should trust you now, why?”
“Because I will send you the phone contents wherever you wish. Have the GPS examined and see what that yields. I bet you’ll find Musso somewhere in there.”
“OK then, Saldana. Dupe it and send it to this email address. I’ll take it from there.”
“I’m positively wet from this little tete-a-tete. Remember your promise. I’ll hold you to it.”
***
Adam was on the phone with Reggie Musgrave, and convicted felon, untrustworthy and brilliant off-the-books tracker of cell phone GPS coordinates.
“You should have the data I had sent to you, and I need this turned around today. Like hours. You understand?”
“Alright, alright don’t get so, snarky. Cost extra though. And you’ll owe me.”
“Owe you what?”
“These are crimes. I may have to turn you in if you don’t come through when I need you. We in sync?”
“How much?”
“Twenty-five g’s paid today upon delivery. Cash in small bills at my place.”
“Done. My cousin Rosa will deliver. Call me at this number when you’re done. Quick now, there’s no time to waste.”
“Then fifty. Today.”
“Get going, Reggie. This conversation is getting stale.”
***
Adam dialed his cousin Rosa Rosales, one of his favorite cousins. She was a psycho felon, but Adam didn’t mind. If it hadn’t been Misti, and Rosa wasn’t occasionally serving time, he might’ve married the girl. But he would have lost his security clearances, and Misti suddenly appeared right after Hannah.
“Adam, you puto, you never call, you never write, and you definitely never do me like you promised. First that blond whore, now that psycho Misti Alarcon. What you thinkin’, pendejo. This better be good. I’m muy enojada contigo right now.”
“What if I promised, mi promesa absoluta, to come back to Seattle, take you away for week and you can do everything that you can think of with me and to me. Twice. Bring your girlfriend CiCi too. Somewhere really nice and muy caro. Your choice.”
“Well, I might be persuaded. Would there be organics and toys? And nice new things for inside and outside the room?”
“The suite, querida. The suite. Just for you. And all the room service, mani’s and pedi’s that you can possibly ever want. Clothes, jewelry and anything you desire.”
“How long do I have to think it over? You have been very, very bad. I’ve been very badly mistreated.”
“Ro-sa.”
“And afterward? There will be occasional rewards?”
“Por supuesto.”
“Then yes, the tienda is open for business. What can I do for you today?”
“You know Reggie?”
“Seguro, the low life.”
“Deliver fifty thousand in small bills, then kill him. I’ll send you the cash from Frankie. You keep the efectivo. Deal, mi amor?”
“Si, mi amor. And the other? When do we do that?”
“As soon as I hit town. Might be awhile though. Maybe a year.”
“And psycho girl? She won’t fuck me up.”
“Nope. I promise. You’re golden with me and with her.”
“Want video of him? Proof?”
“Yep. You know where to send it.”
“Can I call you tonight with CiCi and talk dirty?”
“Like the old days? Sure, but I’ll call you. What time?”
“Early, sixish. We’ll be waiting. I may invite Ramona too. She’s been fantasizing about you for at least ten years.”
“I’ll have a surprise for you when you get home. Still at the same house?”
“Si-mon, mi vida.”
***
Adam said, “I just got confirmation off of Saldana’s cell that matches the info from our friends in Athens. The GPS coordinates are an exact match. Raoul, call Cindy and get her men and Chel’s men on a charter for Como. A charter has already been arranged, and this is the number of the pilot, and directions to the airport. Give her these coordinates for Como and tell the pilot to land at the nearest airport. Call Benito for transport to the area around the Villa. Not too close.”
Adam paused, thinking.
“James, get on the horn with Ops, and have them do a thermal sweep of the Villa, and for a mile around. Real time with full detail. Numbers and anything about the layout inside.”
“Raoul, call the Mouse and get that new thermal imaging tech he said he has. I want it in the town waiting for me when I arrive. I don’t care where he gets it or how much it costs.”
“I’d recommend that we use another guy on this one. Already in Rome, and a sneaky little shit if there ever was one.”
“Who is he?”
“Finn.”
“Finn who.”
“Just Finn. That’s all I know. Tell me what you need, and when, and he’ll have it for you.”
“You trust him?”
“Hell no! Would you trust an Irish thief with a name like Finn?”
“No, but right now he’s the man.”
“And Raoul?”
“Yes?”
“Tell Finn if he takes the job, and he fucks it up, he’ll be returning to his native land for a very long nap.”
***
They landed at a private airfield near the Lake. Within hours, they had passed through the Village closest the Villa and were inside a van about a mile back from the gated entry to Musso’s estate with all the telemetry Ops could muster and deliver. A written report detailed basic ingress a
nd egress, number of men, location and even an estimate of armament.
Finn had arrived with the equipment.
“You know how to use it?”
“You wanted equipment. It stands before you. If you wanted a tech, you should’ve asked.”
“Can you operate it? Yes or no.”
“Sure. I can operate anything I can steal.”
***
They took up positions around the Villa, sealing it off. No one in or out. The tech that Finn “acquired” was the latest DARPA equipment on loan to Italy and able to see through thick cement walls and detect movement from hundreds of yards away. The detail available was enhanced, though grainy.
Finn gave his report.
“There are seven individuals in three rooms, though two are heading in another direction. Two, who I presume to be this Musso fellow and his wife, are in a large room, probably their Great Room. They are seated and appear to be reading.
“The room adjacent, probably a Study contains three individuals. The other two individuals are heading that way, and have some items with them, looks like medical equipment.”
“What are the two children doing?”
“The captive is strapped down to a chair, arms and legs, and a strap around her waist, and neck. She can’t move. The man is seated on a couch opposite watching the captive. He appears to be … uh, entertaining himself. The female is doing things to the lady in the chair. Do you wish to know?”
“Is he harming her?”
“That doesn’t appear to be what she’s doing. Not yet.”
“Then no. That’s my wife being held captive, and I will free her first, then deal with these monsters. Finn, I want you to monitor the activities in the Study and let me know everything that changes. You will be connected to the teams in the field, and you will be given the detonation device. I will instruct you in what to do and when to do it. Are you able to do this? It’s essential that everything coordinate with the movements in the Residence. I need you to be steady.”
“Yes sir. I won’t let you down.”
“Keep your comms on. We’ll talk soon.” Adam got up to leave with Chel and talk to his teams.
Finn said, “Sir, the two with the equipment have arrived in the Study. The one female is now seated next to her brother and they are …. Never mind what they are doing. The other two are hooking up your wife to their machines, maybe an IV drip, and monitors, and what looks like a lie detector. Can’t say for sure. They’re attaching patches to her chest, and velcro bands to her arms. The woman on the couch has stopped entertaining her brother, and has approached your wife. She has …”
Resolution Page 28
