“Good night, Lorelei, the pleasure was all mine.”
Robert leaves the table and proceeds to his room. Upon unlocking the door, he finds Reed snoring in the easy chair near the window, with a box sitting next to him on the floor. Robert cautiously moves closer, then loudly opens the window shutters.
“What the hell?” Reed stutters with a gasp.
“Well, hello Reed, and just how did you get into my room? What are you doing here?”
“I told you I’d be here around midnight, Robert, remember? I have that rock for your safe-keeping. Allow me to show it to you.”
Reed takes the emerald from its protective hiding place and places it on the table in front of Robert, and both men stand in awe of the size and color of the rare find.
“Wow, Reed. Just where did you acquire this huge emerald?”
“It’s not what you’re thinking. I didn’t steal it from anyone or anywhere. I actually dug it up myself out in the Congo basin, under where one of the many dried-up waterfalls lay. I found it and had to hide it, as the corporation I’ve been supplying these emeralds to would kill for this one. And I plan to live a long and interesting life from here on out. I’ll be selling this one to the highest bidder.”
“Oh, I see, and you want me to keep it safe till you get your money and then smuggle you out of the country back to the States? Hmm. Well, I’m not sure I want any part of this one, Reed. Sounds like I could get rather dead over this, and I have no intention of dying young. By chance, did you possibly contact Lorelei Domani as well regarding this little prize?”
“As a matter of fact, yes, I did. And how would you know that?”
“Let’s just say that Ms. Domani and I are acquaintances. She told me about a huge emerald that was to go on the market this week, and she is in the hotel at this moment.”
Just then, there is a knock at Robert’s door.
“Oh, great. You have a lot of visitors after midnight, don’t you, Robert?” “And just who might this be?”
“Hell if I know. I should have been asleep by now.”
Robert goes to the door the see who would be coming to see him at this late hour, only to find Lorelei standing in the corridor in shorts and a rather skimpy tank top.
“Hi. Umm, what a pleasant surprise, Lorelei. What brings you here at this hour?”
“I couldn’t sleep. Aren’t you going to invite me in to sit down, Robert?”
“Oh, umm, yes. Well, I, umm—”
“Oh, I see. You’re not alone. I’m sorry to have bothered you then, see you at lunch.”
“No, don’t go. No, it’s fine. Please. I’m sorry, I have no manners at this hour. Please come in, I am glad you stopped by. I was awake talking to a friend anyway. I’ll introduce you to him.” Robert hopes that his small talk at the door has given Reed time to
realize he needs to get the emerald out of sight, and as he opens the door for Lorelei to enter, he finds his friend has put the stone back in its box and the box under the table.
“Reed, this is Lorelei. Lorelei, my long-time friend Reed.”
Reed takes her hand and lightly brushes a kiss across her knuckles. “A pleasure to meet such a lovely woman. Welcome, Lorelei.”
“Lorelei, why don’t you have a seat here and allow me to get you something to drink. What will you have?’
“Why, thank you, Robert. A gin and tonic will do nicely if you have it.”
“And you, Reed? What will you have?”
“Nothing for me, Robert, thanks. It’s time I head on to my own room and get some rest. We can talk in the morning. Oh, have you heard from Patrick? Will he be arriving for us to meet with him as well?”
“Gentlemen, please,” Lorelei says. “It’s not necessary for you to leave, Reed. I just came by as I couldn’t sleep and thought maybe Robert would be kind enough to sit and talk with me a while.”
“Really, Lorelei, you’re not chasing me away. I was just going. We were just saying goodbye when you knocked. I don’t feel as though I’m being forced from the room. Truly I am tired and need some rest.”
Robert chimes in. “Yes, it’s true, Lorelei, he was just leaving anyway. In answer to your question, Reed, yes, I have heard from my brother and he will be here with his new bride by tomorrow afternoon. I’m looking forward to all of us having a great time tomorrow evening. So I’ll see you later on and we can finalize plans to get together then.”
Reed stands to leave and again kisses Lorelei’s hand before he walks toward the door, then shakes Robert’s hand and leaves the room.
“You know, Robert, you didn’t have to end your time with your friend. I would have understood,” she said sweetly. “After all, you weren’t expecting me to just drop in at midnight.”
“Truth be told, I would rather spend the evening with you, Lorelei.” He hands her the drink with a wink of his eye. “I enjoy your company a great deal.”
“Why, Robert, I do believe you are flirting with me, and I’m glad of it.” Lorelei raises her glass in his direction and both clink glasses and take a sip together, then gentle laughter fills the room.
Chapter Four
Driving back to the hotel from the migration camp, Patrick finds the time to talk to Cat about this conversation with Robert. He knows she won’t be pleased to hear what he has to say, but he nonetheless feels he had no choice but to agree to Robert’s request for help.
“Cat, I finally got hold of Robert and we had a long conversation about what’s happening in the Congo. There seems to be some problems with the emerald trade and a few unsavory characters. Reed Simons, my friend, is also somehow involved, and Robert said he needs us to come there as quickly as we can to help protect Reed as well as to watch his back. Things are not going well there and he could use my help and no one there knows me so I’d be able to move around and get information for him easily.”
“Oh, thank you for the lovely honeymoon, Patrick,” Cat says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I’m sure Robert would not have asked you if it weren’t necessary, but I’m not happy about this at all and you need to understand that I want my honeymoon time with you. We’re just newly married, for God’s sake. Do we ever get time for just us?” She sits back in her seat in the back of the jeep, crossing her arms over her chest and pouting slightly.
“I know you’re upset, Cat. But please understand, I’ll make time for just us. Really, I will. Just indulge me here and when this is over, I’ll take us away for ten days with no distractions whatsoever, to anywhere you want to go. Anywhere, I promise you.”
“Anywhere?”
“Yes, Cat, anywhere. And we’ll only tell Robert where we are. Not my office, not anyone else, okay? That’ll be our real honeymoon. So let’s go and help Robert with this case and try to protect my good friend. What do you say, Cat?”
“Okay, Patrick. Let’s get this over with. I sure hope your brother appreciates you dumping your honeymoon and jetting off to the Congo.”
“Cat, you’re wonderful, and that’s just one of the reasons I love you so much. C’mon, help me get our bags repacked. We’ll only need to take one suitcase since we won’t be there that long. Grab the few things you’ll need and we’ll head out on the next flight. It leaves in about three hours.”
“Sure, Patrick. At least I won’t have to be sitting at home alone,” Cat says in her I’ll-believe-it-when-I see-it sing-song voice. “We’ll be together on this adventure as well, and like you said, it is only for a few days.”
***
Back in the concierge office, Barnaby has been briefed by his office as to the disposition of this case and whom he can trust in the Congo area regarding the recent disappearances of three other agents. Unbeknownst to him and Patrick is the fact that Lorelei Domani is at the hotel and that Reed has his huge emerald going up for sale to the highest bidder in two days’ time. Barnaby readies himself to follow Patrick and Cat in his private plane, adding an extra set of ears and eyes to the group.
As he hangs up the phone from the airfield
, there is a knock at the door. He opens it to find no one there, just a note at his feet. Opening it, he reads,
BEWARE. THERE IS A DOUBLE AGENT AMONG YOU. TREAD CAREFULLY IN THE DRC. WATCH YOUR BACK AND KEEP INFORMATION TO YOURSELF.
Puzzled by this new development, Barnaby closes his door and continues to make ready for his departure.
Meanwhile, Patrick and Cat leave all their things at the front desk except the one suitcase they are taking with them to the DRC. They ask for a taxi to the airport, but when the desk clerk tells then that Barnaby is also on his way there, he suggests they all ride together.
“Hey Barnaby, wait up,” Patrick calls after him. “The desk clerk says you’re on your way to the airport. Can we catch a lift with you?”
“Sure, Patrick. Go get Cat and meet me at the car in the rear of the hotel.”
When they arrive at the rear exit of the hotel, Patrick finds Barnaby, not with his car but one of the hotel-owned vehicles. As Barnaby motions for them to get in, Patrick senses that there is more to this than what it seems. Closing the doors behind them, Barnaby heads back to the driver’s seat and takes off in the direction of the airport.
“Okay, spill it, Barnaby. What’s going on here?” Patrick asks. “Why are we in the hotel car and why do you keep looking in the mirror? Are we being followed?”
“No, Patrick, I don’t think so, but I had to make sure. Here.” He hands Patrick the note he received a few minutes ago at his office door.
After scanning the note and then also checking in the rearview mirror, Patrick looks directly at Barnaby.
“Okay, my friend. So who left this with you?”
“That’s just it, Patrick. I have no idea. I was sitting at my desk talking to the home office and getting updates on the Congo situation when there was a knock at my door. When I opened it, there was no one there, just this note on the floor. Not even a passerby guest could be seen for the entire length of the corridor. This makes me very concerned for your brother Robert and his safety in the DRC. Have you talked to him in the past two days?”
“No. As a matter a fact, I was going to call him from the airport before we boarded to make sure he was picking us up upon our arrival. I’ll just give him a call now and see what is happening.”
Patrick dials the secure line to Robert and waits for him to pick up.
“Hello, Robert here.”
“Robert, it’s Patrick. Listen, have you had any strange things happen in the last few days there? Cat and I are just getting to the airport now and we’ll be arriving there in a few hours. You’ll still meet us at the airport, won’t you?”
“Sure, Patrick. I’ll get the rental car and meet you at the airport when you land. I assume you’re flying commercial for safety reasons, right? And what kind of strange things are you referring to? I’ve had just the usual run-of-the-mill weirdness: beautiful women eating with me, running into old friends in off-the-wall places, and seeing the largest emerald I have ever seen in my lifetime all in one grand place. Was that the kind of weird you were referring to?”
“Yep. We’re on flight 2231 on American Airways. And are you trying to be funny or have these things actually happened to you, Robert?”
“They’ve actually happened. I’ll explain as soon as you arrive. I’m at the hotel now and have already gotten you a suite here down the way from Reed’s and mine. Take care of Cat, and I’ll see you in a few hours. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Robert. Stay safe, things here have been just a bit out of the ordinary as well.”
After hanging up his phone, Patrick and Cat go into the lounge to wait for their flight. Patrick is just a bit preoccupied from the conversation.
Down on the tarmac where the private planes are housed, Barnaby sets to the task of double-checking his aircraft for safety prior to his take off. While checking out his plane, he notices that one of the hydraulic lines to the main control panel has been cut. Without thinking twice, he sets off to find Patrick and Cat in the terminal and to also get himself a ticket on the commercial jet to their destination. Using his secure line, he calls Antonio Barbieri from Interpol to alert him of the difficulty and let him know he is going to fly in with Patrick.
Once inside the terminal, Barnaby calls him on the secure cell.
“Hello, Patrick, it’s Barnaby. I just got off the line with Antonio. I will be flying with you and Cat into the DRC. There have been a few hiccups in our original plans. Where are you? I’d like to come and fill you in.”
“Hey, Barnaby. We’re in the American VIP Lounge upstairs in the terminal. The flight is not leaving for another forty-five minutes. Come on up here and we’ll have a drink and discuss the information you have.”
“Be there momentarily, and order me a shot of whiskey please.”
Barnaby quickly walks through the terminal to the lounge to find that Cat and Patrick are still at the bar ordering the drinks, so he decides to get a table for the three of them near the window in the back of the room.
“Here are your drinks, folks. Enjoy,” the bartender says.
Patrick starts paying for the drinks when Cat taps him on the shoulder. “Honey, Barnaby’s in the corner booth. Let’s go over and see what he has to tell us and why he is not flying himself to the DRC.”
They walk over to the table.
“Barnaby, mind if we sit down?” Patrick asks.
“Not at all, my friends. Have a seat,” he says a little too loudly, then continues in a hushed tone, “But do exactly as I tell you. When you do, face me and don’t look behind you. I’ll explain shortly.”
“Sure, whatever you say,” Patrick says, then mouthing the words, “What’s going on?”
Barnaby grabs the pad and pencil on the table and writes a message to Patrick,
YOU’RE BEING WATCHED. MY PLANE HYDRAULICS WERE CUT. WE MAY BE BUGGED.
“Oh, I see, Barnaby. Thanks for getting that joke on paper for me, I wanted to tell it at the next POA convention. You know, our flight is about to leave. Why don’t we all get ready to go now? Come on with me, Cat. Barnaby, grab your carry-on and we’ll all go together to the plane.”
“Patrick, what’s going on?” Cat asks with a puzzled look on her face.
“Oh, it’s nothing, Cat. Let’s just go. We can talk on the plane. It’s leaving shortly and we’re scheduled to pre-board soon.” As Patrick is talking, he hands her a note. It reads,
GO TO THE GIFT SHOP AND PURCHASE A NEW OUTFIT. CHANGE INTO THAT IN THE CLOSEST RESTROOM. BARNABY AND I WILL BE DOING THE SAME THING. LEAVE YOUR SUITCASE IN THE BATHROOM AND ALL ITS CONTENTS, BRING NOTHING WITH YOU AT ALL EXCEPT YOUR ID (NO WALLET) AND OUR TICKETS. LEAVE EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE STALL AND MEET ME OUTSIDE THE BATHROOMS NOW.
After she has read it, she nods at Patrick and heads off to the gift shop three doors down from the lounge, taking all her things with her. Barnaby and Patrick do the same. After all of them have changed, they each go to the gate to meet up again as they begin the pre-boarding process. Glancing around, Patrick doesn’t think they’ve been followed on to the plane. The three of them take their seats in first class.
Still carefully watching the other passengers board, both Patrick and Barnaby try to see if anyone looks out of place or suspicious; so far, they haven’t seen anyone out of the ordinary.
Patrick calls Robert on his secure line to let him know that the three of them are on the plane and leaving Tanzania. Surprised by the fact that his brother does not answer his secure line, Patrick hangs up and begins to wonder just how serious the trouble is in the DRC.
The flight doesn’t take too long, and they arrive without incident. When Robert doesn’t show up to meet them, the three of them exit the plane and grab a taxi to the hotel.
At the front desk, they find Mr. Lawson, the manager, and check in to the rooms that Robert had told them he had reserved. Patrick asks to have Robert paged to the front desk, then he tries his secure line once more, only to find still no answer. Then he decides to see if Reed is still in his room.
“Excuse me, Mr. Lawson, could you tell me what room Mr. Reed Simons is in please? I have a meeting with him this afternoon.”
“Certainly, Mr. Ahearn, one moment please while I look that up for you. Ah, here it is, Mr. Reed Simons. He is in the Cheetah Suite, same floor a yours at the opposite end of the hall. Shall I ring him for you, sir?”
“”No, I’ll call him from the house phone in the salon. Thank you.”
“Very good, Mr. Ahearn. Enjoy our stay.”
Patrick goes over to the salon and sits at the table nearest the phone, then motions for Cat and Barnaby to join him.
When Cat sits down, she can’t help but see the distress in her husband’s eyes.
“Patrick, what’s wrong? You look terrible.”
CATRINA’S AFRICAN ADVENTURE ( Catrina Series Part II ) Page 3
