Crissy Chance

by Douglas E Roff

  Edward said he just wanted to cut them both loose, while Anna said she wanted them both dead.

  “Dead men tell no tales. You need to be practical and decide which is more important, their lives or our security.”

  In the end they agreed that each would dispose of one; if Edward wanted to let Crissy go, that would be up to him. As to Francesca, she had an expiry date, and Anna would decide when. Or maybe she would put Francesca in one of April’s “Preserves” where ladies entered, lived and performed but never left. Francesca might be allowed to have pets of her own, probably those to be disposed of later by April, but was letting her live worth the risk? Anna thought not.

  Anna and Edward had the ready cash to pursue this dream of all they wanted whenever they wanted it.

  In the end, Edward decided that Crissy was to go free. He did not share this tidbit, however, with Anna. He told his wife he would terminate Crissy when the “Adam debacle” was over. He would likely terminate more than Crissy, or perhaps everyone other than Crissy. In the criminal information world, Edward had more need of a savvy lawyer than a field archeologist. Anna and her pet psycho were both expendable.

  ***

  Hecate joined the meeting in progress. Both men and Laura had been visited and interrogated by all the ladies except Hana who had no interest in the game. She was interested in the outcome, but in the end, Adam and Hecate would deal with Crissy and the Cache and eliminate Anna and Edward. How did not concern her, and, she thought, should not concern the others either. But this was the new era of openness among the conjugals, so she attended, but would rather have been working on plans for the City with Noki.

  “We won’t need a long meeting tonight. I will divide what I have found out from the three into two parts. One, where is the Cache? And, two, what happened, where do Laura and Gaea fit in, and where do Anna and Edward fit into all of this?

  “The Cache is sitting in a secure underground storage facility in Switzerland. I can get us in and then get the contents moved out at any time. For now, I think everything should stay where it is. I don’t know what’s in the journals per se, except there are multiple volumes for each year Marco Polo stayed in China. He never left. He had wives and concubines and many children. His life was easy, his income and stature high. He spoke several dialects of Chinese, as was seldom seen in public and, when he was, he was always hooded and surrounded by his men.

  “Polo adopted several Chinese and Mongolian names during his life, especially when travelling on official business for the Khan. It is possible that his real western name was never used from the moment the Khan brought him into his household. He initially lived in the royal residence and travelled throughout China with the gold tablets of authority and with a large contingent of guards, hand chosen by Polo and the Khan. The Cache is huge and there are well preserved bones of a male, several females and many adults, along with a chart of the order of interment presumed to be Polo, his wives and concubines and children. Some sort of DNA tests can be performed, I’m sure. It is presumed that Polo, as a Christian, wanted to be buried along with his family.

  “In addition to the journals and diaries are the tablets, seals, rings and jewelry, clothing, documents, correspondence and a whole bunch of other stuff I know nothing about. There is an inventory of the contents that were all sealed up in air tight lead boxes. The grave goods were apparently buried with him when he died. I have no further idea of the condition of the artifacts and neither do any of our three guests since none actually examined the Cache.

  “Laura knows nothing of this, as it was Gaea’s brother Bernard/Franco with whom she dealt in China as Franco di Pietro. The real Franco was only involved to get the goods out of the country slowly via diplomatic pouch. The shipments were then diverted to Switzerland en route. Franco was paid millions, no questions asked, and was subsequently murdered for his troubles.

  “James Wong is actually John Wu and Bernard’s partner in business and this venture. When Laura recruited her friend and former roommate, Gaea, Gaea set in motion all the events that would follow, the whole plan of diversion, theft and sale. Bernard was the real money man, while Wu had super contacts for the sale of artifacts that were purely of Chinese interest. Gaea would handle contacts for the journals, correspondence and other papers and artifacts. Almost everything would go to private collectors; museums could be involved if specific provenance did not give away it was from the Polo Cache. Certain objects would be given papers, proof of origin and ownership well before the international treaties restricting sale of antiquities came into effect. Like finding an original copy of the Declaration of Independence in your attic. Most of the official documentation would be altered from authentic documentation of other objects, or the same objects, stolen from public and private sources.

  “I can confirm that Wu was originally connected to Edward as someone who might be able to dispose of most or all of the Cache. In addition, based on his forensic knowledge, Edward also worked out exactly where the Cache might be hidden near the useless dig of a low-level official. Wu as Wong, passed on the helpful hints to Laura that led to the discovery. Edward, in exchange, was then promised exclusivity in the sales for a hefty finders’ fee that would leave Laura out in the cold with Gaea, Bernard and John extremely wealthy. Of course, Edward would then double cross and kill them all according to Crissy.

  “Edward thought he knew exactly who had the goods, and thus he decided on a strategy of how to get the diverted goods back. But he wanted to cover all bases in case the double cross was in among the original thieves and conspirators. Edward would claim, and prove, that the Cache was actually discovered in some remote caves somewhere warm and dry, then claim rights to the Cache for their discovery if the authorities ever caught wind of the scheme. Of course, much of the Cache would disappear, but, worst case, Edward would be credited with the forensics and discovery. He would authenticate his discoveries along with Chinese and European experts in the field.

  “Everyone else would be dead or scared quiet. Unfortunately, Edward did not find “Franco” and “James”, had no idea what they looked like and no way to discover their true identities other than through Gaea. But she was suddenly off the grid thanks to Adam. Adam could track Laura and did, finding out later that Gaea was dead. We confirmed that with the RCMP and by examining Laura’s mind. Hecate saw everything Laura saw.

  “Laura’s no angel, but no devil either. An educated grifter of sorts, with larceny in her heart, but she was never involved with killing until the end, and that was self-defense.

  “There’s tons more. But that’s the summary. We have the Cache if we want it; we can pay for it to stay where it is for the next twenty years and take our time figuring out what to do with it, including handing it over to Edward in exchange for his commitment to get lost.”

  Adam said, “His word can never be trusted. One thing we could do is give him the Cache slowly over time to assure our safety.”

  Misti said, “No. Then we can never go public with our City. Noki’s dream. He’ll try to kidnap and ransom one of us, including you, Adam, and then we’re right back in the same spot. I say we use Laura and the men as bait, draw Anna and Edward out, kill them, then come home. The Cache goes to the UN or the World Court to sort out who has claim on what.”

  “What then, asked Noki?”

  “We continue to make Adam do our bidding, work for us inventing amazing shit, making big fucking bank and fucking us silly.”

  Hana, who had said nothing to this point and the pacifist in the group, finally spoke up.

  “Misti’s right. Anna and Edward have to go to their eternal ancestors, with a stopover in hell, if it exists. But that’s the outcome. How do we accomplish it? We will need Crissy, Laura and the men to plot with us, to smoke out Edward.”

  “Only one issue remains,” said Adam. “Is anything really authentic? We need someone to verify this find. Until we go to Switzerland and bring out samples, this could easily all be massive fraud or fool’s gold.
”

  “Really?”

  “Well, where did the location of the Cache originally come from. If it’s Edward, it could be nothing. If someone else, who? We have a long way to go.”

  Hecate said, “I can answer who. That was the real James Wong, China scholar and apparently by family history, a relative of the Polo family of China. His family comes from and resided in the ruins under excavation, and the family has long claimed that Polo was an ancestor.”

  “What was Wong’s academic background?”

  “Double Ph.D., Chinese History and Anthropology. Harvard trained. Either a master fraud or the real thing. Fifty years old, been searching for the dig site almost all his life. Made the mistake of sharing information with the wrong people. Don’t know who killed him, but he’s dead and all his papers and research missing. We’ll probably find a connection to Edward through law enforcement or the Chinese government. I’ll bet he was given the real Wong’s research and tasked with analyzing it. Wong probably had the answers he needed, but just didn’t know it.”

  “We wake up sleeping beauty and then devise a plan. I’m putting Eene and Hecate in charge of that. I’ll assist.”

  Eene said, “Really boss? I’m touched.”

  Noki and Misti looked at Eene with the eyes of a starving wolf. “No, that will be us, little one. Papa will be busy with Hecate and Hana. He has a lot of thanking to do.”

  “Can’t we all sleep together?”

  “Perhaps,” said Misti. “But we get you first.”

  “You’ll play nice and be gentle.”

  Misti said, “Define ‘nice’ and ‘gentle’. Never mind we’d prefer to show you! It’s late. Come with us.”

  “Stop right there, you two,” said Adam. Eene, you’re come to my bedroom. I don’t trust you two with my defenseless girl.”

  Eene fled to Adam. “Thank you, Daddy, they’re mean sometimes. Not like you at all.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  Chapter 55

  The next morning, all the ladies assembled for the breakfast meeting about to take place with Crissy Chance and Laura Baldwin. Their attendance at breakfast was mandatory and, as Adam would soon explain, so was their assistance in crafting a plan that would draw out Anna and Edward into the open. He would explain that the price of survival for this group was their full cooperation and collaboration in that endeavor.

  There were other issues to consider too. Now that both Laura and Crissy were in Paraiso voluntarily and the two men involuntarily, no one would be allowed to leave Paraiso. None needed to know where they were to do their work, only that this place was safe, its location unknown and undetectable.

  Adam said, “You will answer any and all questions put to you and if your opinion is asked or conjecture required, you will support your answer and we will verify that data. We know everything that you know, so don’t lie. Don’t even try. If we tell you to go somewhere and meet with somebody or arrange things, you will do so. You will not question why. Am I clear?”

  “It sounds like you want to use Crissy and I as bait,” said Laura. “I’m not sure I like that idea. I am not expendable for you or your father.”

  “Then pack up and join your friends in the cells,” he said. “If you become an annoyance or a burden, I’ll kill you myself. We’re all at risk and you helped put us there with your fake distress call. The only way to get to them and end this constant threat is to arrange matters favorable to us and use what bait we have. That’s you two and me. I like living, so if you have a better plan, a safer plan, let’s hear it. Edward is certain you, Laura, have the Cache. They will listen to Crissy, but only if she comes out in the open too. They need me or think they do. What they really want in a programmer is someone who will do the work and not rat them out. And they want upgrades and I’m pretty sure I know what they are. But really, Laura, they want you most of all. Crissy has been fired and I’m just a loose end. But you, my dear they covet. If you don’t tell them where the Cache is, you’ll get to meet Francesca until you tell them what they want to know or you’re dead.”

  “If I knew, I’d tell them. ASAP.”

  “We know. But you see, I know where the Cache is, but dear ‘ol Dad would think I’m lying. Crazy huh? And I’m not telling you.”

  “It’s our only way out.”

  “That’s why you’ll never amount to anything. You’re a quitter even in the face of your own death. You’re hardly even worth saving.”

  Hecate said, “And that would be the second or third time. The first wasn’t even real. You’re the real reason we almost got killed in New York City. You look out for you, and will turn traitor as soon as you can to save your skinny ass. If you hadn’t been greedy and just done the right thing in the first place, you’d be safe with no worries. But you fucked up, got screwed by your partner, then helped Edward almost kill us all.”

  Adam said, “Look what’s done is done. I get what you did and believe me we know every thought and scheme in that mind of yours. You were going to double cross Gaea, but she double crossed you first. This whole setup was Gaea’s plan, though her planning was poor. Bernard, the faux Franco di Pietro, as you know, is her brother. Wu, James Wong, is Bernard’s business partner. Wu brought in Edward and tricked you. Now your only chance is to hope we get them before they get us. That’s the deal. I don’t know what we’re going to do yet, but what I do know is that Crissy will set up a meet and you will agree to hand over the location at that meet. I will be there too. I don’t know how to set the trap, or where, but you will be bait and you will be happy with it. You and Crissy will cooperate with Hecate and Eene in devising strategies and what you will or won’t say to Edward. And you’ll be believable.”

  “Where do we stay? What can we do on our own time?”

  “You don’t have any free time. You will either be with Hecate and Eene, in the residence with us all, or locked in your room. You will go nowhere, speak to no one and obey every command with alacrity. Do you understand.”

  “I need alone time.”

  “In your room, as much as you want.”

  “No, I can’t be caged up.”

  “One more disagreeable syllable and I throw you off a cliff.”

  “You won’t. You need me.”

  Adam grabbed Laura by the arm and dragged her outside and down the road toward the viewpoint. She struggled to free herself, but Adam grabbed her by the hair and dragged her kicking and screaming to the large picture window.

  The others followed, mortified by Adam’s lack of self control. This was new. And she was right; they needed her - as bait.

  “See that.” Adam pointed to the valley floor below.

  “That’s a two-thousand-foot drop. See that door. It leads to a short corridor and a ledge. If I unlock that door, I will drag you down that corridor and toss your ass off the ledge if you fail to satisfy me that your assistance is a total commitment every day. I do not, repeat, do not need you. You are chum. That’s all. I can use either of the men and Crissy and be almost as effective. But I know Dad will believe you. That only means that you’re my first choice. But if you won’t fucking do as you’re told, then you are of no use and a drain on resources, not to mention you’d give us all up in a heartbeat if you thought you could survive this some other way. But whether you give Dad the location or not, you are a loose end. You know too much, so do, I, so does Crissy. We all have an expiration date in Dad’s mind. Now it’s your choice. Cooperate or learn to fly.”

  Laura was in tears. She thought Adam was going to kill her. Adam did too, for a moment. But he didn’t. He caught a glimpse of Hana and Eene, who were horrified. Neither liked this side of Adam, the fast fuse.

  Adam looked at Crissy and Laura, who he roughly pushed together.

  “What’s it going to be? Both of you.”

  Crissy said, “This was not necessary for me. You know that. I said I would help; you said you believed me. I will help. Never thought otherwise. Use your drugs or whatever. I’m te
lling the truth.”

  Adam angrily said, “You’re right. Guess I just needed to show that this is no game and we’re out of options. But you Laura, you ungrateful …”

  Adam stopped to gather himself.

  “Well, what’s it going to be?”

  Laura had broken down completely. She couldn’t speak she was so frightened. She wasn’t thinking, couldn’t think. She was melting down.

  Misti looked at Adam and the crowd. “OK, shows over. Y’all go back to the residence and I’ll speak to Laura with Hecate. Move along.”

  The rest of the crowd turned with Adam and began walking back toward the residence. About half way back, Eene and Hana stopped Adam.

  “You wouldn’t have, you know, you wouldn’t have thrown her to the valley floor, would you? You wouldn’t.”

  Noki laughed. “Maybe, but not from that door. That’s the janitor’s closet. For cleaning that damn window. No corridor, no ledge.”

  Eene grabbed Adam and put her arms around his waist and hugged him hard. “I knew you wouldn’t. But you scared me.”

  “Me too,” said Hana.”

  “I have to agree with them,” said Noki. “I knew it was a janitor’s closet but you still scared me shitless.”

  “Sorry ladies, I would never purposefully try to scare any of my mates. I’m a reformed boyfriend. Noki and Hecate knew, but Laura didn’t. And if Hecate doesn’t clear her every day, I will terrorize her some other way. One way or another, she will get into formation with the rest of us.”

  Eene said, “I don’t care whose turn it is. I’m sleeping with daddy tonight. I’m still scared.”

  “Me too,” said Hana. “I’m with Eene.”

  Adam looked at his women. “You’re scared. Of me? But you want to sleep with me because you are scared of me? How does that make any sense?”

  Eene explained. “Because you’ll always protect me from crazy men like you.”

  Hana said, “Exactly. And who said everything has to make sense all the time. You scare me sometimes, but I always know I’m safe with you. You figure it out.”