Convoluted Journey (The Mercury Black Authority Book 1)

by Finian Blake

  “Are you in,” the three Franks chipped in “or are you out?”

  Noah pressed. “Are you with us or without us? Sleep on it. Don’t answer right now.”

  “Are you guys going to take me to dinner or not?” Fran walked out the front door. There was a steak house within sight of the hotel and the six of them walked over to it. There were some comments with the casual conversation about her flying.

  “We have something special lined up for you tomorrow.” Noah announced.

  “The way your surprises turn out I’m going to need my rest.” They agreed to call it a night and went back to the hotel.

  Noah awoke to a knock at the adjoining door. He slipped on a pair of pants and opened the door. Fran walked in the room showered and looking fresh. She was dressed in jeans and a bright colored blouse.

  “If you don’t want me to wake you up, don’t tease me with a surprise the night before. Now get dressed.” Noah told her to have a seat while he showered. “I am a married woman. I only do that with my husband.”

  Noah decided not to mention what he had seen in Nicaragua. “Ok I’ll knock on your door when I am dressed.”

  They took his truck over to the airport.

  “Close your eyes, and don’t open them until I tell you.” Fran felt the truck stop. “Open your eyes.” The sign in front of her read WALLY’S HELECOPTERS.

  “You’re kidding me!” She was surprised. She was just not sure in which way. “Why did you think that I was interested in helicopters?”

  “It is the only way to get around a jungle.” Fran shook her head. Whenever she thought she understood him he did something strange. She still could not find his supply of guns. A gun dealer ought to have a personal supply of guns, but all she could find is that ridiculous .38 special that he kept by the ramp control.

  “Helicopters go with jungles you should do this in case you decide to go back. It’s the gift of mobility.” He had a point. She never had the opportunity to learn.

  “Rebels can’t afford helicopters.”

  “You might want to steal one,” Noah teased her.

  Fran shrugged, “Why not?” they walked in and met Wally. Noah reserved the morning for her whether she flew or not. They talked about helicopters in general. Fran was showing strong interest and after fifteen minutes it was agreed that she would take the morning’s lesson. Now that Noah made his first installment on his promise it would be something to do while Noah worked out the fine details. She gave Noah a peck on the cheek and sent him on his way.

  “I should be at Everywhere Air for the day. Stop by when you’re finished.” When Noah parked the truck there was a semi-trailer backed up to the dock. Bob was busy at the counter checking in drill bits when he walked in.

  “Noah the bits came in at eight.” Bob held up an envelope. “A courier brought these.”

  Noah looked at the envelopes return address.

  “W.E. Shenkum Attorney at Law, the name does nothing to inspire confidence.” Bob kept the chuckle under his breath. No matter how bad it got. Noah maintained some level of humor. He opened the letter finding that the first few pages were a notice of service and the second were the divorce papers. He read them carefully. Everything was as discussed with the surprise being that the lawyer did not ask for his fees.

  “Bob could I use the secure line?”

  “Pat, I received the papers. How did you get them done so fast?”

  “They were already drawn up. All that the lawyer needed to do is make the changes. I wanted to get them signed before you left town. I did not ask for attorney’s fees because I’m paying for him out of your $40,000.” Noah grimaced at that one. “I didn’t ask for child support because I knew that you would take care of things. I do not hate you as you know I just cannot live like this.” She was starting to lose it. He could hear the sobbing in her voice.

  “I will sign the papers and send them to your lawyer.” He was sounding worn out. “I will send you a draft for $100,000 tomorrow and some more in 30 days. Is that alright?”

  “Thanks I know that you will do the right thing.”

  Pat knew she could do better, but she knew that if she pushed too hard, he would disappear off the face of the earth under some other name. And then she would not even have the signed papers. $140,000 and all the real property was a good deal and at her expense rate she could live comfortably for five years off of what he promised her. She wanted to get things done in case things turned to shit. If they agreed, it would be officially finished in 30 days. Pat was pissed off not stupid. She almost said I love you when she hung up settling for “Goodbye” instead.

  Noah was glad that he did not lose it when he was talking to her not knowing where his emotions would take him. In a way, he was glad to understand where he was at in his personal life. He was not thrilled with the results, but he did know what he had to do. Noah called the bank and arranged for a courier to drop off the promised cash. He reread the papers and signed them. Bob was a notary and could witness the signature.

  Noah picked up the phone needing to talk to Susan. It was late in the day when the phone rang in Susan’s office.

  “Noah, I was hoping you would call. Right after I talked to you a few days ago they found Milo in his garage sitting in his van with the engine running and the door closed. His blood alcohol count was three point three and they think it is a suicide which shattered Terri. Someone broke in her house stealing her clothes and when the police went next-door looking for a witness they found Ruby’s husband Tim dead in the kitchen. A cake in the kitchen was laced with rat poison and his brandy had enough polyphenol in it to kill three elephants. There were signs of a major struggle in the bedroom. They found one of Terri’s scarves with blood on it. Her neighbor Lola was found tortured and strangled in a ditch. They think that Ruby went crazy ripping off Terri, poisoning her husband, tortured and strangled poor Lola. They are reviewing the evidence. Terri is going out of her mind.”

  “We are not much better. Until we figure things out Frank, my driver, is going to stay with Terri and Suki. Angie got out of hospital yesterday, and she is staying at the Inn. Suki is ok, but she wants to do something very nasty to Angie’s husband. She is in a foul mood. Lynn is in a huge depression; all she does is sit around she won’t leave the house.”

  “Susan, there is something desperately wrong. Too many things are happening to be a coincidence. I was hoping that we handled everything by getting rid of the two men that attacked Terri and Suki, but I am obviously wrong. Use your contacts to get the reports on all of the incidents. I assume that Frank is monitoring events on your end. I will get all the information that I can on Angie’s husband. Is there anything that I can do for you from here?”

  Susan sighed, “I am desperate for some good news.”

  “I do have some good news.” Noah found himself wanting to pick up her mood. “Things went well on this end. When I come out to see you I will have a draft for 250,000 pounds.”

  “What! Did you say pounds? You didn’t mean dollars.”

  “Pounds Sterling are what I mean!” Noah was emphatic about the statement.

  “Noah I cannot go more than twenty percent. That would make you senior partner to Lynn.”

  “I don’t want to put any pressure on you. Allow me to purchase what you feel comfortable with and hold the rest.”

  “I will use the rest to get the Inn off with grand style and I do need to accomplish a few personal things. We could use the extra against expenses.” Susan brightened at the thought of cash on hand. This mess would delay their opening, but now she would be able to weather this rough patch. “Noah you have given me some great news. When are you due back this way?”

  “I’ll be in early on the third morning. We will be over night. I need a favor. I need to arrange a pallet load of produce. I would like it to be right around two thousand kilos. I would take it out of here, but the last one barely made it. We have hot weather clear across country. I promised the Russians more fresh produce. We
won’t need security this time because I have decided to take cash instead of drugs.” Noah knew that this was a tender subject. “I will want to be completely serviced right after we land. Tell Lynn she can exercise the dog on this run, because we will be running clean. See you in three, Susan.”

  “Take care Noah.” She received the impression that he wanted to talk to her about something else.

  While Noah was thinking over his options Dianne was walking out of an Indian restaurant with Ruby. She’d dyed Ruby’s hair the same color as hers. They were both seductively dressed in similar near transparent blouses and short black spandex skirts with maroon hose. Ruby was wearing Terri’s boots. Ruby was still upset about being a wanted woman, even though she looked nothing like the picture that they were showing on the television.

  We still have to replace the girl that I used for the party instead of you. Dianne drove down to a corner where the runaway girls hung out to do their hooking. Dianne spotted a girl standing in a shadow away from the others.

  “Get her in the car.” Ruby gave her a pleading look. “You have ten minutes to get her in the car or I will leave you on the corner with her and rent you out for ten quid a toss.” Ruby got out of the car and walked up to the young woman. She was four inches taller than Ruby.

  “Hi, I am Ruby are you just killing time?” The young woman looked Ruby up and down. Her clothes were obviously expensive and Ruby looked like a socialite out clubbing.

  “No I am trying to find some money. You are not a copper are you?” She was told by the other girls to ask right away if she thought that someone was a cop. “My name is Molly.”

  “No, I’m not a copper my girlfriend and I are both out looking for some entertainment. Do you have any plans?” Molly could not be more than seventeen. She wore a short blue skirt and a black linen blouse and was reasonably clean.

  “I need to make some money tonight so I can pay for my room.” It was clear by her dress that Ruby had money.

  “You will get your money before you get in the car. Why don’t you come over and talk to my girlfriend?”

  “I normally don’t do women.” She looked down at Ruby’s boots. They must have cost a hundred pounds easy. “Will you pay extra for two?” Dianne flashed a large roll of bills as proof.

  “We will give you a hundred pounds for the night, more if you agree to advanced play.”

  Ruby led Molly up to the car. Molly watched Ruby bend in the window and talk to the red headed driver. Her skirt rode up past the tops of her nylons. She had never been with anybody that was dressed this erotically. Doing these two would be better than doing smelly ale soaked drunks for ten pounds a toss. Ruby turned back to Molly with a hundred pounds in her hand. Molly took the money and hopped in the front passenger seat. Ruby got in the back behind her. Dianne started to drive the Mercedes down the lane.

  “Do we need to give your pimp some money?”

  “I don’t have a pimp. They take too much money and do nothing for it.” Ruby leaned forward and put a hand on Molly’s shoulder with her free hand passing her a blindfold. Put this on we cannot risk blackmail as you can tell we have money.”

  “Is this really necessary? Dianne stopped the car in a dark area of the street.

  “Get out of the car. Keep twenty and get out.”

  Molly clutched the money tightly accepting the blind fold. Ruby took her booted leg and moved it in between the bucket seats, placing her foot in her lap. Molly’s hands went to the smooth soft leather amazed by the softness of it. Dianne pulled Molly across the console and gave her a passionate kiss. “This will be a night that you will never forget as long as you live.” Dianne drove to a quiet park and stopped next to an embankment. She spread a blanket on the ground, “Strip Molly and leave the blind fold on her. Put this lipstick on her.” Dianne tossed her a tube of dark maroon lipstick. Ruby did as she was told. Dianne applied the lipstick to Ruby’s lips too. Molly’s clothes were scattered over the blanket. “Molly, remove her blouse.” Ruby put Molly’s hands up to the top button. While she was stripping Ruby, Diane retrieved a pint bottle in a paper bag from the car letting Ruby slip the bottle out of the bag.

  “Give Molly half and take half of the pint for yourself.” Ruby did as she was instructed. Molly was wondering when the sex would come in to play. Dianne had them assume a graphic position. When Ruby was in position Dianne made Ruby drink the other half of the pint and whispered in her ear. “Bite her hard I want to see you come up with some meat.” Ruby flashed a wicked smile and bit like a pit bull. Molly screamed and bit back hard. Two minutes later Molly’s body went slack. Ruby looked up in a fog. Dianne yanked back on her hair.

  “Lola was right. You are the dumbest bitch in England.” Ruby passed out. Dianne put a full vile of knock out drops in the pint before they went out to dinner. She took a piece of plastic wrap placing it over each woman’s face to be sure that they were both dead removing it after she was certain. Dianne looked at her handy work. Ruby’s dead body was straddling the naked girl’s dead body. The bottle with Ruby’s fingerprints was still in her hands. The police would call it a murder suicide. Dianne left the hundred Pounds inside the pile of Molly’s clothes since stealing from whores was against Dianne’s personal code.

  This had been Dianne’s first move since the poker game. She discussed Milo’s last words with the Boss. He wanted time to chase down the name Hermes. He started with Frank the CIA man who denied any knowledge of the name. The Boss then turned to some of the people that used his services. One person with a low-level clearance had his clearance revoked, and the other person was firmly told never to mention that name again. This was a disaster Frank had set up four victims that were strongly associated with an international hit man who had a security clearance beyond the top. It was time to go underground. He told Frank not to come anywhere within ten miles of the house or he would expose him. He told Dianne not to go anywhere west of Birmingham. The Boss told her that they could not afford to have the police find Ruby at the house. He instructed her to off Ruby in a manner that would kill any investigation. He promised Dianne that she could have a different pet if she could find one that suited her.

  Noah went up front to the counter handing Bob another envelope.

  “I need a confirmed delivery. Can you get a courier to pick up this envelope and hang on to the receipt for me? I think there will be one more envelope. If you could hold whatever shows up for me I would appreciate it.”

  “Whatever you need Noah. What’s up?”

  “They are my divorce papers. I do not have time to set anything up before leaving. I don’t even have a forwarding address. If anything comes for me here could you throw it in the safe?”

  “I will hand deliver it myself. Is there anything else that I can do?” Bob made a sincere offer.

  “Thanks for the offer. The mail would be a huge boost. The rest can wait until I finish this business. I have an errand to run. I’ll be back in thirty minutes.” Noah went to the liquor store and bought six cases of booze and ten cartons of cigarettes deciding to hold Susan’s news for a later time.

  Fran and Wally walked in just after Noah returned. Fran was bouncing up and down.

  “I can do it! Wally is a wonderful teacher. I didn’t solo, but I did take the controls by myself for some straight and level.”

  Wally started talking to Noah instead of Fran, “Fran is a quick study. She is picking it up quickly. There is a bunch of work to do yet, but she has the aptitude for it.”

  Noah remained silent as Fran continued, “Wally, what is your schedule like this afternoon?”

  “It has been a slow week and I was just doing paperwork.”

  “Are you up for more? If you have time we can do the afternoon too.” Fran looked at Wally.

  Wally gave her thumbs up turning to Noah, “I can clear the afternoon.”

  Noah shook his head pointing to Fran, “She has the say so; I just gave her a surprise. Fran will be hiring you.”

  Wally started to itemize
the afternoon arriving at a price. Fran opened her purse. She produced a roll of hundred dollar bills rolling off a few bills to pay Wally.

  “I’ll take the change in flight time,” Fran said wanting to make it clear that Noah was not her sugar daddy.

  Hank looked at Noah. “If you are not banging her I want the job.” Fran gave Hank a firm, but playful slap.

  “Do you have any kids?” Hank shook his head no. “If you want any, you won’t say that again.” She slid a straight razor out of her purse holding it between his legs.

  “Sorry Fran I didn’t mean any disrespect.” She stormed out the door with Wally in tow.

  Hank’s eyes followed her out the door, “That lady can take care of herself.”

  “I hear that after she cuts up a sausage, she throws it on the grill,” Noah laughed. Hank made a visible shudder at the thought.

  Noah spent the afternoon cleaning and restocking the Ark. The mechanic stopped by and gave the Ark a critical inspection. Two of the tires had cuts in them from the off field landing and it was near time for an oil change. Noah approved it asking that the aircraft power unit (APU) receive attention. Noah pulled the logbook looking for any write-ups from Frank.

  While the mechanic was doing his job Noah was cleaning the inside of the plane starting at the flight deck working his way back to the loading ramp. He bagged all the trash going through the aircraft. Noah critically inspected his work. Hank and Bill loaded four pallets of oil drilling bits and Noah closed the door stowing the stairs and by four o’clock, the Ark was ready. Noah was gathering up the trash bags when Fran walked up to him. Fran was so pumped she was vibrating.

  “Your lessons agreed with you?” Noah said seeing a completely different person in front of him.

  “They definitely did; Wally is an excellent teacher. This afternoon was much better.”

  Noah smiled, “That is because you paid. This morning he thought I was your sugar daddy trying to get laid and he was trying to please me. When you pulled out that roll and paid him he was trying to please you. When Hank shot his mouth off, you did the right thing. He needs to respect you not me. I told him that after you sliced his sausage, you would throw it on the grill.”