The armed men echoed, “Yes, ma’am!” at the same time and marched out.
Malie led Coraset down the hallway and back into the large room with the fireplace. They entered the dusty foyer and went up the stairs to the second floor. Coraset followed her down the hallway to the left. Malie brought out a set of keys, and unlocked a door at the end of the corridor.
A totally different space opened up to Coraset. The room was larger than her spacious apartment in Barat. The first area was the living room with baby blue furniture, a coffee table with flowers as a centerpiece and decorative lamps on each small table beside the sofa. Sheer peach curtains hung in the windows to the right. A full size kitchen with granite tops was on the left side with an island separating the living room. A large bed set in the back of the room, and it was made. The place had a softer look, softer colors, and it was plainly pretty. It was a deep contrast from Coraset’s straight lined, darkly colored, impersonal apartment. She moved around the space taking in every colorful characteristic.
With nothing else to be said, Malie left her alone.
Coraset touched the soft baby blue sofa and sat down to feel its comfort. She stared up at the peach colored cathedral ceilings. The house didn’t appear to have that much room from the outside, but then again, she remembered the vegetation covered most of it.
The sofa seemed to take over Coraset, and she accepted its coziness and stretched out on it. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths.
Despite how tense she felt and how much her mind was racing, Coraset was drifting away. Sleep was grabbing hold of her, and she couldn’t shake it. All of the running up and down steps, the fighting and shooting; it all wore her down. She let it all go, and the sleep took over completely.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Coraset was awakened by a soft knock from the door. She opened her eyes and sat up not remembering where she was. The last moments she recalled was when she was being chased. She was running down the stairs in her building trying to get away, to find safety. Coraset felt around the sofa for the gun, but then she remembered she gave it up to the assault team. The sound of knocking caught her attention, and she slowly went over to the door.
Malie smiled upon seeing Coraset and said, “I figured you might be hungry.” She stepped into the room, and two other gentlemen appeared behind her carrying covered trays.
The men walked in hurried steps towards the table on the left side, and they began dressing the table. Prime Rib, caramel asparagus, and red skin potatoes were the main dish. The appetizer was a salad wedge with bacon pieces, pecans, half sliced cherry tomatoes, raspberry vinaigrette, crumples of blue cheese and blue cheese dressing. Crystalized glasses held freshly made sweet tea with tiny leaves of mint on the rim. Once they were finished, they moved out of the room quickly.
She could not remember a time when she had a real meal and asked, “Where did you get the steak?”
Malie smiled as an answer and sat down. Coraset joined her at the table.
“Since the Senator is in a videoconference, I thought we could have dinner together. Talk about a few things.” Malie cut pieces of lettuce from her salad wedge.
“Who are you anyway?” Coraset wasn’t sure about eating, and she didn’t trust Malie.
After chewing her food and wiping her mouth, Malie answered, “I work for the Senator. I handle most of his affairs.”
“Luck you.”
Coraset watched Malie as she delicately cut her steak. She was starving, and she decided to start eating herself.
Malie said with confidence, “I took care of the assault team that was after you.”
“Really,” Coraset said in disbelief. “And how did you do that?”
“I pulled the video feed from your building. I identified all of the assailants and added information into their files about their plans to assassinate the Chancellor’s oldest son.”
“Did you find out who they were working for?”
“A member of Senator Stewart Cobb’s staff,” Malie answered.
Coraset thought for a moment. Cobb, she repeated in her mind. She asked, “Is he related to Warden Devon Cobb.”
“His son,” Malie revealed.
“The warden has been after me for a while. After I was released from prison, he had me taken to the middle of the desert. There were inmates out there waiting for me.”
“The Senator wondered what happened to you after your release. He sent Brochudo out to Baker, but when he didn’t return with you, he thought the worse. How did you get out of there?”
“Luck,” Coraset answered. She didn’t want to rehash the events that occurred in the desert.
Malie didn’t pursue the answer further and said, “Well, you don’t have to worry about it anymore. The warden, his son, and that entire team are being charged for conspiring to commit murder on a Federation government official, and the Chancellor’s brother on top of that. They probably won’t see the next sunrise.”
“You’re playing on very dangerous ground, Malie. Entering false information into the Federation database can land you behind bars, maybe even dead. The Constabularies can track all entries.”
“They can’t track mine,” Malie remarked. “The computer operating systems are flawed, and I take full advantage of it.”
“If the right people find out what you’re doing, they will come after you.”
“I’ve been hacking computer systems for a long time, Coraset. I know what I’m doing.”
They continued their meals in silence. When they finished, Malie and Coraset left the confines of the loft and went downstairs to the back of the house where a garden was expertly tucked away.
One of the gentlemen that brought the food earlier also brought a tray with a pitcher of sweet tea and clean crystals with ice. He skillfully poured the drink into each glass before excusing himself.
Both women sat in wicker chairs facing the garden. The sun wasn’t quite set yet, but there were torches lit all around providing enough light to enjoy the scenery. The women sat quietly, looking at the gardens of roses, begonias, azalea bushes, and other flowering plants.
Malie remarked after she sipped her tea, “I saw your stepfather the other day. Have you spoken to him yet?”
“No, how is he?”
“He’s a little withdrawn, which isn’t like him at all.” Malie answered.
“Did he say if there was anything wrong?”
“Of course, not. He’s not going to tell anyone his problems. You know that.”
Coraset affirmed, “He is very private.”
“I just hope he’s okay.”
“Maybe, I’ll try to speak to him tomorrow.”
Malie exhaled and spoke with hesitation, “Coraset, we have to talk. I know you don’t want to get involved in the Federation, especially after the news you got this afternoon, but we need your help. What I’m about to ask you to do is truly off the wall, but it is necessary.”
“Malie-”
She cut Coraset off, “We have an opportunity to change the government.”
“What do you mean by changing the government?”
“Dominic Erato is the new Chancellor. Like I said before, he believes in the same policies as his mother. Our society can’t continue down the same path.”
“Just say what you mean,” Coraset demanded impatiently.
“We need to get rid of him.”
Coraset stared at her in disbelief.
“We want you to get close to him and kill him,” Malie revealed.
Coraset laughed and said, “You two are crazy. I’m not doing it.”
“It can work, Coraset.”
“Then you do it!”
“I won’t be able to get close enough.”
“And how do you expect me to get close to him?”
“There is a Chancellor Ball tomorrow in his honor. During this ball, he will be choosing women for his harem, and he’s going to pick a wife, as well.”
Coraset shook her head and said, “No.”
/> “You are a beautiful woman. He’ll choose you for sure, and when you’re in-”
“Are you serious?” Coraset stared at Malie like she was crazy. “You can’t be serious.”
“Once you’re in, that’s all you have to do is complete your mission.”
“Okay, lets back up for a minute. You are not considering a few things. I have a criminal record and a prison record. I won’t be allowed anywhere near the Chancellor Ball.”
“Your criminal and prison records have been scrubbed. They no longer exist.”
“Fine, well then I’m not invited to the ball.”
“You already have an invitation.”
“You are serious.” Coraset stated in a stunned manner.
“We have to get Sergei into office.”
“We,” Coraset laughed at her statement.
“You won’t be in this alone.”
“Malie, you have to get real. You’re asking me to kill the Chancellor of Erato. If I’m caught, which I’m sure I will be, I’ll be put to death without so much as a trial. He will have Elite Guards protecting him at all times. I don’t stand any kind of chance to get to him, much less being alone with him.”
“If you’re a part of the harem, you will be. That’s when you can make your move.”
“I don’t callously kill people, Malie.”
“But you have killed before.” She added with a point of her forefinger.
“I was defending myself each time. Plus, I am a horticulturist! I’m not some secret agent.”
“I know. It’s a brilliant cover, don’t you think?” Malie laughed at the sheer thought of it.
Coraset leaned back in her seat and looked away. She didn’t think it was funny at all.
Malie remarked as she tried to ease Coraset’s mind, “We have the prefect plan. You just need to execute it, and more than likely, no one will ever know you were involved.”
Coraset listened, even though, just being there and hearing Malie’s plan was scaring her to death.
“Dominic Erato is diabetic. He needs insulin shots. That’s all you have to do is switch one of the dosages.”
“With what,” Coraset asked.
“Brecco will give you potassium hydrochloride.”
“You got my stepfather involved in this!” She was incredulous and angry. “Why would you do that?”
“He believes in the cause, Coraset.”
She sighed impatiently and said, “Lets get one thing straight. This isn’t a cause. What you and Xavier are trying to do is assassinate a Chancellor for your own political gains.”
“His demise will be for the greater good of Erato.” Malie thought for a minute and then offered, “What if I give you a way out of this society?”
“There is no way out,” Coraset stated. “This whole idea is absurd.”
Malie asked completely ignoring her statement, “Have you ever heard of Barbados?”
“It’s an island in the Caribbean.”
“The Senator has a home out there. You can live the rest of your life on that island. You’ll have a staff, and they will be at your every beck and call.”
“It sounds too good to be true.”
Malie remarked with confidence, “It’s very real.”
“Okay, if it’s so real, why aren’t you living there? Why isn’t Xavier living on the island?”
“The Senator and I are committed to changing things here. We can’t do that from Barbados. You complete this assignment successfully, without anyone being compromised, including yourself, and I will have you flown to Barbados to live for the rest of your life. All existing records of you will be expunged. You will be able to live in privacy, without the worry of the Federation, and if you ever wanted to come back, I can make that happen, as well.”
Coraset was now seriously considering her the task. “So, let me get this straight. You want me to go to the Chancellor Ball, and try to get into Dominic’s harem. If that happens, you want me to switch his insulin dosage with something my stepfather is supposed to give me. Once Dominic takes it, he should die, right?”
“Yes,” Malie answered with a nod.
She thought about it for a moment. She tried to find the good in the plan and concluded there was nothing good about it. Then Coraset considered her escape if she in fact agreed to infiltrate the harem. How would she leave?
She asked Malie, “How do I get out of there after he dies?”
“I doubt if the Erato family will allow Dominic’s harem to remain. Once he’s gone, they should let you go.”
“But you’re not sure if that will happen,” Coraset asked.
“No, I’m not completely sure,” Malie admitted.
“What exactly are you expecting Sergei Erato to do if he becomes Chancellor? Is he even involved in this plan?”
“Sergei is not involved. He has no idea what we’re doing. But once he’s in power, he’ll change the current government. We’ll become a democratic nation like the United States.”
“Malie, you make this plan sound so easy to pull off, but it won’t be. You’re trying to change an entire government, and there are people who prefer for it to stay like it is.”
“The Senator will be able-”
“You will meet resistance. It won’t go down the way you think.”
“That’s all I need to know is whether you are willing to do the job.”
The stakes were too high. If Coraset got caught, she’d be put to death. The Elite Guard will kill her immediately. Was it worth the risk? The only thing she could gain from accomplishing the mission was getting out of Erato and living outside the dominant society, living beyond the rules and the political iron hand.
But on the other hand, Coraset couldn’t think of one bad thing in her life because of the totalitarian state. She was working. She didn’t have any demands made on her. She wasn’t being bothered by anyone. She had a roof over her head, clothes to wear, and food to eat.
Even though, Barbados sounded wonderful, she decided not to get involved. Whatever political environment Xavier and Malie was trying to attain wasn’t worth her life. She was the only one going into the fire. Coraset didn’t see any positives coming from trying to kill the Chancellor of Erato.
“Malie, I know you and Xavier are dedicated to helping society. I get it, but I’m not going to do this. You have to find someone else.”
They stared at one another, but Malie was the first to turn away. Her expression showed her clear unhappiness with Coraset’s decision.
“Brecco said you wouldn’t do it.”
Coraset didn’t answer.
“You’re not leaving me any choice, and I hate going this far with you. I was hoping to avoid it.” Malie stood and signaled for one of the soldiers from her protection team.
He stepped out into the path in their view from behind a tall wall of vines and flowers. The soldier had on the same black camouflage uniform, and he held a pistol in his hand.
Coraset didn’t move from where she sat. She asked, “What is this? Are you going to kill me now?”
“No, but I will have your stepfather pulled from the labs he works in, and I will see to it that he goes to prison for stealing highly classified documents.”
“You’ll have to do more than just make up lies in the computer to hang him with those charges.”
“I can tip off Federation Constabularies that he has lab reports belonging to Erato in his apartment. Taking his work home is forbidden, Coraset, and he could get in a lot of trouble. They might even sentence him to death.”
“You would do that to him because I refuse to help? He believes in this so called cause you and Xavier have created.”
“We’re willing to make whatever sacrifices there is to exact that cause including sacrificing Brecco.”
“Sacrifices,” Coraset scoffed. “You and Xavier aren’t making any. It’s me and my stepfather you’re asking to step into the fire.”
Malie asked ignoring her last statement, “What is your answer, Corase
t?”
She approached Malie in a calm manner and said, “I’ll do as you want.”
“I thought you might,” Malie remarked with satisfaction.
Coraset walked passed Malie into the house, leaving her and the soldier outside in the garden. She rushed into the hallway leading into the foyer and out the front door. Brochudo’s car was still parked in front of the house, and she tried to get into the car only to discover it was locked. Brochudo appeared in the front door of the house.
“You need a ride?” He asked as he smacked on an apple.
“Please,” Coraset responded.
Brochudo reached in his pants pocket, pulled out the remote to unlock the car doors, and he strolled over. He asked where she wanted to go, and Coraset requested for him to take her back to the Barat Region. She needed to see her stepdad.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Coraset stood at the window staring down at the city. Brecco Jefferson relaxed on the sofa with his pipe. His thick white hair was combed back, showing an aged pale face with blue eyes, a wrinkled medium size nose, and thin lips. He was a tall man. His legs looked like bent sticks, with one resting on the other. He rotated his ankle as he looked straight ahead. He considered what Coraset told him about Malie’s plans, not really having a reaction to the news.
He pulled the pipe from his dry lips and noted, “I have warned Xavier of his visions. He is convinced that if the head is removed, the body will die. He fails to realize there are others who believe in the totalitarian government, and that body will continue to fight for the current state. He won’t be able to set forth what he wants so easily.”
Coraset turned slightly, catching a quick glimpse of Brecco, and returned to her view. No one was on the street below. The identical building across the street was dotted with lighted apartments. Some was as dark as night, like no one ever lived in them.
“Malie told me you believed in their cause.”
“I do believe in it, but that doesn’t mean I’m blind to the reality of trying to attain the goals of democracy. America had to fight for freedom in its beginning. The act of freeing slaves almost ended the United States during the Civil War. They forget that change is made through blood.”
The Secret Weapon Page 7
