by Finian Blake
“It is not guns. This is a series of instructions. You are coming with me, and I will let you listen in on the conversation if you hurry.”
Alex seated Anna on a cart and drove to the service center, going directly to Susan’s office. It was the one place in the Inn that had a secure telephone. Susan was surprised that the message had that much impact.
“I need the ear piece for this call. Anna needs to hear what is being said.” Susan pulled out two earpieces, plugging them both into the phone. She wanted to hear the call too. “No matter what is said do not say anything until we hang up and get a dial tone.” In exactly fifteen minutes the phone rang.
“Can we talk?”
“Yes…”
“This is ‘Mercury’. Juan Garcia is in the hospital and wants you bedside for a conference. He wants his will to be delivered and his last wishes carried out. He specified that he wanted ‘Hermes’. You need to be in Barcelona in two days. He is going into surgery today.”
“I will be at the hospital the day after tomorrow.” Alex took the address of the hospital down. He broke the connection and picked up the phone to listen for the dial tone. When he heard the buzzing, Alex hung up the phone again. Anna looked confused. “Why did you want me to listen into that conversation?”
“I wanted you to know exactly what was said so that there would be no accusations later. There will be no gun running.” Alex smiled at Anna. “You can come with me if you want.” Judging by Alex’s reaction, Anna knew that something big was going down.
“I think that I must go.” Anna was a full partner and would not stand for being held out. Susan looked at the play pen with the three children playing in it. Susan didn’t wait for him to ask.
“I will watch Edward. You can’t drag him around the world when you play these games.” She looked at Anna shaking her head in agreement.
Anna asked, “Will you ever be free of this?”
“Yes, Juan is Zeus and he makes up the messages. There will be nobody to originate messages without Juan. Zeus is the line at which the government stops. He is an independent contractor and assigns the contracts. The things that the government cannot do end up with Zeus. There will probably be a new Zeus. He will not know about me and I will be out of it.” Adam asked, “Susan it may take a few weeks to get this done. Could you keep Edward with you? I would like to have Anna’s help on this one. If I need to go back to Chicago, I will need a full partner with me.” Alex pulled Anna close to him as he continued.
“I do need your help with this run. It could get hairy. We need to see if Beth and Arleen can crank out a couple of special outfits for you by tomorrow.”
Arlene and Beth had eight dress forms out ready for work adjusting the forms from their notes. Beth saw Alex and Anna walk in. She pulled a purse out from under the counter handing it to Alex.
“If you are going up to ‘Russian Hill’, give this purse to Nadia.” Anna made a face when Beth referred to the Knoll as ‘Russian Hill’. Beth caught her disapproving look and explained.
“Russian Hill is a district in San Francisco where many Russians settled. We thought the name was suitable. Sarah and the girls call it by that name.” Beth held out her hand with the purse. It was seven inches high, twelve inches long and three inches thick. “Let me check something.” Beth moved a flap of leather and removed a Glock 9-17 pistol. “I wanted to be sure that the safety was on. We used Nadia’s gun to ensure the fit. The other end of the purse holds three clips of ammo. It is a little heavy so I put an extra wide shoulder strap on it.” Anna examined the purse with a smile.
“Could you get any more of these? This would be perfect for our trip.”
“I ordered several extra for all the women.” Beth chuckled, “Those thigh holsters chafe too much.” Anna and Alex took the low route to ‘Russian Hill’ and they stopped in the gun club to arm up. Anna selected two Glock nine pistols equipped with silencers. Alex decided on two silencer equipped .38 special revolvers and four speed loaders. Nadia teased Alex over his old fashioned selection. She showed him something that she worked out with Tom. It was a small spear gun that when primed could fire a three-inch dart out of a CO2 charged tube. It may not be lethal, but the barbed end would lock into the flesh of the victim. This could be fired from the flap of the purse. Anna told Nadia where they were going.
“Anna, I would love to go with you. You saved me from a life as a whore and I still curse your bastard husband for selling me to the other generals, but after you leave I will still piss on his grave.”
“Nadia, I would like you to stay here. Keep Grace and Alice here as long as you can. This place is safe. Susan and Lynn are watching Edward while we are away and I am sure that you will protect them all.”
“I will protect them with my life. My first concern is the children.” Anna knew that she could concentrate on business now, because Nadia was not exaggerating. She would lay down her life for the children. They went to Frank’s house to find Roger. Alex felt strange knocking at his old front door. Frank and Suki were in the dining room with the ‘Old men’ discussing the training mission. Suki jumped up giving Alex a bear hug.
“You ran off so fast that I missed talking to you at the pub. What came up?”
“We need to make a quick trip to Barcelona. A very close friend is near death and I was hoping to use Roger’s Twin Otter. Is he around?”
“Yes, he is in the dining room.”
Alex looked around the corner, “Roger, Anna and I would like to use the Twin Otter while you are flying with Ralph in the ark. Is there any chance of that happening? We would have it back before you returned from Oman.”
“I have flown with Anna before. I am sure that she can handle it.” The Otter was Roger’s baby however he remembered that Alex gave him the plane in the first place, but this was still asking a lot. “As long as Anna is doing the flying it will be ok. I will be flying down to Oman with Ralph for a week. I do need to pull some maintenance will you have it done when you are not flying?”
“That will not be a problem call over to maintenance and have them do a full check.” Alex wanted to pay for the usage so he made Roger an offer. “I am not looking for a freebee. I can cover whatever maintenance it requires. Call in anything you want taken care of, and we will pick up the tab. We will be taking off the day after tomorrow, so they can have a full 24 hours. It sounds like you have been putting a few hours on the bird.” Roger felt that he needed to fill Alex in on some modifications.
“I had a few smugglers’ hides installed in the Otter for those special occasions when officials are having a critical look at things. I will introduce you to them before you leave. Between Frank’s security work, and Francesca’s contracts, I stay in the air quite a bit.”
“It is good to hear that you are doing well.”
Roger decided to start the ball rolling, “In that case, I will have maintenance go to work on the Otter tonight. I will leave a message, to let you know when you can pick her up.”
When they got back to the guest cottage Anna was waiting for them. She had on a knee length skirt.
“I have arranged something special for you with Nadia. Alex shook his head no.”
“I look at Nadia like a daughter. If you set up some sex with her I believe that I will turn it down. I could not screw Angela, Nadia, or Alice. I draw the line long before we get there.”
Anna shook Nadia’s hand. “You win. I will pay off in front of Alex.” They took him by the hand leading him out to the Stone Garden. Nadia and Anna removed their panties handing them to Alex. They stood one on either side of Gregory’s head stone. They took each other’s hands and squatted down. Anna pissed on the stone first. It took Nadia a while to release a stream.
“Nadia bet me that you would turn down sex with her because you said that she was like a daughter to you.”
“You need to bet on me. I won’t disappoint you.” Alex frowned.
“I was going to do this any way. Gregory transferred Nadia so that I would
not find out that he had raped her. If I had to shit I would have done that too.” Anna was out of her mind with bitterness. “I was going to remove his stone, but Nadia changed my mind. When I think of him I can come here and piss on his grave.”
“Well, we will at least move it away from the others.” Alex could understand Nadia and Alice better. Nadia put her arm around Alex on one side and Anna on the other.
“I want to buy my dad a drink. We should drink to my adoption. Maybe we should get Angela she does not know that she has been adopted. You go ahead to the pub we will be down there in a few minutes.”
Alex and Anna were sitting at a large table in the back of the pub when Nadia, Angela and Alice walked into the pub. Alice sat next to Anna. Nadia and Angela sat down on either side of Alex. Anna did not pull any punches.
“Nadia told me why she was transferred.” Alice shot an ugly glare at Nadia and tried to leave.
Nadia gave Alice an acid smile. “You are the one that insisted on the unvarnished truth.” Anna put a vice like grip on Alice’s arm. Alice just told her the truth without saying a word. Anna maintained her grip, “It was not your fault. If I had any idea that this was happening I would have killed him.”
“Mom that is why I never told you about us. Your statement is not just an expression you would have killed him. After that one time, he never did it again.” Anna knew that Alice needed privacy. She put her arm around Alice and walked her out. Alex called after them.
“Take her to our cottage. I will spend the night down here. If you need me, call security. I will use the guest room in the center.”
“Thanks we need some time alone to handle this one.” Alex could tell by the set of Alice’s shoulders that she was drained and he believed that it would be a long sleepless night for them both.
As Anna and Alice walked out of the pub, the first question came in stereo from Angela and Nadia.
“Were you kidding about adopting all of us? After all, we are both twenty-five.”
“I am as proud of you as I would be my own daughter. If you could claim me, I would be proud to be your father. Check with Beth in the morning. I believe she has a surprise for both of you.”
“Beth called us, and told us that she could not do our fitting until tomorrow morning. Why did you think of clothes? Are we dressed that poorly?” All of the girls kept their money tied up in investments for the future because they would rather walk around barefoot and naked rather than ever repeat what they had just been through. All of Anna’s daughters kept their money in investments because they were all aware how quickly fate could strike.
“You both have been trying to get Beth and Arlene to do your alterations. I want you to have the full benefit of their expertise. Nadia you have a 40-inch inseam and you can’t find pants and you have to shop in the men’s department for your tops. Angela you need to shop in the girl’s department to find something that fits, and then do alterations. Let Beth and Arlene make the first selections, and then go from there. I told them that you were to have their best efforts.” Both Nadia and Angela were working for Frank and were investing as much money as they could. They never again wanted to be at the whims of somebody else. After Alex’s three hundred thousand Pound bonus, plus their commissions from the security company and Lynn’s investments they each had just over half a million pounds.
“How much can we spend? I would like to get two outfits.” Alex did not want to ruin the illusion of restraint.
“Two outfits and some underwear seams very reasonable. Maybe some slacks too.” He would let Beth give them the news.
Alex retrieved the key for one of the security guest rooms. He crawled in the shower and let the water run over him. He stood with both hands on the wall enjoying the soothing stream. He heard a quiet cough from the side. Lynn was standing there naked with a tube of shower gel. Alex smiled and pulled her in the shower.
“Anna called us and said that she was occupied tonight and that you were staying down here. I Hope that you two are not fighting.”
“No, she is working out some issues with Alice. Anna approves of me being the father of your children.” With that news Lynn stepped in the shower, and began to soap Alex’s back. Alex responded in kind with tenderness.
“This reminds me of Terri.” He could feel Lynn freeze. “That is a good thing. My memories of Terri are all pleasant just as they are of you. The shower was her favorite spot to make love. I think of her whenever I shower. I love Anna as my wife, but you have a special spot in my heart. I love your tenderness and your innocent ways.”
Lynn put her head against Alex’s chest and did not respond verbally. They dried each other, and when they were through Alex picked her up and laid her softly on the bed. He kissed her tenderly on the lips. There was no urgency to their love making, and when they were done he held her until she slipped out of bed and went back to Susan.
Alex slept late in the morning until he was awakened by a frantic pounding at the door. Alex could hear Angela’s voice.
“We know that you are in there; open up.” He threw on some under shorts and started to turn the door knob. When the pin was past the latch, the door flew open knocking him back. He was tackled high and low with Nadia across his chest and Angela across his legs. The one thing that the girls were not lacking was enthusiasm, “ten thousand Pounds, you approved ten thousand Pounds! That is too much.”
“It’s not too much for my daughters.” They stood up and pulled him to his feet. Anna was standing in the door with Alice.
Anna pressed, “The new outfits require new shoes. What are you going to do about that?” Alex thought this would be a good day for the girls.
“Send you shopping?” Alex smiled at their expressions. “Lynn has the addresses for the better shops. Have her give you the card for the Inn. I can settle with her later.
“What is our limit?”
“Your imagination is your limit for all of you.” He turned to Anna. “Take them out, pick the things you like, and have lunch at your favorite place. Nadia take the Bentley and try to be back by three. I have a surprise for Anna.” Alex received three kisses on the cheek and Anna stuck her tongue down his throat. Alex felt that he could be generous since Lynn had done so well with his investments. Alex had an afterthought. “You might as well claim our other daughters Irina and Lilia too.
Anna kissed him passionately. “Thank you for last night. Alice and I settled a lot of issues. You will be happy to hear that you have reached human status with Alice.” She looked at the girls running down the hallway. “We need today also. Where should we look for you?”
“Susan had phones installed in the cars. Call security when you are on your way home. They will know where I am.”
Alex walked down the hall with Anna to Lynn’s office. They knocked on her office door. The back of Lynn’s chair was facing the door and her head was in the files.
“You were good last night, but I would rather take Anna to bed.” Anna answered before Alex could.
“Pull your panties down and bend over the desk.” Anna administered ten soft swats. “Let me have the card for the Inn. I am going shopping with my girls.”
“Shopping, can I come too?” Lynn said alertly.
“Why not Alex is buying. He will cover you too.” Lynn looked at Alex.
Lynn had made him millions. “Somebody must have made this ladies day. Take the other ‘Amazons’ too. Do not forget Beth and Arlene and be sure to extend a red carpet invitation to ‘Her highness’ Susan. Put it all on my account. Enjoy your day.” Lynn hit the phone and had all of the women except for Sarah ready to go in twenty minutes. She then called her favorite shops to make sure that they would have enough staff to handle the onslaught of well-funded ‘Amazons’. Lynn was a true combat shopper and knew the carnage that twelve women could do with a limitless license to shop while holding a million-dollar charge card. Feeling sorry for any clerk that was working today she gave them fair warning so the shops could put on extra help. Alex reaffirmed
the no limit, “Lynn, its bonus time expand the shopping list to accessories and don’t forget the boys.” As the ladies left in a babble of shopping strategy on a tidal wave of estrogen Alex was wondering what he had done.
Alex walked up ‘Russian Hill’ to see what Sarah was up to. The studio was arranged completely different from when he was last there but he had to go up the stairway where Terri had died. He crossed the spot were Terri died with things improving after he reached the top stair. Sarah was sitting in the reception area.
“I came by to check on you. I guess I pirated all of your help,” Alex said hesitantly.
Sarah shrugged, “I had a shoot for an advert scheduled that I could not cancel. I sent Irena and Lilia, since the offer was too good for them to pass up. What about some clothes from Beth and Arlene for them?”
“Of course the same deal applies to Irina and Lilia and when Nina and Filipa come to visit, be sure that they are included too.” Alex moved to his reason for showing up.
“I stole your help so I came to replace it. What do you want me to do?” Alex always made it a point to stand behind his actions.
Sarah started to issue instructions, “The girls help with the back drops and staging. You can start there. I have been out of town with Frank for the last three weeks. He has been using me to do photo recon on the areas that he was hardening. I have been analyzing the areas of weakness and Frank sets up defensive traps for them. My back ground in photo recon is perfect for him. We over fly the area low and slow in the Twin Otter for ten miles around to analyze it and then we work it over from the ground. Suki sets out sensors and Brent sets up booby traps. We did that for Sheik Husayn. Someone tried to penetrate his defenses and Hamza his security chief was able to ambush the intruders before they reached the compound. Frank pulled five contracts off of that one raid. Of course they were all related to the Sheik. Training and equipping security forces generates big bucks. Frank can get the sensitive satellite pictures from MI. We can’t show them to the customers, but we can use the information.”
