by Martha Carr
Laurel had taken to following her up the stairs to talk to her about her calendar and to check on Norman’s condition.
It was all Wallis could do to get the words out like it was another ordinary work day. Even so, her assistant Laurel suspected something was off. She had a good instinct for when clients were lying, and said so, and this was no exception.
Wallis knew she would have to say something, and soon, to not only Laurel but their law partner, William Bremmer. The longer she kept her silence, the more hurt they would be that she didn’t ask them for help. It still wasn’t her strong suit especially when she wasn’t sure what to say.
“A few more hours,” she said, resting her head on the steering wheel. The speech at the Jefferson Hotel had taken so much out of her, wondering if it was enough to keep Norman alive. There had been no word from George Clemente afterwards, one way or the other.
That’s why she was here. While standing in front of that audience she had realized it was time to bring the fight to him. Kill him if necessary, and save Norman by any means necessary.
Trying to do what she had always thought was the right thing had only led to more people dying and then Norman disappearing on a sunny day from a church parking lot. No more.
She got out of the car and straightened her jacket. It was an unusually warm day for December that sometimes happened in Richmond. Tomorrow it could be back to snowing.
It didn’t even make the Christmas decorations that covered the entire neighborhood of cottages and bungalows seem out of place except to tourists from the North. “Northerners,” Harriet called them with a sour look on her face.
She walked past the row of cars in the parking lot, not seeing the shiny black Lincoln Continental with small gold script lettering under the driver’s door handle. She was too focused on making sure she got out what needed to be said to get Norman home.
The bell over the door gave a soft ring as she came in the store. It had been rebuilt after the bombing but it didn’t take too long before Esther had it looking like same nest of books. There were books piled everywhere with narrow tunnels going toward the back, created by tall bookcases and the occasional overstuffed chair with a couple of books left in the seat.
Esther was sitting by the new computer, randomly jamming buttons. “Damnit,” she hissed. “I should have never let Herman talk me into this shlekht machine!”
“Esther,” said Wallis, still planted by the front door. She wasn’t usually so cautious around anyone. Wallis normally had no problem with announcing herself and letting people do with that what they wanted. It was part of what had earned her the nickname among other lawyers. Black Widow.
“Esther,” she said again.
Esther looked up as if she was coming out of an angry fog. She startled when she saw Wallis and stood up straighter, waving Wallis toward her.
“Wallis? Come here, come here,” she said gently. “We’ve been expecting you.”
“We?” asked Wallis. “How did you even know I was coming? Of course, Harriet told you. Not sure if I’m disappointed or grateful.”
“Choose gratitude. Makes it easier to get on with things. Come on, follow me,” she said, grabbing Wallis’ hand and pulling her toward the back, turning through the small hallways created by the books.
“Why did you finally decide to rebuild?” asked Wallis. “Why go to all the trouble to recreate the bookstore exactly like it was before? You love books that much?” Wallis reached out to run her hand along the books.
“So many questions,” said Esther, not even looking back. “I do love books that much. They were hard to come by as a child and besides, a little of the familiar is a comfort, no? Ah, here we are.”
They had come to the newly built kitchen in the back of the bookstore. Wallis let out a gasp as she entered behind Esther. Seated at the table was a large, older woman, who was missing a couple of fingers from her left hand. She stood when she heard Wallis come into the room and enveloped Wallis in a large embrace.
“Madame Bella,” gasped Wallis. “You’re here. Or is it Mother Elizabeth.”
The old operative changed names with every new operations she was sent to, shedding one disguise for another. “How about just Elizabeth for now.
“I thought you never came back to old identities,” said Wallis, suspiciously. “What brings you back to Richmond?”
“Let’s not step through this delicately,” said Elizabeth, standing back with her hands still on Wallis’ shoulders. “There’s no time for that. We’re here to figure out how to bring Norman home. Finally, the troops are all here,” she said, opening the back door.
“It appears we have a quorum,” said Elizabeth, holding the door as Alan Vitek came into the room, followed by Helmut Khroll. Elizabeth looked out into the parking lot and yelled, “Come on, we don’t have all day.”
Father Donald made his way into the kitchen helping Harriet up the few stairs and into the back of the bookstore. Father Donald helped her into a chair and then took a post near the door.
Wallis made her way over to him and quietly hugged him tight. “You did all you could do,” she whispered. “I know that you would do that for anyone, especially your best friend.”
“Just for the record,” said Esther, rolling her r’s, “I asked Harriet if we should meet at your house but she wanted to get out a little. Still won’t admit the stroke has made things a little more difficult for her.”
“Her shooting arm is still fine,” said Wallis, making herself take deep, even breaths.
“Thank you,” said Harriet, smiling at what she took as a compliment.
“We are all gathered to talk about how to save Norman’s life,” said Helmut.
“And end George Clemente’s,” said Esther, “the tsuris.”
“We have a plan,” said Elizabeth, “which your son, Ned has put into play behind our backs,” she said smiling. “Clever young man, that one.”
“A future Keeper,” said Esther.
“Our family has done enough,” said Harriet.
“Wait, what? What has Ned been doing?” asked Wallis. She felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. “Is Ned in danger?”
“That is why we are gathered here today,” said Elizabeth. “We have all been trying to honor your mother’s wishes and let you lead as normal a life as possible.”
Wallis looked at Harriet propped up by pillows in an old recliner, her purse sitting in her lap. Her mother looked as determined as ever, even if her body wasn’t as willing.
“We made a mistake,” said Esther.
“Not a mistake,” said Harriet, “Times have changed and now it’s become time to shake things up.”
“Have it your way,” said Esther, letting out an aggravated sigh.
“Do you think Ned would have so much chutzpah if he had known all along that so much was expected of him?” asked Harriet, leaning forward as best she could on her one good side.
“I agree with my mother,” said Wallis. “Ned had the chance to wonder about how to take apart vacuum cleaners and put them back together supercharged or figure out lacrosse. Everybody should have that chance in their lifetime.”
“Agreed,” said Elizabeth, patting Esther’s hand. “We don’t put small children into service.”
“I thought there was an entire project devoted to just that being used as the underpinnings to your entire organization,” said Helmut.
“That’s a very tiring habit you have at times,” said Esther. “We don’t pin labels on those children and they make a choice, once they’re grown.”
Wallis watched Alan Vitek sit back in his chair, observing the argument, still as calm as ever. All she felt was tired with a steady stream of anxiety ever since she learned Norman had been taken. Now, Ned was being pulled further into the mix.
“I have no control over anything,” she said, still looking at Alan, who seemed to be giving her a small nod. “But I still have choices. What has Ned done, exactly?”
“He’s been ste
aling from George Clemente,” said Esther, eliciting a whistle from Helmut.
“Stealing what?” asked Wallis.
“Millions of dollars. Maybe even close to a billion by now.”
“Dear God,” said Harriet, sitting up straighter. “He is a natural.”
“And from the looks of things, he did it all in a matter of a couple of days,” said Helmut.
“How do you know all about this?” asked Wallis.
“He called me and said he and his merry band needed help. When I heard what they had found out, and for the record, were already doing, I called Esther. Turns out Ned beat me to it. He had already called her. He’s gathering the forces.”
“The merry band is what brought me here,” said Elizabeth. “Although, it’s nice to be back in the thick of things. I was getting tired of the sidelines. Several children from the home outside of Chicago have also gone missing, or at least that’s what it looked like for a hot minute,” she said.
“Robert Schaeffer’s children,” said Wallis, starting to see the pattern emerge. Wallis knew they had stayed in touch. “He used some of the money he stole to get them here.”
“Is it stolen if you stole it from the guy who stole it from someone else in the first place?” asked Helmut.
“I believe so,” said Father Donald. “And there’s a girl with them, Juliette. Another friend of your son’s.”
Wallis looked at her mother who appeared to have drifted off to sleep. This was all too much for her, thought Wallis.
“My son has a girlfriend,” she said, feeling the sharp pang in her chest. She wanted to be able to tell Norman.
“Your son has been very busy. He also put out a mandatory call for help through the secure network,” said Esther, pausing, drawing her lips into a thin line. “To the Keeper. Your brother in law is once again coming for a visit.”
“He never manages to just show up for Thanksgiving,” said Father Donald, amazed.
“Well, he’ll be here in time for Christmas,” said Helmut.
“Everyone will be in one place, which sounds even more dangerous. Is that what will pull George Clemente toward us?” asked Wallis.
“No, it appears your son also left the smallest of trails that lead to Richmond,” said Helmut. “He expects, well, you to tell Clemente that you have the money and you’ll trade the account numbers for Norman.”
“Ned doesn’t think Clemente will see him as a big enough threat,” said Father Donald.
“But before you do that you have to make a decision you’ve been avoiding since you first learned the truth some years ago,” said Esther.
Wallis sat back, waiting for someone to just say it to her.
“You can’t do these half measures anymore. You’re a part of all of this whether you like it or not. In your case, there’s not even a choice to be made,” said Elizabeth.
“This feels a little like an intervention,” said Helmut, “but we can all still drink.”
“I’ve been in for a while now. How much more can I do?” asked Wallis.
“You will have to evaluate all of your life, and all of the people you let into your life, with your legacy in mind.”
“So they don’t get hurt,” said Wallis.
“They’re right,” said Harriet, slowly opening her eyes. “It’s time you claim what is yours.”
“Don’t look so worried. We will all be there with you,” said Elizabeth. “Nothing gets done without cooperation. You learn to ask for help, from all of us.”
“Once again, I have to wonder why you’re here,” Wallis said, looking at Alan. “You don’t take sides, I thought.”
“Sometimes, you don’t get a choice. When someone tries to harm someone I care about, I get in the game,” he said firmly.
“I feel like a general in someone’s army,” said Helmut.
“So, what’s the plan?”
“Pretty simple, really,” said Esther. “You make contact with George Clemente and inform him you’re now a very rich woman. Then, we set up a place and time for the trade.”
“I’m supposed to hear from him tonight,” said Wallis. “He calls every night.”
“We realize this is hard for you,” said Esther.
“I know you do,” said Wallis. “I haven’t forgotten what you’ve lost to this cause. I want George Clemente dead as much as the rest of you. The sooner the better. I know it won’t end the feud between Management and the Circle but maybe it will pull it back into more reasonable lines.”
“Who knew we’d be longing to have something a little more simple, like a Watcher haunt our tail?” said Helmut.
“Not so simple,” said Elizabeth, waving her mutilated hand.
“We will deal with that once George Clemente is dead,” said Wallis.
“That’s where Alan comes in. He’s got an idea for the best location,” said Father Donald. “Where it all began. In the church parking lot.” A pained look came across his face and Wallis grasped his hand.
“It has the best cover,” said Alan. “That’s why they chose it in the first place. It’s down in a small valley of its own surrounded by trees and another large church. Easy to have a meeting without too many people streaming by.”
“Then let’s get to it,” said Wallis, getting up. She stopped for a moment, leaning on the table. “You know, there’s a chance, if we can stop Clemente and put him in the ground that we can still reach across the aisle to Management. Those seeds have already been planted. The only thing that may stand in the way of ending a feud that’s hundreds of years old is George Clemente.”
“That’s a bigger obstacle than we may realize,” said Esther. “The man is hard to kill.”
“We shall see about that,” said Harriet.
“I need to get home and check on Ned,” said Wallis.
“Ned and all of his friends,” said Elizabeth. “I’ll come with you and make sure everyone is alright.”
“I have some other business,” said Helmut. “I trust someone will send me the necessary information when it’s time.”
Father Donald pulled on Helmut’s arm. “Let me come with you. I can be of service.”
The two men walked out together. “What have you heard?” asked Helmut.
“That George Clemente is already here,” said Father Donald.
“I know. We followed him from Chicago. Fred Bowers has been tracking him. The only reason he’s holding off is because of Norman and because I asked him to. But Fred won’t wait much longer.”
“Then we should go,” said Father Donald.
Wallis went to help Harriet out of the chair and leaned in to whisper, “I was serious. I want to learn how to shoot a gun. I can’t protect my family if I don’t know how.”
“Consider it done,” said Harriet, in a low voice. “Can be our version of a mother and daughter outing,” she said, smiling.
“As only our family would do it,” said Wallis, helping her mother to her feet.
Wallis drove Harriet and Elizabeth to her house, calling Ned on the cell phone they had gotten him after the last time George Clemente had taken one of their family members. That time it had only been for a few hours but it was enough for Wallis.
There was no answer.
She tried dialing the house phone over and over again but no one picked up. She tried texting him at every stoplight but didn’t get anything in return.
By the time they pulled up to the house her fear was growing and she ran into the house, leaving Harriet in the car, and ran from floor to floor.
“Ned? Ned!” she called out, even taking the stairs to his room at the top of the house, two at a time. There was no sign of him.
It wasn’t until she ran back through the kitchen that she saw the white piece of folded paper on top of the microwave.
‘By now, Esther has told you about the plan. I’ve gone to meet Uncle Tom and pick up my friends. Be home soon. Love, Ned. PS It’ll all be okay.’
“Ned,” she whispered, desperate, “This shouldn’t be
your fight. Not yet. This is mine.”
Elizabeth came into the house, helping Harriet maneuver the steps. Wallis waved the note at them, shaking her head.
“How would he even get to an airport?” she asked.
“Uber,” said Harriet, “even I know that. It probably helps that my grandson is loaded now.”
“He’s not answering his phone. Wait, Norman told me something about that damn phone.”
Wallis dumped her purse on the kitchen counter, pushing aside all of the contents till she found her phone. She swiped the screen till she saw the app.
“I’ve never had a reason to even test drive this before,” she said, pushing on the small icon. A map appeared with a small dot in the center that was moving quickly down interstate 64.
“He’s on the highway. What reason would he have for being on the highway?”
“You’re tracking his phone, right?” asked Elizabeth.
“Smart,” said Harriet.
“His phone is on the highway. He’s not answering, which means he may not be by his phone. He may be trying to throw someone off,” said Elizabeth.
“Who, do you mean me?” asked Wallis.
“No, I suspect it’s George Clemente. Ned may have jumped ahead in the plan. It may have been necessary,” said Elizabeth.
The blood drained from Wallis’ face.
“He’s after my son,” she said. “What could have made it necessary?”
“If George realized Ned took the money and said he has Norman with him. That would do it,” said Harriet. “Ned would do anything to protect his father. He gets that from me.”
“Tom. I can call Tom.” Wallis quickly dialed the phone. “Dammit, it went straight to voicemail.”
“There won’t be an answer,” said Elizabeth. “But there’s still a way to track him. Esther insisted on it. He has a small GPS under his skin that only connects to a device that Esther and Harriet are known to possess.”
“Mother?”
“I’m a Keeper Emeritus, dear. There are certain privileges.”
“Where is it? Show me. Find Tom.”
“I’m already on it,” she said, unlocking her phone. “That’s interesting. He’s not moving. He’s near Patterson Avenue.”
