The Tulip Terror

by C L Bauer

  “I remind many people of someone they’ve run into,” Dev stated softly. “Mainly I remind them of someone they’d rather not know.”

  Notte laughed. “Ah, that’s it. The ones you meet in shadows all look the same. I try to protect myself so I keep records on all of them.”

  The former drug dealer allowed the sentence to linger in the air. Notte was attempting to threaten him, but Dev knew he was going down the wrong path. So, he reminded Notte of someone. There could be only one person. He’d been trying to get in touch with that same man. Baby brother, what are you up to now?

  Bernard Notte rose from the table. “It has been a long night. Yes, we should go. It was very nice meeting both of you.” Bernard Notte’s eyes focused on Lily as he held his hand out to Dev. “Mr. Pierce, perhaps we will meet again.”

  “That is highly unlikely,” Dev answered. “If we do meet again, I’m sure it will be my pleasure.”

  Lily watched one metaphorical glove thrown and then the other. She blinked; Notte was still there. She didn’t realize she had been holding her breath until he turned with Claude and was placing the coat on her shoulders.

  “Well that went well, Dev. I thought you two were going to start fighting right here in the middle of the restaurant.”

  “Too bad we couldn’t. What an egotistical ass.”

  “I couldn’t agree with you more, honey. We need to go home.”

  Dev was already standing. He pulled Lily up and placed her coat around her shoulders. “Let’s go.”

  Claude and Bernard were already on the street waiting for their car. They had moved in front of the large windows of the eatery and were having a heated discussion. Dev and Lily had just exited the establishment.

  “Let’s head away from them,” Dev suggested. In that moment, his eyes focused on a black sedan speeding in their direction. He caught a glimpse of a gun out of the window as it turned toward Claude and her companion.

  “Claude, get down,” he yelled.

  He saw a face, who was all too familiar. He pulled Lily quickly under his shoulder and threw her down on the brick pavement They hit the sidewalk at the same time he saw the flash and heard the gun.

  Suddenly, Lily was pushed down onto the bricks. “Stay there.” He pulled his gun and began shooting. Claude had done the same. It was too late. The car was speeding away.

  Lily could feel a hand on her back. She glanced to her left to see sneakers and the frayed edges of jeans. “Lily, just stay down.”

  The air that she had sucked in, she finally let out. Ari was there, above her, comforting her. “Lily, just stay down.”

  From her viewpoint, she could see him run to Claude. Dev was standing too, thank God. Bernard Notte was on the sidewalk, gasping for breath.

  Dev bent down. Notte grabbed the lapel of his jacket and pulled him down. “Pierce, Ari,” he gasped. “Ari knows. He was the protection. He knows the men, both of them.”

  The sirens were blaring as they arrived on the scene. Lily finally sat up as Dev joined her on the sidewalk. He held her in silence. Ari and Claude stood behind them. Notte was loaded quickly into an ambulance. Lily wasn’t in shock; she was in disbelief. She shook her head.

  “This is a fine mess you’ve gotten me into, husband. You are going to owe me for a very, very long time.”

  “I know I will. I’m sorry about all of this.”

  Lily put her head on his shoulder. “No you’re not. You’re having the time of your life.” She waved her hand around in the air. “Sadly, I’m sort of getting used to all this spy stuff.” She wasn’t even worried about a gaping bodice anymore.

  A dark car pulled up next to them. Remy, the embassy official, stood before them. “I’ll take you two back to the hotel. We can get your statement to the police tomorrow. What hospital did they take him to?”

  “I called in a favor with INTERPOL,” Dev answered. “He is being stabilized and then sent to a hospital in England, to an American base. He is an American citizen and is wanted for questioning.”

  “By whose authority, Pierce?” Remy shouted. Lily’s body shook. Ari quickly gathered one of her hands in his.

  “Mine, maybe not on this soil, but Ari called in some favors too. Of course, you don’t have much power here either, do you Remy?”

  Remy’s eyes squinted while looking at Dev Pierce. “We’re friends. Don’t act like this.”

  “I’m not acting like anything. I’m doing my job.” Dev’s cool tone sent shivers up his own wife’s back.

  “Then, let’s get those statements tomorrow. Are you going back to your hotel?”

  Lily was watching the dynamics of the situation. Why was Remy so nervous? Why did he want them to do their statements in the morning? It sounded reasonable, but Dev didn’t like the idea for some reason.

  “I want to do our statements tonight, to those officers right over there.” Dev pointed to the officers near Claude. “Lily saw nothing. She can return to the hotel. Ari, you didn’t see anything either, did you?”

  “No, I was just walking by after this all happened, whatever all of this is. Lily, let me take you back.” He took Lily’s hand in his.

  “Mr. Pierce, I’d really like to take the two of you then with me tonight.” Remy stammered nervously. “Those are my orders.”

  “I have my own ride. We will be fine.” Ari began to steer Lily away from the scene. She looked back at Dev, and he winked. He knew his wife would be safe with Ari, but did Lily know it?

  “Mr. Pierce, I must,” the embassy official continued.

  “I must have my wife safely home, and I must give my statement to the French police, now. Thank you for understanding.” He completely disregarded the government man, a man he’d known briefly many years ago. It wouldn’t be the first time. Dev Pierce was all about following the rules, but there were those times when you just didn’t. This was one of those times when you didn’t, and you lied to succeed in protecting your wife. He needed Lily safe. Ari would provide that safety even if it meant his own death.

  Dev held Claude’s hand as they introduced themselves to the police on the scene. It would be a long night, but right now he didn’t trust anyone but the Paris police. They didn’t know what was going on either. But Dev was beginning to put together all the pieces.

  It was almost two in the morning by the time Ari had convinced Lily to go to sleep, without Dev. They had sat in the hotel’s bar for over an hour waiting for Dev to call or text. They drank a little coffee. He watched her glance toward the main door over and over.

  Ari studied Lily. She kept her coat buttoned, her arms tight around her bodice. She had told him a little about her life before Dev. He almost yawned. But she owned her business. That was an accomplishment for anyone in today’s society. His own sister was an aspiring dress designer. She wanted her own shop someday, just a little one to call her own.

  “You know, I once dated a giraffe.”

  Lily was captivated by the hotel’s massive entry doors.

  “Really. That’s nice.”

  “But sadly, I fell in love with a turtle. We were married in the Bahamas last June.”

  “Was the wedding pretty? Did you have flowers?” Lily turned and smiled. “I can be concerned about my husband, watch for him, and listen to your idiot stories. I have a friend back home who does the same thing.” Lord, she had just referenced Gretchen as her friend. It was official.

  “You really are fascinating, Lily Pierce. I’m not sure I’ve ever met anyone quite like you.”

  “Should I say thank you to that? I’m really unsure if it is a compliment.”

  Ari finished his coffee. “Oh, it is. You are extremely honest. That’s a fault and a virtue, at least in these times. Dev is a lucky man. I’m not joking now.”

  Lily lowered her eyes. “Thank you. I may have misjudged you.”

  “No, you didn’t. I’m exactly who you thought I was, and I’m the man you think I am right now. But tonight, I have one task, to protect you, and that’s what I will do.�
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  Ari’s eyes lasered onto the front door. He saw someone.

  Lily noticed his attention. “Is it Dev?”

  “No, it’s someone we don’t want to talk to. Please, please, follow my lead. We need to get upstairs.”

  Quickly, they headed for the elevator doors, but the man stood waiting for them. “I was told you would be here.”

  “And so you have found me,” Ari answered cooly. Lily stood behind him, her head down as he had instructed her.

  “I was wondering what the man without a country was doing in Paris? Are you playing with the Americans now?” He peered his head around to see Lily. “Hello, American.”

  Lily’s head shot up. She said nothing. Ari’s hand had found hers and she held on for dear life. This man was not a friend. Ari could smile and melt your heart, this one would probably poison you before you took your next breath. He would kill you and never give your life another thought. This man was a terrorist.

  “So, you are taking on odd jobs, protecting a businessman’s wife?”

  “Well, with the depressed euro, I have to do something. I hear the dollar is making a comeback. So, I work for the dollars. This is an easy job.”

  The man lightly tugged on Ari’s lapel. “Be careful, Ari. Do not stick your nose where it does not belong. I am here in Paris for one thing. Do not stop me.”

  “Does it involve blowing up young men and women while they are enjoying music? If it does, then I will stop you.”

  “You couldn’t before. It was a shame your sister was there. I better let you get back to your little job. Goodbye, American.” The man turned and walked slowly out the door.

  Ari said nothing to Lily until they entered the hotel suite. “I meant to tell you earlier how lovely this room is. Dev is doing quite well on his government salary, unless he is doing something on the side.”

  Lily kicked off her shoes and coat. She reached for a bottle of water and sat down in one of the chairs opposite the almost reclining bodyguard.

  “You know as much as I do.” She wasn’t going to tell him anything until she got all of this straight in her head. “Ari, what was all that about? Who was he? Is he the man who has been following Dev and me?”

  “Yes, and he is the one who probably just shot Bernard Notte. I’m not sure who he is working with this time, but he is here to steal a very old clay bowl, among other things.”

  Lily was staring him down now. He’d offered some information, but not enough. “What about your sister?”

  “She was at a concert and he blew the place up. He is a terrorist and all of us, including your dear husband, have been after him for many years.”

  Lily’s brow furrowed. “Why can’t you all capture him? He moves around like a normal person.” Now was not the time to discover if his sister had survived.

  “You think so? There were two guards who had casually made it into the bar before he entered the hotel. If I had made a move, maybe, just maybe I would’ve killed him. He would never go back to Tel Aviv with me to stand trial. Those two guards, even if I had killed him, would have slit my throat and your throat and never thought anything about it. They might have thrown a grenade into the concierge area. Who knows with those people. They are fanatics. They are paid more if the man lives, but if he dies, they still get paid. So, my lovely lady, I did nothing.”

  “So, there’s way more to you than just a handsome face?”

  Ari smiled. He relaxed. “Aw, shucks, ma’am.”

  “Don’t ever do that southern accent thing again.”

  He sat up to remove his jacket. “You didn’t like it? I’ve been practicing for when I go to the United States.”

  Lily choked down a drink of water. “No, just no. Just be yourself, whoever that is.”

  “Now, that is the conundrum. Who am I? I’ve been someone else for so long I really don’t remember. That is the hazard of my job.”

  “Now, I understand that.” Lily yawned. She looked at the clock on the wall. It was almost two in the morning. Where are you, husband of mine?

  “Lily, you need to go to sleep. With the French police, you never know how long it will take. They may send for croissants for everyone before they are done. Go in there and change, and go to sleep. I’ll be on guard out here on this short little sofa, this short little uncomfortable sofa.”

  Lily was having a hard time keeping her eyes open. “Fine, but you men need to wake me up when Dev gets back here.”

  Ari nodded. His hand pointed to the bedroom. “Go.”

  After an appropriate amount of time, Ari tapped on the door of the bedroom. “May I come in?”

  Lily had changed and was climbing into the large bed. “Sure, what do you want?”

  “Just checking on you.” Ari walked in slowly and began to laugh. “What the hell do you have on? You brought those pajamas on your honeymoon?” He looked suspiciously at some sort of comic strip character adorning Lily’s nightwear as she lowered under the sheets.

  “It’s a joke, besides, I get cold.”

  Ari stood next to the bed. “A beautiful woman should never be cold. You have your husband to keep you warm.”

  “Not you, that’s for sure.”

  He smiled and she saw his eyes twinkle. What was he thinking? “I wasn’t offering. Now, let me tuck you in.”

  “And why exactly am I allowing you, a perfect stranger, to tuck me in?”

  “Ah, you think I’m perfect.” He was shoving a coverlet under her neck.

  “I give up.” She rolled her eyes. She hadn’t done that in a few hours.

  “You remind me of my little sister. You have a pinch of innocence, mostly steel resolve to accomplish a project, and a desperate need to know the truth in anything.” He looked at her face and saw her concern. “Dev will be here, do not doubt that.”

  “So you two do trust each other?”

  He stepped away from the bed into the darkness of the room. “When we need to do so. He is a good man, an honest man. I do believe he thinks something is very wrong with all of this or he wouldn’t have done what he did tonight.” Ari reached for the light beside her bed. “Now, go to sleep. I’ll be in the other room cleaning my gun.”

  “I’m not sure that’s so comforting.”

  She blinked back a couple of tears. Where had those come from? The man she had only met today, tenderly removed them with his finger before they could trail down her cheek. “Never doubt Dev. He sees more than you think. He sees danger before we know it is there. He sees the good in a man even when they don’t always deserve it. He sees the beauty in you even when you don’t see it. Go to sleep.” He kissed her on the forehead. She was asleep before he left the room.

  Lily woke to whispers in the other room. Dev was finally there. The whispers were getting louder, and she could make out a word now and then.

  “He said you knew the man. He said your name, Ari, and there’s two men. I also suspect that there is another agent involved. What the hell is going on?” Dev grabbed another shot of bourbon as he paced the room.

  “I have no idea, my friend. I only met Bernard through Claude.” Ari stopped before he said something that might outrage Dev and there was plenty that would make the man mad. But Dev knew him too well.

  “What?” Dev demanded. “What do you think? I know that little mind of yours. I know how Mossad work, spill it, Ari.”

  “I think Claude is in over her head this time.”

  Dev took the statement in and slowly walked to one of the chairs. “Go on.”

  “I know she’s had Notte smuggling art. I’ve been following him, watching him, more for his protection than to know what he is doing. We already know that. I’m not sure if Claude knows he’s been smuggling in more than just art or an antiquity.”

  “More, as in drugs?”

  Ari nodded. “I think she’s been played for the last few years. Everyone has been desperate to save the heritage sites and artifacts from the beginning of civilization. It is a race before it is all destroyed in Syria
, and you saw yourself what happened in Baghdad and Cairo. I believe the powers that be, museums, UNESCO, others have averted their eyes. Notte was being paid in diamonds. I know that much for sure. I know that Claude was obtaining those diamonds from several sources in Zurich, Bruges, even Russia. The rich and privileged deal in the gutters sometimes.”

  “So, you think she is an unwitting pawn in all of this?”

  “I didn’t say that. We’ve all known that Claude will do anything for what she wants. Remember? I just believe she’s working with others who may have their own agendas.”

  Dev thought about Remy and his insistence on questioning them in the morning. Did he want them all to have the same story, one he fed them? “I’ve been thinking about the past, and she was willing to do anything for an old piece of art.” Dev swallowed the last little bit of liquid from his glass. The taste was bitter, not from the bourbon, but from his memories. Sometimes your friend was not your ally.

  “But why did he insist you know the man? What man, and who else are you teamed up with?”

  “Do you want me to say his name out loud and curse us?”

  “No. I know who I saw tonight. I saw his face. I’m just surprised he got his own hands dirty.”

  Ari stood up and headed to the door. “Your wife is safe. Notte has been taken to a secure location where he can’t be touched. We must have patience. Khalid is like a cockroach; he always survives.” He had finally said the name. He bit his lip.

  “Ari, you aren’t answering my questions. You all are using that tulip bowl as bait, aren’t you? Now, I just have to figure out who else is playing with you. And I will find out. You know I will.”

  Dev’s companion nodded and headed to the door. He didn’t turn around. He couldn’t lie to the man, not tonight. There was no need to tell Dev about their visitors earlier in the lobby. Lily would do that. He knew she would.

  Before Ari could answer him, he was gone. Yes, they’d have to deal with the man, and this time, if they were lucky, Khalid would die. Dev could feel Lily looking at him.

  “Come to bed.”

  He looked up to see his wife, and her pajamas. He smiled. He did like how she looked like a walking muppet.