Once In Awhile

by Kendra G. Johnson

  He encircled her face with his palms and pulled her to his lips. He poured all his passion and longing into that kiss. Her towel came undone and her hair fell free. Danny Mac wrapped the damp strands around his fist. He pulled her head back and deepened the kiss. Breathless and shaken they both clung to each other when Danny Mac lifted his head.

  “I love you, Danny Mac.” Her voice was muffled against his shoulder.

  “I love you.”

  Kenann pulled back and asked, “Ready?”

  He made a noncommittal sound, “I’ve been praying for protection over you. You are in His hands. That is the only way I can allow you to do this.

  “Help me prepare and let’s get this thing finished.”

  A few minutes later Inanna emerged, wrapped in the soft white Egyptian cotton sheet. Gold braid from the drapes held it in place. Kenann had no product to tame her hair so she braided and wound it into an elegant chignon. Small wisps of hair framed her face. They wasted no time. Kenann knew if she did not move quickly, she would lose her nerve. She raised her chin and allowed the persona to infuse her to her marrow. Until this was finished, she was Inanna.

  They entered the hallway. The closest guard did nothing to stop them. His mouth agape as he saw the transformation from the mad woman to this regal creature. As prearranged, Kenann entered the command center first followed by Danny Mac in attendance. The reaction from Pierre was more than anticipated. His eyes, the only part of his body that could react without mechanical assistance flared in astonishment and excitement. As Kenann paused regally a few paces from Pierre’s chair, Danny Mac came from behind and knelt in front of Pierre bowing low from the waist.

  “I present to you, as your humble servant, Inanna, your royal consort.”

  No one breathed. Even the contingency of guards could not guess how Pierre would react. Danny Mac uttered another prayer to the Creator of the Universe for his grace and power that he and Kenann would prevail.

  “Inanna, are you here to stay?”

  “Yes, my Lord.”

  “What is your wish?” His mechanical ventilation could not hide his breathless anticipation.

  “I desire to take my rightful place as ruler of my vast empire . . . with you at my side.” She believed he would only appreciate someone who shared his desire for power. The gleam in his eyes confirmed her hunch.

  “Come stand with me and allow me to show you what I have accomplished in your absence.” She moved beside him, her moves fluid. In order to cement Danny Mac’s position, she made herself touch Pierre’s shoulder.

  “My dear, Daniel has been a faithful servant. I have awakened to his position as our vassal. He will continue to be useful to us in our future efforts.” Despite his paralysis, she felt an imperceptible tightening of Pierre’s demeanor. This could go either way. She made herself wait. If she presented as too eager, she could condemn Danny Mac to death.

  “Is this a desire of your heart, my lady?” He asked.

  Again, she felt Danny Mac’s life hanging on her answer.

  “He has proved useful. I believe we can use him to bring our other enemies who tried to destroy us.”

  Pierre looked at her for several seconds. Then he smiled with delight. “If he brings them to us, he shall live. If he fails, you will kill him yourself.”

  As much as it cost her, she replied, “With pleasure.”

  Pierre barked to the men flanking the door. “Take him away. And lock him in. I will call for him later.”

  Kenann forced herself not to even glance in Danny Mac’s direction. She sent up her own silent plea to her Heavenly Father for strength and courage.

  CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

  Nita and Pinky asked Mrs. Gage to gather the troops. When all were assembled Nita took command.

  “Pinky and I have discussed it and feel the damsel in distress routine is our best option.”

  Mrs. Gage nodded and appeared to be considering this tact. She obviously was familiar with past operations using this method.

  Mrs. Gage enlightened the rest of the group. “The women will park their car in walking distance of the castle and disable the vehicle either with sugar in the tank or pulling apart one of the hoses. But it has to be something not easily fixed. They show up on the doorstep as the quintessential damsels in distress. Once inside they will make themselves hard to get rid of. They tag team into distraction and annoyance. While one person is dealing with one of them, the other goes off in another direction until they feel like they are herding cats.”

  Nita smiled, “Very well depicted, Gabby girl.”

  Carter queried, “What is our role?”

  Nita turned to him. “We will go in wired so you will hear what is going on and can direct us as needed from here.”

  “What if they catch the wire?” Carter asked.

  Pinky grinned. “Then we shall count on the cavalry to come riding in.”

  He countered, “Why don’t we just use the cavalry first.”

  “Where is the fun in that? Come now, Mr. Carter, let us do what we do best.” Nita gave him her most sultry smile.

  He answered, “Whatever,” but softened it with a grin.

  Mrs. Gage took note of this thawing of Carters attitude and planned to use Nita if any further influence was needed.

  Jake interjected. “I’d like to do some aerial reconnaissance.”

  Andy laughed, “You just want to go up in the chopper.”

  “Well yeah,” Jake emphasized with laughter.

  Mrs. Gage added, “We do need to see what our options are for invasion.” Jake again marveled at her resemblance to a military commander. She continued, “There will be room for three plus the pilot. Mr. Carter, I suggest you, Jacob and myself.”

  “Agreed. Can we go now?”

  “The staff are standing by on a word from us.”

  Jake stood. “Let’s do this.”

  Andy asked, “What do you want us to do, sir?”

  Carter tamped down on his annoyance that Andy directed this question at Jake.

  “Can you set the ladies up with the comm devices? Also, create a mobile base station in case we decide to move in closer?”

  “You got it, boss.” Judy nudged him. He looked at her and she cut her eyes to Carter. Andy cringed inwardly, ‘Crap’.

  * * *

  Kenann continued to stand beside Pierre’s chair with her hand on his shoulder. It made her skin crawl.

  “Have you truly come back to me, Inanna?”

  “Yes, Pierre.”

  “You are lying.” Her heart lurched.

  She continued the bluff. “I am not, Pierre. And I do not appreciate your attitude. You would do well to respect who stands beside you.”

  The silence was unbearable. She continued to stare straight ahead and willed her hands to remain steady.

  He finally spoke. “I had to be sure, Your Highness.”

  “Do not ever question me again, Pierre.”

  He did not respond but she prayed he was sufficiently moved to caution. She knew her position was tenuous at best.

  He continued as if their exchange had not occurred. “If you will look at the monitors you will see the locations and level of flow through various pipelines positioned throughout the world.” He turned his gaze up to her to inquire if she could see what he indicated.

  “Yes, I see, Pierre. And these pipelines all belong to our people?”

  “All of them. They belong to me. . . and to you.”

  She took note of his proprietary attitude. She wished she had made connections to others in this crazy group. She would have exploited this to undermine his power. She began plotting how she might get him to introduce her to others in the upper power grid.

  “What are your plans, Pierre?”

  “Many years before I was born, this plan was implemented. It has taken 70 years to develop the infrastructure in secret. We are nearing completion of the final phases”

  “Explain.”

  “We have created our own secret pipel
ines that intersect with all major pipelines in the world. We have installed valves that are controlled by us electronically. That is what you are looking at now. We keep them open slightly and siphon off minuscule amounts of crude from each line for our own profit.”

  “What is the end game?” Even though she knew, she needed some time to absorb the gravity at what was being presented. She had discovered the bones of the plan on her last nightly sojourn prompting her resurrection as Inanna.

  “When we are ready, we shut off the valves that lie past ours and we take over the oil supply of every oil field in the world. We also have plans to take control of the fields themselves. We are using ISIS who are embedded throughout the world to provide guerilla warfare assistance. They can take all the credit they want. Our people who are positioned for this event will be the ones in control. By the time anyone tracks our valves and has any ability to stop it, we will have successfully crippled the world economy and we will be in charge.”

  Even though she felt her voice constricting, she verbally applauded the plan. These people were more dangerous than she had ever believed. Since he was fresh off his pleasure at revealing his plan, she decided to check out what he was thinking about Danny Mac.

  “Will you be sending Daniel to bring the others?”

  “Is that your desire?”

  “As long as they are out there, our efforts will be at risk. They know too much.” Again, she prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide her.

  “That is my thinking exactly. Do you think he can bring them here?”

  “Daniel will be able to do it. They listen to him.”

  “And then it will be your pleasure to destroy them. That will cement your position.”

  Kenann adopted her most imperious persona and spoke quietly but with command, “Do I need to cement my position, Pierre?”

  “You misunderstand. I believe in you completely. I am the one who recognized you. But we need to introduce you to the rest of the ruling council.”

  “Weren’t they present in Egypt?”

  “Yes, but as you know things deteriorated and it will take some good will to achieve their trust again. I know you for who you are. They will need to be convinced.”

  “I see. Well, let us waste no time then. I need to reveal myself completely to the others. I have finally shed my earthly persona of Kenann. Her complete madness enabled me to emerge fully and finally. Convene the ruling council, Pierre.”

  The other men in the room began to question if this woman truly was the reincarnated goddess, Inanna.

  CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

  Danny Mac and Kenann in different parts of the castle both heard the commotion being created in the front hall at the main entrance. Kenann told Pierre she would deal with the intrusion. He agreed.

  Kenann walked slowly and with regality along the hallway until she came to the balcony overlooking the hall. She did not recognize the women who were creating havoc below, but something told her that this had Mrs. Gage written all over it and she rejoiced.

  She called out as imperiously as possible. Her voice echoed off the stone walls. “Bring them to me.”

  These men had not been privy to the exchange between Pierre and her earlier, but they responded to her commanding voice and presence and complied. The women smiled and looked in awe at the paintings and tapestries hanging from the massive walls as they ascended the stairs. The men flanked the women closely. Considering the chaos they incited in a very short time, they did not want to let them loose again.

  When they reached the place that Kenann stood, the men appeared to wait for orders. Pinky jumped in quickly.

  “Pardon our intrusion, ma’am. Our car broke down and we are simply helpless with anything mechanic.” Pinky laughed to herself. Nita could take apart and put together an engine faster than anyone she knew.

  Nita added. “We hate to bother you. Would you be able to spare these strapping young men to . . . take care of us?” She gave the one closest to her a look that left little to the imagination. Pinky giggled vacuously.

  “Certainly, but first you must warm yourself by our fire and have some tea.” She turned her attention to the men. “Tell Pierre I have the situation well in hand and will join him shortly.”

  The taller of the two men answered. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Kenann turned her attention back to the ladies. “Come with me, please.” And she led them in the direction of the room she shared with Danny Mac. Once there, the guard in the hallway hesitated to let her in, confused by the presence of these two women. Kenann spoke quietly but firmly.

  “These women have had car trouble and we need to entertain them before sending them on their way. We must not appear churlish. Pierre has asked me to handle this. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “If you would be so kind to await my orders.” She turned the key in the lock and entered the room. Danny Mac jumped from the arm chair by the window when he saw her. He raised an eyebrow at the other women. Kenann quickly took charge. She was balancing her charade of Inanna to any listening ears with wanting to communicate with Danny Mac and possibly these emissaries of Mrs. Gage.

  “Daniel, these ladies have had some misfortune with their vehicle and appeared on our doorstep. I thought it would be nice if we offered them tea before we gave them assistance.”

  “Certainly. Let me pull up some chairs around the fire.”

  Kenann went to the door to ask the man to bring a tea service and was shaken to see Pierre coming down the hall toward them. She stepped out closing the door behind her.

  “What are you doing?” Pierre hissed.

  “Pierre, these ladies were wreaking havoc downstairs. I had to gain control of the situation and fast. I brought them to the room I have occupied with Danny Mac because that is the only room I knew. I did not want to welcome them into a room with dust covers on the furniture. How would that look? We need to find out what they are about. They could be spies.”

  “I would have thought you knew every inch of this place by the way you wandered its halls day and night.”

  Kenann thought quickly, “What are you talking about? If you are referring to the activities of Kenann, I have no recollection of her madness.”

  This seemed to appease him. “Very well but find out what they are about quickly and get rid of them.”

  “Understood.” She allowed herself to give him an unholy smile. His attempt at a return smile was gruesome. She had to control the shudder that threatened to overtake her.

  She turned to the man at the door and asked him to bring them a tea cart and nodded to Pierre as she re-entered the suite of rooms.

  “Excuse my delay. Good help is so hard to find.”

  Pinky continued her role, “Ain’t that the truth. This is some pile you have here, ma’am. Do you own it?

  Nita feigned shock, “Pinky! That is not polite.”

  Kenann interjected, “Think nothing of it. Yes, it is owned by my consort, Pierre.”

  Pinky continued, “Oooooh, consort. Sounds fancy.”

  “Pinky.” Nita warned.

  Kenann laughed. Danny Mac just sat back and waited to see what was up her sleeve. The tea cart arrived and Kenann continued as she poured each a cup from the china pot.

  “What brings you ladies to this area?”

  “Oh, we are on vacation.” Pinky softly tapped out ‘gage’ in Morris Code with her tea spoon. It took a couple of times for it to register with Danny Mac. When it did, he forced himself not to over react. He looked at Kenann and gave her the prearranged hand signal for yes. Kenann did not question how he knew. She simply trusted him.

  Kenann smiled broadly. “That is wonderful.” And couldn’t help sighing happily. They all smiled in return. Pierre puzzled at this from his monitor screen but reasoned that Inanna had just thought of a plan.

  “Well what are your plans while you are here?”

  Nita took over from here. “We are checking out the area for a friend. She wants to bring her ve
ry large family here but did not know if there was enough to do. She wanted to find out how many people there actually were. She hates crowds.”

  Kenann understood. “Oh, what you see is what you get. There may be a few people tucked away but not enough to give her any problems, I would imagine.”

  “Wonderful. Do you live here or are you vacationing too?”

  “Visiting, actually. Daniel will be taking a trip soon to gather some friends of ours.” She gave Danny Mac a telling look. Pierre interpreted this as a message between Inanna and her vassal.

  “As you wish.”

  A thought struck Nita and she turned up the sultry charm. “Say, how about you come with me?” She reached over and laid her hand lightly over his. “You can give me a ride back into town and then show me the sights before you take off on your little trip. What do you say?” Her mouth was a perfect pout.

  Danny Mac turned to both Kenann and Inanna for direction. She pondered as both. “Let’s not be hasty. We have not finalized your plans yet, Daniel.”

  Once again, he replied, “As you wish.” And both were reminded of her favorite movie, Princess Bride. She smiled at him.

  Pinky had an idea of her own and squealed for effect, “Oohhh, can we stay here for the night? I’ve never slept in a castle before. Oh please, oh please! I promise we won’t be any bother. You and this young man can figure out your plans and we can be off tomorrow. Oh, please, oh please?”

  Nita purred. “That would be delightful,” giving Danny Mac a come-on look. Kenann wanted to tell her not to push her luck but restrained herself. This was business.

  Kenann sighed indulgently and said, “Let me confer with Pierre and I will let you know. If you will excuse me.”

  Nita’s smile appeared cat like, “Take your time, dear.”

  Kenann raised an eyebrow. She was ready to pounce when Danny Mac spoke. “Pierre will have specific orders for my journey, madam. I will await them.”

  She came back to her role and rose. “I will not be long.” She did not look at Nita but hoped she got the message. Life and death role playing was one thing but messing with Danny Mac was another.

  As soon as Kenann had left the room, Nita made a pretense of fluffing her luxurious hair and pulled the ear wig from its place. She took a tube of lip stick from her bag and expertly placed the comm device in her mouth as she applied the bold lipstick. This was going to be fun. She walked slowly toward Danny Mac whose eyes flared as he recognized her intent. He stood up and started to back away when she pinned him against the sideboard table. She slid into him and brought her lips to his. They were a match in height. She enjoyed the play of her tongue on his as she transferred the comm device. Once he felt the metal, he relaxed knowing what she was about. And would never admit even to himself how skillful Nita’s seductive powers were.