The Red Box

by Laura Sgarella

  “The only news is that I have very long holiday time. I am so tired. And my wife is fed up. She would like to go to the Maldives to enjoy the beauty of the sun and, to be honest with you, I got cold feet. Do you think that those people over there can eavesdrop on us? I forgot to tell you that the handkerchief is stinking into my pocket.”

  “What did you use to cover it?” I just hope to find a place at home where to place it without the fear that my wife can find it.”

  “I have in mind the ideal place right now. I’ll keep it in the safe where I keep material from the hospital. My wife has a great respect for my profession. She will never go to and be inquisitive. about it. And then, how stupid, she even doesn’t know the combination. I have pledged to myself to delude her. I will bring her to the theatre and to a sophisticated restaurant nearby. I’m sure she will be in seventh heaven. We rarely go out because of my long days spent at work. What about you and Jill?” said Van der Baast.

  “Everything is fine. Jill is one month pregnant. She is looking forward to seeing her tummy growing more and more. Oh, here is the coffee. I’ll pay for it straight away.”

  “Thank you, a lot. Now I think it is time to go back home for me. It’s half past eleven and I promised my wife that I would come back by this time.”

  “Never mind. Jill is also waiting for me by twelve o’ clock. Just finish sipping the coffee and we’ll fly home straight away.”

  “Thank you Araon. See you soon.”

  “See you soon Van der Baast.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Samantha was quiet in her Soho flat during her day off. Suddenly somebody from behind her put a pistol to her temple and shouted. “Now do what I tell you to do. Don’t turn back to watch me. Take me to the sleeping room. OK here we are. I have to take that copy of Monet. It’s worth millions of pounds. Don’t stop me and be quiet. I won’t harm you if you obey me.”

  Samantha was speechless and trembling. She let the man take the painting from the wall and went back to the door without watching the man. She was so scared! The man gave her an injection with a sleep-inducing liquid and left the flat in a hurry. Samantha was able to wake up only at the ringing of the doorbell. It was Phil. “What’s up baby? You were still sleeping?”

  “The problem is that a man came here earlier in the morning. He didn’t allow me to watch him. He went with me in the sleeping-room and took the Monet imitation. He must have given me an injection to induce me to sleep by the time he went way. He threatened me with a handgun. Thank God I am alive. My big issue is how in the hell he could enter the flat. The door was properly locked and I even didn’t hear him entering before he put his pistol to my temple.”

  “This is not the problem. Thieves are very skillful in entering flats without leaving any trace. Definitely it’s a pity you have lost that Monet copy. But thank God you are well now. I had taken the painting to an antique dealer for a large sum of money. Maybe It will make you feel safer if I give you another flat. Today I will make arrangement to transfer you in a flat of mine in New Bond Street, just opposite the Versace shop. It’s smaller than this but it will do. Of course I won’t charge you any money for the rent. There is also one problem. The neighbour is an old lady who complains of the smallest things. She hasn’t paid the rent and bills for a year. They cannot kick her out of the flat because she hasn’t got any revenue. Apart from this everything is wonderful. There is also a safe for which you have a combination similar to this one. Prepare yourself and I’ll bring you there immediately. While you are dressing and preparing your luggage, I’ll wait for you in my car outside.”

  Samantha was stunned. There was nothing left for her to do than doing what her friend had told her to do. Her first thought was to check if the cheques of the money earned at the auction was still in the safe. Hopefully they were inside. She had only one week to open an account with the excuse that she had won the money on the lottery. That little big secret! She made sure to put them in the luggage in a way that nobody could see them.

  Phil was waiting for her nervously outside. “Everything is OK?” he said warmly.

  “Everything. Just almost everything.” Samantha said still in a state of shock.

  “You’ll see that in the new flat you will feel more than welcome. It’s another story. But call me Phil or Phillip now.”

  “Certainly, Phil.”

  “Come on. I’ll show you the place.”

  The flat was tiny and smart, suitable for a single woman. Samantha was ecstatic at the furniture but she was disappointed by the fact that there were not books on the shelves. She was shown the safe which made her feel secure. “I will ask the police to come here every now and then to make sure that nothing similar to what happened this morning will be repeated. Samantha: are you listening to me?” said Phil.

  “Oh, yes. I was submersed in my thoughts. I was remembering when I worked as an entreneuse in a nightclub to pay my studies. I had the duty to make men drink but most of them tried to have me. It was when one of my customers touched my breast that I decided to leave the job. You know in my family, women are not supposed to work. They are supposed to marry when they turn twenty and have the first child the following year of marriage. I didn’t want to end up like my mother and grandmother. I left home and I decided to work in that place with a bad reputation to support my studies. And now I am here. A twenty-nine-year-old woman who still doesn’t know what to do with her life. I feel blessed you are with me.”

  Phil listened carefully to Samantha’s confession. He changed the subject since she had calmed herself down for a while. “You know, honey: there is a beautiful place in Southwark. It is a Tibetan garden. I wish to take you there this evening to spend a nice time. It’s near the Globe Theatre. There is also a restaurant over there with delicious food. I’ll pick you up at half past seven this evening. I recommend you to be quiet. You are under my protection. See you later”

  “Bye Phil and thank you for everything.” Samantha checked and checked the safe again to make sure that the cheque was in the proper place. It was a secret she didn’t want to share with Phil, at least for the moment. He was protective and handsome. She had waited all her life to meet a man like that. The second routine thing was about her fitness. She weighed herself on the scale and realized with abhorrence she had put on three pounds in one week. She decided to skip lunch in order not to avoid a tasty dinner. She applied to her face a hydrating mask and relaxed herself on the sofa. Her obsolete thought was a recurrent one: Lucia had repeated several times to stay away from churches, meaning by this that she had to avoid marriage. She was missing Lucia a lot but she was not sure if to stay loyal to her advice or not. She needed a man in her life. And then there was Van der Baast. A Dutch doctor with European fame. She would deal with him later on in the week. She went back to reality and felt all the abominable emotions she could face while thinking on the way the evening would turn. Yes, she was happy about Phil but she was frightened that he would take her in bed too soon. She picked a comprehensive map of London to visualize the Globe Theatre. “It must be a gorgeous place. I’m looking forward to being there this evening.” she thought. And concerning Phil, she was expecting him to come to pick her up with a Maserati. Money, money. What was her priority in life? She was able to put a well-off career for a better stake. Phil was there to assure her protection and safety. No other man could fascinate her so much. Where the hell would she find such charm in another occasion of life?

  Van der Baast was by his house when a timely phone call reached him. “Van der Baast? Is this Van der Baast?”

  “Speaking.”

  “Hi, I am your nephew from Britain. How are you?”

  “Fine, thanks. I wasn’t wrong that your voice sounds familiar. Where are you?”

  “I am in Amsterdam. I have rented a flat in Jordan for a week and I am ready to meet you now. Are you free?”

  “Hopefully, yes. I am off work for one week, sort of summer holiday.”

  “Can you reach me i
n Rozenstreet? My matter is something confidential. I wish to see you alone.”

  “No problem. Your aunt woke up early this morning and went shopping on her own. She waits for me at home by one am, time for lunch. Please be as quick as you can.”

  “No problem.” And he switched off the phone.

  At the place of the meeting, Van der Baast saw a medium height guy with a short pony tail and a strange tattoo. “Hi my uncle. I am happy to meet you.

  “Hi dude. What a pleasure.”

  “Listen, I came here from Britain to inform you about something fishy. There are sleazy affairs linked to your name. Apparently, they want to accuse you of poisoning the DNA of a dead body with the one of a prostitute in order to help the business grow. Actually, they want some escorts to disappear from the scene by making them appear dead. And all that with your clandestine help. Please be careful that those bitches won’t reach you.”

  “You make me feel astonished, but I think it is good you have spoken to me. I am used to sinister affairs. Now talk to me about you. What are you doing now?”

  “I have a job at a shipyard in Newcastle. But it is a temporary one. Within three months I have to look for a new one. London is my target. It is also the place where my girlfriend lives. I met her when I was working as a bathing attendant in Brighton a year ago. We are a perfect match.”

  “Are you carrying on your studies? You have chosen architecture, if I am not wrong.”

  “Oh yes. But I quit university because I consider it a waste of time. I wanted to plunge myself in the job adventure straight away. My girlfriend doesn’t agree with me. She wants me to improve my education and to find a job with a better salary. We have frequent arguments concerning this stuff. But they are not ordinary matter. We finish with remembering each other that we love us very much. We have also doubts about politics nowadays. Next month there will be a general election. We don’t know what party to vote for. Our main concern is the work issue. I know you are old and established as a doctor enough not to worry about politics. What are your plans about your holiday?”

  “Not much. Anyway, I have brief free time and after this week I have to replace the head of the gynaecology department for a week. I have no time to rest. After all I love my job and I wouldn’t do anything else in my life. If it was not for a complaining wife I would stay in Amsterdam for the rest of my life. Your aunt wants me to take her to the Maldives. She didn’t breathe air fresh enough over there. I hope to be able to make her happy very soon.”

  “Now, my uncle, it’s time to go back to my flat for me. I hope I have been useful to you. Let me know if you and aunt are coming to visit me in Britain. By for now.”

  “By dude. Let me kiss you.”

  Van der Baast was alone in the middle of the street when his phone rang again. It was from the hospital. “Van der Baast?”

  “Speaking.”

  “There are troubles for you today. The woman who has been operated on the kidney wants to see you. She carries on repeating she is a pain. She wants a priest to give her the host as if it was Sunday. She is frightened she is going to die soon and that we are not sincere with her. She repeats your name on and on.”

  “Well, well. Tell her that in three days I will be at the hospital. She doesn’t need to tremble. Hopefully I will see her before she leaves. Is there anything else you want to say?”

  “No thanks, God. I wish you a happy holiday. I will do my best to make that patient calm down. We will see each other in the middle of the week. Thank you for your availability and bye for now.”

  “Bye. See you soon.”

  No sooner had he finished talking than the phone rang again. He could read from the screen the phone number of his wife.. He decided not to answer and went back home quickly. What a fuss!

  Meanwhile, Samantha was anxious about her meeting with the man, as she called Phil. She had time enough just to have a look at the daily newspaper. She used to read The Guardian and The Independent. They were for free for a beautiful woman like her. She wanted to read to have topics of discussion with Phil. She felt very ignorant and frightened to make men be bored with her. Was that the main reason her former boyfriend left her? Unfortunately, she was missing the point as far as regard her reading. There was nothing which could catch her and Phil’s attention. Just the weather forecast for the day. She kept on trembling and hoped that this wouldn’t be visible to the eyes of Phil. Eventually, Phil arrived at half past seven, sharp.

  “Hi grace, are you ready?”

  A faint voice arrived from the other side of the door. “A few minutes and I will be out.”

  Samantha went out wearing sporty jeans, a white top and some unfailing sneakers. She was all perfumed. “You look beautiful,” was Phil’s first reaction. “Are you ready to go to the theatre? There is a terrific performance of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. The main actor has the favour of the press. He has been claimed to be one who is able to make Peter O’ Tool envious. I hope you will enjoy yourself. We can have dinner at the restaurant nearby.

  “I am just happy to be with you. You might not believe it but the attendance of a theatre show is a new experience for me. I’m sure I’ll love it.” Phillip arrived quickly at the theatre and parked the car not far from it. He was awfully sorry to make Samantha repeat the same restaurant experience of the other day. They were happy thoughts. Samantha’s heart beat strongly when the show started at half past eight. She noticed with patience that there was popcorn next to each seat of the stall. The first minutes she welcomed the performance as one of a sort of making glamour. But the proceeding of the show revealed itself to be a bit boring. Of course she wouldn’t share such a profound opinion with Phil. She pretended to be the happiest person in the world. The end. Hopefully it arrived.

  “Did you like it honey?” asked Phil puffed-up.

  “I absolutely loved it,” answered Samantha spontaneously.

  “You are at ready. Do you know what I mean?” finished Phil before he accompanied Samantha to her flat.

  Once at home, Samantha was going to be sick. “Has the food poisoned you, darling?” said Phil, worried

  “Think nothing of it. It’s not the first time that something similar happened to me. The doctor told me that this is a mental reservation. It is as if I wish to have a baby and my body simulates the symptoms of a pregnancy. Oh, I feel so stupid! I don’t want to burden you with my whims. Forgive me: now I’m going to bed and everything will be sorted out. Good night love.”

  “Good night sweetheart. Call me whenever you need me during the night.”

  Samantha was expecting a kiss from Phil but she simply felt his cold hands over her. Eventually the desired moment arrived. All the passion pervaded the two guys in love. It would be the perfect night for them.

  Albert and Sylvanus were enjoying that sunny day at work at the beginning of June. Frenzy and agitation got hold of Albert after all. He hadn’t heard of Ravina since their trip to the farmhouse. She hadn’t come to the shop to buy meat as usual and Albert was quite alarmed. It should have been a big occasion of a wished marriage.

  Sylvanus didn’t tolerate situations like that one. He wanted Albert to be focused on the job and forget anxiety for the time being. They had planned to go on holiday in the middle of July, so now they had to work double as they were used to do. Here arrived the first customer. It was the lady in red, as they called her after the party when she was sporting a magnificent red gown. “Hi guys. Nice day, isn’t it?”

  “Oh yes. It’s quite unusual for a northern city such as Amsterdam. What can we do for you?”

  “Actually, I am here for the tenderloin. Half a kilo. The one you are touching now is perfect. I’ll make my husband happy at lunch today. Oh my God! What is this? It seems you have burnt your wrist,” said the lady to Albert.

  “Don’t worry about me. The fact is that I burned myself with the hot plate the other day when I was preparing the wurstel.”

  “To be meek with you I have to confess you have
a lovely tan.”

  “You are kidding me. I am always in the shop and I have no time to suntan and breath fresh air outside.”

  “Anyway, you have a great figure. Thank you for the tenderloin and see you soon.”

  “Have a nice day,” Albert and Sylvanus answered promptly.

  “Sylvanus.”

  “Yes, Albert.”

  “Do you think Ravina has not come here for the two previous weeks because I hurt her pride? I didn’t confess my love for her because it was such an early stage. I should be cautious.”

  “I think she is busy with her own businesses. Sooner or later she will arrive at the shop.”

  “Here is another customer. She comes here every day.”

  “Hi, Albert, hi Sylvanus. I’m still drugged by your party. I like society games a lot. Oh, Albert that’s lovely. Where does this beautiful wristwatch come from? It’s the first time that I’ve seen it.”

  “It’s a gift from my uncle who lives in Alaska. It gives me the time of other European cities such as Paris, Rome, London. It’s wonderful, I must admit it. I couldn’t pay for such a pricey item by myself but I am not wearing it to show off. On the contrary to me you are very moderate. It’s part of your charm. Now tell me what you want me to give you.”

  “Actually, I am here to buy an entire chicken. My friend offered me one of those for dinner and it was wonderful. One not too big, please.”

  “Here you are. It’s ten euros.”

  “Thanks a lot, and have a nice day.”

  The lady disappeared immediately and Albert’s heart started beating fast suddenly. There was Ravina arriving at the shop. “What a pleasure to see you again,” she said.”

  It’s a pleasure for us,” said Albert. “Where have you been all this time?” he said.

  “There has been a domestic accident. My mum broke her leg and had to stay in bed for two weeks. I had to stand by her. I also had to go to the hairdresser’s to get my hair cut. I repented of this. My long hair was the only beautiful thing I had.”