by Bill Brewer
“That’s terrible.”
“Now the boy that was forced upon me, and I fought so hard to bring into the world, is dead. He will always be known as an awful criminal who killed lots of people. And here I am in the clutches of the man who made this all happen. Was I right for not having an abortion?”
Diegert again put his arm around the shoulder of his mom facing the edge of the veranda, looking out over the night lights of the campus. He spoke to her through the eyes of Vince Kronig, telling her, “I think you were incredibly brave, you can never know how things are going to turn out. You did the right thing to give that boy a chance.”
Klaus Panzer had been looking all over the inside of the hall for Vince. Stepping out onto the veranda, he saw the blond hair of his newfound son over in the far corner.
Gazing across campus, Denise said, “He was beloved.” Turning to Vince’s blue eyes she continued, “That’s why I named him David.” Diegert sniffled as he struggled to hold back the tears welling up in the eyes of Vince Kronig.
Striding across the patio Panzer saw Vince with his arm on the shoulder of a woman who, from the rear, presented a sleek, attractive package. “Oh you rascal you,” began Panzer as he approached. “You’re a chip off the block aren’t you? Cavorting with a beautiful woman on a romantic night.”
Denise turned to face the man who was the cause of all her pain. Shocked, Panzer stuttered, “I …, I …, didn’t realize who it was.” He looked at Denise and then to Diegert shrugging his shoulders, unable to offer any words.
Denise raised her voice as she glared at the impeccably dressed tall gray-haired man. “You don’t have to say anything. Your actions long ago have caused enough pain and suffering for a hundred life times.” She stepped around Panzer, walking with defiance in her step back to the Grand Hall.
“What were you doing talking to her?” exclaimed Panzer.
“You mean what was I doing talking to my mother?”
“She is no longer your mother.”
Diegert wanted Vince to be a really nice, peaceful kind of guy, yet here he was on his debut night ready to strangle his father and throw the fucker off the veranda. How was he ever going to live with this dissonance?
Vince flashed his awesome smile, and he saw his dad’s face light up.
“Hey Dad,” he said as he reached up and put his hand on the paternal shoulder. Diegert dropped his voice and moved his hand to the back of Panzer’s neck. “Don’t you ever speak poorly about my real mother,” Diegert slid the vice grip of his hand up to the base of Panzer’s skull, squeezing so hard that he cut off the blood flow in the vertebral arteries. “Or I’ll kill you and gladly go back to having only one parent.” A final squeeze for emphasis and a shove forced Panzer to stumble, awkwardly staggering as the blood flow returned to the back of his brain.
“Now why did you come out here?” demanded Vince.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Panzer had to wonder just how dangerous it was to have the world’s best assassin for a son. He said, “We’re going in to pose for some pictures.”
Vince didn’t say another word, turning and striding back to the Grand Hall. Panzer hastened his step to catch up with the younger man.
Inside, a photographer had a backdrop and lights set up. First was the Panzer family, Klaus, Gretchen, Sashi and Vince. All attractive people but the lack of family cohesion was evident, especially since Klaus’s primary concern was how the lighting would emphasize the wrinkles on his face. Vince motioned with his hand for Denise to join them for a picture. She smiled but shook her head. Panzer shot Diegert, a look of stern rebuke.
Javier and Fatima made a striking couple. They were unable to take a bad picture until the photographer asked them to make crazy faces just for laughs.
The Wei family posed with stoic seriousness, the grief of their loss evident as Chin Lee insisted the space to his left remain vacant in honor of Quiang. Only Mei Ling’s expression conveyed a sense of optimism.
The Kellermans were an uneven contrast. Dean struck a regal pose standing between his two children. Michael’s posture revealed the state of inebriation to which he had progressed. While Julie exuded energy, vitality, and joy with a smile that dimpled her cute cheeks. Her fit curvy body filled her alluring dress in such a sexy way that everyone ignored the Kellerman men so they would not miss a moment of Julie posing for the camera.
The photographer surprised Diegert by asking that all of the families pose together. Crepusculous maintained its power by being anonymous and unseen. A family picture with all the principles in place along with all the people that are most important to them. It seemed like a tactical mistake. The security for this image had better be damn good because if it got out, personal, operational and corporate security could all be seriously compromised.
No one else seemed to be concerned, and the photographer had that drill sergeant with a flair kind of thing going, so soon everyone was marshaled into place, and the big shot of the Crepusculous family was taken.
As the group split up, Vince found himself approaching Julie; she turned with a smile to see him coming.
“You certainly take a great picture,” said Vince.
“I could say the same thing about you,” she replied.
“Have you done any modeling?”
Julie choked on her laugh as she cracked up at the question. “No, but thank you for the flattery.”
“Well, I’ll have to get you an agent and see if we can get you on the cover of a magazine.”
She smiled at the jest but responded. “The only magazine upon which I would like to be on the cover is the Economist. It’s the only one out there whose editors are addressing serious issues.”
“Oh, of course, and they don’t bother with any ridiculous celebrity gossip.”
She laughed at the teasing; allowing the photographer to see that these two beautiful people would make an excellent picture.
“All right you two, pose pretty for my camera.”
Vince and Julie wasted no time wrapping arms around each other, posing as a loving couple. The pictures captured their vitality as well as their curiosity about each other. Before leaving for the night with her dad and drunk brother, Julie promised to meet Vince so they could discuss global economics and the role of Crepusculous. Vince didn’t care what the topic was, he just wanted to see Julie again as soon as possible.
When all the guests had left, and the staff was cleaning and clearing the room, Diegert found himself contemplating the night. As most parties do, this one left him thinking of the surprising and the mundane, the joyful and the sorrowful. Large gatherings, even those that are specifically brought together to celebrate; represent every aspect of the human experience. Diegert would not let himself be blind to the suffering of his mother, or the joy he felt when near Julie Kellerman.
CHAPTER 16
Immediately across the boulevard from the Grand Hall, Vince and many of the other guests were staying at the Imperial Hotel. A five-star establishment catering to the wealthiest of clients, which tonight, was housing people worth nearly three trillion Digival.
The well to do were being well served with every need and desire fulfilled to the best of the hotel’s legal limits. As Vince strode across the motor way toward the Imperial’s foyer, loosening his Versace bow tie, he heard, “Hey handsome, you’re hard to keep up with.”
He turned back to see Fatima Hussain quick stepping in her stiletto heels. She closed the gap between them. “I was really intrigued by what you said earlier and I didn’t get a chance to speak with you again.”
Diegert was dumbstruck. The woman who had commanded him to kill, and trained him to survive his “incarceration” at Headquarters in Romania was running up to him like a fan girl. This exotically beautiful woman, who filled his dreams with erotic fantasies, but flatly dismissed any possibility of a dalliance, was now calling him handsome.
His extended stare at her and his contemplative look, drew a tilt of Fatima’s head.
�
��I’m sorry,” said Diegert, extending Vince’s hand to receive the warm, soft skin of Fatima Hussain’s mocha-hued fingers and palm. “I appreciate your interest.”
“You’re most welcome,” said Fatima as she let Vince caress her hand for a long moment.
“When we were introduced,” said Vince as he freed her hand. “You were with that Perez fellow weren’t you?”
“Yes I was Javier’s plus one for the party, but don’t let official obligations confuse you about the veracity of relationships.”
Vince cast a bemused smile, “I won’t.”
Her smile had a bit of mischief, and Diegert couldn’t help but feel that old desire.
“With a degree in economics, I imagine you will be able to accomplish a lot within Omnisphere,” stated Fatima.
Diegert kept having to remember who he was, but it was quickly becoming obvious, he was seeing a side of Fatima he could have only imagined before.
With confidence, Vince replied, “I hope to expand the dominance of Omnisphere so we can provide necessities for every person on the planet.”
“Ooh, I like that take charge attitude. Provide for the whole planet!”
“There’s no reason we can’t. We have so much, we must share it to make people’s lives better.”
“That sounds like altruism. Does your father approve?”
“Klaus is reluctant to give away anything. It is a lifelong limitation I hope to overcome.”
“Now you sound brave, hoping to alter the mind of the world’s most powerful man.”
“All men are human and they have their weaknesses.”
“It wasn’t too long ago I heard someone else say the same thing.”
“I claim no ownership over the realization,” said Vince with a sly smile.
“I see. So what is the weakness of Klaus Panzer?”
“In addition to narcissism and vanity, he’s desperate to leave a legacy, but one over which he wants absolute control. Instead of allowing his inspiration and influence to guide the future, he wants the next generation to bow down and carry out his wishes with unyielding loyalty.”
With wide eyes, raised brows and a slight tilt to her head, Fatima softly said, “Wow, you have been thinking about this.”
With an adorable dimple forming at the edge of his devilish smile, Vince said, “The keys to the kingdom will not be given without constraints, but when true power passes, one’s vision can be realized.”
Nodding her head as she shook her extended finger, Fatima said, “Are you sure we’ve never met before?”
With his broad smile revealing all of his glistening white teeth, Vince said, “Oh, I wish it were so, but believe me I would never forget having met you before tonight. Tell me is it true that Pakistani women are the world’s greatest lovers?”
Blinking repeatedly as a ruby blush colored her mocha cheeks, Fatima stammered a moment. “My goodness, how did you learn of our secret?”
Seeing her impish smile, Vince chuckled as he drew closer, “A genie in a bottle told me. The same genie who made me the son of Klaus Panzer.”
“I wondered if there was magic involved.”
“Black magic I’m afraid. But once the spell is cast, the cursed are obligated. I will play this role and see what destiny has in store for me.”
“Such an intriguing mystery?”
Diegert looked into the recesses of her deep dark pupils; he was being pulled into her undeniable charms. He forgot everything he knew and feared about her, and bathed in the attraction she had for Vince. “I’ve heard it said that Pakistani men are very controlling in order to keep the secret.”
“It’s a good thing that modern times allow women to live their own lives.”
Through a rakish smirk Vince replied, “It certainly is.”
“Oh, there you are,” shouted Javier Perez as he crossed the hotel’s entrance.
As Javier approached, Vince and Fatima took a step back from the intimate personal space they’d been sharing.
“Hello my dear,” said Perez beaming his thousand-watt smile. Extending his hand to Vince, he said as they shook, “Congratulations again. I look forward to working with you as we both move forward.”
“Indeed.”
Facing Fatima as he reached for her hand, Javier said, “Come on it’s late, I’m tired, let’s go home.”
Retracting her hand before he could grasp it, Fatima said, “I do not yet wish to leave. You are free to go.”
Javier’s bright smile turned to a petulant frown. “You came here with me. I want to make sure you get home safely.”
“That’s very thoughtful, but I am perfectly capable of safely getting to my own place tonight.”
“A gentleman always concludes the evening as it began.”
“An anachronism to which I do not subscribe. Thank you for bringing me here, but I no longer need the services of an escort.”
“An escort? How dare you-” Javier cut off his own words as he stepped away two paces and signaled Fatima to follow him by forcefully thrusting his pointed finger at the ground in front of him.
She did not move.
“Get over here,” he demanded.
She shook her head.
“You raging bitch, I can’t believe you are doing this to me.”
“You are overreacting. I don’t want to go home yet, and I am not going home with you anyway. You’re tired and should go home, so please go and sleep well tonight.”
With narrowed eyes, a furrowed brow, and a bulging carotid pulse, Javier stepped one pace forward, “Very well, but you are rude and selfish.” Javier looked at Vince as his lips contorted into a derisive sneer. Without another word, the angry Spaniard marched to his limousine. The driver closed the passenger door, scampered behind the wheel and quickly departed.
Fatima turned to Vince and said, “Now, you were asking me about a secret.”
CHAPTER 17
Abaya Patel had enjoyed Panzer’s party. She presented herself as the successful business woman in charge of Omnisphere. She was skilled at playing the role with confidence and assurance. She reminded herself that it was Panzer who handed her this position seemingly out of nowhere, but it was up to her to make the company better and more profitable. She took the position seriously and was determined to show Panzer and the world that she was the right choice for the job.
In spite of the late hour, she checked her e-mail. The message from Tech Sec was flagged, high priority.
Source of system intrusion identified. IP address traced to Aaron Blevinsky, Assistant to Mr. Panzer, and Director of Clandestine Operations for Crepusculous. I await your instructions.
Abaya’s shoulders sank as she raised her head to stare into the reflection of the dark windows. She suspected so many other possible intruders, the Chinese, Anonymous, or other group intent on bringing down the corporate greed mongers. Blevinsky was a Crepusculous man. She did not know him personally, but she had heard of his role in special operations and his computer prowess. Abaya replied, Thank you, Ken, I will address this directly with Herr Panzer. You will be copied in on all communication.
Abaya sent a text to Panzer. She doubted he would reply tonight, but she wanted him to see her question first thing in the morning. Good evening sir, I wanted to inform you that the Omnisphere system intruder has been identified. Before I reveal the intruder, I want to ask if you have any information regarding authorized intrusive attacks.
To her utter surprise, Panzer responded immediately. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I have not authorized anyone to attack our system. Who is the intruder?
Abaya replied, Sir, I appreciate your quick response. I’m sorry, but for security reasons, I cannot reveal the identity to you tonight. Rest assured I will inform you as soon as possible. Have faith in Tech Sec as they continue this investigation.
Panzer’s response had a surprising tone of humility. Very well, I leave it in your hands, but I expect details soon.
Yes, sir and good night replied Abaya. Sh
e would initiate an investigation of Aaron Blevinsky in the morning.
Vince held accommodations in the Presidential Suite of the Imperial Hotel. Beyond the marble of the foyer floor, the suite had a large living room with two sofas and several overstuffed chairs. To the north was a fine dining area to seat eight. A large open kitchen with dark marble countertops was adjacent to the dining area. The kitchen was appointed with everything one could want for the storage, preparation and enjoyment of food. On the southern side of the living room was the sleeping chamber. The king sized bed only took up one tenth of the room’s open space. The en suite included a large marble laden two-headed shower and a Jacuzzi tub large enough for ten people. Diegert figured the bedroom alone was larger than the house in which he grew up, but as Vince, he knew to act as if such luxury was a common experience.
“Would you like something to drink?” he asked Fatima.
“No thank you. I’ve had quite a lot this evening.”
“A glass of water perhaps?”
“If you insist.”
Diegert entered the kitchen and filled two crystal table glasses with ice and chilled water.
Fatima sat on a stool at the counter-bar that separated the kitchen from the dining area. Diegert slid the glass over to her. He couldn’t help but notice the cleavage of her breasts as she sat leaning forward against the marble counter.
Fatima casually sipped her water before asking, “Do you like my breasts?”
Diegert was more than a little surprised by the question, but he thought Vince would be real smooth. “They’re hard to ignore, but liking them depends on how they feel, and the reactions they can elicit.”
“To what reactions do you refer?”
“I mean does caressing them, kneading them, and twirling the nipples stimulate an erotic response.”