by Rimmy London
My eyes narrowed. “Hold on…” I shook my head. “You’re saying you want me to break into the President’s yacht—the President of the United States—and steal documents?”
My father grunted. “So why can’t you do it?” He asked.
Boswik sighed. “I would, but I’m followed everywhere. The same is true for Givanni and Maxium—they can’t even use their phones, and I’m sure my every call is being recorded. Thank you by the way,” He turned to me, settling in the chair again. “If you had left your name when you called a few days ago this meeting would not even be possible. Thank you.”
I nodded, mostly to myself. “So, if I want to do this,” I continued quickly, watching the way my father was closing the gap between us. “What makes you think I would be successful?”
Dovan rubbed his face with one hand, looking like he was simply trying to stay awake. “I know every inch of that yacht and I could have you wired to me so that you could be easily directed in and out. It would take less than five minutes.”
“What about the reporter? Why doesn’t he just testify?” My father asked, walking a few strides closer.
Dovan cleared his throat. “He’s dead. Car accident.”
I nodded—of course he was dead. “We’d better be quick,” I sighed. “Like tomorrow quick.”
Dovan agreed. “We’ll meet at dawn.” He replied.
My wide eyes scanned the room. This was usually when Givanni would be trying to stop me.
Chapter 7
“Don’t worry about that,” Dovan pulled the wires from a small device in my ear. Cupping his hands around a microphone he looked back at me. “Can you hear me Loriel?” His voice was perfectly clear.
I nodded, knowing the look on my face was stronger than any words that might come from my restricted throat.
Dovan was repeating himself for the fortieth time. “…ten steps down. There will be a hallway with rooms right and left. The one you want is the third door on your left…” My father brought a heavy hand to my shoulders and I glanced back appreciatively. “…should be open. From there I will direct you based on what you see…but Loriel,” He waited for my eyes to focus again. “If you see anything suspicious or think anything is out of the ordinary just leave, okay?”
“Okay, Senator Boswik.”
“Dovan.” He corrected.
I hugged my dad in one quick squeeze and charged ahead, stepping out into the—rain. I retracted a little at the soggy ground and wet sky. But the door closed quickly behind me. With a little more caution I repeated Dovan’s words in my head, glancing up every so often to scan windowsills and rooftops. The boats crowding each side of the dock were sleek and stylish. I dialed in the passcode on a small electronic lock before pushing the gate open. One… two… three… four… five… counting boats I attempted to look casual. At the tenth vessel, I took hold of a silver grip handle and pulled myself up. There were no emblems or flags – no markings that would signal the significance of this craft compared to its neighbors. Maybe for that reason, it was left unguarded. The president must have a dozen yachts, and this one no doubt kept anyone from taking notice.
“Where are you?”
I jumped at the voice in my ear. “Just on deck,” I whispered, not remembering if he’d said anything about a microphone.
“Okay, take the steps down and it’s the third door on your left.” Apparently, he could hear me. My hands shook as I looked at the stairs. It was so confining. I rushed down, keeping a quick pace until I was at the third door. But with an outstretched hand I froze, hearing a quiet thud from inside.
“I don’t see anything boss.”
My breath sucked in quickly. The voice on the other side of the door sounded close. I backed across the hall and into another room, pressing the door closed behind me. The small sitting room I’d entered didn’t offer much cover. I ducked behind a couch. “Loriel?” the voice in my head sounded concerned. Not sure if I should even dare whisper I stayed silent. Footsteps were padding down the hall.
Backing against the wall I pulled a thick curtain in front of me. “There’s someone here,” I whispered, hearing the door to my room open simultaneously. I held my breath.
“What? There’s someone there? Loriel, get out.” Dovan’s voice was blaring, and I pleaded that whoever this person was they couldn’t hear it. “Get out Loriel.” He repeated.
I jumped as a string of Italian ground in the stranger’s throat, rough and severe, and all too familiar. My body instantly began to tremble, and the curtain in front of me shook.
“My guess is they moved it,” The first voice answered again, coming from down the hall, his voice heavy with New York accent. “Why would they keep it here anyway? This ain’t no secure location. Not if you’re the president.” There was silence, and I stared at the trembling curtain, my skin collecting moisture as breath blew back in my face. Another minute and the door closed, the wooden stairs squeaking under the mass of Allen Conner.
Covering my mouth I tried to calm my throbbing heart, forcing a steady flow of air. “They’re gone.” I breathed.
Dovan’s breath gusted in my ear. “You need to leave.” He repeated.
“No,” I stepped from the curtain, crossing the room and heading across the hall. “They didn’t find what they were looking for. I don’t know what it was but…”
“Was it Conner?” Dovan cut in. “Because he would be looking for the same thing we are.”
“I’m in,” I closed the door behind me, looking at a rather ordinary office.
“Okay,” Dovan sounded out of breath. “Black filing cabinet, bottom drawer.” I walked to the filing cabinet, sure that was the first thing they had checked. “Pull the drawer out carefully. It’s probably heavy.”
I pulled the drawer filled with paper files, holding the heavy contents and lifting it out of the tracks. “Okay,” I huffed, setting it to the side.
“Now, the floor under the cabinet—can you see a seam? Anything that might open or lift up?”
Reaching in I smoothed my hand along the wood, not feeling a single variation in its texture. Making a fist I thumped at the front, and then the back. A panel jumped up in front of me. Pressing again I pulled out a briefcase. “I found something,” I whispered.
“Replace the drawer and get out of there.” He rushed.
I dropped the briefcase and heaved the drawer back onto its tracks, pushing it closed gently. With my hand poised over the handle, I caught a distant conversation, hardly able to believe it. “They’re back,” I said, scanning for a way out, but there was nothing. A place to hide was my only option.
“I would think we were past this Mr. Conner.” The new voice was slightly familiar, and it took only a moment for me to realize it was President Manwell. I slid under a desk as they entered the room.
“Well my dear friend, it seems there are concerns about what you have in your possession.” Conner crooned. With a gust of breath, the first man came closer. I tucked my head to my knees. At the opposite side of the desk I watched the chair roll out and a shiny pair of shoes appeared.
“Okay Allen, I’m going to be honest with you,” Manwell said. My heart hammered as I imagined whomever this was getting shot right in front of me. “Our business together is concluded. It is finished. You have no reason to be here, and the fact that you have boarded illegally makes it even clearer we are no longer on the same side.” His shiny shoes stepped closer. “So I would ask you to leave. You no longer influence me, nor should I ever have allowed you to.” The room fell eerily still, and I waited for it.
“Sir!” There was a scuffing of shoes as men filed in, and the desk chair rolled closer to me. One wheel bumped my foot and I squeezed my eyes closed. Two hands appeared on the desk as Manwell rolled back, enough for our eyes to make contact before he stood.
“I’m going to ask you again Allen, to leave. We are no longer associates.” The other shoes slipped and shuffled, sounding like a struggle as they forced the huge man from the room.
My heart slowed in reaction, and I waited to be hauled away next. There was no limit to what I could be accused of. Although I had never seen President Manwell in person, I knew immediately who he was—as did most of America.
“Leave me,” I flinched at his voice, listening to the door latch slip closed. “You can come out now,” he said quietly, pulling back the desk chair and sinking into it.
With my hands shaking I tightened my grip on the briefcase and stood up awkwardly. He sighed, and leaned forward with his chin resting on clasped hands. “I have absolutely no idea what to make of this—what to make of you.” His eyes trailed to the briefcase I had partly hidden. “Hmm…” he mused, searching my face again.
I swallowed a mouthful of air, knowing that if he knew Allen Conner and Dovan Boswik, he no doubt knew about Givanni. Placing the briefcase on his desk I released it. “Givanni is innocent,” I whispered, close to begging. “In this briefcase is his only chance of being proven so—and Allen Conner knew that.”
He stood, unlocked the briefcase and lifted the top wide open. Tapping his finger on the stack of papers inside he looked into my face. “Testimony, right here. It clearly proves him innocent.” His eyes were guarded, and I suddenly wished I had kept hold of the briefcase, although his strength most certainly outweighed mine. “But it also proves other things,” he continued. “Things I would like kept out of the public eye.”
My eyes narrowed. “So you’re going to let him take it? Just to keep your record clean?” Any respect I felt for him had completely left my voice. “Dovan gives you way too much credit,” I added, watching his eyebrows lift.
“Ah,” He closed the briefcase and secured the lock again. “Things are beginning to come together.” He shook his head as I was about to interrupt. “Hold on… you don’t know my decision yet. I have become a professional negotiator, and forgive me if it just slips out naturally.” He motioned for me to sit, and after a wary glance at the door I pulled up the closest office chair. He locked the deadbolt before sitting across from me. I swallowed, not sure what to make of it. But his expression had changed, as well as his manner. He covered my hands with his. “My dear girl…”
“Lor—”
“No!” he practically shouted, both of us glancing at the door again. “No, don’t tell me your name. I believe I understand your connection in all this, but let me explain something to you. The alliance I just ended. It will have consequences. Are you a stranger to that man? To Mr. Conner?” My eyes felt a little too wide as I shook my head, and his hand rubbed the top of mine in reaction. “Yes. Perhaps if we give them this small victory it can be dealt with later, after things blow over.” I shook my head. “If we give it some time we can bring these documents forward in the future and clear him in a matter of minutes.”
“That’s ridiculous,” I argued. “Making the wrong choice can’t possibly lead you in the right direction. It will only let them think they still have power over you. Clearly, they know you have these documents.”
His chair slid back as he stood. “And you think once you bring these papers forward they will just concede? Step away and listen to the verdict? You think they will follow the rules if we do?” His voice had risen, the half-strangled panic easy enough for me to hear. “They won’t do that,” he stuttered. “Sometimes you have to play by their rules to get what you want.”
I stood too. “You don’t believe that.” I watched him smooth one hand across his forehead.
“I don’t?”
“Of course not. You’re in a position of power, and bringing these papers forward is the right thing to do.”
His head dipped, his eyes settling on the briefcase again. “And what of the country?” he asked quietly. “What of an entire nation discovering that their commander in chief openly associated with members of the Italian Mafia?” His eyes flicked up to mine. “What of that?”
A knock on the door broke the stillness, and my hair whipped to one side as I jumped back. His hand touched my arm. “That corner,” he whispered, nodding toward the back of the room. I ducked behind the curtain and repeated our conversation in my head, hoping he would change his mind.
“Sir. It’s time to go.”
“Yes, uh, let me just finish up here – a few minutes.”
The door closed and I stood, looking at him sincerely. I would likely never have the chance to speak to him again. “Please bring those papers forward,” I pleaded. “There had to be some reason, right? You seem like a good man, is there some explanation as to why you—”
“It really has been… memorable meeting you Miss. And I did have reasons, but I doubt they were good enough.” He walked forward, taking the briefcase in one hand and extending the other. I shook his hand slowly with my eyes on the case. “Don’t worry about Givanni,” he said. I searched his face. “I will clear his name. Wait ten minutes and leave quickly after that. The yacht will be moved tonight.” He left without another word, and I listened as their footsteps on deck faded.
“Well, that was something.” The voice in my ear was immediately irritating.
“More like nothing,” I whispered, with the crushing feeling that the world would never see those papers.
* * *
I’d made it halfway back when sound scattered in my ear. I pressed the small earpiece in tighter. “Don’t come back to the hotel,” Dovan repeated. His voice was hushed—urgent.
“What’s going on?” I whispered. There was no answer. With the building almost in view, I turned suddenly, not sure where to go. My father and I had come in a cab, and I hadn’t paid an ounce of attention. Stepping into a diner I settled at an empty booth and looked out on the street. Thoughts and images were scrolling through my mind. Was my father okay? It was hard to imagine any scenario where he might not be okay, but I guessed it was possible.
A steaming mug of coffee was clunked down in front of me. “Anything to order Miss?” the waitress asked. I shook my head and watched her whisk away. The diner quickly filled up around me, brisk weather encouraging an early lunch hour. Outside the window leaves gusted by only to be trampled by pedestrians in more of a rush than the wind. The grayness was a fitting color for my mood, as was the drizzling rain.
Suddenly, a man brushed into the booth with me, breaking my concentration. He nearly pulled me across the table, taking my hands and enveloping me with his parka hood.
“Givan…” There wasn’t time for a reaction as he kissed me, resting his hand on my neck and making my heart race—but not with passion. I was terrified. He was telling me a million things with just one kiss, and I knew before he leaned away that something was very wrong.
“What is it?” I breathed; slightly distracted at the way he traced my jawline before letting his hand fall.
“They’re moving the hearing forward,” he rushed. “To this afternoon. I have no idea how that’s even possible but they…” His breath gusted as he tried to control it. “I have nothing. No way to clear my name…” His eyes shot back to mine. “I have nothing Loriel.”
The fear on his face I had never seen before and I tried to control my own panic. “The President said—”
“I heard what he said,” he cut in, waving the thought away with a flick of his hand.
“What about Marco?” I pursued, knowing there had to be something. He shook his head with an irritated jerk before it dropped into his palm. “I was able at least to get your father and Dovan out of the hotel before they were found out,” The words were mumbled as he kept his head down. “Maybe they have an idea.” He laughed in one burst, and I pulled his hand down and crossed arms around it, holding it to my chest. When his eyes met mine they were full of tenderness. “I love you Loriel,” He said smoothly—easily.
“And I love you,” I wheezed, the words mostly caught in my throat. “When do you need to be there?”
“In an hour,” He glanced at the swinging grandfather clock that was a centerpiece of the diner. “Actually I should leave now.”
I stood
quickly. “Let’s go,” I said. He kept a tight hold of my hand and draped his other arm around my shoulders as we headed outside. My mind raced in circles trying to come up with a solution, imagining time and time again having the President step up grandly and clear his name.
“Hey you two,” Maxium stood in front of us, forcing us to a stop, and though his greeting was jovial, his expression was not.
Givanni stepped forward impatiently. “Max, I need to get to the courthouse – ”
“No, you don’t Van. They have witnesses.” Givanni’s arm dropped a little. “Twenty at least, and all willing to lie their lives away.” Max gripped Givanni’s arm. “This isn’t a fair fight Givanni, you need to get out of here.” Givanni’s head shook even as Max continued. “Leave the country, my friend, I will deal with the aftermath.”
“You know I can’t do that—” Givanni started.
“What are you talking about? Of course you can!” Max argued.
“Wait,” I shook my head. “I was there—in Italy. Why can’t I give a testimony?”
They were both silent as they stared back at me, Givanni with a definite look of horror on his face. I hurried on, trying to finish before he stopped me. “Givanni entered that building unarmed. They have to listen to that.”
Givanni glanced back and forth between us and finally, reluctantly, nodded.
* * *
When the steps of the courthouse appeared we were linked together arm in arm and marched up in unison. It was easy to see that the hearing was a surprise to everyone, with the way the lobby was filled to the brim with people complaining indignantly. But when they saw Givanni the room erupted.
His coat was off in the next second, and draping it around me he blocked out the strobe of flashes that came next. From the side I could see small pieces of his expressionless face—it was haunting, and nothing like his real self. He was hunched forward and spoke quickly to someone tall and uniformed. People yelled his name, but he paid them no attention and ushered me into a much quieter room.