“Dominor Julian!” Moshe Nasser, Dominor of Africa, greeted Max with open arms. The large man’s stout physique was made even more impressive by the voluminous gilded robe he wore. With his bejeweled slippers and traditional red tarbouche, the man look as though he were supreme Saharan royalty. Which, he actually was.
“Hello, Moshe.” Max smiled and the two embraced as the ancient friends they were. “It is good to see you. Despite the unpleasant circumstances.”
“It is good to see you as well, my old friend.” Moshe slapped Max on the back. “Yes, this is some bitter business indeed. I cannot even begin to express my regrets with this one. Come!” He motioned for Max and the others to go inside. “You remember my soldiers, do you not?” Moshe gestured to his four Aegis Council members and it was only then that they spoke, saluting Max and the others with traditional respect.
“Of course.” Max returned the formal greeting. “As I am sure you remember my brothers?” He turned to face Niko, Yuri, Connor and Finn who all stood stoically in a row behind him.
“Yes, indeed!” Moshe saluted the four men then shook each of their hands, individually. “I cannot tell you how grateful I am for everything you have done.”
“Not at all, Dominor Nasser.” Niko smiled at the jovial but imposing man. “It was an honor to be of assistance.”
“Please! Come sit! Let us enjoy some libations to help us swallow all this nasty business.”
Moshe walked into the Mountain Palace and took a seat in the corner of the large sectional sofa that monopolized the center of the living area. Max sat down adjacent to him while Niko and the rest of the boys remained standing. The valets had placed the three trunks on the patio just off to the side of the open doors and Moshe’s Council stood over them, hands clasped behind their backs like soldiers at ease. On the large, ornately carved wooden coffee table, a grand tray with ten gilded goblets and an enormous carafe waited, it’s crimson contents being no secret. Next to the tray was another equally grand platter laden with figs, berries, slices of melon and cheeses of all different varieties. Moshe made a small motion with his hand and Samir, his first lieutenant, immediately moved to pour them all a drink. His Council brother, Faruk, proceeded to hand Max the first glass, then Moshe, then Max’s Council, then his own, as was proper etiquette. They all bowed their heads and a silent moment was offered in gratitude as was tradition.
“Thank you for your generous hospitality.” Max broke the silence and raised his glass to Moshe and his men. “Let us drink to our next visit being one of leisure and joy.”
“I will most definitely drink to that!” Moshe raised his glass high in the air and as did the others then they drank to their wish. “My Agent Dunhill was most impressed with your selection for your new regional Principate.” Moshe said as he licked his lips. “His reports to my Council were most impressive. Principate Donovan, is it?”
“Yes.” Max confirmed as he placed his glass on the table. “Tallulah Donovan. She is a civilian homicide detective that has proven most effective and essential to us.”
“I heard she was most discrete and helpful with our situation here with the Timms family.” Moshe finished his life-giving drink and Faruk retrieved his empty glass from his hand without needing be asked. “I cannot tell you how embarrassed I was to have been fooled by his parents.” Moshe shook his head as he plucked a berry from the tray and popped it into his mouth. “I should visit with my people more. Not let my heart be swayed by sentiment. Know for myself what kind of people they truly are. Had I paid more attention, Cameron would have been dealt with long ago and none of this would have happened.”
“It is a hard thing we do, my friend. Measure our rule with compassion.” Max could sympathize with what Moshe was going through. Having misjudged his people was what led him to have to move to the West Coast just weeks ago. “We cannot police our kind like tyrants. We are an enlightened people, but our laws are absolute. They have never changed or wavered nor do we have loopholes like civilian laws. They are few, they are simple and they are absolute. You cannot beat yourself up over Cameron or his parents thinking they were beyond reproach. They were long time elite of our people. They, above all others, should have held their lives to a much higher standard than they did.”
“Yes, your words are wise and true, my old friend.” Moshe smiled weakly. “It doesn’t take the sting out of your ass though does it?” He winked at Max and the two men laughed.
“No, it sure as hell doesn’t!” Max still felt that sting over Gilroy and the corruption of his people in Los Angeles. Far more so with Lou and her having been taken by Albert. It was going to be a very long time before, or if, that ever went away.
The men talked a while longer. Reminiscing over old times and times yet to come. At some point in the evening, most of the others relaxed and broke off into chats about weapons, travels, cigars, other mundane musings. Two of Moshe’s men, however, stood over the trunks the entire time.
“Moshe...” Max slapped his hand on the man’s knee. “As much as I wish I could stay and enjoy your company, I’m afraid we must get back and attend to our business.”
“Yes, yes.” Moshe nodded in understanding. “I understand completely and I am grateful that you made the trip.” Moshe looked directly at the trunks. “I must attend to the final judgment of our lost blood borne here. There is no family left, you know.” He looked back to Max. “He slaughtered all of them before he left. No remorse. No empathy. No respect. He hacked them to pieces and tossed them about their homes then left them to the flies. All of them. The servants too. So many lives ruined without batting an eyelash.” He sighed sadly.
“Do not take on that burden, Moshe.” Max spoke sternly. “You didn’t raise the boy. That is on his parents and he himself.”
“Ahh, you are right!” Moshe announced boisterously as he heaved himself out of his seat. “These are my boys!” He patted his lieutenant on the cheek as he shuffled out on to the patio. “Good boys too! As I know yours are as well.” He smiled at Max’s Council. “Your reputations precede you all! Outstanding men!” All the men muttered humble thanks as they gathered around to make their farewells. Moshe hugged Max again and shook his hand heartily. “Please pass on my thanks once again to your Principate Donovan. Let her know that my people are at her disposal at all times.”
“I will, my friend.” Max shook Moshe’s hand and smiled warmly.
“It would be nice if we could find a reason for a party! Maybe a feast in the desert where we could all meet, laugh and drink our worries away for a short time!” Moshe signaled for the valets.
“That sounds like a plan we will have to make happen.” Max agreed. “We will talk soon.”
“I look forward to it then!” Moshe told him and the final farewells were made. The valets escorted Max and the men back through the gardens and to the grand entrance to the hotel where the fleet of Rolls-Royces were waiting, doors open.
It was after 11 p.m. in Marrakech by the time they were wheels up and headed back to Los Angeles. Fortunately, it was three hours earlier in Rio de Janeiro where Lena Ruiz was patiently waiting for Niko’s Skype call. While Finn, Connor and Yuri got some sleep, Max and Niko conducted their interview with Manuel Rojas and Ernesto Vargas via Skype. It was an unusual arrangement but it had been Lena’s idea, with her Dominor’s approval of course. She knew they were in a time crunch and she used that fact to go behind Niko’s back and do a little negotiating. With the help of Frank and Abby, Lena had begged her own favor in asking them to ensure they would get Niko down to Rio for Carnival next year. Ultimately it was Max himself who promised to get him on the plane. The truth was, it was a promise he was looking forward to keeping.
Ernesto Vargas was the first face to appear on the monitor and it was clear that he had been significantly worked over. He put up little fight as Max demanded answers from him and he spilled every detail of every offense that was charged against him. Although Lena had forewarned them as to what to expect, there were certain q
uestions Max had wanted to ask himself. Specifically, who they were supplying the Black Blood to, as Lou had dubbed it.
“I have no idea who that crap was going to!” Ernesto insisted once again. “I told these people that over and over and I just cannot tell you something that I do not know!”
“You mean to tell me you have no clue where all those bottles were going for all those years?!” Max wasn’t buying it.
“No!” Ernesto’s head sagged. He had been beaten severely. Not like anyone cared. “I never understood what that cult crap of you people was all about! That was all Cameron and my cousins’ operation! I just made sure the shit got brought in when I was told, along with the heroin!”
“Where did it get shipped to?” Niko asked.
“I told the bitch all of this before!” He whimpered as a hand appeared in the monitor, smacking the back of his head.
“You are really in no position to call anyone a bitch.” A voice off screen informed him. Niko recognized it immediately as Lena. It made him grin.
“I’m sorry!” Ernesto Vargas began sobbing audibly. “I’m sorry! Just kill me and get it over with! Please!”
“Be careful what you wish for.” Lena said, off screen.
After about an hour of the same from Ernesto, Max was satisfied that he had no more to give them. Lena had the man dragged out, vanishing off their monitor and several moments later an even more bloodied man appeared on camera. Manuel Rojas’ eyes were swollen shut and he looked as if he had been dipped in a vat of greasy blood.
“Nice work.” Niko chuckled, knowing Lena was within earshot.
“Thanks” She said from the background. “We took him on a trip down memory lane, as you call it. We are actually transmitting live from his father’s old dungeon. In Manuel’s old childhood home outside Cartagena.”
“How lovely.” Max raised an eyebrow.
“I thought so.” Lena’s voice rang with amusement. “We gave Manuel here a little history lesson over night. A very interactive one where he got to experience the old family business, first hand.” Max and Niko looked at each other and grinned. “You gentlemen enjoy your conversation with our little student here. I’m going to get some air. David is here if you need anything.”
“Thank you Lena.” Niko told her as he watched a man’s hand appear on screen, yanking Manuel’s hair so that his head sat upright for the camera.
“Your brother, Juan, sends his regards.” Max spoke to Manuel directly, stirring some recognition in him.
“My brother? Juanito?” Manuel slurred his words.
“Yes.” Max answered. “I had a long chat with him just a couple nights ago.”
“How is my brother?” Manuel asked.
“He’s pretty shitty.” Niko answered with a smirk as he recalled pouring the ashes of Juan Rojas in all those portable toilets all over the Valley. “You’ll see him soon though so don’t worry.”
“Manuel, I know you are tired.” Max was being kind, despite his wanting to reach through the monitor and rip the man’s heart out with his bare hands. “But it’s important for you, for your brother, that you tell me everyone you can remember who was involved with the blood operation.”
“Oh no!” Manuel’s head lolled about again. “That stupid blood! I hate that stupid blood! Damn you Juan!”
“Manuel, you need to focus.” Max told him. “Tell me everything you can. Tell me all the people that you talked to about it or anyone you remember working with your brother, Cameron Timms and the blood.”
“I just wanted the money and the ladies!” Manuel whined. “Life was good at the recurso! I didn’t need my brother’s vendetta!”
Max knew the word recurso in Spanish meant resort. “What vendetta, Manuel?” He asked.
“I don’t even remember our father! What the hell did I care?!” Manuel was slurring a little less. “All my brother’s stories about our father. Claiming our rights and all that crap! I don’t know who the hell he was working with! I just went along for the money. Stupid Juan. Stupid Adrianna! They’re all stupid! Just leave me alone!”
Manuel Rojas went on like that for hours. He gave them only bits and pieces to go on but not what they had hoped for. If he ever had any meaningful information, Lena would pass it over to them. The fact that Manuel, and Juan for that matter, were technically under the South American Aegis Council’s jurisdiction, it was their problem to deal with. However, responsibility for tracking the shipments that landed on other shores, that fell on every Council on the globe’s shoulders. Max knew the Senatus had scheduled a mandatory conference in three days time. All Dominors and their Aegis Council were required to participate. These shipments were going somewhere and there was Sanguinostri involved in it’s distribution. They were traitors. They needed to be hunted down and brought to justice at all costs. It was their Law.
Once Lena returned from getting some air, Max and Niko concluded their official questioning of Manuel. Lena was having her tech people record the interviews and would send a copy to Frank as soon as they were finished.
“That was very clever of you to come up with this idea, Lena.” Max complimented her once Manuel was dragged off screen and her face appeared, smiling brightly, in his stead.
“Why thank you.” Lena winked. “I have been told I am a very clever girl at times.”
“Indeed you are.” Niko agreed. “Good to see your face, South.” He joked, using her call sign from the Cuban mission.
“Good to see yours too, North.” She smiled a special smile, just for him. “This Skype thing could be pretty handy, don’t you think?” Her tone was far too obvious and suggestive, Making Niko blush.
“Why don’t I give you two some time.” Max was clearly uncomfortable. “Thank you again Lena. Give Victor my regards.”
“Forgive me, Dominor.” Lena was clearly embarrassed. Not really realizing what she had done.
“Nothing to forgive!” Max grinned at her as he got up from his seat. “Niko, I’d like to get some rest before we land.”
“Yes, my Dom.” Niko tried not to laugh as Max headed to the cockpit to chat with the pilots while Niko and Lena said their goodbyes.
While the Cessna X was one, if not the fastest passenger jet currently in the skies, it required refueling twice to make the trip from Los Angeles to Morocco. Same thing applied to the return flight regardless of their minimal cargo. Even still, they were well on schedule to arrive back at Van Nuys Airport by 5 a.m. Sunday morning. Plenty of time for them to get back to the McAllister compound, showered, shaved and on time so that they didn’t miss Lou’s big surprise. As Max stood in the doorway to the cockpit and listened to the pilot and co-pilot chatter on about air speed and wind velocity, he thought about Lou. He knew that she was not fond of birthdays, or the fuss that they created, but it had been important to all of them that they celebrate hers. Especially now, after all she had been through. Celebrating life was all the more important. The park had been his gift to her, in a way, but it was not his only gift. He had a couple aces up his sleeve still. As he stood there, not really paying attention to the men at the controls, he wondered if it was the right gift. He was suddenly worried. At first he thought that they were the absolute perfect thing for her. Primarily due to her personal beliefs and things she treasured most. He loved his choice, truly, but now, he was second guessing himself. It was a little late to be doing so. There was no time to opt for something else. If she hated what he was giving her, he figured he would just keep them for himself. That thought suddenly appealed to him. Perhaps he would have to sleep on it. Max turned to see Niko finally putting the laptop away. He thanked the pilot and his co-pilot for their chat and headed back to his seat where he could take a nap before they landed.
“Sorry.” Niko apologized sheepishly.
“It’s fine.” Max smirked. “But if you took any longer, I was going to have to pull the plug myself.”
“She’s an amazing woman.” Niko tried to justify himself.
“No need to tell me
.” Max settled in to his chair, kicking his feet up with a yawn. “Maybe I’ll have to find an excuse to send you down there before Carnival.” He smiled as he closed his eyes.
“Anytime!” Niko chuckled. “Anytime!”
The two men closed their eyes and tried to fall asleep, just as their brothers had done hours before them. The odd humming of the plane’s engines mingled with the various pitched snores made strange but beautiful music to Max as he drifted into slumber.
Lou knew she was dreaming. She had to be. There were two reasons she knew this. First of all, she knew that in reality her face had only been bruised all to hell, not cut, scuffed and scraped the way it was in her dream. Had her nose been one solid scab, the way she was seeing it in her dream, Lou wouldn’t have left the house until it had totally healed. She looked like a leper. The second reason she knew it was only a dream was that there was no way Caroline, a medical doctor, would be attempting to sandpaper the scab off of her nose. Caroline Devereux was vain but even she had her limits. Still, the sandpapering persisted and Lou had to wake up to find out what was really going on since she was feeling something very abrasive rubbing at her nose. The sensation was real, the dream was not.
After a long struggle in her mind, Lou finally was able to open her eyes but everything was black. Or was it? Light was breaking through but there was something blocking it, and it was moving. The sandpaper sensation continued as Lou tried to break the paralysis of sleep so that she could move and figure out what the hell was going on. But then she heard it. It all made sense now.
“Angus!” Lou groaned. “What are you doing?!” The unmistakable sound of her cat purring had tipped Lou off that he was the source of the sandpaper and the blackout. He was laying across her head while licking her nose and clearly had been for some time since it felt nearly raw. She reach for the ball of black puff and lifted him off her skull, rearranging him on her chest but he kept licking her nose. “Cut it out, silly. That hurts.” She began massaging the scruff of his neck. How could she be mad at him and his kisses? It wasn’t his fault that his tongue was the equivalent of 30 grit sandpaper. He butted his forehead to hers and purred even louder. “I love you too but you gotta stop or I’m gonna start bleeding!” Lou chuckled and pulled the cat closer, stroking him and causing him to go limp, save for his flapping plume of tail. “It’s late, huh? I can tell by how bright it is now that you’re off my eyeballs! You sick of me sleeping in? Am I neglecting you?” She looked down at his half-mast eyes and saw something was on her nose. Lou brushed her hand to wipe whatever it was off but it stuck to her finger. It smelled of peanuts. “Peanut butter?” Lou was thoroughly puzzled.”
Shadows of Deceit (A Series of Shadows) Page 49