“That means the curse on us will continue,” Pramilla sighed. She wasn’t sure whether she was happy or sad.
“We’ll deal with it somehow,” Previne said sagely. “But right now I’m going to crawl up this dune naked, and teach Colt not to ignore us.”
“No,” Pramilla admonished. She grabbed Previne’s leg just as she was starting to climb and they wrestled in the sand. Banyon didn’t notice.
Eventually, they both became exhausted and settled back on their towels. “Wow!” Previne exclaimed. “I couldn’t stop myself.”
“I know, I get those urges too,” her sister replied. “Let’s talk about something besides sex, okay.”
“I do miss India though and will be happy to be back as soon as this is over,” Previne said cheerfully.
The twins became lost in thought. Their two-year journey was almost over. They would leave on a nonstop flight to India that very night. All that was left was the finale. That would come this evening at eight o’clock.
They reminisced about how it all started when Walter Pierce made contact with their Grandfather Abu Patel, once known as the Great Abu. The curse that Abu put on the Aryan tablet employed local ghosts to talk to whoever was in possession of the tablet. From 1936 until now, anyone who controlled the artifact heard singsong riddled voices. The voices forced honor onto the owners. Walter Pierce had become profoundly affected. Pierce had also discovered an additional voice in the old house, and wanted to free all the voices. Once the curse ended, all of the ghosts would be set free.
Research had pointed him to northern India, and he found Abu Patel over four years ago. The senior Patel was a curator at a New Delhi museum then. Abu agreed to help Pierce complete his mission, and in the end have the Aryan tablet returned to him as well. Pierce said he would give him the tablet but needed to complete his mission too. Abu agreed that it was the honorable thing to do. As a result, the Patel sisters were sent to help Pierce.
But the only way for Walter Pierce to complete the mission was to reveal the tablet. He needed to publicly display the Aryan history. Pierce needed Colton Banyon to uncover the hidden place where the tablet was located in their old house. He himself could not do it, as it would lead to many questions that Pierce couldn’t answer. Banyon was the logical choice since he also had lived in the old house and would be nudged on where to look for the tablet.
Pramilla rolled over on her side and addressed her sister. “Walter’s plan has sure worked well so far, don’t you think?”
“Or maybe there is a higher force at work,” commented Previne.
Chapter Eighty-Four
FBI Special Agent in Charge Dodge was cleaning up his desk before going out into the field. His idea of cleaning up his desk was simple. Any written requests for money or equipment that were left in his inbox went unread. He simply stamped them “denied” and dumped them back in his out box to be sent back to the requesting party. If the request were important, it would resurface he reasoned. He felt he was a fiscally responsible manager.
As a result, Gamble’s request for helicopter support that evening was denied. FBI Special Agent in Charge Dodge, always wanted his desk immaculately clean before leaving to be in the field. Besides, what could be more important than getting face time on national TV? He went into his private bathroom to shower and shave in order to present his best face to the TV cameras. He kept several suits in the bathroom for occasions like this.
As soon as he was finished dressing he called in his assistant. When she entered his office he asked her if he looked camera ready. She glanced at all the requests in the outbox knowing he had just rubberstamped them, but also knew that Dodge only thought about himself.
“Do you think my tie matches?” He quickly asked hopefully.
“You look just fine, sir,” she replied.
“Do you think I should have a pocket square to look more executive?”
“You don’t own a suitable handkerchief, sir,” she replied sarcastically. He was well known for rubbing his nose on his shirt sleeve.
“Alright, I’m good then. Oh, get rid of those requests would you,” he remarked as he pointed at the pile in his outbox.
“But, sir,” she protested. “There could…”
Special Agent in Charge Dodge glanced at his watch and interrupted her. “Gosh!” He exclaimed. “Its five after six already, I need to hit the road or I’ll be late.” He turned on his heel and went out the door.
Chapter Eighty-Five
It was five after seven o’clock at the dig site. Gamble and his men were already heading to their stations. Captain Spitaletta and his crew were also in the caravan. Conn, as usual, was preparing to go up a tree. Everyone wore Kevlar vests, and about half the men had shotguns. The rest had pistols, tear gas, masks, night vision goggles and stun guns. The FBI pulled their vans off the road and camouflaged the vehicles with branches.
Gamble hoped to record the discussions as evidence against the white supremacists, so mikes needed to be placed around the clearing. He sent two agents to set them up. Two men would mind the equipment from a van hidden just off the Speonk-Riverhead Road. The men in the van also monitored the bug and tracking device on the Kroll van, so they would know when he was coming. A car manned with two more agents prepared to follow Kroll to the spot once he entered the fire lane.
The shooters worked their way to the site from another fire lane. They also wanted their car hidden from view, and parked two fire lanes over. Richard Spitaletta stealthily followed the shooters, and now took up his place in the woods with the others.
Agent Loni Chen and Detective Carl Heinz took a separate car to the site. Their plan was to grab Dean as soon as the action started, and hustle him away from the FBI and the crime commission, to avoid the eventual bureaucratic nightmare which was sure to follow.
Billy Brown and his men were having a beer in a local tavern to bolster their courage as they watched the clock. They planned to come in hard and fast.
***
Meanwhile, back at the motel, there was trouble brewing. Colton Banyon was packing his bag while Previne stood in the room.
“But you can’t leave now,” Previne protested, and flapped her arms. “We need to go to your old house.”
“Watch me,” answered Banyon coldly. He had come to his decision while sitting on the dunes. He did not need another night in the old house. He would head to the city to prepare for tomorrow’s meeting — that was his only priority.
“Colt, you promised,” said Previne desperately. “We are paying you, remember? Don’t you want the money?”
“Money isn’t everything Previne,” Colt replied as he closed his suitcase.
Pramilla was nowhere to be found, and Previne needed her help right now. When they returned to the motel from the beach, Banyon announced he was through with the whole ghost thing, and was leaving for the city right then. The girls were in a panic and communicated without words. Pramilla immediately left the room to make a phone call.
“Colt, sweetie, you’re just tense,” she said provocatively. “Let me give you a nice massage. It will make you feel better, I promise.” She undid her dress strap, and let the garment flitter to the floor. She had nothing on under it.
“Previne, sex isn’t everything, either. You girls use sex like a weapon. I’m going to close my eyes and walk out the door. If I don’t look at you, I can escape your spell. I’m leaving,” Banyon said with determination.
“Don’t be a fool, Colton Banyon.” Her voice suddenly had a sinister edge to it. “I can’t let you leave,” she hissed.
“Showing your real colors, are you Previne?”
“You don’t understand, tonight is too important. You must be at the old house on time.” He knew it was a demand especially when she stamped her lovely foot.
“There is something going on here. I don’t believe our meeting was by chance, and I’m tired of being led around by my penis.”
“Wait? How could Pramilla and I set up our meeting? Remembe
r, you met Pramilla in a parking lot. You were with a Detective Heinz. It wasn’t arranged, it was fate, Colt,” Previne argued logically.
“Yeah that may be true,” Banyon agreed. “But I have this uncomfortable feeling that you are one step ahead of me, all the time — almost like you know what’s going to happen before it does. Do you know what will happen tonight? Well, do you Previne?”
“Colt, be reasonable,” Previne pleaded. Tears were forming in her eyes. “We need you. We want to be around you, and I even think I love you.”
“Previne, you are trying too hard. What are you hiding?” Banyon yelled at the now defeated and sobbing woman.
“I…uh…will,” Previne uttered between sobs.
But at that moment, Colt’s cell phone rang.
“Colton Banyon,” he answered as the display gave a phone number he only vaguely recognized.
“Mr. Banyon, this is Dan Broadwater. You have an appointment with me in Manhattan tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Broadwater. If you are confirming my appointment, I will be there,” Banyon replied with enthusiasm.
“Do you have a minute?”
“Of course.”
“Actually, Mr. Banyon, something has just come up.” This set off a sudden alarm in Colt’s head.
“Has something happened?”
“No, not really,” the older voice answered. “I was just wondering if you mind driving out to eastern Long Island to visit with me. I’m being detained out here with other business and won’t be able to make our meeting in Manhattan on time.”
Banyon was suddenly suspicious. “Do you want to reschedule?”
“We could reschedule, if you desire, but I want to close the position soon. I do want to interview you. You have the exact qualities I need for the position, but I need your assistance,” the voice reasoned.
After a few seconds Banyon replied. “Just tell me when and where, and I will be there. As it happens, I am on eastern Long Island as we speak.”
“Splendid,” said the voice. “Trent Rogers, my lawyer, is located on Main Street in Westhampton Beach. You can’t miss the building. It looks like an old school house. Let’s meet at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at his lawyer’s office then.”
“Mr. Broadwater, I grew up in Westhampton. I know where his office is located. I’ll be there on time. Thanks for the call.”
“Good-bye, my boy.”
***
Pramilla returned to the room to find Colt and Previne squared off as if in a fight. Previne was, of course, naked, and Banyon had his eyes closed.
“What’s going on?” asked Pramilla as she tried to slip her cell phone into her small purse. But Banyon had been peeking. In one swift move, he grabbed her arm and took the phone.
After pushing a few buttons, he said, “Funny, I just got a phone call from this last number in your phone. What was the name of the person to whom you were talking, Pramilla?”
“Oh, Colt, it’s not what you think,” a frustrated Pramilla said. “You have a right to be mad, but don’t blow this whole operation because of our ineptness.” She then dropped to the floor and started to cry like her sister was crying.
“Okay, just tell me what is going on, please? What operation? This all seems like a James Bond movie.”
“We can’t,” both girls said in unison and continued to cry.
“Then I’m out of here,” Banyon said with finality.
Previne leaped at him, and knocked him onto the bed; Pramilla jumped on the bed too, and both women pinned him to the mattress. He struggled to throw them off, but discovered that the twins were very strong, and able to keep him pinned down easily. When he had first met them he thought that they were cultured and gentle. He realized they could also be accomplished street-fighters. These twins are a real mystery.
“Now you are going to listen,” Previne said hissed hotly. “There is something going on. You are right about that. It has to do with why the white supremacists are after you. We did meet by accident, although we would have arranged a meeting anyway. Pramilla, I, and our sister are all working on behalf of the Indian government.”
“Another sister?”
“We do need your help — you’re kind of the bait, I guess.” Pramilla added.
“The bait? What are you talking about? And get off me. I don’t want to hurt you,” Banyon threatened.
“Do I have to?” asked Previne.
“Yes,” said Pramilla, “get off him now. Let me explain.”
“Yes, you have a lot of explaining to do,” Banyon said as he got up off the bed. Previne was still naked, and was now panting like a cat.
“This is all about a lost artifact,” Pramilla started in explanation. “The artifact we seek belongs to the Indian government. It was stolen from us in the 1930s. Walter Pierce has the piece, and is willing to give it back to India. That is, if we help him to get you to the old house tonight. It’s as simple as that.”
“Yeah, but why does he want me at the house? This sounds like there is danger involved. What if the white supremacists show up with guns?”
“Colt, you have nothing to worry about. We are all trained in protection, and there will be news people there — nothing is going to happen.”
“News people? I don’t get it. So the interview tomorrow is just a hoax, too?” a disappointed Colt asked.
“No, Colt, it is real. Walter does have a position for you, and we know you are qualified. We just need to get you to the old house by 8:00 p.m. and we are going to be late if we don’t get going now. So, are you going to be a wimp or a hero?”
After some consideration, Banyon said, “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but let’s get going. I need the job. After tonight, though, I think we are finished, do you get me?”
“Well,” said Previne, “we are going back to India. Someone is moving us out of the house right now. You will not see us again, unless of course, you come to India. You are invited anytime.” She had a smile on her face when she said it.
Chapter Eighty-Six
Billy Brown and his band of tired men were also headed to the dig site. He sensed trouble. Paul had alluded to the possibility that the police were onto Kroll and Dean. But it did not matter to Brown. He was on a mission to stop the Aryan tablet from being released to the public. He wanted to destroy the stone tablet so none of the true history of the Aryans would ever get out. None of his companions knew what was really going down. They thought they were stealing a valuable artifact. Each man had been promised ten grand for helping. They also knew the assignment was dangerous, based on previous experiences with Michael Dean.
They pulled into a fire lane and rolled out of the two vans. Had they gone down the road just a little further, they would have found the Mafia shooters’ car, and been more on guard. Instead, they walked back to the main road, and followed a deer path to the fire lane by the site. They all crouched together to get final instructions from Brown.
“Okay, now listen up guys,” said Brown. “At exactly 8:10 p.m. we are going to storm the bastards. Everyone needs to start running on my signal — this is very important. We want to overwhelm them before they know what hit them. Some will probably have guns, so shoot to kill. Any questions?”
***
As the Altar of the Creator management team pulled into the fire lane, their two FBI trackers reported in, and went to their assigned sites. Joe Kroll was dressed in a black suit and white shirt without a collar. As head of the church, he felt he needed to look the part. His holiness had a huge forty-five crammed into his waistband. Dean and the others were dressed in jeans and T-shirts. They also carried guns. Dean was beyond rage because Kroll had told him to go to a store and buy a camera to take Kroll’s picture when he was handed the Aryan tablet. Kroll told Dean he could be the official photographer of Aryanna if he played his cards right.
They walked into the woods following the unmarked trail they had passed the night before. They reached the site at 7:45 p.m. and milled around, with nothing to do but wait.
The battle lines were set. Kroll’s group was in the bull’s-eye. The shooters were out of sight but very near the clearing waiting for the signal to shoot everyone. The FBI, the crime commission, Heinz, and Loni surrounded the dig site. Finally, Billy Brown and his men were heading toward the site from down the fire lane. They all had a plan, but no one knew what was going to happen at eight o’clock.
Chapter Eighty-Seven
Rogers dropped Pierce off at the front door of the old house. Pierce knew no one would be there. He stood in the center of the old living room. He reminisced about the old house, and all that it had been through.
Meanwhile, Professor Raymond Davies and Maya Patel pulled up in the driveway. They proceeded around the circle, and then turned onto the straight driveway that ran alongside the house. When they got out of the car, Maya said she had to get a bag out of the trunk. Davies stood impatiently waiting as she went to rummage around the trunk.
Maya opened the trunk and then proceeded to bend over into the large opening. Davies watched in admiration. Her legs were straight, and she bent from the waist, going down and down until she appeared to be almost bent in half. Her sexy ass was waving in the air, and had been doing so for a good five minutes. Davies wondered what she could possibly be doing in the trunk. “Come on, Maya, we are going to be late. Walter is always on time.”
***
The FBI and several others were all watching Kroll and his men closely. Gamble called the van to inquire as to the whereabouts of the helicopter, only to find out that it was grounded due to lack of authorization. How could this happen? Suddenly a phone was ringing somewhere in the quiet woods. Almost everyone in the woods reached for their cell phone to make sure it was off, but none of them were turned on.
It was Michael Dean’s phone ringing. It rang at five minutes to eight o’clock. He was filled with even more rage. He expected Pierce to be waiting for him at the spot. He never considered that it would be the other way around.
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