Catrina And The Duchess` Necklace (Catrina Series PART-1)

by Susan J Willbanks

  “Patrick, my only concern at this point is the safety of the people involved: Sarah, Brandon, Antonio, Joey, and you and my family. If we are all kept safe and get out of this all right, I’ll be just fine. If I do not get my great-grandmother’s necklace back, so be it, although I would like to have it, but it is not worth anyone’s life or harm.”

  “Cat, I am so sorry that all this has happened and things as so difficult for you. I promise I’ll make things better for us when this is over, really I will.”

  “I appreciate that, Patrick. Let’s just get through one day at a time right now please, I can’t think much farther ahead than that at the moment. Let’s eat the lunch that your friend has brought to us. Although I am not really hungry, it does look delicious.”

  Patrick and Cat sipped their wine and ate. After some time went by, Patrick saw Antonio and Sarah talking to Steven at the back of the restaurant and he assumed they were getting ready to leave for the house when Steven takes them back through the kitchen; the ocean exit was directly below the kitchen and couldn’t be seen from the upper level or the street. They would be able to leave undetected and safely by a boat that would take them from the restaurant up the coast to where Micah was waiting with Patrick’s car to take them to the house. The Russian agents were still out in front of the place, expecting them to leave off the pier the way they entered. Once safely at the house, Antonio would text Patrick so he and Cat could leave and repeat the process.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Back at the condo, people were preparing for the final bidding on the necklace. Robert had been looking for an opportunity to talk to Brandon alone for the last several days. Someone had always been there with them, and he had not had the chance. Finally all the others had tasks to attend to for a few hours, leaving Robert to watch Brandon. Once the two of them were alone, Robert locked the doors and found Brandon sitting in the kitchen, looking out over the bay.

  “Hey there, Brandon, enjoying the view? You want some lunch?”

  “Hello, Robert. No, not really hungry. Was just thinking about what I have done here the past few days. I can’t say it has been my proudest moment.”

  “Sure, I understand. Listen, Brandon, we need to talk before the others come back. Can we do that?”

  “Of course, we’ve always been able to talk, unlike some of these guys.”

  “I’m taking a hell of a chance here telling you what I am about to, but I don’t feel I have a choice. So please listen, then you can ask anything you want to, okay?”

  “Okay, so what on your mind?”

  “Brandon, your life is in danger. After the final bidding and selling of the necklace, you’ll no longer be needed. They are planning to kill you. I need you to trust me. I am here undercover for Interpol to finally catch these guys. We have been watching them for several years now and finally with this necklace, I have an iron-clad case. I came to you after your search on the Internet for the origin of Cat’s necklace, knowing it would be a piece they could not resist. I have been undercover for the last year, and they are comfortable with me now and trust me. I can’t let them harm you or anyone else. I need you to do exactly as I tell you so we can get out of here in one piece. I work with Antonio Barbieri; he is with your sister now at a safe house. She is fine and is also aware of all that is happening, as is Cat and Patrick from the FBI. We are all making a coordinated effort to minimize casualties and still keep Cat’s necklace in her possession. But now Antonio has informed me that the Russian government is involved and wants the piece back since it is part of their crown jewels.”

  “Excuse me, Robert? Crown jewels, Interpol, safe house? And so I am going to go to jail now after this is over? No money, nothing, just that is it over?”

  “No, Brandon, you are not going to jail or anything like it—not even to trial. My superiors think you are cooperating with me, and you are. There will be no consequences for you to deal with. You can go back to your life after we make the arrests of the head of this organization.”

  “And what do you mean Sarah and Cat know all about this? How is that possible? They have been gone, and they know I gave you the piece and told you where it was? Lead you to Cat’s house, they know all that? Oh my God, they will hate me forever.”

  “No, Brandon, the only thing they know is you have been kidnapped and are being held here at the condo. As far as they are all concerned, you are here against your will and they are part of your rescue team. I have taken a huge chance in telling you this as it would blow my cover for you act differently or say anything that would cause suspicion. You must not act differently. I will help Sarah and the others to get you out of here safely when the time comes. You have little to worry about, but I had to tell you so you did not go away from this condo with anyone but me. One of the others might think they need to hurry along the situation, and the consequence of that would be disastrous.”

  “Oh, this is just great, Robert. I’ll do my best to act the same and not worry now that you have told me that I was a target all along and no one was planning to pay me, just murder me. Jesus, how am I supposed to do that? I knew I should not have gone along with this in the first place with you when you first contacted me, but the money swayed me and no one was supposed to be in any danger at all. Now everyone is in danger including my sister and Cat, and there is no money to be had either, this is not what I signed up for.”

  “I am aware of that, Brandon. They will be back very soon. Please, you need to get a hold of yourself and your emotions. Uou must not act any differently when they get back.”

  “Fine, I’ll do my best on this one, Robert, but you had better follow through on this and get me the hell outta’ here and make sure that my family and friends are still safe as well.”

  “You have my word, Brandon. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure of that.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  TEXT: Arrived at house, ready to bring you back, Micah in place, time of the essence.

  TEXT: Understood, leaving, see you soon.

  “Cat, it is time for us to leave and go to the house. Micah is waiting down the coast with my car, and we need to get out of here as quietly and quickly as possible. Ready to go, you okay?”

  “I’m as good as I’m going to be under the current circumstances, Patrick. Let’s get out of here and back with the others. What do I need to do?”

  “Just come along with me and Steven, we will leave unnoticed and be back at the house in a very short time.”

  Patrick offered Cat his hand to leave, and the two headed toward back of the restaurant to meet up with Steven. He took them to the loading dock area where a boat was waiting for them. After a short ride on the open ocean, Patrick spotted Micah on the shoreline.

  “See there, Cat, that is Micah. He is one of the people I trust most in the world. He has been working with me for the last twelve years, he is like family to me and would do anything for me and now for you as well.”

  “Let’s just hope no one followed him here, and we can get back to the house without any detours or distractions from other agents or bad guys.”

  “I can assure you that Micah was not followed, and we will reach the house safely with no drama on the way.”

  The boat pulled to a stop at the shoreline where Micah and the car were waiting. Cat and Patrick exited the boat, and as they watched, it took off back to the restaurant, leaving them on shore. Micah motioned for them to come to the car. Patrick and Cat walked the short distance and got in.

  “Micah, it is good to see you, my friend. Thank you for coming to get us personally, I appreciate that a great deal. Let’s get back to the house. Are the others getting settled?”

  “Patrick, there is little I would not do for you, and I prefer to do things myself. That way I know they are done correctly. Yes, they have all been shown to their rooms and are getting acquainted with the house and staff.”

  The three of them arrived at the house and drove into some sort of subterranean garages below the stre
et level. Patrick escorted Cat to a private elevator and then following a few long and winding corridors to the main level where the others were waiting for them to arrive in the library. Cat noticed how ornate and old the building looked and the details of the architecture in general that she found lovely.

  “Well, Patrick and Cat, glad to see that the two of you have made it here and in one piece.”

  “Thanks, Antonio. I think we need to get a hold of Robert and get down to business. I fear we do not have much time if they have started the final bidding on Cat’s necklace.”

  “I agree. Let us leave and let the others stay here safely in Micah’s care, then we can update them via text messages at regular intervals.”

  “Let me go to the study and call Robert. I need to know if he has had a chance to talk to Brandon as well as get an update on the current timelines and situation from his perspective.”

  “Fine, my friend. I’ll wait here with the others while you attend to that matter.”

  Patrick excused himself and left for his study to make a call to Robert who was still at the house with Brandon. The others remained in the library, and Cat and Sarah were glad to be back in the same room together. It was difficult waiting for news of her brother, and Sarah paced the floor, absentmindedly looking at books here and there. Antonio was in a conversation with Joey across the room, and Cat was sitting and looking out at the view of the bay from the sofa by the window, apparently in thought and not really paying too much attention to what was going on in the room.

  The door opened and Patrick walked back in and sat near Cat, calling the others over to hear what he had to say. “The necklace is in transit to the beach condo. From there, it is supposed to be taken to the highest bidder. Joey, I am going to need you to come along with Antonio and myself to the beach area outside of the condo for a couple of reasons. First, you know the area surrounding the condo they are holding Brandon in, and secondly, I am sure that the cartel is going to try to switch the real necklace for a forged copy. I will need you to identify the real one for me so we have the correct piece and they have the fake. Do you think you will be okay with that? Can you do this for me? Also, Brandon is fine and unharmed. Robert, our undercover contact, is the person that has been put in charge of watching him, and he has informed Brandon of all that is happening and that we all know what is happening as well. Robert will be in charge of getting Brandon out of the condo when the time comes for us to make a move on the cartel. Cat, you and Sarah will stay safely here with Micah while Joey, Antonio, and I go and take care of getting your necklace back and getting the cartel leaders at the exchange location. I have another of our FBI agents watching the Russians so we know where they are and what they are doing at all times so no unnecessary difficulties arise at a critical time. Are there any questions?”

  “Is it necessary for me and Sarah to stay behind here? Can’t we help get Brandon and keep Joey safe? I am sure we can be of help in this,”

  “Not this time, Cat. If you or Sarah show up anywhere near the condo, that would put Brandon in jeopardy and make our jobs more difficult and containment of the entire situation more difficult. This time, I need you two to stay here where I know for sure you are safe in Micah and Arlene’s care. They will make sure you are comfortable and have anything you might need or want. I promise we will keep in touch and update you about what is happening so you don’t worry about any of us.”

  “Fine then. When does all this begin and when will it be over?”

  “We will be leaving here to go to the condo within the hour, Joey will go with us. Once there, Antonio and Joey will remain out of site while Robert and I coordinate to get Brandon out at just the right time while the exchange of the necklace it taking place. At that same time, Antonio will get one of the necklaces from Robert and determine which is the fake and which is real, then he will give Brandon the real one just before we take him into custody.”

  “All right then, can we just get this over with so all of us can get back to living a life and not playing detective please? Present company excluded.”

  “Yes. Joey, Antonio, you both ready? Micah, do we have the car ready for use? I’ll alert Robert we are on our way.”

  “Yes, Patrick. Everything has been set to your requests of yesterday, sir. I’ll go and bring the cars around to the front for you.”

  “Thank you, Micah, we will be there in a moment.”

  Patrick and the others got up and ready to go. Both Patrick and Antonio had last words with Sarah and Cat, assuring them of the safety of all involved and that this was a routine that has been done many times before.

  “Joey, please follow their directions and stay safe. Tell Brandon we love him and to be careful out there. I’d like to have all my friends and family back in one piece please.”

  “Sure thing, Sarah. No worries, it’ll be a piece of cake, right, Patrick?”

  “It will all go off without a hitch. I’m very comfortable with all those we are working with to do what must be done. It will be a successful end to the operation, I am very confident of that.”

  The girls gave a last hug and smile to all those leaving, even though they were both nervous and scared for them inside. Patrick, Antonio and Joey headed out the doors with a last look back and smiles at the women who were trusting them with everything that was important in their lives, the safety of those they loved. Patrick was very sure they would be safe there at his home and confident that Micah could handle anything that came their way.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  TEXT: R, this is P. A and I are in position ready for your input.

  TEXT: P, acknowledged. Keep eyes to ocean, packages will fly toward surf.

  While all the agents remained in place to await the arrival of the cartel leaders, the necklace, and the buyers, Patrick took a moment to text the girls and let them know that all was well and everyone was still okay.

  TEXT: Cat, Sarah, all okay. All fine on target and ready. Will text again when over and done. And Cat, I do love you, will come back fine. Will see you soon.

  TEXT: I Love you too, be safe, get all home okay. C.

  Just beyond the condo compound, a black limousine was heading toward the beach. Inside were the two American leaders of the jewel cartel, their bodyguards, and their driver. Also on the same road only a few hundred yards behind them was the buyer of the necklace, the identity still unknown to all involved. They had only communicated through the Internet and text messages with the cartel up to that point and had now agreed to a face-to-face meeting for the purchase of this important piece of history because of the extreme amount of cash that was changing hands.

  Sam, Robert, and Brandon were still inside the condo, waiting for all the players to arrive. Robert had briefed Brandon as to the whereabouts of all the agents and the timing of his exit out the condo onto the beach, but Brandon was still very unsure that this would all go off without someone getting hurt. He was also aware that he and Robert needed to get Sam out of the way before the cartel arrived.

  TEXT: Cartel on move ETA 20 minute’s max.

  Robert received his message and needed to get Sam out of the way. He walked to the bathroom and made sure the tranquilizers were in the cabinet where he had left them the night before, then signaled to Brandon that the time had come to make Sam take a long nap.

  “Sam, I am getting some coffee. Can I get you a fresh cup too?” Brandon asked.

  “Thanks, Brandon, that would be great. Have not slept well in days, need the caffeine. Here, take this cup.”

  “Be right back with the coffee, Sam.”

  Brandon made a quick stop off in the bathroom before going to the kitchen to get the coffee. He had several of the tranquilizer capsules and emptied the powder into the cup, then poured the hot liquid over it so it would dissolve quickly and completely. Robert, in the meantime, was talking to Sam and keeping him occupied in conversation.

  “Here you go, Sam. Hope you like it. I had to make a fresh pot, its hot.”

 
“Thanks, Brandon.”

  Both Brandon and Robert hoped that it would work quickly so they could move Sam to the guest room closet for a three- or four-hour nap where he will ideally wake up in a holding cell.

  “Wow, I must be a lot more tired than I thought. Eyes are really heavy, and I’m finding it hard to focus. Robert, what time are the bosses due here? Have you heard where they are yet?”

  “Looks like they are about thirty-five minutes away, Sam. Maybe you should go lie down for a while before all the commotion starts around here. I’ll keep our boy Brandon here company. Then you won’t be falling asleep in front of them.”

  “I think I’ll just sit here by the window and relax. That should do the trick.”

  “Okay, Sam, whatever you feel is best. Brandon and I will be right here at the table.”

  After a short time, Robert noticed that Sam was fighting to stay awake and then his head finally bobbed off into a deep sleep. Robert and Brandon carried him to the back guest room on the lower level of the condo and situated him in the closet, securing his hands with zip ties and his mouth with a generous piece of duct tape.

  No sooner had they finished getting Sam hidden, the cartel limo pulled up to the front of the condo. Robert told Brandon to let him do the talking and if they ask him anything to follow his leads. And under no circumstance was he to be alone with any of them; he was to stay where Robert could see him at all times.

  The next car to pull up in the drive of Brandon’s beach house was the buyer for the necklace. Everyone that was in place outside the condo and the cartel bosses themselves were all anxious to find out who the mysterious buyer was that had until now only communicated via the Internet and would not disclose a name; they did, however, offer the financial verification that the cartel required to purchase a piece of jewelry in this high-end category. It all checked out meticulously.