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

by Susan J Willbanks

  The limousine came to a stop in front of Brandon’s condo. The driver exited and opened the door for the occupants. The first one out of the car was a rather large and muscular gentleman who looked like a bodyguard type. He extended his hand for the next occupant. In a classic ploy of making an entrance first, you saw the red stiletto heels, then the very nicely kept hand, and finally a woman emerged in a stunning red suit complete with matching hat, gloves, and large sun glasses that obscured her face from view. You could tell from her sense of style and the way she moved that she was used to having people cater to her. The escort/bodyguard walked with her to the entrance of the condo where Robert greeted them and invited them in. The two of them with their briefcase entered the house and greeted the others waiting for them. The mysterious woman in red asked to examine the merchandise she was there to purchase. One of the cartel bosses opened a leather briefcase that contained a velvet box. The box itself looked as though it belonged in a museum: as old and delicate, and elegant and refined as the woman asking to see it. He handed it to her. All the while, his two bodyguards were at the entrance and at the glass doors that led to the beach, watching and waiting for any sign of difficulty that could ensue when the necklace was out of the cartel’s hands.

  With her loupe and careful eye, the woman carefully examined the stones, the settings, the markings, every small nuance of the piece. Robert offered drinks to all in the room and went to the kitchen to get them, taking Brandon with him.

  TEXT: P, you need to get a man in the buyers’ limo. I believe it is Carlo Domani’s daughter who is the buyer, and if so she will never let them have a chance to switch the necklace. I will be sending Brandon out the beach exit in ten minutes, be ready.”

  TEXT: That changes a lot of things. If it is, will handle from here. Ready to accept the package on the beach.

  TEXT: A, Carlo Domani’s daughter is the buyer. Need more agents to intercept her car after it leaves the condo, cannot take out her security here and get Brandon and Robert safely out.

  TEXT: Understood and will handle on my end.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Back at the house, Sarah and Cat were very anxious to hear what was happening at the beach condo. They both knew it would jeopardize their positions and put them at risk if they were to text or call them, that was not an option. So they had to sit and wait to be contacted. Patrick promised that he or one of the others would get in touch with them as soon as the operation was completed. In the meantime, they had been instructed to stay inside the house or on the back of the property, not venturing out where the public could possibly see them.

  “Cat, I need to do something or just get out of here. This waiting is wearing on my nerves.”

  “The only place we can go is out to the gardens, Sarah. We can go walk out there, I’ll go with you. It will make for a nice change of scenery and help take the edge off and keep us busy.”

  “Great idea. Let’s find Micah and let him know where we will be so he doesn’t think we have disappeared.”

  Leaving the library, the girls set off to find Micah and get outside in the gardens to relax as best they could.

  The mysterious buyer had finished her examination of the necklace, seemingly satisfied with its authenticity and the genuineness of the stones. “I believe I will make the purchase of this historic piece, gentlemen.”

  “Wonderful Miss . . . ummm, I am sorry, I am at a loss here. We never did get your name.”

  “It is Lorelei, Lorelei Domani.”

  “Well, then Miss Domani, Carlo Domani’s daughter?”

  “Yes, gentlemen, one and the same.”

  “Miss Domani, we can conclude our business at the table over here. If you will pass me back the necklace we can get started.”

  “That won’t be necessary.” As she snapped her fingers, her bodyguard approached the gentleman standing in front of her. Everyone became suddenly very alert and at attention. When he stopped, he opened the case in his hand to reveal a very large sum of cash. She was the daughter of an international Italian crime boss, and they would have to be very careful how they conducted the deal so as not to create a problem for the cartel.

  “I believe we agreed on two hundred million dollars, gentlemen? Here is your payment in full. Should you find any other of these lost treasures, you can reach me through my email. Now if that will be all, I need to be on my way.”

  Stunned into silence at learning who the buyer was, they now had no choice but to accept her payment. They would be given no chance to switch the necklace for the fake now.

  “I am sure you will not mind if we check the contents of the attaché case. I trust you will understand, knowing your father would do the same?”

  “Nate, take the attaché to the table and wait for the gentleman to check it please.”

  As her bodyguard did what he was asked, Robert and Brandon returned to the room with everyone’s drinks. The cartel’s man checked the cash and nodded to his boss that it was all there and all legitimate money. Brandon walked over to where Miss Domani sat and offered her a cold drink.

  “Thank you, but I must be on my way. We have a plane to catch back home. I only came to pick this up in person. This is a piece I have been looking for, for a very long time. Thank you, gentlemen. Nice doing business with you.” With that, she stood to leave and nodded to her bodyguard that it was time to go. He headed for the door.

  Robert signaled to Brandon that it was time for him to leave by sending him to the kitchen for his coffee. Instead of going to the kitchen, Brandon headed quickly down the steps to the beach exit of the condo. Once Patrick saw him at the door, he signaled his men and Antonio’s to enter the condo and apprehend the cartel bosses and get the fake necklace and the cash.

  All at once, the doors of the condo opened from the outside and several Interpol and FBI agents stormed the place. Robert took his place among the many who were holding the cartel at gunpoint. He walked over to the where the attaché was and picked it and the other one up off the table.

  “Gentlemen, I am sure you will not be needing this after all. I’ll just relieve you of it now and get it to safe keeping as evidence for the upcoming trial.”

  “Great job, Robert. I’ll see that headquarters is informed of the wonderful job you have done here for us, thank you. By the way, where have you moved Brandon to?”

  “Just doing my job, boss. He is with Patrick in the garden by now, out the beach entrance on the lower level. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. You’ll find Sam in the closet in the lower level bedroom as well. He should just about be waking up now.”

  Brandon was out with Patrick when Joey walked up to him.

  “Hey, bro, you okay? I was so worried you would not get out of there in one piece, glad to see you man.”

  “Oh, hey Joey, how you doing, bro?”

  The two men hugged each other and were instructed to go to a particular car parked on the beach. They did as they were told and then Patrick found Antonio standing in the front of the condo talking to a few of his men.

  “Are we going to try to get the necklace back? Or are we just going to say goodbye to it, Antonio?” Patrick asked.

  “Patrick, we will get the necklace back, just on another day, my friend. That is another cartel we will have to find a way to deal with. I am sure Cat will not mind You are safe, and it is safe for now, and we will keep our eyes open to see what it will lead us to next. Please text or call the girls and let them know we are all safe and on the way back to the condo.”

  “Will do, see you back at the house, my friend.”

  “Cat, all went well. We are on the way back to the house with Brandon and Joey. Please let Sarah know that too, love you and we will see you very soon.”

  “Oh my God, Patrick, you are all right. I was so worried for all of you. I am so glad no one was hurt. Sarah is here with me now. Hurry back, I have missed you so much and been so worried.”

  “Will do. See you as soon as we get things tied up here.”

  **
*

  Sarah and Cat were sitting out in the back gardens when the others returned home. Everyone was glad things turned out well and no one was injured this time at least. Patrick, Antonio, Robert, Brandon, and Joey are all walking toward the girls. As they hear them, they jump off the bench and run to meet them.

  Cat and Sarah are both back in the arms of the men they love, peppering kisses all over their faces while holding them tightly. After a moment, the girls hug both Brandon and Joey. Patrick introduced them to Robert, who it turns out just happens to be Patrick’s younger brother.

  With all of them talking and happy to be together after Micah has brought them drinks, they drink a toast under the shade of the old magnolia tree.

  “To safe return, family, friends, and trusted associates, may we have many more times to be together in this life and share all our newfound love and happiness.”

  Glasses clinking, laughter and hugs for all. Even Micah seems to be in a festive mood and joins in the camaraderie.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  A few months had passed since the incident with Cat’s necklace. She was sad to not get it back, but Antonio assured her that he would always know where it was and would make every attempt to get it for her if the opportunity should arise to do so.

  Patrick was reassigned to the San Francisco office of the FBI so he could be near Cat. The two of them had been dating ever since the adventure had ended. Cat went back to work for Brandon, and Sarah and Antonio had been traveling as he showed her the world he lived and worked in. Joey had taken a job with a legitimate jewelry auction house, doing all its appraisals and sales of fine estate jewels.

  “Sarah, when do you and Antonio land here in San Francisco?” Cat asked over the phone to Sara. “I am so excited to see you both. It’s been months since we have had a chance to sit and talk.”

  “Our flight leaves Los Angeles in less than an hour, Cat. We will see you soon. By the way, what’s going on? Patrick said for us to come directly to his place. I guess he is putting us up there for a few days as well?”

  “I am not sure either. He told me to meet him at the house at six o’clock and to bring Brandon and Joey too. Maybe he just wants all of us to be together again. We have not been since the day after our grand adventure over my necklace. I can’t think of anything else it could be.”

  “Okay, then. We will see you at the house. Take care, Cat, bye.”

  “Goodbye, Sarah. Can’t wait to see you.” Making kissing sounds into the phone at her long-time friend, Cat hangs up and gets back to her work at the office.

  “Cat, you almost ready to go? I’m going to get Joey from around the corner and I’ll be back to get you in about fifteen minutes. We don’t want to be late meeting Patrick at the house.”

  “Yes, Brandon. I’ll be ready to meet you out back of the office in fifteen minutes then.”

  Cat finished up and locked the office’s outer doors, then grabbed her coat and purse before heading out the back door to meet Brandon and Joey. Just as she opened the door, the two of them pulled up in Brandon’s car. Cat jumped into the passenger side and off they went to Patrick’s Nob Hill home.

  Once they arrived, they were greeted by Micah and shown to the study where Robert, Sarah, and Antonio were already waiting.

  “Hey, if it isn’t my other favorite FBI agent,” Cat greets Robert with hug and a kiss.

  “Oh, Cat, you’re here.”

  “Sarah! Oh, look at you, all tan and beautiful. World travel seems to agree with you, you look stunning.”

  The girls hugged each other for a long time while the guys talked on the other side of the room while waiting for Patrick to arrive from some mysterious location. No one knew where he was, that is, except for Micah who always knew Patrick’s whereabouts.

  “Okay, Micah, where is he? What is my brother up to this time?”

  “I am sorry, Robert. I am not allowed to tell you or anyone what he is doing. I can say it is a surprise for Miss Cat, however, and I do so hope you will enjoy your special surprise, Miss Cat.”

  “Hmmm, a surprise for Cat, interesting. Piques my curiosity. Let’s hope he gets here soon then so we can all see what he is up to.”

  “Yes, Robert, he should be here momentarily.”

  Just then, the doors opened and Patrick entered the room. “Did I hear my name mentioned? Hello, everyone. I am so glad you are all here with me today.”

  Cat went over to greet Patrick with a hug and kiss, and he then greeted the others.

  “Let’s all go out onto the terrace. It is a lovely evening, and I have something important I want to say. Micah, you come too please. This involves you as well.”

  “Yes, sir, as you wish.”

  All of them proceeded to the terrace. It was a beautiful evening in San Francisco with a light warm breeze, clear views of the bay, and the sweet smell of the jasmine wafting up from the garden below. They could not have asked for a nicer place to be. Arlene had brought champagne for all of them and handed each a glass.

  “Arlene, please stay. You and Micah can also have a glass with us.’

  “As you wish. Thank you, Patrick.”

  “Now, as all of you know, recently we all shared a rather interesting adventure. While I was on my vacation in Belize, I met this charming and beautiful woman, Cat, and from there we had an unusual turn of events. Cat, come up here with me for a moment please.”

  Cat made her way to the front of the group and stood with Patrick.

  “If you will all bear with me for a moment here.” Patrick looked into Cat’s eyes. “Cat, you have made me feel alive again for the first time in a long while. You have become a very special and important part of my life. I want to protect you, cherish you, and love you always. Cat Malley, will you please be my wife, and share my home and my life?” Patrick pulled a beautiful emerald-cut diamond ring from his pocket and placed it on Cat’s finger.

  “Yes! Oh yes, Patrick, I’ll marry you! What a wonderful and happy surprise this is. Truly, I had no idea what you were up to. Oh my gosh, we’re getting engaged.”

  “I have one more surprise for my fiancée. If you will all follow me into the library please.”

  There, on an easel in the corner of the library, sat a painting of a beach and a cabana and a beautiful auburn-haired woman walking on the sand.

  “Cat, I will never forget where we met and the way you looked that very first day I saw you on the beach. Tom, the bartender at the resort, is also an aspiring artist, and I asked him to paint this for you. We can put it anywhere you like in the house. I hope you love it as much as I do and as much as I love you.”

  Everyone gasped at the beauty of the painting and the sentiments behind it, all of them taking turns congratulating Cat and Patrick on the engagement and their future life together.

  “I guess this means that Arlene and I have one more person to keep track of, eh, Patrick?”

  Patrick laughed heartily. “Yes, I guess it does, Micah, and I am certain that she will be in the best of care, my friend, the very best. “

  For the remainder of the evening, there was laughter, hugging, and wonderful food and drinks in celebration of the upcoming wedding and the close friendships that had been formed over the course of the last several months.

  The phone in the study rang, and Patrick answered it. “Hello. Hello, Sir. Yes, I can talk, of course. Hmmm. Yes, I understand. Antonio happens to be with me now. Yes, I’ll tell him about the new assignment. Yes, sir.”

  As he hung up the phone, Patrick couldn’t think of upsetting the scene; he would just talk to Antonio in the morning. He went back to the laughter and discussions of his good friends and family.

  Just then, Robert raises his glass…

  “A toast to the newly engaged couple. May your life be long and full of adventure, may you always have trust in each other and be safe together and apart, and may the love you feel now grow with the years you will spend together.”

  They all raised their glasses, clinking and cheering
, with no thought of anything outside that moment.

  “The End”

  for now…………………

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  © Copyright 2013 by Susan J. Willbanks- All rights reserved.

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