by Diana Scott
“Another fool in love,” mumbles in a whisper and prefers to ignore the answer. He is angry and has every right to be. The tension is noticeable in the environment and I cannot reproach him. After I disappeared four days ago, I never spoke to him again. I wrote him a short and concise message saying, I'm fine. Please give me time. I promise we'll talk, but I didn't do much more. I could have been more sincere but I didn't want to hurt him. He doesn't deserve it.
I recognize that a written message is not the best way to say goodbye to someone like Maurizio. But how do you tell a man, who is the best in the world, that you're sleeping with an asshole you can't forget?
“Maurizio, you are a wonderful man but...”
“Save your speech, I'm here for work.” I'm frozen and hurt by his answer.
“I don't understand.”
“May I?”
“Of course.”
He comes up to my coffee maker and serves himself a well-loaded cup. He is tense and his gaze is no longer as funny and affectionate as it was before my abandonment. I bow my head in pain because I'm the cause of that change.
“What is it?” The sooner we finish with this bad drink, the better for both of us.
“I have enough evidence to think you're involved in the theft of museums.”
I smile unwillingly as I approach to the coffeemaker with the intention of serving myself a cup.
“Please Maurizio, stop this nonsense. I know perfectly well that you are angry with me and I understand perfectly, but you know as well as I do that I have nothing to do with those thefts. I travelled to Italy to help unmask the gangsters and not to become one of them.”
“But you came back earlier.”
“And you know why.” I don't want to remind him of Reed's name even though he flies through the air.
“Suraj brought you when we were very close to catching them. Without you, all the work was lost," he says coldly.
“And you know I couldn't stay.”
“A couple of weeks in Italy wouldn't have meant saving him from paralysis," he grumbles reluctantly.
“Are you serious? Do you really think I have something to do with those criminals?”
“I'm just stating the facts, you tell me the truth.”
“Maurizio, please! I never thought you were capable of this. Yes, I left, I did something stupid. I should have talked to you, and I know I behaved badly, but from there to pretending to be a white-collared thief, there is a long and deep way,” I snort furious. “I didn't expect this from you.”
“I didn't expect you to run into his arms the same night we were giving ourselves a chance!”
“I swear it wasn't something planned. I'm sorry for the damage I did to you, and if I could, I would go back in time, but I cannot. I should have been honest and explain everything to you, I really didn't want to hurt you.”
“Do you still see him?”
“Yes.”
His body tightens and squeezes the cup with real disgust. I'm sorry to hurt him, but I can't lie to him. He doesn't deserve a lie. I love Reed and I won't leave him even though I know he's the most ill-advised of my choices.
“Anne, I don't know how to tell you this, but I need you to get away from here. I want you to leave town for a while and break all contact with Reed Blackman.”
“What?”
“What you hear, if you stay you could be involved in a way too dangerous operation.”
“What are you talking about? What are you insinuating?”
“Anne, I'm risking my career here but I need you to be safe.”
“You're scaring me.” I come over and look at him face to face trying to discover something in his gaze but all I see is confusion.
“Blackman is one of the ringleaders in museum robberies.” I open my eyes like plates and then I laugh.
“What nonsense you say. That's impossible. He and Suraj got the Faberge and cleared my name. What you say is impossible.”
“Fabergé, which was later stolen...”
“Do you think of you blaming him for all the robberies in the world? Please Maurizio, you know that's impossible. If he were as you say, don't you think, for a moment, that Suraj wouldn't stopped him?”
Maurizio doesn't answer me and I look at him analyzing each of his movements until I can see where he wants to go.
“Oh, no... don't even think about saying that Suraj is also involved,” his gestures are the most significant and I feel like the rage is eating me away inside.
“Can you tell me how far you're going to go with your stupid accusations? Do you really think that by attacking Reed you'll get anything from me?”
“Don't talk nonsense,” he confronts me and I keep an eye on him. “That man has you blind,” he walks while he snorts again and again.
“Kumar is one of the corrupt cops I'm investigating and Blackman one of the ringleaders of the robberies. He and Watchmaker have been working together for a little more than two years.”
“No! You're lying.”
“Anne, he's only come back to you because he's looking for information.”
“That's not true, it was me who wanted to be with him. Reed would never hurt me.”
“Then how do you explain that he’s always in the right place.”
“He's a treasure hunter. It's his job!”
“Anne, the accident was because he got in the way of one of Falconi's businesses, but now they've forgiven each other and they're working together again. All of them are a team of delinquents and...”
“And what, is there more?” I say with a smile on my face.
I don't believe him, I don't believe anything he says. It is clear that jealousy dominates him to the point of defaming without meaning.
“Don't go on with him. Come with me, I will protect you until this is over and you are able to see clearly.”
And there's the crux of the matter. Reed is bad and he is good, Reed hurts me but he protects me. What happens to men! Women seek love, affection, understanding and passion but not a father!
“You'd better go.”
“Not before you promise me that you will leave his side.”
“I won't do it," I breathe trying to calm down. “I'm sorry for all the damage I've done to you, I'm sure if Reed hadn't surely existed your story and mine would have been different, but I can't tell the heart who to beat for. I wish you all happiness, but not by my side.”
Maurizio approaches and holds me by the shoulders
I won't leave you, I'll be by your side and protect you, but I ask only one favor.
“Which one?” I bow my shoulders exhausted.
“Don't forget me, not yet.” He kisses my forehead and leaves.
I fall on the sofa in my office. First Marc and now Maurizio. All plotted to separate us, I don't understand, can't anyone bear to see me happy? Please, how many more lies I have to listen to.
If it weren't for Reed, I'd be lying in some puddle in Paris, how could him accuse him so unfairly? I would never have thought that of a man of his integrity. I get up again and stand in front of the computer while I relax thinking about the night that awaits me. It's a date that I'm never going to miss. Reed and Suraj white-collar thieves, I have never heard such nonsense in my entire life. I shake my head as I answer the last email.
The last night
“Where do you think you're going? We have things to review,” Suraj spoke annoyed.
“We'll do it later.”
“Not at all, tonight you must reserve yourself for Collette.”
“I'll be there in time.”
“We're playing our necks here. Get the information we're looking for and stop seeing her.”
“I didn't ask for your advice!” He grunted angrily.
“Our life is at stake, don't forget it.”
“I'll be there.”
With a terrible bad mood, he covers his legs with his walking brace. His skin has huge black bruises, the tightening straps have managed to cause small painful sores, but he doesn't
give up. He frown his lips as he adjusts the hooks of the device one by one.
“Raymond said you have to stop using them or the tendons could break...”
“How should I tell you that I don't want your advice?”
Suraj smiled as he lifted his shoulders completely indifferent to his bad tone.
“If you don't get that card we're dead.”
“I will have it," he said as he walked slowly towards the door.
The pain of his sores is almost unbearable but he knows perfectly well that there is no other way. He has to meet Anne Foster and steal her vault access card. Without her, the theft of Cleopatra's Jewels would be impossible and if that happened Watchmaker would cut their necks like a pig at the slaughterhouse.
“Don't forget that at twelve o'clock you must appear or Cinderella will disappear with all the information.” Reed turned to question his friend as he picked up the car keys.
“What are you talking about?”
“I knew you'd forget. Fucking Reed, focus! I don't recognize you. Today is Collette's big celebration and as a faithful boyfriend it's essential that you be there. Today we will have the details of the shipment.”
“Shit," he replied, accepting his forgetfulness.
“And that's why you have me by your side,” Suraj smiled letting the shiny teeth stand out over the natural mahogany tan of his skin.
“Remember, twelve o'clock, yellow room in the Temple.”
“I'll be there,” he said as he walked out the door. The night turned out to be very exciting. First he would seemeet Anne Foster, sleep with her and steal her access card to the vault, then he would dress up and take part in one of the many orgies that his new girlfriend had accustomed him to. Yes, the night presented itself in a very exciting way.
“Hello...”
Reed didn't answer, he just rushed at her, desperate to have her. Rage consumes him and passion envelops him without consideration.
It was his fourth and last encounter... he thought with sorrow, although she did not know it.
He loved her with passion and frenzy until he left her exhausted and sweetly asleep.
He sniffed in her purse while she slept the sweet sleep of satisfied passions. The access card appears before his eyes and he smiles without joy. He has succeeded, the access to the vault is in his hands. He moves to try to get dressed. He's sore and tired but doesn't care, one last effort and it would all be worth it.
He squeezes the handles of the marching brace as he curses underneath. Bruising from friction is becoming increasingly painful. His muscles are almost unresponsive and every movement seems more superhuman. The body reminds him again and again that he is a cripple and that he will never recover. He knows that this will be the last robbery, then he will disappear, he will leave carrying his little daughter in his arms and his wheelchair under his legs.
He looked at her for the last time and felt the lacerating heat of a tear slipping down his face. He had never cried for love before, never before had he felt like dying inside. She had taught him how to and he cursed out the hour that he had learned what it meant to love her.
His legs might be battered but nothing could compare to the pain that enveloped him when he had to close the door to leave. In that room, he left a dream that would never come true. He leaned against the wall dodging nausea. He had never been able to love anyone and now that he had learned it, he must forget her. She had shown him so much love that he knew he could live a lifetime feeding of that memory alone.
Watchmaker intercepted him in the hallway and smiled triumphantly as he saw him with the access card in his hand.
“When I hired you, I knew you were good but now I see that you are the best.”
“I am.”
“Let's go to the big hall, we must celebrate it.”
Alcohol circulated uncontrollably, so it did the parade of stunning women. All of them very willing to have an unforgettable evening. Reed let himself be enveloped by the atmosphere while having his fourth drink. He drank without rest, he needed to regain control. Collette would demand that he rise to the occasion and he wouldn't refuse.
“You're going to tell me right now what's going on if you don't want me to ask my bodyguards to beat to death.”
A female voice distracted him with threats but he didn't look up from his cup of wisky.
“Solange, I don't feel like putting up with you. Go where you came from.”
“Not until you answer me why are you with these people. What do you do with them? You don't belong to their world, not anymore.”
“What world do you mean? The world of a good orgy? I thought you were the essence of that world.”
“That's the past. I don't understand why you do this to yourself, I thought...”
“What did you think, Solange? Did you think that from day to night I had changed? Don't be naive," he spat disgusted. "Men like me never change.”
“Let's go outside and talk, you don't need to do this to yourself. Leave the past where it belongs. I have done it.”
“Have you really done it? Don't be ridiculous," he spat scornfully while drinking a very long drink. “Neither of us will forget what we have been through.”
“I did it, it was hard but I did it and you can do it too. Use the forgetfulness that only forgiveness gives.”
“We were just fucking kids, and I won't stop until I finish them all.”
“And that's why you're here with him?”
“Mind your own business,” he drags his hair with his fingers while he finishes the whiskey in one drink.
“Exactly, my dear. Go serve glasses, which is your thing,” Collette approached Reed and held him by the arm, showing Solange who his companion was.
“You're still in time, you don't have to do it, it's not necessary...” Solange played his last card.
“It is.”
Blackman held the cup with one hand and stroked the lower back of his stunning bride to guide her to the yellow room where they were waiting for them.
“You'll lose what you wanted!”
“I've already lost it," he babbled to himself while he tightened Collette's waist and left.
Anne woke up stretching her hand to caress her companion, but she was alone. She dozed off thinking that Reed might be in the living room, but he and his clothes were gone. He had left.
At first, she was afraid that something bad might be happening but at the moment she remembered the hours they had spent together and happiness won the battle. The woman smiled happily as she stretched herself again on the mattress enjoying her apparent victory. Reed loved her and it wasn't long before he accepted that he was totally and hopelessly in love with her. He had noticed it in his caresses and had heard him murmur very low. He still loved her!
Anne laughed happily in the solitude of the room as she dressed to leave. That night had been the first of a hopeful future. She had to look for Solange, she needed to tell someone or she would explode with euphoria.
When she arrived, she ran around the room looking for her new friend when he saw what he never wanted to see. Reed passionately kissed Collette as they entered a room she didn't know.
Her joy vanished and the weight of her own body dominated her. Desolation ran down her back and she felt as she slowly sat on the cold floor as she embraced the inert leather of her purse. Her saliva choked and the pain in his chest barely allowed her to breathe.
She should cry but no tears fell. Her heart was so broken that she no longer had the strength to cry. The music around her was loud and the neon lights illuminated the great main hall but she couldn’t see, she couldn’t feel, she couldn’t beat.
“Anne, Anne... beautiful... come with me. You have to get up, you can't be here, they'll hurt you.”
Billy's voice spoke delicately, but the woman couldn't recognize anyone around her. The image of Reed and Collette flooded everything.
“Don't be afraid, little one, I'll get you out of here.”
Billy held her in his arms
and Anne held on tightly in fear of falling. He hugged her against his chest as he pulled her out of the room. The heat of Billy's protection woke her from her nightmare and she began to cry in silence. Her time was over. Tomorrow she would recover but today she needed to cry.
The great blow
Reed moves nervously in his wheelchair, waiting for news.
“Mr. Blackman, I'll take the little girl to the park,” the nanny's voice distracted him from his worries.
“That's fine with me.”
The young woman sat the little girl in the stroller as she enthusiastically held a churrusco of bread. Both smiled when Suraj entered with apparent serenity and his friend waited for the door to close to ask.
“How did everything go?”
“The data you got from Collette was accurate.”
“And the girls?”
“Safe and sound. I guess they were a little stunned, but none of them suffered any damage. That bastard had planned to sell them as soon as they left South America.”
“And Collette?”
“Shouting behind bars. She threatens to denounce even the prime minister, but she's up to his neck in shit. She shouts your name and curses you. She won't be out for a long time.”
Suraj sat next to him while he scratches his tired head. The night has been the longest.
“And Falconi?2
“You know him, all the evidence only incriminates the fool of Collette. As far as Falconi is concerned, he's totally clean.”
“Damn it, he's the ringleader. Those poor women would end up being slaves in a sadistic brothel of bad death and all thanks to him," Reed growled as he clenched the armrests of his chair.
“Brother, we already knew that. Now we can't step back.”
“Has he communicated with you?”
“Yes, we should meet in a couple of hours at the port.”
“Well, we'd better be ready for everything.”
The doorbell rang again and again and again as someone kept banging on the door.
“But who the hell is that stupid?”
Suraj didn't finish opening it when he was dragged by two hands that hanged him without hesitating against the wall.