“No one you want to know. These are cheap phones.”
“And what? You think we’re going to carry seven-hundred-dollar smartphones up a mountain where there is no cell tower? Maybe you think we look like fools, but we aren’t. We just follow our leader’s instructions, which were to use a local cell phone. You got a problem with that, take it up with our leader.
“I’m going to ask you again, what’s going on here? This is kidnapping because you are holding us against our will.”
Enrico shrugged. “You need to shut up if you ever want to climb another mountain. This will all be over shortly. It will either end peacefully or not. Your future depends on how smoothly things go.”
Enrico walked to the door just as the others in the room heard a loud pounding. He raised the locking bar and opened the door. A rough-looking man entered the room, his gaze raking the room. “Who are these people?”
“If you believe them, they’re mountain climbers. I do not believe them. I want you to guard them because I don’t trust them. The countess is on her way. Do you understand what I just said, Mateo?”
“I’m not deaf. Why did you tie up the constable and his deputy? There’s no need for that.”
“Are you questioning me, brother? They had guns, that’s why they’re tied up. Where is your gun?”
Mateo turned around and yanked up his jacket. No need to tell him the gun was empty.
“Do you have anything else to report?”
Mateo snorted. “It stopped raining. It’s very cold outside. There’s no heat in the church or the schoolhouse. No one knows how to work these old-fashioned units.”
“And I should care about that, why?”
“Because there are old people, children, and two babies who need to be warm. Is that enough of a reason?”
“You’re a bleeding heart just like your brother.”
Mateo was saved from a response when a loud knocking could be heard.
Enrico’s eyes sparked like stars on a Christmas tree.
At last.
The countess had come through just the way he knew she would.
Chapter 15
Annie took in the room with one sweeping gaze before she limped her way to the desk, where the old priest was sitting, his expression miserable. She ignored Enrico and said, “I am so sorry for all of this, Padre. I’m trying to make it right. Just tell me you’re all right, that you haven’t been mistreated by this cretin.”
“I’m fine, Countess,” the old priest whispered harshly. His head bobbed up and down to confirm his words.
Annie whirled around to face Enrico. “Well? You called this meeting, so I suggest you gavel it to order so we can be done with this.”
Enrico’s eyes narrowed. “Are those my clothes you’re wearing?”
“Sad to say, they are. And may I say you have terrible taste. This cashmere is very low grade. It makes me itch. In other words, you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. All the cashmere in the world can’t make you into something you’re not. Oh, and I took a shower while I was at your fancy pimp digs, and I ate your food and drank your wine. Even the wine was inferior. But when in Rome . . .”
Annie looked around. “Who are these people?” she asked, pointing to Jack and Harry?
“Your talents as an actress leave a lot to be desired. Don’t pretend you don’t know them. They’re your people, sent here to try to take me down. You’re all such fools.”
Annie walked over to where Jack and Harry were sitting. She bent down to look at them, her expression blank. She turned around, yanking at the cashmere top to straighten it around her hips. Directly in front of Jack, she said, “No, I don’t recognize either one of these men, or that one standing over there by the constable.” She almost blacked out when she felt the gun in her waistband being removed by Jack. She gave the shirt another hitch as she made her way back to where the two priests waited.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but the other man is my brother. You lie. They lie. Take a good look at them. Do they look like mountain climbers? You don’t climb a mountain wearing sneakers. Look at their hands, there are no calluses. Do you take me for a fool?”
Annie shrugged. “If the shoe fits . . . I never saw either one of those men. Are we going to get to it, or are we going to stand here trading insults? But, before I okay the transfer, I want proof that the villagers are safe. Release them first.”
“Don’t tell me what to do. I give the orders here. The villagers will be released when our business is finished.”
Annie squared her shoulders and tried to stand tall, but her knee was throbbing so badly, she thought her leg would give out on her. “No, first you release them. What? Are you going to shoot me? I don’t think so. You need me.”
“That’s true. But I don’t need this old man praying on his beads. And I don’t need the young one, who looks like he’s going to faint any minute. Now, can we get down to business?”
Annie looked at the two frightened priests and knew that she was beaten. She turned around and made eye contact with Enrico’s brother. He stared at her, a helpless expression on his face. No help there. She risked a glance at Harry, who stared back at her, his expression blank.
“Hey, lady, will you just do what that guy wants you to do so we can get out of here? We have people waiting for us, and a mountain to climb. We’re on vacation, and all we’re doing is wasting time. Plus, if you don’t get on with this, we’re going to be out two thousand euros,” Jack called out.
“Mateo, shut that fool up. Gag him. I’m sick of his mouth. Make the call, Countess.”
“Yeah, Mateo, shut me up!” Jack taunted.
Cyrus barked, his head snapping up as he got to his feet.
“Someone is coming,” Mateo said as he craned his neck to look out the window next to the heavy front door. “Five men!”
“The rest of our group!” Jack shouted. “I told you, but you wouldn’t listen.”
Cyrus continued to bark, the sound loud and shrill.
The fierce pounding on the door thundered in the room. Enrico motioned for the young priest to open the door. “Mateo, get over here; I want you at my side.”
“Go,” Jack hissed. “We have your back. We know you aren’t part of this.”
Mateo’s eyes popped wide at what he was hearing. Jack gave a slight nod as all hell broke loose when the boys moved into the already crowded rectory. Enrico fired the gun in his hand, two quick bursts of firepower. One shot went wild, the other hit the constable in the shoulder. A blossom of blood appeared on his white shirt. Stunned, his face turned white.
Enrico fired again, into the ceiling. “Quiet!” he roared. The room went silent. Cyrus stopped barking, not because of Enrico’s order but because of Jack’s touch to his head.
“Not yet, buddy, but soon. Easy, boy.” Cyrus trembled with excitement.
“Everyone, move to the kitchen. Sit down on the floor with your legs out in front of you. The first one who opens his mouth or makes a false move will be shot. I only give one warning.”
“Please, gentlemen, do as he says,” the old priest pleaded.
“You’re insane, Enrico,” Annie said as she watched Charles and the others do as ordered.
“Move!” Enrico said to the old priest. He gave him a vicious shove. Father Mendoza fell from his chair as the young priest ran to help him. He pulled him out of the way, so Annie could take his seat at the desk to use the computer. A tear trickled down her cheek.
“Type the newspaper release that I prepared. I want it to hit the airwaves when the money transfer occurs. It will go out to every newspaper in Spain, and the wire services will pick it up and it will be global. I’ve waited a lifetime for this. Now, do it!”
Annie started to type. Then she burst into laughter. “You can’t be serious! No one is going to print this! They’ll think this is a joke. The world doesn’t care that I am saying you are my dead husband’s legitimate heir and that you are assuming the title of count as his
successor.”
Blind rage rushed through Enrico. He pressed the gun to Annie’s head to encourage her to type faster. She did.
When she was finished, she leaned back in her chair. “Now what?”
“Now you hit SEND and send it out to all the papers on the list.” Annie did as instructed.
“Satisfied?”
“Yes, now call Connor and arrange for the wire transfer.”
Again, Annie did as instructed. She waited for the call to go through. Cyrus barked; then the door burst open. Annie dropped the phone but picked it up in time to hear Connor say, “I’m doing it as we speak. Stand by.”
Enrico didn’t know where to look, at the computer or at the gaggle of women who were suddenly crowding into the room. His eyes almost popped out of his head when he saw Myra at the same moment he saw the blizzard of numbers lock into place, turning him into an instant billionaire. Then the screen went blank.
“Control those women, Mateo. Shoot the first one who makes a move.” Hysterical excitement rang in his voice.
“What the hell did you do, Countess? Connor, what are you trying to do? The money disappeared. You better have a satisfactory answer, or I’m going to spray this room with bullets!” To prove his point, Enrico let loose with a volley of shots that ricocheted around the room.
“Listen to me, you idiot! The transfer went through. You saw it! If something is wrong, it’s on your end, not here. I’m sending you the confirmation. From here on in, this is your problem.” Annie craned her neck to see the confirmation that appeared on the screen in front of her.
Enrico leaned forward. It was just as Connor said. He knew a confirmation when he saw one. Connor had upheld his end of the bargain. What to do? He looked around at the gaggle of people who seemed to be frozen in place. Somehow, some way, the countess had outsmarted him. And yet, he’d seen the money.
“Look! Here it is!” Annie said.
Enrico felt his heart skip a beat as he stared down at the long line of numbers. It was there. The money really was in his account. He felt light-headed with relief. Now came the good part. The part where he moved the money to other accounts around the world. But before he did that, he had to deal with the business at hand.
“We’re done here. I did everything you wanted. Let the villagers go. The constable needs a doctor. The padre has a gash on his head that needs tending to. Before you go, though, I want my belongings back. And my friend wants hers back, too. Like now would be good,” Annie drawled as she let her gaze rake over the girls, then to the boys. “Now, Enrico!”
Cyrus knew what now meant. He moved, a black streak soaring through the air to land on Enrico’s back. The force of his lunge threw Enrico across the desk. Just as Cyrus sunk his teeth into Enrico’s backside, Annie scooped up the gun that had slid across the shiny surface of the priest’s desk. The room erupted in sound as seven women moved as one.
Mateo threw his hands in the air in a sign of surrender. Alexis pinned him against the wall, relieving him of his gun. “It’s not loaded.”
“I know.” Alexis grinned. “Not to worry, we know you’re on the padre’s side. Just stay out of the way, okay?”
Mateo nodded. Mother of God, who were these people?
“Hold, Cyrus!” Annie said. She risked a glance at the big dog and almost laughed out loud at the firm grip he had on Enrico’s rear end. It didn’t look like he was ever going to let go.
“Okay, cowboy, this is what you’re going to do. You are going to call those wharf rats of yours and tell them to release the villagers and to come here ASAP. I know there’s a doctor and a nurse somewhere in the village. Tell them to send them here to take care of the constable. Do it, you son of a bitch, or this dog is going to work his way around to your royal jewels. If you screw this up, I will shoot you.”
“If he won’t do it, I will,” Mateo shouted.
“Traitor!” Enrico thundered, but he reached for his phone to do what Annie had instructed.
“Ten minutes, people. Spread out. Wait for all of them to get inside before you attack. Remember, they all have guns. Boys, go out the back door and be ready to follow the rats once they get inside. You need to cover our backs. Go!” Annie barked.
“Annie, where are our belongings? Did he bring them with him?” Myra shouted.
“He has a rucksack somewhere. I saw it earlier. It’s heavy-duty black nylon.”
Kathryn rushed forward. “You need to sit down, Annie. You’re looking pale,” she whispered. Annie nodded and relinquished the gun in her hand to Kathryn.
“Found it!” Myra shouted happily. She immediately started to paw through the contents. “Eeew, I hate touching anything that belongs to him.”
“How do you think I feel, and I’m wearing his clothes,” Annie quipped.
“It’s all here, our special phones, our gold badges, and our passports. Do we want the rest of his junk?”
“Separate it, but take it. We might need it later,” Nikki said.
“Where’s Snowden?” Maggie asked.
“Outside somewhere. He’s got eyes on the school, the church, and the houses that some of the villagers are stuck in. I heard Charles talking to him, that’s how I know,” Kathryn said.
“Get this damn dog off me before I bleed to death,” Enrico bellowed.
“Tell that to someone who cares. We-do-not-care-if-you-bleed-to-death,” Nikki said. “Hold, Cyrus!”
“Here come the wharf rats,” Yoko said from her position by the window. “I have to say, they are a scary-looking crew.”
“Quick, stand in front of this sack of pus so when they come through the door, they don’t see him and the dog so lovingly attached to his rear end,” Nikki ordered.
The girls scurried to do her bidding. Yoko stayed by the window and was the one who opened the door.
“You make a sound, Enrico, and it will be your last,” Myra hissed in Enrico’s ear.
The moment the door closed behind the wharf rats, the girls went into action. The melee took less than five minutes. The only ones who broke a sweat were the wharf rats they had trussed up like Thanksgiving turkeys.
The two priests, eyes wide, were speechless with what was happening in their little house, which had never seen excitement of any kind, much less what had just happened. They were so excited they forgot to finger the beads that were always in their hands. It was a good thing, Annie thought. Well, sort of, she corrected the thought.
A knock on the door sounded. Yoko, the closest, opened it to admit the village doctor and his nurse. Right on their heels, the boys barreled through the door, took in the situation, and moved forward.
“Release, Cyrus. Good boy!” Cyrus backed away, quivering with excitement. He loved the praise. He then moved forward to stare at Enrico, who drew back in horror when Cyrus bared his teeth and growled.
“Get that damn devil dog away from me! I need a doctor.”
“I need a good cold beer, but I doubt there’s one here in the rectory, so that means if I don’t get what I want, your chances of getting what you want are slim to none. In other words, you get a doctor when he’s finished taking care of the constable. Of course, if he opts not to treat you, that’s on you. So shut up, or Cyrus will go for the jewels. Your call.”
Enrico looked over at his brother. “Traitor. I can’t believe you betrayed me. I’m your brother! We’re family. You were supposed to have my back. Where’s Flavio, or did he turn on me, too?”
Mateo turned his back on Enrico and walked outside to where his brother was smoking a cigarette. “Can we leave now?”
“I don’t think anyone will miss us if we just walk away,” Mateo said sadly. “How did this happen, Flavio? How?”
Flavio shrugged. “He was just a brother in name only. If I never see or hear of him again, it won’t bother me. I’m ready to go home, so let’s go.”
“It’s a long walk, brother.”
“I don’t care; I’ll crawl if I have to. I need to wash this evil off me.”
Jack watched the two brothers as they walked away. He walked outside and whistled sharply to gain the brothers’ attention. They turned immediately to stare at him. Jack fired off a sloppy salute of thanks. The brothers did the same thing.
Avery Snowden’s oversize van pulled up in front of the rectory. He stepped out, his operatives right behind him. Inside the rectory, Charles pointed to the trussed-up wharf rats. “The girls made it easy for you. We don’t ever want these creatures to come back here to terrorize the padres and the villagers. You can do whatever you want with Enrico.”
“He’s bleeding,” Snowden said.
“Yes, I saw that,” Charles conceded.
“You gonna have the doc patch him up, or do we take him as is?”
“Just get him out of here,” Charles responded.
Enrico roared his protest. Cyrus raced over to the man and rose on his hind legs to eyeball Enrico. Enrico sagged, and said, “Okay, okay, just get me out of here.” Cyrus barked happily. The shepherd was adding up the treats he was due and looking forward to receiving his payment.
When the door closed behind the constable, who was leaning heavily on the doctor, the room went totally quiet. It was the young priest who finally broke the silence. “Thank you for coming to our aid. We”—he motioned to Padre Mendoza—“apologize for our lack of help. We hope you understand. Is the village safe now?”
“Everything is fine now, Father,” Annie said. “No one will bother you ever again. You can all go back to your uneventful bucolic lives, with my personal apology for invading your peace and quiet. I don’t have the words to tell you how sorry I am that all of you had to go through all this.”
“It’s not your fault, Countess. Just know you have our thanks.”
“I think it’s time for us to leave,” Kathryn said.
Hands were shaken, hugs were tight, and smiles were wide before everyone trooped outside.
“Time to go home,” Nikki said.
“Not yet,” Myra said. “I have to go to the mountaintop. I want to gather up my pearls. Just so you know, I’m not leaving without my pearls. And I have another stop I have to make. I need to go to a bank and find a packaging store so I can return Astrid’s hat and the rest of her belongings. There is no way that I’m leaving this country until I make things right with that young woman.”
Cut and Run Page 18