by Jack July
Amy pulled the sheet back. Claire’s hair tumbled down revealing her blue-gray eyeless face. Amy began to tremble and weep. She quietly repeated, “Oh my God, oh my God, oh Jesus no.”
The radio clicked and Kratos called from upstairs, “Fenian, we have a man up here, says he just received a transplant.”
She keyed the mike. “Kill him.”
“He said he is with the British Ministry of Defense,” said Kratos.
Princeton keyed his mike, “My Lady, can we find out his name?”
“Goodkind,” said Kratos.
Princeton exclaimed, “Oh good God, don’t kill him!”
Amy started to say something when Bogus whispered to her, “He could be a part of her that’s still alive.”
Amy thought a moment, keyed her mike and said, “Load him up.”
Bogus looked over Amy’s shoulder at Wirths and asked, “What about her?”
Amy took off her shooter’s glasses, wiped her eyes with her sleeve and put them back on. She pulled the sheet back over Claire’s face and said, “I’ll handle it. Give me 15 minutes.” Fenian keyed the mike and said, “Clear the house. Luther, set me up with some incendiaries.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Fenian reached up and stroked Bogus’ hair and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. She turned to face Wirths.
Wirths gave her a little sneer and said, “Vat are you? Who sent you, Interpol? Go ahead, arrest me, take me to The Hague. I vill tell my story and valk avay.”
Fenian looked at her in disbelief. “Interpol? Hm, Interpol.”
In three quick steps Fenian had her by the throat, nearly lifting her off her feet. She leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “No, you evil bitch, it’s way worse than Interpol. I’m family.”
She threw Wirths to the floor, pulled her knife, and cut a long piece of rope sash from one of the ornate curtains. She grabbed Wirths, by the hair and dragged her to the wall under a light sconce, where she bound the woman’s wrists, threw the rope over the sconce and tied it off.
Wirths, panicked, cried out, “Vat are doing? VAT ARE YOU DOING?!”
Fenian, using her knife, roughly cut off Wirths’ clothes. Wirths screamed when Fenian’s knife made a three-inch cut at her collarbone and hooked under the skin. Fenian leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “I’m gonna skin your ass alive.”
Bogus handed Claire over to Luther and returned just in time to see his wife take the first strip of flesh. Wirths let out a horrific scream. Bogus turned and walked away.
The screaming could be heard over the idling helicopter. Moments after it stopped, Fenian appeared around the side of the wall. She’d activated the incendiaries on the way out and smoke began to wisp from the windows as she climbed aboard. Robert and Kratos tended to the still critical Goodkind. They all stared wide-eyed at her blood-spattered face and clothes. Bogus offered her some wet wipes and she wiped herself down as best she could. She picked up the SAT phone and dialed. Adele answered. “Target destroyed, bringing back two.”
“The kids are okay?” asked Adele sounding relieved.
“No, we lost one. We rescued Goodkind, member of the British Defense Ministry.”
“Oh God, honey, I’m sorry. Wait, Goodkind? From the British Defense Ministry?”
“I’ll have you a report by the end of the day.”
“That’s fine honey, good job. I’ll call the boss and let her know. We’ll talk later.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The helocopter lifted off and Fenian sat with her head down while Bogus gently rubbed her back. Luther sat across from her, still cradling Claire’s body. He spoke, “My Lady?”
She looked up, “Yeah?”
“I would like permission to go after Dr. Wirths.”
Amy looked over at Bogus. He nodded in the affirmative and Amy looked back and said, “Yeah, go ahead.”
Luther sat quietly for a moment then asked, “Did you make her pay?”
“I um… just shared with her, ah, some of our pain.”
Luther nodded.
Chapter 57
Based on the application for guardianship, Claire was considered a member of the family and was granted rights to be buried at the Castle Dunn. Due to the circumstances surrounding her death, the event, though ceremonial, would be attended by few. Her casket, adorned with the crest of the Castle Dunn, lay in state in the great hall the night before. Micky sat beside it keeping a lonely vigil throughout the night, and was found by Amy and Bogus asleep in front of it the next morning.
Amy squeezed Bogus’ hand, “He’s heartbroken.”
Bogus nodded. “So am I.”
“We should wake him. We all need get ready.”
Bogus replied sadly, “Yes.”
A couple of hours later, the maroon S-76C Sikorsky with the royal blue stripe, a British flag on the tail and the crest of Her Majesty the Queen on the side approached the castle’s heliport. Bogus and Amy stood outside to greet the only guests invited from outside the castle. As Kate and William walked from the helipad, Amy sighed, “Oh my, he is handsome.”
Bogus shook his head. “Well, I guess if you like that princely sort of thing.”
Amy put the smile on her face and blew a little appreciative whistle. As they got closer, Bogus whispered, “Don’t you ever give your libido a break?”
Amy looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “Not since I married you.”
“Well, I guess that’s a good answer.”
Amy bowed her head slightly and with a small curtsy said, “Your Royal Highness, it is a pleasure.”
William took her hand and replied, “Lady Amy, I have waited a long time to meet you. It is my pleasure,” as he raised her hand and gave it a gentle kiss. Bogus and Kate exchanged glances and rolled their eyes.
“Bogus, it is good to see you again,” said William.
Bogus gave the prince a slight bow of his head. “And you also Prince William.”
Bogus and the Prince walked on as Amy heard their conversation begin, “Bogus, I really love my new polo pony, he is a beast…”
Amy and Kate gave each other a little hug. “How are you holding up,” asked Kate.
“I’m okay. I’m busy holding everyone else up.”
“Well then, you seem to have adjusted to your role nicely.”
After a few more minutes of small talk, Amy asked, “Excuse me, Prince William, may I have a moment of your time?”
He smiled. “Surely you may, Lady Amy.”
Kate and Bogus watched them walk away. Kate whispered, “Might we have something to worry about here?”
Bogus laughed. “If she wasn’t married, we might.”
Amy and William’s conversation turned to business. What no one else knew was that they had spent some time together while Amy was in training at Vauxhall Cross. Amy leaned toward him and asked quietly, “Does Kate know how Claire died?”
“No, she believes it was an accident.”
“Details?”
“She won’t ask. It’s impolite.”
“Okay.”
“The Prime Minister sends his gratitude for rescuing Goodkind.”
“My orders were to eliminate everyone in the building. Princeton Sheffield was the one who saved him from us.”
Prince William laughed. “Princeton? Really? He was the head of my father’s security team when I was a little boy. Regardless, you were the one who brought him home.”
“Tell him he is quite welcome and if there is anything else I can do for him, he knows where I live.”
“I will do that.”
“There is, however, something I need you to do for me.”
“If I can,” replied William curiously.
“I know you can,” said Amy with a smile.
There existed a by-the-book funeral for an Ir
ish Lady in Waiting. However, it was thrown out and Claire was given the honors Bogus and Amy felt she deserved. The Archbishop of Armagh performed a decidedly Irish Catholic ceremony in the great hall. The four pallbearers, members of the Irish Defense Forces-Army in their dress uniforms, carried the casket to the courtyard where it was gently placed on a cart pulled by Greta. The Archbishop led the way followed by Micky leading Greta and the procession. The Lady of Castle Dunn, the Duke of Cambridge, Bogus and Kate were close behind surrounded by the security staff and leading other castle staff members, who had gotten to know Claire, in a clasic Irish funeral cotege. Constance and Richard knew her best and were especially emotional, though many in the staff shed tears during the procession until they reached the gravesite.
Micky insisted on helping Seamus finish the burial. Everyone else returned to the castle. An Irish wake for an old person can be a lively affair, but when someone young passes, it remains subdued. Micky returned to the great hall to find it quiet with a few of the staff milling about. Richard approached and said, “Master Micky, the Prince has requested your presence in the library.”
“For what?”
“I do not know; he does not consult me on his activities. When you step before him, you begin with a slight head bow then address him as Your Royal Highness. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
Micky walked toward the library and thought, Master Micky? He has never called me Master Micky.
As he entered the library, he saw the Prince standing in front of the throne. Amy, Bogus, Luther and Kratos stood to the right. Princeton, Kate and Allister stood on the left. Princeton held a sword, Micky’s favorite sword from the Castle’s collection.
“Step forward Master Regan,” the Prince commanded.
Micky stepped to the front and bowed his head. “Your Royal Highness?”
“Take a knee,” the Prince commanded.
The Prince turned to Amy, who held a small cheat sheet to remember everything she was supposed to say. “Lady Amy, do you now affirm that Master Micky Xavier Regan has grown in gentle virtue and chivalrous grace, the hallmarks of a true and faithful Peer?”
“May it please The Duke of Cambridge to know that, having heard the counsel of my peers, and from my own certain knowledge, I am able to affirm that Master Micky Xavier Regan is a chivalrous gentleman whose achievements on the field of honor have been matched by his courtesy and concern for all of Your Majesties’ subjects.”
Prince William nodded then looked to Princeton. “Bring forth Lightning, the great sword of the Castle Dunn.” Princeton handed it handle first to the Prince, who held it aloft in front of Micky. “Master Micky Xavier Regan you have been deemed fit for this high estate by your peers. Do you now swear by all that you hold sacred, true and holy that you will honor and defend the Castle Dunn, The Lady of Castle Dunn and the Dunn Clan?”
“I will.”
Allister whispered under his breath, “My God, they’re knighting the little bastard.”
Without moving any part of her body other than her arm, Kate reached up, grabbed Allister by the collar, pulled his head next to her mouth and whispered, “From now on, that will be Sir Little Bastard to you.” Something about being chastised by the future Queen of England shut him up.
“That you will honor, defend, and protect all ladies, and those weaker than yourself?”
“I will.”
“That you will be courteous and honor your Peers of the Chivalry, that you will conduct yourself in all matters as befits a Peer, and drawing your sword only for just cause?”
“I will.”
“That you will enshrine in your heart the noble ideals of Chivalry to the benefit of your own good name and the greater glory of God?”
“I will.”
“Then having sworn these solemn oaths, know now that I, Prince William, by the power vested in me by my father Prince Charles and my Grandmother Queen Elizabeth the Second, do dub you with the sword, Lightning, and by all that you hold sacred, true, and holy...” He gently tapped Micky on the right shoulder with the flat of the sword. “Once for Honor...” A tap on the left shoulder, “Twice for Duty...” Another tap on the right shoulder, “Thrice for Chivalry... Arise, Sir Micky!”
The men cheered and all clapped. Bogus leaned over to Amy. “Does this mean he outranks me now?”
“Yes. If this were the fourteenth century, I would probably marry him.”
“Oh, good lord.”
Over the next few weeks, those in the castle experienced dark days of mourning. Amy was able to escape by going on a mission to Paris, France, and laying waste to a child porn operation. She left a number of bloody piles of rage in an old warehouse in 18em Arrondissemont et Porte de Clignancourt. She even had a little help from her old friend, Cody Harrick. When she returned to the castle, she discovered she was the only one who had experienced any catharsis. Everyone else was still sad and moping, trying to recover.
Amy remembered her experiences as a child. When bad things happened, it was her mother who worked to make it all better. It was her mother who brought the sunshine and would not allow dark clouds to linger in her home. When her mother died, it was Amy who instinctively made her father and two brothers smile and laugh. That morning she stood atop the highest tower, sipping coffee and watching everyone going about his or her daily chores. I won’t allow it. I won’t allow this darkness in my home she thought to herself. She began figuring out ways to put an end to the pain without forgetting Claire and why they loved her.
A week later, Amy and Micky walked to the small cemetery to watch Claire’s headstone placement by workers. The marker was a statue of an Angel about four feet high holding a tablet that read, “Claire Eileen Davis, Lady in Waiting. June 22, 1991 – Oct 27, 2006.” It was hard for either of them to turn and walk away from it. But eventually, after a little prayer, they did. On the walk back, Amy listened as Micky spoke about their lives before coming to the castle and the things they had done together. She let him talk. Upon their return to the castle Amy motioned him toward the stables. “I have something for you.”
“What?”
They walked to a stall door and looked in. “When Mr. Z and I were married, he gave me Mathias to train and make my own. Unfortunately, our lives have been so busy that I never had the chance. Would you like to train him and make him your own?”
Micky smiled. “A horse of my own?”
“Yes, the Knight of the Castle Dunn needs a horse.”
“Yes, oh yes,” he said excitedly. Micky turned to the stall door and said, “Do you hear that Mathias? It’s you and me now.” He reached for the latch to enter the stall but Amy stopped him.
“Hey, aren’t you afraid he’ll hurt you?”
“No, I exercise him nearly everyday.”
“And he doesn’t try to hurt you?”
Micky nodded his head. “Aye, he has.” He reached into a burlap bag hanging next to the door, pulled out an apple, held it up and said, “But he likes these more.”
Amy smiled, nodded and thought, Yep, this will work out just fine.
Chapter 58
“Ma’am, SVR director on line one.”
Adele picked up the phone and growled, “Mikhail?”
In a thick Russian accent he replied, “Madam Director. Bratislava?”
“What about it?”
“I lost a station chief and two agents. I understand you had something to do with that?”
“Hmm, and I lost an analyst. I understand you had something to do with that.”
“I know nothing about that.”
“There are a few things you know nothing about, like the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of England calling in the Russian ambassadors. To use an American term, you stepped on your dick. Rule number one: you don’t murder children to commit espionage and blackmail. Your President is trying to reest
ablish himself as a player on the world stage. He won’t be happy.
Mikhail shot back, “I did no such thing.”
“Oh, that’s right, you paid a deranged Nazi, Delana Wirths, to do it for you. Throw in the attempted kidnapping of a British Defense Ministry official and you can see the storm coming.”
Mikhail was silent on the other end of the phone, so Adele continued. “This open communication you and I have, it’s helped to keep the peace. I’ll tell you what; maybe I can help you. Maybe you had rogue agents. Maybe I can prove that. Maybe I can keep you out of the Gulag.”
Sounding a little desperate, Mikhail answered, “What do you want in return?”
“Well, I have a list…”
Amy loved Christmas, and this would be a very special one. The castle was decorated beautifully with no expense spared. On December 20th, after gathering the staff in the great hall, Amy was prepared to give her gift to all of them. It would be a gift of tradition, remembrance and celebration. A velvet cover had been placed over the life-size portrait. All were very excited as the moment approached. Shamus was the last to arrive. Amy smiled, reached up and pulled off the cover. In the painting a figure sat on the throne in the library wearing a flowing red gown. She held a book on her lap and her smile, though not full, was relaxed. It was the Lady in Waiting, Claire Davis. The entire staff was smiling, a few clapped while others gave sounds of approval and happy emotion.
Amy turned to admire the portrait. “Now we never have to let her go. She will be remembered as long as this castle stands. I’m thinking that will be a very long time.”
The great hall was filled with smiles, and that’s exactly what she was looking for.
On the other side of Shannon, another dedication followed by a celebration was scheduled. As Bogus and Micky rode down the long driveway, Micky asked curiously, “Mr. Z? Why isn’t the Lady here with us? Didn’t she build this with help from Claire?”