Surrept

by Andrews, Taylor

  Dana looks around the room, she has never witnessed such horror and anger, and she wishes that David were home.

  ***

  Across town, Ahmed is sitting in his van in a multilevel parking structure. He is listening to news radio of the day's events. He realizes that he has now crossed over as a warrior for Islam.

  He turns the radio up and writes on his clipboard, reconciling the day's deliveries. He thinks about what he has done and about the mixed comments from his customers regarding the attacks as he listens to the radio broadcast. He places the money and checks in an envelope, pins it under the clip on his board, and tosses it up on the dashboard.

  Ahmed looks out at the neighborhood below to check for the police before he exits the parking structure, the streets are deserted except for a few cars. He heads toward the market.

  ***

  Dana is still in the restaurant bar; Gracie has left with a family member who had come to pick her up. There is a breaking news alert. The network anchor urges the audience's attention, "This video was just released by the Al Jezeera news network."

  The video opens with a bearded imam wearing a turban and robe and sitting at a low table on cushions. There are two AK forty-seven rifles leaning on the backdrop behind the imam. He begins to speak in his foreign tongue, and a translator recites the message in English

  "The world has just witnessed the second example of the hand of Allah working through the 'Children of Najiyullah', the messengers of Allah's will. This is a warning message for the Great White Satan that is the United States, who is the child of the lion, Great Britain. What you have suffered today by the hand of Allah is merely the gouging of but an eye. This is your final warning. If by the passing of the next moon you have not removed all of your troops and your intelligence services from the regions of Islam, you will suffer your utter destruction and answer for the actions of all your wicked ways. The blood of the infidels will flow like swollen rivers across the world."

  The imam raises a sword and boldly makes his proclamation. "The time has come for the people of Islam to rise in their faith and crush the aggression against the people and teachings of Islam. There will be no mercy in the will of Allah, until their blood runs knee deep in their tents, and wherever they dwell. The infidels must suffer a most historic tragedy if they do not comply with the will of Allah."

  The room in the restaurant is dead quiet. The Al Jezeera network displays the live reactions of crowds worldwide as cheers and mayhem sweep the globe in Muslim communities.

  Dana looks around the room as the patrons all react to the video, and she becomes scared as the contagious outrage and anger fills the room. Dana slowly gets up from her barstool. She leaves quietly, as the crowd becomes electric with hatred.

  ***

  In Vancouver, British Columbia, the same bearded cleric who had taped the broadcast that had just aired turns off the television and walks down a hallway with a polished marble floor. He enters a room where three men in suits are sitting around a large desk; the room is opulent in its decor.

  Two of the men rise as the imam enters the room, the other remains behind the desk as the others kiss the hand of the imam.

  The man behind the desk moves toward the cleric, kisses his hand, and speaks. "I thank you for coming all the way from Syria to my home here in Canada to send this most important message to the world. Praise is to Allah that you are a guest in my home on this most historic day."

  The imam looks into the eyes of his host and senses deceit in his voice, "The infidels will want to retaliate. I must return to Waziristan immediately as promised."

  The well dressed man glances over the shoulder of the imam while still holding his hand. "As promised, you shall return home immediately." He bows to kiss his hand as a silenced gunshot thumps against the imam's head. His hand falls with him to the floor; a second and third shot thump into him as he lies on a large rug and blood begins to run from within the dead Islamic imam.

  The man steps back as one of the other men rolls out a plastic tarp. He and the other man slide the carpet onto it and roll the imam up like a burrito. The two other men fold and duct tape the ends carefully to prevent leakage of the fallen imam's blood.

  The two men have completed their tasks in less than two minutes. The first man pulls his handkerchief from his suit pocket and wipes his brow, then his hands that held the imam's hand as if to remove soil from himself.

  The man says to the other men, "Dismember him on the swim step of the boat as you are moving out of the bay, use stones as we discussed to weigh his remains. By morning, he will have fed the crabs well. When this task is done, return to me a text message that he rests. Now go."

  The men lift the rolled mass and carry the warm parcel through the kitchen into the garage where a Mercedes Benz trunk is lined with plastic. The man follows as they load the car and leave. He dials on his cell phone as the garage door slowly falls.

  ***

  Adriana Pucci is still driving as night falls. The air is becoming colder as she heads north. She rolls her window up to only a crack as she shivers from the cold. Her phone finally rings and she fishes through the snack wrappers on the seat to find it.

  She looks at the caller ID. Adriana smiles as she answers, "Hi." The voice of the man in Canada is music to her. "How are you tonight, my darling? Has everything gone well for you today?"

  Adriana answers him seductively. "Everything is fine, I am on my way to see my lion of the desert, and I should be there awaiting him in about two hours."

  The man rubs his brow as he walks down his marble hallway. "Darling, I am so sorry. Travel is impossible right now. Please forgive me. However, I have arranged a wonderful gift for you. It is there awaiting your lovely hands. We will be together very soon I promise."

  Adriana scowls with anger. "My hands only desire to hold his shoulders, but that desire will only grow greater until we meet. I understand."

  She hangs up, throws her phone to the floor, and punches the accelerator as she screams like a banshee while her car hurls north. She passes a road sign that reads, Bozeman 96 miles.

  The man smiles as the phone goes dead. He returns inside. Fifteen minutes later he hits speed dial again, a voice answers with obedience, "Yes sir."

  The man says, "Have the two men left the marina with their rigging and fresh bait?" "Yes sir, about five minutes ago," answers the voice. "I want you to go ahead with their new departure schedule for another fishing trip when they return, make sure that they receive that itinerary immediately." "Understood sir, it will be taken care of immediately upon their return."

  The phone goes dead. He looks content and assured; he is now closer to ending this messy business, and he enters his office to relax.

  The man loosens his tie in the mirror as he admires himself. He turns to the bar and pours a double brandy and sits at his desk. He opens a humidor, pulls out a cigar and reaches for his snip shears. He dips the clean-cut end into his brandy and lights the well wrapped stogie as he leans back in his soft leather chair while sipping at his cognac. He smiles as smoke rises in the room.

  ***

  It is late for Ahmed to be returning as he pulls up in the alley behind the store. He grabs the clipboard, locks the van, and enters the rear door. Omar rushes to him with stress all over his face.

  "Where have you been Ahmed? The world has gone mad!"

  Ahmed puts on a concerned face, "I know, I tried to call you from one of the customer's houses, who told me what had happened, and I watched it on their television. But the lines have been busy. Everybody on the street and in traffic was looking at me because of the writing on the van, so I went to an underground parking area to pray and wait for traffic to die down. Now nobody is on the streets."

  Omar thinks as he looks at his young cousin. He must be scared.

  "I had to send Kari home because some people came by the store screaming obscenities and throwing things at the windows. She was scared, this is a very ugly thing for all Muslims due to an i
nsane evil few, this is so horrible for those poor people, and their families, over six thousand are dead."

  Ahmed looks at his cousin's worried face as the words leave his mouth; he knows Omar would never understand. "What do you think is going to happen now, Omar?"

  Omar is glad to have someone to talk to, he looks at Ahmed and considers the young man's question. "The president has said that everyone should stay in their homes as much as possible, and most businesses are closed. During his speech, he said that they are considering martial law nationwide. The airports and all public transportation are closed already. The entire country and Great Britain are at a standstill. I am beginning to feel like we are back in Iraq during the war."

  Ahmed asks, "Are we going to stay closed for a while?"

  Omar says, "I am worried about the store, so I will be staying here with you. We will be open for business but I am concerned about the deliveries. Maybe we will only deliver to regular customers Ahmed. Is that okay with you?"

  Ahmed is disappointed with his answer. "I will do whatever you ask, Omar, but I think we should close like everyone else; we could end up a target, and Kari should not be home alone."

  Omar hugs him tightly. Ahmed accepts his affection but he is caught off guard by his overwhelming emotion. Ahmed has not had much physical nurturing in his life for many years. Omar answers him, "Maybe that is best, let's have some coffee, we should think about this more."

  ***

  David arrives at Kiatsu for an early meeting. The boardroom is filling up when his cell phone finally rings.

  Dana says, "I have been trying to reach you for hours. I love you, David. This is so horrible."

  He is elated to hear his girl's voice. "Dana, thank God you are all right. I love you, too. Stay in the house. Do not go anywhere. Promise me."

  "I promise. When are you going to come home?"

  "I don't know. Is it true, that all of the airports are closed across the country?"

  She answers realizing he must be in the dark about what is happening in the states. "Yes, all transportation is halted, and there is National Guard at all of the U.S. borders, airports, and harbors. David, my dad is okay, and your Mom and Dad are fine, but so many people we know were killed."

  David's heart feels instantly heavy at her comment, "Who Dana?"

  Dana breaks down. "Kathy Reese and her two children, Jerry Collin, Rabbi Matrodomini, Nina Sedlezeck, Andy O'Brien, Renee Birkendorf, Shawn Marquez, Tim McNeil and his wife, and there are more. David, I need you here."

  David can barely breathe as he remembers the faces as she names them.

  "Listen to me. I will get to you if I have to swim. I promise as soon as I can, just stay inside, do you hear me? You should go to your dad's house Dana. Hire a private car, not a cab Dana, okay?"

  He is afraid he will not be able to contact her again. His mind is racing about things he wants to say.

  Dana interrupts him. "My dad wants me to come home to his house, but I wanted to stay here and wait for you."

  He likes the dad idea better. "Dana, go to your dad's. That is where you belong. It's safer there and you won't be alone."

  She is relieved to hear him say that, she wants her dad to be with her. "I'll go, but I am taking my two friends with me"

  David is confused "What two friends?"

  "Smith and Wesson."

  He says, "Dana, you do just that, and get over there right away."

  She is relieved to hear David's voice. "Just get home fast, and call me as much as you can, all right?"

  "I love you, Dana." He hangs up and the room has cleared out. There are two Korean executives staring at him grimly. They are not used to seeing American weakness.

  "Excuse me, gentlemen. Things are a little crazy at home. Are we ready to get started. Where is everybody?"

  The executive assigned to accommodate David speaks first. "Mr. Bloomfield, it is with great regret on behalf of Kiatsu and its entire staff that the board has decided to postpone any campaigns for the United States and Great Britain at this most tragic time. We would like to take care of all your expenses in coming here with your most impressive proposal. We do wish you and your country a rapid recovery from this most unfortunate event. We look forward to do business with your company in the near future. Please accept our most humble apologies."

  David looks at the two men and realizes the obvious political and economic ramifications. "I understand, gentleman. Completely." David looks around the empty boardroom as he continues. "Obviously in the present climate the entire world will suffer from this heinous act of barbarism personally as well as economically. Your company must make the right choices and I respect that most prudent decision, as does National Ad Media, and we look forward to serving your company in any requests in the future."

  David stares at the Korean executives. "I will however take you up on your offer for some arrangements, as I find myself in a most compromised position."

  The men are relieved at the American's reaction. "Anything Mr. Bloomfield, what can we do for you?"

  "Your company has a private aircraft, as I recall."

  The Korean smiles proudly. "We have two that is correct."

  "Do you think we could arrange a flight to Canada, say British Columbia, as soon as possible? I don't speak Spanish, or I would also throw in Mexico as an option."

  The Korean executive smiles at David. "It would be our pleasure to make this accommodation. Would departure in three hours be too soon?"

  "Three hours is great. I am humbled by your incredible hospitality."

  The Korean executive bows slightly. "I will make the arrangements right away. I will also make sure you have meals of your liking. If you would be so kind as to provide Mr. Sueng here with your requirements as he takes you to your hotel to prepare for your flight. He will also escort you to the airport."

  David smiles with relief and extends his hand. "Again, thank you. I am humbled, and please call me David."

  ***

  The Vancouver skyline is alive with light and activity, seemingly untouched by the horrific events in its neighbor's territory. The well dressed man is sitting at his desk sipping Cognac. His phone finally alerts him to an incoming text message.

  He reaches for the phone and reads the two-word phrase, 'He Rests'. The man smiles as he deletes the message and hits his speed dial.

  A man answers, "Good evening, sir."

  "Good evening, I need a car in ten minutes for dinner, please."

  "Right away sir, ten minutes."

  ***

  The early morning dawn chills the Montana wind as the sun breaks. Adriana enters the security gate at her Bozeman family ranch home. The automatic lights are on along the long driveway and in the designated rooms. She wonders what the man has left for her as she pulls into the garage. She enters the house, disarms the alarm system, and heads for the bathroom off the kitchen entry.

  She comes out of the bathroom and sets her purse and keys on the granite counter. The sun is coming up soon and she feels exhausted, realizing she has been awake for twenty-seven hours.

  She enters the hallway and stops midway at a closet. She retrieves some winter gloves off the shelf, and puts them on as she reaches to pull down the attic access door attached to a retractable ladder.

  She hits a light switch on the wall as she ascends. She squints as she looks around the attic and sees two duffel bags under the insulation. She retrieves them one at a time, and drops them to the carpet below. She walks backward down the ladder, folds it up, and allows it to return up to the closed position.

  Adriana carries the bags into the bedroom and unzips them. One bag contains taped and wrapped packages common in drug contraband. She counts them: thirty-five one-pound parcels all containing pure Afghanistan heroin. She reads a note left inside, 20 Newark/Ten Northridge, five a gift.

  Adriana looks in the other bag, there are ten large plastic-wrapped bags, vacuum-packed with U.S. currency, each marked $100,000. She smiles and zips the bags up and
pushes them under the bed. She collapses on the bed and falls into a deep sleep still dressed from her day.

  Just over eight hours later, the sun shines in her eyes as it beams through a window. Adriana is at first disoriented by her surroundings. She lifts her head and remembers that she is in Bozeman, Montana at her family ranch.

  She plops her head back down as she allows herself to wake. She thinks about the attack and the man dismissing her on the phone, and his changing of their plans to meet.

  Anger fills her and then she remembers the money and contraband under the bed and rolls over to check that it is still there. She goes into the bathroom and drops her jeans and squats to relieve herself; she had drunk so much water and Red Bull on her journey to the ranch.

  Adriana tugs on the roll, she gets up and flushes as she looks with approval into the mirror at herself. She washes her face, rinses with mouthwash, and feels better as she heads for the garage to get her things for a hot shower. She checks the time: twelve thirty-five P.M. She has to get the stuff in the bags shipped right away and get back to Denver.

  Adriana is in the garage. She opens her car trunk, gets her bag and closes it. She sees her old saddle on the wall, and remembers her horse and the summers she had spent there with the boys who sought her attention over the years.

  She remembers the days with her horse trainer and his mature, broad shoulders as he was carrying her from the pond. Adriana remembers how they made love under the trees in the south pasture, where she could scream with pleasure as loudly as she wanted.

  The man in Vancouver did not appreciate her and the beauty she offered him. She knew that there was no future there for her, but she feared his political power and his ultimate plans. She would have to come up with a plan to get more of his wealth and eliminate his power over her. He knew too much and she had to be smart about every move from this point forward—no mistakes.

  She grabs some new unmade boxes she kept there for the past heroin deliveries, and the wrapping material as she leaves the garage. She enters the kitchen, then sets everything down on the granite counter, and heads for her shower.