This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Nuff Said Publishing
www.nuffsaidpublish.com
Copyright 2016 by Michelle De Leon
December 2016
Editor: Jonina Stump
Cover Art by Ben Chappelow
Produced in the US
Nuff Said Publishing
Tampa, Florida
Atlanta, Georgia
United States
For Soul Brother #1, Curtis J. Harrigan. The world is waiting for YOUR superheroes. Write on!
CAMYLYON
EPISODE ONE
The jeep jostled its driver and passengers back and forth as it drove over the rugged terrain of the Bolivian jungle. The men spoke excitedly about the business deal they were rushing to. They paid no attention to the unrelenting heat nor were they bothered by the vehicle’s precarious moves. Cigar smoke formed billowy clouds around them. The beautiful sound of rushing water and the symphony of birds overhead mattered not in their ugly world.
Just a hanger-on to their clique, Gabrie Jordane’s mind wandered to the wonderful night she’d spent with Rakota Toyin . As always, he was concerned about the dangerous mission she was undertaking, but his senses seemed to kick into high alert last evening…
~*~
“I know you’re skilled and highly trained, Gabrie, perhaps even more so than I am, but it’s my nature and my right to worry about you. And I don’t trust this Bolivian “diplomat” the agency has assigned you to get chummy with. They know his reputation,” Rakota said.
“And so do I. I’ve done extensive research on Juan de Negros. He’s no different than any other money stealing, drug dealing thug. As a matter of fact, I think his weakness for physical pleasure will be his downfall. He’s easily distracted by a pretty face.” Gabrie’s eyebrows knitted closely together as she recalled his despicable exploits.
“Then he will totally lose his mind when he sees my gorgeous Gabrie,” he smiled with his patented glint in his eyes, pulling her onto his lap. She wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling his sleek muscles contract.
“Well, I don’t know about all that, but I do know I need the Toyin touch.” Gabrie caressed the contours of Rakota’s chiseled face. She loved his smooth skin; nearly as black as onyx. She loved the contrast between the two of them. Her skin was so fair that it nearly glowed. There were times when she used her chameleon abilities to take on his complexion. Sometimes he would use his to morph into hers. Whichever form they chose to take, their attraction to each other was all consuming.
He stroked her raven colored tresses and nuzzled her neck. “You are simply delectable.” He gently bit her earlobe and grinned as she arched her body closer to his. He slid his hands inside her lacy boy shorts and caressed her voluptuous bottom. She sighed and wiggled in his hands.
“I adore your playful manner, cherie, but tonight I don’t think I have the patience to wait.” She kissed him deeply, enjoying the taste of his mouth. Their kisses were like the act of making love itself: tongues darting in and out, plunging, taking each other’s breath away. Gabrie did not release his tongue as she manipulated her way into his boxer briefs. Her husband’s passion for her grew even greater. She moaned as she hurriedly guided him to their bedroom.
~*~
“Carlito!” Juan de Negros shouted.
Gabrie jumped, but immediately snapped back into her professional mode. “Senor?”
“You seemed to be a million miles away. Pay attention, por favor. The associate we are going to meet with asked me to bring him a weapons specialist. You, my dear boy, are that specialist. Now, whatever he wants; give it to him. I can’t afford to blow this deal.”
“Of course, Senor Juan. It will be my pleasure to accommodate your associate.” A hint of sarcasm escaped.
“Not like you have a choice, but I’m happy to see you’re ready to play,” Juan de Negros told the young man he knew as Carlito. The middle aged terrorist was tall and very muscular. He obviously thought he was God’s gift since he did not look his age. He’d been on the EAB’s radar for a long time, but they didn’t have the intel to go after him and Maximo Guerra. Until now.
Gabrie loathed his evil grin. It was moments like these that made her glad she was a chameleon. As an agent with the Extraordinary Abilities Bureau, she’d been undercover countless times. But she was no ordinary undercover operative. She was born with the ability to change her ethnicity, gender and physical appearance. She also possessed the same physical prowess as the magical reptile. The chameleon changes its color to easily acclimate into different environments. Some environments were purely evil.
This however was her first experience masquerading as a male. She didn’t tell Rakota because she knew her husband would be even more concerned. He was accustomed to her using her feminine wiles to take down the bad guy. However, these bad guys had no respect for women.
The jeep finally came to a clearing. Up ahead, Gabrie spied an overly ornate mansion that was completely out of place featuring towering statues, flowing fountains, roaming animals…However, “Carlito” managed to look unaffected by its opulence.
A manservant met them in the driveway. He bowed and welcomed de Negros and his party. “Senor Guerra is anxiously waiting for you in his theater room. Please follow me.”
Juan de Negros made a big show of ordering his men out of the jeep. “Do not embarrass me, Carlito.”
“Of course not, Senor. There is a reason why you were told about me.”
“Do not forget your place!” he snapped. However, after he turned his back, Juan de Negros grinned with pleasure.
The estate was pleasantly cool inside. Gabrie quickly took in her surroundings: glossy marble floor, expensive art on the walls, and modern furnishings. Maximo Guerra obviously had great wealth and wanted everyone to know it.
Initially, Gabrie’s mission involved finding evidence of de Negros’s double dealing. He was allegedly an ally to the U.S., but the EAB had recently learned otherwise. He was secretly in talks with other countries who were strategizing against The U.S. Maximo Guerra was an arms dealer who wanted a personal favor as well as a hefty payment. Whatever merger they were forming, her superiors wanted all the details. While digging up dirt on Guerra, Gabrie discovered a note regarding a tip they’d received about Guerra having kidnapped an American diplomat’s young son. There was never any evidence and the case was still unsolved. Gabrie intended to get to the bottom of that business, too.
The rest of the men were ushered into a patio room enclosed in glass while de Negros and Carlito were escorted to a lower level of the house. Once they were at the bottom of the stairs, they walked down a long hallway with movie posters splashed on both walls. The clichéd poster of Al Pacino’s Scarface hit right before the theater room’s entrance.
“Ay! Juan, mi amigo. Come in, come in!” Maximo said.
“Hey, it’s good to see you. How are you and the family? How’s business?”
“Everyone and everything is beautiful. But please, introduce me to this so called weapons phenom that you have.”
Juan de Negros guided Gabrie by the elbow. “This is Carlito Calderon.”
“I’m honored to meet such an important man as you, Senor Guerra. I’ve had encounters with many men of influence, but you are highly regarded here in our beloved Bolivia,�
� Carlito said as he offered his hand to the lavish dictator.
“The honor is mine. I hope,” Guerra said as he licked his lips. “Come, take a seat. I’ve chosen a special movie for you to enjoy while Juan and I discuss our business.”
Gabrie took a seat in the front row. She was expecting some adult movie to light up the screen. Instead they were treated to thugs intimidating the locals like it was a sport. Maximo Guerra in all his glory; fawning over his latest conquest.
“Juan, as you know I need an exceptional marksman to assassinate Vargas. He has been a thorn in my side, but the people of Trinidad love him like he was the second coming of Christ. He is interfering in my business and I cannot have that. My men are some of the best around, but have been taken to task for failing to kill this perro.” Guerra tossed back his glass of tequila.
“You know I have reliable sources in Santa Cruz and Carlito has worked with and for them many times.” De Negros explained.
“Senor Guerra, we have an itinerary for Vargas and he’ll be leaving Bolivia for Argentina tomorrow. We can get a drop on him in the early hours of the morning while he’s en route to the airport,” Carlito added confidently. “As my colleagues have assured Senor Juan, I do not miss.”
Guerra slapped De Negros on the back. “You are the best! Come let’s get this weapons business over with so that we may move on to more entertaining things.”
“One minute, mi amigo. Now that we’ve got a plan for the thorn in your side, I need to know what you intend to do about the thorn in mine. The U.S. is so self-righteous, I can’t wait to show them who Juan De Negros really is. They think they have me in their back pocket. I’m spending a lot of money to show them otherwise. My shipment will be here soon after the Vargas matter is complete, no?”
“Si, Juan. I’m no fan of the Americans either. You already know this. They still haven’t figured out I have one of their precious gems.” He laughed heartily as he smoothed out his dark brunette goatee.
Gabrie had activated a device in her ear that would pick up their conversation and transmit it to the EAB. So far, their discussion confirmed Juan de Negros was playing both sides for his own personal gain. She would let the team worry about that. Her full attention was drawn to Guerra’s movie screen.
Maximo Guerra was splashing in an endless pool beside a young boy. A blonde haired, blue-eyed boy- as American as apple pie.
“You like this special feature.”
Not a question, but a statement. “I like this movie very much. I agree with you and Senor Juan. The Americans are getting what they deserve. Is the boy at this estate?”
Maximo Guerra frowned briefly. Carlito wondered if he’d overstepped his boundaries, but a moment later his mind was at ease. “He is nearby at my other mansion. The boy is locked away and well taken care of. He is an investment for my future.”
“Would it be too forward of me to suggest that the boy join us? We are about to make major moves against Vargas and America. There may be a need to cash in that investment, Maximo.”
“Now let me think about that, Juan.”
Gabrie had to think fast of a way to get the child out of Guerra’s clutches without raising any alarms. “Where can I go and recheck my tools of the trade, senor?”
“Juan, I have drinks and cigars in the salon. I will meet you there after I bring Carlito to Ana.”
“As you would have it, mi amigo. Make sure you’re ready for the mission, Carlito.”
Guerra waited for de Negros to leave the theater before he continued. “This boy is very important property. You know what kind of business I’m in. Let me advise you that betrayal of my confidence comes with a high price. I do not flaunt this boy for very confidential reasons. You will keep what you see here to yourself. If not, it might be the last thing you see. Period.”
“This element of danger excites me all the more. But understand senor, I am a professional. Conflict and its consequences are things I don’t have time for. Your business is your business.” Carlito shrugged.
“Excellent. Ana is my head housekeeper; she will make sure you’re squared away while I make the arrangements with De Negros and send for the child.”
Once they were on the main level, Guerra shouted for Ana, explaining: “She will help you with whatever you need.”
Ana was an elderly Bolivian woman with a very maternal air about her. Her smile was kind and warm. Guerra explained to her what he wanted and then lovingly patted her shoulder before he walked off.
“Come with me, please.”
Gabrie continued to take stock of her environment, making mental notes as she followed Ana up the stairs. Once they were at the top of the landing, the woman turned to her and said “We have wonderful chameleons in our rainforests. I’m sure the chameleons where you’re from are just as wonderful.”
Momentarily speechless, Gabrie finally looked the woman in the eye. “Senora, I’m not sure what you mean. I am from Bolivia. And why are you talking about chameleons?”
“Mija, I have lived many years and I have never failed to recognize another chameleon when I see one.”
“Mija; my daughter. We need to talk. Privately, senora.”
Ana opened the door to the room at the end of the hall. Just like everything else in the Guerra estate, his suite was decked out in over the top splendor. Even Ana sucked her teeth in disapproval. “I have worked for Maximo Guerra’s family for a very long time. His father was just as treacherous as he is, but his beautiful mother was my friend. I stayed on after she passed to try and bring some decency to this place, but Maximo is too corrupt. He overrules the people in this city with an iron fist. No compassion. Just a big bully. And his desire for the immoral…” She crossed herself.
“Senora, you said you recognize “other” chameleons when you see them. Are you trying to tell me you’re a chameleon?”
She chuckled. “Are you trying to tell me you’re not?”
Gabrie debated with herself how much to divulge to this woman who watched Maximo Guerra grow up. “Senora, I don’t have a lot of time. And as one chameleon to another I’m hoping I can trust you. There are many agencies working to bring your employer down. They are on the verge of doing so right now. Your people won’t have to worry about him anymore. But this boy that he’s bringing back here tonight, I believe he is the kidnapped son of an American diplomat. Do you know anything about this?”
“Yes.” Ana bowed her head. “Maximo had some dealings with an American about a year or so ago. It did not go well. The American cheated him out of a lot of money. As payback, he took the boy.”
“Has he harmed him in any way?” Gabrie asked anxiously.
“No, he has not harmed him. Yet. Are you with the American government then?”
“Yes, I am. But I am a chameleon born in Madagascar. My people are of French descent.”
“Oh, yes! There are 150 species of chameleons in your country. I read everything I can find about us. I would love to see them all one day,” Ana said. “I was born and raised here. My special gift has always been a secret. Only my family knows and the trait seems to have stopped with me. Yet, I knew there were more of us in the world. I’ve never failed to sense one in my presence here. Maybe before you’re a vieja you’ll develop that skill, too.”
“Senora Ana, I’m going to need your help to get this child back to his mother so we need to stay focused. Believe me, I’d love to sit and talk about this very awesome thing we share, but it will have to wait until everyone’s out of danger. Verdad?”
“Yes, of course. Don’t mind a silly old woman.”
“You are not silly. You are brave,” Gabrie smiled at her newest partner.
The small woman stood up straighter. “He will want you to spend the night near his so called armory. The bathroom in that suite has a sauna and a shower that would fit a small army. But between the two is a false wall. If you push it, it will open to a long corridor which leads to an underground exit. He had an escape route built after his father was shot and
killed right in his own dining room.”
“Exactly what I need! Senora Ana, the boy’s name is Colby James. Is he well kept really? Will he be able to travel?”
“Si, he is very well cared for. My daughter works at the other house and personally tends to him. He is a sad child, but who can blame him? He was terrified when he was first brought here. Now he is withdrawn. It’s like he knows what his fate is to be.”
“No!” She slammed her fist against a nearby vanity. “That’s not the fate in store for him. I will not let Guerra lay a finger on him. I will need you to leave some clothes behind that wall. I have to change into a woman for our escape. They will be looking for “Carlito” when the time comes not a woman.”
“I will do it. Anything else, mija?”
“I’m expecting my team to meet me at a safe place, but maybe a first aid kit, some bottled water, some kind of snack for Colby. Don’t want to be weighed down, but a girl’s got to be prepared, too.”
“You are the brave one. I wish I had used my gift to do special work like you do. So many years wasted under the thumb of this tyrant. Maybe I could have saved the people a long time ago.”
Gabrie sympathized with Ana. “As a child I was teased and harassed because of what I am. It’s the reason my parents and I left Madagascar and went to America. A new start with better opportunities to learn and grow. You’re about to have a new start yourself. Be and do whatever you want. No one can stop you.”
Ana laughed. “I just might do that. Mija, I have a handsome son who is single. Maybe you’ll take a liking to him and I can have some chameleon grandchildren!”
Gabrie laughed, too. “You don’t even know if I’m pretty or not. Despite what I look like right now, I am happily married to the most handsome chameleon you’ll ever meet.”
“Okay, I won’t press,” she smiled. “I’m sure he’s a good man who is very proud of you. Now come; let’s get you ready for Maximo Guerra.”
Despite the importance and danger of their early morning mission, De Negros, Guerra and their respective goons were up all night drinking and laughing. Carlito had excused himself after explaining to his cohorts that he needed to stay sharp. They shrugged their shoulders and continued to party.
Camylyon: Episode 1 Page 1