by Sam Wilson
A prelude in E-minor from classical composer Frederic Chopin created a soothing atmosphere in the van transporting Marvin, the driver and the guide sitting next to him seemed in a trance. The classical had no effect on the thick men in black clothing sitting in the back as escort, three opposite and two on either side of Marvin and there was another unmarked van riding behind them as back up. Four of the Mavron van tires exploded underneath the transport vehicle, the van rolled over violently eight times finally landing on its side. While the van spun through the air, the other armored van exploded, it received a rocket from a stovepipe (a bazooka), some of the thick men in SWAT like uniform that got out of the escorting van before it blow up, hit the grass lamented. Men in ski mask rushed out from nowhere, forced the van doors open, serenaded the guides with bullets and Marvin was released from the shackles and a certain death, this happened in 1976, he was 29.
- - -
A child ran to her father, as he was about to leave, before that, she had witnessed another fight between her parents before he decided he had had enough and stormed out. The father got down on one knee kissed her gently on the forehead and promised to return soon, she watched him disappear into the mist, he never came back. Susan William opened her eyes in a pool of sweat, “that damn dream just won’t go away,” she thought to herself. Something fell and a sharp clang echoed in the air, she shot a sharp look at the direction it came from and not so surprisingly it was her cat Booboo.
“Fucker! Not so early” she said tired and angrily
The time is 05:00am; the wakeup call wasn’t helping so she shot the annoying buzzer down with her right hand. She wanted to sleep in but reluctantly got up, did thirty minutes of jugging, forty minutes of strength training without weights and ended with five minutes stretching. She jumped in the shower for another twenty five minutes and ate breakfast in ten, five minutes later she was downstairs with a black Samsonite suitcase ready for the 7:05 am taxi taking her to the airport, an hour later she was checking in at Heathrow and at nine thirty was boarding a British airways flight destination Spain. She is on a two weeks holiday break; the remaining week of her holiday she decided at the last minute to spend it somewhere the weather will put a smile on her face, and that place is Gibraltar.
A week before 54 miles from London, Susan was sitting on a sixth floor balcony at the beautiful Grand hotel in the town of Brighton, East Sussex enjoying the view of the ocean, the weather wasn’t what it should have been in August but it could have been worst. A while later she took a stroll along the beach, the wind combed through and ruffled her hair messing it up in the process, but to Susan that is part of the mystic of the beach. Walking along the beach side that day made her feel like a character from a romantic movie. While in her thoughts, she kicked a dead leaf, which rose with the wind and followed it dancing over the sea. Brighton is such a lovely town to come for fun and sea, a perfect vacation spot. She went back to the hotel for a quite evening, ordered room service, ate in front of the T.V, and went to bed at 10:00 pm with the Collector, a book written by David Baldacci.
Peter Madsen the sixty-one year old manager of the Grand hotel lives minutes away near the Queens Park at 16 Tillstone Street in a modest house with his wife of 20 years, a British born Indian woman named Sheena Madsen. He came to the hotel that morning in the most colorful of modes “he must have had sex last night” the bald headed Clerk called John said quietly not particularly to anyone, the other two desk Clerks suppressed their laughter “good morning Mr. Madsen” they all greeted in a chorus when he walked past them
“Morning, how are we doing today?” Peter said ceerfully
“Good sir, you look very cheerful today,” the woman standing on john’s right hand called Claire, said probing for a reason
“Yes, it’s my anniversary” he replied
“Congratulations sir” another chorus
“Thanks” he said smiling and then disappeared through a swinging door into the dining room
“This will be the best time to ask for a raise,” Claire suggested
“It will never happen honey, don’t even try” John said with both hands firmly planted on his waist
“Lord, what is he gay,” Claire thought to herself. He always put his hands to his hips in an effeminate manner.
“Well I guess you are right john,” she agreed shaking her head
Susan took her place by a table close to an open glass door on the ground floor, in the dining/bar that could easily be taken for an old lavish English pub. A polite waitress placed a plate of food on the table, poured a glass of drink, and then excused herself; Susan thanked her before she walked away. People watched as she set about devouring the plate full of English breakfast, she washed it down with pure orange juice and stayed a bit longer to let it digest and also to imbibe the morning gossip about a cheating married ladies man that run’s the hotel from the lovely old ladies in summer hats sitting behind her.
Fortunately the sun was out, she spent the day soaking it, reading, and continued people watching, she was particularly interested in the married manager’s daily routine. He lives a walking distance from the hotel, strut’s to work, stays a few hours, disappears for a few more hours, comes back at 17:00 pm and stay till 20:00 before trekking back home to the sweet Mrs. She had charmed the information out of the bar man that hope’s to score with her. Something interesting caught her eyes when she unconsciously glanced back at the blond young man pretending to read a graphic novel, he had been hiding behind that book ogling mouth wide open at her and other woman going about their business for about an hour.
“Crime is a fact of the human species, a fact of that species alone. But it is above all the secret aspect, impenetrable and hidden. Crime hides, and by far the most terrifying things are those which elude us” – George Bataille
She finished reading the text and caught the hawk’s eyes drift slowly towards her leg; she followed it up her thigh, the red bikini bottom, stomach, breasts, and finally her face. She smiled and he smiled back, embarrassed then turned and shriveled back behind the book from where it came like a turtle retreating into it’s shell, when it smells danger. Crime hides, she chuckled at the thought of those two words, the most terrifying things are those, which elude us, not for long she thought. The day is beautiful, she decided to go out and explore a bit, and after all she’s on vacation. 13:30 a taxi she had privately booked for the day picked her up and drove her around Brighton, she stopped at various locations that caught her attention, either for their beauty, how it made her feel or both. Men and women along the way propositioned her. Sitting outside the Foragers pub at Stirling place, savoring a glass of beer, something she hasn’t done for a long time. A blond woman wearing red lipstick, white tight-shirt, black summer scarf, black tights and boots caught her interest, she went over and sat next to her, she is called Eva and their chemistry was immediate. They spent the day together with Eva as a tour guard, in the evening they ended back at King’s road, and walked into the Restaurant at De Vere Grand, they had dinner. Desert was served and eaten on both their beautiful curvy bodies on the balcony in her suite; it was a perfect ending to a wonderful day.
A cold breeze hit her bare back interrupting her sleep at 5:30 am; Eva was hugging the covers leaving her barely covered. She sat up straight, face buried in her palm; she tried shaking the cold away but her efforts was in vain. Susan shook Eva awake “ let’s move this party inside” she whispered in her ear, Eva mumbled something in her sleep and resumed snoozing, Susan literately dragged her indoors. At 09:30 She kissed Eva goodbye after breakfast and went about her business. Peter Madsen pulled out of the parking garage and drove away at the usual time, precisely at 12:45 pm. His first stop is 135 western roads; he meet three well suited men at the door of KOBA lounge. After two hours, they came out laughing and shook hands before departing in their luxurious sports cars. Next was an estate agency where he spent 45 minutes and left with a luscious blond, after about 20 minutes drive, the car pulled into the dr
iveway of a very large house. The area looks friendly to children, there is a big park five feet away from the house which makes it very appealing to any prospective buyer, the woman pulled out a bunch of keys, inserted one into the lock and the door swung open. He spent two and a half hours with her in that house before returning to the hotel. At 20:00 hrs he walked home as usual, Susan closed her notebook after that final entering. The black cork hissed the moment it was hauled out of the Chianti classico consorcio, she poured a glass half full, stood on the balcony, and took in the scenery. The day was productive she said aloud to herself and took a sip from the glass, her phone rang; the reception had Eva on the line. She joined Eva half an hour later at Funky Buddha lounge and they had another wonderful night dancing and doing whatever came naturally.
The surveillance continued the next day, Mr. Madsen had lunch with different people at the KOBA, went to a board meeting with company execs and visited the house by the park again, this time a man opened the door when he rang the bell. Susan’s curiosity has paid off, the target has been revealed. She compared the surveillance picture with the one that was sent to her, it confirmed the obvious. Her Intel was right, Peter Madsen is not who he makes out to be. She parked her car at a side street and took a stroll in the beautiful park, the house has a large garden that anyone can partly see from the park, she can make out a silhouette of two men standing in the reception before vanishing from view. She continued walking, there is a primary school at the end of the park, a tennis court, kids play ground and mini size football field. She took position under a large tree at the opposite end of the park. The tree provided the necessary shade for what she was doing, after she was satisfied with the shots, she put the camera away and went back to her car. Peter Madsen drove off just before quarter to five. Susan stayed in hope of following the target to his real resident, quarter past ten an S class 320 and a Range Rover entered the driveway, three men and seven women clad in barely there outfits, leaped out of the vehicles and into the house. The party carried on till about two in the morning. The next day at seven, the target came out of the house, stepped forward onto the sidewalk, turned left and stared directly at the direction Susan is parked, her windows are tinted, she watched and waited but he did nothing. He went back indoors, Susan started the Jaguar XJ engine, retuned the car to the rental company and took a taxi back to the hotel, she took her messages from the reception, told them not to accept any calls for her till further notice. The messages from the previous night were from Eva, she threw them on the desk, took a shower and got under the sheets for much needed shut eye, she has a lot to do tonight and she’s going to need her strength.
The fog began to fade away as he came round, the room stopped spinning; he closed and opened his eyes again. He’s in his basement/workshop or what others would refer to as a sex dungeon, he can’t move or speak, and his hands and feet are strapped to a chair. He felt the coldness of the metal chair and realized that he was naked, he tried moving, but the fatigue and strapping wouldn’t allow him. He heard the rattling of chains, wires and other things been move around behind him, suddenly fear came over him and he tried moving again but to no avail, the noise stopped, the footsteps sounded close behind him then the door closed. He listened, waiting for the dread to come, his heart began beating faster, and his breathing became heavy. Again He heard the faint sounds of rescinding footsteps ascending up the stairs in the other room adjacent to the room he is in, one step at a time, as if in no hurry and the light when out. He didn’t know what to think, a few moments later, he felt the pain of a needle, possibly a syringe that administered a dose of something and he started feeling a whirling sensation then darkness consumed him.
- - -
She found herself saying a sad farewell to Eva at the station, for someone she just met Eva had made a great impression on her. Eva has fallen in love. Susan saw her wipe a tear from her lovely face when the train pulled away, they promised to stay in touch, “Goodbye, love” she said under her breath, Susan knew that was the last time she will ever see sweet Eva again.
- - -
The ticking clock stopped, and then came a loud crackle and buzz as wires connected to the clock came to life. The main power was diverted and a gloriously illuminating light overpowered the darkness in the dungeon. The man’s hand and feet danced in death throes as he shook to the electricity pulsing through his twitching body, like a man possessed by demons, he finally succumbed and took his last breath. Marvin Andronnikov is at last executed in an electric chair, an instrument he had used countless time on the unfortunates who have crossed him, the cycle of death complete, in the basement of his lavish home. For the multitude of crimes committed between 1967 and 1976, time of execution is at 7:15 am in the morning of August 16th 2007, aged sixty, who ordered his execution is unknown.
BLOOD STAINED.
She pushed her way through the throngs, to the kid laying in a pool of blood, she couldn’t help save him even after her best efforts, he lay in her hands and took his last breath, his eyes looking into hers. Susan wasn’t expecting such a tragedy when she stepped out of the tube at Stratford station, she left the scene before the police showed up, nothing she or anyone does now will bring that poor boy back. She felt for his family, the pain of losing a child, she cannot comprehend. Prabha had invited her over that day for something different to what she was used to, as she had put it. Through the dinner with Prabha’s lovely family, she couldn’t concentrate on the food, conversations, or the hospitality that was offered and given her. The incident played over and over in her head. Stabbing someone has become the norm in day to day life in London, parents fear for their children’s life because of the gangs that has infested postcode to postcode, such stupidity, the youths needs constant guardians and mentorship to learn about life, it seems most have been abandoned and left to find their own means to survive this harsh world. Susan found out later that the unfortunate boy’s death had nothing to do with gangs, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and he was with a friend when he accidentally saw something he wasn’t supposed to. The killer was having intercourse with another boy; the killing was about a young man protecting his reputation and sexuality. Killing for the sake of reputation is what dangerous adults do, something Susan knows first hand. Politicians, victim’s parents, and the Newspapers are speaking out loud, some make a show out of the circumstances but all their efforts seems to be in vain. To the people and children that live in the gang’s neighborhoods, A STEEL TONGUE MAKES A WISE HEAD.
- - -
A year has past since her last vacation to Spain, and this time New York will be the perfect escape, if she is lucky, she might get to have a white Christmas. What happened dwelled in her mind, like the first time she put metal to flesh and squeezed the trigger. There has been war on juvenile delinquency, the excrement of society etc for as long as she can remember. Susan didn’t like what kept swimming in her mind and the chatter box going on and on in her head, so she decided to go to the gym for a work out before meeting her date for a quick drink. Tomorrow is going to be an early start.
While seated in the first class cabin, Susan felt someone watching her surreptitiously. She looked around but saw no face that she could place; some smiled at her and she reciprocated. The voice of the captain echoed over the speaker, introducing himself and assuring them a safe trip, the air hostesses demonstrated instructions that will save their life, minutes later after take off, the sign to unfasten the seat belts came on. Susan followed its instruction and breath an air of relief.
"Lift up and landing is the part I can't get use to in flying" a deep voice said in relief
Susan looked over at the well-groomed man sitting on the opposite chair and She chuckled.
"They are my favorite parts" she said smiling
"Why is that?" the man asked
"The first is the end or temporally living behind the old and latter the beginning of something new" she took a sip of her champagne
The man was impressed; he nod
ded his head in agreement
"That is a good way of looking at it" he raised his glass "cheers,” he said in a typical South African accent
"Cheers, You are South African?" she asked
"Yes and you are British" he replied, his face was warm and friendly
She smiled again
"That is correct, how did you guess?" she teased
"I have a gift, I will tell you only if you promise not to tell anyone"
"My lips are sealed"
He took notice of her intoxicating and luscious full lips glossed over in pink lipstick, she saw his eyes glance over her lips, he looked deep in her eyes, they both smiled.
"I don't think you are ready" he said, in mock concern
"Anything you say, mystery man!" she laughed out loud this time
"I am Victor" he was warm and raised his glass.
"Susan. So mystery man, what's taking you to New York?" she smiled as she deliberately ignored his name.
"Business. And you?" he kept his eyes on her
"Christmas" was her short answer
"Really, are you meeting family?" he asked leaning forward
"No, a friend, hopefully" Susan said in a cool voice
"Hopefully? Doesn’t sound like she knows you are coming" Victor chuckled
"It's a surprise, do you like surprises?" she asked playfully
"No, not really" was his answer
"Neither do I" Susan said honestly
"Maybe we can have Christmas together with your friend" Victor smiled
"Maybe" she smiled and thought I know where this is going to lead.
Time flew by and the conversation carried on for the next eight hours, she was glad someone charming came along to take her mind off her inner thoughts. Immediately after landing and check out, she walked out of JFK Airport and her ears froze stiff, the arctic winter, made the city look like it had gone back in time. A taxi covered in a blanket of snow pulled up in front of her, an Asian man with a Texan accent and wearing something that looked like a dead animal jumped out and offered to put her bags in the boot, she obliged him.