Fast Track

by Fern Michaels

  “I just love it!” Annie cried exuberantly. “We need to have a costume party at some point so we can dress like this,” she added, pointing to the cartoon.

  Nikki looked at Jack and grinned, as if to say, Hey, big guy, look what you’re getting.

  “Oh, well, we don’t really look anything like that right now,” Isabelle said. “Look at us, we all look like Rena Gold.” She glanced over at the three men. “Stop looking so glum. We have things under control.”

  Myra clucked her tongue. “This article has listed our…exploits. That’s what they’re calling our missions. They’re also giving us way too much credit. It says we single-handedly apprehended a whole drug cartel, that the CIA is in our debt and does what we say when we say it. That they’re our puppets! It also goes on to say that the president pinned medals on us in private, something the White House has refused to confirm or deny. And that the plague and the rats were a ruse for the mission we’re on at the moment. It seems, according to this article, the FBI and local law enforcement have no clue why we’re here and what we plan to do. The CIA is refusing comment. The roads back into town are clogged again, but this time the ‘little people’ are not angry but excited to be on the side of the vigilantes and doing their best to get back to where the action is. This is a firestorm if I ever saw one,” Myra said, tossing the paper onto the coffee table.

  “I don’t think that,” Kathryn said, pointing to the paper, “changes a thing. We came here to do a job, so let’s do it. The way I see it, we’re safe here in Rena’s apartment until Charles figures out how to get us out.” She looked up at Bert and winked. He grinned from ear to ear.

  Rena Gold appeared flustered. “Are you sure you’re going to be able to get away safely? If it comes down to you versus me, don’t worry about me. Get out of here to safety.”

  The women looked at Rena and as one decided she meant every word she said. She rose several notches in their opinions.

  “Don’t worry, Rena, we have it covered,” Nikki said. “It’s time for you to make your call, it’s five forty-five. Make it on the house phone, not your cell. You want to tell him it isn’t working, and that’s why you haven’t gotten his calls. But why hasn’t he called you on this house phone?”

  Rena snorted, a very unlikely sound. “Because that would leave a trail, which could prove he was having an affair with me. He can be incredibly stupid sometimes. Everyone either knows or suspects anyway, so I don’t get the point. That’s Maxwell for you. My cell phone belongs to the World Bank and was issued to me when I was…hired. When he calls me on it, it’s considered business. Maxwell reviews all the bills and expense accounts and approves or disapproves them. No one sees the cell phone bills but him. I know that for a fact.”

  Nikki pointed to the kitchen. “Do it now. We’re on a schedule, Rena. Remember now, be your most persuasive. Promise him anything you want and don’t worry, you won’t have to keep those promises.”

  Rena drew a deep breath and walked back to the kitchen. Kathryn followed her, but the others remained in the living room reading the papers and either giggling, or rolling their eyes, to the dismay of Jack, Harry, and Bert.

  “They’re women,” Jack said. “Do not ever try to figure them out because you can’t, and if you do try, you’ll end up going nuts. That’s all I have to say.”

  “And to think I used to look up to you,” Bert grumbled.

  “Ha! That was your first mistake. He doesn’t have a clue about women,” Harry snorted.

  Jack tried to change the subject. “Anyone want to make a bet whether Zenowicz falls for it or not?”

  “Nah,” Bert said.

  “Hell no!” Harry said.

  Jack sighed. “I say he’s here within the hour.”

  “Two hours,” Bert said. “He won’t want to appear anxious even if he is.”

  “I say it’s going to depend on whether he sees the morning papers or sees the local news,” Harry suggested. “He’s got to have a guilty conscience about all the money he’s sending offshore, and he just might think the vigilantes are here to get him. I know it’s a stretch, but when you’re dealing with a guilty conscience, there are no rules. Plus, the chick hasn’t been taking his calls. I say three hours tops.”

  Even though the three of them were close to the kitchen, they couldn’t hear a word that was being said. They watched Kathryn for clues as to how it was going. When she gave a thumbs-up, they all relaxed.

  Kathryn was stunned to see the hateful look on Rena’s face and wondered how she could possibly say what she was saying with such a straight face. She listened.

  “I am sooo sorry, sweetheart, but I didn’t want you to catch whatever it was I had. I know how germs just invade your body for no reason. Did you get the shot I told you about? You didn’t? Why not? Oh, they didn’t have the serum, it was on order. Well, my suggestion would be to double up on your vitamins. What’s eighty-four vitamins a day? Nothing, you just swallow a handful and forget about it. So, do you forgive me, honey?”

  She listened to the harsh voice on the other end of the line and waited a few seconds before she responded. “But I want to see you now. Like now, Maxwell. We haven’t seen each other in almost ten days. How many times do I have to tell you the cell phone broke? You can see it yourself when you get here. Did I mention to you what I had planned for us? Of course I have chocolate whipping cream. Doesn’t everyone? But I have something better planned. And I have a red-hot bonus in the making if you can get here within the next hour. You don’t need breakfast, honey. Just take all those vitamins, and I’ll do the rest.” She listened again. “No hints. I want to surprise you. An hour and a half? That sounds like forever. Try to make it quicker. I promise you won’t be sorry. I’ll be waiting,” she trilled as she replaced the phone.

  Rena leaned against the stainless steel refrigerator and struggled to get her breathing back to normal. Kathryn wasn’t sure if Rena was going to buckle or not, so she rushed forward. “What the hell did you promise that creep?” she whispered.

  “Oh, God, Kathryn, you don’t want to know. I just want out of here, the sooner the better.”

  “How long do you think he’ll take?”

  “He’s upset with me, but his dick won out. Guess those nubile young things he was chasing didn’t have as many tricks in the sack as I have. Knowing him the way I do, I’d say he’ll be here in a little less than an hour.”

  Kathryn looked at her watch. “That means somewhere in the neighborhood of six twenty or maybe six thirty. Okay, good girl. Your job is done. All you have to do is open the door, and we’ll take it from there. You’re home free, Rena. Now, make some more coffee for the guys and drink some yourself. I want you wired from the caffeine when he gets here. I want you to think now. Is there anything, anything at all, that you think might help us? Anything you might have forgotten?”

  Rena shook her head. “I gave it to you straight. There’s nothing more to share. I wish there was. You know, I liked you when you were Delia McDermott, and I like you even more as Kathryn Lucas. I hope everything goes good for all of you, and I meant it when I said I want you all to come to Vegas so I can show you the town. My people will help your people. Isn’t that how they say it? You know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. I know I keep saying that but it’s true, you know. Well, I just wanted you to know that. Maybe when this is all over, and you’re safely back wherever it is you live, you’ll consider making me an honorary vigilante.”

  “Count on it.” Kathryn grinned.

  It was almost noon on Big Pine Mountain. Charles was sitting at the bank of computers in his newly renovated quarters. He didn’t bother to stop and marvel at how quickly the repairs had moved along. While there were still things to be done, he was content that he once again had access to the outside world, all thanks to Kollar and the United States government. And a few other governments as well.

  The countdown was on.

  As Kathryn would say, he had it going on, with the exception of one reques
t marked URGENT sent to him by Alexis. He blinked once, twice, three times, then burst out laughing. This was one request he would enjoy fulfilling. He tapped furiously, then waited just seconds for the return e-mail. “Done!” He started to laugh again. Damn if his girls weren’t a gutsy bunch of women.

  He was still laughing when he called Jack and gave him his orders. “You are going to have exactly three hours from the time Maxwell Zenowicz enters the apartment, so make every second count. Make sure Bert understands how crucial his role is. Tell Alexis her special order should be on her doorstep by seven thirty. Have someone standing at the door to receive it.”

  Jack shrugged. He agreed and closed his cell phone. He then repeated Charles’s instructions to Bert and Harry.

  “There isn’t going to be time for good-byes is what you’re telling me, right?” Bert asked.

  “Right. That was the bad news. But, and this is the good news, two weeks from today we’re all invited to Big Pine Mountain for two whole weeks. Arrange your vacations, boys, or quit your jobs. Your call.”

  “Now what?” Harry asked.

  Jack looked at his watch. “Now we wait.”

  Rena Gold’s doorbell rang at exactly six forty. Maxwell Zenowicz’s key didn’t work because Rena had the dead bolt secured. Rena rushed to open the door, apologizing for forgetting to unlock it. Zenowicz brushed past her like a fugitive on the run. He even looked over his shoulder.

  “What happened to ‘Hello, I missed you,’ or ‘Are you all right?’” Rena snapped.

  “What did you say?” His tone was so menacing, Rena backed up a step, then another step.

  Somewhere deep inside her she came up with the guts to say, “You heard what I said, Maxie.”

  Rena saw the raised arm, the slap that was coming her way, and she froze on the spot. She squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the blow that never arrived. When she opened her eyes, she saw Zenowicz surrounded by the vigilantes, all of whom looked just like she did.

  “What in the damn hell…?”

  “Shhh, there will be none of that, Maxie,” Alexis said as she twirled him around. “Ah, nice threads,” she observed, fingering the material of his Brioni suit. She looked over at the girls, and said, “Ten grand easy for the suit, maybe more. It’s tropical wool. The shirt maybe $450. Top-grade linen. Probably Irish. The tie another $250. Those shoes, let’s see, Crocs go for about $2,500. The watch he’s wearing is a Jaeger-LeCoultre. I can’t even begin to guess what it costs but a small fortune for sure. Fashion is my game, as you know. The man has a lot of bucks on his back and feet, ladies. Enough to feed a passel of starving kids for quite a while.”

  Annie yelled, “Giddyup, girls!”

  From that point on it was a free-for-all as the girls pushed Zenowicz from one to the other until he was dizzy—at which point Kathryn gave him a mighty shove, and he landed on the couch, legs sprawled forward.

  Zenowicz blustered and cursed as he tried to get to his cell phone. Yoko ripped it out of his hand and stepped on it. “Oh, mercy me, I broke your phone. Guess you’re going to have to get another one. Creep,” she added as an afterthought.

  “Who are you?” Zenowicz bellowed. “Is this a home invasion?”

  “Hey, sweet cheeks, we’re your conscience. If you want it to be a home invasion, then that’s what it is. Now shut up, sit up, fold your hands, and don’t speak again until we say you can,” Kathryn said.

  “Like I’m going to listen to you! Who the hell are you?” Zenowicz bellowed a second time. “Do you have any idea who I am?”

  Kathryn cuffed him upside the head. “Who do you think we are? And guess what, we know exactly who you are. And, guess what else. We don’t give two shits if you are the president of the World Bank or not. We don’t like you one little bit, Maxie. If you say one more word, you’re going to be minus your teeth. If you want to bring it to a test, go for it,” Kathryn said ominously.

  The president of the World Bank clamped his mouth shut. Then he let his gaze go from one to the other, then to the other until his gaze locked on Rena, who simply nodded. Fear suddenly raged in his eyes as he cowered back into the depths of the cushions. “Oh, good Christ, I know who you are. I heard about you on the news this morning. I saw the…” Whatever he was about to say, he changed his mind and cowered deeper into the cushions of the sofa. Then he bolted upright and glared at Rena. “You’re behind this, aren’t you?”

  Kathryn took off her shoe and whacked him hard again on top of his head. “I told you to shut up. No, she is not behind this. I’m going to ask you a question, then I’m going to give you permission to speak. If I don’t like your answer, there go those pearly whites of yours. That’s the only warning you’re going to get. Obviously, the reason you’re here is because we want you here. This is the question: Why do you think we would put our lives in jeopardy and risk getting caught to meet up with you like this? What have you done or what are you doing that would bring you on our radar screen? Your first answer counts. That was really two questions, so answer them both.”

  Kathryn didn’t take her eyes off Zenowicz, her shoe still in her hand. She called out to Yoko. “If you don’t like his answer, or if he lies, knock his teeth out. Then you have my permission to rip that really bad hairpiece off his head and jam it down his throat.”

  “All righty,” Yoko said, pirouetting around the room, her feet and arms going in all directions as she squealed out strange words that rang in everyone’s ears. “It’s not a rug, Kathryn, just a really bad comb-over. Who knew,” she chirped happily.

  “I knew,” Rena said sotto voce.

  “Same thing. Pull what’s left out by the roots. Who cares?” Kathryn said.

  “Sweet Jesus!” In the kitchen, Bert Navarro looked at Jack and Harry, his eyes full of questions.

  “Yeah, she’ll do it,” Harry said. “Two seconds tops. That’s my girl!” he said proudly.

  Kathryn reached down to pick up a thick silver candlestick off the coffee table. She hefted it in her hand to get the feel of it, then she swung it back and forth like she was warming up to hit a fastball. “Here’s the really important question. Where’s the money that was allocated for those three poor countries that never got any of it? I’m not talking about that ragtag operation you set up in some war-torn area. Where is it, Mr. Zenowicz? Before you answer my question, I want you to know that the first thing a lawyer learns in law school is you never ask a question that you do not know the answer to. In case you’re in your stupid mode today, that’s another way of saying I know the answer. Now you can speak.”

  “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about!”

  Kathryn shrugged. She flicked her finger in Yoko’s direction. She was a second too late. Yoko’s foot shot out at the speed of light. Shiny porcelain dotted the coffee table as blood spurted from Zenowicz’s mouth.

  “Son of a bitch! She’s faster than lightning,” Bert hissed.

  Harry beamed. Jack grinned.

  “Just so you know, Bert, Yoko has been teaching the girls. Kathryn is almost as good as Yoko, right, Harry?”

  “Almost. Shhh, they’re about to swing into high gear now,” Harry said.

  Nikki and Isabelle yanked Zenowicz to his feet. No one cared that he tried to fight them, all the while trying to sop up the blood spewing from his mouth onto the sleeve of the Brioni jacket. They dumped him on the floor in front of the huge plasma TV.

  “Sit, Mr. President,” Myra said coldly. “If you so much as twitch, you will regret it.”

  Nikki slipped a CD into the player, clicked it on, then stepped back as all the horrific pictures they’d been shown on Big Pine Mountain came to life. No one said a word until the CD was finished. “Where’s the money that was supposed to go to those countries? Do you have any idea how many starving children died because of you? Do you have any remorse? Say something, you son of a bitch!” Nikki shouted, the veins in her neck throbbing with her outburst.

  Yoko dropped to her knees and grabbed the fine hairs on
Zenowicz’s comb-over. She waited. When he didn’t respond, she gave a vicious yank. Blood beaded on the man’s head. Yoko looked at the stringy hairs in her hand, grimaced, then dropped them in his lap.

  “I don’t think he’s going to tell us,” Annie said. “Should I put Plan B into operation?”

  “Definitely. Let me get the equipment,” Alexis said, happiness ringing in her voice. She returned to the living room with a black medical bag and a box that contained seven TASER guns, among other things. She handed it all to Nikki, who made a big production of opening both the box and the medical bag. She tossed out surgical gloves to all the girls, who, with wicked smirks on their faces, snapped them on. Zenowicz was alive with fear as he continued to wipe at the blood still drooling from his mouth.

  “Last chance, Maxie. Where’s the money? The World Bank wants to know. They appointed a special task force who hired us. We’ve never failed yet, and a piece of scum like you is not going to impede us. We can do this the hard way or the easy way.” Nikki motioned for Alexis and Isabelle to take off Zenowicz’s jacket and shirt as she filled a surgical needle with liquid from a vial in the medical kit.

  While she was measuring the liquid, Annie swept everything off the coffee table and laid down a white cloth. She pulled surgical instruments out of a plastic bag and pronounced them sterile in a crisp, no-nonsense voice. She looked over at Rena Gold, who was white as a sheet.

  Kathryn reached into the cardboard box and withdrew a huge leather-bound book and flipped it open. Zenowicz watched, his eyes full of panic. He managed to gasp and demand to know what was in the hypodermic.

  “The plague virus,” Nikki said. She squirted a drop into the air, which fell onto the cloth. She quickly dabbed it up with one of the Clorox wipes. “Girls, decide which one of you is going to jerk him to reality. Anyone will do.”

  Annie drew the honor and turned on her TASER. “This is what is going to happen, sir. When I fire this TASER, tendrils of blue electric current will start to crackle between the electrodes. You’ll smell ozone, but don’t let that worry you. When this hits you, you will fall over and be incapacitated. We can keep doing it all morning until you tell us what we want to know. Now,” she said importantly, “you have three choices. The TASERS, the plague serum, or a lobotomy. That’s what those…uh…tools on the table are for. We’re still in the apprentice stage on the lobotomy. If we screw it up, oh, well, you’ll never know anyway. Where’s the goddamn money?”