As soon as Terry came down the stairs and Rupert had hold of him, he started walking to the exit while saying into his phone, “Green light, green light, go ahead!”
Several men with earbuds rushed into the Torpedo Factory simultaneously, some of them racing to the second floor. They went into the passageways and looked inside the shops. A couple of men stayed outside, watching the entrances and exits to the Torpedo Factory.
Pattinson’s men were closely scrutinizing people, especially women, as they left. Nobody paid much attention to a team of seven athletes dressed in the same warm-up suits, with stylish Afros, as they walked out of the Factory to their waiting team van.
Soon after, a large redneck and a muscular Latino walked out and around the building.
Rupert’s men made a nuisance of themselves until closing time by searching everywhere. The five girls and the waiter had simply vanished into thin air.
Rupert was extremely angry and frustrated with his men, but at the same time, he was elated that he had his son back.
Pattinson was not a man who dwelled in the past. He learned from past mistakes and moved on. He acknowledged that he had lost the girls and that he did not know the identity of the kidnappers. Fine. “A battle lost yesterday is a war won tomorrow.”
Pattinson knew that he had to be very careful. He now had to prepare himself for tonight’s dinner and auction. Nobody in the Corporation knew about this, and he intended to keep it that way. Their attention would be focused on the mystery surrounding Alexander Coombs’s suicide, Nancy Smith’s heart attack, and Nicanor Toro’s death. They needed to rebuild their Latin American network. He wondered about who was going to be his next supplier of girls from the American continent.
Getting together
“Where’s Charlie?” asked Juliette.
“Behind us. You will see him soon,” I answered as I removed my enormous Afro wig. “Hello, Camille, Juliette…and how are my gorgeous Russian girls?”
The five girls looked at me and suddenly shouted excitedly, “Oh my god, I couldn’t recognize you! Is it really you, Caleb?”
Camille jumped into my arms and kissed me hard. Juliette and the Russian girls were shouting, “We are so happy to see you! We thought you were dead! Thank you for coming to our rescue! It was awful! We couldn’t call anybody! Where is Santi? Where is Valentina? Where are we going?” And so on and so forth. All of them were crying and talking at the same time, throwing their arms around me, hugging and kissing me.
“Hello, Juliette,” said Miranda. “I am Charlie’s mother.”
Juliette threw her arms around Miranda’s neck, hugged her hard, and cried louder. She could not speak.
It was an emotionally charged moment. Even Miranda started crying. Though Jonathan was swallowing hard, he kept his eyes on the road and his emotions in check.
After ten minutes, I raised my voice while holding Camille and said, “It is great to see you all and to see you well. Later we will have time to talk about what happened and answer all of your questions. But now, I need your attention.”
I waited until everybody had calmed down and I had their full attention.
I said, “We are going to a safe place, where we can talk and decide what to do next. Charlie and Santi are well. You will see them soon. Valentina is in the hospital in Acapulco. She is expected to have a full recovery. You need to contact your families to tell them that you are OK, but before you do that, we have to talk and decide what to say and what to do. Do you agree?”
They all answered emphatically, “Yes, yes, yes.”
“By the way, the man driving the van is Jonathan, Miranda’s brother and Charlie’s uncle.”
Juliette stood up and threw her arms around Jonathan and started crying again.
I said, chuckling, “Juliette, please don’t choke him now. We need him to drive us to the hotel. After that, you can choke him all you want.”
Reluctantly, she let go of him after planting a big wet kiss on the back of his head.
A couple of minutes later, we were pulling into the Red Barn Motel on Route 50.
I said, “We have booked four rooms. One is a triple.” I gave a key to one of the Russian girls. “One is a double with two individual beds.” I gave that key to Juliette. “The two rooms in between yours are where we will be staying and where we will have our meetings.”
***
Charlie and Santi arrived in the Camry minutes later. Charlie walked toward our room and into the arms of Juliette. Santi looked a little sad.
Everything started again—the crying, the hugging, and the kissing.
Half an hour later, after everybody had regained a measure of composure, we met in one of the rooms.
We told them an edited version of what had happened at the yacht party, about waking up on the beach, and about Nicanor Toro, Nina Scott, and Aaron Carson. We told them a little about the auctions and the type of men who participated. We answered their questions, being careful not to mention specific names or places. We were dealing with the most powerful men in the world. We had to be cautious, for the girls’ sakes and ours.
We told them to call their families and tell them that they were OK. The families must be worried sick not knowing what had happened to them.
We told them to be wary of what they said on an open line. We asked them to come back after calling their families so we could discuss what we should do next.
The Russian girls left for their room. Charlie and Juliette went to the other room. I stayed with Camille in my room. After Camille called her family, she took some time to comfort me, and I took some time to comfort her back. Miranda, Jonathan, and Santi went to Dolly’s Diner for coffee.
The plan had worked! We were back together, although I wasn’t sure how close together.
Part 4 – The Three Amigos
Chapter 12: Parting Ways
The girls tell their story
The experience had changed them all. They were not the same individuals who had gone to the Independence Day party just a couple of days ago.
After the girls called home and cleaned themselves, they got together in Santi’s room. Miranda asked them what had happened after the Independence Day party in Acapulco.
Juliette said, “I remember going in a speedboat from Santi’s house to the yacht, greeting Nina Scott, and meeting Nicanor Toro, Aaron Carson, and Christian Millán. I remember we wanted to leave, and the Russian girls asked us if they could come with us. After that, everything is fuzzy.
“I remember waking up the next day and then being taken to what seemed like a military airport and flown out of Mexico. During the flight, I was given a tranquilizer, because the next thing I remember is waking up in a little room by myself. I started shouting, and a woman came in, slapped me, and told me to shut the fuck up. She explained the rules. I would be permitted to use the bathroom once a day. I would be given three meals a day. I would be allowed twenty minutes of exercise a day.
“Every day, I was sedated.
“We were kept apart. I had not seen Camille or our Russian friends until this afternoon, when we were taken in an SUV to meet you.
“I started coming out of the drug-induced stupor while we were driving with you in the van. I still don’t feel that I am back to 100 percent normal. What is keeping me awake is that I am so happy and excited that I’m away from that awful place, that I am back with Camille, Charlie, and you, and that I just talked to my parents. That is what is keeping me alert, but my body is still asking me to lie down and sleep.”
Camille and the Russian girls told a similar story. They were still under the effects of the sedatives. The effects would soon wear off. All they needed was a good, healthy meal and a long, uninterrupted, recuperative, and relaxing sleep.
***
Miranda asked the girls, “Would you like to go out for dinner, or would you like to order in?”
All the girls wanted to do was to sleep, so they decided to order in.
Santi said with his Mexican wit
, “What should we order, and from whom? We have the following fast food choices: Mierdonald’s, Mugrer King, and Kentucky Fried Shit.”
Charlie said, “Ha, ha, ha…I agree with Santi. I know that you’re tired and only want to lie down and sleep, but I suggest we walk up to Dolly’s Diner next to the motel and have a salad or whatever you like before you go to sleep. You need a good meal to fully recuperate.”
The girls reluctantly accepted Charlie’s suggestion, and they all marched down to Dolly’s Diner. The girls ordered basic, nutritious food and ate silently.
After eating, the group walked back to the motel. Caleb asked Camille if she wanted company. She told him she was very tired and would rather sleep alone. He said fine, although he was hurt a little by the rejection. The same thing happened to Charlie.
Santi called Mexico. He was unable to talk to Valentina. They all spent the night at the motel.
Parting ways
Charlie, Santi, and Caleb were up at daybreak. The others were still in their rooms. The three of them did some stretching and exercised for half an hour. They showered and got dressed.
Miranda and Jonathan were up. Santi knocked on the Russian girls’ room.
At 8:30 a.m., they were having breakfast at Dolly’s Diner.
Miranda asked Juliette and Camille, “Have you decided what you want to do?”
Juliette responded, looking at Charlie, “Yes, I would like to fly back to Toronto. I want to see my family as soon as possible. Camille and I have already called the airlines, and there is a flight leaving Dulles Airport at twelve noon. Fortunately, Charlie and Caleb brought our travel documents, plane tickets, and valuables. We can leave without any problem. Is that OK with you?”
Charlie said, “I would like you to stay here so we can be together a little while longer, but if you want to go, I understand. I’ll miss you, but I respect your decision.”
“What about you?” Caleb probed Camille.
She responded, “I would also like to go.”
“Yes, of course. I would also like you to stay a little bit longer, but I understand if you decide to go today.”
Miranda looked at the Russian girls and asked, “What about you? What would you like to do?”
One of the Russian girls responded, “We need to go to the Russian consulate and ask for replacement passports. The problem is that we don’t have any ID, so first we need to ask our family in Moscow to send us some so that we can apply for our new passports here in Washington, DC. We’re also going to have to ask our parents for money to pay for the new passports and plane tickets to travel back to Russia.”
Jonathan said, “Where are you documents and plane tickets?”
“They’re back at the hotel in Acapulco.”
Jonathan said, “Three Russian girls without travel documents—leaving from Washington, DC without any record of entry into the United States—is going to raise several red flags. The people from the Corporation would soon find out, a risk we certainly want to avoid. Perhaps it would be better if we take you back to Mexico so you can get your travel documents and plane tickets and fly back to Russia from Acapulco.”
“And how are we going to do that? They will ask for our passports on leaving the United States and entering Mexico.”
Jonathan said, “Don’t worry. We have the means to take you to Acapulco without any problems with the American or the Mexican authorities.”
“Well, if you can do that, it would be the best solution. How soon could we go with you to Mexico? We would like to fly back to Moscow and see our families as soon as possible.”
Jonathan said, “Let me make a few calls, and I will tell you when we can leave.”
***
Charlie gave Juliette and Camille their valuables and documents. He drove the Camry to Dulles International Airport. Juliette was sitting next to him. Camille and Caleb were sitting in the back.
The drive to the airport was mostly done in silence.
They promised they were going to stay in touch and that they would see each other again. However, deep in their hearts, they knew that this was going to be the last time they would see each other.
Juliette and Camille had spent horrible, frightening days in a near comatose state induced by the tranquilizers and sedatives. Even though perhaps they loved Charlie and Caleb a little, seeing them again brought back the memories of their ordeal.
As they arrived at the airport, Charlie asked, “Would you like us to walk you in?”
Juliette and Camille declined. Juliette said, “It would be easier for everybody if we just say good-bye here.”
Charlie parked outside International Departures.
Caleb was already missing Camille. He gave her a long kiss and thought about how good sex had been with her. She cried and said, looking deeply into his eyes, “Good-bye, Caleb. I wish we could have met under different circumstances.”
Juliette said, “I will miss you, Charlie, and thank you for everything that the three of you have done for us. What we had was beautiful, but it was destroyed by forces beyond our control. Perhaps one day…” She looked down, and her lower lip was trembling. Then both girls turned around and walked into the terminal building without looking back.
Charlie and Caleb stood next to the car, watching them disappear into the terminal.
Caleb realized that even without the hugs, kisses, and magnificent sex, he would still have warm feelings for Camille. He was also sad they had not met under different circumstances.
Caleb asked Charlie, “Do you remember who said, ‘You need sadness to know happiness, noise to appreciate silence, and absence to value presence’?”
“No idea, but that is exactly how I feel: sad, silent, and absent.”
They drove back in silence. No words were needed. They were both feeling the same—saddened by a promised love that never had a chance to flourish.
Another reason to hate the Corporation.
Back to where it all started
Jonathan called Freddie, his special ops friend, and asked if he could borrow the corporate jet again. Freddie obliged again by saying, “Yes, you can have it. We will not need it for the next couple of days.”
Jonathan said, “Thanks, Freddie. We need to fly directly to Acapulco tomorrow morning.”
Freddie responded, “No problem. There is a military airport in Pie de la Cuesta where you can land and take off without any hassle. However, there are two problems: First, you have to take off immediately after landing. It is the only airport functioning in Acapulco, and it has been overwhelmed by all the flights needed for the ongoing relief and reconstruction effort. Second, you need to pay up front for the fuel and the plane staff.”
“No problem. The plane can come back immediately. It is a one-way trip,” Jonathan responded. “Regarding fuel and staff costs, consider it done. You just tell me to whom I pay, and that is the end of it.”
***
Santi and the Russian girls would be leaving early in the morning from the company’s private airfield.
Miranda stayed at the motel, keeping the Russian girls company. Jonathan went back to his house, and the three boys went to the apartment. Charlie and Caleb were distraught after Juliette and Camille’s departure, and Santi was feeling down because he had not been able to reach Valentina and Sandra. Communications with Acapulco had yet to be restored. He did talk to his mother in Mexico City, and she told him that things were looking better.
They slept late and had dry cereal for breakfast. The milk had gone sour. However, that was OK, since none of them was hungry. Charlie called Jonathan and Miranda. They agreed to bring the Russian girls to the rural airfield by 11:00 a.m. Santi would fly down with them. However, as an afterthought, Charlie and Caleb took their travel documents with them.
You never knew.
***
Jonathan was already at the motel waiting. Charlie went to reception and settled the bill. Charlie then gave Jonathan $280,000 of Nicanor Toro’s money, saying, “Uncle, here is a quart
er of a million for Jack Taylor’s family and thirty thousand for the fuel and plane staff costs.”
“Thanks. That should do nicely,” said Jonathan.
Miranda drove her Camry and Jonathan his Jeep to the airfield.
Santi said, “Miranda, I feel like you are my American mother. Thank you for everything you have done. And I am sorry we brought you so much trouble.” He held her in his arms and kissed her on the cheek.
Miranda responded with a tender, motherly smile, “Santi, I also feel like you are my third son after Charlie and Caleb. We will see you soon, I hope.”
Santi looked at Jonathan and said, “Jonathan, I have learned a lot from you. You are loyal and straight as an arrow, somebody to look up to. Thanks for everything. If it had not been for you, we wouldn’t be here right now.”
Jonathan said, “Santi, you’re very welcome. This was an interesting and incredible adventure. Stay out of trouble.”
Santi looked at Charlie and Caleb without saying a word. Those two looked at each other and winked at the same time. Charlie said, “Hey, little man, we are coming with you. We promised Valentina, Sandra, and your mom to keep you out of trouble, and we keep our promises. Besides, we don’t want you to steal our clothes.”
“So what now? I have two gringo babysitters?” said Santi, smiling.
“And all paid for,” Caleb retorted.
They bid their farewells from Miranda and Jonathan, telling them they would be in touch and would probably be coming back soon, flying on a scheduled commercial airline flight.
Turmoil in Paradise
The flight was uneventful. Charlie, Caleb and Santi’s intention to meditate quietly on the recent events was made impossible by the exuberance of the Russian girls. They talked about the imminent trouble brewing between Russia and Ukraine, and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s lack of tolerance for any opposition, specially the three-girl punk band Pussy Riot, arrested for “hooliganism,” after a performance protest in Moscow’s main cathedral.
Warriors in Paradise Page 25