by Finian Blake
“Frank is your boss. Don’t forget about him and Suki.”
“When you leave with Anna, I will protect everybody.”
Adam froze and looked at Nadia, “When I leave here?”
“It is logical. You will leave for a while at least. You cannot start a life together in Terri’s shadow. Being Russian, I have learned to be practical. You and Anna getting together make sense.” Adam’s conscious thoughts had not traveled in that direction.
Adam looked across the room to where Jeff was sitting and his heart went cold. He thought he saw Liz talking to Jeff. Adam got up without a word. Anna was on his heels. When Adam stopped he could see that it was Cassandra.
“I thought…” Anna broke in.
“You remember Sarah’s daughter Cassandra. She will be going to LA with Jeff instead of working here with Sarah.” The color started coming back to Adam’s face.
“I need to settle Terri’s closet. If you would like, you may help yourself to any of the clothes or shoes in her closet that fit. You have earned a full share which should come to three hundred thousand dollars. We will take care of that as soon as the money is in place.”
“I don’t know what to…” Cassandra stalled when Jeff squeezed her hand.
“He will only tell you to give it to charity if you do not want it.” At the end of the evening Adam, Anna, Sarah, Suki and Frank walked up the hill with Nadia and Angela. The four ‘Gold Diggers’ went down the hill with Susan and Lynn. Adam realized that Susan already had the answers to the questions that she had been asking him. Susan knew that he would come to the same conclusion on his own. As he walked up the hill he gave thought to Nadia’s statement about him having to leave the Inn in order to start a new life and the statement did have merit. He had shared much with Anna. Adam not only loved her, but respected her. He came to the realization that Adam Furst would have to go. Adam had an idea that could not wait. He ran back to the pub.
“Jeff, I need a new ID. Adam Furst must go. As soon as you get back to LA, I want you to go to work on the papers. I want an iron clad set.” Jeff realized that this was a grief reaction.
“Do you have a name in mind?”
“I was thinking of Alexander Chalenger. Do the usual checks with all of the agencies. I will pay all of the normal fees and I will come to LA to pick them up. Francesca will fly you back to LA when you are ready.”
“We can leave in two days,” Jeff said. “Cassandra was going to take you up on your offer of taking some of Terri’s clothes tomorrow.
“Bring her up at any time. She has an unlimited choice.”
Adam ran down to Susan’s cottage.
“I need you to order one more stone for Adam Furst.”
“Come with me.” Susan led Adam to the side of the house. She pulled back a tarp to reveal a head stone. The name on the stone read Adam Furst.
“I guessed that you would want a stone next to Terri. I was holding it until you came to the realization that Adam would not survive. Adam is tied to Terri. He needs to go if you are going to start a new life. Lynn has been preparing all of the transfer papers all we need is the new name. The transferring of the Knoll will be more difficult. It was in Terri’s name. Do you want permanent residency at the Inn in writing?”
“No, I do not think that you would ever turn me down. If you did turn me down, I would not want to be here.” He kissed her on the cheek and patted her abdomen. “Have Lynn continue my investments and keep them in the name of Adam Furst. She will know what to do. About the babies, I am assuming that I will at least have a status of uncle.”
“No,” Susan said with Adam looking shocked. “You are their father and they will know it. That will make them blood sisters and you will be on their birth certificates as their father.” This was a point that Adam never considered. Susan and Lynn’s children would be true sisters. He wondered if Susan had planned this from the beginning.
“Is this part of...?" Susan brushed his cheek firmly.
“A lady never gives up all of her secrets.” Lynn and I have plans for the night. He could hear giggling in the sitting room.
Adam laughed, “I will be leaving the ‘Amazon Inn’ tomorrow with Anna.”
“What do you mean Amazon Inn?”
“Yes, this is the land of women. If this is not, then I cannot imagine where it would be.” He kissed her lightly on the cheek.
“Roger is going to fly us down to Malta and I will see you when I get back.” Susan had a feeling that once he left it would be a long time before he returned.
“I may go with that name for the Inn. It has a certain ring to it.”
Lynn made the transfers as Adam directed. Adam decided to pay the bonuses out of the first eighty million. Adam gave the Inn five hundred thousand for the use of the property transferring sixty million dollars to Abdul-Rahman for distribution. Marc received an additional three hundred thousand, Günter received an additional three hundred thousand in his personal account, Jeff was paid his million dollars, and Cassandra received a bonus of three hundred thousand dollars. He gave Roger and Ralph their aircraft plus three hundred thousand dollars. The auxiliaries received one hundred fifty thousand each. The ‘gold diggers’ received one hundred fifty thousand plus their papers. Nadia and Angela received the three hundred thousand Pounds plus their papers. He gave all of the others a full bonus of three hundred thousand. Nadia and Angela were surprised to get their full bonus.
“You said that we would have to pay for the others papers and we are prepared to keep our word.”
“I asked if you were willing to pay for them, not if you will pay for them. It was a test and you passed. You are a full member. Your loyalty paid their way. You have your full bonus, your papers and your jobs.”
Adam made a call to Mercury under the name Hermes and announced that the thirty four million in front money would be repaid when Hans was appointed Administrator of Federal supplies in Barrow, Alaska. He went into detail about Hans’ treachery, and how it almost cost the government all of the front money.
“If you do not care about the thirty three million, I will keep it for the crew. I do require proof of your decision. This offer will only be good for thirty days. Since I have completed the transaction, I will not do anything to Hans personally. The good news was that Hans could take his family with him.”
“We have interdepartmental problems with your request. I do not know what can be done…”
“Then are you telling me to keep the thirty three million?”
“No…”
“You could make him an onsite advisor to the Afghans,” Adam suggested. “I could settle for that. You have thirty days to make up your mind. I will check back.”
“The son of a bitch is on his way to Afghanistan tonight.”
“I have my contacts out there. When he has been out in Afghanistan for thirty days, I will release the deposit. Tell him to pack warm clothes. It is almost October.” Adam broke the connection. Mercury knew that this was not a threat. Hermes kept his word no matter what the consequences. Mercury picked up the phone and had a brief discussion with the party on the other end. Hans would be doing an onsite inspection of the situation in Afghanistan for three months ‘no deposit and no return’, since Mercury did not like treachery either.
Adam called Abdul-Rahman next, under his Noah Body ID.
Abdul-Rahman laughed, “Hans thinks I am a liar. I did not lie. Somebody gave me the wrong information, and he will not get his money back.” Noah could hear the quiet laughter over the phone.
“Hans has been assigned to Afghanistan as an advisor. I would like to be sure that he gets all the way in the country.”
“That should not be difficult. The people that bought your weapons are quite happy and have checked their bank just as I did. You are a man of you word. They will arrange his transportation deep into Afghanistan. Do you want him back? Hans is so cheap that I think he will only buy a one way ticket.”
“I promised that I would not raise my hand agai
nst him.”
“What about other hands,” Abdul-Raman asked.
Adam laughed, “That would be up to the will of Allah.”
“In that case, I will guarantee his arrival. It has been a pleasure doing business with you. It has been a pleasure doing business with a liar.”
“It has been a pleasure talking to a thief.” Noah said as Abdul-Rahman broke the connection.
The service was only attended by the employees of the Inn. Adam’s memorial was short. “We all loved Terri and Gregory. I have no words that will convey my feelings, so I ask you to look into your memories.” There was no way to put into words, the intensity of their relationship. They scattered Terri’s ashes over the terrace and Gregory’s ashes in the trash. When the urns were empty they smashed them both and buried them in front of their stones. Susan sat down on the grass sobbing having held it together as long as she could. Terri was the heart of the Inn. Terri was all around in every square foot of all three properties. Lynn placed her favorite feather encased in a plastic tube in front of the stone. Terri had used it on her many times. Susan bent down and helped her up.
“Terri will always be with us.” Lynn and Susan helped each other to the cart driving down the hill to the pub. They would place Adam’s stone after everyone left the Knoll and he had no desire to attend his own funeral. There was a luncheon served at the pub, but while they were dining security called Susan.
“We have eight trucks from the studio wanting to know where they should park. What should I tell them?”
“Open the gate and tell them that I will be right there. Nadia will you give me a hand.” Nadia went behind her like a shadow. “Lynn, would you call the studio and find out why they gave us no notice.” Lynn was up and moving. Frank and Suki caught the idea putting the ‘Old Men’ in motion with everybody moving off to cover their areas. Anna looked at Adam.
“I have some business back home. Could you give me a hand?”
“I would be happy to help. Frank and Francesca can take Jeff and Cassandra back to LA. I thought we might make a side trip back to Malta. I know a little restaurant in the harbor that we can watch the sunset from. I hear the suites at the Hotel Phoenicia are secluded and quite comfortable. I could book one. If we find someone with a yacht we can do a little cruising. Roger said he would fly us down there when we are ready. He said that he would be busy with Frank’s errands for a few months starting next week. I would like a little quiet time if you are agreeable.”
“That sounds attractive. I can postpone things for a few days or weeks, maybe even a month.” Anna excused herself and went to the bathroom. Adam could hear her throwing up.
“My stomach has been upset since I returned to England. Before we leave I need to see the doctor. Gregory and I did not use birth control. We always wanted another child, but it never worked out. Maybe we should use something.” Adam smiled at Anna cupping her head in his hands.
“I think that we may be past that point.” Adam looked back toward the toilet. “We may need the doctor for something else.”
In the morning Nadia walked Anna and Adam to the Twin Otter. She walked between them with her arms firmly around each one. Nadia’s grip was solid not wanting to let go of them. Nadia let go of Adam first.
“I will never forget you.” She kissed him lightly on the cheek. Nadia kissed Anna warmly and held her out with both hands. “Business will be taken care of.”
“Take care of all of the women, not just ours.” Nadia looked somewhat offended.
“They are all mine.” She looked up into the air plane at Adam with a smile. He had no doubt that she would keep her word.
Roger closed the door and fired up the Twin Otter. The takeoff was smooth and they climbed rapidly as Adam pulled out a split of champagne that he brought with him. He poured two plastic cups giving one to Anna.
“I hope…” Anna interrupted the toast.
“I hope too.” They tapped their glasses together and drank as the plane flew into the sun rise.
DISCLAIMER
This is a fictional work. As a fictional work certain situations mentioned in this book may bear a resemblance to real life situations. The author claims no participation in or direct knowledge of any illegal events described in this book. To the best of the author’s knowledge the countries, companies, organizations, agencies, and persons described in this book have not participated in and have no knowledge of any of the events described in this book.
FINIAN BLAKE
THE MERCURY AUTHORITY SERIES
BOOK ONE CONVOLUTED JOURNEY
An expert in deniability, Hermes receives contracts to deliver arms and restricted technology to groups that the government cannot authorize. He assumes the name Noah Body. Once he receives his assignment he is on his own. Noah must make the deliveries with minimal official help. Using various identities he moves around the world making friends and enemies, while trying to complete his contracts using resources from his shadowy past in order to succeed.
BOOK TWO COMMANDEERED
Hermes assumes the name Adam Furst. He has promised his new wife Terri that he will go straight. Noah has invested his profits from an unauthorized arms deal in an exclusive hide away run by a former British Agent named Susan. Life is promising and their investments are paying off, however after two years his former employer ‘Mercury’ wants him to run a load of arms to Afghanistan. A threat to Susan and Noah’s wife Terri tests his intention to start a different life.
BOOK THREE MERCURY DESCENDING
Hermes assumes the name Alexander Chalenger. He is told by Mercury that he must clean up some problems from his last mission. As he prepares to take on this task a voice from his distant past causes him to reflect on his origins. He finds that he must deal with his past life before he can clean up his errors.
THE REMOTE TRAVELER SERIES
BOOK ONE: THE REMOTE TRAVELER
Edward Chalenger is the primary subject for a remote viewing project with little chance of success. When the project succeeds beyond expectations it is realized that no secret is safe from his view and a sweeper team is dispatched to eliminate everybody involved causing Edward to use his new talents to protect his family.
BOOK TWO: THE SWEEPER FILE
Senator Marvin Belight decides to examine ‘The Sweeper File’ knowing that he may be mentioned in blackmail evidence contained in it. He gets a member of the justice department to look into the file covertly putting the Chalenger family in jeopardy once again. Edward Chalenger and his wife Layla must use their new found talents to save their family once again.
BOOK THREE: ECHO
Four Diamonds Security has just launched its new computer security division ending up with a no bid contract with the NSA to back up sensitive data. All of its competitors will go to extreme lengths to make sure that they fail their test. “All is fair in love and business”.