Nakoma raised her hand. “What are you doing?”
“I’m calling Morgan, a friend, he is with my daughter and sister in London. “If anything has happened to Cassie so help me I’ll make you suffer before I kill you myself, you peace of shit!” Rian shouted as he glared at his father.
“Morgan here.” “Morgan,.... Rian are you with Cassie and Magan? Is Cassie alright? “Yes, Rian I’m here in Magan’s living room, Cassie is sound asleep. Magan is fine. Once she knew I meant business, we got along fabulously Mate! How are things there?” “It’s a bit tense at the moment, but under control, listen I need you to understand the danger you are all in. The man who call’s himself my father, was willing to sell Cassie on the black market in order to keep me under his control.”
“You’ve got to be…..” Morgan stopped as Rian interrupted.
“Just listen you may need help to get the three of you away from Magan’s flat. There is someone in close proximity ready to take Cassie. He was waiting for a call from this asshole, but thanks to Nakoma, he was stopped. But I don’t know if there is a contingency plan. So please Morgan, please call in your mates, I’m begging you to do what ever you need to, to keep my family safe.”
“Rian, please don’t worry. I have a plan. I’ll have my mates ready if I need them.”
“Once you get away take them to our previously discussed location. Make sure Magan has no cell phone with her; I don’t want her to be able to contact anyone, or be traced. Also check all of Cassie’s possessions. They may have placed a trace somewhere on her.”
“Consider it done, and Rian… be careful!”
“Thanks Morgan from the bottom of my heart!” and he hung up.
Kareena just stared at Rian as he spoke to Morgan about their daughter. She wanted to climb through the phone to get to her, but tried to remain steady as her thoughts snapped back to the present situation.
Nakoma asked “What’s our next step Rian? Shall I keep him in this paralyzed state or do you want him mobile?” “What exactly did you give him?”
“It’s a drug called thyrotoxic. Very lethal, but in small doses can keep a person immobile for quite some time. He’s perfectly aware of everything that is going on, but unable to move a muscle. Previously we were only able to administer intravenously but have recently successfully developed an oral throtox. So what shall we do with him?”
“Keep him like this. I don’t want him to move until I know Cassie is safely out of the city, and she and my Mum and Sister are safe.”
“You know I can keep him like this indefinitely. It might server the old bastard right to see what it feels like to not be in control, to have others calling all the shots. You know I had a plan for your father tonight, but his torture was going to be quite different. You really surprised me Rian. I always liked you and if I was going to choose anyone for my daughter it would defiantly have been you. I was even trying to think of a way to make your father suffer without hurting you, and vwaala; you helped me more than you’ll ever know.”
Kareena was staring at Nakoma now, her brow narrowed. “Daughter? I thought you didn’t have any children Nakoma?” Kareena questioned as the intensity of her stare held Nakoma’s deep blue eyes.”
“Think about it child. Remember I told you about Jacob? My only true love. Remember I told you I would show you a picture one day. Well that day has come.” Nakoma stepped to the file behind her and unlocked the drawer; she lifted an 8 x 10 gilded frame from the drawer. “Come see.”
Kareena stood frozen as the reality of Nakoma’s words slowly began to sink in. Her mind raced back to the first time she met Nakoma at the hotel and she recalled her words “Are you alright?” “Yes, as a matter of fact I’m better than I’ve been in twenty two years”
“Don’t’ you want to see Kari? You were so curious when we talked about Jacob and now you’re not sure?”
“What is this Nakoma? What are you saying?” Rian could feel Kareena go ridged and slowly massaged her shoulder with his left hand.
“Take a look for yourself.” Nakoma slowly walked toward the couple with the picture in hand. She handed it to Rian. He held it so they both could see, he stared in amazement, as he felt Kareena go limp. Rian held her fast so she wouldn’t hit the floor as he handed Nakoma back the picture. He picked her up in his arms. “I need to lie her down Nakoma.”
“Over here Rian, on the sofa.”
As Rian eased her down he gave Nakoma a stern look. “I think you have some explaining to do.”
You’re right, but we need to take care of my baby first. Nakoma quickly wiped away a tear. She couldn’t show weakness now. She had to stay strong and steadfast in her goal. She handed Rian an ammonia capsule. “Here break this open it will bring her around. And yes Rian you’re right. I think it’s time to lay all the card on the table. All of us! No more secrets.” She gazed over at Sean, “Of course that might be hard for the old man. Look at him, slowly but surely loosing functions. Is it painful Sean, first your hands then your feet and slowly but surly the formula creeps through your veins to the rest of your body. What’s that? I can’t hear you! Oh it must have hit your vocal cords by now, that’s why you’re so quiet. “
“Forget about him Nakoma.” Rian demanded. “I need a wet cloth, Kareena’s broken out in a cold sweat.” He was kneeling beside her as she lay on the sofa.
Kareena slowly came around with the smell of the ammonia. “Wha … what happened? Where am I?” For a moment she thought it all a dream, it took a few minuets for her head to clear and for her to realize Rian was kneeling beside her caressing her cheek and dabbing her forehead with a wet cloth. It wasn’t a dream, but real, he was real. He was really here with her. She smiled up at him and he let out a sigh of relief.
“You passed out Kareena, I’m so sorry. It’s all been too much for you.” She tried to sit up. He gently laid a hand on her shoulder. “No just lie here for a while until you feel a little stronger. I just want to look at your beautiful face a few moments longer and appreciate how lucky I am to have found what I thought was forever lost.”
As the tears started to well in her eyes Kareena said. “Rian, please help me up. I need to sit up.” “Rian, please….just hold me…. I need you to hold me.” As he pulled her to him he could feel her shaking. He embraced her and she held tight as uncontrollable sobs released all of the pain, guilt and frustration she had endured for the past three years. He rocked her to comfort her, while he stroked her hair.
Nakoma looked on very tentatively and longed for the day Kareena might forgive her and allow her to comfort her as Rian was doing now.
Rian held her until the sobbing ebbed into a quiet whimper and her erratic breathing slowly became normal.
Discovery
“Okay Magan, we’re going to get out of here very soon. I need to make one phone call and then we’ll get ready to go.”
Morgan had bound Magan’s hands and feet in order to get a few hours of rest. “You can untie me Morgan, I’m not going to run away you know!”
“Just hold on to your britches lass. I’ll be right back.” Morgan stepped into the next room and made his call. Magan strained to hear but could only pick up bits of the conversation. As Morgan walked back into the room Magan stared at him wide eyed. “What danger Morgan, … I heard you say danger, what danger? My Da wouldn’t put Cassie and me in danger, what did Rian tell you?”
“You weren’t suppose to hear any of that conversation Magan, but don’t you worry I’ll make sure Cassie and you are safe.
“I’m not a child Morgan, so stop treating me like one, and tell me what Rian told you. What the bloody hell is going on? If what I over heard is correct you’re going to need my help!”
“Your right about that Magan, I do need your help! You have to understand something before I let you loose.
There is someone outside keeping watch on your flat. Rian said who ever he is, he’s waiting for a call form your father. Your father will stop at nothing to control Rian and he threaten
ed to sell Cassie on the black market.”
“No!… I don’t believe that! You must be mistaken. My Da would never say anything like that.”
“Believe it Magan, the situation in the states is very tense right now. If you want to come out of this situation unscathed, than you will listen to me and do exactly as I say, have you got that young lady?”
“Okay! …. Yes….Okay! Just let me free. I’ll help any way I can. What’s the big plan than you seem to have everything figured out.” “
Rian has stopped your father from making that call but wasn’t sure if there was a backup plan, if this person didn’t hear from your Da so it is imperative that we get out of here as fast as possible. Rian asked me to call for backup, which I did. If my plan goes smoothly we should be able to walk out of here
undetected.”
“What in broad daylight?”
“Yes, that’s the plan. First we need to check all of yours and Cassie’s belongings that we’ll take with us for, bugs and tracking devices. We don’t’ want to be followed. Your cell has to stay behind.” Magan stuck out her tongue at Morgan. As he untied her she inhaled his masculine scent as a tingle went through her body.
“Don’t’ do anything stupid Magan our lives could be at steak. Cassie should be waking soon, so I’d like to check her toys before she wakes. We’ll check all of the other belongings before we go.”
Magan went into check on Cassie and she was carrying her horse when she walked back into the living room.
“Her clothing and blanket are clean. Please be gentle with her horse, she will be hard to manage if you ruin it.”
“Do you have a pair of scissors and a needle and thread?”
”Yes, the scissors are right here. I’ll get the needle and thread.” When Magan returned the horse’s head was off and the stuffing was out on the table. Morgan held a tiny cylinder in the palm of his hand.
Magan had just been playing along with Morgan until now, but she finally grasped the severity of the situation. All the blood drained from her face and she had to sit down as she looked at the tiny cylinder.
“See this? They’re not playing games Magan. This is serious. I need to be able to trust you!”
“Okay, I’ve got that Morgan. Give me Cassie’s horse. I’ll put it back together.
The man watched as dawn broke. There had been no activity all night. He had not received a call from his boss so he sat tight. He pored himself a morning coffee from his thermos and ate one of the stale donuts left from last night.
At eight a.m. the school children were beginning to gather for the bus. At nine a.m. a taxi pulled up in front of the flat. He was ready to follow if they tried to leave. From where he parked on the knoll just above the flat he could see two cars in the driveway one on the side and also a partial view of the front door. He had observed movement in the flat when the kitchen light came on at seven thirty this morning and someone had been seated at the kitchen table reading the newspaper for the last half hour. An elderly couple exited the front door with two suitcases and slowly made there way to the taxi. The taxi driver opened the back of the cab and placed their suit cases inside the boot (trunk).
The man used his binoculars to observe this, while keeping on eye on the kitchen for movement from the window. The person was still sitting apparently still reading the newspaper. He was going to need a break and hoped his relief would be here soon.
As the taxi pulled out of Magan’s street Morgan opened the quarter seat forward and pulled the suite case into the back seat. He carefully opened it and lifted the still sleeping Cassie out into his arms, taking special care not to wake her and making sure she had her horsy with her. Her eyes opened before Morgan could lift her out of the suit case. See Magan she never knew what happened, she’s only now waking up. There was no need to worry. Michael I can’t thank you enough how did you round up the taxi on such short notice?”
“I have connections mate! So don’t mention it, you’ve always come thru for me in a pinch. We’ll drive by the Mall as planned and let you both out. I’ll switch the little ragamuffin to the other car on the other side of the Mall for the second leg of your journey.”
“I never knew you were such a sleuth Morgan!” Magan declared.
“There’s much about me you don’t know Magan. Hang with me and you’ll be surprised what you might learn!”
“I guess I don’t have much of a choice in the matter now do I?”
“No you don’t!” He replied with a grin.
They made there way through the Mall, stopping only to purchase a new change of clothes for both of them, and a couple of outfits for Cassie. Magan changed in the dressing room of the store and Morgan did the same in the men’s shop.
Michael was waiting on the south side of the Mall with Cassie and a new vehicle. “I didn’t see anyone following Morgan, so I believe you’re home free.”
“I’ll feel better when we’re on the road.” Morgan replied. “Just where are we going Morgan?” Magan asked as smiled up at her aunt. “Bye Bye Aunt Magan?” Cassie asked. “Yes darling we are going for Holiday with Uncle Morgan.” Magan stopped herself short, "Where did that come from'? She had never referred to Morgan as Uncle before, but of course there was never a child involved either.
“You never spoke a truer statement Mudgens, we are going on Holiday. It’s a surprise, you’ll see when we get there.” Morgan said with enthusiasm.
“Don’t call me that, I hate it.” Magan sputtered. “I’ve been calling you that ever since you were knee high, now all of a sudden you hate it?”
“I’m not knee high any more Morgan, please, I have grown up even though you don’t want to see it.”
“Oh yes, Mudgens, I’ve noticed!” He said with a crooked grin on his face. “You’ve actually grown into a very beautiful young lady Magan. If you weren’t Rian’s little sister I might even be tempted to taking you out on the town one day, just for fun of course.” Morgan added as not to admit to her or himself any feelings he might have for her. “But of course that would never work out now would it?”
“Oh so it’s Rian that’s standing in your way?” Morgan let it drop. He was teasing her, of course. He always teased her, she was his best friend’s sister after all, he could never think of her any other way. Although when he untied her back at her flat he felt a flash of heat that he tried to ignore. A feeling of desire coursed through him so strong, he felt it in every molecule of his body. The strength of it actually frightened him.
“Ok, I see the car, the silver one over there?” Michael spotted them and drove up to the Mall entrance. They climbed in and Cassie jumped into Morgan’s lap.
“So are you going to tell me where we’re going?” Magan asked.
“No, I’m not.” Morgan replied with a tone of authority.
”I see you still don’t trust me do you?” Magan stated.
“No I don’t. Listen Magan, I know how devoted you are to your Da, and twenty one years of love and devotion doesn’t just vanish over night. We’ll discus this later, when Cassie is asleep.”
She sat back on the seat and folded her arms over her chest in disgust. Morgan played with Cassie and her horsy with such love and tenderness that Magan couldn’t help but watch the interaction with interest. She admired how relaxed he was with Cassie, and thought he might make a good father one day. She had always admired Morgan. As a little girl she said he was her knight in shining armor. Even though he teased her constantly, she always had a soft spot in her heart for him. She hadn’t seen him in three years since they had both been away at school, except for that brief moment at Christmas two years ago. But now she noticed how truly handsome he was. His strong dark features, with the most beautiful hazel green eyes that seemed to change color when he changed his clothes in the Mall, now seemed to mesmerize her. It’s funny she never noticed that about him before. And she loved the way he always carried himself well and dressed impeccably.
Coming Home
Paddy O’Brian McKay ha
d answered the phone the morning of his baby sister’s arrival, and was very surprised to hear his nephew’s voice. Rian apologized for the short notice and briefly explained that his mother needed a safe haven for a while. Paddy was more than happy to obliged, as a matter of fact he was looking forward to this day, and he’d had no doubt that it would eventually come. He loved Katherine dearly even though they had been estranged for the past ten years. Paddy never approved of her marriage to Sean O’Connor, he was an excellent judge of character and even though Sean was very refined and dignified on the outside, there was something about him that Paddy didn’t quite trust. He always sensed an underlying ulterior motive in Sean’s actions. Now it seems his suspicions were coming to light.
Rian had only said that Katherine was in danger, and he didn’t want her to be at the Killarney Estate by herself, and he would explain later. Paddy had instinctively known that Sean was at the center of that danger. So Paddy was on his way to the airport to pick up Katherine. He was somewhat apprehensive since it had been to long since they’d last spoken.
It all happened at the family’s yearly reunion held at the Killarney Estate, his and Katherine’s Da’s estate. The estate had been in the family for centuries and was held in Trust in the family name so it would always stay in the McKay family. It was their legacy. At one time it had been a successful thoroughbred breeding and training center. His Great Grand Da Padrigue, his name sake, loved horses and the racing circuit, it had always brought him great joy. The facility could hold up to one hundred head easily. It had a mile long training track, a Stud barn, a Brood Mare barn; turn out paddocks, and four twenty stall barns. The Estate encompassed eighty acres of land on Lough Lake. He used to love to go and watch his Grand Da and Da breaking the horses. His Grand Da had been so gallant when he broke a thoroughbred and had taken the first ride. Paddy so wanted to be like his Grand Da, but it was not to be. Grand Da died when Paddy was a lad and his father didn’t make it past forty-five.
Humorlost (Humorlost Book I of III) Page 18