Humorlost (Humorlost Book I of III)

by Carol J. Donahue

  He and Katherine’s Da and Mum got killed in an auto accident one evening as they were driving home from an Anniversary outing. It was a cold and wet November day. Reports stated that they were driving too fast and their car skidded off the road down an embankment and hit a tree. The car exploded on impact and they were killed instantly. By that time the thoroughbred head count at the Estate had dwindled to seventeen. Padrigue had always planned to join his Da and get the training center up and running again. He was away serving his country at the time of the accident so it was impossible for him to come home for any length of time. The estate fell into the hands of Sean and Katherine. Of course Katherine loved her husband and trusted him to make the right financial decisions for the family. Sean sold off the remaining horses and closed up the stables.

  When Paddy returned from his stint in the service, he was devastated to learn that the farm was no longer operational. All the help had been let go except for the main house staff. At the infamous family reunion some ten years later Sean and Padrigue got into an intense argument about the estate and punches were thrown. Sean threw Padrigue out and he never set foot on the Estate again. Sean had forbidden Katherine too ever speak to her brother again. Padrigue knew this was the case even though he had never spoken to Katherine about it. He knew that Sean was the sort that would think nothing of breaking up a family for his own gain. Now at long last maybe Katherine would see past her love for Sean and face the truth about him. In the past couple of years Padrigue had been in contact with Rian. He had seen him on the news in the political arena and was able to contact him through his friend Morgan. His goal was merely to make sure Katherine was ok.

  So Uncle and Nephew corresponded periodically and Padrigue was grateful that Rian took after his Mum and not his Da. He could tell by the script the Ladd wrote that he had a genteel side, but was disappointed that he had chosen to follow in his father’s political foot steps. He hated the thought of Rian becoming like all the politicians before him. As far as Padrigue was concerned they were all crooks and hypocrites.

  As Katherine stepped foot into the airport terminal, her eyes scanned the crowd for her brother. She had been sorry to hear of Paddy’s wife Emily passing. It had been three years when she heard about it from Rian. She was so upset that she hadn’t been there for her brother in his time of need. Emily was a very kind and loving wife. They had married while he was in the Military. Katherine and the children spent a few weeks that first summer with Emily and Padrigue. The two women hit it off so well, it was like finding the long lost sister that Katherine had always longed for.

  She really hated to leave when the two weeks ended, but Sean had pressed her into returning home so she had no choice but to pack up the children and return to him.

  Katherine spotted Padrigue through the crowd and he opened his big strong arms to her and she quickly picked up her pace and practically leaped into his arms. He gave her that big bear hug that she’d missed for so many years. He picked her up and swung her around and around until she had to beg him to stop. He kissed her on the cheek and released her as he spoke her nick name. “Katie my Katie.” It was music to her ears hearing his voice. “Oh Paddy how I’ve missed you! I’m so sorry about poor Emily. I only heard a short time ago from Rian. I was so sorry. I would have been here for you no matter what Sean O’Connor said. Why didn’t you contact me?”

  “I didn’t want your life to become any more difficult than it already was Katie.”

  Katherine just looked up into her brothers eyes and sighed. “You know I thought about leaving him on so many occasions, but for the children I would have. I hated not being able to contact you, and I….”

  “Shush now little Katie, we’ll be having none of that. Come, I want to take you to dinner. We’ll have a catch up chat over dinner and our favorite brew. He took Katherine by the hand and they headed off to pick up her luggage.

  As they waited for Katherine’s luggage Padrigue’s cell began to play ‘Oh Danny Boy’ he had the ring tone set for Rian, so he would be sure to answer when the call came in.

  “Uncle Paddy, has my Mum arrived?”

  “Oh yes Rian, my Ladd, she has and she looks as beautiful as the day I last saw her. We’re waiting for her luggage now. Then we’re heading off to my favorite Pub, Killian’s down in the valley for a bite and a Mug. How are things going back in the States?”

  “It’s quite tense hear Paddy, I really don’t have time to explain right now. My I speak to my Mum?”

  “Of course Ladd, I’ll put her on.” Paddy handed the phone to Katherine.

  “Rian! Are you alright Son? I’ve been worried sick about you.” “Yes Mum, I’m fine, as a matter of fact more than fine. I just wanted to let you know that Cassie and Magan are with Morgan they are taking a Holiday and Morgan assures me that they are safe, so there’s no need to worry. I wanted to make sure you arrived safely and Uncle Paddy found you with no difficulty.”

  “Yes Rian we found each other just fine, and your Uncle is his old jolly self, you know not much gets him down.”

  “Good I’m glad to hear it. Look, take care of yourself. I’ll stay in touch and let you know when I can make it home.”

  “When will that be, Rian?”

  “I’m not sure Mum, I have some things that need to be taken care of here, and it may take some time.”

  Katherine’s voice suddenly went very quiet and her tone changed dramatically. “Rian, where’s your Da?”

  “He’s in the next room Mum, and don’t worry, he will not stand in the way of you and Uncle Paddy seeing one another ever again!”

  “How can you be so sure Rian?”

  “Just let me say, we’ve come to terms, and leave it at that for now. There’s no need for you to ever worry about him again.”

  “You’re scaring me Rian, what’s really going on?”

  “Mum its ok, Da is ok, please just trust me to handle this, alright? I want you to relax and enjoy your time with Uncle Paddy. I have to go Mum. Can I speak to Uncle Paddy again?”

  “Yes of course Rian. I love you Son!”

  “I love you too Mum, take care.”

  “God Speed Rian.”

  “Thank you Mum.” Katherine handed the phone back to Padrigue. “Now there’s no need to worry Ladd, your Mum’s safe with me. We’re going to have us a grand ol-time, aren’t we Katie?” He said as he looked over at Katherine with affection.

  “Uncle Paddy, listen I’m not sure exactly when I’ll be back home. I hope you don’t mind if my Mum stays a while.”

  “Of course I don’t’ mind Ladd, don’t be daft. She can stay as long as she likes. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

  “Thanks Uncle Paddy you’ve really taken a great weight off my shoulders.”

  “Don’t’ mention it Rian, you stay safe.” “I will.” Rian hit the end call button.

  Decision

  Nakoma sat beside Kareena where she still reclined on the sofa encouraging her to drink a little more water. Nakoma stood as Rian entered the room and said “We have to make a decision about your father. Another hour and the drug will ware off.”

  “What are our options, Nakoma?” Rian asked.

  “We have three options. I can hook him up to an I.V. and administer the drug in small doses, just enough to keep him sedated and unable to move. If you want him to be able to speak, I can lower the dosage even more. Or, I can raise the dosage just enough so that it kills the son of a bitch slowly. Nokoma looked in Sean’s direction. Oh look he’s fully aware of everything we’re saying. I think I saw his eye twitch. Does that frighten you Sean O’Connor, to know that your life or death rests in our hands?”

  Reality hit Rian like a freight Rian, the realization of the lengths his father had gone to assure that He and Kareena would not reunite. He knew at that moment how his coma had come to be, and didn’t quite know if he trusted Nakoma. Did she take part in it? No he couldn’t believe that to be the case, but a part of him had doubts.

  Rian was pacing
again. He had to make a decision quickly. He could not let his father regain control. That would be a serious mistake. But he would not let him die either his mother would be devastated. “Hook him up to the I.V. Nakoma. We’ll keep him sedated for now, enough so he can’t speak. Later if I feel the need to communicate with him we’ll lower the dosage. He and I may need to have a few more words before I decide his fate.

  “Can you give me a hand Rian?” Nakoma asked. “I need to lift him on to the gurney.”

  As Nakoma busied her self with the preparations for Sean, Rian hurried back to Kareena, she had tears in her eyes and he held her again. He lifted her chin and asked “Did Nakoma speak to you about Jacob, Kareena?”

  “Yes …, she said she was so sorry for hurting me. If she could go back and change what had happened she would. And not a day went by that she didn’t regret her decision to give me up.”

  “How do you feel about that?”

  “I told her I understood. After all look what I did. There was never a day that I didn’t regret my decision either, Rian. “We both cried, and she isn’t one to let her emotions get the better of her. She needed to let it out. It was good for her.

  Rian’s stare at Kareena at that moment was so intense she had to ask him. “What?”

  “You! … he said “Do you have any idea how special you are?”

  “Please, Rian you can’t mean that.”

  “Yes I most defiantly mean it. Here you are just finding out that your whole life is a lie and instead of being angry at the person behind that lie, you’re more concerned for her than for yourself. You are very rare Kareena. Believe me when I tell you, there is no one like you in the whole world, and I’m so lucky to have found you again. I want you with me always, that is, if you’ll have me.” He place a finger on her lips as Kareena began to speak. “Don’t answer now. We have a lot of time to figure this all out. I just want you to know that I love you more than life itself.” He held her as her tears flowed again.

  “Rian? When will I be able to see our baby, my Cassie?”

  “Kareena, I know it must be killing you to not be with her, but we have to tie up loose ends here and then I’ll make the arrangements for us to fly home. Then you’ll be able to meet our baby girl.” Rian loved the sound of those words and let out a deep sigh after he said them.

  “What about your father Rian? I heard you and Nakoma talking, you aren’t really thinking of letting her allow him to die are you?” At this moment Rian felt pulled in so many directions he wasn’t sure what he felt. A part of him loathed his father for the pain and suffering he inflicted on Kareena, and himself over the past three year, and he never wanted him in his life again. But having Kareena ask this question made his softer side surface and all his childhood memories of the good times came flooding back to him. He knew he had to stay strong and keep his family safe, and that his father was very dangerous. He was going to have to make a very difficult decision in the next few hours.

  “Kareena my father has a black and evil soul. I’ve learned some very hard lessons in the past few years. I was almost lured into his world of deceit through some very skillful and manipulative tactics that are used everyday in politics. The hope and promise of making the world a better place feeds into the ego of every man that feels that he can make a difference, and truly believes that being elected into office will enable him to do just that. It’s a great and wonderful dream, but it’s a lie. There is a greater force at work here, a mighty evil force. The wheels have been in motion for centuries.” As Rian spoke he watched his father’s eyes, he was not only saying these words to Kareena, but as surely as he was standing there he was saying them to his father. “That’s right old man, you listen and hear what I say. I will no longer be used.”

  Nakoma had been listening to Rian also and as she finished up her work with Sean, she raised her hands in applause at Rian’s words. “No truer words were spoken, Rian I applaud you. At one time I truly believed that the plan for a New World Order was a true and just cause. And that it would truly benefit the world population, but the means by which they achieve their goals is beyond evil and I will not be a party to it either."

  Rian began pacing once again. He was absorbing Nakoma’s words, and running different scenarios through his mind. He raised his hand to stop her from saying anything more. “I need you to answer one question for me Nakoma.”

  “What’s that Rian?”

  “Did you know of Dr. Barrett’s involvement in my so called ‘Coma’?”

  “Excuse me? … You’re … Coma?”

  “Yes, … Coma! I was in a Coma for six months, Nakoma. Otherwise I would have known that Kareena was alive and our lives would certainly be different today. When I woke, I was informed of Kareena’s death.”

  “Please Rian, I had heard about your Coma, but believe me. I had no idea it wasn’t the real thing. Why would I think otherwise?”

  “Your husband was the instrument of administrating the drug to me, just as you are for my father.”

  “No,… I had no idea. I would never have gone along with a scheme like that, you have to believe me.”

  “For now, Nakoma I have no choice. We need each other, but watch your step.”

  “Don’t threaten me Rian O’Connor. I know how this looks, but you’re suspicions are unfounded.”

  “We’ll discuss this later, but for now I know what we must do with Sean O’Connor. Keep him sedated indefinitely. Do you have someone that can look after that Nakoma, some one loyal to you?”

  Nakoma nodded.

  “We must keep him alive. We’ll say he had a stroke. You seem to have thought of everything Nakoma, what about a Doctor?”

  “I have a team standing by. They are as loyal as they come. Since your father and my lousy deceased husband were so close it would only be natural for his assistant to take over. You can meet Dr. Albright in the morning.”

  “I’m going to need some time to think all of this through Nakoma, but for now I need to get in touch with my Father’s contacts, if you’ll excuse me?” Rian gave Kareena a hug and kiss on the forehead. He retrieved the cell form his Father’s coat pocket that lay on the chair near the clothing that Nakoma had removed. Rian had to contact the person who had been following Magan & Cassie. For all he knew they were still being tailed. “I’ll be right back.”

  “It’s been too long, something isn’t right here.” The man had returned from his break to find the exact scenario as when he left. Two hours had passed, and he didn’t like the feeling he was getting. If he had blown this operation there would be hell to pay and he only had himself to blame. First thing he had to do is find out if his pray was still in the flat. It was completely against protocol but he was going to have to go to the flat to find out for himself. His gut was seldom wrong and pictures of the old couple leaving in the taxi kept flashing through his mind, as a chill went up his spine. As he was about to leave the car his phone rang. It was his bosses special ring tone, he didn’t want to answer, but had no choice in the matter. He would have to face the music. “Hello!”

  Rian had been reminded more than once that his and his Fathers voices were so similar that they could pass for one another over the phone.

  Rian’s father never knew that as a boy Rian would sneak out of his bedroom late at night and crawl into the secret passageway between the wall of the closet and the library. It was a narrow passage that he could fit through comfortably. Rian had discovered it one day when he was playing in the big estate in Killarney. He was angry with his sister for tattling and he kicked at a stone near the fireplace in the living room while he was standing in the corner being punished. A panel moved aside revealing an entry to the passageway. No one was in the room at the time so Rian went on a little adventure. He didn’t dare go to far that first day for fear of being discovered, but eventually through exploration he found the key from the other side to close the door and he would take a small flashlight with him. He discovered that he could roam the entire estate and had many
an adventure in those passageways when he knew no one would be looking for him. He was very fascinated by his Father and the mystery of his work and was extremely curious as to what went on in those secret meetings. At the time Rian wanted to be just like his Da. He would sneak into the passageway from one of the many different entrances that he had discovered late at night and listen to his Father as he spoke on the telephone. Rian learned all the key words and phrases that were used. He thought that one day he would impress his Da with his knowledge, but that day never came.

  His father left the CIA when Rian was still young, and took the job in the Embassy. Now in retrospect the thought of some of the things that Rian overheard sickened him. He hated to think of what kind of mayhem they could have been ordering. He had to play his cards right, his daughters life could still be at steak.

  Even though Morgan had assured Rian that his family was safe, Rian knew that his Father’s people were professionals and was still worried that there might be a back up plan. His hand was shaking as the phone rang once, then he heard the voice. It was a voice he recognized a colleague of his fathers from the CIA. 'Oh God please don’t let me blow this.' “Cancel operation.” Was all Rian said, he heard the voice come back. “Roger that.” Then dead air. Rian hung up.

  Rian then punched in the next call.

  At hearing those words the man let out a sigh of relieve and all of his fears disappeared. He called his partner and informed him that the job was done. He was going home.

  Too Late

  Richard could wait no longer. After he knew the coast was clear and sending his buddy’s home, he had to see what was going on. As he entered the lab followed by Charles he caught a glimpse of Kari through the office door seated on the sofa. She was pale white, and he could see she had been crying. He hurried to her side and sat down. He took her hand. “You’ve been crying Kari, are you okay?” He wanted to wrap his arms around her and hold her, but he fought the urge. So much had happened in the past few hours he thought that he may have lost his chance to ever be with her again. She looked at him and smiled slightly. You don’t look good Kari maybe you should lie down.