Olivetti: Illumination

by Tamilore Odimayo

“James, you need to leave,” Nina replied. James looked at Nina then looked at Tom. He laughed then choked then laughed again.

  “Oh! So you know he is wanted by the FBI?” James replied, seeing that Nina wasn’t reacting the way he had expected.

  “You’re not going anywhere,” Tom said. He dashed to the door then locked it. Nina was surprised. Tom placed his hands on her shoulders aware that she was frightened.

  “He brought the FBI to get me,” He whispered in her ears.

  “How’d you know?” Nina asked.

  “His thoughts,” Tom replied briefly.

  “What?” Nina asked. Once again, she was confused.

  “Go to the room and change your clothes, please,” Tom replied. Nina had questions, but she knew it was best to do what he said. She ran to the room.

  Tom faced James. “How many are they?” Tom asked. James didn’t reply. Tom dragged James up and slammed him on the door. He scanned through James thoughts. He scoffed. He spoke through James hidden wires.

  “If you want me, come get me,” He said, knowing the FBI was listening.

  “If you want me, come get me,” they heard through James hidden wires. A chill ran through their spines simultaneously. “Shit! He knows we are here. James is in trouble,” Agent Weaver said. He quickly wore a bullet proof vest, grabbed his gun and stormed out of the vehicle before Parker or Kimberly could stop him.

  “Wait! We haven’t been given orders by the Director. We don’t have a warrant…” Kimberly yelled, desperate to follow FBI protocol.

  “I don’t think he wants to do this by the book,” Parker replied.

  “We’re not calling for back up. It’s just one guy. We can handle him,” Parker said as he put on his vest and stormed out of the van too. Kimberly sighed. She reached for her radio.

  “This is Special Agent Kimberly. FBI! Calling all available FBI units. We need back up at Trump towers, Sunny Isle beach. I repeat, we need back up at Trump Towers!” Kimberly yelled. She dropped the radio without waiting for a response. She wore her vest then ran into the building to protect her partners.

  Tom stood in Nina’s apartment with his arms folded like a principal about to discipline his student. He was now wearing his shirt. Nina was dressed in sneakers, jeans and her college t-shirt. Tom’s calmness made her distressed and anxious. They heard a knock on the door. Nina glanced at Tom then at James.

  “It’s a friend,” Tom said, still staring outside the window, analyzing all possible options of the chaotic scenario. He could hear the FBI storm the building. He could hear the sirens from afar.

  Nina opened the door to see Julianna. “Tom, we have to go,” Julianna said without acknowledging Nina’s presence. Nina couldn’t hide the surprise in her eyes. She had questions, but Tom seemed preoccupied with his thoughts.

  “I know,” Tom said, turning back.

  “Any ideas?” Julianna asked, knowing Tom was the only one who could see the future far enough to know what to do to elude the agents.

  “Yes! You go! I stay! Every scenario ends with gun fire and casualties. Except one,” Tom said to Julianna. Nina was dumbfounded by the events transpiring in front of her. Julianna gazed at Nina then at Tom.

  “You want to protect her from flying bullets,” Julianna said instantly. Tom nodded. “I can’t drag her into this. I have to give myself up, if not, someone will get hurt,” Tom replied. Jealousy ravaged Julianna. Tom’s protectiveness towards Nina was unlike anything she had ever felt. The two had an energy she couldn’t explain. She remained calm, though threatened by the potential loss of the man she loved. She knew Tom was acting in the interest of protecting the Order’s secrets. Julianna scoffed then fled the apartment.

  Agent Weaver took the stairs while Agent Parker and Kimberly took the elevator. Agent Weaver was desperate to catch Tom. He ran up the stairs with his gun pointed. He panted furiously as he skipped steps to get to his destination faster. His adrenaline levels were high enough to win the step-climbing Olympics, if there was one. Suddenly, he bumped into a woman in a leather Jacket.

  “Ma’am you need to make your way outside. This place is dangerous. We are in pursuit of a criminal,” He said to Julianna, dramatically. He was out of breath and almost delirious. She smiled as she calmly made her way down the stairs.

  Agent Weaver finally arrived on Nina’s floor. All doors were closed except one. He ran to the open door. “Freeze!” he yelled out, pointing the gun at Tom. He was in a state of frenzy. He saw James on the floor, in pain. Nina panicked at the corner of her living room like she was about to have an anxiety attack. He shifted his gaze back to Tom. He was calmly standing by the window with a smile on his face. Agent Parker and Kimberly stormed in.

  “I’ve got you now!” Agent Weaver said as he cuffed Tom with a wide grin on his face.

  20

  Present day

  Hewas calmly seated in an FBI/CIA black site. The interrogation room’s temperature fluctuated—a tactic used to keep a suspect as uncomfortable as possible since Reagan’s administration. Two rooms away, Agents paced around, trying to figure out what to do with their newly detained subject. His case was rare. Tom Olivetti was officially dead according to all records. They had to bring him back to life to press any charges. His situation was peculiar.

  “I can’t believe you ordered a whole kill squad on him, without my permission! We now have unnecessary media attention!” Mark Shaw, FBI director yelled at Agent Weaver, Parker and Kimberly. His bald spot was bright red and his face looked like a ripe tomato. He panted furiously. It’d been more than thirty years since he was out of the field as an agent. Life on the desk wasn’t too pleased with his breathing and heart problems. He had just made a last minute emergency trip to the facility. He had to see for himself. He wanted to know if ordering the kill squad was worth it or just another hoax to burn federal dollars. He glanced at the interrogation room camera. He observed Tom. He was seated with his hands folded on the table, calmly.

  “Look at him, He’s so calm. He has been seated in that same position for twelve hours, without moving,” Agent Weaver said in a state of anger. Truth was, he was more fascinated than angry. Tom’s personality didn’t any criminal profile.

  “For some strange reason, he acts like he knows what’s about to happen—like he has planned every detail. He didn’t resist arrest or try to flee the apartment even though he had an opportunity to,” Kimberly said, trying to psychoanalyze him.

  “That’s not the point! We have an innocent civilian in a terrorist facility!” Mark Shaw yelled.

  “He’s a fucking terrorist! He blew a plane full of people to cover up his death! He killed half a dozen people then faked his death! Look at how he is seated. It’s like he is not human. Have you ever seen anyone that calm, in this kind of situation? I’ve seen cold blooded Al Qaeda terrorist. They aren’t this calm,” Agent Weaver yelled.

  Tom stared directly into the camera then smiled. A Chill ran through Kimberly’s spine. Everything about Tom fascinated her. He walked with so much grace; it felt like his feet were designed for the air and not the floor. He looked like a perfectly sculptured robot designed to…She paused.

  “I think he heard what you just said,” Kimberly replied as she moved closer to the screen, fascinated and thrilled by the possibilities.

  “Whatever! There’s something about him that creeps me out,” Parker replied with his arms folded across his chest.

  Mark Shaw sighed.

  “Someone talk to him. Find out why he is still alive! Find out where he has been! Find out his aliases! Let’s find a reason to justify his presence here so that his family doesn’t sue the agency for every last penny we have!”

  Tom was calm than ever. Everything was playing as imagined. He adjusted his body temperature to accommodate the interrogation room—a trick he learned from the illuminati. He could hear the conversations going on rooms away. He was glad Nina wasn’t dragged into his mess. It was bad enough that she had to witness him being arrested like a terr
orist. The alternate options would’ve led to bloodshed.

  He imagined what she’d think about him afterwards. After all, a majority of their brief dating life was full of chaos. His thoughts were interrupted. Agent Weaver walked into the room. He dragged the metal chair at the corner of the room. The screeching sound resonated into Tom’s ears with utmost displeasure. Agent Weaver maliciously stared at Tom. It was hard to believe he’d capture an Olivetti. It was a story he knew he’d tell his grandchildren in the future.

  “No,” Tom said.

  “No, what?” Agent Weaver asked.

  “You were about to ask if I knew about my plane crash? – My answer, No,” Tom replied. Agent Weaver stared at Tom’s cold eyes. It was fearless and cold. He looked like a lion analyzing its prey.

  “You do realize that…”

  “I’m in a federal terrorist facility in Cuba…yes I realize that,” Tom began. Shock emerged on Agent Weaver’s face. “How the hell did he know that?” Weaver thought.

  “I just do. I also know that holding me here without proof that I bombed that plane is against all federal laws. I also know that once I’m out of here, I’ll make your life a living hell,” Tom replied.

  Agent Weaver almost staggered backwards. “Are you reading my mind?” Agent Weaver asked.

  Tom scoffed. “Your mind isn’t worth reading. You’re an open book. Obsessed agent. You put your work over your life. You’ve been investigating my family day and night for the past eight years. You’re so busy with my business; you don’t even realize how much Kimberly, your partner, loves you.”

  “Shut up!” Agent Weaver erupted. His eyes flared. He was right. There had to be a mole in the three man team. It was the only logical explanation. His paranoia increased. Who could it be, Kimberly or Parker?

  “Why? Am I getting to your head?” Tom smiled. His voice was low and calm—almost angelic and demonic at the same time. Agent Weaver panted furiously, confused and distraught.

  “Shut the hell up!” He said, slamming his hands on the table.

  “No! Now listen to me. As I speak, my family has figured out where I am. They’re coming for me. No more interrogations. You can’t torture me like you torture other terrorist here in Guantanamo bay. If a mosquito so much as touches my skin, you’re a dead man.”

  Agent Weaver was stunned and confused by his guts. It was very uncommon for a detainee to make open threats.

  “There are agents in the next room wondering why I have the guts to make a direct threat to an agent. Well, I just did. Stop meddling with my family. Let us be!” Tom said then looked at the camera to make it clear he was talking to the people in the other room.

  Fear filled Agent Weaver’s face. He tried to put on a mask of boldness, but was unsuccessful. Kimberly walked into the room.

  “The Director wants to see you,” she said as Weaver stormed out of the room.

  Earlier. Don Olivetti rushed to his limo. He had just gotten information from his FBI informant that his nephew, Tom Olivetti was really alive and locked up in a Federal facility. He was furious. He felt like a chicken in a microwave oven—boiling on the inside and ready to explode. That didn’t matter. His political connections superseded that of the Bureau’s. He was determined to be the first to see his nephew. He wanted to ask the tough questions before anyone could have a chance to ask those same questions.

  “Where have you been? Why did you fake your death? Who helped?”

  “Take me to JFK,” Don Olivetti said to the driver. His guards followed along in a different car. He quickly dialed Walter’s phone.

  “I can’t explain. Seems Tom is alive. Be in New York as soon as possible,” He said to Walter on the phone and hung up immediately without waiting for a response. He then dialed Dean’s number.

  “Dean I need you in New York! Tom is alive! Things will be bad once the press gets a hold of this. Protect Nina at all cost!” He said to Dean, without waiting for a response. He hung up

  “Can’t you go any faster!?” He yelled at the Limo driver as they breezed through the New York Streets.

  “We have something! A verbal threat to a federal agent! He threatened me!” Weaver said, fuming. Kimberly stared at Weaver, a handsome man whose life was encapsulated around everything that goes on in mob families.

  “We can’t book him. His lawyer is here!” Mark Shaw said.

  “What!? Terrorists shouldn’t have lawyers!” Weaver yelled.

  “Watch your tone young man!” Mark Shaw yelled back. Weaver eased up a bit. He was upset, but not upset enough to lose his job right when he had captured the mob’s golden boy. Kimberly gazed at the television screen that displayed Tom’s interrogation room.

  “He’s more intelligent than I expected. Advanced Sociopath. No remorse. No fear. Lack of regard for authority,” Kimberly said to herself.

  “You can say that again. He just mind-fucked Weaver,” Agent Parker replied folding his arms and observing Tom in the interrogation room.

  “What I don’t understand is how he knows everything” Kimberly replied.

  “Knows everything? He was just messing with Weaver…Or are you saying he is right about the feelings you have for Weaver?” Parker asked, half Jealous. Kimberly was an attractive woman and he wouldn’t have minded a piece of the pie if she had just shown him a hint of attention. Kimberly ignored the question.

  “He answered my questions before I asked them?” Weaver added.

  “It might be a coincidence,” Mark Shaw replied.

  “There are just too many coincidences with this family,” Weaver replied. “He even knows about my feelings for Weaver,” Kimberly thought as she gazed at the man of her dreams who was still preoccupied with Tom.

  Just then, an agent walked into the room. “Sir! The director of the NSA is on the line,”

  Mark Shaw tried to hide his surprise from his agents. He made his way to an office. It was simple and plain. No carpet, just a desk, a chair and an American flag on the side.

  He picked up the phone. “Yes! Mark Shaw here,” Mark Shaw said to the voice on the phone then paused as he listened to the instructions.

  “Okay, we would release him,” Mark Shaw replied then hung up. He sighed. He was frustrated and upset.

  “Shit! Shit! Shit! I’m in deep shit,” he cussed in his mind.

  He made his way to the interrogation room where Tom was. To his surprise, Tom was standing at the door, ready to go.

  “You’re free to go, son,” Mark Shaw said. Tom nodded then calmly made his way out of the room. Anger brewed within Weaver’s chest as he watched Tom walk out of the facility, untouched.

  “Watch your back, Tom!” He yelled out.

  “I can see mine clearly, you should consider watching yours,” Tom replied calmly with a smile that made Weaver cringe. The pain he felt watching Tom walk away was enough to drive him insane.

  Walter and Catherine were lounging in their apartment at Fisher Island—drinking and watching a movie together. Time with Catherine was the only time he felt at peace. Years ago, he had nearly gone into a deep murderous rage in an attempt to avenge his son. Luckily, logic, patience and the sweet smell of Catherine, made him see a reason to be at peace within himself.

  His phone suddenly rang. He listened to the voice on the phone for about two seconds then hung up. She looked at Walter. He was acting weird. His face had a mixture of hope and mistrust. She could hear his sudden rapid heartbeat pumping on his chest.

  “I just heard disturbing news,” Walter said. He got up from the couch in haste. His mind was flooded with confused thoughts.

  “What!? What happened?” Catherine asked. He didn’t know whether to tell her or not. What if his brother was just pulling his legs? His brother didn’t sound too sure. It could just be a hunch. The thought of putting Catherine in that vulnerable position eluded him, but he decided to tell her.

  “Tom is alive! He might be, I don’t know. I—I – I’m confused. I think he is. I’m not sure. J-just got a message from my brother. I
have to take a flight to New York. I can only believe it when I see it,” Walter said, rushing into the bedroom like a dog chasing its last meal. He made his way through the large apartment hallway. Catherine followed along without a hint of surprise.

  Walter paused. He turned towards Catherine. His brain ticked. His eyes searched for an emotional reaction.

  “Why don’t you look surprised?” He asked, gazing at his wife.

  “I – I…Well, I saw him a week ago. He and - He and Nina came by. I was as shocked as you were, but he didn’t give me any answers…” Catherine said incoherently.

  He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He dropped his bag on the floor, fuming like a stuffed chimney. “Wait, let me get this straight, Tom was alive and you kept this a secret from me?” Walter asked. “You’ve been seeing him for weeks too?” He felt betrayed and stupid. No wonder her phone calls to him had reduced dramatically. Once upon a time, whenever he was in New York, Catherine would call half a dozen times a day to hear his voice. In the past week she called him only once a day, at night, when she should have been sleeping.

  “Yes. He convinced me to keep it a secret. He said you were safer without the knowledge of his existence,” Catherine replied, trying to reason with Walter who looked like he was about to explode in rage.

  “That—that doesn’t make any sense. My fucking son is alive and you decided to keep this from me, your husband!?” Walter yelled.

  Catherine was half terrified. She knew Walter wouldn’t hurt her, but the last time she saw Walter that angry, he killed a Cartel right in front of her.

  “You need to calm down Walt!” Catherine said firmly.

  “So you had lunch with him? I – I saw him in his coffin. I verified his death with top forensic DNA experts. It’s impossible!” Walter replied.

  “It’s him. It’s my son. I know my son. He has the birth mark. The one on his right hand,” Catherine said. Walter paused for minutes. Words couldn’t explain how he felt. He was angry. Why didn’t Tom come to him first? He remembered when his brother, Don Daniel Olivetti was briefly interrupted in a meeting. “Danny must have known since then,”