by Dancer, Jack
"Nothing really. I broke Madame's rule about using it but . . ."
"Turns out it was a good thing. You saved our lives my little hummingbird," Madame says.
"Well, tell me. What did you do?" Nanette presses on.
Tanya goes on to explain the Sandman Sleep Spray.
"And cinnamon flavored too. Oh, my God that's too much girl. You are a genius!" exclaims Nanette.
"I heard that," comes the voice of a waking Tucker as he rustles himself into a sitting position.
"Are you alright, Tucker?" Tanya and Nanette say in unison turning their attention to him.
"Yeah, fine," he says rubbing his eyes, "Heard what you said about the Sandman Spray and all I can say to that is: Takes A Licking And No More Ticking."
All three women look at him, dumbfounded.
"Hey, I'm an ad man. It's my nature. Don't you get it?"
"Sorta . . ." says Nanette.
"Maybe . . ." says Madame.
"No," says Tanya.
"Come on ladies. Timex watches. Takes A Licking And Keeps On Ticking?"
All three women look at each other then back at him like he's lost his mind. Nanette turns to Tanya.
"So, there're side effects to this Sandman stuff?"
"Just sleep, I think."
"Something, I desperately need right now. Mind if I have a taste?" says Nanette.
"Me too?" says Tucker.
***
It must be nearly two in the morning when I wake up, remembering that Nanette recorded her little trip into the castle. I need to see that recording, so I get up and locate the Stealth Pen and with a USB cord, download the video onto my laptop. When the video starts, I'm looking at what Nanette saw when she entered the tunnel and confronted the two surprised guards. I fast-forward to the office scene.
“It's over,” Nanette says after a red-faced Libica has pounded the desk and stood. Nanette moves into her space. "Check your cell phone for his text message. He's offering you a deal to save your life. You'll get what you want, but you have to let Monica go."
Her cell phone in hand, Libica's reading, her eyes widening as the shock from my message begins to register. She tucks the phone back into her pocket.
“So, this is it? This is all he wants?” She asks Nanette.
“Yes, just the woman. He's willing to give up €120 million in exchange for one woman.”
“He must love this woman?”
“Obviously.”
“He is a fool. No one is worth that kind of money.”
“He doesn't see it that way.”
“Why are you helping him?”
“He'll kill me if I don't.”
“What if I kill you if you do?”
“Then, you'll get neither the money nor keep your life. This is not a man you want to piss off Drusilla. He's already ruined you with what he's put into motion. Don't you understand that? Have you looked outside? Outside the gates? People are already gathering there demanding your head. It'll only get worse for you. After tomorrow's march in Barcelona, you won't be able to hide anywhere. Everyone will be after you. You'll be lucky if you can survive to the end of the week. You have no other choice Drusilla. Be glad you have a way out.”
Libica drops her head into her hands and when she comes up, she's been crying. She nods and stands.” I'll take you to Princess Reyes.”
Princess Reyes? What's this? This is the second-time Monica's been called a princess. Last week it was by that woman at the Sant Pau del Camp and now by Libica? Can she really be a princess? Or, is she just calling her a princess because she's the Spanish Prisoner who was originally a princess. Maybe that's it. She's following tradition.
Nanette and Libica leave the office and walk down a couple of hallways without speaking until they come to a door. Libica opens it, and Nanette follows her in. Monica is sitting in a wooden chair in the middle of the tiled room.
“Nanette,” Monica screams in delight seeing her friend. "You're here to rescue me?”
Just then Libica enters the screen and behind her back Nanette brings her finger up to her lips signaling Monica to keep quiet. A scalpel’s in Libica’s hand. Holy shit! She's going to cut her! But she doesn't. Instead, she cuts the nylon zip ties binding Monica's arms and legs. Monica stands rubbing her wrists then rushes to Nanette embracing her. The video goes dark.
“Oh, God Nanette, I'm so glad to see you; I can hardly believe it; you're here,” she says.
“I'm here honey. Everything's going to be all right and we're going to get you out of here real soon,” says Nanette.
“Real soon? What do you mean? No, now! I want to be out of here now!”
“Calm down sweetheart, and I'll tell you all about it,” Nanette says before turning to Libica, "Drusilla will you leave us alone now?”
“Thirty minutes,” Libica replies off camera and Monica sticks her tongue out at Drusilla. Jesus Christ the woman's got cheek.
I can hear the door closing when Nanette says to Monica, "Tucker's outside honey. He's watching and listening to everything. You want to say hello?” she says pointing to the Stealth Pen in her pocket.
Monica looks straight into the Stealth Pen's lens and waves, "The Stealth Pen," she says. "Oh, Tucker honey. Are you really there? I've been so scared. Out of my mind I'd never see you again. Oh, my God, I can't believe you're here - you and Nanette, and you're going to take me with you aren't you, Tucker?”
“Honey,” Nanette says, "We're not going to be able to take you with us right now.”
"Why not right now?” Monica asks clearly upset.
“Friday honey. It'll be Friday; I promise.”
“Why Friday and not now?”
“Because Tucker has arranged a trade with Doctor Libica . . .” confusion crosses Monica's face, ". . . to take you out of here, and it can't be done until Friday.”
“Why?” Monica asks clearly disappointed.
“It's a long story honey. Tucker is paying for your release, and the funds will not be available until then. But don't worry I've arranged it so you'll be comfortable and treated well until then. You won't be tied up again.”
“Well, that's a relief,” Monica says rubbing her wrists.
“Are you okay? I mean; she didn't hurt you did she?”
“No, except for leaving me here tied to this damn chair for hours on end and threatening me and asking me about some lottery ticket she thinks we took from her on the train. Yeah, Tucker,” she looks to the Stealth Pen again, "What's that all about? Do you know anything about that? You didn't take a lottery ticket from her; did you? Or, from that dead guy, Paulo? Did you, Tucker? Because this old witch thinks, you did. That's why I'm here, Tucker. She thinks we stole a lottery ticket from her. I told her she was crazy. She is crazy right, Tucker?"
Hearing this, a nasty bile rises up my throat, and I want to vomit. But it was the only way, I want to tell her. God knows what Libica might have done to you otherwise. At least, this way she's been in doubt all this time. She couldn't risk a wrong decision. That's why you're still alive, I'm dying to tell her.
“Honey,” Nanette says touching her arm in sympathy, "Tucker does have the ticket.”
“What?” Monica screams, "He has the ticket, and he never told me about it?”
Oh, shit, she's furious.
“Honey, he was trying to protect you," Nanette urges, "Don't you see? He was afraid if you knew about it something terrible might happen.”
“Something terrible DID happen, I was kidnaped!” Monica screams.
“I know, I know, and he feels terrible about it too. It's been breaking him up all week.”
“Yeah, I'll bet," she says quickly coming to her senses. "How much is the ticket worth?”
“€120 million,” answers Nanette.
“120 million? Are you kidding me?” replies an unbelieving Monica.
“Yes. I mean, no," Nanette quickly corrects, "That's what it's worth.”
“And he didn't tell me about it?” she again looks directly into t
he Stealth Pen, "Why? Why didn't you tell me, Tucker? Did you think you'd have to share it with me?”
Clearly, she's pissed now.
“No. You're wrong, Monica. He's giving the ticket to Drusilla so she'll let you free.”
“What?”
“He's giving the 120 million to Drusilla to save your life,” repeats Nanette.
“Oh, my God! Oh, no. Tucker, I'm so sorry. Oh, God. Please forgive me, Tucker. I'm so sorry for doubting you,” she says crying with her face pressed against Nanette and the Stealth Pen and the video again goes black.
"It's okay honey. Tucker knows you've been through a lot. He knows you don't mean what you're saying. He loves you, and he doesn't want anything to happen to you. Believe me honey; he's more distraught by this than anyone. He's already done all he can. He's even paid one million euros for your release already, out of his own pocket.”
“He did?”
“Yes, last Monday he handed over a million euros to get you released.”
“Oh, my God, Tucker,” she says, again looking directly into the camera, "You are the most wonderful man I've ever known. I don't deserve it, Tucker. I don't deserve you.”
“Yes, you do honey. He knows what he's doing. You’re the luckiest woman in the world, Monica.”
“I know; I know. I only wish I could see him now. I just want to be in his arms.”
“You will be honey; you will be. Soon, very soon.”
“So, why are you doing this, Nanette? I mean, why are you risking yourself to save me?"
“Because you mean the world to me too, Monica. I don't want to see anything happen to you. I want to help get you out of this, do whatever I can.”
"And how is it that you know that evil bitch?"
"That's a long story honey, I'll tell you all about it later."
“And Tucker recruited you to help him?”
“Yes, in a manner of speaking.”
“What else have you been doing for him?” she asks warily.
“What do you mean?” Nanette answers a bit on guard.
“You know what I mean. Have you been fucking him, Nanette?”
“Of course not.”
“You're lying, I can see it in your eyes. You have been fucking him, haven't you?”
Holy shit. It's Ebba all over again! I'm thinking.
“Honey, I swear to God, he has done nothing."
"He? But what have you done?"
"Nothing," she says turning her head away, then turning back to Monica, "Okay, I admit I would have, but he wouldn't. I'm not kidding. He wouldn't. He's not even touched me. He's really in love with you and as much as I have, admittedly, tried to seduce him, he refuses to take the bait. Actually, it hasn't been all that easy for me. It's been terrible. It makes me wonder what's wrong with me. This has never, ever happened to me."
Monica looks back into the Stealth Pen and says triumphantly, "You know, Tucker. If you had done whatever you wanted to do, I would say, that's my man taking his due, my conqueror. So, it's okay, honey. I forgive you in advance. If you want to take her, rape her, do whatever you want, you just go right ahead. You have my permission. Then she looks at Nanette and says, “slut."
Wow, now that's a sudden change. Weird. Is this really permission? Holy shit.
Monica reaches for the Stealth Pen and takes it out of Nanette's pocket and says, "Now Tucker, Nanette and I have some things to talk over honey. You know, girl talk. So be a sweetheart and give us a moment, okay? We'll be back soon. I love you," she says and presses the button to turn the Stealth Pen off. The screen goes black but then fragmented audio comes across over the next several minutes
Ticket . . . Claim winnings . . . Swiss account . . . rescue . . . need to know . . . Tucker. . . love . . . me . . . give up . . . money . . . deal . . . Drusilla . . . bitch . . . share . . . you . . . Pau . . . need to know . . . love him . . . you . . . Tucker . . . safe . . . rescue . . . Kill. . .Friday . . . Thursday . . . march . . . escape . . .
When the video returns the audio goes out. Monica is talking into the Stealth Pen and smiling and crying but I can read her lips saying she loves me. She blows me kisses and then something takes place off camera. Drusilla enters the room and Nanette hugs Monica and leaves with Drusilla.
Damn. What was that all about? What was she saying? And what was it that she and Nanette were talking about off camera? I need to get in Nanette's face about this and find out what's going on. But right now, even more than that, what I really need is sleep.
sixty-one
19:35 Hours, Wednesday, 10 September.
Castello Llivia
The Raven.
"And to what do I owe the honor of your visit, Julia? More money? How much this time? Something go wrong with your little Spanish Prisoner scams? You never come to visit without your hand out for something, so what is it this time? I've got a lot on my plate today, Julia, so get on with it. What do you want?" says a sarcastic Drusilla.
"No, Mama. Why do you have to be so mean? I'm here to help you in your hour of need. Is that so wrong of me to want to help my mother?" asks Pau.
"My hour of need? What makes you think I'm in an hour of need? More than that, what makes you think you could help me, even if I was in your so-called hour of need? Cut the bullshit, Julia. What do you want?"
I hate you, you old bitch.
"Well, mother," Julia says a little haughty, "from the looks of all those people hanging around outside the gate screaming for your head, seems to me; you've got some trouble on your hands."
"They're piss ants, Julia, nobodies, and if they are still there after dark they will be hanging in the trees by morning. And if you don't want to join them, keep wasting my time."
"I know about the lottery ticket, mother, and I know who has it."
"Oh, really? So, tell me then, who?"
"If I tell you, will you be nice to me? Will you let me come home, Mama?"
"Of course honey. I didn't know you wanted to come home. Did something go wrong with Nanette? I thought you two had a nice little business. What happened to that?"
"Nanette's stupid Mama. We did have a nice business, but she messed it up. She's a traitor Mama. She's joined up with this American man, and he's the one who has your lottery ticket. He even has Tiber and Druses locked up in this horrible place. They're his prisoners, Mama! And he has more prisoners. He has everybody who was working our business. They're all his prisoners! He's ruined everything, Mama. And Nanette says that she saw you today, and that you have this man's girlfriend."
Drusilla's thinking what an idiot child she still is. How did she come from my loins? Why has God punished me with this one?
"But, she doesn't have the lottery ticket, Mama, this man Tucker Blue has the ticket so you can let Princess Monica go."
"I am darling, on Friday when this Tucker Blue brings me the ticket. Then I'll let Princess Monica go. Tell me about your brothers, Julia? You say this Tucker Blue is holding them prisoner?"
"Yes, Mama. And he held me prisoner too, but I escaped."
"You escaped? Good for you, Julia. That's very good. Now tell me, where does he have your brothers?"
"Well, it's not really Tucker Blue. It's a man who works for Tucker Blue. A man they call Señor Dick. A fat man. He's very disgusting."
"And where exactly are they keeping your brothers?"
"At the Bagdad Club. In the basement. It's like a dungeon there. And oh Mama, you should see what they've done to Tiber and Drusus. It's awful."
"I've seen what they've done, Julia, and they will pay for it. I promise. When you say, you were held prisoner, were you with your brothers? Did you see them? Talk to them?"
"Yes, Mama and they are so sorry for what they did. They didn't mean it. This awful man, this Señor Dick made them. Don't blame them Mama because they couldn't help it. And they are very scared that you'll be mad."
"Well, what is it that they did, Julia?"
"If I tell you, are you going to be mad at them? Because you can't tell them
that I told on them. You promise, Mama?"
"I won't tell them you told me, Julia. I promise. And I won't get mad at them either. I'm mad at this Tucker man and the Dick man for making my children their prisoners. That's who I'm mad at. Now, what is it that your brothers did?"
"You promise Mama?"
"Goddammit, Julia!"
"Okay," she says backing down like a meek little mouse, "they told on you Mama. That's what they did. They told on you."
"They told what on me?"
"Everything! They told this Señor Dick fat man everything about you, where you live, your phone numbers, the names of your men and their addresses, everything Mama, everything! That's why they are so scared. They know they did wrong, but if you saw what those men did to them; you'd understand why. They had to do it."
The little doctor stumbled, and nearly fell holding her chest. This news hit her like a punch to the stomach. Her whole world began to spin, and she realized at this very moment that she was through. Her only hope left was to do the deal with Blue, get the ticket, and disappear. All day long, faxes, telephone calls, and urgent messages were coming in, warning her that the end was near. She'd had calls from her closest and most powerful allies and colleagues warning her to get out, to disappear, that they could no longer protect her or even be associated with her. They would have no choice but to join in and call for her head. They had to protect themselves.
This one damn American. This nobody and his girlfriend. Pure coincidence was all it was. And because of that one chance meeting on the train that day and I'm about to lose everything I've built over the last forty years. One man, unbelievable! And what am I left with? What will be my legacy? One idiot daughter and two traitorous sons? That's it? Those boys are dead. And when I get my hands on that ticket, this Tucker Blue will be dead too if it takes me the next hundred years.
"Mama, are you all right?" Pau says rushing forth to steady her mother, and help her to a chair. "Here, sit down, Mama. Can I get you something? It'll be okay, Mama. You have me. I'll take care of you. Don't worry."
Die you old bitch, but before you do take those two shit-for-brothers out first. Do me, this one last favor and I'll see that all you built, lives on forever. Then I'll be a princess just like Monica. Princess Julia Libica! No. Queen Julia Libica! That sounds better.