"Were the men in the lobby hired by another fighter? One of your upcoming opponents?"
"No, I don't think so," Zachary answers. "A particularly dirty league sued me and several other fighters for breach of contract. They were engaged in all kinds of mayhem, including fixed bouts and financial improprieties. We were not exclusive with them—I won't be exclusive with any league, period—and we chose to bolt from participating in their matches. We had contractual obligations though and our lawyers told us to expect a war. It was nasty, but the lawsuits were dropped about a year ago. After the attack just made on me, personally, in San Francisco, we speculated that this old problem is coming back to life. As I was being held at gunpoint, Aleksey was in the same hotel and spotted one of the owners of that league in the lounge, where he was waiting for me."
"What is the connection with Heather Wanda?" Gustavo asks.
"She was their lead public relations expert. She was not on their staff, technically. Though her firm handled most of their marketing and press. She once worked for me. I met with her this morning to try and learn if the people behind the old league had anything brewing that could possibly connect them further to what occurred in San Francisco."
"Did she admit to anything?"
"No, she played it too cool. But gave herself away, nonetheless. Still, if not for you, Aleksey and I would have walked into a barrage of pandemonium."
"They were going to shoot you?"
"That is possible. I don't know. Most likely, they were going to kidnap me, and maybe Aleksey too, and begin there."
"To influence who?" Gustavo asks.
"The former world champion. You must know his name. Nathaniel Balder."
Gustavo relays that he has heard that name before in the news. Zachary explains that Nathaniel is his closest friend in the business and the lead fighter targeted by the aforementioned lawsuit. Zachary concludes by raising his hands by his sides, palms up, then balling his fingers into loose fists.
"For better or worse, I just gave you the truth," Zachary says.
"I believe you."
"Will you reciprocate, Gustavo? I would really like to know why you were in that lobby waiting for Heather."
"The dirty league is Cobra De Capello, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"I am ready to be candid too," Gustavo says. "Misfortune struck me when I least expected it. Looking back, I apparently interrupted some type of illicit exchange of stolen jewelry. I was pursued, the police ridiculed me instead of providing me with any help, and I fled to Vegas thinking I could return the property to its rightful owner. My only leads were names—Wanda and Cobra De Capello—spoken by a collapsed and panicked man, apparently in medical distress, hiding off a trail and waiting for someone."
"Can I see the jewelry?" Zachary asks. "Is it a ring or a pendant?"
"It's not on me. I did not bring it. It is way too big to hide."
"A crown?"
"No, I'll share all of the details though."
"What is it actually?" Zachary asks, reclining his chair to the fullest setting and preparing to hear the whole story.
"A cobra."
24
Image
Aleksey, scrambling back to the condominium, retreats to the bedroom to speak privately and quietly with Zachary. He begins with a brief explanation and shares the picture that was texted to him at the pizzeria.
"It is definitely from this morning," Zachary notes. "Same clothes, Heather's lobby, everything. They suspect Gustavo of working with us?"
"That is not how my friend phrased it," Aleksey answers. "He tipped me off that the word is going around that this person—Gustavo—may be associated with us."
"They have his name already?"
"I don't think they do. Not yet. My friend just said people are asking about you and sharing this picture to learn who he is and who he is involved with."
"Nothing else besides this is going on?" Zachary asks.
"So far, no," Aleksey answers.
"I have quite an update for you when we have more privacy. This debacle just got quite a bit more tangled and sticky. Gustavo's story will surprise you."
Zachary and Aleksey rejoin Gustavo in the condominium living room. Gustavo reads the concerned expressions they do not try to conceal.
"What's wrong?" Gustavo asks.
"People are looking for you," Zachary answers, showing him the image on Aleksey's phone.
"That was taken this morning."
"We know."
Who is looking for me?"
"There is little doubt who that is, speaking generally about the Cobra league, but there is no direct trail. Aleksey received a tip from a friend of his who had received the image and been asked about the identity of the man. It is not uncommon for bodyguards and others in the security field to get images and inquiries like this."
"They want to capture me?" Aleksey asks.
"Let's assume they do," Zachary answers.
"Just for alerting you in the bathroom that strange men were in the lobby?"
"And for escaping with us."
"I had no choice."
Zachary sits closer to Gustavo and Aleksey takes the edge of the recliner seat.
"Gustavo, you said you did not verbally give the receptionist your name or any contact information," Zachary says. "What about an ID or business card or any materials?"
"I handed her nothing," Gustavo answers.
"Close your eyes. Think back through the words you spoke to her."
"She detested me," Gustavo says, opening his eyes. "She suspected that I was going to try to sell something. The message I left with the receptionist was that I may or may not have a possession that belongs to Heather Wanda."
"Did you say jewels?" Zachary asks.
"Jewels?" Aleksey interjects.
Zachary waves at Aleksey to not interrupt and repeats his question to Gustavo.
"No," Gustavo answers, "I made no mention of the jewels."
"Did you say wand or cane or staff or cobra or anything else like that?"
"I did not."
"Did you claim the possession is valuable or priceless?"
"No."
"Nonetheless, your words about a possible possession of Heather's is piquing the curiosity of some minds right now. We need to act with the assumption that they have tied you to us and the jewelry. Assuming anything else and flirting with denial would be outrageously foolish. Do you understand and agree, Gustavo?"
"I don't understand much of anything about this mess," Gustavo answers, "but I agree with you that we should be prepared for a worst case scenario. What is next?"
"It is time to jet out of here," Zachary says, clapping his hands together once.
"Wait. Are we splitting up?"
"Do you want that?"
"No," Gustavo states, rising to his feet. "Please help me."
"Put your shoes back on," Zachary orders. "We must leave now."
Zachary reminds Gustavo not to speak of anything in front of strangers during their travel. Zachary also assures Aleksey that he will update him as soon as doing so is possible. When the shared ride reaches Madeira Canyon Park, Zachary remains in the vehicle with the driver, at Aleksey's insistence, waiting in a parking space. Aleksey zips down the residential streets with Gustavo who is on his phone with his friend Makena. She is not at home, but tells Gustavo where to find the spare key and reminds him not to let King Tut out of the yard. Upon entering the front door, Aleksey takes the lead and draws his pistol out of his waistband. They are relieved to find King Tut behind the door, wagging his tail, and only barking a few times until Gustavo's voice reassures him.
Gustavo points to the stairway, not speaking so as not to interfere with Aleksey's detection efforts. Both men know an intruder is highly unlikely, due to King Tut's demeanor, but err on the side of excessive caution. Gustavo guides Aleksey to the guest bedroom and hurriedly packs his duffel bag. He retrieves the long box behind the dresser and carefully packs it into the center of the bag
, cushioning it on all sides, inside a cocoon of his clothes.
"Is this a gun barrel?" Aleksey asks, activating and inserting his GPS blocking device into Gustavo's bag.
"No, it is the treasure," Gustavo answers.
Gustavo gives King Tut a goodbye hug, locks the door, and returns the spare key to Makena's hiding place under a fern on her porch. When he and Aleksey return to the parking lot, Gustavo politely declines the driver's request to put the duffel bag in the trunk. After climbing back into the vehicle, Aleksey texts Zachary instead of speaking in front of the driver and Gustavo.
"The house was clean," Aleksey writes. "No indication of any rummaging."
"Any sign someone was watching you enter the house?" Zack replies, texting his question.
"None."
"Even with GPS blocking, we have to keep moving. Assume we are being followed every time we switch cars."
"Definitely agree," Aleksey writes. "Where to, boss?"
"The big river."
25
Balcony
Dropped off at the southern end of "casino row"—the string of resorts lining the Colorado River, which is Nevada's border with Arizona—Aleksey, Gustavo, and Zachary ride a water taxi to the northern end and check into an executive suite on the fourth floor of a hotel tower. While Gustavo showers, Zachary rests on one of the two queen size beds, which face balcony and river views, and texts Nathaniel and some other friends. Aleksey sits on the love seat in the parlor and gazes out the corner window overlooking the hotel swimming pool. A group of five young men, appearing partially intoxicated, are flirting with the lifeguard and getting away with cannonball dives into the pool.
"Nate wants us back in Sausalito," Zachary says to Aleksey.
"Is that where we are going?" Aleksey asks.
"No."
"Good. Have you decided on our next destination?"
"Not yet," Zachary answers. "But we are not returning to northern California until we figure out how to help our castaway."
"Is that what Gustavo is?" Aleksey questions. "Our castaway?"
"Something like that. He is an earnest young man."
"Do I catch a hint of something sweet between the two of you?"
"You know he is not my usual type," Zachary replies, "though I guess I should stop segmenting men into types. Why did that idea occur to you?"
"I am sensing a bit of a connection," Aleksey answers.
"If you are picking up on anything, it is only the friendly camaraderie he and I initiated this afternoon to earn each other's trust. Gustavo did not ask for any of this. Now he is a target and he is wholly unequipped to protect himself. We have to help him."
"The jewels are what? Necklaces? When I asked Gustavo about the long box he put in his duffel bag he referred to it as treasure. I highly doubt there is any jewelry in that skinny box."
Zachary summarizes for Aleksey what he has learned from Gustavo about the reason for being in Heather Wanda's lobby. He adds that Gustavo calls it a "cobra" and believes it has immense value.
"Do you think Gustavo can tell the difference between diamonds and white sapphires?" Aleksey asks. "Or cubic zirconia or other types of synthetic diamonds?"
"He admits he cannot," Zachary answers. "But he claims a knowledgeable friend of his claims they are real. And there are other stones and metals too."
"My guess is Gustavo is burdened by thinking he has something pricey when in reality it is just an heirloom or something else with only sentimental value. Did you get Nathaniel's take on this?"
"No. I am not mentioning Gustavo or his possessions to anyone. The last thing Gustavo needs is to be confirmed as being connected to us, even temporarily like this."
They hear the shower water turn off. Gustavo is still dripping as he emerges from the bathroom in a towel. Both Zachary and Aleksey are surprised by his toned body and smooth, creamy skin.
"I forgot to bring my change of clothes in there," Gustavo says, grabbing a t-shirt and sweatpants from his duffel bag.
"How did you get so fit?" Aleksey asks Gustavo. "I don't think of artists as having bodies like yours."
"Just because I am an artist doesn't mean I don't take care of myself," Gustavo laughs, then reenters the bathroom.
"Are you sure he is an artist?" Aleksey jokes to Zachary, once Gustavo is out of the room.
"That was unexpected, huh?" Zachary replies.
Gustavo is dressed when he emerges from the bathroom this time. He strolls out the sliding glass door and onto the balcony. Boat lights on the river and lamps along the riverwalk glow in the night sky.
"It is deceptively peaceful," Zachary says, joining Gustavo on the balcony.
"I never knew this place existed," Gustavo says. "I would like to come back here some day when I am not feeling hunted."
"Your shower helped relax you?"
"It did. I could have stayed under the shower head jets for an hour, but then the two of you might have been stuck with cold water. Please tell me you think we are going to emerge from all of this trauma in one piece."
"I am dedicated to it," Zachary replies. "There is no other option."
"I wish I had your self-assurance."
"I just shared the basics about your possession with Aleksey," Zachary says, leaning his elbows down onto the railing beside Gustavo. "He needs to know everything too. Can you trust him like you are trusting me?"
"I think I have to," Gustavo answers. "Tell him anything and everything you believe he should know to be able to help."
Zachary turns toward Gustavo, drawing his attention away from the river. Gustavo's amber eyes lock with Zachary's dark eyes.
"Show us the cobra," Zachary says. "Aleksey put a GPS blocker in your bag, but I still want to see if there is a tracking device inside your box. Also, Gustavo, we need to know if it really has some kind of value and figure out what we are dealing with here. I pledge to you that neither of us will take it from you or coax you into doing anything with it you don't want to do."
Zachary follows Gustavo back into the executive suite hotel room. Gustavo pulls the box out of his duffel bag and sets it on the bed between himself and Zachary. Aleksey joins them and watches as Gustavo slides out the contents and cautiously removes the snippets of tape. All three men are leaning forward and looking down at the instrument as Gustavo unwraps the plastic coating.
Zachary inhales a rush of air and backs away, involuntarily touching Gustavo's leg with a firm arm.
"So you think it is real too," Gustavo states. "Do you agree, Aleksey?"
"Oh shit!" Aleksey exclaims, catching his breath.
26
Magic
After inspecting the full length of the cobra, Zachary and Aleksey are confident it remains sealed closed, as originally designed and created, convincing them that it is not accommodating a tracking device. Gustavo wraps it back in its protective packaging and slides his duffel bag under Zachary's bed.
"Clairvoyant snake?" Zachary asks Aleksey. "What did you call it?"
"No, upon seeing it I immediately thought of The Clairvoyant Serpent," Aleksey answers, "which is sometimes referred to as The Clairvoyant Cobra. Most film historians consider it to just be another Hollywood legend. All fluff and deception based on rumors and myths. There is no publicly available image of it, so the assumption has been that the serpent is fake. The prevailing theory is that if it exists at all, it is composed of simple metals and worthless stones."
"Not this piece."
"I agree, boss."
The three men move to the parlor. The turquoise glow of the swimming pool waves reflect through the window into their dimly lit suite.
"What do you know about this legend?" Zachary asks Aleksey, sitting across from on the love seat beside Gustavo. "Start from the beginning. I know precious little about Hollywood lore."
"In the so-called Roaring Twenties—the 1920s—the silent film era's megastars were forming cinema and Beverly Hills. The actors at the top of the heap—who were arguably more famous in th
eir time than any celebrities are nowadays due to fractured audiences—specialized in physical comedy. They did their own stunts. Nearly a hundred years later these stunts are still audacious and awe-inspiring. Which ones come to mind?"
"Charlie Chaplin," Gustavo answers. "Buster Keaton. Douglas Fairbanks too."
"Yes, but there is one more," Aleksey says. "He was just as successful as those men at his peak."
"The guy with glasses?" Gustavo guesses. "The one who dangled from a clock tower at the top of a Hollywood skyscraper trying to escape from the police?"
"Exactly right," Aleksey answers. "The 1923 film is called Safety Last! The actor was Harold Lloyd."
"I have never heard of him," Zachary says.
"He is fantastic," Gustavo adds. "I heard he did all of those stunts despite having a prosthetic thumb and index finger."
"Harold Lloyd is my favorite of the silent film stars," Aleksey says. "He supposedly lost his thumb and finger from a bomb. All of his movies in the 1920s are spectacular and daring."
"Connect the dots," Zachary says to Aleksey. "Harold Lloyd owned Gustavo's cobra?"
"Briefly, he did. In the middle of the 1920s Harold Lloyd had an enormous mansion built in the Benedict Canyon region of Beverly Hills, only a thousand or two feet from Buster Keaton's mansion and the world-famous Pickfair Estate of Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. Lloyd's mansion, called "Greenacres," was much more than just a gigantic house modeled after Italy's Villa Palmieri. Greenacres was 15 acres like a fairy tale. It had a golf course, waterfalls, automobile courts, a plethora of gardens, elaborate play castles and cottages for children, horse stables, and even its own canoe stream."
"Is Greenacres still standing?" Zachary asks. "That whole estate?"
"Harold Lloyd lived a long life, but after his death the estate was subdivided. I don't recall the details, but the primary mansion remains and some of the gardens. Movies and television shows are occasionally filmed there, but the last I heard the home was not accessible for tourists. You can argue though that Greenacres is as important to Los Angeles history and architecture as the downtown Bradbury Building, the arts and crafts Gamble House in Pasadena, the Lovell Health House in Los Feliz, and Frank Lloyd Wright's four Pre-Colombian homes."
Guarding His Desires (Passionate Security Book 2) Page 9