by Riley Moreno
She was quite unmoved by his gun, five meters from her rounded chests. “Put the gun away; you are not going to shoot me.” She said boldly.
“Oh!” he said sarcastically. “Are you sure about that? I’m a pretty good shot, and forgive me, but you two are large ladies, really hard to miss.”
“Yeah I’m sure; you love both of us, depending on who you are. Not one of your transformations can change that small constant, and part of your coming here was to pay tribute to your assumed loss. This is the first time you have us both in the same room and you are running away, not because our interests don’t cross, but because you don’t want to make a choice. Making a choice between us will mean choosing your real self and sticking with it-rather than playing sorcerer-you don’t want to grow up!”
“You too Gladys; let’s talk instead-see if we can learn something new.”
“Let him go first.” Gladys said; the ice in her voice, unmistakable. “I don’t trust him-how did I miss him by the way? At the party I mean”
The man placed his gun by his side, then into his inner pocket. “Call me Cyril, and that was rather nicely played MS Patton.” He said extending his hand towards Gloria who shook it. “Gloria, and this is-“
“Gladys-still with the pistol; I thought we had made peace however shaky.”
Gladys put her pistol into her bag which she had been holding her side all this while. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“It’s good to know you are still alive by the way. Your death would have been such a terrible waste.”
“Thanks it was just a misunderstanding actually. So why are you after Viktor?” Gloria said, heading straight to the crux of the matter.
“He is in possession of something, and the owners want it back. Short and simple.”
“This won’t have anything to do with Valgloria’s teardrop would it?” Gloria asked calmly. She was seated on the swivel chair now, while the others sat on the clients seats on the other end of the office desk.
“Well, you seem to know everything, don’t you?” Cyril remarked with a smile across his face. “I’m impressed!”
“Actually it was Gladys who did all the research; I was asleep; Ether.”
“Oh! Nasty stuff that.”
“Hmmh, no kidding.” Said Gloria; nodding, and swiveling at the same time, as well as appreciating the absence of the squeak.
“Reports say this diamond was stolen from the Museum in Moscow, but the puzzling thing comes with the slightest research into its origins. It belonged to the Valgloria line of counts and countesses; a tangible sign of their rank and standing. Such things are not just given away nor easily taken back once handed over.” Gladys said, tapping into her research. “It was a coup for the cultural society over there when they acquired it.”
“We think Viktor has it, and may be thinking of putting it on display here or maybe even selling it to Crystallyne-it would certainly make for a business booster auctioning it off to the highest bidder. How can you steal something that you gave away in the first place only to give it away again? It does not make sense. Is he running some sort of scam which he is trying to pull off here in the U.S.?” Gladys continued.
“Well it seems like you ladies have lot of questions to answer, and need no distracting.” Cyril said rising all of a sudden.
“Hey that was not the deal!” Gladys said rising to meet him face to face in defiance. He grabbed her face and kissed her long, and hard, leaving her breathless and Gloria wide-eyed.
“Thank you…I have made my choice; no offence Gloria, but your twin has the spice and sass to keep a rogue like me hooked, and coming for more.”
“None taken.” Gloria said giggling as he dashed for the door, while Gladys, who was still not sure of what to make of it all, sank to her seat.
“Tell Mrs. Cowling that her husband is as faithful as ground to an oak, and is planning a nice holiday for all the disruption this past few days. Now there; I think we are even on exchange.” And he was out the door in a flash, his grey overcoat trailing him like a lazy shadow.
“Why Gloria, I think you may have met your match.” Gloria said giggling into the silence after he had left.
Chapter 8
Gloria was brainstorming on another case file she had scheduled for that day vaguely aware of Gloria receiving calls in the other room, her social charm on high gear, and did not pay much attention to the knock on the door, but looked up when she heard Gladys’ exclamation of surprise.
Three messengers were ushered in each bearing an abnormally large bouquet of roses; one, a bouquet of red roses, another, a bouquet of white roses, and the last a bouquet of yellow roses. In short order the scent of roses pervaded the atmosphere in the tiny office causing both women to giggle.
“Package for Ms. Gloria Patton.” One of them announced before handing over a note that read: Apologies. Viktor
She was signing the form when her phone started ringing. Viktor’s accent less voice came crisp and clear down the line.
“Dinner, eight o’clock.”
Gloria mouthed the name Viktor to Gloria. “I don’t know, I feel like sleep instead; must be all the ether I took in.”
“That is all the more reason why you should come for dinner tonight. A little fresh air can work wonders.” Viktor replied, standing his ground.
“So what did you have in mind?” She asked as Gloria saw the messengers out.
“It’s a surprise.” Viktor replied.
“I don’t know if I can handle any more surprises this week Mr. Konoplyanka.”
“Viktor, I’ll pick you up at your house.”
“How do you know where I-“
Gloria stopped short as the phone indicated call ended. To say that she had mixed feelings about him was an understatement. She wanted to be with him with every fiber of her being, but if he was a criminal, albeit a smooth one, then she could see the strain that would place on her psyche having grown around cops.
“I say go and have fun; innocent until proven guilty. Think ‘killer Instinct’” Gladys advised. “You can’t fight this; you can only go with the flow, until you meet a rock along the river. I still wanna kick him in the groin for what happened, but in truth it wasn’t his fault-you messed up and got served.”
“Gee thanks.” Gloria said sarcastically.
“I’m getting you that gun by the way.” Gladys said before returning to her duties.
Towards the end of the day, Mrs. Cowling came in for her report. She was used to the office by then, and her eyes did not peruse the four corners when she sat down. She was skeptical at first about the results of the investigation but eventually, despite herself, was moved to tears. “I never really believed he could do it you know.” She said dabbing her eyes. “Best husband ever-a real family man!”
“Of course Mrs. Cowling; we are just happy to help re-enforce that notion for you.” Gloria said, more than willing to humor her. “Needless to say our dealings shall remain confidential, except on your express request to divulge.”
Mrs. Cowling was already rummaging through her bag for her check book to and was shaking her head. “Yes and be sure I’ll recommend you to anyone I know who may need help.”
Fifteen minutes later, at the hour of five, the office of Patton and Patton, closed for the day, while the founders headed to the bank.
Gloria, who had never been a social ball of fire, had a problem deciding what to wear for the evening, but finally settled on a silk white gown that left her shoulders and her back bare, but ended just low enough beneath her knees to allow her to appear reserved. The glittering white earrings she wore were a perfect match for the dress, bolstering the effect without appearing tacky or forced, bringing it all together. Gladys, who was in the living room, went wide-eyed with appreciation at the sight of twin when she finally came down from the stairs. Gloria breathed a deep sigh of relief at the smile on her twin’s face which was all the confirmation she needed.
“Thank God for you girl.” Gladys said. “I was af
raid I would have to come dress you myself!”
Eight o’clock on the dot, a knock was on the door, and Gladys went forth to answer. She opened the door on Viktor, another flower bouquet in hand, with not a hair out of place. He looked dashing in his two piece suit, which would have blended into the night, pitch black like his hair. The bow added a touch of class which even she found delightful. That night he was not Vlad Dracula; that night he was James Bond!
“Hello, good evening.” He greeted, Gladys aware of the intensity of his gaze. “Is Gloria ready yet?”
“How do you know she’s not the one standing before you? I lost track of the time; I’ll get ready in a jiffy.”
“I never knew Gloria had a twin.” Viktor replied unfazed. “But it doesn’t matter; I just know you are not the one.”
Gladys lingered for a second on the doorway, and then stepped aside. “Come in then.”
Gloria’s cheeks were warm with embarrassment when Viktor finally came in. “Sorry about that but Gladys insisted on playing that old game-and you passed! With flying colors!”
Viktor could not help smiling at this. He could not take his eyes off Gloria for even a moment. Her beauty left him breathless; at a loss for words, and his heart pounded at the sight of her there in the living room
“Here, these are for you.” He said, handing over the roses.
“For me?” Gladys asked, pleasantly perplexed as she took the roses offered.
“For letting me take Gloria out again despite everything. I never expected Gladys who kept calling to be a twin; a pleasant surprise I guess.”
Viktor led Gloria by the hand, and into the limo, which glided smoothly into the night
The limousine took them to the heart of the city, and fifteen minutes later, pulled up alongside a double decked bus.
“Wow…”Gloria murmured as Viktor led her to the top which had been customized to contain a small dining table at one end, a makeshift kitchen at the other end and a waiter and cook in between. While the sides of the bus were plain red, the top had been decorated elaborately with a mixture of whites, greens, and purples. There were bright lights stationed over, and along the sides of the bus, which reflected off the cutlery and dishes, which Gloria later found out were pure silver. On the table itself, were two silver candle stands holding lighted candles fitted into glass bulbs. It was a marvelous display of light and color, and totally unexpected as far as Gloria was concerned.
“Fresh air for the lady, as promised.” Viktor said leading her to the table, and opening her chair for her in one deft move that hinted at his breeding, possibly influenced by his mother.
On cue the waiter came and delivered the wine menu and took their orders. The cook, French from his accent, and clearly a romantic, enjoying every moment of what he was witnessing, came and introduced himself, and the menu.
It worked like clockwork; the moment they delved into their meals, the bus joined the traffic, beginning a round trip that would go round, and round the city.
Gloria found it easy to open up to him; he made it seem like she was the only woman in the world. She told him how she ended up in his house the first day they met.
“At least you found the art fascinating.” He said over wine
“It was interesting to say the least, but I find it even more fascinating that you consider them ugly; why keep them in your home then.”
“To remind me that not only beauty deceives-ugliness can as well. Even ugliness can be considered artistic if it remains true to itself or has the right motives for being ugly.”
“The right motives for being ugly…beauty and ugliness; does this have anything to do with that portrait I saw the other day?”
“I wonder! Perhaps. We are most ready to get dirty and do ugly things for the people we love aren’t we? That’s the beauty of it; family: a bond that should not be taken lightly.”
They were through with dinner, and were sipping on wine when the bus pulled up in front of her house with a screeching hiss.
He led her off the bus and along the pavement to stop at the security light shining overhead. She looked flushed and satisfied with the evening and that was all he required to feel fulfilled himself. He kissed her as the bus pulled away, gently at first, then with more passion.
Gloria felt herself melting in his arms, her entire being yielding to his caress, at the same time firm and tender. She called on all within her to pull away from him. She moved away from him, away from the porch and away from the light.
“Tell me about Valgloria’s tear drop; did you steal it?” Gloria asked, her face not visible in the dark.
“No.” Viktor answered. He was not surprised at finding out that she knew about it.
“The reports say it was stolen, and I have a feeling that you know more than you are telling me. Did you take it? I need to know the truth if we are ever going to be together.”
“No, I did not!” Viktor reiterated, taking a step towards her in the dark.
“Then who did? Do you know?”
“I did.” Cyril clad in his grey overcoat and black pants, coming from around the house. “And for the record, you cannot steal what is already yours.”
“Cyril! What are you doing here?” Gloria asked incredulously. “You stole the diamond from the museum?”
Gladys, who had been watching with glee from a window from whence the bus had pulled up outside felt a rush of excitement when she saw Cyril and bounded downstairs on her way outside.
“I don’t understand-you said you wanted to get it back for someone, presumably the museum.” Gloria asked with her iconic frown. “Do you two know each other?”
“Humph, know him?! He’s my twin!” Viktor announced just as Gladys burst out of the front door. “Trained and employed by the Russian secret service; a master of disguise. I knew you would be around here somewhere-just not as whom. You kept your distance; bided your time.”
“At your service” Cyril said with a mock bow. Gloria could see that there was not a trace of the flushness anymore and that he looked a lot like Viktor; not identical but very close. “And now you know just how I could steal the tear drop. It did cause a spot of bother for the president of the museum but his alibis finally won the day. It didn’t help them get the Valgloria’s tear drop back of course; by then I was long gone.”
“I knew the only person who had enough at stake and the expertise to pull off such a stunt was Cyril so I tracked him down and-“
“You stole Mom’s heirloom from me you absolutely wicked rogue.” Cyril blurted out. “And now I want it back.”
Gladys had by then joined Gloria and both were watching the drama in utter disbelief.
“How did it end up in the museum in the first place?” Gloria asked; her voice cutting into them like a hot knife into butter.
“Well the stone was all that Mother left behind when she ran off with our father. The stone goes back centuries, and passes from father to son. Mother got it because she was only child up until she was well passed eighteen. Leaving her family in the way that she did, forced her to abdicate the title Countess and caused her family to turn against her. There was nothing she could do to bridge the gap really; traditions run deep in those parts.” Victor explained.
“The stone was supposed to come to us naturally,” Cyril continued, “but the lunatics as one final ‘go to hell’ to dear mumsy sold it to the museum in Moscow before they died; it broke her heart! I stole it back the first week after she passed away.”
“So where does Cowling come into this?” Are you trying to sell it?” Gladys asked Viktor
“No, Ryan and I are working on a duplicate which we would put up here-in honor of mother. It would also get the authorities off the case. The methods used for getting the jewel in the first place were unethical and Cowling and I are working on a case to make sure that the Museum in Moscow can never come close enough to realize it’s a fake and can also never take it back.”
“So where is the rock now? And who gets it between you
two?” Gloria asked
“What you mean this rock?” Viktor asked, pulling a tiny box out of his inner coat pocket and opening it to reveal a ring with a diamond at least four centimeters in diameter. “You get it; Gloria Patton, will you marry me?”
Epilogue:
The display read: Valgloria’s Tear Drop. The lights shone on the world’s largest blue diamond. The portrait from the fireplace hung a meter back, as a display of the last Countess Valgloria. A ribbon surrounded the area, so that the display shone like a beacon in the otherwise dark hall.
“When are you due?” Mrs. Cowling asked Gloria, who was in the advanced stages of pregnancy.
“Any day now actually Ludmilla, but I had to be here for the unveiling-special night for Viktor and Cyril.”
“Yes, yes. She is beautiful isn’t she? The Countess; very noble of you to hand over your engagement ring to the world like that my dear girl-good show!”
Well ma’am, it was either that or lose a finger as those two fought over it Gloria thought. “I am sorry but I have to go now.”
She sidled out of the admiring crowd, and spotted Viktor her husband with his brother Cyril huddled at a corner of the room, obviously seeing far more in their isolation than the entire group in attendance.
“Sorry to interrupt guys, but I think it’s time.” Gloria said, her breathing already labored.
The two brothers kicked into action, each taking a hand and supporting her through the darkness to the limousine outside.
END
Scotch Swords, Muskets and Love
Highlander Romance
Riley Moreno