Private Stock

by Iris Bolling

  A cup of tea was set in front of her by a waiter, who turned and quickly walked back out.

  “Thank you,” she called out to the man’s retreating back. “You see, Mr. Pavlovsky.

  “Nikolai, please.”

  AnnieMarie smiled. “Nikolai, you see I have no intention of living my life looking over my shoulder for the day that Pauline Giuliani or a member of her family comes gunning for me as they did with Cainan. It is imperative that she understands I am fully capable of taking care of myself and will have no problem putting her down.”

  He smiled at her as if placating a child. “AnnieMarie, this woman and her family are professional killers. They take people out for stepping on the sidewalk in front of their home. You, nor your family, are able to deal with the kind of danger her family represents. I, on the other hand, am.”

  “Nikolai, I am quite capable of protecting myself.” AnnieMarie looked over her shoulder at the two men who were standing ten feet away, near the bar. Then she turned back to him. “May I demonstrate?”

  The expression on his face showed a bit of amusement as he nodded.

  AnnieMarie stood. Pressing the skirt part of her dress neatly down, she spoke. “Gentlemen,” the men turned towards her. “Please forgive me for this.”

  Before their expressions could change in reaction to her statement, she pulled a pin from her hair that was up in a French roll. She flicked the sharp pointed needle-like object into the side of the neck of one man being sure not to hit any main artery. The other man bent to check on his friend and was in the motion of pulling his weapon from under his jacket when the steel pointed end of the high heel pump crashed into his temple, all in a 360 degree turn that ended with her sitting back in her seat, crossing her legs and placing the shoe back where it had come from.

  “Oh,” she sighed. “I hope the blood on my heel does not ruin my shoe for good.”

  She glanced up at Nikolai who had a somewhat shocked expression on his face. His men rose from the floor angry. One reached inside his jacket to pull his gun, but Nikolai raised his hand to stop him. “Leave us for a moment.” He said to the men.

  “The injuries are minor, but I just could not come up with another way to convince you that I can handle Pauline Giuliani. I mean my father and I would work out almost every morning together. Whenever he had private lessons, I was with him. I have a black belt in karate, can shoot a bullseye from more than one hundred feet away, and can handle a knife with precision.” She sat forward. “Nikolai, I am not a fool, nor am I crazy. What I know is that respect is earned. If you, Myles or my mother continue to protect me, people will respect you. They will not respect me. I need Pauline Giuliani to respect me. I need her to understand how far I will go to have the future I want to have with Cainan. This conversation needs to be woman to woman.”

  Fifteen minutes later AnnieMarie was thanking the men for delivering Pauline Giuliani to her home.

  “Is she alive?” She asked as they placed the unconscious woman on the sofa.

  “She was given a sedative,” one man answered.

  “How long before it wears off?”

  The man checked his watch, “Another hour or so.” The two men walked towards the door to leave.

  “I was wondering, could I get your assistance with something? It will only take a minute or two.”

  The men did as she instructed. After examining their work AnnieMarie decided she would sit in her favorite spot in the house, the window in the attic. With the windows wide open, she sat in the same spot where she and Cainan had had their talk. He was amazing in court yesterday. There wasn’t a dry eye on the jury when he told about the family he’d witnessed Johnnie Giuliani’s men murder. What a waste of life, she thought as she looked up at the beautiful blue sky. One of those children could have been the next President of the United States, or the doctor to cure cancer. There was no telling what that family’s future might have been. She heard a muffled sound. Looking to her left, she smiled.

  “You’re awake.”

  Pauline looked around startled. She was in a chair with her arms tied to the arms of the chair. Likewise, her legs were tied to the legs of the chair. She began wiggling and struggling against the restraints. .

  “Oh, I wouldn’t do that if I were you. In case you haven’t noticed, you are on the roof of my house.”

  Pauline’s eyes grew wide with fear.

  “I bet you had no idea your day was going to turn out like this. Oh don’t worry, I’m not going to push you off the roof,” AnnieMarie shrugged. “However, if you keep doing that wiggling, well I would have no way of keeping you from falling. You know what I mean?” She looked up to the sky. “I was just thinking, it is a beautiful day for us to have a talk, woman to woman.” She glanced at Pauline, “do you know that song? I was always intrigued about the response from Barbara in the song. Like when Shirley called her, what was going through Barbara’s mind in that moment?” She listened to the song playing in the background. “It seems you and I have the opportunity to play out that scenario. I thought the song would be a good backdrop for our talk.”

  AnnieMarie stretched out her legs, smoothed down her dress then crossed her ankles.

  “So, I understand you had what you thought was a relationship with Cainan. He did his job and gathered information on your family’s business. That information can send you, your father and other members to prison. I get all of that. But the fact that you followed me back here to Virginia, lets me know this isn’t about the court case. You are angry with Cainan. Really pissed, if you are willing to go to prison. I’ve come to believe a woman only gets that angry with a man when he hurts her. A woman scorned can be a bitch. That tells me that you really cared for Cainan. If you did not care deeply for him, your concentration would be on trying to keep you and your father out of prison. Yet, your concentration is on hurting Cainan.” She took a deep breath. “That is the only reason you are still alive. You were hurt when you learned he had used you. I can sympathize with you on that. So instead of allowing Nikolai and his people to eliminate you I walked into the Russian mob’s base and brought you out.” She glanced to the side at Pauline. “Crazy…right?”

  She watched as Pauline began wiggling in the chair. “Girl, I wouldn’t do that. You’re not just on the roof, you are on the pitch of the roof. You tilt that chair too far one way or another and your ass is grass.” Pauline settled down. “Good,” AnnieMarie sighed. She pulled out her cell phone, sent a quick text message, then put the phone back in her pocket.

  “I just sent my brother a text alerting him that you are here. So I think we have about ten minutes to come to an understanding. You see, like Shirley, Cainan is my man. I plan to marry him and fill up this house with babies. What I do not plan to do is look around every corner, wondering when you are going to jump out. You are on my roof because I need you to understand I am going to fight for that life. Now, while you may be ruthless and daring, me, well, I am a little crazy. And if history hasn’t taught us anything else, we all know that crazy trumps ruthless. A crazy person has no limits,” she glared at Pauline. “And we never—ever give up—never. I will do whatever it takes to have my life with Cainan.”

  “AnnieMarie?”

  She smiled. “That would be my brother Mike. He’s here to take you back to New Jersey. Before he gets here I need to determine if you will be returning in a box or on your own accord. How this conversation ends depends on you. You can make a woman’s agreement with me to leave us the hell alone and walk out the door with my brother. Or,” she looked down to the gardens below. “You can take the fastest route down three stories to the cement below. Give me a convincing nod if you understand just how crazy I am.”

  “AnnieMarie? Where are you?” Mike called out.

  “I’m upstairs in the attic.”

  Mike headed toward the stairs. “You take the elevator, I’ll come up on the other side of the attic.

  “Watch your back,” Sereena shouted, but he kept running. Sereena wonder
ed what in the hell Pauley was doing back in Virginia. She had to be in court in two days. If anything, she thought Pauley and Johnnie would be getting the hell out of the country after Cainan’s testimony on yesterday.

  The elevator door opened to a huge space. “Wow, how big is this damn house?”

  She was able to see the full length of the attic. The space did not look like any attic she had seen before. It seemed like an additional living space in the house. She heard talking. She pulled her weapon then moved toward the voice, checking areas for intruders along the way. At the far end of the attic, she saw Mike as he came up the stairs. He pointed toward the windows on the back side of the house. As she got closer to the voice, she saw a nice table and chair set, Mike’s sister sitting in the window just as serene as could be, talking.

  “AnnieMarie,” Mike said as he approached.

  “I’m sitting in the window, Mike.”

  “Who are you talking to?” He asked as he put his gun away.

  “Pauline.”

  He pulled his gun back out. “Pauley Giuliani?”

  “Yes, but you shouldn’t call her that masculine name. Her name is Pauline. Isn’t that right Pauline?”

  “AnnieMarie, where is..” He hesitated, “Pauline?”

  “Out here on the roof with me.”

  Sereena frowned at Mike. She pointed to another window indicating to him she would take a look. Mike nodded in understanding.

  As Mike approached his sister, Sereena opened the window next to the one AnnieMarie was sitting in. She glanced out and was shocked by the sight that greeted her. She took a step back then glared at Mike. “You are not going to believe this.” Sereena put her gun back in its holster, hooked the window open and then stepped out onto the roof.

  “Hello Agent Chase.” AnnieMarie turned and had the nerve to smile at her.

  “Hello Ms. Dunning,” Sereena replied uncertain how to approach the situation. It seemed AnnieMarie Dunning had Pauley Giuliani strapped to a chair that was teetering on the edge the roof. The woman turned to look at her and immediately began squirming. “Stay still Ms. Giuliani.” Sereena suggested as she stepped out onto the roof.

  “Oh, she’s not going to fall,” AnnieMarie waved Sereena off. “I’ve played on this roof all my life.”

  Sereena nodded wondering just how crazy Mike’s sister was. “Why are we out here Ms. Dunning?”

  “I have no idea why you are out here, as for us, Pauline and I needed a private place to talk.”

  “You have over twenty rooms in this house, AnnieMarie why did you take her out on the roof?” Mike asked.

  “It’s perfectly safe out here Mike. Come join us.”

  “It looks a little dangerous to me Ms. Dunning,” Sereena said as she looked down. “Someone could fall and get hurt…or killed.”

  “Oh, she’s not going to fall,” AnnieMarie waved the woman off. “The back of the chair is connected to the pole in the house with a bungee cord. She’s fine as long as she doesn’t force the cord to pop loose.”

  “I see the cord,” Mike yelled to Sereena. “AnnieMarie have you finished your talk with Pauline?”

  “Yes, I do believe we have come to an understanding.”

  “You sent me a text, so I take it you are ready for us to take Pauline back to New Jersey.”

  “Yes, I am.” AnnieMarie swung her body around placing her feet on the seat in front of the window, then stepped back inside.

  Sereena had reached Pauley. She had to shake her head at the cute little bows that bound Pauley to the chair. She also had to laugh. “I bet you never thought a 50’s style dressing, prissy woman would get the best of you?”

  Mike stepped out onto the roof and immediately began laughing. “One thing I can say for my sister is she knows how to bring a point home.” He walked over to the area where Pauley was strapped to the chair.

  “I’ll untie her, while you hold the chair,” Sereena said. As she worked she glanced up at Mike. “So how crazy is your sister?”

  “I think Pauley is the person to ask.”

  Sereena untied the silk scarf that was around Pauley’s mouth. “Nice scarf,” Sereena said as Pauley began cursing.

  “Get me the hell out of here. That bitch is crazy. She drugged me and put me on this damn roof. I want her ass locked up.”

  “Really?” Mike raised an eyebrow as the woman stood. “Watch your step. I wouldn’t want you to fall.”

  Sereena laughed at the expression on Pauley’s face. “You’re a piece of work Pauline.”

  When they stepped back inside, AnnieMarie was sitting at her table with her legs crossed sipping a cup of tea.

  “Get me away from that crazy bitch,” Pauley hissed.

  “Is that any way to speak to a person who literally saved your life.” ” AnnieMarie smiled.

  “Just put a bullet through my head now why don’t you.”

  “Now, that’s an idea for your next visit to Virginia.” AnnieMarie smiled up at the woman as Mike carried her out.

  Sereena glanced back at AnnieMarie. “Would she have pushed Pauley off that roof?”

  “Naw,” Mike shook his head.

  For some reason, Sereena did not believe him.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Pauley said as they took her out the door. “The next time I see her…she’s a dead woman.”

  “Be careful. You may be speaking your own fate,” Sereena said as she pushed the woman’s head down as she got into the vehicle.

  CHAPTER 35

  Winnie, dressed in a navy, hourglass, silhouette dress that fell right below her knees, a thick red belt around her waist, navy three inch heels, red wrist length gloves and a navy purse, walked into William Mitchell’s suite. The feel and look of the mental institution surprised her. She hadn’t been sure what to expect, but from the looks of things William was being well cared for. She smiled, thinking Hep would be pleased.

  “I knew someone from the bank would be here soon. I never expected it to be you.”

  Winnie watched as the attendant walked into the visiting area with William. She looked up. “May I hug him?”

  The attendant nodded.

  Winnie wrapped her arms around William and hugged him. She stepped back. “You look wonderful William.”

  “And you are as beautiful as always, Winnieford,” he smiled. “Please have a seat.”

  Winnie sat, crossing her legs at the ankles, then smiled. “Why did you expect someone from the bank?”

  “I had a visitor a few days ago.”

  Winnie nodded. “I hope you have visitors regularly.”

  “No,” He replied. “My family will stop by when they need a voucher signed or a few extra dollars. Other than that there is no one. So when Elaine showed up, I figured something was happening.”

  Winnie frowned. “Elaine Jacobson came to see you? Why?”

  “She hasn’t come to terms with reality, Winnieford. I’m afraid she is going to need an actual kick in the ass to get the message.”

  Winnie started to speak but he held up a hand.

  “Let me save you some time. Elaine wanted to purchase my share of Dunning Bank & Trust stock. I asked her why and she gave me a bogus reply. I have come to recognize the triggers Elaine has used to get my cooperation. They no longer work on me. I told her I would consider her request, to give your sons time to determine what she was up to. The 25% of stock put out there to the public was in Hepburn’s estimation, private stock to be given to valued employees when they left service at the bank. It was not intended for actual public consumption. I thought he was crazy at the time and told him so. However, I’ve come to understand what Hepburn was trying to convey. He wanted his employees to know how much he valued their input, in times of active employment and beyond. He wanted people who cared about the organization, who were not family members, to always have a say in the direction of the bank. I would never sell them to an outsider.”

  This is the man she had as a friend when they were in college. She reached out. “It is g
ood to see you again, my old friend.”

  He smiled as he placed his hand on top of hers. “I was saddened to hear Angelina was responsible for Hepburn’s death. I want you to know I had no part in that. However, I did see it as my opening to you and the bank. Now, I know your heart, just like the bank, will always belong to Hepburn.”

  Winnie smiled, then pulled her hand away. She pulled her gloves from her fingers, one at a time then placed them on her purse. “Now tell me, how much money have you made off of the people around here with your poker skills?” She sat back and watched as William laughed. Right then she made up her mind to come by to see him every now and then.

  $ $ $

  Preston waited at the jail for his mother’s attorneys to arrive. He was surprised to see a team of two men and one female as they walked in the door.

  “Mr. Long,” a tall gentleman extended his hand. “My name is Anthony Grey and this is my brother Terrence Grey.”

  Preston shook their hands. “How do you do?”

  The woman stepped up. “My name is Dr. Francis Daniels. I am a criminal psychologist.”

  Preston shook the woman’s hand. Impressed with the representation.

  “We will be handling your mother’s case,” Anthony stated. “My brother, the third partner in Grey, Grey & Grey offered a theory we would like to run by you and your mother.”

  “From what I have reviewed on your mother’s case,” Dr. Daniels spoke, “I believe we are going to be able to have the judge consider a lesser charge on both deaths.”

  Preston felt a weight being lifted off his shoulders. “That would be a blessing, Dr. Daniels, if we can make that happen.”

  “We will,” Anthony put a hand on his shoulder. “It’s what we do best.”

  “It’s going to be a long day, Mr. Long,” Terence said as he walked to the entrance of the visiting area. “Shall we get started?”

  Preston followed the team inside. For the first time since the day his life was turned upside down, he believed there would be brighter days.