Dakota raised her eyebrows in a questioning gesture.
"It appears you and I are presently in conference with the good doctor," she smirked.
The journalist shook her head and laughed.
"I wonder what would have happened if we'd just shown up."
"Mass confusion. I think we will leave them to handle Sasha for now. There are other matters to attend to. Are you up for a ride?"
"Yep. Let's do it. I can't wait to meet Ms. Drenkova," said Dakota. "As long as you behave," she added.
Yemaya didn't answer.
The office of Eurasian Exports was located in a warehouse near the shipping docks at the harbor. As the taxi was pulling up to the front of the building, Ivan stepped outside the front door. Giving it a quick glance, he continued on. Had he waited to see who the occupants were, he'd have cancelled his trip immediately.
"Promise me you won't lose your cool." Dakota watched Yemaya's face for any signs of anger.
"I promise I will not punch her lights out."
"That's not what I meant and you know it."
"I know. Alright, I will keep my cool," promised Yemaya, hoping she could.
"Somehow that doesn't make me feel better, but I'll drop it for now."
"Good idea. Shall we go?"
Entering the office, the two approached the receptionist, an older woman wearing glasses.
"Can I help you?" she inquired politely.
"Yes, we're here to see Ms. Drenkova," replied Dakota.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"Not really, but she will see us, I am sure," Yemaya said. "Tell her Ms. Devereaux and Ms. Lysanne are here."
"Very well, please wait over there. I'll inform Ms. Drenkova of your presence."
Picking up the phone, she dialed her boss's extension.
"Yes, Ms. Johnson."
"Ms. Drenkova. There are two ladies here who wish to talk with you, a Ms. Devereaux and a Ms. Lysanne."
Putting her pen down, Catrina leaned back in her chair.
"I see. Well, give me five minutes and then escort them to my office," she instructed.
"Yes, ma'am."
So, thought Catrina. At last we meet.
Closing her notepad, she slipped it inside of her desk drawer and pulled a file from her tray, opening it quickly.
A knock on the door interrupted her attempts to conceal any incriminating documents that could be seen.
"Come in," she ordered, pretending to examine the contents of the folder.
Ms. Johnson opened the door, motioned the two women into the room and then quietly shut it behind them.
"Welcome, Ms. Lysanne, Ms. Devereaux. Please have a seat," Catrina offered, motioning to the two chairs in front of her desk. "What can I do for you?"
"Thank you. We will not be taking up much of your time."
"I have plenty of time," Catrina replied, folding her hands on her desk. "Especially for someone as well known as you. So, again, how can I help you?"
"Well, I think it is more about how I can help you. It appears someone in your company may have been using your facilities for some illegal activity. I have information that abducted women are being trafficked through your facilities... without your knowledge, of course," Yemaya stated calmly.
"I see. Well, if this is true, I certainly will take the necessary action to put a stop to it. Would you mind telling me where you heard this? I find it difficult to believe any of my employees would do such a thing," Catrina said, leaning back in her chair.
"I wish I could but I would not want to put them at risk. You understand."
"Of course... just as I wouldn't want to falsely accuse anyone, either. I'm sure you understand my side. Perhaps you will tell me why you came to me instead of going to the police. This is a serious accusation."
"A courtesy... from one business woman to another," Yemaya replied, coolly.
"Ah. Well, then, I'm in your debt. Could you at least tell me what your interest is in this? Not that it isn't a matter for all of us to be concerned about."
"Personal. A young friend of mine appears to have gotten caught up in this by accident and was almost killed. Fortunately, she was found and will recover."
Except for a slight downward turn of her lips, Catrina showed no emotion having learned Sasha was alive.
"I'm glad to hear that. Does she remember anything about what happened?" she asked, tapping the chair arm with her pen.
"No, but I am sure it is only a matter of time before she does. At the moment, I have made plans to have her transported to my estate until she recovers. It will be safer there."
"Hmmmm... no doubt you know what's best for her." Glancing at her watch, Catrina stood up quickly and walked around the desk. "I'm sorry to cut this short but I really should check into these accusations. If you'll leave a number and address I can reach you, I'll let you know if any of them are true."
"Thank you, Ms. Drenkova. Unfortunately, we are in town for only a few days so an address would not do you much good. You can contact me on my cell phone."
Quickly writing the number on the back of her business card, Yemaya handed it to the woman.
"Good. I'll be in touch," Catrina promised.
"We look forward to it. Until then, have a nice day."
Yemaya ushered Dakota from the room and away from the building.
"Do you think it was wise telling her so much?" Dakota asked.
"I think she is more likely to make mistakes if she feels some pressure."
"I agree but we may have endangered Sasha now if Ms. Drenkova thinks she'll be identified."
"Sasha is safe now and will be back in Moldova within 48 hours. At the moment I am more concerned with the possibility there are others being held around here. We need to find out where."
"How are we going to do that? We can't stand out here all day and night watching her."
"No, but I know someone who can."
Taking out her cell, she dialed her agent's number.
"Sonny, who can you get to stake out a place here in Baltimore?"
"And hello to you too," he replied. "When do you want to start?"
"Now."
"Damn, Yemaya, why is everything now with you? Anyone ever tell you it takes time to organize some things?"
"With what I pay, I doubt most people would say that. Now, who can you get out here?"
"Give me the facts and I'll get someone there in thirty minutes. That's the best I can do."
"Good enough."
Yemaya quickly gave him the details and then hung up.
"Let's go," She said, taking Dakota by the arm.
"Where to, now?"
"Your place. Now we wait."
Later that day, Yemaya and Dakota were curled up on the couch watching television, when the Illusionist's cell phone rang.
"Lysanne," she answered.
"Ms. Lysanne. My name's Willie. Sonny gave me your number and said to call you if I saw anything unusual at the waterfront."
"I take it you have."
"Oh yeah. Shortly after I arrived at the dock, a big goon showed up at Eurasian Exports. A guy named Breshni Vencheilli. He's been on Ms. Drenkova's payroll for about ten years. He doesn't have the brains of a piss ant but he's as loyal as a dog."
"What about him?"
"Well, he was inside for about forty minutes and then came out. Next thing I know he's calling someone on his cell phone... a Captain Torelli and telling him to ditch the merchandise. Apparently the captain took exception to the order and they had an argument. Breshni wasn't too happy."
"You heard this conversation?"
"With my very own ears, Ms. Lysanne. It's amazing what cell phone scanners can do now."
"Who is this Captain Torelli?"
"He operates a freighter registered in Greece but it's on its way to Saudi. Apparently, it's been at sea for about a week and is due to arrive there in another two weeks."
"Is there any way we can intercept this vessel?"
"I'm sorry, M
s. Lysanne. That's way out of my league. It's in international water now and any attempts to board it would be considered piracy."
"Can you get in touch with Captain Torelli?"
"Sure. We captured his number when Breshni made the call. You want me to call this guy?"
"Yes, and tell him he is to do nothing ... and I mean absolutely nothing with his cargo without your consent. Have him fax you a copy of his the manifest."
"I'll give him the message, Ms. Lysanne, but I don't think he'll pay any attention to what I have to say."
"He will," Yemaya said coldly, struggling to suppress her rage. "Ms. Drenkova may be paying for the freight but she does not own the shipping company. Oh, and make sure the captain is informed he will be held personally responsible for anything that happens to his cargo... and I don't mean by the authorities. If he has any doubts about what I can do, remind him of the Aegis incident. That captain and first mate are still serving time in Jilava and everyone knows it's one of the worst prisons in Romania. Even Greece's effort to protect them from extradition failed once my agents visited the president. Now, before you call him, call my brother, Raidon Lysanne, and tell him exactly what you have told me. He will get you the details and authorization needed to insure Torelli follows your orders."
"Will do," the private investigator said. Writing down the name and number, he told Yemaya he and his crew would continue to monitor the docks and let her know if anything else developed.
After hanging up, Yemaya turned to Dakota and gave her the details of the conversation.
"You think they mean women?" Dakota asked. "Surely he wouldn't dump them overboard."
"From what Willie said, he seemed reluctant to but I am not going to take the chance. He is obviously aware that they are there, and someone has to be giving them food and water, so he might decide to chance it."
"That's sick. I can't believe anyone would do that nowadays."
"Anyone who deals in slavery will do anything. For the moment, though, I think the women are safe. If something happens to them, I will make sure the captain is held personally responsible. He will not like Carpi justice, I assure you."
I'm sure he won't, thought Dakota.
"So what now?"
"Now I pay another visit to Ms. Drenkova. I think it is about time to put her out of business."
Dakota could feel the fury behind the calmly spoken words and grew worried.
"We, Yemaya. We handle it. Not you. You promised me."
"I am aware of my promise."
"Okay. Let's go see what she has to say. Then we can decide what to do."
"All right. For now," said Yemaya, reluctantly. All of her instincts told her the situation wasn't going to be resolved quietly but she felt she owed Dakota the opportunity to at least try.
* * *
"Ah. Back so soon," Ms. Johnson said cordially. "Ms. Drenkova is waiting for you."
"Thank you, Ms. Johnson," Dakota said.
Escorting them to Catrina's office, she opened the door and motioned them in.
"Please be seated," said Catrina after dismissing her secretary. "I've reviewed all my ledgers and found nothing suspicious. The shipping invoices don't show any discrepancies and my people have assured me they take every measure to maintain the integrity of my business. Perhaps your sources are mistaken or have confused us with another company. It would be an understandable mistake," She suggested, amicably. "Now, is there anything else you'd like to know?" she asked, attempting to appear helpful but at the same time dismissing the two women.
"It is no mistake," Yemaya was angered by the woman's air of superiority. "Perhaps you should ask Breshni," she suggested disdainfully.
Catrina's eyes widened.
"What would Breshni know about this matter?" she said, trying to recover her composure.
"You tell me. Surely as one of your most entrusted employees, you must be aware of his phone call to a Captain Torelli a few hours ago, or did he take it upon himself to act on your behalf?"
"I resent your inference, Ms. Lysanne," snapped Catrina. "Now, I've tried my best to accommodate you and your silly accusations but enough is enough. I don't think we have anything else to discuss. Please leave," she ordered, reaching out to press the intercom button to summon her secretary.
Yemaya intercepted Catrina's hand before she could push the button and held it in a vice-like grip while she searched the woman's mind thoroughly and methodically. Within seconds she found enough information to make her recoil in disgust. The woman epitomized the worst of humanity. To her, pleasure was incremental to the suffering of others. The number of lives she had ruined was unimaginable. Yemaya could feel the rage inside her crawling from its cave. Catrina's victims were playthings; nothing more than distractions to appease the woman's lust and sadistic cravings. Sasha, however, had been different. Yemaya snarled savagely... an experiment. The woman took a sadistic pleasure in raping virgins. Then she would discard them like a piece of garbage. Images of the woman's "toys" being coldly and methodically shoved into the tender body, stealing her virginity and her innocence, the pain as the woman tortured Sasha again and again until she passed, out sickened her. The sadistic laughter and Catrina's orders to Breshni to revive the unconscious woman infuriated the Illusionist. Rage fed the rising monster inside of Yemaya. The final insult was her nonchalantly giving the young woman to her servant for his pleasure and then telling him to get rid of the body. Serpent-like, she uncoiled from her seat and leaned forward, her palms flattened on the desk as she released the hand and her face inches from Catrina's. Black hatred filled eyes narrowed ominously as they bored into Catrina's gray eyes.
"You like to play games, Ms. Drenkova?" she whispered through clinched teeth, her voice cold and emotionless. "So do I. You like to inflict pain. I can show you real pain."
Reaching out her right hand, she clasped the woman's chin with her fingertips. Catrina felt the pain instantly. It crawled through her brain like a fiery serpent, leaving a trail of burning agony in its path. Yemaya slowly ripped the memories from the woman's mind, one by one, gathering names and facts and caring nothing about the woman's agony or the damage left in the wake of her rampage. Layer by layer she sliced away every thought, every minute detail of the woman's past and the people whose lives she had destroyed. Perspiration trickled down Catrina's temples as she resisted the violent invasion.
"I thought you liked pain." The beast within Yemaya snarled. "Is that not what turns you on when you torture your victims? Their cries and the begging excite you. Tell me. How does it feel to be raped; to have your thoughts stripped away and your mind opened wide like those young girls' legs, exposed for my pleasure without your permission? You stole their virginity and their lives, Catrina. Was it worth selling your soul for a few moments of pleasure?" Yemaya whispered, almost cruelly as she caressed the older woman's cheek lovingly. "I can take you here and now and you would not resist me. I can make you beg to be taken. Would you like that? Do you want to be my slave, to satisfy my every desire, my every whim?" she continued, her voice softening seductively.
At first Dakota wasn't sure what was happening but when she saw Catrina grab her head, her face contorted in pain, she realized the beast was in control of Yemaya and was now inside the woman's head.
"No!" she screamed, grabbing Yemaya's arm. "Stop it, Yemaya!"
Black eyes glowered at her, menacingly. Shaking off Dakota's hand, it growled a warning. It would tolerate no interference with its thirst for revenge.
"You see, Catrina, I can be gentle, unlike you or I can be brutal," it continued, dismissing the journalist. "You never learned to be gentle. Pain was your fix, but you forgot something. Addictions are seductive. Like all things, there is a price to pay for pleasure if it is for your own selfish reasons. This is the price. Perhaps if you beg me and if I feel benevolent, you might get lucky. Maybe I would take pity on you and simply kill you… or not." The beast enjoyed the fear growing inside of the woman.
Dakota was frantic. Y
emaya was no longer in control of herself and the rage was intent on killing this woman. If it succeeded then her Yemaya would be lost forever.
"Please, Yemaya," she begged. "You promised. You have to stop this, now. Don't let it kill her. You promised. Mari, Grandma... Someone please help her," prayed Dakota, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"They can't help her," interrupted a low silky voice. "She is consumed by the darkness within her."
"Who are you?" cried the journalist, looking around expecting to see someone standing near them.
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