Lauren smiles at him, but only for a moment. Then, she locks eyes with Noah. There is a silent battle of wills, and, finally, she turns to look out at the dreary London skies.
I sit next to Lauren, noting how much she still resembles Elizabeth, my mother.
“How is my dearest sister, Evan?” she asks, her voice lilting and gay.
Her eyes are callous and devoid of any emotion. It’s like watching a porcelain doll, come to life.
“She is fine, Auntie,” I respond, automatically. “Although, I am not at liberty to discuss her whereabouts,” I add. I take a sip from my water glass. It’s refreshing and cold.
Rain begins to rattle against the windows.
Noah sits on the right side of Michael Bishop. He orders a Chivas, then changes his mind.
“Bring me a Laphroaig, neat, please,” he orders.
“Very good, sir,” the waiter responds and is off to fetch it.
Another server is standing by me, waiting patiently for my drink order.
“I’ll have a Carlsberg if you please. In a cold glass, thank you,” I say.
“Such pedestrian beverages for English royalty, gentlemen,” Bishop chuckles.
Noah raises an eyebrow.
“What would you know of anything like that?” he asks, pointedly.
Bishop sits back, relishing his role as a dealmaker. He sips from a heavy crystal glass and nurses his drink. It’s not his first for the day. His eyes are watery, and his face is red. Whether from the alcohol or Noah’s cut, I can’t tell.
“Evan, you dog! Already having a child! Better make sure there’s only one bastard in the lot if you plan on being reckless like your father!” Bishop snorts.
I want to smash the fucking asshole’s face!
I begin to stand, only to have Noah place a hand on my forearm. He shakes his head at me.
“You should follow your father’s lead, Evan. He can take it, and it just slides off, right, Noah? I mean, how else did he end up running such a large empire? Such success!” Bishop says, weaving a bit in his seat. He sloshes some of his drink, staining the linens.
Lauren makes a small moue of disgust.
Is she sleeping with this cretin?
No.
Her body language gives it away. She’s tilted slightly away from him, and when he leans in towards her, she carefully and gracefully backs from him.
Well, at least she has some taste.
I have to remind myself of what a murderous bitch my aunt is.
“What are your terms, Mr. Bishop?” Noah prods.
The man looks confused, then laughs again.
“All will be clear after we eat, eh? Waiter, I want one of everything on the menu!” Bishop says, his tone suddenly serious.
“I want you to bring out, let’s see…” he starts counting.
“Me, the lovely Miss Darlington, that’s two and Evan, and of course, our honored host, Mr. Noah Stone, that would be four. So, thirty minus four is, uh…” he stammers.
“Twenty-six, sir?” the waiter offers, helpfully.
“Yeah! Bring twenty-six places, over on all those other chairs, on those tables! One…no! Two entrees per place setting, okay? Let the chef mix it up! Go wild! Best wine in the house, three orders of beer or booze, and aperitifs! Set up a full banquet for a party of thirty! We’ve got plenty of time! Whoever you’ve got reserved, invite them in here! It’s on our wonderfully generous host, Noah Stone!” he roars, laughing.
Noah can see the waiter is confused and looking for some direction.
“My esteemed guest has a fine idea, Garcon, so please make it so,” he says calmly.
“You might want to bring me the entire bottle from where you got this one,” he says quietly.
“Of course, Mr. Stone! Immediately!” he says and runs to find the sommelier and maître d.
“Well, see now, Evan? That’s how you handle surprises! When you are royalty,” he sneers.
“Look, Mr. Bishop, I can see you aren’t quite ready to commit, so let’s enjoy ourselves, shall we? No need for unpleasantness,” Noah says, swirling his glass.
Lauren gets up.
“I need to go to the powder room, Michael,” she says.
She leaves, and I notice how Bishop’s eyes follow her, and he licks his lips with his tongue.
“A fine piece of ass, there, boys! Fine!” he chuckles.
Noah ignores him.
* * *
Lauren returns, and the wait staff is kept busy bringing us new dishes, as we eat. The room slowly fills with surprised and please patrons, as Bishop’s offer is made clear to them. When they come in, he takes pains to welcome them drunkenly.
“This is a feast for the latest British Prince! Noah Stone, ladies, and gentlemen! Our once and future king! Show them your sword, Noah!” he jokes.
Only there is a sinister undertone to all of this. I am uneasy, and keep watching Lauren for clues. She eats primly, but with evident delight, sampling each dish.
The other people start a background chatter, and some even are brave enough to approach Noah and thank him, and Michael Bishop, for their good fortune. Then, pleasantries exchanged, they go back to their lives.
Lauren keeps eyeing her cell phone. It sits on the table next to her, silent.
But she’s expecting a call.
We eat, and the meal is magnificent.
I try to put aside my anger and distrust of the two people sitting next to me.
Bishop eats like an American, stuffing his face and washing the food down with wine. He burps once or twice, oblivious to Lauren’s cold stare. I remember that from my youth.
Lauren’s warmth was only reserved for my father, though now that’s shot to shit.
The meal goes on, and soon the plates are being cleared, and desserts offered. I pick a chocolate torte, and Lauren gets a cheesecake slice, with berries. Bishop has cognac brought, and I order an espresso.
Frankly, I am enjoying the experience, in spite of myself. I try to keep my guard up, but it’s no easy task. I spy Merc a time or two, sticking his head into the main room. Levi and Lucius are at the bar, but it’s in a location I cannot see from where I am seated.
I decide to excuse myself to go to the restroom.
“Father, I’ll be back. You’ll be okay?” I ask.
He nods.
As I leave, I notice a couple at the far table. Two of our security team, enjoying Bishop’s largesse with Noah’s money. They nod. Neither one is drinking, just water.
They are eating pretty well, from what I can discern.
I know they have personal defense weapons under their clothes, but I am damned if I can tell where.
I make my way out of the Salon, and down to the restroom area. Merc intercepts me.
“What the fuck is going on, Evan? In and out, I thought that was the plan?” he whispers angrily.
“We’re improvising. I don’t think they are going to pull anything with all those people there, do you, Merc?” I ask.
I walk into the restroom and find a stall. I relieve myself, thinking it’s a good thing I did go. I sigh with relief as I empty my full bladder. Finished, I zip up and go to wash my hands.
Merc is suddenly beside me.
“Evan, we think we know who is going to try to get to Tinsley,” he says.
“Ask Bishop if he has heard of ‘The Flame.’ Watch his reaction. It will cement our suspicions,” he tells me.
* * *
I return to the table, and Noah is joking with the others. I wipe my eyes, not sure of what I am seeing.
“Well, now that the preliminaries are out of the way, tell me what your intent is, Mr. Bishop?” Noah says, watching as I take my seat. All of the dishes have been cleared, and some of the patrons have been recycled, but the room is still full.
“It’s simple, Noah. Immunity. From all of it. All. Of. It. I want the Ventretti’s off my back. I want my island, and I will surrender the…uh… business. In exchange, I will tell you what I know about the cont
ract that has been set on Tinsley. I know details, valuable detailsh,” he says, slurring the last word.
“Done. I am going to let my associate, Mr. Mercutio Torrelli, handle the ‘detailsh,’ as you say,” Noah replies. He gives me a wink. He looks over at Lauren.
“Not so fast, Noah,” she says, picking up the phone.
Noah tenses slightly as if he knew this was planned.
Lauren walks over to Noah and quietly speaks. The other diners can’t hear her, I am sure.
“I need to place a phone call, gentlemen,” she says, looking at Noah and me. “If I say one phrase, then Michael and I will get up and leave, and all will be well, and your mercenary can go pound sand. If I don’t say this phrase, then, how shall I put it? Well, the news this evening will be very, very bad. You’ll have to find another fine dining establishment, and all these wonderful, ignorant revelers will be memories,” she whispers, smiling.
“What do you want, Lauren?” Noah asks.
She reaches into her clutch and puts a folded piece of paper on the table.
“The same thing. Immunity. And, protection from the Duke. And Olivia, of course. That’s all. Michael can play in the sand on his island, but I want to be part of your court, Noah,” she says, seductively. “You can read all about it after I am gone.”
Noah nods.
“You have my word, Lauren,” he says.
She dials a number and waits for the pickup.
“Tom Cruise is the best actor ever!” she says, then disconnects.
I roll my eyes.
“Seriously? I don’t want to know what the other phrase was, I suppose?” Noah smirks.
“Kill them all,” she responds and then walks away. Michael Bishop fumbles and rises, getting ready to follow Lauren.
I put out an arm.
“What do you know about the Flame, Mr. Bishop?” I ask.
He stares at me. I see something like fear in his eyes, but then it’s gone.
“She burns, Evan. Everything that comes into her path,” he says, suddenly sober.
He walks after Lauren, looking as though he’s been kicked in his balls.
* * *
Noah and I leave the Dorchester, and rendezvous with Levi, Merc, and Lucius back at the Stone estate.
Tinsley and Sebastian are waiting, and Noah spends some time with them, playing with his son, my half-brother. After about forty minutes, they all come into the room.
“Bishop sent a telegram, which Aidan retrieved,” Noah says, pulling it from his suit pocket.
“Cleaning Appointment
Customer: T. Whittaker
Maid: Ms. Flame
Date: TBD”
“That’s it?” Merc sneers. “All that pomp for four lines, and not even a date?” he chuckles.
Levi asks Noah for the message and pores over it.
“CACTWMMFDTBD,” he says out loud. “Lucius, contact Isaac and tell him we have got a coded message from the Ventretti’s to their hitmen contacts. He’ll know what it’s about,” Levi says.
Merc chuckles.
“I forgot how deeply embedded you were, Levi,” he says.
Levi gives Merc a grim smile.
“The Flame is a perfect assassin, Merc. And, one you might find surprisingly close to you,” he adds.
“Why is Lauren Darlington alive, Levi?” Merc demands.
“Because Elena Stone didn’t want her killed. We had RISC infiltrate, and a decoy was put into the interrogation room. Sophie was firing a blank pistol. Our decoy is an outstanding actress, don’t you think?” Levi responds.
“Hollywood makeup is getting very good, apparently, Merc,” Lucius grins.
“You shut the fuck up! It’s not that good!” Merc protests.
Levi slams a hand on the table, startling Sebastian. Tinsley gives him a sharp look.
“My apologies,” he says, quietly.
Merc sits down and puts his arms across his chest.
Noah’s phone rings.
He picks it up and listens.
“Olivia. Wonderful to hear your voice, my dear. How may I be of assistance today?” he asks, deadpan.
The rest of us are stunned.
Noah puts the phone on speaker, so we can all hear.
“Okay, Olivia, I have put you on speaker, as you requested,” he says.
“Well, it’s all elementary. I want in. If you want Tinsley to stay among the living, you’ll agree to my terms. Hello, dear. Nothing personal!” comes Olivia’s voice.
Tinsley pulls Sebastian to her. He squirms, wanting to roam around.
Noah puts a hand out, and she hands him over.
Sebastian grins and rests his head on Noah’s chest.
He’s immediately quiet.
“What do you mean, Olivia?” Noah asks as he rubs Sebastian’s back gently.
Olivia sighs.
“That fool Bishop made a grave mistake recruiting Lauren, let me tell you. That woman cannot keep secrets! I am sure you’ve gotten his telegram. Who does that anymore? In any event, the coded message, which I am certain Levi decoded for you, is straightforward. I am the one who placed the contract. Now, before you all start carrying on, or hang up, I have a proposal. Do you want to hear it?” Olivia asks.
Everyone is quiet. Tinsley is pale, her hand goes to Noah, and she touches their son.
Noah kisses her hair, still rubbing Sebastian.
“Go ahead, Olivia,” he says.
“I know about the signet ring, the Bible and Lazarus Stone, Noah. I want to be a queen. That’s all. I could get there with the Duke, but that stupid son-of-a-bitch can’t get past his familial obligations! I thought if Tinsley were gone, then he’d see the logic of making me the next in line. But Phillip is in the way! I can’t go around killing off all my competition, so I am coming to you with a simple offer – you marry Tinsley. She gets coronated and abdicates. You and she can go off into the sunset, happily ever after, and I will never darken your door. Of course, that’s because I’ll be busy being Queen. You take the Duke out, and I will marry Phillip. Everyone wins! Especially me! Oh, and Elena can hand off RISC to the Americans or Chinese or whoever gives her the most for it. Damnable irritant that is! What do you think, Noah?” she says, brightly.
I think it takes all of Noah’s willpower not to throw the phone across the room.
Levi’s face is tense as if considering something behind Olivia’s words.
Lucius and Merc are sitting quietly, absorbing the situation.
Olivia is deep into their world, and it jarred them.
“What about Bishop and the Ventretti’s? Lauren? The rest?” Noah asks.
“I don’t give a good fuck about them, Noah. You know that. I suppose the Ventretti’s will have to be bribed, but we have a lot of capital for that, now that the Vatican is in your back pocket. I made a mistake in divorcing you too soon!” she chuckles.
Noah grimaces.
“It’s not what you think, Olivia,” he says quietly.
“It doesn’t matter, Noah. Those are my terms. I get to be queen. Tinsley gets to live. You get married, and she abdicates. The Duke is removed, I marry Phillip. Voila! Queen Olivia the First!” she giggles.
Noah looks at all of us.
He kisses Sebastian on the nose, and the boy laughs.
There’s something in Noah’s eyes. A sadness, but also resolve.
“Okay, Olivia. You win,” he says and hangs up.
Levi and Merc stand and can barely contain themselves.
“You were joking!” Levi seethes.
“No goddamned way, Noah! You can’t allow RISC to be handed over like that!” Merc says, loudly. Sebastian starts and then cries. Tinsley takes him from Noah, comforting him.
“Look. I’ve made my decision,” Noah says, firmly.
“You all heard me. I will get with ‘Mister Cook’ and see what we can do to minimize the collateral damage. Lucius, tell Isaac this news and have him contact the Mossad. Levi, you coordinate with the Ventretti’s. Tell Bishop his d
eal is off. Lauren and Bishop are to be arrested at once, by Interpol. Their dossiers will be available as soon as I can get to my office! Merc, you find Sophie Leslie and place her under arrest. If she resists, kill her on the spot!” Noah commands.
“What? What the hell? Sophie?” Merc asks, stunned.
“Sophie Leslie is The Flame, Merc. I am sorry. She’s been a double-agent for Olivia. We could use her, but she ended up killing some of our men in Istanbul. Do you remember that little incident on the train? The helicopters? She was a pilot of one of Olivia’s attack choppers. We cross-checked her location. She was supposed to be in Paris, on assignment, but went off-the-grid. When she popped back up on the radar, we tracked her to Monaco. Then she was in Madrid. We think she was going to kill Evan and…” he pauses.
Leigha walks into the room.
“Leigha,” he continues.
She looks surprised.
“What?” she grins.
“Nothing. Merc, you have your orders. All of you do,” Noah concludes.
The men walk from the room.
Noah leaves to go to his office, with Tinsley trailing him.
My wife and love stands in front of me.
I kiss her belly.
She hugs my head, and I smell her scent.
My head is spinning from Noah’s decree.
“Evan, have you spoken to Vic? Ethan is having a bit of an issue, not having seen you in a while. And, apparently Bond is yowling something fierce,” she adds.
We walk out the door, where Lucius has been waiting for me.
When he sees Leigha, he changes his mind.
“I’ll get with you later, Evan,” Lucius says.
“Okay,” I reply.
“Why all the long faces?” Leigha asks.
“I’ll tell you on the way to the safehouse, my dear wife,” I say.
She beams at me, and I kiss her passionately.
As we walk past my father’s office, I see Tinsley. She waves, but her face is red from crying.
We go out behind the estate, to the helipad. I begin the startup procedure, as Leigha straps into her seat. I can see Levi and Merc at the hangar, readying the other helicopter. Merc waves at me, and I salute him.
FRACTURE: Hearts of Stone Book Six Page 22