by Paul Heron
It seemed as if the entire world had frozen.
The guard looked shocked, his jaw dropped and paused.
Maria looked at Michael as if to say what the hell are you doing?
The guard cleared his throat and composed himself, his eyes darting back and forward from Michael to Maria. ‘I’ve never heard of this Mancini Corporation,’ he replied. He tugged on his cuff to hide his tattoo, the mark of the corporation. ‘Enjoy the party.’
Maria pulled Michael by the hand, and they made their way in.
‘Michael, what the hell are you trying to do?’ Maria said. ‘Don't get too confident.’
‘Sorry,’ Michael said, realising that it was a bit cocky. ‘I don’t know what came over me.’ He touched his earpiece as they entered. ‘Ajit, you still there?’
‘Yes, we’re back at the car park,’ Ajit said. ‘No sign of Enrique on our system. I’m hoping them agents don’t come back again.’
‘Then why the hell did you go back there, then?’ Carolina complained. ‘Are you all stupid?’
‘Where else are we going to go?’ Ajit shouted back, sounding defensive.
‘That was a pretty dumb move, guys,’ Marcel said, sounding less irritated than Carolina.
‘We've just got in. Guys, we’re now inside a government building, full of the very people we’re trying to hide from.’ Michael felt Maria grab his hand.
‘Come on, my handsome Irishman, take me to the ball.’ She kissed him on the cheek. ‘No more recklessness.’
‘You're certainly a good actress,’ Michael said. He looked at her through his mask. ‘We’ll find Enrique, don’t worry.’
They entered the front room. It could compete with the Sirani houses, high ceilings, chandeliers, a twenty-foot-long aquarium, waiters armed with stainless steel platters packed with seafood, salad and glasses of complementary beverages. What captured Michael's attention the most was the man playing the piano in the far-left corner next to the stained-glass windows with violet curtains dropping to the ground. The man was playing a classical tune and was attracting some attention – a crowd had formed a semi-circle around him.
‘Look at Marcel.’ Michael whispered in Maria's ear. He gestured towards Marcel who was leaning on the piano, getting up close and personal with the pianist. He looked like he was right at home, in his element surrounded by the enemy. Michael linked arms with Maria. ‘Let’s go check this out.’ He checked his mask and fixed his jacket, walking through the crowd of VIPs – probably local Spanish politicians, journalists, Spanish business elite and for sure Mancini agents.
‘Where is Sofia, Carolina and Guillermo?’ Maria said.
‘That's a good question.’
They approached the crowd of spectators. Michael grabbed Marcel. ‘Where are the others?’ He suddenly felt vulnerable, perhaps being watched by Mancini agents from all around. Everyone could be a potential threat. After what happened in France: the call to the police in Marseille going to Mancini was proof the corporation was everywhere. And after their recent visit to the carpark where they just happened to bump into a group of Otherworldly creatures – the Dark One’s minions – it was clear the gods of darkness were sending the troops in to get Michael. He looked at everyone not within the foundation as an enemy.
‘Sofia and Carolina have gone to “powder their noses” and Guillermo has gone to meet the president.’ The music got louder, and Marcel gestured to the pianist. ‘He's awesome, he's-’
‘Enrique?’ Maria cut Marcel off when she saw the side of the pianist’s face. ‘Enrique, what the hell’s going on, what are you doing?’ She grabbed Enrique who didn’t respond to her, he just continued to play the piano.
Marcel looked at Michael, Michael looked at Marcel. ‘Shit, it's a trap,’ Marcel said. ‘They know we're here and have left him here.’
Michael touched his earpiece. ‘Ajit, there's a good chance we've just walked into trap. We've found Enrique, he's been drugged. They know we're here.’ His eyes scanned the room. In his paranoid state, he looked at everyone suspiciously. ‘Shit!’
‘We're on our way!’ Ringo shouted through the earpieces.
‘They're not that stupid. They wouldn't attract unnecessary attention here when the world is after us. Remember, they don't want the world to know what we're doing either,’ Michael said. ‘Sofia, Carolina can you hear us?’
‘Yes,’ Sofia said.
Michael looked around, trying to find an idea as if it was somewhere in the crowd. The clinks of glasses and rattles of cutlery coming from the buffet added to the vibrant chatter from the overly excited guests. ‘Okay, Marcel, want to have some fun?’
‘Amigo.’ Marcel caressed his hands. ‘Of course!’
Chapter Fourteen
‘ALBAN, CAN YOU HEAR me?’ Michael said. He glanced at Maria who was standing beside Enrique, looking at him wondering what was going through his mind. She looked afraid to touch him, as if doing so would kick off a chain of events. Perhaps he under some spell, a Fomorian dwelling inside him, trying to get inside the foundation. Or was it simply Enrique, been drugged and was not aware of his actions.
‘I’m here,’ Alban said.
‘Go back to the farm house and get the chopper. Probably a good idea to grab Dr Rizzo as well. We’ve found Enrique, it looks like he's been drugged.’
‘Michael, the exits are all blocked. Mancini agents are everywhere,’ Sofia said. ‘We're on our way to you.’
‘We'll do something we've been successful at before – creating a distraction.’ Michael looked at Marcel, then around the room: a sea of middle-aged tuxedos and elegantly dressed ladies – everyone wearing masks. Everyone in the room, without a doubt, was of political importance. A certain level of influence within their communities. None of them aware of what was really going on. Then stood Michael, Marcel, Carolina and Sofia – sneaking around this political world, trying to prevent end of human civilisation as they knew it.
The brass-surrounding lift next to the stairs opened it’s burgundy lined doors. Carolina and Sofia stepped out. ‘Alban, how long will it take you to get here?’ Sofia asked.
‘In the chopper, it depends if you want to fly while it’s still daylight. Sunset is around eight twenty. It’s probably better to fly in the dark.’
‘Alban, it looks like we’ve been trapped, we need to get out of here – now!’ Marcel shouted.
‘I know, Marcel, but we can’t risk being caught in the-‘
‘Okay, just get here when you can. And Alban.’ Michael watched as Carolina and Sofia approached them. ‘Don’t let us down.’
‘See you soon. Be careful,’ Alban said.
Sofia and Carolina joined them at the piano, both looking around them, not holding eye contact with anyone in the crowd. They were acting as nervous as Michael felt. Michael tried to think of what to do. He looked at the others. The four looked at each other, like fish caught in a net. As if talking a step in either direction could cause an eruption.
‘We need to get the president while we're here. We must,’ Carolina said. ‘This is our chance. The one thing that we have going for us is not only what Elisabetta gave us, but also the element of surprise.’
‘She's right, Michael,’ Sofia said. ‘We don't have the luxury of planning and taking our time with each mission. We get the president. Tonight. We get the fragment and we get out of here, no messing around.’
‘Okay, we’re looking more suspicious standing here.’ Michael looked at the group. ‘We need to blend in with the crowd, at least until we hear from Guillermo. Ajit, is Guillermo's tracker still activated?’
‘It is,’ Ajit responded.
‘Okay, I’m taking a walk to the toilets. I need a piss.’ Michael looked at Marcel. ‘You stay behind me but keep a distance and watch for anyone tailing me. Sofia, you and Maria go to the far end of the room, act like you're having a private discussion, but listen out for any conversations we might find useful. And Carolina, you stay here with Enrique.’
Sofia grabbed M
ichael as he headed back into the crowd. ‘You be careful.’ She looked at Marcel. ‘You watch his back. We don’t know how many of these Fomorians are wearing Mancini uniforms.’
Marcel pulled his shirt cuffs out from under his jacket sleeves and followed Michael as he headed through the sea of suits and dresses. He walked tall and confident but making sure not to hold eye contact with anyone. He caught a snippet of each conversation as he passed. Most of them were talking about the same thing – this revolutionary new form of energy that could change the world. Michael shook his head, thinking if only they knew it would quicker destroy the world than help it. Bring down a whole new wave of darkness. A world that they didn’t even know existed.
Directly in front of him, in the direction he was headed stood a Mancini agent and Michael instantly spotted the tattoo – the lightning bolt of the organisation. The agent quickly moved to hide his tattoo under his sleeve, which made Michael worry. Why was he hiding it from Michael – simply a man wearing a tuxedo and a mask coming towards him? Did he suspect Michael was part of the Sirani Foundation? But obviously he didn’t know Michael was the one who has contact with the gods.
As he approached the stairs, he felt his heart race. ‘Marcel?’
‘Right behind you. Looking directly at the back of your Irish nut.’ Marcel said, giving him more confidence. They could pick their way through the entire crowd if it was needed, but it was better to keep eyes off them and not have another incident like the one on Oxford Street.
‘Michael, I know what you're thinking. I see the way the agent is looking at you,’ Carolina said. ‘Just ignore him.’
‘Don’t worry,’ Michael said. ‘I'll put on a local accent. And just speak Spanish to him. It’s obvious he knows I’m a Sirani agent and wants to say something. It'll be more suspicious if I don't speak to him and just walk on. Don’t worry he’ll not know exactly who I am.’
‘Michael, no. Don't!’ Carolina hissed. ‘It’s too risky.’ She was beginning to worry him. But he ignored it. Knowing Marcel was behind him made him feel confident. ‘Hola, amigo,’ he spoke to the agent in Spanish. ‘Do you know when the president is addressing us? I’m here with another journalist and want to ask a few questions about this new find that the president has spoken about.’
‘The president is in a meeting,’ the agent said. ‘An exclusive interview. He plans to address the party at nine o'clock.’ He looked directly into Michael’s eyes that were hidden behind his mask. The agent had dark skin with piercing brown eyes, sitting below two bushy black eyebrows that were in terrible need of a trim. He stared at Michael with a cocky grin as if to say you know who I am, I know who you are – make your move. Michael flashed back to seeing his dad's expression when he jabbed him with the anaesthetic in France. He felt like taking off his mask and kicking the agent all over the room, until Carolina came back through.
‘Michael – that’s enough, you’re pushing your luck and you're going to get us into trouble. Trouble we don't need.’
‘Thanks for your help,’ Michael said, walking passed and continuing on up the stairs. ‘Marcel, you're still behind me?’
‘Of course.’ Marcel sounded excited. ‘You think I’m letting you have all the fun?’
‘This is not fun!’ Sofia shouted through the earpieces. ‘Carolina is right, Michael. You’re pushing your luck with this.’
‘Okay, okay,’ Michael said. ‘Keep your hair on.’ He walked up the stairs. The handrail was thick and wooden with a creamy shade. It felt sticky, must have been recently painted. Then he remembered the Sirani Foundation sending a maintenance guy in to scope the palace out.
As he got to the top of the stairs, he got an elevated view of the entire room, thinking what a great spot to give a speech from. He followed a sign for the males, directly through two ten-foot-tall wooden doors. He entered the toilets to find a man and woman kissing against the mirrors.
‘Probably a bedroom would be better?’ Michael said.
‘What? Michael, what are you talking about?’ Sofia asked.
‘Nothing, I caught a couple getting frisky in the males.’ He checked all the cubicles. The room was empty. ‘Marcel, are you outside?’
‘Si.’
‘I’ll be one minute.’
‘Hey, amigo, what you do in the bathroom is your own business.’
‘Golden Boy's having a shit!’ Mohammad screamed, causing laughter to flow from everyone.
Michael laughed, looking at himself in the mirror. Still unrecognisable with the mask. He took the mask off and splashed cold water on his face, feeling refreshed. ‘The president’s giving his speech at nine o'clock, according to our new friend at the bottom of the stairs.’ He put the mask back on and exited the bathroom, turning and walking in the opposite direction that they came.
‘Michael, the president’s private office is on the third floor.’ Ajit came through. ‘It has an emergency exit leading both down and up to a helicopter pad in case he needs to get out in a hurry.’
‘Like tonight.’ Marcel laughed, as they walked past a group of five – three men and two women – all looking excited about seeing what the big secret was.
‘We’re going up to check it out,’ Michael said.
‘You two be careful,’ Sofia said. ‘They’ll be expecting us.’
‘Exactly,’ Michael said, ‘we need to keep moving and not hang around. If we can get the president up here, we'll snatch him and wait for Alban to land on the roof. How’s everything down on the ground floor?’
‘Okay, but we've received a message from George. He's tried to call your phone.’
They spotted the lift and ran towards it just as the doors were closing.
Marcel shivered and produced that enormous smile of his. ‘This is exciting.’ He pressed the button to the third floor.
Michael checked his phone. Six missed calls from George and a text message asking Michael to call him ASAP. ‘George wants me to call him on the double.’ Michael looked at Marcel shaking his head. ‘Why does this always make me nervous?’
‘Because it always means we have a problem?’ Marcel said.
‘George, we're in the lift heading up to the president's private office. What's-’
‘Michael, they know you’re there. You and Sofia. Mancini know it’s you in the building, not just Sirani agents.’
‘All Sirani agents are just as important as Sofia and me, George,’ Michael said. ‘But, what do you suggest? I’m with Marcel. We're on our way to see if we can get the president now. He's addressing the party at nine o'clock.’
‘Michael, for God's sake, be careful. It’s too dangerous having you and Sofia in the same location. To them, you’d both be more valuable than the fragment.’ George sounded calm as usual, but his words, nevertheless, got their message across.
‘If they come at us, the next place they go will be the hospital, or back to the Otherworld depending on whether they’re human Mancini turncoats or a Fomorian minion from the other realm,’ Marcel said, caressing his knuckles. ‘We’ll have some fun with them.’
‘Okay, George. The rest of the team will leave now. Marcel and I will go in for the president. I'll call you back.’
‘Be careful, you two!’
‘I've got Marcel with me, we'll be okay.’ Michael looked at Marcel and fist punched him. Michael ended the call. ‘Sofia, can you hear me?’
‘Si.’
‘You’ve got to leave, now. Take Carolina and the rest, get out of here. Marcel and I will get the president and Guillermo. Ajit, are you listening?’
‘We're listening,’ Ajit said.
‘The second we get the president, we need you to activate L'amico and shut down all communications around the palace. We need to ensure they can’t call for back up. Then Alban, you get your ass here and we’ll meet you on the roof.’
‘Michael, we're not leaving here without you,’ Carolina said. ‘It’s too dangerous, and it’s only you two left here.’
‘Carolina, just go!’ Mar
cel said. ‘Meet Ringo outside and we'll be right behind you.’ They arrived at the third floor. He looked at Michael, as the lift opened to reveal two guards. Marcel spoke to Michael in Brazilian Portuguese. ‘Time to have a bit of fun,’ and before Michael knew what happened, Marcel's hand snapped out like a snake flicking it’s tongue, hitting the agent in the throat. The agent went down. Without thinking, Michael did the same to the other guard. Both were on the floor, unconscious.
Michael grabbed the guard he hit and directed Marcel to do the same. They dragged the two dead weights towards a vacant toilet, dropped them inside and closed the door, closing them inside. ‘Take his tie and put it on. We're going to be Mancini agents for the next hour or so.’ Michael pulled the tie off the agent he'd knocked out, noticing the lightning bolt mark of Mancini. He removed his bow tie and put the agent’s tie on. Marcel did the same.
‘What are you doing?’ Marcel asked as Michael took the agent's shoes off.
‘We'll use their laces and belts to tie them up.’ He looked at Marcel, as he pulled the laces from the agent's shoes. ‘It’ll buy us some time.’
‘Michael, I’ve got Sofia and the rest. I’m taking them back to the carpark!’ Ringo shouted through the earpiece. ‘We'll stay close in case we need to come back for you.’
‘Michael, we’re in the chopper now, flying to Madrid. When do you want me to activate L'amico? Perhaps a good idea to activate it at the same time you cut the power supply,’ Ajit said.
‘We’re going to the power supply now. It’s eight thirty. The president should be leaving his office around ten to nine, so we've got about twenty minutes.’ Michael looked at Marcel. Marcel's lower lip was quivering below his bright smile. He was nervous and trying to cover it up. ‘What's wrong with you?’ Michael spoke to Marcel the way he'd speak to a teammate on his Gaelic football team. Laddish affection.
‘Nothing, I'm a bit cold,’ Marcel said, faking a shiver, even though Michael was sweating buckets.
Michael knew Marcel wasn’t the one to talk about being nervous – which was why Michael spoke to him like he was a football teammate – so Michael continued to plan and tried to remain upbeat. ‘Okay, can everybody hear me?’ The whole group responded. ‘Just to recap. We'll kill the lights in about twenty minutes, around ten to nine. We’ll bust into the president’s office and grab him while Marcel has a bit of fun with the agents. Alban will be on the roof for us, then we’ll be out of here. L'amico will ensure they can't call for back up. Ajit, is Dr Rizzo with you?’