by Paul Heron
‘Wow,’ Mohammad said. ‘It makes sense now.’
‘Ahmad hears his mother's screams every night as he turns over in his bed,’ George said. ‘He is a man tormented. But as Michael mentioned before, every agent in the Sirani Foundation is as important as the next. Nobody is expendable!’
‘So, if Ahmad’s right and his parents are in Spain?’ Eduardo asked.
‘Then you guys do whatever you need to, to bring them back with the fragment. Is that understood?’ George's voice made the hairs stand on the back of Michael's neck. ‘I don’t care what you have to do to bring them back, have you got that?’
‘We hear you, George. A royal ass whopping being dealt out all around!’ Mohammad shouted.
‘Tell that to Elisabetta!’ Sofia said. ‘She’s suffered the longest.’
‘Not for much longer,’ Carolina said.
‘She's dating a relatively non-ugly Irishman who's like 350 hundred years younger than her,’ Mohammad said. ‘She's not doing too bad. Is she, chief?’ He pat Michael on the shoulder.
‘Twat!’ Michael laughed.
‘Sofia's right, though,’ Marcel said. ‘Elisabetta’s suffered enough. It’s now about time we’ve shown this organisation who she’s got fighting for her.’
‘Okay, we know tomorrow's going to be a long and testing day,’ Eduardo said. ‘How do we want it to play out?’
‘We separate,’ Scarlett said. They all looked at her, not feeling enthusiastic about the idea. ‘Did France not teach you anything? We stay together, we're in more danger. If we separate, we split our resources.’
‘Never put all your eggs in one basket,’ George said. ‘What’s that noise?’
Michael pulled his mobile out. ‘It’s Ahmad.’ He looked around at everyone, then answered. ‘Ahmad, what’s going on?’
‘Michael. I’m sorry. I flipped. I went on impulse, wanting to do anything to get my parents back, and help us.’
‘It was stupid, Ahmad. We're supposed to be a team. We've got each other's back. We help each other,’ Michael said.
‘Ahmad, we understand why you're doing this, but we need to work as a team to get your family back.’ George spoke forcefully. ‘Is that understood, Ahmad? You have to work with us, so we can help you.’
‘Understood.’ Ahmad sounded calm.
‘What have you gotten yourself into?’ Marcel said.
‘Well, I thought about the way I acted in London. I put everyone and the mission in danger, so-’
‘Ahmad, please – make it snappy!’ Scarlett said.
‘I’ve told the Mancini Corporation that I wanted to come work for them. I met with Rodriquez and he's happy to have me on board.’
‘What? Ahmad, that's dangerous,’ Michael said. ‘What if they know it’s a con? These guys aren’t stupid.’
‘What if they find your phone? They'll have access to our network!’ Eduardo said.
‘We could block that out,’ Ajit said. ‘But, still Ahmad, it’s dangerous.’
‘I smuggled the SIM card,’ Ahmad said, clearing his throat. ‘They searched me when I arrived. But I stole one of their phones and-’ He trailed off. ‘Hold on, someone's coming!’
Michael and the rest were both shocked and impressed. Ahmad was not only unstable with regards to his parents, but he was also willing to risk his life to help the Sirani Foundation. This was going to prove either a blessing or a curse. The next twenty-four hours would prove which.
‘Ahmad?’ Scarlett hissed.
‘It's okay, they’re gone now.’
‘Where are you now?’ Scarlett asked, checking her watch and looking around at the team as if she was ready to get going. ‘What you’ve done is very brave, but you know you're in immediate danger now?’ She pulled her pistol out and checked the magazine inside.
‘I know it’s dangerous, but I’m more interested in finding my parents. That's my priority, then bringing Mancini down.’
Michael felt his adrenaline flow, the hairs standing up on the back of his neck. He looked around at the rest who all had similar expressions.
‘I’ve recorded a conversation. Obviously, I can’t understand it, they were speaking in Spanish. Sofia, I’ve sent it to you,’ Ajit said.
Sofia received the conversation and opened it. While listening to it, she smirked. Her wide eyes and childish grin displayed someone who’d just heard good news.
‘Ahmad, your impulsiveness can be a pain in the ass.’ She looked around at the group while still listening to the conversation. ‘But I think it’s just paid off. This is a conversation between Rodriquez and President Perez. He's telling the president the fragment was being hunted by a group, but they've stopped the group, I’m guessing us, and they're good to release it to the Spanish people.’
‘Ahmad, you've done a great job,’ Ajit said. ‘Maybe think about getting out of there now, before they figure out what you're up to.’
‘No, I want to continue.’
‘Man, you’ve done enough. It’s time to get out of there,’ Marcel said. ‘The longer you stay with them, the more risk you take.’
‘They've asked me to form part of the president’s close protection team tomorrow. I’ve got us a pass to the bullfighting festival and if that’s where you plan on getting the fragment, you’ll need an inside man.’
Michael looked around the table at everyone else, grinning. ‘Good work. I think you've just made our job here in Spain much easier.’
‘Yes, and the fact Rodriquez is asking for additional security means he's got something there tomorrow that will need protecting,’ Carolina said. ‘You stay with them tomorrow, maintain communications with us, and we'll grab it tomorrow. When we make our move, you make sure you’re away with us, because they'll be livid, and they’ll know you're the one to blame.’
‘And remember the jungle? We made it into the compound because we stood back and planned our way in, albeit a quick plan, but at plan all the same,’ Mohammad said.
‘And with their experience in France, they'll know to keep their eyes peeled for us,’ Ajit added.
‘Not to mention the fact the president was kidnapped, and we’ll be in Madrid. There's going to be government and cops everywhere,’ Eduardo said. ‘We can use L'amico to shut down their communications, but it's going to be daylight, and everyone will see us.’
‘It's gone past the point of worrying about people seeing us,’ Sofia said. ‘It's simply a case of getting the fragment while causing the least amount of damage.’
‘Ahmad, one question, amigo,’ Marcel said. ‘Anything on your family?’
There was a silence.
‘Ahmad?’ Marcel said.
‘Yes, I’m still here.’ The positivity in Ahmad’s tone dissolved into his usual depressive tone. ‘No, I haven’t seen them. Maybe Ringo was right, my eyes saw something they wanted to see.’
‘We'll find them!’ Eduardo said. ‘If they're in Madrid, then they’ll be there to help somehow, which means they’ll be guarding the president or acting as a backup for Mancini if anything goes tits up for them.’
‘And their tits will be flying up when we get there!’ Mohammad shouted at the phone.
‘I’ve worked with your mum and dad before,’ Scarlett said. ‘The Sirani Foundation is indebted to the help they've given over the years. They'll not be left behind. We don’t leave anyone behind. Just keep your head down until the event. When we get there, we're taking the fragment and anybody important with us.’ Scarlett spoke not only to Ahmad, but the entire group. ‘In France we were lucky, very lucky-’
‘Luck of the Irish.’ Mohammad slapped Michael on the back. ‘Thanks, chief!’
‘But Mancini will not want to lose this fragment,’ Scarlett continued, ‘so they’ll be protecting the fragment with all it has, or as much as it can without raising too many questions. So, Ahmad keep focussed. Stay in touch and listen up, if you hear anything that can help, let us know.’
‘Yeah, and well done for getting in. It was very bold, but extrem
ely courageous. You almost gave us a heart attack by running off. If you told us-’ Carolina said.
‘You wouldn’t have gone for it,’ Ahmad said. ‘That's why I didn’t mention it, I knew you wouldn't have gone for it.’
Ringo and Alban arrived. ‘Michael, do you know you're still bleeding?’ Ringo said, dabbing the back of Michael's head with a tissue. ‘You need to get Dr Rizzo to have another look at that to make sure it hasn't opened up again.’
‘Let me see,’ Scarlett said, walking around the table. She walked behind Michael. ‘It has opened again, Michael. Marcel, go get Dr Rizzo. Michael, it looks like you’ll be resting up at the house.’
‘Bullshit!’ Michael pulled away from her. ‘You think I can just lie here and scratch my ass while all hell breaks loose out there.’ He laughed. ‘It’ll drive me up the dammed wall.’
‘We'll see what Dr Rizzo says,’ Scarlett said, taking the lead in George’s absence. ‘The rest of you get some sleep. Set your alarms for ten, sharp. So you’ve got about six hours. Alban, don’t forget to check all the cars-’
‘Already done,’ Ringo said. ‘Don't worry, all taken care of.’
‘Great, what about the chopper? It’s full of fuel?’ Scarlett looked at Michael’s head again, then she looked into Michael’s eyes fondly. ‘Tomorrow we'll be inhaling the beautiful Irish sea air.’
‘Chopper’s good, Scarlett. I’m off to bed. In the morning I’ll get up and go through everything again just to be sure!’ Alban said as he wished everyone good night.
While everyone went to bed, Michael stayed up for another thirty minutes with Scarlett and Dr Rizzo, getting his head cleaned up and re-stitched. It was as if Scarlett wanted to place a giant shield around him. The way she was looking at him was the way his mother looked at him in the hospital after his attack. Scarlett had seen the group of seven since they'd all arrived in England. She'd even followed Michael over on the plane from Ireland to ensure he wasn’t followed by Mancini agents. She'd been with the group through the whole ordeal and was developing a love for all of them.
‘Scarlett, go to bed. You need to rest, too!’ Michael said. ‘I’ll be okay. Once the good doctor patches me up, I’ll be off to bed as well.’ He felt a pinch as the doctor fed the stitching through his scalp.
‘Sorry!’ Dr Rizzo said. ‘We're nearly done, but if this opens again, we'll have to try staples.’
Scarlett stood up and stretched. ‘I’ll see you in the morning then!’
Chapter Twenty-Two
AT FIVE MINUTES TO ten, Michael’s eyes shot open to the sound of an alarm. He was face down in his pillow, still in the same position he'd gone to sleep in with the hope of not opening the cut again. He rolled over to switch his alarm off, but as he did so, he jumped as he kicked someone with his feet during the manoeuvre. It was Marcel. And beside Marcel was Sofia, both gawking at him, already dressed and ready to go.
‘Man, you snore!’ Marcel laughed. ‘That’s my alarm, it’s five to ten. Better get up, we’ve stuff to do today.’
‘What are you doing here?’ Michael asked, as he looked for his bottle of water.
‘Here, sleepy head.’ Sofia threw Michael a bottle. ‘I took the liberty of getting you a bottle of cold water, instead of that usual warm piss you drink in the mornings.’
Michael opened the bottle and took a gulp.
‘You were screaming in your sleep, man. It wasn’t nice,’ Marcel said, his usual grin being replaced by a look of concern. ‘You were screaming for your mum and telling them to stop!’
‘Yes, Michael. It was horrible,’ Sofia said.
‘Dr Rizzo has taken a blood sample from you. He thinks you’re showing symptoms like the symptoms Eduardo described after he was drugged in the jungle. He's going to see if there's any chance it’s this drug from the Dark Tree.’ Sofia looked at him, peering into his eyes, as if she was studying a subject in a research lab.
‘It can't be that tree's drug,’ Michael said. ‘If it was, we'd be walking Fomorians.’
‘Yeah, but what if it only makes us sick?’ Marcel said. ‘Dr Rizzo thinks maybe the drug doesn’t have the same effect on us as it does on others. Need I remind you that we're not normal?’
‘Suppose,’ Michael wondered. Embarrassment set in, the thought of him crying in his sleep.
‘I’m sorry you’ve had those nightmares,’ Sofia said. ‘It was terrible listening to it. We stayed up with you, taking turns to watch you and get some sleep as well.’
‘I’m sorry that all happened to you in Ireland!’ Marcel added.
‘That attack is in the past. It can’t be changed. Let’s forget that and focus on changing the future,’ Michael said.
‘By spreading Pietro Mancini and his family of blood sucking ticks all over the place.’ Marcel held his hand up for Michael to high-five.
‘You also called for Elisabetta in your sleep,’ Sofia said, as Carolina and Scarlett entered the room.
‘Breakfast is ready, thanks to Maria and Enrique.’ Scarlett walked over to the wardrobe and pulled Michael’s suit out. ‘You okay? How's the head?’
‘He’s okay, just having weird dreams about Elisabetta!’ Sofia teased. ‘But he’s not lost all his marbles, yet.’
‘You’re just jealous Prince Charming here is dreaming about your aunt Elisabetta and not you,’ Mohammad said, strolling in. ‘Isn't that right, chief? Jealousy isn’t attractive, Sofia!’ Mohammad dropped himself onto the bottom of Michael's bed next to Marcel.
‘Think Elisabetta is a little bit too old for you though, amigo!’ Eduardo said, as he was next to enter the room.
‘Great, we've got a full room now,’ Michael said, slowly rotating his legs off the bed. Still feeling dizzy, he kept it to himself. He could sense a positive vibe from the room. The atmosphere needed to stay upbeat for the day ahead.
‘Today's going to be a good day,’ Mohammad said, opening the curtains and windows to the room. ‘Chief, in the future keep the window open, it’s a bit rank in here.’ He grabbed Michael's suit. Handing it to him, he said, ‘How you feeling? Please tell me you’re okay to wash and dress yourself. I’m not down with that nursing stuff! Certainly not wiping your ass for you!’
‘Mohammad, you’re one vile creature in the morning!’ Carolina fired a pillow at him. It bounced off his face.
‘I’m going for a shower myself.’ Michael laughed. ‘The rest of you can piss off. I’ll be fine after a good shower, shave and shit!’
‘The three S's of the day!’ Marcel laughed.
‘You men are revolting!’ Sofia said.
Michael shut the door to the en-suite, listening to the rest of them leaving his room taking the piss out of each other, Mohammad saying women shower, shave and shit too, Carolina repeating what Sofia said about men being revolting.
He turned the electric shower on. The water turned warm almost instantly. Stepping in, he was careful not to wet the stitches on the back of his head. Michael realised his morning showers were the only time he’d have peace and quiet. The green tube of shower gel had an overpowering smell of mint, reminding Michael of showering at home. Mint was his favourite taste and smell, and he wondered how Scarlett knew this. Perhaps his mother told her, as it was Mrs O'Hagan who knew that. Mr O'Hagan wouldn’t have had a clue; he could tell Scarlett Michael's favourite car, his favourite football team or favourite sport, but not what shower gel he liked. This worked wonders to boost his mood, knowing Scarlett had gone to the effort to find something like this out, knowing something as simple as a familiar smell would be enough to remind him of what home felt like.
Five minutes later, he stepped out of the shower feeling refreshed, his skin clean and soft. He felt like a new man. Opening the window to let the steam out, Michael embraced the cool air touching his skin. Drying himself, he temporarily forgot the cut on the back of his head, until he felt it’s tenderness and saw the blood on the white towel. He grabbed a handheld mirror from the sink and turned his back to the wall mounted mirror above the sink.
The cut: bright red and shiny, it was a three-inch line that joined his other scar in a “v” shape. He laughed at the thought of the flying v shape ducks flew in. It made him think about the Sirani Foundation, flying in a v shape – together defeating the Mancini Corporation.
A knock came at the door, a sound he’d grown to be wary of. ‘Who is It? I’m just getting dried.’
‘Sofia! Your breakfast will be getting cold.’
Michael opened the door. ‘On my way, but I don’t think a cold breakfast is the top of our list of priorities.’
‘It would be great if that was all we had to worry about,’ Sofia agreed, as she walked passed him into the room. ‘And we have new suits.’ She spun around in a circle as if modelling her outfit.
‘You are really hot!’ Michael said. ‘You know that?’ He lifted the suit, noticing a tiny unicorn symbol on the inside of the cuffs.
‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘You’re sweet.’ She stepped in front of the mirror on the wardrobe door, checking that everything was presentable. She tutted and pulled a loose thread from her left cuff. ‘This is a long, dangerous road we're on, Michael, and we need to make sure we can get to the end of it in one piece. I mean what’s the alternative? Death or prison or prison until death? No thanks!’ She turned and looked at him, then turned back to the mirror. ‘And next time you see Elisabetta, ask her why she’s not contacting me or the rest of my family. It’s really bugging me not knowing who the hell you are.’ She smirked.
‘It's something I’d love to know, too. And if I find out, you’ll be the first to know.’ He grabbed his white shirt and threw it on; the new clothes smell surrounding him.
Sofia took his tie and threw it around his neck. Buttoning his shirt up, her brown eyes glazed over as she looked into his. He thought she was going to say something, but she didn't. He wanted to kiss her, but didn’t want to create an awkward atmosphere. She fixed his tie. ‘You look very handsome.’ She moved in slowly towards him, her brown eyes darting from his left to right eye. Then she quickly swerved and pecked him on the cheek. ‘You look like a gentleman.’