Once, and For All

by Kendra G. Johnson

  William bent over and, helping Danny Mac to his feet, said, “My staff assures me that rope was secure during their last routine inspection this week. I just inspected it again. It appears to be in good order. How it loosened and fell is beyond me.”

  Everyone was shaken but afraid to sit on the antique furniture. When William led Danny Mac to a settee, the others looked at each other and followed suit. The enormity of what could have happened finally hit. No one spoke for several seconds.

  Judy was the first to state the obvious. “It would have wiped out our entire Merry Band in one fell swoop.”

  Blade looked up from his place on the floor. “What’s a fell swoop?”

  The laughter broke the nervous tension long enough for them to take their leave of the duke and duchess and head back to London, each wondering what was afoot. Mrs. Gage didn’t know which she preferred as the culprit—spiritual attack or an enemy from her past—for she had no doubt this was not an accident.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  They arrived in the Marco Polo Airport in Venice en masse. Getting to the Metropole Hotel bordering the canal took some effort, but they were finally settled into their respective suites. As always, their accommodations were sumptuous. Mrs. Gage had some operations for CJ and Leticia to check between London and Venice, so she secured a van for them so they could bring Blade and Rough in comfort. Mrs. Gage encouraged them to take their time. Rough was not needed for the opening-night performance for two more weeks.

  They had several days before they were to begin a short round of rehearsals on their new stage. Their venue was to be the Teatro Comunale Carlo Goldoni, located on Calle Goldoni near San Marco Square. The theatre was all gold and glitter, with four stories of boxed seats overlooking the floor seating and the stage.

  They had hoped to go about unnoticed, but thanks to the endorsement of the duke and duchess and the coverage by the world press, they were recognized as soon as they left the Metropole. They began donning hats and sunglasses as a matter of routine. But the paparazzi were soon onto them and this, too, lost its effectiveness.

  So, they learned to take gondola rides to San Marco Square and eat in quaint cafés under the scrutiny of cameras and tourists. And soon they could almost pretend to be in their own bubble, ignoring the commotion they sometimes caused just by entering a new place. They went about as a group for the most part. This felt safer somehow. People were less inclined to approach them directly if they were in a larger group. At the end of their first week, the weather was glorious. The sun was growing warmer with every passing day and they were out, having found an outdoor café along the Grand Canal that could accommodate their number for lunch.

  Jake and Mrs. Gage were sitting with Angelo and Granny James at their table. Mrs. Gage asked Angelo, “Are you ready to start rehearsing, my dear?”

  “Yes, ma’am. It will be good to be busy again.”

  Granny laughed. “You’re not much of a tourist, are you?”

  He grinned back at her. “No, ma’am, I am not.”

  Jake clapped him on the shoulder. “When are you going to relax, son? You can’t keep ma’am-ing these ladies forever.”

  He looked chagrined. “I am trying, Jake. I just keep thinking about my old life—who I used to be.”

  Mrs. Gage asked, “And you feel as if you don’t belong?”

  Angelo nodded.

  She reached over and laid her beautifully manicured hand over his. “So do I, my dear.”

  Their eyes met and he knew she spoke the truth. He wondered what secrets she carried, and with that, what shame? It was harder to let go of the shame than the memories. He knew that well.

  And yet, it was so hard to believe that she could feel she did not belong. She belonged everywhere she went. She was always so poised and self-assured. But he had seen the truth in her eyes. She carried pain and she carried guilt—same as him.

  He turned his hand over and clasped hers. It was a small comfort, but he wanted her to know he understood, and in that moment he felt a connection—a belonging. Both Jake and Moira sensed the intensity of this moment and remained silent, hardly breathing.

  Mrs. Gage seemed to decide something and said, “Walk with me.”

  Angelo hesitated only a moment and stood.

  She still held his hand. She turned to the other two and said, “Excuse us?”

  “Certainly,” Jake said. Granny James nodded her agreement as well, too moved to speak.

  Mrs. Gage and Angelo strolled slowly away with her arm in his. He bent his head to hear the secrets she began to tell him. They both needed to unburden their hearts, and it appeared they had each found a kindred spirit.

  * * * *

  The two young couples decided to take one evening to experience the romance of the city. The girls, dressed in white capris and striped shirts purchased in a nearby shop, were getting into the spirit of being the quintessential Venetian. They were pleased to have the full moon shining down on them as they entered separate gondolas for a romantic ride and an evening in San Marco Square.

  The gondola driver taking Andy and Judy began to sing to them. They laughed and sat back to appreciate the ride. The driver of Danny Mac and Kenann’s gondola winked at them. He put his finger to his lips to express quiet, and then brought his fingers to his lips in a gesture of a kiss. He winked again and turned his back on them to navigate the small vessel through the canal.

  Danny Mac, who was already holding Kenan in his arms, looked down at her and smiled. Whispering, he said, “You heard what the man said,” and bent to capture her lips with his.

  She responded with passion, smoothing her hand along his cheek then encircling the back of his neck, pulling him closer as he deepened the kiss. Danny Mac brought up his free hand to clasp her curling hair in his fist. They were both lost in the love and passion they felt for each other. It was glorious. A celebration of all the good that could be found in two people devoted to each other and wholly committed for the rest of their lives.

  They were only slightly aware of the bump of the gondola as it hit the dock. It was not until Andy spoke that they came apart breathlessly.

  “Well, I’d say get a room, but we just left one.”

  They blinked as if coming back from a dream, then everyone laughed. Their gondola driver made a sweeping gesture with his hand to cover his heart with a sigh.

  “Awe, Venezia,” he said and made the kissing gesture with his fingers once again.

  Andy reached out his hand and helped Kenann from the boat. Danny Mac followed. They strolled together through the square, talking quietly in companionable exchange about the history and architecture of this place. And the beauty. Judy once again “complained” that this was still a heck of a way to make a living, and they all laughed.

  Choosing a spot to dine, they settled in, looking at the menu. Deciphering the Italian dishes brought laughter as they each had an opinion as to what each item might actually be. Danny Mac was the resident expert, being the only one who spoke four languages, not to mention two dead ones, but even he had to acquiesce to the waiter when it came time to order. This was their special night. He did not want to chance it.

  Had Blade been there, he would have said, “Hey, that’s those two people I seen back in London hanging around the hotel,” indicating the couple sitting two tables away, the woman obscured in a scarf.

  * * * *

  The first of their social engagements was planned for the weekend. Bridget’s new friend at the embassy in London had made most of the arrangements. It was to be hosted by the mayor of Venice and was attended by most of the thirty-six councilmen and their escorts. This was merely the avenue to attract the businessmen who had been targeted for scrutiny.

  CJ and Leticia had arrived that morning with a road-weary Blade and Rough in tow. They had accomplished the tasks Mrs. Gage had assigned and had driven through the night on the last leg of their journey. CJ was used to long hours over the road. He reported in to Mrs. Gage, who was very pleased with t
heir results. After some much-needed rest, they met with the others for a brief council of war. Rough was back on the job, patrolling the room, making sure all was well. The others were dolled up and ready for battle in their finery. This had become part of the job now.

  Carter had cajoled Bridget into getting him more of the dissolving microphones she used in London. Their frequencies were set to their respective receivers, so each one of them was given a target to monitor and make mental note of anything heard. They had to be vigilant once they placed them near their targets, as they dissolved after less than an hour when exposed to air.

  The man and woman were able to secure positions as staff servicing the gathering. She did not want to call on her network to obtain invitations as guests. The less her compatriots knew at this point, the better. They had their own agenda and she did not want to do their bidding until she accomplished her one goal—finding out why Kenann was so valuable.

  The woman donned a wig and glasses along with the uniform provided by the caterers. She maintained a prudent but consistent proximity to the group as she tried to find a weakness in their heretofore impenetrable ranks. Her desperation was growing by the day. Time was running out.

  * * * *

  When the party was well underway, a man entered with a stunning woman on his arm. She had long, silky black hair, flawless skin, and almond-shaped eyes. She drew the attention of most people in the room, but it was Kenann and the disguised woman serving them who simultaneously drew in a sharp intake of breath. The woman covered her misstep by pretending to wipe a nonexistent stain from the tablecloth. She hurriedly finished her tasks and made her way quickly back to the kitchen. She was visibly shaken.

  Kenann had grabbed Danny Mac’s arm. He turned to her and asked in alarm, “Kenann, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  She did not blink but continued to stare straight ahead. Danny Mac followed the direction of her gaze and his blood froze.

  Katerina.

  No, she was dead. Kenann had killed her.

  But it was her.

  Danny Mac felt his heart race as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. She was heading straight toward their table. Kenann and Danny Mac were surrounded by strangers. He wanted to look around to see where the others were for support, but he could not drag his eyes from the woman coming at them.

  She smiled at them. “I have heard such wonderful things about your play. I was so excited to be invited to your opening night.”

  Danny Mac’s experience in espionage took over and he calmed down. “You look so familiar.”

  She considered him closely. “Well, not to be cliché, but perhaps you ran into my evil twin.” She noticed Kenann’s pallor and added, “Madame, it appears by the lack of color in your face you, too, met my unfortunate sister.”

  Kenann finally found her voice. “Yes, once, a long time ago.”

  “Well, let me say how sorry I am. She was not a nice person, and it appears she met an untimely end. We were not given much detail, but considering her lifestyle I was not surprised to hear she had been killed.”

  Danny Mac took Kenann’s hand and, pulling it under the table, gave it a reassuring squeeze. Kenann could feel her face growing hot and her heart clenching with strong emotion. She had killed her sister. No untimely death. She had killed her in a blind rage for shooting Danny Mac.

  The woman was still talking. Something about asking them to join her for dinner. Kenann was too shocked to speak. Danny Mac was engaging her in conversation.

  “Our schedule is not really our own… I’m sorry, but I did not get your name.”

  “Magda. Magda Fernando.”

  “Well, Magda. Thank you for your kind words and we shall look for you at our opening-night performance.”

  “You can count on it.” And she allowed herself to be led away by her male companion.

  Kenann dropped her head and whispered, “Oh, Danny Mac, I think I am going to be sick.”

  “It’s just shock. Take some slow, really deep breaths.” She did. It helped. Danny Mac watched her closely to make sure her initial terror had passed. She finally looked up into his eyes.

  “How can this be? Are you sure it isn’t her?

  “Yes, honey, I’m sure. I never knew Katerina had a sister, but this woman is not Katerina. There are very subtle differences.”

  Kenann slanted her eyes at him. “Oh, I forgot, you were intimately acquainted with Katerina, weren’t you?”

  Danny Mac did not blanch at her withering gaze despite the clenching in his gut. He could not change who he had been and would not apologize for it. He was redeemed from that past.

  Kenann appeared to crumble and laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Danny Mac. Don’t mind me. I’m going to go to the ladies’ room and get my bearing back.”

  “Let me get Judy or one of the other ladies to go with you.”

  “No, I’ll be fine. Won’t be gone but a minute.” She laid her hand over his and met his eyes. “Don’t worry. Love you.”

  He smiled back at her. “And I love you.” He leaned in to kiss her on the lips.

  The others at the table had been engaged in their own dyad of conversations, but at the kiss they stopped and began to clap. Danny Mac and Kenann broke apart and smiled back at their tablemates. Kenann rose and squeezed his shoulder as she left.

  Kenann made her way to the closest ladies’ room and bent over the sink, trying to steady her breathing. A woman exited a stall behind her. She recognized her as their wait staff but couldn’t steady herself long enough to acknowledge her. The woman kept her head down and quickly left. Even in her befuddled mind, Kenann was appalled the woman had not washed her hands.

  She was only faintly aware of the main door opening slowly beside her when a rough cloth bag was jerked over her head. Her last thought as she smelled the chemical that drew her into oblivion was, Oh man, not again.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Danny Mac excused himself from his table and went in search of Angelo. He wasted no time. “Did you know Katerina had a twin sister?”

  “What? No.”

  “Well, she just walked through the door and introduced herself to me and Kenann. Kenann had to go to the ladies’ room to get her nerves settled back down.”

  “Is she okay?” He tried to squelch the intensity of his concern.

  “She will be. But it shook her pretty bad.”

  “Well, it would. Do you think she is involved in the Order?”

  “That’s what I came to ask you, but apparently you’ve never heard of her.”

  “Remember, I was not privy to much high-level info.”

  “Well, the fact that you never knew she had this sister makes me think she wasn’t involved.”

  “But we can’t be sure.”

  “Right.”

  “What do we do now, Danny Mac?”

  “We keep our heads down and watch her.”

  “On it.” Angelo left the bar where Danny Mac had found him and went in search of the woman. He knew he would have no trouble spotting her.

  * * * *

  The woman had run back to her oversize handbag in the kitchen area and retrieved the items she carried with her at all times. Once she had Kenann subdued, she dragged her quickly into the janitor’s closet. She took the CLOSED FOR CLEANING sign and put it outside the door, then ran to find her partner. She wanted to get all of them out of there before Magda recognized her.

  * * * *

  Danny Mac returned to the table and waited for Kenann to come back. After what seemed an interminable amount of time, he once again excused himself from his tablemates and went to find one of the women. He found Granny and Judy in short order and related what happened. He dispatched them to find her. They split up and made the rounds of all the bathrooms. Both saw the sign for cleaning and passed by that particular restroom. When they reconnoitered with no results, they both returned to that ladies’ room and investigated.

  As they were looking around,
a man in coveralls pushing a large trashcan entered and stopped short. Having found nothing, they made their apologies and exited. Rushing back to Danny Mac, they reported in.

  He was visibly shaken. He wanted to grab everyone in the room and pummel them until they told him where Kenann was. He asked Judy to get Jake and Andy and Mrs. Gage. She brought them and they gathered at one corner of the ballroom.

  Jake said, “Is there any chance she went back to the hotel?”

  Danny Mac replied, “Not without telling me first.” He ran his hands over his face and up into his hair. “Someone has taken her. I can’t just stand here doing nothing!” He turned to the room and called out in a commanding voice, “I need everyone to stay where you are.” He turned to the others of his band and barked orders to them. “Secure the exits.”

  They did not hesitate and scattered to do his bidding.

  Danny whirled around and saw Magda standing in front of him. He grabbed her arms and hissed, “What have you done with her?”

  The gentleman with her stepped closer and said quietly, “Take your hands off her, man.”

  Magda had not moved or reacted. “Gervais, it is all right. Mr. McKenzie is obviously very upset about something. What is it, sir?”

  Danny Mac released her and stepped back. “What has happened to my wife? What have you done with her?”

  “I can assure you I do not know anything about your wife. What happened?”

  “She is missing.”

  “Why would you suspect me? May I ask?”

  “You saw my wife’s reaction to you. She knew your sister. A few minutes later she was gone.”

  “That has nothing to do with me. I assure you.”

  Carter and Bridget came to his side at that point.

  “What can we do?” Carter asked.

  Danny Mac looked at Carter with tortured eyes. “Find her, John.”

  His look broke Bridget’s heart and she took Carter by the hand and pulled him away at a dead run. They marshalled the security on hand for the event and scoured every inch of that building. But they were too late. The janitor had already placed the large trash container in a van in the alley behind the kitchen area, hotwired it, and was long gone.