Claire Gulliver #02 - Washington Weirdos (5 page)

The room was silent, absorbing Bernice’s information.

“Katherine,” Wiley addressed her in a respectful tone, “Do you have any more questions, or shall I continue?”

Katherine gestured turning both hands up. “Please go on.”

Wiley continued with his story, pausing now and then to answer another question. But Claire’s mind had drifted off. She knew this story and frankly, she didn’t really want to hear it again. It haunted her, all the questions, all the
what ifs
. Looking back she wondered why they just didn’t go home when things started going wrong on that tour. But then it was so subtle, even though now it looked obvious. It wasn’t like all of a sudden she knew they were in danger. She kept thinking she was overreacting. She thought experienced travelers knew how to deal with these types of incidences.

She felt a shiver down her spine. It wasn’t like that man in the park last night. That wasn’t subtle. That was an out and out attempt on her life.

She felt her resolve stiffen. She wasn’t going to be stupid again. She was not staying. She would explain to the Lickmans over lunch. They would understand. The incident last night was a warning. This time she would heed it.

“And, as you all know the fate which befell Pan Am subsequent to the Lockerbie incident, I’m sure you understand our gratitude to Claire Gulliver for piecing this together and refusing to be intimidated. She brought that plane to a halt on the runway and for that Vantage Airlines will be eternally grateful.” Wiley stood up clapping, as did the other Board members.

That brought Claire’s attention back to the meeting. Her cheeks turned pink as she reluctantly got to her feet. MiMi hurried around the table and gave her a big hug.

David Lickman walked up to her and put his arm around her shoulders and faced the group. “As Chairman and President of Vantage, I would like to echo Wiley’s words. And I would like to present Claire a small token of esteem from Vantage.” He nodded at his wife, “My dear,” as MiMi handed Claire a beautifully wrapped box.

Claire’s fingers tripped over the wrapping but finally she got to the velvet box, which she opened to find a beautiful gold and diamond Cartier watch. MiMi reached in and took it out of the box, turning it over so Claire could see it was inscribed – CG,
Vantage Airlines thanks you.

Claire was speechless. Her fingers trembled on the clasp so much that finally she held out her wrist so MiMi could fasten it for her.

“So, let’s move into lunch, shall we? We can continue our discussion there.” David cavalierly took MiMi’s arm on one side and Claire’s on the other and guided them towards the dining room.

“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am with the watch. I will cherish it.” Then she leaned around David to better see MiMi. “But, MiMi, I’m so sorry to tell you I can’t come to your house party this weekend. I’m leaving for the coast as soon as I can get on a plane.”

“Oh, dear, have you had an emergency?” Her genuine look of distress was too much for Claire’s conscience and her polite little lie withered on her tongue.

“Well, not exactly. No.” She paused groping for something to cover her hasty retreat. “Well, I had an incident on the Mall last night, and frankly, listening to Wiley I realized I had had so many opportunities to avoid being involved last spring but I never saw them. And now I’m saying to myself, don’t do that again. Just go home.”

”Incident? What kind of incident?” David’s authoritative voice didn’t leave room for waffling.

“I was mugged.”

MiMi gasped. “Oh my dear, how awful. Did you lose all your money?”

“Well, it was a little more serious than that. He had a knife. I’m pretty sure he meant to kill me.” She couldn’t stop the shiver up her spine at the memory of the look in his eyes.

“But obviously he didn’t. Why?” David demanded the details.

“Well, actually, Jack came to my rescue. He had come by the hotel and when he learned I was heading down the Mall, he followed and caught up with me just about the time the mugger attacked.” She tried to maintain her calm demeanor as she could see how upsetting this news was to MiMi. “Anyway, he saved me but the mugger got away. So I think it would be wise for me just to play it safe and go home.”

David nodded gravely as he indicated the place at the table for Claire, on his right side. She felt relieved at having told them, knowing that after lunch she could be on her way home.

Claire laid the crisp white napkin on her lap and turned to answer a question put by a pleasant man on her right. He was one of the Directors whose name badge she couldn’t see without twisting obviously in front of him.

The dining room was rich with dark wood, light walls and attractive artwork. The staff served unobtrusively. First came a bowl of luscious pumpkin bisque, followed by a Greek Salad accompanied by flaky hot rolls. The conversation flowed around the table, multiple conversations cohering into a single topic; then fragmenting again. She was pleasantly surprised when a beautiful Dover Sole was laid in front of her. She found it tasted even better than it looked, and she did a fair job of demolishing it between conversations.

One of the gentlemen, Cliff Denning, across the table had spent a great deal of time in San Francisco and was enjoying telling her about some of the finer restaurants he had visited there.

“Have you ever been to Bill’s? It’s a little hamburger joint out on Clement. Probably the best burgers I’ve ever had,” clearly boasting of his knowledge of the hideaway.

She smiled. “And his garden? Have you been there in the spring when he has the garden filled with orchids? I grew up not far from there. Even now my mother and I have to go for an occasional burger fix.”

He was so pleased; it was as if he found she was related to him. He wanted to tell everyone. But no one else had heard of Bill’s and apparently didn’t even think they were missing anything.

Claire knew the meal was almost over when the little dish of ripe berries arrived in front of her with a dollop of heavy cream. She didn’t even think of demurring, as she thought they were the perfect ending to a wonderful meal.

Just before they left the dining room David leaned over and whispered, “Claire, I’d like you to stay a few minutes after the meeting is over, if you would?”

She nodded, wondering what he wanted. “Of course.”

Claire applied a fresh coat of lipstick, then couldn’t help twisting her wrist to better admire the beautiful watch she saw reflected in the mirror. She was thrilled. She had never owned anything so extravagant. And yet, despite the lavish praise heaped on her, she really didn’t think she was deserving of it. She had really only done what anyone would have done in the same situation.

She gave one last tweak to a lock of hair which wanted to go its own way and then left the ladies room. She promised to meet with Mr. Lickman and as soon as she was finished with him she was going to find Suzanne and have her get her on the next flight home. And it certainly didn’t have to be a seat in first class, she resolved; she was more than accustomed to sitting in coach. She admitted to being a little disappointed about missing the Vietnam Memorial, but she would come back another time. Right now she was more interested in getting home safely.

“Oh, there you are, Claire. I thought I had lost you. They’re waiting for you in Mr. Lickman’s office. This way.” Suzanne moved rapidly.

Claire hurried behind her. As soon as she entered David Lickman’s posh office and saw the people, who were apparently waiting for her, she flushed with embarrassment.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know it was a meeting. I should have hurried.” She took an empty chair and looked around the office, recognizing several of the people, including Wiley, MiMi, Doug and Jack.

“Claire, MiMi and I were both very concerned about your sudden decision to return to California.”

He waved away her surprised look. “No. No, it’s not because you’re not coming to the house although, frankly, we were both looking forward to getting to know you better. No, we’re just concerned that if what happened to you last night was anything but a random act of violence, going home might actually put you in harm’s way, instead of removing you.”

The logic of his words hit her and she suddenly found it difficult to breathe.

David continued, softly, “We couldn’t bear to have something happen to you after all you did for us. We feel we have to make sure of your safety.”

Wiley, on David’s nod, began, “Jack gave us a brief rundown of the incident on the Mall. He says after leaving you last night he delivered the knife to his people for a lab check. As of a few minutes ago they haven’t turned up anything, although they were able to confirm that they did find several partials and one full print on the weapon.”

“When do they think they’ll finish running the prints against the database?” Doug asked, concern clear in his eyes.

“And will they check with the locals as well as the FBI and Interpol?” one of the people Claire didn’t recognize asked.

The door opened and Neil came into the room and took the last empty chair. He looked around expectantly. “Sorry I’m late. What’s up?”

“Neil, glad you made it. I was hoping Suzanne’s message would catch up with you.” David was relieved Neil made it to the meeting.

Neil listened to Wiley briefly recap what had already transpired.

“Come on, Wiley. This is D.C. How many people get mugged here everyday? And probably most of them are tourists.” He shook his head, disbelief showing clearly on his face. “I mean, do you seriously think this incident is part of a conspiracy?”

Neil’s scorn actually made Claire feel better. He was right. It was only a chance mugging. They were all over-reacting.

“Neil, if there is any chance of it being something more we have to take the proper precautions.” MiMi’s voice was soft but firm.

“Yes, MiMi’s right, we can’t take any chances. Claire is here on our invitation. She has already been exposed to far too much danger on our behalf. We need to be absolutely sure she is safe before we send her home,” David chided Neil.

“Of course, you’re right, MiMi...David. We wouldn’t want to take any chances which could result in harm to Ms. Gulliver.” Neil turned to Claire, smiling. “So what is your plan for protecting her until we can determine whether the attack was random or specific?” He eyed Wiley, and then his look swept on to Jack. “You’re with the Company, if I remember correctly. Will your people take on this responsibility?”

Jack looked uncomfortable but shook his head no. “I don’t think we can do anything here on U.S. soil. That task would more likely fall to the FBI, or even the local police. Or perhaps private security would be a better option until we are able to identify this guy and determine if he has any affiliations with the group in London.”

“But didn’t your group take responsibility for Claire’s safety in London? All of a sudden it’s not your problem?” Neil sounded annoyed; it was obvious he thought Claire’s safety was Jack’s responsibility.

Jack didn’t rise to the bait. “It’s not that it’s not our problem, it’s more that we don’t have jurisdiction. Naturally we want to keep her safe. And if the attack has anything to do with the Guiness business, it’s ours, even if we have to work through our local colleagues. Doug and I will meet with both agencies when we leave here and see if we can get it sorted out. Meanwhile, I’m afraid Vantage will have to be responsible for your guest.”

“This is ridiculous! Claire must be protected. Wiley, what do you suggest?” MiMi was indignant.

Claire sat there, the conversation flowing around her, wondering how she had even thought that going home was going to make her safe. All those years ago when she had been a mystery novel fan she had frequently been irritated when the innocent heroine had unwittingly put herself in harm’s way when it was so apparent to the reader that applying a little common sense would have kept her out of danger. And yet, here she was trying to do something stupid.

“Claire,” MiMi was leaning toward her, “Claire, why don’t you just come home with us. You’d be safe there, and you could come into the city for sightseeing with Charlie. He’d watch out for you. He is really more of a bodyguard than a chauffeur. Isn’t that right, David?”

“Of course, why didn’t I think of it? It’s perfect, Claire. You were going to come out to the house for the weekend anyway. Just come home with us today. I’m sure we can jockey Charlie’s schedule around to accommodate you. And perhaps your friends here,” he gestured toward Jack and Doug, “can volunteer to take you to some of the attractions you’re interested in visiting.”

Claire was horrified. “Oh, no. I couldn’t. It would be such an imposition. And Jack and Doug have other responsibilities. And, I’m sure Charlie has a fulltime job already without me added to his tasks.” Then she turned to MiMi. “And you have to get ready for your Gala. Please, I agree I should stay until we determine where this attack came from, but I’ll just stay at the hotel. The people there will watch out for me and I’ll be careful.”

The chorus of disagreement was emphatic. Claire sat back stunned. On one hand, she was appreciative of the universal concern. On the other, she was appalled that she wasn’t going to be able to prevail.