Mia's Journey: An Erotic Thriller (30 page)

“I’ve told my children that when I die, to release balloons in the sky to celebrate that I graduated. For me, death is a graduation.”

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Chapter 82

Mia woke up from a sound sleep. Her stomach wrenched into a thousand knots and she knew.

Her Daddy was dead. She knew it beyond any doubt. She started crying softly.

Oh Daddy,
she cried to herself,
why Daddy? Why?

Mia was crushed with sudden, overwhelming grief. How could she possibly go forward without Daddy?

“It’s okay Baby Doll. Everything is going to be all right.”

She almost heard his voice. It was like Daddy was in her head. And in truth, she felt like he was there with her. She could almost feel his arms around her as he pulled her into his lap.

She could smell him. It was like he was a small whiff of her imagination, but more solid than that. Or she was feeling the lingering after effects of a vivid daydream.

She should call him. He would answer the phone and tell her he was on his way. No matter what the situation was, Daddy could handle it, she was sure of it.

She got her phone and pressed the send button. She didn’t need to even look at the number. Daddy had programmed it for her. There were the usual clicks and whirls as the call was routed overseas, then after a long minute, it began to ring. It rang twice and was picked up.

“This is Sergeant Flynn, who am I speaking to?”

“This is Mia Cobalt. I want to speak to James.”

“Mia, I am so sorry…”

Mia dropped the phone, and fell back on the bed. She brought the pillow over her head and started to scream.

After what seemed like hours, but could only have been minutes, Mia realized Flynn was still on the phone. She picked it back up again and could hear him speaking.

“Officer Flynn, can you tell me what happened?”

“I can tell you he loved you very much. That his last words and thoughts were about you and the baby.”

“How did he die?”

There was silence, then Flynn said, “He died the way a man like him would choose to die. It was quick and painless Mia. He also wanted me to give you a message.

“He said for me to tell you he would always be with you. That everything was going to be all right.”

Mia cried silently.

“He also wanted me to tell you, that I was in his debt. He saved my life. Did you know that, Mia?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“He did. Because of that, I owe him a debt. He wanted me to transfer that debt to you. So if you ever need anything Mia, no matter what it is, or where you are, I will help you.”

“I release you from that debt, Officer Flynn.”

“It’s not that simple, nor can you release me from it. Just remember my words, Mia. If you ever need anything. I will help.”

“I will, Officer Flynn. Thank you for being there at the end. I’m sure he was comforted by your presence. I have to go. Thank you again.”

Mia moved on autopilot. She knew she had a meeting with the banker today and she had to get ready. She found the strength and moved forward. One foot in front of the other, one step at a time. The way her Daddy taught her.

She took a shower, comforted by the warm water, but her mind went back to the first time Daddy had given her a bath. The studious look on his face as he shaved her.

Why, Daddy, why…

Because it was the only way to keep you and the baby safe,
came the answer.

She dressed, and promptly at eight the hotel called letting her know her car was waiting for her. She took the elevator down. She could smell Daddy in the elevator with her. She wondered if she was going mad.

She arrived at the banker’s office. She was ushered in, had a seat on the couch and was asked if she wanted coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. She thought that strange, having hot chocolate first thing in the morning, and decided to try it. She was glad she did. It was strong, and sweet.

“Good morning, Ms. Cobalt. My name is Swen Antlier. We spoke on the phone.”

The banker was smaller than she expected, thirty-five or so, he had pale, thinning, blond hair, and deep blue eyes. He sat down next to her in a chair.

“Good morning,” said Mia.

“Is everything okay, Ms. Cobalt?” said Antlier, seeing the redness around Mia eyes.

“Yes, I’m sorry. I’m just emotional today. Please continue.”

“Mr. Cobalt set up three trusts in what are called ‘Swiss Annuity’ trusts. These trusts are protected by Swiss law and no one can take them away from you. They are also self-servicing, meaning there is nothing you need to do. Mr. Cobalt set up three of them as I said. One for you, one for your baby, and one for his son. You are to be the trustee of all of them.”

“What does a Trustee do?”

“In this case, nothing really. Except, perhaps, tell me where to send the checks.”

“How much money are we talking about?” asked Mia.

“There is sixteen point six million in each trust. So your personal trust has over sixteen million US dollars. The interest alone on your trust will provide you with one point six million a year without ever touching the principle. My advice would be to reinvest the interest in the children’s trust and they could conceivably be worth over sixty million in ten years. But you are in charge of it all. What would you like me to do?”

Mia almost swooned at the amount. This is what Daddy meant when he said we would never have to worry about anything ever again.

“Yes, of course, reinvest the children’s trusts. Make James’ son eligible to take it over when he reaches twenty-five, the same with Mia Lynn’s.”

“A couple more questions and we’ll be done. For you, there will be approximately thirteen thousand, three hundred US dollars per month in interest on your trust. Would you like me to set a living account for you so that you can draw on it as necessary?”

“Yes, please do.”

“One final matter. These trusts, by Swiss Law, are outside the laws of the United States and not subject to violation or confiscation by anyone, including lawsuits, creditors, or government interference. This is a Swiss insurance product, not a banking product. Of course, the Swiss must maintain its banking in accordance with international banking law and legal agreements with the United States. Insurance products do not fall under that law.

“In order to ensure there is no coercion in any of your future dealings, all you have to do is say the words ‘Swiss bank account’ and that will be a code to us, that this instruction is to be voided and not carried out. Do you understand what I’m telling you, Ms. Cobalt?”

“You’re telling me if someone tries to take the money from me by legal means, all I have to say is ‘Swiss bank account’ and you won’t process the transaction.”

“Yes, that is correct. We only have one final item of business. Your husband recorded a tape recording yesterday and asked me to give it to you. I’ll make arrangements for your transfers and allow you to listen to it in private. Please let the secretary know when you wish to leave. I would also like to tell you, your husband was an honorable man, and I’m very sorry for your loss.”

The banker set the small handheld tape recorder down in front of Mia, stood up, gave her a half bow, and left the room.

“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”

Mark Twain

Chapter 83

“Hello, Baby Doll,”
Daddy’s voice came through the small recorder and seemed to fill the room with his presence.

Once again, Mia felt as if Daddy was sitting right next to her. Mia picked up the recorder and held it in her small hand. It felt so good to hear his voice, and at the same time, grief wanted to engulf her.

“I want to tell you how sorry I am for hurting you. If there was any way I could have gotten you and the baby safe, and me free, I would be with you right now. But there wasn’t. It was a choice between getting you and the baby safe, or us possibly running for the rest of our lives, in constant danger. That is no way for a child to live. Please understand the decision I made was the best possible one for all.

“I have so many things I want to tell you. The first one is that you made my life complete, Mia. The happiest I have ever been was with you. I don’t regret any of my actions for a minute.

“I also want to tell you that you are now free. You’re free of your family, free of Prescott, and free to start your life over again. Free to live your life the way you should have lived it…”

“I don’t want to start my life over again without you Daddy,” Mia cried at the recording.

“Listen to me, Baby Doll, you can do this. It is time for you to start your own journey. You are no longer the scared girl that I met. You have the power and ability to do anything you want. And here is what I want you to do.

“I want you to stay in Switzerland until the baby is born. All the arrangements have been made. You have more than enough money to live well and can afford anything you want. I have a doctor ready for you, and the hospitals there are first rate. Better than the US. You’ll need to start your prenatal check-ups immediately.

“Swen Antlier is a good man and you can trust him. He will help you find an apartment and everything you need.

“Once the baby is born, and you feel up to it, I want you to start traveling. Where you go doesn’t matter. Go wherever you want. Stay as long as you want. But always continue on, until you reach a place where the ‘small voice’ tells you to stop.”

“Daddy I don’t understand,” said Mia out loud to the empty room, the same as if Daddy was in the room next to her. “I don’t know what you mean by the ‘small voice’. What small voice?”

“…The small voice is the voice deep inside your head,”
said Daddy, almost as though he heard her question,
“when the other voices in your head are loud, this voice will be small. So tiny that if you aren’t listening, you’ll disregard it. You’ll recognize the small voice because no matter what it says, it feels right. Do you understand, Baby Doll?”

“Yes, Daddy, I know the voice you mean,” answered Mia.

“Always listen to that voice. The voice will tell you where you need to go.”

“Why do I have to travel, Daddy?”

“You’re going to meet people along your journey. However, you’re going to keep traveling until you meet the right person. How will you know they are the right person? You will know. Listen to the small voice.

“The last thing I want to tell you is I will always be with you. I will always be right by your side. I will always protect you and the baby. Please believe that, and please trust it as the truth. Anytime you want to talk to me, go to where the small voice is, and I will hear you.

“Always know that I love you, and that you’re my Baby Doll, always.”

The tape recorder clicked off on its own. Mia sat in the silence. She could feel her Daddy wrapped around her. She could feel his presence. She had no doubt if Daddy said he would be here and protect her, he would do exactly that. Even death itself, wouldn’t stop her Daddy. She felt comforted by his words, but also a little bewildered and scared. How could she ever do this without her Daddy?

“Daddy, I miss you so much!” she cried out to her heart, and into the empty room.

“But I haven’t gone anywhere, Baby Doll”
came the immediate reply.

“The only way to have a friend is to be one.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Chapter 84

Mia stayed in Switzerland the full term of her pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy, happy, baby girl.

The first few months were hard having a newborn in a foreign country with no one to rely on. However, soon she found people she hardly knew would lend a hand. They would get her groceries, cook for her, bring her food, clean her apartment, do her laundry and just about anything else that needed done.

Mia was unprepared as well for the amount of joy Mia Lynn brought into her life. Mia Lynn had Daddy’s eyes, a deep gray/green color, Mia’s brunette hair, Daddy’s nose and Mia’s mouth. Mia would laugh when she held her up. She looked a lot like Daddy but was much prettier.

Mia missed Daddy almost as a physical pain. Like an arm or a leg was missing. But at the same time she was comforted in that she felt him close by. He kept his promise and never seemed to be far away.

While he wasn’t ‘there’ in the sense that she could reach out and touch him, he was there in the sense that she could talk to him.

However, now Daddy was different. He seemed much happier. He was always laughing and joking with her, like it used to be when they first got together at his house. He would tease her, then laugh uncontrollably, infinitely pleased.

She thought most of the people she knew thought her crazy. Mia sometimes would burst out laughing at the antics or practical jokes Daddy would play. While she couldn’t ‘see’ him, she could see him in her mind’s eye and he just looked so comical she would end up laughing too. When this happened in the outdoors at a cafe, she would have to get it under control, and point to the baby like ‘they just do the darnedest things’, or people would think she was crazy. More than once she thought maybe she was.

She was also unprepared by how much she enjoyed the Swiss, and Switzerland. It was clean, beautiful, the people were friendly, and most spoke English.

The fact that she had a newborn baby meant that most Swiss went out of their way to help her. They gave up their seats on public trains, gave up their taxis on rainy days, held doors for her. They treated her like a queen.

And they treated Mia Lynn like a Goddess. When the people in her apartment building found out she was recently widowed, rather than unmarried, there was no end to their generosity.

Mia never lacked for babysitters or company. The other women in the building simply showed up at her door and invited themselves in. For an American, used to their privacy, this was disconcerting at times. They would show up with hot chocolate, or tea, make it, and then do whatever chores needed to be done.

Sometimes if the wives noticed some small chore that needed to be done, their husbands would show up at the door, looking sheepish, and uncomfortable.

They had a tool box in their hands, and would simply shrug their shoulders and fix whatever needed to be fixed. Always they would stop and play with Mia Lynn. Many of her neighbors simply adopted Mia Lynn on sight. Mia grew to love Switzerland, and the country’s friendly people.

Swen Antiler was also usually in the background. Always efficient, taking care of matters before they even needed taking care of.

It was him who gave her Swiss neighbors the ‘low down’ on her situation and asked them to watch out for her. He effortlessly handled any visa or immigration problems for her behind her back.

During one of his weekly visits after almost two years in Switzerland, she broached a subject with him that had been increasingly on her mind.

Daddy was always silent on this subject so he hadn’t been any help. But increasingly, slowly, she felt the urge to travel. Deep down, she knew, the Small Voice was calling. It was time to start her journey.

“Swen, I think it’s time I returned to America.”

“Do you think that’s wise?”

“I think it is necessary.”

Swen watched Mia Lynn now running around the flat, putting one thing after another into her mouth. He also marveled at Mia. When he met her almost two years ago, she had looked like a scared waif. Now she was a confident woman in her own right.

“Will you be coming back?”

“Of course, Swen. How could I stay away? Geneva is like home to me now.”

“Then I will keep the flat for you. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll make all the arrangements for you. When would you like to leave?”

“Next week I think would be good. Thank you, Swen.”