Shadows of Deceit (A Series of Shadows) (54 page)

“Have you heard anything?” Lou asked, wondering if Max or the any of the guys had checked in yet.

“No.” Abby knew exactly what she meant. “It’s a long trip, Lou.”

“I guess.” Lou knew she wouldn’t see any of them until Monday at the earliest. She was sure they had some super sonic plane that could get there faster but from what she knew, it took about twenty to twenty-four hours to fly to South Africa so with that as her guide, it was going to be a long few days to wait.

“You hungry?” Abby broke into Lou’s train of thought.

“I am, actually.” Lou started to get up.

“I can bring you something!” Abby tried to get her to lay back down.

“What time is it, anyway?” Lou could see by the bright light of day that it was definitely no longer morning.

“It’s almost 2 p.m.” Abby hesitated to tell her how late it was.

“What?!” Lou leapt out of bed, ignoring her body’s protests. “Why the hell would you let me sleep this late?!”

“Why not?” Abby didn’t see what the problem was.

“Because I have work to do!” Lou scrambled for her closet so she could get dressed.

“Lou!” Abby yelled after her. “It’s Saturday! Dillon went in to your office early and is coming here after to get you updated. There is no work for you to do! You just need to rest!” Abby could hear Lou’s whimpers and grunts coming from Lou’s closet. “Why don’t we get you in the shower first. I’ll get you something to pull on while your in there. I’m sure Marta wouldn’t mind bringing you something to eat while we do that.”

“I do kinda stink.” Lou emerged from her closet with an armful of clothing.

“I wasn’t going to say anything.” Abby grinned at her. “Come on, let’s get you fresh as a daisy.”

Abby took the pile of clothing from Lou’s arms and tossed them onto a chair. Once she got Lou set up in the shower, she sifted through the pile and determined all the articles of clothing should go to Goodwill rather than back in Lou’s closet. They were ratty, ragged and rumpled sweatshirts and sweatpants that no self-respecting woman should ever be caught dead in. She got an empty bag and sorted through the rags once more, making sure there were no pieces that might have sentimental value, like an old academy sweatshirt and such. Satisfied they were all just rags, Abby went through Lou’s closet while she waited for her to finish getting cleaned up. She decided she wouldn’t mention the Goodwill bag to Lou.

Showering had taken far more effort than Lou expected. It took her over ten minutes to run her normal routine given the stiffness that had set in during the night. Her ribs ached with a teeth gnashing pain that was seriously wearing her down. Lou had no clue where the stool in the corner of her shower had come from but when she sat and let the hot water soothe her aching bones, she wondered why she hadn’t gotten one long ago. She closed her eyes and just let the water hypnotize her. The calming sound, the comforting fragrance of the vanilla and lavender soap that either Caroline or Abby had put there, it was peaceful. Lou wasn’t in much of a rush to get out. Finally she decided that if she stayed in much longer, she would probably fall asleep and drown herself somehow. It was a struggle getting up from the stool, but she made it. She also managed to get out of the shower and put her robe on without further injury. The day was looking up. After toweling her hair a bit, she wandered out to her room and saw Marta and Abby chatting and giggling about something.

“What’s so amusing?” Lou asked, surprising both the women.

“Hello Miss Lou!” Marta beamed a smile at her.

“Everything is amusing to me!” Abby winked.

“I made you some chicken fingers! With the honey mustard, just the way you like it!” Marta motioned to the plate on the coffee table.

“You didn’t have to go to all that trouble, Marta.” Lou hated people waiting on her. Especially Marta, for some reason. Even though it was technically her job. “Thank you so much. It smells yummy.”

“I made sure they weren’t poisoned.” Abby grinned. “That’s what we were giggling about. I stole a bite.”

“I can make you some too Miss Abby!” Marta insisted.

“No!” Abby hugged the petite housekeeper. “I’m still stuffed from last night! It just smelled so good I had to steal one.”

“Well, you just let me know if you want some. Or anything else, just call me.” Marta started to leave. “There is a smoothie I made for you too, Miss Lou.” She paused a moment at the door. “It’s good for your healing so drink it all up!”

“I will.” Lou smiled. “Thank you, Marta.”

“My pleasure always!” The woman waved and headed back downstairs.

“Let’s get you dressed, then you can eat.” Abby grabbed the outfit she had chosen for Lou off the chair and once again, Lou could not recall ever seeing the pieces before.

“This is mine?” She asked once she was assembled, complete with her knee brace.

“It was in your closet so it must be!” Abby shrugged. “Now eat. Then you can get some work done. I have an errand to run and your parents should be back any second. Will you be OK if I take off for a bit? Frank is just downstairs with Marta if you need anything.”

“Of course I will be fine!” Lou hated that Abby felt she needed twenty-four hour supervision. “Go! I’m going to check my email while I eat, get my reports shipped off to my captain then veg out for a while, so do not worry about me. I have plenty to keep me out of trouble.”

Abby smiled and hugged Lou gently. “See ya later then! Don’t hesitate to yell for Frank if you need anything.” She waved then was out the door like a shot.

At the bottom of the stairs, Abby double checked to make sure Lou wasn’t behind her. When she was satisfied that Lou was still in her room, she made a beeline for the kitchen where Frank and Marta were sneaking around, making preparations for Lou’s surprise party.

“How’s she doing?” Frank asked as soon as he saw Abby come in.

“She hurts. She’s out of sorts.” Abby shrugged. “Any word?”

“Yeah, Niko just texted that they just got off the plane in Morocco.” Frank whispered. “Moshe and his Council are already there so they should be back in the air within the hour.”

“OK so that means...” Abby counted with her fingers. “They should be back here in plenty of time!” She bounced. “Wait! What about the South American Council? That is one serious time delay.”

“Yeah but Lena Ruiz got it set up so that they can Skype the interview during the flight!” Frank grinned. “They may have already done that! So they’ll be back in time to take a nap, get showered and changed, no problem!”

“Perfect!” Abby high-fived him. “The fact that Lou slept so late, she’s gonna be up late unless we drug her up, and good!”

“You two don’t make my Miss Lou some drug addict just so you can have your party go right!” Marta scolded them.

“We would never!” Abby was appalled.

“Marta, she is legitimately supposed to be taking her pain pills!” Frank told her. “She’s supposed to take them every four hours and we haven’t even given her anything since last night.”

“What is wrong with you two?!” Marta was yelling at them now. “Why you not giving my Miss Lou her medicine?! You making her suffer in pain!”

Abby and Frank looked at the irate housekeeper, then at each other. Exasperated.

“Go give Lou her medicine.” Abby told Frank as she grabbed her bag from off the coat rack. “I’ll be back in about an hour. Make sure Lou doesn’t work too long. Watch a movie or something.”

“Yes ma’am.” Frank smiled as Abby headed for the door then turned to see Marta glaring at him. “I am going! I will not let her suffer!” Frank sprinted before Marta whacked him with a frying pan.

A caravan of
Rolls-Royces were waiting on the tarmac as soon as their plane landed at Menara International Airport in Marrakech. After the drivers loaded three steamer trunks into the vehicles Max and his Aegis Council were promptly whisked away to the Palace Namaskar. It was after 9 p.m. in Morocco and the city sparkled like a jewel. Max rolled down his window to enjoy the aroma of spices and warm desert air wafting in as they rushed through the city. A full barrage of valets were waiting for them when they arrived at the hotel. A finely polished young man, dressed in full royal uniform, opening Max’s door before he could reach for the handle.

“Your Grace.” The young man bowed deeply. “It is an honor having you with us this evening. We shall escort you straight away to the Mountain Palace, where your presence is eagerly awaited.”

“Thank you.” Max buttoned his suit jacket and watched as the valets took possession of the trunks. They moved like a well rehearsed marching band filing through in unison with precise and measured movements. Max and his men followed as they were lead through the grand foyer.

The Palace Namaskar was the epitome of luxury. The twelve acres of property were nothing short of majestic with Balinese gardens, private palaces, villas and myriad of cascading ponds and pools. They were lead through the warm night air and into the private garden of the Mountain Palace. The golden dome at the center of the structure was illuminated, making it look almost ethereal in it’s setting. As they approached, Max saw Moshe, and his four Councilmen, rising from the large seating area just inside the tall glass doors and make their way to meet them.

“Dominor Julian!” Moshe Nasser, Dominor of Africa, greeted Max with open arms. The large man’s stout physique was made even more impressive by the voluminous gilded robe he wore. With his bejeweled slippers and traditional red tarbouche, the man look as though he were supreme Saharan royalty. Which, he actually was.

“Hello, Moshe.” Max smiled and the two embraced as the ancient friends they were. “It is good to see you. Despite the unpleasant circumstances.”

“It is good to see you as well, my old friend.” Moshe slapped Max on the back. “Yes, this is some bitter business indeed. I cannot even begin to express my regrets with this one. Come!” He motioned for Max and the others to go inside. “You remember my soldiers, do you not?” Moshe gestured to his four Aegis Council members and it was only then that they spoke, saluting Max and the others with traditional respect.

“Of course.” Max returned the formal greeting. “As I am sure you remember my brothers?” He turned to face Niko, Yuri, Connor and Finn who all stood stoically in a row behind him.

“Yes, indeed!” Moshe saluted the four men then shook each of their hands, individually. “I cannot tell you how grateful I am for everything you have done.”

“Not at all, Dominor Nasser.” Niko smiled at the jovial but imposing man. “It was an honor to be of assistance.”

“Please! Come sit! Let us enjoy some libations to help us swallow all this nasty business.”

Moshe walked into the Mountain Palace and took a seat in the corner of the large sectional sofa that monopolized the center of the living area. Max sat down adjacent to him while Niko and the rest of the boys remained standing. The valets had placed the three trunks on the patio just off to the side of the open doors and Moshe’s Council stood over them, hands clasped behind their backs like soldiers at ease. On the large, ornately carved wooden coffee table, a grand tray with ten gilded goblets and an enormous carafe waited, it’s crimson contents being no secret. Next to the tray was another equally grand platter laden with figs, berries, slices of melon and cheeses of all different varieties. Moshe made a small motion with his hand and Samir, his first lieutenant, immediately moved to pour them all a drink. His Council brother, Faruk, proceeded to hand Max the first glass, then Moshe, then Max’s Council, then his own, as was proper etiquette. They all bowed their heads and a silent moment was offered in gratitude as was tradition.

“Thank you for your generous hospitality.” Max broke the silence and raised his glass to Moshe and his men. “Let us drink to our next visit being one of leisure and joy.”

“I will most definitely drink to that!” Moshe raised his glass high in the air and as did the others then they drank to their wish. “My Agent Dunhill was most impressed with your selection for your new regional Principate.” Moshe said as he licked his lips. “His reports to my Council were most impressive. Principate Donovan, is it?”

“Yes.” Max confirmed as he placed his glass on the table. “Tallulah Donovan. She is a civilian homicide detective that has proven most effective and essential to us.”

“I heard she was most discrete and helpful with our situation here with the Timms family.” Moshe finished his life-giving drink and Faruk retrieved his empty glass from his hand without needing be asked. “I cannot tell you how embarrassed I was to have been fooled by his parents.” Moshe shook his head as he plucked a berry from the tray and popped it into his mouth. “I should visit with my people more. Not let my heart be swayed by sentiment. Know for myself what kind of people they truly are. Had I paid more attention, Cameron would have been dealt with long ago and none of this would have happened.”

“It is a hard thing we do, my friend. Measure our rule with compassion.” Max could sympathize with what Moshe was going through. Having misjudged his people was what led him to have to move to the West Coast just weeks ago. “We cannot police our kind like tyrants. We are an enlightened people, but our laws are absolute. They have never changed or wavered nor do we have loopholes like civilian laws. They are few, they are simple and they are absolute. You cannot beat yourself up over Cameron or his parents thinking they were beyond reproach. They were long time elite of our people. They, above all others, should have held their lives to a much higher standard than they did.”

“Yes, your words are wise and true, my old friend.” Moshe smiled weakly. “It doesn’t take the sting out of your ass though does it?” He winked at Max and the two men laughed.

“No, it sure as hell doesn’t!” Max still felt that sting over Gilroy and the corruption of his people in Los Angeles. Far more so with Lou and her having been taken by Albert. It was going to be a very long time before, or if, that ever went away.

The men talked a while longer. Reminiscing over old times and times yet to come. At some point in the evening, most of the others relaxed and broke off into chats about weapons, travels, cigars, other mundane musings. Two of Moshe’s men, however, stood over the trunks the entire time.