The Party Girls – Part 4
8.30 pm
Nob Hill
“Lady Angelica
Fitzstuart and Mister Harry Southworth
“Abigail, Countess de
Ros and Mister Anthony McNally
“Miss Sharon Kennedy
and Officer Cadet Todd Verducci.”
“Oh,” one of her
sisters said to Trina, “a man in uniform.”
“Not tonight,” Trina
said as she greeted them. Angel and Abby
were wearing silver gowns, while Sharon wore a red velvet evening dress with a
matching fur wrap.
“I see Joey arrived as
well.”
“Oh yes – she got here
earlier with a friend I asked to act as her partner,” Trina said as Joey walked
over.
“Hey girls,” Joey said
with a smile.
"Well?" Trina
asked Joey.
"He dances
beautifully,” Joey said, “but does he know how to talk about anything other than
mediaeval history?"
"Yeah it's a
drawback, but I told you I'd get you a great looking, intellectual, who can
dance..."
"You didn't
include a good talker in your wish list." Ally joined in.
"I can't provide
what you don't ask for,” Trina giggled.
"That will teach
me to be PRECISE next time." Joey laughed as well.
"Pardon me,” her
escort said as he came over, “are you a descendant of Count Alois von
Kliebersdorf-Obersacken of Teutonic Knights fame?"
"I am Edwin."
"Oh how
fascinating, I'm dancing with a countess who descends from one of my great
heroes."
"Oh NOW she's in
trouble." Ally whispered in Trina's ear.
“Mary – you made it,”
Abby said as she and Angel walked over.
“Oh yes – David, this
is Abby de Ros and Angel Fitzstuart.
Girls, my brother David.”
“Pleasure to meet you,”
David said as they both kissed him.
“You never said he was
a handsome hunk,” Angel said with a smile as he blushed.
“So where is your
escort,” Abby asked Trina.
“Oh – you mean him?”
The girls looked at the
beach blonde young man talking to some of the sorority girls.
“That... That’s Marc Shapiro. Isn’t he opening a new film next week?”
“Indeed – i think he’s
trying to sell tickets...”
"WOW!" the
jaws of a horde of debutantes dropped in sync.
"And this one can converse." Trina laughed.
“Good evening ladies,”
Marc said as he came over, “would you mind if i took Trina onto the dance
floor?”
“Miss Charly Elphburg
and Mister Victor de Savoie.”
“I am so glad you made
it,” Trina said as she hugged the princess.
Charly was wearing a dark brown velvet dress, with a matching bolero
jacket and suede heels.
“I’m just glad you
ignored protocol for once,” Charly said with a laugh, “Mum and Dad know, and
for once they’re turning a blind eye as well.”
“And your escort?”
“You obviously haven’t
looked too closely at some of the catering staff.”
“Fair point,” Trina
said as Charly spotted Mary.
“Girl, you look
amazing! So this is what young Kylie did
for you?”
“Oh yes,” Mary said
with a smile, “and now...”
“Now,” Winston said as
he offered his hand, “I believe the next dance is mine?”
“Well, since you asked
so nicely...”
Winston smiled as he
led Mary onto the main dance floor, while the couples mingled and talked to
each other.
“So you’re both
students as well,” David said as he stood with Tony and Harry.
“Yeah – I’m at Cornell
and Harry here is at Cambridge. What
about you?”
“I’m waiting to hear if
my late application to Stanford will be accepted. If so, I think my dad will be so proud he
will almost burst.”
“I’m sure he’s already
very proud of Mary.”
“Oh yeah,” David said
as he watched her pass with Winston, “we all are.”
“Ah Diana,” Rebecca
said as she joined the parents in the large room, “may I offer you some
champagne?”
“Thank you,” Diana
said, “it was a good idea to have us slip in the back, and leave the main
entrance to the younger generation.”
“Well, by the sound of
things, they certainly seem to be enjoying themselves.”
"I have to say
your house is wonderful." Diana smiled as she stood next to her hostess
and looked round.
"It's coming
along,” Rebecca said, “give us another 150 years to add to it, and it might
start coming close to yours in Europe."
"That's a VERY
good line." Kelly Rochermann laughed, "and just wait till you see the
de Ros chateau, it is indeed representative of centuries."
"Well what it is
is a tribute to Valeria, not to me I'm afraid."
“Ah yes – the family
matriarch?”
“In a way,” Diana said
as Tracey came over.
“So Abby’s eighteenth –
at Chateau de Ros?”
“That is indeed the
plan,” Diana said quietly, “now we need to work out the logistics.”
"So where is the
lovely Jeannie tonight House." David asked.
"On a school trip
to watch 'The Rivals'. She starts on restoration theatre in her English Lit
class very soon."
"That's the sort
of thing I thought people like me did, not big time models like her."
"Just always
remember your sister David, whatever their public persona, top models are just
ordinary people underneath."
"Just like stars
of the gridiron are really just a mass of muscles underneath." Tony
smiled.
“Well yes – in a
way. And trust me – Jeannie’s no
weakling.”
“I am not even going to
think of playing that one,” Tony said with a smile.
“So how’s year two
going for you?”
“Not bad – pre-law’s
tough, but good fun. What are you
thinking of majoring in, David?”
“Honestly?” David looked round and said “English
Lit. Mary loves books, and it kinda
rubbed off on me.”
"Your dress is by
Kylie Mitchell?" one of the Stanford girls looked in awe at Mary, "I
read about her work on the APCO show."
"How did you ever
get it?" another asked.
"A friend of a
friend put us in touch,” Mary said with a smile, “I told her what I had in
mind, she did a set of drawings, and this was the design I liked most."
"Wow,” the first
girl said, “you models are SO LUCKY!"
"It has to be said
that it is a magnificent dress," Trina joined the conversation.
"Well not as
lovely as yours Trina." Mary smiled.
"Thank you Mary,
but honestly I think yours is top competition."
"Who designed
Abigail de Ros's?" yet another Stanford girl asked.
"Alice
MacKinnon...all her dresses this season have been by Alice."
“Now that is what I
mean – to know those designers on first name terms...”
“Trust me, it can be
fun,” Trina said as she steered Mary away.
“So – still feel you’re been looked down on?”
“Honestly? No – but come on Trina. I’m never going to be the same as them.”
“Well, if David gets
accepted, he might be.”
“I know,” Mary said as
she watched him dancing with Nell. “But
I still need to be grounded.”
“Which is what we all
love about you Worker,” Trina said with a smile.
"Well he might be
a bore, but boy can he tango." Ally shook her head as Joey's escort
delivered her back to her friends.
"He looks very
light on his feet, he might even give Winston a run for his money." Charly
noted.
"It's a good thing
that you dance it almost as well as he does Sis," Nell sipped her drink,
"did you see the people staring."
"I did, and I hope
people didn't see me yawn as he explored the history of the Teutonic
Knights."
“And I thought you were
the History student?”
“Har har,” Ally said
with a smile.
“Madeline darling –
what brings you here tonight?”
“Representing Missy, if
truth be told,” Maddie said as she took a glass and smiled at Diana and Mandy,
“she was invited, but wasn’t able to some, so I am the representative for
Norstar.”
“Madeline, thank you
for coming,” Rebecca said, “just tell me you’re not bringing bookings from
Missy.”
“Not tonight – I’m the
face of the agency, nothing more, nothing less.”
“Enjoying yourself,”
Mary said as David brought her over a glass of champagne.
“Actually, I am – I
mean, most of them probably spend what i could earn in a year in the auto shop
in one shopping trip, but still...”
“We’re only human,
right?”
“Hoist by my own
petard,” David said with a smile. “What
about you?”
“Yeah,” Mary said, “I
mean I still think I’ll wake up and it’s a dream, but I am really enjoying
myself...”
“Excuse me – would you
be David Clarke? I heard you are making
a late application to Stanford young man?" a tall, distinguished,
grey-haired, man asked.
"Yes,” David said
with a smile, “and I'm hoping and praying they understand why."
"Which is
what?"
"Well given my
financial circumstances it always looked an impossible dream...our local
community college was about my level."
"But then your
sister became a famous model?"
"Well yes,” David
said as Mary blushed, “and Mary says she can afford Stanford for me."
"Well you are
fortunate in that young man...” Taking a
sip from his glass, he said “Tell me what are your grades like?"
"Straight
A's."
"And your
extra-curriculars?"
"JV basketball,
drama club, auto repair club."
"You seem well
rounded young man."
"Oh I wouldn't say
that." David blushed.
"Well I wish you
luck young man," the older man shook hands and vanished in the throng.
"So what did Dean
Hopkins have to say?" Trina came over and asked.
"Oh he was just
being nice and asking about my late application."
"Well he's a good
person to do so."
"Why?"
"Oh he's the
Assistant Dean of Admissions."
Mary and David looked
at each other, as Trina said “Daddy wants to make an announcement.”
“YES!!”
Dave punched the air as
Stephen Curry shot another three points, Alan smiling as he watched.
“Well, it’s certainly
different from the Celts at Philly, I’ll grant you that,” he said as he opened
another can.
“Well, you have to
learn some time,” Dave said with a grin.
“Ever go to see them
live?”
“When I was a lot
younger,” Dave said. “I took Mary with
me to see the ’87 Western Semi.”
“Mary? Your wife?”
Dave nodded as he took
another drink. “I look at Mary now, I
see so much of her in her eyes – especially now that she is not working all the
hours God gave us.”
“Was it tough?”
“Yeah,” Dave said, “but
when we look at the others and how they’ve turned out, we couldn’t be prouder
either.”
Alan smiled as he
cheered another basket.
"So does your
daughter have a regular boyfriend Alan?"
"Not quite yet,
but young Cadet Verducci might soon be." Alan paused, "You remember
Rusty Verducci, used to play for the Bears?"
"Just about, in
the early seventies right?"
"That's him...well
Todd is his grandson."
"Is that
right...you know Mary does know some real interestin' people."
"Does Mary have a
young man?"
"No not really,”
Dave said quietly. “At school they all
made fun of her because she was this extra tall girl with no curves if ya know
what I mean?"
"Yeah, we men at
that age are stupid,” Alan nodded as he spoke, “we forget that girls like that
do eventually fill out."
"Well they called
her The Stringbean, and the only real date she ever had was set up as a joke on
her."
"Poor kid,"
Alan shook his head. "I hear they called Abigail de Ros, 'The
Stick'."
"We men can be so
dense..."
"And other girls
can be so vicious." Dave interrupted.
"Well ever since
she quit school she's been too busy to have a social life...my daughter has
never ever really had a date in her life."
“So if one day she
finds someone?”
“She’ll tell me, and
bring him to meet me – and then I haven’t the foggiest what I will do!”
“In that, we are also
alike,” Alan said as another basket went in.
“So when do you hear
from Cooper Union,” Fiona asked Abby.
“End of March, same
time as everyone else – but I’m hearing encouraging sounds,” Abby said with a
smile. “So where do you go from here?”
“Back to Cornwall
tomorrow, then Newcastle on Tuesday. Got
some things to catch up on.”
“Yeah - you should see
the pile of assignments I need to get finished between now and next Friday.”
“Oh yeah – so what have
you got planned for the weekend away?”
“Hang on - You and the
family are missing Mick's concert?"
"Honestly,” Fiona
said, “when you've heard my brother sing as often as we have it gets pretty
old."
"Well I know
Mary's sisters are dying to meet him."
“I like her you know,”
Fiona said as she saw the young model talking to some of Trina’s Sorority
sisters, “a lot like you.”
“Fi...”
“Oh don’t worry – she’s
as straight as they come. I mean the way
she looks and carries herself.”
“And she’s tall?”
“And, as you say, she
is tall...”
“Is everything all
right Sharon?”
The young woman turned
to see Sam Gordon standing beside her.
“Sorry – I just
wondered what Dad was up to?”
“He went to see Mary’s
dad, right? Mum said they were at the
lunch, but the only two men there.”
“Yeah – Dad told me
they felt like prize exhibits.”
Sharon smiled as Todd
brought her a drink.
“So what’s next for
you?”
“Catch up on work, and
then the London Season. Are you coming
to the Medoc in June?”
“Abby’s party? We’re invited but I don’t think Dad’s said
anything yet. You?”
“Oh yes – I hope you
can come...”
“I do as well – I like
Abby, she’s a good kid. Did you know her
before the season?”
“No – her mother and my
mother knew each other twenty years ago, but they didn’t meet for a long time
until the Paris ball.”
“So gentlemen,” Charlie
said as he stood with Archie and Will, “back to normality for us next week?”
“Or as close to
normality as we get,” Will said with a smile.
“I presume you have all accepted your invitations for April?”
“I was surprised to get
one,” Archie said, “Juliette never knew Victoria that well.”
“I think she’s about
repairing broken bridges these days,” Charlie said, “in a lot of ways.”
“True,” Will said, “she
and Klaus probably should have married years ago, but then, as Klaus says,
there would have been no Ingrid. So in
the end, things work out.”
“So what are you going
to get as a wedding gift for them?”
“Oh Mandy has something
very special arranged,” Will said with a smile, “and no – it’s not a pig,
before anyone says it!”
“I’ve secured a cask of
twenty five year old Malt from our distillery – it should be nice and ready for
their retirement,” Archie said with a smile.
“What about you Charlie?”
“Oh I’m saying nothing
– save one of my old mines has been at work...”
As the band stopped
playing, David and Charly applauded before he led her off the dance floor.
"I heard you couldn't dance David."
Charly smiled.
David blushed before he
said "Well The House...I mean Winston, gave me a few lessons."
"You should keep
taking lessons, you aren't bad."
"Without sounding
too much like a dog I hope, Charly,” David said as he escorted her to a chair,
“a real-life princess like you can make any boy look good."
"Oh and you know
how to flatter a girl as well." Charly laughed lightly, as David yet again
blushed.
"I don't suppose I
can persuade you to be here in April can I?"
"For what?"
"For my
prom."
Charly looked closely
at him. "You haven't got a date already?
A handsome boy like you?"
"Now you are just
making fun." David looked into space, "most of the girls at school
treat me like I'm nothing."
"Well if I was
here I'd be your date Cherie, but unfortunately I have my university
exams."
"Well at least it's
a better excuse then that you are washing your hair that night."
“I am flattered however
– thank you for asking. Perhaps another
time?”
David smiled and bowed
as some of the other girls came over.
“Oh – and what has got
you so amused?” Trina asked as she joined them.
"Oh I just had the
sweetest thing happen girls."
"And what was that
Charly?" Fiona asked.
"David Clarke
asked me to his prom."
"You mean he
doesn't have a date?" Nell asked.
"It seems that the
local girls treat him like a social pariah."
"Easy to explain
why..."
"Oh,” Nell said, “and
what might the reason be dear twin?"
"Simple,"
Ally smiled, "girls who go out with a guy want to be shown a good time,
poor David hasn't ever really had any money to spend on a girl."
"Oh surely San
Francisco women aren't that mercenary?" asked Samantha.
"We all are
underneath," Ally sipped her champagne, "would any of you accept a
first date that was basically a hot dog and a walk in the park?"
"Maybe...if the
boy was ULTRA cute." Samantha mused.
"Oh that's crap
Sam, you'd turn him down flat, no matter how good he looked."
"I have to admit I
can see Ally's point." Trina mused.
"Well maybe we
need find him a prom date then?" asked Charly.
“Hmm – let me sound out
my sisters, and see what they think...”
As Trina walked round
the rooms, she smiled at how much others were enjoying themselves – the party
was proving to be a great success, and her fears were fading away.
“Hey!”
“Oh hi Joey – enjoying
yourself?”
“Immensely,” Joey
said. "Listen - who is the girl
with the big glasses on Trina?"
"Which girl?"
"Her," Joey
pointed to a girl with curled brown hair, wearing a blue dress with short
puffed sleeves, "She looks totally out of it."
Looking over, Trina
said "Her? That's my cousin Sally
Murphy, and you know I'd forgotten she was even here."
"Well she is the
type who just seems to fade into the wall-paper."
"I know,"
Trina thought hard, "I wonder if anyone has even asked her to dance
yet?"
"I'm not sure, are
there no boys here she knows?"
"Very few I guess,
she's a junior at Marlborough."
"Is that a school
or a university?"
"A school, she's
coming up for her 17th birthday."
"Well somebody
should ask her to dance."
"I know,"
suddenly an idea hit Trina, "have you seen David Clarke in the last few
minutes?"
“No – but Mary’s over
there.”
“Mary,” Trina said as
she walked over, “where is that handsome brother of yours?”
“Which one is that,”
David said as he brought a drink over.
“I need you to help out
a damsel,” Trina said, “mind if I borrow him for a while?”
“Oh no – go right
ahead,” Mary said as Trina took David by the arm.
“Right – see the girl
over there?”
David looked at the
brown haired girl, and said “yeah?”
“Her name’s Sally, and
she needs someone to dance with. Think
you can manage that?”
“Me? Trina, I’m not sure I...”
“Thanks,” Trina said as
she pushed the young man towards the woman sitting by the wall. As he walked over, he rubbed the back of his
head, making a mental note to thank Mary later, before he said “err... Hi there.”
Sally looked at David
through her large glasses, and said “hi.
Can I do something for you?”
“Well,” David said
quietly as he sat next to her, “I was wondering if you would like to come and
dance with me?”
He looked at the young
girl, before she said “Dance? You’re
asking me to dance with you?”
“Well, only if you want
to, that is...”
“Did my aunt and uncle
pay you to do this?”
David looked at her,
before saying “honestly, I have no idea who your aunt and uncle are. Trina asked me if I would come and ask you to
dance with me.”
“Trina? My cousin Trina?”
“She’s your
cousin?” David looked at her, before he
said “yeah, i can see the resemblance now.”
“She got the looks, I
got the brains.”
“Now that’s not fair on
yourself,” David said quietly, “you’re actually nice looking as well.”
He looked at Sally as
she blushed, and said “do you really think so?”
“Yeah – and anyway,
looks aren’t everything. So – would you
like to dance?”
Winston and Tony looked
over as David took the brown haired girl by the hand, and started to dance a
waltz with her.
“House, my man, you did
a good thing there.”
“Dance is all a matter
of confidence, Tony,” the man mountain said, “and I think he has more than he
realized.”
“Who is David dancing
with?”
“My cousin,” Trina said
as Mary watched, “and they seem to be talking as well...”
“You’re a very good
dancer,” Sally said as they went round the floor.
“Nah – I’m a beginner
really. You’re good though. So Trina’s your cousin?”
“Yeah – who are you
here with?”
“My sister,” Dave said
as he looked at her.
“Your sister? I guess you don’t have that many friends here
either.”
“Well, not really,”
David said, “Mary knows most of the others.”
“Mary?”
“My sister – she’s
talking to your cousin over there.”
Sally looked to the
side of the room, and gasped “Mary?
You’re Mary Clarke’s brother?”
“Yup –and you’re the
cousin of one of the richest women in the city.
Want to get a drink?”
As the music stopped,
Sally smiled and said “yeah – why not.
So, David Clarke, where do you go to school?”
“Oakland Hills, near
where we live,” David said as he walked with her to the bar, and handed her a
glass of Champagne. “I’m a Senior. What about you?”
“Junior – we live in
LA, and I go to Marlborough.”
“What’s that – a high
school.”
“No – it’s a private
girl’s school, but a good one. So you
putting in a college application?”
“I’m hoping to go
locally. If I do, I’ll major in English
Literature.”
“Oh really? What period is your favourite?”
“Well, so far 20th
Century American,” David said. “So is
this school like the one Abby de Ros goes to in New York?”
“She goes to St
Angela’s, right?”
“So she told me.”
“Well, it’s a more
modern school, but we are talking LA versus NY.
You ever been there?”
“LA or NY?”
“Either.”
David laughed as he
said “no – honestly, this is about the furthest from Oakland I’ve been. But I hope to, one day.”
“Well,” Sally said with
a little smile, “if you’re ever down my way, I’ll show you some of the sites.”
“Really?”
She looked at him,
smiled and said “really. You’re not like
the boys in my area.”
“Oh? In what way?”
“You’re – well, human,
not a plastic coated automaton.”
“Stepford Husbands, you
mean?”
“Exactly.”
Sunday 21st February
1 am Pacific Time
Oakland Hills
Dave looked up from his
chair as he heard the front door of the apartment open, and smiled as he heard
David and Mary laughing and talking.
“All right, I admit it,
it was – oh hey Dad.”
Mary came into the
front room of the apartment behind David, and said "Are you still up
Pops?"
"Well I thought
I'd see ya safely in."
"Well,” she said
as she slipped her jacket off, “we are both returned safe and sound. Who won the game?"
"Warriors of
course – but Alan and I had a good time and a long chat.” Standing up and stretching, he said “So -
what was it like?"
"Pretty damn cool Pop." David grinned.
"And I'd agree
with that."
"So did either of
you meet anyone?"
"Well David got an
instant crush on Charly Elphberg..."
"I've seen
pictures of her, Poppet - I'd be ashamed if he didn't." Dave interrupted.
"But then he got
to talking with and dancing with one of Trina's cousins."
"Oh?"
"Yeah her name is Sally and she's from LA, she goes to a really great
sounding private girls’ school down there called Marlborough."
Dave looked at his son,
then smiled as he shook his head. “All right – tell me in the
morning. Bed – both of you.”
10 am Pacific Time
Oakland Hills
“Well, there you are,”
Dave said as Mary and David came in, wearing their pyjamas.
“I’ll make some
coffee,” Mary said as she went to the kitchen.
"So,” Dave said as
he sat down with his son, “what do Sally's family do kiddo?"
"Well her father
is a writer, he works as an editor for Rolling Stone."
"Hey that's pretty
cool."
"Her mother owns
an antique store."
"Again pretty
cool."
"So what about the
family money?"
"Pops that's
rude." Mary poured the coffees, but smiled as she did so.
"Well it can't be
too bad Mary, Sally told me about it.” Dave loosened his tie and smiled as he
took a mug. “Her mother is Trina's
father’s sister. They aren't poor, but most of the wealth is tied up in trusts
or something, and they just get to spend what the capital earns." David
sipped his coffee. "I get the idea that one day Sally and her sister will
inherit a lot of money..."
"Well at least a lot of stock David,” Dave said, “if it's tied up in
trusts the idea is that they all get passed on to further descendants."
"And how do you know that Pops?"
"Hey since Mary
started making money...I started reading the financial pages of the
Chronicle." Dave laughed.
“Still, we exchanged
numbers, so who knows?”
As Mary sat down, she
heard the front door open, as her sisters came in.
"Mary - remember
we have the concert today," her sisters called out together.
“I haven’t forgotten –
bu tyou have your chores to do.”
"Poor Mick,"
David shook his head, "does he know what is coming his way?"
"Oh I think he
knows how to deal with fans," Mary laughed.
"So what was he
like?"
"He is COOL Pops,
and his girlfriend is this ultra-nice New York chick who goes to Harvard."
"Who impressed you
most Kiddo, the singer or the girlfriend?" Dave laughed at the way his son
had just gushed.
"I'm not
sure..." David smiled as he realised his father was teasing him.
“Nell and Ally are good
girls, even if they have something of a reputation,” Mary said.
“Hey – the Sunday paper
Pops,” Vicky said as she put it on the table.
Dave opened it up, as Mary and David looked at the sports sections.
2 pm
The Richmond Mansion
“Sands! George! Lunch is ready!”
“Coming,” they called
out as they came into the dining room, as Nessa sat down with David, and Alex
with Glenda.
“That was a lovely
sermon today Alex,” Nessa said, “what made you pick the Good Servant?”
“I felt it was
appropriate,” Alex said with a smile as Heather and Sandy brought through the
plates.
“The roast does smell
good,” Nessa said as she sipped her drink.
“Did you see the news
reports this morning about the Fulton Market?”
“No,” Alex said as Heather
brought some vegetables through, “what happened?”
“There was a stabbing –
apparently police found a body in the early hours of the morning.”
“Here we go,” Sandy
said as she carried the leg of lamb in, “Alex, will you do the honours please?”
“Of course – shall we
say Grace first?”
As they bowed their
heads, and Alex gave thanks for the food, Heather and Sandy looked at each
other. They had heard the tail end of
the conversation, and both had the same thought.
2.30 pm
Upper West Side
Susan and Clint’s Apartment
“Now that was
wonderful,” Rose said as she pushed her plate away. “Clint, where did you learn to cook pork that
way?”
“Trade secret Rose –
got to have a few,” Clint said as Susan collected the plates.
“Did you like your
dinner, April,” Rose said as she looked at her granddaughter. The little blonde smiled and nodded as she
nibbled on some carrot.
“I’ll sort dessert out
in a minute,” Clint said as the telephone rang.
“I’ll get it,” Susan
said as she went into the front room.
“Hello, Susan Walker speaking.”
“Susan, it’s
Mandy. You asked to let you know if I
heard anything about Fulton.”
“Yeah,” Susan said as
she sat down, “what happened?”
“Police found a body
outside the market today,” Mandy said, “no formal ID yet, but I got the name
through contacts. It was a Gerry
Berganza – one of the larger second division traders.”
“So things are starting
to turn nasty? Okay – I’ll inform my FBI
contacts. I’ll also get word to our
contact there – see if he knows any more.
Thanks, Mandy.”
“No problem, Susan,”
Mandy said as the call ended.
“Problem?”
“Maybe, maybe not,”
Susan said as she sat back. “I’m going
to need to send an e-mail to Jan, see if she can follow things up. I’ll be in for the cheesecake in a minute.”
Noon Pacific Time
Oakland Hills
“That’s better,” Mary
said as she came into the front room, pulling her sweatshirt down. David was now wearing a shirt and jeans, as
she went to the kitchen.
“Now who could that
be,” She said as the doorbell rang, and she made her way to the front door.
“Gotta say the two of
you are still up high from last night.”
"You know Pops,”
David said with a smile, “it's like Mary somehow found a whole new branch of
the family that we'd never known before. Everyone seems to know each other, and
honestly I felt so at home."
"Well I think this
young lady may have helped," Dave whispered as Mary brought Sally in from
the hallway. The dark haired teenager
was wearing a black leather jacket over a white jumper, jeans and ankle boots.
"Hello Mr. Clarke," she said as she held her hand out, "I'm
Sally Murphy."
"It's nice to meet
you Sally." Dave stood and shook her hand, "what brings you here
today?”
“Well, David told me
his address last night, and he said he and Mary were taking his sisters to the
Mick Harran concert tonight...”
“Oh yes,” Dave said
with a smile, “and are you going to the concert as well?"
"Well I hadn't
initially meant to...but..." Dave could see the happy glint in the eyes
behind the big black spectacle frames.
He then saw his sisters looking in the doorway.
“Why don’t you get
Sally a coffee, David?”
“Well, if you want one
– want to come to the kitchen with me?”
Sally nodded as he led
her through, Mary looking at her father with an eyebrow raised.
“Seems something really
did happen last night Poppet.”
“So I’ll see you there
tonight?”
“I’ll look forward to
it – let me walk you down...”
A few minutes later,
Suzie, Alison and Vicky watched for the apartment door to open.
"David's got a
girlfriend...David's got a girlfriend," his sisters chanted as David came
back from seeing Sally to the car she was driving.
"Have not," he blushed.
"Looks to me like
you do Kiddo...she drives all the way over here and she's coming to the concert
with ya." Dave smiled, "and I have to say she seems a REALLY nice
girl."
“Yeah - yeah she is,”
David said as he rubbed the back of his neck.
7 pm
The de Ros Mansion
“Welcome home, Madame,
Miss Abigail,” Edith said as she opened the door, standing to the side as Abby
and Diana came in, Tony following with the bags.
“It’s good to be home
Edith,” Abby said with a smile, “we brought you a souvenir from the west
coast.”
“Most kind of you, Miss
Abigail. I have some supper ready for
you once you have cleaned yourself up.”
“Allow us a few minutes
to wash, and we will be ready to eat,” Diana said with a smile. “Tony, will you join us for supper?”
“Of course,” Tony said
with a smile as Diana looked through the letters Edith had placed to one side.
One in particular
caught her eye, as she opened it and read the letter inside.
“Mamma,” Abby said, “is
everything all right?”
“Yes – just some news
on a long term investment,” Diana said as she replaced the letter. “Come – let’s eat.”
7.30 pm
Upper West Side
As Rose looked into the
front room, she saw Susan staring at a sheath of papers adn nibbling on a
pencil as she made notes.
"I don't like to
talk about your 'business' Susan,” she said as she sat down, “but this does
seem to be distracting you?"
"I know Mum,"
Susan sighed as she put the papers down and say back, "I just 'ope its not
spoiling your visit."
"No it's not, get
that out of your mind, but is there any way your old Mum can 'elp?"
"Not really, and
honestly Mum this would be simpler to solve if it was purely 'business' as you
call it."
"Oh?"
"AMININCO are
making a bid for our specialist insurance division."
"I'd got that from
what you'd said."
"Well the business
in itself is basically fully legal..."
"Basically?"
Rose broke in.
"Yeah, we use its
accounts though to launder money from our other operations through."
"Okay, I see the
problem."
"Well,” Susan said
as she rubbed her eyes, “even as a legitimate business it's really too good to
let go, I'm rather proud of the work me and my team 'ave done building it
up."
"And as Shirley
refuses to sell anyways, what is the problem?"
"Only that it is
subject to legal rules and procedures,” Susan said, “and that I'm afraid of
dropping everyone in the shit if I do anyfing wrong."
"And why should you
do that?" Rose smiled at her daughter.
"Because a lot of
the shit I'm doin' I'm only just learnin' at NYU...I just hope Shirley 'asn't
given me the 'ead job 'ere in New York and I aint up to it."
"I know Shirley
well enough to know that if she'd 'ad the slightest doubts she'd not 'ave
promoted you Susan love." Rose held her hand, "so don't worry about
yerself, just concentrate on doin' your job rite."
"It's just what I
told her Rose." Clint stood in the doorway coffee cups in hand. “And the London is coming out, so I’m saying
to stop now for the night. When does
Shirley get back?”
“Tomorrow – I’m meeting
her with Alan Kennedy at 3.”
“Well, leave it until
then. Have your coffee, and relax for
tonight.”
“And that is an order,”
Rose said as she sipped her tea.
“Yeah, you’re right,”
Susan said as the telephone rang. “Right
after I do this one thing...”
Picking up the
telephone, she said “Hello?”
“Got your message
Susan.”
“Thanks for phoning
back Mandy. Hope you’re in a good mood.”
“Am I going to like
this?”
"Possibly. Okay the French company, RoideMer - it's time
they had a little labor trouble I think." Susan spoke into the phone,
"Mandy their porters at the market, and their drivers are out on strike as
of this moment...tell your members that."
"Okay Susan...they
won't like it."
"I know it's short
notice, but I'm sure you can find a reason." Susan smiled as she played
with April as she talked. "Just tell them that before their workers go
back to work they need come see you personally to sort things out."
"What about my
peoples wages?"
"I'll make sure
they get their wages in full...we will pay them ourselves if needs be."
"Alright
Susan...as you order."
Ending the call, Susan
said “One more little one...” She then
dialled a second number.
“Richmond Mansion.”
"Heather,” Susan
said, “can you summon Tommy the Fish to a conference on the keyfob system where
our voices would be disguised?"
"Susan, I'm ashamed you even need to ask that."
"Sorry,” Susan
said as she tickled April, “under pressure a bit is all I can say."
"I'll set it up,
but why?"
"I think we need
keep Tommy abreast of what we are doing, something tells me the market will be
a VERY tense place in the morning."
"Yeah, I read
about the killing...so who on the call?"
"Me, Juliette,
Diana and you I think."
“Diana only got back an
hour ago, so I’ll set it for ten tomorrow.
Talk to you then.”
“Right,” Clint said as
Susan put the phone down, “that is it for tonight. Come on – in here with April.”
“All right, All right
I’m coming...”
7.30 pm Pacific Time
Bimbo’s 365 Club
“Wow, look at this
place,” Alison said as Mary took her sisters into a side area next to the
stage.
“Neither have I,” Mary
said, “but they have a special licence today so that your age group can come
in.”
“And there’s a lot of
them here,” Suzie said as she and Vicky looked round. All four were wearing jeans and t-shirts.
“Where did David go?”
“He’s waiting outside
for Sally – see?”
Vicky giggled as David
escorted the teenager over to join them, as the lights started to dim, and the
audience screamed.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,”
the announcer said, “for one night only, from LeMachine, please welcome... MICK HARRAN!!!”
The girls screamed as
Mick came onto the stage, carrying a guitar and smiling as he stood at the
microphone and called out “HELLO SAN FRANCISCO!”
The screams deafened
Mary as Mick said “well, do you want me to sing a song?”
The screams got more
deafening, as Mick started to play a LeMachine song, the three youngsters
joining in the screaming.
“They seem to be
enjoying themselves,” David said to Mary.
“So does Sally,” Mary
said as she saw the teenager dancing round.
8.30 pm Pacific Time
“All right,” Mick said
as the audience cheered, “I want to sing for you now one of the songs I’m
planning to cover in the next album.
It’s a classic, and one I hope you enjoy – and I’m going to dedicate it
to three young ladies in the audience.
Vicky, Suzie and Alison, this is for you.”
Mary smiled as her
sisters realised what was going on, as Mick picked up a guitar and sat on a
stool, playing the tune as he began.
If you're going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you're going to San Francisco
You're gonna meet some gentle people there
For those who come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
In the streets of San Francisco
Gentle people with flowers in their hair
The speed of the song
was slower, the tune melodic, as Mick began to play the tuen on the guitar,
smiling as he did so.
All across the nation
Such a strange vibration
People in motion
There's a whole generation
With a new explanation
People in motion
People in motion
For those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
“Thank you very much,”
Mick said as the audience started cheering, smiling as he blew a kiss towards
the Clarke girls. “Right – do you want
to rock this joint?”
“YYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!”
“All right then – one,
two, one two three four!”
Well if you ever plan to motor west
Just take my way it's the highway that's the best
Get your kicks on Route 66
Well it winds from Chicago to L.A.
More than 2000 miles all the way
Get your kicks on Route 66
Well it goes from St Louis, down to
Missouri
Oklahoma city looks oh so pretty
You'll see Amarillo and Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona don't forget Winona
Kingsman, Barstaw, San Bernadino
Would you get hip to this kindly trip
And take that California trip
Get your kick on Route 66
It goes from St. Louis, down to Missouri
Oklahoma city looks oh so pretty
You'll see Amarillo and Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona don't forget Winona
Kingsman, Barstaw, San Bernadino
Would you get hip to this kindly trip
Take that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66
Get your kicks on Route 66
And I'll meet you on Route 62
Get your kicks on Route 66!
9.15 pm Pacific Time
“Thank you and good
night!”
As Mick left the stage,
one of the road crew came over.
“Miss Clarke? Would you all like to follow me please?”
“Come on you three,”
Mary said as she ushered her sisters along, David and Sally bringing up the
rear as they were escorted backstage.
The crew member stopped in front of a door, and knocked as they heard
Mick say “come in.”
“In yuo go,” he said as
he opened the door, and they walked into a large room. Mick turned round, and smiled as he said “Hey
Mary – did you enjoy the show?”
“I did,” Mary said with
a smile, “but let me introduce Alison, Vicky and Suzie. Girls, Mick Harran.”
“Hey,” he said as he
poured himself a cup of tea. “Why don’t
you three grab a drink, come over, and sit with me, and you can ask all the
questions you want.”
“Can we?”
“Sure – and grab that
bowl of popcorn will you Sally? Singing
gives me an appetite.”
The three girls giggled
as they picked up a bottle of Coke, and Sally brought the large bowl of popcorn
over as they sat with him. Mary and
David stood to the side, drinking some soft drink themselves as Mick talked to
all four of them...
11 pm Pacific Time
Oakland Hills
“That must be them
back,” Tom said to Bobby as the apartment door opened, and the rest of the
family came in.
“Did you have a good
time,” Bobby said as he looked to the doorway.
“Oh wow did we,” Vicky
said, “the concert was amazing, then we sat and talked with Mick, eating
popcorn and drinking.”
“You should see what he
gave us as well,” Suzie said as she held up her bag.
“He even sang a song
for us,” Alison said quietly as she yawned.
“Right – you three,
washed and in bed. You have school
tomorrow,” David said. “Thanks for
sitting up guys – you can get to your beds now as well.”
“Yeah – sleep well all
of you,” Mary said as she went into the kitchen, and started to warm some milk.
“I think you’ve made
their year already,” David said as he followed her in.
“Yeah – I’m glad they
liked it. Did Sally?”
“Oh yes – she was
especially taken with the signed t-shirt.”
“So,” Mary said as she
poured the milk into mugs, “do you like her?”
“Yeah – we’re going to
keep in touch and meet up at some point.
Maybe next time you’re in LA for a weekend...”
Mary smiled as she
handed her brother a mug. “Talk to Pops
first, all right? His call, not mine.”
Monday 22nd February
7.30 am GMT
Chelsea, London
As Shirley put her
clothes into the case, there was a knock on the door.
“Aunt Shirley? There is a telephone call for you.”
“Thank you Maisha –
would you like to make some coffee,” Shirley said as she closed the case.
“Of course,” Maisha
said as she went to the kitchen, while Shirley picked up the telephone.
“Hello?”
"Hello Shirley,
it's Rose...you know Susan's mum."
"Hello Rose, we
are just packing to go to the airport."
"I guessed you
might be, I'm in New York meself."
"I heard you were
visiting, but why are you whispering?"
"Well Susan, Clint
and April are asleep, but I actually wanted a private word with you before you
left London."
"Oh why?"
"Susan is 'aving a
problem or two..."
"Business or
personal?" an urgent edge slipped into Madame's voice.
"It's business,”
Rose said, “but it aint bad business if you get my drift."
"Alright Rose...” Shirley sat down
and said “tell me more please."
"Look Shirley, you
know that I know, just what you and my daughter do...right?"
"Yes, I'd guessed
you had that knowledge."
"Look I'll ask
this straight out...when you hired her first, you did so finking she was some
street kid, wiv a lot of nerve, who would do most anyfing, and take
orders...am I right?"
"That's a bit
harsh,” Shirley said with a smile, “but basically accurate Rose."
"And now she's one
of your senior executives..."
"Yes. she proved
to be far more then we initially thought," Shirley interrupted.
"Well at this
moment she's 'aving a lot of doubts about herself."
"The AMININCO
bid?"
"Yeah, Susan's
worried that she aint goin' to do somefing rite, and that she's goin' to let
you down."
"I know she won't
let me down Rose."
"Well she's 'avin'
a bit of a crisis of confidence,” Rose said quietly. “This aint like 'er threatening someone wiv a
shooter, she's 'avin' to use 'er brains, and she's worried they aint good enuff."
"Okay Rose, I
think I get the picture, I need give her a bit of a boost when I arrive don't
I?"
"I fink it mite 'elp."
"Alright, I'll do
all that...and thanks for phoning Rose."
“Fanks Shirley,” Rose
said as the call ended.
“Some coffee, Aunt
Shirley?”
“Thank you Maisha,”
Shirley said with a smile. “Packed?”
“Just about – I am
looking forward to spending the weekend with the girls,” she said as she sat
down.
“Indeed – I am as
well.”
8 am
The de Ros Mansion
“Miss Huntingdown,
Madame.”
“Ah Juliette,” Diana
said as she looked up, “will you join me?”
“Thank you,” Juliette
said as she sat down. “How was San
Francisco?”
“Abby enjoyed it immensely
– but you just missed her.”
“I’ll catch up with her
later – have you had a chance to catch up on the news?”
“The incidents at the
fish market? I was just reading the
latest,” Diana said as she passed Juliette the paper. “I take it this RoideMer is causing some
difficulties for Thomas and his friends?”
“Just a few,” Juliette
said as she read the business page, and of the sudden walkout of the staff of
RoideMer in an industrial dispute.
“Heather will join us at ten o’clock in Susan’s office to talk to Tommy,
find out what the feelings are like down there.”
As Edith brought more
coffee in, Diana said “you listen to a news radio channel in the kitchen. Are there any reports from the Fulton Fish
Market this morning?”
Edith looked at both
women, before she said “there is a report of a shooting at the market this
morning Madame – two injured.”
Juliette looked at
Diana as she said “thank you Edith – I shall be out for the rest of the day.”
“Very good
Madame.” As Edith closed the door, Diana
said “so why us?”
"Diana,” Juliette said, “what do you know about Le Milieu?"
"French-Corsican gangsters, they control a lot of Southern France's
organised crime...especially that in Marseilles. They are very, very, nasty
people."
"We think it’s one
of their families that are trying to muscle their way into the Fulton."
"That would not
surprise me Cherie. The docks would be
where they would seek influence and a foothold – but surely the families may
have something to say on that front?"
“Well, Tommy has asked
Adam and Jan to look into it, but he will want to know we are supporting him as
well.”
9 am
The Richmond Mansion
“Is that a fresh pot I
smell,” Nessa said as she came into the kitchen. While Sandy was in an old pair of joggers and
a sweatshirt, Nessa was wearing a black jumper and a pair of jeans.
“Yeah – want some?”
“If you’re offering,
then yes,” Nessa said as she put her purse on the breakfast bar.
"So Mother what
plans for this morning?" Sandy asked as she poured them both cups of hot Turkish
coffee.
"I'm in the
recording studio...” Nessa took a drink
from her mug, and smiled. “Does that
sound as strange and pretentious to you as it does to me?"
"Not really,"
Sandy smiled, "I know you are going to enjoy yourself completely."
"Well I'm going to be so interested to see how it is all done."
"Is Paulie going
with you?"
"She is, I asked
her to pick me up here if you don't mind?"
"Not at all,"
Sandy smiled again, "and can I ask, or is it a secret, what songs you are
doing?"
"Not at all,"
now Nessa laughed, "you know at heart I'm just an old time rock and
roller?"
"That has become
obvious in recent months Mom."
"Well Mick wants
me to record a couple of rock standards that he can sing the harmonies on, and
other bits."
"That sounds like
a good idea."
"So we are doing
Rockin Good Way."
"THE classic
duet."
"Also he wants us
to record Black is Black, with him singing the English lyrics and me singing
the French lyrics as Noir c'est Noir, that Johnny Hallyday had a hit with,
before merging at the end."
"Okay he will sing
he wants her back, and you will sing she wants him back...interesting."
"He outlined the
arrangement to me, and I think it will work."
Suddenly a car horn
tooted.
"That's your ride
Mom," Sandy hugged her mother, "break a leg."
“Well, I can only do my
best,” Nessa said as she ran out.
9.10 am
FBI Field Office, New York
"I'm not really up
to this." Jeanne slumped into her office chair and sigh.
"Up to what?"
Jan asked as she looked over.
"Being harassed by
Paris all weekend about your Fish Market troubles Jan.” Jeanne looked down at her visible bump and
rubbed it. “They have identified at
least two of the people involved as having known criminal connections in
Marseilles, and they want it prioritised by me...but they forget I am..."
"Very
pregnant," Tom Callaghan came out of his office, "which is why
temporarily we have been assigned to work this case alone with you
Inspector."
"Tom you didn't
need to ask your superiors..."
"Hey for a friend
I thought I did."
"Merci."
"So” Tom said, “Ball,
Carter, me and you guys are now officially investigating what's going on at the
Fishmarket."
"Do we have a
contact to work with in the NYPD?"
"Yeah,” Tom said
as he looked at Jan, “Alberto Moletti of the..."
"Oh fuck not
Moletti!" Jan cried out as though in pain.
"It's the 43rd
- and I'd not forgotten how much you dislike him Jan."
“That is one way of
putting it – let me go and grab something,” Jan said as she walked off.
“What?”
“Mace, Tear gas –
something suitable...”
Jeanne watched as Jan
walked off.
"So,” she finally
said, “why does Janice hate this Moletti Tom?"
"Let me just say
that a while before Adam came on the scene, she and he were an item
Jeanne."
"Ouch, working
with an ex-boyfriend is NOT fun...and again OUCH!!"
"Are you
okay?"
"Yes, but baby is
trying to prove to me that he or she will one day play football."
"Do you
need?"
"No...baby will
soon settle down."
“All right then – have
fun...”
10 am
Tommy and Annie’s Apartment
Tommy was sitting at
the kitchen table, looking through the paper when he heard the phone ping.
Looking at his phone,
he smiled as he opened the laptop, and then put the keyfob to his eye. As the system changed, he saw the invitation
to join the chat, and logged in.
“Ah – good morning
Tommy,” he heard Miss Panther say, “Thank you for joining us.”
“My pleasure Ma’am – to
what do I owe the honour?”
“First, let me tell you
that I have Miss Leopard and Miss Cheetah with me – and Miss Jaguar is also
with us.”
“Ladies,” Tommy said
with a smile.
“Tommy,” Miss Leopard
said, “we have heard through mutual friends that there have been some recent
troubles in your place of business.”
“Der haf been a few
minor difficulties,” Tommy said, “as you may have seen on the news.”
“Tommy,” Miss Jaguar
said, “Miss Lioness had some influence in the local market – you may have heard
of the walkout today that affected the new business in your area.”
“Ah,” Tommy said with a
smile, “the boys wus wondering wut had happened. Fank her for me will ya?”
“Tommy,” Miss Panther
said, “we stand ready to assist as well.
With your permission, our tech consultant will monitor calls to and from
the market to assess if we can provide further help.”
“I never heard youse
ask – but fanks.”
“Tommy,” Miss Panther
said, “if you need help, call. It will
come.”
“Fanks – who are dese
guys anyway?”
“We think,” Miss
Leopard said, “that they are Le Milieu – Marseilles based.”
“Wot – like in dat film
wif Gene Hackman?”
“A similar group,
yes. Which is why we offer our support
and protection, if it is needed.”
“As does Miss Lioness,”
Miss Jaguar said.
“Ladies, again I fank
ew,” Tommy said. “The usual channels if
i needs ye?”
“Of course – and thank
you Tommy.”
As the call ended, Tommy
rubbed the back of his head. “Time to
call de boys,” he said as he looked for his phone.
11 am
West Side Recording Studio
Nessa smiled as she
finished running some scales, and then started singing.
I used to live in New York City
Everything there was dark and dirty
Outside my window was a steeple
With a clock that always said twelve thirty
Young girls are coming to the canyon
And in the mornings I can see them walking
I can no longer keep my blinds drawn
And I can't keep myself from talking
At first so strange to feel so friendly
To say good morning and really mean it
To feel these changes happening in me
But not to notice till I feel it
Young girls are coming to the canyon
And in the mornings I can see them walking
I can no longer keep my blinds drawn
And I can't keep myself from talking
Cloudy waters cast no reflection
Images of beauty lie there stagnant
Vibrations bounce in no direction
And lie there shattered into fragments
Young girls are coming to the canyon
And in the mornings I can see them walking
I can no longer keep my blinds drawn
And I can't keep myself from talking
As the band finished
and clapped, the two men on the other side of the glass watched with Paulie.
“Well?” she said as she
sipped her coffee.
"Okay she has all that
money...AND...she can sing too? Life is VERY unfair." the assistant
producer said as Nessa finished rehearsing.
"When Mick
suggested her I thought he was joking, but she certainly has the pipes."
Jack Smit the producer smiled,
"Yep."
“Can you line up the
track Mick recorded?”
“Sure,” the assistant
producer as he pressed some buttons.
"Nessa do you want
to try a take?" Jack spoke into her earphones.
"I'd like to try
please Jack."
“Okay – we’re going to
play Rocking Good Way – Mick laid some vocals down, so you do your part, okay?”
Nessa nodded as she
listened to the track start.
If you're gonna give me good kisses like
that
Honey don't you know I'm gonna give them right back
'Cause that's a kissin' good way that's a kissin' good way
That's a kissin' good way to mess around and fall in love.
“Oh if you're gonna
start out huggin' me tight
Don't mess around come on hug me right.
'Cause that's a huggin' good way that's a huggin' good way
That's a huggin' good way to mess around and fall in love.”
You know you called me on the phone and just because I was alone
Ah you came around awooing
You better ask somebody if you don't know what you're doing.
“Now you've kissed me and you rocked my soul
Don't come around knockin' rock and roll
'Cause that's a rockin' good way that's a rockin' good way
That's a rockin' good way to mess around and fall in love.
You know you called me on the phone
Well, just because I was alone
Ah, you came around a wooing
You better ask somebody if you don't know what you're doing”
Now that you've kissed me and you rocked
my soul
Don't come round knocking rock 'n' roll
'Cause that's a rocking good way
That's a rocking good way
And that's a rocking good way
To mess around and fall in love
“Well, now you call me
on the phone
And just because I was alone
You came around a wooing
Ah, you better ask somebody if you don't know what you're doing
Ah, you kiss me and you
rock my soul
Don't come round knocking rock 'n' roll
'Cause that's a rocking good way”
Shakey, that's a rocking good way
That's a rocking good way to mess around and fall in love, yeah
What a way to go
“It's a rocking good
way
That's a rocking good way
That's a rocking good way to mess around and fall in love
Yeah, that's a rocking good way to mess around and fall in love
Keep on rocking
It's a rocking good way”
A rocking good way
Ah baby, you've got what it takes
Rocking good way
“So how was that,”
Nessa said as the track ended.
Jack looked at the
engineer, who gave a thumbs up.
“Good stuff Nessa – now
we do it again, and feel free to adlin some responses to Mick.”
8.20 am Pacific Time
Oakland Junior High
“Hey Vicky – wait up.”
Vicky and Alison turned
to see some of the other girls behind them.
“Okay – spill. What was the concert like?”
“Amazing,” Alison said
as she looked at Vicky. “He was so
good...”
“And you really went
backstage to meet him?”
“Oh yeah,” Vicky
said. “We ended up going back stage
after the show, and he talked to us for about an hour."
"What didya talk
about?" Carletta Grace asked.
"Mainly about his
songs..."
"But we also
talked about clothes a bit..."
"And his
girlfriend and his sister...and..."
"Truly?" Echo
Leibowitz asked.
"Yeah, he was so
nice, and he put up with us being silly enough to ask for all these,"
Vicky smiled as she pulled out some autographed t-shirts from her bag.
"I just hope we
thought of everyone..."
The sound of the bell
made everyone groan as Alison looked round.
"Damn there goes
the bell...we will see you all after home room."
“See you at recess,”
they said as they went off.
1 pm
43rd Precinct House
900 Fteley Ave
“So what do i need for
this meeting,” Adam said as he sat in the meeting room with Jan.
“Something to keep us
apart?”
He looked at Jan, and
smiled as he said “who is this guy – an ex...”
“An ex something,” Jan
said as she tugged on the hem of her skirt – and the door opened. She looked up to see a tall, dark haired man
standing there, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up as he looked at them.
"Hey if it aint
the King and Queen of High Society."
"Knock it off
Moletti...,” Jan said as she stood up, “I don't like being here anymore
probably then you do. This is my
partner, Adam Ball.”
“Lieutenant,” Adam said
as he held his hand out, the officer looking at him as they shook hands.
“So how is life in the
rarefied air of High Society, Jan?”
“Life is fine, Moletti,
thanks for asking – how are things in the boondocks.”
“Come and find out, Jan
– you used to like roughing it...”
"Okay... So Lieutenant, what can
you tell us?" Adam tried to remain professional.
“The Fish Market?” Moletti sat down and said “what’s your
interest?”
“We got the tip that a
new company was muscling in on the market – undercutting the current traders
and so on.”
“This the RoideMer
company?” Moletti looked at his notes
and said “French based company. What’s
the issue?”
“Well,” Jan said, “some
of our contacts down there raised concerns with us, and now Inspector Marais,
out Interpol liaison, has word there could be criminal elements from France
involved as well.”
“Well, we’ve found no
evidence...”
“Allow us,” Adam said
as he put two photos down. “These men
have been seem representing RoideMer at the Fulton – and they have connections
with a gang based in Marseilles.”
“Really? Well we’ll look into it. Seems they got hit by a wildcat strike today
– we’ve got a couple of squad cars down there watching the situation anyway.”
“Look, Moletti...”
“I said we’d look into
it – we’ll tell you if we find anything,” Moletti said as he stood up and left
the room, Adam and Jan watching him.
"Oh and Jan
dear...”
“Yeah?”
“Stay out of my Murder
Investigation, that is outside the FBI's jurisdiction." Moletti looked
back over his shoulder, "and by the way your legs still aint so bad."
Jan looked at the door
as Moletti walked off, and Adam looked at her.
“It was before you came
to the NY office,” Jan said, “Moletti and I went out a few times, but we had a
major argument over a murder case. He
thought he had someone bang to rights, I proved him wrong.”
“And he still resents
that?”
“Well that – and the
fact I told him where he could stick that ego of his...”
“What an absolute...”
“Don’t say it,” Jan
said as she stood up, “don’t say it...”
11 am Pacific Time
Oakland Junior High
As the class walked in,
their teacher noticed the smile on the faces of some of the girls, and the
t-shirts some of them were carrying.
“Thanks Ali,” one of
the girls said as Alison Clarke came into the classroom.
"Well Alison I
believe you had a big thrill last night?" Miss Callendar smiled as the
student passed her desk.
"Oh I did Miss,”
Alison said, “it was SO MAGIC!"
"I had rather
guessed that...” Jenny sat back and said
“I saw you arrive for school and it was like you were floating on a
cloud."
"Is that bad
Miss?"
"No," the teacher
smiled, "I'm so happy for you."
"You know he told
us his family have lived on the same land for nearly a thousand years...That is
real history isn't it Miss?"
"Indeed it is
Allison."
"I asked him if he
could send me a book on his house and he said he would."
"Well after you
finish it can you lend it to me to read?"
"Me lending my
history teacher a history book to read?" Allison giggled.
"I know unusual
isn't it," Jenny Callendar giggled back.
“Take your seat, we need to discuss some more recent history. Right class, take your text books out and
turn to page 142...”
2 pm
The Tavern on the Green
Paulie looked closely
at her old friend as the waiter collected their menus and left to place their
order.
"Alright,” she
finally said as their drinks arrived, “you look like the cat that ate the cream
darling."
"Well Paulie
dearest,” Nessa said with a smile, “I will admit that I have spent many a far
less enjoyable morning doing things in my life."
"You sounded
good."
"Well I think I've
earned this late lunch anyhows,” Nessa said with a smile, “as to quality, Mick
will be the judge when he gets in this afternoon from the West Coast."
"Did it revive
THAT dream?"
"That dream?...Oh
you mean THAT!" Nessa laughed, "fancy you remembering that after all
these years."
"You wrote it in
the yearbook as your ambition, how could I forget?"
"To do a record
with Phil Spector," Nessa laughed again, "and I suppose it did."
"It was just so
sad, what happened to him," Paulie said.
"He was a genius,
but like so many I guess a deeply troubled man, and then he killed that poor
woman." Nessa shook her head, "but I'd so have loved to hear his
'wall of sound' behind my voice."
"Well maybe we can
arrange that." Mick said as he slipped into the booth.
"You are back
early," Nessa kissed him on the cheek, "and what do you mean?"
"I want to try
something in Spector's style."
"Sounds fun."
"Well we can talk
about it in the studio in a bit."
“Have you been there
yet?”
“Oh yes – but they said
you had come here. So, having fun?”
“Very much so,” Nessa
said, “very much so...”
2 pm
Xavier International
Susan looked across the
table as Alan Kennedy reviewed the papers she had prepared.
“Well,” she said
nervously as he put them down and looked at her.
“This is the first time
you have had to deal with a situation like this, right,” Alan said as he sat
back.
“Oh god – what did I do
wrong?”
He looked at her, and
smiled as he said “nothing. This is as
watertight a response as I think it is possible to give.”
“Oh thank the Goddess,”
Susan said as she sighed, and there was a knock on the door.
“Susan,” Pamela said as
she came in, “Shirley is in the office, and would like to see both you and
Alan.”
“Well – if you want, we
can get the introductions out of the way now.”
“Why not,” Alan said as
they stood up, and made their way to Shirley’s office. Tapping on the door, she heard Shirley say
“come” and walked in.
Shirley was sitting at
her desk, but as she saw Susan come in with Alan she stood up and walked
round. “Ah Susan – and you must be Alan
Kennedy. I’m Shirley Xavier – it is a
pleasure to finally meet you.”
“And you,” Alan said as
they shook hands.
“Pamela – some coffee
please.”
“Of course, Shirley,”
Pamela said as she indicated the leather seats.
“I wanted to thank you
for the work you have done so far,” Shirley said as they sat down, “and to find
out what the current situation is, from the horse’s mouth as it were.”
“Well,” Alan said, “I
think the first thing to say is that Susan has made my job much, much
easier. She has done an exemplary job
representing you and presenting the information I required.”
Shirley raised an
eyebrow as she smiled and looked at Susan.
“Well, I never for a moment doubted her ability to assist you in this
task. So, our position?”
“Your fellow directors
have made their position very clear,” Alan said, “and Susan and I were just
discussing the official rejection.”
“Susan believes their
next move will be two fold – to increase the offer and try to bypass me by
going for one of the minority shareholders.”
“I concur,” Alan said,
“I have already talked to most of them in person, I just need to meet Juliette
Huntingdown tomorrow, and a conference call with Catherine Lo on
Wednesday. I am advising them to direct
all enquiries through me.”
“Excellent – I
anticipate AMININCO will contact me and request another meeting. If that happens, I would like you to attend
as my advisor.”
“Part of the service,
Miss Xavier.”
“Please – call me
Shirley. I understand you were in San
Francisco last weekend with your daughter?”
“I was,” Alan said,
“how did you know?”
“I count Diana de Ros
and Amanda Fitzstuart among my personal friends,” Shirley said with a
smile. “So I knew they were gathering
for the ball last Saturday, and naturally presumed your daughter was attending
as well.”
“Well, when you put it
that way...”
“Ah thank you Pamela,”
Shirley said as the coffee was brought in.
“You must forgive me Adam – I flew from the UK today, and when I do
that, coffee keeps me going.”
“No problem,” Alan
said. He was impressed by both women
now.
“I will see you on
Friday,” Susan said as Alan was shown out.
She then relaxed as she said “thank you Madame – I was worried I was
going to make a mistake and fail you.”
“Understandable,”
Shirley said with a smile, “but I had total faith in you, Susan, and as Alan
said, you have done a magnificent job.”
“Thank you,” Susan said
quietly.
“Now, two things,” Shirley
said. “First, you, Clint, April and Rose
will join me for dinner tomorrow night.
I wish to spend tonight with John when I get back.”
“Of course,” Susan
said, “and the second thing is?”
Shirley walked to her
cabinet, opening it and pouring two drinks.
“Relax – you truly have done an excellent job. Now, what is in the daily report?”
2.30 pm
FBI Field Office
"That conceited
prick." Jan whispered under her breath as she slumped into her office
chair.
"I take it all did
not go well on your visit to Lieutenant Moletti Jan?" Jeanne enquired.
"No...We were
firmly warned to keep our noses from poking in too far."
"Well,” Jeanne
said, “I might have something to cheer you up?"
"Moletti was found
floating face down in the East River?" Jan asked hopefully.
"NO!" Jeanne
laughed, "but almost as good."
"Go ahead and tell
me then," Jan eased off a shoe and rubbed her foot.
"My bosses at
Interpol are asking your bosses if we can start building a racketeering case
around this...and as you know?"
"A federal
racketeering investigation gives me license to put the heel of this shoe right
through Moletti's foot."
"Well,” Jeanne
said with a smile, “I wouldn't have put it that way, but you get the
idea."
“Oh now that does sound
good,” Jan said as she rubbed her foot.
“What does,” Adam said
as he handed her a coffee.
“Oneupmanship,” Jan
said with a smile...
7 pm
Geneva, Hobart William Smith
“Well someone got the
cream tonight,” Hope Johnson said as Jo came in, dropping her kit bag in the
floor and collapsing on her bed with a smile.
“Oh yes – life is good
today,” Jo said as she looked over. “How
about you?”
“I,” Hope said as she
stood up, “have a date, so I will see you later.”
“Don’t do anything I
wouldn’t.”
“Not a chance,” Hope
said as she grabbed her coat and headed out, Jo smiling as she grabbed her
washbag and headed for the shower.
When she returned a few
minutes later, she changed into a pair of jeans and a polo top, and then
switched on her laptop.
“Now I wonder if – ah
there you are Big Sis,” she said as Heather appeared on the screen.
"Okay that smile
is blinding little sis. What have you been up to?"
"Coach had me run
a trial over 1500 metres, and I broke my PB by a huge margin."
"HEY!"
"I know, and I
felt I had a little more in the tank, I'm just SO EXCITED!"
"Good for you
Jo." Sandy said as she walked behind Heather.
"Thank you Sandy. Today, I feel on top of the world."
"Well,” Sandy
said, “I hate to bring you down to earth with a bump..."
"Business?"
Jo looked hard at the screen.
"Yes."
Heather took a breath. "Have you been keeping track of this mess at the
fish markets?"
"Not really, I had
this run to do, and I also handed in an essay today..."
"Well we need you
home tomorrow night."
Jo raised an eyebrow,
and said "Home in midweek?"
"Just
overnight." Sandy called out.
"Dominique wants
you to help her do something."
"Well I suppose I
can fly after my two o'clock class finishes. Coach has excused me
training."
"And you can take an
early flight back the day afterwards."
"I suppose someone
can take notes for me at my English Lit class."
"Good,"
Heather nodded.
"So,” Jo said
quietly, “what does Dom need me to do with her?"
"A bugging and
copying documents thing."
"This French fish
company I take it."
"Yes."
“I’d better read up on
it then. Lay a place for dinner for me –
and don’t tell the kids. It does them
good to be surprised from time to time.”
7 pm
West Central Park
Adam smiled as Jan
stood up, collected his coffee mug and headed for the bathroom.
“Give me ten minutes
and I’ll be ready to go to the show,” she said as she closed the door. Katherine was sitting in the armchair,
working on a cloth as Katy completed her homework on the other couch. Both were casually dressed, in jeans and
jumpers.
Adam debated with
himself for a few seconds, before he said “Katherine, can I ask a – a possibly
sensitive question.”
“Oh, that sounds fun,”
Katy said as she looked up.
"Katherine,” Adam
said a she leaned forward, “what can you tell me about one Lieutenant Alberto
Moletti of the NYPD?"
"Why are you
asking?" Katherine looked up from her crocheting.
"Because we are
working a racketeering case in the fish market, he's working these killings,
and when he and Jan met today it was pretty obvious there was a lot more
history between them then I've been told about."
"Uncle Alberto was
pretty cool," Katy grinned, "I wonder what he'd think of me in my
leather pants and boots today?"
"Do not even go
there young lady," her grandmother warned.
"You know there
are times when you are no fun Gran." Katy grinned.
"So he and Jan did
more then just 'date' a few times?"
"You might say
that Adam." Katherine paused to think what to say next. "Alberto and Jan were a thing for about
6 months..."
"Oh and boy did
they fight at times." Katy interrupted, "but when they made
up..."
"KATY!"
"Sorry Gran."
"Anyway let me
just put it this way Adam,” Katherine said, “they hadn't booked a honeymoon
yet, but they had settled on a church."
"That does sound
serious...so why did they break up?"
"Mom thought Uncle
Alberto was letting a grudge against a perp blind him to the true facts of the
case."
"And as it proved
Jan was right...his ego couldn't take the blow I guess." Katherine stood
up.
“You’re not jealous are
you Uncle Adam?”
“No – just curious more
than anything...”
“Right – let’s go,” Jan
said as she came back in.
“Have fun,” Katherine
said as they went out, Katy giggling and shaking her head...
11 pm
Annapolis
Eleanor Ball looked up
from her armchair as she heard the phone ring, and put her book down, making
sure her place was marked as she stood and walked to the handset.
“Hello?”
“Mom? It’s Adam.”
“Adam? Do what do i owe this pleasure?”
“I wanted to make sure
you were all right?”
“Adam, of course I’m
all right – now, what do you want?”
"Mom,” she heard
her son say quietly, “can I ask a favor please?"
"Of course Adam
darling," the Captain cradled the phone in her neck while she reached for
a pen and pad.
"Can you use your
well known sources to tell me anything about one Lieutenant Alberto Moletti of
the NYPD please?"
"You mean
Jan's..."
"Mom how deeply
have you investigated Janice?"
"Oh it's not that
deeply. The name is one I have heard of,
however."
"Well find out what
you can about the Lieutenant please."
"A touch of
jealousy Adam?" Eleanor smiled to herself.
"In a
way...No...Look Mom just find out what you can tell me about him please."
“Of course I will. I’ll give you a call in a day or two, all
right?”
“Thanks Mom,” Adam said
as the call ended, Eleanor smiling as she put the phone down.
“Well, this is going to
be interesting,” she said to herself as she looked for her laptop...
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