The Women in White – Part 2
8 pm
Russian Fishing
“Mr Amkov – welcome,
welcome, we have the table ready for you and your guests.”
“Thank you,” Dimitri
said as he led the group through to a long wooden table, “Please, bring vodka
and something suitable for the little one.”
“Some milk?”
“Excellent,” Dimitri
said as Carina lifted Judith into the high chair.
“This is an interesting
place,” Caroline said as she looked round.
“Indeed – it is
modelled on an old fishing tavern,” Dimitri said as the waiter brought a bottle
of vodka and seven glasses, as well as a glass of milk for Judith.
“Fank ew,” Judith said
as she waited while the waiter poured the clear liquid into the other glasses,
Dimitri handing them round.
"To three
generations of models in the Huntingdown family?" Dimitri made the toast.
"To all of
us," Juliette smiled as she downed the vodka in one shot.
"Oh WOW!"
Mary coughed as the drink went down.
"WOW!" Judith
copied as she drank her little glass of milk.
“Now then, we eat, and
we enjoy the company,” Dimitri said as a woman, with long brown-grey hair, sat
in front of a microphone, a man in traditional costume sitting next to her as
he started to play the balalaika.
“That sounds familiar,”
Juliette said, Dimitri smiling as she started to sing.
Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
And dreamed of all the great things we could do
Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
Then the busy years went rushing by us
We lost our starry notions on the way
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
We'd smile at one another and we'd say
Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days
La la la la...
Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Nothing seemed the way it used to be
In the glass I saw a strange reflection
Was that lonely woman really me
Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days
La la la la...
Through the door there came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh my friend we're older but no wiser
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same
Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days
La la la la...
“A beautiful song,”
Mary said as the room applauded.
“A very old one,” Dimitri
said, “I remember listening to it with my wife in East Berlin once. We could hear it over the wall from
somebody’s house.”
As the starters were
brought in, Juliette turned to the photographer.
"Dimitri did you
find that special thing I asked you about?"
"I did Juliette,”
he said with a smile, “but can I ask why the mystery, and who are the pretty
young ladies in the pictures you sent me?"
"It's a belated
Christmas present from a friend of mine to her mother, the pictures are of her
and her two daughters."
"Oh now I
understand, but surely she could have found one in New York?"
"She searched high
and low, but could she find a heart locket that allowed three pictures to be
displayed?"
"Well then I'm
glad I was able to help."
"I'd remembered
seeing one here in Russia years ago, so I thought I'd ask if you could find
one."
"Well I found also
one for my daughter to hold pictures of her children."
"That sounds
good."
"To families and
friends," Dimitri clinked glasses in a toast.
“This is certainly good
food,” Helen said as she ate another forkful, and then looked round.
“Yelena Fedorovna, chto
na samom dele vy?” the tall, thin, dark-haired man with the neatly trimmed
moustache asked as he passed by the table escorting two pretty women with long legs.
“K sozhaleniyu ya
znayu, chto vy?” Helen tilted her head, there was something vaguely familiar
about this man, but where from.
“Nu, ya dostatochno
chasto tantsevala s vami, kogda vy byli malen'koy devochkoy.”
“Do I need to make an
introduction?” Dimitri asked in English, with more than an amused look in his
eye.
“Please Dimitri.”
“Helen York meet Andre
Kannenikov.”
“Oh dear Lord!” Helen
threw her hand to her mouth first, then leapt into the man’s arms. “UNCLE
ANDRE!”
“Uncle?” the Russian
man laughed, “now that is even more insulting than you not remembering me
Yelena.”
“Everybody,” Helen
said, “meet Andre Kannenikov, he was my mother’s greatest dance partner.”
“A pleasure,” he bowed
from the waist, “and this is Ekaterina and Lizzy, two of the dancers who study
under me at the academy.”
The two girls curtseyed
as they talked to each other.
“So now you are
teaching other dancers Uncle?”
“Well, age catches up
with us all eventually,” Andre said with a smile.
“A friend gave me a
wonderful present, a film of you and her dancing in Stockholm.”
“Ah yes – a truly great
performance. But on to other matters - Since
when did you become Helen York?"
"Well the York
came from my wonderful step-father, and Helen was because English speakers had
difficulty with Yelena."
"Tell me... Was she happy in the west?"
"Yes," Helen
looked sad, "but it was for far too short a time, first her cancer, and
then my father's murder." her voice tailed off.
"I understand,"
Andre patted her hand. "So do you
dance?"
"A little, but I
also practice martial-arts."
"I am
impressed."
"Well both use
similar muscles," she blushed.
"And your
job?"
"I work as chief
assistant to the boss of Huntingdown's in Hong Kong, Juliette is my overall
boss you could say. We manufacture and export clothes, accessories and
fabrics."
"I am impressed
again... So why are you here in St
Petersburg?"
"We are shooting a
fashion spread and I'm acting as wardrobe mistress, Juliette needed a couple of
Russian speakers so Marina who is my assistant in Hong Kong, and I got dragged
along."
“And this would be
Juliette, I take it?”
“An honour, Mister
Kannenikov,” Juliette said as he kissed her hand, “I remember seeing you dance in
New York. This is my daughter Carina,
and my granddaughter Judith, Caroline Jameson and Mary Clarke, my fellow
models.”
“A pleasure to meet all
of you,” Andre said with a genuine smile.
“Well, do not let me keep you from your meal. Yelena, keep in touch.” He handed her a card, and kissed her on both
cheeks, before heading to his table.
“Your mother was a
ballet dancer?” Mary said as she looked at Helen.
“She was one of the
greatest,” Helen said quietly, “but she wanted me to grow up in freedom. When my father died, she finally managed to
escape to the west, and married my stepfather, Bruce York.”
“And Andre?”
“Ah Andre,” Helen said
with a smile. “He was the best friend
and partner my mother ever had. He
taught me my first steps...” Her mind
went back to her childhood, before the fear, before the flight...
“Your main courses.”
“Are you all right,”
Marina whispered to Helen in Cantonese as she looked at the far table.
“Yes – it was a lifetime
ago.”
"He's very
handsome," Mary spoke.
"Is he?"
Helen paused, "I suppose he is, but he was always a friend to us, I'm not
sure my Mother ever thought of him romantically."
"Is he gay or
straight?" Carina asked as she wiped Judith's mouth.
"You know I never
asked." Helen shook her head. "Dimitri probably knows."
"I do,” Dimitri
said, “but I'm not telling such innocent ears as yours ladies. Eat, eat!"
"I've never asked
Dimitri but did you know my parents?"
"I'd met your
father, your real father, a couple of times Helen, but I never met your mother,
though I did see her dance. I was based in Moscow back in those days, and even
though I had more freedom then most, the Leningrad and Moscow artistic circles
rarely mixed."
"It was that sort
of thing she hated." Helen shook her head, "Mama just got tired of
being told all the time what she was to dance and when, she wanted the freedom
to make her own artistic decisions."
"In Russia she was
seen as a great classic ballerina."
"I know Dimitri, but
she wanted to experiment with other forms of dance, she especially wanted to
experiment with jazz music."
"Experimentation
once you were in a niche was usually frowned upon."
"You know I've
read about the Soviet era," Carina shook her head, "but only as
history, you guys lived it."
"I'm the same, it
was history when I was in school." Mary relished the salmon's taste.
"To my generation
it is history," Alexei said from where he was sitting gazing at Mary.
"But I know we are taught different things then you are in the west."
"How can you
be?" Carina asked "History is History."
"Not here in
Russia," Dimitri chuckled, "we have an old proverb, 'nobody can
change the future, but the past may be changed in infinite ways."
“Our equivalent,”
Caroline said, “is that History is written by the winners. It’s why it is important to take all views
into consideration.”
“Very true my dear,”
Dimitri said, “Very true.”
10 pm Local Time
“I need to get Judith up
to bed,” Carina said as she carried the sleeping girl in.
“I’m going to turn in
as well,” Mary said.
“Me three – see you
girls in the morning?”
“We won’t be long,”
Helen said, “we have to discuss things for early tomorrow morning. Caroline, can you spare a few minutes?”
Caroline looked at
Helen and Marina, and said “of course.”
“You’d better come as
well, Marina,” Helen said, the three women walking towards the bar where Viktor
was sitting.
“Caroline, my dear, it
is so good to see you again,” he said as they came over, “A drink?”
“It’s late and I’m
tired Weasel,” Caroline said as she sat down.
“This, by the way, is Marina. She
is Helen’s assistant – in every way.”
Viktor looked at the
young woman and said “I see – in every way?”
“In every way that
matters,” Marina said as she sat down.
“So – Gromyko?”
“I spoke with the head
– he offers his apologies. Had he known
this was under Madame’s umbrella, they would have stayed away.”
“Excellent – do inform
the other heads this is off limits.”
“I have done – your
worry is there are some young bucks,” Viktor said quietly as he slipped a sheet
of paper over. “You may wish to keep an
eye out for them – freelance, may try something.”
“Very respectful Viktor
– thank you,” Caroline said quietly. “Helen,
Marina, would you give me a moment with Viktor please.”
“Of course,” Helen said
as she and Marina went to the corridor, Caroline moving over to sit next to the
Weasel as she placed her hand on his lap.
"Now Weasel that I
have you alone, what have you really been hearing?" Dominique asked.
"That some younger
elements might be interested in kidnapping a model and ransoming back to the
magazine."
"Is that why you
were really at the airport this morning...and remember I can call Helen back
into the room."
Viktor blanched at that
thought, he knew enough of 'Silent Death' to know she would kill him without
batting an eyelid as he slowly nodded.
"So I presume that
you told them about Mary?"
"No..." he
screamed as Dom squeezed his testacles, "Alright yes I did."
"Figures, creeps
like you can always spot the weakest member of the herd. Well, congratulations Viktor – you just got
hired as a bodyguard, and if anyone – ANYONE – tries anything like that, they
will not only face me, and Helen, and Marina – their families will as well.
“Once we have finished
with you."
“Then you must
prepare,” Viktor said, “for the word is they may do it tonight.”
Caroline stared for a
moment at him, before she said “be at the Hermitage museum tomorrow, Weasel –
and pray we stop this.”
“Yyyyyyessss...”
Standing quickly up,
Caroline walked out of the bar, leaving the Weasel groaning as Helen and Marina
looked at her.
“We’ve got a problem –
we need to talk to Juliette...”
10.30 pm Local Time
“Oh wonderful - and I
thought this was going to be a routine modelling job." Juliette sighed.
"So did I."
Carina looked up from making sure Judith was asleep. “Are you sure?”
“It’s not unheard of,”
Juliette said, “but at least you found out.
Who is this character anyway?”
“Viktor? We used him last time I was here – and Helen
and I will deal with him personally.
Right now, we need to move and move fast.”
Juliette thought for a
moment, and then looked up. "Okay
Caroline, girls, do what you must, but just make sure that no hotel staff,
innocent bystanders, or especially Mary know anything about it."
"Can I use deadly
force?"
"As long as all
evidence of it disappears."
"So I can't?"
"Carina darling,”
Juliette said, “you leave far too much mess, and Diana isn't here to clean
up."
"How good are you
with bare hands Carina?" Marina asked.
"Pretty hopeless,
now with a gun or a knife..."
"Yes but they
leave evidence," Helen joined the chat, "Cari just for once you maybe
ought to lay low..."
"And miss out on
the fun entirely?" Cari smiled, "Helen you know me better than
that."
“We will see – so,
plan?”
“The only one we have a
chance of implementing in time. Marina?”
“On it – meet me there
in thirty,” Marina said as she walked out of the room, and knocked on Mary’s
door.
Mary was having a glass
of water when she heard the knock.
Walking over, she looked through the spyhole and opened it to see Marina
standing there.
“Mary, I hate to do
this to you,” Marina said apologetically, “but the hotel has warned us of a cut
to the heating in the rooms on this side of the hotel. Juliette wants you and me to swap rooms, so
you get a good night’s sleep.”
“Typical hotel,” Mary
said with a smile, “at least they warned us.
Are you happy to do this Marina?”
“Hey, I’m from the UK –
we like the cold. Grab your toilet bag
and follow me – you should be all right for coming here to change tomorrow.”
Marina waited as Mary
put on a dressing gown and collected her things, her eyes darting from side to
side before she quickly walked Mary over and let her into her own room. “I’ll make sure the alarm call is diverted to
this room,” Marina said, Mary nodding as she closed the door and walked back
down the corridor.
A few moments later,
she heard a quiet knock on Mary’s door, opening it to let Helen in.
“Okay,” her mentor said
as she closed the door, “we have the plan sorted out – you and I are going to
wait here until they strike, and then...”
Friday 8th January
2 am Local Time
The room was in
darkness, the only light coming from the digital clock as the green figures glowed
to show the hour. Under the covers the
young model was sleeping, the duvet cover rising and falling gently as she
breathed in and out.
It was the slightest of
clicks, as the room door was opened, and the three men walked in. They wore dark boiler suits, and even in the
dim light cast by the corridor lights the stockings pulled down over their
heads were visible. As the door closed,
the trio paused for a moment, to allow their eyesight to adjust to the darkness
of the room, and then took up their positions around the bed, nodding to each
other as one of them produced a handgun, and a second one reached down to pull
the duvet cover back.
The third man was watching,
a small bag in his hand, in which was the rope and tape they planned to use to
keep their ‘guest’ quiet and under their control. He didn’t hear the soft footstep behind him,
or sense until it was too late the woman coming closer, until he suddenly said
“Uk.”
“Chto eto,” the second
intruder whispered as he turned to look, but the third intruder could only
stare at him, before he slumped silently to the ground. As this happened, the man holding the duvet
suddenly felt it move, but before he could respond he felt the duvet move, as
the pistol was kicked out of the hand of the first man, and he crumpled to the
ground.
“Delo vy chuvstvuyete,”
he heard a female voice behind him say in Russian, “eto tonkiy, ostryy nozh ,
kotoryy mozhet ochen' legko vvesti vas i rip vashe selezenki shiroko otkryty .
Yedinstvennaya prichina, on ne sdelal tak , chtoby izbezhat' krovoprolitiya ,
tak chto vy sobirayetes' delat' imenno to, chto ya govoryu.”
“I ... I eto?”
“Krik v tishine,” Helen
said as she pressed on his shoulder, and his face contorted under the stocking
into a silent scream of pain, before he too slumped to the floor. As he did so, Marina pushed down with her
hands on the throat of the armed ma, until he fell silent.
“Is he still alive?”
Marina pressed her
fingers to the side of his neck and nodded as Caroline and Carina came in, both
dressed in black.
“They must have had a
getaway vehicle somewhere,” Helen said as she looked at the first man she had
touched. He stared back at her as she
pulled the stocking off with her gloved hand.
“Tell me where the car
is and you live. Do not and you die at
my hand. Speak or say goodbye to this
life.”
He looked at the four
women, and said “underground car park – black Daimler. Who... Who are you?”
“Your worst nightmare,”
Caroline said as Marina looked in the bag, and took out several black
zipties. “How unoriginal – you three
secure them. I’ll deal with the fourth
person – we may need their car later.”
2.30 am Local Time
It gets very cold on St
Petersburg at night, and especially so in the winter, as the heavy set man
behind the wheel of the Daimler thought.
He had kept the car running, partly to keep the heater going, but mainly
because once his three companions had brought their guest down, he wanted to
get off quickly.
She had seen the photo
– so young and innocent. He hoped he had
the chance to get to know her better while she stayed with them – but then, eh
knew the other three would as well.
Still, at least there would
be vodka and...
He saw the lift finally
start to come down, and got out of the car, the breath condensing as soon as it
left his mouth as he opened the trunk, cleared especially for the comfort of
their guest.
He laughed at that –
the comfort of his...
The twist on his neck
was sudden, firm, and the crack unmistakable as Caroline stood behind him. Lifting him as if he were a pillow, she
dropped him into the trunk of the car, his eyes looking out at an impossible
angle to the rest of his body, before she slammed the lid down, turned off the
engine and locked the car, throwing the keys up and catching them before she
went back to the lift.
She paused outside
Marina’s door, listening to make sure Mary had not been disturbed, and then
knocked softly on the other bedroom door.
As she walked in, Marina closed the door behind her, as she looked
towards the side of the bed.
The three men were
staring at her, their wrists ziptied behind their backs, their ankles secured
in the same way, as Helen and Carina stood over them, Two of them were still silent, their faces
contorted in pain, but the third one was staring at the dark clad woman.
“A kto iz vas synov'ya
sobak govorit' po-angliyski?”
The man looked at her,
and spat as he said “Pochemu sprosite vy, - i kto ty takoy, chtoby delat' eto s
nami?”
“What did he say?”
“He asked who we were,
and why did we do what we did,” Helen said as she looked at him. “Shall I tell him?”
“Oh why not,” Carina
said, “I could do with a laugh before I begin.”
Kneeling in front of
him, Helen smiled and said “YA Tikhaya Smert' - a eto moi druz'ya. V proshlom
godu my byli nauchit' sem'i Boronov urok - teper', eto vasha ochered'.”
“And that was the
reaction I expected,” Carina said as she heard the quiet trickle, and saw the
damp patch on his trousers as they sat on the carpet.
“You... You are Silent Death?”
“Ah excellent – you do
speak English, that makes this much easier,” Helen said with a smile, “allow me
to introduce my friends, because you may wish to remember this in the next few
minutes. My protégé, Mongoose.”
Marina gave a low bow,
before Helen continued, “this fine lady you may recognise as Caroline Jameson,
but you know of her under another name – Dominique. As for my third friend – well, she remains anonymous,
unless...”
“Oh it’s all right,”
Carina said lightly, “I don’t mind, because they are not going to leave here
and reveal this to anyone. They call me
Miss Lynx.”
“Net - ne ona , a ne
psikhopat kisa ...”
“Did he say what I
think he just said?”
“He did,” Marina said
with a little smile. She looked at the
other two, whose eyes were moving over the three women. “So, which of you big boys is going to be
first?”
“Please, we meant no
harm. We are... AAAHHHHHHHHH!”
He winced as Carina
used a pair of nail clippers to trim a sliver of skin from his finger, and then
pressed on the wound.
“Now then,” Caroline
said as she stuffed a cloth into his mouth, “if you scream like that again I
will kill you. If you do not answer my
questions to my satisfaction, not only will I kill you my friend here will do
what she just did again.
“So nod for yes, shake
your head for no. Are you here on behalf
of one of the families?”
His eyes wide with
fear, Caroline watched as they then narrowed, and he said nothing – only to
scream in agony again as Carina touched the open wound.
“I asked a question,”
Caroline said, “are you working for one of the families?”
The would-be kidnapper
started sweating as he shook his head from side to side.
“Much better,” Helen
said as she squatted in front of him.
“Do the three of you work alone?”
He nodded, Helen
smiling as she pressed on the side of the neck and listened to his muffled
scream. “You are lying – I have dealt
with your driver. Who else do you work
for?”
“NNNNENEELSSSS!”
“So the four of you
worked alone?”
He nodded as Carina
snipped skin from a second finger, smiling as he screamed at the fresh wound
being touched.
“You happy to continue
explaining our displeasure to him, Miss Lynx?”
“Oh yes,” Carina said
with a grin, as Caroline hauled the second kidnapper to his feet, and Helen
gently touched him on the shoulder.
“What... What did you do to me?”
“Your concern,” Helen
said quietly, “is to answer my friend’s questions honestly.”
“Do you have any other
‘guests’ at this time?”
The man glanced at his
colleague, who was whimpering as Carina continued to torture him, and nodded.
“Where?”
“If I tell you, I will
die...”
“Little man – you are
going to die anyway. Die with honour,
and say where they are held. Then their
deaths will not be on your hands.”
He glanced at the other
three women, as Marina walked behind her, and said “They are in an abandoned
warehouse at the docks, two guards.
Please...”
“Mongoose?”
Carina looked over and
watched as Marina pulled a silk scarf taut, and then wrapped it round his
throat, pulling it around his neck as his eyes widened and a strange gurgling
noise came from his throat. Marina
remained impassive as she pulled tighter, until his head fell to one side.
“BSTRDSDSSSS!!!”
“You live by the sword,
you die by the sword,” Carina said quietly as she watched Helen walk to the
third kidnapper, and then pushed her gloved hand between the legs of the man,
feeling his bulge as she squeezed hard and she moaned.
“Miss Lynx, observe
this please.”
Carina watched, feeling
the burning in her own loins as Helen knelt down, and looked into the eyes of
the man, the tears running down his cheeks as she gently pressed on the side of
his neck, and he gurgled before his head fell forward.
“Direct pressure on the
Jugular?”
“Precisely – which
brings us to our friend here. I know
your tastes, Miss Lynx, but here I think something more subtle is needed.”
She drew from her
pocket a small metal icepick, and said “I will show you where.”
Carina took the small
blade, and watched as Helen massaged the side of his neck.
“Now.”
She drove the pick
straight through, feeling his body go limp as he died instantly – but there was
no sign of blood round the wound as she removed the weapon.
“What did I do?”
“Bypassed the vein and
arteries, and severed the nerve instead.”
“So how do we get the
bodies out of here?”
“One at a time,”
Caroline said as she looked at the door.
“The car they came in?”
“Downstairs, there’s
someone in the boot, but I have the keys.”
“Okay then – Marina,
take the keys and find the car. We do
this as quietly as possible,” she said as she removed the cloth from the mouth
of the kidnapper, “and then we clean and tidy in here. I’m going to make a phone call.”
“The Weasel?”
“The police first –
they need to release whoever else they have.
I’ll dispose of the car – and then get a couple of hours sleep. What about you lot?”
“Not a chance,” Carina
said as she looked at the three men.
“Look at them – they suffered, they died, and there is no sign.”
“Except for that damp
patch on the carpet – I’ll see if I can find some cleaner for that.”
“And this Weasel?”
“Our problem,” Helen
said as she looked at Carina. “Thank you
for your help tonight.”
“Oh it was fun – I
learned something new,” the small woman said with a grin.
“We got a problem,”
Marina said as she came back in. “The
lift to the car park has been closed off for repairs.”
“Great,” Caroline said
as she looked round, “what am I going to do now?”
“We’ll put them in my
room for now,” Helen said as Marina walked to the window.
“Hey – will you look at
that?”
The others walked over
as Helen whistled. “Let’s get them to my
room, and then I’ll grab a bottle while we head to the roof.”
4.15 am Local Time
“It has been so long
since I have seen this, I must have been a toddler,” Helen said as she shipped
her drink.
“Truly amazing,” Marina
said, “nature in its greatest majesty.
The way the lights are dancing and moving.”
Caroline nodded as she
took some pictures with her camera, the Aurora Borealis dancing over the roofs
of the town as the four women watched.
“Judith would have
loved to have seen this,” Carina said as she pulled her coat around herself.
“She would – but better
she sleeps Carina. We’ll just have to
hope that the others get a chance to see this tomorrow night.”
“Well, if we are going
to have a long night, this is certainly the way to do this,” Marina said as she
sat down.
“Indeed,” Caroline
said. “but we all did good tonight –
never forget that.”
They sat in silence as
the bands of light danced over the sky, lost in wonder and strangeness...
6 am Local Time
“Hello,” Mary said as
she picked up the telephone.
“Good morning, this is
your alarm call...”
“Thank you,” Mary said
as she put the phone down and stretched.
“Best night’s sleep I’ve had in a while,” she thought as she got out of
the bed, and went to the toilet. After flushing,
she put on her dressing gown and walked back to her own room, knocking quietly
on the door.
“Hey,” Marina said as
she opened the door, “come away in. I
was just mopping up some spilt water.”
“You don’t have to do
that,” Mary said as she closed the door, watching as Marina dabbed the floor
with her wet cloth.
“No – my mess, my
clean,” Marina said as she stood up.
“Besides, you need to start getting ready – you have that press
interview to do with the ladies, and I need to grab a quick shower.”
“Okay – see you in a
few minutes,” Mary said as Marina collected her key card and headed out,
leaving Mary’s on the table. Looking
round, she sniffed the air and said “what did she spill?” before she headed to
the shower.
6.30 am Local Time
“What’s the report
about,” Caroline said as she joined Juliette and Helen in Juliette’s room.
“Police found three
kidnapped young women in an abandoned warehouse down at the docs,” Helen said,
“and arrested three men. Anonymous
tipoff apparently. They’re also
announcing your press conference in an hour.”
“Great,” Carina said as
she yawned.
“Long night?”
“Busy one.”
Juliette smiled as she
said “I take it you three know nothing about this?”
“Who, us?”
“Yes, you,” Juliette
said, “how many?”
“Four.”
"Girls I want all
evidence disposed of in a way that there is no way of tracing it back to
us." Juliette smiled, "Now where are the corpses?"
“Well, one of them is
in the trunk of a car downstairs that a certain contact of mine is coming to
collect in half an hour,” Helen said as Caroline walked out.
“And the other three?”
“Well...”
“Helen?”
“At the moment, they’re
in my room, but while you do the interview I need to move them – my room is
going to be the first to be cleaned.”
“Moved? Where to...
Oh no, Judith, Carina...”
“You two and Mary are
first up this morning, in the lobby, before we go to the museum. That’s our window of opportunity.”
“Aren’t you meant to be
downstairs?”
“Over to Marina and
Caroline then. Caroline is downstairs
right now.”
“Caroline?”
“Hello Weasel,”
Caroline said as she stepped out, “catch.”
She threw a set of car
keys his way, and as he caught them said “Daimler over there. Lose it, then meet me back here.”
“May I ask what
happened last night?”
“Ask the guy in the
trunk – he has a splitting neck ache though.
Don’t take too long.”
8.15 am
“Ladies and gentlemen,
the press conference is now over. Thank
you for your time...”
As Marina talked to the
assembled press, Juliette and Carina walked holding Judith’s hands, Caroline
and Mary behind them.
“Well, that was
interesting,” Mary said with a smile, “when is breakfast?”
“Nine – you’ve got time
to change.” Caroline watched as the tall
blonde walked to her room, the skin tight leather pants rippling with each
step, before she followed Juliette into the bedroom.
“Well?”
“Don’t open the wardrobe,”
Helen said with a smile, “or look under the bed. I just texted Marina to get a laundry basket
and sneak it up here.”
"Caroline this is
like a bad farce, bodies in the wardrobe, a body under the bed, what next - a
priest comes running through my room without his pants on?"
"Orthodox or
Catholic?"
"Does it
matter?" Juliette rolled her eyes.
"Only in that most
Orthodox priests do not wear pants."
Juliette looked at
Caroline, and then burst out laughing.
“Gramma funny,” Judith
said as she looked at her grandmother.
“Oh you have no idea,”
Carina said as she tickled her daughter’s tummy.
There was a knock on
the door, as Helen opened it and Marina wheeled in the trolley.
“Where to?”
“Wardrobe,” Helen said,
Marina wheeling it to the inner room as Helen stepped out for a minute.
“I’m going to get
ready,” Juliette said as she headed to the bathroom. A few moments later, there was a knock on the
door, Marina coming out and walking past Juliette as she opened the door and
talked quietly.
“Problem?”
Marina closed the door,
shaking her head. “Damn – and I had two
sorted out...”
"You've got two of
them in a laundry basket Marina?"
"Yes," the
Londoner hissed back, "but the maid saw me wheeling it in, and now she's
going to take the dirty linen downstairs to wash."
"Oy," Ju
looked towards heaven as she came out, "I'll distract the maid, you find
something else to carry them out in."
"Like what?"
"I don't know, get
inventive."
“Okay – got an idea,
but they’ll need to go in the bathroom,” Marina said as she ran to the bedroom,
and pushed the trolley through, while Juliette opened the door and spoke to the
maid.
“My apologies,” Marina
said a minute later as she pushed the trolley out, “here is the dirty linen.”
The maid thanked her
and wheeled the trolley out as Marina breathed a sigh of relief.
“Where are they,”
Carina asked.
“In the bath – Helen,
can we get one of the covered racks up here for this afternoon, and do a swap
for an hour or two?”
“I’ll get on it – good
thinking,” Helen said as she left the room.
“I meant to ask
something last night, Marina – Mongoose?”
“Oh – that,” Marina
said with a blush. “Both the Honoured
Mistress and Helen felt it was time Kylie and I had code names for our
extra-curricular activities. I am Māo
yòu and Kylie is Tiān'é.”
“So you are Mongoose,
and Kylie is?”
“Swan,” Juliette
said. “Rather appropriate, Catherine
thought.”
“It is actually,”
Caroline said with a grin.
“Well, even if we get
them out of the room,” Carina said, “what are we going to do with the bodies?”
“Here – this isn’t
needed until tonight,” Helen said as she wheeled in the covered clothes rack.
“Good – we hang the
coats in the wardrobe, and put them in here,” Marina said as she and Catherine
went into the bathroom.
"You know if I
could get them to the furnace, we can maybe incinerate them?" asked Helen.
"No go, do you
know how hot it has to be to burn a body?"
"No," Helen
looked at Carina.
"Between 1,400 and
1,600 degrees Celsius, I think the guests might start complaining if their
rooms got that hot...even here in Russia."
"Okay, Okay, it
was only a suggestion Miss Genius...Do you have a better idea?"
“Anyone know a good
acid bath?”
Helen looked at the
young model, and slowly shook her head as the coat trolley was wheeled to the
bathroom.
As the door was closed,
the telephone rang and Juliette picked it up.
“Hello? Yes this is Juliette Huntingdown?
“Well, if it is
possible to wait ten minutes...
“He’s on his way up
now,” she said as she watched Helen and Marina wheel the clothes trolley out,
and there was a knock on the door.
“Who the hell is that
now?”
“An engineer – come to
check the plumbing. Carina, we need to
distract him so that we can get the body out from under here.”
“Oh dearest
Artemis... Keep him talking for five
minutes,” Carina said as she kissed Carina and dived into the bathroom, the
water running furiously after that.
“If anyone has Ray
Clooney’s number, call him,” Caroline said.
“Who’s Ray Clooney?”
“Later,” Caroline said
as Helen opened the door. A tall
stockily built man came in, wearing a boiler suit and said “plumbing needs
fixing.”
“Well, it’s not exactly
a convenient time,” Juliette said as she sat with Judith, Caroline closing the
door.
“Fix now, good later,”
he said as he walked over to the bathroom, Marina and Helen watching as she
opened the door and looked in.
“Oh hello, can I help
you?”
Juliette walked over to
the bathroom door, as Caroline pulled the third body from under the bed and
pushed it into the trolley, Helen closing it noiselessly.
“So... So sorry, miss, I come back later.”
“Oh – the view not to
your liking?”
“Sorry, sorry,” he said
as he backed up and walked sheepishly out.
“We need to get this
trolley down to the room now,” Helen said as she and Marina wheeled it out,
Caroline smiling as she said “see you downstairs in ten.”
"I said distract
him darling, not give him an eternal harden." Juliette spoke as she shook
her head.
"Hey well at least
I had the quick thought that if I undressed and dived in the bath he might well
be distracted and give the girls a chance to get the body out?"
"It wasn't the
nudity, it was what you were doing with that loofah that will warp his
mind."
“Yeah – fun,” Carina
said.
“Momma wet?”
“Yup,” Judith said with
a smile, “I’ll be ready in five, mom.”
There was a tap on the
door as Juliette looked in the spy hole, and opened it to let Mary in.
“Has everyone else gone
for breakfast?”
“I think so – Carina?”
“I’ll follow you down,
can you take Judith for me?”
“Is she all right?”
“Yeah – Judith was a
little sick, so she needs to change,” Juliette said as she picked her
granddaughter up. “Shall we?”
10 am Local Time
“Ah ladies,” Dimitri
said as the women walked into the ballroom, “are we rested and ready to begin?”
“So long as you don’t
mind swapping us with magazine interviews,” Juliette said.
“Of course, Helen?”
“Mary, Carina, can you
come with me and bring Judith – we have some fox fur jackets for you both first
today.”
“That – was close,”
Juliette whispered to Caroline as they watched.
“Thank you for stopping it – seriously, thank you.”
"Kidnapping has
long been one of the Russian mobster's favourite businesses Juliette. They grab
someone related to someone they know has money and squeeze."
"I had read about
it, I just didn't expect to experience it."
"Well it's my
fault and I take full blame, I was overconfident in mine and Helen's talents,
we should have booked bodyguards."
"But haven't I
read that the bodyguards are often in with the kidnappers?"
"It has
happened." Caroline shook her head. "Just be glad that I read that
weasel Viktor's body language correctly, we were able to avoid a real
incident."
"Not quite yet, or
at least until you dispose of these bodies. Have you thought of putting them in
the river?"
"Yes, but the ice
is too thick."
“So what are you going
to do?”
“Me - nothing,”
Caroline said as she took out her cell phone.
“The shithead who got us into this mess, on the other hand – ah Viktor,
where are you?
“Neat and pressed? Good – get back here with a suitable vehicle
– you’ve got three to pick up in a luggage trolley.”
“Helen?”
“Can you come with me
please Carina – Marina is helping Mary with an interview, so I get to be your
translator.”
“Of course,” Carina
said as she walked with her to a side room, the hairdresser playing with Judith
as Juliette and Caroline posed for Dimitri.
“Where are they?”
“Awaiting
collection. Just be thankful that back
home your Aunt Diana does all this." Helen whispered to Carina.
"Yes it's not as
easy as it looks is it?"
"Nope."
"Anyway what am I
going to be asked about here?"
"Mainly how you
juggle life as a student, mother, and successful model."
"That sounds fair
enough." Carina nodded.
"The magazine is
one of those that appeals to young, aspirational, young women."
"Got it."
"So expect
questions about time management as well as things about your clothes, your
car..."
"Okay,"
Carina stood up as a well-dressed young woman in her late twenties approached.
"Hello," the
woman shook hands.
"You must be Anna
Burnova?" Helen shook hands.
"Sorry I speak
only little English."
" Eto ne problema.
YA perevedu vashi slovo Karina , a zatem obratno k vam."
“Please,” Carina said
as she indicated an armchair, the journalist sitting opposite her as Helen sat
between them. Anna took a recorder out
of her bag, and set it down before she smoothed her skirt down.
"Takim obrazom,
Karina vy mozhete, pozhaluysta, obyasnite dlya moikh chitateley, pochemu vy
nakhodites v Rossii?"
"She's asking why
you are here?" Helen translated.
"Well principally
we are shooting a fashion spread for Complete Style magazine, featuring lots of
wonderful fur coats."
"My snimayem mody
rasprostraneniye dlya ‘Complete Style’ zhurnala, pokazyvaya mnogo zamechatel'nykh
pal'to iz mekha" .
"Da? On budet
poyavlyat'sya zdes, v Rossii?"
"She's asking will
it appear in Russia?"
"Only in the
existing European editions I think."
"Eto dolzhno by tv
izdaniyakh na angliyskom i frantsuzskom zhurnala."
Gradually Carina
relaxed, it was a fairly routine interview and it took her mind off the bodies. Helen was an excellent translator, keeping
the conversation going until the time was up.
“Thank you,” Anna said
as she shook Carina’s hand, and then walked off.
"Well do you think
she got what she wanted?"
"Yes from the way
she was talking she was more than happy with what you gave her. I think she
loved the story about your Maserati and the speeding tickets. For girls over
here being a model, and driving a Maserati are dreams they all seem to
have."
“Good – now back to the
matter at hand. How do we get rid of the
bodies?”
“That is about to
happen,” Helen said as she saw Viktor standing in the doorway, dressed as a
porter. “You – come here.”
“Miss York – you
called?”
“Yes – take the items
in this rack,” she said as she pulled a closed off rack over, “and have them
cleaned thoroughly. They need to be at
the Hermitage museum by three – understood?”
Viktor nodded as he
signalled to a young man, the two of them wheeling the rack off as Caroline
came over.
“Isn’t he the man I saw
at the airport yesterday,” Mary said as she joined them.
“Don’t think so – let’s
grab a drink while Dimitri is setting up.”
2 pm Local Time
The Hermitage Museum
“Here you go,” Juliette
said as she passed Mary a bottle of water, watching as Caroline was on a bench
with Judith, the two of them wearing fur bomber jackets as Caroline pointed out
the pictures to the young girl, and Sergei worked his way round them.
“I cannot thank you
enough for this opportunity, Miss Huntingdown...”
“Juliette, Mary – On
this trip, I’m the model, not the boss.”
“Sorry – but seriously
Juliette, this has been amazing. I’m
even starting to believe that...”
“That?”
“That this could be a
real job. But I’m not ready to give up
my chambermaid job – not yet anyway.”
“That’s fine,” Juliette
said with a smile, “but when the time comes, Missy and I will support you every
step of the way. All of us will.”
“Thanks – you have to
understand this is still all a dream to me.”
“Well, time to wake
up,” Juliette said as Carina walked Judith over, “you’re up.”
4 pm Local Time
“And I believe we are
done for today,” Sergei said as he looked over.
“Ladies, a pleasure once again.
We meet tomorrow at seven for the last shoot?”
“Indeed Sergei – we
should have checked out of the hotel by then, and we’ll catch the early sun.”
“Excellent – clear up
everyone...”
"Mary do you want
to go buy some things to take home to your family?" Helen offered.
"Oh yes I suppose
I should," the Californian smiled as she looked round.
"I can show you a place to get great things cheaper," Alexei volunteered. “It is a short distance from here.”
"Well I like that
word cheaper."
"Mary you can
afford better quality you know."
"I know Juliette,
but I still like being frugal. So Helen are you ready?"
“I am – Caroline,
Marina, interested.”
“I have some business
to take care of – but you go Marina.”
“I’d love to,” Marina
said as she pulled her coat on. “What
are the plans for dinner tonight?”
“Let’s meet in the
hotel lobby at eight,” Juliette said as the four young people went off.
“Helen and Marina will
watch her,” Caroline said, “excuse me a moment.”
She walked slowly to a
side door, where a thin, dark haired man was standing nervously.
“Viktor, how lovely to
see you,” she said, smiling as she took him by the arm and walked him along the
corridor.
“It is so good to see
you as well, Caroline,” Viktor said, but the smile was fixed as she looked
round, and then pushed him into a side room, closing the door behind them.
“Well?”
“I called in a favour –
let us see the men have taken a trip into the Baltic and are enjoying a
swim. My dear Dominique, you must
understand, had I known...”
“Weasel,” Caroline said
quietly, “the only reason you are still walking this earth is because I like
you, and you have your uses. But so help
me, if you pull a stunt like this with anyone I know, you will be joining those
men at the bottom of the sea – and you’ll still be alive when you go in. Bleeding, but alive. I trust I make myself perfectly clear?”
“As clear as the
river,” Viktor said as he swallowed.
“Good – now get out of
my sight.”
As he ran out of the
room, Carina and Judith walked by and watched.
“Everything all right?”
“Oh yes,” Caroline said
as she closed the door, “for the moment.”
“There you are,”
Juliette said as she walked over.
"Mom we have to
get Judith one of those little fur parkas, she's fallen in love..."
"All in hand
darling, I spoke to the designer and he said take the one she likes most."
"Well that's a
relief."
"So immediate
plans darling?"
"I'm taking little
one for a short sleigh ride...want to come Mom?"
"It's an idea. Where do we go from?"
“If I read it
correctly, we can get a sleigh to come here, and take us round the city before
it deposits us at the hotel.”
“It’s a plan. I’m just going to get a cab back – see you
later.”
“Have fun,” Juliette
said as they walked to the lobby, Carina talking to the woman at the desk
before she came back.
“They’re bringing one
round now,” she said, Judith looking outside until she said “PONIES!”
“That’s right Judith,”
Cari said as the sleigh arrived, pulled by two white horses, “we’re going to
ride back to the hotel in style. Come
on.”
5.30 pm Local Time
“Thank you,” Helen said
as she took the bag and her change.
"Those nesting
dolls are so kitsch." Marina shook her head.
"Well I'm not sure
what that means," Mary smiled as she paid for her purchases, "but my
two little sisters will love them."
"I bought that
book of pictures of gardens for Pepsi's Mom, I know she doesn't speak Russian,
but she will love all those pictures."
"Hey good for you
Marina." Helen high-fived her, "what did you get Kylie?"
"That book with
all the old Russian court dresses in, the text is in part in English, and she's
going to love all the photos."
"I gotta agree
with you Alexei, these prices are a whole lot more reasonable then in the souvenir
shop at the hotel."
Alexei smiled as he
said "I am glad you are happy Mary."
Marina and Helen looked
at each other, before Helen said “Alexei, if you don’t mind being the only man,
why don’t you join us for dinner tonight – our treat.”
Blushing, Alexei said
“well, if you are all willing...”
“Why not – join us,”
Mary said with a smile. “Hadn’t we
better head back to the hotel?”
“Of course – meet us
there at about eight,” Helen said as Alexei bowed and walked off quickly.
“You do know he’s developing
a crush on you Mary,” Marina said as Helen hailed a cab.
“What does that mean,”
Mary said as she looked at the young Londoner.
Shaking her head,
Marina said “Tell you later,” as they jumped in.
7 pm Local Time
“Thank you,” Mary said
as she sat in the chair, smiling as she said “hey Dad.”
“You sound really awake
today?”
“I feel it - I slept really well last night,” Mary said
with a smile. “How’s the weather in San
Fran?”
“Warm and smoggy at the
same time.”
“Did Vicky do her
inhaler?”
“Yes she did – and Tom
says to tell you he got an A- for his report.”
“That’s great.”
"So Mary's how's
it gone?"
"It's gone great
Pop,” Mary said as she stood up and looked out of the window, “I've really
enjoyed myself, and I even got time to do a little souvenir shopping."
"Well the kids
will love that."
"I know. I even got you something."
"So how did your
interviews go?"
"They were nerve
wracking. I'd far rather be posing and learning more about this business from a
great photographer like Dimitri."
"But you did
them?"
"Oh yeah, and
Marina has made arrangements to get copies of everything for you guys to
see."
"So,” her father
said, “looking forward to getting home?"
"Yeah I've got the
weekend in New York to do, but I'm so looking forward to seeing you all, and
telling the girls at work all about this."
"Have you worn the
clothes Miss Culver leant you?"
"Yes, and I've
looked after them carefully. I have to say she did pick out just the right
things."
“She’s a good friend
Mary – lord knows you need more of them.”
“Maybe dad – but Helen
and Marina have really looked after me.
It’s just a pity they’re based in Hong Kong. But all the people here have been great.”
“Well, when will you
next call?”
“I get into New York
early afternoon their time tomorrow, so I’ll call once I’m settled at the
hotel. Miss Huntingdown has already
invited me to join her for dinner tomorrow.”
“Good – safe journey
Mary. We all love and miss you.”
“Not as much as I miss
all of you,” Mary said as she ended the call, and made her way to the bathroom.
10 pm Local Time
The Apartment of Dimitri and Ivana Amkov
“It was good of you to
invite Alexei and I, Juliette – it makes an old man happy. Come in, Come in.”
“Thank you for inviting
us here,” Juliette said as they came into the large entrance hall, “this is
amazing.”
“Indeed – we have
managed to restore the whole apartment to something approaching the former
glory, although gold paint is a little hard to come by, so we had to use Yellow
instead.”
“Dimitri? Is that you?”
“Ah – Ivana my dear, we
have visitors.”
“Oh, who,” the female
voice said, as a tall, broad shouldered woman came out, her grey hair in a
tight bun. She was wearing a simple grey
dress and long boots, and smiled as she said “It is Juliette Huntingdown,
correct?”
“Please forgive the
unexpected visit, Madame Amkov,” Juliette said.
“Ah – Dimitri always
brings his work home. And who is this
delightful little treasure?”
“My granddaughter
Judith – the woman she’s trying to hide behind is my daughter Carina.”
“The tall blonde is
Caroline Jameson, and the slightly smaller one Mary Clarke,” Dimitri said,
“which leaves Helen and Marina, Juliette’s support team.”
“Well, come in come in
– Dimitri, get them a drink and I will arrange some snacks. Alexei, come and
help me.”
“Yes, Babushka,” Alexei
said, Mary smiling at him as he followed his grandmother to the kitchen.
“come, come,” Dimitri
said as they walked in to a high ceilinged room, tastefully furnished with a
selection of couches. “Be seated - I
will bring drinks.”
“This is wonderful,”
Carina said as Judith toddled round, “you really have captured that Romanov
feel. Abigail’s grandmother would love
it.”
“Abigail? Oh, you mean the Countess de Ros senior? Yes, she would like this...”
“I never understood why
the Soviet leaders felt the ordinary Soviet Citizen should have been denied
this,” Caroline said as she accepted the drink.
“Well, what many of you
are too young to remember,” Sergei said, “is the overwhelming desire of the
Politburo to make all citizens equal – and to remove all signs of the former
Tsarist trappings for those who were not in the upper echelons. You have read Orwell, correct?”
“You mean Animal Farm?”
“Indeed – he was a true
visionary on the way our society would evolve.
What is the closing line again?”
“No question now what
has happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to
man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again: but already it was
impossible to say which was which.”
Everyone turned to look
at Mary, as she said “had I gone to college, I would have taken English
Literature as my major. I adore books –
they are my one luxury.”
“Well, you have good
taste, my dear,” Sergei said with a smile, “but Orwell’s point to me was along
the same line as Lord Acton - Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power
corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men. Josef Stalin in that context was a very great
man.”
“But that is all in the
past now,” Ivana said as she and Alexei carried in some trays of food, “we live
in a different age today, despite the way Putin sometimes acts. There you go little one.”
“Thank you,” Judith
said as she accepted the cup of juice and took a drink, then went to look out
of the window.
“So how has my darling
husband behaved himself for the last two days,” Ivana said as she picked up a
blintz, “and more importantly, my grandson?”
“They’ve both been
impeccable gentlemen,” Helen said with a smile.
“Be careful what you
say, my dear,” Sergei said with a grin, “beneath that so so western exterior of
Helen beats a Russian heart.”
“It does?”
Helen nodded as she
said “I was born Yelena Fedoronova, in this city.”
Ivana looked closely at
Helen, and then said “so this is a homecoming for you?”
“In many ways yes – I
always enjoy coming back, even though these days I am based mainly in Hong
Kong.”
“Helen’s real job is as
the personal assistant to my colleague who runs the Hong Kong offices of my company
– Marina works as Helen’s assistant and liaison between them and me in New
York.”
“Ah – so do you speak
Russian as well?”
“Some – my family are Ukrainian
and Polish in origin,” Marina said as she sipped her drink.
“Momma?”
“Yes Judith, what is it,”
Carina said as she looked round.
“Look,” she said as she
toddled over, took her mother’s hand and pointed into the sky, the snowflakes
falling from the sky.
“Is something wrong,”
Juliette said.
“No,” Carina said, “the
Northern Lights are shining.”
“They are? Then we must go and look,” Sergei said as he
stood up. “Coats and shoes on, and then
out to the courtyard.”
“This I have got to
see,” Mary said as they all stood and followed Sergei, the group making their
way out of the apartment and into the outer courtyard. The snow had been falling all evening, as
they all looked up into the night sky, Mary taking pictures, as they stood
entranced.
"Momma look at the
pretties." Judith pointed to the lights blazing in the clear dark sky and
reflecting in the fresh white snow.
"They are
lovely." Carina smiled, for a few seconds she remembered what Lexa had
written in her diary about visiting this city in 1894, and the lovely gas
lights of the period. "Must have been so romantic," she whispered to
herself.
“Truly astounding,”
Sergei said quietly, “and a constant reminder that no matter what we do, nature
will always trump us...”
Saturday 9th January
7 am Local Time
The Four Seasons Hotel
“Well, that’s the hotel
bill settled,” Juliette said as she walked over, “and the cases are in
storage. The coats for today?”
“In the rack over
here,” Helen said as Dimitri and his team walked over.
“These are the garments
for today? Excellent – we shall head to
the gardens and make full use of this beautiful sun. Boris – can we have coffee delivered to the
patio?”
“I will take care of
it,” the concierge said with a bow, as they made their way to the room that had
been reserved.
“We begin,” Sergei
said, “with Juliette, Carina and the gorgeous Judith making a snowman. Ladies – get ready!”
“And for us?”
“Oh I wish you two
beautiful ladies to begin to get ready as well – I see a place for you against
those trees over there...”
Caroline and Mary
looked across the snow covered courtyard, before Mary said “I’m glad I put
these boots on now.”
“Me too – right, let’s
get to the girls...”
10.30 am Local Time
The Four Seasons Hotel
“So my dear Juliette,”
Sergei said as he stood to one side.
“Your verdict?”
“Sergei you are a
miracle worker,” Juliette said as she kissed the old man, “these are
magnificent, and you deserve a bonus.
Anna is going to be over the moon.”
“Then I am content,”
Sergei said with a smile. “I will ensure
Anna gets these by the time you return home.
It has been a true pleasure to finally work with you – all of you.”
“And with you, my
friend,” Juliette said as she kissed Sergei.
“Save travels to you
all – and cherish young Judith. There is
a star in the making there as bright as young Mary.”
“I know,” she said as
she saw Carina playing with Judith, and Mary talking to Alexei with Helen and
Marina.
“Ready to get home,”
Caroline said as she came over.
“Ready to sleep on the
plane, to tell the honest truth,” Juliette said as she looked round.
"Look at Alexei,
he's having such difficulty asking Mary for her e-mail address." Caroline
smiled.
"I know, the poor
boy is totally smitten." Juliette smiled back.
"Well he's a nice
kid, and she's a very nice girl."
"She is, and she's
not going to let this business change her."
"Well Ju have you
seen some of the pictures Dimitri has got of her. I'm predicting superstardom
for Mary."
"Well I'm
convinced of that, you are convinced of that, now the only person we need
convince is Mary."
“Who is doing the shoot
tomorrow?”
“Jack – but you’re busy
all day!”
“I know – but I may pop
round to see her later once the girls have gone their own way.”
On the other side of
the room, Helen watched as Marina organised loading the cases into the car.
"How are you doing
Marina?" She smiled as she came alongside her.
"Tired,” Marina said, “but feeling good that this all worked out so well
Helen."
"Well to quote a
phrase, you done good kid. We’ll get
some sleep on the plane back, and then we have tickets booked on the plane on
Sunday."
"Well,” Marina
said, “I've enjoyed all the various challenges."
"Even the
unexpected ones?"
"Surprisingly
yes." Marina glanced round. "So is everything ready for shipping
out?"
"Yes, all the
paperwork is filed, next step is unloading it in New York."
“Great – I wonder what
they’ve got to eat on the plane.”
“Listen,” Helen said,
“I know your time with us doesn’t end
until the end of May, but have you started to consider future moves.”
“Yeah,” Marina
whispered, “but I don’t want to make any decisions until Kylie decides what she
wants to do.”
“I understand – but you
need to realise something,” Helen said.
“I know the Honoured Mistress speaks highly of you, and you have
impressed not just Juliette and me, but I think others as well.”
“Which means?”
“Your talents are being
recognised in many areas, Marina – be aware of that.”
12 pm Local Time
Pulkovo International Airport
“That’s better,” Mary
said as she stowed her boots in the overhead locker, and sat down, strapping
herself into the seat as she stretched her legs out. “those boots felt wonderful, but I just want
to rest my feet now.”
“I can understand that
feeling,” Carina said as she strapped Judith into her seat, and then sat down
herself, “it’s been an amazing few days, but I am ready to get home now.”
“Poopie?”
“There you go,”
Juliette said as she handed her granddaughter the rabbit, Judith smiling as the
pilot came in.
“We’re all loaded and
cleared Miss Huntingdown – we’ll move off in five minutes.”
“Thank you,” Juliette
said as the steward closed the door, and then strapped himself in.
“So when do we get
back?”
“Between 5 and 6 at
night local time, depending on the wind,” Caroline said.
“Well, i have a couple
of bottles of something nice stowed for when we are airborne,” Juliette said as
the plane started to move, “and a good meal for all of us I hope. Then we can dose for a few hours.”
The group nodded as the
plane slowly taxied to the end of the runaway, and then started accelerating.
“WWHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE”
Judith called out as the plane smoothly took off, and started to climb, leaving
the snow covered ground far behind...
“Ladies, you may now
remove your seatbelts, and we will serve lunch shortly.”
“Good,” Marina said as
she unbuckled herself, the steward opening a bottle of champagne and pouring the
drink into glasses.
"Mom did you
remember to distribute the bonuses to all Dimitri's support people?"
Carina sat upright in her seat.
"Yes,” Juliette
said as she unbuckled Judith, “I personally made sure each of them got what we
had agreed upon."
"Oh good,"
Carina relaxed. "It's just that they were all so great."
"I agree, just for
once it was a genuine pleasure working with a crew."
"Did you read what
Ingy said about Pops speech last night?"
"I saw her e-mail
yes...Seems he put his audience to sleep in record time talking about the
glories of Furstenheim."
"Well it is a
rather dry subject," Carina said with a chuckle.
"Changing topics,”
Juliette said as she accepted a glass, “did you and Annie talk?"
"Yes, she's great,
Ama is great, baby to be is great, the only thing wrong is that she's snowed
under prepping training schedules ahead of the Indoors."
“I thought she was
stepping back?”
“After the Vanderbilt,
yes – she’s only just realised, however, that one of her chief assistants will
not be there for the event itself.”
“Oh – oh of course,
Abby will be in Vienna.” Juliette shook
her head and smiled. “Just means that's
one event Abby will not work either as yearbook photographer, or as a trainer
with the team. Others can fill in
perfectly well.”
“Yup – so she wants
them laid down first. Caroline?”
“Yes?”
“I know Ama is priority
one when you get back, but after that, convince my lover to slow down, please?”
“Oh good – another
impossible job,” Caroline said with a smile, “my life is full...”
10 am
Xavier International
“Come.”
“Good morning Madame.”
“Susan – the morning
report?”
“Right here. Juliette's plane is in the air as we speak
Madame." Susan came in carrying a document folder, "and this is the
latest workup from Heather."
"Well I heard from
Marina that the shoot was a triumph, and the only excitement was local in
nature."
"She e-mailed me
as well...Now turning to Heather's research she can't see any obvious signs
that someone up there is on the take."
"She maybe needs to
spread her net, look at spouses and kids financials."
"She's doing it as
we speak."
"If we can hide
income then I'm sure whoever is helping the baddies up there can too."
"Agreed."
Susan nodded.
"Have you also
processed that information that Doc brought home from Buffalo?"
“Indeed – sketchy at
best, but the indications are they are moving into the areas we have no
presence in. When Juliette and Dom are
back, we should meet and look into possibly sending a team up to get more
ground level intel.”
“Worth consideration –
did Kylie and Susan get away safely?”
“They did – Marina and
Helen are staying with me tonight before they leave tomorrow.”
“Good – now, talking of
those in the air. The present for Ama?”
“Has been safely
delivered here. Would you care to see
it?”
“Later – let’s deal
with other business now...”
Noon
The Inn in the Park
“Thank you,” Tom
Callaghan said as he took the menu, “some water for all three of us please.”
"Well to what do
we owe the pleasure of you buying us lunch Tom?" Adam asked as he looked
at the menu.
"It's to brief you
both on a development,” Tom said, “and I didn't want ears at the office to
hear."
"Oh?" Janice
cocked her head.
"Yeah." Tom
breathed deeply, and looked round.
"There has been nothing back in reply regarding that alert you got
me to get Headquarters to put out Jan."
"Ummm would
someone care to fill me in?" Adam asked quietly.
"Jan suspects we
may have a rotten apple in the Buffalo barrel."
"Oh Crap...” Adam
said as he looked round, “Why?"
"Because I'm hearing little whispers about Pussycat action in Buffalo,”
Jan said, “and we aren't being told of it through channels Adam."
"Maybe they aren't
hearing the whispers you are Jan?"
"There were two
gang massacres New Years Eve Adam, I'm hearing pussycat, pussycat, and they
aren't?"
"Okay point
taken."
"So Jan has the
idea if we can turn whoever is covering up..."
"...we will maybe
be able to get to the bitches?"
"That was Jan's
thinking," Tom paused, "so we haven't alerted IA, and this secret is
known to just the three of us."
“So next moves?”
“Time to call on Agent
Peter Welch – I knew him in Quantico, and I’d trust him almost as much as I
trust you Adam.”
“Book a flight up
Monday Jan, talk to him on the QT, see if he’s heard anything. In the meantime, I’ll talk to some friends in
the area.”
“Good idea Adam – but
do this carefully. The last thing we
need is IA hitting us.”
“Don’t worry,” Jan
said, “kid gloves all the way.”
2 pm
JFK Airport
“Well, here we are
again,” Olivia said as she and Fiona walked through the arrivals doors.
“Indeed, Mum,” Fiona
said as she walked through, her hair held back in a ponytail, “but this time we
have the menfolk with us. Is this your
first time here, Dad?”
“It’s been quite some
time,” Charles Treharran said as he pushed the trolley, “I don’t globetrot as
much as Michael here.”
“All right,” Mick said
as he saw the waiting chauffer, “let’s just get to the Waldorf Astoria before
we start planning the next few weeks. Is
Diana still expecting us for dinner tonight?”
“She is – it will be
good to see her again,” Olivia said as she adjusted her glasses.
“Yes – yes it will,”
Fiona said with a smile.
“When do the other
White Ladies arrive?”
“Those who work with
Missy and Juliette are due to fly in today, so that we have the shoot
tomorrow,” Fi said, “the rest over the next week or so.”
“Should be a fun
fortnight then,” Mick said with a smile.
5 pm
“Mary? Mary?”
Mary slowly opened her
eyes to see Marina looking at her.
“Did I dose off?”
“You’re not the only
one,” Marina said as she saw the others stretching, “but the pilot just told us
we are making our approach. We should be
down on the ground in about thirty minutes.”
“What time is it?”
“Just after five EST –
we got a good tailwind behind us. Here –
some water.”
“Thank you,” Mary said
as she took the bottle, her eyes popping as she realised the plane was starting
the descent.
“Nearly home, Judith,”
Juliette said as she strapped her granddaughter in, “looking forward to seeing
Grappy and Aunty Ingy?”
“Yes,” Judith said as
she nodded, clutching her rabbit as the others sat up. The plane slowly descended as they all looked
out of the window, the sky dark as the lights of the runway slowly approached.
“And – touchdown,”
Caroline said as the plane bumped and slowed down, Mary breathing a huge sigh
of relief as the pilot said “we’ve arrived back Ladies. Please remain seated until we come to a
complete standstill. I understand we
have two cars waiting for you.”
“Two cars?”
Probably one for you
and one for us,” Caroline said as she looked at Carina. “Makes sense if you are all going back to the
apartment.”
The plane slowly taxied
over and came to a stop, Juliette unbuckling and the rest following suit as
they put their boots and coats on. The
steward opened the door to the jet and lowered the steps, Helen looking out
first.
“Hello Clint, Hello
John,” she said as she walked down, “who gets who?”
“I will be taking you,
Caroline, Mary and Marina,” Clint said, “while John will take assorted Huntingdown’s
home.”
“Welcome back,” John
said as Juliette and Carina came down, Judith in Carina’s arms, “let’s get your
cases in and back to your apartment as quickly as possible.”
“Thanks John,” Juliette
said as the steward brought their cases down, and put them in the boot, “I
cannot wait to get home.”
“I will drop you at the
Astoria Waldorf first, Mary,” Clint said as he put her case in, “and drop
Caroline off before I take these two home.
Susan has a good meal waiting for you, and wants you to tell her
everything.”
“What time is Jack
expecting us tomorrow Juliette?”
“At eleven I think – so
you get the chance for a real long sleep.”
“Well, I have to call
home, and other things – but yeah, I could use the rest.”
“Right – all loaded
up. We’ll see you all at some point
tomorrow.”
The drivers closed the
doors and headed off, Judith looking out of the window as they got onto the
main road.
6.30 pm
The Huntingdown Apartment
“Hello? Anybody home?”
“There you are,” Klaus
said as he and Ingrid came out of the drawing room, “how was St Petersburg?”
“Divine and exhausting
at the same time,” Juliette said before they kissed.
“Grappy,” Judith said
as she ran out, her arms extended as Klaus squatted down and then lifted her
off her feet.
“Hello little one – did
you have fun?”
“We saw ponies and
pretties in the sky.”
“Really? What was it?”
“The Northern Lights,”
Carina said, “they were truly beautiful.”
“Oh is that coffee I
smell,” Juliette said as she took her coat off.
“It most certainly is –
all three of you go in and sit down.
Ingrid is cooking, and I will bring the drinks in.”
“Oh it is so good to be
home,” Carina said as she slumped into a seat.
“I could do with an early night.”
“Well we need to,”
Klaus said, “we have an appointment at St Martha’s tomorrow, remember?”
“Of course – I haven’t
forgotten,” Juliette said with a smile as she took the mug of coffee.
6.45 pm
The Waldorf Astoria Hotel
“Here we go Miss
Clarke,” the desk clerk said as he handed Mary her room key. “Enjoy your stay.”
“I’ll settle for a meal
and a long sleep,” Mary said with a smile as the porter took her bad and they
headed for the lift. As the doors
opened, however, she was greeted with a cry of “MARY!”
“Hello Trina,” Mary
said with a smile, “you arrived safely then.”
“I did – and those look
good on you girl,” Trina Culver said as she looked at Mary, wearing the black
jumper, jeans and boots. “How was
Russia?”
“Cold and amazing.”
“Right – go and unpack,
and then come to the bar over there. Some
of the girls are gathering for a drink – it’ll be good for you to meet them
before tomorrow.”
“Trina, I just got off
a twelve hour flight...”
“All the more reason to
unwind – it’s a drink, not dinner.”
"Trina I need to ring
my Pop and let him know I'm back in the US of A."
"I guess so, but
try making it quick, there are people you ought to meet."
"Okay, I'll try
and be as short as I can be."
“I’ll see you in a few
minutes,” Trina said as Mary got in the lift.
“Oh lord, when does
this end,” she said with a smile as the doors closed...
A few minutes later,
she slipped the porter a tip and looked out over the lit cityscape.
“It’ll never be the
same as San Fran,” she said to herself as she hung her coat up, and then took
her cell phone out of her handbag. She
looked through her contacts and then pressed on the screen.
"Hey Pop,” she
said as the call was answered, “I'm at the hotel in New York."
"Okay Mary,” she
heard her father say, “how was the flight?"
"Couldn't tell
you,” Mary said with a smile, “I was asleep for most of it."
"Hey my globetrotting daughter is getting blasé enough about travel you
can sleep on planes?"
"I guess so
Pop," Mary laughed lightly."Anyway Miss Culver wants me to meet some
of her friends, and I'm pretty sure Juliette said Missy Auerbach will be
dropping in as well."
"So what do you
think Miss Auerbach will say?"
"That Russia was a
big success...everyone is agreed upon that. I also got a couple of tentative
bookings from Russian magazines to shoot spreads here at home, so I guess
details on that."
"Sounds good, the
kids by the way can't wait to see you."
"And I can't wait
to see them Pops."
"Do you want me to
ring the hotel, tell 'em you are back in New York?"
"Please and tell them I have lots to show and tell when I report for
work."
"Will do Mary. Have a good time tomorrow."
“You too Pops,” Mary
said as she heard a knock on the door.
Ending the call, she walked over and opened it to see Carmelita standing
outside.
“Hello again Mary – can
I turn your sheets down?”
“Got time for a chat as
well?”
7 pm
The Village
“Someone stick a fork
in me and turn me over – I am done.”
“Welcome home Mom,” Ama
said as she hugged Caroline, “how was the trip?”
“Good fun,” Caroline
said as she slipped her coat off, “but it is so good to be back. How are you?”
“Excited about
tomorrow,” Ama said as Annie looked out from the kitchen.
“Hey – bring anything
back this time?”
“Too busy to go
shopping,” Caroline said as she slipped her wig off, and let her black hair
fall down. “And too tired to do much
more than slob out tonight, then get an early night. What’s for eating?”
“I’m preparing some
Spagh Bol. Big bowls, drinks and a
movie?”
“Sounds wonderful,” Dom
said as she sat down and took her boots off, “absolutely wonderful.”
7.30 pm
The Waldorf Astoria
“Mary! Over Here!”
Mary smiled as she made
her way over to the booth, Trina standing up to let her take a seat.
“Let me make the
introductions. Mary Clarke, this is
Charly Elphberg and Brigitte Karonsky.
They’re both doing the season with me, as well as the shoot tomorrow.”
“Pleasure,” Mary said
as she shook their hands, “so are you heiresses like Trina here?”
“In a way,” Charly said
with a smile, “but this weekend, we’re all the latest recruits to NorStar. Mind you, from what Trina said while we were
waiting, you’ve got the head start.
Modelling in St Petersburg – truly magical.”
“So who else is doing
the shoot tomorrow?”
“Cousin Abby,” Brigitte
said as she sipped her wine, “she’s hosting a dinner tonight for Fi and Angel.”
“Fi’s here? I thought with her eyesight...”
“Did you see the UK
Cosmo? The shoot with her and her
mother?”
“Yeah,” Charly said,
“it was amazing. I’ve got a copy with me
– remind me to bring it tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry,” Mary said,
“who are you talking about?”
“Oh sorry Mary – they
are talking about Angel Fitzstuart, Fi Treharran – and Abby de Ros.”
“Abby... Abby de Ros?
I’m doing a shoot with Abby de Ros?”
“Mary,” Trina said with
a smile, “you’ve just spent three days with Caroline Jameson and the
Huntingdown family – I think you’ve earned your place with Abby now.”
Mary blushed as she
sipped her wine, before a familiar voice said “hello ladies.”
“Hello Missy,” Trina
said as she looked at the legendary agent, “is Juliette coming tonight?”
“She sends her
apologies – as Mary will tell you, they had a very busy few days, and
Caroline’s daughter has a special day tomorrow.
I think the word, if I was quoting Klaus, would be todmüde.”
“Exhausted,” Charly
said as she smiled at Mary.
“I can understand that
feeling,” she replied as she stopped a yawn.
"So Mary have you
got a few seconds to talk business?" Missy asked.
"I guess so,"
Mary looked at Trina who nodded. “Do you
want to go over to the bar?”
“We’ll get another
drink for you,” Trina said as she went over with Missy.
"So,” Missy said quietly, “did you enjoy Russia?"
"Yes, it was
WONDERFUL! I can’t thank you enough for
giving me the opportunity."
"Well Russia
enjoyed you too,” Missy said, “I have three bookings that I'm going to
recommend you take, and they are all prepared to travel to Frisco to
shoot."
"They are coming
to me?"
"When you are hot
kiddo,” the agent said, “you'll be amazed what magazines will do."
"Okay Missy, what
else do I need to think about?"
Missy looked carefully
at the young woman. "How much work
you want to do?"
"At the hotel? I
have so much lost time I owe them."
"No modeling
work...Mary I can book you solid almost for the next few months."
"It's that almost which
worries me Missy... I need stability for
my family."
"...look Mary,”
Juliette said quietly, “talk it over with your father and your friends, but
really you need to consider if it is time to go full-time."
“Okay – I can think
about it, but no promises,” Mary said with a smile.
“Missy, my dear – what
are you doing here?”
“Meeting some
youngsters - Mary I want you to meet someone rather special," Missy
smiled, "this lady is Eve Stone, she was and is still in many ways a very
famous model."
"It's a pleasure
to meet you Miss Stone."
"Mary call me Eve,”
the Irish beauty laughed, ”because if you were being formal it would be Lady
Eve, or Mrs. Stone, and I rarely answer to either of those names."
"Alright
Eve," Mary shook the tall Irish lady’s hand. "So how long have you
been a model?"
"Since before
probably even your parents were born." Eve's eyes danced, "along with
girls like Vera and Lesley, I'm one of the last so-called sixties dolly
birds."
"WOW!" Mary
looked shocked, "you don't look old enough..."
"Missy you know I
like this child...a lot." Eve chuckled, “but wait till you meet Carmen
she's from an even earlier generation then I am...and she's still
working."
"DOUBLE WOW!"
“Leave the poor girl be
Eve - go and have some fun Mary. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“So what did Missy
want,” Charly said as Mary rejoined the girls.
“To give me something
to think about,” Mary said as she picked up her glass and took a sip.
9 pm
The Huntingdown Apartment
“Now that was good,”
Carina said as she lifted her sleeping daughter up and carried her to the
stairs, “she want to sleep far more easily than I had thought it would be.”
“Well, she was tired,”
Ingrid said as she sat down.
"So I heard your
speech to the Heritage society went well." Juliette cuddled up to Klaus on
the sofa.
"Tolerably,” Klaus
said, “but if I ever do it again then I need better visual aids, and maybe the
sounds of cannons going off to keep people awake."
"Maybe."
Juliette chuckled.
"I did inspire one
person at least though."
"Oh yes? And who was this bastion of attentive
listening?"
"A chap called
Edwin Breitz came up afterwards and we had a long chat."
"Edwin Breitz... Edwin Breitz the documentary maker?"
"That's the
chap...do you know him darling?"
"No but I've seen
his films... You remember, we watched
that thing he did on Windsor Castle together before Christmas."
"Oh he made that
did he?” Klaus nodded before he
continued “anyway, he wants to maybe do a film on Furstenheim and the family. I
said I'd talk it over with you."
"What kind of film?" Juliette asked, "I'm not having a film crew
practically move in with us."
"He said maybe
some shots of our lives, but he's most interested in Furstenheim and the family
history, and why i have my little army."
“While we’re preparing
for the wedding? I can think of one or
two people who might object...”
“Don’t worry,” Klaus
said, “I am sure you will see nothing of him when he is not needed...”
“So,” Juliette said,
“what would you say to an early night?”
“I’d say yes,” Klaus
whispered, “if you promise not to fall asleep within five minutes of getting in
bed.”
“Well, you’ll just have
to keep me awake,” Juliette giggled.
Sunday 10th January
8 am
The Village
“Hey Ju – what brings
you over this early,” Annie said as she opened the door.
“I found something of Caroline’s
in my luggage, so I thought I’d bring it over before things started to go
crazy,” Juliette said as she came up.
“Hello Alex – you’re up and about early.”
“I needed to sit with
Caroline and Ama before I went to prepare,” Alex Richmond said from his seat,
“and given you had her in your tender care until later yesterday, this is the
only opportunity.”
“Forgive the dress
sense,” Caroline said as she and Ama sat in dressing gowns.
“I only have two more
questions. First - have you decided upon
the names that you wish to be baptized under Ama?"
"If no one objects,” Ama said quietly, “I want to be baptized as Amamaria
to honor our lady, and then Marastella to honour my African mother and my
English grandmother."
"I think that can be done," Alex felt himself choking on emotion.
"Oh they would all
be so proud of you..." Tears
escaped down Caroline's cheek as she hugged her daughter.
“And the second
question – are you ready?”
“For today yes – I can
do no more than that.”
“Then,” Alex said as he
stood up, “I will see you at the chapel later.
Juliette?”
“I’ll show you out,
Alex,” Annie said as she walked down with Alex, Ama heading to the bathroom as
Juliette and Caroline headed to the kitchen.
"Who are the
godparents to be?" Juliette asked, "she hadn't decided when we last
talked about it."
"She's asked for
Karen and Shirley to be her godmothers, and for Clint to be her
godfather."
"Those are good
choices Caroline.” Juliette took the
offered cup of coffee and had a ling drink.
"So is your grandfather settled in his hotel?"
“Yup – he’ll meet us at
the chapel. I called him first chance I
got last night to make sure everything was all right.”
“Well,” Juliette said
as she placed the package on the table, “this is our present to her. Please, make sure she gets it later, not
before – she will understand why when she opens it.”
Caroline nodded as she
sipped her coffee.
10 am
The Village
“Hello Dan,” Annie said
as she opened the door, “come on up.”
“Has my granddaughter recovered
from her flight,” Dan Jameson said as he walked up the stairs.
“Just about – she is
just getting dressed,” Annie said, “can I get you a coffee?”
“Please,” Dan said as
he fiddled with his tie.
“Well, you’re looking
distinguished.”
“And you look like a
proud mother,” Dan said as he hugged Caroline.
She was wearing a grey two piece suit over a dusky peach camisole
top. “So where is she?”
“Hello Granddad.”
Dan looked over to see
Ama standing in her bedroom door. The
young girl was wearing a knee length white lace dress with elbow length
sleeves, a thin belt fastened round her waist, and white high heels.
“You look like an
angel,” Dan said quietly.
“Thank you,” Ama said
quietly as she smiled.
“Annie, you need to
finish getting ready. I’ll just go and
get my coat,” Caroline said as she went to her room.
"I'm proud of you
lass,” Dan said as he sat with Ama, “and so would your Gran and Great Gran be if
they were still with us."
"You aren't
disappointed I've chosen to become a Catholic rather than an Episcopalian
Granddad?"
"Ama,” Dan said, “I'm
just proud that you thought it out carefully and made up your own mind, and i
respect your decision."
"Well Father Alex
and I talked long and hard about it, and i decided that a church that has men
like him is for me."
"Your Gran, and
from what I can gather your Mum aren't, or weren't exactly religious, but I'm
glad you have decided there is a higher power."
“Oh Mom does have her
own faith,” Ama said quietly, “and she has supported me every step of the way.”
“Right,” Annie said as
she came out, fastening her great coat around herself, “you ready?”
“I need to get my
coat,” Ama said as she stood up, and Caroline came out.
“So, a special day?”
“Very special,”
Caroline said with a smile, “as you will see...”
11 am
St Martha’s Church
Alex Richmond walked
out in his vestments, accompanied by his assistants, and knelt at the altar as
he prayed, and then said “God, come to my rescue.”
“Lord, make haste to
help me.”
“Glory be to the
Father.”
“As it was in the beginning.”
He turned and smiled as
he held out his arms, saying “welcome, all of you, to our service this
morning. I know we have many visitors
here, and to you I say you too are most welcome to the House of the Lord.”
He smiled in the
direction of Mary as she sat with Erica and Denise, as the rest of Ama’s
friends and classmates sat with their parents and families.
“As part of our mass
this morning, we welcome into the family of our church Ama, who seeks to be
baptised into the Holy Roman Catholic Church.
This is a very special and solemn moment, and I ask you all to join in
supporting her in this. Before we do
this, however, join in singing our first hymn...”
After the hymn, the
congregation joined in the readings and prayers, until Alex said “Let us pray.
“Almighty, everlasting
God, who enable us, your servants, in our profession of the true faith, to
acknowledge the glory of the three Persons in the eternal Godhead, and to adore
their oneness of nature, their co-equal majesty; grant, we pray, that by
steadfastness in that faith we may ever be guarded against all adversity.
“Hear our prayer,
almighty God, so that what we purpose to do by our lowly ministry may have its
full effect by your power.
“We beg you, O Lord, grant
that our chosen one, well instructed in the holy mysteries, may be born again
in the font of baptism and be added to the household of your Church; through
Christ our Lord.”
“Amen,” the church
replied as in the vestibule of the church Ama walked in, alongside Karen,
Shirley and Clint.
“Nervous?”
“A little,” Ama
whispered as she turned to Karen, “but I am ready.”
As the congregation
sat, Alex looked up and said “Amamaria Marastella Jameson?”
“Amamaria Marastella,”
Pepsi whispered to Becca.
“I know – perhaps she will
be like Cari with her full name,” Becca whispered back as Ama called out
“Present.”
“Amamaria, what are you
asking of God's church?”
“Faith.”
“What does faith hold
out to you?”
“Everlasting life.”
“If, then, you wish to
inherit everlasting life, keep the commandments, ‘Love the Lord your God with
all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and your neighbor
as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole law and the prophets.
Now faith demands that you worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in unity,
neither confusing the Persons one with the other, nor making a distinction in
their nature. For the Father is a distinct Person, so also the Son, so also the
Holy Spirit; yet all Three possess the one nature, the one Godhead.”
Ama nodded as Alex said
“Do you renounce Satan?”
“I do renounce him.”
“And all his works?”
“I do renounce them.”
“And all his
attractions?”
“I do renounce them.”
“Do you believe in God,
the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?”
“I do believe.”
“Do you believe in
Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was born into this world and suffered
for us?”
“I do believe.”
“Do you also believe in
the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the
forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?”
“I do believe.”
Stretching his hand out
towards Ama, Alex said “Receive, by this laying on of hands, the good Spirit
along with His blessing. Peace be with
you.”
The congregation
responded with “and also with you” as Dan and Caroline watched Ama walk down to
the altar, her godparents walking behind her.
As they stopped, Alex
made the sign of the cross several times while saying “Amamaria, receive the
sign of the cross on your brow and on your heart. Put your whole trust in the
heavenly teachings. And lead a life that will truly fit you to be a dwelling
place for God. On entering God's Church acknowledge with joy that you have
escaped the clutches of death.
“Worship God the Father
almighty, and Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son, our Lord, who is coming to
judge both the living and the dead and the world by fire.”
“Amen.”
“Let us pray.
“I entreat you, blessed
Lord and Father, almighty and everlasting God, to point out the way of truth
and godly knowledge to these servants of yours who grope in uncertainty and
doubt in the darkness of this world. Open their inner sight, the better to see
you as the one God, the Father in the Son and the Son in the Father, in union
with the Holy Spirit. May it be their good fortune to enjoy the fruit of this
avowal both now and forevermore; through Christ our Lord.”
“Amen.”
“I sign you on the brow
that you may take up the cross of our Lord.
I sign you on the ears that you may listen to the heavenly teachings. I sign you on the eyes that you may see the
grandeur of God. I sign you on the
nostrils that you may sense the sweet fragrance of Christ. I sign you on the mouth that you may proclaim
the word of life. I sign you on the
breast that you may believe in God. I
sign you on the shoulders that you may take on you the yoke of His service.”
Alex then made the sign
of the cross over the whole congregation, saying “I sign all of you in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, that you may come to
your eternal destiny and have life without end.”
“Amen.”
“Let us pray.
“Lord, if it please
you, hear our prayer, and by your inexhaustible power protect your chosen one,
Amamaria, now marked with the sign of our Savior's holy cross. Let them
treasure this first sharing of your sovereign glory, and by keeping your
commandments deserve to attain the glory of heaven to which those born anew are
destined; through Christ our Lord.”
“Amen.”
“Let us pray.
“God, who first made
the human race and then fashioned it anew, show your mercy to the people you
are to adopt, and by the New Covenant add them as new offspring to your family.
Thus, as children of the promise, may they delight in having become by grace
what they could not have aspired to by nature; through Christ our Lord.
“Amen.”
“What is he doing now,”
Doc whispered to Jess.
“He is blessing the
salt – part of the ceremony is an exorcism of the evil spirits, and the salt
forms a part of that. Watch.”
“Let us pray.
“Blessed Lord and
Father, almighty and everlasting God, who is, who was, who ever shall be, whose
beginning is unknown, whose end is inconceivable. We humbly implore you on
behalf of this servant of yours whom you have freed from the shackles of error;
graciously heed them as they bow low before you at the cleansing font where one
is born over again by water and the Holy Spirit. May they put off the old man
and put on the new man created in your image; may they receive the pure and
spotless robe and thus become worthy of serving you, our God; through Christ
our Lord.”
“Amen.”
“Amamaria, take this
salt in sign of wisdom. May it be for you likewise a token that foreshadows
everlasting life.”
As he placed the salt
on Ama’s lips, she smiled and said “Amen.”
“Peace be with you.”
“And also with you.”
Looking out, Alex said
again “God of our fathers, God, source of all truth, we humbly ask you to be
well disposed to your servant, Amamaria. After this first taste of salt, let
their hunger for heavenly nourishment not be prolonged but soon be satisfied.
For then they will always pay homage to your holy name with fervour, joy, and
trust. In your tender care, O Lord, lead
them to the bath of water where one is born over again, so that taken into the
family of your faithful they can finally attain the everlasting reward which
you have promised; through Christ our Lord.”
“Amen.”
Shirley smiled as Alex
winked at Ama, and whispered “now for the fun bit...”
“Pray, you who are
chosen by God,” he said out loud, “kneel down and say the Our Father.”
Ama knelt on the steps
and said the Lord’s Prayer until she said “deliver us from evil.”
“Arise and conclude
your prayer with the Amen.”
As Ama stood up, she
smiled and said “Amen.”
Looking at Karen,
Shirley and Clint, Alex said “as Amamaria’s sponsors, mark her with the sign of
the cross while I do likewise.”
All three traced the
sign of the cross on her brow with their thumbs as Alex made the sign over
them, saying “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit.”
He then held his hand
over them, saying “Let us pray.
“God of heaven and
earth, God of the angels and archangels, God of the patriarchs and prophets,
God of the apostles and martyrs, God of the confessors and virgins, God of all
the devout; God whom every tongue praises and before whom all bend the knee, in
heaven, on earth, and in the depths; I call on you, Lord, to watch over this
servant of yours in like manner, and to lead them in your kindness to the grace
of your baptism; through Christ our Lord.”
As they said “Amen”
Alex nodded and said “Now, foul fiend, recall the curse that decided your fate
once for all. Indeed, pay homage to the living and true God, pay homage to
Jesus Christ, His Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Keep far from this servant of
God, for Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, has freely called them to His holy
grace and blessed way and to the waters of baptism.”
As he made the sign of
the cross again, Ama signed herself before Alex said “Never dare, accursed
fiend, to desecrate this seal of the holy cross which we imprint on their brow;
through Christ our Lord, who is coming to judge both the living and the dead
and the world by fire.”
“Amen.”
“I cast you out,
unclean spirit,” Alex said “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit. Depart and stay far away from this servant of God. For it is
the Lord Himself who commands you, accursed and doomed spirit, He who restored
sight to the man born blind and raised Lazarus from the tomb where he had lain
four days. So then, foul fiend, recall the curse that decided your fate once
for all. Indeed, pay homage to the living and true God, pay homage to Jesus
Christ, His Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Keep far from these servants of God,
for Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, has freely called them to His holy grace
and blessed way and to the waters of baptism.
“Never dare, accursed
fiend, to desecrate this seal of the holy cross which we imprint on their brow;
through Christ our Lord, who is coming to judge both the living and the dead
and the world by fire.”
“Amen.”
“Let us pray.
“Holy Lord, almighty
Father, everlasting God, source of light and truth, I appeal to your sacred and
boundless compassion on behalf of this servant of yours. Be pleased to
enlighten them by the light of your eternal wisdom. Cleanse, sanctify, and endow
them with true knowledge. For thus will
they be made ready for the grace of your baptism and ever remain steadfast,
never losing hope, never faltering in duty, never straying from sacred truth,
but ready at all times to receive your grace; through Christ our Lord.”
“Amen.”
“Will the congregation
please stand?”
Taking Ama’s arm, Alex
walked her towards the baptistery, before saying, “Come into God's holy
sanctuary to receive a heavenly blessing from our Lord Jesus Christ and to be
united with Him and His saints.”
“Amen.” With this, Ama lay prostrate on the floor for
a few minutes while the congregation watched.
Eventually, she stood
again as Alex held his hands over her, and they said together “I believe in
God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His
only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin
Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He
descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended
into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from there
He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
“Our Father, who art in
heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it
is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.”
Alex turned and looked
out over the congregation, his hands over Ama’s head as he said “Surely it is
no secret to you, Satan, that punishment is your lot, torments your portion,
that the day of judgment threatens you, that day of never ending torture, the
day that shall be like a flaming furnace, in the midst of which everlasting
perdition awaits you and your apostate angels. Therefore, accursed one,
deservedly doomed, pay homage to the living and true God, pay homage to Jesus
Christ, His Son, and to the Holy Spirit, the Advocate. In His name and power I
command you, unclean spirit whoever you are, begone and stay far away from this
servant of God. For today Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, freely calls them to
His holy grace and blessed way and to the waters of baptism, where they will
become God's dwelling by the water of rebirth that gives full remission of sin
We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is coming to judge both
the living and the dead and the world by fire.”
“Amen,” the
congregation called out, Juliette and Sandy watching with Diana as Alex touched
the right and then the left ear of Ama, saying “Ephpheta, which means: Be
opened.” He then touched her nostrils as
he said “and perceive the fragrance of God's loving ways. But you, evil spirit,
begone, for the judgment of God has come.
“Amamaria Marastella
Jameson, do you renounce Satan?”
“I do renounce him.”
“And all his works?”
“I do renounce them.”
“And all his
attractions?”
“I do renounce them.”
Dipping his thumb in
the holy oil, Alex anointed Ama, saying “I anoint you with the oil that
sanctifies in Christ Jesus our Lord, that you may have everlasting life.”
“Amen.”
“Peace be with you.”
“And also with you.”
“Go out, unclean
spirit, and pay homage to the living and true God. Depart, unclean spirit, and
give place to Jesus Christ, His Son. Stay far away, unclean spirit, and give
place to the Holy Spirit, the Advocate.”
As he wiped his thumb,
Alex said “it is time to welcome this woman into the body of the church. Come forward, Amamaria and those who support
her.”
As they gathered around
the baptismal font, Alex said “Amamaria Marastella Jameson, do you believe in
God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?”
“I do believe.”
“Do you believe in
Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was born into this world and suffered
for us?”
“I do believe.”
“And do you believe in
the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the
forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?”
“I do believe.”
“Do you wish to be
baptized?”
“I do.”
As she said this, Karen
opened the top of her dress slightly, while she stepped forward and bent over
the font. Once Karen, Shirley and Clint
put their hands on her, Alex began to make the sign of the cross over her head
with the water saying “Amamaria Marastella, I baptize you in the name of the
Father,” the congregation watching as the water was poured, “and of the Son,”
as a second ladle was poured, “and of the Holy Spirit.”
Caroline wiped a tear
from her eye as she gripped her grandfather’s arm, while Ama lifted her head
and smiled. Alex dipped his thumb in the
water, and made the sign of the cross on her brow as he said “The almighty God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has caused you to be born over again of water
and the Holy Spirit and pardoned you all your sins. May he now anoint you with
the chrism that sanctifies in Christ Jesus our Lord, and bring you to
everlasting life.”
“Amen.”
“Peace be with you.”
“And also with you.”
Karen and Shirley then
placed a white shawl over Ama’s neck and shoulders, as Alex said “take this
white robe and keep it spotless until you arrive at the judgment seat of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that you may be rewarded with everlasting life.”
“Amen.”
Clint then handed Ama a
lighted candle, as Alex said “take this burning candle as a reminder to keep
your baptismal innocence. Obey God's commandments, so that when our Lord comes
for the joyous wedding feast you may go forth to meet Him with all the saints
in the halls of heaven, and be happy with Him forevermore.”
“Amen.”
“Welcome, Ama,” Alex
said as he hugged and kissed the young girl, and then escorted her out as the
church applauded her.
“Welcome this young
lady into the body of the church, and the Family of God,” Alex said, “we shall
sing our next hymn while we prepare the Holy Sacrament.”
Ama went to stand with
her mother and grandfather, her godparents returning to their partners as Alex
prepared to serve the sacraments.
12.15 pm
“May the blessing of
God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you all, now
and forever.”
“Amen.”
“Peace be with you.”
“And also with you.”
“Go in his peace,” Alex
said as he held his arms out, and then walked down the aisle. As he passed Ama, he whispered “Well done –
see you later,” Ama smiling as he and his assistants walked down.
Putting the candle out,
Ama smiled as she hugged Caroline and Dan, and then smiled even more as Nick
came over and hugged her.
“That was an amazing
service,” he said with a smile, “so what now?”
“We go to Sandy’s house
for a buffet lunch,” Ama said, “will you ride with us?”
“I’m coming with my
parents – we will see you there,” Nick said as he went back to join his own
parents, while Juliette came over.
“Well done,” she said
as she kissed Ama. “Now, the rest of the
day is all yours.”
“It is a time to be
with friends and family,” Ama said with a smile, “I ask no more than that.”
“Agreed – so come on,
go and meet your friends,” Caroline said as she took the shawl and candle. Looking at it, she said “Juliette, this is
pure lace – who gave her it.”
“My pleasure,” Karen
said, “I felt it was the right thing to get.”
“Indeed – it was,”
Caroline said as Ken walked over with John in his arms. “Oh my – he is only eight months old right?”
“Oh yes,” Ken said,
“can’t you tell?”
“Come on,” Caroline
said, “let’s go and talk to the others outside before we head to Sandy’s.”
As they walked out of
the church, Ama was joined by Doc and Pepsi, who took her by the arms and
walked her down to where Nikki and Becca were waiting with Jeannie.
“Right, Ms Jameson,”
Doc said, “John will take out picture, and then we go to celebrate!”
1 pm
The Richmond Mansion
“Here she is,” George
and Sands said as Ama came in, both of them hugging her before George took her
hand and walked her into the main room.
“Hey,” Jo said as she
hugged her, “you looked radiant today.”
“Thank you,” Ama said
as Abby and Diana came over.
“I cannot stay long – I
need to go to a shoot,” Abby said, “but we wanted you to have this on your
special day.”
“Thank you,” Ama said
as they hugged, and Diana kissed her.
“Come, my dear – we
need to go.”
As they left, Jo said
“come and get some food – and a drink. I
think you deserve it.”
“It has been a magical
day so far.”
“Yes it has,” Maisha
said as she came over and hugged Ama. “I
am so proud of you Sister.”
“Thank you Sister – and
I am glad you were able to come for this.”
“Before she left, Kylie
left something with me – I have placed it with the other gifts.”
“Gifts?”
“Your family and
friends – all of us – have bought you presents for today. Look for them later – for now, come and meet
the others.”
As they walked in, Ama
collected some food on a plate, then joined Pepsi and her parents.
“Congratulations,”
April said as she kissed Ama.
“Thank you,” Ama said
with a smile.
"So why Amamaria
Marastella?" Pepsi asked her friend as they ate, "and will it still
be just Ama?"
"Yes it will, and
I added the Maria to honor Jesus's mother. Marastella comes from combining
Mara, my African mother’s name, and Stella, Mom’s mother."
"Oh when you
explain it like that,” Grant said, “it makes perfect sense."
"Indeed it does
Pepsi." Sandy spoke as she and Heather both hugged the new member of the
church.
“Am I going to be
hugged or kissed by everyone today?”
“Pretty much so,” Pepsi
said as a familiar figure walked over.
"Ama thank you for
inviting me, that was a lovely service." Wilhelmina Tennant said as they shook
hands.
"And thank you for
coming Miss Tennant, it meant a lot to me that the important people in my life
were here."
"It was lovely," Becca said as she kissed her friend, "and very
moving even for a Jew like me."
"She was crying in
places." Jeannie reached up to hug Ama.
"Oh like you
weren't Jeannie Brewster."
“Hey, I’m not going to
deny it. It was a truly moving
experience.”
“Excuse me a moment,”
Ama said as she made her way over to greet Nick as he and his parents arrived.
"She looks radiant
Caroline." John Hammond spoke as he snapped candid shots of Ama and her
friends.
"Indeed she does.” Caroline sipped her drink as she said “I am
so proud of her John, this is all something she did of her own free will, and
on her own initiative."
"I can tell the
importance of it to her."
"Yes...oh and by
the way have you met my Grandfather?"
"No I
haven't."
"Dan Jameson, meet
Sir John Hammond," Caroline spoke as the two men shook hands.
"Good to meet you
Sir John."
"Please just call
me John, the sir bit is all a bit new."
"I was going to
ask you for copies of your photos to show everyone back home."
"it will be my
pleasure to do you a set Dan."
“Thanks – I’m amazed at
how many people have come to support her.”
“Well, she is a much
loved young lady,” John said as Karen came over.
“Hey – you were a
wonderful support today.”
"Well, I was
honoured – but why did she ask for me to be her Godmother Caroline?"
"Because you were
Mum’s best friend Aunt Karen, with most of her African roots destroyed, her western
family and its heritage probably means more to her then any of us."
"Well I'm happy
for her, and I'm pretty sure somewhere Stella is very proud of her...and
you."
"Thank you,"
Caroline's voice trembled slightly.
"So she and young
Nick there, is it serious?"
"Oh yes and no.
They are both young, and neither is quite as adventurous as their friends. They
have a common passion for soccer, old films, and cheeseburgers."
"Ama eats
cheeseburgers?"
"I know sickening
isn't it, we have to watch our weight compulsively, and my daughter can eat
anything she likes without gaining an ounce."
“Don’t know what you’re
talking about,” Jo said as she walked past, eating a slice of pizza.
“Okay, she is
officially on my hit list,” Karen said with a laugh.
"Look at the
little princess?" Katy smiled at Judith sitting in her high chair,
watching everything and bestowing her best smile on people who talked to her.
“There you go,” Klaus
said as he put some food on a plate in front of her.
“Fank ew Grappy,” she
said, smiling as she picked up and looked at a sandwich.
"I know, she's
thoroughly enjoying herself." Sands said as she ate a sandwich slowly. Both girls were wearing knee length blue
dresses and heels.
"You don't sound
great bestie?"
"I'm not, I made
the mistake of wearing tight, brand new high heels, my darn feet hurt like
hell, and all this standing about is doing me no good at all."
"Always, always
break new shoes in before you wear them for something like this Sands."
Katherine joined her granddaughter and her friend.
"I know - now.
Heather warned me I was doing something silly, but I guess I've learned my
lesson."
"Your Heather is a
young woman wise beyond her years." Katherine smiled. “Sit down, both of you.”
"So other then aching feet, what else is on your mind Sands?" Katy
ate her own food. "Did you get an e-mail perchance from a certain German
boy?"
"Yes," Sandy
blushed deep red.
"Katy stop
teasing," her grandmother spoke again.
"Well I think they
make a cute couple."
“I was surprised, but it
is kinda nice having a boy write to me,” Sands said, “he said he was looking
forward to seeing me in April already.”
“Ah good you’re both
here,” Juliette said as she came over, “can you both some round to the office
tomorrow after school?”
“I think so Aunt
Juliette – why?”
“Alice is coming down
to do fittings for bridesmaid dresses – good enough reason?”
“There you are Alex,”
Nessa said as her brother came in, “we were beginning to worry.”
“Sorry – a small matter
I needed to deal with,” Alex said as she took his coat off. “Where is the lady of the hour?”
“In here,” Nessa said
as they walked into the drawing room, where Ama was talking to Grace Gresham.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
Boys and Girls,” Caroline said, “would you make sure you have something in your
glasses please?”
“Mom – what are you
planning,” Ama said as she looked over.
“Just to ask you all,”
Caroline said, “to raise you glasses to a wonderful young lady, of whom I am
very, very proud today. Please, join me
in saying well down – to Ama.”
“To Ama,” everyone said
as the young woman blushed.
“And we also have this
cake,” April said as it was wheeled in, “a present from Jimmy at the bakery.”
“It is a wonderful
present,” Ama said as she took the knife and made the first cut, before Nessa
and Sandy started to hand slices out.
"You look as
though you are enjoying yourself Shirley?" Clint asked as he brought her a
piece of cake.
"How could I fail
to?"
"Yes,” Clint said
as Doc walked over, “it's been a lovely day."
"She's such a
sweet child, and Caroline and Dan are obviously so proud of her."
"Very much
so," Clint tried his cake, "Oh this is so good."
"Oh yes
indeed." Shirley sampled it as well. "Give Sandy her due, the food
here is always first class."
"Yes. Susan and the family seem to
be enjoying it as well."
“So when do they head
back to Hong Kong?”
“Catherine allowed them
to stay a extra day, so they are having lunch with Rose and Maeve. They fly back tonight.”
"Admiring this cake?" Mary Thomas joined the group plate in hand.
"Most definitely Mary, and how are you?" Shirley kissed the
Welshwoman.
"Already knowing
how much I'm going to miss Erica and Denice when they move out. I love having
them at home."
"Not thirsting
after getting your own place back?" Clint asked.
"No, well in a
little way, but it’s been great having the company."
“I can understand,”
Shirley said as she looked at Maisha, “it does bring something to the home
having a teenager around.”
“Well, you’ll have to
visit them.”
“Ai – once I get back
from Wales. I’m heading over to see
Fiona and the family.”
“How is she?”
“Well, she has finished
the treatment – now, it’s the worst part.”
“Waiting?”
Mary nodded as she
looked round.
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