Clint was just finishing his coffee and Viki was silently tossing toast scraps from the balcony to the gulls when, suddenly, Clint jumped up. “This is no good. Let’s get it over with. Call Larry, get him here and get it done! I can’t stand this ax hanging over our heads.”
“I suppose you’re right. I was just thinking. . . it’s about 4 a.m. in Llanview. Maybe Larry hasn’t gone to bed yet. It hasn’t been that long since he called here.”
“Do you mind? Will you do it? I’m just fed up to here,” Clint said, indicating an imaginary line just below his nose.
“Well, only if I can kiss you below the line!” Viki lightly smacked him on the lips and turned to stand behind him. She rubbed his neck and shoulders and, as she did so, could feel some of the tenseness ease away. Sometimes Clint could be gruff, but his sense of humor was always there. Not enough jokes, though, this morning. She could tell he was really taking this hard.
“I’ll go call now.” Viki started for the terrace door, but Clint captured her hand and pulled her down into his lap. Just the very corners of his lips turned up in a bittersweet smile and she could tell by his silence that he was worried. Clint didn’t like to be worried. He usually could fix anything: the car, the plumbing, the machines at the Banner. This was going to be a greater challenge and lives could very well hang in the balance.
After a few moments, Viki broke the silence. “What? What are you thinking?”
“That as long as I’m holding you, everything’s gonna be all right. I don’t want to let you go. You’re so precious to me. I won’t forgive myself if you get hurt.” He was wistful, serious and so sincere!
“Darling, it’s going to be all right. Remember? You said so.” She hugged him. It was her turn to comfort Clint and she did it gladly. She knew that she wouldn’t have made it through some of the most important and fierce battles of her life without him. But those battle lines had been pretty clear. No one could predict what Ivan would do. That would give him the advantage and he knew it. They would have to take it one step at a time. But steps were for patient people. The Buchanans were used to leaps and bounds, not baby steps.
“Before I numb your behind, I better go try to reach Larry.”
“Not without a kiss!”
“Oh, no, we’ll get started again, and it’ll be noon in Pennsylvania! After the call, I promise, I’ll make all your dreams come true,” teased Viki.
“Oh, baby, you’ already made all my dreams come true — the moment you said, ‘I do.’ The rest is just icing on the cake.”
“Ooo, that’s nice, but not until after the call!” Viki slipped off Clint’s lap and went to the phone.
“Hello, Larry, Viki here. Listen, you have to come to Monte Carlo as soon as possible, today.”
“Viki, are you sure he has Karen?” asked Larry.
“He has assured us he does have Karen, yes.”
“That animal! I want to kill him! What does he want?” demanded Larry.
“You know Ivan. He’s not about to reveal all his plans at once. The more mysterious, the better,” explained Viki.
“He always was one for dramatics. Why does he want me to help him?”
“Larry, I don’t think you’re the final demand in this game. He keeps talking about ‘his mission’ and ‘additional people,’ and he talks about Nazis and South America. It’s so bizarre!”
“Well, I’ll get a reservation on the next plane available. Can you get me a room? I don’t know when I’ll get there,” said Larry.
“Of course, we can arrange for a room. If you let us know, we can have someone meet you at the airport. But, Larry. . .”
“Yes, Viki?”
“Please get here quickly!”
Viki put the phone down, feeling somewhat better. At least they had done something — put this ridiculous plan into motion, whatever it was. Now it was just a “wait and see” situation until Ivan disclosed more of the plan.
Clint had gone into the bathroom while Viki was on the phone. She heard the hot tub filling up and she got a glint in her eyes.
Standing in the doorway, she asked, “Oh, Clint, were you going to take a shower?”
“No, I was running your bath water. I know how you like these pretty French tubs,” Clint responded.
“You must have been reading my mind. Will you join me?”
“I don’t know. Are you finished with the call to Larry?”
“Yes, he’s coming on the next flight he can arrange.”
“No more phone calls to make?” asked Clint.
“Not until Larry calls back to tell us when he’ll be here. Then we have to get a room for him and arrange for him to be picked up at the airport.”
Clint walked over to the doorway. “Are you sure you’re. . . ah. . . free?”
Without waiting for an answer, he began kissing her neck, then behind her ear and on her lips — a long, hard, hot kiss. Breathless, she denied that anything was standing in the way of their bath. There weren’t many clothes to take off, because they were still in their robes. Every movement to remove them, though, was torture. The sash on her robe was knotted and they collapsed on the plush rug in giggles. Why wouldn’t it come loose? Finally, she just pulled it over her head and landed on top of Clint, naked and eager. They explored and caressed each other like it was the first time they’d made love. The sensations were so full and pleasurable that they were almost combustible.
“It’s a really good thing that there’s water so close by,” Clint laughed.
“Clint, I’m already floating. I’m afraid to get in the tub, I can’t control myself.”
“I guess we could drown, if we’re not careful.” Clint kissed her solidly and firmly, their tongues melding into one, sensual and burning like fire. As usual, they were spellbound by each other. No one else was even in the world. No one could touch them while they were this close. They were alone in the world and responsible only to each other.
After all their energy was consumed and they nestled in each other’s arms, they fell into a peaceful tranquility.
“Clint?”
“Huh?”
“Are you happy?” Viki asked.
“Of course, I’m happy. I’m the luckiest son of a gun there is.”
“Are you sure?” she pressed.
Clint, propping up on one elbow asked, “Know how I spell ‘ecstasy’?
“No, how do you spell ‘ecstasy’?” Viki responded.
“V-I-K-I.”
“No, being with you is ecstasy. My darling, you’re my everything. I love you more than anyone I’ve ever loved.”
“Really? Me? The cowboy?”
“You tease,” Viki said as she poked him in the ribs and started tickling him.
“Don’t you think we ought to take a shower now?” Clint asked.
“What about the bath?” replied Viki.
“Viki, the water’s stone cold. I drew it a long, long, time ago!”
“Oh, well, maybe we should just take separate showers.”
“Yeah, showers haven’t been too successful for us, either, but at least we got wet!” grinned Clint.
They both laughed buy decided to get serious about dressing. After all, there were other things to do today!
What do you want to do now?” asked Viki. “Hhhmmm, well, I think we should rent a frivolous little red convertible and drive through the countryside,” replied Clint.
“Oh, Clint, do you think we should? I mean, Ivan said to not leave the hotel.”
“I’m going to interpret that statement as ‘don’t check out of the hotel.’ He can’t keep us here. We should be able to come and go.”
“I really want to. We could go to Cannes or Nice. Do you think it would be proper? With Karen and Larry in such trouble?”
“We have to get away. We can think better in an open car, speeding down the coast. I don’t think either one of them would begrudge us. It’ll clear our heads.”
“You talked me into it,” Viki declared.
“I’ll go downstairs and make the arrangements. I’ll also mention that Larry needs a room. I’ll call from the house phone when I get the car.”
“Thank you, Clint, I’ll finish dressing and I’ll be ready when you call.”
Viki chose a dark emerald green pantsuit to wear. It matched the color of the sea and had a long-sleeved, fitted jacket. She chose a long scarf for her hair because the Riviera could be windy. The roads were winding and the temptation to go fast was unavoidable. The only way to save a hairdo was to wrap up tightly.
Twenty minutes later, Clint and Viki were rolling along the coast in their rented Ferrari. The wind was in their faces and the sun shone brightly. Not a cloud in the sky, it promised to be a glorious, wonderful day. On the road to Nice, they stopped at a beach and took off their shoes and socks. The water was warm, but not warm enough for a swim. They saw little sand dollars and starfish washed up on the shore and it reminded them how fragile life is. They were so grateful that their life was much stronger, more significant somehow. Poor creatures, their lives are almost over when they begin. Viki and Clint would have forever — they had each other and that’s all that mattered.
“Maybe we should pick up some shells for Jessie. She’d like these, they’re so pretty,” Viki offered.
“There’s no law saying you can’t. I think she’d like them, too. I’m really missing her, Viki. And the boys. I’m so glad they’re safe at home.”
“Me, too, I can’t think about them being in danger. It’s too scary. I have to believe that even Ivan wouldn’t stoop that low,” Viki said.
“Don’t bet on it. But we can we hope,” Clint cautioned.
It was after the lunch hour when they stopped at a small outdoor cafe in Nice. The atmosphere was pleasant — and busy — and they were just another set of tourists out on holiday. Of course, the cafe expected impatient tourists and offered a sumptuous menu, filled with crepes, sandwiches and quiches. But Viki and Clint weren’t impatient. They weren’t in a hurry at all. It was times like these that they treasured — just being together. Men would look at Viki, smile and flirt shamelessly. But it didn’t bother Clint. He knew who would be taking her home. She would always come home with him. Not that he didn’t have his share of offers. The ladies were bold in France and very susceptible to rich, good-looking American men. He got a kick out of it, really. Viki pretended she didn’t, but she did. It was their private joke. Nobody could come between them, they were friends and lovers, and nothing could change that.
Because they were having such a delightful time, they didn’t notice when Jean-Claude approached their table and silently seated himself. He was good looking — blonde, with muscular arms and perfect teeth. Before he had spoken with a French accent. But now he didn’t sound French at all.
“Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan. Sorry for the intrusion, but I had to warn you,” he said.
“Warn us? Isn’t it kind of late for that, Mr. whatever-your- name-is?” replied Clint, scornfully.
“This is another warning. Dr. Kipling is going to have me kidnap you.”
“Again? Isn’t this getting ridiculous?”
“Why are you warning us?” asked an incredulous Viki.
“Because I’m not who you think I am, ” he said.
“Don’t even try to take us by force,” countered Clint. “I still have the gun that Viki took from you last night.”
“No, you don’t. After you left your hotel, I went into your suite and retrieved it. Sorry, but it has sentimental value to me.”
“I believe you are as insane as Ivan Kipling,” declared Viki.
“I can’t tell you the whole story now, but I came this afternoon to tell you both the plan,” said Jean-Claude.
Viki had a perplexed look on her face and, when she looked over at Clint, she noticed he was similarly confused.
“To make a long story short, Ivan told me to kidnap you tonight.”
“So why would you tell us now?” asked Clint.
“Because I wanted you to know — and assure your cooperation.”
“This is getting more bizarre by the minute, Clint,” Viki stated.
“We can just leave, Viki. He wouldn’t do anything in a public place like this.”
“Please, hear me out. I assure you, you won’t be disappointed,” Jean-Claude assured them.
“Hear out a gunman who wants to kidnap us, has held me at gunpoint and has a self-admitted sentimentality for handguns? I hope this is good,” Clint scoffed.
“First of all, may I call you ‘Viki’ and ‘Clint’?” asked the blonde man.
Clint shrugged his shoulders and said, “Why not? I’ve always wanted to be on a first name-basis with a kidnapper.”
“This is serious, Clint. We need each other. I need your cooperation to keep you alive.”
“Well, then,” asked Viki, “what may we call you?”
“My real name is Mark Hopkins. And I’m a treasury agent for the U.S.”
“Yeah, right, and I’m James Bond,” replied Clint, sarcastically.
“I know it may be hard to believe, but I am working undercover for the Treasury Dept. We’ve been investigating Ivan Kipling for a long time.”
“I’d say that you ‘living’ with Ivan for 5 years is a little too long for even our government to want to find somebody,” said Clint.
“Well, that was a mistake. I have been investigating Kipling for 5 years. I got tripped up. Hopefully, Ivan took my mistake as an act of stupidity. Please don’t think I’m as dumb as Ivan does. That is all a cover. I decided that he would never trust anyone that appeared too smart, so I’d go the opposite way. So far, I’ve spent 5 months getting to know him and learning about his operation.”
“You mean the U.S. Treasury Department has actually funded a search for Kipling?” asked Clint.
“He has been gone from the U.S. for over 15 years. In that time, he has never paid one dime of income tax or even filed a return. When a rich American like Kipling skips out, you can bet the IRS wants to know exactly why and where he is.”
“So how did you get this assignment?” continued Clint.
“I was working as a desk auditor for the IRS and I have been looking for Kipling for 5 years, like I said. I guess that’s how I made the ‘5 year’ mistake. Contrary to popular belief, it is hard to act dumb when you’re not! I hope he dismissed it entirely. Lately, I’ve been getting vibes that he’s suspicious,” Hopkins explained.
“Well, Mark, how did you get from desk auditor to foreign spy?” queried Viki, suspiciously.
“Viki, I was just tired of being chained to a desk. When my boss expressed an interest in really nailing Kipling, I volunteered. But I did have to go through some extra training. I had gotten a lead from another U.S. citizen that we had tracked to Macao, a small coastal town in Northeastern Brazil. We’d heard rumors that Kipling and this other guy had worked together, at one time, and we thought it would be worth a look to go down there.”
“What an adventure!” said Viki, amazed.
“It got to be after I arrived there. I started asking a lot of questions, but the natives weren’t too trusting. My Portuguese is textbook, the idioms aren’t always the same. Anyway, I kept at it for almost a month before I struck gold. I didn’t know what to do after I’d found him, though. We were convinced that Kipling could lead us to more tax evaders, so we decided that I would gain his confidence and try to learn as much about his operation as possible. We were convinced he was making money hand over fist, but we didn’t know how. Macao is not the most poverty-stricken town in South America, but it sure doesn’t qualify for a conman’s scam.”
“That still doesn’t tell us why you’re taking us into your confidence and why we should trust you,” reasoned Clint.
“I told you it was a long story. I passed myself off as a grownup orphan of some misguided missionaries and led him to believe that I was a little dense. I thought he would hire me as an errand boy or something. He took me in. He must have felt sorry for me or something.”
“That’s completely out of character,” interrupted Viki. “The Ivan I remember would pull wings off flies and drown kittens.”
“Maybe he realized he might need some ‘dumb muscle’ for this assignment and decided to take a chance. Anyway, I’ve spent the better part of 5 months with Ivan and I haven’t learned much! When he briefed me on this kidnapping caper, I was, of course, skeptical.”
“Because you’re not a kidnapper?” asked Viki.
“Let me assure you, Viki, I didn’t want you to be hurt. I didn’t see the need to scare you or hurt you, so I bungled the kidnapping,” explained Mark.
“I beg your pardon. I was the one who overpowered you!” Viki’s eyes were fiery as she heatedly reminded Mark of this.
“I don’t want to hurt your feelings, Viki, but I let you get the gun. I didn’t see a reason to kidnap you. And I thought it would work out better for us.”
“But,” Clint countered, “now you are going to kidnap us, as Ivan wants. I don’t see the point of all this.”
“I have to. If I don’t, Ivan will get suspicious. I thought if I could get you to cooperate, it would go smoother for you and we’d get further with our plan,” argued Mark.
“This is crazy,” Clint said, disgustedly.
“But, Clint, this way we can plan when, where and how long you’re out of commission. You can wear comfortable clothes and even take care of business beforehand. You can even bring snacks, so you won’t be inconvenienced.”
“Well, aren’t you the most considerate kidnapper!” said Viki sarcastically.
“Guys, this will work better with your cooperation. Ivan will think you’re out of the way and I can keep pumping him for information. If I don’t do this, he will stop trusting me. I took a big risk when I bungled the first kidnapping.”
“I just thought of something!” Viki said excitedly. “Clint, if Ivan wants to kidnap us, it must mean that he doesn’t have Karen! If he did, he wouldn’t need us! This is great news! We can just go home!”
“Wait a minute. Ivan does have Karen. I don’t know where he’s holding her, but I know she’s in Monte Carlo. I think he just wants an extra insurance policy. I guess he thinks that perhaps Larry doesn’t have any strong feelings for Karen any longer. But he does for you. He’s just hedging his bets. Once Larry gets here, then he can hold him, too.”
“You’re sure that Karen is here?” Clint asked.
“I know it. I haven’t seen her, but I have talked to her guard. I know that she’s being treated well, but I also know that Ivan is a desperate man. Can we take the risk to not go through with my plan?” Mark queried.
Viki and Clint looked at each other, pondering this.
“Be ready tonight. I will pick you up at 8 o’clock. I will try to make sure you’re in a safe, comfortable place. But remember we have to make it look real. I’m not sure if Ivan will be there but, since I screwed up once, he’s probably going to insist on it.”
“Mark, I hope to God you’re on the level. If not, I have family at home that will track your miserable hide down and nail it to the wall. Buchanans do not take lightly to kidnapping,” Clint warned.
“We’ll try our best to cooperate with you, to some extent, Mark,” Viki assured.
“Thanks, Viki. I don’t want to mess this investigation up and, of course, I want everyone to be safe. I’ll be back for you later, at the hotel.”
After he left, Viki asked, “Oh, Clint, have we really done the right thing?”
“I don’t know. We’ll have to go by gut instinct and hope it’s not too late to change our minds.”
Clint paid the waiter and they walked back to the Ferrari. The afternoon was barely salvageable. Even the countryside was not as appealing as it had been earlier. They took a different route back, just for kicks, through the wine country. The wind wasn’t as strong here and neither was the urge to speed. Life was much more relaxed on this road. The vineyard growers sold some grapes and wine alongside the road and Viki decided they should stop.
“Let’s stop at one of the stands, Clint. Some local wine would be good, don’t you think?”
“Whatever. Does this look like a good one to you?” “Sure, this is great. Looks like they have more items here.” Viki strolled through the stands and looked at all the merchandise. Besides the wine, there was cheese, other vegetables and bread. “Oh, look Clint, they have some Gouda, your favorite.”
Viki bought some bread, cheese, grapes, honey and the wine. The stand also sold little “instant picnic” supplies, like napkins, plastic ware and plates. “Someday we’ll have a picnic on the beach. When this is all over,” thought Viki.
By the time they got back to the hotel it was 6 o’clock. Knowing that they had little time, they called the kids. Viki tried to pretend that everything was fine, but Kevin noticed that she sounded a little edgy. “I’m okay, Kevin. We’ve just spent the afternoon in a convertible. As nice as it was at the time, I have a headache from the wind. I’m tired, but happy.”
“Well, how is one supposed to dress for a kidnapping?” inquired Viki edgily.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m gonna wear my jeans and my boots. That’s how I’m most comfortable. Somehow, I don’t think you should wear your nightie and robe, though. That would be too comfortable.”
“Oh, all right. I will let you wear your jeans and boots, if you will also wear that chambray shirt. You look divine in it, Darling.”
“I don’t have a problem with the chambray. It’s soft, too.”
“Yes, I know,” purred Viki who was standing very close now. “Maybe I will wear my robe and we can repeat this morning.”
“What are we waiting for?” asked Clint, as he began taking off his shirt.
“Oh, shoot, Clint, we forgot to check for messages. Maybe Larry’s called.”
“Boy, you know how to change the subject! OK, OK, I’ll call. The quicker Larry gets here, the quicker our kidnapping stint will be over. We must be crazy to have agreed to this. Doesn’t this sound uncharacteristic of us? I mean, actually letting ourselves be kidnapped?”
“It does seem odd, but do we really have a choice? Mark could take us by force, anyway. This way he might trust us and we can get the upper hand. Maybe?”
“Maybe,” agreed Clint. “It will certainly be interesting.”
“Viki, Larry’s coming on the am flight tomorrow morning. I called a limo service to meet him, in case we’re still kidnapped.”
“Smart thinking, Darling.” Viki was in the bathroom, putting the finishing touches on her re-makeup job. She’d changed to jeans, too, and pulled on a light sweater, in case it was cold where they were going. Her Nikes were cushioned and she felt confident she would pass the night in comfort. She tucked her purchases from the roadside stand in a tote bag and hoped that Ivan wouldn’t notice she had it or that Mark could sneak it to them later.
“I’m getting a little nervous. I’m having second and third thoughts.”
“I don’t blame you, but we’re hooked, I’m afraid. At least we’ll be together, Viki, that’s what counts now.”
“Quick, Clint, before Mark comes, check on the gun. Did he really take it?”
“Yes, it’s gone. And I didn’t notice any signs of a forced entry. He’s one slick dude, all right.”
Suddenly there was a knock on the door and Viki opened it to find Mark. He was dressed in black jeans, a black sweatshirt and black running shoes in sharp contrast to his blonde hair. He looked like the typical burglar, jewel thief — or mime.
They walked to Mark’s car with little conversation. Once their trip was underway, Mark was busy giving last minute instructions: “Act normal. No, act scared, mad, any of those real feelings so that it will look normal, just in case Ivan shows up. He said he’s not planning to, but . . .”
“Nothing about this is normal, Mark,” replied Viki.
They were in a dark European car. The car didn’t go very fast, but the streets they were going down became increasingly more deserted, so that they felt they were a million miles away. Then Mark stopped the car in front of a huge metal warehouse. It was in an industrial area, not very well lit and more than a little spooky. Mark led them up a staircase and fiddled with some keys until he found the right one. The lock was a bit stubborn, but the door finally opened. Inside it was dark. Mark reached above his head and pulled a chain that illuminated a bare, low-watt bulb. It didn’t do much for lighting the huge area, but it was a comforting sight.
“I’m sorry the accommodations are not better, but at least it’s out of the wind and there’s plenty of furniture. Fortunately, Ivan had other plans to attend to tonight, so he didn’t come. He expects you to be tied up, though, so if you hear anyone coming, you must pretend to be bound. I’m sure he’ll make a visit before too long, to make sure I’ve done the job right.”
“I won’t have any problems ‘acting normal’ when I see him,” huffed Clint.
“I don’t think violence will help at this point, Darling,” soothed Viki. “Let’s wait until everyone is safe and then pound him into the ground!”
“Thanks for the permission, I’ll be happy to.”
Mark showed them the rope and how to get into it without actually tying it tight. “It has to look real,” repeated Mark.
With that, he left them, virtually in the dark. They could hear the lock being stubborn again and they realized they were locked in — and alone. The small dim bulb didn’t light much, so they had to explore very carefully. As their eyes adjusted to the dark, they saw big objects, but they couldn’t tell what they were. Clint pulled out a keychain and flicked a little switch.
Viki punched him. “Why didn’t you bring that out sooner? I’ve cracked my shin twice since we came down the stairs!”
“Sorry, honey, I just remembered I had the Land Rover keys on me. The ring has a ‘gimme’ with a flashlight. It’s not that good, really.”
“Well, at least I can see a little bit ahead of me. Not very far, but better than before.”
“What are these things anyway?”
“Oh, Clint, we’re in a casino graveyard or something. There’s lots of gaming tables here.”
“Where else but Monte Carlo? Gaming capital of the world. Guess they never throw any of them away.”
“Looks like this is the ‘furniture’ Mark was talking about.”
“Viki, are you warm enough?”
“Almost.”
Clint put his arms around Viki and rested his head on top of hers. As they rocked gently back and forth, they felt almost peaceful. The area was cool, but not too bad. Their body heat was combining, filling them up, like logs added to a fire. It was dark and they were able to block out that they were in a strange place on the orders of a madman. Somehow, it was actually comforting to be in the dark. They couldn’t do anything; they could only wait. It seemed like they were always waiting since Ivan came back into their life.
“Oh, Clint, you have on my favorite suspenders. Nice, very nice. I can’t get over how exciting you are.” Viki massaged his chest with soft, gentle circles. The palms of her hands moved over his strong chest and broad shoulders, then grabbed the back of his neck and drew him into a long, passionate kiss. As they got more and more excited, Viki reached behind her and found a table top and stood on her tiptoes so that she could sit on it.
For a moment, they just looked in each other’s eyes but the longing was so intense that they couldn’t hold out any longer. Making love on a gaming table had never been an aspiration, but it had become an inspiration. They were exhilarated and exhausted at the same time, breathless and happy.
“What are we on, anyway?” asked Clint.
“Some kind of gaming table, I think.”
“Yeah, I know, but what kind?” Clint was still caressing her hair and kissing her lips.
“I think it’s a baccarat table.”
“You’re really good at bac-ca-rat!”
“Good thing the lights are out, I think I’m blushing.”
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