Heart to Heart (Chapter Seven)

Larry had just arrived in Paris and was being driven to his hotel by the devious Dr. Kipling. Viki and Clint were still imprisoned in the abandoned warehouse and were waiting for Mark to release them.

Dr. Kipling eased the limo into the semi-circular drive of the Pink Giraffe and motioned for Jean-Claude (Mark) to take over the driving duties. As he led Larry to the hotel entrance, Ivan said,” I hope your flight was comfortable. In any case, you’ll need some rest before we begin our negotiations. Here is the key to your suite, you’re next door to the Buchanans. I have arranged for the hotel to supply your every need, all you have to do is call them. I trust your accommodations will be satisfactory. I will call for you at 2pm and brief you on my proposal.”

“Where is Karen, Kipling? I didn’t come all this way to just discuss your “proposals”, as you call them. I want to be assured that she is safe.”

Now, now, Dr. Wolek, you know I’d never hurt Karen while I still needed your cooperation. She’s in good hands and in good health. She’s not far and you will get to see her. All in good time. I’m afraid all you can do is wait. But, go rest, I need you at your best.”

“Where are Viki and Clint? What have you done with them?”

“They are safe, too. They have enjoyed this little holiday immensely, let me assure you. Nothing has stood in the way of their playfulness. I have had to retain them for “insurance” purposes. They will join us at 2. Until then, good morning.”

With that, Ivan slipped away and Larry was left standing in the lobby, alone and confused. He couldn’t imagine Ivan still being alive after all these years. He couldn’t imagine that Ivan was still haunting him, either, hadn’t he suffered enough at the hands of this madman? Larry suddenly felt drained of any energy that just minutes before had been supplied by rage. Being helpless was not a feeling doctors liked to feel. Perhaps it was an ego thing. He so much wanted to help humanity, and if he was helpless, how could he? He had spent his whole career trying to save lives with the skills he had learned in medicine. He could only surmise what evil that Kipling expected him to do. Would he insist Larry do something illegal? immoral? It must be illegal or immoral if Ivan had to resort to all these machinations to get help. Silently he prayed, ‘Let me get through this, save Karen and get home safely.’

Putting his key in the lock of his hotel suite, Larry suddenly realized he was hungry. Deciding to order room service before he slept, he ordered a small snack and unpacked. The waiter came and left the food, but then Larry wasn’t hungry. His emotions were so mixed. How long had it been since he’d seen Karen? He couldn’t even bring himself to remember. He tried to block it out, but it was hard. He had loved Karen so much and had wanted so much for the two of them. He didn’t know what he would do when he saw her. Would he hold her? Would he just walk away, treat her like a stranger that he had been morally obligated to save? She had hurt him badly. Would he ever forget that? No, he didn’t think so. Could he forgive her? He didn’t know. He did know that her husband, Steve, had died. Wanda had told him that. Not that he wanted to know. Wanda had insisted on telling him. Many times he had asked Wanda to not tell him about Karen. He didn’t want to know, the pain was still too real, even after all these years.

Karen and medicine had been the most important things in Larry’s life. Karen, though, in her younger years, couldn’t accept that interns, residents and early career doctors were poor. Her tastes were extravagant and her self-control was weak. In her later years, she did seem to overcome her selfishness, but still went about doing things before fully thinking them out. Karen had been enough for Larry. However, Larry wasn’t always enough for Karen.

Had she changed at all?

He was nervous, yet exhausted. Larry hadn’t been able to sleep the night before he left and was awake for most of the international flight. He knew he would crash and burn soon, but somehow, it wouldn’t happen. He finally took a hot shower and then sprawled across the bed, dreading, yet anxious for 2 o’clock to arrive.

Viki and Clint were being driven by Mark back to the hotel. “I don’t understand why we had to spend the night in that horrible place, instead of our nice suite,” complained Viki.

“As it turned out, you shouldn’t have had to. It was just another ploy to make sure Larry Wolek arrived. If he hadn’t come, as he had promised, you would have been the captives that would have surely brought him here. So because your friend arrived on time and in a somewhat reasonably cooperative mood, you are free.”

The countryside sped by and the trip seemed endless. “At least we can get this over with. I’m ready to go home and be with our children. It seems like we’ve been gone so long. What started out as a trip that was supposed to be a vacation has turned into a nightmare.” Viki thought about all the things they had wanted to do in France that they didn’t get to do. Oh, well, there will be other trips.

They made their way to their suite and Mark bid them goodbye, after telling them to be ready at 2pm. “I get the shower first, Clint! I would kill to get clean right now. I don’t think I can stand that awful warehouse stench one more minute.”

“Go ahead. I think I’ll wait on the terrace. Tell me when you’re through and I’ll order lunch. It’ll be noon before it gets here.”

“Yeah and then maybe we can take a nap before 2:00.”

“Sounds good to me!” Clint walked out onto the terrace and looked around. It all looked the same. The same sea, the same sand, the same sunbathers, laughing and playing. It seemed strange, almost like time had stood still while they’d been gone. The Riviera will never change, he thought. The rich and powerful, the not-so-rich and average, they all came here to play and forget the troubles at home. They didn’t know how lucky they were. He didn’t think any of them appreciated how good they had it. He and Viki could be fighting for their lives and the lives of their friends. It seemed incongruous, that they could be in such trouble, but the world was still turning.

“Wow, that was great. Clint, your turn,” Viki called. Tightening her robe and pulling back the comforter, she got into bed and closed her eyes. She could hear the water and could imagine the drops from Clint’s shower. She saw in her mind, Clint standing there, naked, letting the water roll down his glorious body. He was lathering the soap into luxurious bubbles and rubbing them on all his 2001 body parts. The steam was thick and warm when she opened the door. It enveloped her and it was hard to see, but she could hear the water and feel the soft curtain that lay between her and her man. Letting her robe slip to the floor, she silently stepped into the enticingly sensual shower. Clint turned around, obviously pleased that Viki had joined him. “Excuse me, ma’am, but I’m married.”

“Yes, I know.”

“I don’t think my wife would like your being here,” Clint kidded as he kissed her lips tenderly.

“Oh, I disagree, I know she’s happy that I’m here. She wants you so much.”

Nothing could stop them then, nothing could come between them. They were fused in erotic indulgence, not wanting to stop, but to be like this forever.

Happily lying intertwined on the bed, Clint sighed, “Honey, I’m sorry I forgot to order lunch.”

“That’s okay, we wouldn’t have had time to eat it, anyway. It’s almost two and we should be getting dressed.”

“Yeah, I don’t want to miss the showdown. Finally, Kipling should lay it all out on the table.”

Getting up and getting dressed seemed like it would take too much effort, but they did it. The end of summer, it was still quite warm in the day, but much cooler at night. Not knowing what the rest of the day would hold, Viki chose a light, yellow linen pantsuit and took a navy blue blazer, for the evening. Clint was wearing navy Dockers and a pale yellow Polo. Viki reminded him to take along his Eddie Bauer windbreaker, just in case.

When Mark knocked at the door, they were ready. The three of them walked to the elevator and rode to the 12th floor. Ivan had a three bedroom suite, large enough to accommodate all his needs. Entering the suite, Viki saw Larry and ran to him. Hugging him tightly, she whispered, “I’m so sorry.”

Larry stepped back so he could look at her and tried to speak to her without talking. He gave up and said, “This isn’t your fault, Viki. I’m glad we’re finally together. ”

“Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan, Dr. Wolek, the time has come that we begin working together. Everyone have a seat and we’ll get started.”

Uncomfortable, but not sure how to register a protest, the three chose their seats, Viki and Clint, the settee, Larry the wing back beside it. Mark sat in a Louis XIV and Ivan continued to stand. “May I offer anyone coffee? Juice, cocktail?”

His offer was returned with silence and while he seemed a touch insulted, he began.

“Dr. Wolek. To come to the point succinctly, I need some manpower. I need some plastic surgeons, some orthopedists and some internal medicine guys. And of course some nurses and assistants and anesthesiologists.”

“What no hospital? How about a few operating rooms to go with it?” asked Larry sarcastically.

“Now that you mention it, we will need equipment, as well.”

“And just how am I supposed to arrange this? This is crazy.”

Viki couldn’t help asking, “Ivan, may I ask why you’re needing all this?”

“Let’s just say I have some vengeance to exact.”

“Just what I thought, a plot for revenge. Don’t you ever get tired of this, Kipling?” asked Clint.

“You’ve had your revenge. You’ve been living in apparently opulent circumstances, haven’t paid for any of your crimes and have enjoyed being a vicious villain.”

“Mrs. Buchanan, no one here is more aware of my shortcomings than I am. I am not asking for your approval, I am merely asking for your assistance.”
“Merely, merely asking? What do you call kidnapping, threats, extortion?”
“Technically, it’s not extortion. Maybe it is. Extortion is normally a threat for monetary gain. But in this case, I will concede that for what I am asking you, it will be costly.”

Larry, frustrated by the lack of understanding, said “I need to know more. I can’t convince surgeons and anesthesiologists without a really good explanation. You’re going to have to tell me more, much more, before I can agree to this.”

“Very well. I have “associates” who have been banished to certain hospitals in Brazil. I have been implored to see that they are restored to their original condition, or better. I support their needs, but I can’t do it alone. I have spent thousands of money and still have much to do.”

“I knew it, I knew it,” scowled Larry under his breath. “I knew you would want me to do something immoral or illegal. Why else would I be here?”
“I think we’ve neglected to tell us something we all want to know, Ivan. And that’s where Karen is and how she fits into this plan.”

“Very simple, Mrs. Buchanan, I can explain that. Karen is being held by another associate who is taking excellent care of her. She is being maintained in a beautiful suite, with a beautiful view of the Riviera and has all the comforts she desires. She really has not voiced too much displeasure. However, she is anxious to see you all. I’ve told her that you were coming and I can tell she will be happy to be with you. I thought Larry would be

more agreeable to help, if he had some incentive, come reason to cooperate. And knowing how you all feel about me, I am ashamed I had to resort to these measures. But, the ends do justify the means.”

“How am I supposed to convince these people to go to Brazil?”

“Aahhh, that’s where Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan come in. You see, they will provide the financial incentive, if one is needed. They have plenty of resources and while it might take an enormous amount of money, I’m sure they can recoup their investments quite handily.”

“Well, I never!” exclaimed Viki. “You have nerve to ask us to finance your Nazi friends’ medical treatments. I don’t think we can do this.”

“Even if Karen’s life hangs in the balance? And of course, I do know where your children are at this very moment. Young Jessica is in Algebra class with Mrs. Green, Joseph is with Kelly in an art history class at Llanview University and I believe Kevin is in a meeting with Mel Hayes and Cassie. By the way, Kevin bought Cassie an engagement ring yesterday. Congratulations.”

Astounded by the display of knowledge that Kipling knew, Viki and Clint suddenly became more cooperative. Their kids were everything to them and they would do anything to keep them safe.

“I’ll have Jean-Claude escort you back to your rooms where you can think further on these details. Larry, I expect you to come up with some names and I will review the list. Mr. Buchanan, you can start by analyzing your bank accounts. Don’t move any money yet, I’ll give you more instructions, later.”

Mark (Jean-Claude) saw the trio back to Viki and Clint’s suite and joined them for some coffee and sandwiches. Larry was confused by the sudden familiarity between Viki and Clint and Jean-Claude. Explaining the situation, Clint was able to convince Larry that Jean-Claude was really Mark and had been very helpful and truthful, so far. Larry agreed that they needed all the help they could get. While he was thinking of the doctors he thought might be available or bought, Viki wrote their names down on a pad.

“I don’t know if this is going to work, guys. I mean what can I say to these doctors?”

“The only thing I can think of, ” said Viki, ” is to fabricate a story for all of them, another reason of course. No one’s going to want to come help those Nazi monstrosities. Can you imagine?”

“We could say it’s a working seminar or something. Don’t you doctors do that sort of thing?”

“Clint, when we vacation, we play golf, not doctor! Yes, I guess we could set up some sort of “show and tell” program. Try to get conceited, arrogant, but really good surgeons. They’ll want to show each other up and be anxious to get there!”

“Ok, Larry, does that mean we start over on the list?”

“Yes, Viki, we can eliminate some of them. Fortunately, there are enough to take their place. I may have to extend over to Harrisburg, Albany and Buffalo to get who I need.”

Mark stood up and stretched. “Well, folks, I’m going to leave you. Ivan wants to meet again at 9pm for a late supper. Don’t forget, I’m Jean-Claude, and I’m not your friend. I’m Ivan’s accomplice. While I’m gone, I’m going to go back to Ivan to see if he will tell me anything more about these people who need your help. And, of course, I’ll continue to find Karen’s whereabouts. But the big problem is, Ivan has so many spies, even I don’t know who to trust. When he threw out that stuff about your children, it came as a total surprise to me. ”

Larry was satisfied when he had 32 names on his list. Of course, that didn’t mean that any of them would be interested. He would have to wait and ask. Having not had much sleep, Larry decided to go to his suite and get some rest before the 9pm dinner meeting. Clint had called his banker in Llanview and asked for printouts of his accounts be faxed to him. He had gone down to the Business Center to wait for them and Viki tried to nap. She couldn’t get Karen out of her mind, though. What was Karen thinking? Was she scared? Was she hungry and cold? Tired and lonely? She knew Ivan had said otherwise, but she didn’t trust him. Not at all. She knew Ivan had been fond of Karen at one time. But he didn’t seem to have any sentimentality at all now. She wondered where she was. Was she in this hotel? That was a thought! She quickly dressed and hurried down to the Business Center to find Clint. Maybe he could find out information from the bellboys or waiters. Maybe someone had noticed an American, unhappy and confined too much.