After spending most of the day in the suite, planning strategies and making calls, Viki and Larry took a late afternoon break. Ivan had left them alone, sending lunch through room service and only one message: “Dinner tonight at eight. My place.”
“Oh, no, not again. Larry, I can’t stand to be around the man! He’s vile and loathsome. I don’t believe he’s ever had a shred of compassion.”
“Or decency. Need I remind you that he tried to kill me? He’s despicable. I have a hard time reconciling myself to the fact that I’m actually helping this bastard!”
“It’s for a good cause, though, Larry. I mean, Karen’s life is worth anything.”
“Of course, it is, Viki. But down deep inside, I’m still skeptical that I’m helping. It’s all so complicated.”
“It’ll be over soon, I hope. I hate watching this tear you apart. We’ve been friends almost all our lives so what hurts you, hurts me. I want to see you happy and healthy. Why haven’t you gotten serious about anyone, since Laurel?”
“I’ve tried, but it just doesn’t work. I throw myself into medicine, I try to live a good life. But I still love Karen. Now, I’ve admitted it, you pulled it out of me.” For the first time that day, Larry smiled a little smile. He was thinking of all the wonderful times he and Karen had had. But they had their share of problems, even more than most.
“There must be lots of nurses that would love to date you, Larry. Aren’t you interested?”
“I really am, but not enough to pursue it. Oh, I dated, but somehow I always ended up talking about Karen, the divorce, etc. I think I bored most of them to death. When they didn’t seem interested, I buried myself in my work again.”
“I had always hoped that you and Renee would become a couple. She’s such a lovely person, smart, sensitive and really beautiful.”
“Renee? Are you kidding? Really?”
“Of course, Renee. And why not?”
“Viki, she’s never been interested in me! Not in a country mile. She’s always been hung up on Asa, you know that.”
“Asa doesn’t know what he wants. Even if Renee would have him, which I doubt, Asa is so bull-headed. I do think Renee could make you happy.”
“I admire Renee. She’s a great businesswoman, a really good friend to have when you’re in trouble and she’s a fabulously generous person. She’s given great sums of money to the hospital.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“Viki! I just told you I was in love with Karen. Didn’t you hear me?”
“But what if it doesn’t work out? For all you know, she could be in love with someone in her life that we don’t know about. You can’t keep waiting on her.”
“Yes, I can until she says otherwise. I have to give it a chance. We did it before, and I’m willing to try again.”
“Ok, I hope it works out. By the way, have you heard from Monique?”
“No, and you know what? There’s no Monique Chatterley registered at this hotel! I called just a few moments ago while you were in the ladies’ room.”
“What do you make of that?” asked Viki.
“I don’t know what to think. Perhaps she registered under a fake name and left in a hurry. I thought it was strange she didn’t let us know, but then she doesn’t really owe us any explanations. Hopefully, she’s safe. That’s all we can do.”
“What do you think her big secret was?”
“I have a suspicion, Viki, that she was hiding from her husband. Once, she said that her husband would be really mad if he caught her in Monte Carlo. Maybe she’s a battered wife. Something was definitely wrong.”
“Well, I just wish her good luck.”
“I wonder how Clint’s doing?”
“I think the business center is keeping him fairly busy, sending and getting faxes and schedules from the airlines. He’ll call or come up when he’s finished.”
Mark was determined to find Karen. He was convinced that she knew something about Ivan’s operation. He didn’t know how long Ivan had been in touch with Karen before he snatched her, but he could have told her something. Following Ivan had been tricky. Ivan was used to being extremely careful. He took several flights of stairs down to the casino and disappeared into the large crowd. Lots of people were in the casino this afternoon because a carnival celebration was just getting underway. All of Monte Carlo was partying, and the Pink Giraffe was no exception. People were milling about, drinking and talking loudly. Most were dressed in costumes. The party-goers were garish garb, strange getups, like playing cards and animals. It was like the whole casino was one hallucinatory game. It further frustrated Mark that he had lost Ivan in the crowd. He was sure Ivan hadn’t caught on that he was following him. But then, Ivan had a sixth sense for that sort of thing. Maybe he did know Mark was following him, after all.
“Honey, I’m home!” laughed Clint. He had come up to the suite after a full day of arranging things. Phone calls to more travel agents, bankers and transportation drivers. “How’d you make out, Larry?”
“Pretty well, I think. I was able to talk 12 doctors into coming. And of course, I couldn’t have done it without your wife. She is one slick manipulator!”
“Boy, don’t I know it,” replied Clint.
“You guys, stop it. I didn’t do anything.”
“That was a great idea you had for working with the Hospital Auxiliary. Many of the volunteers are doctors’ wives. Once we had the wives hooked, the husbands followed. Great piece of persuasion.”
“I knew she could do it. Is Ivan going to be satisfied with just the 12?”
“Probably not, but that’s all we have. I truthfully hope that we don’t have to do this tomorrow. My stomach’s in knots. I feel like I’ve betrayed the whole medical community.”
“Not so, Larry. No matter what we think of these people, or patients, they deserve medical treatment, right? You wouldn’t deny one of them treatment if they showed up at Llanview Hospital, would you?”
“Of course not. But, I don’t know, I have a bad feeling about it. Thanks, though, for trying to cheer me up. I appreciate the thought.”
Dinner at Ivan’s wasn’t exactly what anyone wanted to do, even Mark. But Larry was excited about the possibility of seeing Karen again. But as luck would have it, Karen wasn’t there. And neither was Ivan. Eating in his suite, with Mark playing host, was an excruciating experience. Every sound made someone jump. Each was expecting Ivan to bust through the door, holding Karen by the hair and demand some unreasonable event from them.
“Did Ivan tell you why he wouldn’t be eating with us tonight?”
“No, Viki, he didn’t. Just that he was unavoidably detained and for me to entertain, as usual. Funny, I don’t seem to be doing to great a job. Guess I’m just a failure at making you guys feel comfortable.”
“Speaking of uncomfortable, Mark or is it Jean-Claude, or maybe it’s even Tim Ryan, when are you going to start telling us the truth?”
“Oh, oh, how long have you known?”
“I found your wallet on the couch in our room,” explained Viki.
“Seriously? I didn’t even know it was missing!”
“Easy to lose track of identities when you have so many, huh?” asked Clint.
“I can explain. But let me save some of the facts to another time. What I told you was basically correct. Except I no longer work as a government agent. I quit the US Treasury to pursue this case. My superiors wouldn’t support me and I had a personal interest in learning more about Ivan Kipling. I can’t tell you anymore. I am on your side, though. I think Ivan is a terrible man, especially learning what I have about him since we met. I want to see the job finished. Who knows? Maybe I can even get my job back after all this is over.”
“You can see why we feel betrayed, can’t you?”
“Certainly, Larry, but there’s nothing I can do about it. Not yet. All will be revealed, I assure you. Just let me work it out and everyone will be safe.”
Larry asked,” Did you ever find Karen. Do you think she’s okay?”
“Yes, I think she’s okay, no, I didn’t find her. I’m not giving up, you’ll see.”
“Do we have to stay here?” Clint was beginning to push back his chair.
“I don’t see why you should. Ivan won’t be back this evening. Either go back to your plans or enjoy yourselves in the casino. Tonight is the beginning of Carnival. There should be plenty of partying. I’ll come for you in the morning, if Ivan instructs me to.”
Viki and Clint rose from the table and left the room.
“Let’s go change before we go downstairs, Clint. It’ll only take a minute.”
“Okay, I guess it’s back to the Purple Peacock after that.”
“Not again! How many times in one week can you eat Cajun food?” Viki smiled as she went into the bathroom to change and put on more perfume.
“As many times as I can get it. I think I’ll sit down and shut my eyes. Just for a minute.”
“Oh, you poor darling. You can shut them, but don’t go to sleep. I’ll be right out.”
That was the last thing Clint remembered Viki saying to him. He awoke suddenly, his chin falling from his upturned hand. How long has it been, he wondered? The night was dark, the stars illuminated against the velvety sky. The moon winked at him, just like it knew what Clint was thinking. No Viki on the terrace, not in the bathroom or bedroom, either. Where was she? He picked up the phone and called Larry’s room, but he didn’t answer. Not to panic, maybe she just went out for a coke or some snacks. He must have fallen asleep and didn’t hear her leave. Glancing at his watch, he saw that it was 10:30! How could he have slept that long? Why would Viki have let him, she had told him not to fall asleep!
The phone rang and jangled his nerves. Racing to it, he said, “Viki!”
But it wasn’t Viki. It was a man’s voice.
“Oh, so you have noticed that she’s not in the suite? Tell me, how long did you sleep, Mr. Buchanan?”
“Ivan, this isn’t funny. What have you done with her? Where is she? If you hurt her, you’re dead meat!”
“Whether she remains unharmed is up to you. I have devised a method by which you can “win” back your precious Viki. But you will have to do as I say. You know that I am very short funded for this project. I thought we could make a bet and make it interesting. I will win the money for the plans I have, from you, Clint.”
“Why are you doing this? You are a madman. I should have never agreed to play ball with you. You are a disgusting creep.”
“Now, now, Clint, calling me names is not going to result in either one of us getting what we want. Pay attention closely now.”
“I’m listening. I hate it when you say that!”
“Go to the 13th floor casino. There is a ‘Big Wheel’ game going on there. You know the game. There are denominations of bills on the squares of the table and some numbers, too. Several of the squares have been changed. The stakes are high, Mr. Buchanan. Perhaps higher than you’ve ever risked before.”
“You bastard! Don’t mess with me, I’m telling you. If you don’t release Viki right now, you will have hell to pay!”
“Don’t try to beat me at my own game, Clint, I’m too good at it. See you upstairs.”
Clint grabbed his cell phone and wished he still had the gun Mark had allowed Viki to snatch. Thoughts, bad thoughts, were running through his head. Would he be able to save Viki? Where was she? Getting onto the elevator, he noticed there was no 13th floor! Thinking quick, he went to the fourteenth floor and headed for the stairwell. Many hotels did not have a 13th floor. His only thought was that this hotel did, it just wasn’t used for lodging guests and was therefore a safe haven from those who didn’t know it existed. Taking the stairs down, two at a time, he came upon two sets double doors. He listened intently, but heard very little, just a buzzing sound. Silently opening the fire doors, he entered into a dimly light ballroom. The atmosphere was macabre and eerie. There was music and dancing. Everyone was in costume, like in the downstairs casino. How strange! He walked through the dance floor and saw some gaming tables toward the center of the room. There was blackjack, poker and baccarat. More toward the far side, though, was a big wheel. And there, strapped by her ankles and wrists, on the spinning wheel, was Viki! Ivan was using her as the center of the revolving game!
To be continued . . .
Comments are closed.