“Your wife?” asked Viki, full of surprise, “who’s your wife?”
“All in due time, folks. I have even more surprises up my sleeve. All in the best interest of keeping you entertained and off-guard. Regardless, we should be leaving for the States tomorrow. We will all stay together in suites at the Waldorf-Astoria. Be ready to depart as soon as Mr. Buchanan has made the arrangements.”
“But, the Waldorf is in New York City! I thought we were going to Philadelphia!”
Clint was visibly upset over this turn of events.
“Ah, well, that’s another tiny alteration that I am making to the plan. I have made the determination that I cannot trust any of you. You haven’t demonstrated any loyalty for this endeavor. So I must protect the project by eliminating any possibility for unfortunate mistakes. Mr. Buchanan, I expect to hear from you as soon as the arrangements are made.”
With that, Ivan showed them the door and refused to reveal anything more. Being dismissed was becoming a regular routine for the four. Mystery and secrecy were the tools that fed Ivan’s enormous ego. A brain surgeon, a very celebrated surgeon at one time, he was now relegated to serving Nazi criminals. All because his ego and his maniacal obsessions with perfection. He fled the country to escape prosecution and, of course, prison. How could he serve the world if he was caged, away from society? He was so self-absorbed that nothing else mattered.
Clint and Viki were walking back to the suite, arm in arm. “Honey, why were you so upset about Ivan changing his plans?”
“I had intended to get Bo involved in this. I’m sure he could have helped us on it. Bo could pull some strings and we could nip this thing in the bud before we left the States again. What’s a Police Commissioner/Brother good for, if he can’t help out his ol’ brother once in a while?”
“Clint, we can’t do that! We have to follow through with this plan. We have to think of our children. Ivan is capable of anything.. Please don’t change your mind.”
“You’re right, you’re right. I just get so infuriated, I can’t stand it. He’s got on my one last nerve! And what’s your take on the wife business? Do you think he’s managed to get Karen to marry him?”
“Oh, no, you don’t think so, do you? That would be terrible.”
“But just the kind of ‘surprise’ that Ivan likes to dangle in front of us. Son of an ever-loving sea goat!”
“Whoa, such language! What do you have against sea goats, anyway? Honey, what are sea goats?”
“You don’t want to know!”
“Who’s name are you going to put on the ticket for Mrs. Kipling?”
“Good question, Viki, I guess Mrs. Kipling is about the only choice I have if Ivan’s not going to tell us.”
“Use Ivana, that should do it. Then they can change it at the airport, providing of course it’s wrong.” Viki laughed at her little joke. She and Ivana were friends, no harm meant.
“What are you going to do about the trip back? Make it mid-morning, I think everyone needs a lot of rest before we start this ordeal.”
“Sounds good to me. I’m going downstairs. I need to check on something. Will you be OK here by yourself for a bit?”
“Yes, of course. I know, I know, I’ll lock the door and not open it to anyone I don’t know. No, make that you or Larry are the only ones I’ll be letting in.”
“You know the drill. ”
“Unfortunate mistakes, indeed! That man just irks me. Always making changes, proving he has the upper hand.”
“Calm down, there’s no need for both of us to be wasting our energy on that fool!”
“Hurry, back, Dear, I’m hungry,” teased Viki with a sly grin. She moved closer to him and gave him a passionate, lingering kiss.
“Hm, what did you say?”
“I’m hun . . . gry,” purred Viki.
“What are you gonna do about it?” asked Clint between kisses.
“I’m going to try my best to eat something.”
“Will you wait on me?”
“Mais, oui, Mon Chere, you are the first course,” giggled Viki.
“What’s the matter, you couldn’t say it all in French?”
“I just didn’t want you to misunderstand my intentions, you beautiful man.”
“I’ll hurry. The faster I go, the sooner I get back.” Clint pulled away, knowing if he didn’t go quickly, he wouldn’t tear himself away at all. She was so tempting, so lovely and desirable. He couldn’t express the total extent of his love, it just wasn’t possible. He tried, with words, flowers, kisses and hugs. Everyday was a brand new day, a day to love Viki and cherish her with all his heart. If we only get out of this one, he thought!
The flight arrangements went without problems and Clint called Ivan to relay the plans. Ivan agreed to everything and asked Clint to inform Larry, so he would be ready. Checking out of the hotel, the next day, everyone was anxious and relieved at one time. They didn’t know what the future held, but anything would be better than the waiting they had endured the past several days. The luggage had been collected by bellmen and taken downstairs for the transport to the airport. In the hallway outside his suite, Larry was pacing. It was evident that the carpet wasn’t going to hold up, if he kept at it.
“Clint, you’re late!””Easy, Larry, it’s going to happen. We’ve got a long way to go, you’d better slow down.”
“I know, I’m just upset. This day means so much to me. Getting to be with Karen, going to the States. Is there any way we can abort this mission, once we get close to home?”
“No way, Larry. Ivan’s not going to let this rest. Viki is dead set against not going through with the plan. She’s concerned over his threats. We do have to think of our children. He’s insane, after all.”
Viki came out into the hall, carrying a tote bag, her purse and a light jacket. A glint was in her eye and it was easy to tell that she was excited about going home. It didn’t matter that “home” was really the Waldorf, it was close enough. Something would turn up, maybe Ivan would back down. Nah, she thought, he would never do that.
Mark came up to the trio in the lobby and ushered them toward a waiting limo. Getting into the car, they noticed that Ivan wasn’t there and neither were Mrs. Kipling nor Karen. It was a big disappointment to Larry, especially. Sighing heavily, Larry sat down and stared as if he was trying to remove himself mentally from the car. It was a blow and he kicked himself for thinking that it would have been any other way. After all, hadn’t Ivan squashed them like bugs at every turn? It wouldn’t end until it was truly over. Then Larry would get his revenge. He silently vowed to himself that Ivan would pay for every hateful thing he had ever done, to him or any of his friends. It would be his distinct pleasure to rid the world of this vermin.
Waiting for the boarding announcement, Viki saw Ivan approaching the four of them.
“Look out, he’s coming,” she whispered under her breath to Clint.
“Heads up, Larry, he’s on his way!”
Ivan greeted them all like long-lost buddies and handed them their tickets.
“I took the liberty of checking in, getting the tickets and approving your seats. All you have to do is show the agent some identification and we’ll be on our way.”
“We’re boarding first class passengers now, Dr. Kipling.” The agent was smiling as she checked the ID’s and handed them boarding passes.
“Let me tell the four of you something. You are sitting in first class. Don’t get chummy with any of the other passengers or the crew. I will be behind you watching your every move. And I also have planted a friend or two on the plane to make sure you behave yourselves. See you in New York!”
“This is great! Being stuck on a plane with Ivan Kipling to my back!”
“Shhh, Clint, someone will hear you.”
“I can’t keep quiet for the entire trip, honey, it might kill me.”
“And Ivan might kill you, if he hears you.”
“Ugh.”
The trip would be long, so they settled down and tried to relax as much as they could. Viki cuddled next to Clint, but couldn’t get close enough because of the console. It was hard to get comfortable in the seats, even if they were wider. Lunch came and went and Viki and Clint were bored beyond belief. Clint suddenly got a gleam in his eye.
“Honey, don’t you have to go to the bathroom?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Surely, you need to go to the bathroom,” insisted Clint. “I’m going to the bathroom. Want to come?”
“No! Behave yourself!”
“Come on, meet me in bathroom at the rear of the plane. If you’re embarrassed, I’ll go first and then when you get back there, I’ll let you in.”
Clint, not wanting to wait for a negative answer, unbuckled his seatbelt and left for the back of the plane.
Viki waited for a minute and then made her way towards the rear. Trying to act nonchalant, she got more excited with every step she took. Thank goodness, she thought, the plane was steady. If she had lost her footing, she would surely die of embarrassment. She could see herself falling on top of someone and breaking their leg or spilling coffee all over them. The plane looked so long. Finally, at the rear of the plane and trying to act as if she was only going to the bathroom, she reached for the door handle. Turning it ever so slightly, the door cracked and she saw Clint’s strong hand reach out to her. Giving a quick glance toward the front of the plane, she hoped that no one was noticing. Especially Ivan. What would he think? What could he think? They weren’t really doing anything wrong, technically. Was there a law prohibiting sex at over 30,000 feet? She couldn’t remember if she’d ever heard of one. Lots of thoughts were rushing through her head, but mostly the titillating prospect of making love to Clint in the airborne jet. With all those other passengers right outside the door. A flush was creeping up her face and she felt incredibly warm. And excited.
Clint pulled her inside, “What took you so long?” he asked as he kissed her with amorous desire. He continued to kiss her and she responded with greedy passion.
“Let’s do it, Clint. I can’t wait any longer. Make love to me now.”
Clint’s hands were tender, but strong and he knew just how to please her. The heat in the small cubicle grew more intense with every kiss and every move. Moving wasn’t easy, but the tight fit made the experience all the more enjoyable. It wasn’t just the height that made the loving so strong and pleasurable, it was their commitment to each other. The climactic crescendo left them panting and spellbound.
Stroking Viki’s hair, he covered her in loving caresses and whispered, “Happy?”
“Ecstatic, Darling,” she sighed. “But I guess we ought to go back to our seats.”
“I’m not sure I can walk,” laughed Clint.
“At least you didn’t stick your foot in the toilet!”
“No, thank goodness I saw ‘Vegas Vacation’ and I learned a little something from Chevy Chase.”
They both started to giggle and then tried to stop. If they had managed to join the mile high club and not get caught, they couldn’t risk attracting attention. They struggled to get their clothes back to their original state and Viki tried to straighten her hair.
“I always knew these johns were small, but, man, this is a record.”
“Clint, you are bad!”
“But you like me that way, don’t you?” grinned Clint.
“Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.”
“OK, then let’s do it again!”
“I don’t think my heart can stand it. Let’s make a date for the Waldorf. What do you say?”
“That date will help me make it the rest of the way to New York.”
“Good thing you’re not walking,” joked Viki.
“Darling, I would walk to New York, on water if I have to, to be with you!”
Walking back to her seat, Viki was shocked to see Karen sitting about 10 rows from the back of the plane. Her head was forward and she looked like she was asleep. Viki wondered if she was drugged again. Ivan was sitting behind her, next to a woman in a large, fashionable hat. She thought the man sitting beside Karen looked familiar, but she couldn’t place who he was. Stopping by Larry’s seat, she leaned down and whispered,
“I just saw Karen. She’s okay, I think. She may be drugged, but she looks asleep. Ivan is behind her.”
“Did she notice you?”
“I don’t think she saw me, Larry. I didn’t want to make too big a deal out of seeing her. I didn’t want to stir up Ivan. But at least she’s on the plane. That’s good news!”
“Yes, at least I know where she is. Now, if I could only be with her.”
“All in good time, as Ivan says. We have a few more hours and we’ll be landing.”
“By the way, where’s Clint? I haven’t seen him in ages.”
“Oh, he just got a little involved. He’s on his way back, now.”
“Hey, Partner, how are you doing?”
“Clint, I’m fine. Are you doing alright? You look a little flushed. In fact, you look a little flushed, too, Viki.”
“Must be the wine. We both had the Chablis. You know I don’t drink that much, but I highly recommend it.”
“Nah, I think it’s the altitude. Flying high is just exciting for us, Larry.”
Clint grinned and sat down in his seat next to Viki. He reached for her hand and felt the warmest surge of love. He was one happy guy. And Viki was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
Filling Clint in on the whereabouts of Karen, Clint was astonished that he hadn’t noticed Karen. He’d seen Ivan, but it was everything he could do to keep from throwing him out the window. It would have been great justice. The way Clint figured it, Ivan should take a flying leap, so what better place than from an airplane?
Landing at JFK, everyone had to go through customs. It surprised everyone that Ivan used his real name, had a passport and didn’t seem to shy away from the authorities. He went through the procedure with no problems at all. Another set of hopes dashed. Larry had hoped that Ivan would be arrested and the nightmare would be over. But this nightmare never seemed to end.
The limo pulled up at the Waldorf and several bellmen came out to collect the baggage. Ivan had made explicit arrangements so that checking in was a snap and everyone got to their rooms with a minimum of fuss. There was still no appearance by Karen or Mrs. Kipling. No one, but Ivan, knew where they were.
“Well, there’s one thing I have to give Ivan. He knows how to travel and he knows how to get things done. ”
“Actually, Darling, he’s a bully. Bullies are never respected, they’re just feared.”
“I guess we have nothing to do then, but wait for the bully to tell us what to do.”
“Yes, we can go get something to eat in the tearoom.”
“Sure, I like having tea with you. Or anything with you.”
“Thanks. Same here.”
Downstairs, in the tearoom, Viki and Clint ordered a pot of tea and some cheesecake. American food was so different and it was a treat to be home. Looking across the room, Viki let out a muffled cry, “Clint, look!”
Comments are closed.