Mark scoured the property and decided he really didn’t know his way around and that it might take days to find out where Ivan had secreted Karen. He found a man roaming the halls in a khaki uniform whom he thought might be a custodian or maintenance man.
“Excuse me, sir. I work for Dr. Kipling and he wanted me to check out the equipment in the basement. He thinks you may be having some trouble with the plumbing and possibly the emergency generator. Could you show me the way to the basement?”
“Si, Senor. ” The man led Mark to the end of the hall, down some steps and down some more steps. The hallway became sparsely lighted and the smell wasn’t appealing. Too many fumes from various sources and no air circulation.
“I know you must have other things to do, Senor. I can take it from here and it might take some time, so don’t worry about me.”
“Si, Senor, as you wish.”
Mark was left alone to search the vast underground. But he didn’t have much time. He knew the visitors would become restless and Ivan would also want things to proceed.
He stood still and listened. There was no sound, except for a gentle hum. He couldn’t hear the breeze outside or any of the activity above him. This place was a veritable fortress. How Ivan ever discovered it was beyond comprehension. He found supply rooms filled with old cloths, paint cans, mixing pans and other materials. In a closet, he found a ladder, which he hoped to remember, if he needed it. In another closet, he found some old barrels, like the kind that oil is stored in. His stomach did a flip-flop as he tried to tip them and attempted to open them. ‘Please don’t let Karen be in one of these!’ he wailed silently to himself. Nothing. All empty, except for trash. In fact, the whole underground was empty. At least empty of Karen. Mark didn’t find any of Ivan’s skeletons in this ‘closet’. Time to go on and check on Clint.
There was a slight knock and then Ivan strode through the door of Clint’s room.
“Well, now, it’s so nice to see you so much better. Tell me how you feel.”
“I feel so good that even looking at you doesn’t hurt too much.”
“Always a sense of humor. You are getting back to normal, eh? I had hoped you would be up to a little trip this afternoon.”
“What kind of trip?”
“Oh, just a trip to the other side of the compound, to meet with the doctors and assistants and start our little project.”
“Ivan, Clint isn’t well enough yet. We don’t need to be there. We’ve cooperated so far, but us going anywhere is unnecessary, as far as I can see.”
“That’s because you don’t see the whole picture, Viki. I think it’s very important that everyone attend, everyone participate. Don’t you want to see our plan come to fruition?”
“I couldn’t care less. We’ve suffered enough indignities, let us alone.”
“Clint, you haven’t said anything. It’s not like you to keep quiet. What are your thoughts?”
“I think I’m strong enough to go. I do want to look these people in the eyeballs. I want them to know I’m the one who’s paid for getting rid of their problems. And if I can have them all arrested, someday, I will. One of my uncles died in Europe during WWII. If I can bring some of these criminals to justice, so be it.”
“I would expect nothing less from you. Revenge, though, seems more like my style. Maybe we’re more alike than you’d care to think.”
“Ivan, get out of here. You’re more than I can stomach.” Clint was becoming angry now and Viki could see his temper escalate.
“Darling, it’s probably not good for you to get upset. Just ignore him.”
“Nonsense, his blood pressure is fine. But, I’ll leave now and send someone for you later. You can decide then if you wish to attend.”
Karen was busily getting dressed when Mark showed up at her door. She hadn’t been hidden away at all. She was in one the rooms that had been used as Residents’ Quarters long ago. At one time, the place had been a teaching hospital. Now it was a dinosaur, dangerously close to extinction. There weren’t any Residents now. They were lucky to have Ivan.
“Yes, can I help you?” questioned Karen.
“You don’t know me, Mrs. Wolek.”
“Technically, I’m Mrs. Pierpont. Who are you, what do you want?”
” My name is Mark Hopkins. I’m sorry to be disturbing you, but I work for Dr. Kipling,” stammered Mark.
“It’s too early. I’m not ready to go yet.” Karen had taken a shower after her tanning session and had changed into a flowery print sundress. The spaghetti straps were thin and the bodice was really tight. She looked ready for anything, thought Mark.
“I’m not here to pick you up. I just need to talk to you.”
“Well, okay, then come in,” Karen said as she motioned toward the couch.
“I know you don’t know me. But I’ve been worried about you. I’m sorry you’ve been held against your will.”
“But I haven’t been. I thought you said you worked for Ivan.”
“I do, but I assumed that you were here under duress.”
“No, not really. I believe in what Ivan’s doing, or trying to do. Ivan was an enemy in another lifetime. I’ve been through a lot, Ivan has helped me. The least I can do is cooperate.”
“Then you weren’t coerced or threatened into coming here? What about Monte Carlo?”
“Oh, I gladly went to Monte! It was a blast! I hadn’t been there since my honeymoon with Larry. The only regret was that he couldn’t be there with me.”
“But he was there, he was looking for you, hoping and praying to find you.”
“I wasn’t able to reveal myself. But Ivan made sure I was comfortable.”
“This gives me a whole new insight into you, I mean into Ivan. Mrs. Pierpont, I’m sorry to have bothered you. You’ve helped a lot.”
“How have I helped? I really didn’t tell you anything.”
“Yes, ma’am, you did. You told me exactly what I needed to know……about Dr. Kipling, I mean.”
“He is a fascinating, powerful man. Learn from him.”
Mark went away with a downcast attitude. All this time he had thought that Karen was a victim. She was a co-conspirator. Larry was going to be so disappointed. He had suffered so much in the name of love. Should Mark tell Larry about Karen before the big event? He had a right to know. Maybe, Larry could salvage his dignity before he humiliated himself. Mark felt obligated to tell him, but he just didn’t know how. He finally decided to wait until later. He would figure something out. Mark was very disappointed, too. He thought he would be her hero, save her from the dragon Kipling. He knew he had been wrong. She wasn’t the woman he had imagined. Surely, she wasn’t the woman Larry had told him about. Even more interesting, what would Larry think of Karen’s collusion? Was she going to try to get money from him? Or was it just a personal revenge?
Ivan was making preparations for the doctors and assistants to meet their patients. The south wing was cleaned and the patients were excited to be meeting the men and women that would restore their bodies. There was a buzz in the air. The electricity was crackling and there was more joy in the wing than ever before.
Monique had delivered the message to Mark that sent him on the errand to collect Larry and the Buchanans. They were to all meet at the South wing lobby in 15 minutes. Clint had been determined to be included and Viki had no choice but to acquiesce.
“I suppose we’ve come this far, we might as well finish it, ” she said.
“I will be glad to get it over with.”
The lobby was full. The doctors, nurses and assistants, Larry, Viki, Clint, Monique and Ivan were there.
“Before we go in the ward, I want to tell you how much we appreciate your coming. We are in desperate need of your services.”
Clint whispered to Viki, “Is this the part where he tells him they’re going to be operating on Nazis?”
“You will find various challenges here. Too many problems, not enough staff. Too many infirmities, not enough hope. You are the answers to many prayers. Once again, we thank you.”
Mark, Larry, Viki and Clint hung back as Ivan opened the doors to the ward. The others rushed in and immediately began to work. Nurses started to take vital signs, the doctors focused on looking at charts and chatting with their patients. Ivan noticed that the four hadn’t gone in, but were lingering in the lobby.
“Won’t you join us? Our patients are anxious to thank you for all you’ve done. You, too, are the reason we’ll be able to solve so many problems.
Reluctantly, they all went into the ward and were stunned by what they saw. It was impossible! This couldn’t be right.
Finally, Viki broke the silence, “Ivan, these are all children!”
“Yes, Viki, they are, ” admitted Ivan.
“But, but . . . ”
“I know, I tricked you. I do apologize.”
“But why?” questioned Viki.
“Because you wouldn’t have taken me seriously. If I had come to you with my sad story, you would have been suspicious and you wouldn’t have believed me. I don’t blame you. The monster that I was would have deserved such disbelief.”
“Why didn’t you just tell us, Kipling?” Clint asked.
“Because you wouldn’t have accepted that I was a human being again, that I could care for children.”
“Who are these children?”
“Jean-Claude, oh, by the way, may I call you Mark now? These children are here due to the machinations of a horrible regime. They come from another country, Vanchan, on the southern border of Chile. The current dictator has begun a “house cleaning”. In order to get the “perfect child”, they have removed all children with imperfections from their homes. He wants to “purge” his society of defects. Sound familiar? Perfect society. The travesty is, these children are treatable, and in many instances, curable. They have vision and hearing problems, speech problems, cleft palates, club foot or something similar. But this backward country won’t come up to the times. It insists on getting medical perfection by ignoring medical problems.”
“Oh, my God, how did they get here?”
“Viki, they are taking from their homes and shipped across the continent in railroad cars. This abandoned hospital was set up as an “orphanage”, but sadly, they are not orphans. Their families have been brainwashed and they have been encamped here.”
“I’m so ashamed!”
“No need to be ashamed, Viki. You are going to help me solve these problems. We can do it together.”
“I still think that if you had presented the facts, we would have helped.”
“But you would have been disappointed! Now, you are elated, are you not, and surprised that I am not the viper you thought me?”
“Yes, I suppose we do owe you a deep apology.”
“I’m not looking for an apology. I’m just interested in treating the children.”
Larry had been severely quiet until now. “That still doesn’t explain about Karen. Where is she?”
“She’s in the conference room, waiting for you. I know you’ll be pleased.”
Ivan led the way and reunited Larry and Karen. This time Karen was coherent and alive and beautiful.
“Karen, I’ve been so worried about you! Are you alright?”
“Yes, Larry, I’m fine. Ivan has treated me well and I haven’t been hurt.”
“But you appeared drugged when we had dinner together. And on the plane, too.”
“It was just an act, I’m afraid. I’m sorry that we deceived you, but it was the only way. Ivan convinced me of that.”
“You went with him willingly?” Larry was aghast and was slow comprehending what exactly was unraveling.
“Not at first. But he promised me that you and I would be able to see each other. Maybe work on our past. Do you think that’s possible?”
“I’m not sure if I can overlook this, Karen.”
“If you’ll just look around, Larry, isn’t it worth it? These precious, innocent children. Larry, they’ve never had a chance. You’re doing a marvelous thing, you’re creating miracles. These kids can go home to their families or be adopted by people who love them, instead of living in an institution for the rest of their lives. And not getting medical correction for these simple things? I know you. You would do this anyway. But you wouldn’t have trusted Ivan, we both know that, don’t we?”
“Yes, it’s an admirable and worthy endeavor. But I have a problem with being manipulated over it.”
“I can appreciate you being mad. I expected it, but I hoped that you could forgive me.”
“I think I can, in time. But can I just be alone to think about it?”
“Sure. I’m going to read a story to some of the kids. I’ve gotten pretty fond of a couple of them. Maybe someday, we could both tell them stories.”
Larry walked away and noticed that Viki and Clint were playing with a little girl whose eyes were crossed. She had the brightest smile and her hair was silky black. She had crawled up into Viki’s lap and she was touching Viki’s hair. Clint was laughing and Viki started to tickle the child. Larry just needed time to think. Little did he know that the surprises weren’t over. In fact, they’d just begun.
Monique and Ivan joined the other doctors and nurses. He had created a system to evaluate the worst conditions, schedule the surgeries and start rehabilitation programs. The operating rooms were a challenge, but the doctors were up to it. Little eyes, mouths and feet, among other things, were fixed and made normal. There were some conditions that weren’t reversible, but one of the doctors there was on the board of Kids of Challenge, International, an adoption agency that specialized in “difficult” adoptions. They had placed hundreds of children with loving families who didn’t care that they had problems.
“Karen, I’d like to talk again. Do you have a minute?”
“Of course, Larry, we can go back to the conference room.”
Mark saw the two together again and decided that now was the time to confront them. He would get the truth out of them, if it was the last thing he did.
“I remember seeing this wing from the other side. I couldn’t make anything out, but I saw a faint light.”
“There wasn’t much laughter here before today, Larry. Since I’ve been here, it’s been deadly quiet. Not too much to be thankful over. The staff tried but it was so overwhelmingly hopeless.”
“I’m glad we came, Karen. I know it wasn’t right for Ivan to trick us, but I’m glad we’re here. If you’ll be patient with me, I think we can work on things.”
“Oh, Larry, you’ve made me so happy! I was afraid to even hope for your understanding. I know it wasn’t right, but yet it was. Thank you so much for willing to try.”
“Larry, Karen, could I talk to you for a minute?”
“What is it, Mark?”
“Karen, I hope this doesn’t offend you. But I have something to tell you– I am your son.”
“What?!?”
“Karen doesn’t have any children. That’s a lie!” shouted Larry.
“Yes, I’m her son. I’m 30 years old.”
“Tell him he’s crazy, Karen.”
“I can’t, Larry. I do have a child. A son. He was born 30 years ago.” Karen was bowing her head, shaking it, like she didn’t believe it herself.
“How? When?”
“Before I ever met you, Larry. I was young. I didn’t know about birth control. I got scared. I couldn’t take care of a baby! I did the only thing I knew to do.”
“You gave it away?” asked Larry.
“Yes, she gave me away. Karen, I’ve been looking for you for a long time. And I have been looking for my father, too. Can you help me?”
“Wait, this is incredible. Where did you come from? How did you find Karen?”
“I was adopted by the Hopkins family. They died in a car wreck while I was in college. My aunt kept up with me, encouraged me, loved me, the best she could after they died. Actually, she was an aunt by marriage. But she loved me as her own. She didn’t have any children, either. She died five years ago and that’s when I came across some letters. Letters that intimated who my parents were.”
“Your aunt? Hopkins?”
“Yes, Ina Hopkins.”
Larry looked stunned. “Ina knew about this? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because my father is Ivan Kipling and she was too ashamed of him!”
“No, you’re wrong, Mark!”
“Wrong that you were ashamed of him?”
“No, Ivan is not your father! Your father is Marco Dane.”
“Marco? You’re not serious! It’s unbelievable.”
“It’s believable, Larry. Did you forget about me knowing Marco before I came to Llanview? Did you forget that before I came to Llanview, I testified against Marco and he was sent to jail? But my pregnancy was one secret Herb Callison didn’t get out of me on the witness stand!”
“No, I couldn’t forget but why did you give Mark up?”
“I didn’t think Marco was going to get out of jail so soon. The justice system wasn’t any better then than it is now. I thought because he got twenty years, he would serve twenty years. Wrong, he got eighteen months. I didn’t think a baby should be saddled with a prostitute for a mother. I didn’t think Marco was good father material, either.”
“But why didn’t you come after me, when you two got back together?”
“Mark, we weren’t really ever romantically involved after that. I kept the secret of your conception, birth and adoption from him. He was my pimp, for God’s sake. I was scared of him. I didn’t know how he would react if I told him. The longer I kept quiet, the harder it was to even consider telling the truth. He was a cruel man, a man with a criminal record. I loved him, but he was bad for me. And I finally got him out of my system.”
“You could have told him after he got out. I needed both my parents.”
“You had parents and they were very good to you. I kept up with you for awhile, but I didn’t want anyone to get suspicious. Ina took the secret to her grave, but apparently, she didn’t get rid of the letters.”
“Marco Dane. He doesn’t sound any better than Ivan!”
“Don’t be too disappointed, Mark, he did change. He became a much better person.”
“Do you know where he is?”
“No, but the last time I heard, he was in Port Charles, NY. But then he hooked up with some woman named Tracy and I haven’t heard from him since.”
“Will you help me find him?”
“Yes. I’m so sorry Mark. I hope you can forgive me–someday.”
“I’m glad it’s out in the open now. I have been struggling with this for five years. I’ve endured Ivan and I’ve been completely isolated from my friends. Now, I can start my life over. I can be who I really am.”
“Larry, I know this is quite a shock to you, but are you still willing to work at a relationship?”
“Wow, this is so much to assimilate. But I’m willing to try.”
Later, Mark told Viki and Clint his incredible story. They were shocked, to say the least, but it answered some questions for them, too. They were happy that Karen and Larry were going to work on their relationship. Clint had been on the phone and had just finished planning for a foundation that would self-fund all the medical treatment that these kids would need. He had talked with his lawyers and accountants and almost all the legalities were settled before the day was over. His people moved when he issued orders, and he wasn’t about to let any of these children suffer any longer than necessary. Clint had also ordered the jet to meet them in Rio. He and Viki were leaving right away for Llanview. But Karen, Larry and Mark were going to stay a little longer and get to know each other. Ivan through himself into the work, with Monique right by his side. When Larry’s colleagues back in Llanview heard of the need, more and more volunteered their services. Things were really going to change in the old hospital in Macao.
The children were happy, the adults were happy. The only thing missing was Marco Dane. But then, you never know when Marco’s going to show up.
~~ The End ~~
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