It was like any other typical morning at this time of year, the sun pouring its glorious benediction upon the horizon, a soft magenta light, as celestial crests broke over the verdant forest across the stream on the perimeter of the estate -- the spell broken by the insistent shrilling of the small silver receiver in its cradle on the wall. Eileen stumbled into the kitchen, picked up the receiver -- her back stiff, feeling the crick in her neck as she straightened -- to add to her discomfort, her head ached, her eyes caked with grit. She reached for a moist rose scented towelette and freshened up, freeing her eyes of the evidence of another sleepless night, her mood somber.
She inwardly cursed whomever it was daring to disturb her melancholy so early in the morning, wanting only to ignore the demanding refrain of the phone. But she answered it anyway, more out of habit than any sense of courtesy.
She longed for the first cup of coffee of the day. At that moment, it seemed the perfect consolation. But thoughts of salvaging her quietude and savoring the aromatic beverage of mocha Kenya flew out the window. "Eileen...?"
"Yes, this is Eileen Silver…can I help you?" She had taken a seat by the phone, noticing the morning paper lying prostrate on the veranda as she chanced a look through the double-glazed doors that opened onto the front lawn of the property before her and made a mental note to go fetch it later and feed the cat. She loved nothing better than to munch on cereal, sip her coffee, read the headlines and comb through the financial section.
"Oh yeah… I think so; may I address you as Eileen?"
"Who is this?"
"A mutual…friend, let's just say, we have a particular interest in common," the woman's saccharin voice sneered on the opposite end of the line.
"Beryl Black…! I should have known. What the hell do you want?"
"Now is that anyway to speak to a mother-to-be?"
"You, pregnant...! Don't make me gag… I don't believe it; wouldn't that cramp your style?"
"Hey… I would have expected a more sisterly response from you, Eileen. After all, it's not everyday you get to rub it in that you're carrying your lover's child, especially when that lover just so happens to be your greatest rival's husband…"
"You're lying!"
"Am I? Come on Eileen…get real. Surely, you can't believe that. What do you expect after kicking him out onto the street and taking his company away from him? I was the only one he could turn to. I gave him what you -- you self-important prima Donna couldn't -- love and great sex!"
"Shut up you filthy ho! A snake like you wouldn't go through with the pregnancy anyway…and you, a sleazy social climber who sucks up to every single corporate powerbroker you can get those stinking claws into…bitch!"
"Oh Eileen, quit it with the dramatics already… if its proof you want, you've got it. Meet me this afternoon and I will prove everything I say is true. I mean, James has that heart shaped tattoo on his--"
"Shut up damn you! All right, where and when." Eileen stood frozen to the spot as everything she had once held to be true in her life finally collapsed. This, despite all the warnings, the fights, and the fact she believed James still loved her and their children, but what if this bitch was speaking the truth…what then, "Okay, next Tuesday at amigos, Beryl suggested in a cheerful tone.
"I will be there, despite my better judgment," she said, almost in a disembodied voice.
Beryl, in a strangely gentle tone gave her reply, "You deserve to know the truth. And despite what you might think of me, it wasn't all my doing, please remember that before judging me too harshly. I won't keep you any longer than is necessary, but meet me at two o'clock and I will explain everything--"
"Look, enough. I will see you then," she scribbled down the address of the restaurant and hung up the phone, and began to cry, her heart felt as heavy as a stone anvil.
Eileen got up and poured herself a Southern Comfort and lemonade, spilling a few rogue ice cubes onto the granite bench top, and growled as she tossed them unceremoniously into the sink and stormed out of the house, smashing a bowl filled with flowers perched upon a pink marble pedestal on the patio.
She downed her drink in one gulp, setting the glass on a nearby table; she ran down the short flight of steps into the garden and headed towards the swimming pool. She stripped off, jumped into the water, and swam a dozen laps non-stop before crawling out of the water panting. Physical exhaustion often quelled her emotions, this a far better remedy than alcohol, though she still drank moderately.
She lay naked on her stomach and eventually fell asleep. Almost three hours later, she managed to stumble to the patio and climbed into the loveseat, tucking her knees under her chin, wrapping her arms about her legs and began to whimper -- rocking gently back and forth as the sun cast a shadow, like a black satin awning over her cradled form. That's how Haruna found her; it was a little after lunchtime. She ushered Serena inside, asking her to bring her mother's bathrobe.
After Eileen slipped on her robe, she thanked Serena and hugged her fiercely. Haruna whispered in Serena's ear before retreating into the house to make coffee. She sat by her mother and took her hand, "What is the matter, mom?"
"Everything…! Darling, I know I haven't been much of a mother to you and Sammy lately, but I do love you both…never forget that. But I can't shelter you from what is happening any longer…hell, you probably know already," Eileen looked at the bejeweled eyes of her daughter, so like her own luminous azure orbs and brushed a strand of golden hair from Serena's face and kissed her cheek.
"Mom, don't do this to yourself. I understand how things are between you and dad. Sammy told me some of it before he moved out. Its okay, mom…half my friends have experienced separation and divorce in their families. It's not the end of the world if it happens with you and dad. You know why, because we know he still loves us, including you, mom. But he has to work things out on his own."
"He has a funny way of showing it. But I won't lie to you. I think it is unlikely he will ever come back to live with us. The occasional weekend is all we are going to get. I want him to come back. Heaven knows I've tried to reason with him, to get him to understand he has to put his family first. Be responsible and a good example to both you and Sammy, but I can't make him come back if he doesn't want to," Eileen said gratefully accepting the hot mug of coffee from Haruna, who smiled at mother and daughter before retreating back into the house to allow them their privacy.
"You mean...he has a girlfriend."
Eileen stared at her daughter in surprise and sighed resignedly, "You're fourteen years old and you have a right to know the answer. Yes, he has, and I can't deal with it right now. I just can't, darling."
"Its okay, mom, we're still here and not going anywhere. So don't worry, Sammy and I are here for you."
Eileen hugged Serena. So wise for her years, she thought, feeling a sense of pride overwhelm her, "Look, Sere…go have some lunch, okay. Later, Haruna will drop you back at school. I have to meet somebody to discuss business this afternoon, but I will pick you up after classes and take you to the arcade, K?"
"Sure, mom…thanks a bunch!" Serena smiled, and kissed her mother's cheek.
~*~
"Ami, I don't know… I love both my folks, but dad has hurt mom so much. You know, she used to tell me she got hay fever whenever she had been crying and this was a story she would always tell me when I was younger to protect us from what was going wrong in their relationship. It's not fair! Dad runs off with that – Pretty Woman clone – and we have to pretend like there is nothing wrong and…" she sighed, Ami patted her shoulder and looked up to see Lita enter the arcade with Trista and Max in tow.
"Hey meatball head, how's high school treating you? I hate Mrs. Lavonia; her lack of interest in her subject rubs off on half the class. What's worse, if you outshine her by working hard and delivering a great presentation, she gets jealous, marks you down and tells you it's good for your character development…? Character development my ass!"
"Why don't you change classes, Lita?" Ami cut in.
"I love the subject and the guys in my class… You know… I wouldn't want to give them up."
"Chilidogs and shakes all-round...?" Motoki asked -- cloth in hand. Motoki was planning to study animation and Cinema and his work at the Arcade would get him through college and beyond. He was good-natured and loved the regular crowd on his afternoon shifts.
"Sure, Motoki…and could I please have an ice-cream sundae to start off with -- the passion fruit one -- please," Serena piped up, licking her lips in anticipation and introduced the topic of the surprise party she'd been planning all that day, "Hey guys, I have a fave to ask. I want to cheer up mom, and I thought I would organize a small party at her gallery next week. It's her birthday, and I want her to show off some of her sculptures and paintings. So, whatya think?"
"Hey, that's a great idea. The apartment complex is not far from here. We could meet early that day…get balloons, streamers and the food organized," Trista said excitedly, looking from Serena to Lita.
"Lita, that's your department," Serena delegated cheerfully, warming to the idea. All chimed in their suggestions.
~*~
Eileen parked the Stingray a few doors back from the restaurant. She took a moment to catch up on a few work related matters, and called her office to order more software and office supplies. Only now remembering she meant to do this the previous day -- ending the call, she climbed out of the front seat, placing her shoulder bag atop the car's roof and foraged for her shades and locked the vehicle.
She sighed, slung the bag over one shoulder and headed for the colorful entrance -- the three feet high emerald-green ceramic cactus, donning a sombrero-- smiled its humorous greeting as she walked past, the footfalls of her high-heels clicking in her wake.
It only took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust to the light within the dimly lit restaurant. Beryl sat at a corner table with an overhanging indoor plant looking as if it had once spent time on the set of Jurassic Park. Eileen took in the woman's surprisingly modest appearance; the loose fitting hot-pink dress fell to her knees with a white high ruffled collar and a shimmering tumble of rich-red locks spilling over her maternal bulge.
Serena's hands went cold at the thought of James's child sleeping within the womb of this cold calculating ho. She chided herself inwardly for the angry thought. But deep down, she didn't try all that hard to extinguish her honest appraisal of the redhead smiling smugly at her, "Sit, Eileen… We have a lot to talk about."
"That remains to be seen, Beryl," she retorted, sitting down business-like, adjusting her shades on the bridge of her nose then pouring herself a glass of Beryl's red wine and helped herself to the complementary corn chips. She crossed her legs, glaring at the other woman, "How do I know it's his?"
"You don't waste much time getting to the point, do you, Eileen. I suppose that's why you're such a successful businesswoman. Well then, that being the case, you're astute enough to appreciate what it is I am about to discuss with you."
"How so, pray tell."
"All right, this is the deal," Beryl produced a large envelope and placed it before Serena, "It's all there, the DNA paternity test results. I thought a few ultrasound pictures would bring a smile to your lips."
"Bitch..., you cold, calculating, careerist bitch...!"
"Eileen, really, we should be behaving like professionals, shall we?" Beryl chuckled, arching an eyebrow, "I am six months along, and I want a future for this child and security for myself, too." Beryl had worked it all out. She was sure Eileen would go for it. As legal guardian of James's child, Eileen would have to accept Beryl into the family; this would ensure her baby a place in the Silver Empire, and by default, would include a beneficial change in circumstances for herself, too. She watched the iron-willed woman before her begin to waver as she read the contents of the document. If Eileen Silver failed to help her, it would all come out in the press, compounding Eileen's marital problems and the media would have a field day.
Diamond could clean up and launch his planned acquisition of Eileen's corporate holdings in the US. it doesn't matter to me in the least how he goes about it, so long as I am included as part of the over-all package. Securing a lucrative contract with Diamonds transnational cartel, she told herself as she continued to watch every change in Eileen Silver's facial expressions that would give her some indication of what might be running through her mind as she glanced through the document, a perfect picture of concentration.
"So, if I sign this you will be a beneficiary of any stock gains the company makes?" Beryl nodded and Eileen continued, "So, as you're forcing my hand, I won’t give you a vote on the board. But the salary, I take it is designed to keep you quiet, that I will agree to, so long as ten percent of your annual income is deposited into the child's account and I and Hanna have power of attorney until your child turns twenty-one. Take it or leave it -- unless you wish to fight me in the courts! Don't think I won’t. I could just as easily take off the gloves right now and drag you through the muck, you yourself created. I am only going to sign this piece of extortive slight of hand to protect my children and your baby, heaven help the poor little thing." She flicked through the documents a second time, taking notes and circled various items, "I have one condition before I have this contract re-drawn and signed. I want you to keep the pregnancy quiet until my children reach the age of eighteen years. If they learn of it any sooner, all bets are off, no deal, no cash and no security blanket. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal. Eileen, I agree to all your conditions. If there is nothing else, I would like to meet with you to sign the documents and make it all legal and binding."
"All right, Beryl -- leave it with me. After tomorrow, I don't want any more trouble from you," she said sternly, her sharp eyes cutting off any retort. They finished their coffee. Eileen stood up, straightening her skirt, "I will be in touch."
~*~
Beryl was pleased with herself, having gotten more than she bargained for and immediately called James on her cell phone. He picked her up and they walked in the park and sat within a cluster of lavender bushes opposite the town hall. She slid her arms about his neck and kissed him lightly on the lips, "It's all done. Our child has a future, my love. I have everything under control."
"Eileen didn't give you too much of a difficult time?"
"She forced me into making certain alterations to the contract, but since it was an ambit deal, I was more than satisfied with the outcome. So we're in… You are silent partner. I will finance you and your new company, but I control the books. I hate to admit it, sweetie, but Eileen is right about your business acumen, or lack thereof."
"Okay, I admit it. I have a poor track record, but as long as I have creative license—"
"Subject to a feasibility study and costing," she said, brushing a strand of hair out of his eyes.
"Of course," he agreed.
"Then it's a win-win situation all-round."
~*~
The moon was brimming with silvery liquid light, a limacine had picked up Eileen from work and the driver escorted her to the gallery. Eileen smiled secretly, knowing her children had planned something special for her that night. The driver bowed after taking off his hat, opening the door that opened onto the vast interior of the gallery. All was silent, the lights dim, then suddenly, whistles and cheers broke out and the music and drinks began to flow, "Happy birthday, and mom!"
"Happy birthday, Mrs. Silver, Trista shouted over the music, hugging her warmly.
Motoki, dressed in a tux, wore a Cheshire grin on his face. Reika iaito, his fiancé, dressed in a black silk number that had the girls, including Serena talking about how stunning, the dress was and how hot Motoki looked were all smiles as she said her hello to Eileen and Serena. Lita wore a green skirt and long sleeved white lace top and Ami a calf-length lightweight fawn woolen skirt and sky-blue top. They all looked great.
After mingling a while, Sammy and Courtney -- his school sweetheart -- presented Eileen with a bunch of flowers and a huge box of Swiss chocolates, her favorite. Then the art show began, Eileen talked about each piece and told the story about what had inspired each one. She was in her element, and all thoughts of the last few days, weeks and months had melted away. Several art critics and magazine journalists were present and Serena was tickled pink at how well her mothers work was received.
The dancing started after a huge marble cake was set on a circular table, a silver candle atop its three tiers looked fantastic as Eileen prepared to make her wish. She thought about her children and wished every success for them, personally and in their lives generally before blowing out the silvery candle, "I just want to say that I didn't expect anything like this, Serena, Sammy and all of you, I thank you for making this day so special. I love you all and my only request is you enjoy the food, drink, music and one another's company…enjoy!"
Sammy danced with his mother, then Motoki stepped in for a dance, bowing, he took her hand and Eileen giggled and they danced the waltz. The night was a roaring success.
~*~
It was a week later when the proverbial shit hit the fan. The front page of the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek and the Star Enquirer were running the story: Silver Empire caught up in an insider trading scandal, accused of involvement in weapons deals and laundering of black market cash.
By the end of trading, Silver Corp stock had leveled out and gained slightly, but the company was in trouble. Diamond had bought the plummeting shares for a song. Eileen Silver discovered she no longer controlled Silver Corporation. The Diamond cartel had taken advantage of the situation.
~*~
Beryl not only had all she wanted from Eileen Silver, but twenty five percent of Silver Corp shares in her keeping, "James, after today, I am a million dollar girl. And you, my gorgeous hunk of man, are coming with me on a world-wide vacation to celebrate, starting with Barbados at weeks end," she told him, kissing him passionately.
When they came up for air, he smiled and started on his reply, "Okay, that's fantastic! I think now is as good a time as any to celebrate," he laughed, picking up Beryl off her feet, swinging her in a circle before pulling her close and once more pressing his lips to hers -- enjoying the sensation of her body yielding to his desire. She took his hand and led him to a sofa and sat down, she gave him a radiant smile, "Yup, all the arrangements have been made, flights booked and hotels and all…Benita is taking care of it all," she explained while stroking his cheek.
"Benita?"
"Yeah, my agent, I need somebody to help set up Black Diamond consultancy, Alex has kindly thrown his weight behind my other little venture," she giggled as James stroked her bulbous belly, "I told you I could mix it with the big boys and the girls, too…"
"Clever girl, and congratulations...."
~*~
Eileen felt a wave of depression wash over her being. She couldn't believe that in one single day, everything she had worked so long and hard for over the years was crumbling in front of her eyes and she was powerless to stop it. Over fifty percent of her company now belonged to Alexander Diamond, "And this insider trading thing. It simply makes no sense," She told Hanna, who sat opposite in a short denim skirt, grey windcheater and brown-leather sandals. They went through the files carefully, looking for clues. The previous day, they'd discovered some one had broken into the office and stolen everything: computer disks, laptops and documents, and the shredder had been working overtime. She sat slumped in her chair crying. Hanna sat beside her and held the sobbing woman in her arms, whispering soothing words of understanding and encouragement, "We will get to the bottom of this, Eileen. I promise. It’s all a fabrication and you know that," she smiled at her friend, padding her eyes dry and poured Eileen a brandy, "Drink this, it will make you feel a lot better. Alan has a few useful contacts and I guarantee, by the end of the month, we will not only have proof of your innocence, but will find the culprit and drag them to the federal court and sue their asses."
"Oh, I hope you're right. It's not me so much I am worried about; it's the kids. I am just glad I set them up and made sure they were financially independent. It's just the scandal and how it will affect their lives, and the stigma of corruption that has tainted us all."
"Just don't give in to whoever is involved. I will get Alan to examine our options. There is an executive committee meeting to be held here in this office in three hours time. So, let’s do lunch and take time out for ourselves. Hell, we both need it, honey." She hugged Eileen and took her hand and pulled her from the chair, "Come on…don't dawdle."
~*~
The following morning, Silver Corp released an official press statement denying all accusations, describing them as an elaborate fabrication, stating that what passed for evidence was purely circumstantial -- an attempt to bring down a respected powerful businesswoman. But it seemed public opinion was not entirely moving in Eileen Silvers favor.
"We have to ride this one out. We can do precious little about Diamond right now. I think its all too convenient, myself," Eileen told her friend, sipping her scotch and lime, "But I wont let that bastard betray me like that and kick me when I am down… Its just business sense… He says and I quote, I will sell the company back to you once the charges have been thrown out of court… So he says, while screwing me and at the same time reaping the rewards. He has total control of the US wing of the company and can invest and run it as he sees fit. Thank heaven I have a number of friendly corporations who have blocked any further assault on Silver Corp."
"Alan has set up a list of possible suspects. He's got people within Diamond Corp doing a search and keeping their eyes peeled for any evidence of Alexander Diamond's involvement. But whoever is running the show has covered their tracks damn well, I'm afraid. It will take a year or more if we're lucky; to get the evidence we need to clear your name."
"Great, just great…! Look Hanna, I want you to accept a new position as co-manager of Silver Corp. We need to shift our headquarters offshore to our Asian Office in Tokyo. And besides, I need a break. We should take the children and make it a working holiday. I will fly home a few days before the hearing and you can run everything until this is sorted out."
"Okay, but right now I think you ought to do a little local flying, kiddo," Hanna said waving her hand towards the royal-blue sky outside the floor to ceiling panoramic office windows, "Good day for it, honey, and Serena has been looking forward to it, too. So, what do you say to leaving all this heavy shit behind for a few hours and making like eagles? "
"I wouldn't miss it for the world!"
"That's the spirit. Now get out of here… I can hold the fort."
~*~
Daniel Rubeus stood in the doorway to his office and waved to the attractive woman, in her stylized flight gear. Beside her, young Serena Silver, that ones going to be a heartbreaker when she grows up, just like her mother, he thought to himself as he stepped from the office entrance to greet them.
"Hey Danny-boy, how's tricks?"
"Same as always, Eileen darl'n -- got some hot coffee for you…your favorite!"
"Biscuits...?"
"Sure, the shortbread from the Netherlands you love so much. Oh, and by the way, you look great as always. And young Serena, it’s an honor and privilege to have you with us this fine afternoon," Serena grinned as he bowed and she curtseyed, bringing smiles all round. Eileen and Serena led the way inside, "She's ready to fly girls. I will escort you to the hanger in a short while. But first, enjoy."
"Thanks Daniel. I take it things are -- dare I say -- looking up as far as the aviation business is concerned?"
"Yeah, you could say that.… I have purchased another three fleet craft and have some new clients leasing the hangers on the Southern strip, so life's good." After making small talk, Serena was keen to climb inside the cockpit of her mother's plane and assume the role of co-pilot.
Ten minutes later, the group walked the short distance to the hanger. As they stepped inside, a dark figure in a black jumpsuit and balaclava with a khaki backpack slung over the right shoulder, jumped from the plane and made a run for it, "Hey you…stop!" Daniel broke into a run and pursued the intruder.
The uninvited guest produced a short-bladed weapon of Japanese origin, wielding the blade in wide arcs, in a desperate attempt to escape. Eileen launched herself into a high-kick, knocking the figure to the ground. She had a black belt in Karate, but just as she was about to disarm the would-be intruder, a smoke grenade exploded at her feet. She became disorientated, stepping away lest the blade strike her. This allowed the dark-clad intruder to escape.
Ten minutes later, Alan -- along with two young agents -- searched the plane from top to bottom, checking everything to see if the aircraft had been tampered with in any way. They found traces of gunpowder and an unidentifiable substance.
Forty-five minutes later, they were given the all clear to fly. Alan told them to go have a good time. He would let them know the results of the forensic tests later.
~*~
"Wow, this is so cool!" Serena said awestruck by the high-tech features of the silver Columbia 400SLX, quickly forgetting the frightening encounter with the strange Ninja-like fighter.
"This is the perfect plane for a woman like me, Sere. I am a hard-working and focused individual and this magnificent bird reflects that, don't you think?"
"Sure does, mom," Serena agreed with bright eyes and flushed cheeks.
"Its got a GPS system, advanced topographical scanning software, laser guidance, environmental controls and heaps of other cool stuff," Eileen told her excited daughter, savoring the moment.
"Wow, I love the surround glazed view port, its awesome! Serena said breathlessly taking her seat and strapping in.
"Just wait till we get her in the air!"
"Flight to tower, we're ready to taxi, over…" Eileen said into the hands-free communications system.
"Roger that, you have go for take-off, good flying," Daniel said cheerfully. It wasn't long before they were airborne; Serena was wide-eyed as she looked out onto a sky filled with puffy white cumulus that seemed to go on forever, the landscape below unfolding like a tapestry of imaginative color, so pretty she thought, the feeling truly exhilarating as they flew over towns, rivers, and an assortment of various terrains.
Serena was overjoyed when her mother switched on her consol, and for the first time in her life, she was literally flying, "This is so amazing, mom, I understand why you love it so much!"
They spent two hours in the air, and before Serena knew it, they were receiving landing instructions. She had shared the controls with her mother and now experience was required as she sat back and prepared for her first landing. The weird sensations that swept over her were thrilling and she wanted more. It was over all-too soon and she hugged her mother before climbing from the aircraft.
Returning to Daniels office, they found Alan waiting for them, a neutral expression on his face. Daniel winked at Eileen and took Serena for a tour of the airfield, leaving Eileen and Alan alone, "Well Eileen, I can tell you this; there is a lot more to this situation than meets the eye. Firstly, the gunpowder was laced with an experimental accelerant… I would say we interrupted something sinister. But for now, I want to assure you we are going to watch you like a hawk. Are you staying at Hanna's tonight?"
"Yeah, any particular reason...?"
"Yes, starting the day after tomorrow, we are posting an around the clock watch on you guys, just precautionary. The FBI knows it's a set-up."
"What… I don't believe it, can't they help clear my name!"
"Yes and no, but if you hear me out, you will understand why we must allow Diamond, or whoever is trying to kill you, to be flushed into the open. Then we can round them up. Eileen, eventually you will be cleared and vindicated. But we must set a trap and catch those involved. There is too much at stake to allow them to disappear back into the woodwork. It’s going to be rough, and we're in for the long hall. You'll be compensated and the bastards responsible will be brought to justice. Just give us the time we need," Andrew pleaded.
"Hey Alan, I appreciate the gravity of my situation and I trust your judgment on this one, its your call and I have faith in the FBI and your ability to get to the bottom of this."
"I believe you're planning a trip to Japan?"
"Yeah, but how did you—"
"Look, its our job to know. You will be safer there than here. You leave Tuesday I believe?"
"Aha, but…"
"Don't worry; I think we've scared them off, for now. If we get you out quietly, we can start putting the pressure on Diamond."
"All right, but it seems it will be a little difficult to lay low indefinitely."
"Well, hopefully you wont have to if we can get the break through we're looking for."
"Thank you Alan… I guess I can handle it..."
**July twenty sixth 2004 – the same night at the Silver residence**
The echo of a motorcycle in the dead of night broke the silence, a lone rider lurked in shadow, gloved hands slapping together before a helmet was removed, freeing a cascade of dark hair that fell loosely about the hips of the feminine silhouette, propping the bike on its stand.
The sound of gravel underfoot, mingled with the chirping of crickets and the gentle rumble of thunderheads above as the leather-clad figure slipped up the driveway of the Silver residence into the garage.
Twenty minutes later, the motorcycle kicked into life, the sound of the engine retreating into the night like a wayward bat before silence once again reclaimed her mantle.
~*~
After returning home the following morning, Eileen and the children had begun packing. She walked into the lounge, Sammy and Serena were chatting quietly while watching the news, "Hey mom, come sit…" Eileen smiled, and joined them on the sofa, "No matter what happens, we are always going to stand by you, mom. Japan is just what we all need. We haven't had a vacation for a long time. It will be fun."
~*~
It was late afternoon; storm clouds were building up on the horizon. Eileen felt the tension in the air like a heavy shroud over her heart. She felt uneasy, but couldn't exactly put her finger on why. She locked some papers in the safe and knocked on Hanna's door and the two women soon were on their way to the squash court to play for an hour before going to the indoor pool within the corporate health center on the ground floor of the Silver Starlight Tower. It was their custom to race one another as part of their daily wind-down ritual before heading home.
After changing and walking casually to the car park, Hanna climbed into her Merc and waved and Eileen followed in the Stingray then turned in the opposite direction. The rain began to fall and the sky was almost pitch-black. The street lights burned with an ominous luminosity as if possessed by a malevolent power, "I got to shake this off, storms always drag me down," she said aloud and turned onto the freeway. She sang along with Dido's White Flag and was beginning to think about the trip to Japan when suddenly, out of the darkness came two high-beam headlights straight at her, "The stupid bastard! Get out of--"
~*~
Special Agent Cecilia Porter stroked her jaw thoughtfully as she crouched behind the back wheel of the crumpled wreck, where only moments before, an ambulance and paramedic's team had taken away the body of Eileen Silver. Scooping glass and other debris fragments into a bag, Hans Colugo, head of forensics at Quantico arched an eyebrow, "You think this an elaborate ruse to cover-up a murder?"
"Yeah, I have seen it before and Alan Forest thinks so too. For one thing, the Stingray is almost unrecognizable, and as far as the Lincoln is concerned, we have a missing driver, the seatbelts are cut and no blood, strikes me as suspicious, don't you reckon?"
"Lincolns are pretty robust. But I think you're right," he agreed, examining the results of the impact on the front end of the vehicle where the bonnet -- resembling a crumpled piece of toast propped on a pitchfork bared its secrets, "Normally, the force of such a crash at this speed would cause the dash and steering wheel to come away. And if not crush the driver to death, well, his ribcage would be smashed in. he or she would be in intensive care right now, look-see." She followed his line of sight as Hans leaned forward, flashlight in hand. She noticed the engine was firmly in place, "The chassis and body have been reinforced, and here, no crumpling within the interior. Its murder all right… I know because we couldn't find a single set of prints on the steering wheel, or for that matter, a drop of blood anywhere inside the vehicle and to me that smacks of a likely homicide, a contract killing to be sure."
"Oh, shit… I don't want to have to tell her family that," she told him, a look of sadness crossing her Nordic features.
"You won't have to," another voice cut in as they both turned at once to see a tall, lean man with shoulder-length black hair and a pair of shades walked casually towards them, "Cecelia, we are locking this one down -- no information to the press or to the DA, or local police precinct. This one is a matter of national security…read this," Alan handed her a printed copy of an email and she began to read.
"An insider contract...?"
"That's what we're going with, but we are keeping it quiet… Diamond Corp is up to its neck in this, but we don't have enough to nail him, and it might not be Diamond. He has many enemies and we cannot assume anything for the moment. But in order to flush out our quarry, we need to set a complex trap…sadly, poor Eileen Silver we failed to save from this…"
**Quantico December 2004**
The two men stood in lab coats listening to the tall blonde FBI agent and beside him, a woman of statuesque elegance, her lab coat hugging her well-formed figure. Cecelia smiled at the two men who had just found themselves drawn into a deeper undercover op than they had anticipated
"The investigation is in its tenth year now, we are damn close, but we have as yet failed to identify the driver of the Lincoln, or find out what Diamond's new connections are in the underworld, not to mention keeping an eye on Serena and Sammy Silver and their wayward father, James Silver… And that's where you and McLau come in." Andrew Crown explained to the two field-agents working undercover within Diamond Corp.
"Well Crown… thanks for keeping us in the loop, we work for Diamond, spying on Serena Silver only to discover we are really to investigate Diamond and his cronies… and you tell us this after, how long? Ten years!" Darien was pissed off, but Melvin only shrugged.
"Darien, don't have a coronary, it was necessary to get you inside Diamond's head. If he thought for one moment that you knew what we knew, you might have been compromised and we couldn't risk it. Sorry for keeping you in the dark, but we marked Serena, but not for the reasons you believed… All right, everything is set. We will move to stage two immediately," Andrew responded. Cecilia nodded, her shoulder-length black hair floating about her shoulders, Melvin was in awe of her and wanted to get to know her, Darien yawned then turned to Melvin and rolled his eyes.
Cecilia was in her early forties, but had the looks and figure of a girl in her teens. She worked out, rock climbed, abseiled to keep herself fit and supplement her rigorous training regime at Quantico.
"We'll discuss it over pizza in an hour, Melvin. I got things to do here. I will join you at Shooting Star, catchya then!"
The bespectacled young detective nodded at his partner, and smiled at Cecelia and picked up the briefcase at his feet and left the workshop, "Nice guy," Cecilia said, after Melvin as he waved goodbye, winking at his colleagues from the large roller-door entrance.
~*~
After Darien's encounter with the vivacious Serena Silver the week before, he was smitten, she got under his guard, and no woman had done that in quite a while.
This morning's impromptu meeting with Cecelia had been no surprise to Darien; Melvin was too much of a tech-head to let it ruffle his feathers. Andrew was -- he had to admit, was a brilliant strategist. Alexander Diamond had absolutely no idea they were FBI operatives investigating him, all the while believing Shields and McLau were trying to find ways to divest Serena Silver of her mothers legacy. They only needed a break, the break that would lead them to Diamond's Latin-American connections and his lucrative weapons and technology contracts with ruthless warlords, rogue scientists and ex-paramilitary.
