Coffee (52 page)

“Where’s
Barros!” the leader demanded.

A
huffing soldier slammed through the front door screaming. “The
President is dead! He was in the bombed building!”

A
group of soldiers pushed through the growing crowd, and dashed out
the door.

Anna
spoke painfully to Etty. “You must let me sit up. Help me.”

“Anna,
no! Stay put, you need a doctor. You’re bleeding!”

Anna
rolled over and held her shoulder. “Help me sit, Ittie. I
must talk.”

Milpeau
raised his hands to quiet the room for his injured wife.

Anna’s
words came softly. “The President liked the isolation of that
building. He went there frequently, as he did this morning, for
prayer. I am afraid there has been a terrible accident.”

Milpeau
shouted to a group of his guards to bring medical help. One of the
Brazilians confirmed Clorice’s death with a touch to the
corpse’s neck. The lead officer turned to Milpeau. “We
will conduct a full investigation!”

Milpeau
pointed toward Etty. She addressed the soldier. “Milpeau here
will help you with whatever you need. We will cooperate in every
way we can. We will turn over all documents relating to the
fraudulent communiqués. Follow Milpeau’s men to the
storage facility, and he will come momentarily.”

The
officers left, the wounded one trailing behind. Bryce, Etty, and
Milpeau crouched to Anna’s side. Anna reassured them with a
partial smile. Etty spoke kindly. “Anna, that bullet was
aimed at me. You saved my life.”

“I
wanted to kill him myself, for all he has done. He deserved his
fate.”

Etty
placed her hand on Milpeau’s shoulder. “With Anna at
your side, you will excel as manager of this facility.”

“Manager?”

“I
need someone who knows the business, who can run it efficiently, and
with an eye for the workers’ souls as well as their muscles.”

“But,
Miss .. “

“It’s
Etty.”

He
pleaded, “I do not deserve this. I treated you ...”

“I
want a person to run this plant who has
Edigiate
.”

Milpeau
nodded deeply, overwhelmed with appreciation. Anna turned to face
them with a beaming smile. Two guards entered with a stretcher.
Etty whispered to Anna, “And thank you for your comment about
Barros. We don’t need to air all of Clorice’s dirty
laundry.”

As
they made room and positioned themselves to hoist Anna up, Etty
offered a last request. “Milpeau, have Catalina prepare the
bungalow for some new residents.”

Anna
cut in. “I will tell her, please Ittie, I will be up soon to
work.”

“No
no, Anna, you need rest. And I want your new home ready when you
return from the hospital.”

Milpeau
and Anna exchanged glances. “New home?” Milpeau asked.

“Yes.
For you. Catalina will stay to tend to your needs.”

The
news was too much for Milpeau. He reached his huge hands up to his
deep black face, and wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.
“Thank you, Etty. Yes, I have
Edigiate
.” They
helped guide the stretcher through the door.

Bryce
still hadn’t quite settled on all that just happened. A
young woman knocked softly on the door, and leaned in. “Excuse
me?”

“Yes?”

“A
newspaper article has been faxed from Global Growers that has your
name in the headlines, Harriet Bishop.” Bryce took it from
her and began to read. Etty had picked up the phone and was making
a call. Excitement blossomed on his face as he followed down the
page. He finally blurted out to Etty, who hung up the phone to
listen.

“Wait
‘till you hear this!” He read aloud while Etty peered
over his shoulder.

Global Growers Indicted on Murder and Kidnapping
Charges

Harriet Bishop, allegedly dead in accident, Lives!

Dr. Joyce Jenkins formally pressed charges in Texas
State Court today against Global Growers and William McKinsey,
President, claiming to have witnessed him murdering Bart Maslow,
head of Security. She reported to have undeniable proof that Harriet
Bishop of Nashua, New Hampshire is alive, and suggested her
previously reported death was staged by Global. Jenkins swore under
oath that the current charges against Warren Sherman and his unnamed
accomplice for the murder of at least two of the Global employees is
without merit. She also delivered documents with evidence of
malicious use of deadly bacteria.

State Prosecutors are reviewing the..

Bryce
forgot all about Clorice Coffee, and swept Etty off her feet in a
tight hug. Etty shared the excitement.

Arm
in arm, they started out the door. “I can’t believe you,
Etty. I guess I don’t even know what to say. What about the
fertilizer? You’re going to let it go?”

“No
crime has been committed Bryce. If he had shipped, the story would
be different.”

“And
the Brazilian President’s murder?”

“The
evidence has been destroyed. The Government should stabilize,
Barros’s name has been cleared, Clorice’s deeds will be
known. I see no reason to drag the company and employees through
the dirt, ruining their lives and respectability, and sending many
to jail. They think the rebel murderer is dead, let’s leave
it that way.”

“And President of Clorice Coffee? Why didn’t you tell
us?”

“To
be honest, I wasn’t sure how it would turn out until I got
here. It depended on Milpeau. And I didn’t do it to become
President, I did it for revenge.”

He
sighed. “You also disobeyed my direct order to stay in the
hotel.”

“No
I didn’t. I never promised to stay put, just not to get
involved with your assault.”

As
they entered the main living room, Bryce took his first real look
out at the spectacular view. “I could handle this. You’re
going to actually live here?”

“At
least for awhile. You know, even though I have my life long dream
ahead of me of running this company, I already feel something more
satisfying in here.” She placed a palm over her heart. “By
the way, if it’s the only thing I do, it will be to change the
name to Von Enes Coffee.”

“I
feel pretty good myself. Thanks to you. That bit about the pager
pen was brilliant. You must be quite a poker player.”

She
winked. “I’ll need lots of help. If you want to stay
too, there’s plenty of room. For Warren too.”

“No,
but I’ll visit. I doubt the FBI will take me after all my
disregard of authority, but I’ll find a way to keep busy.”

“Not
take you? You’ll come back to the States having helped
undermine a government overthrow! You’re the one who saved
the kidnapped woman, and ran the offensive that led to the exposing
of the duplicitous plan. Milpeau will certainly mention how the
arrival of a US official urged him to bring forth his testimony. If
you hadn’t joined that meeting, the outcome could have been
very different. When this hits the press, the US President will be
so humiliated for supporting your detractors, he’ll
have
to make you a national hero to save face. The FBI and CIA will
fight over you!”

He
mulled over the thought. “I suppose it’s possible.”

“Whatever
you decide, just know that if the rat race ever gets to you, this
beach is waiting.” She took his hand. “Walk me to my
bungalow? I’d like to take the beach. Then I’m calling
my Mom.” Her eyes sparkled.

“We’ve
got to get to the airport. Warren’s waiting.”

“I’m
sure you understand - I better stay here until the dust settles.
With that article, and the affidavit I sent to Washington, you’re
safe without me for now. I’ll send Milpeau’s testimony
and other documents in due time. Believe me, I have every intention
of going back. I have a lot of repairing to do - just not quite
yet.”

Bryce
only chuckled. They walked to the beach access stairs, down the
sandy steps, and straight to the water’s edge. She looked
back at the spreading mansion.

Bryce
interrupted her dreamy stare. “Look Etty. I’m tired of
trying to convince you to do what I say. It hasn’t worked
yet. This time, we wait for you. When you’re ready, we go
back together. If for nothing else, because our photographer
friend’s bigger than both of us, and he won’t hear of it
any other way. I’ll drop you at your house and go get him.”

Etty
cocked her head so the sun hit her face straight on. She closed her
eyes and let Bryce lead her down the beach. “Just what I
thought you’d say,” she said without looking. “I
had Warren paged at the airport. He’s on his way back this
minute.”

Bryce
shook his head with a wide grin. “You never cease to amaze
me, Etty.” The two strolled comfortably along, sloshing their
feet. The meandering slowed their progress, since time, for once in
weeks, had little significance.

A
young boy approached holding two plump papaya. “Un
Real
?”
he said, holding the fruit out. Etty took one from him and sniffed
its aromatic ripeness.

She
unhitched the Dutch watch from her wrist. “Here young man. I
don’t need this anymore. Warren was right.”

The
boy held it like a priceless treasure. He handed over the other
papaya, then sprinted off.

As
they approached the bungalow, they heard faint shouting in the
distance from where they’d come. Warren ran towards them, arms
waving madly. Etty unhooked from Bryce and sprinted back towards
him, yelling with girlish shrills.

In Memory of Scone

…who
stayed under my desk until the end.

About
the Author

Gren
currently lives in Woolwich Maine where he is a banker when not
writing.