Halfway to the Truth (14 page)

“Nikolaus, you’re scaring me.”

“You know don’t you?”

“Alright, I did see the medicine. But I don’t know anything about that folder.”

“I don’t believe you! You read everything my father kept on my bipolar condition. You know about my stay in McLean Hospital. This,” he said, throwing the folder on the bed, “was going to be destroyed. I hate that he kept it all these years; I hated him.”

He went over to her and tightly grabbed her arms. “Now
you
know about it.”

She saw a look in his face she had never seen before and made an attempt to calm him down. “It doesn’t mean anything Nikolaus. Please let me go, you’re hurting me.”

His anger suddenly turned into remorse and he let her loose.

“I’m sorry baby, it’s not you. It’s him,” he said, nodding toward the faded folder. “Why did he have to keep it?”

Seeing her opportunity to get out of the house, she patted him on the chest and calmly spoke to him. “We’ll talk about this later, I’m going to get dressed now. Why don’t you go and take a hot shower, you’ll feel better.”

“Yeah, a shower,” he repeated as if under a spell, and then he slowly moved toward the bathroom as commanded. She heard him mumbling to himself about his father as he went.

Reese dressed as fast as she could, snatched her purse and keys, and never looked back as she sprinted downstairs. Her heart was pounding in her chest when she reached her car.

As she drove away, she didn’t notice the figure, silhouetted on the balcony, watching her leave the parking area.

Reese could only think of one thing as Tybee Island distanced itself in her review mirror. And that was to call Shelley. She was shaken and needed someone she could count on to talk to.

When she arrived at Shelley’s place, she could see Reese was distraught.

“What’s happened?” she asked ushering her to a kitchen chair. “You’re shaking! Sit here and I’ll make us some tea.”

“Nikolaus, he went a little berserk,” she managed to get out. ”He accused me of snooping around and finding out about his condition.”

“Were you snooping?”

“Yes, I was. I found his medication bottles. He also accused me of reading the contents of a folder that his father was keeping, but I never saw it.”

“What did he do?”

“He grabbed me with such a devilish look about him. I have never been so scared in all my life and couldn’t wait to get away.”

“Well you’re safe now. What are you going to do?” she asked placing a hot cup in front of her.

“I really don’t know. What have I got myself into Shelley?”

Shelley took up a seat across from her with her own cup of tea. “You got yourself into a heap of Drakos, that’s what you’ve done. Question is, where do you go from here?”

“I was really starting to like him. I thought we were good together, but this changes everything. I don’t think I could ever be alone with him again.”

“My suggestion would be,” started Shelley, “for you to get out of that family and their business. With old man Drakos gone, maybe Doug would consider rehiring you.”

“Oh I could never ask him for my job back!”

“Why not, he still isn’t satisfied about what Drakos is shipping out of Savannah. He’s come across some new information but he won’t share it with me.”

“What makes you think he’ll take me back, let alone share anything with
me
?”

“I didn’t say it would be easy, but you should try. What’s your alternative?”

Reese wrapped her hands around the warm tea cup hoping it would help calm the shiver she got thinking about Nikolaus. “Alright, I’ll do it.”

In her apartment later that afternoon, Reese’s phone rang. She hesitated picking it up.

“You left so fast and didn’t even say good bye,” said Nikolaus.

“I don’t think we should talk now Nikolaus. You really frightened me. I’ve never seen you like ….”

“Please Reese, I’m sorry,” he said, cutting her off. “Come back to the beach house and we’ll talk about it.”

“No Nikolaus, we’re done. I can’t be with you anymore. And I’m quitting Drakos Shipping as well.”

The voice on the other end became silent.

“Nikolaus, did you hear me? I quit.”

“Don’t do this Reese. I need you,” he finally pleaded. “If you want a little time away from each other, okay. But don’t leave the company.”

“I’m sorry Nikolaus, there’s too many secrets about you and your family. I can’t do it anymore. Please don’t call me again.”

She hung up the phone and paced back and forth across her living room. Because she was deep in thought, she never noticed the yellow Corvette sitting out in her parking lot.

Reese wanted to run back to New Harmony and get her old job back. She wanted to forget she ever heard the name Drakos. But she knew that neither of those were going to happen and had made up her mind on what to do. She steeled herself for her next action as she got off the elevator.

As luck would have, or not, Doug Williams was sitting at his desk scribbling over copy that was ready to go to print. He didn’t notice who entered until she spoke.

“May I sit?”

“Well, well, look who’s here,” he said, hearing a familiar voice and looking up. He gestured for her to pick a chair.

She suddenly thought running to New Harmony wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

“Nikolaus send you to do his dirty work?”

“No. I’m here for our mutual benefit.”

“Mutual huh? That’s a good one Reese.” He leaned back and put his hands behind his head. “I can’t wait to hear this one.”

“I’m just going to come right out with it. I want you to hire me back.”

“And why would I do that?” he said laughing.

“Because you need me, and I need you. Look, I know I didn’t leave on good terms, but I also realize that you were playing me against the Drakos family from the start. So you’re partly responsible for what happened. I’ll make you a deal, you let me come back and when this is all over, I’ll leave. You’ll never see me again.”

He leaned for the phone and punched in some numbers. “Shelley, get in here.”

Shelley arrived within a minute. “Reese, I’m surprised to see you ….”

“Cut the act Shelley and sit down.  I know you two have been conniving behind my back for some time now and don’t deny it. Let’s get to the point. Reese here wants her job back. Why should I give her a second chance Shelley?”

“Because she’s learned from her mistake and can help you close the book on the Drakos story. It’s been obvious since Viktor’s death that you’re a changed man, but I know you Doug, it’s not over for you.”

“Nikolaus is expanding his E-waste business,” Reese added. He told me his father was in support of it, but I have the feeling he lied about that. I’ll never really know, because Viktor died about the same time the decision was made. And lately, I’ve been questioning the whole of Viktor’s death. What I am sure about is that Nikolaus’ hate for his father went deep.”

Doug shifted in his chair and seemed to be enjoying the women’s collaboration of why he should grant mercy.

“I’m guessing by what you just said,” Doug spoke, “you learned of Nikolaus’ condition. It took longer than I thought it would, especially with you sleeping with him, but now you know he has another side. And it’s not a good one, is it?”

Shelley challenged him first. “You knew he was bipolar?”

“Of course! Viktor couldn’t keep something like that a secret, although he did go to great lengths to hide the fact he sent him to Massachusetts. He told everyone Nikolaus went to visit his mother in Greece, but I knew that wasn’t true.”

“Then why haven’t you used that against him?” asked Reese.

“I don’t know, I never had anything against Nikolaus. I think he was just born to the wrong father and wasn’t a threat. But now that he’s getting control of the shipping company the stakes are changed.”

“So, what about my offer?” she continued to solicit.

“Are you going to honest with me about everything you know?”

“Yes, I will.”

“Then we have a deal. And when all this is over, you keep your word and get out of my life forever?”

Shelley looked at Reese puzzled.

“Deal!”

“Alright then,” he said, pulling a paper from his drawer.

“You want me to
sign
a contract?” asked Reese.

Doug grinned at the thought of it. “No, your word is good enough. This is a letter I got from Scratch. When he left Savannah he joined Greenpeace. Working for Drakos kind of opened his eyes. He wanted to learn more about what happens to E-waste when it gets to the final destination. Read it.” He handed it to Reese.

With Shelley looking over her shoulder, they read together after the salutation:

I am here in a place called Bandamogo in the Ivory Coast. It’s a small village in the center of the country. I came here with a group from Greenpeace to check on the existence of an E-waste dump and what we discovered is unbelievable.

The reason I am writing to you is because there is a connection between Drakos Shipping and the village. I don’t have all the facts yet, but a group of profiteers in this country bring the waste from the main port to the village. One of the ships they pick up from is the Athenos.

I will send you more details later. We have to be very careful not to let the profiteers find out we’re with Greenpeace or our lives could be in jeopardy
.

“This letter is dated last week,” said Reese.

“How would you like an all-expense paid trip to Africa?” Doug asked.

“You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“You bet your ass I’m serious. If you want to help me bring this to closure, you’ll go.”

“Alright. When do you want me to leave?”

“Day after tomorrow. In the meantime, I’ll get more information on where you can meet up with Scratch. I have a hunch this is going to expose Drakos Shipping in ways they don’t want to come out.”

“Are you trying to bring down the whole company?” asked Shelley.

“Nope, just a small part of it. The company has been here a long time and there are a lot of good men and women working for them. Most of what they do is needed here in Savannah, but they have a right to know the whole story. If I’m wrong, and there isn’t anything to be concerned about, I’ll be done with it. You have
my
word on it.”

Doug turned to Shelley. “As long as we’re being honest with each other, do you have anything you want to share with me?”

Shelley, looked at him with a perplexed look trying to think of what he may be referring to and thought for a second. She hoped he wasn’t aware that she overheard his conversation with Viktor before he died.

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Any future plans?”

“Oh that!” she said almost relieved. “I’m considering moving to New Harmony and taking the editor’s job there, but I haven’t really decided. I didn’t want to say anything to you about it until I was sure. How’d you find out?”

“I didn’t know about the job,” he said. “I was referring to you running out there and seeing that police chief. I thought maybe it was getting serious between you.

Shelley flushed red.

“Don’t worry though, I’m not upset you didn’t tell me. But, I don’t want you to leave until this Drakos business is finished.”

“I won’t. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“Now get the hell out of my office and go to work. I’ll see you tomorrow Reese, we’ll go over the last details.

The women couldn’t wait to get out of there and both simultaneously breathed relief when they got to the elevator.

“Come over to my house later,” said Shelley. “I’ll make us dinner.”

They kissed each other on the cheek and Reese got on the elevator.

Outside, she returned to her car. But this time, she noticed a yellow Corvette sitting parked halfway down the block. Whether it was Nikolaus’ or not, it made her nervous.

The following day, Nikolaus was sitting outside Reese’s apartment building in his yellow Corvette. He was trying to decide whether or not he was going to knock on her door. He had seen her go in, but the drapes were pulled across the window preventing him from seeing any activity. Deciding to throw caution to the wind, he made his way to the second floor landing and thumped on her door with his knuckles.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Nikolaus. Can we talk?”

“No! I’ve said everything I need to, now go away.”

He jiggled the handle on the door to test it. “Please Reese, we have to talk.”

“Go away, I said.”

“I’m not leaving until we finish this,” he said with building anger. “Now open up, or I’ll break it in.” He pounded on the door several more times.

She grabbed a chair from her kitchen table and jammed it under the doorknob.

“Go away Nikolaus, or I’m calling the police.”

The noise caught the attention of a resident in a downstairs apartment who came out to see what was happening. When Nikolaus saw the older woman looking up at him, he gave a forced smile and said, “My girlfriend is a little mad at me.”

“Doesn’t look like she wants you here sir. I think you should leave.”

He turned back to face the door and yelled, “I know what you’re up to Reese. We aren’t done with this. I’m not letting you leave me.”

Nikolaus took his time going down the stairs giving the woman a menacing look as he passed by her on his way to his car.

He peeled his tires leaving the parking lot.

Reese peeked through the drapes making sure he was gone. She saw the woman below and tapped on her window to get her attention. When the woman looked up, Reese mouthed the words ‘thank you’ and the woman went back inside her home.

“
So that was Nikolaus’ Corvette I saw
,” she thought. “
There’s no way I’m staying here tonight
.” She pulled a large suitcase out of the closet and began to fill it.

Later that evening, Reese carefully made her way to Shelley’s house while constantly checking her rearview mirrors for signs of Nikolaus. She had informed Shelley about what happened, and together, they decided that Reese needed to stay with her until she left for Africa. Shelley also advised her to park her car across the street in the Holiday Inn parking garage in the event Nikolaus came looking for her.

After arriving, Shelley quickly shuttled her inside while taking a look up and down the street for signs of Drakos. Satisfied, she joined her friend.

“Thank you for letting me stay with you. I don’t know what I’m going to do about him. He’s become a madman.”

Shelley showed her to her room. “Unfortunately, you don’t have a reason to call the police. He hasn’t done anything.”

“That’s comforting to know he has to do something to me before I can make a complaint. What about stalking me?”

“You have no proof of that except for this afternoon.”

“But he was watching me leave the
Savannah Daily
too.”

“You can’t be sure that was him. And even if it was, the police are only going to think it’s a lover’s quarrel. This town is full of those honey.”

“What do
you
think I should do?”

“Lay low and go to Africa — you’ll be safe there. During your absence, I’ll talk to Robert and get his ideas on it. You hungry?” she asked trying to get Reese’s mind off Nikolaus. “I made New England pot roast.”

Reese made a face. “My stomach’s in knots right now. I don’t think I could handle a heavy meal like that. Can you make a salad?”

“Sure. Come out to the kitchen and uncork some wine while I get it ready.

As they busied themselves with dinner, Shelley asked, “How are you feeling about going to the Ivory Coast?”

“I’m a little nervous. The only other time I was out of the country is when I was in college. Two other girls and I took our final year spring-break in Mexico. We stayed at a resort, so everything was nice. I don’t expect Africa will be as pleasant.”

“At least you’ll see a familiar face in Scratch.  Just keep in mind what you’re doing this for and you’ll be alright,” she encouraged.

The next day, Shelley drove Reese to the airport. Her flight to Paris was leaving at 4
P.M.
After saying their goodbyes, Reese made her way into the terminal and began her journey.

Earlier that morning she had met with Doug who gave her an itinerary. She was to fly to Paris where she would change planes for the International Airport in Abidjan. She was booked to stay at the
Hotel Onomo
outside the airport. Doug had warned her not to expect luxury accommodations. Not because he wasn’t willing to pay for them, but advising her that even a four-star hotel in that part of the world was akin to a two-star hotel in the U.S. He also provided her with instructions on meeting the Greenpeace Group after she arrived in Abidjan.

Considering the eleven-hour flight and the time changes, she was scheduled to arrive in Paris at eight o’clock in the morning. There, she had a one hour and fifteen minute layover before catching the next flight to Abidjan. She was grateful that portion of her trip was direct and would only take another six and a half hours.

When she finally arrived at Abidjan, she was exhausted. It had been difficult for her to get any meaningful sleep in the air. A child, three rows ahead of her must have cried for the final two hours of the flight. Getting to the hotel and a bed was paramount in her mind, even if the place she was staying turned out to be a one-star hotel.

She was able to quickly hail a cab, but had to dicker with the driver about his rate. He wasn’t going to drive her such a short distance until she offered him three times what he would normally have charged. She thought, “
So this is how it’s going to be
?”

The driver raced to the hotel arriving ten minutes to four in the afternoon. After practically throwing her and her luggage from the taxi, she watched him race back to the airport undoubtedly to prey on another sucker.

The hotel turned out to be a surprise. Expecting much worse, she found it to be functional and clean. The staff was very friendly and her check-in went smoothly. She was in her room in no time and planned, in order, to take a hot bath, have room service for dinner, and fall asleep by 8
P.M.
Sleep came easily to her
.

The next morning, she was eating breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant, when she saw one of two black men pointing at her. The pointer appeared to be a hotel employee. The other man nodded to him and his escort left.

She stiffened as the man approached her table.

“Miss Summers?” he asked.

She was struck by the fact that his voice didn’t match his looks. Perfect English with a slight European accent came out of his mouth. He was dressed in an off-white short sleeve dress shirt, brown shorts, and sandals. His black skin was smooth, and he wore short, cropped hair. His stature was of a medium height, and he was lean. She guessed his age to be in the late-thirties.

“Ma’am, are you Miss Reese Summers?” he repeated.

“Yes, I am.”

“My name is Gillaume Boissesau. I’m a friend of Scratch. May I have a seat?”

“Yes, of course!” She replied shaking his hand as he sat. Where is Scratch?”

“He couldn’t make it. His group was going out to sea to protest a European cargo ship coming into port with a load of scrap material.”

Her heart sank. “When will he be coming back?”

“He may be a few days ma’am. But he sent me to take you to where you needed to go. I’ll be your guide ma’am.”

“I don’t know,” she hesitated. “This is a big change of plans.”

“I have a note for you ma’am from Scratch.” He pulled a folded note from his shirt pocket and handed it to her.

She read:
Reese, I am sorry that I can’t meet with you, but Guillame will take you to the village of Bandamogo. He was raised near there and is an excellent guide. You can call Doug Williams if you have any reservations about his credentials
.

She returned the note to him. She wasn’t sure if it was seeing Doug’s name on the paper, or the calm look on his face, but she no longer felt concerned.

“What did you say your name was?”

“Guillame Boissesau ma’am.”

“Do you mind if I call you Gil? It’s a little easier for me.”

“No ma’am. I understand.”

“How far is Bandamogo?”

“About a three-hour drive northeast toward Ghana. I’d suggest you change into something comfortable ma’am,” he said, looking at her dress. “I will wait for you out front while you get ready. I’ll be in a white van.”

Reese returned to her room to gather her things and change clothes. She pulled the only pair of long pants she brought with her out of her suitcase. She hadn’t given her wardrobe much thought, as she was forced to hurriedly pack after Nikolaus’ visit. And now she was glad she didn’t have the time to pack, or the pants would not have even been a choice.

She slipped into the tan slacks and a pulled on a white short-sleeve blouse. A pair of gold earrings, strapped sandals, and a large carry bag completed the ensemble. Looking into a mirror, it wasn’t the best reflection she ever saw, but it would have to do.

Before leaving the room, she picked up her passport, cell phone, and a bracelet and then set out to meet with Gil.