Lilith - TI3 (21 page)

Cursing under this breath, Captain Torelli walked to his desk and sat down, picking up the phone.

"Captain Torelli, here... yes I know who you are... the bitch's lapdog... I don't care what you tell her, I work for the shipping company not for her... Listen, I have more important things to do than listen to your bullshit so just tell me what Drenkova wants."

Vicente watched as the Captain's face grew redder and redder. Obviously, something was being said he didn't like.

"You tell that woman I am not her fucking servant. I transport her merchandise and that's it... I don't give a fuck how powerful she is... and your threats don't scare me. If she wants someone to clean up after her, she can do it once we're in port, after they are removed from my vessel, and, Breshni, tell the bitch this is the last package she will ship on my freighter. Now if there isn't anything else, goodbye, and don't call me again."

"Fucking cunt!" the Captain growled, motioning for Vicente to follow him.

*  *  *

Yemaya dialed the hospital to talk with Dr. Sanders. The receptionist politely told her the doctor was presently having a conference with a patient's aunt and her partner but she’d be happy to take a message.

"No need. I'll call her later," replied Yemaya.

Dakota raised her eyebrows in a questioning gesture.

"It appears you and I are presently in conference with the good doctor," she smirked.

The journalist shook her head and laughed.

"I wonder what would have happened if we'd just shown up."

"Mass confusion. I think we will leave them to handle Sasha for now. There are other matters to attend to. Are you up for a ride?"

"Yep. Let's do it. I can't wait to meet Ms. Drenkova," said Dakota. "As long as you behave," she added.

Yemaya didn't answer.

The office of Eurasian Exports was located in a warehouse near the shipping docks at the harbor. As the taxi was pulling up to the front of the building, Ivan stepped outside the front door. Giving it a quick glance, he continued on. Had he waited to see who the occupants were, he'd have cancelled his trip immediately.

"Promise me you won't lose your cool." Dakota watched Yemaya's face for any signs of anger.

"I promise I will not punch her lights out."

"That's not what I meant and you know it."

"I know. Alright, I will keep
my cool
," promised Yemaya, hoping she could.

"Somehow that doesn't make me feel better, but I'll drop it for now."

"Good idea. Shall we go?"

Entering the office, the two approached the receptionist, an older woman wearing glasses.

"Can I help you?" she inquired politely.

"Yes, we're here to see Ms. Drenkova," replied Dakota.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Not really, but she will see us, I am sure," Yemaya said. "Tell her Ms. Devereaux and Ms. Lysanne are here."

"Very well, please wait over there. I'll inform Ms. Drenkova of your presence."

Picking up the phone, she dialed her boss's extension.

"Yes, Ms. Johnson."

"Ms. Drenkova. There are two ladies here who wish to talk with you, a Ms. Devereaux and a Ms. Lysanne."

Putting her pen down, Catrina leaned back in her chair.

"I see. Well, give me five minutes and then escort them to my office," she instructed.

"Yes, ma'am."

So
,
thought Catrina.
At last we meet
.

Closing her notepad, she slipped it inside of her desk drawer and pulled a file from her tray, opening it quickly.

A knock on the door interrupted her attempts to conceal any incriminating documents that could be seen.

"Come in," she ordered, pretending to examine the contents of the folder.

Ms. Johnson opened the door, motioned the two women into the room and then quietly shut it behind them.

"Welcome, Ms. Lysanne, Ms. Devereaux. Please have a seat," Catrina offered, motioning to the two chairs in front of her desk. "What can I do for you?"

"Thank you. We will not be taking up much of your time."

"I have plenty of time," Catrina replied, folding her hands on her desk. "Especially for someone as well known as you. So, again, how can I help you?"

"Well, I think it is more about how I can help you. It appears someone in your company may have been using your facilities for some illegal activity. I have information that abducted women are being trafficked through your facilities... without your knowledge, of course," Yemaya stated calmly.

"I see. Well, if this is true, I certainly will take the necessary action to put a stop to it. Would you mind telling me where you heard this? I find it difficult to believe any of my employees would do such a thing," Catrina said, leaning back in her chair.

"I wish I could but I would not want to put them at risk. You understand."

"Of course... just as I wouldn't want to falsely accuse anyone, either. I'm sure you understand my side. Perhaps you will tell me why you came to me instead of going to the police. This is a serious accusation."

"A courtesy... from one business woman to another," Yemaya replied, coolly.

"Ah. Well, then, I'm in your debt. Could you at least tell me what your interest is in this? Not that it isn't a matter for all of us to be concerned about."

"Personal. A young friend of mine appears to have gotten caught up in this by accident and was almost killed. Fortunately, she was found and will recover."

Except for a slight downward turn of her lips, Catrina showed no emotion having learned Sasha was alive.

"I'm glad to hear that. Does she remember anything about what happened?" she asked, tapping the chair arm with her pen.

"No, but I am sure it is only a matter of time before she does. At the moment, I have made plans to have her transported to my estate until she recovers. It will be safer there."

"Hmmmm... no doubt you know what's best for her." Glancing at her watch, Catrina stood up quickly and walked around the desk. "I'm sorry to cut this short but I really should check into these accusations. If you'll leave a number and address I can reach you, I'll let you know if any of them are true."

"Thank you, Ms. Drenkova. Unfortunately, we are in town for only a few days so an address would not do you much good. You can contact me on my cell phone."

Quickly writing the number on the back of her business card, Yemaya handed it to the woman.

"Good. I'll be in touch," Catrina promised.

"We look forward to it. Until then, have a nice day."

Yemaya ushered Dakota from the room and away from the building.

"Do you think it was wise telling her so much?" Dakota asked.

"I think she is more likely to make mistakes if she feels some pressure."

"I agree but we may have endangered Sasha now if Ms. Drenkova thinks she'll be identified."

"Sasha is safe now and will be back in Moldova within 48 hours. At the moment I am more concerned with the possibility there are others being held around here. We need to find out where."

"How are we going to do that? We can't stand out here all day and night watching her."

"No, but I know someone who can."

Taking out her cell, she dialed her agent's number.

"Sonny, who can you get to stake out a place here in Baltimore?"

"And hello to you too," he replied. "When do you want to start?"

"Now."

"Damn, Yemaya, why is everything
now
with you? Anyone ever tell you it takes time to organize some things?"

"With what I pay, I doubt most people would say that. Now, who can you get out here?"

"Give me the facts and I'll get someone there in thirty minutes. That's the best I can do."

"Good enough."

Yemaya quickly gave him the details and then hung up.

"Let's go," She said, taking Dakota by the arm.

"Where to, now?"

"Your place. Now we wait."

Later that day, Yemaya and Dakota were curled up on the couch watching television, when the Illusionist's cell phone rang.

"Lysanne," she answered.

"Ms. Lysanne. My name's Willie. Sonny gave me your number and said to call you if I saw anything unusual at the waterfront."

"I take it you have."

"Oh yeah. Shortly after I arrived at the dock, a big goon showed up at Eurasian Exports. A guy named Breshni Vencheilli. He's been on Ms. Drenkova's payroll for about ten years. He doesn't have the brains of a piss ant but he's as loyal as a dog."

"What about him?"

"Well, he was inside for about forty minutes and then came out. Next thing I know he's calling someone on his cell phone... a Captain Torelli and telling him to ditch the merchandise. Apparently the captain took exception to the order and they had an argument. Breshni wasn't too happy."

"You heard this conversation?"

"With my very own ears, Ms. Lysanne. It's amazing what cell phone scanners can do now."

"Who is this Captain Torelli?"

"He operates a freighter registered in Greece but it's on its way to Saudi. Apparently, it's been at sea for about a week and is due to arrive there in another two weeks."

"Is there any way we can intercept this vessel?"

"I'm sorry, Ms. Lysanne. That's way out of my league. It's in international water now and any attempts to board it would be considered piracy."

"Can you get in touch with Captain Torelli?"

"Sure. We captured his number when Breshni made the call. You want me to call this guy?"

"Yes, and tell him he is to do nothing ... and I mean absolutely nothing with his cargo without your consent. Have him fax you a copy of his the manifest."

"I'll give him the message, Ms. Lysanne, but I don't think he'll pay any attention to what I have to say."

"He will," Yemaya said coldly, struggling to suppress her rage. "Ms. Drenkova may be paying for the freight but she does not own the shipping company. Oh, and make sure the captain is informed he will be held personally responsible for anything that happens to his cargo... and I don't mean by the authorities. If he has any doubts about what I can do, remind him of the Aegis incident. That captain and first mate are still serving time in Jilava and everyone knows it's one of the worst prisons in Romania. Even Greece's effort to protect them from extradition failed once my agents visited the president. Now, before you call him, call my brother, Raidon Lysanne, and tell him exactly what you have told me. He will get you the details and authorization needed to insure Torelli follows your orders."

"Will do," the private investigator said. Writing down the name and number, he told Yemaya he and his crew would continue to monitor the docks and let her know if anything else developed.

After hanging up, Yemaya turned to Dakota and gave her the details of the conversation.

"You think they mean women?" Dakota asked. "Surely he wouldn't dump them overboard."

"From what Willie said, he seemed reluctant to but I am not going to take the chance. He is obviously aware that they are there, and someone has to be giving them food and water, so he might decide to chance it."

"That's sick. I can't believe anyone would do that nowadays."

"Anyone who deals in slavery will do anything. For the moment, though, I think the women are safe. If something happens to them, I will make sure the captain is held personally responsible. He will not like Carpi justice, I assure you."