Vendetta (23 page)

The doctor moved quickly. “The ambulance is here, Maxine. Our car is right behind. It looks like you’ll be able to go to that sale at Harrods after all.”

The nurse sighed. Until now, she hadn’t actually believed the ambulance would ever arrive. She took a quick look around. “Doctor, where is the package that Mr. Jun arrived with?”

“Good Lord, I almost forgot about that.” The doctor sprinted over to a cabinet that contained office supplies and withdrew a package wrapped in shiny silver paper and a huge red velvet bow. A Christmas present, he surmised. He was glad he didn’t know the contents, for he was certain it wasn’t the kind of present he and Maxine would put under their Christmas trees. He placed it at the foot of the gurney.

A blast of freezing air swept through the foyer. Two men dressed in heavy white snow gear entered, handed over a sheet of paper that the doctor scanned before he scrawled his signature at the bottom. He in turn handed over the manila folder and then pointed to the silver package. “Don’t lose that in transit. I think it’s important.” Both men nodded as they wheeled the gurney through the doorway and down the path leading to the ambulance.

The nurse shut the door and said the same thing that she’d said thousands of times over the years when a patient left their hands. “Is the house secure, Doctor?”

The doctor responded to the question the same way he’d always responded. “The house is secure, Maxine.”

The old nurse looked up and twinkled. “Then let’s burn some rubber, Doctor. Harrods and my personal shopper are waiting for me.”

Fourteen hours later, a cute-as-a-button Chinese nurse with an infectious smile wheeled her patient through Chep Lap Kok airport to customs. People stared and she smiled. She handed over her passport as well as Gan Jun’s. She giggled like a schoolgirl when the attendant moved the gurney to lead the way the moment the Christmas present, still at the foot of the gurney, was X-rayed and the gurney searched. In less than ten minutes, the gurney was loaded into a private ambulance. It roared off, sirens wailing.

John Chai slept soundly as the driver raced to the countryside. On their arrival, the gurney was wheeled into the simple farmhouse. John Chai was transferred to a comfortable bed and covered with a thick down comforter. His papers, along with a wad of money secured in his own personal money clip, were placed on a wobbly nightstand along with the gaily-wrapped package. A fresh set of clothing, a shaving kit, toothbrush and cologne were placed in the makeshift bathroom. Enough food and drink to last three full days were in a cooler in the small kitchen.

The little nurse, who wasn’t really a nurse, stripped off her latex gloves and stuck them in her pocket. “We’re secure, Billy. Time to leave. We have some calls to make. Mr. Chai will sleep around the clock. When he wakes he will have a major headache but will be none the worse for wear. By that time, I’ll be back in Washington and you’ll be back in New York.”

The hospital attendant, who wasn’t really a hospital attendant, grinned. “Is it true the man hasn’t seen a mirror since his…accident?”

The nurse shrugged. “I would assume that to be true since we were told to dispose of all mirrors when we rented this house. If you notice, there are no mirrors around. I just follow orders like you do. Personally, I couldn’t care less. It’s time to go, Billy.”

The private ambulance was now transformed into a fish truck complete with decals on both sides. The drive back to Chep Lap Kok airport was uneventful as the nurse made call after call on her cellphone. At the terminal, Billy wiped down the fish truck. They separated when they reached the terminal.

Neither agent looked the way they had on their arrival just a few short hours ago. Billy was dressed as a cleric. The young nurse was now a schoolgirl, complete with white socks, glasses, a ponytail and carrying a colorful backpack on her shoulders. She skipped along, following the crowd, blowing bubbles with the gum she was chewing.

John Chai was back in his homeland.

“Oh, this is so beautiful,” Kathryn said, as she eyed the elegant table in the dining room. “And the house smells heavenly. It’s all so perfect, Myra. I think I speak for all of us when I say thank you for everything. I don’t know what else to say. I never had friends like all of you.”

Myra’s cheeks pinked up as she held out her arms to the small group of women who were now like daughters to her. “Merry Christmas to all of you! And there is no need for thanks. It is I who should be thanking you. And I do, from the bottom of my heart. Now, if you’re all as stuffed as I am from Charles’s wonderful dinner, let’s adjourn to the living room and that beautiful tree you all helped to decorate. Charles has a bottle of 1920 Dom he wants to share with all of us. And then I want to take some pictures of our little group. I knew you were all beautiful, but tonight proves it. You all glow and sparkle. Everything is so festive. You all look so festive.”

Julia laughed, a genuine sound of mirth. “I think you’re trying to tell us something, Myra. We don’t exactly glow and sparkle when we’re in our work duds, and you’re right, we dressed up for you and Charles. It was the least we could do after all you’ve done for us. Christmas is always so special at Pinewood and it brings out the best in all of us.”

“Let’s get to that Dom and the presents,” Nikki called out.

“You haven’t changed a bit, darling. You and Barbara used to say the same thing when you were little. I always wanted the formality of a drink, wine for Charles and myself and Shirley Temples for the girls. It never worked.”

“It’s not going to work this year either, Myra. Charles plays Santa and hands out the gifts. C’mon, girls, hike up those long, glittering skirts and take your places by the Christmas tree,” Nikki said gaily.

They were like little children, even Myra, as they all picked a spot around the twenty-foot balsam tree and sat down. Charles, wearing a Santa hat, clicked his camera again and again before he set the timer and crouched down in the center of the women. “I’ll have copies made for everyone. Now, I must complete my duties and hand out the presents. Merry Christmas, everyone! May we have many, many more just as happy as this one!”

They laughed, they cried, they poked and prodded one another as the gifts were opened. It was Alexis and Isabelle, however, who held the spotlight. Alexis wept when she opened a small square box that held a set of keys and the deeds to the house she’d lost when she went to prison.

“Isabelle described the inside of your house and Charles and I did our best to duplicate it. I know, I know, there’s one thing missing. Murphy!” Myra called. “Please bring in our guest!”

A golden blur streaked across the room and literally sailed across a pile of presents to land in Alexis’s lap.

“Grady! Oh, my God! It is you! You didn’t forget me!” She looked up, her eyes full of tears. “How…Why…Oh, you dear, sweet people. Isn’t he beautiful? I never thought…How?”

“We lucked out, dear. The officer who took him when you went to prison is being transferred. He wanted to give him back to you but didn’t know where you were. We’ve had him for a whole week,” Myra said, tears rolling down her cheeks at Alexis’s happiness.

“Isabelle, it’s your turn,” Charles said, handing over a long, tube-shaped present.

Isabelle tore at the gold wrapping and opened the tube. “It’s…it’s my license! How?”

“Shhh. The
how
isn’t important. You’ve been reinstated. Congratulations!” Charles said.

“Now, I think we’re ready for the Dom. I’ll get it,” Myra said, heading for the kitchen. “Charles, take more pictures.”

In the kitchen, Myra set the crystal flutes on a silver tray.

“Way to go, Mom. You’re some kind of Santa Claus. Merry Christmas, Mom.”

“Oh, Barbara, now my Christmas is complete. How I wish you were here. I bought you a bright yellow snowmobile.”

“I know, thank you. I was riding with Nikki when the girls took them out. That was so much fun. You look wonderful, Mom. I mean you look happy and contented.”

“Life isn’t perfect, dear, but, yes, I’m happy and contented. I miss you terribly. Will you stand by me at the piano when we start to sing the carols? Nikki is going to play.”

“I’ll be there, Mom. I’m always close by. Go ahead, they’re waiting for that bubbly.”

Myra reached up as she felt something touch her cheek. Had she felt a stray breeze from when Charles opened the kitchen door? Or did her dead daughter kiss her cheek?

“We’re waiting, Myra. I thought you got lost out here.”

Myra smiled when she heard her daughter’s light laughter. Her first Christmas kiss. She looked up at Charles. “The only place I ever get lost is in your arms, dear.”

“Now, that, old girl, is the best news I’ve had all day.” He patted her rump as they sashayed their way back to the living room.

The others were waiting by the piano. Nikki was flexing her fingers. “This is the way we do it at Pinewood. First comes ‘Silent Night,’ then, ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ and we wind up with ‘Jingle Bells.’ If you don’t know the words, pretend you do.”

Outside in the cold, Jack Emery stood behind the electronic fence. He could hear the piano and the sound of the Christmas carols. He’d never felt more lonely in his whole life.

“Merry Christmas, Nik,” he said in a husky, choked voice.

Thousands of miles away, in a rural farmhouse, John Chai prowled about like a caged animal. His new skin shivered in the cold, so he quickly dressed in the clothes that were laid out for him. He saw the Christmas present and the manila folder at the same time. He quickly shuffled through the papers and money, stunned to see that they were all in his name. He stuffed everything back inside the envelope before he turned to the glittering package. He opened it cautiously. The only thing in the box, nestled in among the folds of tissue paper, was a mirror. He picked it up and looked at himself.

His scream thundered in his ears.

The women arrived one by one, each with a bouquet of spring flowers for Myra. As was their custom, they high-fived each other and then hugged Myra and Charles. It was the end of the April showers that would bring all the beautiful May flowers to the countryside. The women’s light-hearted attitudes and spring attire matched the colorful flowers they held in their hands. Lunch today was being served on the terrace, with Myra and Charles presiding.

Grady and Murphy, fast friends these days, romped and played on the newly mown lawn. Their owners looked on, indulgent expressions on their faces.

“The good news, girls, is that Julia’s condition is a tad better after that setback she had in February. She can tell us herself how well she’s doing. Her doctor’s last call was more than positive. So, let’s make a toast to Julia and her well-being. And, somehow, Charles managed to get us a batch of soft-shelled crabs, the first of the season. I want a toast now. With gusto, girls!” Myra said. The women obliged, laughing and teasing as they drained their glasses.

“Where are the guard dogs, Myra?” Isabelle asked.

“In the barn. They only come out if they sense a threat. Charles and I felt it best to keep them on duty even though we weren’t…ah…active.”

“Wise move,” Isabelle said.

Alexis looked at Nikki. “Any news on Jack Emery?”

Nikki’s hands clenched into fists. “No. I haven’t heard from him. However, he did send me a Christmas card.” She waved her hand over her head. “I’m sure he’s out there somewhere and knows we’re all here. And I’m sure that, in his eyes, we’re up to something. Can we get past Jack and his obsession? If we stay alert and on our toes, he will not pose a problem. If you’re worried I’m going to waffle, get over it, I’m not. I hope we don’t have to have this conversation again.”

The women eyed one another. Their expressions showed they understood that Nikki was pissed to the teeth. Charles opened the door and walked out on to the terrace carrying a large platter.

“Ta da! Ladies, you are about to partake of the first soft-shell crabs of the season. Enjoy! By the way, Myra made the salad with our new lettuce from the greenhouse. Everything in the salad is organic. Eat heartily, ladies, because we have serious business to discuss later.”

When the salad bowl was empty, the last crumb gone from the platter, Charles fired up his pipe and leaned back in his chair to gracefully accept the comments that made him smile. They made small talk, catching up with each other’s activities since New Year’s.

“The best part is, Julia’s plant now has a trailer stem. With
nine
new leaves! It’s thriving, just the way Julia is thriving.” The women clapped their hands in approval.

Julia beamed. “I’ve never been happier and I can’t ever remember when I felt this good.” She looked around the table at the others. “I’m also mindful that I’m an experiment and it can go sour on me. I don’t dwell on it but it’s always there in the back of my mind. When I come back in June, after the last series of treatments, I want to be able to do my share, so I’m asking all of you if you can wait until I get back for the next mission. I don’t mean we shouldn’t pick a name at this time; we should. I’d just like to be able to be part of the team again.”

The women nodded their agreement.

Charles tapped his pipe on the railing. “It’s time, ladies.” Chairs were pushed backwards as the women got up, their faces alight with excitement, to follow Charles and Myra indoors. Murphy herded Grady forward, growling lightly when the golden dog dawdled a little too long for his liking.

Inside the war room, the women took their seats. Their light-hearted mood changed instantly as they stared upward at the scales of justice on the monitor. This time the heavy table was bare except for the shoebox sitting in the middle.

“Alexis, pick a name,” Myra ordered.

Alexis sucked in her breath as she reached inside the box to draw the small square of paper. Without looking at it, she handed the slip to Myra.

Myra unfolded the square and looked around the table before she read off the name. “Nikki!”

Nikki squeezed her eyes shut to ward off the dizzy light-headedness that threatened to engulf her. Somehow she managed to smile and look excited, but her mind was on Jack Emery.