Price of a Bounty

-Scott-

Meeting the President



I’d been in Parisio for a couple of days, preparing for my meeting. It was good to be back. I reached up to straighten my tie. Then I opened my briefcase, pulled out some documents and began paging through them, focusing on what I planned to say.

My associate chose a seat against the wall and waited patiently for the others to arrive. She didn’t look it, but I knew that Madame Bellami was just as nervous as me. She had chosen to wear more colorful, yet dressy attire appropriate to her station. We both had high hopes that the Mediterran Gov would back our proposal.

“Monsieur President, messieurs, dames.” I pushed back my chair and stood as the President and his advisors entered the meeting room. “I am truly honored that you’ve agreed to meet with me today.”

“Shall we begin?” The President gestured to the chairs, and we all sat. “Let’s get right down to business, shall we?”

“Yes, sir. Have you had a chance to read our proposal?”

“We have.”

Some of his advisors nodded in agreement.

“You’re a member of the Terenian military, are you not, M. Maddock?”

“I am, but you must understand that I am not here in that capacity, nor do I represent the Gov of Terene.”

“You are a brave man, M. Maddock, to bring this proposal to our attention. Just by coming here today, you are placing yourself in danger. You understand that if we agree to this, you will likely be considered a traitor to your realm. Are you willing to sacrifice so much?”

“As long as there’s a chance it will save others, yes.”

“Are the rumors true?”

I hesitated.

“M. Maddock, are the rumors about genetic engineering true?”

I looked down as I thought about how best to answer his question. Rumors had been circulating for decades. Were they true? I just didn’t know, but every so often a soldier would go missing. We’d been told they’d gone AWOL, that they had deserted, but I just didn’t believe that. I’d known some of them personally. And all the tests they continued to give us, especially those of us in Special Ops…I raised my head and looked him in the eye. “I have no proof, but it’s likely.”

He nodded. “It is my understanding that you would only bring certain people into Mediterra, people who would be trained and then returned to help your cause.”

“That’s correct, as well as certain individuals who may require sanctuary. Obviously, there is no way to anticipate who would fall into that category. We plan to provide all funding.”

“We must agree upon a cap. I will not allow undue strain upon the communities of Mediterra.”

“Of course, if you’ll turn to page 38, you’ll see that we plan to be extremely selective. Our goal is to keep Terenian citizens safe within our own realm. However, we also recognize that it will not always be possible.”

The President and his advisors took a moment to review page 38. Then he looked at me and asked, “Who is the other contact?”

“My partner, Guy Bensen. He has a better handle on the financial aspects, and I’m in charge of transport. We are equally invested in this opportunity. Our contact information is on page 5.”

The President turned to page 5, reviewed the information, and then pushed the proposal away. He closed his eyes and thought for a few minutes.

Then he spoke, and everyone listened. “M. Maddock, I am impressed by your courage and by your selflessness. I did not expect that from a Terenian. You must know that the citizens of Mediterra generally make a practice of keeping to themselves. We do not want the problems created by others to become our own.”

I nodded. We were not unaware that we had already achieved a victory just by being granted a meeting with the President.

“Because your organization is working to better your society, and based upon your character.” He looked at each of his advisors in turn. All but one nodded. “We accept your proposal.”

I let out a breath of air and smiled. “Thank you, M. President.”

“There is one more matter to discuss before I make this official. This side venture. Explain it to me.”

“I’m sure you realize, M. President, that illegal activities such as this occur on a daily basis in realms throughout the world. It’s a lucrative way to fund our rescue operations. We want to make it legal on your end. We’re offering the Mediterran Gov 15% from the sale of such items.”

He paged through the proposal to that particular section. “And you are only agreeing to bring such items into the realm, not to export them without governmental authorization?”

“It’s stated as such on page 56.”

He turned to that page and suddenly looked up. “Who is Danielle Bellami?”

I smiled at her as she stood and moved forward. “M. President, I’d like to introduce you to Danielle Bellami, a highly respected Mediterran citizen and owner of Art Fantastique.”

“Building bridges right from the beginning. I think your organization just may bring about the change you’re hoping for.” The President picked up a pen and signed the proposal in its entirety. “I wish you luck, M. Maddock, you and Guy Bensen. And you as well, Mme. Bellami.”

The meeting had been a complete success – far better than we had dared to hope.

After the room cleared, I put my arms around Danielle and smiled at her. I leaned down until our foreheads touched. “How shall we celebrate?”





-Guy-

Can I Borrow the Car?



On Monday, Keira knocked on my front door just as I pocketed my transceiver and keys. She wore red exercise pants and a light jacket. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and her forehead glistened with sweat. She flopped down on my sofa and grinned.

“I thought about all you’ve said, and I’m in.”

“Now’s not really a good time. Can you come back tonight?”

“This is important. I have business to discuss with you, but it shouldn’t take long.” She eyed my business suit. “How in the world did you find time to work undercover as Mrs. Ramsey’s gardener and still make an appearance at your father’s firm?”

“I have a somewhat flexible schedule. Are you certain this can’t wait until evening?”

“Elaine Ramsey knows my real name, and she closed my bank account.”

“Don’t say another word.” I pulled my transceiver from my pocket and placed a call to work, then turned so Keira wouldn’t be in range of the vidscreen.

The image of Ellie, my secretary, appeared on the screen. “Mr. Burke, how may I help you?”

“If you would, please let the others know I’ll be arriving late. They should begin the board meeting without me.”

Ellie lowered her voice. “That’s probably not the best idea. Your father is beginning to notice your absences.”

I looked at Keira as I replied, “You know what’s at stake. Do your best to cover for me. I’ll be in as soon as possible.”

I shut off the transceiver and gave Keira my full attention. “You’re certain about Ramsey?”

“She called me by my real name and told me to keep in touch. She said she may need my services in the future, and my bank account was definitely closed. Security was even called when I asked for more details.”

“Has Elaine learned anything about the Resistance? Does she know Oren Johnson isn’t really dead?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so. I think it’s just me and Scott by default, but…”

“What is it?”

“Well, Scott already has to take orders from her because he’s military…he said I can trust you.”

“And you can.”

She studied me for a minute, clearly worried. “I’ve been thinking about this all weekend, from every angle. I’ve been trying to figure out why. And I think Elaine Ramsey is tying up loose ends. We both know she hired me, and probably Rose, to get her money back, but I don’t think she ever had any intention of paying either of us.”

“What exactly are you saying, Keira?”

“The clerk wouldn’t tell me who closed my account, but I think it’s too much of a coincidence. Elaine Ramsey must have closed it. She’s the only one I can think of who has both the power and a motive to do that. I also suspect that she ordered a hit and run on Rose.”

She paused and carefully monitored my expression. It was difficult, but I kept my gaze steady and gave no reaction. I wanted to hear it all.

Keira took a breath and continued, “Rose was a somebody, and she knew too much, so Ramsey had to remove her. Because Rose was Elite, Ramsey had to make certain that it looked like an accident. But Rick…I’m a nobody, plus she knows my real identity, so rather than kill me, she’s sending a clear message that she’s going to control me. I’m worried that closing my account is just the beginning.”

“You’re not a nobody. Do you need some money?”

“No.” She shook her head vehemently. “I earn my own money.”

Independent, Scott had said. He wasn’t joking. “I can order false documentation if you need a new identity,” I offered.

“No.” She waved her hand. “I have connections for that too.”

“Then how can I help?”

“I’d like to borrow your car and driver next Thursday.”

I sat down next to her. “Why?”

“Mrs. Ramsey is throwing a dinner party at her Galt estate next Thursday. I need to be there.”

“To do what exactly?”

“The party is my way in. I’ll get the money back. Hopefully the amount you stole plus enough to make up for my closed account.”

“So it’s just about the money?” I didn’t believe she’d stop there, not when her cover had been compromised.

“I’ll stick around,” she confessed, “and after the party…that’s when I’ll do it.”

I shook my head. “I think we should put someone else on the job, someone she won’t suspect. We have people who are skilled at breaking and entering. They can get the money and send a strong warning.”

I realized I was beginning to care for Keira, as Scott’s sister and as an ally. And I wanted to protect her. Oh, I knew she could take care of herself, but killing takes its toll. I was beginning to worry about how Keira’s choices would affect her, how they would impact who she would become.

“She’ll suspect me no matter who you send in. I have to do this, or she’ll own me. She knows too much, and she’ll use that information to make me do whatever she wants. Anyway, you shouldn’t risk someone else for me.”

I sat quietly and tried to think of an alternative Keira might accept. “Let me send in Eberhardt as backup.”

“No, I’ll need him to drive, but I work alone. This is what I do. This is who I am. If you want me to work for your cause, don’t ask me to change who I am.”

I sighed. I couldn’t change her mind this time, but maybe I could still help. “Be careful around her butler and chauffeur. They’re trained bodyguards. The safe is in the master bedroom behind a Degas. The code is…”

“Behind a day-what?”

“Ballet dancers, painted by the artist Degas.”

Keira stared at me blankly.

“You’re not familiar with Edgar Degas?”

She shook her head. “What type of dancers?”

“Weren’t you paying attention in school? What did you learn in your art classes?”

Keira gave me a strange look. “Working Class kids aren’t allowed to take art or music classes past the third level, not unless they’ve already demonstrated talent.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

“A friend of mine continued on as a painter, but that doesn’t happen very often. I know nothing about art, and all I know about music I learned from my mother.”

Even with as much as I’d learned since I’d met Scott, it was clear there were still gaps. I wondered if Keira would be willing to talk with me some more about her past, but now wasn’t the time to ask.

“I’ll take you to the theater and to a museum,” I offered, “if you’d like. For now, I suggest that you take a moment to appreciate the painting before you remove it from the wall. I believe the one Mrs. Ramsey owns is an original.”

“How do you know so much about her Galt residence? I thought you worked at her estate here in town.”

“I was hired to landscape new garden arrangements at both, and I took some time to look around when she was out. I’ll send Eberhardt over to pick you up next Thursday.” I handed Keira a slip of paper on which I’d written down the code to the safe. “Here. There’s a good chance she hasn’t changed it since I didn’t actually take anything from that estate. I wish you’d reconsider taking backup. I know someone who is skilled at breaking into high tech security. He would be invaluable if the code has been changed.”

She reached for the piece of paper and our fingers touched. “Thank you, but I’ll be fine on my own.”