Home » The Archives » Chapter 12 » Playing with Fire
| Re: Playing with Fire [message #492 is a reply to message #491] |
Mon, 23 July 2012 21:17   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Friday, October 19, 2068, 10 a.m., Paris, France (9 p.m., same day, Tracy Island)
Kyrano breathed deeply of the morning air. Though the day was sunny, he knew it would be chilly early on, and so waited until the temperatures rose to a more moderate level before heading outside. He would have waited longer and set out after lunch, but for this, he was impatient.
The cemetery was wreathed in the colors of autumn, and fallen leaves skittered across the pathways, driven by a slight breeze. He'd left the driver at the entrance with instructions to return in an hour, preferring to walk to his destination, letting the quiet of the place work its way on his heart and mind, preparing him for his visit with his late wife, Samani.
Oh, he knew she wasn't really there, not in spirit. But here, at least, he had a focus, a place he could visit and envision how she once was, feel again the joy and love she had brought to his life. It was a pale shadow of what they'd once known, and was eclipsed by what he now shared with Lisa. He smiled as he strolled toward where Samani was buried, remembering how she had so single-mindedly pursued him, how her gentle wooing had finally awakened a devotion in him that had made him wonder why he had not seen it sooner, for it seemed as if it had been there always. No one before Samani had done that, and there had been no one since... until Lisa breezed into his life.
He was at the spot before he realized it. The smooth granite block stood before him, engraved with her name and the single word in Arabic letters: "tercinta" - its meaning in Malay - "beloved". He bowed deeply, hands pressed together. Then he began to speak in French, the language they both shared and loved.
"My wife, my beloved -- I am here once again. It has been several years since I last visited the city and came to pay my respects to you. I have seen your father and sister; they are well, though your father is growing older and shall soon join you beyond the pale." He smiled, and stepped forward to place a hand on the block. "Our daughter is flourishing, and has become as beautiful and intelligent as her mother. She is not yet married, and so has not made me an ancestor, but she has the love of a good man. Gentle, kind, patient - they have worked together and I think will be a good match when all is settled between them."
He shook his head gently. "I wish you could see her, could have been here to guide her as a mother. The years of raising her were full of joy, but also very difficult. Fortunately, there has been a wise woman in her life, one who has become as a grandmother to her. Her influence made things easier on me in many ways."
"As for myself, I am well. Age is also taking its toll on me, and I am not as resilient as I once was. But I am content with my work, and my garden, and my place." He paused, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "But... there is something I must tell you." He took another deep breath, a shaky one this time, and swallowed heavily before proceeding. "For many years I have missed your presence in my life, tercinta, and I shall still miss that which we shared. But you are beyond the pale, while I am still here. And -- beyond all hope -- I have found someone new to love and cherish. I am soon to be wed again." He looked down and smiled. "She is as vibrant and full of life as a spring day, and though she is both mother and grandmother, she makes me feel young again." Glancing skyward, he murmured, "I do not know how much the dead can see or hear of those things in life, but if you can see and hear me, wish me well, my Samani."
For some reason he didn't understand, he waited expectantly. The air had grown still around him, and all was silent. The breeze had died; the leaves lay scattered, stiff and still on the ground around him.
But if Kyrano was looking for a sign from his late wife, he did not get it. Instead, a soft, mocking voice called from behind him, speaking in Malay.
"It has been a long time, brother."
Kyrano stiffened at the sound, but did not turn. He took a moment to compose himself and calm his now-racing heart. Hoping his voice did not waver, he asked, "Why are you here, evil one?"
There was a low chuckle. "Why to pay my respects to my late sister-in-law. It is a pity we were not introduced while she lived. I am sure I would have found her a fascinating woman." The voice was coming closer, and Kyrano could hear the slight crunching of dead leaves as his hated half-brother paced toward him, his footfalls slow and measured. "I also wanted to see you, Kyrano. We have much to discuss."
Kyrano thought of the alarm pendant around his neck, but realized that it wouldn't work so far from the island. He strengthened his mental defenses, but that provoked another mocking chuckle from Gaat.
"Come now, Tuan. I have no need to probe, not here, not now. Not when we are thus, so close. Not when I can make you tell me all that I want to know and Tracy cannot help you." A large, strong hand fell on his shoulder. He stiffened again, and the fingers dug in, holding him fast. "Will you not face me, brother? Will you not let me look at you in the flesh?"
Kyrano closed his eyes tightly, waiting for Gaat to swing him around so they were face to face. I will not give in!
Suddenly, there was a shout, and a thud. Gaat cursed, and his grip eased a little. Then he screamed and let go entirely.
"My eyes!"
Startled, Kyrano nearly turned, but there was a pull on his arm and a young voice said in accented English, "Run!"
He obeyed, opening his eyes to find himself pulled by a dark-haired woman. She urged him onward. "The spray will not stop him for long. We must flee, ja?"
"Y-Yes," Kyrano stuttered.
She moved her grasp to his wrist, and tried to pick up the pace, moving from monument to monument, making quick darts from place to place. Finally, they reached a sleek motor scooter. She mounted the machine and looked at him expectantly. "Behind me, Herr Kyrano. Schnell, bitte."
Kyrano hesitated a moment, and the dark-haired girl said, in a quiet, urgent voice, "The Pink Lady sent me."
He needed no more urging. Awkwardly, he put a leg over the back of the machine, and held on to her for dear life as she took off with a scattering of gravel. Her long hair whipped in his face, and he turned his head briefly, looking back. Gaat had just cleared the maze of monuments. He was wearing a mask, and looked like a distinguished gentleman with slicked-back gray hair and bushy eyebrows to match. He stood there, shaking his fist with one hand and wiping his eyes with the sleeve of his leather coat. Kyrano gave an internal sigh as he realized he was out of danger.
The young woman took a circuitous route back to the heart of the city, and finally stopped at a small café. "I believe he cannot follow us, Herr Kyrano," his rescuer said. "We will rest here for a moment, ja? Then I shall take you back to your hotel."
Kyrano nodded, and sat heavily down in a chair. When a waiter appeared, data pad in hand, he asked for a cognac, something he would usually never request so early in the day. The young woman asked for black coffee, then sat back to study him for a moment.
"Have you been following me?" Kyrano asked, once fortified with a sip or two of wine.
The young woman nodded. "Ja, Herr Kyrano." Holding out a hand, she said, "I am Gisela Schmidt, from Germany. I have been keeping a discreet watch on you during your visit." They shook hands briefly, then Gisela settled back into her chair. "The Pink Lady herself would have done so, but she had other obligations."
Kyrano took another drink of his cognac. By now, his racing heart had eased, but he still watched the crowds around him with a uncomfortable wariness. "How did you know...?"
"He wore different faces, but he has been following you since Tuesday. How he came to know you were here, I cannot tell. But I reported his interest and description each time, and her Ladyship became alarmed. She told me to purchase some pepper spray, and if he was to confront you at any time, to spray it in his eyes. When he did so at the cemetery, I threw a stone at him to gain his attention, and followed my instructions." She cocked her head to one side. "I do not understand why she placed such importance on his eyes."
Kyrano shook his head slowly. "It is... difficult to explain. But I thank you for your intervention. I had no desire to come face-to-face with him." He took another sip, and choosing his words carefully, asked, "There is someone else here in Paris for whom her Ladyship would be concerned. Is someone watching him as well?"
Gisela nodded. "Ja. The gentleman responsible for most of France is keeping the young man under his eye." She said no more, and gave no indication whether or not she knew who that young man was. Some of the agents knew that Jeff Tracy was the head of IR; others only knew that they worked for that organization. In any case, Gisela was being particularly discreet, and Kyrano was glad of it.
"Perhaps you should call your driver," she suggested. "He is supposed to meet you at the cemetery, ja?"
Kyrano drew in a sharp breath. "Yes. I will phone him and..." He looked at his rescuer.
"I will return you to your hotel, Herr Kyrano," Gisela repeated firmly. She finished her coffee and put the cup down, then set about pulling her hair back to braid it.
Nodding, Kyrano pulled out his phone. I should ask for another driver during the remainder of my stay in Paris. If this one happened to meet Belah at the cemetery... The thought chilled him. He dialed the number he had been given, and set about thinking of a way to explain himself when the driver answered.
Posted by Tikatu on April 20, 2008
  
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