Sparkles Page 13

  Stephen looked serious but said nothing. Jan continued, “I blamed Tim. Later I met a woman at Saint Joe’s College. I persuaded myself that I loved her, and we got married. Not long after we married, we began arguing…. We fought every day for the next three years. We were divorced. By the time I finally admitted to myself that I’d left Tim to get back at him, it was too late…. Tim had died. I inherited his law firm and the North American Mundus Master’s chair.”

  Stephen squeezed Jan’s hand. “My God, Jan, that’s awful. How did you survive it?”

  “Two people got me through it. A few years after I came back to find Tim gone, I met Michael.”

  Jan hung his head and shuddered with the memory of Michael’s last word. Nice.

  “You okay?” Stephen said.

  Jan nodded away his sadness. “Yeah… I’m good…. Really, I am.”

  Stephen hugged Jan closer.

  Jan continued, “Michael and I were together for just over twelve years when a son I didn’t know about suddenly showed up. His name is Colin. Now there’s a story for a rainy night!”

  “You had problems with him?”

  “Oh, you could say that. Just when I thought things might work out between us, he ran away. He ended up in Iceland, of all places.”

  “Hey, I’m a Danish prince! Those are my people.”

  “Stephen, Iceland’s a republic. You royals never seem to get the message,” Jan mocked.

  “Well, don’t tell Aunt Margot. Poor woman still thinks it’s 1940 and she is their queen. So you were telling me about Michael.”

  Jan blinked away a telltale tear at the mention of Michael’s name. “Ah yes, Michael. The long and the short of it is, he developed an early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. For five years I watched Michael fade before my eyes. Eventually, he couldn’t recognize me…. Stephen, you can’t imagine what that’s like until you go through it yourself. He was still relatively young and there he was playing with dolls like a small child. I couldn’t believe it was happening. Michael died just over a year ago—but I had years to prepare for it. You’d think all that time would have made it easier, but it didn’t.” Jan sucked in a deep breath.

  “You love him still. I can hear it in your voice,” Stephen said.

  “Guilty… but you don’t have to worry about his ghost coming between us. He became one long before he died, and I’ve had enough specters to last a lifetime.”

  “What about your son?”

  “Colin is married to his high school sweetheart. He lives on a ranch in the middle of nowhere in Montana. He seems happy, and that makes me happy for him.” Jan turned, wiping an unwanted tear before facing Stephen. “So, as you see, I’m quite alone.”

  “How old is he?”

  “Oh, let’s see, Colin’s coming up on twenty-five.”

  “Twenty-five? Say, how old are you?”

  “Let’s just say I’m over forty. You can count the candles on my birthday cake, if you really want to know. Oh, and spare me the ‘you don’t look your age’ line. I know that already.”

  Stephen sat up and stared out the window at the lightening sky. “Wow, I never thought I’d be in bed with a much older man—and by the way, Jan, you’re not alone… I’m here.”

  Jan laughed. “Older man? Come here and I’ll show you what an old man can do.”

  Chapter 42

  A Buoyant Heart

  JAN HAD returned home. Just gone a short hour and Stephen missed him. Feelings born of fire and hope, feelings he’d never experienced before meeting Jan Phillips, were suddenly threatened, and yet there was so much to know about this Jan Phillips. Stephen curled up in front of the fire and sipped on a weak gin and tonic. He smiled, remembering the startled look on Jan’s face when he opened the door at Larry Sinclair’s party. You’ve come a long way from there. Stephen checked the clock and dialed a private number in Denmark.

  “Hallo?”

  “Hello, Aunt Margot. It’s Stephen.”

  “Stephen! You naughty boy! What have you been doing with yourself that you don’t call your auntie?”

  “Aunt Margot, are you sitting down?”

  “Ja, so what is so important I should be sitting?”

  “I’m in love, Aunt Margot! I can’t keep it in. For the first time in my life, I’m really in love. I had to tell someone, and you’ve always wished me the best in life, so I—”

  “Oh, Stephen, I’m so glad for you. This is a man you’re talking about, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, his name is Jan, and he’s a lawyer. In fact he owns his own firm. I met him at a party here in Philadelphia. He’s slender and blond, like cousin Hans, you know who I mean, Aunt Brigitte’s son.”

  “My dear, all Brigitte’s boys are blond!” she said, laughing. “But, what is this man of yours like?”

  “Oh, he’s so nice, and smart, and he has a calmness about him. Umm, Aunt Margot, I believe he may be a Templar.”

  “A real one, or a pretend one? You can’t be too careful.”

  “Oh no, Aunt Margot, he’s genuine. There’s nothing fake about him. I saw the Non nobis motto on a plaque in his office. I wish you could meet him.”

  “Well, dear, the next time you come to Copenhagen you must bring him along. Maybe I’ll give him a medal for being kind to you.”

  “I’m not sure Americans can accept medals. I’ll have to ask.”

  “Nonsense! I’m the queen. I’ll make him an honorary subject. What good is my crown if I can’t do something for my favorite nephew?”

  Stephen laughed. “Aunt Margot, you’re amazing. How have you been? I saw that you commissioned another ship. It was on the international TV station over here.”

  “Yes,” said the queen. “A mine sweeper. Can you believe it, that these days we need such a vessel? I’m an old woman and I’ve seen so much, but it seems to me the more the world changes, the more it stays the same.”

  “Aunt Margot, have you heard about Armande Bonnet?”

  “Claude sent me a letter. Poor man is beside himself with grief. I wish there was something I could do for him… for you too, dear. I know you were close to Armande.”

  Heartache stabbed in his chest as Stephen stifled a sob. “He was the best, Aunt Margot. I miss him terribly. It was Jan who told me about Armande.”

  “Jan?” said the queen. “Stephen, is his last name Phillips?”

  “Why yes it is? Have you heard of him?”

  “My dear boy, the man you love is a Mundus Master—one of the most influential people in the world! Much more so than your old auntie.”

  “You’ve met Jan?”

  “Yes, he was in Europe a few years ago. He came to Denmark on holiday. We met at the seaside. I must say he fills his bathing suit quite nicely.”

  “Aunt Margot! You are naughty!”

  The old woman giggled like a teenager. “I remember what it was like to… well you know what I mean.”

  “Seriously, Aunt Margot, you mustn’t mention this to anyone. Jan was very insistent on this. I shouldn’t have said any of this. It’s just that I’ve never met anyone like him!”

  “So, you know about Mundus, then?”

  “Only very little. What can you tell me about it?”

  “Let me see now…. Mundus is everywhere—rich, poor, famous, not famous. Sometimes they move the world. I know that sounds grandiose, but they make things happen when the people who are supposed to make things happen can’t. They seem to be able to work miracles.”

  “Aunt Margot, Jan said Mundus isn’t a secret society, but it sounds spooky to me.”

  “Not so much secret as they… what is the expression? Ah, they fly below the radar. They avoid public scrutiny.”

  “Jan did say that I should never mention Mundus and his name in the same breath.”

  “Quite right. The Mundus people I know are very careful about that…. So, my little nephew is in love. I’m very happy for you!”

  Stephen heard her yawn.

  “Aunt Margot, I should hang up now. You t
ake care. I’ll call again soon… promise. Oh, and tusind tak, Aunt Margot, tusind tak.”

  “You don’t have to thank me, dear. Just be happy, and I’ll be happy too.”

  “Farvel, Aunt Margot.”

  “Farvel, dear boy. Farvel.”

  Chapter 43

  A New Jersey Marsh

  THE AFTERNOON sun pushed temperatures high enough to begin a rapid snowmelt. Daria guided her newly bought cabin cruiser from the river into the creek that ran through the tall reeds near the hunting lodge. The river was calm, and Daria was proud that she hadn’t let her stomach get the better of her. As she slowed the big boat, Adel slung the dock fenders over the side and made ready to cast a belay line to Naji standing on the dock.

  “How did it go?” Naji asked as he wove the line around the dock cleat.

  “Very well,” Daria replied. “Now all we have to do is load the inflatables and explosives on board.”

  Later that evening

  DARIA BENT over the dining room table. The men had just finished their evening prayers. She smoothed out the marine chart showing the US coastline—from their position on the Delaware River just north of the Salem nuclear power plant, to the Shoreham facility on Long Island. Inlets and marinas were clearly marked, as well as shoals and sandbars. Adel and Sinan were seated at the table. Firouz and Naji stood nearby.

  “I want you all to pay close attention,” Daria said as she traced her finger along the water route the team would take. “Naji will place the first bomb here at the Salem station.”

  Sinan and Adel shot one another furtive glances.

  Daria noticed, but chose to ignore it. “There are inflatable sailboats outside in the shed.”

  Turning to Naji, Daria handed him a small key. “The explosives are in the shed next to your boat. This is for the lock. Once I ring you on your cell phone, you will have just one hour to leave here and make it to the canal that draws the cooling water to the plant with the explosives and one of the inflatables. When you are in place, you will inflate your boat. Since we are so close to the plant, you will use the sail rather than the power motor until you reach the canal. This will reduce the chances of detection on open water. Then you will paddle in close to the cooling tower. From there you can easily see the way to the main building. Kill anyone you meet. Let nothing prevent you from placing the bomb. As soon as you have it secured, you are to wait for my second call. Then you will arm and detonate the charge. Your reward in heaven awaits you.” She smiled at the men. “You were chosen for this mission because you can handle a sail. That, and your love for our cause, is why you are here. I know you will not disappoint me.”

  The men smiled but remained silent. “Now for the rest of us. As you all know, earlier this week I had a thirty-foot cabin cruiser delivered at the marina in town. It is now docked outside. As I said, there are rubber sailboats in the shed outside. We will stow them in the cabin cruiser.”

  Looking up from the chart, Daria said, “Sinan and Firouz, you two will come with me in the cabin cruiser. Firouz, you will be dropped off with your inflatable at the Toms River reactor. It is the easiest to penetrate. However, Firouz, like Naji you must be careful.”

  Daria unfolded a sheet of paper and handed it to Firouz. “Here is your chart. As you will see, the way is marked. The reeds near the riverbank will give you plenty of cover. Sinan and I will move on to the plant on Long Island. Of the three it is the most heavily secure. Once I inflate my sailboat, I will scuttle the motorboat. It is just about 334 nautical miles from here to the Long Island reactor. This will take at least four days after we depart, so Naji, you must be extra patient and wait for my call. Once I reckon the timing, I will phone you and Firouz to begin your part. The goal is to have us all in position so that we can set off our charges all together.”

  “Millions will die,” Adel whispered. “The earth will tremble.”

  Naji bowed his head. “Enshallah.”

  After a tense moment, Adel asked, “Why not use motor boats for the operation? This way takes too long.”

  “Too noisy,” Daria said dryly. “Besides, my impatient friend, with the low profile of the inflatables, we will be almost invisible, but most importantly, we can catch the security off guard—are there any other questions?”

  “Yes,” Naji said. “Where is the money coming from? I thought we needed that diamond to have the funds for this mission.”

  “I contacted our superiors and explained our situation. Our goal is to set off a chain reaction by causing meltdowns in five reactors along the coast. Each of you was to be assigned a reactor facility. I got permission to scale back to three sites. I can tell you, it was a huge disappointment. The Supreme Leader has plans, and our task is to keep our timeline. This diamond business is a setback. The nuclear material was to be the centerpiece of the attack. It was intended to show the Americans what power we have on their own soil. It must be the will of Allah that we were not able to secure it. However, we have enough money to buy our boats, the Semtex explosives, and fuel. It will be a great success.”

  Daria looked at each man in turn. “There is one more thing. I have decided to get the Vice-Regal Diamond back. We’ve come too far to let it slip away from us. Adel, you will return to Philadelphia. Aram smuggled the jewels out of the country in his costumes. I’m betting he hid that diamond in his studio. If it had been found, we would have read it in the newspapers. You are to get the thing and then get to our consulate.”

  Adel said, “I was wondering what task was mine. I will try to do as you ask.”

  Daria frowned at the young man. “I do not ask—and you will not try. You will succeed. Understood?”

  “Yes,” Adel whispered.

  “Now, is there anything else you wish to know?”

  Silence.

  “Good. Sleep well, my warriors.”

  ADEL DREW deeply on his cigarette and looked out onto the ice-clogged creek that flowed into the Delaware River. The snow had stopped during the early morning. Marsh reeds bent down with snow made muffled noises in the steady wind that blew off the river. A footfall made Adel jump.

  “Who is there!”

  “Shush, Adel. It is only me,” Sinan said.

  Adel smiled. “I was so surprised to see you here! Come, sit by me.”

  Sinan squatted next to his friend. “After you left Tabriz, I thought I would never see you again. I wanted to talk to you so many times, but always there was somebody around. I have missed you very much.” He looked back at the lodge. “I cannot stay long.”

  “Sinan,” Adel said, “I was ready to die knowing you would live to find someone to love. Now….”

  Sinan grasped Adel’s shoulder. “We will be martyrs together. Heaven will welcome us as one.”

  Adel pulled Sinan in close. Their kiss was deep, yet brief. Sinan tasted the acrid residue of Adel’s cigarette. “You should give those things up. They taste nasty and they are bad for you.” Both men chuckled at Sinan’s gallows humor.

  “I love you,” Adel whispered.

  “And I love you. Never forget that.”

  FROM AN upstairs window, Daria watched the two silhouettes, just visible against the white landscape. She drew the curtain and shook her head.

  Chapter 44

  A Lady to the Rescue

  CHARLOTTE SHIFTED around in the bed, trying to find a comfortable spot. The marathon sex she and Daniel had had through the night made her weak and ready for an extended nap. Finding no place that suited her, she rolled over, expecting to see Daniel sound asleep. She found him sitting up, his back against the bed’s mahogany headboard.

  “Daniel, what on earth are you doing?”

  “I’m trying to figure out this puzzle Jan gave me. He’s been on my back about it for days.”

  “Do you have to look at it now?” she complained.

  “Jan thinks this is part of a larger scheme going on with those diamond robberies. Part of it may have something to do with your headless Iranian.”

  “He’
s not my Iranian… at least not anymore.” Charlotte felt a stab of guilt. She hadn’t mentioned her relationship with Aram. Partly because she didn’t want Daniel to become jealous, and partly because her past loves were none of his business. She snatched the paper from Daniel’s hand. Looking at it, she frowned.

  “What’s it supposed to be?”

  “It’s a napkin…. Well, it’s a copy of a napkin Jan found at the Broad Street Diner.”

  Charlotte immediately began folding the paper.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Daniel said.

  “You said it’s supposed to be a napkin, right? These things come prefolded. Did it ever occur to you that it was folded when it was written on?”

  “Folded? Jan didn’t say it was folded.”

  “Well, let’s see if I’m right.”

  Charlotte creased, and then creased again the sheet of paper to approximate a four-by-seven-inch rectangle. “Hmm, doesn’t mean much, does it?”

  Daniel answered her with arched eyebrows and a smirk.

  “Okay, Mr. Wiseguy, we’ll try again.” Charlotte refolded the paper, this time using the reverse side up. “Sparkles,” she read. “That. Flash. From. Their. Eyes. GF.”

  Charlotte grabbed Daniel’s hand. “Daniel! I know what this is!”

  “You do?” he said skeptically.

  “Yes, it’s part of an aria from Handel’s Alexander’s Feast. I’m sure of it!”

  “So what’s the connection?”

  “Alexander’s Feast is all about revenge,” Charlotte explained. “This particular aria goes, ‘Revenge, Timotheus cries, See the Furies arise! See the snakes that they rear. How they hiss in their hair, and the sparkles that flash in their eyes! And look here!’”

  Charlotte pointed to the AF.

  Daniel leaned over and looked at the initials. “We thought that was some kind of military designation, like Air Force, maybe.”