The Big Island, Hawaii
The house was shaded and airy, cooled by a cross-breeze from open windows and smelling of orange and saffron. Through an open door near the sitting-room, the man could see an enclosed lanai that was furnished with paving-stones and dark-green palms. The tropical birds of various sizes and colors scratched at their gilded cages.
Lord Nigel Dormer, Baron of Mowbray, looked out the windows to his left over the palm trees, hibiscus, and birds of paradise that framed the deep blue of the ocean and white sands of the private beach. The sound of the waves and salt spray scented air did nothing to calm his nerves. The tropical heat surrounded him, and sweat began to bead on his brow, although he wasn't sure if it was the heat or his nerves that were the cause. Adrenaline coursed through his veins, and he prayed he was not too late.
"What can I do for you?" A beautiful woman with long dark hair and dressed in vibrant purple greeted him graciously, although she seemed suspicious.
"I'm here to see your employer. Tell him I have what he wants."
"Does anyone know you are here? Did you take precautions?"
"Taking precautions would be avoiding this place altogether. But I have no choice do I?" he said grimly
The slender woman looked him over cooly and then gestured to a rattan chair. He sat and waited.
He was ushered into a finely appointed library. The decor of the room was at odds with the lightness of the rest of the house. It was dark and heavy, wood paneling and heavy velvet curtains kept the room shadowed in darkness. It felt ominous and oppressive.
Seated behind a large mahogany table was his host. He gestured to a leather wingback chair. The Baron balked, and his hesitance was not lost on the man.
"Come now, you are in Hawaii, the best place in the world for relaxation, and here you seem tense." He smirked. The man's mouth split into a smile that did not reach the sinister look in his eyes. He stared at the Baron for several seconds, and then he erupted into derisive laughter. The man then pulled a silver cigarette case from his jacket pocket. His thin fingers pulled a cigarillo from it, and the dark-haired woman smoothly leaned forward to light the end. Quickly the room was filled with sickly sweet smoke.
"You took longer to deliver that dragon to me than we originally agreed upon."
"That's because my contacts took longer to retrieve it than I anticipated. If you want to exact revenge, then get it from them. I'll tell you their names; it was Ro-" Faison cut him off as he lifted a hand to silence him. "I'm not interested in who you decide to blame for your incompetence."
He set and jeweler loupe into his eye and picked up the serpentine figure from the mahogany desk. He ran his hand over it and tapped gently on the surface. He turned it over in his hands. His face went pale then red with anger. He set the sculpture down roughly and stood up quickly in a state of agitation.
"No! No! NO! This is not what I need! You fool! YOU FOOL!"
"What are you talking about? This is one of the Qin Jades! I did what you asked. I fulfilled my end of the bargain. You need to keep yours! Release my wife and daughter!"
"You will not dictate terms with me! Do you understand! I will do what I please!" He ran and hand through his long hair and seemed to regain his composure. "However, I will be generous this time and will return them to you. You will just owe me a favor in the future, and I will expect you to do whatever I demand of you. Now get out."
He knew it was futile to protest and fled the house as quickly as he could.
Left alone in his study, the man paced in anger until an idea dawned upon him. He knew what needed to be done, and it must be done immediately.
"Desiree!" he called out and was attended to immediately. "I have one more avenue to explore still. Have Jacque get me the art list for the Wellington Collection and the whereabouts of its current owner."