UNDERLYING AGENDA
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Having his Personal Assistant forward the invite was rather pretentious, but Duo didn't hesitate to jot down the number and call to confirm that he'd be in attendance. It had been almost a month since Zechs's attempted suicide and he hadn't really heard anything apart from the occasional update from Sally. Things had vastly improved, she'd said, and Duo sincerely entertained no doubts. Having hit rock bottom and survived, the worst was over and the only direction Zechs had to go was in a positive one. This restored Duo's faith in his mission to tell him of his discoveries surrounding Noin's death. With each passing day Zechs would come closer to fully seceding from the pain of her loss, and Duo's task that much more trivial. If he waited too long it could be detrimental to Zechs's progress, and yet he could hinder it by being too hasty.
Lo and behold the first lesson in tactfulness, and it kicked-off with the unexpected arrival of an organically attractive middle-aged Englishman with hazel eyes.
Duo idled by the front door, uncertain. "Yes?"
"Duo Maxwell?"
"Yes." Duo glanced behind him where a couple of shaded suits and a limousine awaited. "Who wants to know?"
"Troy Hardenberg," he said, extending a hand and smiling when Duo stepped out and shook it firmly in return. "Mr. Merquise wished me to extend his deepest apologies regarding the sudden change of plans. He was unexpectedly called to the United States, where he is currently relocating, and would like it very much if you joined him at his new home in Napa Valley, California." Troy offered him a charming smile along with an envelope containing a first class ticket and a Visa card in Zechs's name. "Shall we, sir? The flight leaves promptly at 1:00PM."
Without further delay, Duo grabbed his jacket, wallet, and house keys and made quick work of locking up. "Lead the way, handsome."
On the way to the airport, Mr. Hardenberg went over the itinerary and explained that upon arrival in Los Angeles, and prior to the connecting flight, he was to be allotted two hours to shop for whatever he required during his stay and encouraged him to purchase a pair of riding boots and britches, specifically. "You will then be flown by private aircraft to Napa Valley, where a third car will pick you up and drive you to Mr. Merquise's vineyard. Do you have any questions, Mr. Maxwell?"
This was so unbelievable that Duo could only smile and shake his head.
"Very well, sir. Enjoy your holiday."
"Thank you." Duo sipped the glass of champagne offered to him while boarding continued and watched as the airport personnel loaded the luggage onto the aircraft. He had pinched himself numerously between the time Troy had arrived and being seated on the plane, and he still couldn't believe this was happening. Just days ago he'd only been hoping for a phone call from Zechs, and now he was taking an all expense paid minibreak to the U.S courtesy of the man himself. "Holy shit…" The stewardess responded to his page lightning fast and was blessedly happy to help ease his flight anxiety. After a couple of Jack and Cokes, Duo couldn't care less what Zechs's motives were and held up pretty well until he awoke to find he had slept through the entire flight and was being ushered through the crowded terminals by another pair of suits. "What the hell was in that drink?" They arrived at a nearby shopping mall not long after, where Duo bought his basics and a few other things in record time among all the hustle and bustle of sun kissed and posh individuals. He was assured that all necessary toiletries would be provided upon arrival in Napa Valley.
Troy Hardenberg hadn't been waiting long at the private airstrip to accompany him on the short car ride to their final destination. The air was crisp and warm, and the afternoon sun seemed to set all the leaves on fire. "It's quite beautiful, isn't it? When the leaves change color like that. An endless romance can be experienced here, Mr. Maxwell, one that never dies. It renews itself with the changing of the seasons, year after year, doing wonders on any ailment."
"That explains a lot…" Duo listened as he gazed out the open window, a thrill coursing through him at the familiar shape of grapevine rows hidden behind the foliage. It thinned in seconds revealing row after row. They were nearly endless, like witnessing an undiscovered sea.
"Welcome, sir, to the San Marquis Vineyard."
The rows receded at the base of a beautifully manicured slope, and there at its highest point, sat a breathtaking Tuscan estate. The two story edifice- with its tiled roof, dramatic arches, timber accents, and walls of overgrown ivy- seduced the young American. It was an otherworldly grandiosity and he'd never seen anything like it. As they proceeded beyond the gate and along the private drive, he was further transfixed by the sight of the live cattle inhabiting the surrounding acreage. The driver parked beneath the carport and unloaded Duo's purchases with Mr. Hardenberg's gracious help, and Duo found his limbs sluggish as he exited the car and over toward an accent balcony just a few feet away. The property surrounded him for miles it seemed, and the colors were indeed striking. It was like capturing the sunlight kissing the flora and fruit, the warm golden brown and cool chestnut hues of the painted horses in liberal strokes of oil.
The car circled around and broke him from his trance, and Duo turned and followed the awaiting Englishman awkwardly through a tall pair of double doors. "I've been told that Mr. Merquise has been out riding for the better part of the afternoon and shan't be returning for another hour or so. Therefore, I will take it upon myself to show you to your room. This way, please." Duo followed him through the foyer and up the oak staircase, ogling every second of the way. Unlike Zechs's previous apartment, this place was stylish and reeked of rustic taste. The walls were textured and the color of warm beige and easily illuminated by the natural light that spilled from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Where there were no gleaming hardwood floors there was soft carpet or cool tile. "Here we are. I do hope you find yourself well accommodated here, sir." Placing his bags carefully on the queen bed, Troy cracked open the balcony doors to air out the room a bit before turning back to him expectantly. "May I help you unpack, Mr. Maxwell?"
"Huh?" Purely distracted, Duo flushed and shrugged. "I'm sorry, what?"
"Would you like me to help you unpack, sir?"
"Oh no, it's cool," he said, shaking his head gregariously. "You've been super nice and I couldn't possibly be any more of a bother to you. I'll do it. How about just telling me when Zech- I mean, Mr. Merquise arrives and we call it a day?"
"As you wish, Mr. Maxwell." Troy nodded and strode towards the exit. "Should you require anything else in the mean time, Cecile and Iris will be happy to oblige you. Simply dial their respective numbers on the COM unit by the bed there. Good evening, sir."
"Thanks, man. Have a good one." After unpacking what little he'd bought, he wondered into the bathroom and nearly tripped over his own jaw. "What the-! Is that my actual deodorant?" Digging through the familiar toiletry bag, he found exactly what he had left back at the bungalow including his crappy ass shampoo. "Awe hell, I thought I'd be rid of you for good."
"Not quite that easily I'm afraid."