Authors note: Finally, here we go chapter 4! A few things happen to Mrs Tate, Kai´s next target is indirectly revealed, and the actual Tyson will soon get a more important role.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!
KirayHimawari: Thank you so much for leaving yet another fantastic review! I am delighted that you seem to like this, especially considering that it is quite different from my other work. This plot is distinctly more complicated I am afraid. Please do tell what you think of the second part of this chapter, it is worrying me a bit! Anyways, is Kai sane? Good question, I´d like to think that he is, but I suppose it is a matter of opinion. After year spent in a mental correctional facility, being forced to pretend something other than the truth happened to his parents, who knows. Anyways, thank you so much as always! Take care! :D
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When the sea turns crimson
Chapter 4
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-June 2012 present time-
I trailed two fingers thoughtfully over the two overlapping figure eights that were carved into the wooden railing outside the beach house. Double infinity. A sardonic half smile graced my lips as I turned, slowly stalking back inside. My tux had returned from the drycleaners that very same morning, and I shrugged into the crisp white shirt with only a hint of resentment. In the Hamptons perception is everything; show up with one hair out of place and they will rip you to pieces.
Tonight´s event was important, for Voltaire Hiwatari in particular. It was a celebration of his success, a way for him to less than subtly show off his wealth and power to everyone interested. He owned the most prestigious property in the area, and everyone was attending. Naturally you did not turn down an invite to the largest event this year. Should someone be stupid enough to do so he could feel certain than no one would invite him anywhere ever again.
Back when I was a child I could not recall having attended any of his lavish parties or celebrations. My parents had evidently been quiet and private people, who preferred the family home over the public sphere. Perhaps this was why Voltaire Hiwatari had chosen to blame them for his wrongdoings. He is a creature obsessed with perfection, and from what little I could remember it was clear that my father never lived up to those expectations.
What happened to flight 997 has gone down in history as one of the most devastating terrorist attacks on American soil. More deaths occurred at 911, however the downing of flight 997 was allegedly the work of someone with an American citizenship. A blow below the belt no doubt, for the all American camaraderie in particular. Granted that Vladimir Hiwatari had died before he could be apprehended, which the majority of the population felt was distinctly unfair, but his status as an American had also been quickly forgotten.
The moment his Russian heritage was revealed, he was no longer an American. He was an enemy. Any notion of his innocence would have been futile at this point. Too many people had died, Voltaire Hiwatari´s deception cut too deep. It is with regret I acknowledge that even if someone had tried to clear my fathers name, the time would never have been right. At the present, this was an entirely different matter.
According to the CIA Vladimir Hiwatari had been laundering money for terrorist organisations. Money who had later been used to found the downing of a commercial airliner. 90 innocent people had died, and Vladimir HIwatari, Voltaire Hiwatari´s son and second in command had been implicated. There was never a question of investigating anyone else. Boris Balcov, head of the investigation had with surprising ferocity zooned in on Vladimir Hiwatari, and had immediately come across incriminating evidence.
This was of course after Vladimir Hiwatari and wife passed away in a tragic car accident. Boris Balcov had retired shortly after finishing his high profile case, suddenly in the possession of almost unimaginable wealth. Now he lived among the rich and powerful, and enjoyed a close bond with Voltaire Hiwatari. He was married to a girl half his age, a frail, doll like little thing named Julia Fernandez. Perhaps she had once been something, but all that was left of her now was a scared, lost little girl.
I left the beach house at 7, leaving my car in the gravelled roundabout before the entrance to the grand, looming building that was Hiwatari manor. My Porsche was left in the care of an attendant, and quickly driven out of sight as I was shown inside. Unsurprisingly everything was as grand in there as the striking façade outside. Wide airy rooms, painted in inviting light colours and expertly furnished. Flower arrangements in INCs royal blue colour were everywhere, and waitresses in short skirts were tripping about in high heels, offering Champaign and small, neat dishes. People were everywhere, chatting and gossiping, admiring Mr. Hiwatari´s outstanding accomplishments and of course his impressive home. I found Kenny by the staircase leading to the second floor, looking his usual smug and conspiratory self.
"Mr. Granger, you look dashing tonight", He exclaimed, grinning.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at him, annoyed. He had positioned himself in the blind spot of all the cameras, both to alert me to were it was located, and of course so that we could speak freely.
"News?" I prompted, voice cool.
He shook his head, looking around, awkwardly sipping his Champaign.
"Mr and Mrs Tate are present, Emily York arrived right before you. Boris Balcov and wife is here of course", he trailed off, avoiding my gaze.
I stared at him, eyes suddenly narrowed. Like I said, when a predator smells blood he usually acts.
"Kenny…"
I glared, and he took a few hasty steps away from me, looking around wildly.
"Okay, this was not my fault", He defended, both arms raised in a gesture of peace.
I just stared at him, eyes narrowing in my infamous death glare. What the fuck was his problem?
"Erm…..Kai Hiwatari is on his way here, this very moment", He said in a small voice, looking rather guilty.
"I told you to keep an eye on him", I said coldly.
He did not answer, just looked down on his feet.
"I ran into some problems while trying to locate him, I just got the call".
I paused, looking out into the crowd as I contemplated my options. This was merely a minor complication. So long as I could keep him away from Voltaire Hiwatari everything should be in order. The real Tyson Granger was an emotional wreck. He could not face Voltaire Hiwatari alone, pretending to be his long lost grandson. Furthermore the time was not right. My plans were far reaching, and Tyson´s involvement was not a good thing at this point, if ever. I cursed under my breath, taking Kenny by surprise with a Russian outburst.
"Keep him away from here", I said shortly, voice clipped.
Kenny nodded and we parted ways, he for the door, while I found my most charming smile, entering the crowd as if I had been born there. Time to turn up the heat. Hilary was easy enough to locate, and looked good in a red, knee length creation, small diamonds dangling from her ears. I sent her a dazzling smile, which she returned, a deep blush creeping up her cheeks. Her hair was up in a neat looking bun, and she was wearing heels encrusted in diamonds. It appeared that Voltaire Hiwatari knew how to spoil his new stepdaughter. How very convenient for her I reflected, wry amusement evident in my eyes as I approached her.
"Hilary, you look fantastic", I said, kissing her on the cheek in greeting.
She beamed at that, barely able to contain her excitement.
"You came", she exclaimed, grinning happily up at me when I offered her my arm.
"Of course, thank you for the invitation".
She was all smiles and giggles as we strolled through the crowd, side by side. A few threw me curious glances, the women in particular, but otherwise no one seemed overly surprised, merely curious. I was the knew kid, but I had the money to buy a property close to Mr. Hiwatari, and I was invited to his party. In other words, I belonged.
"Your mother has good taste", I complimented, eying our surroundings with fake amazement.
"I´ll tell her you said that. Even if it is her furniture designer who is responsible she will be beside herself with joy", Hilary responded dryly, taking me by surprise.
Perhaps there was a tad more to her than just the shy, naïve little girl I had seen on first glance. The notion both interested and annoyed me.
"I suppose mothers tend to act that way, at least in the Hamptons", I responded conversationally, eyes still scanning the room.
To our left I could see Mr. Dickinson´s balding head, surrounded by women that were both too young and far over his league. And finally, up front, Mr and Mrs Tate, and opposite them, a mere three meters away from Mr Tate, Emily York. And, my luck was about to reach new heights. A woman like Emily York, superior in all aspects of her life, confident and self assured in her demeanour. It was evident that she would never look twice at Hilary, a shy insecure thing who was single and without status, apart from being Mr. Hiwatari´s stepdaughter. Now on the other hand, Hilary seemed to have decided that the time had come to show Emily that she also had the ability to attract male attention. The possibilities this represented were too great to turn down.
"Tyson, there is someone I´d like you too meet", Hilary said, smiling sweetly.
Her small, white teeth were glistening in the dim lighting, and the pure glee evident in her eyes was unmistakable. She tapped Emily York on the shoulder, eyes glittering.
"Emily, this is Tyson Granger".
Emily turned.
"Tyson, meet my dear friend Emily York".
I smiled, Emily went from her arrogant, in control self to a quivering mess in the course of a second. From the corner of my eye I could see Mr and Mrs Tate looking at us curiously, stepping closer to overhear. I politely stepped aside to include them in the conversation.
"I saw you at the South Fork inn yesterday", I pleasantly said, turning and pretending to recognize Mr. Tate.
"This must be your husband, it is a relief to see that he is well".
Judy Tate looked at me, her mouth open, before she closed it, scarlet lips forming a tight, strained smile as she looked over at Mr. Tate. Hilary looked confused, and I mirrored her expression, having perfected my innocent, charming facade a log time ago.
"Did I say something wrong? I did not mean to offend you", I said to Emily, taking in her ashen face with fake concern.
"No, actually you did not offend anyone", Judy said, eyes boring into Emily York.
"Thomas, lets go and get something to drink".
Her voice left no room for negotiation, and her knuckles were whitening were she gripped tightly onto his tux. I watched them disappear in the crowd, she obviously seething and he stone faced, eyes glinting with increasing worry. Emily hurriedly left, and I looked at Hilary, raising both eyebrows in puzzlement. Of course, Mrs. Judy Tate would never ever cause a scene, especially not at Mr. Hiwatari´s much coveted party. What went on behind closed doors on the other hand, was an entirely different matter. A gratifying smile graced my lips as I turned away from Hilary under the pretence of getting her another drink. Soon Judy Tate´s life would crumble around her, until there was nothing left of what she had spent all these years building. Her husband was only the beginning.
"I think I saw something I shouldn´t", I said apologetically to Hilary, handing her another glass. White wine this time.
She just shook her head, and I inwardly laughed as I saw her inner devil dance in her eyes.
"People like them, like Emily York and Mr. and Mrs. Tate, sooner or later their secrets have to catch up with them".
She didn´t sound like she was sorry at all, and neither was I.
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-Auburn Correctional facility, New York, 2005-
I leaned against the hood of the shiny, red convertible, patiently waiting. The parking lot was mostly empty, apart from my Ferrari and a couple of older, scrawnier family vehicles. The large, hateful building was looming overhead, and I studied the electric fences and guard towers with reserved recognition. It was a relief being on the outside this time, rather than the other way around. It still felt as I had left only yesterday, even if two years had passed. My ears picked up the unmistakable sound of rusty hinges, and I looked up just as the last gate was opened.
A boy about my age stepped through, looking lost and out of place. He was a bit thinner than I could remember, his hair shorter but messier. I eyed him thoughtfully as he looked around, before his eyes found me, and his serious expression gave way for a bright smile. He strolled purposefully in my direction, still looking slouched and unkept, but most definitely happier. He was wearing a pair of discolored sweats and an oversized t-shirt, clutching a navy sweater in one arm and a duffle in the other.
"Kai! Man, you came!"
"Of course", I said, smiling.
He gave me a hug, which I accepted despite my dislike of physical contact, and then he stepped back, looking almost abashed.
"Congratulations Tyson", I said seriously, which he nodded at.
"I thought they would never let me go", I slowly said, shaking his head and clutching my arm till the point of it becoming painful.
I gently pried his fingers open, and he blushed, whistling softly as he got a better look at the car.
"Wow, nice ride".
"Thanks", I allowed.
He got in on the passenger side, and I started the engine with a roar, leaving that horrendous place behind for what I hoped would be a very long time. Someday I might have to return here, but that would not be as an inmate. Hopefully my purpose then would be something much more sinister. We drove in silence, and I parked outside a local diner, intent on getting him in a talking mood. I ordered an omelet, and after assuring Tyson that I was paying, and that he could order anything he desired he ordered half the menu.
"I didn´t think you´d show", he said after a while, in between mouthfuls of egg and bacon.
I had almost forgotten his disgusting eating habits during the course of the last two years, but pointedly ignored the minor irritation this caused. There was a larger picture to consider, as always.
"I said I would", I said, taking a sip of coke as he watched me.
"Still, you know how it goes. People say things all the time, but they rarely go through with it".
He swallowed loudly, before grinning.
"You are the best Kai, you know that right? This really means a lot to me".
I smiled back, almost sincere this time. Despite what I would like to think he had touched me in some way. Part of me felt like looking out for him, even if that meant exploiting a few of his more naïve characteristics.
"Anytime Tyson", I said.
"So, looks like you are doing well", he said, clearly thinking of the car.
"Life is good", I agreed.
He finished his scrambled eggs and moved onto a portion of barbecued spareribs. Even while at the correctional facility I could recall him having an unusually good appetite. In my opinion this was quite a feat, considering that the food there was an unidentifiable mush most of the time. Another great thing by finally being set free I reflected, reverting my attention back to Tyson.
"Tyson", I addressed him, my tone of voice alerting him to my suddenly serious intent.
"I was hoping I could ask some advice of you".
He looked up, immediately smiling.
"Hey, of course Kai! You know I´d do anything for you!"
I smiled carefully at him, pondering how exactly to introduce my proposal.
"You know how I once told you about what happened to my parents", I paused, and he nodded.
"Well, I have decided to clear their name".
"That…that is a quite a goal, I mean, after all that happened", he looked completely star struck.
"Yes", I agreed, looking intently at him.
"I have run into a problem", I slowly continued, having caught his full attention now.
"They, those who are responsible, they can´t recognize me for who I am, otherwise it will be impossible to expose them. I am unsure on how to proceed".
I let the words hang in the air for a while, waiting to see what he would make of it. To his credit he too, saw the solution, only he thought it was his own brilliant idea. With that a look of grim determination settled on his features, and he leaned forward, both elbows resting on the table.
"We swap Kai, it is a great idea!" He said in a low voice.
I sent him a dubious look.
"Tyson, I can´t ask something like that of you….", I trailed off.
"You ain´t asking, look I am offering. There is nothing left for me as Tyson Granger anyway. We both need a fresh start, hell! This is a great solution".
"If you are sure", I said.
"Of course I am! If this can help you then I´ll be damned if I don´t go through with it!"
We agreed on the last few details while he finished his meal, his hunger finally seeming to evaporate as he dug into his last dessert; a piece of warm apple pie with caramel sauce and ice cream. Changing pictures in passports and on credit cards were a simple matter, and I assured him that I could have it fixed within the week. And then, as a parting gift so to speak, I wrote him a check. Half a million dollars. It should keep him going for a while, or as I told him, support a fresh start.
"God luck Kai", he said seriously, giving me a hug and then a jovial backslap.
"Goodbye Tyson".
I watched him disappear outside, before getting up myself, turning to leave. I did not look back.
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Just as there are two sides to every story, there are two sides to every person. One that we reveal to the world and another we keep hidden inside. A duality governed by the balance of light and darkness. Within each of us is the capacity for both good and evil,
but it is those of us who are able to blur the moral dividing line that hold the true power.
