Chapter 23
Scorpio Ranch, Australia
Vincent and Genji lounged in the living room briefing the family on the exchange in Vladivostok. Robin sat on the armrest next to Vincent.
"The transaction went very smoothly," said Genji. "We weren't even followed though I suspect long-range surveillance. I got that itchy feeling in the back of your neck when you know someone is watching you."
"We got to the hotel roof and on a vent was taped their packet. We took theirs and left ours in its place. There was this for you, Anna." Vincent retrieved a folded envelope from his pocket and handed it to Anna.
"It's obvious who it's from isn't it?" Anna tore the envelope flap. She read the card. "It's from Charlotte. She writes: For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else - Emerson. I have life. You have your child. Shall we let bygones be bygones?"
"It sounds like she wants a truce," said Robin.
"She and Helena have a reprieve and that's all. Our business with them will be finished one day soon," said Robert.
"Dad, I don't want this … vendetta to be about me," said Robin.
"It's about a bunch of things, including you, and it's not a vendetta. If we're pushed, we push back harder," said Robert. "Besides, she IS a wanted fugitive and Helena caused Eve's death. She's a fugitive in my book no matter what."
"Maybe Charlotte just wants to live her life like any normal person."
"Oh, Robin, Charlotte is not normal. Do you remember what I told you about her when you came to see me in Pine Valley? Do you recall how careful we were - me, Alex and Edmund?" asked Anna. "We were careful because Charlotte is a dangerous individual. She is ambitious, focused, amoral and cunning. When she wants something, she's not one to stop at the first obstacle."
"If she wants a peaceful life, then she ought to turn herself in," said Robert. "Nothing more peaceful than time in solitary confinement."
The others in the room followed the brewing argument like one watched a tennis match.
"So, you'll keep after her? When will there be an end to it?" asked Robin.
"When she's caught and brought to justice. Until then, she remains a danger to this family."
"When is enough simply enough? When will you and Mom take time to just live life, smell the flowers, have dinner with your friends, you know, normal things?"
"We do all those things now. We're here on a normal family vacation, in a normal house," said Robert. "What's wrong with this picture?"
"Stop changing the context of the discussion, Dad. You know what I'm saying?"
"Yes, I do, Robin, and I don't agree. You may be able to forgive and move on with your life but that's … that's shortsighted and naive, in my opinion," countered her father.
"Robert, don't-" Anna began to say.
"I've held my tongue on her plans as you have but she brought up this topic," said Robert. He turned to gaze at Robin. "Sweetheart, I get your desire for … for disappearing into the land of average people and living your life as you see fit but … but how realistic will that be? When they find out the formulas you've handed over are bogus, what do you think they'll do?"
"Peter won't do anything. Anyway, the substitutions and changes I made are not obvious," said Robin. "Give me some credit for subtlety."
Robert looked at Anna. "A little help here. Anyone?"
"Peter is working with or for Charlotte. Right now, things are even between us and Charlotte. As she said in the note, her life for you. If she discovers your tampering, I can guarantee you that she won't let it slide by unacknowledged," said Anna.
"They can't touch me not without endangering what's in my head," said Robin trying to be reasonable.
"But she can disrupt your oh so normal life, can't she?" asked Robert. "The woman has nerve, Robin. She went after Faison and she got him. She got him really good. What chance will you have?" He looked at Vincent. "And Vincent is one person. He can't protect you both from every possibility. Being on the run is no picnic. You and I both know that."
"This exchange has bought your freedom and a little time but in the long run, Robin, it's painted a target on your back," said Anna. "The only and best way to protect you so you can have a life is for us to take care of Charlotte."
"You weren't going to tell me were you?" asked Robin. "You would have let me go while you kept after her?"
Anna and Robert exchanged glances. Robert shrugged and said, "That was one plan."
"Or, we would have kept you at the Villa for as long as possible while we looked for Charlotte. You would have been safe and you could adjust at your own pace," added Anna.
"I see," said Robin.
Robert's voice softened. "You have a lot of things to think about. We all do. I was hoping that by bringing you here that it would make things easier for you. I never wanted to make it harder."
"It's not your fault. It was my decision. Maybe I didn't think it all the way through," admitted Robin. "But what's done is done. I accept that."
"You are still in a recovery period, Robin," said Vincent. "Give yourself the time."
"There's so much I want to do," said Robin.
Vincent grinned. "I know but what is the saying - to everything there is a season?"
"I want to ride the Jolie Couer along the Seine. I want to feel hot sand on my feet. I want to go shopping for real. I want to ride my motorcycle in the sunshine. I want to see wide open skies and land when I wake up in the morning," said Robin. "How do I enjoy that if I'm constantly looking over my shoulder or watching every word that comes out of my mouth? I've had years of that and I can't do it again."
"Come home with us. Let us protect you." Robert glanced at Genji. "I have an incredible team, Robin. Amazing team. It won't be like what it was when you were little. You won't even know they're around."
"With a few adjustments like security, you CAN live a normal life," said Anna.
"I don't know. I'll think about it," said Robin.
"That's all we ask," said Robert.
The doorbell chimed. They heard Edgar at the front door.
"You look horrible, Edgar," said Salim as he stepped inside.
"Two words - Holly and shopping," replied Edgar. "The woman had energy to spare." Edgar looked at Salim. "You don't look much better than I do. Bad news?"
"Probably," said Salim. "How are they? The family?"
"All right. Relaxed. Genji and Vincent arrived only a half hour ago," said Edgar. "They're waiting for you in the living room. Go on in. I'll be right there with refreshments."
Andrew welcomed Salim with a big hug which the tall Indian returned just as ferociously. Everyone had a turn at greeting Salim whom most of them had not seen since Jacques' funeral service in Paris. Anna introduced Robin to Salim. Edgar carried in a tray of coffee and sandwiches.
They settled down. Robert and Anna on the sofa. Robin in an armchair with Vincent leaning on the back. Andrew sat uneasily in an armchair. Genji and Edgar took up positions by the fireplace. Salim refused all offers of a seat. He remained standing.
Salim drew in a deep breath and began. "When I heard about the latest incident with Andrew, his collapse and abnormal behavior, I began to have disturbing dreams. They were memories that I have been made to forget. I did not pay attention to them until two particular dreams which I kept having night after night. I could not forget them. Even in my waking times, the feelings I felt during the dreamings stayed with me."
"What were these dreams like?" asked Robert.
"I remember it as if I was looking through a keyhole," said Salim. "As if I was seeing something important yet so very dreadful. Sometimes on waking, I would feel physically ill."
"You're with family, Salim. You can tell us anything and no one will judge you," said Anna.
"Thank you but I feel that you will regret that generosity after I've told my story," said Salim. "In my first dream, I see myself sitting on a tall stool. My body does not move. Nor does my face or hands. I sit there staring at Faison. His voice is very low but I can hear some words and phrases. Black words."
"You must be dreaming of when Papa - Faison conditioned you to not be affected by me," said Andrew.
"No, little Sahib. That was done in the light of day. That I remember very distinctly. These dreams of mine are dark and full of shadows," said Salim. "Faison kept repeating some phrases. He said that I will help Andrew fulfill his destiny. That I will be his shield and his sword, always. And, lastly, that I would bring Andrew to him when the awakening was complete."
"That does sound like hypnotic suggestions being repeated for emphasis," commented Robert.
"What does awakening mean?" asked Anna.
"I do not know but each time I remember it, the more uneasy I feel," said Salim.
"Tell us about the second dream. Maybe after we know both, things will make more sense."
"The second dream is not about me," said Salim. He glanced at Andrew. "It concerns you."
"Me?" asked Andrew.
"Do you remember when you were frequently ill?" asked Salim.
Andrew nodded. "I was about to turn nine and I was sick for such a long time. I didn't want to spend my birthday in bed."
Robert gritted his teeth. Anna put a hand on his forearm. "Is this about Faison poisoning Andrew? Is that what you're remembering?"
"Not exactly," said Salim. "It was Faison's custom to read bedtime stories to Andrew. In some cases, there was a purpose like teaching Andrew coded instructions using the Simple Simon rhyme. It was also Faison's custom to play a video tape that Anna had left behind for Andrew. He would play it at bedtime."
"THAT I remember," said Robert. "Go on."
"What I dreamed about is something I know I have told no one. In this second dream, I see Faison sitting by Andrew's bed. Andrew may have been sleeping or in a trance state. I believe the latter as he did not move and he's a restless sleeper," said Salim. "Faison put headphones around Andrew's head then pressed a button on a tape recorder. The recorder he put by Andrew's pillow. Faison did not leave. He watched Andrew while his tape played. He seemed to me to be making notes in a journal. As I watched I felt afraid, terrified."
"Why were you scared?" asked Anna.
"Of that I am unsure however I believe we may know why if Andrew agrees to my request," said Salim.
"What's the request?" asked Andrew.
"I realize now that my dreams are important. I believe that I may have more such memories in my head. I want you to release them," said Salim.
Andrew shook his head. "You're immune. I can't hypnotize you. I've tried."
"You were younger then but now you are older, stronger and are more knowledgeable," said Salim persuasively. "What conditioning Faison implanted in my mind, you can undo. I am certain of it."
"No, I can't. I won't."
"I do not make this request lightly, Andrew. I have even discussed it with my wife. She is fearful as I am but agrees that it is for the best," said Salim. "The dreams grow more forceful. I believe Faison added more conditioning to me beyond the inability to succumb to your brand of hypnosis. One day, I may be driven to do something I will regret. Before that day arrives, I wish to be certain of the truth. And, you, Andrew, can give me that truth."
"If something goes wrong, you may lose your mind, Salim. Are you willing to risk that?"
"I am," said Salim simply and with grave conviction.
"I'm not," retorted Andrew. "They're just dreams and dreams are often composed of fragments of different memories strung together. They do not necessarily mean anything."
"The tape recorder bit sounds ominous," said Robert.
"It could have been music, Father."
"Do YOU remember listening to a tape recorder?" asked Anna.
Andrew thought for a while then answered, "N-n-no, I don't recall ever doing that."
"And there is our smoking gun," declared Robert. "He's put something in your head that even you don't know about."
Anna looked hard at Andrew. "This could be the … the source of the persona that Tom Hardy mentioned."
"Perhaps and perhaps not," said Andrew. "Th-th-that's not the point. The point is that I am … w-w-will not risk injuring a person's mind."
"We need to know," said Robert.
"Well, I don't," said Andrew getting to his feet. "Whatever it is happened a long ago. Look at me, I'm fine. So, wh-whatever occured then has no r-r-relevance to the present."
"I have to agree with Salim about this being a little too disturbing," said Anna.
"I disagree. This conversation is over." With that, Andrew left the room. They heard his footfalls on the stairs going up.
Anna pursed her lips and looked at Robert. "This isn't over."
"No, it's not. We have to know what we're dealing with."
"I've never seen Andrew like that. Is that typical when he gets this upset?"
"No and that worries me … a lot." Robert turned to Salim. "You were right to come here. Thank you."
"There is something else, Robert, Anna," said Salim. "I said that the dreams were becoming stronger. When I remember the first dream, I feel fear and a rush of adrenalin."
"The fight or flight syndrome," said Robert.
"And I see him - Faison," said Salim. He looked at Anna then Robert. "When I see his face, I have the urge to seek him out. It is not strong, yet, but enough for me to notice my behavior and feelings. I am afraid, deathly so, that I will be compelled to bring Andrew to Faison. Like a puppet helpless on a string, I do not believe that I shall have the strength to resist. If that comes to pass, then you must kill me. You must promise me that you will."