Judas: Chapter 15
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DISCLAIMER: Most of these characters are not mine at all, but they are memorable. Thank you, Mr. Marlowe. The others? Yeah, they're mine
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6:45 p.m. West Coast Time on Thursday, April 26, 2012, at Elena Markov's residence at the Castles Complex in Sausalito, California
Elena Markov sits quietly, listening in to multiple conversations that are being picked up by the various bugs that have been planted throughout the facilities. She knows that Peggy Stanton is doing the same thing with an array of listening devices that Elena has 'assigned' to her friend and comrade.
She glances at her watch, knowing that the plan calls for the two of them to touch base in just under fifteen minutes, to exchange notes.
It is difficult for the average person to do – listening to three or four conversations simultaneously. But it is a skill that Elena has learned over time, recognizing specific voices, then other voices that are responding to those original voices. After years of experience, Elena can 'assign' those voices to specific tables, or locations – and she knows which voices belong to which conversations.
It is one conversation in particular, that has caught her interest right now. She gravitated immediately toward this conversation because it is the one conversation where a male voice is speaking. That instantly told the woman that she was not listening to residents. Instead, she is most likely listening in on a conversation with someone on the security staff at this complex.
That conversation immediately took priority over all of the other voices in her ear.
Right now, she is frowning. Because she has learned – and is learning – even more about the man whom she is doing this favor. And one Barry Adams is dropping even further in Elena Markov's eyes.
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Five Minutes ago . . .
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Male Voice: "I still can't believe Adams is this stupid. To try and plant someone here, with us. Knowing what we've done to the last group of idiots dumb enough to come here."
Female Voice: "I know, Colin, but we aren't talking about a normal, rational person here. We killed his entire attack force. We freed forty-nine women who he had kidnapped and had kept in his little sex brothel out on the island," she whispers. "He has a hard on for Rick – and by extension – us."
Male Voice: "Dawn, We killed his team. Who knows what Sam has done with the man's wife. And he had to have heard about Willie's east coast rampage. At what point does a person step back and reconsider."
Female Voice: Clearly, he isn't at that point yet.
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Back to the present moment . . .
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She listens to the current conversation between the two security personnel – named Dawn and Colin – continuing to frown at what she has learned, and what she is learning. Any lingering doubts as to whether or not she has been outed are long gone now, as she continues listening.
"I don't see what he thinks he can accomplish with one person coming here," Colin tells his companion.
"Mike says it is a change in tactics," Dawn reminds him. "Adams has tried the bull-rush approach. He has tried the kidnapping approach. He's tried the drug approach. Now he is going for the subtle route."
"Still, I am stunned that he could be behind Alexis' kidnapping," Colin remarks, shaking a head that Elena cannot see. "This guy doesn't seem to think anything through. You ask me, he's all bull in a china shop, and that's what worries me. He doesn't do subtle."
"Well, if you're right, this Elena character isn't here to do subtle, which is why we all need to stay on our toes," Dawn reminds him.
"Lindy says she dangerous, subtle or not," Colin continues. "And now that we know she might not be alone, that elevates things a bit."
"Bringing kids into it, though?" Dawn questions with a frown. "It's almost as though they will use kids as a shield. You don't think . . ."
She leaves the thought unspoken, while Colin Alexander simply shakes his head.
"We don't know what these people are capable of," Colin replies. "So, we assume the worst."
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A few minutes later, at 7:00 p.m. West Coast Time on Thursday, April 26, 2012, Still at Elena Markov's residence at the Castles Complex in Sausalito, California
Elena pulls the earpiece from her ears, running both hands through her black hair. She exhales deeply, with the concern of what she has been listening to creased into her face. She takes another breath, waiting for the phone call which comes in as her alarm rings, indicating it is 7pm.
"Hello Peggy," Elena answers, the strain evident in her voice.
"Whoa," Peggy states, immediately recognizing the tired nature of her friend's voice. It is not often you allow fatigue into your voice, my friend."
"After what I have heard, what I am learning," Elena begins, "I am not sure why you and I are here."
"Then I am sorry to say, what I have to tell you is only going to exasperate your feelings further, Elena," Peggy tells her.
"Do tell," Elena replies.
"Just personal stories," Peggy begins. "But stories that are surprising. This entire complex is a testament to Mr. Castle's passion for women. But it doesn't stop with the money poured into this place, which is elaborate already."
Elena listens to her friend take a sip of liquid – likely a cup of hot tea which is never far from Peggy, who after sipping, continues her report.
"Beckett, the girlfriend here, kicked the ass of one of the boyfriends who was threatening a resident. That man has since died – apparently a victim of some macabre murder mystery a few weeks or so ago back in the city. Another woman's daughter was kidnapped – one of forty-nine women here in the bay area. It was a big scandal. The people here in this complex solved that crime.
Peggy pauses to take another sip of tea, gathering her thoughts together. Elena can sense the conflict in her friend's voice as she continues.
"Another woman's gambling debt has been partially paid," Peggy tells her. "Hell, Elena, freaking Santa Claus showed up in some high-tech manner – all of the kids here got tons of gifts and swear they saw him flying through the skies on Christmas Eve night. The things they are doing here go way beyond 'I feel I need to help those less unfortunate.' There is a commitment level at work here worthy of something that you would do, my friend."
Elena nods her head, understanding full well her friend's conflict. Peggy has children. Her children are real. And Peggy knows the impact such a Christmas could have on her children's minds.
"They seem to be . . . good people," Elena admits out loud.
"Good doesn't even begin to touch the truth, Elena," Peggy tells her. "It doesn't even brush the surface. Please, don't misunderstand, I know your mission here, and you can count on me. You can always count on me, Elena. I'm just telling you –"
"I know what you are saying," Elena interrupts. "And please know that I share your conflict. Especially after what I have found out."
"Which is?" Peggy asks.
Elena is silent for a moment, and Peggy recognizes that the woman is searching for words . . . something Elena never does.
"It is becoming more apparent that I have been misled," Elena finally answers. "And I am now torn regarding a debt to a man who clearly does not deserve my loyalty . . . or your loyalty . . . and certainly is not worthy of you putting yourself into harm's way, as I have asked of you."
"You know that I would do anything for –"
"Pack up and leave," Elena tells her friend. She can almost hear the surprised silence from the other end of the call.
"You heard me, Peggy," Elena repeats. "Get your girls, pack up, get out. Now. Tonight. You do not belong here. I do not belong here. And I cannot guarantee that my departure will be free of violence. They are on to me. More, they are on to us. To you. I heard their conversations. It is no longer safe for you here among these people."
"No Elena, I won't leave," Peggy tells her friend. "These people are good people. They won't hurt me or my –"
"They believe I am here to do them harm, Peggy. And they believe you are with me, so they believe you are here to do them harm, my friend," Elena interrupts forcefully. "Think back to what these good people do – and have done – to people who they believe will do them harm. Those forty-nine kidnapped women that you just mentioned? Those women were held by Barry Adams."
Elena allows a few seconds of recognition pass before continuing. Peggy's silence tells her that the woman has heard, processed and assessed the words.
"This is not a request, Peggy," Elena finishes. "This is an order. Pack up. Get the girls. Leave. I will contact you in a few days. I need you out of here. I do not know how easily I will be able to disengage . . . how easily these people will allow me to disengage. Go. Now!"
She terminates the call, not allowing Peggy Stanton to continue arguing.
"Leave, Peggy," Elena softly whispers aloud to no one in particular. "I need you gone. I cannot worry where you are when I am getting out of here."