| Subject: Whispered Identities - Chapter 169 |
Author:
Lynuslinus
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Date Posted: Tuesday, December 07, 06:46:52pm
In reply to:
Lynuslinus
's message, "Whispered Identities - Chapter 151 & forward" on Wednesday, October 20, 08:23:26pm
Nikita and Adrian strolled to the front door of Adrian’s cottage overlooking the sea. The building was constructed with grey stone, topped with a red tiled roof. A vineyard stretched up a modest hillside to the rear and the front windows looked out onto a narrow beach with a breakwater set off shore. Numerous plants grew around the cottage and a row of potted plants lined the entranceway. Adrian motioned Nikita inside and closed the wooden door behind her.
“Please take a seat, my dear...anywhere...toss the books and magazines anywhere. I’m afraid I’m not much of a housekeeper,” she smiled. “Would you like a sherry?”
“Yes, thank you,” replied Nikita moving aside a pile of gardening magazines.
“As you might suspect, I’m an avid gardener....however growing many varieties of plants in this climate does present certain challenges. I miss my roses and the northern variety of plants I cultivated in England....but...well, here I have managed to cross pollinate three types of ...Hibiscus...queen of the flowers....and chatting on the internet with other growers is such fun.”
Adrian handed Nikita a glass of light sherry, walked to the fireplace and began building a small fire. Soon the flame was crackling and she retrieved her sherry, pressed play on the stereo and sat opposite Nikita. The sounds of Boccherini’s String Quintets drifted gently from the speakers.
“This is a beautiful cottage Adrian....so cozy...and your view of the sea is magnificent.”
“Indeed it is...I had an opportunity for a much larger cottage with a greenhouse, up in the hills. However, it is extremely hot in the summer months....so I’m content to remain here.”
Nikita sat glancing around the room, sipping her sherry. “Ahhhhh....Adrian, may I ask you a question?”
“Certainly my dear.”
“You’ve managed to remain hidden here....well, with some help...but...do you feel certain no one will find you..like Quinn and the men who tried to kill you.”
“What you are really asking me Nikita is....will you and Michel Samuelle ever be safe in hiding...correct?”
“Yes...yes, that’s right.”
“Like I mentioned earlier...if you have the money to disappear....it is possible and from what I gather, monsieur Samuelle is very proficient at obtaining funds from illegal accounts. I’m certain he will also know how to create new identities for you both also.”
“Yes....ahhh, true but I feel he is being distracted somewhat from our original goal.”
“Oh....if you don’t mind me asking....how?”
“The place we are staying....the man is in the mercenary business and has some very enticing equipment placed at Michael’s disposal and....I think the man has talked Michael into working for him.”
“What sort of equipment?”
“Very high tech computer systems...Michael’s true love,” she smiled.
Adrian laughed. “I imagine his only true love would be you, my dear, not computers.”
“You don’t know Michael....he’s obsessed with them. If we end up staying at this villa much longer....well, maybe I’m being paranoid but I’m starting to feel uncomfortable.”
“This man in the mercenary business....does he have a large villa outside of Faro?”
“Ahhhhh.....yes.”
“Please, I don’t mean to pry, but this is a very small community and people know of a very rich businessman...the village thinks he operates an offshore software business but there are rumors of covert operations taking place.”
“I don’t really know of his activities Adrian.”
Adrian smiled and poured more sherry into Nikita’s glass. “Never mind, my dear....I’ve had my suspicions for awhile....even had my Swedish friend do a little looking....I know the man’s name is Richard Dalton...he is a former CIA operative and now runs an extremely profitable mercenary business. However, my dear, why would Michel suddenly change his objective of having you two disappear and begin working for Dalton?”
“I don’t know Adrian...perhaps I’m being ridiculous...I...I’m just am so bored sitting around up there....Michael’s always working in the computer center....we eat a few meals together...sleep...then, he’s gone again the next morning. I know I’m being stupid....a pain of a whining female but.....”
“Trust your instincts Nikita....have you questioned Michel?”
“Yes...he denies working for Dalton....saying he’s doing one job for him and is attempting to find intel about the hunt for us.”
“Why do you not believe this to be true Nikita?”
“Feelings....gut feelings...and a desire for us to be a normal couple....although I know that cannot ever be.”
“Normal?”
Nikita grinned. “You know....white picket fence, mini-van, cocker spaniel...kids....”
“Why could you not have children?”
“Michael hinted one time about us not having children with the life we lead.”
“Oh my....perhaps living in the shadowy world of undercover spies has chastened him to living a real life....I hope not for you my dear.”
Nikita sighed, “He’s probably right....always looking over our shoulders....running, hiding....that’s no way to bring up children.”
Adrian tapped her sherry glass with a finger and remained silent; the only sound was the crackling fire and classic music drifting through the room.
Nikita breathed deeply and finished her sherry. “I probably should be getting back...I have a driver to pick me up but I’ll walk back into town so he has no indication about your cottage.”
“Thank you dear....but....”, she rose and walked to a small desk, retrieved a notepad and scribbled a phone number. “Here is my number if you want to call and chat.”
“Thank you Adrian....but...may I ask you one more question?”
“Of course.”
“Don’t you ever want to revenge the attempt on your life? I realize you said in town that you had given up on thinking that way....but...if you know Declan Quinn and others tried to kill you....wouldn’t it be satisfying to know you had....well, won...by revenging their attempt?”
“One never wins Nikita...not in the world we lived....the game only continues....and besides, as I said.... I’m only one old woman ....how can I even think I could reek revenge....no, I am happy to remain in my corner of the globe and grow my plants.”
“But....ahh, well, what if Michael and I could...well, help to destroy the vermin who tried to kill you.”
Adrian smiled and took Nikita’s hands, “Thank you .....you are young and still have hope of changing things....and that is good, but....the risks are too great.” She drew Nikita close and hugged her, pulled back and smiled. “I am so happy we met again....such a delight for me....and please call me...let me know what your plans are.”
“I will Adrian...and thank you so much....it was wonderful seeing you again....I never really thought you had died,” she smiled. “I’ll call you in a day or so....maybe I can pull Michael away from his damn computers.......”
As Nikita started for the door, Adrian spoke, “Oh....Nikita....do you plan on telling Michel about bumping into me?”
“Ahhhh.....I....what would you like me to do....I can tell him...or say nothing.”
“I have no fear of being exposed from Michel....whatever you decide is fine with me....goodbye my dear.”
“Goodbye Adrian...I’ll call you in a day.”
Nikita pulled the door closed, walked through the garden and back to the road into town. She felt a warm glow at having seen Adrian again - like seeing a close relative - an aunt - or the grandmother, she never had. She smiled to herself as she walked into the village.
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