Allure (Mercenaries Book 1) Read online

  “All week?” Mike asked.

  “Yeah. San Francisco. I think they were gonna offer me to go, till the camp thing came up.”

  Beckie ended that topic. “So we don’t say anything? Just hop in Mr. Jamse’s car and go?”

  “Well, we were s’posed to ride this weekend,” Melissa said.

  “That is so not a problem. Ginny will be all over herself, being able to exercise both the horses. But we’ll have to tell the minister…”

  Mike waved that concern off. “She’s only involved in getting us there tomorrow night. If we tell her you’re driving, and we call the camp to cancel out ‘cause something came up, I don’t think they’ll check back and forth.”

  “We’ll have to be back by Saturday, ‘cause that’s when we’d get back from the camp.”

  Mike fell back on the bed. “Yeah. What’s gonna go wrong?”

  “Only two things that matter: Our folks find out we’re not at camp, and Mr. Jamse won’t do it.”

  “Long as they find out after we go—”

  “No! They went through that once. Not again.”

  “So…”

  “Either we fix it so they can find out we’re okay, or they can’t find out,” Beckie said.

  “And Mr. Jamse?”

  “I think we can’t lie to him, either,” Beckie said. “So we hav’ta make him comfortable with our plan.”

  “Will Sue be with us or—”

  “I think she’ll let us have enough rope, unless we get to actually hanging ourselves,” Beckie told him.

  “Huh?”

  “Long as she thinks we’re not going to hurt ourselves, I think she’ll go along.”

  “Even if she figures your motivation?”

  “That’s not going to be an issue, Lissa. She won’t find out.” Her glare at Melissa silenced Mike.

  Uncowed, Melissa asked, “What time is it? He said he’d be back, so we oughta catch him before he gets here.”

  “Yeah. Let’s go over to his hotel. Meet you at the car; I’ll tell Dad we’re going out.”

  It was a short drive to the hotel. While the desk clerk wouldn’t give three teens a room number, he was willing to connect a house phone for Beckie.

  Barely a minute after announcing themselves, the elevator opened and Susan popped out, grabbing Beckie by the arm and rushing them all to the lounge.

  “Ian’s on the phone working other business. What are you guys doing here?” Her glance covered all of them. “He’ll be disappointed if you’ve decided you can’t help.”

  “No,” Beckie said. “That’s not it. Melissa and I want to… well, neither of us really want to dance naked, you can guess.”

  “Yeah, that seemed like the biggest hurdle to me, getting you to agree. So?”

  “We were already going to be away for the week, but it’s a no-brainer that our folks won’t let us leave if they know what’s going on, and since we’re not eighteen till fall…” Her voice, hushed to start with, trailed off to nothing.

  Silence. Then, Mike blurted out: “But we figured you could help. You know, ‘cause you work with him and all?”

  “I do, that’s right, Mike. But no one’s ever been able to figure him out, at least not completely.”

  Beckie looked at her. “So, do we tell him the truth? Why we’re here?”

  “Always the best policy,” Susan responded. “A lot less to remember, that way.”

  “Okay,” Beckie said with a sigh. “Follow my lead and we’ll see where it takes us.”

  Jamse was at the desk as the four entered his room. He looked up to see evidence of anxiety and tension in each of them. Coming slowly along the foot of the king bed filling the room, Beckie took a side chair at the table next to him. Susan sat across the table from her. Melissa and Mike perched on the edge of the bed.

  “Good evening,” Jamse welcomed them as he set down his phone. “To what do we owe this visit, pleasant as it is?”

  Beckie sat up straight and looked him in the eye. “We came over to tell you that our parents are okay with us being gone next week.”

  “Well, that is a gratifying surprise,” he replied, not attempting to hide his astonishment. “May I ask exactly what you told them?”

  “No.” She drew the word out forever. “I don’t think so.”

  “We’re all pretty clear that we aren’t the only girls that you could get to do this,” Melissa said, “and you can guess that we’d both rather be doing almost anything else than this, except that there’s this girl—”

  “That we can maybe help get back,” Beckie finished. “You had a reason for asking me, and then Melissa, instead of finding another girl to do this, and that confidence in us means a lot.

  “If you still feel that way, please don’t ask us any more about this. What I told you is true.”

  “You have left an Oxford Unabridged Dictionary’s worth of words unspoken. While I very much desire your assistance, unless some of those words are spoken, and some others denied, I will be in dire straits explaining the situation to the team. To be honest, I will have difficulty justifying it to myself.” He stood and walked to the door. “Please remain here for a moment.”

  He opened the door, then looked back. “Ms Jinet, please?”

  Susan noticed the agonized look Beckie gave her as she passed and returned it with a curt nod.

  In the sitting area provided on the concierge floor, Susan took one of the arm chairs while Jamse used the sofa.

  “Would you like a drink?” she asked, more to be communicating than intent on filling the offer.

  He seemed to understand. “No, thank you.”

  Five minutes passed in silence.

  Jamse turned to Susan. “Do you know what goes on?”

  “What goes on, Mr. Jamse? Where?”

  “I do not understand what Rebecca is thinking. I cannot make a decision when a thing like that is missing. Has she changed since we knew her?”

  ‘It’s been what, a year and a half? I… No. No, Mr. Jamse, she’s not changed… Well, of course she’s changed, it’s been ten percent of her life. But what you saw is still there.”

  “Did she confide in you?”

  “Yes. I haven’t decided if she will be better off if I tell you, or not. Or even if she intended me to tell you.”

  “I think we are at an impasse until you can decide.”

  “I know, Mr. Jamse. I’m sorry. But I think it means a lot to Beckie, to be able to do this, God knows why.”

  He made no response, just nodded once.

  Susan closed her eyes.

  Two minutes later, she opened them again.

  “I can’t say it’s what Beckie wanted, but what she told you is only part of the message. All three of them are going away next week, something that’s already been parentally approved. They are… No, Beckie is willing to do what we’ve asked, and Melissa won’t allow her to do it alone. Beyond the obvious, I don’t know Mike’s motivation.”

  “The obvious?”

  “Protecting the both of them. And I’m sure, hoping to get a glimpse or two of Melissa.”

  ‘Rebecca is the driver, then?” Susan nodded. “They have not spoken to their parents?”

  “No. At least, not about our visit. They are certain if the truth of the matter comes out, they’ll be grounded, unable to do anything.”

  Jamse nodded, a slight motion that Susan would have missed if not attuned.

  “Is this the best plan, Mr. Jamse?”

  “You have put your finger on the question, Ms Jinet. I thought so. We will ask Rebecca, Melissa and Michael to meet us once their school is dismissed tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, we will both attempt to find an alternate course of action.”

  Jamse returned to the chair beside Beckie. He addressed her. “Thank you for your patience. I will be brief.” He ignored Beckie’s fallen face as she heard his words. “I believe you represent a good solution to Carina’s problem. However, you have not told us that your parents are privy to our plans. You f
orbade me to ask that question. I cannot— Wait!” as Beckie made to interrupt. “I have asked Ms Jinet to spend the time until we must depart considering alternatives. I will do the same. I will meet you tomorrow afternoon. We will discuss the situation then.”

  “Does that mean you won’t—”

  “Nothing has changed at this juncture except that I require greater confidence that we can find no better option.” He gave Beckie a wan smile. “No, go home. Please return tomorrow once you are available.”

  Susan went with them all the way to the car. She leaned against the fender as they circled her.

  “You told him, right?” Mike said.

  “I did. While I am only about half sure that Beckie really meant for me to, it’s the way we work. He’s the boss and the planner; he has to understand everything.”

  “Yeah,” Beckie said. Her whole self drooped. “Well, I guess that’s that, then. Won’t be us going.”

  “Don’t be so sure,” Susan warned. “He put a lot of thought into this before we came, and I did, too. There aren’t any better choices, that I can see. And Cari’s still out there.” She brightened. “I may have just come up with a plan.” She pushed Beckie toward the car.

  Back in Jamse’s room, he was glum while Sue’s spirits were brilliantly cheerful.

  “Mr. Jamse, the Sverdupes are theater aficionados. And their company deals in commercial products’ retail distribution. Do I remember that briefing correctly?”

  “You do, as best I recall. Why?”

  “We may have a perfect cover for the operation. Starting Monday, the London School of Economics is hosting a week long symposium on retail distribution in the Common Market, being held to encourage investment and increased market access both into and out of the EU. Because the organizers want to encourage both socializing and fraternizing among the attendees, they have arranged theater showings each evening and the Sunday matinee.”

  His eyebrows rose to wrinkle his forehead, but he only said, “I see. Does it matter how this information came to you?”

  “Derek Hamilton is on the list of invitees. We were talking about it yesterday, and he mentioned in passing that the organizers had hoped for more participation from the U.S. I don’t think getting the Sverdupes a paid invitation would be much of a deal, especially if a donation was made to cover the University’s out of pocket costs, like air fare, hotel, all that.”

  “I fear this seems dubious. However, should it come to fruition, Rebecca and Michael’s parents would be easily at hand. Ms Durst’s parents will not be this easily dismissed.”

  “No, but she said they’ve arranged their own working vacation, since she’ll also be away.”

  “We can verify the Durst’s plans in the morning. Please contact Mr. Hamilton and determine the School’s willingness to invite the Sverdupes. Until we know, please continue your consideration of alternate plans.”

  The next afternoon, Beckie led the way to the hotel’s phone bank, calling Jamse’s room. Susan met them in the lobby. Beckie noticed the self-satisfied manner that Susan carried like a banner, but chose not to ask. She had other questions.

  “Mr. Jamse, Mom called school to let Mike and me know that they are flying to London tonight so Dad can attend a conference that he just found out about. She only asked if we’d be okay being at camp while they are away, and gave me their contact information.

  “That has to be you, right? I mean, it would be too too much of a coincidence if this came up just when we needed it to.”

  Jamse’s smile was thin. “Actually, Ms Jinet conceived this plan, and arranged the execution. She also verified that your parents, Melissa, are equivalently occupied for the next week. I do not expect to require communication with any of your parents, but someone will be close at hand and able to make contact, should it be necessary.

  “I must tell you that this is a sop. I am little assuaged by it, although it fully meets your needs and your father’s company may well gain beneficial connections. While I needed no greater incentive for bringing you safely home, this forces one.

  “The three of you spent the evening considering our plans. Are you uncertain or unwilling to go forward? Believe me, I will not require any action you do not agree with.”

  “Yeah, Mr. Jamse, now that you’ve explained how my folks got that invite, we’re ready. Thanks, Sue! Anyway, I’m ready; I think Lissa and Mike should say for themselves.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Arrival in London

  THE 747 FLOATED DOWN OUT of the light fog and mist, gently touching wheels to tarmac, then taxied to the terminal. The belated realization that she had to fly to get to London almost caused Beckie to reconsider. Now, with the flight completed, she relaxed.

  She grimaced internally. Relaxed some. In the rental Jamse arranged, she took the front seat—on the left—and watched blankly as early morning England passed by. She ignored the mumbles from Melissa and Mike in the rear seat. Not sure I wanta know what they’re talking about.

  The streets remained wide with what she thought were unexpectedly large greens.

  Jamse broke into her reverie. “There is the American Embassy.” At the end of the square they saw the large building surmounted by an immense eagle, wings widespread, and an American flag fluttering in the morning breeze. “Remember it; I will show you how to get to it from the Underground. You will be able to reach it from any point in London. Indeed, you will be able to get here from any place in the country with rail service.”

  Turning out of the square, he stopped the car in front of a discreet doorway. Unexpectedly, a man in a red and white coat with gold epaulets and white trousers appeared from a door in the side of the entry; he came to the car and opened the door, allowing Beckie to alight. Jamse got out, opened the door for Mike and Melissa and flipped the doorman a thick coin while they exited.

  “I will require the automobile in thirty or forty minutes; please keep it to hand.”

  “Right, Gov’ner. It will be right ‘ere. I’ll ‘ave the key.”

  “Thank you.” To the others, “Let us go in and register.” To the doorman, “Our bags are in the boot. Please ensure that they reach our rooms.” He handed him another of the thick coins, then led his entourage into the lobby of the hotel.

  He sure takes charge.

  It took only minutes for Jamse to register the group. “I trust you will be comfortable. Michael has a room by himself; you and Melissa are together. This arrangement meets the requirements for propriety that I believe appropriate.” Behind his back, Beckie smirked to Melissa, then continued to follow him through the lobby. “If you ladies would prefer separate rooms, I can make those arrangements as easily.” He looked at them with the hint of a smile behind the question.

  Beckie’s smirk faded. “No,” she said slowly. “It will be easier this way, and Lissa and I’ll want to talk, too. Mike’ll be able to visit.”

  “Thank you, Rebecca.”

  The conversation had taken them to the elevator. When the operator opened the door, the bellman led them along the corridor to three doors, two on one side of the corridor. The first of these he opened, handing the key to Mike. Across the hall, he opened Jamse’s room, then backed and unlocked the girls’ room. Starting there, he placed the appropriate bags on stands, ending with Jamse, the likely source for his tip.

  “Freshen yourselves quickly, please,” Jamse requested. “I would like to introduce you to Nigel this morning, once I talk with Mr. deVeel.”

  The girls discovered the door between their suite and Mike’s before he did, pounding on it until he discovered the source of the rapping. He set the decorated wooden screen aside and opened the door. “I guess we can have as much privacy as we want,” Beckie said, looking at the doubled doors between the rooms.

  “I won’t leave it open,” Melissa said hurriedly. Both giggled at the flash of disappointment Mike couldn’t hide. “It’ll be all right, Mike. If this works out, I guess you’ll get to see as much of me as you can take.”

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sp; Jamse interrupted their conversation by opening the door and hailing the three. “It is time to visit Nigel. Through Mr. Hamilton, Mr. deVeel has laid an appropriate background and it is likely you will be on stage tonight. Nigel will undoubtedly wish to see each of you perform for him this morning. Since you will not be dressed to disrobe gracefully, Ms Jinet suggests that you undress, then dance. Nigel will not expect you to be expert, based on the scenario that Mr. deVeel has painted. He will expect attractive, young, nervous girls.”

  “Nervous so won’t be a problem,” Melissa whispered. “Will you be there, too?”

  “I will be there. I will not leave you while we are there. You will dance before Nigel and myself.”

  “What’s going to keep him from, like, you know, taking one of them… for himself?”

  That’s an interesting question, but not one I worry about.

  “Michael, I will be there.” He smiled thinly. “Since I will be alone except for Rebecca and Melissa, your concern may be warranted. However, while we were unsure before, Mr. deVeel now has determined that Nigel is paid for allowing girls to be sold out of his club. If Rebecca and Melissa are salable, that will prevent him from so much as touching them, let alone damaging them by forcing intercourse or causing another injury. If they are not salable, there is grave danger for them. I consider that risk so small as to be acceptable. Further, Mr. deVeel knows our plan; you are likewise aware, outside but nearby and able to obtain assistance at need.”

  This conversation had carried them out of the hotel, through the delivery of the car by the doorman and into the streets of downtown, between the delivery vans double and triple parked, the ubiquitous black taxis, the red London Transport buses, both single and double decked. Beckie looked back at Melissa, but kept her own council, lost in thoughts of the step they were taking.