"This is a very charming residence you have here, Sir." Catherine broke the proverbial ice with her ambiguous compliment.
"Thank you, dear." The old man’s smile was sincere. "I and my wife appreciated all religions and cultures and appreciated each one’s contributions to the world." He drifted off in thought, then returned from his office, where he took the number of his precinct officer's contact. "Here, this is the calling card of my dear friend. Sgt. Vasquez."
"Thank you, sir," Shawn replied as he held the card. "I agree with my wife, sir, you have a very interesting residence here. It would be a shame if you closed this orphanage."
"I know, Mr. Richmond." He sighed and added, "To some, this decoration might be confusing, but I believe that we all came from one place in history and t
"What theory are we talking about here?" Catherine asked. The old man answered, "Well...he believed that there was one God, but he wasn't sure which one though. Don't ask me. I shared his sentiments. This is where the search for the Buddha started. He believes that there is something inside the statue that may answer his questions. I thought he had given it up. I never thought he was still obsessed with it." "So he is monotheism," Shawn said with a nod and went to see the nearby statues and deities. "What is that?" Catherine asked and followed Shawn's gaze. "Monotheism is simply defined as the belief in one god and is usually positioned as the polar opposite of polytheism, which is the belief in many gods."
"You know what? I think this is just an ordinary rune symbol. Let me see it on your tablet. We can perhaps decipher this." Catherine said after she held the tablet when Shawn had given up looking for something. "I think you're right." Shawn spun the chair at the desk around and plopped down while she perused the pages as she paced the small room. Catherine had only begun to pace back from the window in the room when, suddenly, she stopped. Lifting her head, she smiled at Shawn. "This is just a simple conversation. This is futhark." "What?" Shawn asked and went to her side as she read. "Futhark was a Scandinavian runic alphabet that evolved from the Younger Futhark after the introduction of stung (or dotted) runes at the end of the Viking Age. These stung runes were regular runes with the addition of either a dot diacritic or bar diacritic to indicate that the rune stood for one of its secondary sounds (so an i rune could become an e rune or a j rune when stung). "Makes sense, it w
Warning Rated PG Shawn finished examining the map of Warsaw, Poland, still puzzled. Poland? Jesus, grandad! Warsaw was big enough, but that was all the old man managed to give? This was unlike his grandfather. He was a detailed man. Yes, he loved this sort of game, but it was never this puzzling or tough for him to not even be able to decipher the place. He set the paper down respectfully on the desk when Catherine managed to pull off some of the conversion of runes, and it gave them more confusion. Her jewel will signify your guidance and that of the boats of bliss, the darkness, and the wings will lead the way on your voyage home. I am the key. My holy bones lie. Make every stride natural and loosen the pits, for they sha
The next morning, Shawn and Catherine left the old man's residence. The doctor's SUV sped along the interstate, heading toward the airport. Every few minutes or so, Shawn would glance in the rearview mirrors to make certain no one was following them. A couple of times, he thought he had seen a car changing lanes with him, but then the vehicle turned off of an exit a few minutes later. He hadn’t survived this long by being careless, and the people they were up against had to be considered extremely dangerous.Even though Shawn suspected the worst, earlier in the day, he received a call from Eddie, and his butler told him what happened at Dave's apartment and that Catherine's brother was still in Javier's hideout. He told him about the map, and they agreed to meet at the airport going to Poland.Catherine interrupted his thoughts as if she could
Dave sat at a table in the far corner of a large modern kitchen. The ropes that had lately restrained him had been replaced by two massive security guards who were nearly the size of the room. He'd been there for about two hours, waiting. He wasn't sure what to do. Alfonso had left swiftly, most likely to instruct Javier's guys to bring back what Dave had stated he wanted from his house. The idiotic map.He had gotten the mail from the historian who had been instructed by Sir Anthony to contact him for whatever purpose, and there had been no explanation as to what the ridiculous poem meant until the secret message arrived before the bastard snatched him. It was a map of the Polish city of Warsaw.It was simply a translation of the old rune from the tablet that had been blended to deceive and confound those who attempted to interpret it.
Shawn and Catherine stood on the front veranda of what seemed to be a fairly huge log cottage. The drive had only taken about an hour from the interstate, which was ten miles from the town's old local airport to the wooden home, but it seemed like they were out in the middle of nowhere. "Shawn? What on earth are we doing here?""This is where we wait for Eddie. This is my uncle Bennett's place." He mumbled.Above them, the raven sky glittered with more stars than Catherine had seen in a long time. Sounds of nature filled the night: cricket songs, croaking frogs, and the melodies of nocturnal birds. The air was scented with a mixture of hardwood and pine.She took a long br
After serving the coffee, Ben left his guests alone in the living room for a few minutes, not explaining where he was going. When he returned, he had a somber look on his face and was gripping something in his worn fingers. He opened his hand, revealing something that astonished both of the visitors. "Is that what I think it is?" Shawn couldn’t believe what he was seeing. "It is." "But how did you get it?" "I received a package from Anthony two days before his death. This wedding ring was inside." Ben carefully handed the velvet box to Shawn. Catherine gasped. "Oh my, this is... Oh, I remember this... This is his wife's ring. He told me about her. Oh goodness, it was almost like Anthony had been so regretful that he wasn't able to give his wife her dream wedding and said that this
Ben's face looked like he was ready to explode with excitement. He started by saying, "There are several local legends that have been passed around for the last fifty or so years that revolve around a constant theme: the Buddha's chamber and its tonnes of gold, but we have to know the history of Buddha before even understanding his life from Anthony’s perspective." The two nodded as he added, "Scholars are hesitant to make unqualified claims about the historical facts of Buddha's life. Most of them accept that the Buddha lived, taught, and founded a monastic order during the Mahajanapada era during the reign of Bimbisara." After pausing for a second, Ben continued, "Now, you won’t find these stories in any history books. In fact, they’re probably more like family tales than local legends. According to Buddhist texts, a prophecy was given at his birth that he would become either a powerful king or a great spiritual leader. His father feared he would become the latter if he were exposed
Another rising moan. Chelsea chanted his name. Soft. A whimper. She threw her head back again, her soft hair sliding over his arms, her face flushed with arousal. Dave loved her like that. That perfect moment before her body clamped down like a vise on his, drawing out his hot release. Her unknowing song, her heat. The look on her face. It all combined to give him a fierce, primitive satisfaction and added to the wicked pleasure swamping his own body. The first wave hit her hard, consuming her. He drove deep, his shaft stretching her tight channel. A ripple went through her, from her womb to her belly and up to her breasts. He actually felt it. Another loud moan and her entire body locked around him, a vise that clamped down so hard for a moment that he couldn’t separate pain from pleasure. She shuddered again as another wave built. He felt the contraction move through her, through him, swelling like the tide, a shock wave jolting outward from her feminine sheath, surrounding him, vib
Over the next few weeks, I take Jane and Catherine’s advice and try to turn off my brain. Dave and I started going out together as a couple. Nothing explicit is said. We don’t wear little badges, but our interactions make it obvious. Jane and I were planning to finish the design of her gown, and I started going out with them. While Dave had started his own business, Christie and her son occupied our old apartment while I went to Dave's apartment in the city.When we’re out, Dave always touches me, but not in a way that makes me feel like he’s trying to mark his territory or show off. He’s just super physical. If I’m near him, his hand is somewhere on my body. Usually his palm is glued to the top of my ass, but sometimes he brushes my hair back or dangles his fingers over my shoulder. He kisses my temples and cheeks. Not once do I feel like he’s holding me back.The most important thing is that we’re happy—way happier than I’ve felt in a long time. Which is fucking mind-boggling. If so
40The trailer is damp and dark. Two solemn-looking officers sat on a table piled high with walkie-talkies, badges, and cold cups of coffee, facing a giant monitor. The fan in the corner does little to cool things down, and the whole place is wired shut like a prison cell, with no windows and thus no connection to the outside world. It's much smaller than I expected from the outside, and I find myself frozen in place for a few moments after entering."Chelsea," Christie says behind me, placing an arm around my shoulders. "Everything will be okay, sweetheart. The orphanage will not suffer, and Dave will be alright." She appears nervous but still manages to calm me down. That is my sister, brave as ever."They’re in!" shouts one of the agents. Christie and I shuffled our way around the table. We stare earnestly at the big screen, focusing on each movement while holding our breath. Inside the building, the two actors pretending to be investors are dressed to look the part perfectly. Thei
Dave encourages me not to worry on the way back to the flat, but it is difficult. No matter how many times he assures me that we will stop Sebastian, I have my doubts. I knew Sebastian was a horrible person, but I never dreamed he was capable of such atrocities, especially after Dave showed him the photographs of the community and the orphans. What will become of my darling children?! I push back the tears that threaten to spill from my eyes. As we carefully ascend the stairs to the apartment, my fingers begin to tremble.Dave walks quietly beside me and grips my hand tightly, silently reassuring me that everything will be okay."Chelsea," he whispers as we stand face-to-face at my door. "Chelsea, look at me..." He slips a finger under my chin and lifts my head to gaze into his eyes. I finally let the tears flow, the gravity of the situation too strong to overcome.Chelsea, we're going to fight this. Trust me..." I sniffle and gaze into his piercing blue eyes that offer some comfort.
"Yes but not tonight, maybe tomorrow," Dave said, shifting in his heels.The thought of him leaving without any intimate contact is driving Chelsea crazy. And I may just find myself running after him. I wait with bated breath for him to continue."Actually. I booked a room for a few days at a nearby hotel. I'd really like to see you tomorrow, Chelsea. Is that’s okay? I want to talk more about us." I stare at him like a young child opening presents on Christmas morning."Sure, I would like that," I say, releasing the smile I can no longer contain. "There's a great place just down the street where we can go for lunch." He grins. "Sounds great. I'll pick you up around 11? ""Sounds good.""Okay, well, have a good night's sleep, Chelsea.""Goodnight, Dave." I closed the door behind him and leaned back against it. My heart is giddy and my hands are shaky. He wants to talk about us? As in our relationship? Now that I am face-to-face with the reality of how much I want and miss him, it scar
Christie welcomes us to the living room. As we sit on the sofa, Dave takes another long breath before speaking. "I feel like we left a lot of things unanswered the last time we saw each other. I don't think anything was cleared up in the midst of all the yelling and screaming. But first and foremost, Christie, I need to apologise for Sebastian's harsh tone toward you. I can't claim to know what he was thinking at the time, but he had no right to speak to you in that manner.""He is an asshole, Dave, and the way he treated Christie is the same way he will treat those workers in Kenya." The animosity in my voice is clear. "Listen, Chelsea, I know you’re angry." He turns away from Christie and looks back at me. "But I need you to understand that I still care about you deeply and that everything we had was real. The truth is I know all about my partner’s activities in Kenya. But I'm not as involved in it as you think. I take care of the paperwork. But it doesn’t have much to do with me.
The space is considerably more apparent now that I am alone. Christie and I don't have any furniture, food, or money. And neither of us is employed. It will take months to restore this property to its previous glitzy splendour. I have no idea how to get us back on our feet, and I am quite frightened about starting the process. Christie, I'm sure, is as well. In that case, where are they?I get up from the floor mattress and walk to the bathroom. I let the water run over my fair skin and blond hair.Despite the heat, I find the water really calming.As it rushes over my body, the water represents my freedom. It envelops me, drop by drop, freeing my confined senses and conflicting emotions. It reminds me that I have returned home and am no longer burdened by the dreadful life I had at the mansion.I hurriedly exit the shower and grab my towel. I walk on tiptoe across the white tiles, around the empty flat, to my bag in the corner. I pull on a pair of jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and my
"Chelsea, don’t do this. You don’t know what you’re saying." I feel Dave’s strong hands around my right arm tighten. I glare up into his blue eyes. Our eyes interlock, and for a brief second, I am contained by lust. But the moment ends swiftly, and I pull my hand away, pushing him violently against the wall."Don’t you touch me!" I hurl at him. I take a large step away from him and turn back to Christie. "Come on, sister. Let’s get out of here!""I can’t, Chelsea, Sebastian is my fiancée.""So you’re choosing a man over your own sister?" I stared at her in shock."Chelsea, please don’t do this," Christie cries, her tears running wild down her face.Now is the time for me to make a quick exit. My suitcases thud on each step as I hurl them down the stairs. My sister trails behind me, upset as ever."Chelsea, wait! Please do not leave! "Just as I reach the large white double doors, I drop my suitcases and turn to face her again."Why don’t you just ask Sebastian Christie? Ask him if he’
I do not recognise my voice. It is thick with animosity. My hands are shaky and tears are threatening to spill from my eyes. Appearing to realise the seriousness of the situation, Dave turns to his colleagues. "Gentleman, please excuse me for a moment?"He gets up and strides over to me, gripping my forearm as he gently pulls me out of the room. We walk down a short corridor and into an empty office. Dave shuts the door and glares at me, anger fueling his eyes. "What the hell was that, Chelsea?!" he states, his tone biting."Explain this to me!" I half-shout, flinging the documents into his hands. "You lied about what the company is doing in Kenya. You have plans to use children? and exploit the people in an area that is too damn close to the orphanage I volunteered at. And you plan to pay the workers practically nothing!"He begins to scan the papers, his eyes darting back and forth hastily."How did you get this?!" he asks, puzzled yet still furious."What does it matter? It’s out i