Authors: Bernard Lee DeLeo
“What do you want Dimetri?”
“I have very profitable news from the United States Comrade. Do you still have the girl I gave you?”
“I am getting bored Dimetri.”
“Please, if I could just ask her one question Sir. It might mean a very large amount of money for all of us, without any risk whatsoever.”
“What question?”
“Please Sir, if you could just humor me this one time, and let me ask it of her, you will immediately see the importance of my asking it.”
“Very well,” Solotaroff sighed, as he made a motion to the bodyguard, who left the room immediately. “I warn you Dimetri, this may go very bad for you if you are playing games.”
“No Sir, this is not a game, not in the least,” Connor assured him.
The bodyguard entered the room, propelling Gina Lundgren ahead of him in much the same manner as he had Connor. She wore a nightgown and slippers. Connor could not see where she had been hurt in any way. Although her eyes appeared dull in the low light, her facial expression turned to fear when she recognized her former owner. She turned away, only to be brought up short by the bodyguard. Connor stood up and approached her.
“Hello Gina, how would you like to go home,” Connor asked her in English.
“I did not know you spoke English Dimetri,” Solotaroff commented in the same language. “I hope that was not your question.”
Connor turned, and he was no longer smiling. “Oh, yes Sir, that was definitely my question.”
Solotaroff looked at the bodyguard. “Leave her here Marcos, and throw this buffoon out. I will deal with him tomorrow.”
Marcos nodded, and pushed Gina towards the couch. He came over to Connor, grabbed him by the right wrist, and twisted his arm up high behind his back. Connor cried out as he thought would be appropriate, with a little added help from his still healing wounds. Marcos guided Connor out of the room, closing the door behind him. Connor brought his arm out from behind his back so quickly, Marcos lost his grip. Connor grabbed him around the neck with his right hand, lifting him bodily up off of the floor.
“Do not kick your feet Marcos, or I will snap your neck,” Connor said quietly. Marcos’ body relaxed as he retained a terrified grip on Connor’s right wrist with both of his hands. He tried to remove the fingers from his neck, but it felt to him as if he were being held up by way of a steel rod with a vice at the end of it.
“How many more people in the house Marcos? Just tap out the number on my wrist with one finger.”
Marcos tapped his wrist once.
“Good, just the older woman then? Tap once for yes and twice for no.”
Marcos again tapped his wrist once. Connor smashed him with his left fist to Marcos’ temple, and let him down to the floor. “You there Nate?”
“Oh yeah.”
“How about you Johnny?”
“Here Capitan.”
“I have one bodyguard down. Knock on the door, and take the middle age woman who answers the door and tie her up somewhere. The bodyguard will be in the first hallway you come to, after you turn to your right. Tie him up too. I am going in to get Gina.”
“On our way,” Johnny said.
Connor phased through the wall to stand just inside the room. Solotaroff had begun stroking the unresponsive girl in front of the fireplace. Connor walked over to him silently and touched his neck. Solotaroff collapsed on the floor as he entered Connor’s special place. Gina jumped up from the couch, clutching her clothing to her. Connor made a quieting gesture as he saw the frightened girl was about to scream. She backed away from him in terror as Connor remembered he still looked like Nicoloff.
“Easy Gina, I am here to take you home. Nicoloff will never hurt you again ever. I snapped his neck myself just an hour ago. Tell me, what movie star do you like the best?”
Gina, unused to hearing English, just continued looking at Connor in disbelief. Connor reached out and touched her hand, and a calming euphoria swept through her. She visibly relaxed, and the fear left her face. Connor began to move towards the door when she spoke.
“Tom Cruise.”
Connor sighed as he heard Nate, Johnny, and Nick laughing in his ear. He changed into Tom Cruise, and turned back towards Gina, who gasped in shock.
“How can you do that?”
“It’s a long story Gina, and I have to get you home to your parents. Does that sound good?”
Tears started at her eyes as she nodded.
“Good, now have a seat until my friends get here.”
Gina sat down again on the couch, away from her shaking captor. Connor went to the door, and opened it to a smiling Johnny.
“Hey Tom, how you doin’? Will you sign my autograph?”
“Have you ever had your ass kicked by a major movie star you little weasel?”
“Why no Tom, could you hum a few bars?”
With laughter in his ear again, Connor looked past Johnny to see Marcos plastic tied at hands and feet with duct tape over his mouth. “Could you take Gina here to her room and collect enough of her clothes to get her to America?”
“It would be a pleasure,” Johnny replied, “but you better smooth the way for me Tom. She doesn’t know me like she does you yet.”
“You are so going to regret this.” Connor walked over and helped Gina to her feet.
“Gina, this is my friend Charlie Chan. He will be taking you to your room, so you can get dressed, and grab a few things for your trip. Can you do that for me?”
Gina, still speechless at having a movie idol directing her escape, just nodded. Johnny chuckled, and guided her gently out of the room. Connor went over and touched Solotaroff, who woke with a start, and immediately began the desperate brushing of imaginary insects. When he became aware of his surroundings, he looked up at Connor, who now appeared as himself.
“Wh…Who are you?”
“I am the one who put you in that place you were at, and who will do it again without a second thought. I am taking Gina with me. You will wait here on this floor for one hour. You will then go out and untie your hired help, and tell them to forget everything from tonight. Do nothing after that. You will never forget me Comrade, because we are now connected. If you do anything, but forget the girl and everything that happened tonight, I will know it, and I will come back.”
Connor reached down, plucking the cringing man up high over his head. He shook him as a terrier would do to a rat. He then lowered him down to look into his eyes. “Do you understand what I have told you Comrade?”
The man hung with sweat running down into his eyes. Connor may as well of been the Devil incarnate, because Solotaroff believed he was. He nodded his understanding to Connor. Solotaroff would not leave the room for over two hours after Connor left.
Connor put him down and wagged his finger at him. “Stay where you are Comrade, and you will never see me again.”
Connor closed the door on his way out. No one was left in the house. Outside the front entrance, Nick idled the car, waiting for him, with Johnny in the front, and Gina in the back. He got in the back with Gina, and Nick took off. Johnny let Nate know they were on the move.
“You…You were the one. I can feel it,” Gina said.
Connor smiled at the girl and held out his hand, which Gina shook hesitantly. “I’m Thomas Connor Gina. All of this must really be confusing for you. We found out you had been taken, and where. I am sorry we could not come sooner. By tomorrow at this time we will have you back in the United States. Are you hurt at all?”
“No.I just.I,” She began to cry, and Connor took her into his arms.
“Don’t worry Gina. Everything will be all right now. You’ll see. Once you are back with your parents, you must put this stuff behind you. You are strong to have survived. It will take strength to learn from this and go on. I will give you my phone number, and if you ever need any help, or you just want to talk, you can call me anytime.”
Gina pulled back and looked into his eyes. She saw only a friendly kindness. “Will they really let us go?”
“They sure will Gina. We have your papers all in order. It may be a little scary for you going through customs before we get on the plane, but I will be right beside you.”
“They can stop us though, can’t they?”
Connor looked at her for a moment, and Gina saw something dangerous flow over his features.
“That would not be a good idea for anyone to try and stop us from taking you home. They will only succeed in getting a lot of people hurt, and you will still be on your way home.”
Gina leaned against him, placing her head on Connor’s shoulder, and took his left hand in both of hers. She believed him. She knew she was going home.
Karen waited with Derek inside the custom’s office. Three agents waited with them. The other custom’s officials gave them a wide berth. The plane had landed only a short time ago. After the first couple of returning mission member escorts had been put through more than they should have, Derek now accompanied Karen, along with at least three NSA agents. Customs now alerted the flight crew of returning missions, and anyone involved in them were escorted directly from the debarkation area to the custom’s office.
Karen spotted the team coming towards the office, escorted by two airport security guards. They were all laughing, including the girl Karen recognized as Gina Lundgren. She could see Nate walking alongside of her. Johnny Loo and Connor were nowhere to be seen. The group was still enjoying whatever joke they shared when they entered the custom’s office. She and Derek walked up in some confusion, as Nate had to take a moment before he could compose himself enough to acknowledge the two NSA chiefs.
“Where’s Thomas,” Karen asked.
“He and Johnny are still back at the plane being mobbed,” Nate answered.
“What,” Karen exclaimed, as she signaled the NSA agents to go out.
Nate held up his hands. “Whoa Karen. They are not in any danger. Gina here made Connor promise to sit next to her as Tom Cruise… and.,” Nate burst into another bout of braying laughter, which Gina and the other team members could not help but join.
“. and as soon as they got off the plane amongst all the other people waiting, Johnny yells ‘hey everybody, Tom Cruise’. We got Gina away, and over to where our escort was waiting. Johnny stayed where he was, ducking out of the mutant’s reach, and egging the crowd on. Oh God Karen, you should have seen the evil mutant’s face. If he could have gotten a hand on Johnny, our buddy Loo would now be without a head. As we were walking away, we could still hear Johnny on the outside of the crowd asking for Tom Cruise’s autograph.”
By this time Derek as well as Karen had joined in the laughter at Nate’s retelling of events. The other custom’s officials merely looked at each other with consternation.
“Everything went well in Russia then at the airport?” Karen asked.
“We had a little trouble,” Nate admitted. “The team boarded at different intervals, and then Connor showed up with Gina at the last moment as we had planned. They were almost through, when this pompous idiot comes out, and asks for Gina’s papers again. Thomas handed them to him, and at the same time he touched his hand, sending him to the special place. No one, of course, could help this guy.
Thomas steps forward, and tells them he is a doctor, and has seen these convulsions before. These officials let him work on this guy. Thomas works on his chest and neck like he knew what the hell he was doing. He brings the guy out of it, but the guy still cannot speak coherently. Connor seems the hero, and he and Gina get passed through. Johnny and I were the last to board, and I can tell you this: we were relieved. For a moment there, it looked like a lot of people were going to get hurt.”
“It sounds like you all did a fabulous job,” Derek added. “Getting in and out of Russia without an international incident shows we must be on the side of the angels. Well, if you are ready Gina, I will take you to the hotel where we have arranged a reunion with your parents.”
Gina looked back towards the arrival gates, and then at Derek, “can’t I wait to say goodbye to Mr. Connor?”
“Sure Gina,” Derek agreed. “I just hope he can shake loose of his fans long enough to make good on his escape.”
Just then they heard Johnny Loo’s infectious laugh coming towards them. Connor had reverted to his form, and now trudged along with his hands shoved deep in his pockets. Gina headed back out towards him, with Nick falling in protectively behind her. She ran up and wrapped her arms around his neck. He hugged her for a moment, and then held her at arms length.
“Hey, remember Gina, all you have to do is call. This won’t be like a goodbye forever. Now you take care. Nick here will be seeing you the rest of the way.”
“I love you Mr. Connor,” Gina blurted out as she turned and ran back inside. She waved again as Derek guided her out, with Nick and the three NSA agents falling in around them.
“You can stop waving now mutant,” Johnny remarked as he stepped closer.
Connor put down the hand he realized he was still waving. He sighed, “I can’t believe we are done, and we brought them all back alive. Now you will see how much we can prevent before it ever happens, if you still want in.”
“Are you kidding,” Johnny said, clapping Connor on the back. “I would not miss this enterprise for anything. You didn’t forget our bonuses though, did you?
Connor laughed. “Already taken care of my friend. Each and every one of you who went on these missions now has an off shore account in your name. Nate will be getting the confirmation packets to you shortly. I am hoping if we need some help later on in our enterprise, we will be able to get a hold of some of the team.”
Karen walked up smiling, “hello there Terror, long time no see.”
Connor put his arms around her, as Johnny went in the office with Nate and the rest of the team. He immediately regaled them on the rest of the fun he had at Connor’s expense. The laughter began almost immediately. Connor looked towards the office, shaking his head.
“He enjoys this just a little too much.”
“How are you feeling?” Karen asked.
“I need to take it easy for a while, but other than that, I feel great. How have you been? It seems like years since I held you. Hey.I.I sense two heartbeats. You…You’re going to have a baby.”
Karen looked up into his eyes finally. “I am going to have your baby.”
It was the first time since she met Thomas Connor that she saw his mouth drop in complete shock. She saw tears start at the corners of his eyes, and then he hugged her to him again. She felt the euphoria ring through her as if she were a tuning fork. If there had been any trepidation about telling him before, it disappeared completely.
“I want you to move in with me until we get married.”
“What happened to my trip back to Paris?”
“Give me a little time to heal up, and then I will take you on a honeymoon there. How about we go shopping for rings here in New York at the swankest place we can find?”
“I think that would be very nice. Can I tell everyone?”
“Sure,” Connor said sheepishly. “Besides, I promised Johnny, along with not killing him, that I would buy him dinner tonight at the place of his choice if he would stop hawking me as Tom Cruise. It was the only way I could get the little cretin to let up. Those people looked like they were getting ready to collect Tom Cruise samples.”
“Let’s get Nate, Johnny and the whole team. We can all go celebrate.”
“Did you look in on the boys while you were in with Attila? I worried about them when I saw Nate had come over.”
“They’re running the business like pros. You should see their growing customer database,” Karen said. “They have an active advertising program going on in the Senate, House, and all of the federal buildings, not to mention referrals. You and Nate have a solid group of capitalists there.”
“Sounds like I will have to have them recruit some more help.”
“Nate already okayed two more friends of the group. Sammy trained them on the road, and they have been working with everyone on their time in the shop and office. Barf has been looking for you though. He loves the boys, but he misses you. He goes on his walks reluctantly.”
“I missed him too,” Connor sighed. “I’ll make him a steak dinner when I get back. Let’s go get my two partners, and get over to the hotel, so we can all get cleaned up. I think we ought to take the whole team out with us. We can share it with everyone.”
“Do you mean it? I would love it, but then you will have an inordinate number of witnesses. How will you back out later?”
Connor picked her up off the floor and held her tightly to him. He kissed her with abandon, and then looked straight into her eyes. “I will never leave you lady. You will have to be the one to back out.”
They heard catcalls and whistles. “Get a room,” Nate called out.
Connor and Karen walked over to join the group just outside the custom’s office.
“I can see in your mutant face Karen told you you’re about to become a Father Mutant,” Johnny said grinning hugely as he stuck out his hand. “Congratulations Thomas.”
Connor took his hand, beaming. All of them were on him then, clapping him on the back and shaking his hand. Nate hugged him, much to everyone’s amusement. Karen told them about the plans for dinner, and that Johnny would get to pick the restaurant, and then why he got to pick, which brought more laughter.
Connor rented the Triplex Suite on two different floors of the New York Palace Hotel. They had a small party with all the men before dinner. Connor told them to charge anything their hearts desired, but to act with honor. Karen watched their young faces change at his friendly admonition. Nick and Derek had rejoined them, and brought along Luis Ruiz with them from where he had been staying. Nick stepped forward.
“You will never have to worry about us letting you down Mr. Connor.”
“Relax Nick. I wasn’t trying to assault anyone’s sensibilities. I just don’t want anything to happen to any of you after what you all have been through in the last month.”
“We all know that Mr. Connor,” Luis said, “and we all know what you have been through. I wonder if any of us will ever again know the success and satisfaction we have known in the last month serving under you.”
Other voices spoke up in agreement immediately, but Connor waved them down. “You guys have not seen anything yet. Whenever I find a mission, where I need people I can trust, you guys will be the first called. You all work for Greg at CIA now. He knows he can count on Nate, Johnny, and I to help him and Derek. We know we can count on you guys. You all know where we are. Anytime any of you guys get into Washington, I will put you up at the hotel of your choice, and chauffeur you around in your own private limousine. I never forget. Salute.” Connor held up his Champaign glass, as the others joined him solemnly in a toast.
The wind howled outside through the streets of Washington D.C. The ballroom rented for the Washington DC Limousine Company Christmas party sparkled with Christmas lights and wreaths. A gigantic fully decorated Christmas tree stood in the center of the ballroom floor. An orchestra played old time Christmas carols, interspersed with dance tunes.
The business had thrived since Connor’s return with the team from Europe. Another super computer had been added to enhance Attila’s operations. The original boys Connor had recruited, and trained off of the street, now ran and worked in all phases of the business. They had added a comic and used book storefront to their building, including a small classroom where they tutored reading classes during store hours. Connor’s idea of doing auto repair along with the limousine service maintenance in their shop had flourished. Under Connor’s tutoring and supervision, they were repairing ten cars a day as a sideline to augment their expenditures for equipment and tooling. The information gathering part of the business, channeled through Attila, had led directly to interventions in numerous crimes, and even espionage.
Nate had been Connor’s best man at his wedding, and Derek had given Karen away. Claire and Johnny Loo’s wife Grace were Karen’s matrons of honor. Johnny, Luke, Joseph, Sammy, Jeffrey, Jeremiah, and Henry acted as ushers. Their honeymoon in Paris left many happy merchants in the city. December 10th had marked their second month of marriage. Karen’s pregnancy was more pronounced now in the beginning of her fourth month. The Christmas party, Connor decided, would be a celebration of what he called a high point in the Force.
Connor had entered the ballroom with Karen at the beginning of the festivities, stopping to say hello to everyone at the tables all around the Christmas tree. When he reached the table he and Karen were to share with his partners’ families, they found the table covered with little comic book mutant place settings. This led to much amusement, followed by running commentary on what kind of powers the next mutant generation would have.
“How did you ever get Barf to let you come out and play tonight whip boy?” Johnny asked finally.
“Yea Thomas,” Nate added, “you can’t even go to the bathroom without the dog pawing at the door.”
“I ordered him to stay silent, and to behave,” Connor answered without hesitation. His answer was met with much derision.
“He walked him over to the park, and stayed there for two hours with him before we left,” Karen stated as Connor glared at her.
“I thought we would have to put the damn dog to sleep when you two left for Paris,” Nate said laughing. “God, the only thing more pathetic than Connor jumping through hoops every time Karen breathes hard is watching that goofy dog lay by the front door waiting for Connor.”
“I do not jump through hoops,” Connor stated comically. “I am an alpha male.”
The whole table burst into laughter at that remark.
Nate stood up and lifted his wine glass up, “I would like to propose a toast to the mutant wonder, his long suffering wife, and the new little mutant on the way. Merry Christmas.”