6 - The Eye of the Virgin: Ike Schwartz Mystery 6 (21 page)

Chapter Forty-three

Her caller ID read E. ST. C. Ruth wondered what her mother, the would-be author and reimagined Eden Saint Claire, wanted.

“Mother? How is your visit going with the Schwartzes?”

“Not so hot, Honey. Dolly Frankenfeld fell into a spell of the vapors after lunch and said she had to pack up and go home to Richmond. I don’t think she took to me. I wonder why?”

“You didn’t, maybe, pay too much attention to Abe? I don’t know you anymore, Mother, but if you were on him the way you moved in on my faculty men, Dolly’s difficulties are easily explainable.”

“Nonsense, Abe is old enough to be your father. Older, in fact. And, of course, he will be; in-law that is, anyway. And I don’t ‘come on.’ I am merely a people person and interested in what they have to say. I mean, if I’m going to write a book—”

“All right. So what happened?’

“Nothing happened. I went out there with them and first thing they showed me around the farm. Did you know they had cows? Lovely brown eyes, they had. I said so to Abe. And then we had lunch on the terrace. It’s a very nice old farm house. Picturesque.”

“I know. I’ve been there. That can’t have been all. You didn’t, by any chance, accidently fall into Abe’s arms. Batting your eyelashes, did you?”

“No, of course not. I slipped and fell and it
was
an accident.”

“And Dolly? How’d she take the
accident
?”

“Dolly? I’m sure I don’t know. Abe is very strong for a man his age. Did you know that?”

“No idea. Don’t need to know. I have the son to keep corralled, remember? So, then what happened?”

“Well, as I was saying, we had lunch, Dolly felt ill, and that was that. Abe was very gentlemanly. He drove me back to your house before he and Dolly took off for Richmond, although I’d bet by the time he got back to that old farm of his, Dolly’d recovered.”

“You can’t know that.”

“No, I can’t. I’m just saying…Well, how’s your weekend going up in the mountains? Maybe if you gave me directions, I could join you.”

“I’ll be home tomorrow evening. Trying to find this place on your own the first time is not recommended, particularly after dark. Besides, Ike was called back to town. Some sort of urgent business.”

“Well, maybe when his urgent business is completed, he could drive me out.”

“Um, no, I don’t think so. He’ll be late. Listen, you settle in and I’ll see you first thing tomorrow evening. Help yourself to whatever you find in the kitchen.”

“I already did. Lots of canapés and things left over from your party. You know the shrimp won’t keep.”

“You go for it. Eat up the leftovers and get a good night’s sleep.”

“I think I’ll step out and take a walk.”

“That might not be such a good idea either. You’re new to the area and could get lost in the dark.”

“Don’t be silly. I have a very fine sense of direction. I never get lost. I will see you tomorrow. Monday, let’s go shopping.”

“Monday, I have work. We’ll see.”

Ruth hung up, paused, and called Campus Security.

“Claude, my mother might be wandering around the campus tonight. Do me a favor and keep an eye on her, will you? Be discreet, you know, but keep her in sight.”

***

“Mr. Garland, the director said you were in charge and that we should tell you what’s going on at the house. We are pulling up to the street corner now. Before we turn, I thought I’d better check in. We may have a problem.”

“And what would that be?”

“Well, my understanding was we were to go to this place and make sure the men who would likely break into the house were taken into custody by us.”

“Yes, that’s exactly right.”

“And we were to be diplomatic with the local police because we didn’t have jurisdiction.”

“Correct.”

“Sir, the intel we’re getting is there is another group already on station, one of ours that is and already on the scene. Should we coordinate with them?”

“Whoa. Absolutely not. Ah, splendid I was right. No, stay back. Slip out and keep the area under surveillance. We are moving to plan B.”

“Plan B? Sir, I am not aware of any—”

“I’ll be there in five. Keep out of sight and monitor their com frequency. Listen to what they’re saying. Under no circumstances short of gun fire are you to make your presence felt until I get there. That’s plan B.”

“Yes sir.”

***

“Tony, two men are coming into the yard. They’re hugging the hedge and deep in the shadows. I think they’re headed to the back door.”

“Keep them in sight. Once they’re in, we move.”

“Yes sir. Keeping them in sight. They’re almost to the back porch…okay, they’re there. They should be on it in a second.”

“Are they?”

“I don’t know how, but I’ve lost them, sir.”

“Lost them? How lost them? Are they at the back door or not?”

“They never climbed onto the porch, I don’t think. Do you suppose they’re headed for the front door?”

“Don’t be an idiot. They’re going in a window. Get over there and see.”

“Moving.”

***

“Frank, someone darted across the back yard. He moved from that cherry tree and ran to the corner of the house.”

Frank keyed his radio. “Elroy, who’s with you?”

“Billy.”

“Billy, what are you doing out here? You’re supposed to be home knitting booties or something.”

“Need the comp time big brother. Besides I don’t knit.”

“Okay, the two of you head for the back yard. Stay on the other side of the hedge until you can punch through and see both sides of the house. Our guys are on the move. So far only one. Don’t know what that means. Ike you getting all this?”

“Got it, sit tight and wait. I’m three minutes away. I want those guys intact. We’ll wait until they come out.”

***

Lorraine grabbed Louis’ arm. “What was that?”

“What was what?”

“Shhh, I heard something that sounded like breaking glass. Wait, isn’t that the basement door bolt being slid back? They’re coming up the stairs. What do we do now?”

“Quick, into the kitchen. If they come this way, we’ll be behind them. As soon as they reach for the icon we’ll get them.”

“Are you sure? I’m scared. Supposed they have guns.”

Louis pushed her into the corridor and back into the kitchen. They crouched down behind the table, wedged in between it, the trash compacter, and the fridge. Lorraine nearly jumped out of her skin when the latter kicked on.

“Shhhh…they’re on the steps.”

Chapter Forty-four

“Ruth, what’s Ike’s number?”

“Mother, why do you need his number? I told you he’s answering an emergency. He won’t want a call right now. What can I do?”

“Nothing, you’re out at that cabin place and hours away. This is my emergency. I need a policeman.”

“What’s wrong? Did you trip and fall? Are you lost?”

“No, of course not. I’m fine. I mean, no, I didn’t fall and I’m not lost.” She didn’t sound so sure about the last bit.

“What, then?”

“I’m pretty sure I’m being followed. I swear every time I turn a corner, a man ducks back into the shadows. I need Ike to call a policeman to come out here and arrest the man.”

“That would be Claude.”

“Excuse me, that would be who?”

“I asked Security to keep an eye on you. You were walking around in the dark in a strange place, and I asked Claude to—”

“Tail me? Ruth, I am a grown woman and I do not need someone to serve as my duenna, thank you. How do I know this is Claude, as you say, and not some mugger?”

“Call him.”

“What? Call to the man? What do I say?”

“How about, ‘Claude, is that you?’”

Ruth listened as her mother lowered the phone and cleared her throat. “Claude…what’s his name. Claude who?”

“Brigstock.”

“Mr. Brigstock, Claude Brigstock. This is President Harris’ mother speaking. Is that you?”

Ruth started to comment on her mother’s mixed pronoun usage and thought better of it. She heard what must have been Claude’s reply.

“Well, you’re right. Mr. Brigstock has identified himself. Oh my, he’s in uniform, too. How nice.”

“Claude will see you home.”

“I’m not finished taking my walk. Mr. Brigstock will accompany me.”

“Where are you?”

“I have no idea. Mr. Brigstock, where are we?” There was a brief pause. Ruth waited until Eden handed the phone to Claude.

“On Faculty Row, Miz President, down toward the end of the street.”

“Well, be careful.”

Ruth clicked off and dialed Ike. “Hey, I know you are in the middle of saving the nation from imminent destruction, but this is a heads-up. My mother, accompanied by a security guard, is wandering around the campus in the dark. Where are you?”

“Wandering around the campus in the dark. Where is your mother?”

“Claude said they were on Faculty Row.”

“Oh, hell. Call them back and tell them to get out of there, now.”

“What’s going on?”

“Never mind, just do it.”

Wow, Ike had never sounded that hot before. Ruth called Security with instructions to send a car out to extricate her mother and Claude from whatever was happening. This is not what campuses were supposed to be about. Not out in the sticks anyway.

***

The man inched his way up to the back porch and up the steps. “I’m on the porch and looking around the corner where the two guys disappeared. There’s no sign of them.”

“They didn’t come out front. Check and see if there’s a window they might have climbed through.”

“Roger that…No, no window. Well, there’s a window but it’s like, ten feet off the ground, one of those skinny ones that usually have stained glass in them.”

“You must have missed them climbing up onto the porch. Stand by the back door. When I give the signal you come in and cover it.”

“Okay, wait, I hear voices. They must be in. I’m standing by.”

***

“When they turn the corner and move toward the living room, Lorraine, you slam the basement door and lock it so they can’t get away. I’ll yell freeze and then we’ll have them.”

“Louis, this is crazy, I’m telling you. They are probably armed to the teeth and will shoot you as soon as look at you. I say we sit tight and let the cops do their thing.”

“Too late for that now.”

Two figures slipped into the corridor, paused, and moved toward the icon, which was leaning against the wall in the living room.

Louis stood and stepped quietly toward the two men. When Lorraine was in position, he jerked the slide back on his little automatic to chamber a round.

“Freeze,” he yelled.

Lorraine kicked the door shut and fumbled with the key.

***

The three men left in the SUV tumbled out, raced across the street and crashed through the front door.

“Hands up. Federal agents, freeze,” their apparent leader barked. “Hands up. Drop your weapons, all of you!”

“The door is locked. The woman locked the door.”

“Oh, my God, do as they say, Louis.”

“Everybody, stay where you are. You heard me, federal agents. Nobody move. Jesus, how many of you are there?”

“They’re federal agents, Louis, put down the gun.”

“We don’t know that.”

“But they said—”

“The bitch locked the door.”

“Another one is right behind us, Louis. For God’s sake drop your gun before they kill us.” Louis Dakis dropped his weapon and raised his hands in the air.

“Give me the key, you stupid bitch.”

“I know you. You were with that other man who asked about the icon. This is one of the men who came to the store, Louis, asking about the Virgin of Tenderness. What happened to your friend?”

“Dead. Not my friend. Now give me the key.”

Lorraine tossed the key into the living room. It fell at the feet of one of the men claiming to be federal agents who scooped it up.

“I ought to…”

“You’ll do nothing.” The lead fed shouted and stared at the Dakises. “Who the hell are you two and what are you doing here?”

“I’m Louis Dakis and this is my wife. We live here. That is, I live here. She doesn’t We’re separated and so she doesn’t—”

“Shut up.”

“—live here, yes sir.”

“Shit, now what are we supposed to do with these two.”

“We’ll see. We should be able to extract the other two and then…one move toward that shotgun, hot shot, and you’re dead…and then figure a way to clear this without having to worry about Mr. and Mrs. Idiot, here. I don’t want to shoot them, but these two others might do it for me.”

“Shoot them, Tony? I don’t understand.”

“Let me think.”

***

You see that? It looks like a raid, for God’s sake. Billy, you and Elwood cover the back. No one leaves.”

“It’s Elroy, Frank, not Elwood.”

“Listen, I want you to get your rear end over there and shut up…Ike, the place is full of people. I’m moving the car to block theirs, and we’ll hold them for you.”

“Easy does it, Frank. Just hold them in place.”

***

“Mr. Garland, they, the other team that is, moved into the house. Who are they?”

“Okay, move around the corner and wait for me. You’ll find out who they are soon enough.”

Chapter Forty-five

Frank wheeled the cruiser around so that it sat blocking the street. He turned the headlights and spot light full on. The front yard lit up like noon. When he’d done that, Billy and Elroy turned on the halogen lamps they carried and illuminated the rear as well. Frank cranked up the loud speaker.

“This is the Picketsville sheriff’s office. You, in there, all of you, drop your weapons and come out with your hands on your head.”

“We’re federal agents. You stand down.”

Ike drove up and parked parallel to Frank, adding still more light to the scene. He stepped over and relieved Frank of the mike, motioning him to join the two men in the rear.

“You heard the man. Weapons down, hands on your head, now.”

“I said, we’re federal agents and you should stand down.”

“So you say. If you are, drop your IDs by the door as you come out, but I want your weapons on the floor, hands on your head. Last call before we assume you are a threat and start shooting.”

“You idiot. Can’t you hear? We’re the federal government and—”

“And you have no jurisdiction here, if you are the federal agency I think you are. Out!”

Another SUV pulled up next to his car. Charlie Garland stepped out.

“Everything under control here, Ike?”

“What took you so long? I was beginning to think these bozos were yours.”

“No, they are someone else’s bozos. Mine are around the corner waiting for me to call them in. These guys were recruited for this operation under the mistaken notion they were on an authorized raid, I think. Most of them have no idea why they’re here. Why don’t you fire your weapon or something?”

“No need, they’ll be out in a moment.” Ike keyed the microphone on. “I’m running out of patience, people…Who are they, Charlie, I mean besides rogue agents? Do they have a name?”

“As I said, most of them have no idea why they’ve been dragged down here. They think they’re on an intervention of some sort. This night is not going to look good in their personnel file, I can tell you. But the important thing is that one of them is trying, unsuccessfully as it turns out, to cover his ass. We’ll see when he comes out.”

***

“Tony, what the hell? They won’t budge. What do we do now? Those are local cops out there.”

“Come on, Lorraine. We’re leaving. Put your hands up in the air like the man outside said, and let’s get out of here.”

“You two stay put.” The leader inched to the window. “We have a hostage situation here. You need to pull back.”

“Tony, this is crazy. We have to get out, show them our ID and sort this out. We’re off the farm and we don’t have backup of any sort.”

“Shut up. You, what’s your name? Keep your eyes on these two guys. If they move, shoot.” Tony swung his Glock around and aimed it at the two men. The taller of the two studied the face behind the gun.

“You’re the man,” he said. “You are the contact Serak told us about. He said you would cover—”

“I said, shut up.”

A youngish and very anxious member of the federal group whose name, he’d told Tony repeatedly, was Saunders, pointed to the two men by the door, “Bullshit, this whole deal stinks. We’re out of here. You two, you first. Mr. and Mrs. Whoever the hell you are, you’re next.”

Lorraine and Louis moved to the door behind the two men.

“Why did you kill Franco?” she asked the one closest to her.

“Lorraine, for God’s sake, don’t start.”

The man shrugged. The second said, “Was an accident. Avi Kolb wanted information from him about that stupid icon and he wouldn’t talk. He jumped like a rabbit, like he wanted to run. Bang. Reflex. He was a bad man, lady. He deserved to die.”

“He was not a bad man.”

“You don’t know. You were stupid. He was a Jihadist. All you Americans are stupid when it comes to what the Jihadists mean to do to you. He wanted to hurt your country and mine as well. He was a bad man.”

“No, he was an art importer, he was…” Lorraine voice trailed off as the enormity of what had happened to her finally crystallized. Franco Sacci
was
Farouk Zaki, as she’d been told. He
had
used her to enter the country and it was all about that damned icon. Nothing more. She wanted to cry but was too scared.

“Out the door, Lorraine, before these people, whoever they are, panic and we get caught in the middle.” Louis shoved her out the door and followed her before anyone could stop them. The two men, Sacci’s killers, stepped through next.

***

“Well, well, Mr. and Mrs. Dakis. You are not good at following directions.” Ike said through the loudspeaker.

“Who are they?” Charlie asked.

“He is the man with the icon you so admired, and surely you recognize his wife. You visited her, did you not?”

“Is there anything you don’t know about this case?”

“You leave a wide path when you walk through the weeds, Charlie, but in this case, a good guess. What I don’t know is why the Dakises were in the house. They could have been killed.”

“Probably would have been if the others hadn’t arrived. And these two coming out now are your contracted operatives, I assume.”

“I think they must be. Dakises, over here. Now, you two, on the ground face down.”

The men dropped to the ground and lay face down in the grass. “We have diplomatic immunity,” one shouted.

“I don’t think so. Besides, you are in my jurisdiction now. I don’t see any flags on your bumper, no special license plates. How is that?”

Ike turned to Charlie. “These are my murder suspects. I am going to arrest them and put them in jail. If you have other plans for them, you will have to go through channels. Now, why
are
you here?”

“There are more people in there. I am interested in confirming who they are.”

“You don’t know?”

“I do, but I must be absolutely sure. I have back-up around the corner if we need it, by the way. Do we?”

“Let’s see how desperate your people in there are.”

Eden Saint Claire stepped out of the shadows and tapped Ike on the shoulder.

“My goodness, this is exciting. Are those people desperate criminals?”

“Sorry, Sheriff,” Claude said. “I tried to take her home but she wouldn’t go.”

“It’s okay, Claude…Ms. Saint Claire, let me introduce you to Charles Garland. You two have a lot in common. He specializes in fiction, too. Charlie, this is Ruth’s mother, Eden Saint Claire.”

“Really? Is that correct, Mr. Garland, you write fiction?”

“Your future son-in-law has a low sense of humor, Ms. Saint Claire. I am in the public relations business.”

“Oh, then you do write fiction.”

Ike returned to his microphone. “Okay, that leaves the rest of you. Out now with your hands on your heads. And please don’t tell me you are federal agents again. I have a real one out here and he says you aren’t. The back door is covered. You will come out now or we will come in and get you. You do not want that to happen.”