Holdin' On for a Hero (119 page)

“Did you see that?” she exclaimed as the metal tightened around the Stones to lock them into place.

“Indeed,” Simon commented in a voice filled with awe.

“What is this thing supposed to do?” Max asked.

Nikki looked up at Simon across the table who nodded. She turned her attention to Max.

“Some say these are the supernatural stones of the Sumerian creator god, Enki, or Ea,” she said, pronouncing Ea. as aya. According to myth the Stones have the ability to open star gates as well as bring enlightenment.”

“Star gates?” Max asked and looked at his grandfather. “You subscribe to that theory?”

Simon pursed his lips for a moment. “Provisionally. The Stones do hold a prominent place in the mythology of the Sumerian and the Danaan.”

“The Danaan?”

“The Tuatha Dé Danaan,” Nikki said. “They’re thought to be the direct descendants or in some instances, reincarnations of the biblical Shining Ones, or Elohim, who were the creator gods.

“Some describe them as a race who are human in form, but divine in nature, and are divided into two separate classes—those who are shining and those who seem lit from within.

“The Sumerians called them Annunaki, while the Ish called them the Lords of Light. According to myth they were led by E.A. and when they came to earth they brought with them four treasures, the Sword of Destiny, the Cup of Destiny, the Staff or Spear of Destiny and the Stone of Destiny.”

“Supposedly the treasures were housed in what was called the Cave of Treasures, inside the Mountain of God where a perpetual flame burns.”

She paused and Simon took up the narrative, impressing her with his knowledge.

“In the early Nineties an archaeological lecturer at the National University of Ireland announced that he’d located a subterranean temple at Tara. He found it using an underground radar device.

“What they uncovered on the Hill of Tara was incredible. An enormous oval-shaped monument that measured one hundred and seventy meters at its widest point. There are three hundred post holds, two meters wide each, encircling it. Archaeological evidence supports that at one time three hundred oak posts of towering proportions surrounded the hill.

“Tara was regarded as being the Mountain of God, and the Ish-Tar Gate to the Otherworld. There are passage tombs catacombing the surrounding countryside, these passage tombs are called Sidhe.”

“She?” Max asked, pronouncing the word the same way Simon had.

Nikki chuckled. “Probably a pun on the She People or Shining Ones, the She-Ning Ones, those who worshipped Ana, the Great Mother of all things living. Tara is very important. From the beginning of Irish mythology, Celtic rites were performed there.”

“And the Stones?” Max asked, directing the topic back to what lay on the table before them.

“According to the myths, the Danaan possessed the ability to control the light of the sun through the power of a magical blue stone, a Stone of Atlantis. This stone forms the basis for Irish mythology.”

“And interestingly,” Simon added, “the Stone of Ana found at Tara Hill is believed to be none other than the Stone of Luz.”

“Luz?” Max asked, his brow furrowing slightly. “Wait, I know that. Luz was the stone of light. The Stone Jacob placed on his head and saw the ladder leading to heaven.”

“Exactly!” Nikki said enthusiastically. “Now, the Sumerian myths tell us that the Stones symbolize the exotic matter of the universe. Some call it missing, hidden or black matter, and it’s been referred to as the Philosopher’s Stone in some traditions. Supposedly, the Stones were originally black, but when crystallized into Earth’s density, the stones shifted their vibration into blue stones—well, actually tones. We see symbols for them throughout history, a cluster of three orbs. And this symbolizes the Life Force of God. It’s said that when a human is in resonance with the Life Force of the stones they are transformed from human to god.”

Max looked down at the device. “So not only does this device supposedly enable travel between stars, but it bequeaths immortality.”

“In a nutshell, yes,” Nikki said with a smile at his succinct summation.

“And that makes it something more dangerous than a nuclear bomb,” Max said and looked from her to his grandfather. “If true, this thing could incite a war. Do you realize what people would do to get their hands on something that promised such power?”

“All too well,” Simon answered. “We of the Society have worked for centuries to prevent such an occurrence.”

“I think it’s time for me to learn more about this Society,” Max said. “But first, we have things closer to home to deal with.”

“And I believe you said you had an idea?”

“Yes, but I need your help and your contacts.”

“Everything I possess is at your disposal, my boy.”

Max nodded. “Okay, I need to see a judge.”

“A judge?” Nikki asked.

Simon chuckled and she looked at him in perplexity. “Forgive me, my dear. I simply understand where Maxwell—forgive me—Max is headed.”

“And that is?”

“Liberation,” Max replied with a grin at his grandfather.

Simon nodded. “Time to prepare, children. We have a journey to make.”

“We’re going somewhere?” Nikki asked, feeling lost in the conversation.

“Indeed. I’ll make arrangements immediately. We leave tonight. Nikki, please wrap the device and prepare it for our journey.”

“We’re taking it with us? Won’t that be dangerous?”

“Not nearly so dangerous as letting it out of our sight. Now, if you’ll excuse me I have much to do.”

Nikki watched him leave the room then turned to Max. “Okay, you’ve lost me. Where are we going and why?”

“We’re going to Washington, and when we get there I’ll reclaim what is mine.”

The way he said it gave her a sudden vision of an ancient ruler, setting out to do battle and take back what had been taken from him. Reclaim his power and his rule. It sent a thrill racing through her. The continued emergence of Max’s true nature was exciting to witness. And not just intellectually.

“I don’t suppose we have time for a nap and a shower,” she suggested, moving to run her hands up his chest to circle his neck.

Max’s smile was part predator and all smoldering sexuality. “We’ll make time,” he said before he claimed her in a kiss that had her vibrating every bit as much as the device on the table behind them.

* * * * *

Nikki sat in a waiting room with Ben. Both of them were nervous as cats surrounded by water.

“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” Ben said. “Testifying that I hacked into sensitive material is admitting to hacking, after all.”

“Simon explained it,” she argued. “As head of IT security for all of Weston Enterprises, it’s your job to make sure everything is secure and that none of the employees are secreting sensitive material where it could be leaked.”

“But the data I hacked has nothing to do with security or business, Nik.”

“No, but it has to do with illegal activities of officers and associates of Weston and it’s your duty to report what you found to Simon.”

“Who isn’t an active officer of Weston.”

“But who is still Chairman of the Board and majority stockholder next to Max.”

“True, but still.”

“Don’t worry,” she said and reached out to take his hand. “Max and Simon will protect you.”

“You trust them that much?” he asked. “After all, your head is on the chopping block too.”

“I know, but they’ll protect us, Ben. Max will. I’d stake my life on it.”

“Which is just what we’re doing. You’re really gone on him, aren’t you?”

“Completely.”

He grinned and squeezed her hand. “I just hope all this works out.”

“It has to,” she whispered, then stiffened as the door opened and the clerk for the judge addressed them.

“He’ll see you now.”

Hand in hand, Nikki and Ben rose and followed the clerk to the judge’s private chambers. “Here we go,” she whispered.

“Yep,” he said and released her hand. “It’s show time.”

Judge Everett Moore was seated behind his desk when Nikki and Ben entered. Max was seated on a leather couch on one side of the room, beneath an oil painting of the Revolutionary war. Simon sat in his wheelchair beside the sofa.

“Miss Morgan, Mr. Marshall.” Judge Moore looked up at them and gestured to the two leather wing-chairs sitting in front of his desk. “Please, have a seat.”

Nikki cut her eyes over at Max who smiled at her. She sat down and focused her attention on the Judge. And for the next two hours answered honestly to every question he asked, while managing to evade revealing anything about the devise or the stones other than them being ancient artifacts belonging to a private organization to which Simon belonged.

The judge had fewer questions for Ben once he finished with Nikki. He had just asked what he called his final question when a tap sounded on the door. The door opened and the judge’s clerk entered. “Excuse the interruption, your Honor, but I believe there is something on the news you’ll want to see.” He headed for the television in one corner of the room, adding, “All of you.”

Nikki and Ben turned in their seats to see the television as it came to life and the clerk changed to an all-news channel. There was a newscast already in progress with a graphic banner at the bottom of the screen announcing “breaking news.”

A female reporter was on camera. Nikki gasped as she recognized the gate to the Weston estate in the background. “All that is known at this time,” the reporter was saying, “is that Richard Weston, president of Weston Enterprises, apparently died of a heart attack here on the Weston estate sometime between the hours of four and six a.m. this morning.”

The screen cut from the reporter to various news clips showing Richard at social and political functions and with various politicians. The reporter’s voice droned on about Richard’s position, power and social standing. Nikki didn’t really hear any of it past the announcement of his death. She whirled around to look at Max and Simon.

Both of their faces wore looks almost identical. Nikki could sense Max’s thoughts and felt certain that could she hear what was going on in Simon’s mind, his thoughts would mirror Max’s.

You don’t think they really did it?
she thought.

Max’s mental reply was immediate.
Yes, I do.

Then what do we do?

Simon provided the answer when he turned to look at the judge. “I believe this substantiates our position quite clearly, your Honor. As evidenced on the video footage we showed you earlier of Helen Weston and Mark Robinson plotting the demise of my son and grandson.”

“So it would seem,” the judge commented and turned his attention to Max. “Based on the reports I have here from multiple physicians and psychiatrists who have examined you in the last week, and the evidence produced by yourself, your grandfather and Mr. Marshall, and supported by the testimony of Ms. Morgan, I am granting your petition, Mr. Weston. Effective immediately.”

The judge scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to his clerk. “See that this is filed immediately.”

He stood and walked over to Simon. “My condolences, old friend. If there’s anything I can do, say the word.”

“Your dispensation of justice today is all I could wish for,” Simon replied and took the judge’s hand. “Thank you, Everett. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have pressing family matters to attend to.”

“Yes, I imagine so. Stay in touch, Simon. It’s been too long since we sat and enjoyed a good cigar, glass of brandy and stimulating conversation.”

“Indeed. We’ll remedy that, my friend. My gratitude.” He looked at Max and Nikki. “Shall we?”

Max went behind Simon’s chair and pushed him from the judge’s chambers with Nikki and Ben in tow. Simon was already on his cell phone directing his security and his driver where to pick them up.

“Now what?” Ben asked as Max steered Simon toward a side exit of the courthouse as Simon closed his cell phone.

“Now we go home and make right what has been wrong far too long,” Simon replied.

“Aren’t we going back to the hotel for our stuff?” Nikki asked.

“I have people attending to that,” Simon answered and looked over his shoulder at Max. “Are you ready, my boy?”

“Born ready,” Max said firmly.

“Then let the next chapter begin.”

Chapter Fifteen

They arrived at the Weston estate to a media frenzy. Thanks to Simon’s directives, the press had been allowed to congregate in front of the mansion. As the limo pulled up, Nikki could see Mark Robinson and Helen walk out of the front door. A dozen reporters started shouting questions, while cameramen with video and still equipment focused in on the couple.

But attention shifted as the limo rolled to a stop and the driver got out assisting Simon into his wheelchair. Max got out and steered Simon’s chair up the access ramp to the front door. Nikki followed behind him, trying not to look like the scared mouse she felt as reporters began calling out questions to Simon. Ben fell in behind her.

Helen gaped at Max and Simon in complete shock as Max rolled Simon to the center of the landing and turned him to face the press. Nikki and Ben stood off to the side to watch. She couldn’t help but swell with pride at the self-confidence Max displayed.

‘Thank you for coming,” Simon said, bringing a hush to the crowd. “This is both a sad and joyous day for my family. The news of my son’s death brought great sorrow. But even in the light of sadness there is a balance of joy. Today, I am pleased to announce that Weston Enterprises will not, as assumed, fall to the leadership of those unqualified to run it. My grandson, Max Weston, the majority stockholder, will assume the position of Chief Executive Officer of Weston Enterprises. I remain chairman of the board.

“It is with regret that we announce the resignation of Mark Robinson as head of security. But, in keeping with the tone of balance, we are proud to welcome Benjamin Marshall as the new vice president of security for Weston Enterprises.”

He gestured toward Ben, who blanched a bit as camera turned toward him.

“Now…” Simon drew attention back to himself. “I am proud to present the new CEO of Weston Enterprises, my grandson, Max.”

A flurry of questions were shouted as Max stepped up beside Simon, keeping one hand on Simon’s shoulder. He raised his free hand to quiet the questions. “As my grandfather said, this is a sad day for our family.”

Nikki watched Helen and Mark as Max spoke. The looks on their faces were of complete shock, mixed with a liberal amount of fear. She smiled and turned her attention back to Max.

“I will be pleased to answer all of your questions at a later date,” he said. “But today is a time for family. So, if you’ll please excuse us, we would appreciate some privacy until we’ve had sufficient time to mourn the death of my father. Thank you.”

Nikki was stunned at the masterful way Max handled the press, and the respect he commanded. There were no other questions asked. Cameras snapped and filmed as Max walked over, shook hands with Ben and gestured for the limo driver. As Ben walked to the car, Max turned took her hand and together they walked over to Simon, following as Simon steered past Helen and Mark Robinson to enter the mansion.

If looks could kill, Nikki figured they would all be dead, considering the way Helen and Mark looked at them as they passed. After a moment they followed. Once inside, Helen marched quickly to step in the way of Simon’s chair. “If you think for one moment that—”

“Silence!” Simon virtually bellowed, earning a look of shock from Helen. “Max, if you please, let us retire to the pool terrace. That seems a fitting locale for a family discussion.”

No one argued as Max wheeled Simon through the foyer. Louise and Osgood stood watching silently. Max stopped beside them and Simon reached out to grasp her hand for a moment. “Please see that we are not disturbed, my dear.”

“Of course,” she promised.

Max wheeled Simon to the pool terrace and parked him in front of a seating group to one side of the pool.

“Please, be seated,” he said as everyone filed in behind him.

“I will not sit and I will not be ordered around by—”

“Sit down!” Max’s voice held enough command to have everyone hurrying to find a seat. He pulled a chair over beside Simon for Nikki, then moved to the opposite side of Simon’s wheelchair, remaining standing, looking down at his mother and Mark while Simon took the lead.

“You have twenty-four hours to vacate this estate, Helen,” Simon said. “You and Mark will leave this city, and this state, and never return. You’ll be provided with annual funding in the amount of two hundred thousand dollars for living expenses and are allowed to take any jewelry you own with you. But you will sign over all rights to Richard’s estate to Maxwell before you leave. And Mr. Robinson, you—”

“I will do no such thing!” Helen cut in. “I’m entitled to Richard’s estate and not you or you…” she looked at Max, “will deny me what is rightfully mine.”

“Oh but you will,” Max said. “You see, Mother…” He put enough scorn in the word to cause her face to flush. “Not only do I remember what you did, I have proof. And unless you agree to the terms we offer, that proof will find its way, along with a videotaped confession of your guilt, to the state prosecutor by day’s end.”

Helen’s eyes were round with surprise, but narrowed maliciously. “I don’t believe you. There’s no way you can prove me guilty of wrongdoing and—”

“Shut up,” Max ordered. “I saw you kill Lucien that night. And throw the artifact you used to bash his head in at Father. And you know I saw it because after I took the artifact you followed me to my suite and tried to kill me.”

“That’s a lie!”

“No, that’s the truth. I was lying across the bed, trying to decide what to do about what I’d seen when you entered. You sat down beside me and stuck a needle in my neck, intending to kill me. I remember your exact words. “You’ll not ruin my life, you miserable bastard. You’ll never say one word about this to anyone. Not one single word.” And the next thing I knew I was waking and couldn’t speak or remember what had happened. But I remember now.”

“Lies!” she hissed and turned to Mark. “Tell them, it’s all lies!”

Mark turned narrowed eyes on Max. “Nice story but there’s no proof.”

“Oh yes there is.” Nikki saw an opportunity to help and chimed in. She pulled the device from her purse. It was still enclosed inside a plastic bag. She removed it from the bag. “We had it tested for blood and the blood contained on it matched to Lucien’s blood found at the scene of the murder. And there were prints on it matching Lucien’s, Max’s and Helen’s.”

“Proving only that those three people had touched it. Not that she had used it to murder the man,” Mark retorted smugly.

“But your confession takes care of that,” Simon said.

Mark regarded him for a moment. “Another bit of manufactured evidence, Simon?”

“Hardly,” Simon replied. “We installed equipment here for surveillance purposes and during a visit with Helen you and she discussed not only the murder, but plans to kill Richard and Max. If,” he added, “you could manage to find him. I see that you succeeded in killing my son, but that will soon come to light as well. As we speak, Richard’s body is being autopsied. Whatever you used to cause the heart attack will be uncovered.”

“Not to mention the horrific video footage we have of Abernathy’s death,” Max added.

“That’s bullshit,” Mark argued.

“Hardly,” Simon retorted. “We know you killed them. Just as we know that the maid, Deborah, did not commit suicide. We’re aware you murdered her as well, in order to protect yourself.”

“A string of murder charges to face,” Max said. “There’s no way you’ll walk. You’ll get the death penalty, or life without parole if you’re lucky. Be smart. Take the deal.”

“I have a better idea,” Mark said at the same moment he pulled a handgun from inside his jacket and pointed it in Max and Simon’s direction. He stood, keeping his eyes on them. “Being the unbalanced individual you are, you attacked your mother. When I tried to stop you, you grabbed my weapon. We struggled and in the struggle the weapon discharged, killing Simon and Miss Morgan. Sadly, in the end, you were killed as well.”

“You’ll never make that lame duck fly,” Max replied without fear.

“Oh, but I will,” Mark said with a smile and his finger tightened on the trigger.

Nikki had a flash in her mind. Max lying on the floor in a pool of blood. Simon slumped over in his chair, his chest blood-soaked. Suddenly time seemed to slow to a crawl. She knew what she had to do.

She lunged from her chair a split second before Mark fired, diving over Simon and into Max. She felt a searing pain in her back. “Max,” she managed to gasp just before the world went black.

Max saw her move and reached for her, trying to pull her out of harm’s way, but was a moment too late. He felt her jerk as she slammed into him. Her eyes went wide and she gasped his name then her eyes rolled back and she collapsed against him.

Grief and rage filled his mind so complete that he had no thought for his own safety. He lowered her to the floor and before anyone could react, launched himself at Mark.

The gun went off and he felt the air beside his head heat with the passage of the bullet. A moment later he slammed into Mark, taking him backward over the chair. Mark tried to get the gun pointed at Max as they hit the floor. Max had the advantage and grabbed Mark’s wrist to slam it on the floor. The gun discharged again and Helen screamed.

Max slammed Mark’s wrist down again and Mark released the weapon. It skidded off a few feet to one side. Helen continued to scream hysterically, trying to make her way to the weapon on the floor.

Max made a dive for it and grabbed it a second before Helen could. He threw it across the room and grunted as Mark pounced on top of him, grabbing him by the hair to pound his head into the tiled floor.

Max spat blood, roared and bucked, dislodging Mark. He dove on top of Mark and rained blows on him. It was not until Simon’s voice filtered in through the red haze that clouded Max’s mind that he realized Mark was lying limp and bloody beneath him and Osgood was trying to pull him off Mark. He shook Osgood off and bolted to his feet at the same moment Helen reached the weapon. He grabbed her wrist and slung her as hard as he could. She hit the bar and crumpled to the floor.

Max raced to Nikki. Simon had managed to slide out of his chair and was cradling her limp body in his arms. Louise knelt beside him, her arm draped protectively over his shoulders. “The device,” Simon said frantically. “Where’s the device?”

Max looked around and spotted it on the floor. He snatched it up and gave it to Simon. “What good will this do?”

“We’re about to find out.” Simon laid the device on her chest, grabbed Max’s hand and clamped it beneath his on top of the device. “If there are indeed gods, Max, pray to them now.”

Max had no clue if it would work, but what other chance was there. She wasn’t breathing.
Save her. Don’t let her die. Please, please, save her.

There was a brilliant flare of light that blinded him. When it faded he found himself looking at Simon, sitting on the floor with Louise kneeling beside him. Nikki lay still in death.

“It didn’t work.”  Max felt a weigh pressing down on him, cutting off his breath.  He’d lost her.  All this.  All she’d done to save him and he’d let her down.

* * * * *

Suddenly she gasped and her eyes flew open. “Nikki!” Max grabbed her by the shoulders. “You’re alive.”

“That’s kind of stating the obvious,” she said and looked around. “What about your mother and—”

“Both unconscious,” Max

Max hugged her to him. “I thought I’d lost you.”

“Not today,” she replied, clinging to him for a moment then pulling back. “And later I want to know how the hell you saved me, but right now, let’s get this mess settled.”

“An excellent idea,” Simon said and pulled his cell phone from his pocket.

While he placed a call to the authorities, Nikki let Max pull her to her feet and lead her a few feet away. “I thought I’d lost you.”

“I’m not going to be that easy to get rid of, Mr. Weston,” She teased, then grew serious. Something niggled at the edge of consciousness, something she needed to do. “The device!” He looked around. “Where is it?”

“Don’t you know?”

“No.”

“Simon? Oh, god Simon!” She turned and hurried to Simon. “Let me help you.”

“I fear it will take more than your strength to lift me, my dear.”

“Let me,” Max offered.

“No,” Nikki couldn’t explain it, but she knew throughout her being that something important was to happen. ,”Please, I have to do this. Please, Simon. Take my hand.”

“Do as she asks,” Louise encouraged and stood.

He looked at Louise then at her questioningly but took Nikki’s hand. His eyes grew round and he gasped, then smiled, then broke out into a laugh. She laughed along with him and pulled.

Simon stood. She released his hand and for a moment he stood frozen in place, a look of uncertainty coming over his face. Then he moved one foot. His face split into a huge grin and he took another step, then another and suddenly pivoted, grabbed Louise around the waist and spun her around, laughing like crazy.

“I don’t believe it!” Max exclaimed. “How…”

“I don’t know,” Nikki, said with a smile, hooking her arm around his waist and watching Simon dance Louise around the floor. “But isn’t it marvelous?”