“This is a bit distracting. Let’s set down somewhere out of the way until Quintus arrives.”
Layla touched down above the ocean on a remote strip of land without a road nearby.
“Beautiful coastline,” Layla said.
“Very. Where are we?”
“The nearest town is Laredo, right over yonder. If we got up a bit higher we could see Bilbao on the horizon.”
Denise.
Yes. Coventina.
Just overheard a name where we are going.
What is it?
Alex Salin.
Got it.
Denise did a Google search of the name. “Only one in Spain.”
“Does it say what he does?”
“He is a she and Russian if this is the right person. She’s a banker.”
“Well, what bank?”
“This one,” pointing to an image on the screen.
“It’s going to be too late to talk to anyone when we get there, they’ll be closed.”
“Still, it may be a good place to start,” Denise said before stepping out of the car, Layla following.
“The wind is picking up.”
“Yes. That salty air can really travel on a windy day.”
Denise.
I am here.
Being told to hurry.
Are you certain you are going to Bilbao?
Yes. Alex is across from the Maman.
“Whoa. Across from this,” Denise said, showing Layla an image of the large sculpture outside the Guggenheim Museum.
“Impressive. A spider.”
“A spider indeed, and a true source of inspiration. I have an idea.”
The now familiar hum could barely be heard with that of the waves crashing below. They turned to see Quintus walking towards them, the light from a golden sunset glistening off the decoration on his scabbard when the wind blew his cloak aside.
“Greetings,” Layla said.
“Thank you for allowing me to accompany you.”
They filled him in on what they knew and decided they should head to Bilbao.
“I don’t know exactly where we are going, but I have a plan,” Denise said.
Denise.
Coventina.
They have finished putting on makeup. We will be leaving shortly.
What color is your dress?
White. I can’t explain why, but I feel very close to those I love in this moment.
When we meet I am certain you will know why. We have a good idea where you are going, so we are heading to Bilbao.
I will try to keep you informed of our progress.
Be strong. We will find you.
I believe you will.
38
Maman
“You know, it is not easy to eat on the run in Espana, at least not like spoiled Americans are accustomed to,” Layla said.
“I know,” Denise said, hopping back in the car with two Big Mac’s and two Cokes.
“Sometimes you simply must give in and stop at McDonald’s.”
“Yep. Let’s take five minutes. Even if they left when we did they won’t be here for nearly an hour.”
“Our meal was excellent today,” Quintus said.
“When you haven’t eaten all day, even a Big Mac tastes pretty good,” Layla laughed.
They quickly ate their meal and headed towards the Unibertsitate Etorbidea that ran along the river across from the Guggenheim Museum.
Before they got there, Layla put the Mustang into stealth.
Denise.
Coventina.
We are on our way. They are driving very fast.
Who is with you?
A man and a woman.
The woman who purchased you?
No, another.
Did they get you ready a certain way for the person you are being delivered to?
My hair had to be worn up and I had to practically be bathed in Chanel No. 5 perfume.
Good to know. Let me know when you reach Bilbao.
I will.
“Okay, this is the block, stop a minute,” Denise said.
“Can’t we just watch them pull up and free her?” Layla asked.
Free her, ala Gladius? Denise asked.
I see your point, but we’re here.
“I have an idea for how to do this without bloodshed but we must act quickly,” Denise said.
Denise activated her medallion and in an instant was dressed as a FedEx delivery person. “Can you do the car?”
Layla transformed the Mustang into the appearance of a small FedEx van.
“Pull up to that place with the white brick.”
Layla parked the Mustang in front of the first building and Denise exited.
“No package to deliver?”
“No. Here for a pickup,” Denise winked.
“Hey, I’d invite you in,” Layla laughed.
Denise walked up to the first building that actually had a list of four names of occupants.
Shit. Not this one.
Next.
Just in case. Coventina.
Denise.
What type of vehicle are you in?
A white BMW.
Thanks.
Denise. I can see the city growing larger.
Keep me updated.
Layla.
Darling.
They are in a white BMW.
Eyes open.
Denise walked up to the next residence. It had no name on or near the door, but she saw a bell and rang it. After a few moments a young woman asked who it was on the intercom. “FedEx. I have a pickup from Mrs. Salinas.”
“I’m sorry, but there is no one here by that name. Try the next block.”
“Thank you.”
Denise got back into the car. “Fuck. We’re running out of time. Let’s try the next block driver.”
“Okay boss.”
“Perhaps my way would be easier after all,” Quintus said.
“I hope to avoid bloodshed at all costs. Quintus these people are pretty scummy, but they have not harmed Coventina, at least not yet,” Denise said.
“Any of these?” Layla asked.
“No. Not this one either. Someone who landed in Forbes would not live there.”
Layla drove slowly to a fork in the road. “Not left.”
“Agreed.”
“Well now, that certainly looks like it might be a place a rich banker would live.”
Denise.
Coventina.
We are in the city.
Thanks. I will get right back to you.
Denise hopped out of the car and walked through the gate past a Mercedes and a BMW to the front door. The initials A. P. S. in gold letters hung above the doorbell. She pushed it. A male opened the door. “Yes?”
“I have a pickup scheduled from Mrs. Salinas,” Denise said.
“Mrs? Wait a moment,” he said before closing the door.
This is it.
Sweet.
Coventina.
Denise.
Who is driving the man or the woman?
The woman. We hit a little traffic. I hope that helps.
Thanks.
The man returned to the door. “I am afraid there must be some mistake. Ms. Salinas has no pickup for you.”
“Thank you. I will get ahold of my dispatcher and let them know.”
The man closed the door and Denise hurried back to the Mustang. “Quick. Get out of their view and into stealth,” she said.
“Okay, so what’s the plan?”
Denise looked at both Layla and Quintus and grinned.
Coventina.
Denise.
Describe those with you.
The woman has red hair, shoulder length, dressed from head to toe in black leather. The guy has black hair, well built, in a dark gray suit it looks like with no tie or anything like that.
Thanks.
39
Alex
“Quintus, change places with me,” Denise said.
; Denise stepped out of the vehicle, Quintus following her. When he looked up he saw the face of Coventina gazing back at him. “How’s my height, is the height accurate?” she asked.
Quintus could not speak for a moment.
“It will have to do. We must hurry,” she said, sliding into the back seat.
“Yes, the height is accurate,” Quintus said.
“Don’t let them see your Gladius,” Layla said.
Red shoulder length hair sweetie, in black leather from head to toe.
Affirmative, and oooh baby.
“One last thing. We must be a white BMW.”
Layla made it so. She drove around the corner and down the block before turning into the driveway where she parked.
“Quintus. Remember. You and Layla are each one of them and I am your property. Can you act as such?”
“I will try Coventina,” he said.
“Coventina. Very good. Let’s do this.”
The door opened as soon as Denise got out of the car.
“Come in please,” the same man that had answered earlier, said.
Please answer her questions. Denise said.
“Are there others here with you?” Layla said quietly.
“Just myself and your host. Ms. Salinas will be down directly. May I get you something to drink?”
“No, thank you,” Layla said.
Denise.
Coventina.
We are across from the Guggenheim and will be there any minute the way she is driving.
Don’t worry. Give them no reason to suspect you.
A tall woman with black hair came down the stairway. “Sorry to keep you waiting. With that red hair you must be Valeria.”
Baby they are almost here, and we are going to have to be them. Put her boy to sleep.
“Yes, that’s right,” Layla said.
“And the name of this delightful creature you have brought to me?”
Coventina. Remember that name for it was one of your mistakes in life. Layla said.
With a wave of her hand Alex’s assistant landed on the thick throw rug rather softly.
“Oh my, Jonathan, are you okay?” Alex said.
They’re pulling in the driveway. Put her out and get them out of view.
Quintus, follow Layla and those bodies upstairs and please stay out of sight,” Denise said.
“Yes Inquilina.”
I’ll get the door. Baby it’s important you come down as Alex. NO BLOODSHED, please.
The Mustang is still a white BMW, Layla said.
Doesn’t matter.
“Come in please,” Denise said, lowering her voice.
They entered and said nothing.
Denise.
Coventina.
We have entered a large house. She wore a worried look, as if she had been imagining the entire conversation.
Don’t worry, just do as you are told no matter how it seems.
Time to come down there darling? Layla asked.
“Ms. Salinas will be down directly. May I get you something to drink?”
Layla came walking down the staircase. “Sorry to keep you waiting. With that red hair you must be Valeria.”
Finally Denise saw a reaction from the suspicious looking couple.
“And the name of this delightful creature you have brought to me?” Layla said.
“Tell her your name,” Valeria said.
“Coventina,” she answered, defiantly looking Layla who appeared to be Alex in the eyes.
Layla winked. “You cannot imagine how happy we are to hear you say that,” she sighed.
I’m starving. Let’s get the hell out of here. Denise said.
With a few waves of her hand the couple was unconscious and traveling through the air up the stairs to the bedroom where they landed with a thud.
“Quintus, please come down,” Denise said. She deactivated her medallion and returned to her own appearance.
Layla returned to her form when Quintus descended the stairs.
Denise walked up to Coventina and gave her a big hug, followed by Layla.
She could not believe her eyes or control her emotions.
“Let it out baby,” Layla said.
“Coventina, may I present Quintus, the reason for us being here at this moment in time. Quintus, as I am very certain you already know, Coventina.”
There were tears streaming from his eyes.
“Come on. Let’s go get something to eat,” Denise said.
“I know a good place in York,” Layla said.
Quintus practically had to carry Coventina to the car. Once inside they pulled out of the driveway and vanished while driving down the Univertsitate Etorbidea across from the Maman.
40
York
“You look like you could use a good meal,” Layla said.
“Were you being fed?” Denise asked.
“My hands are still shaking,” Coventina said. “Yes. Bread and horrible sandwiches mostly. I trust I fared better than some others have.”
“Is there something you REALLY have a taste for?” Layla smiled.
“Oh my yes, a lot of things. Pizza. All that time spent in Italy and not a single bit of Italian food or pizza.”
“You just said the magic word. We love pizza,” Denise laughed.
“Quintus, is that alright with you?” Coventina asked.
“Quintus, est ut neque vos?” Denise asked.
“He does not speak English, yet,” Layla said.
“That wasn’t quite Italian,” Coventina said.
“Etiam Inquilina, quidem.”
“He says yes. If you speak Italian he will understand most of it surprisingly.”
“Great, it’s settled than, but how long will it take us to get there?” Coventina said.
“For pizza? Not long at all,” Layla laughed. “Fasten your seat belts.”
“She’s serious. Seat belts please,” Denise grinned.
The Mustang climbed high above Bilbao and in no time was over the ocean. Layla punched up the preset coordinates for York and within an hour they were touching down on Foss Island Road. She took them out of stealth and pulled into the parking lot of Frankie and Benny’s New York Italian Restaurant.
“Great, they are still open,” Layla said.
“I am going to have a million questions for you Denise,” Coventina said.
“I’m sure you will, but for now, let’s enjoy a good meal.”
When they walked in the door, Lucilla, Marcus, Anna and Odumnus were there already, sitting at a table. Anna ran up to Coventina and showered her in kisses and hugs.
“You two are amazing,” Lucilla said.
“Thanks, but it was nothing, really,” Denise said.
“The hard part was getting Quintus to keep his Gladius in its scabbard,” Layla laughed.
“Ooh, Quintus,” Lucilla said. She called him over to where they were standing.
“Lucilla.”
“I have a gift for you from our friends upstairs.” She added another medallion around his neck and activated it. “You can arrange these any way you feel comfortable,” she said in English.
He looked at her and laughed. Not only did he understand what she said in English, he could understand everyone in the room speaking English, including his fellow legionnaires. “How is this possible?” he asked. When he did, the words he spoke were in English.
“Nice accent,” Layla smiled.
“I am sure it is very complicated. It allows you to not only understand another language being spoken, but speak it when activated.”
“Amazing,” he laughed.
“I’ve already ordered for us all,” Anna said. “You’re favorite pizza will be here shortly.”
“Anna, seeing you safe is the high point of this evening,” Coventina smiled.
“We owe so much to these people.”
“All of the men are dressed in a similar fashion, is there a reason?” Coventina asked, flashing a loving smile at Quintus when their e
yes met.
“There is a lot to go over, but not here and not now. Let’s enjoy our freedom, our friends, and a pizza,” Anna giggled just as the waitress headed towards their tables carrying what would undoubtedly be one of the best tasting pizzas either of them had ever eaten.
41
Questions
Anna spent the night at Coventina’s home. Her smiling face was the first thing Coventina saw when she opened her eyes.
“Good morning.”
“You mean good afternoon,” Anna said.
“Really?”
“It is one in the afternoon.”
“My first real sleep in days.”
“I know the feeling. Are you hungry?”
“I’m not certain yet.”
“Good. You’re not starving,” Anna smiled.
“I know that smile all too well my dear.”
“First, a visit to the women who saved you. After, I’ve arranged for a double date for us.”
“Anna.”
“They are the real reason why we are not still God knows where, or even alive at this point.”
“I saw how you looked at Odumnus.”
“And you at Quintus.”
Anna went on to explain as much as she knew about the legionnaires and their friends upstairs.
“Are you serious?” Coventina asked.
“Absolutely. It’s quite beautiful up there, in space.”
“Well that I must see to believe.”
“I am sure it could be arranged.”
“So, had they not returned now, because Quintus believes I am the reincarnation of the very woman he was in love with, we would not be sitting here today, is that accurate?” Coventina said quietly.
“Yes. None of the others would even know we exist, or had existed.”
“Well then, I am dying to learn more. Where must we go to meet with Denise and Layla?”
“They are staying at the Monkbar Best Western Hotel.”
“I’m going to get ready.”
“Hungry?”
“Just some coffee,” Coventina said, before hopping in the shower.
“Please, be careful,” Esther said hugging her daughter before they left.
“I will mother.”
They hopped into Anna’s Mini Cooper her brother had dropped off and headed to York.
“I see no reason to stay, do you?” Layla said.
“I guess not. It’s all up to them now. I just cannot shake this feeling of dread, can’t quite put my finger on it.”
“It’s a natural reaction after what we’ve seen these past days.”
There was a knock at the door.
“Please let them in,” Denise said.
“Good rather late afternoon ladies, I trust you slept well.”
“Layla,” they chimed, Coventina bowing her head slightly. “Denise.”
“You look absolutely fabulous. Please, have a seat.”
“We both wanted to thank you again for all you’ve done,” Anna said.