Previously On The Maya...
The ride up the mountain continues. The conversation turns back to the fertilizer plant explosion and how healthcare is handled on the Isle of Use. There is no health insurance, so patients pay out of pocket. Overall expenses are lower, however, and many people lead healthy, active lives, so visiting the doctor isn't something they do regularly.
The party reaches a wall, gate and sentry station. After being waved through, the limousine arrives at the home of Tuscon and Lilith Sutton. The grounds rival that of a palace. Sutton explains there are 30 people living there. Lilith says there used to be double that, but, "Things don't last forever."
The Maya—a living legend covert operative-for-hire that no one she encounters can remember.
George Kirkegaard—a former newspaper owner forced out of business by state government.
Paloma Reyes—an intriguing woman Kirkegaard never thought he'd see again.
Eugenio Stavros—a shipping magnate on a trip to the mysterious Isle of Use to renegotiate a steel contract.
Amara Barclay—a savvy, independent multi-millionaire entrepreneur and socialite with unparalleled beauty.
Mr. Tic and Mr. Snake—two U.S. government officials running off-the-books dark ops involving The Maya.
And now...the next installment of The Maya.
"Where's Mom and Dad?"
The tall teenage girl with long blonde hair stood in the doorway as the Suttons and their guests entered the house. They stood in the spacious entry way. Behind them was the wrap around staircase. The floor was fashioned out of rock, the walls matching. A huge chandelier hung down from the ceiling. Kirkegaard couldn't help but stare at his surroundings. Even Stavros and Amara seemed taken in by it. Paloma, Simmons and Haley appeared more concerned with the conversation between the Suttons and their grand daughter than they were about the house.
"Everyone, this is Elsa, our second daughter's oldest child," Sutton said.
The six guests all gave some form of greeting. Paloma was the only one to give Elsa a hug. "Nice to meet you," she said.
"They'll be along shortly, dear," Lilith said, finally answering Elsa's question, as she took her turn to wrap an arm around the girl.
"They're okay, aren't they?" Elsa looked from one grandparent to the other. "We heard about the explosion."
"Yes, everyone on the yacht is fine," Lilith said. "We were far enough away, but it was frightening. We don't know much about it. Is it on the news already?"
"No. Carl told Allen, Scott and me," Elsa said.
Lilith leaned into Paloma. "Allen is one of Elsa's brothers. Scott's a cousin. He's the oldest of our third daughter."
Sutton came around to Elsa. "He did, did he?"
Elsa nodded. "The last time I heard anything, the rescue crews were on their way."
"Good evening, sir." The voice came from the south hall.
"Ah, Carson," Sutton said, turning to look at the man in formal attire walking their way. "I was wondering where you were off to."
"Elsa beat me to the door," Carson said with faux concern, "Again."
"Maybe I should hire her on, then," Sutton said. He couldn't help but smile.
"All the grandchildren but the three oldest are in bed," Carson said. "Allen and Scott are with Mr. Hammond."
"I should go see him, too," Sutton said. "Would you please show our guests to their quarters?"
"It would be my pleasure," Carson said, bowing in the general direction of all the guests. "This way, please."
"I'll come, too," Lilith said, hooking Paloma's arm. She gave her a wink. "Make sure you don't get lost."
"Thank you," Paloma smiled.
The house was simply the largest dwelling Kirkegaard had ever entered. He figured Stavros and Amara had been in homes that at least rivaled it, but they appeared as impressed as he and Paloma were. Simmons had the White House to compare it, too, along with its position as a seat of power, and Haley had been here at least once before.
Their rooms were all on the first floor, in the south wing. The pairs were given rooms directly across from each other. The rooms were large, each with their own bathrooms, which were marble walled and tiled. Ferns and other tropical plants livened up all rooms. The beds varied, some were four poster with canopies, others had elaborate head and foot boards, but all were queen-sized. They were covered with silk sheets, pillow cases and spread. Colors were the same, a deep forest green for the walls, offset by a white ceiling, with a thick, plush burgundy carpet.
"You're welcome to change into something less formal, if you like," Lilith said, as her guests each stood in the doorway of the room, "Then, just come back the way we came in and I'll meet you back in the entryway." With a wave, she left them to decide what they would do.
"I wondered how that was going to work," Paloma said.
"It was pretty amazing the first time I was here," Haley said. She and Simmons had the rooms closest to the entry way, followed by Paloma and Kirkegaard, then Stavros and Amara. She peeked around to look at Paloma.
"Did they take our measurements and send it to the tailor?" Kirkegaard said, half-jokingly.
"Something like that," Haley said. "Our pictures were sent to the matron, who then selected sizes and styles from racks of clothes they have somewhere in the house. I haven't seen it, but I was told it looks like a store."
"This ought to be fun," Stavros said, stabbing a finger toward Amara's room. Amara was already inside her closet, looking at the dresses, blouses and skirts she was given. The chest of drawers was also filled with items, and several kinds of shoes lined the floor of the closet.
Kirkegaard nodded knowingly and went in to look through his own options. Of the group, he figured he was the easiest to please. There weren't any T-shirts and jeans, like he wore on the plane down, but the shirts were far from formal or business attire, as were the pants. There was even a couple of suits, replete with vests and coats.
He stuck with casual, a nice looking but comfortable cotton button down shirt and some khakis. Both fit him better than what he normally bought for himself. Since it only took him a few minutes to decide and change, he was the first out in the hallway. A moment later, he was joined by Paloma, who was wearing a very simple white dress with a cluster of colorful flowers down each side.
"No pants, eh?" Kierkegaard asked, with a wink.
"I don't normally wear those," she smiled back. "Remember?"
He did. It was hard not to. Paloma was among the most feminine women he had ever met. That might not be saying a whole lot, but the time he had spent with her in Washington, DC, not once did she show up in pants. Dresses or skirts were her favorite, and apparently the matron, whoever that was, figured that out about Paloma, too.
Haley was next, who came out the most casual of all, in a T-shirt and pajama bottoms. That and a quick change in hairstyle made her look much younger. Stavros followed, wearing a polo shirt and white pants, then Simmons, who looked at first bedeviled, and then rather sheepish as he sported a light blue shirt and slacks.
"I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb, aren't I?" he said, looking at the rest. "Old habits die hard."
"You look good," Haley said. "Old man Tuscon will appreciate the touch of class."
"Perhaps I should change?" Stavros thought out loud. He was met with a round of no's.
"Lilith did say less formal," Paloma said. Then with her smile radiating up a notch, to Simmons she said, "If we wanted to."
"Any bets on how long it's going to take for Amara to change?" Stavros asked, his own smile widening. By now, the group had been gathered together for about five minutes. In total fifteen had passed.
"She could get lost in that closet," Kirkegaard said.
"Perhaps I should..." Stavros stepped toward Amara's door, intent on knocking. He was interrupted by the sound of dress shoes on stone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you please." The voice came from down the corridor. Stavros paused and turned away from the door. It was Carson. "I'm afraid I'm going to need to ask each of you to accompany me right away to the safe room."
"Safe room? Didn't Lilith say meet in the entryway?" Paloma asked.
"Is there something wrong?" It was Simmons.
"Quite," Carson said. "Apparently, we have an intruder."
The reveal returned shocked stares.
"How did...?" Kirkegaard started, but he was interrupted.
"I need to get Amara," Stavros said. He knocked on her door. After a moment of no answer, he knocked again. He tried the knob but the door was locked.
Carson came over, producing a card which he then swiped over a blinking sensor. The locking mechanism tumbled and Stavros pushed through. On the bed was Amara's gown and undergarments, but after a search of the closet, the bathroom, the locked windows, and even under the bed, Stavros came back with a shrug.
"She's not here."
Copyright © Glen Anthony Albrethsen, 2014-2018. All rights reserved.
About This Post
This is the final installment of The Maya. While the story is yet to be finished, I hope you enjoyed what you were able to read. I really enjoyed serializing this work in progress.