The Golden Chalice (17 page)

“Fuck you!” she shouted at her image. If she had something, she’d throw it at the mirror. Instead, she looked for her shoes. In the bathroom, she managed to comb her hair and gargle some mouthwash. It was the best she could do.

“Now where the hell are my keys?” she mumbled.

The phone rang. Sasha rolled her eyes to the ceiling. She’d heard one of Lee’s men say the other day, when he stopped by to bring her money, that the boss had returned. The damn fool thought her sister was alive. He’d been all over the world searching for her. It was so damn stupid.

Sasha marched over to the phone and snatched it up. “Hello!”

“I want to see you. Today. I’ll send a car in an hour.”

“I, um, can’t, Lee. I have a doctor’s appointment,” she lied.

“Have you been drinking?”

Sasha smirked. “Why?”

“I’m home now. I want to talk to you. I….” Lee’s voice trailed off. “This afternoon I’ll send a car. We need to talk about Michelle.”

“No, dammit! No! My sister is dead. Get it through your damn skull. She’s dead. And you know what, Lee, so am I. Leave me the hell alone.” She slammed down the phone. She didn’t care if she incurred his wrath. She had no feelings left. All she wanted was another glass of vodka and some sleep. Maybe tonight she’d watch some of her favorite TV shows. Yep. That sounded like a perfect day.

When she left her apartment for the short walk to the liquor store, she groaned because she didn’t have her sunglasses. She could barely see the sidewalk or the people moving to and fro in front of her. She kept blinking and frowning up at the sun. Sasha turned a corner and walked with her arms crossed. She needed a car. Problem was she didn’t have anything if she didn’t get it from Lee. Remembering how her sister had opened her eyes to that reality, she had to chuckle bitterly.

“
How much money do you have
?”

“
Well, I got about six grand upstairs, in my suitcase. Why
?”
Sasha asked
.

“
You worked on a job worth millions. On the street, it would have easily bought you three, maybe five mill, and you have six thousand dollars. Cash. Nothing in the bank? Nothing in your name
?”

Sasha shrugged
. “
If I want anything, a car, shopping, anything, I can have it. Lee gives us both what we want. You know that
.”

Michelle sat down. Her sister shook her head in disgust
. “
I thought you were dumb. Truth is, you’re just stupid
.”

“
Wait a damn minute
.”

“
Shut up
!”
Michelle yelled
.

Sasha sniffled. She wiped a loose tear from her cheek. She missed Michelle. She missed her father. Most of all she missed, Kumar. She went inside the liquor store and grabbed several bottles of Grey Goose. The man knew her well. She tossed him some bills, not bothering to count the change, and accepted her bags. With her head bowed, she was out the door and on the sidewalk again, lost in her memories.

The screeching tires of a car didn’t alarm her. Neither did the sounds of running feet. In her misery, Sasha kept going. A hand touched her shoulder. She stopped, confused.

“You need to come with me,” the man said.

Sasha sighed. Lee had sent for her. She should have known he would. The man looked at her as if he was prepared to take her by force. There would be no need. As long as he didn’t try to take her bottles from her she didn’t care where she went to drink them. He turned her toward the car and she got in the back seat. When she glanced at the driver she frowned. The car didn’t look like Lee’s. These men were dressed too average. Off-the-rack blue suits and ties. They felt more authoritative than anything. “Are you with Lee?” she asked, and her voice trembled.

“My name is Humphrey. Agent Humphrey. I’m with the FBI.”

Sasha sighed. “Damn.”

She was brought to an office building and led inside without handcuffs. No one seemed the least bit interested in her arrival. She looked around with fear, making the vodka in her belly bubble. She felt like she’d throw up.

“Wait in here,” the man said as he led her to a room.

There was nothing inside but a table and a few chairs. She nodded and went inside. Now her life would have the final chapter. Jail. She had a lot of fears and concerns when living as a thief, but jail was never one of them. If she thought of consequences, she’d never have been able to do what she’d done. What would prison be like? She’d be alone, but she was already alone. Sasha hung her head.

She cried, something she did often.

The door opened and closed. Sasha wiped at her eyes. “I want an attorney. You can’t hold me without an attorney. I know my rights!” she said, looking up.

Kumar smiled at her.

Sasha blinked. Her hand went to her chest. She’d seen Kumar before, when the drinking got the best of her and her mind conjured him.

“Hi, babe. Miss me?”

“Kumar?”

He nodded.

Sasha rose. “Kumar?”

He walked over to her and pulled her into an embrace. Sasha threw her arms around him and wept against his chest. She held tight to him. “Is it you. Am I dreaming? Please, God, don’t let this be another dream.”

Kumar lifted her chin. He smiled down at her. “It’s me, sweetheart. I’ve found you. At last.”

“But…how?”

“A long story. I’m alive, and we’re going to be okay.”

“No. No. The Feds?”

“They want to talk to you, Sasha. I want you to talk to them. Listen to me. This is our chance. I told you I’d find a way for us to be together. I have. Do you trust me?”

“You let me think you were dead!” She shoved him away. “I thought you were dead!”

Kumar dropped his head in shame. “I know. I wanted to find you, to tell you, but I couldn’t. I told them I wouldn’t help them. I’d go to prison if they didn’t cut me a deal.” He cupped her face and stared into her eyes. “And my deal was you, babe. I want you and only you. They can put us on the moon as long we’re together.”

“I….” Sasha sniffled. “I’m different. I’ve, um, I’ve started drinking.”

“We’ll get help. The both of us. We’ll do whatever it takes to be whole again. Together? Okay?”

Sasha closed her eyes and felt the relief of his love fill her to the brim. She nodded sadly and he kissed her. His arms closed around her and she reveled in the feel of him. “I love you so much, Kumar.”

“I love you, too. Always and forever.”

***

Six Months Later—Gostei, Portugal

The dusty blades on the fan spun hot wind. Even with her hair pulled back and pinned to her head, she constantly found herself fanning or wiping to cool off. The students, however, flourished. Today they were all abuzz over the pending weekend and festival in Carnunca.

“
Señora Miller. Señora
!
Mira lo que hice
!”

“English, Pedro.” Michelle smiled.

“
Sí
, look at what I done.”

“
Did
. ‘Look at what I did.’”

“
Sí
. Look!”

Michelle accepted the paper. She scanned the sentences for structure and punctuation. He had improved. The school bell chimed and the kids all screamed. She didn’t bother to stall them as they raced out of her classroom. Pedro, however, stood before her grinning, waiting for her approval. She cupped his chin and smiled down at him. “Very good. I’m so proud of you.”

Pedro nodded. “My mother say you can come for dinner. No?”

“Not tonight. Maybe some other time. Tell her
gracias
. I think she’s outside waiting for you.”

Pedro raced past the small school desk to the window. With burnished brown skin and dark hair cut into a pageboy, he was the sweetest little boy out of thirty in her class. Pedro was always so thirsty to learn. He grabbed the window ledge and looked out. “
Sí
!
Minha mãe
!” Pedro hurried and got his books. He waved and rushed out the door.

“We’ll continue your lesson tomorrow!” she yelled out after him. Michelle used the thin sheet of paper to fan the heat. She felt her pores open and sweat rain moisture to cool her. Nothing worked. She looked around her classroom. A wooden hut in a row of about six, this one had the benefit of electricity. The village was fewer than three hundred people. School was a luxury most of the farming families couldn’t afford for their children. However, when the village learned an English teacher had come, they packed up their children and sent them in. Pedro’s family lived near her and had welcomed her shortly after she’d arrived. She and his mother had become friends.

“You leaving, Arlene? I can give you a ride.”

Michelle smiled to the sound of her new name. It took some getting used to; it wasn’t one she would have chosen. But when you are buying an identity, you work with what you can get. “Yes, I’m leaving.” She pushed in her small desk chair and grabbed the edge of the desk to balance her weight. Her hand went to her belly. The headmistress, named Maria, was a sweet petite woman in her early fifties. She had golden brown hair and large, round, kind eyes that made Michelle feel at ease whenever she was around. “I don’t need a ride. I have my truck. Javier fixed it this morning.”

“How far along are you?”

Michelle sighed. She looked down at her belly. “Eight months.”

She had driven her rickety yellow pickup truck into Lisbon and met with her doctor just last week. He told her the baby was healthy but she would need to make plans to come into the city for the remainder of her pregnancy. Michelle was nervous about delivery. Tomorrow would be her last day at work. She’d go on bed rest in the city to be sure. Though the village had an excellent midwife, she felt less nervous if she was near a hospital.

Maria walked in. Her satchel was crossed over her shoulder and resting on her hip. “Do you know what you’re having?”

“No. He tried to tell me again, but I want to wait, be surprised.” Michelle smiled.

“Arlene, I have to ask. We don’t mind, we need a teacher like you. We are grateful that you came. The kids have responded really well. More parents are sending their children in to take your class and learn English. But it’s a small village. We weren’t aware that you were pregnant when you arrived. Is there, um, well…is there a husband?”

Michelle’s smile faded. She expected the question at first, and hoped it would never come up. The village was quiet, obscure. This tropical paradise had become her solitude. For now it was the safest place to be. “No. He left me. I’m alone. My baby isn’t alone because she has me. If it’s a she. I understand your position, so if my pregnancy is a problem….”

Maria waved her hand. “Don’t you worry about it. Let the tongues wag. You’re welcome here. Now go home. Put your feet up. And if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me. Remember.”

Michelle released a relaxed breath. She watched her boss leave. Alone, she went to the window and stared out at the green hills and fields. She just needed time for things to cool off. She could rejoin the world after her baby was older. Right now, her obscurity was her only protection.

Three months ago, she’d tuned into the American news and learned of a big arrest. Men who’d evaded the law for decades were now being brought up on international trafficking and larceny charges. Escobar and other members of The Order were hauled away to courts, facing stiff charges. Michelle waited with bated breath to learn of Lee’s fate. His name was never mentioned, nor was her sister’s. The not knowing nearly drove her crazy. She comforted herself by believing in Lee’s skills. He, too, was an escape artist, the best in the business, and maybe he and Sasha had found a way to beat them all.

A few weeks later, she watched another news broadcast on the BBC that gave her hope. An anchor reported an historic discovery in Tel Aviv. The Golden Chalice had been delivered anonymously to the Prime Minster of Israel. The greatest archeological find in Judaism since the Dead Sea Scrolls had been turned over without even a request for a reward. Scientists were still analyzing its origins but its value was deemed priceless. Michelle sat by her small TV in her room and wept. Lee had done something she never thought him capable of. And he was out there somewhere. Alive.

A breeze lifted from the trees and blew over her. “Thank God,” she said once it cooled her skin. She inhaled the sunshine, the leafy cypress, soil, and clean air.

Michelle had arrived in Lisbon first. Her intent had been to make her way to Brazil. But she took ill. Thinking it was something she’d eaten, she went to the local health facility. And that’s when her life and all her plans changed forever. She and Lee had been blessed again. Her pregnancy was an omen. She believed this time her second chance at a life with love and hope had truly been granted.

For several days, Michelle walked around in a fugue state as she faced the possibility of bringing a baby into the world while on the run. Not sure what to do, but so grateful for another chance since the loss of her child, she decided to put down roots. Once, she’d believed her calling in life was to be a doctor. Now she understood her life was her own, and as long as she was free to live it as she chose, she and her child would be happy. After several weeks, she stumbled upon a teaching position funded by the government. It came with room and board and a modest wage. Michelle took a chance with her papers and applied. Now she’d found home.

She didn’t know what had become of her sister. The arrests of Escobar and Don Gio didn’t reveal much about anyone else. She hoped Sasha was out there, and happy.

When she touched her belly, the baby kicked. She lived for those kicks. “Time to go home, little one. We still have some packing to do. Don’t we?”

Michelle collected the paper and pencils left by the children and put them away. She drove off in her rickety truck, vowing to get new tires soon. Though she had a stash of money, she’d been careful to spend it sparingly. She never knew when she’d have to flee again. The Order might be in jail, but her reputation and past crimes made her a realist. Someday, someone could come calling to look for the goose that laid diamond eggs, and she’d have to fight or flee. It was a consequence of being one of Pops’ girls.