The Golden Chalice (7 page)

In the brisk morning, Kumar strode hurriedly along the sidewalk to his parked car. He barely noticed the dark sedan moving up the street. He fished in his pocket for his cell phone, which had started to buzz with life.

“Hello?”

“Where are you?” Sasha sniffed.

“Ah, had to make a run, equipment check. What’s up?”

“Come home. I need you.”

“Chocolat still freezing you out?”

“Yeah. But something’s up. She says that she and Lee are sending me away.”

“What?” Kumar stopped. A struggle raged between his ears as his mind grappled with truth versus fantasy. They were to leave, on his terms, and return to India. But how could he make it happen when he still couldn’t let go of smack? “You sure?”

“It’s going down, Kumar. We got to talk to Lee. If I’m out, you have to be, too. I won’t go anywhere without you.”

Kumar fiddled with his keys. The phone pressed to his ear. When he tried for the lock to his car door, the keys dropped. “I’m on my way. Give me ten minutes, okay?”

“Yes. Please. Hurry.”

The keys had fallen just beyond his reach. Kumar tucked the phone in his jacket pocket and knelt. He stretched his fingers under the shadow of the car with his hand pressed firm to the door to maintain his balance. His eyes were level with two pairs of approaching feet. They stopped. Didn’t pass. He hooked a finger in the key ring and dragged it closer, buying time to think. If this proved to be a robbery he’d just give it up without argument. No fight, no fuss. It was daylight so it couldn’t be worse than that. Could it? His gaze lifted to two burly, hard, packing motherfuckers dressed clean. Not hoods. These men towered over him with curious, hateful glares. They weren’t Lee’s men. He knew all those boys. Who were they?

“What’s going on?”

No sooner did he ask the question did he see past the strangers to a familiar face. Monk Eastman was the head of the Kosher Nostra, the area’s Jewish equivalent to
La Cosa Nostra
. He dealt more in the trade and exchange of rare stolen goods like the Chalice, or the Jesus Stones. Lee had told him Monk was one of the few men who could push hot merchandise and bring in the dough, clean. Kumar heard the rumors, too. That Monk was in possession of jewels and priceless artifacts stolen from the Nazis when Hitler’s regime fell.

Monk gave him an obligatory nod. No one else spoke. The message was clear. Kumar sucked in a deep breath and forced his trembling hands into his jacket pockets. He walked toward the awaiting car.

What did Monk want with him
?

How could he possibly get out of this now?

***

Michelle’s stroll ended at the doors of the veranda. Evita ran out ahead along the side of the pool. Lupe walked lazily behind her. The sun glistened over the calm, turquoise waters, making the gentle waves reflect her passing image like glass. She wondered if dogs missed her or followed and tracked her under their master’s orders.

“You hungry?”

She heard him behind her. She pushed her hands into her front jean pockets “Why is it every time you find me you ask me if I’ve eaten?”

“Because I care.”

She didn’t respond. Lee came out from whatever shadow he watched her from. She didn’t know, didn’t care. His arrival was expected.

“Prague.”

“Prague?”

“It’s where I’m taking Sasha. How much time do you need to set it up?”

“A week or two.”

“Good.”

The animals turned and saw Lee; both bitches ran over to him, vying for attention. She glanced to see him stooping. He petted and stroked Evita first, and next Lupe. The animals panted and pranced like puppies. All the while he kept his gaze trained on her.

“Let me take you to lunch,” he said.

“No thanks.”

“We need to talk. Really talk.”

“No thanks.”

“Enough of this shit!” Lee stood. “Get dressed. We’re going out.” He turned and left, with both Lupe and Evita whining behind him. Michelle’s gaze swept the landscaping beyond his property. Prague was beautiful this time of year. But it could be the Sahara for all she cared. Nothing about what she had planned for Prague brought her any pleasure, including the fact that she would cause him more pain.

***

“Kumar, we haven’t formally met. I’m—”

“Monk Eastman. I know who you are,” Kumar said in an unsteady voice. He glanced to the passenger window. He was imprisoned inside with the older gangster, who was rumored to dispose of those who disappointed him in the most brutal ways. Monk Eastman had icy gray irises that made his unnaturally pale face and skeleton bone structure remind Kumar of an undertaker. He wore gray dress slacks and a dark blue shirt. His hair long, brushing his shoulders, had a dark luster to it. Kumar suspected he dyed it black regularly. When Kumar’s gaze lowered to Monk’s hands, he noticed both his pinky fingernails were long and sharpened with points.

“So you’re the guy? The tech who wired and cracked the defenses of the Briscol Bank. I’m impressed.” Monk drummed his nails against his knee.

“I’m not the guy.”

“Don’t shit a bullshitter. I wasn’t asking you to confirm what I already know.”

Kumar swallowed. “Why am I here?”

“Why did I want to meet?” Monk inhaled a deep breath and looked out of the window. “Hear you got an itch that you can’t help but scratch. Hear it’s getting stronger.”

“No…no, I was visiting a friend.

Monk smiled and those cool gray eyes returned to Kumar. He shivered under the chilling malevolence glistening in their depths. “Like I said, don’t shit a bullshitter.”

Kumar swallowed the excuses he’d given Sasha and even Pops when they suspected him to be slipping. What was the point? If Monk caught him coming out of the dealer’s place, the man already knew more than he could afford. “I can handle it.”

“I’m sure you can. Especially since Lee isn’t hip to it. Is he?”

“He…I do my job and I do it well.”

“Good,” Monk said. “Very good to hear. I have a job for you.”

“I can’t. I-I-I work for Lee,” Kumar stammered. He inched closer to the door; his hand instinctively went to the release. He could bolt from the car but he doubt he’d get far. Still, his instinct said running would be the safest option at this point.

“Do you?” Monk gave a deep chuckle, making his Adam’s apple bob in his throat. He sat with his knees parted and smiled. “You sure about that?”

“Yes.”

“For how much longer? After Lee learns the truth, that you were using the night his chocolate jewel thief got made, you think you’ll still be employed? Those alarms rang too soon, Kumar. It was an amateurish mistake, not one of your caliber…unless? Maybe you made the mistake on purpose? Hoping Lee would downgrade you, put you out of the business? I hear you got a fondness for the younger Dixon. Ah, her name escapes me…oh yes! Sasha.”

“I didn’t use that night.”

“I know every time you got your nose wet. Now, let’s talk shop. I’m the only game you got going right now, Mr. Suresh.”

***

Michelle changed. She liked the feel of her lavender silk wrap dress over her curves. The split to the front of the dress parted with each step. A pear-shaped diamond solitaire the size of a quarter rested at the crease of her cleavage and matching gems hung like tiny teardrops from her lobes. She’d taken the time to curl-set her hair. She descended the stairs an hour and half after he’d commanded her to be ready to leave. She figured he’d be more than irritable over her making him wait. Instead, she found him pacing and talking in a lowered voice with Abahti. The tall Nigerian looked up and his gaze latched to hers. He glared at her. When Lee noticed her, a brief smile crossed his face but soon faded.

“Call the meeting. I’ll return in the morning.” He motioned for her to come to him. As soon as she drew near, he captured her hand and led her to the door.

“I thought it was just lunch?”

“You aren’t dressed for lunch,” he said under his breath.

“Something wrong with what I chose?” she asked.

Lee ushered her out. No words or explanation were offered during the drive. The freeway was congested with braided strands of traffic. Cars paused and purred slowly past a collision of two vehicles, forced to the emergency lane by police. Michelle kept her vision trained on the events outside the window and avoided small talk. Lee made a few calls. Every few minutes he’d touch her thigh, or run his hand up under the hem of her skirt. They passed through one of the main arteries along the beachfront town, and she soon understood their destination. He was taking her to the private airport. She wasn’t the least bit surprised by his agenda. Nothing at this point surprised her when it came to Lee. Part of her hoped she could find some kind of closure between them before things came to an end.

The driver parked. Lee escaped through the door and extended his hand for her to join him. Together they boarded the jet and she immediately found a seat. Lee went up front with the pilot.

“Something to drink, ma’am?” asked a redheaded attendant with a bubbly voice and bright green eyes.

“Vodka and orange juice,” she answered in a dry, disinterested tone.

Lee returned. He didn’t sit next to her. He chose the seat directly across from her. Eventually, she felt drawn to the piercing stare he fixed upon her. He fastened his seatbelt with a click and dropped his head back. Those eyes of his never left her.

“Is there something you want to say to me, Lee?”

He sat forward. The attendant handed her the drink, which she sipped instead of speaking.

“I think you and I need to clear the air. Especially before you take this trip with Sasha. I think we need to say the things we haven’t. The baby.”

“I won’t discuss the baby with you.”

“Why? It’s my baby, too.”

“Because the baby’s gone. And even if you want to suffer and feel the pain, I don’t. Do you understand? I’m done with the subject.”

Those words hung between them for an uncomfortable pause. The jet began to accelerate. Lee pushed down in his seat as they raced along the runway and lifted into the clouds. The pressure from the cabin was nothing compared to the wall of tension that separated them. If he continued down this road, she would tell him more hard truths.

“I know our life doesn’t have an option for children. But if ever I wanted a kid, it would be with you,” Lee confessed.

“Really?” Michelle smirked. “Another thing for Leith Sullivan to own, or just something to chain me to you?”

“I don’t need a chain. You belong to me; we struck that deal long ago.”

Michelle sipped her drink. “Why the trip? It’s unnecessary. You want to fuck? We could have stayed at your place.”

“You’re purposefully trying to piss me off?”

“I’m being honest.” She shrugged.

When he didn’t answer, she felt a small measure of triumph. She saw the raw hurt in his tensed jaw and his soft eyes.

“I’m sorry, Lee. I don’t want to hurt you. It’s like the only thing I can do now. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I can take it. I will take it, until you give me your heart again.”

Michelle frowned.

He nodded. “And I’ll put everything on hold until that happens.”

***

Sasha turned the corner and Kumar walked in. The sight of him in his brown leather jacket and faded blue jeans sent a warm glow through her. Sasha hurried toward him with her heels click-clacking over the hardwood floors. He swept her up into his arms, weightless, and held her snugly against him. Without looking away, she backed out of his embrace. “What took you so long?”

He gave a half smile for reassurance. He cupped the side of her face, his touch firm and persuasive. “I’m sorry, love, got caught up.”

“At the equipment store?”

“Ah, yeah…you okay?” He lowered his hand but held her stare. She could see the genuine concern in his eyes. Sasha relaxed and threw her arms around his waist once more. Her body tingled from the contact. Kumar dropped his keys in his pockets and held her. “I called you over an hour ago. I’ve been waiting. Things are crazy.”

“Tell me about it,” he mumbled.

Her head lifted. She detected something in his glassy stare that made her heart drop. Sasha took the time to really look him over. He appeared flushed, with weepy eyes. He kept glancing away from her and that made her uncomfortable. She dreaded her suspicions. Cursed herself for even thinking for a moment he’d slipped. Still, the thought gnawed away at her. “Where did you say you were again?”

Kumar leaned forward, making his voice a soft, warm whisper against her ear. “Does it matter, baby? I’m here now.” He kissed her jaw and under her neck. His hand moved gently down her backside.

Sasha smiled. “No. I guess not. Lee and Michelle left. I had hoped to get in front of him with you.” She pushed him and stared up at him. “We need to find out what this deal is that my sister struck. I can’t trust her now, with her so angry at me.”

“I got a plan, babe. It’s where I’ve been. Let me work out the details.” He stepped around her and started for the stairs.

Sasha stood there stunned for a moment. He had a plan? Great. How did he get one so soon? “Wait, Kumar? What plan?” He was halfway up the stairs by the time she finally caught up. But he kept going. “Kumar? Stop.”

She cornered him at their bedroom door. “What is this plan?”

“Either way things go down with Lee, Sasha, we have to leave. I can’t do this anymore. Not when I know there’s a chance you could get hurt. My plan is we do just that, but we do it on our own terms, and we take enough money so Lee can’t find us.”

“How? Steal it? Do another job? Michelle’s right, things are hot out there now for us. And you and I don’t have the kind of cash to keep Lee from tracking us down. I won’t steal from him, Kumar. It’s a death sentence.”

“I’ll work it out. I might be able to.” He opened the door to the bedroom and walked inside.

Sasha went in after him, slamming the door shut. “Be able to what?”

“Just trust me. I’m your guy; I’ll take care of everything.” He sniffed and shed his jacket.

He looked tired. A pang of guilt stabbed Sasha’s heart. She’d been hammering him since he’d walked in the door. Suddenly, she felt the need to comfort him. She walked over and picked up his cast-aside jacket, hanging it in the closet. “You hungry? Want me to fix you a burger or something?”