"They took the money in the wallet and a few more things, but that was not why they came." The girl trembled as she recalled the experiences.
Patiently Boris caressed her and waited for her to recover.
"What they wanted to know ... is the name and address of Zahra.”
"Zahra? The woman who gave you shelter when you ran away from Shantaya´s brothel?”
"Yes." The woman let out a groan. "And Boris ... I had to give it to them, otherwise they would have killed me."
The Russian shook his head with fury but his professional attitude finally overcame and returned to his deceptive aspect of self-control.
“Do not worry. You've done enough to survive. Tell me ... Who do you think sent them?
“Shantaya, no doubt. She must have some grudge with Zahra ... most likely jealousy of that Argentine boy who visited her before.”
“All right. Leave it in my hands. I am going to solve this issue and avenge what they have done to you. You must do only one thing.”
“What should I do?”
“Warn that woman Zahra who are after her. You owe her something because she gave you protection when you were wandering alone in the streets.”
Mira Brown was heading for her apartment in the midst of the storm that was hitting New York. She walked up the two-story stretch to avoid waiting for the elevator and once she reached her apartment opened the door. Still in the dark the woman left her purse and cell phone on a small table and took off her shoes, whipping them around. Then she saw the shadow sitting on the only armchair in her living room. Mira nervously turned on the light, and at the sight of her companion she felt a discharge of nerves and relief at the same time.
“What do you want here? How did you get into my apartment?”
Without answering any of her questions Boris approached her. Mira stared at his face to try to determine what his attitude toward her was but the man's cold blue eyes did not betray his plans. He simply took her in his arms and carried her to the bed. Boris suspected that despite being Shantaya´s lover of the woman was bisexual and he attracted her so that he would take advantage of that preference and the fear that he inspired.
Passively Mira let him undress her and surrendered into the Russian's arms. The animal force emanating from him drew her irresistibly.
"What are you looking for?" What do you want?
At that moment Boris penetrated her violently and whispered in her ear.
"Who hit Adhiambo?" Why did Shantaya send them?”
A series of agonizing groans of pleasure were the only answer.
Chapter 12
When firefighters managed to put out the fire in the old shed they found the charred bodies of two black men. Forensics determined that both had died with their necks broken while they were in bed, apparently in a sexual act.
They were able to identify one of the victims, who turned out to be Olivier Labeau, a twenty-seven year-old Haitian immigrant. It was not possible to identify the other man.
Boris Krupin loaded his bags and took Adhiambo by the hand. They hurried down the decrepit stairs of the hotel and passed along the concierge desk. The Russian had paid the rent and left an important tip to the employee to seal his mouth. A large, blond man -in fact a former member of the Russian army, former companion of Krupin- was waiting for them at the door of the hotel with a huge old car that had the engine running and the trunk open. Boris threw the suitcases into the trunk and closed it; then he and Adhiambo entered the back door of the car, which set off immediately for Brighton Beach. The purpose was to get lost in that area where Boris had a lot of contacts and to get away from the conflictive story of which they had both been actors.
Shantaya allowed the old Haitian woman to let out all her feelings, though she somehow perceived that in her tone there was more fury and anger than sorrow for Olivier´s murder. The Madame had decided to manipulate the feelings of the old woman in the most convenient way for her. Although there was no doubt that Boris had been responsible for the killings to avenge the tortures inflicted on Adhiambo, she pretended to have no idea of the physical perpetrator of the massacre. In fact Shantaya had hired Olivier to scare her ex-pupil and extract the information they had actually obtained on the identity and address of the woman who according to her view had stolen Federico from her. She had no idea that the two thugs would torture the girl and leave her disfigured, provoking the wrath and terrible revenge of Boris Krupin. But in the end, what right did she have to judge other people for their sadism? Self-criticism forced Shantaya to recognize that all that had happened because of her decision of hiring to two marginal drug addicts instead of to resort to a professional just because it was more expensive. To reveal all that to Saraphina would have caused the witch to blame her for Olivier´s murder, so Shantaya managed to convince the clairvoyant that Zahra was ultimately the person responsible for it and asked her to concentrate reading her cards and give her information about the Kenyan´s vulnerabilities.
Saraphina displayed her tarot cards on the table.
“ ... I can confirm that the woman you call Zahra is a practitioner of a very powerful ancient magic which prevents me from reading more deeply her heart and predict her actions and desires... I see that she is very much in love and I presume it must be from your man ... she laid the loop around him and the man has drunk her juices and this produces a very strong tie ... I see much restlessness and many constraints in their lives ... they will be exposed to great dangers and I cannot determine if they will get away from them. The two lovers are aware of the dangers that hang over their heads.” The medium made a moment of silence and went on. but not everything is lost for you”
Shantaya had already heard what she needed. If Federico and his African girlfriend already knew that they were taking risks they would be planning how to be protect them. As a consequence Shantaya knew she had no time to lose. She would hire a professional she knew from her distant childhood in Louisiana. The woman took an old, faded calendar and flipped it through until she found the name she wanted.
<Decoudreau, Narcisse>
Shantaya wondered if the phone number would still be valid after all the time elapsed but would ultimately allow her to track the hit man to his current whereabouts.
Following Boris´ instructions Adhiambo looked for the telephone number of the flower shop where they had received her with generosity shortly before. When she dialed it Imani immediately replied. In a somewhat hasty way Adhiambo explained what had happened and that she had been forced to reveal the identity and address of her benefactors so she urged them to disappear from the scene. Imani listened carefully without interrupting her and finally said.
"Give me your phone number. I'll ask Zahra call you right away.
After a short time Zahra called her in an alarmed tone. Adhiambo narrated the episode of aggression and interrogation to which she had been subjected.
"So the thugs said Shantaya wants Federico back with her and she wants you dead. You must hide in a safe place. The same thing holds true for Federico.”
"But we have nowhere to go. I have no protectors in this country.”
"Boris told me that he can temporarily lodge you in a safe place until you get a permanent solution. It is the least we can do for you since I am unintentionally responsible for giving them your name.”
There was a silence on the line. Adhiambo insisted.
"Zahra, are you still there?"
“Yes, I can hear you.”
"They must leave your apartment and the flower shop without any loss of time. Prepare your bags with the most essential right things now. Call me when you're ready and I have instructions to send Boris's driver to pick you up right away.”
She had finally obtained the man's current phone, which now lived in New Orleans. The woman anxiously dialed the number and when she got the answer from the other side sighed with relief. D
espite the time she had immediately recognized his voice. She spoke directly to him in Creole.
“Hi, Narcisse. I´m Shantaya Washington, Zulime Labasilier´s daughter. Do you remember me?”
Chapter 13
The Russian driver did not speak a word all the way to Brighton Beach. He had the car radio turned on with a loud volume passing an unbearable series of Russian songs. Finally he parked the vehicle and simply said in a heavy Slavic accent.
“We have arrived. Captain Krupin and the black girl are waiting for you.”
"I thought he was mute." Whispered Zahra in Federico's ear. “Besides, for him I must be just "another black girl".”
"Captain Krupin?" The young man answered in a low voice too. "In what trouble did your friend get into?"
"According to what Adhiambo told us he is a former Russian Army officer.”
Boris Krupin opened the door and Adhiambo immediately ran to embrace her friend. Zahra introduced Federico and the Russian led them into the room where they were awaiting them with already prepared drinks.
Federico could appreciate that the few decorative elements in the house betrayed the military past of its owner. As they walked into the house the two women spoke between them in Swahili to be able to do it more freely.
“Adhiambo. You look splendid!”
“Yes. Boris is very in love with me and treats me very well. I ...have news.”
“You are pregnant?”
"Yes, of several weeks. I have repeated the tests.”
"And what does Boris say?"
"He's very happy. He has had several children but in sporadic relationships. Even one with Shantaya.”
“I did not know that.”
“Yes. I know him, his name is William, and he looks a lot like his father. That is Shantaya central problem. All the few men she cares for end up leaving her. Hey, I congratulate you on your friend, he's very good looking.”
Everyone sat at the table and Boris offered the drinks. Finally Adhiambo asked him to explain the situation. The Russian narrated all the episodes except the revenge he had taken with the men who had tortured Adhiambo.
“Shantaya has a lot of money and few scruples. She will not spare the means to carry out her revenge and try to recover what she considers to be her man. "
"What do you think we must do now?"
"And afterwards?" Insisted Adhiambo.
"I have the means to find out what intentions Shantaya has. Once we know, we will proceed accordingly.”
"As a military exercise," Said Federico, who until that moment had hardly spoken. "First the intelligence actions and then the tactics.”
"Correct," replied Boris. "Do you have military training?"
"Not at all, only certain knowledge by reading books and articles.”
"What are we going to do with Imani and Kafil?" Zahra asked. "They may be in danger too.”
"Yes, and they also protected me when they found me in the street alone, when I escaped from Shantaya.” Added Adhiambo.
"I think I can locate them with friends I have in Buffalo, in New York State.”
"We can never thank you enough." Federico said, referring to the owner of the house.
"I am compensating for what you Zahra did for Adhiambo when she most needed it.”
"I do not know what would have happened to me if I had not found you then." Added the woman.
Shantaya reached the cafeteria where they had agreed to meet and recognized the dark figure sitting in a place in the background, away from the view of the rest of the diners.
<Time has not been kind to him. > She thought.
Narcisse Decoudreau got up and greeted the lady by kissing her hand in an old-fashioned style.
"I'm glad to meet you again after so long. I cannot believe who the frightened girl I met in Louisiana has become. It is obvious that you have prospered.” The man was holding her hand between his. Suddenly he asked. "Are you pregnant?"
Shantaya was startled. The pregnancy was incipient and still went unnoticed, but then she remembered that also Narcisse also had a reputation as a clairvoyant in his town.
"If I understood correctly, you do not want me to kill the young man." The man said after a heavy silence.
"Do it only as a last resort.”
"Is he the father of your son?"
Again the woman felt uneasy before her interlocutor questions.
"Yes." She succinctly replied.
"I do not want to inquire into your life." Narcisse said. "But I must understand your intentions well. I should not make mistakes in what you really want.”
Saying goodbye to her old acquaintance, Shantaya felt desolate. She had always faced her past and although her visible part proudly exhibited her successes, from time to time she noticed inside her a feeling of desolation and futility. Shantaya would have needed Federico to drown her cravings with him but he was not available so she decided to call Mira, the other person who could fill her emptiness. She picked up her cell phone and called her employee at the office.
“Mira, it´s me. Listen. Get out of the office and leave Toya in charge of the business. Meet me at my apartment and on the way buy a bottle of whiskey. Do you have the key to my apartment with you? Well, wait for me in bed to keep it warm.” Fortunately for her, Shantaya could drown her spiritual troubles with carnal sensations.
Boris kissed his woman on the forehead and said.
“I'm going out. Do not wait for me up.”
"Who are you going to see?" The question hid the fear of hearing the answer.
“Mira." Replied resignedly the man.
"So you leave me pregnant and go to bed with another woman! Another black bitch.” The last sentence alluded to the sexual preferences of the Russian.
"You know I must find out some things."
Boris closed the door behind him and left Adhiambo mumbling. He hated making her suffer but she knew they needed the information he would get. On the other hand... Mira was sensational in bed.
Chapter 14
Boris Krupin had called a meeting at his house. The information Mira had given him justified it. The woman had yielded once more to the constraints of the Russian, on the one hand amid the ecstasy produced by the union of both bodies and on the other by certain resentment for the subsidiary role to which Shantaya had reduced her. Mira loved her employer but recognized that she was only a sexual instrument to calm Shantaya´s craving and ravenous sexual appetite.
The doorbell rang and Adhiambo opened it. As they expected, Zahra and Federico had arrived. They sat at the table and Boris began to expose.
A long silence prevailed among the audience.
"So Shantaya has hired a professional assassin to kill Zahra, and if Federico refuses to go back with her the hit man will kill him too?" Asked Adhiambo.
"Yes." Answered Boris. "She has decided he will be hers or no one's."
“An absurd and reiterated statement.” Said the young man.
“But very frequent among despised women.” Replied the Russian who then thoughtfully scratched his chin and after weighing the effects of what he was going to say finally decided to speak.
"Disturbing as it may be, there is one thing you need to know." Everyone looked expectantly at him. Boris began his comment in a very low voice, as if trying to diminish any negative reactions.
“Mira has confessed to me that Shantaya is pregnant for more than a month, and that she has decided to go on with that pregnancy.”
The reactions of the assistants were diverse and all very visceral. Zahra let out a moan and covered her face with her hands. Federico blushed and shifted in his chair, since all logic pointed at him as the biological responsible for the pregnancy, although his role would have been that of a simple instrument of Shantaya machinations. Adhiambo looked reproachfully at her partner and exclaimed.
"Oh Boris!”
“I'm sorry, but the fact is that you two ...” He said
looking at Zahra and Federico.” ... have gained an enemy and you need to know her motivations ... all of them.”
A new thick silence prevailed in the room.
“All this reaffirms my conviction that you must leave the city and as much as possible the country.” Boris finally said. “Do you have a place to go?”
"We can go to my country." Federico answered. "Do you have your passport in order?" He added, turning to Zahra.
"Of course ... but in reality, in times of persecution I would prefer to return to the place where I belong, where they have already received me when I was once lost. Would you accompany me?" She asked the boy.
"You know I would.”
"Then ..." Boris interjected, undoubtedly eager to find a feasible solution to the complex situation created "... we must get to fix every detail.”
"What details?" Asked Adhiambo.
"You have to organize a trip to Kenya, which will probably consist of several stages. As far as possible you should start it in Canada, so you do not leave traces here that your enemies can easily track. Besides, you'll need a Kenyan visa. "He told Federico. The Russian began to enunciate the steps to make the young people disappear from the places they usually frequented, an activity that in his career he had many times to carry out.
Boris spoke in a hurry. After the meeting he immediately contacted Mira who had called him urgently. The man was intrigued by the call and thought it was news about Shantaya and her plans. She had no way of knowing that the woman wanted to tell him that she had become pregnant too.
She took her cell phone from the desk where she had left it. Immediately recognized Narcisse Decoudreau´s voice on the other side.
"What have you got for me?" The woman asked abruptly.
Before answering Narcisse swallowed saliva annoyed from the dryness of his former protégé. He continued speaking in Creole.
“ The birds flew away. They are neither in their house nor in the flower shop. Neighbors know nothing about their whereabouts. Likely they somehow guessed or figured out what was coming.”