The Art of Deception Read online

  “I’m glad you like it,” he said with a smile on his face as he poured two glasses of champagne. He was a handsome Latino man with rich dark hair, piercing brown eyes, a strong chin, and lean physique. To say she wasn’t attracted to him would have been a lie. He must have realized that she was admiring him because he awkwardly cleared his throat and said, “May I have a seat? There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

  “Sure,” Angella replied as she sat in her ergonomic chair across from the visitor’s chair in her office.

  “With your position comes a higher level of responsibility. I’m sure you understand that.”

  “Yes I do, sir. I assure you that I won’t disappoint you.”

  “I know you won’t. However, people in power in this city automatically become members of an elite society.”

  “An elite society?” Angella asked with a quizzical look on her face.

  He leaned forward and looked deeply into her eyes with an intense expression on his face. “Yes. It’s The Society that maintains the balance of power in Granston City. It’s what keeps us happy and wealthy.”

  “Kind of like the Mafia?”

  “No, no, no. Nothing like the Mafia, although we will do anything necessary to ensure the balance is maintained.”

  “So, I have to be a part of this organization?”

  “Yes. We’re having a meeting tomorrow night and we’re expecting you to be there. ”

  From that moment, her life changed. She became Grandison’s personal assistant in the Artropi Society and, therefore, did all of his dirty work. The Artropi Society had been around for decades. Established in the 1980s, this clandestine Society burgeoned into one of the most powerful organizations in North America. Several prominent leaders became high-ranking members. Mayors, lawyers, doctors, congressmen, and CEOs used the services and networking provided by the Society to maintain their power and wealth. It wasn’t until the 21st century, however, that women began creeping into the membership. Although still an underrepresented group, the women in the Society quickly rose to positions of power and outshone their male counterparts.

  Gradually, Angella understood what Grandison meant by using any means necessary to maintain the balance of power. She ordered assassinations and used manipulative tactics to ensure that the mission of The Society was maintained. It changed her into a cold and bitter woman. It was also why she was doing everything in her power to protect her family, even if that meant cutting off her relationship with them.

  When she had finished explaining everything to Karen, Karen stared at her in disbelief. “Angie, you need to get out of this thing fast!” she screamed as she began pacing the floor.

  “We need to come up with a game plan,” she continued. “Maybe we can get you out of the country. You’ve always wanted to live on an island, right?”

  “Karen, slow down. I’m in this thing too deep. You just need to ensure that you and Kathy stay away from me. You need to leave now.”

  “Angie, I’m not going anywhere. I refuse to leave you in this…this mess.”

  “You have no choice in the matter Karen,” she said as she stood and walked towards the door. She opened it and beckoned for Karen to find her way out. Karen slowly rose from the chair and walked slowly to the door. As she stepped through the door, she turned to Angella and looked deeply into her eyes. They were void of emotion and were nothing like the warm, caring eyes Karen loved so much. “Goodbye, Karen,” Angella said as she closed the door.

  Since that day Karen never again attempted to make contact with Angella. Within three months, she met Mark. In an effort to protect him, she hid her family from him. As far as he knew, Karen was an only child whose parents died in the Twin Towers when she was 14. The less he knew, the better able she was to protect him. Now, Angella had shifted the scale and Karen was afraid of what was going to happen.

  She had hoped that Mark would have been able to find her by now. Time passed by so quickly in that dingy little room that she had no idea of what day it was or how long she had been there. Mark was the key to her freedom and she hoped that when he found her they would both make it out alive.

  ______________________________________________________________

  Carlton sat in the waiting room staring at the abstract painting on the wall. He glanced at his bodyguard, who was standing at the waiting room’s entrance, and placed his hand on the pistol in his pocket, just to reassure himself it was there. The Global Innovation headquarters was a grandiose building sitting on the corner of Monroe and Fenmore streets. Carlton quietly scoffed at the irony of what the building portrayed when compared to what occurred behind closed doors amongst the company’s leaders. The waiting room was large with a high arching roof, a large fish tank, and an attractive blonde receptionist sitting behind a desk with an industrial design. Everything about the building was big and grand. The company’s leaders, however, were small-minded and hid behind the evil deeds they hired others to do in order to maintain their wealth and power.

  "Ms. Stanford will see you now. Ms. Lee will escort you to her office," the receptionist said.

  A young and beautiful Chinese woman emerged from the elevator and walked towards Carlton. She cautiously eyed his bodyguard who was leaning against one of the posts. "This way, Mr. Rolston. You can leave your sidekick here."

  "Wherever I go, he goes."

  "Ms. Stanford will only accommodate you, Mr. Rolston."

  "She can accommodate both of us. I'm sure her office is big enough."

  "Fine. This way," she said as she briskly walked towards the elevators.

  Carlton and his bodyguard followed closely behind her. They entered the elevators and she pressed the button for the 13th floor. On the ride up, Ms. Lee kept eyeing the bodyguard and showed signs of clear discomfort with his presence. Carlton didn't blame her. He was about 6 feet three inches tall with a very muscular physique that was accentuated by the muscle shirt he wore. His stoic expression made him intimidating and difficult to read. He made the perfect bodyguard.

  They finally arrived at the 13th floor. Ms. Lee led them through a pair of glass doors and into a work space filled with people busy working at their cubicles. They walked down the corridor to an industrial styled door which Ms. Lee gently pushed open. She peered her head through the opening and indicated that Carlton was there to see Angella. Carlton heard the faint shuffling of papers followed by an agitated, “Send him in.” Ms. Lee stepped back and allowed them to enter. Before closing the door she gave them both a look of disdain. Such a pleasant woman.

  When they entered the room, Angella rose from her chair and sat on her desk. Carlton wondered if she did that purposely. Did she know that his member was rising as his eyes took in the beauty of her curvaceous body? The way her back arched and highlighted her full breasts and well curved buttocks was enough to set his loins on fire. The black slacks and silky red top that she wore fit her well. Her long hair framed her face well and made her the epitome of beauty.

  Carlton quickly sat in one of the empty chairs and crossed his right leg over his left knee to try to gain some control over his member. He had to focus on the task at hand. “Mr. Rolston, you really have some gall coming here. Don’t you ever come to my workplace again. Is that clear?”

  “It’s interesting that you’re so quick to throw me out Ms. Stanford?

  “Why are you here?” she asked as she got up and stood behind him, clearly unperturbed by his bodyguard’s presence.

  “I brought this for you. I think you should open it now,” he said as he handed her a legal-sized manila envelope.

  “I could have easily sent someone to pick up this package from you, Mr. Rolston. I don’t appreciate it when people waste my time.”

  “Just open it.”

  She grabbed the envelope from him and gently tore the seal. Carlton watched her expression change from sheer annoyance to utter dismay. “Where did you get these?” she asked as she looked at the black and white photos.

  “That
’s my little secret. It looks like I now have the upper hand, Ms. Stanford.”

  She laughed loudly, completely catching Carlton off guard. He hadn’t been expecting that response. “You think that you can use this to blackmail me? There’s nothing that you can do to stop whatever fate we have in store for you, lover boy.”

  “I’m sure that when the big bosses find out about this you’ll be leaving this place in a body bag.”

  She sauntered over to the paper shredder and placed the pictures in them. “I have the originals on a USB, you know,” he said.

  “I know you’re not a complete idiot, Mr. Rolston, and I’m not bothered by your threat. If you want to start a war then you better be prepared to put on your battle suit.”

  She walked over to the office door and opened it. “Good day, Mr. Rolston.” There was nothing that Carlton could do except get up and walk through the door. His bodyguard followed him and they walked in silence to the elevators. On the way down to the ground floor, his bodyguard looked at him and said, “That woman is one tough cookie.”

  “Oh, you don’t know the half of it.”

  Chapter Nine

  Eleven days missing

  Miguel had tried to make contact with his brother, but all of his efforts had proven futile. All of his leads had run cold. Time was running out. The longer they followed dead ends, it more likely Mark would never see Karen again and one of them would end up dead. So, Eddie and Ginger decided to pursue plan B, return to the crime scene.

  The Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs) had completed their job and the apartment had been returned to Linda’s family. Eddie knew that the likelihood of them finding something new at the crime scene that the CSIs had probably missed was slim. Ginger mentioned that Mark found a box of letters in Linda’s closet, but Eddie was sure that those letters would have been removed by the family by now. Both he and Ginger knew that they still had to try. Something good could come out of this visit.

  As they ascended the steps that led to Linda’s apartment, Eddie couldn’t help but admire Ginger. There was something about her that intrigued him. He wasn’t sure if it was her vivacious personality, or her crazy red hair, or the adorable freckles that adorned her face. All he knew was that he couldn’t help but admire her.

  They were now at Linda’s apartment door. Eddie tapped lightly on the door and waited for a response. There was none. He tapped a little harder and waited. They heard something that sounded like footsteps coming towards the door. “Who is it?” the person asked timidly.

  “My name is Detective Lopez from the City’s police department. My friend and I just want to ask you a few questions,” he said while looking at Ginger. She nodded in approval.

  “I really don’t have anything more to say to you guys. I’ve told the police all I know.”

  “I understand that, but there are still some pieces of the puzzle that don’t fit together. We were hoping that our questions would give you a fresh perspective.”

  “And we’d prefer to talk to you face-to-face instead of through your door,” Ginger added. Eddie gave her a disapproving stare. She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s the truth,” she whispered.

  They heard the sounds of the door being unlocked. A young brunette wearing glasses and pajamas, held the door slightly ajar. “I need to see some ID before I let you in.” Eddie showed her his badge and she opened the door so that they could enter. She escorted them to the living room and invited them to sit on the couch. “So, how can I help you?”

  “Before we begin, can I know your name and relation to Ms.Walker?” Eddie asked.

  “Oh! Pardon my manners. My name is Christina Walker. I’m Linda’s half-sister.”

  “Nice to meet you Ms. Walker. Did Linda ever mention anything to you about being involved with a prominent figure?”

  “I doubt Linda had much time for a love life. She was so busy with the work that she did for the Political Science Association. If she wasn’t planning some fundraiser for the homeless, she was looking for ways to find temporary employment and training opportunities for the poor.”

  “She sounds like a real humanitarian,” Ginger chimed in. “Did any of her events allow her to cross paths with the Mayor?”

  Christina paused for a second. Tears had begun to form in her eyes and Ginger sensed that a dam was about to break. Ginger scanned the room, trying to find a box of tissues which she soon spotted on a desk beside the window. She walked over to retrieve that box. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a strange shadow moving along the sidewalk below the window. She quickly turned around and looked through the window, but whatever it was had vanished. “Great, now I’m getting paranoid,” she mumbled to herself.

  “What did you say?” Eddie asked.

  “Nothing. Just talking to myself,” she said as she handed the box of tissues to Christina. Sure enough, the water works started and Ginger quickly sat beside her and placed her arm around Christina’s shoulders. Christina used one of the tissues to blow her nose before she spoke again. “I can’t help it. She was such a good woman. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to do this to her.”

  “We understand Ms. Walker,” Ginger said soothingly. “Can you answer the question I asked?”

  “Well, I know that she was working with Mayor Rolston on the homeless shelter project at the old warehouse downtown. They were trying to set up beds, a kitchen and showers. It was a major project.”

  “Is that the warehouse on 17th street?” Ginger asked.

  “Yep, that’s the one.”

  Ginger glanced at Eddie and gave him an “I think we got what we needed” nod. Eddie rose from his seat. “Ms. Walker, we don’t want to take up much more of your time…”

  “I hope that I offered some help. Do you think Mayor Rolston did this?”

  “We don’t have any evidence that suggests that. We’ll keep you posted,” he responded.

  Christina escorted them to the door and said goodbye. Before they could descend the steps that led to the apartment complex’s entrance, Ginger was dancing excitedly. She looked like an ant on fire and Eddie nearly burst out with laughter. “I think I know exactly what we need to do next,” she said.

  “That’s what has you so excited huh? Let’s talk about it over some burgers.”

  “Sure. We need to call Miguel and tell him what happened.”

  “We can do that after we get something to eat. I’m starving.”

  ____________________________________________________________

  His sweaty palms tightly gripped the steering wheel of his chrome colored Audi convertible. Beads of perspiration dripped steadily down his cheeks as he approached the entrance to the building that housed the mayor’s offices. As his shaky feet climbed the steps that led towards the building, the only image that flashed across his mind was Linda’s beautiful face. If he didn’t get his colleagues to vote favorably in this meeting, he would face the same fate as Linda. His life hung in the balance of their decision.

  He closed his eyes and hung his head as he placed his hands on the handles of the doors that led to the meeting room. With a heavy sigh, he pushed the doors open and looked into the eyes of the men who unwittingly held his life in their hands. “Mayor Rolston, please have a seat,” said Mr. Chambers, the building council chair, with his cheery voice and warm smile. Carlton forced a smile and quickly found his seat. He looked around the room at some of the most powerful men in the city engaging in casual conversations and laughing heartily as they waited for the meeting to begin. That’s when he noticed Patrick Grandison in the far corner of the room. His eyes met Carlton’s and he slightly nodded his head. Carlton politely nodded his head in response. The Society was depending on Carlton’s vote to be the tie-breaker. The building council had 15 members. The Society was sure of 7 votes in favour and 7 votes against the erection of the multi-million dollar complex. They just needed one more vote.

  Mr. Chambers called the meeting to order. Carlton could barely focus on the issue being discussed as the mee
ting droned on. After what seemed like hours, they finally began discussing the building development project. Carlton could feel Patrick Grandison staring at him. “Supporting this development would mean that several people in the projects would lose their homes,” Mr. Chambers said.

  “It would also mean that the homeless shelter project would have to be abandoned,” another member stated.

  “But it would also mean that they would be able to gain sustainable income by working in the complex,” retorted Grandison.

  “But how many of them have the skills to be able to get jobs in the complex?” asked another member.

  “We could incorporate a skills training center to help them get certified in things such as customer service and custodial work,” said Mr. Grandison.

  “It’s amusing how easily those words roll off of your tongue, Mr. Grandison. We all know that no such centre will be set up. It’s a pity that many of the members of this committee are blind to the fact that so many people need this shelter,” replied Carlton. His response was met by an encouraging “Here here” from one of the members.

  Grandison glared at Carlton. Carlton knew that he must have wanted to reach over the table and strangle him. Carlton didn’t care. He decided that he had to do at least one good thing in his life and honour Linda’s memory. Being bullied by the Society was a thing of the past for him. It was time for a new beginning.

  “I think it’s time for a vote,” said Mr. Chambers. “All in favor of the building project, raise your hands.” Seven hands went up. “All against.” Eight hands went up. “Well, I guess that matter is settled. This council is against the building of a complex downtown.”

  The meeting droned on for several more minutes. When it was finally over and everyone was mingling, Carlton felt a firm grip on his shoulder. Grandison squeezed tightly and said, “You’re a dead man, Mayor Rolston. A very dead man.” He let Carlton go and then exited the room.

  Carlton gritted his teeth. He refused to accept death as his fate. As far as he was concerned, World War 3 was about to begin.