Master of Deception
Chapter One to Three
Chapter One
The tall man pushed the silver service teacart into the large dark wood paneling
of the mansion’s study. His salt and pepper hair belied his stiff ramrod
straight bearing. There was nothing subservient about him either, even at this
task. He looked more like a British general officer of the Sandhurst variety
rather than what he was, a man-servant to Bradley David McAllister, one of
England’s wealthiest and most colorful barristers. A copy of the National UK
Observer was on the tray along with the scones and tea accouterments.
McAllister, a slim, handsome and urbane man, looked up from the documents he had
been perusing at his large mahogany desk. The desk was one of the few
concessions to the modern time. A scan of the room suggested the essence of
another time, a time of Arthur, Lancelot and Guinevere, a time when honor and
loyalty and friendship were the most important things in life. These things
were the heart and soul of David McAllister.
Any Knight of the Realm would have
been at home here. The walls were adorned with crossed broadswords, battle
axes, lances and flanking the fireplace was a suit of armor from head to toe.
The walls also displayed various awards earned by David in the martial arts.
There were certificates of black belts, brown belts and full regalia of both
Karate and Tae Kwan Do.
While David McAllister obviously
ascribed to some kind of warrior code, paradoxically, he was one of those males
so finely and delicately featured that his face could be construed as beautiful.
Albert pushed the tea service cart
up to a side table. David said, “Ah, Albert, afternoon tea, the last refuge of
the truly civilized eh?” He was grinning as he spoke.
But Albert remained rather stoic
and professional. He said, “I brought you the Observer, sir. As you
asked,” he added as if to make clear that it certainly wasn’t his own idea.
Albert poured the tea and David
began to stir some sugar into his cup. As he sipped he glanced at the front
page of the Observer. Albert was still busy when David muttered, “So
it’s true. Leah has gotten into a stick wicket again.”
Albert looked up. “Sir?”
“You didn’t read this?”
“No, sir. As you know I prefer
the Daily News.”
“That woman has an absolute
talent for offending the wrong people. Seems that some rowdy tourists spotting
her at the Elegant Club, made some comments about her rather unique disco
dancing style and she wound up clocking one of them.”
“Oh dear,” Albert said, “I hope
she wasn’t arrested.”
“She most certainly was. She was
lucky to be booked by one of my detective friends. He saw to it that she went
straight to the flat in Piccadilly and told her to stay out of trouble for a
while.” With a grin David said, “I believe she will for a fortnight or two.”
“I hope so, sir, for your sake.
She gets in so much trouble it could be a problem for all of us.”
Albert’s brows tended to knit
together and David presupposed his question. “I just wanted to see how much of
a snit the Observer made of it.”
Fussing with the tray Albert
asked, “And did they?”
“Oh for sure. Here it is,” David
said pointing to an article under a picture of a beautiful young woman appearing
to be shouting at someone. “Miss Leah Hammond, the lady friend of London’s most
famous barrister, Bradley David McAllister.”
“Ah, trust the Observer to
exaggerate and to embellish.”
“Well, in Leah’s case they may
embellish but they certainly are not exaggerating. That woman can find trouble
in a convent.”
“I believe she will stay out of
trouble for a while. I only wish you would go out once in while and not leave
all the fun up to Miss Hammond.”
“I kind of enjoy it this way,
Albert.”
Shifting gears Albert said, “Do
you wish me to call you for dinner, sir?”
“No. Just bring me a plate here
in the study.”
Albert nodded, and departed.
Later that evening Albert tapped lightly on the study door. David was
busy with some paperwork. He called for Albert to come in but did not look up
from his papers until he sensed Albert standing in front of him. When he looked
up he saw trouble in the pale blue eyes of his man-servant. They had been
together for over fifteen years and knew each other well. David was certain
something was wrong. “Sir,” Albert said, and paused.
“What is it, Albert? I heard the phone.”
“It’s terrible news from America, sir.”
David put his papers aside and took a deep breath signaling to
Albert that he was ready for this bad news.
It was not customary for Albert to stammer so when he started out
and he did stammer, David knew this was truly bad.
Albert said, “It was your sister-in-law Brenda. She has informed us
of the sad news that your niece Alicia has been murdered.”
David said nothing but stared at Albert. A moment later he dropped
his head into his hands as he heard Albert move off somewhere. When he looked
up Albert had a decanter of brandy in hand and said, “May I pour you a glass,
sir?”
“Yes, thank you, Albert.” He remained quiet while Albert poured.
Then he said, “Pour yourself one if you wish, Albert.’
“Thank you, sir,” he said as he handed David the drink and poured
himself one.
David sipped his drink and stared into the fire in the fireplace
before speaking. “Brenda didn’t wish to speak to me?”
“No, sir. She was very upset and I got the impression that she just
wanted me to inform you.”
“Damn it, Albert, I loved that girl. But Brenda remains bitter with
me. She still believes I should have done more to save my dear brother from his
troubles and his eventual demise. She doesn’t believe that my brother, her
Alicia and Jonathan are all the family I have and that I love them all dearly.
Her bitterness towards me is painful.”
“Yes indeed, sir, I know.”
“As for Alicia, I tried everything I could think of to keep her off
her dangerous path. Do you remember the time we had her over here?”
“Yes, sir,” Albert said, sipping on his own drink. “I became quite
fond of the young lady myself. It’s too bad we couldn’t keep her here longer.”
“Ah yes,” David said, the sadness coating his words in a hoarse
whisper, on the verge of tears “If only we could have kept her interested in
the life of a country lady. But she was intent on her tumultuous life in the
city.”
Albert asked, “You mean her night life, sir?”
“Yes. She had a penchant for the club scene. A lot like our Leah.”
“Ah, yes, sir. That’s true.”
“As for the rest of the McAllister family tragedy my dear sister in
law still blames me for my brother’s misfortune in losing his share of the
McAllister fortune.”
“Hasn’t she and her son, Jonathan, been able to retain some of the
money?”
“Yes, but of course it is only a fraction of the fortune my brother
had inherited.”
The two were quiet for a moment, only the steady ticking of the
grandfather clock filling the room. Finally, David said, “I suppose Brenda
didn’t stay on the phone long enough to give you any details of Alicia’s murder,
or whether or not the New York police have any leads.’
“No, sir. You are right there. Although she did say that they
suspected some Russian Mafia gangster in New York.”
“I know the one. In my efforts to keep an eye on my niece I have
learned of her involvement with one Victor Luchensko. He is the one you are
referring to.”
“Oh dear,” Albert said and took another sip of his drink.
“Albert, would you get me onto tomorrow evening’s flight to New York
City? I have some estate planning to do which I will discuss with you before I
leave.”
“Yes, sir. I will look to it immediately.” He hesitated. “As to
this estate planning, sir, from our conversations I know what you are planning,
but...but do you think that is the best way to handle things?”
David leveled a gaze from his steely gray eyes at Albert. “Yes,
Albert, I know it’s the right thing to do.”
Stepping back in an obedient manner, the white haired man said,
“Yes. Very well, sir. Whatever you wish.”
Chapter Two
David was sitting in the dim light of the study. He scanned the room and the
objects in it. Things that once had been dear to him. Things he cherished,
like the pipe set on his desk that his father had given him. But now they just
seemed to be things and he was anxious to be away from them. It was early
afternoon and the lowering sun was casting long shadows that crept across the
Oriental rugs. He was still deep in thought so was startled a bit by the tap on
the door. “Come on in, Albert.” Albert had a stack of manila folders under his
arm.
“Would you like to go over the estate arrangements?” he asked.
“Just the basics, Albert. I’m sure you were thorough. And relax.
You look so tense.”
“Well it is a trying time, sir.”
“I know, Albert, but today is your last official day as my
employee. Could we have a drink together?”
“Oh yes. That would be fine.”
As he started for the
sideboard, David motioned him to a chair. “Sit. I’ll get the drinks. Only a
splash of vermouth in your martini?”
“Yes, sir. That would be fine.”
“I’m no longer, Sir to you,
Albert.”
The older man looked flustered.
“Oh I’m sorry, s…. I mean, David. Years of habit are hard to break.”
David managed a weak smile.
“Yes. How long has it been? About fifteen years now?” He handed Albert his
drink. “Here. I believe it’s the way you like it.” As Albert accepted it
David raised his glass and said, “Here’s to better times.”
“Well, I hope so, sir. I just wish that you didn’t have to dispose
of all your property so quickly. The deal on the estate in Munich that we sold
to your friend was particularly unfair, bit of a steal.” He quickly amended his
words. “A steal for him, a bad deal for you.”
“And the London property?”
“All taken care of, sir. And as you wish all evidence of you and
your residence will have been removed. In fact,” he said sifting through the
folders, “here is the deed and paperwork transferring the estate to Leah
Hammond’s name. This will take effect in three weeks as you requested and also
the paperwork is there for you to sign authorizing my solicitors to turn the
proceeds of this estate over to my account in Geneva once the deal is
finalized. The last thing you requested, sir, is all evidence of your residence
in your estates will be removed before all transactions are finalized.”
Albert sipped his drink and sighed. “It’s too bad about the
financial losses though.”
David gazed at him from a moment. “I’m looking at my life
differently now, Albert, I now have a purpose. My first will be to take care of
that vile creature in New York, that Russian criminal who killed Alicia. And
then it will be on to a new life for me.”
“And what about the New York hotel
property, sir?”
“That property will be left to
Leah Hammond as well along with the funds from the Munich estate sale. I have
made the necessary changes in my will, which I finalized last night. I also
left my nephew Jonathan and his mother Brenda enough money to get by on should
something happen to me.”
“I understand, sir. But is all
this truly necessary?” His face twisted into a small grimace. “I mean…And then
there is the money loss, it still…”
David interrupted, seeking to change the subject. “Hush, Albert.
Who is it….Cervantes, I think, who said, ‘The gratification of wealth is not
found in mere possessions or in lavish expenditures but in its wise
application.’”
“I suppose, sir,” he said, still looking unconvinced.
“I do want to thank you for your help, Albert. Your loyalty will
never be forgotten. You are going ahead with me on my plans knowing that one
misstep could land us in Wormswood for years.”
“Indeed, sir.”
David had to grin at the lapse and return to protocol. “Actually
I’ve said goodbye to this house after my brother Keith left for the States. His
financial missteps and failure followed by his suicide have left me as bitter as
his wife Brenda and his son Jonathan in some way.”
“But it wasn’t your fault, sir.”
“That’s true but only in a technical sense, Albert.”
“Sir ?”
“It is kind of a sin by omission. I knew he was having
difficulties, but he is my older brother and I guess I expected him to bail
himself out. But instead look what happened.”
“He was…well…he was not suited, shall we say to handle a lot of
money. That’s not your fault. Some people, like yourself, have a knack for
handling wealth. Others do not. I don’t see it as a weakness. Then there are
always the vagaries and ups and downs of the financial world. It could have
happened to anyone.”
“Again, Albert, you’re right but only in one sense. I feel I should
have seen his distress and lent a helping hand before disaster struck. And in
my brother Keith's case it was indeed his fault. I didn’t want to interfere.
It would hurt his pride. But I did see him or rather I sensed he was moving in
the wrong direction. I should have helped him.”
Albert sipped his martini before speaking. “I think you are wrong,
sir, he was too stubborn, too proud to accept advice on business matters from
his younger brother. I believe if you so much as tried to help he would have
rejected it.”
David continued sipping his own drink. “You may be right, Albert,
but nevertheless I still feel guilty about it. And I feel strongly that I
should uphold the family honor and take care of this Luchensko fellow for the
murder of Alicia.” He sipped his drink thoughtfully. “I often wondered why she
would get involved with such a type of man.”
Albert sighed. “Some young women are attracted to dangerous fellows
like him, sir. They see them not as evil but some sort of dashing rogue.”
Albert lapsed quiet. When he spoke his voice was grim. “He’s a dangerous one,
sir. His main business is narcotics and he is heavily involved with the
Cartagena cartel. Our intelligence reports that although he has not been
convicted, nay, not even charged it is thought that he is responsible for the
demise of at least a half dozen beautiful young women. And he is difficult if
not impossible to get near since he never travels without a phalanx of
bodyguards, vicious thugs, all. With that kind of backing he is able to indulge
in his penchant for beautiful young women.”
David was back quickly. “And that will be his downfall, Albert.
That is how we are going to get him.”
“Sir?”
“Beautiful women are his Achilles' heel. That’s what will betray
his cunning.”
Albert now seemed reconciled to David’s intentions.
After a bit more silence David asked, “Am I all set for my flight
this evening?”
“Yes, sir. You are booked in First Class on British Airways to New
York. I have arranged for a car and a hotel room for you in New York as well.
The limo service will transport you to Heathrow.”
David locked eyes with Albert. The older man looked sad. David
said, “Everything comes to an end, Albert. No need to be sad.”
“I guess so, sir. I guess I just hate change.”
“Something is over and something else is about to begin. That’s
something to be happy about. New things should make one happy.”
David finished his drink. Albert did likewise and rose from his
chair. “Well, sir, it is very difficult to say goodbye and I will miss being
your number one man and…friend.”
David’s smile was warm and genuine. “You will never stop being
that, Albert. Not ever.”
Chapter Three
The British Airways 757 cruised quietly at 30,000 feet over the wine dark
Atlantic. David sat in the First Class cabin sipping a Manhattan and thinking.
Most of his thoughts were about his niece, Alicia. The young woman had held a
special place in his heart. And right now he was thinking about why. What did
he have in common with the young woman that had made her so special to him? Of
course, she had been special to her mother and brother, Jonathan too. She was a
fine girl. If not for her penchant for a rare combination of independence,
rebelliousness and curiosity she might be alive today instead of laying in a
coffin at a Manhattan funeral parlor.
David
remembered the time he had taken her trout fishing at his lodge in the Scottish
highlands. She was a fast learner and truly loved the sport, learning to cast
the fly out effortlessly and then trolling it gently along the likely hiding
spots of the trout. David found himself trying harder than ever to catch
trout. She was genuine competition and of course it was Alicia who had the
first strike. The trout was a monster and David thought for sure it was the one
called “Old Wally” which fishermen had been trying to catch for years. Alicia
played the fish as if she had been trout fishing all her life. The enormous
size of this fish made him especially difficult to land. Whenever David tried
to assist her she insisted she could handle it. And she did. A couple of
passing fishermen stopped to watch. Everyone was sure she had “Old Wally.” A
legend would end right here today at this trout stream. The locals were a bit
jealous that they had been trying for years to catch this fish and this whippet
of an English lass had out fished them all. As Alicia held the fish in her net,
a couple of the locals took a picture. He still had it today on his mantle.
But a tear came to Alicia’s eye as she watched the great fish struggle in the
net. Quickly and gently, she removed the hook, inserted a finger in his gill
and threw him back into the river. A gasp went up from the assembled Scots.
“Why’d you do that, Lass. You have “Old Wally” the biggest toughest trout of
them all.”
Alicia
caught David’s eyes. “He’s so beautiful, so free, I couldn’t take his life just
so I could say ‘I caught “Old Wally.’”
David smiled, proud of her. “You make me proud, girl.”
He
hugged her and she wept softly. Looking up at him she said, “Do you think me
the fool?”
“God no, girl. I think you’re the finest human being I’ve ever known.”
He
never forgot the incident and he knew it was what made Alicia special to him.
And he knew she felt the same.
Whoever had harmed her. Whoever had killed her was going to pay. He had made
this vow the minute he heard she had been murdered.
He
dozed off with his mortal thoughts and was awakened by the rattle of breakfast
trays, the smell of coffee and the sun slanting in his window.
By
the time the plane landed with a thump, a squeal of rubber and the roar of
reverse thrusting engines, David was burning with a steely resolve, a burning
desire to kill that miserable Russian, or whomever he found out was responsible
for Alicia’s death.
He
was whisked off through the Manhattan traffic to his hotel on the Upper East
Side. When he checked in he asked, “Is Ms Leah Hammond in the hotel?”
The
clerk, recognizing him said, “Not yet sir. But she left a message for you early
this morning saying she would check in around three this afternoon. Would you
like to leave a message?”
“No. That’s fine. I’ll catch up with her later.”
Later, David appeared in casual clothes, went outside into the bright sunshine
and the doorman hailed him a cab. He told the driver, “Lou’s Gym. It’s over in
the Bowery on Hudson Avenue. Do you know it?”
The
driver cast a glance at him. “Sure. Thing is, are you sure you want to go down
there?”
David smiled. “I’m sure.”
Lou’s was in a section of the Bowery that was even more run down and seedy then
the rest of the area. Several businesses on the street were boarded up. Trash
and beer cans littered the gutters. David handed the driver a twenty and
carrying a gym bag, he alighted. The sign out in front was faded and peeling.
If one was careful the words, Karate, Tai Kwan Do and Aikido could be read. He
went inside. The driver, watching, gave a kind of roll of the eyes.
A
wiry little bald headed man at the desk looked up from his crossword. “Hey
there, David. Nice to see you. Are we your first stop of the day?”
“Yes, Lou. I’d rather do some Karate than run like most normal people. Is
there anybody around who might like to work out with me?”
Lou
grinned. “There’s usually some here by ten. But you’re going to have to get
somebody who doesn’t know you.”
David feigned ignorance. “I beg our pardon?”
“Well, you wiped the floor with the last ones. So you need fresh meat. Why
don’t you go warm up and I’ll let you know if some worthy opponent comes in.”
David changed into his Karate outfit, white robe and pants with a neutral
colored sash. He was slight of build and not particularly impressive. When Lou
came in hiding a little grin he had a large fierce looking guy with him. He was
cue ball bald and it was obvious that his nose had been broken at least a few
times. When he caught sight of David doing some stretching exercises he turned
to Lou. “Are you kidding me?”
“What?” Lou said innocently. “He’s a pro I’m telling you. Don’t let that
slight build fool you.”
The
bald guy shook his head. “Look. I don’t want to be charged with murder. I
just want to work out. This guy is pretty enough to be a broad.”
Lou
said, “Don’t let his small build fool you. He’s fast. As a matter of fact I’ll
lay odds, ten to one that he strikes the first blow.”
The
big guy’s grin revealed small stumps of yellowish teeth. “Come on, Lou. You in
love with this guy? You’re willing to bet money?”
“American dollars.”
“He
lands the first hit.”
“Right.”
“Okay. You’re on. I like easy money.”
Lou
introduced the two. “David, this is Bruno. Bruno, David.”
David stuck out his hand and Bruno did his best to give a hard enough squeeze to
elicit a wince from most men. But David simply smiled at him.
When the two got in the ring, the difference between them was shocking. David
looked like a Preppy in a hobo camp.
The
opponents faced each other and went through the ancient rituals of respect an
honor. David particularly loved this part of the sport. He deeply respected
the rituals and the ancient principles behind them. While David bowed deeply
and respectfully, his opponent went through the motions in a superficial and
callous manner.
The
two strode casually around each other eying each other like prey. If one was
the wolf the other was the lamb. Bruno kept grinning and David maintained a
pleasant if not jovial demeanor. David took the side facing straddle stance
called sesan dachi because he felt that it intimidated a larger opponent
like Bruno. First all of his limbs used for striking were not in view in this
stance and secondly he felt viewing the man from a peripheral stance put him off
balance. Suddenly, David stopped, whirled and landed an in place kick on
Bruno’s jaw. He fended off the inevitable counter thrust with a backhand block
called ura uke. Bruno staggered back, more surprised than hurt. He
wiped a bit of blood off his mouth and looked at David, incredulous. Bruno
tried another blow, this one blocked by an open hand block called a shotei
otoshi uke. Lou grinned. But Bruno never looked at the little gym owner.
His first impulse was to rush David. That was a mistake. David stopped him
with a flurry of hand and elbow jabs, the last one to the back of his neck
sending the big man crashing to the mat.
As
Bruno on hands and knees shook himself like a wet dog, David, very calmly strode
around and waited for him to get up. He decided not to. Even though the victor,
David bowed low in respect to a worthy opponent.
Word got around the gym and opponents, now eager to prove themselves, began
showing up. David made short work of them and when he was done was satisfied
that he had a good work-out.
Back at the hotel David indulged in a heavier than usual lunch since he had
burned up so many calories at the gym. He dined on a nice grilled piece of
halibut, Delmonico potatoes and a large Caesar salad. For dessert he indulged
in a piece of German Bavarian chocolate cake he had learned to love from his
life in Switzerland.
After lunch he changed into more formal attire and took a cab to the 22nd
Precinct in Manhattan and a meeting with his nephew Jonathan, a gold shield with
NYPD. David confirmed that Jonathan was available before he left.
An
hour later he was sitting in front of Jonathan’s desk. Behind him were some
family pictures and David saw his brother Keith in several pictures in happier
days. There was also a picture or two of Alicia.
Jonathan was happy to see his uncle but beneath the exterior smile he was deeply
sad. David said, “I’m so sorry, Jonathan. I loved that girl as if she was my
own.”
“I
know, Uncle David. I know. She was headstrong. Wouldn’t listen to anybody.
Still…”
“Still she didn’t deserve what she got at the hands of that monster. Are we
still sure it was him?”
Jonathan sighed. “We’re sure in the sense of it doesn’t seem likely it was
anybody else or that it was a random murder. As you know, the trouble is this
guy is heavy duty Mafia. He protects himself from every quarter. He has some
of the biggest politicians in Albany in his pocket. Of course I couldn’t prove
any of that. In fact I’m having enough trouble convincing anyone that I have
enough evidence for an indictment.”
“So
the investigation isn’t going well.”
Jonathan said, “I’m afraid if we have to rely on the law we aren’t going to get
him. His trail is clean.”
“So…You’re saying that…”
“Keep that speculation to yourself, Uncle. All I’m saying is that in my
position, I’m going to have a tough time developing any evidence against him.”
“I
see.”
“Do
you? Do you realize that he can get any number of politicians or other VIPs to
say he was with them as an alibi? I’ve never seen a hood so well protected.”
“I
know how it is, Jonathan. I’ve done enough in my own practice with people in
high places who protect people like this Russian. It’s because of his funding.
He has so much money, there is hardly anybody that he can’t bribe.”
David had the picture. He now wanted to breach another subject. “Jonathan,
please don’t argue with me on this. I want to pay for Alicia’s funeral and I
want to spare no expense.”
Jonathan sighed and tapped his fingers on his desk. “I dunno, Uncle. You know
how my mother is. I...”
“I
can’t say I really know how your mother is, Jonathan, but I do know this.
Somewhere deep down she doesn’t really blame me for Keith’s problems. I might
have been able to do more but in this life no man is his brother’s keeper.
Everybody shifts for themselves and if one needs help he should ask. Keith
never asked. If it is my responsibility for not asking remember this. Keith is
my older brother. He wasn’t used to taking charity from his kid brother. So as
I said, deep down, I don’t think your mother really blames me. One day she will
realize that.”
“I
hope you are right.”
David leveled a gaze at his nephew. “Jonathan, I want to help you catch this
Russian but if we can’t bring him to justice I am telling you this unofficially,
I am going to get him.”
“How, Uncle? He is powerful and is surrounded by some dedicated bodyguards.”
“Leave that to me, Jonathan. I don’t want to advocate vigilante justice but I
swear to you that this monster will not get away with this.”
Jonathan allowed a rather wry grin cross his face. “I know how you feel but I
represent authority and law here. I would like to get him too but I can’t even
contemplate it. In fact I’m lucky the boss hasn’t taken me off the case already
because of my closeness to it. But while I’m on the case I’ll give you any
information that you think you can use. It’s true. You could do things that
the police can’t.”
He
lapsed silent for a moment. Only the office clatter broke the silence between
them. Jonathan then said, “I don’t want you to get into any trouble over this.
This scumbag isn’t worth it.”
“I need to do what I need to
do, Jonathan. Don’t worry about me.”
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