12-04-2019, 02:51 PM
"I thank him for putting it into words. This has already been a day like the day that it occurred to me that Captain Stottlemeyer from 'Monk' and Buffalo Bill from 'Silence of the Lambs' were the same man."
The Ultimado paused.
"I had never thought of this. I now know this feeling. His message continues: There are four people in the world, of whom we are aware, with this ability. The other three who know it are friends of hers: the two who taught it to her as a child, and a more recent member of their group; the woman on the video, whom I've told you about. Luckily for all of us, they seem content to use this ability simply to live a comfortable life, help others, and pursue their passions. They are her family, and this power is some kind of family secret. I have met these people; and do not believe that I am being influenced when I say that the secret in safe hands."
Luc lit a cigarette, sensing that he might be a while, before sharing his thoughts with the unseen Ultimado.
"Which would make them important enough to her to risk an international incident over one of them being caught on video. You may tell our friend that my copy has already been accidentally erased. And that I think he is correct about not being influenced. La Contessa does not seem to be the kind of ruler who would put a puppet in charge of her country's military. His rise from Capitano to Generalissimo would happen only through well-earned trust and respect. I am guessing that another member of the family is 'skilled in matters of money?'"
"Oui." The Ultimado answered. "I have met him. He shared some stock tips that have worked out very well. But back to the message: Whyte arranged an incident where La Contessa was certain to use this ability so that he could see how it worked. He concluded that being unable to hear her command would make Morgan immune to it. This is why everyone but him froze when she commanded him not to move. If she had not said that we could move again before falling unconscious, I may have been stuck there until her friends arrived from America to release me. Oh, si, I am aware that at least one of them is able to override her commands."
"Then it is some kind of skill, with varying degrees of talent; possibly multiple approaches." Luc replied.
The Ultimado took in his words before continuing the message. Part of her orders were to report back "even the slightest idle musings" Luc may have.
"La Contessa's friends are safe, under constant guard by Ultimados. At present, she and Señor Mander are en route to a meeting with a representative of The Elders, to give them the recording of Whyte's admission to orchestrating the limousine ambush."
Luc replayed the recording of that conversation in his head.
"With everything else happening in Seattle, I had suspected an Auction was afoot. Add all of those players, and that is the only thing that it can be. If there is an item that Contessa Helena de San Finzione wants to possess up for bid, the only way anyone else could possibly walk out of there with it is if she were already dead."
Luc thought some more.
"I do not think that Whyte would reveal La Contessa's friends to the Elders. I am certain that my old friend has them well-guarded. Whyte needs any leverage he can get, and an attempt on Contessa-In-Reggenza Maria would be impossible now, so that leaves only them to dangle over La Contessa's head. They are too valuable to him to risk losing to a Triad bullet."
"He would want me to thank you for this. He concludes. The dossier that the Ultimado is giving you now contains everything we have that I have not already shared on Whyte and the item that he wants. I hope this helps you to see the full picture. I know I do not have to advise you about discretion, Luc; however, people have already died over this thing. I would suggest destroying it when you are done. Vaya Con Dios, my friend."
Luc looked down at the thick, sealed envelope that had been placed on the bench.
"When I turn around, you will have disappeared like Batman, correct?"
"Oui." The Ultimado responded, her voice already distant.
"Then, allow me to say merci before you depart."
There was no answer.
Luc picked up the folder and hurried toward his bicycle.
* * *
The Ultimado paused.
"I had never thought of this. I now know this feeling. His message continues: There are four people in the world, of whom we are aware, with this ability. The other three who know it are friends of hers: the two who taught it to her as a child, and a more recent member of their group; the woman on the video, whom I've told you about. Luckily for all of us, they seem content to use this ability simply to live a comfortable life, help others, and pursue their passions. They are her family, and this power is some kind of family secret. I have met these people; and do not believe that I am being influenced when I say that the secret in safe hands."
Luc lit a cigarette, sensing that he might be a while, before sharing his thoughts with the unseen Ultimado.
"Which would make them important enough to her to risk an international incident over one of them being caught on video. You may tell our friend that my copy has already been accidentally erased. And that I think he is correct about not being influenced. La Contessa does not seem to be the kind of ruler who would put a puppet in charge of her country's military. His rise from Capitano to Generalissimo would happen only through well-earned trust and respect. I am guessing that another member of the family is 'skilled in matters of money?'"
"Oui." The Ultimado answered. "I have met him. He shared some stock tips that have worked out very well. But back to the message: Whyte arranged an incident where La Contessa was certain to use this ability so that he could see how it worked. He concluded that being unable to hear her command would make Morgan immune to it. This is why everyone but him froze when she commanded him not to move. If she had not said that we could move again before falling unconscious, I may have been stuck there until her friends arrived from America to release me. Oh, si, I am aware that at least one of them is able to override her commands."
"Then it is some kind of skill, with varying degrees of talent; possibly multiple approaches." Luc replied.
The Ultimado took in his words before continuing the message. Part of her orders were to report back "even the slightest idle musings" Luc may have.
"La Contessa's friends are safe, under constant guard by Ultimados. At present, she and Señor Mander are en route to a meeting with a representative of The Elders, to give them the recording of Whyte's admission to orchestrating the limousine ambush."
Luc replayed the recording of that conversation in his head.
"With everything else happening in Seattle, I had suspected an Auction was afoot. Add all of those players, and that is the only thing that it can be. If there is an item that Contessa Helena de San Finzione wants to possess up for bid, the only way anyone else could possibly walk out of there with it is if she were already dead."
Luc thought some more.
"I do not think that Whyte would reveal La Contessa's friends to the Elders. I am certain that my old friend has them well-guarded. Whyte needs any leverage he can get, and an attempt on Contessa-In-Reggenza Maria would be impossible now, so that leaves only them to dangle over La Contessa's head. They are too valuable to him to risk losing to a Triad bullet."
"He would want me to thank you for this. He concludes. The dossier that the Ultimado is giving you now contains everything we have that I have not already shared on Whyte and the item that he wants. I hope this helps you to see the full picture. I know I do not have to advise you about discretion, Luc; however, people have already died over this thing. I would suggest destroying it when you are done. Vaya Con Dios, my friend."
Luc looked down at the thick, sealed envelope that had been placed on the bench.
"When I turn around, you will have disappeared like Batman, correct?"
"Oui." The Ultimado responded, her voice already distant.
"Then, allow me to say merci before you depart."
There was no answer.
Luc picked up the folder and hurried toward his bicycle.
* * *
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