Chapter 17

Present – Liz, Thom and Jack – finishing up the wedding coverage and a new problem

I am getting so spoiled by my Bernie and is he ever going to get lucky later! After spending all day in my heels on this dreadful ground and in this terrible dress my legs are hurting. My wonderful Bernie is washing and massaging my feet. It feels so good that I'm almost asleep when Thom and Jack walk up and Jack totally ruins the moment, "Liz, we have a hell of a problem!"

I really am tired of all the problems associated with this wedding and wonder why in the hell I should be responsible for them. I did a hell of a job pulling it together, it went off without too many hitches (other than the craziness with the Mossad, Megan and Evelyn). I glare at Jack and complain, "What the fuck now! Don't tell me someone else has died?"

Thom laughs and the conversation continues...

Man talk about someone needing to grow a pair, the last thing I would ever want to do was wash a woman's feet and give them a foot massage. I am ready to answer Liz when Inga walks up. She sees what Bernie's doing for Liz and remarks, "Liz, you are so lucky that Bernie does that for you! My feet are killing me and I wish someone would take as much loving care of me."

She looks at me, grins and I know what she's thinking - so I change the subject, "Inga, did you find any trace of them?"

Liz interrupts, "Thom, what the hell is going on."

Inga answers, "No Thom, they are both gone, however Glen and Hammer are finally awake."

I ignore Liz and continue my interrogation, "Were Glen or Hammer able to give you any information?"

Liz once again interrupts, "Thom, don't make me kick your ass! What the hell are you three talking about?"

I glare at Liz and grouse, "Liz, shut the hell up and let me talk to Inga."

Inga answers, "Thom, that's not a nice way to talk to Liz! Liz, someone has taken the bodies!"

She finally answers my question, "Thom, Glen and Hammer got in a fight when Hammer wanted to further defile Megan's body. While they were distracted, someone came up and Tased both of them. They are angrier than I have ever seen two men."

Liz jumps to her feet, kicking the pan over and exclaims, "What in the hell is going on? Who would take the bodies?"

Jack answers...

Bernie has given me a hell of an idea! I need to find Masha and see if she needs a foot massage - hell that would score me some big points for later tonight.

Thom's diplomacy is lacking so I decide I need to become more involved. I answer Liz's question, "Liz, we don't have any idea who stole the bodies. What would anyone want with the two bodies to begin with?"

I continue, "If the twins were here I might blame them for this, but they left a while ago."

Liz glares at me and answers, "Jack, I know you don't care for them but I can't see them doing something like this."

Bernie stands up and becomes the beacon of reason, "Instead of blindly casting the blame on anyone and everyone, we need to figure out who would have the most to gain from taking the bodies."

I interject, " ... And how they plan on transporting them. Thom, please alert the TSIFFTS transports to make sure they don't let the body bags onto a flight."

Thom looks at Inga and says, "Inga, let's move it."

They leave and we continue looking at each other trying to figure this out.

Present – Stacy and Samantha – heading to the cabin on the Truth Network private jet.

My phone rings, I look at the caller ID and note that it's Bill. I answer and ask, "Bill, I hope you have good news to report?"

Bill who seldom lets me down answers, "Yes Ms. Summers, indeed I do. This mission went off with no problems. They were so busy fighting each other they never heard or saw me."

I continue, "Will you transport them to our facility at Leadville and then have the DNA tests done?"

He answers, "Of course Ms. Summers. I have already alerted our team to purchase the coolers for the cadavers. The smaller cadaver which we believe to be Megan has been seriously mutilated. What are your final plans for the cadavers?"

I look at Samantha, smile and answer, "Bill, nothing evil: I am going to give them back to Ben and Jennifer."

Bill suggests something to me that I sure didn't consider so I revise the orders, "Bill please make sure you document the condition of the bodies."

He replies, "Ms. Summers, I anticipated your wishes and have already done that. Now I need to get them on the chopper we are using to transport the horses and Wojtek. By the way, he is one mean, bear when he's drunk."

I laugh and agree, "He probably has a hangover but should be okay in a couple hours."

I hang up the phone and begin to discuss Bill's idea with Sam...

Present – Ira, Mira, Safia and Alexi – at the destroyed cabin

My sister Mira and I once again quelled the combat between Alexi and Safia by placing both of them in the hold of sleepers. After securing the promise from them of terminating the conflict, we began to release the combatants. Alexi committed the error of spinning around and attempting to strike me in the eyes. He was certainly stronger than my corporeal self, however his swiftness was less than half of mine. I easily deflected his weak attempt at a blow and delivered a resounding palm to the base of his olfactory appendage.

Alexi covers his olfactory appendage with both digital extremities, falls to his knees and complains, "Ira, you broke my nose."

I nonchalantly reply, "Absence of excrement Sherlock! You sought to damage my eyes with your blow, which is a serious offense. Therefore I responded with equal aggressiveness."

Safia yells and returns to the offensive, "Ira, look at Alexi's nose - it's bleeding like crazy. I'm going to kick your ass!"

I advise caution, "Young Safia, in your present condition I would not recommend attempting an act so hardy fool otherwise your fetus could become damaged."

She of course does not heed my warning so I nod quickly to my sister Mira, she wraps her arm around Safia's neck and places her once again in the hold of sleeper."

Mira states...

Alexi was lucky he did not try to assault my eyes, otherwise I would have fractured his humerus. I have Safia totally in control so I suggest, "Ira, Safia will not trouble either of us. Perhaps you should tend to Alexi's injury because we are expending precious time to no accrued benefit."

She kneels on the floor in front of Alexi as he complains like a young child, "Ira, you have done enough, leave me alone."

Ira replies, "Alexi, stop behaving like a child. I have not done enough and I must examine your olfactory appendage to ascertain if it has deviated from midline."

He removes his digital extremities, Safia occulates the all too apparent damage and begins to struggle greatly. I slowly increase the pressure on the hold of sleeper and render her corporeal self slightly incapacitated.

Ira touches Alexi's olfactory appendage moves it slightly, then grabs the end and pulls down with extreme force! That produces a loud snap as his olfactory appendage is realigned. Alexi releases a large sigh and promptly becomes incapacitated.

Ira occulates me and inquires, "Mira, perhaps bringing these two on our quest is an error in tactical judgement."

I concur, "Yes Ira, they need to abide in the subterranean tunnels while we locate the terrible teenagers."

I release Safia, she crawls to Alexi's side, begins to wipe the plasma off his face and threatens, "This isn't over."

Ira and I vocalize our mirth and I reply, "Safia, it would be unwise to continue this ill-fated combat. You and Alexi are relatively competent in martial arts, but are not of the same caliber as our corporeal selves. The next time Alexi desires to attack either one of us, he should reconsider it twice as our retribution for repeated lessons in humility might damage him further. I would suggest you both apply your mandibular muscle to the wounds you have."