HOSTILE TAKEOVER

ELEVEN

Chapter Nine

The Farm

 

 

 

The Rolls-Royce Phantom turned off the main road and entered the huge driveway. Two massive sculptures of horses on their hind legs rose on plinths and welcomed guests. The legend about Horses in Art and their riders dying in battle an urban myth while underneath, chiseled into solid rock was the inscription Spectre Stud.

The large black wrought iron gates were open and an avenue of American elm trees either side of the road was visible as the car cruised along the smooth road which ran in perfect symmetry with the trees. Dark green fences separated the trees from the lush green horse paddocks which were now clearly visible.

Two gray Lipizzaner Stallions sprinted along the wooden fence line and on the opposite side of the fence, driven by Zeus, Blofeld sat in the back seat.

Blofeld clicked the button to open the window and he cried out to the two stallions that recognize his voice as Zeus kept the car level with the horses.

“I’m home my beauties.” he shouted through the window.

Zeus pressed his foot on the accelerator just a little to give the horses a little incentive to go faster and the car inched forward ahead of them for a moment, then he turned the speed up and they are no match for the 453 horses under the hood of the Rolls.

The Phantom pulled into the large courtyard as various people were walking horses to and from the paddock.

A luxurious farmhouse was surrounded by several smaller buildings, but they too were equally impressive.

Zeus quickly stepped out of the car and he now opened the door for Blofeld who took a deep breath of the rich, pure country air.

Blofeld quickly gazed at this equestrian center which had won a lot of money over the years, but for Blofeld, this was not about winning money or silver trophies. It was about being around something that he loved, something natural and beautiful.

Something rare.

One of the two horses that they had raced earlier was now being brought towards Blofeld by two of the stable trainers and Blofeld couldn’t contain his enthusiasm when he saw them all approaching.

The horse quickly jumped high into the air performing a Capriole, and as soon as it landed, it continued with its dressage display with a Corbett and it finished with a Levade maneuver. Blofeld clapped at this fantastic display and he quickly walked towards them, stroking the horse lovingly.

The sound of a cell phone broke the moment and Zeus removed the offending item from inside his jacket.

He did not greet the person who was calling; in fact he never spoke at all, he just let the person finish what they had to say. He hesitated a moment before approaching Blofeld who was now talking to one of the trainers and handed him the cellphone.

 “Reinhardt. Thank you Mr. Zeus.” said Blofeld taking the cell from him.

“Blofeld listen. We’ve got a problem. The facility in Edinburgh has been compromised. We don’t know yet who’s done it, but there has been a huge explosion and most of the warehouse has been burnt down. Only the offices have not been damaged.” said Reinhardt on the phone without pausing for breath.

“All of it you say?” replied Blofeld calmly.

“Yes. All of it! They planted some kind of virus on the system as well so we can’t access any of the CCTV footage. All the stock is gone.” said Reinhardt.

Blofeld paused for a moment, contemplating this new information.

“Blofeld! Are you there?”

“I shall be heading to Svalbard in the next day or so. See if the building is worth repairing, or if it will be better to find a new facility. Whatever is quicker? Do it now Mr. Reinhardt.” answered Blofeld who now passed the cell phone back to Zeus who pocketed it inside his jacket. As he did so, Blofeld noticed the gun holster which Zeus was wearing.

“Mr. Zeus. Your gun please.” asked Blofeld again extremely calmly.

Zeus removed the Sig-Saur weapon from his holster and handed it to Blofeld.

Zeus watched now as Blofeld stepped closer to one of the horses, kissed it, and then shot it through the head.

The beautiful creature instantly fell dead to the floor as the trainer cried out and fell sobbing onto his knees in front of Blofeld.

Zeus had seen this before and thought it wise to remain silent. Nothing you can say or do is going to change the behavior of a sociopath.

Blofeld handed Zeus the weapon with an odd calmness about him. He did not seem angry or overly emotional in any way.

Several men from the stables where now running towards them as they had heard the gunshot. Their first instinct was that an animal was injured and had been humanely put down by the vet, but as they got closer, they all realized that Blofeld had killed this animal.

Zeus glared at them all, partly hoping that one of them would protest but no one did.

Without warning, Blofeld seemed to snap out of his trance and was instantly himself again. He turned to see the men walking closer.

“Hello Gentlemen. The Farm looks magnificent. Great job all of you. Zeus.” said Blofeld walking towards the Farm House as though nothing had happened.

“What should we do with Nimitz?” asked one of the men as he bent to stroke the dead beasts shoulder. Blofeld was out of earshot but Zeus however did hear it and gazed at the dead animal for a moment before walking after his employer.