From The Grave

Chapter 32

Garnet Cleaver appeared as a taller than average, rail thin apparition as he sailed across the bank's marble lobby, a skeletal hand outstretched to greet Wayne. His moustache seemed to be penciled on half way between his nose and his lip, and his teeth, when he cracked a smile upon clasping hands, exposed a cluster of overly white, square teeth.

"Mr. Jenner. Garnet Cleaver, Manager. Pleased to have you in our sanctum.

Sanctum? Wayne withdrew his hand and nodded, forcing a small smile of his own.

"I believe we have business to conduct; my schedule is quite full."

The smile closed down and the eyes fluttered as he turned, indicating their direction with a flick of a wrist.

The office was all dark walnut with heavy cornices and baseboards. Gold framed oils of founders and previous directors hung solemnly on the pale rose painted walls. Garnet positioned himself behind an ornate desk, with antique inkwell and pen holder to match the brass ink roller blotter, and placed his bony fingers in a fan on the surface.

"I believe we should begin with the confirmation of payment to my client."

"And I believe we should see first just what your client is selling."

"I can assure you, Mr. Jen─"

"Then do so. Get the stamp out now." Wayne's voice came out like carved granite and Garnet's features took on a putty-coloured aspect.

One splayed hand found its way to a buzzer and in a shaky voice, Garnet requested his client's package be brought to his office. They sat silently staring at one another until the door opened and a tidy little woman wearing a fluffy white blouse, tweed skirt and a pince-nez, scuttled to the desk and set a large envelope down with all the care of a demolition disarmament expert. She nodded politely and fled.

Wayne snatched up the envelope before Garnet could reach it and withdrew the contents. The Niue stamp was indeed there and after a close examination and a speed read of the accompanying documents, also secured from the Niue government files, he replaced the contents and took out his personal communicator.

"I am transferring the agreed upon price, less the amount I discussed with your client. If he complains to you about the sum you can direct him to me personally. I will handle his complaint. You will have no further involvement in any way. Clear?"

Garnet nodded, his throat constricted and his body unresponsive as Wayne picked up the envelope, stood and left without another word.

After a few stunned moments, Garnet frantically turned to his keyboard and called up the client account. His breath released slowly as he verified the sum and his eyebrows rose at the deduction Jenner had mentioned. Mr. Ulanni would not be pleased.

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"Is this what you call, bearding the lion in his den?" Arny slouched in the passenger seat and busied himself by using one eye to line up the edge of the wiper blade with objects on the horizon.

"You have a better idea?"

He looked over at her and realized that he didn't so he said nothing.

"I thought not. Phati e-mailed me and said that his boss did a deal with the government and then immediately had the item couriered out of the country. CONGA sources had the package tracked to a branch of The Business Bank of North America. Further searching uncovered the fact that Wayne Jenner visited the bank yesterday."

"Is Maurice actually helping you in this matter?"

"Not directly. The board suggested he stay in the background and provide direction as requested."

"Ouch. In other words sit down and shut up."

"Essentially." Gretta pulled out and passed a semi that was belching dirty exhaust and stepped on the gas until they were well down the highway ahead of the toxic odor.

"I also want to know what happened to April Weston."

"Bulldog, Gretta." He sighed and leaned his head against the glass.

The scenery turned from clusters of industrial and corporate structures to smaller businesses and finally long stretches of un-farmed land. They turned off the highway and continued on a narrow, gravel covered road for several miles, turning again onto a similar road that eventually brought them to the impressive front gates of Balsam Grove. Gretta slowed and steered up the winding drive to the front entrance, tires crunching over the crushed brick drive.

"Wow, what a great looking place." Arny climbed out and stood admiring the architecture.

"At one time it was a grand old hotel. Some business group or other bought it and turned it into a private retreat. I understand it's quite state of the art now."

"No wonder Jenner lives here; that condo he owns is a waste of money."

They crossed the drive and mounted the steps to the front doors, taking in the surrounding immaculate grounds with interest. Gretta tried the door and opened it onto a large marble lobby with a wide, curving grand staircase. A discreet brass plate pointed to the office behind the stairs.

"I hope you can afford to put me in here when I'm old and decrepit."

"We'd better talk soon." She giggled and stepped past him to the office door and knocked before entering.

"Now why am I not surprised. Gretta Lawrence."

"Hello Wayne. You're looking much better than the last time I saw you."

"And Arnold, is it? Come in. Sit." He stood for a moment, indicating chairs and then sat again. "So, to what- aah... I guess that's pretty naïve isn't it? It's the Niue stamp, right?"

"The operational word being, Niue." Gretta smiled and watched the man she had opposed a number of times while carrying out CONGA directives.

"Please, Miss Lawrence, don't tell me you're going to get all out of shape over a little country the size of Centre Island." He sneered and chuckled softly.

"It's a little bigger than that, Wayne, and regardless, the people should have the benefit of their economic treasures."

"Hah! Tell that yarn to the country's officials. They don't mind using those economic treasures to line their own pockets."

"CONGA works through different channels to rectify those situations; my job is to retrieve and return the property belonging to the citizens of Niue."

Wayne shrugged and sat up, leaning on the desk and folding his hands.

"Arnold, this woman is certainly one piece of work you have to deal with. We have had dealings in the past in which I seem to always come out on the short end... but this time is going to be different." He turned to Gretta. "I have the stamp, and I'm keeping it."

"Your end would have been much shorter if I hadn't called for help at the time."

"Granted... but you did kill my daughter."

"When she tried to kill you."

He sighed. "Yes... ah, well... sad days but all past now."

"What about Susan Duncan? And where is April Weston these days? She began this little project."

"I think this visit is over." He stood and took an aggressive stance.

"The stamp, Wayne."

"In your dreams, Miss Lawrence." He reached down and pressed a button on the desk and a moment later the door opened and two male nurses filled the doorway.

"Miss Lawrence and her friend are leaving Balsam Grove." He sat quietly for some time then slapped a hand on the desk, a decision made. He went to his safe and withdrew the envelope containing the stamp and slipped it into his jacket pocket.

The trip to the hospital took less than an hour there and back and he poured a drink, considering his move and as he swallowed, agreed with himself that it was smart.