The Robber Princess

Chapter 16. Zhake Zhohnson

Chapter 16

Regina asked the waiter for some paper, an envelope, and a pen and he brought her some. She glanced out at the window to check for cops every so often, while writing to Angelica:

I believe that our friend in New York has met the same fate as our friends in Buenos Aires and St. Petersburg. Our acquaintances from the other side got to him first and laid a trap for me. I was able to escape, but I am compromised as a result.

Because of this, I must leave immediately. I wish that I could say goodbye in person, but by now every building concierge in the city is looking for me. I dare not even return to the hotel.

I honestly do not know if I will ever see you again. It is very painful for me to put this thought into words, but we must acknowledge the reality of our situation. I do not know what tomorrow brings for either of us. It is possible that this matter will be resolved soon, but it seems more and more likely that instead I will be arrested and live out my life in prison. Our experience in Rome even raises the possibility that a month from now I could be dead. In a way I regret having introduced you to my life, because it really is very hazardous.

Regina brushed away a tear as she wrote her fondest farewells to her sister. She neatly folded the letter, sealed it inside the envelope, and wrote "Plaza Hotel, Royal Suite" on the front. She called over the waiter.

"Well, pretty lady," said the waiter, "what can I get you now?"

"Please, I need your 'elp," she said quietly, deliberately exaggerating her French accent and staring at him with big, watery eyes, hoping that he would fall over himself to do whatever she asked.

It worked; the waiter's brusqueness melted away and he leaned over the counter toward her. "Name it, babe" he said equally quietly.

"I need you to take zis lettaire to ze Plaza 'otel and give it to ze concierge. I pay you three 'undred-what you call it?" She flipped her hair. "Books?" She deliberately puffed out her lips as she spoke the word, as if offering him a kiss.

The enamored waiter cracked a smile. "Bucks," he corrected. "When?"

"Now. We take a taxi to ze 'otel, you deeleevair ze lettaire and I give you ze money. Okee-dokeeh?" She smiled her most charming smile.

"Yoogoddit babe," he replied as he stood straight and turned toward the kitchen. "Yo, boss! I need to take my break now, okay?" An older balding man in a dirty white apron nodded his assent. The waiter came around the counter and said, "Let's go, toots."

Regina did not know the English word "toeuts"; she hoped he was not actually calling her "tits," but she needed his help too urgently to get offended. She picked up her bag, leaving the hat and sunglasses behind, and they walked out of the shop. The waiter whistled loudly and raised his arm. A taxi abruptly pulled into the left lane and screeched to a halt in front of them.

Five minutes later the waiter came out of the Plaza having delivered the letter. Regina paid him, rewarded him further with a peck on the lips, and sent him back to the coffee shop on foot. Then the taxi whisked her back to Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. By late afternoon she was airborne and quickly over the open sea-out of U.S. airspace-headed south.

Alone again for the first time in weeks and having no companion in the co-pilot's seat to look after, she reflected on how grateful she was for Angelica's help and how guilty she felt abandoning her. She cried all the way past Cape Hatteras.

*****

Angelica thought the young man's cowboy hat looked silly, especially when combined with a jacket and tie. But he was about her age and his interest in her made her feel very feminine. He had noticed her on the ferry from Manhattan to Liberty Island. The boat passed the southeast corner of the tiny island and the great green statue towered majestically over them. The firm-jawed man had chosen that moment to make small talk with her.