Chapter 44
Chapter 44
A few hours later the sun had set. The sky was beautiful, but the atmosphere inside the palace was becoming more turbulent as time passed. When the men dressed in black suits and earwigs entered the palace everyone stood at alert.
“Permission to search the grounds.”
King Aswan nodded. He anticipated this moment and was not sure if the day would end peacefully or not. His brother Raheem was scheduled to arrive within the hour. He had hoped to have a chance to speak with Raheem in private before the arrival of the delegation from the United States. It was not to be.
“King Aswan,” President JD Harrison walked into the parlor once Secret Service had cleared the palace.
“Welcome to our home, Mr. President.” Aswan replied. “I regret it is under this unfortunate circumstance.”
“As do I,” JD replied. “We must find a solution that will appease your country and mine.”
“Appease his country?” Brian walked over to JD. “He can start with appeasing me by turning over the person who took Elliott and James. Make it happen, Jeffrey.”
“You are not Tracy,” Calvin stated as he walked through the entrance. “Don’t even try it.”
JD walked over to James. “How is James Jr.?”
“He is resting upstairs.” James glowered. He was relieved to have his son back and pissed that the person responsible was still not present.
“I can feel the anger in your hands my friend.” JD whispered over his shoulder. “Be calm, this situation will be handled to yours and James Jr.’s satisfaction. I promise you that.” He then stepped over to Douglas. “Has he been giving you a hard time?” He tilted his head toward Brian.
“I’m pissed.” Brian said.
Douglas cleared his throat then said. “He’s pissed, but he hasn’t shot anybody.”
“Yet,” Brian exclaimed.
JD chuckled. “That is something.”
“Are you going to stand around here with niceties, or are you going to get revenge for what they did to our sons?” Brian huffed.
“Revenge, no,” JD replied. “But I will get some answers for you. I promise you that.”
“All right, get some answers, cause so far, I haven’t gotten…sh….” He remembered the little girl Teddi was in the room. “Jack so far.”
“Where are the boys?” JD asked.
“Upstairs in Princess ZsaZsa’s quarters.” Aswan replied.
“Ahh, Princess ZsaZsa,” JD glared at Aswan. “We must address the manner in which you came into my country. Do you agree?”
The look on the President’s face was not one to argue with. Aswan nodded. “I agree.”
“I would like to see my son now.” JD stated. “Upon my return I would like to have a thorough accounting of what has taken place in all countries involved from their own statesmen. All parties,” he emphasized.
“Very well,” Aswan turned to a guard. “Please escort the President to Princess ZsaZsa’s quarters.”
“We will escort him,” Brian stated.
Brian, James, Calvin, and Douglas surrounded JD and walked up the stairs to find the boys.
Douglas stopped then looked back at Joshua who was playing with the little girl. “Are you coming?”
“You got his back,” Joshua replied then went back to talking with Teddi.
Douglas shook it off then followed the men.
JC and Calvin stood as soon as they saw the Secret Service agents enter the hallway.
“Son,” JD grabbed JC in a bear hug, then looked him over. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, Dad, I’m good. James is the injured one here.”
JD nodded. “I’m going to check in on him. I need to speak with Phire first.”
“Any bruises I have to explain to your mother?” Calvin asked his son as he released him from a bear hug.
“Not this time, Dad.” Calvin Jr. smiled.
“Whew, thank you, Son.” Calvin palmed his neck. “I have to handle some business. We’ll talk on the way home, okay.”
“I got you Dad.”
JD and Calvin stood in the corner with Phire. They listened intently as she explained every issue as she knew it. She included a summary of how the situation should be addressed.
“Do you have the documentation to prove it was indeed Prince Dakar who took the boys?”
“We do,” Phire stated. “It has been sent to your device, Mr. Attorney General.”
“Do you have the footage of what occurred with Carolyn?” Calvin asked.
“Yes, I also have statements from some of the security that were present.” Phire advised.
“As always, you did a thorough assessment of the situation. I will take your suggestions on the solution into consideration.” JD stated.
“With all due respect, Mr. President, I expect a little more from you on this,” Phire stated. “This is an opportunity to correct a wrong. Shall I go into more details?”
“No,” JD’s frown included a touch of a smile. “You do know I am your President…right?”
“Yes sir, I do. And in your heart I know you are a man willing to correct what I am certain was an unintentional wrong, and one who really wants to satisfy this constituent.” Phire smiled.
JD exhaled then walked towards the door. Calvin looked at Phire and winked with a smile.
The Secret Service agent opened the door, and JD walked in. “Are you all right ZsaZsa?”
“Yes sir, I am now.” She stood up from her seat next to the bed James was laying in. “Allow me to introduce Prince Jabari Abomba from the country of Zyrier.”
Jabari stood. “Mr. President it is indeed an honor to meet you.”
“The honor is mine. It is my hope our countries can resolve this conflict before the night is out. Give me a moment.”
JD walked over to Elliott who at some point had closed his eyes and was asleep. “Elliott.”
Elliott opened his eyes and sat up. “Uncle JD.” He stretched. “Where is James?” He looked over at the bed.
“He is still asleep. Adam and Amber will be here within the hour to take a look at his injuries.” JD advised. “Would you do me a favor?”
“Sure,” Elliott stood. “Your father…”
“Say no more.” Elliott grinned. “Hi Uncle Calvin.”
“Please calm him down so that we can handle this situation and go home.” Calvin requested.
“I got you.” Elliott said, He took a look at James Jr. still asleep on the bed then walked out of the room.
“He would not leave, if you two were not here,” ZsaZsa stated. “He is a true friend to James.”
“Yes, he is,” James said as he looked down at his son. “I have come to learn that my son is surrounded by people who love him.” He smiled at ZsaZsa.
“Prince Jabari, now that I have put eyes on the boys, would you mind accompanying me downstairs. I would like to end this day on a positive note.”
“It will be my honor,” Jabari nodded. He turned to ZsaZsa. “If it is agreeable with you, I would like to discuss some of your plans with James when he awakes.”
“I believe that will please him.” ZsaZsa replied.
JD and Calvin walked out of the room with Jabari. “Where is Douglas?” JD asked.
“He went downstairs with Elliott,” JC replied.
JD turned to Phire, “Protect this room. No one in, no one out.”
“Understood,” Phire nodded.
“Have you eaten or gotten some rest since you’ve been here?” JD asked his son.
“Yes Dad, you can tell Mom I ate.” JC replied.
JD looked at his son who stood head-to-head with him now. “When in the hell did you grow up on me?”
“It had to happen one day?” JC smiled. “What are you going to do Dad?”
“What I do best, use diplomacy.” JD turned then walked back downstairs.
Joshua met him at the bottom. “We have a situation.”
“Another?” JD questioned as he reached the landing. “Where is Teddi?”
“She is with her mother and grandmother upstairs,” Joshua replied.
“Is she the situation?” JD asked.
“She is,” Joshua took a battle stance.
“Relax Joshua, it will be addressed.” JD turned to Calvin as they walked away. “At this hour we have a situation with LaVeré, James, Brian, Phire, and now Joshua. What are the chances that we will be able to satisfy them all?”
“About equal to our chance of finding world peace.” Calvin replied.
“Not very encouraging, Calvin.”
“Hey, I speak as I see it,” Calvin said, with a faint smirk on his lips. “I suggest you start with James.”
JD nodded. “James it is.”
JD had just returned to the parlor as Brian aggressively approached him. “We have some unfinished business to address.”
“I know Brian,” JD looked over his shoulder at Douglas.
“Man, we can fight later. I’m hungry.” Douglas patted Brian on the shoulder then looked around. “Where’s the kitchen?”
Brian stared at Douglas for a long moment then turned to Elliott, “Aren’t you mad?”
Douglas looked at Elliott. “You hungry?”
Elliott knew his uncle Douglas was trying to deescalate his father’s anger. “Yeah, I could eat. What about you Dad?”
Brian stared at his son, incredulously, then exhaled. “You want to eat at a time like this?”
“Yeah, I need some energy,” Elliott stated then put his arm around his father’s shoulders. “Come on Dad, let me tell you about this damn river.”
“What river?” Brian started walking with his son.
JD looked at Douglas. “I owe you one.”
“You owe me more than one,” Douglas chuckled as he followed Brian and Elliot.
JD exhaled as he shook his head.
“You have interesting friends,” Jabari stated.
“You have no idea,” JD said as he turned his attention to King Aswan.
Aswan stood as JD walked into the room.
“Sit King Aswan,” JD said wearily. “You have been a busy man. In the last forty-eight hours, you have managed to upset your brother, and sister, my chief of staff, the head of my security detail, my most trusted operative, my son, his friends, and a partridge in a damn pear tree.” Aswan started to speak, but JD put his hand up. “Your actions, which should have been handled in a diplomatic fashion, have crossed continents and have impacted three countries here in Africa. To add to this, I have left my country and my wife to handle a situation that should not exist. It is difficult to explain my level of frustration in this moment.” His eyes drilled into Aswan.
“Mr. President, my actions were not to cause an international situation. It was intended to unite, not separate countries.”
Akande walked into the room. The men all stood. “Gentlemen, I believe I should be a part of this discussion, should I not?”
“You should,” JD stated as he glanced at Aswan. “My instructions were to have all parties impacted by your actions to be present.”
“It is my understanding my brother Raheem is in route.” Aswan informed.
“The country of Asmere is mine,” Akande reminded him. “Your brother is King by marriage.”
“As a woman, you…”
“Queen Akande, please join us,” JD glared at Aswan as Akande came in to take a seat across from him. “Have you met Prince Jabari?”
“No. I have not had the pleasure,” Akande said, smiling in welcome.
Jabari nodded. “Prince Jabari of Zyrier.”
“You are our neighbor to the north,” she smiled.
“Yes, Your Highness, we are.” Jabari sat.
“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Akande inclined her head. “This is a difficult situation that we have found ourselves in, however, I am certain that President Harrison has an appropriate solution that will appease us all.”
JD chuckled. “Once I have a clear understanding of all the facts, I am convinced an open discussion will lead us to the right solution. King Aswan was speaking. Please continue.” JD sat back to listen.
“When Raheem approached me with this suggestion and his reasons, I did believe it was a good arrangement. I did not foresee any concerns with arranging the union between the two countries.” Aswan addressed the group.
“So, it was Raheem who brought this suggestion to you?” JD exhaled.
“It was,” Aswan nodded. “Though, it was I who agreed to the arranged marriage and I cannot put that responsibility on any other person.”
“My King also agreed, as did I,” Jabari added. “My country has moved away from arranged marriages, by necessity. However, our economic status is such that the offer was not one we could ignore.”
“There was a time when Zyrier had a growing economy,” JD stated. “What happened?”
“Ahh, we did,” Jabari nodded. “As a child my country was rich with commerce. Nevertheless, some years back when Asmere was taken over by King Tarik he poisoned our waters. Those who traveled into Zyrier by waterway were afraid. Our trade industry was ruined due to the distance that now has to be traveled by road.”
“How was the waterway poisoned?” Akande asked.
“It was said that King Tarik placed creatures in the river surrounding the diamond mines. I am told it was done to discourage our people from crossing over the border in that area by boat. It is because of his actions that our country began to deteriorate economically. With the blockage of the waterway, one has to travel by road to reach our borders. All efforts to build a bridge between the two countries failed. Many of our builders died trying. Even our ability to use the water to fish had ceased as our countrymen were bitten or pulled under water by the creatures. Soon the attempts stopped. Years later, one of the creatures was caught and killed. To this day it has not been identified, however, medical personnel were able to develop a serum that assisted with the healing of those who were bitten. In recent years our people have developed a cream that helps in the healing of these bites. We also believe the existence of these creatures has begun to decrease for the number of incidents of their bites has almost diminished. Our country has struggled to maintain our way of life. The adverse effect of Tarik’s actions remains today, years later. We were hopeful the union of Emure and Zyrier would be a gateway to better times.”
“An arranged marriage to save another country. It seems we have come full circle,” Akande stated as she glanced at JD. She then turned back to Jabari who had captured all of their attention with his story. “I was not aware of this action by King Tarik,” Akande stated, “however, it is not surprising that he would have done such a thing. The rivers will be cleared of these creatures. A bridge between our countries will be constructed in haste. Asmere will assist in the rebuilding of your economy. This forced marriage is no longer necessary for your country to survive. In exchange for these concessions I ask that you release Princess ZsaZsa from the marriage contract.”
Aswan nodded. “We will provide resources in the form of workers and equipment to assist with the building of the bridge.”
JD nodded in agreement, “The United States will assist in the clean-up of the river separating Asmere and Zyrier. We will provide scientists to ensure the waterway is safe for your people and those who wish to visit.”
Jabari stood. “I am humbled by your offer of assistance to my country. We are in your gratitude. King Aswan, in speaking with Princess ZsaZsa I find there are many avenues in which to rebuild Zyrier to its former state of greatness. Once her plans are implemented here, I would ask that you provide teachers to assist in our schools.”
“What plans?” Aswan questioned.
Jabari smiled. “I will not take the honor of sharing her thoughts from her. However, I will offer this advice. It would be wise to listen to her views on how life in our region can be. I, for one, am looking forward to the changes she has planned.”
“I am not aware of these changes, nor have I approved of them,” Aswan sputtered indignantly.
“You, will. If for no other reason, do it to make amends for your unbrotherly treatment of your sister.” Jabari stated, then turned to Akande. “I will honor your request and relieve Princess ZsaZsa from the marriage arrangement, that is if I can get your agreement, Mr. President, to not take issue with my brother’s actions.”
JD looked over at James, who had sat back listening to the discussion. “I have to refer the response to that request to the injured parties. For now, let us iron out the concessions of this agreement.”
Within the hour, JD and Calvin had all parties settled down to a point where everyone was in agreement. The diplomatic solution was now being formed. Then Raheem walked into the parlor.
JD looked up then stood. “It is unfortunate to discover you are at the root of this situation, King Raheem. It was a great gift that the United States placed in your hands. Yet, I find we are in a similar situation as before.”
“I am not certain what this situation is Mr. President,” Raheem said as he looked around the room.
“Gentlemen,” Akande addressed everyone. “May I have the room. I need to speak with my husband in private.”
Aswan stood. “Now that the agreement has been made, we will take our exit. It has been a long arduous day. I offer my home as lodging for the night. Queen Akande,” he bowed as the men walked out of the room. “Take all the time you need.”
“What agreement do they speak of, Akande?” Raheem turned to his wife once the doors closed behind them.
“What you attempted to do with Princess ZsaZsa is the same thing that happened to me. While I support you in most things concerning our country, I cannot stand silently on this. As your queen I am ordering you to stand down on this situation. Allow your sister to have what we do not…happiness.”
“You are ordering me?” Raheem shouted. “I am your King.”
“Yes, you are. However, I am the true queen of Asmere. I realize some believe you as King are the supreme ruler. You and I know better.” Akande raised an eyebrow. “I have no wish to pull rank on you before our people. However, if you force my hand on this I will.”
“What has happened on this day that I am not aware of?” Raheem hissed.
“The uncovering of your actions to interfere in your sister’s life.”
Raheem frowned. “My sister’s life belongs to her King. Do you not understand why an alliance is needed. The diamond mines are on Asmere land, however, the back of the mines is on the boundaries of Asmere and Zyrier. If access is achieved on that side, they can claim a part of the mines.”
“It will be done,” Akande shouted. “I will not allow the greed of those damn mines to ruin another person’s life. It is what put us in the position we are in, Raheem. We are man and wife because of Tarik’s greed over those mines. This marriage of ours was put in place to protect those mines.”
“Are you not happy with your life as my wife?” Raheem asked.
“There is a difference between happiness and contentment, Raheem. Allow your sister to have what we do not…happiness. And let me warn you, in the future if you have any thoughts of using Theodora as a power grab, clear it from you mind before it costs you your life.”
D uring the night Dr. Amber Lassiter, a specialist in poisons, examined James. She was advising James Sr. of her findings while her husband Adam discussed the situation in Zyrier with JD and Jabari.
“His blood work shows a potent neurotoxin called Tetrodotoxin. It works like a channel blocker. Basically, preventing the nervous system from sending messages to the muscles.”
“Is this a permanent condition?” James asked.
“No,” Amber replied. “The cream that was applied to his leg has enzymes that break the poison down. A continuous application in addition to antibiotics over the next ten days should clear his system completely.” She advised. “May I ask where you got the cream?”
“Prince Jabari, provided it I believe,” James responded.
Amber raised an eyebrow. “It is a very interesting combination of natural plants and herbs. They should bottle this up and sell it. They could make millions.”
“I think he may be pleased to hear that.” James stated. “May I see him now?”
“Yes. Of course. He may doze off on you. I gave him something to help with the fever. He will sleep more soundly until morning.”
“Thank you, Amber.” James said then walked into the room where ZsaZsa had fallen asleep, holding his son’s hand.
“Dad,” James Jr. called out.
“I’m here Son,” James walked to the other side of the bed. He looked down at James Jr. and began to chuckle.
“Don’t try to make me laugh.”
“Why do you think I would do such a thing?” James asked.
“I see that look in your eyes, Dad. You got jokes.”
James chuckled. “So…you sailed the seven seas to get to this woman. Now what are you going to do?”
“Climb a few mountains,” James Jr. chuckled. “What is happening downstairs?”
“A solution for you and ZsaZsa to be together,” James advised.
His son smiled at him, then closed his eyes and went to sleep.