Payback is a… #3
Simo had to move quickly to keep up with Theo as he rushed to meet his cousin.
He saw that Eleni was shocked as Theo swept her up and hugged her.
Eleni overcame her usual hard-assed demeanor and returned Theo’s hug and kissed his cheek in return.
Simo smiled at Eleni and tentatively went to hug her.
She accepted the hug and she whispered into his ear, “You look like shit. What’s wrong? ”
Simo laughed as he whispered back, “You are here hugging me and that’s bad news.”
“Just remember that.” Eleni smiled as she let go of him. Then, after a pregnant pause, she looked at Theo and back at Simo and smiled. “Thank you, both. I… I appreciate this.”
“Hey, family is family,” Theo said seriously. “You, Simo, and our group is all I have left as family.”
Eleni nodded and gave Simo the once-over. “You’ve been through some shit. What is it… women problems?”
“HA! You have no idea!” Theo interjected, laughing.
“What was her name again?” Eleni laughed.
Before Simo could reply, Theo leaped. “Lilly! Or should I say Delilah Delmore. Grammy singer!”
Eleni patted Simo’s chest condescendingly. “You sure know how to pick them, don’t you?” Eleni laughed.
“Apparently not…” Simo replied, red-faced, but smiled.
“I’ll get your bags; the limo is waiting.” Theo grinned.
Eleni cocked her head at Simo as Theo grabbed her bags. “Limo? You a rich man now, Simo?”
“Who, me? No.” Then, with a wicked grin, he eyed Theo and looked back at Eleni. “Your cousin is, though… he invests his money in movie making now.”
“Really?” Eleni said as she eyed her cousin skeptically.
It was Theo’s turn to blush. “Uh, yeah. I’ll tell you about it in the limo. This way.”
Eleni watched the houses get larger and larger as the limo progressed up the hills. She couldn’t hide her amazement at the outlandish expenditure of money. She heard Theo laughing and turned to see him watching her.
“I did the same thing. Look there!” Theo pointed. “That is Halo Raines's house. It’s bigger than my whole apartment complex back in Greece.”
“I see that. She live there with her entire family?”
Simo spoke up. “Just her. All alone.”
“What?” Eleni said, aghast. “Alone in that gargantuan house?”
“Yes. Wait until you see Ari’s home.”
“All that money…” Eleni sighed.
“You have no idea,” Simo chuckled. “In Hollywood, it is all about appearances. You will have to get used to that, but I think Ari has some other plans for you.”
Theo spoke up. “Eleni, remember at first, when you meet Ari, it’s ‘head-of-state’ protocols.”
“Yes, Theo. I remember. Is Ari’s family there?”
Simo shook his head sadly. “No… they are separated.”
“Too bad,” Eleni replied, then watched as they turned off the winding road, passed through a huge wrought-iron gate, and began down a brick driveway. She felt her mouth come open as the Italianate mega-mansion came into view. Finally, she sputtered, “He lives here alone, too?”
“No. Andrew, the SAS Master Sergeant I told you about, lives here as well as some staff. We have training facilities in the basement, and we have apartments in a separate house for guests. When Andrew is away, one of our group stays here.”
“This is crazy…” Eleni muttered as the limo came to a stop and Larry had the door open.
The formal meeting with Andrew Wilcox and Ari went smoothly, and soon they were out on the outside veranda drinking Ouzo with cool, air-conditioned air wafting down upon them all.
“Ms. Tsekeris, I have read over your dossier; it is most impressive.”
Ari looked to Simo and spoke directly to him. “I apologize that I am dropping this on you without first consulting you. But I am pressed for time. May I continue?”
“Sure,” Simo replied.
“I am in need of some temporary security and investigation at the Soho Club Aurae in New York… I think Eleni would be ideal, considering her police investigative background. Your thoughts?”
“Me?” Eleni replied.
“Yes, and your boss, Simo, as well.”
Simo looked to Eleni, who shrugged. “Ari, whatever you need, I am good with as long as Eleni is good with it. What are the details?”
“Ah… the last audit… downstairs, had some abnormalities. Trust is paramount in our business…” Ari met Simo’s eyes and nodded once. “How much do you trust Eleni Tsekeris?”
“With my life,” Simo stated matter-of-factly, knowing where this was headed. “You want to tell her?”
“With your approval.”
Simo looked at Eleni, who went from confused to speculative, to suspicious. Simo grinned at Eleni. “Of course. Tell her what we really do…”
“What? What did you get me into, Simo?” Eleni said quietly in Greek. Simo smiled and gestured to Ari.
“May I address you as Eleni?”
Eleni gave Ari a pensive, single nod.
“Please address me as Ari in return. Eleni… I have to have your word that you will not disclose what I am about to explain to you to anyone outside this inner circle. If you feel you cannot do this, then you will tell me right this moment. We can part as friends, and you may continue to work for Simo at Aurae in Los Angeles.”
Eleni looked at Theo and Simo, who both smiled and gave her reassuring nods. “I will take your secrets unspoken to my grave. I understand consequences. Please continue.”
“Very good. Eleni, my organization acts as an underground bank for domestic and friendly foreign intelligence operations. The clubs act as a method to… exchange cash. In return, we take a transaction percentage as well as a depository banking fee. We also trade in information, as you may remember from Sevastopol. We deal in favors as well… internationally.” Ari paused and watched Eleni process the information.
“I see. So you are a money-laundering business and not a movie producer?”
Ari chuckled. “Oh, I am that too. That is my passion. When I… met Annabeth, I left fieldwork with MI6 and transferred to their forensic financial branch. Eventually, I retired, married, and moved here. Rather than bore you further with my life’s details, let’s just say that someone has to do this, and I am best suited for this type of business.
There are times groups or individuals try to move against the clubs and we have to take action.
” Ari glanced at Simo, then continued. “Unfortunately, at times, brutal and unsavory actions. If I may add, the clubs are duplicitous as they assist with marketing my films and eventually will offer an advantage to my future music production aspirations. That is what we do here. What are your feelings on this?”
Eleni immediately sighed with relief. “That’s it? I was afraid you were dealing drugs to children.” She smiled. “I see no problems. I think I can help you in New York.”
“Very good!” Ari beamed a genuine smile. “I will need you in New York as soon as possible. It should only be for a short time. Simo will have Chen get you up to speed on our operations. I am very pleased to have you as a part of my family.”
Eleni gave Ari a nod and accepted Ari’s warm handshake.
After dinner, Ari excused himself, leaving Theo and Eleni to catch up. Ari took Simo aside. “Let us speak privately.”
Simo nodded and followed Ari to his office. Simo took his seat in front of Ari’s desk, and, out of character, Ari took the seat next to Simo and faced him.
“You don’t look well, my friend,” Ari stated.
“Neither do you. For me, I just need sleep.” Simo tried to sound reassuring.
“Ah… yes. My mood has been… a bit sour of late. You, my friend, look as if you need a vacation. It has been over a year since you saw your parents…”
“I am thinking of going to Virginia…”
Ari cocked his head at Simo, then smiled slightly. “Jessie James’s graduation ceremony?”
Simo grumbled, “Yeah. Maybe.”
Ari smiled warmly and nodded. “On to other business…” Ari sighed slightly. “Annabeth.” Ari paused, then, after clearing his throat, said, “Annabeth’s niece wants to try her hand at breaking into the acting scene here in Hollywood…”
“Why would she have to break into this? Will you not…”
Ari held up his hand, and a sad smile graced his face.
“I offered. Like her aunt… Annabeth had done, she endeavors to break into Hollywood on her own merits. Soon she will be staying here for a short time, then moving into a small apartment in Santa Monica when it becomes available. I want to keep an eye on her.” Ari retrieved a manila envelope from atop his desk and handed it to Simo.
“Here is her information and photographs. Please share this with Chen and get him up to speed on this.”
“I will.”
“Now… onto a more personal matter. Has Chen spoken with you about an investment in Halo Raines’s next film?”
“Not yet, but Theo gave me the details.”
Ari nodded. “Speak with Chen about this soon. I would not extend this offer if I thought it would be an unreliable return on your investment. Except for one film, that was horribly directed, all her films have been an excellent investment. Her father and I have set up an anonymous investment corporation to assist her… I see you know of this.” Ari smiled.
“I hear Joel is a producer,” Simo interjected, barely hiding his scowl.
“Yes, unfortunately. Joel is capable… more so than I care to admit.
Though, with Halo having our monetary backing, it gives her clout and a powerful bargaining position with Joel Miller.
And as typical young people do, they are trying to step out from under their parents' shadow. Apparently, they want to do this film all on their own. Even so, I believe this may be an award-winning performance for Halo. It may finally give her some peace…”
“How do you mean, peace?”
Ari let out a sigh. “Simo, Halo’s only friend is her assistant, JJ… Jenny Jones. Her mother and father are growing more and more concerned with her reclusiveness. These past two years it has worsened; it is as if she is a hermit.”
“I knew she lived alone… no boyfriend?”
Ari slowly shook his head. “She had a few after Johnny Stone. Then, suddenly, two years ago she stopped dating and delved relentlessly into acting and her production company. I have to admit… I believe Ronson overplayed his hand, asking you to deal with Johnny…”