CHAPTER 6

             The penthouse seemed cold and austere, as compared to the soothing warmth and familiarity of the simple surroundings Jana had just visited.  She would have given anything to be back in the comfortable atmosphere of her Aunt's farm but she knew she could never return without Michael.

After an exhausting flight from Springfield via Denver and an hours journey from the airport, Jana had finally arrived at the penthouse.  Sinking gratefully down into the cozy warmth of the waterbed, she fell asleep thinking about Michael’s love and longing for his touch.

Unfortunately, she tossed and turned with frightful dreams that filled her innermost being with an agony beyond anything she had ever experienced.  She dreamed about Michael and herself out by the shimmering lake loving and making love.  Suddenly they were rudely wrenched away from each other by some unseen force.  As she magically floated away from Michael, she couldn't move or talk but her mind was helplessly screaming for him over and over again.  She saw a bright light in the distance.  As she moved toward it, she remembered stories about death and thought she must be dying.  Then she felt a calmness, an inner peace, which overwhelmed her as she grew close to the light.  The contrast between the terror of loosing Michael and the calm contentment of the light was so great that she longed for the light to engulf her.  Then she saw Victoria calling her.  The calls became pleas, the pleas begs, and the begs cries of despair.  Jana then looked back and could see Michael with his arms outstretched, whispering words of love.  She felt his overwhelming need for her and hers for him.  She was torn with the perplexity of this dilemma and started to cry out with exasperation.  She was awakened by her cries.  The dream had emotionally drained her and she was drenched in a cold sweat.

Dawn was just beginning to shatter the restless darkness of Jana's domain but, regardless of her efforts, she couldn't get back to sleep.  She lay there trying to set her priorities, what should she do next?  She was obsessed with finding Michael, while at the same time she still had a strange need to solve the mysteries of Victoria's overwhelming obsession.  Failing in her relentless struggle for sleep, she began her day with a relaxing shower.  She dawned a lightweight house dress and decided her next endeavor would be to try and find the amulet so she could reseal the will before Paul showed up on her door step.  She could still see the strange geometric design of the seal as though it were stamped indelibly in her mind.  While engrossed in her painstaking search, there was a light knock at the bedroom door.  She opened the door and there stood Suzanne.

"Good morning Mrs. Davenport.  I hope your not too exhausted, after your trip."  She stated inquisitively.

"I'm a little tired but I'm sure I'll be okay" Jana replied.  "Did you want something in particular?"

"Yes.  I just wanted to let you know that Mr. Davenport called yesterday and said his flight would arrive this morning.  He wants the limousine to pick up his luggage from the porter service and meet him at the Marriot Hotel lounge at eleven to bring him here."

Jana was ready for her, she knew she had to get nosy little Suzanne out from under foot so she could properly search for the amulet.  Since Charles was due back today, she had to have a least an idea of the layout of the penthouse.  She also knew she might have to search the other rooms in case she couldn't find the amulet in the bedroom.  "I want you to go to the library and look up some information for me. I've already called Jake and he'll be picking you up at eight."

"But..." Suzanne started to say.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be just fine here and I really need that information as soon as possible.  I want you to look up everything you can find on current political affairs in Australia including copies of recent articles out of magazines, statistics about population, economic status and exports.  I also want you to get some pictures and books from a book store.

Once again Suzanne tried to protest "But...."

"No if, ands, or buts about it!  I know that you and Jake are concerned about me but I have some other work to do and I'll be just fine.  You need to get a move on or you'll never make it by to pick-up Charles on your way back."

Jana felt pretty smug in knowing that she had maneuvered at least three hours alone in the penthouse.  Suzanne scurried off and returned shortly almost dressed in an incredibly clingy jersey dress every bit as short as her maids uniform.  She told Jana she was leaving and Jana relaxed a little as she heard the elevator door close.  Now she could get back to her search, without interruption.

Finally, Jana was about to have her first real tour of her new home.  She finished her diligent search of the bedroom but without success.  Opening the door of the room across from hers, she knew immediately that it must belong to Charles.  It contained heavy solid oak furniture and was done in beige.  This room, like hers, had an elaborate bathroom and abundant closet space but it was done in a decidedly masculine decor.  There were pictures of hunting scenes and polo games adorning the walls.  All the accruements that a man needed for a pleasurable life were scattered ubiquitously around the room.  One thing was for certain, Charles lived well off of Victoria's wealth.  Being the kind of person Jana was, she felt uncomfortable about being in Charles' room, let alone having to search it, but she knew she had no choice if she was going to find the amulet.

She started with his desk first since it was the desk in her room that proved to contain most of the information about Victoria.  Unfortunately, Charles' desk contained only some files about property acquisitions.  Jana moved on, opening the chest of drawers, she was surprised to find a large manila envelope hidden underneath some sweaters.  Feeling too guilty to looking inside, she started to put it back since it obviously was personal otherwise Charles wouldn't have hidden it. But Jana's need to know and her curiosity got the better of her.  She finally opened it.  Inside was a folder containing a complete dossier on Victoria.  It had been compiled by a private detective named Ralph Walker.  So Charles was having Victoria followed, why?  Jana started to worry, wondering if she was still being followed.  Then she thought that ironically this could be a blessing in disguise because it gave a blow by blow run down of Victoria's every move over the last six months.  Maybe this would shed some light on the mysteries surrounding Victoria.  She would have to make a copy of this before Charles and Suzanne returned.

Envelope in hand, Jana headed out of Charles' room, thinking there may be an office somewhere in the penthouse with a copy machine.  She quickly looked into the other rooms upstairs but they were all bedrooms.  Going down the stairs, Jana once again felt uplifted by the delightful beauty of the fountain.  Every time she saw it, she was enchanted by its charm.

There were two hallways leading off the main entry way.  Jana decided to take the one to the right.  Through the first door on the right she stepped into an extremely large room.  It contained every conceivable type of exercise equipment one could find.  There were floor to ceiling length mirrors almost all around the gym with bars for stretching in front of them.  There was enough room in front of the bars for someone who was a dancer to rehearse.  Surly Victoria didn't dance too, Jana thought.  There were plants everywhere.  Going through a door at the far end of the room Jana found another bathroom with a shower and sauna.

Feeling an urgency to get the information in her hands copied, Jana continued on down the hallway.  The room next to the gym contained an office-library.  No wonder Suzanne had thought her crazy when she had asked her to go to the public library.  Here was a room filled with almost as many books as contained in the library in Spencer, Missouri.  There were shelves of novels, encyclopedia's and other reference books, and even a section with large maps.  There were three computer systems and Jana jumped as the phone rang but she couldn’t find a receiver to pick-up. After a couple of rings it was evident that one of the computers answered the line.  She was going to have to work on a cover story to explain her useless “Public Library” research.

Jana was relieved when she spied the object of her search, a copy machine.  Without wasting any time she proceeded to copy the whole report.  She would have to read it later.  After completing her task, she returned the original to its hiding place and then hid the copy in her own room.  It was imperative that she continue her search.

Since she was already upstairs, she checked out the other bedrooms a little better this time.  There were three of them and they were much smaller than her's or Charles' but were no less elegant.  They were each done in a different color combination, but no ordinary colors here. One was done in gold with heavy antique furniture.  One was done in silver in a very rich and simi-modern mode.  The last one was done in black and white with a strictly ultra-modern decor.  There seemed to be something for anyone's taste who might come to visit, but it didn't seem as if the rooms had ever been used.

Going back downstairs and taking the hallway to the left, Jana found a very large dining room.  This room was just as elegant as the rest of the penthouse, with a very large long dining table that seated twelve and a sideboard that ran almost the entire width of the room.  The windows were floor to ceiling and they had heavy elaborate drapes with gold spun through them.  They were held back with gold cords and the shears across the windows were of a very delicate lace.  The whole room reeked with richness.

Next to the dining room was a large kitchen with every appliances imaginable. The entire scene was a gourmet cooks dream.  There was a long central work area with windows at the far end with a quaint little breakfast nook that seated four.  Highlighting the whole kitchen was an enormous skylight above the center counter.

Traveling on, Jana found a small hallway on the other side of the kitchen that had three doorways, two of which were obviously servants quarters and the third was a laundry room.

Going on down the main hallway, Jana once again had her breath taken away when she stepped into what was a living/family room.  This room was set up for entertaining.  It had a small bar at one end, but there was a large entertainment center with stereo, television, two VCR's, and something called a "CD Player".

It was decorated in a very comfortable over stuffed look but that wasn't what caught Jana's attention.  One whole wall along one side of the room was nothing but glass with a large sliding glass door.  Beyond the wall was an exquisite garden complete with grass, trees and flowers.  It encompassed an area about half the size of the penthouse.  There was a small path that wound around among the greenery.  The trees were in pots but the grass and flowers were planted right in the ground.  Now Jana understood why Victoria had a gardener listed in her address book.  She had thought that strange when she had first seen it but just thought he must take care of the plants in the penthouse.

Stepping through the doorway she followed the path a little way enjoying the sun and plants about her.  Hidden from view, at the back of the garden was a large Jacuzzi.  Marble steps led up to the bathing area, next to which was a bar where people could sit and drink while talking to those relaxing in the whirlpool.

Jana went up and felt the water, it was very warm.  She found the control panel and turned on the power switch. As bubbles started to swirl through the warm inviting water, Jana thought how beautifully enticing it seemed.  Off to the side was a small hut.  Looking inside Jana found it was a dressing room with a rack full of a large variety of bathing suits and large fluffy towels.  She thought for a moment, should she? and then decided, why not?  It was at least two hours before Charles and Suzanne would return, so she could just sit and try to relax for a little while.

Donning a conservative one piece flowered bathing suit, Jana was very proud of her new figure.  The suit fit like a glove and accentuated the youthfulness and suppleness she felt from the healthy body. She slipped into the swirling warm water and felt like she was floating on the elusive bubbles which exploded about her like a million tiny fingers massaging every delicate inch of her sensitive skin.  She laid her head back and let her mind wander, as she finally found some relaxation after her hectic few days.  Feeling her mind drift, she slowly opened her eyes and looked up into the face of Michael.  He was standing above her with a smile on his face.  The look he had in his eyes told her that he loved her completely.  He slowly lowered himself into the water and took Jana into his arms and started kissing her all over as the bathing suit easily came off and floated away on the water.  They held each other tight and slowly sank beneath the bubbly liquid.

Jana jerked up out of the water coughing and sputtering.  When she could finally get her breath, she realized that Michael wasn't really there and that she had just drifted off to sleep and had dreamed about him.  "Oh no," she groaned.  She had had Michael in her arms again and again he was gone.  How cruel her dreams could be to give her just a little and then snatch all those glorious feelings away.

As might be expected, the relaxing sensation had faded and suddenly the whirlpool didn't seem so wonderful.  Jana dragged herself back to the hut and changed out of the bathing suite.  So much for playing, it was back to work for her.

Now that she knew the layout of the penthouse she went back and systematically went through every room looking for the amulet.  She first gave the garden a good looking over and then tried the family room.  The library/office took quite a while to search but it didn't seem to have any secret cabinets or doors.  She proceeded through the rest of the house but the amulet's hiding place was as elusive as the bubbles in the whirlpool.

Jana went back to the beautiful indoor fountain.  Sitting down on one of the couches that lined the walls, she drank in the visual and audible splendor of the fountain, while she thought about where else the amulet might be.  If it wasn't in the penthouse then it must be in a safe deposit box somewhere.  How was she ever going to find out where a box was?

The fountain caught her eye again and she studied it still amazed at its beauty.  The sculptures were so perfect, you would think there were real women standing there who had been turned to stone by an evil witch.  The scroll work and filigree was so delicate she knew only a very professional artist could have made such beauty.  As her eyes followed the lines of the center pedestal upward, she noticed something that looked very familiar to her.  She sat there completely frozen in amazement as she saw, near the top of the fountain, the design of the amulet.  Maybe Victoria had a sense of humor after all, Jana thought as she started laughing at the top of her lungs.  The amulet was hidden in plain sight.  As the excitement of her discovery engulfed her, the laughter subsided and her logic took over, causing her to realized that it wasn't going to be easy getting it down so she could reseal the will.  Getting up she decided that maybe if she stood on the edge of the fountain and carefully inched her hand up the side of the pedestal she could just reach it.

*      *      *

"…And then she almost pushed me out of the room."

Charles had been setting listening to Suzanne tell him about a woman he didn't know.  This was not the Victoria that he had known for four years.

He had carefully closed the window between Jake and them so Jake couldn't get an earful, Charles knew how much he liked Victoria.  Now, Charles sat in the limousine completely disbelieving the things that Suzanne was telling him about Victoria.  Yet, setting there right in front of him on the floor were books and magazines about Australia.  Victoria never started a new project without telling him first and besides she had never done research like this about any of her acquisitions.  She had always concentrated on the United States and really didn't have any foreign holdings whatsoever.  Sure they had taken vacations to places like Europe but even then it was always for some type of charity.  So, why the sudden change? he wondered.

"Suzanne!" Charles said rather sternly.  "I hate to change the subject, but have you ever heard Victoria refer to anyone named 'Michael'?"

Suzanne thought for a moment and without reservation said.  "No, I don't think she even knows anybody named 'Michael'.  Why?"

"Oh, it's not anything important, just a comment that Dr. Pierson made."

They arrived at the building and Charles and Suzanne boarded the elevator together.  In the limousine, Charles hadn't missed noticing how the dress Suzanne was wearing showed off every curve she possessed. The way the dress clung it emphasized her lushes breasts and erect nipples which strained at the material.  Even with his problems with Victoria his desire for Suzanne started to stir and he reached across in front of her, as she leaned against the rail in the corner of the elevator, and pinned her against the wall.  She immediately started to resist, telling Charles that the elevator would open soon and Victoria was in the penthouse.  Not wanting to lose his easy life he straighten himself up just as the elevator doors opened.

"What the..."  Charles started to say but he and Suzanne were so shocked by what they saw that before they realized it, the elevator doors had shut.  They looked at each other in disbelief and then Charles pushed the button to open the doors again.  This time they stepped forward and held the doors open but didn't come out of the elevator as they just stood there looking at Victoria sitting, clothes and all, soaking wet, in the fountain.

"Hi,"  Jana said as she gave them a little wave.  "I guess your wondering what I'm doing here."

 Charles and Suzanne didn't say anything they just stood there with their mouths open.

"Well, I slipped."  Jana said, slinging her hair out of her face, as she got out of the fountain.  Then without another word, trying to be as dignified as possible under the circumstances, she squished her way up the stairway leaving a trail of water behind her.

Charles and Suzanne watched from their vantage point inside the elevator in total dismay as Victoria disappeared down the hallway at the top of the stairs.

As they stepped out of the elevator, Charles just kept shaking his head.

"I really didn't believe all the stories you've been telling me about Victoria,"  Charles said, as they walked back toward the kitchen, "but I'll have to admit now, that they must be true.  I think you should start at the beginning and tell me everything you know, one more time."

As Suzanne started telling Charles all that had been happening for the last few days, the downstairs buzzer sounded indicating that a visitor wanted on the elevator.

Suzanne stepped over to the intercom and inquired,  "May I help you?"

"Mrs. VanHollan to see Victoria."  A familiar voice from the other end said.

Suzanne said, "Just a moment please," as she turned to Charles.  "Should I let her up with Victoria in such a state? You know how prim and proper Mrs. VanHollan is, it might cause a problem for her?"

A large grin spread across Charles' face, as he thought, what a wonderful way to put Victoria in her place.  Mrs. VanHollan would be horrified when she saw Victoria in such a dreadful state.  Charles said,  "Tell Mrs. VanHollan to come up right away and send her to Victoria's bedroom."

Suzanne gave him a questioning look but shrugged her shoulders and said, "Come right up, Mrs. Davenport is waiting for you in her room."

Charles started laughing and said, "I sure wish I could see the look on Victoria's face when old bat VanHollan sees her dripping wet."

Charles would have laughed harder, if he had known what Jana did when she went up to her room.  But the last laugh would be on Charles.

*      *      *

As Mrs. VanHollan stepped through the bedroom door which Jana had left ajar in her somewhat confused state.  She called out, "Victoria...?"  and not seeing her in the bedroom stepped over to the bathroom.  She stood there at the bathroom door totally amazed at what she saw.  Before her, totally clothed, was Victoria standing in the middle of the bathtub soaking wet.  As the shock wore off, she started to laugh and couldn't stop laughing. She tried to say Victoria's name and couldn't get it out, as she pointed at her and, overcome by her laughter, slowly sank down to the floor.

At first Jana was surprised about this woman being there.  She started to worry about her seeing Victoria this way, but then, as the humor of the whole situation crept into her, she started laughing too.  When she realized that the very properly and immaculately dressed woman was laying on the floor laughing in fits and couldn't stop, Jana's laughter escalated until she was laughing as hard as the woman.

While Jana was wiping tears from her eyes, she studied the woman and remembered her from the scrapbook.  She was Martha VanHollan.  Jana remembered that Victoria and she had sponsored a lot of charity events together.  She quickly quieted her laughter, as she realized that this woman and Victoria must be good friends and that she would probably see right through Jana especially in the state she was in right now.

Oh, why hadn't she changed right away, she scolded herself.  But Jana didn't want to get the beautiful rugs wet so she had stepped into the bathtub giving herself a few moments to look at the amulet before she dried off.  She had just started to study it, when Martha VanHollan had entered.

Now she had it tucked safely away in her wet pocket and was trying to decide how best to get out of this situation when Martha, grabbing a tissue and dabbing her eyes, said. "That was the best laugh I've had in a long time, Victoria, I didn't know you had it in you to be humorous."  She let out another little giggle as she said, "Would you like me to get you a towel and robe?  Before you explain."

Jana nodded and blushed a little, as Martha VanHollan went over to the closet and pulled the items out.  Jana didn't miss the fact that she and Victoria must really be good friends if Martha knew where things were in her rooms.

"Thank you, Martha,"  Jana said then continued, "And I would appreciate it if you didn't ask what happened."

"But, Victoria, aren't we good friends and you must admit that it is a bit strange to find someone in the middle of the bathtub soaking wet with all their clothes on." Martha said as she burst out laughing again.

"Okay, okay, I slipped and fell in the fountain." Jana stated matter-of-factly.

"The fountain!  How could you possibly have fallen in the fountain?"

"I was just trying to look at some of the artwork closely, since it is so beautiful, and I...I slipped."

”You slipped?"

"Yes, I slipped.  Enough about that now.  How are you doing, Martha?"

"How am I...?  You've got to be kidding!  I came all the way over here to pick you up, as we agreed, to go over to the Ambassador to check out the ballroom for tomorrow night and find out, that not only are you not ready, but your standing in the middle of the bathtub, fully clothed, totally drenched, and dripping like a drowned rat.  And you have the audacity to ask me so nonchalantly, How am I doing? Well I'm totally shocked but extremely thankful, since you have made my day.  In fact, you have made my whole week.  Victoria you really are precious.  Come on now and get dressed. We have to meet with Mr. Benjamin in an hour." 

*      *      *

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Beginning     Chapter 7

Copyright 1990 by Anita and David Mathews