House of Acerbi

CHAPTER 57

Breaking the stillness of the desert night, the large white passenger jet streaked low over Acerbi’s hacienda as it circled above the moonlit sagebrush on its descent to the runway at the base of the hill. After taxiing into position next to the single, darkened hangar, the pilot began shutting down the engines as fifty well-dressed men and women exited the jet and made their way down the aircraft stairs to an empty concrete ramp.

The area seemed deserted. With no vehicles or people in sight, the curious group was left only with the silence of the barren desert to greet them. The eeriness of the scene gave some reason to pause as they stood on the still-warm tarmac and gazed up at the lights coming from Acerbi’s hacienda on the hill.

To the well-heeled arrivals who were used to being catered to, the lack of a welcoming committee was an affront, especially considering the fact that they had all traveled to this desolate piece of Mexican real estate to witness a ceremony that would mark the beginning of a new world order. Their plan had come together perfectly. They had finally done it, and by this time tomorrow, they would be united as the new rulers of a world completely under their control.

Standing on the warm concrete, some shivered with the knowledge that other members of their group hadn’t been so lucky. They had been exposed to the world in a brilliant double-cross that had shifted the blame for the deadly viral outbreak onto them. They had been cast out by their elite peers and left to fend for themselves in a brutal purge orchestrated and justified by Acerbi for the greater good of the organization as a whole. It was a perfect example of the Darwinian theory of the survival of the fittest, a fact not lost on the men and women who now stood exposed and defenseless on an isolated desert runway in the middle of the night.

“This is preposterous!” Alan Thorn said, loosening his tie. In the moonlight, the others could see that the face of the short-tempered oil man was turning red. “He can’t treat us this way. What are we supposed to do … hike through the cactus up to his house?”

Dana Waters looked toward the darkened hangar. “Calm down, Alan. This obviously isn’t a country club.”

The others cast cautious glances in Thorn’s direction as an instinctual primal fear began to spread through the human herd like chaff on the wind. Then, one of them pointed. There, at the edge of the tarmac, they saw the surreal image of Rene Acerbi, emerging all alone from the darkness. His sudden appearance took them all by surprise, for it was well known that Acerbi never went anywhere without his hand-picked legion of security men. Yet there he was, walking out of a desert wilderness at night without a single guard. Evidently, they thought, he must feel completely secure here in Mexico. If only they felt the same way.

Watching Acerbi come closer, the group saw that he was smiling. Apprehension turned to relief, and relief turned to joy when he walked right into their midst and began shaking hands all around.

“Good evening, my friends. I trust your flight across the Atlantic was comfortable.”

“It’s almost nine o’clock at night, Rene,” Thorn said. “And they didn’t give us anything to eat on the plane.” He sneered as he looked past Rene at the empty desert. “Where’s your usual entourage, Acerbi?”

Acerbi’s dark eyes narrowed as he maintained a tight smile. “We’re completely safe here. No need for guards. As for the crew’s failure to feed you on your flight over, please accept my apologies. They were just following my instructions. I’m sure you are all starving, but I didn’t want to ruin the surprise dinner I had prepared in honor of your arrival. Come, please follow me.”

With that, Acerbi turned and began walking toward the darkened hangar. As if on cue, a few lights began switching on, infusing the area with soft light. Outside, those walking toward the hangar could see the outlines of men dressed like waiters lighting candles at a dozen tables spaced out over the concrete floor.

“Dinner in a hangar,” Thorn said. “How special. I would have thought we’d be dining in your new hacienda.”

“The house is being prepped for the ceremony tomorrow,” Acerbi said, keeping his eyes focused straight ahead. “We had to improvise. On a more positive note, you’ll be pleased to know that your rooms are ready and that you’ll all be joining me up at the hacienda later for cocktails.”

Dana Waters smoothed her short blonde hair back out of her face as she walked next to Acerbi. “This is most gracious of you Rene. I’m starved.”

“Thank you. You’re looking beautiful this evening, Dana.” Acerbi smiled. “At least I’ve been able to make some people happy.”

“We’re all happy, Rene. Don’t pay any attention to Alan. He’s been like this for weeks … business problems.”

“Oh, but I’m afraid I do have to pay attention to him, as well as some others.”

Dana’s face became a white mask. “You mean …”

“Yes, it appears that some of our guests will not be joining us at the ceremony tomorrow. My security people have informed me that a few of our trusted friends have been discussing business with outside interests.”

“Outside interests? What outside interests?”

“Does it matter? They’ve broken a sacred bond.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Let’s just say that they’ve thrown away a very bright future.” Acerbi could see the fear in her eyes as her pace began to slow.

“Come now, Dana. Our core group must be completely trustworthy, especially now that our plan is beginning to come together. We can’t afford to overlook mistakes of this magnitude, because if we falter, everything we’ve worked for all these years will collapse overnight because some idiot had too much to drink and wanted to impress.”

“I know, Rene. It’s just that …”

“It’s just that what? That these people are friends of ours? That it’s easier to eliminate someone when you don’t have to look at their face and pretend that you’re not making plans to destroy them?”

“Yes … that’s exactly what I’m saying. Take Alan for instance. He could be a great asset to us someday.”

“No. His days are over. He’s the worst of the lot … his fate was in his hands, and he let it all slip away.”

Acerbi took her by the arm as they continued walking toward the hangar.

“How do I know I’m not next?” The question was posed in an offhand manner, as though she were making small talk.

“Have you been talking to anyone outside our little group?”

“No.” Her eyes blazed. “Of course not.”

“Then you have nothing to fear. It’s as simple as that. I’m about to send a very clear message to those who think they can betray me and get away with it.” Acerbi kept walking with a strange smile on his face. He seemed almost happy, but there was an edge to his mood. Something about him was different. Looking sideways as they walked, she studied his features. What was beneath that smile?

“Why is it that a handsome man like you never married, Rene?”

“I see you’re in a subtle mood tonight, Dana.”

“No, really … you’re good-looking, bright, ambitious … rich. You’re the perfect catch.”

“Are you interested?”

Dana stopped, her eyes wide with surprise. “You never cease to amaze me, Rene.”

“Why is that?”

“Why? Because you’re an enigma. You’re one of the most ruthless and cunning men I’ve ever known, but you can also be very charming at the same time. That’s a very dangerous combination, especially to those who don’t understand you the way I do.”

“So, you understand me?”

Dana began to laugh. “No, you’re probably right. I don’t think anyone really understands the great Rene Acerbi. Anyway, in answer to your question, just what did you have in mind … a date?”

Rene began to laugh out loud. “A date? What … you want me to pick you up in my?57 Chevy and drive you to some hamburger joint?”

Dana paused, her lips pinched together in a mischievous pout. “Why not?”