Canticle for the Future

Chapter 12 — The Plan Comes Together

The pieces were being set in motion, the clock ticking,

waiting for his opponent to arrive.

Wednesday

Nyssa and Heidi kissed Franz and Matt goodbye and left Noirhaus as if nothing had changed. They stopped in front of the Landesmuseum and said their goodbyes. Heidi went inside for her usual cup of coffee, while Nyssa walked to Heidi’s apartment.

Nyssa was enjoying a cup of coffee when she heard the lock turn and saw Laura in the doorway. She and her men carried Heidi’s clothes in garment bags and returned them to her closet. One of Heidi’s neighbors noticed the strangers, and Nyssa explained she had experienced a nasty breakup and was spending time with Heidi until she found a place to stay. Laura waited until the nosy neighbor felt satisfied and left as quickly as she had arrived. Nyssa returned to enjoying her coffee.

Heidi’s day was fairly typical. She guided her staff, reviewing research projects and papers. Every chance she had, Heidi would walk through the archaeology section to view exhibits through visitor’s eyes and answer their questions. Yesterday, she noticed an older man sitting on a bench, sketching vases and bowls. He returned today, but had moved over to the Swiss human history section.

Heidi looked over the man’s sketch as he tried to draw one of the older artifacts, a bronze Roman helmet.

“A soldier named Publius Cavidius Felix inscribed his name on that helmet. It’s over two thousand years old.”

“I’m afraid I’m not doing him any favors trying to sketch his helmet.” The man turned to her and noticed her name tag. “I’m not bothering anyone, am I, Heidi? I can move.”

“You are fine. I don’t see too many people interested in basic everyday items.”

“Every one of these artifacts and paintings has a story. Publi Felix may have removed his helmet to lie with a woman, to rest, or lost it in battle.”

“You sound like my boyfriend.”

“He sounds interesting.”

“Indeed, he is. You can stay as long as you like.”

As Heidi smiled and turned to resume her walk, he said, “Thank you for sharing some of your valuable time today, Heidi Reinhardt.”

Laura’s men did nothing during the day. They would be busy beginning tomorrow night. Laura called Matt and asked if she could see the helicopter. His answer disturbed her.

George asked, “What’s bothering you?”

“His pilot has not fully assembled it.”

The other George said, “We’ve gotta trust him. Not too many things can go wrong.”

She just stared at him. “The chopper may not work at all. That’s maybe the best outcome. It could be too heavy. The package or Kai falls. Or both. Do you want to hear more?”

Her men stayed quiet.

Matt and Kai made use of Noirhaus’ private room and the fiber optic network for most of the day, only breaking for lunch.

“You look concerned, Matt.”

“I’m just remembering how this began with a cup of black coffee. Now, this ownership trail and banking assets must withstand Interpol scrutiny.”

“Matt. Relax. Everything is in order. As the CIO of the SoS…”

“Can’t we just stick with computer geek until it’s all said and done?”

“Sure. I like that better, anyway.”

When she finished work, Heidi congratulated herself by remembering to go to her apartment and not Noirhaus. She found a note from Nyssa. She had been called away on an emergency and would return with dinner.

Heidi poured herself a glass of wine and was settling down to enjoy her Feierabend when there was a knock on the door. Before she could stand, she heard Nyssa’s voice.

“Who are these for?”

“Heidi Reinhardt.”

“Let me unlock the door.”

Heidi set her glass on the table and walked towards the now opened door. Nyssa, arms full of several brown bags, edged by her, saying, “Those are for you.”

The courier handed her the bouquet. “Merci vielmal,” Heidi smiled. She stepped back, closing and locking the door behind her.

“That was a nice way for Matt to say he was thinking of you.”

Heidi searched several cabinets before she found an old vase. She added water and the packet of plant food that the florist attaches to every bouquet. She arranged the flowers until they looked proper and placed it in the center of the table. Nyssa and Heidi enjoyed their wine, dinner, and spent the rest of the evening together.

Thursday

Matt hadn’t slept well. In chess, a moment of carelessness or a lapse in concentration may cost you the game; having it happen in the real world could cost lives. The plan, his plan, had a hundred ways things could go sideways, and only one narrow path that worked. That’s what had kept him awake nights. But he made sure Heidi would be safe and taken care of if the worst happened.

Heidi’s day was busier than usual, and that made it seem as if the hours flew by. As she walked around the exhibits, the old man nodded to her. Today, she noticed he was trying his best to sketch a marble bust.

He mentioned, “You look very busy today. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you every day as you tour your archaeology wing. When you get to be my age, you realize it is the little things that end up important. A smile or kind word is more important than titles or fame.”

Heidi touched his shoulder. “I try to remember how blessed I am every day. Some days, their beauty loses to bureaucracy.”

The old man smiled. “We must never allow beauty or kindness to be overshadowed.”

At that moment, one of her staff interrupted. “Miss Reinhardt, the meeting has started.”

The old man looked at Heidi, “We will speak again.”

The hours flew by, and before she knew it, it was time to leave work. Nyssa met her inside the museum and convinced her, although she didn’t have to ask twice, to go to a local bar for z’nacht and drinks. Nyssa told her about her boring day, while Heidi noted how busy she was. When they finished, they took the tram to Heidi’s apartment, not realizing something unexpected had happened.

The Ström Vault Hotel waited for its owner to arrive Saturday morning. Felix was focused on organizing a pile of paperwork he had avoided as long as he could. No guests were expected until Saturday morning, and he had run out of excuses. As he grew tired of paperwork, Felix glanced up and noticed a black limousine stopped in front of the hotel. The doorman should be able to handle questions and send them on their way. It was four o’clock in the afternoon when Felix heard the door open, and in walked an immaculately dressed woman, heels clicking on the marble floor, heading past his desk and into Galerie Ström.

Without notice, Aria Sable had returned.

Early.

Aria arrived early, heels clicking like a countdown no one had started.

Whatever came next was already in motion.

Author’s note: (Or why you’ll love Switzerland.)

I present to you a menu of sorts: (found on a Reddit thread)

Breakfast is z’morge (at morning)

Second breakfast is z’nüni (at 9’o clock)

Elevenses = z’Öufi

Lunch is z’mittag (at midday)

Afternoon snack is z’viäri (at 4’o clock)

Dinner is z’nacht (at evening/night)

Finally, I’ve discovered civilization!