UnBound - Neal Shusterman Page 0,106
advantage.
The Dah Zey knows this and wants him taken out of play more than ever before.
For this reason Divan has been forced to purge his ranks of anyone he does not trust and to keep himself at a level of paranoia that, considering the circumstances, could save his life.
Today Divan watches a news clip over and over in the vaulted “great room” of Lady Lucrezia, an Antonov AN-255—the largest aircraft ever built. All the comforts of home, at thirty-seven thousand feet. His valet comes in with a carafe of coffee.
“Skinner,” Divan says, pointing at the news clip, “have you seen this?”
On-screen is a talk show. Featured guests are none other than “Connor Lassiter” and Risa Ward. Divan notes the way Skinner’s hands shake when he sees it. The coffee cup on the platter chatters like teeth on a cold night. The reason is obvious. Skinner knows that any business involving the Akron AWOL and Risa Ward usually sends Divan into a rage. He’s probably waiting for it—but today Divan has no reason to lose his temper. “This was broadcast live earlier this morning,” Divan explains. “Watch what happens next.”
Just as the host is about to start the interview, shots ring out, the host’s chest practically explodes, and the camera skews wildly. More shots. Risa and Connor can be seen hurried backstage by security guards, to the gasps and screams of the studio audience.
Skinner drops the coffee carafe and immediately goes down to clean it up, apologizing profusely. It is of little concern to Divan. Skinner will clean it up and get more coffee. In spite of his occasional clumsiness, he’s an excellent valet.
“It appears that Risa and the imposter were unharmed,” Divan says, “but I doubt they’ll be doing any more interviews.”
“Were you . . . were you involved?” Skinner asks.
Divan actually laughs at the suggestion. “Certainly not. I hold no grudge against Risa just because she escaped. As for the imposter, he’s not worth my time—and his actions have mostly been good for business.”
“Yes, sir, I suppose they have.”
When “Connor Lassiter” returned to the public spotlight, it was obvious to Divan that he must be an imposter. Divan had gone down to witness the young man’s unwinding, so there could be no foul-ups. His parts were sold and shipped out. And although the Swiss banker who purchased Connor’s face claims he was duped and the face was someone else’s, Divan knew the truth. The banker must have sold it to the American Anti-Divisional Resistance. They probably got his vocal cords too. That’s all they needed to rewind themselves an imposter who looks and sounds like Connor Lassiter. As for the shark tattoo, that’s easy enough to fake. The world might be fooled, but not Divan Umarov.
• • •
At their next stop—a secluded airfield in Canada—the Lady Lucrezia lands in a downpour. There will be guests today. Guests that Divan must reluctantly allow on his flying fortress. Once a year he meets with his sister to discuss the family business. She complains and tries to persuade him to cut costs and increase output. He refuses, citing the fact that quality is the hallmark of his product. She leaves miffed, he flies off miffed, and that’s that until next year. Such is the lot when you cast your fortunes in with family.
“You will treat her with the respect with which you treat me,” Divan tells his staff. “Whether she deserves it or not.” Although he addresses everyone, most of the others have heard this before. It’s mainly for the benefit of Argent, who has not experienced Divan’s family.
Divan watches from a window in the expansive living room. Several figures approach from a large limousine, and he wonders who accompanies her today. Her spineless waif of a husband? Her lawyer? The heavy rain necessitates umbrellas and hooded raincoats. Because of this Divan doesn’t get a clear picture of all his guests as they board the plane. Had he seen, he would never have opened the hatch.
3 • Argent
Argent is curious, Argent is fearful, but most of all Argent is annoyed that he will now be expected to anticipate the needs of many instead of just Divan. Divan maintains a skeleton crew. The pilots, his bodyguard, a chef, and Argent. He calls Argent a valet, but what he really is, is valet, housekeeper, and waiter rolled into one. Every task that isn’t specifically assigned to someone else is left to Argent. He works long hours for little money and even less praise. And