A Family's Deception: A Jake Oliver Mystery

Prologue

(May 24, 1977)

The paneled van traveled along the dusty road, its headlights piercing the darkness in front of it. The night was exceptionally cool for that time of year and the moon was hidden by the overcast clouds making it darker than normal. The short stubby ice plants that lined the hillside road were coated in dust. Rain had not graced this high desert area for over a month.

If the sky was clear, the occupants of the van would have been dazzled by the brilliant display of stars, particularly visible in this area of Southern California. But the two men in the front seat were not interested in the stars or the weather. Their interest was only with the individual they had abducted earlier that evening from the resort, now 30 miles away. A man, bound, blindfolded and gagged, was laying on the floor in the back of the vehicle and continued to strain against the rope lashed around his hands and feet. Although the struggle seemed futile, the man’s strong will and determination remained constant, which appeared to amuse his captors.

Marco’s mind raced with questions. What could these men possibly want with me? Who was behind this action? Will I be alive in the next hour? His thoughts were interrupted when the van came to sudden stop. He then heard his abductors walk to the back of the van and open the rear doors. The dust from the dry dirt outside the van quickly engulfed Marco, causing him to cough violently as his eyes watered behind the blindfold. He was harshly grabbed and pulled from the vehicle, carried a short distance and then thrown to the ground. Then his blindfold and gag were removed. The bright glare of the van’s headlights blinded him and he turned his head away until his eyes adjusted and he quickly looked around to get some bearing on his location. He surmised that he was somewhere east of La Murata in the foothills, given the drought resistance scrubs he recognized from frequent hikes with his father when he was a boy. What concerned him was that there were no lights in sight in any direction and, with the cloud cover he could not even use the stars to determine what direction he was facing. These men obviously wanted privacy and the purpose of this privacy was what concerned him most!

Since they stood with the headlights of the van directly behind them, he could not see the faces of his two abductors. All he could make out from their silhouettes was that they were big men and the one that had spoken to him at the resort just before he was hit from behind had a rather unique voice. Marco found it odd that such a big man could have such a well cultured and soft spoken voice. His accent suggested he was from the northeast, perhaps Boston or New York.

We have your wife, Marco, and she will not be harmed if you cooperate. We want what was left at the resort. Where is it? said the soft spoken man.

Marco’s mind raced as he assessed his options. "How do I know you have my wife? Hell…even I haven’t seen or heard from her for over a month."

The other man, who remained silent, stepped forward and kicked Marco in the stomach, knocking the wind out of his lungs. As he lay there gasping for air, the question was asked again: Don’t get smart with us Marco. As for your wife…well, I guess you will just have to take our word for it. It’s quite simple really. Tell us where it is; she lives, and you get to die quickly and painlessly. Play games with us and my partner here gets to have some fun. And you won’t like his idea of fun.

Before Marco could respond, the sound of a car approaching caught their attention. Two headlights could be seen following the switchback gravel road toward their destination. A dark stretch limousine pulled up next to the van and also kept its headlights on to further illuminate the area. Marco could now see that he was at the base of a large hill on a relatively flat plateau of sorts. With the second car’s headlights blaring in his face, he could barely make out the occupant that got out of the car.

Has he told us what we need to know yet? called out a man in the distance.

No, replied the soft spoken man, but we are confident he will talk soon.

Marco then observed the man in the distance lean into the open door of the limo, obviously speaking with someone in the rear seat. The man then waived his abductors over. Words were exchanged and then they returned and the soft spoken man crouched down next to him. Well Marco, some bad luck. It appears that we may already have the information we are looking for and that is rather bad news for you, my friend.

Marco did not look up but kept staring at the limousine in the distance as his mind put the pieces of the puzzle together. My wife knows nothing.

Smart deduction Marco, but my friend and I have a job to do.

Marco watched the man in the distance get back in the car and the limo drove off into the night. His anger and frustration was overwhelming, but there was also some degree of satisfaction as he thought to himself. I always expected you to make your move, my dear. You may think you know where it is, but that secret has been safe with my family for generations and you will not succeed with your plan.

Just before Marco Palermo’s life came to an end, he heard a mechanical sound he did not recognize. He rolled over, looked up and saw his two abductors screwing what appeared to be silencers onto the barrels of their revolvers. As Marco pondered his last thoughts, he was sad that his life would be coming to an end and that the greed of his family had culminated into such a level of hatred. His only hope was that someone would avenge his death and uncover the injustices that had occurred over the generations.

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(June, 1978)

When Marco first disappeared and the local authorities failed to turn up anything, they quickly contacted the FBI, suspecting he had been kidnapped. Unfortunately, they too turned up nothing but were highly suspicious of his wife’s quick decision to sell the resort and, as she phrased it, ‘put the entire tragic mater behind her.’ Agent William (Bill) Garrison, in charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office, reviewed the findings with the two agents assigned to the case. He agreed with their concern but, given how little they had been able to turn up over the past 12 months, he had no choice except to reassign them to a new case, however, this particular one bothered Bill Garrison. The disappearance of Marco Palermo and his wife’s quick decision to sell the resort had all the makings of either an elaborate extortion plan or possibly something more. Although Garrison was scheduled to retire within the next few months, his plan was to make note of the open cases that had not been solved during his watch. Perhaps he would do a little snooping around on his own after he left the bureau.

Little did he know that his nephew, John, would eventually handle this very same case years later. John was the son of Bill’s brother Paul, a doctor. Contrary to his dad’s wishes, John Garrison joined the Kansas City police department and advanced quickly. Through his uncle Bill’s urging, John applied to work for the FBI. Having no kids of his own, Bill had always been close to his nephew and obviously John felt the same about his uncle.

As Bill Garrison reviewed the Marco Palermo file and studied copies of the closing documents on the sale of the resort to Traversari Hotels & Resorts, L.L.C., he leaned back in his chair and thought. So, where did you guys come from all of a sudden and what is your interest in this sleepy little resort?

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That same afternoon a black stretch limousine drove through the entrance gate of La Murata Hot Springs Resort & Health Spa. Such high profile vehicles were not uncommon for a resort that catered to rich and affluent clientele from nearby Los Angeles and San Diego. The occupants of this car, however, were not there to enjoy themselves. This was business.

The man seated in the back seat was six foot in height and average weight, who exercised daily in his private gym directed by a private trainer. He was 32 years old with dark slicked-back hair, piercing deep set eyes, straight nose and a dark olive complexion. He wore an expensive dark gray pin striped Italian suit, starched white shirt and a bold pink satin tie and sipped a glass of rich cabernet from his personal stock he kept in the car. This man valued his quality lifestyle and the perks that went along with his position of being in charge of West Coast operations for the far-reaching and powerful Stefano crime organization.

As he looked out the window of his car, he nodded his head in approval as he took in the well manicured grounds, picturesque fountains, and white stucco buildings with red tile roofs. He also liked the fact that his new investment was away from the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas, where he resided. His organization liked privacy even though most of their investments were highly visible enterprises. Their ties to the business entities were always obscure, in terms of how the articles of incorporation and deeds were documented of course.

His ownership of La Murata Hot Springs Resort & Health Spa was no exception. Purchased by a front organization known as Traversari Hotels & Resorts, L.L.C., all appeared proper, however, some further research, however, by anyone interested would have uncovered that this group operated no other hotels or resorts and that a subsequent chain of parent organizations had been created. All of this for the purpose of distancing the property from the true owners, the Stefano Crime Syndicate, operating under the business entity, Stefano Brothers Imports, Inc. The Stefano organization, based in New York, had three primary sister operations in Miami, Chicago and Las Vegas. Luca Stefano seated in the limousine was responsible for the family’s West Coast operation.

The car stopped short of the main building where the executive offices were located. The brash Luca Stefano did not want to speak with anyone from the resort if he could avoid it for the time being. A few moments later, a second four door sedan entered through the main entrance and stopped behind the limousine. Two men, wearing dark sunglasses, got out and looked around nervously as the driver of the limo opened the door for Luca.

Luca pulled out a cigar and lit it as he took in his new real estate venture. He then turned to the man standing beside him. This will be perfect, Sully. The boys back east are going to love the place.

Yes, perhaps, replied Sully Rizzo, one of Luca’s most trusted lieutenants in the organization, as he looked around nervously.

Luca smiled. What are you nervous about? Afraid someone will recognize you?

Rizzo responded in his usual soft spoken voice. It hasn’t been that long since I was last here.

It’s been over a year and, you read it in the papers yourself, the cops couldn’t even get a decent description from anyone at this place. So be cool.

You are probably correct.

When does our new General Manager start?

He actually arrives later this afternoon. In fact, he could be pulling in any time. He is driving out from Phoenix with his family.

Great, stated Luca with an air of confidence in his voice. So we got us a family man, with a pretty solid background in the hospitality industry to run the place. That should help the operation look legit. Hell…we might even make some money here with this resort and spa stuff.

"Some money, boss? This place cleared roughly $5 million last year after expenses."

Yeah, don’t remind me. That’s why we had to pay more than usual. How could we explain not, at least, paying market value when it is kicking out profits like that. So tell our new manager that he needs to kick it up further. We need to get our return back out of this place. That is, our legitimate return, he said with a broad smile as he clinched his cigar between his teeth.

No problem, replied Rizzo.

Luca then resumed a serious look as he turned to Rizzo with his dark lifeless eyes. And we are not going to have any surprises like the previous owner turning up, are we?

That, sir, is not a possibility. No one is going to find the late Marco Palermo.

And how can you be so sure? commented Luca as he looked off to the hills south of the resort. With all of the development underway around here, there won’t be a free scrap of land left in the next few years.

Rizzo smiled and looked around to make sure no one was within earshot. Not unless they look right under their nose.

Luca took a puff on his cigar and smiled. I’m sure there is a good story to go with that comment, Sully. He looked around one more time and slapped Rizzo on the back. Alright, buddy, I’m outta here. Take good care of our new manager…what’s his name?

Wainwright, Gary Wainwright.

Luca climbed back into his car and looked across the seat at the stunningly beautiful woman seated directly across from him. Sure you don’t want to get out and stretch your legs? And did I mention that those are a great pair of legs?

The woman was dressed in a short black dress and, given where she was sitting, afforded Luca Stefano a rather entertaining view on life. Her long shinny black hair cascaded down her shoulders and her smoldering chestnut brown eyes seemed to burn right through most men she encountered. Glad you are getting your jollies. Now can we get the hell out of here?

You can’t go into hiding, babe. And besides, we still have some unsettled business. Luca rested his hand on her leg at about mid thigh, and she made no attempt to move it.

She looked out the window and commented more to herself. Actually, I can’t believe we pulled it off.

The place is perfect, commented Luca, I think it is going to do fine. The limousine drove through the gate exiting the resort.

The woman looked at her lover and new partner. It should. It worked for our two grand dads.

Yeah, I guess it did. And you’re confident you can find what my family left behind?

That’s my problem.

Luca leaned back and took another puff on his cigar to the obvious distaste of his female passenger. You got that right, lady. I stuck my neck out on this one after you contacted us in New York. If you can’t produce the goods, we may have a problem.

A smile appeared on her dark red lips as she dropped to her knees in front of him, and they shared a long and passionate kiss. In a low and sultry voice she replied, Not to worry, my love. And, besides, you get the fringe benefits of this partnership too. She slowly began to unzip her dress from the side. What more could you want?

Luca smiled, tossed his cigar out the window and hit the remote that closed the privacy window separating them from his driver. The smell of her perfume now engulfed the entire limo as the driver navigated it up the ramp onto Interstate 15 for the drive back to Las Vegas. They had some time on their hands. Luca’s eyes were locked on his companion’s womanly curves. I’m not complaining on that score, babe, but there is still something that bothers me.

What’s that? As she started to remove her black shear stockings.

Why again was it so important for you to have control of the resort and cut a deal with us?

This question produced a sudden coolness in her demeanor that Luca hoped wouldn’t spoil the mood. She gathered her thoughts before responding, Let’s just sum it up that my family had some unsettled business to take care of too.

This question obviously hit a nerve and Luca debated how much further to proceed. I can appreciate that. It’s in our Italian blood to avenge someone who hurts the family. She did not answer but just looked at him with a knowing stare. That’s right, Luca, you just keep thinking in those terms. If you only knew. Luca continued, I guess what I am still not clear about is what you are getting out of all of this.

To this line of questioning, the woman answered with caution. Marco represented the ‘other side’, so it gives me great satisfaction just to have taken the place away from him. As for what I needed you for…that should be obvious. I needed Marco out of the picture and your men took care of that. She hoped this explanation would suffice, but the skeptical look on his face said otherwise.

Luca nodded his head slowly and looked out the window as the car sped down the highway. Yeah…I guess.

She continued with her striptease in the seat across from him, hoping it would regain his attention. It must have worked because he stopped looking out the window. Luca, I contacted you because of the past relationship your family had with mine. I just saw it as the perfect opportunity to accomplish what I wanted and figured you would be interested because of what was left behind. Let’s face it, if that ever got out to the public, my dear Italian stud, it could be quite embarrassing for your family. Don’t you think? The legal implications of what she was suggesting were enormous and Luca knew it, but he was no fool and kept his thoughts to himself. Nice try, lady, but you’re not telling me everything. I don’t know what you’re up to yet but I’ll find out some day.

Luca smiled as he removed his suit coat and tie then leaned back in the seat. The woman again dropped to her knees on the floor in front of Luca and began to unbuckle his belt and unzip his pants. Luca stopped asking questions and leaned back to enjoy the moment. What a partnership, he thought.

At that same moment, the woman was having her own thoughts. That’s right my Italian stallion. You concentrate on getting laid and stop asking questions. If things go as planned, you and your cronies are going to help me obtain what rightfully belonged to my family. My grandfather stole it once, and you, she thought looking up to make sure Luca was pleased with her actions, are going to help me steal it all over again!

PART ONE:

Sins from the Past

Chapter One

(September 12, 2001)

The sunset was particularly spectacular that afternoon due to the combination of storm clouds overhead combined with low level fog that was slowly creeping over the hills as if attempting to sneak up on the small picturesque resort community. Bright orange and yellow clouds streaked across the grand sky like brush strokes on a large dark blue canvas. The four occupants of the car found these surroundings far more appealing to the traffic they had driven through for the past three hours.

The black jaguar drove through the gate of the resort just as the sun was setting over the hills that separated the town of Murata, California from the Pacific Ocean.

An old man sitting on the porch of his house at the top of the hill overlooking the resort watched the car pull up to the main building that included the lobby, restaurants and meeting facilities for La Murata Hot Springs Resort & Health Spa. He watched with some degree of nostalgia as he saw a man, his wife and two young girls get out and stretch. Obviously, they had been in the car for a long time. This was easy to surmise by the way all four individuals seemed to gravitate away or rather distance themselves from the other, classic behavior of most humans that have been cooped up in close quarters for a long period of time.

The old man stroked his white beard. He could view them clearly with the aid of a pair of large binoculars that he had obtained when stationed aboard the US Kittyhawk aircraft carrier during his brief but memorable stint in the Navy. He used them often to spy on the activities at the resort…his old stomping ground. Seated on the back deck of their small pre-fabricated home which was part of a retirement community that he had actually helped organize twenty years earlier, it was a far cry from the roomy mansion he and his family had lived in when he managed the resort below.

In fact, he could clearly see the house he and his wife had so fondly lived in. La Casa de la Murata was still as impressive today as it was when first built back in 1913. Its bright white pillars and expansive layout on the crown of the hill overlooking the resort stood out in sharp contrast to the golden brown scrub brush that surrounded it and the small, non-descript retirement homes that had been built over the years. All the land on that hill had once been part of the La Murata estate back in the early 1980’s until his owners teamed up with a builder to develop the land around the house into a retirement community. This had been done to help generate needed cash during a recessionary period in the resort’s history.

Gretchen, his beloved wife of forty years, joined him on the deck and shook her head as she watched her husband peering at the big house with his binoculars. Gary, what are you up to, you old coot? The last I checked there weren’t any young college girls living there for you to gawk at!

Gary Wainwright smiled and lowered the binoculars. First of all, I was just looking at the house. And secondly, if there were young good looking women over there, they probably would have invited me over by now!

In your dreams, old man, in your dreams! Gretchen sat down in the chair next to Gary and looked down at the resort. Is that them?

Gary nodded. Yep, I think so. They were due to arrive today and I can still spot a hotelman a mile away.

Gretchen shook her head again. Yeah, you can spot’um. As long as you have something to assist you with those tired old peepers of yours, you blind old bat. She then looked toward the big house and sighed. I sure miss the old place.

Gary turned and looked also. Yeah, me to. But our day has passed, my dear. Gary pointed down at the family starting to walk into the lobby. And that house will now be for them.

The house and a place to live for free certainly was a bonus we had never encountered before with your other hotels, said Gretchen.

Gary nodded in agreement. Offers like that were few and far between. In our case, it certainly sweetened the offer. Look what we were able to sock away all those years?

Yes, I know. It’s just that____

Just nothing, Gretch, we have had a good life.

Gretchen patted her husband on the hand. Yes dear. She again looked at the big house. I hope this new family likes the place.

They will. How could they not. It was a great set up and____

I’m not talking about the furnishings. You know…it’s unique…features.

Gary smiled. That’s a good name for them.

I just hope they can adapt, that’s all. Both looked at each other, then shrugged their shoulders and returned their attention to the young family below.

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Jake Oliver and his family entered the lobby of the resort and approached the front desk. His wife Marilyn and their two daughters, Anna and Lauren, saw the signs for the bathroom and decided to make a quick stop before proceeding toward the gift shop. Jake always found this trait in his wife amazing. It was, as if, she had some type of built in homing device that searched out such shopping Mecca’s. The even scarier issue was that both of his daughters were picking up these same qualities.

Jake had just turned 40, but his prematurely gray hair made him look older. He had hazel eyes and a weathered tanned face from his years of weekend boating excursions along the California coast. Jake was a man of average height who was constantly fighting to control his weight through exercise and his wife’s persistence that he eat right. Unfortunately, his joy for rich food, wine and an occasional good cigar did not coincide with Marilyn’s health plan for her husband. A man that actually thrived on a certain level of stress, he took great pride in his family and the career he had chosen. A 21-year veteran of the hotel industry, he was accustomed to the challenges associated with a new job and the stress of moving his family. He had worked hard and paid his dues to get to this point in his career. A career that began at a small resort in a Midwestern town working various positions from bellman to dishwasher to pay his way through college, Jake established himself from the start as an individual clearly determined to succeed. An outgoing and often outspoken individual, he quickly developed the reputation as a man unafraid of challenge, admired for the support he gave to his staff, but sometimes labeled as a rebel by his peers and occasionally deemed as difficult to control by the owners of the hotels he managed. Throughout his career he had constantly challenged and pushed himself to succeed but never at the expense of compromising his family or his integrity.

Jake was rewarded for his efforts with rapid advancement working for several large hotel management companies and was eventually given command of his first hotel at the young age of 26. It was at this small resort and marina the company’s youngest General Manager met an intelligent and sensitive woman by the name of Marilyn Simmons. One year later they were married and their family expanded with the addition of their two daughters. Jake’s career continued to excel with various promotions and transfers, typical of the hotel industry.

It was during Jake’s most recent position as General Manager of a historic hotel in downtown San Francisco that he faced life-threatening challenges that placed both him and his family in danger. Organized crime, union thugs, and an international assassin were all interwoven in the kidnapping of his wife and attempted abductions of his children. Utilizing his inherent investigative skills, Jake masterfully uncovered the corrupt individual behind these actions and rescued his wife.

As Jake approached the reception desk a tall woman with stark blonde hair cut extremely short and bright blue eyes greeted him. Her features were sharp and angular from years of apparent exercise and dieting. Her age was deceiving in that she appeared much younger than he knew her to be based on information he had obtained from the Director of Human Resources before his arrival. He surmised this had to be Nikki Phillips, the resort’s Director of Front Office.

She looked up from the computer screen she was concentrating on and greeted her new guest. Hello, how can I assist you?

Jake gave her a warm smile. Hi, I’m Jake Oliver and I believe you were expecting me?

Nikki returned the warm smile. "Oh, Mr. Oliver! So glad to meet you. We have been expecting you and your family. The drive from San Francisco was alright?"

Jake sighed. Overall, no hitches, but the traffic getting through L.A. was murder.

Always is sir. That’s why all of us appreciate living out here away from all of that. Far too stressful for me. In fact, I don’t know how you survived San Francisco. Big cities are just not my scene, but let’s not forget that it is those same ‘stressed-out’ folks that keep this resort in business!

Jake was amused by her choice of words but glad to see she was well grounded in terms of who the resort’s customers were. Well, I guess each type of environment takes some getting used to. Just then, Marilyn and the girls approached. Anna had just turned eight and Lauren would be six in another month. Anna was entering a phase where she was questioning everything. She was tall for her age at just shy of five feet and would most likely surpass both her mother and father in height. She had dark brown hair that was shoulder length with dark deep set black eyes. Given her long and lanky stature, she preferred to wear dresses rather than slacks in most cases to give her a more feminine appearance. Jake knew that some day, when the boys started flocking around, she would be the envy of her friends and he would have his work cut out for him as the protective father.

Lauren, on the other hand, would most likely always be much shorter than her older sister. Truly the athletic one of the family, she excelled in virtually every physical activity she tried. She was top of her gymnastics class and often practiced with kids several years older than her. She had dark black hair, cute dimples, and bright eyes that took in everything around her. Her mother kept her hair cut short more out of convenience. Lauren had a knack for getting into things that usually resulted in a major mess or an injury that she would call, ‘an owe!’.

Daddy, Daddy. You must see the pool. It is the biggest I’ve ever scene! shouted Lauren.

Nikki replied. Actually, little Ms. Oliver, we have three mineral heated pools and one has a waterfall!

Wow! beamed the excited six year old.

Wow, is exactly what my daughter said the first time she saw them. said Nikki with a broad smile on her face.

Marilyn extended her hand as Jake introduced them. How old is your daughter, Nikki?

Well, that was a few years ago and now she is 16, going on 30.

Marilyn nodded in agreement as her eyes motioned toward Anna who was standing off by herself at the other end of the front desk. Yes, I can relate to that accelerated growth plan.

This comment drew a chuckle. ‘Accelerated Growth Plan’, that’s a phrase I will need to remember, said Nikki as she picked up the phone and made a quick call. She was about to prepare the keys for the two-bedroom cottage they would stay in until their furniture arrived, when a concerned look crossed her face.

Something wrong? asked Jake.

A…no…it’s just that you were assigned rooms in the Fellowship Lodge and____

I’m sure that should be fine.

No, it’s not. Mr. Oliver, you and your family cannot stay in that lodge because it’s____

Haunted, said a young woman with short curly blond hair and wearing glasses who entered from a side door to the lobby. She was dressed in khaki slacks and dark pink polo shirt. She looked to be in her early 30s and also appeared to keep in good physical shape but had a far softer edge to her appearance than Nikki. What looked somewhat out of place were the thick glasses she wore. Without the glasses this woman would have turned a few heads, but the glasses gave her more of schoolteacher or librarian sort of appearance.

Mr. Oliver? said the woman with an extended hand. Hi, I’m Chris Cole, your Executive Assistant. Welcome to La Murata Hot Springs.

Glad to meet you, Chris. Let me introduce you to my wife, Marilyn, and daughters, Anna and Lauren.

Greetings were exchanged and then Chris continued. I asked Nikki to let me know when you arrived. There has been a little mix up, and you were assigned a two-room suite in the Fellowship Lodge. You were supposed to be placed in the Harmony Lodge. Adjoining rooms are being made up, but it may take a few minutes due to some late check outs.

What’s the big deal with staying in the Fellowship Lodge? And what is this about it being haunted?

Chris looked at Nikki and both women smiled and shrugged their shoulders. I know it sounds ridiculous, but there have been many unexplained incidents over the years.

Jake looked on with keen interest. Well, Chris, I am looking forward to hearing about these incidents, but first I need to get my family settled. Nikki, we’ll take the suite in the Fellowship Lodge and report back on what we see.

Nikki shook her head. But…Mr. Oliver, it would be best if____

Nikki, do we place other guests in this room?

Well, yes but___

Nikki, if it is good enough for them, it will work just fine for us. Chris, I’d like to spend some time with you, but it’s getting late today and I am sure you have a family to get home to.

Chris smiled. Actually, sir, I do.

Jake smiled back. Then get on home to them and we can meet tomorrow morning. What time do you usually get in?

Around eight, but I can come in earlier if you would like.

No, eight will be fine.

As Jake and his family returned to their car with directions to the lodge, the two women exchanged glances. Chris was the first to speak. "Now there is a man in charge. Nik,