Seven Dwarfs

By Peter Koonz

The Seven Dwarfs is the unofficial code name for a group of seven highly trained assassins recruited from the ranks of elite special forces of several European nations. Created by these nations to eliminate terrorists and individuals deemed too dangerous to live, these seven individuals travel anywhere in the world to find and kill whomever their masters want dead. They are anonymous and their organization is so secret that anyone who even suspects their existence will be eliminated.

Nathan "Nick" Fiore is a successful businessman who owns a five-star hotel and several up-market restaurants. But he is a man with a dark past - a tragic and dangerous past that threatens to destroy him.

Alicia Knowles is the irresistible and impossibly beautiful socialite who is attracted to Nathan, both by his good looks and his money. She is as lethal as she is beautiful, a black widow who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.

Nathan and Alicia are drawn to each other by their own needs and longings but their love for each other will be put to the test when the Seven Dwarfs and the intelligence agencies of both Great Britain and the United States come calling.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Peter Koonz
• Release date: Jun 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201550349

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Text Copyright © 2021 Peter Koonz

All Rights Reserved

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages embodied in critical articles or in a review. Trademarked names may appear throughout this book. Rather than use a trademark symbol with every occurrence of a trademarked name, names are used in an editorial fashion, with no intention of infringement of the respective owner’s trademark. The information in this book is distributed on an as is basis, without warranty. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this work, neither the author nor the publisher shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

To my wife and my children for their support and encouragement

Prologue

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Somewhere in the city of London, an overweight man in a grey trench coat struggled against the pouring rain. A sudden gust of strong wind had blown away his umbrella and now the only protection he had against the rain was his hat and his trench coat. He clamped onto his hat with his left hand to keep the wind from blowing it off as well.

Damn the rain, he thought to himself. I’d be lucky if I don’t catch pneumonia.

He looked at his watch. It was ten to midnight. Most normal people would be comfortably sleeping in their warm bedrooms.

But not him. He had to be out here, braving the rain and the cold.

This had better be worth it.

He stopped at the entrance of a tall office building, showed his pass to the lone security guard and walked into an open elevator. He pressed the button for the 27th floor.

The floor of the lift was wet – the result of water dripping off his trench coat and hat – but he didn’t notice. His mind was elsewhere.

When the elevator doors opened on the 27th floor, he walked briskly to his office. It was a cramped and untidy room, lined on all sides with shelves filled with files and stacks of documents. He paused a while to switch on the lights and to hang up his coat and hat which had left a trail of water from the elevator. The cleaning lady would be really pissed tomorrow but that was her job right? He had his job to do.

He hung up his wet coat, walked to his office computer and switched it on. As he waited for it to boot up, he poured himself some whisky from a bottle he kept in his drawer. He took a gulp and allowed the whisky to slowly trickle down his throat to his stomach. That felt good. He took a second gulp and then returned to his computer. The login screen had appeared, prompting him to enter his password.

He keyed in his password. Then he took out a small flash drive from his shirt pocket and inserted it into one of the USB ports of his computer. A few mouse clicks later, he was looking at the contents of the flash drive. He clicked on a document from the flash drive and gasped audibly after he had read through a few paragraphs.

They’d done it! It was only a matter of time, he supposed, given the level of technology these days. It was perhaps the final nail in the coffin for individual privacy. It wasn’t just the news of the technology. In this era of information overload, the most such news evokes would probably be a few raised eyebrows, nothing more. No, it was the number of people whose lives had been prematurely terminated to keep it a secret. And, most disturbing, however, was the existence of a secret–

He heard a sound behind him and turned toward it. He had just read that several people, some of whom he had known personally, had mysteriously died and that had spooked him enough to make him at least slightly paranoid in reacting to the sound.

It was Anne Kirsten at the door of his office.

W-what the hell are you doing here? he burst out, sounding angry and scared at the same time.

I was just wrapping up and about to leave when I saw the light in this room, she said calmly, walking toward him. I thought if you’d forgotten to switch off the lights, I would do it myself.

I’m going crazy with this shit, he thought to himself. Stay calm, Anne is your colleague. You have no reason to bite her head off.

I’m sorry, he said apologetically. I’ve been overworked lately. Please forgive me for sounding so harsh.

No problem William, said Anne almost sweetly. She always called him William instead of Bill unlike everyone else in the office. You are all wet. Let me get you some coffee. She turned toward the coffee machine which was situated just outside his office.

He saw her back and could not help admiring her figure. Anne had joined them as the office secretary just over two months ago and already every man there was lusting after her. She had that effect on men. You just cannot look at her and feel otherwise. William was no exception. He had just come out from a messy divorce and was feeling sorry for himself. Then, out of nowhere, Anne had appeared and for a brief spell, he thought of asking her out for a date. However, his courage failed him. His low self-esteem didn’t help either. He was at least thirty pounds overweight and was pushing fifty. She was in her late twenties or early thirties and had absolutely no reason to go out with someone like him.

Anne too kept her distance from everyone. Although she was extremely attractive, she had that stare in her eyes that said, Don’t bother asking me out. You’ll be sorely disappointed. A few brave souls did try and they went away with their tails between their legs.

She came with two cups of steaming coffee and handed him one. He stopped what he was doing and sipped his coffee gratefully. Anne had mixed the coffee just right, it had the right amount of sugar and was hot enough to swallow and not scald his mouth. Thank you, he said gratefully. She was sipping her coffee from the other cup and he noticed her beautiful and slender hands which were both holding the cup. Looking at her, he almost forgot what he came here for and with a great deal of effort, he turned toward the computer monitor.

Excuse me, Anne, he said. I have to finish this. Thank you again for the coffee. It was very kind of you.

Anne did not answer. He saw that she was reading the part of the document that was displayed on his monitor. She had moved closer to him while she was reading the document. Too close in fact.

He quickly minimized the window displaying the document.

If you don’t mind, he started, trying to sound stern. But he had caught a whiff of her perfume and felt the heat from her body and despite the urgency of his work, he was feeling another part of his body calling attention to a long-neglected need. He wanted to grab hold of her, rip off her clothes and ...

He was feeling weak all of a sudden. He tried to get up from his seat but his legs failed him. He felt his breathing quicken and, despite his wet clothes, he was perspiring. He tried to talk, to tell her to get help but when he managed to open his mouth, his tongue wouldn’t work. He watched as she pulled out the flash drive that he had inserted earlier and put it in her shirt pocket. She took the mouse from his hand and logged off from the computer. She waited until the login screen came back on again. Then he saw her looking at him. He thought he saw pity and dare he say it – compassion in her eyes. She was lovely to look at.

She bent down toward him, took his head in her beautiful hands and kissed him on the forehead.

Goodbye William, she said. I’m sorry it had to end this way. But you were in way over your head.

With that, she left.

He was still conscious. His mind was still capable of thought although it was no longer in charge of his muscles. Sh-she must have put something in the coffee, he thought. And I drank all of it. It’s getting hot in here and I think I feel a heart attack coming.

Then, he smiled. He couldn’t move his facial muscles of course, but he could feel himself smiling. He had no reason to smile, he supposed and he was surprised at his own calmness. Maybe it was the drug she put in the coffee, it seemed to be making him feel euphoric, besides paralyzing him. She kissed me! Of all the men in the office, she touched my face with those beautiful hands of hers and she kissed me. She kissed –

At exactly 12.47 am, William Henry Pearce, senior reporter for the Daily News, died of a massive heart attack.

*****

Anne Kirsten got up from her laptop. She had read a few documents from the flash drive that she had taken from James. She had acted just in time. If he had gone public with that kind of information, the consequences would be dire.

Still, she felt a tiny twinge of regret. She wondered why. After all, William wasn’t the first man she’d murdered. He wouldn’t be the last either. And, she was trained for this. Willingly. She had chosen this life and there would be no going back. She glanced at her hands. She was wearing gloves but for an instance, she thought about Lady Macbeth who saw blood dripping from her hands.

Both of us have enough blood on our hands, she thought. Me, I have enough dripping from my hands to fill buckets.

She poured herself some scotch and emptied the glass in a single gulp. Then she drew the blinds of the window and looked out of her apartment. It was dark and except for the rain which had reduced to a slow drizzle, there was no activity on the streets below.

Good.

She returned to her laptop and ten minutes later, she switched it off, pocketed the flash drive and packed the laptop in a haversack which also included two days’ change of clothes and some basic toiletries. She had changed into a turtleneck sweater with a windbreaker over it and a pair of black jeans.

Two weeks earlier, she had handed in her resignation but requested that she wanted this to be kept a secret from the staff. I don’t like goodbyes and all the soppy stuff, she told her boss. I’d appreciate it if you keep my resignation to yourself. This would keep her sudden disappearance from the office from looking suspicious.

She sat down on her small sofa, took out a cigarette, lighted it and smoked. It had been such a long time since she'd touched a cigarette. She knew she shouldn't do it - her trainers had been adamant - it would slow her down, dull her reflexes, yadda,  yadda ... But holding that stick of smoldering weed reminded her of the girl she once was. Naive and innocent, pure and clean, whose only vice was the cigarette and cancer was the worst that can happen to you.

She smiled at the thought. I won't live long enough for cancer to kill me. Not in this line of work.

She sat there enjoying her cigarette for about a minute. Then, abruptly, she stubbed it out on her coffee table, leaving a small burn mark.

Back to work, she told herself. So much for the break. Now I need my wits for what is to come.

She got up, went to the door and opened it.

Want a drink? she said to the well-dressed man standing outside her apartment.

He smiled at her as he entered the apartment. You're as sharp as ever, my dear. I was just about to press the doorbell.

He sniffed the air. Smoking again? I hope you're not going back to that. These things will kill you.

She took out the flash drive and gave it to him. What you came here for. Then she handed him his drink.

He pocketed the flash drive and said, I trust you have tied up all the loose ends? She nodded, thinking about the dead man in her office.

He handed her a small briefcase. You'll find your new travel documents and some cash inside. Plus instructions on your next assignment.  She took it and put it on the coffee table.

He finished his drink and headed for the door. Got to run. Be seeing you soon.

As she closed the door behind him, he broke into a brisk walk, as if he was trying to get as far away from her apartment as possible. He never liked her and he knew the feeling was mutual.

The explosion behind him almost caught him by surprise.

He'd tied up the last loose end.

Chapter 1

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Nathan looked at his watch.

Damn!

He was late. He rushed out of his penthouse and took the elevator to the basement car-park.

Once inside the elevator, he looked at himself in the mirror that was fixed to the side wall of the elevator. He smoothed his hair and straightened his tie.

Not bad, he thought. Nathan Fiore was a looker. He was blessed with good genes and although he wasn’t as tall as he wished he was, he had an athletic build and through hours in the gym had enhanced his physique, strength, and stamina to near perfection.

I hope she likes me, he said to himself. Then, he castigated himself: of course she likes me. That’s why she’d agreed to this date. And, it’s not like this is your first date. For crying out loud, you’re forty-two years old and you’ve had so many dates before.

But this is special, he said to his image in the mirror. Alicia’s special!

At the basement car-park, a voice from behind him said, Going somewhere, Nick?

Nathan turned around. Harry had a way of making himself invisible. At six foot four, he was huge and would stand out in a crowd. Yet, this former boxer and ex-NSA agent had the ability to melt into any crowd and usually one will not notice him until he is standing just next to you. Also, Harry had a habit of calling Nathan, Nick. At fifty-five, Harry was more than just Nathan’s bodyguard. He was also his mentor and his occasional sidekick. But most importantly, he was Nathan’s friend. Possibly his best friend.

Got a date tonight Harry, said Nathan fishing for the car keys in his trouser pocket.

She must be something else, said Harry, smiling. I can smell your cologne.

Nathan got into his Mercedes.  

Don’t wait up for me, he grinned at Harry as he drove off.

As his car left the parking lot, he glanced at his rearview mirror. Harry was getting into his Toyota Camry. Nathan smiled. He knew Harry would be following him discreetly. Harry was his only employee who dared disobey his orders. Normally, he would prefer to be on his own when he went about his personal affairs. All his other employees knew better than to disobey him. But not Harry. Harry was the type who could tell him off in his face. He’d earned that right by saving Nathan’s life more times than he could remember. Harry treated Nathan as his son although they were only thirteen years apart.

It was his late father who hired Harry to both to be his personal bodyguard and survival trainer. Nathan, at that time already a second-degree black belter in Hapkido, resented Harry’s presence. He complained to his father saying that he did not need a babysitter but the old man insisted. He obviously knew something about Harry that Nathan didn’t. Harry showed his professionalism by being invisible. He shadowed Nathan without the young man realizing it and twice, he saved Nathan’s life. The young man’s respect for Harry went up a few notches but being young and reckless, he thought he was a better fighter than the much older Harry.

Harry put up with Nathan for a while. Then one day, while Nathan was pounding the heavy bag in his personal gym, Harry appeared and sat down quietly at one corner observing the young man throwing powerful punches and kicks at the bag. Nathan saw the big man but ignored him and continued with his workout. Then, at the end of his workout when he went for his water bottle, he approached Harry.

Want a workout on the heavy bag? he said to Harry.

Nope, said Harry.

Too much for you, huh? taunted the younger man.

Nope, Harry replied.

The young man, apparently irked by the older man’s monosyllabic answers, challenged him to a fight.

Don’t worry, he told the older man. I promise not to hurt you too much.

Harry got up slowly and walked to the center of the gym where the floor was padded. Okay kid; give me your best shot.

Without hesitation, the young man charged at Harry. What happened next was a blur. Even to this day, Nathan still could not figure out what the big man did. All he could remember was that he found himself lying flat on his back and Harry standing over him, his face impassive. The young man sprang to his feet immediately and launched another attack.

Same result. He was lying flat on the mat, his breath knocked out of him.

Of course, the young Nathan could not admit defeat – his pride wouldn’t let him and he jumped to his feet again and attacked the older man. However, no matter what he did, he always found himself being decked out on the mat. Finally, the exhausted young man had to admit defeat. He was forced to admit that the older man was more than a match for him.

More importantly, the young Nathan learned humility. From that day onward, he began his real training with Harry. The two began developing a kind of father-son relationship. Nathan’s own father was almost never there for him whereas Harry – whether he could see him or not – was never far from him. Under Harry’s mentorship, Nathan learned how to handle various types of firearms, how to use the knife effectively in a fight and even more importantly, how to survive the mean streets of New York.

Nathan smiled at the memory of his beginnings with Harry. Then he became somber. The years have been tough on him. First his brother, Peter was shot dead. Then his father was murdered. And it was just recently that his only remaining sibling, his sister, was almost killed. Fortunately, there was a happy ending. His sister found someone, a man who loved her dearly and would give his life for her and now they were making preparations for getting married.

Maybe I’ll have a happy ending too, he said to himself as he drove on. Yes, he was looking forward to his date.

The Anglican was a classy restaurant serving European cuisine. It was jointly owned by a pair of Michelin-starred chefs and its food and service were rated as excellent. Nathan had reserved a table for two in a private dining booth. The waiter showed him the way to the booth. As he followed the waiter, he scanned his surroundings, taking note of all the possible exits and the crowd of diners. Everyone there was here for the ambiance and the food. He did not find anyone or anything out of place.

When he became aware of what he was doing, he smiled to himself. He had done this without even thinking.

Old habits die hard.

She was there slowly sipping her daiquiri. She looked demure and – Nathan caught his breath – she was beautiful. Her long silky black hair glistened in the soft light and she was dressed in a long black dress with a low neckline that showed just enough of the woman inside the dress to raise the pulse of any hot blooded man. It did not reveal too much but just enough – enough to fire your imagination about how the rest of her would look like. She also wore a diamond necklace which hung around her neck on a thin gold chain. The diamond was not big or flashy. Its purpose was to draw attention to the wearer and it hung just above the bosom, and every time it sparkled in the light, it would catch your eye and you’d be drawn to the smooth flawless skin that it was resting on. And then your eyes would wander around the rest of the wearer of this diamond and food would be the last thing on your mind.  

She wore minimal make-up but as far as Nathan was concerned, she could have walked into the restaurant with her hair in curlers and still stop everyone in their tracks.

She saw him approaching and turned toward him, her lips breaking into a smile.

If I didn’t know you better, I’d thought you were going to stand me up.

I am so sorry, said Nathan apologetically. My business meeting went on longer than I anticipated. The waiter pulled up the chair next to her and Nathan sat down.

You look exquisitely beautiful, Alicia, he said looking at her. He did not actually have to tell her that. His gaze had already told her.

Alicia held his gaze. I bet you say that to all the girls.

Nathan blushed very slightly. Not so that you’d notice but he was sure she saw him blushing.

Shall we order? he said after a few seconds. He gestured to the waiter.

After the waiter had taken their orders and left, Nathan turned to his date. They first met while he was doing his bit for charity. In every sense of the word, Nathan was a very successful businessman. He owned a chain of five-star hotels across Canada as well as two well-known restaurants. Unlike many people who only thought of themselves and their families, Nathan was grateful that he had been given another chance in life. Being the second son of a mobster, he was exposed to violence and corruption that tainted much of his life. At one point, he felt so overwhelmed by the tragic events in his life that he almost gave up on living. But his life turned for the better and the grateful Nathan decided to use his resources to help improve the lives of the less fortunate.

It was in one of his many charitable activities that he met Alicia Knowles. They seemed to develop an immediate friendship and soon got to know each other better. She told him that she was a divorcee who, after a really bitter split with her other half, descended into self-pity and alcohol. When she finally managed to clean up her act, she decided to focus on helping others instead of wallowing in self-pity.

So, here I am, she said. What about you? Why are you here?

Nathan, however, was more guarded. He did not tell her about his mobster past. Or that his real name wasn’t even Fiore. His cover story was that he came up from a poor family and struggled to get to where he was. Now that he was ‘up there’ it was only proper that he give back to the community.

So here we are, Nathan repeated that phrase in his mind. He