Betrayal (10 page)

iktor, the admiral has things well in hand,” Jon Krause said to his Russian counterpart. He had long regarded Viktor Ivanov as an impetuous man with antiquated views about the world. In Jonathan Krause’s mind that made Ivanov a liability that needed to be controlled. He had little doubt that the Russian contingent of their group was the driving force behind the decision to assassinate John Merrow. That only served to increase the CIA agent’s distrust of the man before him now. Ivanov was neither an agent nor was he a leader. He was, simply put, a businessman. That lowered Krause’s respect another degree. Loyalty was not a word in Viktor Ivanov’s vocabulary. Krause often mused that if Ivanov thought he could make more money; he would sell his own child.

“Be that as it may, Mr. Krause…You must understand that our vulnerability is much higher than yours,” Ivanov said.

“Vulnerability?” Krause questioned.

“
Da. Vy ne sidite ochen blizko s nashimi, kak mne skazat? C nashimi partnerami?
(Yes. You do not sit so close to, how do I say? To our associates?),” Ivanov explained.

“Which
associates
are you referring to, Viktor?” Jonathan Krause’s deliberate refusal to speak the native tongue of the man standing before him was a blatant and deliberate message of contempt.

“You do not understand the risks, Jonathan.”

Krause let out a disgusted chuckle. “Viktor, this is not 1940 or even 1970. Risk is not assessed simply by one’s geographic
location. Killing a sitting president increases the risk to us all. The greatest risk.”

“
Kakoj risk moczet bit bolshe nashey bezopasnosti
(What greater risk than to our safety)?” Ivanov snapped.

“Safety?” Jon Krause paced across the floor and shook his head. He considered the question a moment and turned. “Am I to understand you are concerned about the Russian people?” There was no response. “You are, of course, referring to retaliation. No?”

“Of course,” Ivanov sputtered. “Pakistan….”

Krause cut him off abruptly. “Lines on a map do not exist anymore, Mr. Ivanov. They are not blurred. They have been erased. You seem to have missed that evolution.” The CIA agent stopped his movement and glared at the man across the room. “Safety is an illusion. No one is safe. This is not a business made for safety. That is only its pretense.”

“You are saying that….”

“I am saying,” Krause continued, “That our efforts offer more security; strategically. They do not guarantee anyone’s safety. I should think that would be clear.”

“
Legko dlia Amerikantsa
(Easy for an American),” Ivanov mumbled.

Krause flew across the short distance that separated them and placed his forehead against the smaller man’s. “Be careful, Viktor. Be very careful. Do not make any moves until and unless you are told. You want to know what matters right now? Security of our secrets. Exposure is our risk, and you my
friend
, have placed us in a very precarious situation.” Ivanov attempted to be cool. Jon Krause was an imposing figure. The intensity in the lager man’s gaze told Ivanov to tread lightly. “Now,” Krause pulled back. “The transaction in France is set for next Thursday. I expect you will deal with our Pakistani friends.”

“Prince Abadi will meet….”

Krause nodded. “Of course, our Saudi
friends
will handle this. Very well, Viktor. Strickland has arranged for Congressman
O’Brien to meet Edmond. I am certain he will be point on the coming exchange.”

“Your new president chose that man?”

For once Krause agreed with the Russian. “Strickland is not John Merrow.”

Ivanov stretched his neck in frustration. “This O’Brien, is he…”

Krause laughed. “You should be careful what you wish for, Viktor. You want to know about O’Brien? Strickland? Who they are? Why they are in this?” He made his way to the door and put his hand on it. “
Posmotrite v zerkalo
(Look in the mirror),” he said as he took his leave.

Alex sat in the corner of the large ballroom with Cassidy beside her and Dylan on her lap. She watched as Jane Merrow graciously made her way to each person in the packed room, thanking them and assuring each that John Merrow had valued their support and friendship. Dylan was growing a bit restless. There were very few children present and the mood remained somber. “Bored, Speed?” Alex asked. He just shrugged. “Hmm. Well, what if we take a little walk?” Dylan nodded hopefully. Alex turned to Cassidy and smiled. “Give me a minute. Okay?”

“Sure,” the teacher said quietly. She watched as Alex navigated the room and made her way to Jane. There was a short exchange that ended with the former first lady motioning to her eldest daughter. Within a few moments Alex returned with Stephanie Merrow at her side. A tall man in a Marine uniform followed closely behind.

“Dylan, this is Lieutenant Colonel Moore.” Dylan looked at the tall man in the uniform curiously. “He flies the helicopter that the president uses. I thought you might like to see it.”

“Can we ride in it?” he asked excitedly.

The Marine smiled. “I’m sorry, Dylan, no ride today. But, you can go inside it if you would like. I’ll even show you where I sit.”

Cassidy smiled and began to reach her feet when she noticed Jane Merrow approaching. “Cassidy,” Jane began. “I was hoping, maybe we could take this opportunity to talk. Do you think you could meet me in the study?”

Cassidy felt her heart stop in her chest momentarily and gave a nod with a forced smile. Jane gave her an understanding pat on the shoulder before turning to head toward the room. “Dylan, why don’t you go with Stephanie? I’ll catch up to you in a minute,” Alex suggested.

Stephanie offered her hand and Dylan accepted willingly. “No worries,” she said to Cassidy. “I promise we won’t lose him.”

“Cass, it’ll be all right,” Alex assured her lover. Cassidy remained uncharacteristically silent. “Honestly, it will be.” Cassidy took a deep breath and shook her head. Her lips were pressed so tightly together that they were beginning to become numb. “Come on, I’ll walk you over.”

“Alex…”

“Cass, you can’t avoid her.”

“I know,” she answered as Alex escorted her to the door.

“Just be yourself,” Alex said softly. Cassidy sighed and entered the room were Jane Merrow was standing beside a small table, looking out an oversized window. “I’ll see you two in a bit,” the agent said with a wink to the former first lady.

“Thank you, Alex,” Jane replied. “I thought here would be good. You can see the South Lawn from here. So, you will be able to see Dylan when they reach Marine One.”

“Thank you,” Cassidy said, completely unsure of what was appropriate to say to the woman before her.

“Cassidy, you don’t need to worry. I didn’t ask you here to confront you about John.” She let out a slight chuckle. “I know it was not a love affair. Though, I know that he held you in very high regard.”

“Mrs…

“Cassidy, Jane. For goodness sake, I told you, Alex is family. You are family. Dylan is family.” The tall, attractive woman sighed and motioned for Cassidy to come to the window. She pointed to where Dylan had begun to sprint across the lawn, still holding Stephanie’s hand and she laughed. “John always wanted to be a pilot,” she said softly. Cassidy smiled at the sight of her son and then looked at the woman beside her curiously. “Oh, there were many things he wanted, Cassidy.” She paused and shook her head as she watched Alex finally catch up to the group and lift Dylan onto her hip. “I am glad she found you. You know, he loved her. Truly loved her.”

“Jane…”

“Oh, it’s all right. John and I, well, our marriage was not so much a choice. It was more given to us.”

“I don’t…”

Jane laughed at Dylan’s wiggling and Alex’s playful nature with the boy. “He is something.”

“Yes, he is,” Cassidy said proudly. “He doesn’t let her out of his sight.”

“Mm,” Jane turned her attention to Cassidy. “John and I knew each other almost from birth; you know.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Well, publicly the story has always been that we met through our fathers in high school. But, our fathers worked together since before either one of us was even a thought. We knew very early on what the expectation was.” Cassidy was surprised at the woman’s candor. “I guess somewhere along the road I fell in love with him, or at least I learned to love him as a wife. He was my best friend and I was his. That never changed. But, for John, that is what it always was. When he met Alex. Well…”

“Jane…I…”

“Cassidy, let me finish.” Cassidy nodded. “I was hurt, for a long time. Alex became such a good friend to me. I think she loved him more like a brother, you know? But, she did love
him. He just became so distant for so long. Part of it was Alex, but there was more.” She shook her head. “He never wanted to run for the senate, for any office.”

“Then why?” Cassidy asked.

“Oh, I don’t know. People pushed him. He was an Army brat. The son of a decorated officer. He followed as much as he led. When he decided to kick off the campaign for president, well…he was never home. When he was, he would lock himself in his office. He didn’t sleep. He tried to spend time with the girls, but...” Jane stopped and looked at Cassidy. “I know how you must feel, standing here with me.” She shook her head. “Then...that time was…I did the unthinkable. I was angry and lonely. I found someone.”

“Jane, you don’t have to….”

“Yes, I do. It was his best friend. Funny. They are so different and so alike. I wanted to hurt him. I did.”

“What happened, between John and me, it was…”

Jane put her hand on Cassidy’s and motioned out the window. Alex was standing in the doorway of the helicopter and even in the distance her wide smile was visible. “She is very happy with you,” Jane smiled. “I know what it was and what it wasn’t. I wanted you to know why he told me about that night.”

“I’m sorry,” Cassidy said softly. “I am surprised.”

“Yes. Well, he was my best friend, and when he found out you were pregnant; when Chris told him; I think his heart broke a little. That’s when he told me about that night. Can I speak honestly?”

“Of course,” Cassidy said.

“He didn’t like your husband much.” Cassidy couldn’t help but laugh. “He wondered. Watching Dylan…Well, we both knew.” Cassidy had no idea what to say as Jane walked across the room and came back holding a folded flag. “I want you to take this, for Dylan.”

“Jane…I can’t. Dylan doesn’t even….”

Jane smiled. “I don’t expect you to tell him anything. Maybe someday, maybe you can just tell him that John always wanted a son. How much John loved Alex. He would want Dylan to have this. The girls, well, they had their father.” A tear escaped her eye and Cassidy instinctively took her hand to comfort her. “Your secret is safe with me. If you ever decide…to tell him. Well, you should know I will support that.”

Cassidy was nothing short of stunned. She had expected that Jane Merrow would be furious. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” Jane replied. The president’s wife had learned many things over the years about people, about life, and about love. She had given up her own ambitions to support her husband’s and surprisingly she had little regret for that decision. She loved her children and she had loved him, even with all of his flaws. “Just take it, please.” She walked to a small loveseat and sat. “Before he passed he told me that he loved me.” She smiled. “And, he made me promise to look after all of you, the girls, Alex…you and Dylan.” Cassidy struggled to breathe. “He kept saying he was sorry…over and over and over. I don’t know what for. I’m sorry and take care of them. He would have done anything to protect the people he loved. Anything.”