Betrayal (11 page)

Cassidy detected a note of fear in the woman’s voice. “I am so sorry,” she said as she made her way to Jane. “He was always good to me, to Dylan…even to Chris.”

“Hum. Well,” Jane stood and readied herself. “Some might not think so, Cassidy. John was a good man. A good father. Even a good husband. He was not perfect, not at anything, but he was a good man.”

“Yes, he was,” Cassidy agreed.

“Come on,” Jane put out her hand. “You can come take this before you leave.” She set the flag on the desk. “Looks like they are headed back. I’m sure Dylan will have some stories to tell you.”

“I’m sure Alex will too,” Cassidy laughed. “Jane, I hope you know…”

“You don’t need to say anything, Cassidy. That’s how families are supposed to be.” Cassidy smiled as Jane led her back through the door. “I love Alex,” Jane said. “As much as he did. She was there for me during some very dark times; for all of us. And, it was a terrible time for her. She deserves to be happy.” She nodded at the teacher. “And she is.”

“I hope so.” Jane squeezed Cassidy’s hand before walking back to the large group still milling about. Cassidy let out a full breath and closed her eyes for a moment. Life felt surreal. She wondered how they had ended up here. As she opened her eyes again, Alex turned the corner. She saw Dylan looking up at Stephanie, regaling her with a story. The young woman was smiling and Cassidy could not avoid looking at her eyes. She shook her head as Alex caught sight of her. “Oh Dylan,” she whispered. “What am I going to do?”

“Captain Toles.
Davno ne videlis, Kapitan
(It has been a long time, Captain),” a tall, thin man greeted the agent.

“
Posol, dejstvidelno davno bilo
(Ambassador, indeed it has been),” she responded as she took his hand. “Cassidy, this is Ambassador Matthews, our illustrious Ambassador to Russia.” Cassidy smiled and accepted the man’s hand.

“
Ocharovatel’naya, I bolee krasivaja pri personalnoj vstreche
(Charming and more beautiful in person),” he complimented. Cassidy continued to smile but tipped her head in question.

Alex shook her head in amusement. Russell Matthews had been a valued resource for the agent in her time with the NSA. She regarded him as intelligent, charismatic and most importantly, she regarded him as ethical in his dealings. “Talk about charmers,” Alex laughed.

“Well, to capture you, Captain, is a remarkable feat,” he nodded to the teacher who blushed at the offered sentiment.

“All right,” Alex said putting her arm around her lover’s waist gently. “How are you, Russ?”

“Well, I’ve had better weeks.” The man’s brown eyes seemed to turn nearly black as he spoke. “I can’t believe he is gone.” Alex tried to respond but she felt the weight of the conversation increasing.

Cassidy caught sight of Dylan prattling on to Stephanie Merrow with another story. True to form he was becoming more animated as he got to know the young woman better. Cassidy thought this presented the perfect opportunity to save the president’s daughter and give her lover some space. She gently took Alex’s hand to grab her attention and gestured across the room. The agent and the ambassador both turned to see Dylan pretending to hold a steering wheel. “I think that’s my cue,” Cassidy raised her eyebrow.

“Might be,” Alex chuckled. “Why don’t you grab hold of him? I’ll meet you over there in a few minutes. Probably had his fill by now.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Cassidy giggled, seeing her son delight in the attention the Merrow sisters were paying him. “Nice to meet you, Ambassador.”

“The pleasure is mine, Mrs. O’Brien,” he offered as she took her leave. The ambassador turned back to Alex and sighed. “I am sorry, Alex…about John.”

“I know.” Russell Matthews and John Merrow had attended West Point together and had developed a mutual respect and admiration for the other. Through the years President Merrow had called on his former classmate many times as a trustworthy resource and ally, both for advice and for assistance. Matthews’ placement in the embassy in Moscow drew criticism from many, but John Merrow was steadfast in his support of the former Army Captain. Most had to admit that the choice proved a wise one over the years. Matthews was a gifted communicator and
negotiator. His unassuming manner prompted people to give him more information than they realized in many instances.

“Alex, I was hoping we could speak privately.”

“Here?” she asked.

“Well...”

Alex moved slowly toward the far corner of the room, watching the eyes within to be certain no one was paying attention too closely. “What is it?”

“Why do you think they shot him?” he asked.

“Well, I don’t know who the ‘they’ would be, Russ,” she said flatly.

“I’ve heard some things, through some back channels.”

Alex brought her thumb to her temple. “What things?”

“Advanced Strategic Applications, ring any bells?” the ambassador asked quietly.

“What would ASA have to do with the assassination of a president?” Alex asked, the pressure on her temple increasing.

“I don’t know, except that there is talk about Pakistan and something about a meeting in Corsica.”

“I’m still not sure I…”

“
Initsiativy est zdes’ I vo Frantsii chrotbi kontrolirivat importom I eksportom
. (Initiatives here and in France to control imports and exports, Captain),” he said.

“Torgovlya oruzhiyem
(Arms trade)?” Alex asked for clarification. The ambassador answered with only a glance. “You think he tried to prevent something?”

“Perhaps,” Matthews answered.

Alex nodded and looked across the room to see Cassidy squatting in front of Dylan. “When are you returning?” she asked her friend.

“I leave for Moscow Monday.”

“
Zdes’ nelza eto obsuzdat. Pozvoni Tayloru, on ob’yasnit
(Here is not good. Call Taylor, he will explain),” Alex suggested. “It was good to see you, Russ,” she reached for his hand.

“I am sorry, Alex,” he said sadly as he noticed the agent’s focus shift across the room. “She is lovely,” he allowed his gaze to follow the agent’s to the blonde woman gently running her fingers through a small boy’s hair.

“Yes, she is,” Alex agreed. “Speak to Taylor, Ambassador,” Alex repeated, receiving a nod of understanding from her friend. “I think it’s time to get a certain young man home,” she winked.

“Alex,” he softly called after her, prompting the agent to turn. “Be careful.” Alex offered the ambassador a cockeyed smile and continued on her way. “Be careful, Alex,” he repeated to himself.

“You should have seen it, Mom!” Dylan beamed as he climbed into the large bed.

“I’ll bet it was really something,” Cassidy smiled.

“Yeah. You know that it has windshield wipers? Just like our car, Mom!”

Cassidy sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled the covers over her son. “It sounds like it was quite the adventure.” She contemplated the sparkle in his eyes as he finally let his head rest on the pillow. “I am very proud of you, Dylan,” she said as a tear formed in her eye.

His small smile seemed to radiate the pride he felt in her praise. Alex made her way to the doorway and listened to the heartfelt exchange. “Mom?”

“What, sweetie?”

“Why are you crying?”

A slight chuckle escaped from his mother as Cassidy again witnessed the compassionate heart of her son. “I am just very proud of you.”

“Why?”

“Well, because you are smart. You make people laugh.” He smiled at her as her hand brushed his bangs aside. “But mostly because you are kind.”

“I am?”

“Yes, you are. Today was very hard for so many people.”

“I know,” he said as his eyes dropped.

Cassidy’s gaze narrowed as she studied his expression, seeing there the deep understanding his innocence allowed. It was not an understanding of events, but an ability to sense in all those around him a lingering feeling of loss hidden beneath adult pleasantries. “You, Dylan, made a lot of people smile today.” He looked back up at her and Cassidy could see his small eyes watering. “You made people laugh and you reminded me of something.”

“I did?” he asked innocently.

“Yes, you did,” she smiled broadly. “That you,” she paused and tucked the covers around him a bit, “are the best thing that ever happened to me.” His smile began to grow. “And, Alex is the best thing that has ever happened to us,” she said with a soft sigh. “I love you, Dylan,” she said, placing a kiss on his forehead. As she rose to her feet she noticed his small eyes drift to the doorway.

“Good night, Alex,” he called over.

The agent was still leaning against the doorway. Gray sweat pants and an FBI T-shirt replaced the formal uniform of hours earlier. The smile on her face was soft, almost as if it were whispering to them both. Alex looked at Cassidy and took a deep breath. Then she glanced to the boy with his head on the pillow. “Goodnight, Dylan.”

“I love you, Alex,” he said as he grabbed hold of the small rabbit nearby and closed his eyes.

“I love you too, Speed,” she answered as Cassidy finally reached her and pressed into her side. “Get some sleep.”

“You too. I’m gonna fly through….”

“You do that, Speed,” Alex replied as she gently shut his door and turned to the woman beside her. “How are you?” she asked.

Cassidy pursed her lips. “I am all right, Agent. How are you?” she asked with concern.

“Best thing that ever happened to you, huh?” Cassidy just smiled and raised her brow. “You sure about that?”

“Pretty sure,” Cassidy winked.

“Ummm…”

“What?” Cassidy asked as Alex pulled her closer.

“That thing I wanted to tell you when we got home?” Alex began.

“Yes?”

“How do you feel about a glass of wine in front of the fireplace?”

“What is going on in that head?” Cassidy asked.

“Well, you go get changed. I’ll get the wine and start the fire. I think there has been enough stress and sadness for one day; don’t you?” Alex smiled and placed a light kiss on her lover’s nose.

“In fact, I do.”

“Go change. Wine and a fire.” Cassidy shook her head with a grin.

“What are you grinning about?” Alex squinted.

“Nothing,” Cassidy winked. “You just surprise me sometimes.”

“Yeah?”

“Umm...” Cassidy chuckled.

“What?” Alex asked as Cassidy crossed the hallway to the room that they were sharing.

“You are up to something,” Cassidy called back.

Alex just shrugged. “Maybe I am,” she laughed quietly.

“No maybes. You are.”

“Just get comfortable,” Alex laughed. It felt like the right time for a conversation the agent knew they needed to have.
It made no sense to put it off any longer. This was her family. More now than ever, it felt like it was time to embrace that.

“Mr. President,” Assistant FBI Director Tate said as he took the seat he was offered.

“Sorry, Joshua…about the hour,” Lawrence Strickland replied.

“Not at all, Sir.”

“Joshua, I have been reading over some of John’s notes. Where do we stand with Agent Toles?” the president asked.

“How do you mean, Sir?” Tate asked.

The president cleared his throat. “Her reinstatement is what I am referring to.”