Commitment (8 page)

“Alex, you haven’t done anything wrong. We just miss you. Both of us.”

“Yeah, well….I didn’t intend to tell you this now,” Alex sighed.

“Tell me what?” Cassidy asked, feeling a lump of worry form in her throat.

Alex chuckled. “No, it’s not what you are thinking.”

“I’m not sure what I am thinking,” Cassidy’s voice broke slightly.

“It was supposed to be a Christmas present.”

“What?”

Alex sighed. “I’m moving my office in January. Actually, I am moving the executive offices completely.” Cassidy searched Alex for her meaning. “I can’t be this far from you anymore, not daily.”

“Alex, what about Marta and…”

“We’ll keep purchasing and marketing in Natick. The executive offices are moving to New Haven. We already have a small office there…” Before Alex could continue, Cassidy was kissing her passionately. “I guess that means you approve?” Alex asked. Tears had begun to escape Cassidy’s eyes. “It’s okay, Cass.”

“Alex, are you sure? This is your father’s…it’s…”

“I told you before. You and Dylan are the most important things in my life. I wish I could have done it sooner. It’s taken some time to figure out the logistics. I promise; this year will start differently.”

“Thank you,” Cassidy whispered hoarsely.

“Thank you for putting up with me,” Alex said as she rose to her feet. “Do you want to go tell Dylan?”

Cassidy shook her head. “Tomorrow,” she suggested. “Tonight reindeer and glitter stories, tomorrow we’ll tell him when he gets home from school.” Alex nodded her understanding. Dylan needed rest, and the news would no doubt excite him. “You are going back with your mom Tuesday?” Cassidy asked gently as they climbed the stairs.

Alex sighed and stopped their progression. “I think my mother is going to go see Nick for a few days.”

“Alex, you left your car at…”

“Well, guess you will be stuck with me a few days longer.”

“Are you sure?”

Alex resumed their trek toward the hallway above them. Dylan was running into their bedroom with his stuffed rabbit in hand. She laughed. “Positive.”

Monday, December 8th

“Mr. President,” Congressman Christopher O’Brien greeted the man before him.

“Take a seat, Chris.”

“What is it that I can do for you?” O’Brien asked.

“I want you to see your son.”

“Excuse me?” O’Brien asked for clarification.

“I thought I stated that clearly,” the president responded.

“I haven’t seen Dylan in several months, Mr. President.”

“Yes, but for now, you still have that right; don’t you?” the president asked. He watched O’Brien shift uncomfortably in his chair. “You have a mediation meeting; I understand. One that Dylan is supposed to be at. Stop postponing that.”

“All due respect, Mr. President; I’m not sure my family situation has any bearing on…”

“It presents an opportunity, Congressman. Two words. Alex Toles.”

O’Brien’s disgust was evident. “What does that have to do with me?”

“Your son gives us unique access, Christopher.”

“What exactly are you suggesting?” the congressman asked. The president nodded to a tall figure that was standing at the far side of the room. The man slowly approached the seated pair and opened a small box in front of the congressman. “What is it?”

“What does it look like?” President Lawrence Strickland quipped.

“It looks like a toy.”

“Yes, it does. A peace offering; shall we say? An apology from a father to his son,” the president smiled.

“I don’t understand.”

Strickland laughed. “An apology with ears.”

“He may not even want it,” O’Brien said stoically. “Not from me.”

“Then I guess you will need to use your powers of persuasion to convince him.”

“How do you know she won’t suspect…”

“It’s benign. She’ll no doubt be curious about your motives. I’m sure your ex-wife will share that sentiment, but I doubt she will suspect the actual purpose.”

“What do you hope to gain from listening in on their personal…”

The president reclined in his chair. “Alex Toles has one weak spot, O’Brien. That is her family; who just happen to be your former family. I intend to leverage that. She’ll be far more open at home than is wise. She’s proven that already.”

“If she finds out….”

“Then make sure she doesn’t,” the president responded. “Oh, and Chris? Make certain you have those accounts well in hand. Dimitri will be in touch soon.” O’Brien retrieved the box that held the toy car and nodded his understanding. He mumbled under his breath as he paced out of the room. He had successfully avoided Cassidy for months. That game had been brought to a conclusion by an unlikely source. He chuckled at the silent admission that spying on Alex brought him a certain degree of satisfaction. “I wonder if Claire has any clue,” he mused, feeling an odd sense of empowerment in his newly assigned task. His lover often mocked his relevance in their initiatives. He had unique access; perhaps he had been hasty in his decision to distance himself from his ex-wife. A more
amicable approach might make him a greater asset. He smiled at the thought. “We’ll see who is the more relevant, Claire,” he smirked.

Brian Fallon sat at a corner booth sipping his coffee and turning a napkin endlessly in his hand. He was only moderately surprised when Alex contacted him. The idea had already sprung into his mind that this might be a good time to assess what FBI Assistant Director Joshua Tate’s motives truly were. Fallon was walking a tightrope. He was positioned within the FBI under Tate, but he was officially immersed in the NSA under Michael Taylor. Unofficially, Fallon reported all that he was able to uncover to Jonathan Krause and Alex. He was acutely aware that in this game of international economics and politics, there were truly no agencies. Names were merely facades. Individuals had agendas. There were groups within groups, and discerning the true motives of any person meant painstaking research, intrusive observation, and the acceptance of constant risk. Tate had been his mentor early on at the bureau, and Fallon had always respected the man. He hoped that his trust would be proven a wise decision. If it was not; he would not hesitate to use, expose, or even silence Joshua Tate. It was a shift in his life that sometimes sickened him. There were ugly truths he had seen now. He could not close his eyes to them.

“Agent Fallon,” a deep voice broke through the agent’s musings.

“Assistant Director,” he returned his superior’s greeting.

The appearance of a familiar waitress momentarily froze any further discussion. “Usual?” she asked.

“Indeed,” Tate responded.

She winked. “Coffee, cream, no sugar and a cinnamon bun.”

He returned her wink and awaited for her departure to continue. “We both know I love the coffee here, Fallon,” he said dryly. “What gives? Taylor is not giving you enough work these days?”

Fallon nodded. “NSA, FBI, all the same thing; isn’t it?” he responded.

“Not always,” Tate answered. He smiled at the waitress as she placed his order on the table. He sipped his coffee until she was out of sight. “So, then, agent….what is it you need from your former boss?”

“Last I checked you were still my boss,” Fallon responded.

“On paper,” Tate replied.

“I guess the question is whether or not I can still trust you,” Fallon said plainly. Tate silently sipped his coffee. “Claire Brackett,” Fallon began. Tate shrugged. “Seems Agent Brackett has some friends that no one was aware of.”

“The notion that Claire Brackett has any
friends
at all is a revelation,” Tate said.

“She gained entry to a facility in Baltimore,” Fallon explained evenly.

Tate’s expression remained the same. “How
is
Alex?” he asked, noting the question in Brian Fallon’s eyes at his response. “She’s wondering where I will fall,” Tate laughed. “I don’t know why Claire would be at that facility. Why were you?” he asked. “And don’t insult me, Fallon. I’m not talking about you trailing Agent Brackett.” Fallon nodded but was unsure how to respond. Tate sighed. “You think I know? Who she met? I know who you met. Tell Krause and Toles to be cautious. I will see what I can find out. Brackett’s been traveling in the company of NSA for months. Be careful, Fallon. I can’t cover all the tracks. There are too many now.”

“Assistant Director,” Fallon began. “You think her contact is NSA?”

“I think Admiral William Brackett is the CIA, Fallon. If she is not in step with her daddy, then it has to be someone
that covets his authority. Believe me, there are many; CIA, NSA, DOD, FBI, and it does not end there. President Merrow had grown cautious of everyone. He involved only a handful of people that I am aware of. That included myself, your new friend Agent Krause, an ally in Russia, an old family friend, and Agent Toles; which involved you by extension. Other than that, I don’t know of anyone that he entrusted with anything of importance. It’s a small circle. A miniscule circle in a massive organization. I’ll play some poker, Fallon, but I can’t make you any promises. Tell Alex and Krause; they are wise to test me,” he smiled. “Watch the admiral. Closely.” Tate rose to his feet and stopped to whisper into Brian Fallon’s ear. “They are the pair he fears, Fallon. Agent Toles and Agent Krause. They were never supposed to find one another. It’s changed everything. Be careful,” he cautioned.

Brian Fallon stared at the table for a long moment. Nothing Joshua Tate had said surprised him up until his parting words. “What the hell does he mean by that?” Fallon muttered. He picked up his phone and dialed a familiar number.

“Fallon?” Alex answered.

“How is my former partner?” he asked lightly.

“Relaxing at home for a change,” Alex answered.

“I’m jealous,” he admitted.

“And you?” she asked.

“You know, coffee with the boss,” he replied.

Alex understood. Tate was in play. “And how is my former boss?” Alex asked.

“The same. Wanted me to tell you he misses you,” Fallon laughed.

“I’m sure.”

“I was thinking about a visit,” he replied. “Before the holiday craziness.”

Alex took a deep breath. If Fallon felt the need to see her in person, something was troubling him. “Dylan and Cass would love to see you,” she said. “I suppose I could manage.” Fallon
couldn’t help but chuckle. “When were you thinking? I’ll be back in Massachusetts Thursday and Friday.”

“I don’t want to impose on your family time,” he said.

“No, no. Cassidy has a meeting with O’Brien, their lawyers, and a family counselor tomorrow afternoon. O’Brien hasn’t cancelled….yet. I want to be there. How about Wednesday for dinner? You sure you want to fly up for just a day?”

“Yeah, in fact maybe I can get my flight back out of Logan Thursday,” he offered.

“That way your old partner can take you to the airport, huh? I suppose I could manage that. I’ll tell Cass. See you Wednesday.”

“Great. See you soon, Alex.”

Alex disconnected the call and put her face in her hands. “What is it?” Cassidy asked with a soft grip on the agent’s shoulders.

“Fallon’s coming for a visit Wednesday.”

“Is that a bad thing?” Cassidy asked curiously.

“No. I just worry about him.” Cassidy nodded and kissed Alex’s head. “Cass?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you think he’ll cancel?” Alex asked.

“Brian?” Cassidy asked. “Didn’t you just…” Cassidy saw Alex’s expression darken. “Oh….Chris.” Cassidy let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know. Doesn’t look like it. He can’t put it off forever.”

“Why does Dylan have to be there?” Alex asked.

“Like it or not, Alex, until the paternity is settled, Chris is Dylan’s father; at least on paper. They want to see the interaction.”

“He hasn’t even called Dylan.”

“I know,” Cassidy responded. “But, Alex…he has to submit willingly to the paternity…”

Alex sighed. “I hate this. I swear to God. I thought my father was...Jesus. I hope to God I am never that kind of…”

“Alex, you are a terrific parent,” Cassidy looked at Alex intently.

“What is it?” Alex asked.

Cassidy bit her lip and held up her finger. “Hold on.” She left the room for a moment and returned to place an envelope in front of Alex.