Intersection (59 page)

Cassidy paced the room that she and Alex were sharing. The agent could tell that she was seething, but the teacher was determined to maintain control as she waited for an answer to her call. “Cassie,” the voice greeted with what seemed to be sincerity. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fantastic, Chris. Being tied to a chair, cut with a knife by a sadistic freak that worked on your campaign was one of the more rewarding experiences I’ve had in my life,” she offered with disgust.

“I’m sorry that you went through that,” he said.

“Really? That’s fascinating, Christopher.”

The congressman took a deep breath. “Cassidy…I was worried about you.”

Cassidy shook her head. “I’m sure.”

“I’m sorry I can’t be there for Dylan’s birthday…”

“Mmm… well… we won’t be home for Dylan’s birthday anyway, Chris.”

“Oh? Are you staying with Agent Toles’ family then?” He asked.

Cassidy pursed her lips and gripped the back of her neck. “We’re staying with family, yes.”

He let out a slight chuckle. “I see….Well… if there’s anything…”

“I think you’ve done quite enough.”

“Cassie…what is this about?”

The teacher had officially reached her limit with her ex-husband. “You know, Chris…I don’t really care what you want to say or do not want to say about me, about you, about whatever our marriage was to you; which right now, at this moment, I’m not certain ever meant a thing to you. But, I would’ve thought at the very least you would have considered Dylan.”

He began to mount his defense. “I have no idea…”

“I’m sure you don’t,” she answered sarcastically. “Listen, I have some decisions to make.”

“Decisions? About what?”

Cassidy smiled. “About my life and Dylan’s life.”

“What does that mean?” He asked her.

“It means what I said. I would appreciate it if you would be cautious about your actions for now. Dylan’s been through enough with your accident and now this.”

“Cassidy…Dylan is always my priority,” he maintained.

The teacher rolled her eyes. “You know, the saddest part of that statement, Christopher, is I actually think you believe that.”

“It’s the truth.”

“Well, Chris…You know… truth is just like politics, isn’t it?”

“What do you mean?”

“All about perception. Right?” She let the pause linger. “Look, I am going to be out of state for at least the next 5 days. Just do me a favor and call Dylan Saturday.”

“It’s already on my calendar.”

“I am sure it is. I’ll be in touch.” She hung up before he could answer.

Alex watched and spoke cautiously, “Cass…if…”

Cassidy held up her hand. “Alex…I need to take a walk.”

Alex started to follow. “Okay…I’ll…”

“No. I need to be alone...just out back… alright?”

“Cass…” Alex did not love the idea of leaving the teacher alone.

“Am I in danger?” Cassidy asked.

Alex closed her eyes. “No.”

“Then I need to take a walk.” Alex nodded. Cassidy tried to smile but her rage was sitting right at the surface. She slowly began to walk out of the room. She stopped, turned and took the agent’s hand. “I love you, Alex. I need you to know that. Right now I have to…”

“I know,” the agent squeezed the smaller hand and released it. This was the hardest part. Letting Cassidy go for even a moment after the previous day’s events filled Alex with anxiety. This was something the woman she loved needed. The agent heard the edge in the generally gentle and compassionate voice of her lover. Cassidy needed time. Loving her meant giving it; no matter how hard that was. Alex took a deep breath as she heard Cassidy’s feet hit the stairs and she lifted her phone.

“Taylor?” Alex began.

“Toles…How are you? How’s Cassidy?” He asked with concern.

“We’re all okay, Michael. Thanks.”

“Well, I assume this is not a social call,” Michael Taylor said.

“No. Fisher, he had FBI credentials on him.”

“Are you sure?” Taylor asked.

“Well…I haven’t seen them personally….but yes.”

Taylor rolled in his chair. “Do you know where he….”

“I haven’t seen any of it. Fallon says it looks like he was at the New York field office on Sunday.”

He considered the new information carefully for a moment. “Huh…Okay, do you want me …..”

Alex needed her friend’s help. For once, she could not place herself in the middle of the investigation; at least not yet. “Taylor…I need to be ….things here are…”

“Yeah, I heard. Listen, Cap…I’ll see what I can do. What about the colonel?” Taylor suggested.

“No…he’s already put himself too far out…. I can’t…”

Taylor pushed some papers on his desk. “I got it. Alex?”

“Yeah?”

“Think about my offer, okay?”

Alex sighed. “Yeah.”

assidy sat down on a swing at the back of the yard and rocked it gently as all of her thoughts and emotions swayed within. “Hey,” a voice called. “I don’t want to intrude.”

“No…truth be told I could use the company,” the teacher admitted.

Barb sat down on the swing next to her new friend and held onto the chains. “The boys went with Alex and your mom down to the pond.” Cassidy smiled and nodded. Dylan had been carrying on about catching frogs all morning. He wasn’t interested in hearing that summer would be a better time for that endeavor and she was certain that her mother and the agent would have their hands full.

“Thank you…for everything,” Cassidy said appreciatively.

“Oh, please, I am thrilled to have you here. Nick is so happy to have time with Alex, and Cat is excited to have Dylan to share his room.”

Cassidy laughed. “I know. Dylan asked five minutes after Cat left for school this morning when he would be back. He loves it here.” The teacher’s eyes dropped to the ground and she sighed. “I know sometimes he is lonely.”

Barb nodded. “Yeah, well, same for Cat. The only child thing.”

Cassidy knew ‘the only child thing’ quite well. She was an only child and she always wanted a larger family for Dylan. “Not to pry,” Cassidy began. Barb smiled and let out a sigh. Cassidy studied her. “Barb?”

“Haven’t told anyone yet,” she said. “It’s early…”

The teacher beamed. “You’re pregnant.” Barb nodded. “That’s fantastic. Nick must be thrilled. I know Alex will be ecstatic to be an aunt again.”

“Well, we would have told you both after Dylan’s birthday. I hadn’t planned on saying anything with all the…”

“Nonsense. I could use some happy news. Looks like Cat will get to play big brother,” Cassidy offered with a slight hint of sadness in her voice that Barb noted.

“Um, but he’s eight. Big difference. I think he will prefer Dylan’s company in most cases.” Cassidy gave an appreciative grin to the woman. “So, what did you think of the house? If I can ask.”

“I love it.” There was notable stress on the smaller woman’s face.

“Change is hard,” Barb said.

“Some,” she agreed with a sigh. “Can I be honest?”

“Of course. I enjoy our talks, Cassidy. I’d like us to be family. I don’t have any sisters.”

“Me too,” Cassidy chuckled. “I’m worried about my students, walking out on them. So many of them already have abandonment issues; you know?” The taller woman listened to her new friend in amazement as she began to voice her concerns. “And Dylan and his friends… and school…”

“And?” Barb urged, sensing there was more.

“Whew,” Cassidy let out an audible breath. “Alex. She’s uprooting her whole life and taking on so much with us, and honestly, walking through that house… I just shouldn’t be thinking…God, with everything that’s happened how can I? But when I walked in that last bedroom I just couldn’t help it… It’s insane.”

Barb laughed. “That was Cat’s nursery.” She understood exactly what thoughts were passing through Cassidy’s mind and what fears.

“I don’t want her to feel…”

“Uh hum… pressured?”

“Exactly,” Cassidy confirmed.

“Cassidy, when I talked to Alex yesterday,” the teacher looked at her new friend closely. “Alex was…Well, I’ve never heard her like that. She was determined that everything would be taken care of for both you and Dylan, but she was scared. She tried to hide it but I’ve known her almost fourteen years. She loves you. Last night, when you were in bed and…” the woman stopped and considered her statements.

“Go on,” Cassidy urged.

“All she talked about was making things happier for you and Dylan. I think I heard her use the word ‘family’ more in that hour than in all the years I’ve known her. As far as moving… Well, she was worried about getting you away from the stress, the memories, the press… but,” Barb laughed, “she didn’t want you to feel pressured.”

The teacher laughed out loud. “Quite the pair, huh?” Her friend smiled. “It’s crazy, if I think about it. It’s feels like we have always been together. Yesterday, I thought I was going to die,” she grew quiet as the thought passed through her. “Somehow I knew she would fight to protect Dylan, take care of him and I don’t even know how to respond to that. It’s been weeks, not years and I can’t imagine my life…”

“Without her?” Barb finished the thought. Cassidy nodded. “Well, far be it from me to try and sway you,” the woman rose from her rubber seat, “but selfishly, I wish you’d take the house.” The teacher smiled. “Whatever you decide... well…”

Cassidy grabbed Barb’s hand. “Thank you.”

Barb nodded and returned the friendly squeeze. “Whatever you decide, you’re stuck with us now,” she laughed as she started to walk back toward the house. “God help you.”

Alex and Rose sat on a large log watching as the two boys searched the edge of the water for frogs or any slimy thing they
might discover. The agent was quiet, far more so than Rose had seen her. Alex had grabbed a long stick and was tracing circles in the dirt mindlessly as she kept one eye on the two boys who seemed determined to get in some kind of trouble together. They reminded her a bit of what she and Nick were like at that age. “You all right, Alex?” Rose asked. The agent let out a soft sigh and nodded. “You’re worried about Cassie,” the woman said plainly.

“I can’t help it,” Alex admitted before reprimanding the pair of small heads in the distance for getting too close to the water.

Rose chuckled. It warmed Cassidy’s mother to see the agent with the two boys, and to see her grandson so happy in spite of all the upheaval in recent months and weeks. Alex brought something into their lives that had been lacking; love and stability. “She’ll be all right,” Rose said. “I suspect what she’s worried the most about is you.” The agent turned to the woman beside her with wide eyes, soliciting a giggle from Rose. “That surprises you?”