Betrayal (45 page)

“Russ,” Alex greeted through the phone as she sipped her coffee.

“Alex. How are you? I heard…”

“Much better, thanks. Cassidy is taking good care of me.”

The ambassador laughed. “I am certain. What is it I can do for you?”

Alex sighed. She knew that they could not possibly speak freely by phone for a host of reasons. She still had another week of mandatory rest at home and given the events that transpired on this last trip, she feared telling her family that she would have to leave again. She knew that was an inevitability. “We need to speak. It needs to be soon.”

“This is about what we discussed? When?” Alex took a deep breath and the ambassador could hear the tension through the phone line. He returned to the conversation to a less formal tone. “Alex, you need to take it easy.”

“It’s not that, Russ.” She took a deep breath. “Moscow is difficult right now. Any chance of a state side trip?”

The ambassador ran his hand along the top of his desk. He had worked with Alex Toles in the past. He understood if she was asking for a face to face meeting the topic was not typical and not safe, for either of them. “Alex, I have a meeting in London a week from Friday. I know that is almost two weeks. But, that…”

“That’s fine,” Alex answered. Two weeks was longer than she would have liked, but it gave her some time to plan and some time to allow Cassidy a chance to digest the reality that Alex would need to travel again.

“In fact, there is a dinner that evening. Ambassador Daniels and his wife are hosting. I have it on some authority Jane has been invited. Why don’t you bring Cassidy?”

Alex rubbed her temple. The topics she needed to discuss with the ambassador were extremely sensitive. She had to admit, it would be the perfect cover. She and Ambassador Paul Daniels had been friends for many years. They had met at West Point when he was an instructor and Alex had always regarded him as one of the most intelligent men she had ever met. “Russ…”

“I think it might be perfect. The news is a buzz still, you know….about you and the president. He was wildly popular in Europe. It would be….”

The agent sighed. “I’ll talk to her.”

“Good. It is a good idea on many fronts.”

“Perhaps.” Alex smiled as she heard the front door opening. “I’ll be in touch.”

“I will have the invitation sent. And, Alex?”

“Yeah?”

“Whatever puzzle you’re trying to solve? It will be there in a week,” the ambassador issued her a friendly reminder.

Alex laughed. Russ Matthews, whatever and whoever he was, certainly understood Alex Toles and he was right. This puzzle she was so determined to piece together had been laying in fragments for more years than she wanted to imagine. Still, the longer she waited, the more time people had to move their pieces. “Yeah. I’ll remember that,” she said as she hung up. Alex wasn’t certain anymore who anyone really was or who she could trust. She hoped someone was on her side.

“Edmond.”

“Jonathan, come in. Scotch?” Jonathan Krause nodded his agreement. “Well, sit.”

Jon Krause was still reeling from the loss of his best friend. The decision to assassinate John Merrow was one that his mentor, Edmond Callier, had supported, perhaps even advocated. Now, he sat before the older man; a man he had regarded as a trusted friend; and wondered if the Frenchman felt any differently. He accepted his glass and took a seat, watching as Callier made his way to what Krause called ‘the throne’. It was simply a large comfortable chair toward the center of the room. It was a seat that was claimed by only one man in all the years that
Krause had visited this home and that was the man before him. “Merci, Edmond.”

“Jonathan, tell me, what brings you here?”

Krause felt his jaw tighten. “How are you?”

Edmond Callier nodded and sipped his drink. “She killed my son, Jonathan.”

“I know.”

“I suppose you think that is equitable then,” Callier spoke quietly.

The CIA agent bristled at the assertion. Elliot Mercier was his friend, a brother of sorts. He may not have been the brother that Krause loved, but he was a kindred spirit, a man who shared a similar path. Krause regarded Mercier much like he did Claire Brackett. Elliot Mercier was a man that had become arrogant and thus careless in his choices. The CIA agent recognized that this arrogance was based on parentage. “I see no justice in meaningless death, Edmond.”

“And John’s death?”

“It was foolish and unnecessary.”

Callier took another sip of his scotch and closed his eyes. “What is it you want, Jonathan? Do you expect me to ask forgiveness?”

“No. But, I wonder how it is you see the picture now.”

“I don’t trust the admiral, Jonathan. I do not trust that congressman. Claire? The little sparrow…Well, I await her fall.”

“I see. And me?”

Edmond Callier finished his scotch and rose from his seat to pour another. “Jonathan, you are like a son to me. You. Ian…..you were….”

“What are you willing to do, Edmond?”

Callier turned and regarded the younger man. “Do?”

“Yes. Do. It is time, Edmond. The world is changing. John, Elliot. For what?”

“What you are suggesting, Jonathan. It is nothing short of the betrayal of our lifetime’s work.”

“Really? Can you betray a betrayal, Edmond? What have you left to protect?” Krause waited, already knowing the answer. “Edmond?”

“Jonathan, you have nothing to lose.”

“I think you will find, Edmond, that I too have something to protect.”

“You were wise to make no attachments,” Callier pointed out.

Krause had his card to play now and he intended to play it deliberately and carefully. “I have attachments.”

“Cassidy.”

“Not just Cassidy, Edmond.”

Edmond Callier inhaled deeply. “The boy?” Krause nodded. “I see.”

“Edmond….”

“What about Ian?”

“He’s in. He doesn’t know about Cassidy….about…about my son.” Krause spoke the words, apologizing in his mind to his best friend. Apologizing for the lie and even more so for the fact that he wished the words were true.

“A son,” Callier smiled. “Your son. My daughter. You think this is how we protect them?” Krause tipped his head. “It changes things, Jonathan; doesn’t it?” Callier mused.

“What’s that?” Krause asked.

“Love, Jonathan. It changes everything.”

Jonathan Krause took a final sip from his glass. “Yes. It does.”

“Very well. You understand, if we proceed we may have to lose to…”

“We have already lost, my friend. We can only hope to shield them now.”

Callier sighed. “And Agent Toles?”

“She understands.” He saw the tip of the older man’s head. “Yes, she knows about my son. So too I am afraid, does the congressman.”

“He is problematic. Not only for us,” Callier groaned.

“I agree.”

Callier smiled. “You leave him to me.” Krause felt a twinge of anticipation. He neither trusted nor did he ever appreciate Christopher O’Brien as anything more than a pathetic liability, in every manner. “Jonathan, whatever comes to pass. There is no rebuilding this bridge once we…”

“Je préférerais me noyer que prendre ce chemin, un jour de plus
(I would sooner drown than walk this path a day longer). I will be in touch.”

Sunday, May 4th

“Alex, you need to relax,” Cassidy chuckled.

“I can’t help it.” Alex had been rehearsing her words every way she possibly could. It had been her decision to invite their families over to tell them the news. Cassidy had tried to convince Alex to take it easy. Dylan was feeling better and he was excited about having a secret that Cat didn’t know and Alex insisted. Alex was as bad as Dylan when she was excited about something and Cassidy found it heartwarming and sweet.

“It’s just Barb, Nick and my mom. I don’t really think you need to worry.”

“Cassidy,” the agent said firmly. “We are telling your mother that we are getting married. I mean, I know she likes me, but do you think that is what she pictured….” Cassidy started laughing and Alex frowned. “What?” the agent asked.

Calmly, Cassidy walked to the agent and kissed her. “I love you, Alex.”

“Cass…I don’t…”

“Alex, my mother gave you the ring, well the stone. I hardly think she will be surprised.”

The agent chuckled slightly. “I don’t know what is wrong with me.”

Cassidy’s eyes twinkled. “You never thought you’d be making this kind of announcement.”

“No, I didn’t,” Alex admitted.

“Well, don’t worry,” Cassidy kissed the agent’s cheek. “Knowing Dylan, your news will hit the airwaves long before you get to tell it yourself.”

“You think?” Cassidy raised her eyebrow. “Well, I guess that’s fair,” Alex said.

“Why is that?”

“Because, Barb will probably have you pregnant in twenty-four hours.”

Cassidy leaned her head into Alex’s chest and laughed. That was the truth. “If Barb can get me pregnant, we seriously need to talk.”

“Who’s pregnant?” a voice asked.

“Grandma’s here!” Dylan yelled.

“Yes, I see that.” Cassidy smiled.

“Alex, did you already get my daughter pregnant?” Rose said seriously, knowing the answer and enjoying rattling the tall agent with every opportunity that presented itself.

“What? No….I….I mean…” Alex stammered.

“Mom, are you having a baby?” Dylan asked.

“What?” another voice called. “Cassidy!” Barb practically screamed as she walked into the room carrying a large plate. “You’re pregnant?”

Nick was following close behind and his eyes flew open. “Cassidy’s pregnant?”

Alex had turned completely white and Cassidy covered her face, shaking her head. “Why does everyone think I am pregnant?”

“Because,” Dylan said, pulling on her slightly. “When you get married you have babies. Right, Cat?”

Cat nodded. “Yeah but your mom isn’t married to Aunt Alex.”

“Holy Shit!” Nick blurted out without thinking. “Alex…. you’re getting married, aren’t you?”

“Oh my God,” Barb hugged Cassidy.

Alex covered her eyes and finally laughed as Dylan looked up to her. “Well, Speed….we don’t call you Speed for nothing.” He smiled at her, not fully understanding what she meant. “You sure got everyone up to speed quickly.” Dylan grinned wider. “Well, thanks all for coming,” Alex said as Cassidy leaned into her. “No need to stay. CNN has already broken the news.”

“When?” Barb asked.

“When what?” Alex answered with her own question.

“When are you getting married?”

Cassidy just smiled. Dylan looked at the two women he loved in anticipation. “We really haven’t discussed that at all,” Cassidy intervened.

“Soon,” Alex answered.

“Soon?” Cassidy responded. Alex just shrugged. Cassidy decided to set everyone straight. “All right. Here it is in a nutshell. Alex asked me to marry her. I said, yes. I am not pregnant. I have no plans to be pregnant anytime soon. We have not decided when or where…and to answer all of your questions; if I could I would marry her right now. Now, Dylan…why don’t you and Cat go upstairs and play in your room? Alex, you wanted to show Nick that plan you’ve been concocting for a bar in the basement, and I am ready for a glass of wine.”

After a long pause of stunned silence the adults erupted in laughter. Dylan shrugged his shoulders to his ears and motioned for Cat to follow. “Welcome to the family,” Rose poked. She hugged the agent. “I’m so glad they found you,” she whispered. Alex nodded and gestured for her brother to head for the basement.

“Okay,” Barb beamed. “Get the wine. I want details.”