Commitment (12 page)

“I don’t get what that has to do with Brackett,” Fallon answered.

Alex shrugged. “Could be a coincidence; her heading to London. I doubt it. The orders that Carecom filled were just fronts, Fallon. The supplies we were sending did not equal the cash that was deposited into Carecom, then routed to ASA. It’s just a mechanism to move money.”

“Okay? I still don’t…”

Alex sighed. “The real items that were being traded were biological technology and nuclear components. The money; that part... Look…Stillman and BGA are two of the largest distributors in Europe for military medical supplies. Both are headquartered in London. They ordered; we shipped the dummy goods; the funds came to Carecom’s account and then it was carefully funneled through diversified funds to reach its final destination at ASA. It had been that way for more than fifteen years. It took me two months to discern all the accounts, and Krause nearly an equal amount of time to backtrace through European banks. Once we had it nailed it was clear. Then it stops. The trail goes stone cold right before my father’s death. Why? I don’t know. I’m not sure on whose direction he stopped it, or if it was by his own accord. It happened just about the time I,” Alex stopped and took a seat on the woodpile. “Right about the time I broke into Carecom. Coincidence?” she paused. “I don’t think so. Just like I don’t think Brackett in London is by chance. Too convenient. Particularly given the fact that Krause got a lead on the Cesium Brackett liberated in the spring.”

“Where?”

“Near the Russia-Ukraine border. Doesn’t know whose play or the final destination,” Alex huffed. “We should have thought that through more clearly and at least tagged it.”

“Well, you can’t go back now,” Fallon offered. “So, if it’s in…”

“Whoever she went to in Baltimore; well, I suspect they
want
us to follow her to London,” Alex surmised. “What about Tate?”

“I don’t know, Alex. More of the same. Cryptic.”

“What’s your gut tell you?” she asked.

Fallon shook his head. “I don’t know. Something tells me he’s on your side. Something he said just keeps rolling in my…”

“What did he say?”

“Something about you and Krause…You’re their fear; that you were not supposed to find each other.”

“That is interesting; not that surprising though. Could just be a smoke screen,” she said.

“What about Brackett?” Fallon asked.

“We’ll tail her. I’ll talk to Krause. I imagine Mitchell will be more than happy to assume that task. I am curious about Daniels’ role in all of this. London is not just a diversion or coincidence; not with what these accounts seem to be indicating. They may want our focus there as a distraction, but there is more to it than that.”

“You think the Cesium is in London?” Fallon asked.

“No, but I suspect the money is, meaning whoever paid for the package. The question is where it is being moved to,” she said as she bent over to start picking up some wood. “Let’s let this play a bit. Stick with Tate, see if he comes up with anything on Brackett’s mysterious contact.”

“What about our contact protocol? I assume the warehouse is off…”

“Everything stays as it is for now,” she interrupted him.

“Alex, if Brackett met someone there, chances are they know about my involvement.”

“Exactly, and until we know who that someone is that she met; you are safer if we pretend we don’t know she met with anyone at all. Nothing changes,” Alex said. “If need be I will visit our accounts in London, and pay a friendly visit to the good ambassador while I am there.”

“Alex, Tate was worried. I could see it…about you and Krause.”

Alex laughed. “Pip and I can take care of ourselves. I’m curious what he meant, but I don’t really see that it is a relevant issue. We both know people. We both possess certain…. well; I could understand why people might prefer we did not speak, much less work together,” she chuckled again. “I’ll keep my eyes open; I promise. Now help me get some of this wood.”

Cassidy took a deep breath and stretched her neck. She listened to Dylan as he engaged in some pretend battle in the living room and shook her head softly. She and Alex had opted to let Dylan take the day off from school. It hadn’t required much discussion. He needed to feel secure and for Cassidy that trumped every other consideration. Hearing him now, she felt assured that they had made the right decision. She closed her eyes and let her head fall forward, relaxing for the first moment in twenty-four hours. “Why am I not surprised?” she rolled her eyes at the sound of her cell phone. “Just one minute’s peace?” she directed her question toward her phone. She laughed and lifted it, not immediately recognizing the number displayed. “Hello?”

“Cassie,” the voice responded.

“What do you want?” she answered coldly.

“I think we need to talk about things; don’t you?” her ex-husband answered.

“No. I don’t.”

“Well, I suppose that is your choice, Cassie. Like it or not as far as any court will be concerned, Dylan is my son. I am not satisfied with this arrangement.”

Cassidy toyed with her lower lip between her teeth and attempted to keep her voice even. “You’ve done enough to upset Dylan. What is it that you hope to gain?”

The congressman sat in his home office, reclining casually in his large leather chair. Dylan gave him access to Alex, access he knew was prized. It made him more valuable than a simple pawn. It gave him leverage. “Oh. Well…I don’t think the environment you are providing is healthy. I’ve spoken to my people. Either you can meet me half way or I will make the arrangement permanent.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Cassidy seethed.

“Dylan living with me, of course,” O’Brien replied.

That was it. There was no turning back. “Christopher,” she began. “You are the most selfish, despicable human being I think I have ever met.” Cassidy’s voice began to rise louder and louder with each syllable. “There is no way in hell that Dylan is ever living with you. Don’t call here. Don’t come near
my
son. Do you understand me?”

“I understand you. You are the one who is not understanding,” he returned her sentiment. “As I recall he has been my son for seven years. That bitch is not Dylan’s mother. I don’t know what has happened to you. It’s sick. He needs to be protected, and I am not…”

Hearing his mother’s voice as it rose steadily, Dylan cowered slightly in the doorway to listen. “That’s it, Chris. I am through with you. Stay the hell away from my family. Alex is my wife. She is Dylan’s parent, not you. What part of that are you not understanding? There is nothing to discuss. I am done with your threats. Done with your lies. Done with you. You are not taking Dylan from anyone, ever. That much I can promise you. This conversation is over,” she slammed her phone onto the counter.

Dylan ran into the living room crying. Cassidy heard a sudden crash that sounded like a wall had fallen down. “I hate you!” Dylan yelled. Cassidy ran.

“What the hell was that?” Fallon asked as he and Alex approached the back door. Alex dropped the wood in her hand and sprinted through the door towards the sound of Dylan’s screams. Cassidy was holding him on the couch, rocking him gently.

Alex looked at the television screen that had cracked straight down the middle and then at the box that lay crumpled on the floor. It had split open, and the flashing lights from a toy truck could be seen spilling through. “What happened?” she asked fearfully. Cassidy just shook her head.

“I’m not leaving,” Dylan whimpered.

Alex looked at Cassidy in confusion. She thought they had successfully quelled Dylan’s fears from the previous day. “I got a call,” Cassidy said and raised her brow. She turned to her son and took his face in her hands. “No one is taking you anywhere, Dylan. No one is taking anyone away. I promise you. I promise you.”

Fallon scooped up the box and retrieved the toy from inside. He went to hand it to Dylan and Dylan threw it again. “I don’t want it!” It struck the table and let out a slight whine before the blinking light faded completely.

“Dylan,” Alex lowered her voice. “Calm down.” She bent over to pick up the toy and several pieces of plastic and metal that had broken off and froze.

“What is it?” Cassidy asked, seeing the expression on Alex’s face.

Alex offered her wife a sheepish grin. “Nothing,” she said with the raise of her brow. She gestured to Dylan. “Listen, Speed.” He looked up to her with swollen eyes. “I know you are very angry with your father. I know you are scared. I know.” Dylan looked down. “You can’t throw things no matter how upset you are, okay?” He nodded. Alex sighed and reached out
for him, placing the broken toy on the table. “You listen to me. Mom and I promised you. I promise you he will not call here again. Okay? You don’t have to see him. You don’t have to talk to him. You need to trust me.”

“Alex?” Dylan whispered.

“What is it, Speed?”

“What if he hurts you?” he asked. Cassidy froze and looked at Alex in astonishment.

“Why would you ask that, Dylan?” Alex asked gently.

“He said he would. I heard him. He said you and Mom would pay. Cheryl told him to stop…and he…”

“What, Dylan? He what?” Alex urged quietly.

“He hit her,” Dylan whispered. “I saw him.”

Alex nodded as Cassidy pulled Dylan closer. “No one is going to hurt you, or Mom or me. I’m sorry that happened, Speed.”

“Dylan,” Cassidy began. She felt as if someone had ripped her apart. “Why didn’t you tell us this?” Dylan just shrugged. The pieces were coming together now for Cassidy. She did not like the picture she was seeing clearly for the first time. Her ex-husband had raised a hand to her once when they were in college, never making contact. It was enough that Cassidy had decided to study abroad for a semester. When she returned, she found his attitude had changed. She brushed Dylan’s bangs aside and wiped his tears.

“Why don’t you go get cleaned up,” Alex suggested. “Uncle Brian and I will get that wood inside and we will put this all behind us, okay?”

“I’m sorry,” Dylan said quietly. “I broke the T.V.,” he cried.

“I know,” Alex said. “It’s okay. It’s all right,” she reassured him through his tears and hugged him tenderly. Dylan looked at his mother who nodded. “It’s okay,” Alex repeated. “Go on up and wash up. Mom will be right behind you.”

“Can we still play pool later?” he asked hopefully, trying to mask his sadness.

“That’s why I’m here,” Fallon added lightly. Dylan smiled and headed up the stairs.

“I’ll be right there,” Cassidy called. “Alex, we have to do something,” she continued. Alex pressed a finger to her lips and lifted the toy from the table. “Alex?” Cassidy questioned with equal parts confusion and urgency coloring her voice.

Alex turned over the toy and pointed to its bottom where a piece had broken off then pointed to her ear. Cassidy was still puzzled. “I think what’s important now is that we
listen
to everything Dylan has to say,” Alex pointed to the toy again. “He needs to know we
hear
him clearly.” She lifted her brows as she handed the car to Fallon to inspect.

Understanding dawned on Cassidy, and she covered her mouth in disbelief. Alex nodded. “You’re right,” Cassidy replied. “Let me go get him all set. Maybe after pool, you and I can have a talk with him,” she offered.

“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea,” Alex said. Fallon studied the toy, the anger in his eyes becoming more evident by the moment. Alex clasped Cassidy’s hand in reassurance and watched as her wife left to tend to Dylan. “Let’s get that wood,” Alex suggested to Fallon.

Alex stopped in the kitchen and retrieved a phone from a locked drawer. She passed by the logs that had rolled free on the patio and headed for the woods behind the house. As soon as she felt she was at a relatively safe distance she sent the message. She waited for a numeric response and looked at Fallon. “I need to talk to Krause.”

“Alex, if they are listening in there then your cell…”

“We have a method. Whoever gave O’Brien that toy is…”

Fallon shook his head in aggravation. “How do you know O’Brien didn’t want to listen for his own…”

“No. It’s high tech. Whoever it is doesn’t have access to the ears that are already here,” she explained.