Alex And Cassidy: Betrayal Part 44

"From what I heard he was headed to DSS," Ferro explained.

"He worked for the Department of State?"

"Not that surprising."

"Why wouldn't that be in his file?" Fallon wondered aloud.

"Who knows? I didn't find anything nefarious on Tate. The people who did know him well at all seemed to respect and trust him. If they didn't, they sure as h.e.l.l weren't sharing that with me," Ferro said.

"Anyone say what his role was at DSS?"

"No, just that they heard he was headed there. It's not that shocking. Diplomatic Security Service had more hands in the game in '93 and 2001 than most realize. You still suspect he is involved with the congressman?"

"I don't know what I think." Fallon shook his head in frustration.

"Well, I will dig a little more. Don't count on too much. Blue blood runs thick."

"Yeah, I remember."

"Be careful, Fallon. I don't know what you and Toles are into, but whatever it is it seems to cross every line imaginable."

"If there are any lines to cross," Fallon responded.

"Check out the DSS thing. I will ask a few more questions here. Just don't expect much. His father was a detective in Brooklyn. It's in his blood."

Brian Fallon nodded. "Understood."

Alex walked into the kitchen where her mother was sitting with Rose over a cup of tea. "Did you finally get him to bed?" Rose asked.

"No," Alex answered, grabbing a Diet c.o.ke from the refrigerator. "Ca.s.s is trying to settle him down. I think I was just making it worse," she shrugged.

"He's just excited you are both home." Rose winked and patted Alex's shoulder. "I'll go see if a double team from Grandma can help." Alex just smiled as Rose strolled away leaving the agent alone with her mother.

"How are feeling?" Helen asked.

Alex let go of a heavy sigh and looked up at her mother. "I'm fine. Tired. I'm more concerned about you."

Helen Toles' nose crinkled slightly as her lips curled into a soft smile. "I'm all right, Alexis." She took her daughter's hand and began contemplating her words when Alex spoke.

"I don't think I can forgive him," Alex said so softly the words were barely audible.

Her mother nodded her understanding. "I don't think I can either."

Alex looked up in surprised pain. As angry as she was she did not want to come between her parents. "I..."

Helen shook her head and rose from her seat. "There is no excuse for what he did."

"I don't want..."

"Alexis," Helen took a deep breath and turned around. "Alex," she said reclaiming her seat. "Your father is who he is. I'm not sure I know who that is right now. After more than fifty years I suddenly feel like I am looking at a stranger. I will not lose my children to his arrogance," her voice dropped. "Or to his ignorance."

Alex pinched the bridge of her nose and took a deep breath. "Mom?" Helen looked across to her daughter. "Ca.s.s and I... we decided not to wait. So much has happened. I almost lost her once already and then with me getting, well...I want you to be there. I mean, what I mean is," Alex shook her head in frustration. She closed her eyes and recalled Ca.s.sidy's advice. "It's going to be simple and small at Nick's place." She looked at her mother who was offering her a gentle smile. "I want...I'd like it if you would be there with us, with me."

"Of course I will be there. It isn't everyday your only daughter gets married."

Alex was amazed that her heart had begun to beat double time and that she could feel tears stinging the back of her eyes. For so many years the woman in front of her seemed an opponent of all the agent loved and believed in. Alex suddenly realized how much her mother's approval still meant to her. "I know you are not really that comfort..."

"That may be true, Alexis. It isn't what I pictured." Helen chuckled. "What I pictured isn't what matters. I spent the last few days with Rose and with Dylan. I realized what a wonderful woman you have become. They love you."

"I love them."

"I know you do. It's your family," Helen said somewhat sadly.

"Yes, they are," Alex agreed. "But, they're not my mom." Helen was stunned. "I love you too, Mom. I'd really like you to be part of that family." Ca.s.sidy had just reached the doorway to the kitchen and she smiled.

"I love you too. I'd like that."

"Well, I'm glad that is all settled then," Ca.s.sidy's voice broke the emotional tension. "I don't want to have to explain to your son why YaYa isn't here. He's been going on and on about his secret with YaYa for the last fifteen minutes."

Helen attempted to hide her grin. "What secret?" Alex asked. Her mother just shrugged.

"Alex, if she tells you it won't be their secret anymore," Ca.s.sidy whispered in the agent's ear loud enough that Helen could hear her.

"Yeah...well my job is uncovering secrets, you know."

"Umm...right now I'd say your job is bringing those bags upstairs," Ca.s.sidy winked at Helen.

Alex got up from her seat. "Yes, dear."

Ca.s.sidy leaned up and kissed her cheek. "I'll be up in a few minutes."

"Take your time. You are staying tonight, Mom?"

"If that is all right with you."

"I'd like that," Alex offered as she made her way out of the kitchen.

"Thank you, Ca.s.sidy," Helen said.

"What are you thanking me for?"

"I think you know."

Ca.s.sidy took hold of the older woman's hand. "Helen, Alex loves you. She may not always know how to say it, but she does."

"I know," the soft reply came. "She loves you Ca.s.sidy... more, I think, than even she can understand." Ca.s.sidy blushed. "Remember that. Alexis is..."

"You don't need to worry about me. I know who she is. I know how she is. It's not what I expected either," she giggled and saw Helen's eyebrow raise. "Well, it isn't. But, I love her. She's...well, she is everything to me," Ca.s.sidy said plainly.

"I can see that. You are everything to her."

"I know. She missed you, though. I think she is just realizing how much. I'm glad she has her mother back."

Helen rose from her chair and looked down at the woman who had captured her daughter's heart. "I guess I got the bonus." Ca.s.sidy was confused and Helen laughed. "I ended up with three daughters and I only had to give birth to one." She bent over and kissed Ca.s.sidy on the forehead. "I'll see you in the morning."

Ca.s.sidy watched her future mother-in-law leave in awe. She pushed her chair in and shut off the lights, taking her time to climb the stairs and looking over the house that had quickly become a home. So many questions rolled through her mind. How would she tell Dylan about his father? When would she tell him? What would he think? What would happen when her ex-husband found out that she had married Alex? How much danger were they in? How much danger was Alex in? Question after question. She flipped off the hallway light and peered into their bedroom. Alex had fallen asleep lying on top of the bed, still in her clothes. A peaceful calm swept over Ca.s.sidy, quelling all of her fears and quieting all of her questions. She looked down the hall to receive a slight wave from her mother as she entered one of the two extra bedrooms. She couldn't predict anything. The answers were all here, all quietly retiring just like the questions in her mind.

"I'm not certain this is the time to announce a campaign, Claire."

"You sound as though you think you have some choice in the matter."

O'Brien shook his head. "There is no logic in it."

"No one cares about your logic," she laughed heartily. "Dimitri was very clear about his expectations." She sipped her gla.s.s of wine and kicked off the heels that had managed to fatigue her feet. "You know who to see about the accounts?"

"I do. I'm not sure that is the best idea now either."

"Well, it may not be your ideal, Congressman. Doesn't matter, just do it."

"What about you? He just sent you back to face your father empty handed, other than a message for me?"

She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. "Never said I was empty handed."

"Care to share?"

"No," she replied.

"And what if I refuse?"

"It wouldn't be the first stupid thing you've done, but it would be the last," she smiled.

O'Brien bristled. "Fine. So we are clear..."

Brackett open her eyes and exhaled. She set down her gla.s.s and pushed the congressman back into a large chair, straddling him. "Oh, set me straight, Congressman. Please," she gushed.

"You are not telling me everything."

"No," she nipped at his ear, "and you should be glad."

"Your father..."

She slowly traced his neck with her tongue before placing her lips just above his. "My father will not be a concern to you any longer."

"Your father concerns everyone, Claire," he answered with a heavy breath.

"Mm," she cooed. "Things change," she whispered and kissed him soundly.

Thursday, May 22nd Alex walked carefully along the railroad tracks until she caught sight of the large abandoned building. She scanned it, considering what it might have looked like in its glory days. Whatever Jon Krause wanted to discuss, it was clear that he was taking every possible precaution. It had taken Alex nearly twenty minutes to traverse the wooded railroad tracks before she finally reached the abandoned station. The faade remained intact, but it was adorned now by a plethora of colorful images and messages. She paced along the cement and looked out at the littered woods below. A faint shuffling ahead captured her attention. She gently moved a large beam of wood aside and entered an expansive room. "This your idea of first cla.s.s travel?" she goaded the CIA agent.

"See you found it."

"Yeah, not for lack of looking. What the h.e.l.l possessed you to choose this place?"

"No one comes here, Alex, save maybe an addict now and then. The woods of Willimantic are hardly the hub of espionage."

"No, I don't suppose it is. This is the place time forgot. So, what is it? You find something on that disk?"

Krause sighed. "I found what I expected to find. Matt has it. What I found from Daniels' computer was more enlightening."

"Speaking of enlightenment, Pip. Why is it that Russ Matthews thinks I should ask you about John's a.s.sa.s.sination?"

"Probably because I arranged it," he answered as a statement of fact.

"What?"

"I think we both know you heard me clearly."

"What the h.e.l.l?" Alex felt a fury build within her. "You didn't think that was pertinent to tell me? Jesus, does Jane know?"

"She has an idea." Alex rubbed her face with her hands violently. "Before you start making a.s.sumptions, Agent Toles, you should now that John was fully aware of the plan. I spoke with him after I made the call."

"What are you telling me?"

"I'm telling you it was his choice. I planted the chatter that Brady picked up. Secret Service approached him to change exits. He refused."

"Why? You are telling me he walked knowingly into an ambush. Why?"

Krause nodded. "He had things to protect. With him gone, those things could no longer be used as leverage."

Alex licked her lips. "Why didn't you tell me this when you came to me?"

"I would have preferred not to tell you at all," he admitted.

"Not exactly a great way to engender trust."

"I have my reasons."

"I'm sure. What about this Callier?" she asked.

"Give it time, Agent. What exactly did Matthews tell you?"

"Not much actually. Two things I found interesting."

"Oh?"

Alex turned from him and began to mill about the room. "He told me Sphinx is a person," she paused for a moment. "He told me they call me the spider." She turned slowly on her heels to face him. "Now why, I wonder, would anyone feel the need to give me a handle? Just what the h.e.l.l is going on?"

"You've had a sign since you were a.s.signed at the Pentagon, Alex. Anyone considered a potential ally or adversary is given one."