Black's Magic Part 32

Applause echoed out once again as Addison accepted the medals with one hand. She hugged Jenny and shook Mark's hand, knowing she would have to make a short speech. She needed to get off the stage as soon as possible, but knew she had to act as calm and clueless to the events that were unravelling around them.

As the guests calmed, Addison stood before the microphone. "I'm not going to draw this out. I'm sure you all want to finish your deserts and abuse the free bar!" She continued to scan the guests and officers through their light laughter. "I just want to say that what I do is nothing more than is in the hearts and minds of everybody. No matter what situation we hold in life we all take chances. It's just that some of us get more recognition than others. So saying that... I dedicate this honour to everybody who stands for what is right in this world."

Again applause rang out through the room and Addison decided that was her cue to depart the stage. With a smile and slight nod, she placed her hand upon Jenny's back and escorted her from the platform. Walking beside Jennifer she led her straight to the table in which Skyler, her mother and the Major were occupying. People began talking quietly amongst themselves and the D.J. started a simple melody.

Addison addressed Skyler. "Sky, I need you to look after Jenny for a while." She turned to James' wife. "Can you stay at my table? You don't have to leave just yet do you?"

"Of course I can and no... I don't have to leave yet." Jenny sat in Addison's abandoned seat. The soldier made to leave the table when Skyler stopped her.

"Addison, what's going on?"

Addison looked around the room. Alon was no longer standing by the far exit. In fact, she could no longer see him at all. "Sky, I'll explain in a moment. I have to go and check on something."

"Something's happened," Skyler insisted. "What is it, d.a.m.n it?"

"Look..." catching a movement in the corner of her eye, Addison looked to the exit and saw Alon slip through the doors. He made clear eye contact with Addison and beckoned her over. "Listen... I'm going over to the bar. I'm going to be speaking with Alon Yamburgh..."

"Alon?" What's he doing...? Addison?"

"When he leaves me alone at the bar come over to me, okay?"

"Okay... but..."

"Act like everything is cool." Addison smiled. "We are having a good night, remember?"

Although she was still confused and concerned by Addison's actions, Skyler nodded. She took the boxed medals Addison handed her and kissed the agent softly. "Everything is okay."

"Good... I'll speak to you in a moment." Winking, Addison wove her way back around the tables and left the room through the main entrance. She knew Alon would meet her around the back of the ballroom. Sure enough, she headed down the corridor and turned right to where Alon was waiting for her by the ballroom's far exit.

"Where the h.e.l.l did you go? I asked you to stay by the exit." Addison didn't want to consider the possibility Alon may be the enemy.

"I went to Corporeal Miller and got us a radio each from the security office. Now we can keep in touch with the men outside as well as Miller. We've altered the frequency." Alon handed Addison a tiny transmitter, earpiece and voice sensor. The soldier slipped the transmitter into her breast pocket. She placed the, practically invisible earpiece into her ear and clipped the microphone to the inside of her shirt collar.

"Okay... good idea," she acknowledged. Watching Alon activate his own radio, she contacted the men outside. "Goff... Murray... what's your status?"

"All is quiet this side," Goff replied.

"Same here Captain," responded Murray.

"Miller?"

Corporeal Miller answered saying, "n.o.body has attempted to leave, Captain Black."

"Roger that." Addison placed her arm over Alon's shoulders. "Okay buddy, let's get back in there and act like we're having a good time."

"How are we going to figure out who Kleein is?" Alon asked. He entered the ballroom with Addison and they walked directly to the bar.

"I have that in hand. Trust me, Alon." Taking a seat at the bar, Addison ordered two double shots of Jack Daniels. A barman, dressed identical to the waiters, handed her the order and Addison pushed one gla.s.s over to Alon. She waited until the server left before speaking. "Alon, I want you to go back out into the foyer. Check the rooms down here and then upstairs. Are you armed?"

"Yes."

"Good."

"Are you?"

"No..." Addison looked across the room. She could see Skyler watching her. "I'll meet you in a moment. First of all I need to work out exactly who Kleein is."

"Okay, my friend." Alon rose from his stool and picked up his gla.s.s. Speaking in a louder voice he said, "And congratulations again, Captain Black."

"Thanks, Alon." Addison turned to the bar as the Mossad agent disappeared from the ballroom. She looked down into her gla.s.s, swirling the dark, amber liquid around the container. Who are you, Dr. Kleein? What do you have planned? Addison looked up and into the mirror behind the bar. She could see Skyler approach. The doctor sidled up behind her, placing her chin on Addison's shoulder.

Maintaining an outer image of calm, Skyler asked, "What is it, Addison? You're making me nervous."

"I'm sorry." Taking Skyler's hand Addison ushered her around to sit down upon Alon's vacated stool. "Sky..." Addison peered around them. There were far too many people around to risk speaking with Skyler about the situation when she wasn't sure what her reaction would be. Addison rose. Drinking down her whiskey she leaned into Skyler's ear. "Come with me."

Skyler was confused by the seductive tone in Addison's voice. "Pardon?"

Taking the blonde doctor's hand Addison pulled her to her feet. Maintaining eye contact with a secretive smile, Addison led her out of the ballroom. The soldier walked backwards until she hit the bathroom door. Pulling Skyler inside and after checking to make sure it was empty, Addison turned to Skyler.

"Sky... there is no easy way to say this... Dr. Kleein is here."

"What?"

"Kleein is here. I've just discovered a vial of Gemini's Hyde application made it out of Israel before Brodie's compound was destroyed."

"What?" Skyler placed a hand over her chest, hoping she was hearing wrong. "Are you sure?"

"Of course. We've already discovered four soldiers killed outside."

Skyler's heart rate increased as sparks of alarm shot to her nerve endings. "No! Oh my G.o.d. We've got to warn everybody. We've got to evacuate."

"No!" Addison placed her hand on the bathroom door, slamming is shut as Skyler tried to open it. "We don't know who Kleein is. Causing any degree of alarm could either force Kleein to release the bacilli ahead of any pre-arranged plan and infect us all... or it will help Kleein to escape with everybody else. Four soldiers are already dead. We have to figure out who Kleein is."

"How?"

Addison took the paper Alon had given her from her side pocket. "This is the full name of Kleein. It's Dr. Tobias F. Kleein. I've tried all names I know but can't find any that fit... I was under the impression that it was another anagram like Sadie Bregon but I think not."

"Maybe." Skyler's sharp mind studied the name. "You've tried all names of the people you suspect?"

"Yes."

"Even General Blithe?"

"Mark, Quinton, Antonia... even your mother." At Skyler's surprised expression Addison added, "I have to be thorough. The trouble is that I'm not seeing a thing. There is nothing. If the name isn't an anagram what is it? Sky, you've met a lot of people here tonight. You have one of the best a.n.a.lytical minds I've ever known. You read people instinctively. I need your input on this... and fast."

Skyler placed Addison's sheet of paper down beside a sink. Her eyes moved swiftly over the letters, her subconscious mind working to decipher Kleein's name as she spoke... "Miss Bakersfield lied to me." She didn't look up from her a.n.a.lysing.

"Pardon?"

"She lied. The necklace she was wearing... it certainly wasn't costume jewellery. In fact, even her dress was..."

"Hold on," Addison interrupted. "What are you saying?"

Skyler continued to study the name. "I'm saying I know gems. Her necklace was a truly beautiful combination with a stunning contrast of black and green gems. But Addison, those green stones were emeralds and the black stones were diamonds." Skyler looked up at Addison. "Black diamonds; the most rare of diamonds you can find. Serious money."

"The type of money you don't earn working as a General's a.s.sistant?"

"Try top billing movie star or monarch of the realm. Addison, they are priceless. Lord only knows how she got a hold of them."

Addison rubbed her chin, blowing out a weary breath through her lips. "How can you be sure they were really gems?"

"I know a diamond when I see one. I studied them in Amsterdam at a cutting factory. Addison, those stones weren't costume jewellery and they aren't a television shopping channel imitation."

The agent began pacing around the bathroom. She strode up the walkway, past a row of green doors on either side of her. Walking back to Skyler she stood by the exit just as it began to open. Addison thrust her hand onto it, slamming the barrier shut. "There's been an accident... you have to use the rest room upstairs," she called out. Keeping her hand upon the door, Addison stared into s.p.a.ce and thought for a brief moment. She looked back to Skyler. "That isn't enough evidence."

"How about 'Toni Bakersfield'?"

"Huh?"

"Kleein," Skyler answered. "You never got Miss Bakersfield's name because you used Antonia. If you shortened it to 'Toni Bakersfield' you get Dr. Tobias F. Kleein."

Addison s.n.a.t.c.hed the paper from the tiled surface of the vanity unit and mentally re-arranged the letters in Kleein's name. "f.u.c.k me!" Her mind drifted to snippets of conversations she'd had with Antonia. Questions the secretary had asked. Who else had more access to General Blithe's information, intimate knowledge of Special Operations and more importantly, Addison's career history? "b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l." Addison took Skyler's hand. "We've got to warn the General." They fled the bathroom, making a beeline for the ballroom. "I've got to find her, Skyler. She's combined Gemini with Ricin."

"Ricin! Addison... that's deadly."

"And if it's released we are dead." With added urgency Addison burst through the doors desperate to locate Mark Blithe.

Chapter 29.

Within the main ballroom the lights had been lowered and music increased in tempo. Uniformed officers had discarded their jackets to the backs of chairs and loosened their collars for comfort. It was time to have some fun and many guests were taking advantage of the fact. Already, a quarter of the room's inhabitants had migrated to the dance floor. A well-known, top forty hit was playing and the atmosphere was one of relaxed enjoyment.

General Blithe sat beside Marlene at their table. They spoke in raised voices, trying to be heard over the music. Mark, too, had abandoned his jacket. He sat, pleasantly relaxed, tapping his foot to the beat. The night had been enjoyable. Dinner was superb as always and his companion had been, wonderful, Mark thought, beautiful and wonderful. He leaned close to Marlene's ear.

"I'm not expected to stay through the whole bash," he said.

"Really?" Marlene replied, a smile brightening her features.

The General nodded. "Just let me know when you've had enough and I..." Mark took Marlene's hand, kissing it softly, "will escort you home."

A pleasant shiver tickled Marlene's senses. "Well actually..."

"Blithe, my G.o.d man!"

Mark looked to his left finding Major Thompson beside him. The Major's ruddy complexion and handlebar moustache was his long time trademark. His cheeks had turned a little too flushed from over-consumption of alcohol and Mrs. Thompson had decided her husband had enough for the evening and was going to take him home.

"Major," Mark greeted, disappointed to miss the rest of Marlene's words.

"Want to fill me in on what's going on? We just went to leave but your man on the door said we weren't permitted, orders from Captain Black. Do you know something I don't?"

Blithe appeared confused. "Not permitted to leave? No, I have no idea what Addison's up to."

From the other side of the room Addison had seen General Blithe and Major Thompson converse. With Skyler beside her, she approached their table swiftly, desperately needing answers. Skyler scanned the room as they went. She was unsure whether she wanted to catch a glimpse of Miss Bakersfield or not. Within the throng of dancers she could be lost in a sea of moving bodies.

"General," Addison greeted.

"Addison, just the person I was about to look for. Would you mind telling me...?"

"In a moment, Sir. I have an important question I must ask you first."

Mark was intrigued but concerned by the looking in her eyes. It was the same expression she held upon the stage only now there seemed to be more urgency in her mannerism. "What is it?"

"Have you seen Miss Bakersfield?"

"That's it?"

"It's important, Sir."

Simply by the sheer fact Addison was addressing him in such a respectful manor, Mark knew she was serious. "Yes I have seen her. The poor thing accidentally knocked a gla.s.s of tomato juice down her dress. She was so upset. Something about Tabasco sauce staining? h.e.l.l if I know but anyway, she just went to change into something a little dryer. They have spare server suits here. I think she was donning a waitress skirt and blouse."

Addison's eyes connected with Skyler briefly. "And Quinton?"

Mark nodded to the dance floor. "Living it up with Samuel, Kate, Jenny and a few others. Samuel had been looking for you but Kate lured him onto the dance floor."

The agent leaned into General Blithe. "Mark, I need to speak with you right now. Dr. Kleein is here. A vile of Gemini's Hyde application left Israel. It contains Ricin. I believe the intention is to, at the very least, use it's release here tonight as a threat for some form of gain. That is best case scenario."

Mark looked at Skyler. Fear was easily evident in her eyes. He shot to his feet and turned to Marlene. "I want you to stay here. I need to attend to a matter with Addison." He looked to Skyler. "Will you stay with your mum?"

Skyler sat down beside Marlene. "I need to speak with her, yes."

"Bare with us," Mark said to Major Thompson before charging off with Addison. They exited the ballroom. "What aren't you telling me, Black?"

Addison directed General Blithe to the security office. "Evidence points to Antonia, Mark."

The general paused mid-stride. He was silent for several moments as Addison's words registered in his mind. "Antonia!" He sighed; a pained expression twisted his features. "You're sure?"

"Yes, Sir."

Commencing walking, Blithe increased his stride as a flash of anger coloured his cheeks. Addison led him to the security office. Pushing the door open she stopped in her tracks, Mark walking into her.

"What are you...?" Marks words froze as he discovered what Addison had found. Lying in the middle of the room was the lifeless body of Corporeal Miller. Addison crouched to her knees and checked his pulse.

"He's dead." She checked over his body. "Two shots to the chest. His weapon is missing as well."

Blithe picked up a phone. "I need to issue a warning and declare an emergency. Anti-contamination unit will need to be alerted and dispatched."

"Mark, we can't risk alerting Kleein... err Antonia to the fact we know what's going on. We can't risk making her panic and act before she has a chance to put whatever plan she has into action."

"I'll advise caution and discretion." The general began dialling a secure line "Worst case scenario, they need to section this building off under quarantine." Blithe's call was answered. "This is General Blithe..."