Relentless: Episode 3 of the Shattered Chronicles

by Ciana Stone

  "What a job!" he said as he read over the reports. If Vinsetti was the man behind all this, he'd really planned it out to the last detail. It appeared as if Cord was the most heinous criminal to have surfaced in recent history.

  He came upon the information about Morgan and her association with Vinsetti. Reading the reports about their relationship and seeing the newscast filmed the night they became engaged, his heart felt as though it were being torn from his chest.

  There were numerous magazine articles about what was being called, 'the hottest romance in Washington.' Multiple high-end magazines had devoted covers to a picture of Morgan and Victor smiling up in each other's eyes as they danced, holding each other close.

  He scanned the article, noting the many pictures and their captions. One shot showed them cuddled up on a couch in front of a large stone fireplace where a fire burned cheerfully. Another showed them wrestling around on the floor, Morgan laughing as Victor nuzzled her neck. But the most crushing photo was one of them locked in a passionate kiss.

  Cord took off the AI glasses as tears erupted. Laying his head on the desk, he allowed the grief to crash down on him. Never in his most horrible dreams would he ever have considered she would abandon him so quickly or turn to someone else so easily.

  Eventually he got control of himself and went into the kitchen, sitting down at the table. Slats sat across from him, reading and having a cup of coffee.

  "I've got to get her back.".

  Slats looked in Cord's red grief-stricken eyes and nodded in agreement. "So, what's your plan?"

  Cord felt defeated him before he even began. "I don't know. I don't really have one."

  His mind was tortured by what he had seen in the AI's data banks. Morgan was in love with another man. Engaged, no less. And to the next Secretary of State. And me, he considered. What am I? The question made him bark a harsh laugh, causing Slats to look over at him with a puzzled expression on his dark face.

  "Hey, man," he said softly. "Sometimes sharing the burden lightens the load."

  Cord looked up, grateful for Slats' compassion and his constant willingness to listen and try to understand without judging. "Look at the big picture," he said after a few minutes of silence. "Here's this Vinsetti guy. Multi-billionaire, strong, charismatic and the next Secretary of State to boot. Now look at me," he paused and looked down for a moment. "What am I? I'll tell you. A man on the FBI, CIA, and god knows who else's most wanted list for treason and attempted murder. Now, isn't that a tempting package?"

  Slats shook his head, his eyes filled with sympathy for his friend. "Cord, my friend, you’re looking at things only through your pain.. Understandable, but unwise, no? Like you told me when we first met, and I expressed doubts about the AI project. "There are always possibilities," you said, "That's all we need." So now I give you back those words. Think it over and let me know what you decide."

  Slats got up and left Cord alone with his thoughts. Cord appreciated Slats' support, and he knew he should at least try to be a little optimistic. But for the first time in his life he didn't have a clue what to do.

  Washington, D.C.

  Morgan waved one last time as the limo disappeared down the long drive then wrapped her arms around herself and shivered in the cold. Victor put his arm around her and walked her back inside. "It wasn't what I expected," she commented as they walked up the stairs.

  He squeezed her shoulder slightly. "Your son's companion was, shall we say, unique?"

  "That's an understatement. But I know that he only brought her here to annoy me, not because he cares about her. And that bothers me maybe even more. It's not like Trevor to use someone that way."

  Victor opened the bedroom door and followed Morgan inside. "Personally, I'm just relieved she is no longer here," he turned the conversation away from Trevor, whom he despised. "She is truly a repulsive little creature."

  "But she was sure taken with you." Morgan laughed as she sat down on the edge of the bed, remembering how Bunny had chased Victor around offering to teach him new tricks in bed at every opportunity.

  Victor smiled and lay down on the bed, pulling Morgan over on top of him. "I love you. More every day."

  She smiled and sat, straddling his body. She'd spent a lot of time during the last few weeks considering her life and her feelings about him, and recently she'd reached a major decision.

  "I have something for you," she said as her fingers traced the outline of his face.

  He smiled and pulled her back down with a sexy growl coming from his throat. "No," she laughed and pulled back. "That's not what I mean. "

  She climbed off the bed, went to the closet and returned holding a small gift box. She handed it to him and sat, tucking her feet up under her. He looked at the gaily wrapped package then up at her.

  "Open it," she urged.

  He tore off the wrappings, opened the box and withdrew a small marble sculpture. Done in an abstract style, it was of two entwined figures, one male and one female. Their bodies separate yet joined.

  "It's lovely but what is it for?"

  "Look at the bottom.”

  He turned the sculpture upside down and read the engraving on the bottom aloud. "I love you. Marry me. February 14th. Morgan."

  His eyes widened as he read the inscription then he looked up at her with excitement. "Do you mean this February 14th?"

  "Yes," she answered with a smile.

  He dropped the figurine and reached out to pull her to him.

  "You're sure?" he asked looking in her eyes. "You won't change your mind?"

  "I'm certain. I know I've made you wait, and I know it seemed as though I'd never be able to decide. But I had to be sure. Now I am. I love you, Victor and I want to marry you."

  "On February 14th," he repeated the date, "This coming February 14th?"

  "Yes," she laughed, "Don't you think Valentine's Day is the perfect time?"

  "Oh, yes," he agreed, holding her tightly to him, their bodies molding together in a passionate embrace. "I've waited so long for this. You have no idea how I've wished for this. I love you, Morgan and I will love you forever. Nothing will ever come between us. That I promise you."

  Chapter Eleven

  Washington, D.C.

  Stork sat in the passenger's seat of the blue sedan looking over at Smith who was behind the steering wheel. In the back seat, Samuels listened without comment as the two older men talked.

  "I'm telling you, Andy," Stork was saying. "After talking to Ken, I'm more convinced than ever that something's rotten about this whole thing. He's tapped into every information source known to man and hasn't come up with squat on Vinsetti."

  Smith nodded. "I know I've been doing a little checking of my own and you're right. There's nothing to be found. That's what bugs me. This guy comes from the Vinsetti family, for Christ’s sake! The Sicilian Vinsettis."

  "Yeah," Stork grumbled, "tell me about it. I thought the whole goddamn world knew they were crooked as snakes. I don't get it. How in hell can there not be one damn word about them anywhere?"

  "There's got to be something." Smith replied. "We just haven't found it yet."

  Samuels chimed in from the back seat. "Have you guys tried the public libraries?"

  Both men turned around and looked at him like he had suddenly gone stupid. Smith answered, "Look, if there was anything at all, it sure as hell wouldn't be in the damn library. We've tapped into every morgue of every major newspaper and magazine in the country and there's nothing."

  "Well maybe he has enough power to have that kind of information erased or doctored or something," Samuels persisted. "But surely he couldn't get to every library in the whole fucking country. Somewhere there's bound to be something."

  Smith and Stork looked at each other. "Well, shit," Stork said. "Out of the mouth of babes."

  "Okay, Samuels," Smith looked back at him. "I'll take care of the paperwork. You get on this. I want every fucking library in the country checked for any information concerning the Vi
nsetti family, no matter how small or insignificant. But listen, you'll have to be careful on this one, keep a low profile. We don't want anyone getting wind of this."

  "Yes, sir," Samuels agreed, eager to get started.

  "And Samuels," Stork spoke up. "You'll have to work fast. We're running out of time."

  Cotton Creek, Texas

  Cord and Slats sat at the kitchen table. "Okay," Cord said, "let's see what we have." He held up his hand, counting off as he spoke by raising one finger at a time.

  "We have the money, the AI and the element of surprise."

  "And you got me!" a voice roared from the doorway. Both men jumped as Big Jeff came through the door, almost tearing it from it hinges.

  "You scares the shit into my pants, man!" Slats blurted out and gave Jeff a scathing look.

  Jeff just grinned. "I knew you guys would be holed up here!" he said holding up both arms, displaying a six-pack of beer in each hand.

  *****

  Morgan unpacked her suitcase then lay on the bed. Even after all this time and all that had happened, she could still feel Cord's presence in the room.

  Will I ever get over him? she asked herself. Even though she was sure she loved Victor and wanted to marry him, she still couldn't seem to let go of Cord.

  Come on, Morgan! she fussed at herself as she rolled over onto her stomach and put her arms over her head. He's gone. It's over so just give it up.

  But deep inside, she knew just wasn’t possible. There were too many years of memories built up to just forget and if she was honest with herself, she'd admit she didn't want to forget. Part of her still clung to that love.

  But she also knew it was time to move on. Hanging on to the past was, as Victor said, only a way of prolonging the hurt. She smiled as she thought about Victor and how happy he was when she set their wedding date.

  He was like a young boy after that, so excited and full of such elaborate plans. It would be difficult to get him to scale down on the wedding plans. She really didn’t want some big grand affair but preferred a small private ceremony. But, as with everything Victor did, he did it larger than life. He wanted the entire world there; it seemed. Huge cathedral, white dress and tuxedos, the whole works.

  She rolled back over and stared at the ceiling. She didn't know how to make him understand that getting married like that made her feel very uncomfortable. After all, she was no young virgin bride. She was a divorced woman with two grown children, and she'd feel foolish in a white bridal gown.

  But then in all fairness she had to consider his feelings., Victor had never been married, and he deserved to have the kind of wedding he wanted, too. We'll just have to find a way to compromise, she thought as she got up from the bed.

  She went downstairs, made a pot of tea and walked into the den. Sitting on the sofa, she picked up the phone and dialed Cable's number.

  *****

  Jeff walked over to the table and looked down at Cord.

  "Morgan's at home."

  Cord looked up sharply. "How do you know?"

  Jeff shrugged, "I went by there on my way in and the gate's open."

  "That doesn't mean she's there," Cord replied. "I left the gate open when I left."

  Jeff walked over to the refrigerator and opened it, looking for a space to put the beer. "There were wet tire tracks on the driveway," he said, turning back around. "Somebody's there."

  "For all we know it could be the Feds," Cord grumbled. He didn't know if he was ready to face Morgan yet, but he was curious about who was at the house. Maybe it is her, he considered. If she found Ghost at home and his bike gone, she might put the two together and figure out he was back.

  "Come on, guys!" he said standing up as a sudden inspiration hit. "Let's put the AI to a little test."

  With surprised looks Slats and Jeff followed Cord into the back of the house.

  Cord sat down and put on the glove and glasses. "Candy?" he spoke to the computer.

  Candy's image appeared, once again standing on the beach. "Yes," she answered, "How may I help you?"

  "I want to place a call," Cord directed.

  "Would you like me to display the directory?" she inquired.

  "There is more," Cord said.

  "Continue," Candy waited for instructions.

  "I want you to use the voice of the television news person, Drake Tapper," Cord explained. "Ask to speak to Morgan Alexander and set up an appointment to do an interview with her as soon as possible. Can you execute?"

  "Affirmative," Candy replied with a smile, in a voice that sounded exactly like the news reporter.

  A telephone appeared before her on the screen. As she lifted the receiver and dialed, Cord could hear the touch tones in the earpieces of the glasses.

  "Hello?" Morgan's voice came over the phone line.

  "I'd like to speak with Mrs. Morgan Alexander," the male voice coming from Candy's lips said.

  "This is Morgan Windwalker," Morgan replied. "May I ask your name?"

  "Mrs. Alexander," Candy said, "this is Drake Tapper with CNN. I'm currently in Texas and would very much like to do an interview with you, if that's possible."

  "About what?" Morgan asked in a skeptical tone.

  Cord panicked as the AI didn't respond to her question. "Tell her it's about her." he directed Candy.

  "I would like to focus on you, Mrs. Alexander," Candy spoke into the imaginary receiver.

  There was a long pause before Morgan answered. "I'm sorry. I don't think so."

  "Tell her you have information about Cord Alexander." Cord spoke quickly to the computer.

  "Mrs. Alexander," Candy said with a tone of confidentiality coming into the male voice. "I have information on Cord Alexander."

  "Cord?" Morgan's voice rose. "What information?"

  "Shit!" Cord's mind worked fast. "Tell her you can't say over the phone."

  "I can't really get into it over the phone," Candy told her. "It would be better if we talked in person."

  There was a long silence before Morgan responded. "When?" she asked at last.

  "As soon as possible," the AI improvised, handling the conversation beautifully.

  "Where?" Morgan asked.

  "Tell her to meet you at Alexander Enterprises," Cord instructed.

  "Why don't we meet at Alexander Enterprises?"

  "What time?"

  "As soon as possible," the AU offered.

  "No!" Cord said, "Tell her to name the time." Sweat beaded his forehead as he tried to manipulate the conversation without arousing her suspicions.

  "On second thought," the AIU corrected itself. "Why don't you name the time best for you?"

  There was another long pause before Morgan spoke again and this time her voice sounded suspicious. "Are you sure you're Drake Tapper?"

  "Who else would I be, Mrs. Alexander?" Cord smiled as the AI improvised.

  "Well," she hesitated. "Okay. Meet me there at seven o'clock this evening. But I warn you, if I don't see Drake Tapper, you're not getting in."

  "Thank her." Cord instructed.

  "Thank you, Mrs. Alexander," the AI said. "I'll see you at seven o'clock."

  "Now hang up." Cord told the computer. A big cheer rose from Jeff and Slats as Cord pulled the headgear from his face. He smiled, wanting to share their enthusiasm, but he had butterflies dancing wildly in his stomach at the thought of seeing Morgan.

  He rose and went into the kitchen to get them all a beer. He took a seat at the table looked at the other men as they sat.

  "Okay, here's the plan," he said. "Jeff, I want you to ride over to the office and let me know when she arrives."

  "Can do, boss."

  "And Jeff," Cord added. "Make sure nobody sees you."

  "No problem," Jeff drained his beer and headed for the door.

  "Jeff!" Cord called him back.

  "Yeah, Cord?" he stopped and looked back.

  "Wouldn't you like to know how you'll let me know she's there?" Cord asked.

  "Oh! Yeah, sure."<
br />
  "Slats will be at my office. When you see her, then you call him.”

  "No problem, dude," Jeff saluted and headed out the door.

  Cord continued as the sound of the Harley's engine roared outside. "Slats, I want you to go to the office, turn on my computer and set up the modem. Then wait for Jeff to call."

  Slats shook his head. "I don't know. If Juan is there, I won't get past de front door."

  Cord smiled. "Don't worry about Juan. Candy and I will take care of him."

  Slats nodded, then he too left the house.

  Cord returned to the AI and gave Candy her directions. Only a few moments later at Alexander Enterprises, Emma punched the intercom button. "Mr. Ramirez? Maria is on line four."

  *****

  Jeff road around to the back of the building looking for a good place to park his bike so it wouldn't be conspicuous. He pulled in between a big green dumpster and a retaining wall, cut off the engine and got off the bike.

  He walked around the building to the front and stood on the sidewalk, looking back and forth in both directions. "This won't cut it," he said to himself. "Morgan will see me before I see her."

  When he looked at the building across the street, he saw a small sign in the corner of a window, advertising they were now hiring. "Well, hell," he hitched up his jeans and grinned. "Might as well apply for a job while I'm here."

  He walked inside and informed the receptionist he was looking for a job. "Have a seat," she said, "Someone will be with you shortly."

  "Take your time," he said cheerfully then sat down so he could see out of the glass door. Leaning back, he waited for Morgan to arrive.

  Slats pulled into the parking lot at Alexander Enterprises and grabbed his briefcase from the seat of the car. As he headed for the door, one of the warehouse guys spotted him.

  "Hey, Slats!" the man called him over. "Haven't seen you around here lately. How're you doing?"

  "Oh, you know, man," Slats shrugged and smiled. "Just gettin' by. How ‘bout you?"

  "Not too good," the man shook his head. "It's been slower than molasses in the winter. We haven't shipped out a damn thing since Cord disappeared. Hey, you haven't heard anything about him, have you?"