Adam looked at his wife for a very long time. He started to say something, then stopped. Finally, he said, “I got nuthin’ and just one comment.”
“Which is?”
“I married up.”
“So, did I sweetie, so did I.”
Chapter 11
After the unsettling events of the past few weeks had begun to subside, life began returning to a kind of “new normal”. Adam wouldn’t say he felt that his long suffering and teenage pouting had been vindicated by the recent revelations, but he did feel, in retrospect, that his disquiet with suspected “secrets” had been justified. In fact, he was dizzied by the fact that there had been so many of them floating around and concerning just about everyone he loved in Barrows Bay.
Some secrets were really just family matters kept in the family and less arguably a “secret”. Some were definite “close your lips, lock them up and throw away the key” secrets. Then there were the salacious secrets that everyone would whisper about, sharing only with your “bestie” in the strictest of confidence. These were the kind of secrets never meant to be kept, that somehow leaked out even when promises were given to safeguard right until the very edge of death.
Adam turned his newly acquired taste for the “outing” of secrets into high gear, having regular “confessionals” with his Dad, quizzing his Mom and driving Misti crazy with his particular brand of nosey cross examination. This went on for some time, although he had not pestered his brother or Cindy, and felt no real need to do so. Save for one set of stories he hadn’t yet heard.
“Please leave your brother alone, Adam. And I hope this unceasing line of annoying behavior is soon coming to an end. You have just about everything you wanted to know and there cannot be much more you feel the need to know. We’re all tired of your grilling and you should wrap it up soon.”
“But you all promised to cooperate and spill your guts. Didn’t you?”
“We did. And we have. Now stop being a pest and wrap it up. Enough is enough. Move on.”
“OK, just a couple more things.”
“Really? Have you heard nothing I’ve said?”
“I have, and I will. Move on that is, right after I talk to Dad and then Rod and Cindy. One each.”
“About what, if you don’t mind my asking?” Misti could smell a potential full-on disaster in the offing and was keen to head off anything she considered over-the-top and out of line.
“Don’t get your panties in a bunch. Nothing dark. At least I hope not anyway.”
“About what, then?”
“Dad still owes me the Oaxaca story. I know you’ll want to be there for that. So, don’t lie and say you don’t care, ‘cause I know you do.”
“OK. And yes, I am curious as a cat. Rod and Cindy? Better not be …”
“Settle down there, girl. Nothing like that. But these two have been lying and misleading me for centuries. Probably millennia.”
“About?”
“About what they actually do for a living. What else? You think all that surreptitious cloak and dagger shit just started in New Jersey. No way. Notice how they never said a word about how they did what they did, just the results?”
“OK, Sherlock. What’s your theory?”
“No theory. But my hypothesis is they’re up to something, something juicy and fun and haven’t let me in on it.”
“That’s it? That’s all you got? Pretty weak, if you ask me.”
“But, sweetie, I didn’t ask you and for good reason.” Adam was smiling, having fun with his girl. “I suspect something even more insidious than even my Dad’s hand in all this. Or Moriarty’s.”
“Oh, geez, here it comes. I’m going to be sorry I asked this, I know, but here goes: Gee, honey, what could that possibly be?”
“You, wife, are in on it too, aren’t you? I see your paw prints all over this caper. I turn it over and over in my noggin and it always comes out the same. Misti Alarcon. Plain as day. So, what have you to say for yourself, woman?”
“I neither confirm nor deny anything. I stand on my Constitutional right against both self-incrimination, and a delusional, horny husband.”
“Hah. Tricked into an admission! As I am not the government, so you have no right against self-incrimination. This is Spousal Court, so fess up and pay up. And a stiff price it’ll be!”
“You going to put me in cuffs again? Is that what this is really about?”
“May-be.”
“The answer is no. It’s my turn to cuff you anyway, my little pervert.”
“Damn, foiled again. I shall return to my lair …”
“You live here, Dr. Perverto, remember?”
“As I was saying, I have more work to do with you.”
“And if I give you an extra turn with the cuffs?”
“Then, maybe I’ll just forget everything. Mission accomplished.”
***
“Let’s get a move on, Misti my love. We’re off to visit with Rod and Cindy this afternoon while the girls are over with Mark and Julia. The show begins in an hour and the lovebirds are expecting us to be prompt. They only have so much alone time, so let’s be respectful and not take up too much of their privacy.”
“Since when did you all of a sudden get so thoughtful?” Misti was happy with her new Adam. He was making progress.
“Since I married you and discovered hot sex. I like ‘alone time’ and ‘naps’ a lot now, and I’m sure they do too. Try to cooperate and respect their space, would you? I mean really, they’re family.”
“I would smack you, but it probably wouldn’t do a bit of good. Plus, you’re too far away for me to reach. I’m just happy you have become aware of things outside your immediate sphere of need.”
“Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa. ‘Sphere of need’? What’s that?”
“You know full well what it means, mister. So, smarten up and get ready. Cindy just texted and said the girls are with Grandma, which means we got to get over there now. Pronto. You ready?”
“As always.”
***
Adam and Misti arrived about twenty minutes later to find a dishevelled and rumpled Cindy and Rod, sheepishly still arranging themselves.
“Quickie?” asked Misti.
“More of an appetizer.” said Cindy.
“We can come back later,” said Adam, smirking like a twelve-year-old. “I mean if you need more time, we can …”
“Stop it.” Misti said. “We’re guests. Now behave.”
“So, little brother, I have a few questions for you and Cindy Lou today. I’ll be brief, mainly because Misti won’t let me grill you under hot lights, but I will be inquiring into some unexplained events.”
“No, he won’t,” said Misti. “But he’s going to be nosey and annoying. Thinks he’s Sherlock Holmes today. Wants to know what y’all do for a living. So please just make something up so we can go home and leave you in peace.”
“If you’re truthful, I’ll go easy on you. Now, reveal yourselves.”
“Did he get into the Kush again?” asked Rod, who was knowledgeable about his brother’s predilection for occasional organic recreation.”
“No. Locked up to keep away from the children,” said Misti.
Rod and Cindy laughed. “You mean him?”
“Who else. The girls are way more mature than he is.”
“I’m standing right here you know. I can hear you.”
“You’re just happy that somebody is talking about you at all, aren’t you?”
“Maybe. And maybe I’m just filled with intellectual curiosity about recent events.”
Rod and Cindy moved into the living room and got comfortable. Cindy began the story and Rod filled in the parts as necessary.
“I know you’re getting tired of hearing this, Adam, but I must begin by saying that we are sorry that we didn’t tell you more about what we’ve been doing but we have clearances and I know you respect the integrity of those processes.
”
Adam interrupted, “No, I don’t. But go on.”
“Well, like I said, even if you don’t respect the integrity of the processes, you should. When I was in high school and you were still trying to get into Martha Manchester’s panties … oops, did I say that out loud?”
“Foul wench, get on with it.”
“As I was saying, when I was a sophomore in high school Edward wandered over to the house one night to chat with Daddy and Mother. He explained that there was a new program taking applications for internships with various law enforcement agencies and did they think I would be interested. Edward, always the persuasive one, made the case to my folks for my early exploration of possible vocations and explained that he noted how much I always seemed to enjoy what my Dad did for a living. This got Daddy’s initial attention and Mother’s suspicions up immediately. I don’t think they doubted your father’s sincerity, just his motivations. They said sure, they were all ears and that I should hear what you had to say.
“So, we sat down, and Edward laid out what the internships were about, the curricula at each and the benefits of participation and doing well. He didn’t mention who the programs were with.
“Daddy thought it was the RCMP, as did Mother, and were happy to hear about it. Daddy couldn’t have been prouder at the suggestion and wanted to know more.
“Edward said I would have a free college education, which I could pursue here at the Institute in association with U Vic and there would be opportunities for summer travel abroad. At the same time, I could continue pursuing my martial arts training but at an advanced level and earn college credits while still in high school. I could start this summer if I was interested. Was I?
“I was, of course but Mother was curious about where I would go for training. Would I be gone all summer and who would be watching out for her little girl? Who exactly was in charge?
“Your Dad kinda hummed and hawed a little at the query, thought about his answer, then said it was an inter-agency initiative. He wasn’t one hundred percent sure who would take lead but could find out before any commitments would be made. Some of the training taking place during the summer would be here at the Institute in Barrows Bay.
“Daddy became curious right away when he heard that. The RCMP had never trained at the Institute, and in any event, he would have been informed with plenty of advance notice if it had been chosen, or even considered, as a training site. Which Canadian agencies were involved he asked?
“Edward suggested he may have misspoken, that the agencies were international federal law enforcement agencies and national security organizations. The program was a ‘best and brightest’ talent search and Cindy was on the top of someone’s list.
“Daddy was satisfied, realizing the opportunity wasn’t to take his place one day as a beat cop loaned out on assignment. He would discuss this further with Edward and away from Mother.
“Mother, however, was not so easily misdirected. She asked which agencies and organizations and what was Edward’s relationship to them?
“It’s rare to see your father squirm, especially in front of a slight woman, barely 5’4’, and 105 pounds soaking wet. But your Dad was discussing her little girl and Mother wanted answers. She mentioned that she would be fully informed, and to her satisfaction, or the answer was firm and irrevocable no.
“So, Edward came clean and told her everything he was able to disclose. The agencies, he said, were the RCMP and CSIS from Canada, the CIA, the FBI and the NSA from America, the Mossad from Israel and MI6 from Great Britain, together with their related support groups, and Interpol.
“Mother listened and said nothing. Then she asked what Edward had to do with any of these organizations and he admitted that he had worked with all of them. Still did. As did Maria and Agustin.
“Edward said that Rod would also be involved but in a different program, since he travelled most summers with Edward and Adam. Cindy would be on her own but in a group of girls that would train and travel together from around the world.
“Mother said they would discuss his kind offer and let him know what the family decided. Edward said he didn’t need an answer right away but sometime in advance of summer. Edward left, not feeling confident.
“The first thing out of Mother’s mouth was ‘no, hell no and no way’. She said her child would never be placed in the care of ‘that man’.
“Daddy and I decided otherwise, and it took almost two months of constant grind to get Mother to agree to let me and Daddy go to the orientation meeting in London. I think she relented because she wanted to go too and made it clear that if she wasn’t invited to travel, neither would her daughter.
“Edward’s no prince but he can be princely when he needs to be. We flew first class on British Airways to Heathrow, stayed in Kensington at the Royal Gardens Hotel, and had a private tour of the City and the sights with some ‘Concierge’ arranged by Edward. We stayed for two weeks and saw some shows. I never suspected that Mother could be bought for a vacation in London, but I was wrong. She now claims she saw the handwriting on the wall and simply wanted to get something out of the deal. She claims she knew Edward Moneybags would buy her off, sooner or later.
“She was right. When we returned home, Mother and Daddy signed the papers.”
Chapter 12
Adam watched as Cindy meticulously revealed her and Rod’s hidden surprises, one after another, to both his great delight and occasional consternation.
“So, you were both involved up to your hip boots in all this delicious intrigue? And never told me anything? I am at once both hurt and immensely proud of both of you. God how could I not know?”
“I think it’s called working on you BS, MA and Ph.D., all while travelling around the world, working on Department of Defense contracts and consulting with other boy and girl geniuses. I think you were kinda busy. Besides, we both wanted to be special in our own way, like you.”
“You didn’t need this or anything else to be special. You are very special to me and everyone here and I am so totally blown away and proud of you. I may need a moment to have a little cry.”
“Big baby,” said Misti, mockingly.
“I think it’s sweet,” said Cindy without any conviction and rolling her eyes.
“He’s up to something,” said Rod.
“How come you never got me involved in any of the fun?”
“Matter of time management mostly, Adam. You were always busy with one project or another. The stuff we were learning was too time consuming for you, and Dad thought you’d have a hissy fit if we told you what we were doing and then didn’t let you come along. He was looking out for you. Highest and best use of your time wasn’t running around with us in balaclavas. You have to remember we were teens and Dad thought that you’d rather play with us than hit the books and write code.”
“He was entirely correct, that evil fucking old man. I do love him, but God forbid he would ever ask me what I wanted to do.”
“He didn’t need to Adam. Seriously, he knew what you wanted to do, and you were doing it. In fairness, you would have made the same choices, just not as quickly. Dad is Dad, and I know how you feel about all the secrecy and stuff being decided for you. But what else could he do? He loves you. We all do. And you are special, very special to us and to the whole world. What you were learning and doing, what you do now and the wonders you will one day create, are what really matter. You know that.”
“He coulda asked.”
“Don’t be a doof. He couldn’t, and you know it.”
Adam turned from Rod to Cindy and said, “Rod’s turning into a grownup, Cindy. Take the girls and run. Run for your lives!”
Rod said, “Why I oughta kick your ass for talkin’ like that to my spousal unit. There’s no room for that kind of disparagement in this household! Take it back and git!”
Everyone laughed but there was a germ of jealousy in Adam’s heart.
Adam began, “So I use
d to insult you both by calling you the salesman and the finance bimbo. Not so much, huh?”
“No, I’m still a salesman and Cindy still is a finance bimbo. It’s just not what we do all the time.”
“Cindy, do you still watch the money?”
“Yeah, but most of the dry stuff is handled out of Vancouver. Accountants, investment bankers and lawyers. It’s expensive and complicated being rich. I mainly get reports and do the liquid asset allocations. Edward and Maria do the direct investments.”
“What are those?”
“You know what a start-up is?”
“Kinda. Not strong in the business stuff.”
“Well, let’s just say that our family trust provides seed money, some first round equity financing and the occasional debt guarantee for promising business opportunities. Your Dad knows a lot of people with money who like to take chances with him.”
“Are we still rich?”
“Filthy”, said Cindy. “We have an account for unrealized appreciation, as a footnote in our financials.”
“Not familiar with that.”
“Ask your wife. She is.”
“You know about this?”
“Of course. I’m your wife. Someone has to pay the bills. Maria doesn’t trust you to do it. She claims that your idea of bill paying is to hack into the credit card company at the end of the month and erase the charges. While I give you huge kudos for creativity, it’s easier just to write a check.”
“So, unrealized appreciation. What’s that again?”
Misti spoke, “It means you, as a family, have over $1.7 billion in total net worth.”
“We.” Adam said. “We, as a family, have whatever the number is. “Mis Pesos are tus Pesos, if you know what I mean.”
Discovery Page 74
