Wednesday, September 13, 1995
Undisclosed Location - Outside of Lancaster, California
“Welcome to my house,” Eva said to Sam with a big, warm smile as they walked into the secret aircraft hanger. They were escorted by a pair of security guards and their presence was carefully monitored on several cameras.
“So this is where they park it,” Sam said as they got closer to a lone X99B jet-fighter parked in the center of a cavernous, concrete-reinforced bunker. As they walked to the side of the jet, Sam immediately caught sight of the bright red cursive writing on one of the V-tails. He stopped and pointed up to it.
Eva nodded. “We get to name our aircraft. I had it changed from the lame-ass name one of the other pilots came up with: Uma. There was no fucking way I was flying a plane named Uma into combat. I didn't have to think hard for a good name. Angela just fit. She did well, and she got her revenge.”
“Thank you,” Sam said, trying to blink tears away. He stepped closer and gently put his hand on the fuselage.
“We're quite a pair, Sam,” Eva said as she stood beside him. “You're the first to cap an EC, and I'm the first to shoot down a spacecraft.”
“Wouldn't you also be the first female fighter pilot to score a kill?”
“The first one ever in combat,” Eva corrected. “Revlon, Kara Hultgreen, probably would've beat me if she didn't, well...”
“Didn't what?”
Eva frowned. “She's gone, and nobody will ever know about what I did anyway.”
“Same with me.”
Eva laughed. “Yeah, sucks to be us. But we did it. Angela would be pretty fucking proud of you.”
“Thanks,” Sam replied in a raspy voice. He started to walk around the Angela and marvel at it. “It's like something out of a Star Wars movie.”
“I wish it had two seats. I'd take you for the ride of your life.”
“Thanks, but I'm still working up to being comfortable with flying.”
“After a spin in this, you'd be ready for anything.”
“I believe you. Look me up when they put in a second seat.”
“Sam,” Eva said in a more serious tone, stopping him in his tracks. “What you did for me? I owe you big.”
“The way I see it? You were the only one I trusted for the job. You got us both some payback.”
“So, what are you up to after this?”
“Not sure. Back to home, and then Neil will let me know.”
“I'm sure Angela meant a lot to you, and it'll take you a while to get over her. But when you do, come look me up.”
Sam was caught by surprise, but then snorted a polite chuckle. “Maybe I will.”
Sunday, September 17, 1995
Regal Apartments– Lowell, Massachusetts
“Welcome home, Sam,” Neil spoke from the kitchen, surprising Sam as he entered with his luggage.
“Neil? I've got to change the locks on this place, real soon.”
Neil laughed. “Sorry about the surprise, but I need to have a talk with you before I left. I'm heading down to DC in a couple of hours.”
“Something wrong?” Sam asked as he put down his suitcase and carry-on.
“I hope not,” Neil replied with a smile as he gestured to the living room. “Please, let's sit.”
Sam walked over and sat in a wing chair as Neil sat on the couch.
“How's Eva doing?”
“Hank was right. She was so happy I'd swear I didn't know her. I also got to see three red triangles painted on the side of her plane.” Sam paused as he suddenly found himself getting emotional. “It's now named the Angela.”
“It's a fitting name. A beautiful and eloquent aircraft.”
“Eva couldn't stop talking about it.”
Neil chuckled. “You made an important friend.”
“How's the investigation going?”
“Which one?” Neil asked with a roll of his eyes. “Actually, they're all going as well as can be expected. No surprises so far. I've got to go down to be officially voted in by the Senate oversight committee, which seems inappropriate because we haven't even had a memorial service for Merrill yet. That's scheduled for Wednesday.”
“What about Walt and Christine?”
“The company is having a combined memorial service on Friday. Then there's Senator Barlow's next week. It's not easy starting out having to mourn so many deaths.”
“I sort of know what you mean.”
“I want to talk to you about your future with Blanchard. I think it's time you moved on from auditing.”
“Yeah, I'm getting a little tired of it. Awful dangerous work. Who would've known?”
Neil paused to collect his thoughts. “I'm transferring you to work under Colin. You're going to spend the next few weeks in a special training program. Hank will oversee it. As we get into the operational phases of The Initiative, you'll fall into a role there. First off, our priority is to break-up as many undercover enemy networks as we can find. You'll be very much involved in that. But the most important role I want you to accept is to be our liaison to The Watcher network. I'm removing myself from that responsibility.”
“Why wouldn't you continue doing that?”
“Because I'm way too close to Blanchard these days. I'm going to become far too visible as CEO.”
“Did Mr. Drake know anything about The Watchers?”
“I don't think so, and he didn't say anything about it in his letter.”
“You know, he asked me about Sues once.”
“Oh? You never told me about that.”
“Sorry, I didn't think much of it at the time. He called me down to visit him at his house at the end of July. I think he just wanted to feel me out about what you might have told me about him.”
“What did he ask about Susan?”
“He told me that he knew she was your niece, but was curious about where she came from.” Sam paused as he thought back to the discussion. “After I told him that I didn't know anything, he gave me a strange smile. He never called me out about passing her off as my sister, but I got the impression he knew I wasn't telling him everything. I figured he was just amused over how I was bending the rules to protect her. But now I wonder if he knew more about her than he let on.”
“Merrill was trying to piece a lot of things together over the years. It must have been a frustrating process. He had to do it in a way that didn't draw any attention to himself. It's possible he was starting to put the pieces together about The Watchers, but didn't have enough to lead him to anything.”
“I just got the feeling that he knew she was special.”
“That I'll agree with him about,” Neil said with a smile. “I'll hand The Watcher role off to you after you get back from training. I want you to change all the communication protocols with them. I can't know anything about it anymore. You and Susan will be the only ones who know how to get to them. I also need you to take very special care of her. She may be older and more knowledgeable than you, but in many other ways she's dangerously naive. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?”
“Yeah, I know exactly what you're saying.”
“She's very precious to me.”
“To me, too. Have you talked to her about this yet?”
“I have,” Neil replied with a wide smile. “She was beyond ecstatic.”
“I just hope I can live up to her expectations.”
“You've never had a problem with that before.”
Sam nodded and paused in thought. “So, are you ready to be CEO?”
“Not really, but I don't have a choice. Sorry if I'm digressing into uncomfortable religious talk, but I believe that God often puts us in situations that require strength that's beyond us. I disagree with many Christians that think God never gives us anything we can't handle. I think He does, as a constant reminder that our own strength is inadequate.”
“I used to hear that debated when I attended those Bible studies.”
“Which reminds me,” Neil said a
s he reached into his pocket. “I have one other thing for you. It's a gift for everything you've done.”
He handed Sam a key.
“What's this open?”
“You can't stay here in this cramped apartment forever. I know you want to move on from your townhouse and I wanted to help you out with that. That's a key to your new house. I hope you don't mind the commute up from Lexington.”
“Lexington?”
“I purchased the Bridge House. I know how much you liked it, so it's yours now.”
Sam gasped and looked at the key. “This is way too much, Neil.”
“Hardly, but it's a start. You can do whatever you want with your townhouse. Sell it, rent it, whatever.”
“Well, ah, thank you, if that's even adequate.”
“It's adequate enough that you appreciate what you have.”
“Did you tell Sues about this?”
“Not yet. I figured you'd want to do that.”
Thursday, September 21, 1995
Bridge House – Lexington, Massachusetts
Sam arrived ahead of Susan and walked around the outside of the house. The more he looked, the more it became clear his old housemates had slacked off during their final days in the house. The lawn needed to be cut and the shrubs hadn't been trimmed. He looked down in the middle of the backyard and saw the familiar bare spots where volleyball play had worn the grass away.
He walked back around to the front, retrieved a couple of bags from his car, and unlocked the side door with his new key. It was a strange experience because he had hardly ever used a key when he lived there before.
The house was empty and the sunlight cast narrow beams of light through the windows. Sam set down a pair of brown bags on the kitchen peninsula when he heard a car drive up and park. A car door opened and slammed shut. Footsteps came from high-heeled shoes, which was amusing for Sam to listen to. He couldn't recall Susan ever showing up at the house wearing them. The side door finally opened and she hesitantly peeked in.
“What on earth are you doing?” Susan asked with a disbelieving smile. “How did you get in here?”
“I had a key.”
“Seriously? You never gave it back?”
“No, someone gave it to me.”
“A realtor?”
“Something like that.”
“Sam, really, what's going on? Is it okay that we're in here?”
“Why wouldn't it be?”
“Now you're just confusing me.”
“So that's what it feels like? Nice to be on the other side of it for a change.”
“What is this about?”
“Will you please come in and relax? Everything's fine. Would I do something reckless like break into a house?”
“No, but why are we here?”
“Can I please get a hug first?” Sam asked as he stepped over and embraced Susan in a long, firm hug.
“Wow, that's got to be the biggest hug you've ever given me.”
“Complaining?”
“Not at all,” Susan retorted with a laugh. “It was very nice. I could get used to that.”
“You wanted me to do something special for your birthday, so here we are. I brought us Chinese for our little eat-in at the Bridge House.”
“So all this is about one last dinner in this house? Oh, Sam, you know I'll miss this place, but don't you think it's a little depressing doing this when it's all empty?”
“Empty? Not for much longer.”
Susan froze. “Why?”
Sam smiled. “Because you're looking at the new owner.”
“No, sir!”
“Neil bought it and gave it to me. It's all mine. I'll be moving in soon.”
Susan gasped and tears came to her eyes. She first looked around and then jumped up into Sam's arms.
“Hey, careful there,” Sam said with a chuckle as he labored to steady her. Her feet dangled off the floor as she buried her head into his shoulder. “I had a feeling you'd be happier than I was about getting this place.”
Susan finally let go of her bear-hold and Sam gently brought her back to the ground. Tears were streaming down her cheeks through her beaming smile. “I've always loved this house.”
“I did too. It's nice to have it back.”
“But what about what we talked about earlier?” Susan asked as she went to her purse for a tissue.
“You mean about reconnecting with the group experience?”
“Yes.”
“I'm not exactly ready, but I wouldn't have a problem if the CYA group came over once in a while,” Sam said as he pulled another key from his pocket. “But you'd have to help me manage that.”
“For me?” Susan asked as she took the key. “Wait, are you asking me to move in?”
“No, absolutely not!” Sam exclaimed with a laugh. “It's just that I'm actually going to have to lock this place up more than we used to. Someone has to let the group in if I'm working late or out of town. I'm going to be away for a while soon.”
Susan smiled and gave the key a quick kiss before pocketing it. “Just for those times when you're not around because I wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong idea about us.”
“I think I've already caused enough scandal around here for one lifetime.”
Susan turned and started walking into the family room. “So, what's your remodeling budget?”
“Remodeling?”
“You'll also need some help with decorating. You guys never really got this place up to its potential.”
“Glad to see you're not struggling with that aspect of our culture.”
“Home decorating is one of those transcendent qualities we all share.”
“Please, promise me no orange. I don't like orange. Not even on cars.”
Friday, September 22, 1995
Bridge House – Lexington, Massachusetts
The doorbell rang and Sam looked out the kitchen window to see an overnight delivery van. He put down a punch list of things to be repaired and met the courier at the door. He was handed a large overnight envelop with a return address from a law firm in Winchester, Massachusetts. He pulled the tab on the cardboard package and found a one-page letter from Merrill inside:
Dear Sam,
If you're receiving this letter, our recent operation was successful and I'm no longer with you. By now, you'll know of my clandestine involvement with the enemy. I once told you that rules needed to be bent in order to deal with those who had no regard for rules. I hope it's clear that what I have done was for the betterment of all. The Initiative now has the opportunity to come out of its infancy and grow into something that will protect everyone.
I wanted to share something with you that I didn't with Neil. The enemy network I collaborated with didn't tell me about their plan to assassinate you. I'm still not sure why they ordered it. Had I known, I would've put a stop to it. It was a highly uncharacteristic act from an organization that had always acted with a calculated prudence. I've knowingly sent people to their death on several occasions, but what happened to Angela was more than I could bear. I can't describe how much I grieved over her senseless death. It's been far too long since I've felt such a strong reaction. It was a clear sign to me that it was time to act, and although it was sooner than I had planned, it was also later than I should have allowed.
I have no doubt that Neil is frustrated with me for sacrificing myself. I recall our many theological discussions when he would always try to press upon me that no one is beyond redemption, and that the price for our indiscretions has already been paid. This is something I could never bring myself to accept. I've always thought his way was much too easy, because I believe there's always a price to pay when you dance with the devil – particularly for as long as I did.
I trust that Neil is taking over as CEO. If he's still mulling it over, please give him a swift kick in the ass. You all need him there and I have no doubt he's right for the job. I also encourage you to stay on with The Initiative. You have a bright future there.
Help Colin watch over Neil and keep a particular watch on Susan. I know she's very special to you, despite your refusal to tell me why.
Farewell, Sam. I wish you the best of luck, and if you'll promise never to tell Neil I wrote this to you: may God be with you.
Merrill Drake
THE END
The Initiative: In Harm's Way (Book One) Page 30
