“I think we’re losing sight of the purpose,” Burke said, but I was rolling and simply couldn’t stop myself.
“Before he came up here,” I continued, “the inspector was clever, and he sent a little package to his pal Gregory just in case things went south with Aline. Hurd has position and considerable authority in the British government so who better, right?”
“Go on,” he said, but the ending was already clear.
“We found out he’s also family to Renard, even if it’s only by marriage, and when poor ol’ Andre came back from Wales sobbing like a schoolgirl, Hurd called you.”
“My compliments, Evan; you managed to find a few connections we didn’t expect you to discover all by yourself.”
I ignored the veiled insult.
“When we met in Taunton, none of your bastards were prepared when Aline started probing and least of all Hurd. I’m guessing he gave your Minister a bullshit story, assuring her he had things in hand, but then Aline punched him right in the brain and…”
“Is there a point to this?” Burke asked with an impatient tone.
“He had a peek at what she can do, and it shook him pretty bad. Fear makes people stupid, and the next thing we knew he sent those commandos to find Aline and either bring her in or kill her, but everything went south in that field.”
“I’m not sure we’re getting anywhere…”
“Come on, Alan,” I said with a sideways grin. “Hurd is a politician, which means he’s a lying, selfish asshole, but you saw something more, didn’t you?”
“I’m not sure I take your meaning, Evan.”
“If some bleeding-heart, Parliament big-shot starts hammering to find out why two soldiers died and no one knows why, Hurd will fold and the debacle in Aline’s field could be exposed. If that happens, funding bills stop cold and your shadow agency will be…well, there’s no polite way of saying it, is there?”
Burke held out both palms in an absurd gesture of sarcasm like an amateur actor in an empty theater.
“Congratulations; you’ve exposed us for conniving, evil brigands in one glorious American speech!”
I waited for a moment because it was satisfying to watch as Burke walked very close to the line where his temper could be lost. The events that had changed everything also brought deadly consequences, and I wanted nothing to do with sarcastic indifference.
“Here’s the bottom line, Alan: if you’re looking for answers and information, I might be able to convince her to play along for a few days, but we need to know what comes after. Those men were likely SAS, but Aline knows they came up here with shoot-to-kill orders if she resisted.”
“I’ve already told you, Evan, that was not my choice nor was it my decision,” he replied, “and for the record, they were not SAS; trained to similar standards, perhaps, but Gregory’s security staff isn’t part of that organization.”
“Maybe so, but it changes nothing,” I declared quickly. “If Hurd was willing to have Aline killed, what’s to stop him from trying it again?”
Burke looked at Halliwell and the colonel saw his cue.
“Gregory walks between several political realities, but all of them carry a responsibility for the safety of the British people.”
“And you think Aline is some kind of threat to national security?”
“No, but Mr. Hurd does and now, so might his Minister.”
Halliwell waited for a second or two until a subtle nod from Burke gave him silent permission to continue.
“We know what she is capable of, Mr. Morgan; we’re not fools. After our meeting in Taunton, Mr. Hurd knows it as well, and we’re sure he told them all about it in London.”
“So?”
“So, this process has been shifted, and there are larger concerns for us to deal with.”
“Get to the point, Colonel.”
Halliwell’s hesitation was obvious, and I could see he waited, unsure and reluctant, to make revelations people like Hurd would never tolerate. Another nod from Burke and Halliwell moved close with a hushed tone as if to underscore the grave importance of his words.
“They believed her ability was limited to eavesdropping on the thoughts of others, Mr. Morgan; they didn’t accept those stories from Glasgow or Belgium until quite recently.”
“Yeah,” I said, smiling thinly, “two lethal commandos brought home in body bags can change your perspective.”
“Yes, but our point is the cause of their condition and what it meant for Mr. Hurd’s masters. They looked at the events in Miss Lloyd’s field differently, and it is that distinction we are speaking of.”
“Which means?” I demanded.
“It means, Mr. Morgan, they’ve found a useful tool and they mean to exploit it.”
I felt the sudden wash of realization when Halliwell’s carefully hidden truth broke through at last. My eyes shifted between them, but it was clear he was serious.
“Stop right there,” I said with a false smile. “Are you telling me all this has been a scheme to turn her into some kind of secret agent?”
“A dramatic way of putting it,” Burke replied, “but after the episode in Aline’s meadow, Gregory’s superiors are now interested in pursuing a similar objective; the temptation to cultivate a powerful asset was inevitable.”
“I wish I could say I’m surprised,” I replied.
“It is understandable,” Burke countered. “In Gregory’s position, you might very well do the same. Can you imagine how valuable Aline would be in an interrogation scenario, for example, capable of looking inside the mind of a terrorist and exposing plans for something horrible? A person with her ability could save dozens or even hundreds of lives.”
They waited and watched as I stumbled toward my own conclusion, knowing they were correct: anyone with equivalent responsibilities to their nameless Minister would be compelled by duty to at least investigate the possibility. Burke knew it, too, and he stepped closer still.
“We may not care for the method, Evan, but I don’t have the luxury of ignoring those possibilities simply because they’re distasteful.”
“She won’t agree to this, Alan,” I said flatly.
There was no longer any reason for her to remain at a distance. I turned to motion for her to join us, and when she stood beside me, Halliwell continued.
“You now understand why Mr. Hurd’s interest in you has become something more than mere curiosity?” he asked.
“I’ve always understood, Colonel,” she answered.
“Yes, I suppose you have,” he replied with a sad, knowing smile.
Burke waited another moment or two.
“Then you can surely understand the Minister’s colleagues, particularly those in close cooperation with our intelligence branch, have a vision for the future and your potential help reaching it.”
“Of course,” she said. “After everything that has happened, they are more determined than ever.”
I looked at her with a confused expression but Burke knew and he offered a translation so that I would as well.
“They call it ‘wet work’ in some circles, particularly among our colleagues on your side of the Atlantic, but it’s all the same thing.”
“Does the British Government now condone murder?” I asked bluntly.
“Our Minister’s friends prefer to call it the pejorative elimination of an enemy actor as a last and final option.”
I shook my head in what might seem to others as disgust and revulsion, but it was mostly resignation and surrender to the obvious. I wanted to turn and walk away—to run and not look back, but that option was long expired, and I waited through those first moments when you suddenly realize you’re in over your head. The true endgame was one with life-or-death consequences, and I hated knowing I was out of my depth so badly.
“He wants the ultimate assassin,” I said with a crooked smile. “Somebody who can kill without lifting a finger. There are no weapons or tangible evidence, and without either she could never be caught or even su
spected.”
“I suppose so, yes.”
I wasn’t finished, and it was my turn to move closer.
“It’s nice and tidy because phantom assassins no one can find shield politicians from having to explain or justify what some might call ordinary murder.”
“We are engaged in a perpetual war, Evan,” Burke replied. “I should say wars plural because there are always so very many of them being waged in one part of the world or another. Killing an enemy who is trying to kill you first hardly qualifies as murder, wouldn’t you agree?”
“You approve of this?”
“I did not say I approve,” he answered, “but I do understand the expedience. After those horrific events in New York City years ago, so should you.”
Aline listened through it all and still she seemed almost bored with a distant conversation between strangers. I didn’t wonder if she knew what Burke’s blunt descriptions meant because she had all along.
“Evan was right, Mr. Burke,” she said at last. “I won’t give away my future for the sake of Mr. Hurd’s career.”
“No indeed,” he replied, “but that is not our purpose.”
“What is your purpose?”
“What it has always been: investigation of those things no one else can explain.”
“None of which matters if he sends out another squad to find and eliminate her,” I added.
“The Ministers are intrigued by the prospect of molding Aline into a security implement, and I don’t deny it,” Burke replied, “but they are also reasonable men and women who like winning. If she agrees to help our investigations along, they will prevent further interference from Gregory.”
“You can’t guarantee that, Alan,” I said.
“Yes, I can,” he said. “If they mounted another stupid blunder, any hope of cultivating her abilities another time will forever disappear.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“Gregory has been ordered, and he has reluctantly agreed, to transfer all security authority to another officer. There are benefits to taking a longer view…”
I looked at Halliwell where he waited with his hands clasped behind his back—scowling and determined—as Burke finished his sentence.
“Stuart is in command of our armed detachment now.”
I turned to Aline where she waited, and she looked away as she spoke.
“May we have a few moments to talk about this in private, Mr. Burke?”
He nodded his agreement and said, “Take as much time as you need; we’ll remain here.”
I followed her across the wet surface of the ramp toward the FBO offices until we were safely distant from Burke and Halliwell. I knew the answer but my question came out anyway.
“Did you get all of the earlier conversation?” I asked.
“Yes,” she replied, “but he still hasn’t told you what they intend to do once these meetings he wants to conduct are finished.”
“I wanted him to tell you directly; he won’t lie because he knows you’ll hear it in his thoughts.”
Aline held my arm for a moment and said, “Are you comfortable with this man Halliwell?”
“I think so,” I replied. “My friend Andy says he’s okay and that’s a pretty solid recommendation.”
She looked at them from around my shoulder, but I couldn’t resist asking.
“Can you hear them right now?”
“Of course,” she said with a smile.
“What are they saying?”
“Halliwell is explaining how he knows your friend; he’s telling Burke about the Gulf War and…”
“Aline?”
“I think it will be all right if we talk to them, Evan.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes; Burke is furious with Hurd for the incident in my field, and he wants Halliwell to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
“What about the blood samples? I didn’t know if you’d be willing to do that.”
“I don’t mind,” she said, and it was surprising to me how indifferent she seemed. “I’m not sure what they hope to discover inside my blood, but if they want to look, I have no objections.”
“And the demonstrations? Burke seemed a little hesitant when he asked, as if he worried it might be a deal-breaker.”
“It’s not surprising; in their place I would ask for them, too.”
“I’m sure they’ll be relieved to hear it,” I said with a sudden, sideways grin.
“This isn’t going away, Evan; we may as well give them what they want and be done with it.”
“They want you to go away, remember…”
“Only for a while,” she replied.
“How do you know what…”
I stopped myself in mid-sentence.
“Burke?”
“He’s already discussed this with their Minister, who’s called Kate, by the way.”
“And?”
“He envisions several months, but no more.”
“We’ll let him make his pitch, but are you okay with it?”
“I’m okay, so long as we’re together, Evan.”
I smiled and nodded as we returned slowly to Burke’s plane, and I watched Halliwell to gauge his reaction. Men like him are designed and built in different ways than the rest of us, and the reality hiding inside Aline’s mind was a threat he couldn’t ignore. He waited and watched carefully when Burke stepped forward.
“May we consider the matter settled?”
She nodded, and Burke began.
“Quarters have been prepared at our facility, and you should find them quite comfortable as we proceed through…”
“No,” Aline interrupted. “I agree to speak with you, and your people can conduct their tests, but we will go home at the end of each day.”
“I don’t understand,” Burke replied. “You will be provided with anything you need and…”
“Staying on-site is out of the question, Mr. Burke; if you don’t trust us to return until this is finished, then we have nothing more to discuss.”
I could feel the anxiety filtering through, but it wasn’t clear if the tension came from Burke or Halliwell. Aline let me inside just enough so that I could feel and hear, but the effect was powerful.
“Trust is a crucial part of this exercise,” Burke said suddenly. “I agree, and we will make appropriate arrangements.”
At once the air seemed to calm, and a swirl of uneasiness drifted from my thoughts. I nodded involuntarily at Burke’s surprising position, but it was clear, even to me, he didn’t hide sinister intent or a trap to be sprung when we were safely inside their compound.
“Where is this place of yours?” I asked.
“We are maintained at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire,” Burke replied. “They remodeled a special annex for us a few years ago, and it has been our home away from home. The security is rather excessive, and sometimes bothersome, but it is comfortable and private.”
“The base commander knows about this?”
“Good lord no!” Burke said, smirking. “The Royal Air Force has been a very accommodating host, but they are not cleared for access to our activities nor will they be. I’m not sure they would want to know, frankly; we keep to ourselves and the RAF allows us to remain at a discreet distance.”
“Go on, Mr. Burke,” Aline said.
“As I told Evan, the process shouldn’t take more than a week at the very most.”
Aline waited another moment to consider before she moved close, and I thought Halliwell might spring into action but he held his position.
“We will be here at eight o’clock every other morning.”
Burke cocked his head to one side and said, “It’s at least 130 miles; a long drive from Llangollen to Lincolnshire, Aline.”
She nodded toward Burke’s airplane.
“Your pilots obviously know how to find their way to Liverpool. Oh, and understand this: if you or Gregory Hurd send watchers to keep an eye on us between sessions, I’ll hear them. When I do, our agr
eement ends then and there.”
“As you say,” Burke replied.
I was in no position to challenge Aline’s decision, but I needed more.
“You’ll get what you want, Alan, but you haven’t told us what happens when this is finished.”
“The result of those unfortunate events at Aline’s farm demands a slightly unorthodox treatment. While I understand defending herself, and you as well, it ended with the deaths of two security officers.”
“That’s on Hurd!” I said at once.
“It is, but there is more. The ill-advised assault on your weed field left two men dead, and that has invited scrutiny from quarters we would rather avoid.”
“Which means?” I asked.
“It means we must ask that you leave the UK for a suitable period until people in high places lose interest.”
“What does she get in return, Alan? Everything you’ve described so far is only beneficial to you and your group; what’s in it for her?”
“No one will approach her on this subject ever again,” he said simply. “After interest fades, you and Aline can return and continue as before. It will be as if none of this happened, and she will not hear from us unless and until she initiates it.”
“How long do we have to stay away?” Aline asked, merely to keep the pretense that we didn’t already know.
“Six months ought to be sufficient,” he answered. “In this way, we will have enough time to deflect unwanted interest permanently. We have made the proposal to our Minister, but the final decision is hers; if she agrees, we proceed with this bargain.”
“If she doesn’t?” I asked slowly.
“Gregory is disappointed with the arrangement, and he has urged in favor of a less inviting solution. The Minister knows his argument is more likely resentment after the incident in the meadow, but she cannot dismiss his position completely.”
Aline smiled as she moved suddenly closer to Burke.
“Where are they now?” she asked. “The others who were here before me?”
“Most simply returned to their normal lives,” he answered. “One or two moved away to other countries. We have occasional interaction with them, but it is rare; we leave them alone, just as we will with you and Evan.”
The Seventh Life of Aline Lloyd Page 34
