Conspiracy (Alex and Cassidy Book 4)

by Nancy Ann Healy

  “Elliot might disagree with your assessment,” Daniels responded sharply.

  “Elliot might have been your friend,” Brackett said. “He was an obstacle that needed to be removed. He knew too much.”

  “I doubt Edmond would agree.”

  “Edmond is weak,” Brackett said. “Too afraid to do what is necessary and look where that has gotten us? The family is everything, Paul. If you cannot control your children, how can you keep control in the broader world? When they choose to leave that path…”

  Daniels was disgusted. He had never cared for Admiral Brackett, but he had done his duty as assigned. The Admiral was his handler. Paul Daniels signed his life over to the agency early on. It had never been a question. It remained the only thing he believed he could depend on. But, to compromise a child? He had stomached the murder of more than one friend, counted it as part of the acceptable risks in the world he belonged to. He did not mourn. Men like Elliott Mercier and Russ Matthews had sworn the same oath he had. They understood the risks and the expectations that accompanied that oath. Merrow, Krause, Toles, O’Brien, Kargen, The Admiral’s daughter—all well-versed in the realities that could befall them at any time. You did not enter this life with the fear of death.

  He understood what Admiral William Brackett was saying. Daniels had been given this path, groomed and prepared for it in some way at every turn in his life. He was a seed, just as his friends Russ Matthews and Elliot Mercier had been, the same as Claire Brackett. His sons now followed a familiar path. They would be educated at one of the finest private institutions in the country. They would travel the world and learn about culture and language. Inevitably, they would be accepted to one of the most prestigious universities to study an appointed field, or perhaps they would accept an appointment to West Point or The Naval Academy. That would be determined later. That was William Brackett’s definition of family. Daniels had always believed it was a sound theory. Who better to trust than a parent? Who better to groom than a child? Now, he found himself asking what the limits of the theory were.

  The ambassador had no issue with his sons following a prescribed path. For all its risk, it provided a good life. Daniels had comforts most desired. He had a stunning, intelligent wife who supported him without reservation regardless of his transgressions. Daniels traveled in the company of presidents, kings, and spies. His world was the world that popular films and books were made of, and he loved it. He never questioned that it would not be the same for his sons. He was beginning to see a flaw in his theory. His children were hardly grown men. He had never seen their education, their programming as a compromise. Rather, he saw it as edification and preparation. Daniels loved his children. That was an undeniable reality. If someone sought to take him from his sons solely to manipulate his children for their own gain? If, in this game he played, his children became expendable pawns? What if The Admiral began to question what Daniels’ boys might have heard? It was all an excuse. William Brackett had a long-held vendetta against The Broker and Lynx. He blamed them for the fracture in The Collaborative. This was not about duty nor was it devised as a plan for the security of any objective other than Admiral William Brackett’s ego. Daniels made a silent decision. One he understood would likely end more than his career.

  “I understand,” Daniels said. He had sensed a presence not far away for some time, and he knew after his brief call earlier with The General, who that presence belonged to. His objective had just changed. For the first time in Paul Daniels life, he would follow a directive of his own making. He would give the man listening what he needed—a chance. “You’ll be sending me to Toles then?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. That’s not your role. I have it in hand. I’m looking forward to catching up with my old friend.”

  “Bill, do you think it is wise for you to confront Lynx personally? Situations are unpredictable. You’ve been out of the field a long time…”

  “I won’t be alone, and I can handle myself,” Brackett chuckled.

  “And if you succeed? What? Dylan would be placed with one of…”

  “Leave that to me.”

  “Fine. What do you want from me?”

  “The first wave begins this week. You need to be in London. Mitchell is on the trail. That plane…”

  “Understood. I will handle Ian.”

  “Good. Be careful, Paul. Mitchell is not an easy mark,” Brackett warned. “He is not family. Only thinks he is.”

  Daniels hung up the phone and pursed his lips. He took a deep breath, expecting the heavy barrel of the gun he now felt placed to his back. “Hello, Jonathan,” he said.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Dylan had fallen asleep against his mother in the backseat of the car. Alex opened Cassidy’s door and smiled. Dylan looked small to her at the moment, cuddled beside his mother. He had changed and grown so much in a short time that Alex often found herself longing for the boy she had first met. It was selfish, and Alex knew it. She was immensely proud of her son. She wished so many times that she had seen his first steps, heard him babble for the first time. Often, the time she spent with Mackenzie prompted a sense of longing in Alex.

  Alex remembered the first time Dylan had crawled into her bed and snuggled against her. It was a memory that she replayed often. She had known that she was in love with Cassidy. She knew that Cassidy loved her. That night, the way Dylan sought comfort between them, the feel of Cassidy’s hand resting on them both—Alex understood at that moment that she had a family.

  Cassidy looked up and tried to determine what she saw flickering in Alex’s eyes. “You okay?” she asked.

  “He looks so small,” Alex said.

  Cassidy looked down at Dylan and kissed his head. “Looks can be deceiving,” she joked.

  Alex laughed. That was the truth. “I’ll get him,” Alex said.

  Cassidy stepped out of the car, gently letting Dylan fall against the seat. “Should you really do that with your back?” Cassidy asked in concern. Dylan was hardly the six-year-old little boy she used to carry up the stairs. He had grown like a weed, begun to fill out into the beginnings of a handsome young man. She often missed the feel of his legs wrapped around her waist, and his head resting on her shoulder. She loved watching him as he changed and explored, but Cassidy missed his closeness at times.

  “I can carry our son,” Alex assured Cassidy.

  Cassidy grinned and patted Alex’s shoulder. “I didn’t mean to insult your strength,” she teased.

  Alex groaned and reached into the car to extract Dylan. He mumbled and then let out a small moan that Alex immediately recognized as pain. Her heart went out to him. “It’s okay, Speed. I’ve got you.”

  Cassidy watched as Alex stood to her full height. Dylan’s legs wrapped around her. His left hand looped around Alex’s neck and he let his head fall on her shoulder. “Alex?” he mumbled in confusion.

  “It’s okay, Speed.”

  “Where’s Mom?”

  “I’m right here, sweetie.”

  “I don’t feel so good, Mom.”

  “I know,” Cassidy said. She smiled when Alex rocked him slightly. “Come on, Alex will get you to bed.”

  “Can you stay with me?”

  “Mom will stay with you, Speed.”

  “No, both of you,” he asked groggily.

  “Yes, Dylan,” Cassidy said. She understood that the pain medicine, the pain from his injuries, and exhaustion had lowered all of Dylan’s defenses. She had felt a similar need earlier when she fell into her mother’s arms. And, there was a small part of Cassidy that wished she would walk into the cabin, find her parents in the big bedroom, and crawl in between them. No matter how adult anyone felt, Cassidy was certain everyone craved that at times—the security of their parents’ arms—to feel safe.

  Cassidy opened the door to the cabin for Alex and was surprised to see her parents sitting with Helen and Edmond in what appeared to be a civil conversation. She had spoken to both her mother and Helen from the hospital
. Cassidy wasn’t sure what she anticipated would be happening when they arrived home. Whatever it was, this was not it. She was more stunned when the first person to speak was her father.

  “How is he?” McCollum asked.

  “Tired mostly, I think,” Cassidy said.

  Dylan grabbed on tighter to Alex’s neck. “Alex?” he mumbled sleepily. Alex grinned. Dylan, if she was not mistaken, was a bit high on his pain medication. “I bagged,” he said sadly and yawned. “I’m tired, Alex. Will you lay down with me?” he asked.

  Alex kissed Dylan’s head. “Yeah, Speed. I’m tired too. Come on, let’s get you to bed.”

  “Where’s Mom?”

  “I’ll be right in,” Cassidy promised.

  Alex leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Are you going to be okay if…”

  “Go on,” Cassidy said. “I promise, I will be right there.” She kissed Dylan’s head and stroked Alex’s cheek. Alex smiled at Cassidy and nodded to the room before continuing on.

  “What’s going on?” Cassidy asked when she saw cards on the table.

  “Safer than conversation,” Helen said.

  “And, better with wine,” Rose added.

  “Are you two drunk?” Cassidy asked.

  “On my way,” Rose lifted her wine glass.

  Cassidy noted the slight chuckle that escaped her father’s lips. She seriously considered the fact that all four of the people at the small table had lost their minds. “Uh-huh.” She shook her head. “I’m going to bed. This is too bizarre for me to deal with.”

  Helen rose from her seat and followed Cassidy down the short passage that led to the largest bedroom in the cabin. “Cassidy?”

  Cassidy sighed. “I don’t know what I expected.”

  “No one knows how to handle this, Cassidy,” Helen said frankly. “Don’t think your mother walked in and went back twenty-five years,” she said. “He’s here. He’s your father, and she would do anything for you.”

  “I know. I thought she would be furious.”

  “She is,” Helen said with a smile. “Actually, I thought seriously about locking up all the kitchen knives.” Cassidy chuckled. “Wine and cards seemed a better alternative. She’s not ready for his reasons,” Helen explained.

  “I wasn’t either.”

  “No,” Helen agreed. “I’m sure that’s true. But, that is not her father. It’s her husband. You don’t know what that is like, Cassidy. It’s awful losing your parents, no matter how old you are, believe me. Losing the person you love….Losing the person who…”

  Cassidy reached out and touched Helen’s arm gently. “I know,” she said. “Believe it or not, I’ve tried to imagine what that would be like. If it were Alex and me…”

  “Alexis would never leave you, Cassidy, not like that. One day, one of you will understand what I am talking about. I wish to God I could prevent that for both of you. Believe me, no matter how many years you have, it will never be enough.”

  Cassidy nodded. “I know.” She leaned in and kissed Helen’s cheek. “Watch out for my father,” she warned as she opened the bedroom door.

  “What do you mean?”

  Cassidy turned and shrugged. “He doesn’t like to lose. Cheats sometimes,” she said. “He doesn’t think I ever noticed. He used to stack the deck when we played Go Fish to make sure he started with pairs.”

  Helen rolled her eyes. “Rose and I will keep Kenzie with us.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Get some sleep,” Helen said.

  Cassidy walked into the bedroom and closed the door. She was content to stand and watch Alex holding Dylan.

  “Aren’t you tired?” Alex asked. Cassidy climbed onto the bed, leaned over Dylan and kissed Alex tenderly. “Mm. What was that for?”

  “How’s your back?” Cassidy asked knowingly.

  “Hurts like a bitch,” Alex admitted.

  “Not so little anymore, is he?” Cassidy commented.

  “No, but he is to me.”

  “I know.” Cassidy stroked Dylan’s hair and put her head on the pillow.

  “What are you thinking?” Alex asked.

  “I was thinking about that night we were coming back from Nicky’s restaurant.”

  “Which night was that?” Alex asked with a playful smirk.

  Cassidy giggled. “Not one of those nights,” she laughed. “Although, when we get back, I think that sounds like an excellent plan.”

  “Consider it done.”

  “I was thinking about that first night,” Cassidy explained. She heard Alex’s breath catch slightly and moved to caress Alex’s arm in comfort. “I know what you are thinking.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “Yes, I do. You’re thinking about Carl Fisher.”

  “If he was….”

  “I was thinking about you and Dylan.”

  “Me and Dylan?” Alex was confused.

  “Yeah. Do you remember? You probably don’t….When we went to pick Dylan up, I forgot to get his…”

  “Booster seat,” Alex chuckled. “Yeah, I remember. He was a lot lighter then.”

  Cassidy smiled and looked at Alex. She moved to trace the curve of Alex’s cheek with her fingertips. “I came down the stairs and you were rocking him. He was holding onto you tightly. You put him in the car and whispered to him so gently.”

  “Surprised you, huh?” Alex said.

  “Not really,” Cassidy told Alex. “Just made me love you. I knew. Funny, I didn’t know I knew then.”

  “Huh?” Alex was confused.

  “I knew then, deep down that I wanted that with you.”

  “What was that?” Alex asked.

  “A family. Crazy, right?”

  “Not really,” Alex replied.

  “I realized it out there just now. More than I ever have, I think. I think about that moment sometimes. It was the first thing that popped into my mind when I found out Mackenzie was coming,” Cassidy said. Alex was surprised. “It was,” Cassidy told her. “I couldn’t wait to see you do that again with our baby.”

  Alex took Cassidy’s hand and kissed her palm. “I’m sorry that things are so messed up,” she said.

  “They aren’t.” Alex looked at Cassidy as if she had been dropped on her head. Cassidy fought to keep her laughter to a giggle. “Okay, they are.”

  “You scared me there for a minute,” Alex winked. “I promise you, Cass…I will find a way to make it better. I won’t let….”

  “Stop,” Cassidy said with a kiss. “Stop it. You do make it better, Alex. This? This makes it better. I told you a long time ago that I don’t need you to be the sweeping hero. You’re not Batman.”

  “I know, I’m Alfred,” Alex tried to lighten the sudden tension she felt.

  “You do have a way with dishwashers,” Cassidy complied with Alex’s need for levity. Alex chuckled. “The point is, I don’t need you to save the world or even keep me safe from all of it, because you can’t, neither do Dylan and Mackenzie,”

  “Cass, it’s my job, and I don’t mean as an agent. I have to protect you.”

  “You can’t all of the time,” Cassidy said bluntly. “I love you for trying so hard. This is what matters, right here. That night? That night that we came home and you found that picture taped to my door?” Alex shuddered visibly. Cassidy took Alex’s hand. “I don’t think about that part, Alex. Believe me, I was terrified. The most fear I felt was when you pulled your gun and disappeared around the back of that house in the dark—looking for God knows what. I wanted you back that instant. Not just in my sight…”

  “Cassidy…”

  “No, you need to hear this. I know you. All I need, all any of our children will ever need is you just to rock them when they are afraid.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” Alex promised.

  “I know that too. I’m just telling you that this is what matters to me—these times. Just being with you, even when you make me want to scream.”

  “I like those times too,” Alex cracked. />
  “You are incorrigible,” Cassidy laughed. “You know what I meant.”

  Alex smiled. “Yeah, I do,” she admitted. She felt Cassidy’s arm drape over Dylan as Cassidy’s head fell back on the pillow. “I love you, Cass.”

  “I love you too,” Cassidy replied through a yawn.

  “You think Speed is okay here? I mean, I don’t want to hurt his….”

  “I think we are all right where we are supposed to be,” Cassidy replied.

  Alex let out a contented breath. She closed her eyes and smiled. “Yeah, you’re right, as usual.”

  ***

  “Well, Ambassador? I would ask how you’ve been, but I really don’t care.”

  “You can put the gun down, Jonathan.”

  “I don’t think so,” Krause said as he stripped Daniels of the weapon he was carrying. “So? Why don’t you tell me what I just heard? Who is headed to Alex?” Krause demanded with an eerie calm.

  Eleana had been making her way to Krause when he moved on Daniels. She reached them both in a sprint. “Jonathan….”

  “The Ambassador was just about to explain why he was talking about my sister and my nephew to Claire’s father,” Krause explained. Eleana immediately understood that Claire’s fears were being realized. “He wants McCollum that badly?” Krause asked.

  “Jonathan,” Eleana tried to get Krause's attention.

  “When are they moving?” Krause asked Daniels.

  “Now, I would guess,” Daniels replied evenly.

  “Jonathan, it’s not just McCollum he’s after,” Eleana chimed urgently.

  “I know. Dylan. I heard. Why?”

  “Does it matter?” Daniels spit venomously.

  Krause ignored him. “Eleana, call Alex and warn her that company is on its way, and they know who is with her.”

  “No one can reach her,” Eleana said. “Probably the snow. Claire and Hawk….”

  “Claire and Hawk what?” Krause demanded.

  “Claire’s remembering things all of a sudden…”

  “Eleana….”

  “Jonathan! Put your feelings about Claire aside for once!”

  “You might want to listen to Agent Baros,” Daniels advised.