The Territory of Lies

by Ana Stone

  Like the Special Operations Groups elsewhere in the bureau, the TTS was a surveillance group. These agents did nothing but surveillance; break into homes or offices and install bugs, bypass alarm systems, break into computers, put tracking devices and bugs on vehicles, install wiretapping devices, program suspects answering machines to play back messages for them and pilot surveillance planes. In Washington, the TTS was in big demand; so much so that they had to turn down a great many requests for help. They were the best of the best.

  "So what can I do for you?" Blake asked after a moment's reflection on the old days working SOG with Steve.

  "I have an assignment for you if you want it."

  Blake raised his eyebrows. "Really? Where?"

  "Right here, old buddy. A nice cushy surveillance job."

  "Surveillance?" Blake grimaced. "Doesn't sound too appetizing."

  "You don't know who it is yet."

  "So tell me."

  "Senator Ned Tyler."

  Blake's heart jumped in his chest. That made twice in one day Ned Tyler's name had come up. "Tyler? Why? You think he's into drugs?"

  Steve shrugged. "Not exactly. At this point we don't know what he's into but there are rumors he's associated with some pretty unsavory types - certain shady businessmen. We just want to see what we can turn up. You interested?"

  Blake pretended to consider it then nodded. "Maybe, but I'm not part of your squad. You get it cleared for me to switch over for this gig?"

  "It's all taken care of, old buddy. It'll be just like the old days. So, you in or not?"

  "Sure," Blake agreed. "Why not. When do I start?"

  "Right now."

  "Who's working with me besides you?"

  "Like I said, it's just like the old days - just me and you.” Steve put a folder on Blake’s desk. “Paper work is all here. You finish up here and meet in front of Tyler's place at six. You got the six to one shift. He gets home by half past five."

  "I'll be there," Blake agreed.

  Steve left and Blake stared at the closed door for a long time. This is too much to be coincidence. First Sydney gets hauled in by the bureau for refusing the turn over Tyler's records, then Weasel shows me the information on Tyler and some guy that was part of one of the hedge funds involved in the mortgage scam, and now he bureau is having Tyler watched. Something is definitely up.

  "So how do all these things tie together?" he mumbled as he looked back at the computer screen.

  No answer came to him and he had no real desire to spend the rest of the afternoon reading through the files. He found a thumb-drive in his desk, plugged it into a USB slot and burned the information to it.

  After checking through the paperwork Stever had left and finding it in order, he slid the folder into the top drawer of his desk. He rose, put on his jacket and stuck the drive in the inner breast pocket and turned off his computer. Might as well go home and change and grab something to eat before he met Steve at Senator Tyler's.

  

  Adrian was on the phone when Sydney was shown into the study. "We will have to continue this conversation at a later time. I have something that requires my immediate attention."

  He hung up the phone, stood and walked to her, enveloping her in his arms. "My poor princess," he murmured and kissed the top of her head. "Are you all right?"

  "I'm fine," she replied as he released her. "Just angry and confused. How did you get me out?"

  "Actually I did very little."

  "Well, you must have powerful influence."

  "Nominal," he said and took her hand to lead her over to the leather couch. "I have thought of little else but you since you left last evening."

  She sat down next to him. ""Adrian, I . . . " She shook her head and stood to walk to the window. After a moment of gazing out over the immaculate grounds she turned to find him watching her. "Adrian, I'm on unfamiliar and uncertain ground here. You're . . . well, to be honest, you're a little overwhelming and as I said, I’m involved with someone."

  "Sydney, please, come here," he held out his hand to her.

  She returned to the couch, ignoring his outstretched hand as she sat down beside him. "You have nothing to fear from me.” He said in an earnest tone. “ I will never betray you, I will never do anything but give you pleasure and happiness. I will give you what you want - what you really want in your secret heart."

  "Adrian, that's very . . . well, it's quite a declaration," she said hesitantly. "But there’s the matter of the man I’m seeing. Not to mention the fact that we barely know one another."

  "Then we must rectify that," he pulled her close to him and moved his hand to her leg.

  Sydney stopped his hand as it started up her leg. "I don't think this is the time or place, do you?"

  He looked around as if surprised by her question then looked back at her. "Actually I think it's the perfect time and place."

  His hand moved higher and she stopped it. "Adrian, no."

  "No?" His eyes widened slightly in surprise then narrowed. "I do not like that word."

  His hand started up her leg again and once more she stopped it. This time he grabbed her hand in his and bent her arm behind her back so that she arched forward against him. "You want me," he breathed into her face as his free hand moved to her breast.

  Sydney felt fear race through her. She tried to jerk free just as the butler walked into the room. "Forgive me, Mr. Zayne. There is a call for you."

  "Say that I will return the call later," Adrian answered without bothering to release Sydney or remove his hand from her breast.

  Her embarrassment at being fondled in from of the butler made her fear diminish and she pushed at him in anger. "Stop!"

  After a moment he released her and she straightened her skirt and stood. "I really have to go. My office is in a shambles and I have to call my patients and−"

  "I understand," he interrupted. "But I must ask. Why were you arrested to begin with? Are you involved in something that I should know about?"

  "No. I haven't done anything. They wanted me to turn over records from one of my patients and I refused."

  "Has this patient done something that threatens the national security?"

  She hesitated for a moment. "Adrian, I'd love nothing better than to tell you everything I know, but the truth is I don't know anything - and even if I did, I couldn't talk about it. What my patients tell me in therapy is private and confidential. I won't divulge anything like that to anyone. Not even you. I hope you understand."

  "Not only do I understand, but I commend you," he said with a smile. "I would not have you betray that confidence, Sydney. You do not have to explain. I was merely concerned for your welfare."

  "Thank you for helping me. "I have to go. Will you have your driver take me to my office?"

  "Certainly." He stood and picked up the phone to inform the driver she was ready to leave.

  "Will you come back when you finish?" he asked as they reached the front door. "I will have dinner prepared."

  "I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “As a friend,” he said then added. “Certainly I’ve earned that.”

  All right," she agreed after a moment's hesitation. "But I want to go home and change first."

  "All right. And while you're there why don't you pack some things to bring with you?"

  Her eyebrows drew together in a puzzled frown and he chuckled. "I would prefer that you not leave until morning."

  "No. I’m not going to spend the night with you.”

  "But what pleasure might you miss if you decline?" Hhe ran his hands down her sides as he spoke.

  "Looks, I thought I was clear on all this. Friendship is all I have to offer.”

  After a moment he agreed. "Fine.”

  "You’re sure?"

  “Absolutely.”

  “Okay, then I’ll see you later.”

  As she got in the car she settled back and looked out of the window thinking about things. She didn’t really believe he wou
ld be satisfied with being friends and the smart move would be to call him later and cancel dinner. But she did owe him. He’d come through for her when she needed it. Maybe she was reading more into it than she should. It was just dinner with a friend. Nothing else.

  Monday, April 17

  Sydney yawned as she unlocked the door of her apartment. It had been a very long day and she was looking forward to taking a long hot shower before she went over to Adrian's for dinner. She had not really wanted to but when she tried to refuse he said he would come to her apartment. That changed her mind. By going to his house at least she could leave when she was ready.

  She did not know what it was about Adrian that concerned her. He seemed to have accepted that their relationship would never move beyond friendship and had not pressured her at all for more.

  Maybe I'm just tired, she thought to herself. The weekend had been trying. After she left Adrian's on Friday she went to her office. Just as Mr. Sander's had promised, all of her files and records had been returned. Dumped in the middle of the reception room floor, to be exact. She had worked on putting everything back in place until after nine and had just started out the door to go to Adrian's when her father called.

  He was understandably upset and wanted to see her. The meeting with her parents had been tense. There was nothing she could tell them that they did not know, except of course that she had called Adrian to get her out. That had opened a whole new can of worms. And her mother, had, of course wanted to know everything about the new man in her life. By the time the visit ended, Shirley had talked her into calling Adrian and planning a family dinner for the following evening. When she got home she found Adrian's limousine parked in front of her apartment building.

  He had tried to talk her into inviting him to her apartment but she got out of it by telling him about the dinner at her parents' the next evening and promising to go over to his house after the dinner.

  Saturday she had spent the entire day finishing up at the office and rescheduling all the appointments she had canceled. Blake had called and left a message that he would get in touch with her another time but said nothing about the incident with the FBI. Sydney thought it just as well that she had not spoken with him. Not only did she not want to say anything about going out with Adrian but she was a little put out with the way he had left her stranded when the FBI had taken her in.

  The evening with her parents went as well as she expected but had a few surprises. Her mother was extremely impressed with Adrian and made a point of saying so. That was no surprise, especially after Sydney listened to her mother and Adrian talk about all the important people the two of them knew. The surprise was her father. Jack was uncommonly quiet and reserved the entire evening and she got the feeling that he did not share Shirley's enthusiasm for Adrian.

  They had just left her parents' house when Adrian got a call and had to leave town on business. She had not seen him on Sunday, but he had called several times during the day and left messages that he wanted to see her as soon as he returned. Late that night she was wakened by him calling to say he was back and ask her to come over. She refused and told him she would see him the next afternoon.

  As she let herself into her apartment she thought about how persistent he was. She didn’t understand why he was pursuing her so ardently. It was flattering but puzzling. She checked her messages then started for the bathroom. She had just taken off her shoes when the doorbell rang. She opened the front door to find Blake standing there. She was startled to see him and also a little aggravated that he had left her stranded the way he had.

  "Blake! I didn't expect you."

  "Can I come in?"

  "Oh, yes."

  He walked in and turned to her as she closed the door. "Syd, what's going on? Why is the bureau interested in Ned Tyler and why were you taken in?"

  "A better question is what happened to you?" she asked as she walked by him to the living room.

  Blake followed her and sat down on the couch beside her. "I was on my way out the door. God as my witness. The phone rang and I thought it might be you so I picked it up and it was my supervisor. He ordered me to stay away."

  "He ordered you?" She raised her eyebrows. "But how did he even know about it?"

  "I asked myself that same question. Syd, is the Senator into something heavy? Are you in danger?"

  "In answer to your first question, you know I can't say anything in regards to a patient. As to the second question, no, I'm not in any danger, as you can see."

  "I didn't just abandon you," he said earnestly.

  "I understand." She felt the knot of irritation dissolve. She could understand his position. Sometimes one's job placed obligations that could not be ignored and his obligations were to the bureau. "It's okay, it all worked out."

  "How?"

  "It just did," she evaded answering. "So how was your visit with Michael?"

  "Good. He left this morning. But back to you - exactly how DID you talk them into letting you go?"

  "Well, I'm glad you got to spend some time with Michael." She ignored his question and stood. "Want something to drink?"

  "No, I don't want anything." He grabbed her hand as she started by him. "Syd, what's up?"

  "Nothing," she said and left the room to go into the kitchen.

  Sydney took a glass from the cabinet and turned toward the ice maker but Blake stepped in front of her and took hold of her arms. "You want to tell me what's going on or do you want me to guess?"

  "I said it was nothing," she said, refusing to meet his eyes.

  "Syd, look at me."

  After a moment she looked up. "Blake, I−" she hesitated for a moment. "I−I'm sorry, it's nothing earth shattering. I had to call a friend to help me out. I didn't want to talk about it because I didn't want it to come between you and me and−"

  He let go of her and stepped back. "Well, it must be pretty intense if you're so shaken up about it. Who is this friend?"

  "That's not really important." She did not answer his question directly. "What matters to me is that you understand that this has no bearing on our relationship. I still−"

  "Syd, let's cut the crap, okay? Obviously, you're pretty important to this guy for him to pull the kind of strings he did to intervene with the bureau. And you wouldn't have called him unless he was pretty important to you."

  "In case you've forgotten, I called you first," she reminded him. His tone of voice was making her own anger rise.

  "And I told you what happened."

  Sydney bit back a sharp retort and took his hand. "Blake, I don't want to fight with you."

  "What do you want?"

  "I want −" she hesitated. "I want you to try and understand that just because I get together with a friend occasionally doesn't mean that I don't care about you. A lot of people have friends of the opposite sex and−"

  "Just stop right there!" he interrupted her as he pulled his hand away from hers. "Syd, I'm not stupid and to be frank, you're too smart to try such a lame ploy. Whoever this guy is, he's not just some platonic friend. I personally don't think those kind of relationships are possible. Sex always comes into play somewhere along the way."

  "I disagree." She jumped on the opportunity to change the subject. "There are many people of the opposite sex who are very close friends and sex is never an issue."

  "Right. Name me one."

  "My friend GW," she said with authority. "We've been friends since our freshman year in college and there's never been one thing about sex mentioned. We just happen to like one another and share a −"

  "Common interest," he finished her sentence. "Yes, I know but I don't think that's what's happening with you and your mystery man and right now I don't want to talk about it anymore."

  "Blake!" She ran after him as he turned and walked out of the room. "Wait!" She grabbed his arm as he headed for the door. "Please."

  He stopped and turned to her. "I do care about you," she said softly. "Can't you please believe me?"

 
; He put his hand on the side of her face and looked at her for a moment then nodded. "Sure, Syd. Listen, I've got to go. I'll see you around."

  Sydney knew from the tone of his voice that he was telling her good-bye. She felt tears building up in her eyes and quickly looked away. She didn’t want him to see her cry. His thumb stroked once over her skin then his hand fell away from her face. She didn’t look up as he walked out of the door but as soon as the door closed she raised her head and stared at it.

  She wanted to run after him but she knew it wouldn’t change anything. Blake was a stubborn man and in his current mood would not listen to anything she had to say. She had to give him space and hope he’d realize that he was wrong.

  One thing was for sure. Being friends, however uneasy, with Adrian had far too high a price. It was time to close that door.

  

  Blake got in his car and sat without moving, staring vacantly out the window. Part of him felt like smashing his fist through a wall. Another part wanted to crawl up in a dark corner somewhere and hide from the hurt in his heart. But he did neither because the most dominate part of him, the part that was always reasonable, would not allow him to move.

  After a few minutes he sighed and lit a cigarette. This was not the first time a relationship had ended for him. The demands of his job put a strain on relationships. He was gone a lot and when he was home there was always the chance that his plans would be interrupted if something came up. That came with the territory.

  During the years since his divorce he’d been involved with a number of women and all of those relationships had ended. But it was the first time the end made him feel so miserable. He knew that it would take him a long time to get over Sydney.

  The beep of his watch reminded him that he didn’tt have time to sit around feeling sorry for himself. He was already late to relieve Steve at the Senator's.

  When he reached the Senator’s street in Georgetown he pulled up in front of the house across the street from Senator Tyler's. Steve's car was parked in the driveway.