by Melissa Good
Kerry laughed as well. “Was it hard for D—for Mr. Roberts?”
“Andy would have loved Dar no matter what she’d decided to be or do,” Ceci told her. “He did what he always did when he was faced with something he didn’t really understand. He went to the library and read everything he could get his hands on about homosexuality.”
“Wow.”
“Mmm…and the conversation he and Dar had when he finished doing that—and he was determined to make sure she wasn’t going to get herself into trouble—was one of the most hilarious things I’ve ever had to Eye of the Storm 321
listen to.”
Kerry covered her mouth, muffling a giggle. “Oh my god. I can picture it.” She cleared her throat and pitched her voice lower. “Now you listen here, Dardar, I ain’t gonna have you getting your butt into trouble, mind, so here’s some of them condoms they say you should be wearing.”
Ceci almost doubled over. “Oh.” She laughed. “That’s very good.”
She had to stop and lean against the wall. “And very, very close.”
Kerry joined her in laughter. “Well, I wanted to be in the local gay shop in Fort Lauderdale when he went in there to by a rainbow sticker.”
Cecilia laughed harder. “He didn’t.”
“Oh yeah. And he had one of those rainbow key chains, too,” Kerry cheerfully told her. “It was such a…” She paused, becoming more serious. “It was such a wonderful relief to just have him accept us, accept me, the way he did. You have no idea how much that means to me.”
Ceci took her arm and they continued walking. “I think I do,” she murmured. “He’s such an unsophisticated person, really. But he’s good at everything he does. He was a good soldier, he’s a good husband, and he’s a very good father.” She turned to look at Kerry’s profile. “I’m glad he’s become a father to you, Kerry.”
Kerry didn’t answer, waiting for the lump to go down in her throat.
She bit her lip and swallowed, fighting the tears that stung her eyes. She kept walking, with Ceci strolling along next to her accepting the silence with quiet sympathy.
They crossed out into an open area, lit by halogen lights that turned the grassy shadows to sharp slivers of black and silver. Kerry heard a soft crunching behind her and she glanced back, surprised to see three tall forms walking slowly behind them.
Coincidence? The three had leather vests over their white T-shirts and she could just barely see the mottled darkness of tattoos across their arms. All three had shaven heads and were talking in loud…overly loud voices.
Ceci followed her gaze, then returned her eyes forward. “Into every life a few assholes must fall.” She sighed, drawing a startled look from Kerry. “C’mon, Kerry. You’re not one of those people who believe parents don’t curse or have sex, are you?”
“Uh.” She bit her lower lip and steered Ceci a little more towards the lit areas. “Well…”
The voices behind them got louder and coarser and the subject matter switched from fighting to something far less savory.
“See all them niggers over there?”
“Must be giving something out for free, lookit them gathering around for handouts.”
“City’s too full of fucking niggers and fags.”
“They oughta nuke it.” Ribald laughter. “Send fag and nigger bits up like confetti.”
“Excuse me.” Cecilia took three steps to her right and faced them, forcing them to stop walking. “About the only nukeable thing I see here 322 Melissa Good are a couple of pieces of very white trash who need to shut their ignorant mouths.”
They stared at the diminutive, silver blonde woman in shock for a long instant, one shared by Kerry who never expected her older companion to turn into an activist so suddenly.
“Hey. You talkin’ to me, bitch?” The first one pointed at his chest, puffing it out.
“No,” Ceci replied. “I’m talking at you. Talking to you would require some intelligence on your part, and we’re just not going to go there.” She put her hands on her hips. “Scram. You’re polluting the ozone.” She gestured with a thumb over her shoulder. “Move it.”
They edged around her and ambled down the path, looking behind them as though expecting her to grow a second head. “Bitch!” One shook his head. “Fucking crazy ass bitch.”
Ceci watched them go. “Morons.” She sighed in disgust. “What in the hell are their parents thinking? What are they teaching kids these days, anyway?”
Kerry blinked at her, then smiled. “Um…”
Ceci brushed her sleeve off then continued walking. They turned a corner in the large park, then paused, watching a larger group of people just ahead of them. One man was wrapped in a Confederate Flag and they could see flasks being passed around. “I don’t think that little trick’s going to work twice.”
“No,” Kerry agreed, turning around. “C’mon. Let’s start back. This is giving me the creeps.”
They headed back the way they came, turning the corner again and almost running into a half dozen men going the other direction. “Excuse me.” Kerry tried to edge around them, but found her sleeve grabbed.
“Hey, cute stuff. Where are ya going? Come party with us.”
“No thank you.” Kerry gently tried to pull away. “I’m not much of a party person.”
The man who had her arm was a tall, handsome blond, with a mostly cropped head and a necklace of silver barbed wire. “We could change that. Right guys?” His companions laughed. “Get lost, mama, we’re going to show little blondie here a good time.” He pulled Kerry towards him, grinning when she stopped resisting. “That’s a gi—”
Kerry went with the motion and stepped in, then threw her weight upwards and slammed a knee squarely into his groin. He coughed, and she whirled, grasping his arm and pulling him over her head to land on the ground with a thump.
She backed off and stood in a balanced stance, her hands at shoulder level lightly curled into fists, and waited.
“Hey, you can’t do that you little—” One of the others reached for her, and she nailed him with a roundhouse kick to the jaw, sending him sprawling.
“Yes, I can,” she warned. “Now, just leave us alone.”
“Like hell.” A shorter man in the back stuck his head around the Eye of the Storm 323
building. “Hey. Hey you guys. We got some boot bait over here.”
“Shit,” Ceci cursed. “I think it’s time to leave.”
“Yep.” Kerry turned and pushed her forward. “Run!” She evaded the outstretched hand of the closest of them, then ducked in and kicked him in the ribs, shoving him hard against his companions as he went off balance. She used the distraction to bolt after Ceci, tucking her fists in against her side, and dashing over the grass with even, powerful strides.
A yell told her they were being followed. “Move it!” She hollered at Ceci, who was holding her own. Ahead of them, the entrance to the park loomed huge and remote, promising safety in the sparse crowds traveling across its opening. Kerry caught up to Dar’s mother and put a hand on her back, pushing her forward and glancing behind her to see a crowd chasing them. A rock flew by her head and she ran faster, sensing the bodies just behind her by the sounds of breathing and footsteps.
They broke into the open, startling the wits out of several bystanders and attracting the immediate attention of a policeman on horseback trotting by. He pulled up and backed his mount, and they made for him, almost colliding with the huge animal. “Whoa there.”
Kerry turned to see a crowd of men come out of the park, skidding to a halt when they spotted the policeman. She caught her breath and put a hand on Ceci’s shoulder, gazing in concern at the older woman leaning against the horse. “You okay?”
Ceci nodded.
“What’s going on here, ladies?” the policeman asked, his broad, bearded face wrinkled in concern. He watched the collection of sullen men fade back into the park and scowled. “Were those people giving you some trouble?”
“You
could say that.” Kerry sighed. “They invited us to party. We declined. They took exception.”
The man shook his head and dismounted. “Damn it. I knew there was going to be trouble from those people.” He dug out a book from his saddlebag and made some notes, then picked up his walkie talkie. “Sim-monds to base. Looks like we’ve got some trouble at the FDR Memorial.”
He clicked off. “I’ll need some information from you ladies.”
“Um,” Kerry backed off a step, “you know, they really didn’t do anything to us, and I’d kinda rather not get involved.” That earned her a very dour glare from the policeman. “I know, I know. I’m supposed to be a good citizen, but trust me, officer, you don’t want to deal with the paperwork I’m going to cause.”
“Listen, Ms. ...” He looked at her in question.
Kerry sighed. “Stuart.” She paused. “Kerrison Stuart.”
“Stuart, right. Listen Ms. St—” He stopped. “Not that Stuart?”
She nodded. “Unfortunately.”
He rubbed his face. “Where are you staying?”
Kerry pointed.
“Go there and stay there, okay?”
“You got it.”
324 Melissa Good
“Did they know who you were?”
“I don’t think so.” Kerry shook her head. “And I’d rather they didn’t.”
He wrote something down, then nodded. “All right, Ms. Stuart, go on. Please. It’s a little crazy out here tonight. Stay inside.”
“I will,” Kerry agreed, then took Cecilia’s arm to move her towards the crossing light. “Jesus. I didn’t think those classes would come in so handy.”
Ceci was rattled. She took in several breaths, waiting for her heart to settle. “No kidding,” she murmured. “Did Dar teach you that?”
“Yes.” Kerry suddenly was extremely grateful for the long hours spent in the gym being tossed on her butt. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah.” Ceci straightened her shirt out as they crossed the street and headed towards the hotel entrance. “But I don’t want to have to repeat that any time soon.”
“Me either,” Kerry agreed, unaware of the eyes on their back. “What time is it?” She checked her watch. “Almost ten. Good.” She pulled the hotel front door opened and allowed Ceci to move in ahead of her. “Let’s find a movie to watch. Maybe room—yes?” She’d felt a brush against her back. “Can I help you?”
“Sorry,” the cheerful looking young man apologized. “Excuse me.”
He pushed ahead of her and marched towards the front desk.
“No problem,” Kerry murmured, twitching her shoulders, unable to escape a feeling of vague familiarity in his face, or his movements, she wasn’t sure which.
Definitely, though, things were getting creepier. She checked her watch again, then shook her head and followed Ceci towards the elevator.
Chapter
Thirty-five
HER MESSAGE LIGHT was blinking when she entered her room and Kerry stared at it for a minute before she walked over and picked up the receiver. She dialed the front desk and listened for an answer. “Yes, I have a…oh. Yes.” She listened to the message. A Mr. Selver, from the Washington Post: Call me, it’s very important. “Ah, thanks,” Kerry murmured politely.
But there were more. Six notes, from six different representatives of the media, all wanting to talk to her or to set up a time to talk to her.
“Wow. Um. I don’t really want to answer any of these.”
The operator replied in a friendly manner, obviously used to people who didn’t want to talk to the press. “Would you like us to screen your calls, Ms. Stuart?”
“Yes. I have a cell phone and anyone who really wants me, who I want to talk to knows the number,” Kerry replied. “Oh. But if either Dar or Andrew Roberts calls, that’s fine.”
The sound of scribbling came clearly through the phone. “Will do, ma’am. Have a good night.”
“Thanks. Oh, can you transfer me to room service?” Kerry asked, receiving an affirmative, then waiting as the call was transferred.
“Hello?”
She ordered a coffee milkshake and some chips, then set the phone down and walked over to the comfortable looking couch in the corner and flopped down on it. “Jesus.” She closed her eyes and rubbed them with one hand. That had been...disgusting. Both the attitudes of the unruly crowd and the attack on them made Kerry feel sick to her stomach.
Oh well. She looked up as a light knock came at the door. “Hey.”
Ceci walked in, carrying a box of chocolates. “Want one?”
Kerry’s brow creased. “Sure. Where did those come from?”
“Godiva, by way of my husband,” came the wry response. “He has this very surprising indulgent streak in him that peeks out sometimes.”
Kerry munched on the treat thoughtfully. “Mmm. Dar does too.” She nodded. “I find stuff on my desk sometimes. A cookie, a rose…I never know what’s going to be there.”
Ceci sat down on the chair next to her and propped her feet up on 326 Melissa Good the coffee table. “Do you reciprocate?”
The blonde woman nodded. “Sure.” She grinned. “I’ll go out and get her a new shirt or something for her computer, like a cute mousepad, that kind of thing.” She paused. “Sometimes I’ll leave a little poem or something around, if I’m really in a goopy mood.”
Ceci chuckled. “I used to tuck little goodies into his kit bags,” she admitted. “His favorite was a little sack of Hershey’s kisses.”
Kerry smiled, then jumped as her cell phone buzzed. “God, I hate that.” She tugged it out then opened it. “Hello?”
“Hey, Kerry. It’s Mark.”
“Hi.” Kerry felt her mental track derail. “What’s up?”
“Well, nothing good. They just blew a major node up in Virginia and half the Eastern Seaboard’s ATM and interbank transfers are down.”
“Ouch.” Kerry winced. “That’s big trouble.” She reached over and unzipped her laptop case, then pulled the computer out and put it on the desk. “I’ll dial in and monitor it. Do we have an ETA yet?”
A snort. “ETA? They don’t even know what the problem is, much less how to fix it. CLIPC’s escalating, but I think the carrier’s just chasing their tail around in a circle.”
“Great.” Kerry got up and slid into the desk chair, booted up her laptop and plugged the modem cable into the convenient wall jack. “And tomorrow’s not only Friday, it’s the end of the month.”
“Government payday,” Mark agreed. “That’s why I’m a-callin’. I was noodling around in the system when I saw the links go down. I’d guess they’re about to start notifying you guys.”
Kerry sighed. “Thanks, Mark.”
“How’s it going?”
“Yuck.”
“Well, at least there was good news on the contract front today. I bet Dar almost died when she heard about it.”
Kerry was busy logging in. “Heard about what?”
A knock came at the door and Ceci stood, waving Kerry back as she walked over and peeked through the eyehole. “Room service.” She unlocked the door and opened it, allowing the uniformed server to enter.
She was about to close the door when a large, burly man put a hand on the surface of the door and pushed it back. “Excuse me?”
“Hi. I’m looking for Kerry Stuart?”
Ceci put her body squarely in the doorway. “Why?”
“Just wanted to talk to her.” The man smiled in a friendly manner.
“My name’s Al, Al Bainbridge. I work for the local paper.”
Ceci gave him a direct look. “It’s late and I don’t think she’s in the mood to talk right now.”
“Suppose you let me ask her?”
“Suppose you move your hand before I slam the door on it?”
“It’s to her advantage if she talks to me, lady.” Now the man’s voice took on a harder edge. “Either I get some facts from her or we’ll get them some other way, and won’t i
t be nicer if she gets to have her say first?”
Eye of the Storm 327
“What is it, Mrs. Roberts?” Kerry came up behind her and glanced over her shoulder. “Ah. My pushy reporter friend.” She put a hand on Ceci’s shoulder. “I really don’t have anything to say to you.”
The man held a hand up. “Now, c’mon, Ms. Stuart. It’s just a few questions. You’re gonna have to answer them sooner or later. You made yourself too interesting a subject up there and there’s lots of people digging around for info on you.”
Kerry scratched her jaw. “Okay.” She glanced shrewdly at him. “I’ll give you a choice. Would you rather talk to me or get paid?”
“What?”
“I’m working on fixing a problem that affects all of the interbank transfers and ATM machines from New York to Virginia. I’ll ask you again. Do you want to talk, or do you want me to get on with my job?”
The reporter stared at her for a long moment. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope.” Kerry held up her corporate ID. “You choose, but make it fast, because my milkshake’s melting.”
He exhaled. “Tell you what. I’ll beat feet tonight, but willya please agree to have breakfast with me? I’m not out to hurt you, Ms. Stuart.
Honest I’m not.”
Kerry thought about it. Talking to the press wasn’t something she really wanted to do, but after those messages, she started to realize the scope of the interest in her. Maybe Al was right. Maybe it was better for her to at least have a chance at controlling what was released. “All right,”
she agreed quietly. “But I don’t think it’s much of a story for you.”
He hid a swift smile of triumph. “Guess we’ll find out tomorrow.
Good night, Ms. Stuart.” He gave Ceci a brief look, then turned and made his way back down the hallway.
“You sure you want to do that?” Ceci inquired, glancing behind her.
“Where’d the waiter go?”
“I sent him out through your room.” Kerry sighed, as she closed the door and checked her watch. “This is a mess. I wish—”
Another knock at the door. “Son of a bitch.” Kerry was losing her patience. She turned, grabbed the door handle, and yanked it back, taking a breath to blast whoever it was. It came back out in an utterly relieved trickle. “Thank you.” Kerry reached out and grabbed a handful of cotton and reeled in a tall, dark haired woman who came willingly and enveloped her in a powerful hug. “Ungh. I am so glad you’re here.”
