by Lee Perry
Jordan waved tiredly, “It’s okay, we’ll figure it out.”
“Then let’s go downstairs and get you fed…” he checked his watch, “It’s going on seven and you two should eat,” and added when he saw Catherine turn to sign tiredly to Jordan, “even if you think you’re not hungry.”
Jordan nodded, acknowledging Catherine’s desire to go straight to bed, “I know, but he’s right,” she shrugged, “and you only had some fruit on the plane… come and eat first, then you can go straight to bed…” she gave her a small tired smile, “I promise.”
Catherine noted the dark circles under Jordan’s eyes and signed, “Sorry.”
Her brow furrowed, “Don’t apologize,” she dropped her arm around her shoulders and gave a soft squeeze, “It’s okay.”
“We’re having stew, you’ll like it, I promise,” Wallace assured them as he led the way back downstairs to the kitchen, “Rhodie and I are pretty good at the electronic stuff, but Tappert is the one who knows how to cook…”
When they entered the kitchen, the other three agents were sitting at the dining table, “Sorry,” Rhodie apologized between bites, “We started without you so you could eat in peace.”
“Okay,” Wallace held out a chair for Catherine, “that’s clearly a bull crap excuse.”
“Tappert cooks for us,” Turner gestured at Tappert with his spoon, “and we didn’t want to miss out on his stew tonight since he cooked over here.”
In the bright kitchen light, Jordan could see how blond Turner’s hair was, especially compared to Tappert’s brassy rust-red shock of thick hair. “It smells great…” she gestured at the pot on the stove as she shed her coat and draped it over the back of the chair.
“It’s warm here in the kitchen,” Turner wiped his lips with a paper towel, “but the hallways are pretty cool…” He was about to take another bite when he added, “oh, and watch the radiators, they get pretty hot to the touch.”
“I wanted you to be able to eat as soon as you got here…” Tappert chatted as they took their places at the table, “We stuffed the fridge and pantry for you… We go to the Big Sur Deli and General Store about ten miles down the highway for supplies and drive back up to Monterey when we need a wider, more comprehensive variety…”
“He means like bulk toilet paper and stuff.” Rhodie muttered between bites.
As the agents talked, Jordan helped herself to the sliced French bread from the basket on the table, tearing it into small pieces and dropping them into her bowl. When she finally took a bite of the stew, she exclaimed softly, “Oh my god…” She moaned appreciatively, “Tappert, it’s not just a rumor; you really do know how to cook.”
“Thank you,” he smiled, “Agent Hawkins.”
The chatter died down as they ate, and Jordan looked more than once to make sure Catherine was eating. She looks okay… She chewed thoughtfully; I think my biggest task with her will be to keep her from withdrawing. At some point the dam will break and I need to make sure she comes through on the other side… Jordan sighed inwardly, because we’re gonna need her help to find Alex and her son.
Catherine discovered she was hungry after the first few bites and quickly found herself eating with more of an appetite rather than a fixed determination to simply refuel. She had decided on the plane that she needed to not just conserve her strength, but to finish recuperating, For Cameron, she told herself sternly, If I’m going to get Cameron back I need to get my strength back… She knew the agents knew she was unable to speak and she noted, appreciatively, that they still seemed at ease around her. Careful not to rush, she managed to eat most of the stew and when she caught Jordan looking at her, she gave her a small smile, I can live here for a while… she nodded.
When everyone had finished and the meal was clearly winding down, Catherine slid her chair slightly from the table, signing to Jordan,
“Uh,” Jordan held up a hand to quiet the group, “Catherine would like me to translate for her…” All eyes turned to Catherine and she began,
“I just wanted to say,” Jordan spoke quietly, watching Catherine’s hands and eyes, “thank you for all your hard work for me and my…” Jordan privately noted how the hands paused on the word, “on my behalf. I wish I had more… adequate words… to express my sorrow at the tragic and senseless loss of your fellow agents today.” Jordan sat motionless; the room felt completely still and she watched the range of emotions that swept across Catherine’s wan features, “I am so sorry… both family and friends…” A lump formed stubbornly in Jordan’s throat when Catherine’s brown eyes looked deeply into hers. She gripped the arm of the wooden chair she sat on, struggling to control the waver in her voice, “were lost to us today...” The small elegant hands hung in midair for the briefest of moments, “but it is my intention to honor their sacrifice with never-ending gratitude, and hope… and faith that their killers will be brought to justice.”
The five agents seated around the table sat absolutely still, no one moved a muscle and after taking a careful breath, Jordan smiled, “And your son will be returned to you…” she added quietly.
Rhodie raised her water glass in salute, “I’ll second that…”
Catherine rose from her chair, intending to excuse herself when all five agents suddenly stood and Turner held up his water glass in tribute, prompting the others to follow suit,
“To what the Federal Bureau of Investigation really stands for…” he said solemnly.
“Fidelity,” Jordan held her glass aloft, looking deeply into Catherine Sparrow’s eyes, “Bravery and Integrity.”
Blinking furiously, Catherine gave them a small, tremulous smile and signed, “Thank you,” adding, “and good night.”
Turner gestured to Jordan, “Go on up, we’ll finish here and lock you in for the night, I left a two-way in a charger on your nightstand,” he followed them into the hall, “leave it on ‘notify’ so you won’t have to hear our chatter when we lock it down.”
Jordan thanked him and bidding them goodnight, followed Catherine up the stairs. “Catherine…” she called to her and she turned, eyebrows raised questioningly, “If you need anything, I’m right across the hall, okay?” Jordan hooked a thumb over her shoulder, “I’ll leave the door open… if you need to talk… or you’re feeling scared, whatever… I’m here.”
Catherine smiled and nodded, “I know,” she signed, “Thank you, Jordan.”
Jordan nodded, in spite of her sorrow she still felt pleasure every time Catherine used the name-sign she had created for her. In the deaf community, the signer always gave name-signs, and after Jordan had explained the cultural significance to her, Catherine had come up with her own name sign for Jordan; her right hand, fingers held in a claw shape and tapping twice over her upper left chest, where a badge would be.
“Anytime, Catherine…” she murmured then pointed down the hall, “I’ll let you have first dibs on the bathroom.”
“Okay.” Jordan retreated across the hall to her own room and she stood uncertainly, taking distant note of her luggage as she slowly crossed the room and sat on the bed. She looked down at her hands; finally noticing that she absently twisted the gold wedding band on her finger, It happened just like Jordan said it would, Alex… she thought, remembering what she told her in the hospital. She sniffed determinedly and pulled her hands apart, placing them palm down on her jean-clad thighs; They took you ‘underground’, and now you’ll have to work for Rossi to keep Cameron alive. She gritted her teeth and pressed the heels of her hands firmly against her eyes, She will! Alex will work for him… she’ll do whatever it takes to keep her and Cam safe. She exhaled harshly; unaware she’d been holding her breath. How could you let this happen, Alex? She moaned silently, How could you?
Darien, CT
It didn’t matter how many times the man sitting next to her told her to relax, Alex shook uncontrollably, hugging herself in the back seat of the minivan. It wasn’t until they left the cemetery she had started to relax in the heavy FBI vehicl
e. In hindsight, she supposed the cars were bulletproof, and as Cameron slept peacefully in his car seat next to her she had begun to feel a ray of hope, hope that she could provide Anthony Rossi with enough snoop and infiltration programs to satisfy him so she could sever their business association and move on with her life. She intended to ask her parents if they could move in, she would be more than happy to let her mother run the household and help with Cameron.
It happened so fast… her mind turned endlessly on the singular thought, how could it happen so fast?
The scene played in slow motion in her mind over and over; when the two federal SUV’s pulled into the long driveway and stopped, Alex was still unbuckling her seatbelt when the agents sitting up front got out and opened both passenger doors in back. At first she couldn’t decide if the sound she heard was a loud rattling or popping noise and she looked utterly confused when she saw Agent Maynard spin, slamming into the passenger door as he fell to the ground. The loud sounds continued and when a large man in a Kevlar vest filled the opposite doorway she simply turned to stare dumbly at him when he reached inside, unbuckling Cameron and lifted him from the car seat just as another man pulled Alex from the other side. Shocked into numb compliance, she stumbled as the man dragged her by the arm across the snow-covered lawn to a silver Range Rover and pushed her inside. The only thought she had as they drove away was to wonder if the lawn, under the snow, would be damaged from the tire tracks. As they drove, the man seated next to her buckled her seatbelt into place and told her to relax.
The driver and the other two men in the car stripped off the protective vests they wore, throwing them and their weapons on the floor of the backseat, at Alex’s feet, “I don’t know if the timing could have been any more fucking perfect that that!” One of them exclaimed, and they laughed as Alex gazed down in shock and confusion at the pile of Kevlar vests and deadly assault rifles.
They drove, Alex didn’t know how long, when the driver pulled the silver vehicle into a dark entrance of an empty warehouse. She was again pulled unceremoniously from the car, led to a slate blue minivan and pushed inside. “Don’t worry,” she heard distantly, “your kid is coming in the lead car.”
They drove for what felt like hours until Alex began to feel her full bladder protest, “Please,” she begged, “please, I…”
The young man sitting next to her cut her off, “Not much farther now.” He pointed out the window.
For the first time, Alex took in her surroundings and her jaw dropped at the rolling snowfields and snowcapped trees that surrounded them, “Where are we?” she asked in a hushed voice and the men chuckled,
“Connecticut.”
The two-car caravan drove leisurely along the picturesque country road. The car with Cameron was ahead and Alex’s driver was careful to hang back several car lengths. When they slowed and pulled into a long winding driveway Alex craned her neck, forgetting her straining bladder for the moment as she took in the rolling carpet of velvety white. The driveway wended through a thick stand of trees and when they emerged an enormous three-story, white colonial house came into view.
“I need to use the restroom…” She murmured in a hushed voice and the young man sitting next to her chuckled,
“Trust me; you’ll like the cans here.”
The cars drove slowly around the side of the house, stopping in front of a covered entryway. This time, when the van door opened a thick hand appeared in front of her, palm up and she took it as she stepped out, feeling cramped and shaky as her bladder once again commanded her attention.
“Miz Sparrow,” Anthony Rossi greeted her warmly, “I am happy to see you made it here in one piece… and looking so nice.” He led her into a tasteful, if opulently decorated foyer.
“Boss,” the young man said behind her, “she has to go.”
Rossi turned to acknowledge him, “Of course…” he said as he led Alex through the room, “It’s understandable, please… this way.” He led her by the elbow down the hall, “I have some family members living here with me,” He stopped at the restroom, “my aunt lives here and she will look after your son while you freshen up…” He gestured rather grandly for Alex to enter, “We have a lot to talk about, you and I…” he said quietly, “We’ll continue when you come out.”
“Okay…” Alex stepped inside, closing and locking the door. Mechanically, she yanked down her panties and sat on the toilet, For the love of god, Alexandra… She closed her eyes; cramped from fear and waiting so long, the urine trickled from her bladder at a snail’s pace. Say it and make it real now… they shot and killed those FBI agents and kidnapped you… and now that he has you here you’ll have to work for him as long as he says… and then… he’ll kill you? She clapped a hand over her mouth, No! No… think Alex! Why would he do that? He wants your computer skills for hacking and stealing online… He needs you… She drew a slow, clearing breath and bore down in an effort to empty her bladder further. They could have left Cam behind but they didn’t… he had him brought along for… insurance? Blackmail? Alex slowed her breath, Yes, of course... as long as I produce effective programs for him… we live… She pulled toilet paper from the roll mounted on the wall next to her and after drying herself, pulled up her panties and rearranged her clothing.
She flushed the toilet and stood in front of the mirror over the sink. Leaning close, she inspected her makeup, surprised there was any left. I guess my sweating issue was minimized with that goddamn freezing air conditioning they insisted on using in the car. She grabbed some more toilet paper, blotting at her face and wiped smeared mascara from under her eyes. Not terrible… She licked her lips nervously and patted ineffectually at her hair. Thank god I clipped the sides back… she thought, recalling how she had admired her choice of dress that morning, proud of the stately, elegant look she felt she had achieved for Cathy’s burial. Okay, well… now we’re gonna’ work it another way… Closing her eyes, she gripped the white marble top of the vanity and drew in three slow, deep breaths, and when she opened her eyes, she noticed the room’s décor for the first time. The room itself was white; white floor, ceiling and walls, but the red floor rugs and hand towels and blue wallpaper with the nautical theme of white sailboats made her blink in bemusement, I take it the red, white and blue theme is meant to be nautical and not patriotic…
When she exited the bathroom, the young man who sat next to her in the van waited in the hall for her, “Mister Rossi will see you in the library.”
She followed him down the hallway, her high heels sinking into plush white carpet and entered a white room filled with white furniture, Your library has no books, Mister Rossi… she thought sardonically as the large man crossed the room towards her,
“Alex,” he greeted her warmly, “I hope you’re feeling well after the long, difficult day you had?” Alex was speechless and he gestured toward one of the white sofas in the room, “I was so sorry to hear about Cathy…”
As he spoke, Alex sat and her escort left the room, closing the double doors behind him and when she turned back, Rossi held a snifter of brandy out to her.
“Please…”
She took the glass and sipped politely at the contents.
“But most important, Alex,” he sat in a stuffed chair across from her, “we need to discuss your situation.” He sat back in the chair and retrieved his glass, staring down at the brandy he swirled slowly. “I sent one of my guys to instruct you to put all of the work you’ve been doing for me on one of those little hard drives and to keep it on you at all times… do you remember?”
“Yes,” she nodded, resisting the urge to feel for the flash drive in the pocket of her black dress, “of course.”
“Good, as for today; I had my guys get you out of there because I know the feds, Alex. I know them and they were gonna pinch you…” he noted her bemused expression, “arrest you,” he amended, “for working for me. Now…” He sighed expressively, “I know you were a busy woman once, and I’m sure the federal prison system would kee
p you almost as busy doing laundry and such for a dollar an hour.”
Alex felt her heart race and she could feel perspiration soaking her armpits.
“But even if you only got a couple of years for working for me, Alex, it wouldn’t be fair for your son to be deprived of his mother for so long. So I made sure he was kept safe and brought here with you today… to live here… with you while you finish creating those new programs for me.”
Alex just stared at him and he gestured to her glass, “Please, drink the brandy, it’ll help.”
“I’m…” Alex stammered, “I-I’m afraid I’ll get drunk… I haven’t eaten anything yet today.”
“Oh Jesus!” He slapped his forehead and leapt from his seat, “I am so sorry, Alex, my Aunt Rose’s feedin’ your kid in the kitchen, I’ll have her bring something.”
“It’s okay!” Alex turned in her chair, holding out a hand to stop him, “If I could just have some crackers… or fruit… something light, later…”
“Yeah, okay,” he shrugged, “I’ll have it sent to your room.” He returned to his chair, “Look, Alex, I’m not gonna keep you long, I just wanna’ say what I need to then you can have the rest of the day and night off to rest and think.” He retrieved his brandy, “Where was I? Oh yeah, I’ll be honest, I am not doing all this out of the kindness of my heart; I want you to keep working for me, Alex. You’re beautiful and smart and I know you can create the computer programs I need for my business. I’ve come a long way in my life, and I always succeeded by keeping up with the new trends as they came down the road. I need someone who can help me and my business expand into this new world…” He smiled, gesturing with the glass, “and take it over. I believe the sky’s the limit; you help me and I will give you the moon. My Aunt Rose can help look after your son while you work, in fact, we have him set up to be in a connecting room next to hers for a while so you can get the rest you need, just say when and we’ll get him set up in a room next to yours… Anyway,” he stood, leaving his glass on a table, “let’s go see your room…”
