The Lilac Code

by Becki Willis

  With a tiny smile of satisfaction, the policeman turned back to his toast making.

  Chapter 25

  Early on Saturday morning, the alphabet agencies converged upon The Columbia Inn at Peralynna to take depositions and statements from all three women. The flight back to Texas was re-scheduled for the afternoon, leaving time for a leisurely lunch once the interrogations were finished.

  To ensure complete privacy, the entire meeting took place in their penthouse suite. By then, it was clear Logan McKee was not only part of the CIA, but the officer in charge of the entire mission.

  She stayed behind to visit and to offer bits and pieces of unclassified information from the case. “I’m sorry I’m not at liberty to tell you more but trust me when I say you ladies did a huge service for our country.” The officer dipped her blond head in a gesture of thanks.

  “So Beady Eyes/Black Jacket was really an agent, as well?” Madison confirmed, trying to solidify the fact in her mind. That particular scenario never occurred to her.

  The other woman laughed. “I’ve never heard that code name before, but yes, Officer Marino is one of our best.”

  Granny Bert fell short of hiding her snort. “If he’s so all-fired good, why did he mistake us for the other side?”

  “An innocent mistake, I can assure you.” The case officer raised her hand as if taking an oath. “Under the circumstances, anyone could have misinterpreted the situation. Officer Marino witnessed you, Madison, intercept the note intended for one of our people. He thought you could be the rogue double agent known only as Kalypso. No one knows exactly what she looks like, given that she’s a master of disguises. His suspicion seemed confirmed when you checked in here at Peralynna, the very place another important exchange was to happen. When you and your grandmother visited the Cryptology Museum… he was certain you were counter intelligence, trying to decode the Lilac Code for your own purposes.”

  “The Lilac Code?” Madison echoed.

  Logan McKee inclined her blond head. “The code name associated with this operation.”

  “I still don’t understand how they mistook three of us for one agent,” Genny pitched in.

  “If I understood correctly, you and Madison were the only ones present when the child approached you.”

  “That’s right,” Madison remembered, tapping her grandmother’s hand. “You had gone to the restroom.”

  Logan shrugged a lean shoulder. “Obukov was instructed to meet our person in your exact location. The truth is,” she paused for a moment, deciding how much of the truth to divulge, “our officer posed as the mysterious Kalypso. And where Kalypso is concerned, two or more people could be a plausible disguise. Unfortunately, our officer was detained, and Obukov mistook you for the wrong person.”

  Genny picked up on the name. “Who’s Obukov?”

  “The man you knew as Barton.”

  “Obukov? What kind of name is that?” Granny Bert wanted to know. “Does he work for the Russians?”

  “I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to say.”

  “I’m still confused,” confessed Madison. “Beady Eyes—Marino—was the one who took my suitcase by mistake? Then stole his case back from my room?”

  “Not exactly. The case belonged to another agent-for-hire named Murdock. Murray, as you knew him. Officer Marino was merely on the flight for surveillance, to ensure we weren’t double-crossed. Apparently, he took his eyes off the case for only a moment. There was a disturbance involving a child—”

  “Yes,” Madison murmured, recalling the ruckus near his row. “A toddler had a meltdown and caused a bit of a scene.”

  “During the confusion, apparently no one noticed when your suitcase was placed in front of the other one. Murdoch took yours by mistake, leaving you with his. Which left him with a major problem, since he was meeting the buyer for his case—myself—here at the hotel.”

  “So, he really did steal it, then.”

  “Oh, no. The hotel has excellent security,” Logan McKee assured them. “Please understand, no one else can find, nor use, the hidden staircase. But after much discussion, the agency determined that for the safety of the three of you, it was best we intervened. Please forgive us, but in the name of national security, Officer Marino and I accessed your room through the secret passageway and retrieved the case.”

  “If you’re the one who took it, why did Maury kidnap me?” Granny Bert demanded. “And why did a scoundrel like that bother giving Maddy her luggage back?”

  “Again, that was us,” the operations officer explained. “We returned your abandoned suitcase as soon as we found it. As for Murdoch, he was desperate to salvage something from the botched operation. He had lost the codebooks; Obukov had lost the message they deciphered. The two teamed up to steal them back and sell one, or both, to the highest bidder.”

  “That’s what those were? Codebooks?” Madison asked in surprise. “But—”

  This time when Logan raised her palm, it signified a dead end. “Please. I’ve revealed as much as I can. Suffice it to say, the message held very sensitive information. Having the codebooks in our possession saves hours of work, but even so, our people have been up all night, deciphering the details. We’ve learned some of our enemy’s plans. Once we have all the clues, we can establish a timeline and the order of certain events. We may quite possibly avert a national crisis.”

  Genny nudged her friend. “Maddy already knows the order. Go on. Tell her how you cracked the code.”

  The officer looked slightly amused. Definitely skeptical. “You cracked the Lilac Code?”

  With a scowl, Madison shook her head. “No, of course not. I have no idea what the actual message said. I was simply playing around with how it might be read.” She waved away her own foolishness. “I’m sure your experts saw the same thing I did.”

  “Oh?” The casual note in Officer McKee’s voice belied the eagerness in her green eyes. “Tell me more.”

  Madison explained her theory. She used a pen and paper to illustrate the loops and their specific order, as she imagined them. When Maddy finished her demonstration, the officer looked astounded.

  “I can’t believe it,” she murmured, momentarily at a loss for words.

  Her stunned expression was fleeting. With a sharp intake of breath, the woman transformed before their eyes. One moment, Logan McKee was a smiling, polite conversationalist; the next moment, she was a highly trained federal agent, ready for action. With subtle economy of motion, her spine straightened, her shoulders squared, and her green eyes glittered with anticipation. She reminded Madison of a snake, coiling for a strike. Energy radiated from her.

  “Ladies, it has been a pleasure. You have my contact information, should you ever need to reach me. Please accept these small gifts as a token of my appreciation.” She slid an envelope toward each of them, but she had already taken a step back, ready to spring into action. “I’m sorry to rush off, but duty calls.”

  With that, the blond officer fairly bounded from the suite, her phone already to her ear.

  “What in the world…”

  “I think you were right,” Granny Bert smirked. “I think you just outsmarted all their fancy experts, and she can’t wait to test your theory.”

  “Maybe.” Madison’s tone didn’t sound very confident. She reached for her envelope and slid a nail beneath the seal. “I wonder what these are.”

  Genny was the first to reply, her voice filled with excitement. “I don’t know about yours, but mine is a gift certificate for an extended weekend here at Peralynna. In Suite C, no less, their most luxurious and romantic suite! Plus, a couple’s massage.” Her blue eyes twinkled as her dimples deepened. “The perfect honeymoon, don’t you think?”

  Holding up an identical certificate, Madison agreed, her own eyes mirroring the twinkle.

  “Mine’s better than both yours combined,” Granny Bert gloated, waving her envelope in the air. “A certain celebrity chef will be preparing a private meal, just for me. In one of
Austin’s swankiest hotels.”

  As they each tucked their coveted certificates away for safe keeping, Madison checked her watch. “Time to head for the airport, girls.”

  After the previous evening’s events, Granny Bert was a bit slow getting to her feet, but her smile was as lively as ever. “Well, Genny girl, we promised you a trip you’d never forget. I’d say we lived up to that promise, wouldn’t you?”

  Genny laughed aloud. “And then some! Come on, girls. Let’s go home!”

  Chapter 26

  “You’re sure you won’t go home with us?” Madison asked for a final time.

  “Girl, I’m all tuckered out.” Granny Bert made a shooing motion with her hand as they stood on her doorstep. “I have to unpack this suitcase, wash clothes, and bake a sheet cake for Genny’s church shower tomorrow. You two run along so I can get to bed sometime before midnight.”

  “With all that’s happened, I completely forgot about my shower!” Genny cried, aghast at her own thoughtlessness.

  Not so long ago, the community had given her a ‘fire shower’ after her house burned down. Genny felt guilty about having another shower so soon, particularly when tomorrow’s wasn’t the only one. Two weeks ago, friends of the Montgomery family hosted a huge shower honoring the couple and last weekend, employees at New Beginnings had surprised them with a come and go shower at the café. Customers dropped in throughout the day to offer best wishes and donations for the money tree. Overwhelmed with such generosity and the outpouring of gifts and support, Genny almost felt bad about tomorrow’s shower at church, and her lingerie shower yet to come.

  “Go on, now. Go see that man of yours,” Granny Bert said, giving her arm a gentle push. “You, too, Maddy. Give the kids a hug for me and tell them I’ll see ‘em tomorrow.”

  Five minutes later, Madison and Genny pulled into the driveway of the old mansion. It wasn’t nearly as large or stately as the Maryland mansion they just came from, but it was every bit as beautiful. Once a cold and formal affair, the house was now warm and inviting. It was no longer simply a house. It was now a home.

  Cutter and Brash stood outside, awaiting their arrival.

  “That’s a sight I look forward to!” Genny beamed. “Cutter, waiting for me to come home each day.”

  Madison laughed at her friend’s eager descent from the car. “At least wait until I put it in park!” she playfully grumbled.

  While Cutter whooped and swung his fiancé around in his arms, laughing and showering her with kisses, Brash had a more subtle greeting for his would-be bride. He held the door for her as she slid from behind the wheel, but there was a heated simmer in his eyes as he pulled her into his arms.

  “Welcome home, sweetheart.” His deep voice rumbled against her as he held her close, savoring a moment of nearness before dipping his mouth to hers.

  “I missed you,” Madison murmured against his lips.

  “I missed you, too. Let’s not do this again.”

  Madison pulled back in surprise. Did he already know about their adventure in Maryland? Both she and Genny had been deliberately vague on the phone, choosing to tell them the story in person. Brash, however, was law enforcement. It would be like him to already know of her unexpected exploits with the alphabet community.

  “Do what?” she asked, keeping her voice as innocent as possible.

  When he cupped the back of her head with his hand and pulled her in for another kiss, she realized he wasn’t referring to the secret codes and Granny Bert’s kidnapping. His blue eyes held a different meaning altogether. “Let’s not spend four days apart, ever again.”

  “It’s been a long four days,” she agreed. In more ways than you know. She raised her smiling face to his. “How did you make it with three teenagers in the house? Are they inside? I can’t wait to see them!”

  “We’ve been busy,” Brash acknowledged.

  Something in his guarded expression made her frown. Her mother’s intuition kicked in. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Let’s get your suitcases out. The girls have dinner ready.”

  “Bethani and Megan cooked?” Madison’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What did they do? I don’t know about Megan, but Bethani only cooks when she’s trying to finagle her way out of being grounded.”

  Brash smoothly avoided a direct answer. “Maybe she’s just being thoughtful. Did you ever think of that? Maybe she knows you’ve been traveling all day and would appreciate a hot, home-cooked meal. It may not look like it, but they’ve been working on it all afternoon.” He chuckled, thinking of the disaster he had walked into earlier. He helped clean up the kitchen and get it into a semblance of order.

  “What did they make?”

  “My mom gave them the recipe to my favorite dish, King Ranch Chicken.”

  “Mmm,” Madison said with approval. “I love her recipe.”

  “Just remember,” he cautioned. “Sometimes things are fine, even though they don’t always look so pretty.”

  “Blake! What happened to your face?” Madison cried in alarm, the moment she saw her son. She tugged at his chin, turning his face for closer scrutiny. “Did you get into a fight?” The thought was preposterous, but his black eye and bruises suggested otherwise.

  She whirled toward Brash. “Is this what you wouldn’t tell me? Is this what doesn’t always look so pretty?” Her fiery eyes flashed to her daughter next. “What’s your part in this? You don’t cook for no reason, so I know this involves you, too.” She turned back to her son, whose chin she still held. “Well?” she demanded. “Aren’t you going to explain? And are you all right?”

  With a slight wince, Blake pulled free of her grasp. “Thanks for finally asking,” he said dryly. “And I’m fine. Can we talk about this over dinner? I’m starving.”

  “Don’t think you’re getting out of a full explanation, young man.”

  “I’m not trying to. I’ll tell you every sordid detail.” Flashing one of his charming smiles, he added, “Just as soon as I have the strength to talk.”

  “What’s it been since you last ate?” his sister sneered. “Thirty minutes?”

  The snark in her words skimmed over his head. “See what I mean? My stomach’s starting to cave in!”

  Megan shoved a bowl into his hands. “Here, take this salad to the table. I’ll pour the tea and we can eat.” She brushed against Madison and kissed her cheek. “Welcome home, Momma Maddy.”

  Promptly losing her starch, Madison apologized with a weary sigh. “I’m sorry,” she said, ruffling Megan’s auburn hair. “I didn’t even say hello. I saw Blake’s eye and panicked.” Madison made the rounds, hugging and kissing all three teenagers with genuine affection. “I missed all of you, you know.”

  “We missed you, too, Mom,” Bethani said, busy taking the casserole from the oven. “Someone call Aunt Genny and Cutter. Grandma Lydia gave me her recipe and I don’t want dinner getting cold.”

  The authoritative words sounded so foreign coming from the teenager’s mouth. Madison stood back in amazement, watching as the teenagers hustled about the kitchen, working in sync. Blake carried the steaming dish to the table, while Megan poured iced tea and Bethani scooped corn into a serving bowl. The table was already set and even had a candle arrangement as a centerpiece.

  “I’m leaving you in charge more often!” Madison whispered to Brash, clearly impressed.

  His arm snaked around her waist. “Nuh-uh,” he objected. “Remember? You aren’t leaving again, not without me.”

  “Which reminds me. I found the perfect place for our honeymoon.”

  He brushed his question against her ear. “Does it have a bed?”

  Fighting off a blush, Madison nodded. “Yes.”

  “Then it sounds perfect.” Scorched by his heated purr and the possessive hand low on her hip, Madison could no longer control the color slipping into her cheeks. They both knew it would be a long six weeks until their honeymoon took place.

  Nudging him in the ribs, Madison muttere
d something about behaving himself as she turned her attention back to the scene in her kitchen. As alien as it seemed, her babies had the meal under control without any help from her.

  It hit her hard, right in her solar plexus.

  Her babies were no longer babies. They were growing into fine, responsible young adults, a fact that was reiterated when she heard of their recent brush with danger.

  They were gathered now in the family room, discussing the matter that sprawled well beyond the dining room table. Bethani curled at Madison’s feet as her mother absently ran her fingers through the long, blond tresses. Blake sat to his mother’s right, still within her reach. She touched his knee often, as if to reassure herself that he was fine.

  “What were you thinking?” she chided softly. Her voice was filled more with worry than with ire. “You could have been seriously injured.”

  “The jerks deserved to lose their cars, but I couldn’t just let them blow up, Mom. We could have all been hurt.”

  His mother continued to fret. “But you came so close. Your jeans were seared.”

  “Not to mention my boots are now toast.”

  “I’ll buy you a new pair,” Cutter offered. “Compliments of the fire department.” He shot Madison an apologetic look. “I know it was a close call, but Blake thought fast on his feet and avoided a potential disaster. He did the right thing. He put out the smaller fire and called in backup for the big one. I know a lot of grown men who wouldn’t have been as proactive as he was.”

  “I’m proud of you, honey, for what you did.” Madison hugged her son, who squirmed uncomfortably under all the praise. He was unprepared for the follow-up, when his mother bopped him in the chest. “But don’t ever do something that dangerous again!” she admonished.

  Rubbing the spot on his chest, he looked a bit sheepish. “Yes, ma’am.”