“Ground Control to Major Ryan.”
She mock salutes. “Reporting for duty, sir.”
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
“No you’re not.”
Kylie’s gaze has shifted. Now she’s looking at something above his left shoulder. He turns around to see what’s so captivating. The only picture hanging on the wall is a Pompeii poster. “Vesuvius is a tough act to follow.”
“Sorry I’m so blah tonight.”
“Was it something I said?”
“Of course not.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“It wouldn’t do any good.”
“Is it work related?”
She hesitates. “Yes and no.”
“Maybe I can take your mind off it.”
She laughs. “That wouldn’t work.”
“How do you know?”
“Female intuition.”
“I’m a good listener.”
“You don’t want to deal with this.”
He borrows one of Dr. Walsh’s prompts.
“You’ll feel better if you unburden yourself.”
“I’m not good at that.” Her eyes and voice are flat when she asks, “When are you heading back to the US?”
“Right after you finish.”
“You probably can’t wait to get home.”
“That won’t happen for a while.”
“Where are you going?”
“San Francisco. I have to reorganize our office.”
“You shouldn’t work so hard.”
“That’s all that keeps me sane.”
“I hope you’re joking.”
“What do you have coming up?”
“Routine stuff.”
“Like what?”
“Nothing exciting.”
“Most of my projects are like that.”
“But you get out and about.”
“So do you.”
“Not anymore. I’ll be working at home three days a week.”
Knowing why, he tries to be supportive. “Telecommuting is a great way to maximize your day.”
Her neck reddens. “Especially if you’re a single mother.”
Brannigan knew about the “mother” part. “Single” blows him away. He responds without thinking. “Teddy is a beautiful baby.” Then reacts to her puzzled expression. “I took the wrong copy of your book. His picture was tucked inside.”
Kylie’s face relaxes. “That photo is my favorite.”
“Congratulations. I’m very happy for you.”
“Thanks. He’s my little miracle.”
“Where was he on Saturday?”
“With my mother and me.”
“How did you wind up at that department store?”
“We were across the street when a wind gust demolished our umbrellas.” She takes a tong wan from the snack bowl and breaks it into pieces. “I suggested we go inside to buy replacements before they ran out. It felt good to dry off so we decided to stay inside and do some shopping.”
“You picked a good time to leave the store.”
Tears are flowing down her face. They’re collecting on the tablecloth. “I didn’t have a choice. It was so congested, my mother insisted on going back to our hotel. Teddy was thirsty and motioned for his juice. While I was searching for his bottle, I remembered leaving it on a lipstick counter. I was turning to get it when a man tripped on our stroller.” Kylie dries her cheeks with a cocktail napkin. “It was a non-event until my mother rushed us out of the store. She laid Teddy and me on the pavement then draped herself on top.”
“Most people wouldn’t have been suspicious.”
“My mother has a sixth sense. Thank God she wasn’t hurt.”
He had forgotten about his package until his foot dislodged it. This isn’t the ambience Brannigan was expecting, but he decides not to wait. “I have something for you.”
He lays the box on her side of the table.
“What is it?”
“Something I planned to give you in Sydney.”
“It’s been wrapped that long?”
“The balloons and clowns are a recent flourish.”
She shakes the package. “No fair, you packed it too tight.”
“You’ll never guess what’s inside.”
“Slow down. Why were you bringing me a present?”
“I didn’t say it was a present.”
“You carried this all the way to Australia?”
“Don’t make it sound so grueling. I stashed it in the overhead.”
“Why didn’t you give it to me?”
“It was a judgment call.”
“You could’ve left it with my mother—”
“I thought the same thing when I got home.”
“—Or mailed it. FedEx kangaroos deliver Down Under.”
“I wasn’t sure their pouches were big enough.”
“So it’s not a gift?”
He searches for an appropriate descriptor. “More like lost and found.”
She closes her eyes. “What have I lost?”
“C’mon. Open it.”
When he tries to take the package back, Kylie wrestles it away and strips off the paper. “Is this a gag present?”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
“I bet it’s a pop goes the weasel.”
“Who would do that to a girl with PTSD?”
“If you want to trigger my startle reflex—”
“I’m saving that for next time.”
She splits the box with a table knife.
Looking inside she gasps, “It can’t be!”
Her hands are shaking when she liberates the bear from its cardboard cage. Hugging it tight she asks, “Is he really mine?”
“Cleaned up but definitely yours.”
“How did you find him?”
“He was next to your bed.”
Brannigan can see her wheels turning.
“Why did you pick him up?”
“The MPs would’ve thrown him away.”
“You went to all that trouble for a toy?”
“I wanted to rescue someone. He didn’t seem to mind.”
She stands up and lays her bear on the table.
“Watch him for me. I’ll be back in a jiff.”
“Where are you going?”
“To tidy up. My makeup is a mess.”
Her departure reminds him of their Silk Road parting. He’s still breathing heavily when Kylie reclaims her bear. She’s dry-eyed but her lower lip is quivering. “See what happens when you’re nice to an Australian girl?”
“I’ve won many a heart with flowers and teddy bears.”
“That reminds me, Romeo. I have something of yours.”
She reaches into her handbag for a folder. When she lays it on the table, he sees the GRE insignia stamped across the top. “Thanks. I’ve been looking for that.”
“I must’ve scooped it off the table.” He opens the cover and looks inside. His quatrain is sitting on top. “I figured it had to be yours. My crew doesn’t write poetry.” Her tears are flowing again. Laughing and sobbing at the same time, she shakes her head when he offers her a napkin. “Don’t encourage me.”
“There’s nothing wrong with a good cry.”
“I’m the date from hell.”
“That’s too harsh. Purgatorio.”
“This is so embarrassing. I’m never, ever like this.” He lays the napkin next to her hand. This time she picks it up and wipes her eyes. “Tonight everything hit me at once.”
“Was it something I said?”
“Your poem . . .”
“I didn’t know you’d read it.”
“. . . Reminded me of Teddy’s father.”
“His verse can’t be that bad.”
“He has a different way of expressing himself.”
“Be patient. Someday he may surprise you.”
“Once was more than enough.” Brannigan senses her
anger but he isn’t tracking. She seems to read that in his face. “The tour guide and I were raped.”
“That’s awful. I’m so sorry.”
“Teddy’s father attacked me.”
“When?”
“In the desert, after the train derailed.”
“I don’t know what—”
“It’s not something I talk about.”
“Did they arrest anyone?”
“No, and they never will. Neither of us could identify the rapists. I was unconscious the whole time. The tour guide—poor woman— woke up in the middle of it, but she was blindfolded.”
“I get that part. The timing is what I don’t understand. Teddy can’t be more than three months old. That doesn’t pencil out with the train trip.”
She opens the camera app on her phone. “You saw a baby picture. She clicks on a different photo. “I took this one two weeks ago.”
He studies the photo then looks at the newborn shots.
“Can I ask you a personal question?”
“About Teddy?”
“The train wreck.”
“You know I don’t remember anything.”
“That’s why I’m asking.”
“That won’t bring my memory back.”
“Did you tell your doctors about the guide?”
“My father did.”
“Why else did they think you were raped?”
“It took a while. But they ruled out immaculate conception.”
“I can understand the delay.”
She’s fighting back a smile when she slaps his hand. “Missing my period didn’t concern the doctors. The same thing happened when I was younger. My GYN ordered the ultrasound because I had persistent cramping. She wanted to rule out an abdominal injury. You can imagine my surprise when she said, ‘Your stomach is fine. As for your uterus, we need to talk.’”
“How did your parents react?”
She interlaces their fingers. “My father recommended an abortion. I understood how he felt but I could never do that. If a Martian had inseminated me, I’d love Teddy just as much. My mother felt the same way.”
“What should we do about dinner? I’m not hungry anymore.”
“I scared you to death this afternoon, and now I’ve ruined your evening. You’ll never invite me out again.”
His mind is elsewhere. “I’m searching for the right words.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m all cried out.”
He’ll tell her before the night is over, but would prefer she discover the truth on her own. He nudges her in the right direction.
“There may be a way to identify Teddy’s dad.”
She clutches her bear. “I don’t want to know.”
“Your son will.”
“That’s a long way off.”
“Schedule a visit with his doctor—”
“He just had a physical.”
“—For a DNA profile.”
“I’m not ready for this conversation.”
“All the lab needs is a blood sample.”
“Back up, Michael. How did you know about my bear?”
“You introduced us.”
“I never took him outside my bedroom.”
“No wonder he looked so lonely.”
“Did I say anything about him?”
“A little bit. Why?”
She tightens her grip on his hands. “Because I never talk about him.”
“Never?”
“It’s too painful. What did I tell you?”
“He was a birthday present.”
Her fingernails dig into his skin. “Who gave him to me?”
“Your father . . . Hold on. That’s not entirely accurate. He was on your pillow when you woke up in the morning.”
“When?”
“Your fifth birthday.”
“Was I carrying him around the train?”
“That wasn’t . . . Well, not exactly.”
She sits on his lap. “What exactly was I doing?”
“Does sharing dinner include my seat?”
“Your bear saga got me thinking.”
“Everyone is looking at us.”
“People were horribly injured and dying.”
“Is that a question?”
“Why would you save a stuffed animal?”
“I already told you that.”
“It doesn’t make sense.”
“Most women would be grateful.”
“Which is why I cut you some slack.”
“That was out of character.”
Kylie lifts his chin and looks into his eyes. She sounds as innocent as a first communicant. “Did I seduce you?”
He remains silent. She turns up the volume. “Do you know how hard—”
“—And loud.”
“If you don’t answer me—”
“The entire restaurant can hear you.”
“—I’ll scream it from the rooftops.”
Brannigan raises them both off the chair. He tries steering Kylie toward the cash register. She won’t budge. After putting the bear into her bag, he turns toward Li-Li and simulates signing his name.
He lowers his voice. “Let’s go for a walk.”
“Not until you tell me.”
“I lost track of the question.”
“Was I a bad girl?”
“I can’t answer that.”
“This should be a whopper. Why not?”
“Gentlemen don’t kiss and tell.”
Kylie anchors her hands to his hips. “Listen up, mister.” Her eyes are ablaze. All he sees is green. “It’s time we got something straight.”
“What’s gotten into you?”
“Stop treating me like a porcelain doll.”
“I wasn’t—”
“The crash hasn’t changed me.”
“I didn’t say it did.”
“Do you know what I think?”
“I haven’t the foggiest.”
“You’re a guy who always needs proof.” She inserts her credit card into Li-Li’s chip reader. “Follow me to the hotel.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
“No worries. It’ll never happen again.” She grabs his hand and walks him toward the exit sign. “I’m going to teach you a lesson you’ll never forget.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“A wrestling match, dusk to dawn, no holds barred.”
“I outweigh you by thirty kilos.”
“The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“Spoiler alert.” Kylie squeezes his shoulders. “My nightie is light as a feather. But it’ll melt all this muscle into mush.”
“Since when do you stoop to conquer?”
“I’ll do whatever it takes to loosen those lips.”
CHAPTER 46
BRANNIGAN AND KYLIE spent a sleepless night together.
Despite being totally exhausted, she refused to close her eyes. The Leiothrix were chirping when Kylie finally surrendered to a massage. He kissed her on the forehead and rolled out of bed. It was still dark when he arrived at the dam. He showered, changed clothes, and got right to work.
Rocky enters the conference room. His eyes are watery and red.
“What’s wrong, Chief?”
Rocky pours himself a cup of tea and sits across from Brannigan. “The president died this morning.”
“That’s terrible news. He was a great man.”
“Two cuts above the rest.”
“He didn’t look well when I saw him.”
“He kept quiet about it. But his health had gotten worse.”
“Was it sudden?”
“His death was.”
“What was the cause?”
“The official version?”
“What really happened.”
“He had successful bypass surgery late last week. He was doing well until a general sneaked into his room and told him about the bombings. Ten minutes late
r he had a massive stroke.”
“What was that guy thinking?”
“Don’t get me started.”
“Did they try to resuscitate him?”
“Not after he flatlined his EEG.”
“I’m glad he didn’t wake up.”
“So was his wife. She took him off life support.”
“What’s the impact on the dam?”
“It’ll be years before they approve our plans.” Brannigan doesn’t mention his personal news. There’s too much else going on.
Kylie suggested they wait. But he insisted they get married right away. They’ll fly to Australia when she finishes her work. Tying the knot will be a low-key affair. They’ll exchange vows at the courthouse and have a quiet dinner with Bryce, Marielle, Teddy, and his sister Lindy. His California plans changed overnight. Instead of rushing back to San Francisco, he’ll assign a New York deputy to ramrod the Bay Area office.
He and Kylie will buy a home in Sydney. After things settle down, they’ll have a formal wedding at St. Mary’s Cathedral. She wants to hold their reception at the Opera Point Marquee. During the interim, he’ll plan his professional future. Moving to Australia makes the most sense. He can preside over a decentralized GRE from New South Wales. If that doesn’t work, he’ll sell the company and build a new business.
Brannigan was waiting for the right time to ask. This is it. “If that’s our new timeline, I’d like to disappear for a while.”
“Fine by me,” Rocky says. ”You deserve a break.”
“I’ll come right back if you need me.”
“Skype should be enough.” Rocky pokes his finger into one of the document piles. “What are you doing today other than your report?”
“Some nonwork stuff this afternoon. Before I knock off, I wanted to check a few things in Xiling Gorge. But it’s probably too late. I should’ve left an hour ago.”
“Don’t let me hold you up.”
“I can go tomorrow.”
“Do it now. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Where will you be?”
“Somewhere in the building. Probably my office.”
Brannigan recalls Kylie having a question about the convergence zone. “Before you go, Rock, I wanted to ask you something.”
“What about?”
“. . . I can’t remember what it is.”
“Call me when you think of it.”
Brannigan stuffs a seismic map into the larger of two rucksacks. His hands are full as he leaves the control building. He breaks into a smile when he thinks of holding Teddy. This is going to be a very special day.
Brannigan is in the Raven’s right seat.
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