Enemy In the Room

by Parker Hudson

  “Disowned you?”

  “Yes, cut me off. No more support. Almost no contact.”

  “That must be tough on both of you. And your mom.”

  “Not sure about them. I guess it’s that conservative Iranian thing with him. Can’t stand the thought of me sleeping with the man I love. And I’m almost twenty!”

  “I see.”

  “And now he’s cut you off, so to speak. Fired you.”

  “Well, I was disappointed. I was angry and disappointed in him and USNet a week ago, and that’s why I’m doing this traveling. I called and talked with the Sullivans. She’s the Congresswoman—the one I told you about—with her husband, Richard. By the way, their son Tommy is about your age. You might want to check him out. “

  Callie shrugged. “I love Alex. She’s the one who knew you’d had an affair with her husband?”

  “Yes. That’s why I wanted to talk more with her. You see, she and I—and her husband—share the same faith. I thought I knew what to do about my anger with your dad, but sometimes it’s still hard to put faith into practice. So I prayed and decided to talk with her, since she’s older and since I had made her so angry.”

  “I guess that could make sense,” Callie said more slowly.

  “So the three of us talked. Janet reminded me that everyone is capable of letting everyone else down. It’s just being human. And my anger about it would only hurt me. Your dad wouldn’t wake up every morning feeling worse because I was disappointed in him. Only I would. And eventually that anger would eat at me so much that it would hurt my other relationships—like us.”

  “Hm.” Callie reached for a piece of cheese and a cracker.

  “So we prayed for guidance and strength, and then I forgave your dad.”

  “But he didn’t ask you to forgive him. He didn’t even say he was sorry.”

  Kristen smiled. “That’s the whole point, isn’t it? You see, me forgiving him is about me, not about him. I do hope that someday he realizes what he’s done, and that we can talk about it. But forgiving is what I have to do, not him. And,” she added, smiling, “I’m happy to tell you that I’ve done it. I’m free from all that anger and hate—free to talk with him, and to move on, without all that baggage. It’s a great feeling, much better than anger.”

  “Wow. That would be hard. I think I’m still, like, pretty angry with him for not accepting Alex.”

  “I’ve noticed.”

  Callie shrugged. “Well, maybe someday I’ll be able to do what you said.”

  “I hope so, but it won’t come easily or naturally. Like I think we talked about before, forgiveness is not a particularly human trait. I suspect that we are only capable of it if we acknowledge that it’s from God, and if we’re seeking him.”

  “You’re pretty deep into religion, aren’t you?”

  Kristen laughed and sat up. “Not religion—but faith, yes. Unfortunately many of us have to fail first to appreciate it. When we run out of our own alternatives and we hit rock bottom, like I did with that affair. The main thing I learned through that awful experience years ago with Richard and Janet is that God made me, loves me, and wants a relationship with me—like with my human father, only deeper. That’s where the capacity for forgiveness comes from, Callie. I realize that he has forgiven me—and for a lot worse. Then comes a time of healing and restoration of hope. With all that, how can I hold a grudge against your dad, or anyone else?”

  “That’s how you really feel? That you have a relationship with God?”

  “Yes. Absolutely.”

  “How?”

  “It’s simple—and powerful. In the midst of that mess, after I’d seen what God did so powerfully in Richard’s life, I gave up. I stopped trying to be in charge and instead gave my life to God’s son—the one who sacrificed his life so that God could forgive me. I asked Christ to forgive me and to take over.”

  She frowned. “And—what happened?”

  “He did. Now my heart tries to do what God wants, not what Kristen wants. I’m obviously not perfect. You know that. I try to find out what he wants—that relationship I talked about, by praying and by reading his Word.”

  “You mean the Bible? You read the Bible?”

  Kristen smiled again. “Yes, almost every day.”

  “Really? That’s so random. I can’t believe that a cool person like you is into the Bible—and ‘faith.’”

  “I’m not sure how cool I am, but why do you say that?”

  “I thought religion was, like, for weak people and losers.”

  “No, faith like I’ve described is for all people. And it’s actually pretty powerful, like I said. It’s what’s let me get past all the anger that would otherwise be eating me up right now.”

  “Yeah, well, I see that, I guess. I just never thought about it. I’ve, like, never been around anyone who said she had a strong faith. It’s kinda weird.”

  Kristen laughed and ate a cracker.

  Callie took a sip. “Like you have something that others don’t have. You’re not even mad with Dad, and I certainly am. Sort of spooky, I guess.”

  “Well, the power comes only from the relationship, and that’s not spooky at all—and it’s open to anyone and everyone.”

  “Everyone? Even to someone like me?”

  “Yes, of course. I’ll be glad to help you start that relationship, any time.”

  They heard a car door close outside.

  Callie stood up. “Well, I don’t think I’m ready for a relationship with God just yet. If there is a God, he’d be pretty upset with me right now.” She looked out the window and smiled. “Alex’s here. And I’d have to change a lot of what I’m doing. So, for now, I’m pretty starved. How about we just fix dinner?”

  “That’s fine.” Kristen rose as a key opened the door.

  Callie greeted Alex with a hug and a kiss. Turning, she motioned toward Kristen. “Alex, this is Kristen Holloway, who I told you about. She works with dad—well, used to. She’s cool. Kristen, this is Alex Spalding.”

  “Great to meet you,” Kristen said, offering her hand.

  “Yeah, me too,” Alex replied, giving her hand a half-hearted squeeze.

  Turning to the kitchen, Callie said, “We were just finishing a discussion on everything from jobs to God—I guess that there’s even a Job in the Bible.” She smiled.

  “Ugh,” Kristen replied.

  Alex looked confused.

  The two women went into the kitchen.

  “But I do appreciate you sharing all of that with me. It seems pretty far out. Here, check the directions on the pasta while I get some water boiling.”

  “I know it can seem far out,” Kristen said, taking the package. “It did to me, too. But once you experience a real relationship with the God who made you, it goes from being far out to being deep inside. I know. It’s the only thing that’s given me the ability to experience true peace.”

  Callie turned to put water in a large pot. “It’s just that I’m still young and not ready for all that yet.”

  Kristen smiled. “You sound like I sounded.”

  Callie shrugged. Alex came up behind her and gave her a hug.

  It was early morning in the Intelligence Office at the Russian Army Base not far from Arzamas-23. Captain Boris Rusnak was leaning over a table filled with aerial photographs and speaking to Lieutenant Mikhail Andryushin.

  “Your task is to find a large, isolated field which is near a suitable road, but also hidden from view to houses, passing cars, etc., in this general area.” He pointed with his finger to the large scale map on top of the others. “We must be able to secure it, set up the launcher, test all systems, fire and depart, with as little chance of interference as possible.”

  “A total of about eight hours,” the younger officer stated.

  “Yes. That should do it.”

  “I’ll take Mishkin and Polyakov.”

  “Good. You have one week.”

  Rather than salute, Andryushin gave the hand sign of th
e secret group into which he had been inducted by Rusnak two years earlier. He then nodded, picked up the photographs, and left for his car.

  An hour later Callie, Alex and Kristen were seated at the table, finishing their dinner and the wine. They had planned the next day’s outing.

  “Hey, after dinner let’s go out and have some fun,” Callie said. “We know some great bars with guys who you might find interesting. You can experience all the stuff that I don’t want to give up to have a relationship with God!”

  Alex smiled and took Callie’s hand. “I’m in. I don’t need God—you’re all the relationship I need.”

  Kristen shrugged. “Well, it’s not my usual thing. But, hey, when in Rome. Just so long as there are a few older ones, and you get me home in one piece before too late.”

  “Oh, there will be plenty of older ones. But listen”—she took a last sip of wine—”you never told me what you said that got you in trouble with Dad’s company.”

  Kristen took a deep breath and moved her plate to the side. Picking up her glass, she said, “Well, actually, I made some comments to a reporter on two occasions that I’m opposed to pornography being on every corner and on every TV. And since USNet owns a lot of adult movie production assets and is buying more, that didn’t go down too well with Mr. Knox.”

  Callie frowned. “You got fired over adult movies? Why don’t you like adult movies?”

  Kristen sighed and leaned forward. “I could give you lots of reasons—from obsession and addiction to trashing women to impossible expectations to broken marriages to rampant premarital sex to pregnancy to the degradation of our expectations and values in general. A lot of pain and problems for a lot of people, all caused because we’re not doing what’s right.”

  “You really think that adult entertainment causes all of those problems?” Alex asked.

  “Not by itself, but the men I work with now feel it’s ‘normal’ to spend the evening looking at naked women dancing on tables as part of business. And that’s just a tiny sliver of it. Anything you read on the subject will tell you that, like alcohol and tobacco and drugs, for many people it’s easy to become addicted. And it used to be that, like alcohol and drugs, it was difficult to find, particularly for a kid. But now we’ve sort of become numb, and it’s everywhere…in our homes, on the internet, in the movies. Another powerful lie that derails lives and causes pain.”

  Alex sat back, looked at Callie, then said, “You really do have an opinion! You believe that all of that is caused by some movies?”

  “I’m not naive, Alex, to think that all our problems are caused by adult movies, or any other one thing—of course not. But I’m sure that all of that sex being pushed at us, and at our kids, creates the kind of environment in which I felt that it was ‘OK’ to have an affair with a married man, because he wasn’t ‘understood’ at home, or didn’t have a great sex life, or some other excuse. It was reinforced by all the supposedly free and wonderful sex with no consequences that’s portrayed in every porn movie and on every adult TV show. But what we did caused real pain. I got hurt. But also Janet, his wife, and their kids got hurt. We almost created a divorce, maybe even a child. Of course affairs happened long before there were adult movies. But they’re just part of the pattern that makes people think it’s OK, when, believe me, it isn’t.”

  Callie stood up and headed for the kitchen. “I think I need something else. Would you like some tequila? I don’t even have to ask Alex.”

  Kristen smiled. “Sure. A little. Listen, when was the last time an adult movie or TV show ended with the partners being diseased, the woman unable to have children, the kids left with one parent and suffering on less income, or at an abortion clinic? I mean, is that what the adult movie industry portrays for us?”

  Callie put a bottle and three glasses in front of them. “No, I guess not.”

  “Well, that’s what really happens, among other painful things, when people have sex like in those movies. So…” She smiled again and raised her water glass. “That’s why I had a thing or two to say—though I didn’t quite say all of that, nor did I mean for it to be publicized in the way it was.”

  Alex poured for each of them. Callie took a long sip and put down her glass. “I see. Yeah, I can imagine that those views would not sit well with the big guns at USNet. But, listen, since we’re on this, I think I ought to tell you that… well, Alex and I have actually made some of those adult movies. And we might make more. The pay is pretty good.”

  Kristen nodded. “I know.”

  “You do? How long have you known it?”

  “Well, I guess since before I met you a few weeks ago.”

  “Wait. All this time you’ve known we did those movies?”

  “Yes. Your dad told me.”

  Callie glanced at Alex, her face turning red. “So all of your coming here and pretending to like me and coming back has all just been my father’s idea? To send in a religious nut to make me think I like her and then brainwash me into ‘doing good’ and dumping Alex? I can’t believe you!” Her arms were folded, tears were forming in her eyes.

  Kristen shook her head. “Callie, you’re wrong. Your father did ask me to come to see you the first time. But the friendship I have for you, and the fun we’ve had is real—it’s not fake. I like you for you, no matter what you do.”

  “Wait a minute. Let me get this straight. You’ve just lectured me on how bad adult movies are, and yet you like me, even though I’ve made two of them? Come on!” She reached forward and took another long sip.

  “Yes. Of course. You’re a wonderful, talented young woman. You won’t always make these movies. You have talents far beyond them. One day you’ll understand how destructive they are, see the pain they’re causing. But that’s not a condition for our friendship, any more than my supposed perfection ought to be.”

  Callie stood, and Alex followed her. “Whoa…this is like really heavy! You hate the movies we made, but you like me?”

  “Yes. On both counts.”

  “I…look, I gotta, like, figure this out. I’m sorry. I think you could be trying to trick me or something. Why don’t you chill out here and—read the Bible or something—and Alex and I will go hang out at the bar with some friends? I doubt you’d like them anyway. And I gotta think. OK?” She, picked up her drink, turned and walked to her bedroom.

  Kristen spoke to her back. “Yes, whatever you say. But I don’t want you to go out upset with me. I just told you the truth when you asked.”

  Alex waited a moment then said in a low, angry voice to Kristen, “Don’t push your religious ideas on her. We don’t need them.” Then he followed Callie upstairs to their bedroom.

  Kristen took her dishes to the sink and rinsed off the plates and glasses. Callie came out wearing a low-cut, tight-fitting dress with slits up both sides, and moved to pick up her purse. “I know, I heard. But…well, I’ll see you in the morning. We’ll probably still go shopping, but I really gotta get out and think and talk with my friends. This has been a really heavy night.”

  Kristen walked to the center of the room as Callie ran a brush through her hair and renewed her lipstick in a mirror by the door. “Callie, listen. You can question why I came the first time. But ever since then I’ve just wanted to be your friend, and I’ve truly appreciated your advice on clothes. Your father fired me, but I still wanted to come back and see you. So I hope that tells you something. I’ll stay here and read and go to bed, but I hope you’ll realize that my opinion on adult movies, or any other issue, is not the same as my opinion about you. The two of us will never solve the issues. But the two of us can be friends.”

  As Alex came down from the bedroom, Callie said, “Yeah. That sounds good, but I just want to talk with Alex and check it out in my head tonight. So I’ll see you in the morning. Lock the door, but don’t click this latch, so we can get in. See ‘ya.” She turned and walked out into the southern California night. Alex turned to leave with her, looked back at Kristen, shook his head, and
followed Callie out, closing the door.

  23

  WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1ST

  Early the next morning Todd was in his hotel room, utilizing the special encrypted laptop with headphones that Mustafin had loaned him during training to handle the calls and emails that the RTI system intercepted. It was fascinating to see and hear what so many people thought they were writing and saying in private. It gave him a rush every time he clicked online and thought about how they were using this information to get ahead of everyone else.

  Hopefully at the next level I’ll be able to move from raw messages to decisions. It’ll be interesting to see what our competitors are planning and to check out other people’s deals. But at USNet we really shouldn’t be putting sensitive information in emails or cell phone calls—this group, whoever they are, will instantly know all our plans, and alert our competitors. We should go back to land lines and conversations. What if I started writing business letters, like people used to do? I hope David reads the letter I sent him.

  Near the end of his first hour he clicked for a new message and up came a cell phone call that appeared to be between a husband and wife, or boyfriend and girlfriend. The only reason he imagined it was captured was because at one point the woman used the word “earn” in berating the man’s poor performance. But at the end of the call the man threatened to harm her and was heading to her home.

  Todd couldn’t remember anything from his training about this situation, and he couldn’t find an icon on the screen for an emergency. So he forwarded the message up to the next level, the role he would play next week, with an email message asking whom they should call.

  A minute later, as he was handling another message, the email reply came back: “We don’t call anyone. Not our business, and it could compromise us. But we save the message in case he really does something and we can use it later. Thanks.”

  Todd was momentarily stunned. We do nothing to help this woman?

  He was a little less enthusiastic for his last hour.