Conspiracy (Alex and Cassidy Book 4)

by Nancy Ann Healy

Справка

  Рысь

  Официальный статус

  умерший

  назначение

  Проект Lynx

  12 июня 1986

  14 мая 1992 года в

  Место нахождения

  неизвестный

  “What is it?” Eleana asked as she moved to peer over Krause’s shoulder. “What the hell is Project Lynx?”

  “I don’t know,” he answered truthfully. “Never heard of it.”

  “But?” she asked. Krause did not answer. He let out an anxious sigh. “Jonathan? What?”

  “I have heard of Lynx.”

  “You know who it is?” she asked.

  “No, but from what I do know, I’m not surprised the Russians would find him interesting,” he commented. “Come on,” he instructed Eleana as he let the paper in his hand fall. Halfway down the corridor, he motioned for Eleana to stop and be silent. Krause held his breath and concentrated. It was faint, but there was definite sound from below the floor. He shook his head, motioned again for Eleana to remain silent and stay where she was. Krause slowed his breathing until it was nearly imperceptible, even to him. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the sound. He could not hear voices. He could not discern one sound from another. It was a rumble almost like a motor in the distance. He reached the end of the corridor and felt the wall—solid. He listened again.

  Eleana watched Krause carefully from her vantage point. His eyes moved continually, even when his body remained still. She wasn’t sure what he was hoping to find. She let her eyes wander from his endeavor and turned slightly. A flicker, that’s all she saw. It was out of place. Slowly, Eleana pivoted and walked toward it. Krause’s focus shifted to the woman in the distance. Her attention was fixed on the floor as she moved. He followed quickly behind her.

  “Eleana,” he called to her. Eleana squatted and allowed her hand to brush the floor. “It’s just metal,” Krause said.

  Eleana looked up at him and shook her head. She looked back at the floor and swiped away a large swath of paper and dust. Krause’s eyes flashed with surprise. She looked up again, her hand resting on a large grate in the cement floor. “No, it’s not.”

  ***

  Alex strolled casually into the quaint restaurant that Jane had chosen. She was curious about her friend’s reason for this meeting. Where Jane was concerned, there were always competing motives. They were friends, close friends. Although, Alex could not deny that Jane Merrow had become far closer to Cassidy on a personal level than she and Alex had ever been. The two remained close, but there was a comradery between Cassidy and Jane that sometimes surprised Alex, a sense of mutual understanding and respect that had grown into deep affection. When Jane was with Cassidy, it was always personal. Time with Alex was divided. There was almost always something more to a suggested get together than simply catching up. Alex let out a small sigh as she approached the hostess. A persistent nagging sensation in the back of her mind told her that Jane was worried about something.

  Jane caught sight of Alex approaching the table and smiled. “Glad you could make it,” she said as Alex took her seat.

  “Me? Turn down you buying breakfast? No way.”

  “How are you, Alex?” Jane inquired.

  “I’ll be better once you feed me.”

  Jane laughed. “Not enough coffee yet?” she guessed.

  “There’s never enough coffee,” Alex replied. “So?”

  “So?” Jane parroted back the word. “How’s Cassidy?”

  Alex scratched her brow. “Whatever is on your mind must be really bad.”

  “What?” Jane asked.

  “Oh, come on. You don’t need me to tell you how Cass is. You two are like old hens yacking on the phone all the time.”

  “Old hens?” Jane asked. She laughed. “I see. She did mention you were doubling as a See ‘n Say these days.”

  “Ah-ha! See? You know more than I do half of the time. So? What gives?”

  “Maybe I just wanted to see my friend,” Jane offered.

  “Yeah, and I’m The Pope.”

  Jane shook her head and sighed. She looked up as the waiter approached. “Let’s order,” she suggested.

  Alex nodded her agreement. She chose something quickly, eager to move the meeting along. After finishing pleasantries with their waiter, she turned her attention back to Jane. “Is this about MyoGen or my father?” she asked pointedly.

  Jane offered her an awkward smile. “Neither directly.”

  “Okay, how about indirectly?”

  Jane reached into her bag and retrieved an envelope, sliding it across the table to Alex. “Before you open that,” she began. Alex took the envelope in her hand and looked at Jane anxiously. “You need to know why Rand is so interested in MyoGen.”

  “I already know. They have the same parent. MyoGen is at the forefront of new chemical engineering….”

  Jane shook her head. “True, but that’s not it completely.”

  “Explain.”

  “There are many things that can be explored with chemicals, Alex,” Jane said cryptically.

  “Yes, I am aware. Isn’t this why we discussed the importance of MyoGen as a Carecom asset?”

  Jane nodded. “It is. Alex, there are programs at MyoGen that even I am not fully versed in.”

  “What kind of programs?” Alex asked cautiously.

  Jane shrugged. “If you want that answer, you will have to make a visit to Rand.”

  Alex leaned over the table and lowered her voice. “Are you suggesting that I speak to someone at Rand or that I seek something within Rand?” she asked. Jane remained still. “I see. And, what do you suggest I do? Call Fallon to back me up?”

  “Perhaps. He might beat you there.”

  Alex immediately noted the way Jane’s eyes diverted from hers slightly. “Jane? Where is Fallon?”

  “Relax, Alex, he’s in capable hands.”

  “I’m sure I don’t want to know.”

  Jane smiled. “He’s with Hawk.”

  Alex’s jaw tightened and her temple twitched. “Excuse me?”

  “She’s been on Rand’s tail for over a year, Alex. It made sense with Paul Daniels in D.C.”

  “Maybe I should try and have dinner with my good friend the ambassador,” Alex suggested. “That doesn’t explain Charlie,” she said. “You send my former partner to Fallon? Why?”

  “Alex, she’s an excellent agent. She knows Rand inside and out and she cares about…”

  “Don’t say it,” Alex warned.

  “Well, she does,” Jane said. “Don’t tell me you don’t trust Hawk?”

  “Outside of our group, Jane, I’m not sure who to trust, and even that is a stretch for me some days,” Alex admitted.

  “Look, there is something there. Something tied to MyoGen and not just money. There’s a reason they do not want to lose this one, Alex. You need to know that reason.”

  “Why do I think you know more than you are telling me?”

  “Probably because I do,” Jane responded. Alex’s expression darkened. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, Alex. I know you. Besides, anything you find could be useful later. You and I both know that Ivanov is planning something. We all know.”

  Alex began to answer when the waiter returned with their meals. She nodded her thanks and turned her attention to the envelope Jane had given her. Alex studied it for a moment and moved to open it.

  Jane reached out and stilled Alex’s hand. “Later.”

  “Getting into Rand…”

  “Trust me. It’s all in there. You’ll have cover.”

  “Why me?” Alex asked. “Don’t you think I am a bit close to this to….”

  “Yes, and that is exactly why it is you. I told you, you need to see it. You might believe more from someone other than me.”

  “Jane, might I remind you that you haven’t given me the slightest idea what I am looking for?” Alex s
aid.

  Jane gestured toward the envelope on the table. “Later, Alex,” she said. “Now, tell me, what is this I hear about Cassidy and skiing?”

  ***

  Eleana followed closely behind Krause as he made his way around the dilapidated building. “There has to be a way down there,” he said. He had explored the space beneath the grate in the building. Krause had little doubt given its location and size, at one time it had been used as a vehicle for communication, perhaps some type of dummy waiter that allowed correspondence between the school and whatever existed below. If he was right, there had to be another way in. Krause was determined to find it.

  “Jonathan, maybe it’s abandoned just like the school.”

  “Only one way to find out.”

  “What are you looking for?” she asked. Krause’s eyes narrowed to almost slits and then he smiled. Deliberately he headed for some tall brush a few yards away. “Jonathan.”

  Krause picked up his pace slightly. It only took a few steps for Eleana to see what seemed to be commanding Krause’s interest. Underneath the overgrown bushes was some type of cement structure. “What is it? Drainage?” she asked.

  Krause tore away some of the brush that was lying in front of the cement pipe. “Maybe, at least, that is what we are meant to think,” he replied. Eleana was curious. “This is cut,” he explained. “It’s not rooted in anything.”

  “Which means?” Eleana asked.

  “It leads to something,” he replied. “Come on.” Krause cleared the remainder of the brush to reveal the large opening. He stepped through, Eleana following just a pace behind. Immediately, both noticed the vines that hung just inside the large pipe. “Help me cover this a bit.”

  “You think someone is following us?” she wondered.

  “Right now, I don’t know what to think,” Krause confessed. “Stay right behind me.”

  “Worried about me?” she asked lightly.

  Krause turned and Eleana was surprised to see the apprehension in his eyes. “Stay right behind me, Eleana,” he directed her again firmly.

  “Jonathan, are you….”

  “Let’s go,” he said as he began his movement forward. I really hope this is just a ghost story.

  ***

  “Dylan,” Cassidy gently scolded her son, “stop complaining.”

  “Mom…Can’t you make Kenzie stop?” Dylan whined. He caught sight of his YaYa’s house up the street and groaned. “I thought we were going to the cabin?”

  Cassidy rubbed the back of her neck and took a deep breath. Mackenzie had been fussing on and off all day. At first, Cassidy had chalked the fits up to being overtired. But, the persistent wail in the car began to concern her. She suggested that Rose stop at Helen’s house and drop her off. Now, as they pulled into Helen’s driveway, Cassidy was certain she was going to lose her cool. Dylan was not normally one to complain. She was certain that he was disappointed that Alex was not joining them at all for the weekend. And, she had to admit that Mackenzie’s mood was nerve-racking at best. She sighed. Sensing Cassidy’s discomfort, Helen chimed in.

  “We are going, Dylan. We’re just dropping Mom and Mackenzie at my house first,” Helen explained.

  “Now, you’re not going either?” Dylan asked. “Who is going to ski with me?”

  Cassidy felt the pressure in her head building. “Grandma will take you, Dylan.”

  “But, you said I could….”

  “Dylan,” Cassidy warned him. “That’s enough.” She turned in her seat to face him. “Something is bothering your sister,” she said. Cassidy had noticed that Mackenzie kept rubbing at her ear in the car. “Now, you know how it is when you don’t feel well,” she said. Dylan groaned. “Dylan…”

  Rose pulled the car to a stop and turned to her grandson. “You know, we can always stay here if you would rather,” she said. “Or, YaYa and I can just take us all home instead.”

  Dylan shook his head. Cassidy made her way out of the car and opened the back door to get access to Mackenzie. Helen smiled at her as Cassidy unclipped the car seat and took hold of her daughter. “Come on, Dylan,” Helen said. “Let’s help your mom get settled and then your old grandmas will take you skiing.”

  “You ski, YaYa?” he asked.

  “I’ve made a run or two in my day,” she told him.

  “No way!” Dylan exclaimed with excitement. “I’ll bet Alex is an awesome skier.”

  Helen tried not to laugh. “Actually,” she said, “Alex never did much skiing.” She could tell that Cassidy’s interest had been piqued immediately. “Not so fond of the lifts,” Helen whispered. Cassidy smiled. “Don’t ever tell her that I told you that,” Helen pleaded.

  “And, how did she think she was going to challenge me?” Cassidy asked.

  “You know her,” Helen said.

  “Yes, I do,” Cassidy said. She looked down at Dylan as Rose retrieved her bag and Mackenzie’s from the back of the SUV.

  “Are you sure that you don’t want me to stay with you?” Helen asked.

  Cassidy shook her head. “No,” she said as she jostled Mackenzie. “I’m going to take her to the walk-in clinic. The way she is digging in that ear, I have a feeling we have a date with some penicillin. Don’t worry about us. I will call you when I get back.”

  Helen nodded and accepted her fussing granddaughter from Cassidy so that Cassidy could address Dylan. “I’ll get her into my car for you,” Helen offered.

  “Thanks,” Cassidy said with a gentle rub to her mother-in-law’s arm. She watched Helen walk away and turned her attention back to Dylan. Not for the first time in recent weeks, she noticed how tall he had gotten. He was standing even with her chin. Cassidy took a deep breath and smiled at her son. Before she could address him, Dylan spoke.

  “I’m sorry, Mom,” Dylan said.

  “I know. Listen, I’m sorry that I have to miss this trip,” Cassidy said. Dylan nodded. “I really am, Dylan.”

  “I know. Is Kenzie okay?” he asked.

  Cassidy smiled. She could see both guilt and concern in Dylan’s eyes. “She’ll be fine,” she said.

  “I wish you were coming.”

  “You wish Alex were going,” Cassidy joked. She was surprised when Dylan looked up at her sadly. “Dylan?”

  “I really wanted to ski with you,” he said honestly. Cassidy sighed. “We didn’t get to go last year.”

  “I know, but that’s because we were all waiting for Mackenzie.”

  “Yeah, but we didn’t go this year either, not yet.”

  “Dylan, I promise that we will have plenty of times to ski again, okay?” Cassidy promised. He nodded.

  Cassidy watched her son closely. Growing a family always had its challenges. Cassidy understood that Dylan loved his little sister, but he had been an only child for eight years. Sharing Cassidy, sharing Alex, it was not always easy for Dylan. It had helped that Dylan was beginning to become more independent, wanting to spend more time with friends, and engaged in sports. It also had helped that he had his cousin Cat. Cassidy and Barb remained extremely close friends. They often discussed Cat and Dylan’s challenges with their big brother roles. Some days the boys embraced that role with excitement. Other times, the boys became jealous and frustrated by the attention their younger siblings demanded. It was normal. Cassidy wished that Dylan and Cat had more time to spend together. However, the introduction of Jonathan Krause into the Toles’ family had caused a slight strain between Nick and Alex. That strain had been felt by everyone, including the two boys.

  “You know, maybe we should talk about the three of us taking a weekend away together,” Cassidy suggested.

  “You, me, and Kenzie?” he asked.

  “No. I mean you, me, and Alex,” Cassidy explained.

  Dylan’s eyes widened. “Really?” he asked. Cassidy nodded. “But, what about Kenzie?” he asked. Dylan shook his head. “We can’t leave Kenzie out, Mom.”

  Cassidy smiled proudly. “Well, you are going without Kenzie this weekend.” />
  “Yeah, but that’s with Grandma and YaYa.”

  “Yes, and Kenzie gets stuck with me. So, don’t you think Kenzie should get a chance to spend a weekend with YaYa and Grandma too?” Cassidy suggested.

  “I guess,” Dylan said.” I didn’t think about it like that.”

  “You be careful,” Cassidy told Dylan. “Listen to Grandma.”

  “I will.”

  “I mean it,” Cassidy said. “Take it easy.”

  “Hey!” Rose chimed from behind Cassidy. “What are you saying? I think I can manage more than a little bunny slope, thank you. What do you think? You pass sixty and you become invalid?”

  Cassidy rolled her eyes. “Just drink the wine at the bottom of the hill,” she told her mother.

  Rose whacked Cassidy gently. “Let’s go, Dylan. Your mother has lost her mind.”

  “Me? What about you?” Cassidy asked.

  “Me? Oh no, you get it all in the will, what’s left of it anyway,” Rose winked.

  Cassidy accepted a hug from Dylan before he ran back to the car. “Just be careful,” Cassidy said to her mother seriously.

  “Cassie, I know my limits,” Rose assured her daughter.

  “Mom…”

  “Since when do you worry this much?” she asked. “Cassie, I have been skiing since before you were a thought.”

  “I know that. That was over…”

  Rose covered Cassidy’s mouth. “Watch it,” she warned Cassidy as the garage door rolled open.

  Cassidy laughed. “Okay, I get it. Stop mothering my mother.”

  Helen came even with the pair and handed Cassidy her keys. “Taking lessons from my daughter?” she asked Cassidy.

  Cassidy held up her hands in surrender and laughed. “No fair double-teaming,” she told the two older women.

  Cassidy adored both her mother and her mother-in-law. She often found herself musing about how lucky she was to have them both in her life. They had become nearly inseparable, and Cassidy truly thought of Helen as a second mother. She knew that Alex felt the same way about Rose. Rose and Helen together were a formidable pair. They were both intelligent, witty, compassionate, and full of life. And, they shared a pain that Cassidy hoped she would never know. Both women had lost the love of her life. Somehow, watching Helen suffer through the loss of Alex’s father made Cassidy realize that loss could not be mitigated by time spent together. She had watched her mother attempt to disguise her grief after Cassidy’s father had died. She had witnessed the same challenge in Helen. Neither wanted to burden their children, no matter their children’s age. Cassidy understood that the kinship between the two women was rooted in two major things: a deep love of their daughters and a shared sense of grief that few could understand.