by Ana Stone
"Yes. Unfortunately should and is are rarely the same. It's difficult for people to be honest. We're all so busy trying to protect ourselves and hide behind our facades that honesty becomes something that threatens our security. It would be nice if we didn’t feel compelled to hide but could simply be honest and open."
His voice lowered slightly as his eyes met hers. "I think we can. At least I can. And the truth is, Dr. Forrest that I find you one of the most interesting women I've met in a long time. Do you think there's a chance that you would have dinner with me?"
"Now?"
"Unless you'd rather go back in and join the circus." He nodded his head toward the apartment.
"No, I don't think I want to do that." She realized she’d like to spend more time with him and get to know more about him. She hadn’t been intrigued with a man for a long time but Blake Edwards intrigued her. "And I think dinner would be lovely."
Blake offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
She smiled and took it. "By all means."
A smile took shape on her face as she thought about that night. Blake had been a gentleman in the true sense of the word. They had a lovely dinner at a small, quiet restaurant and talked for hours. He was interesting and witty and easy to talk to. When he took her home he didn’t even suggest that the night continue. Instead he kissed her at the door and left with a promise to call her soon.
Sydney still remembered that kiss. It had been a very long time since she had been excited by a kiss the way she was by his.
Blake hadn’t pushed her to get into a physical relationship but had understood her wanting to wait until they knew one another better. She’d appreciated his willingness to take things slow. Sometimes she wished she hadn’t been so cautious. There were times when he kissed her, she wanted to throw caution to the wind, rip off his clothes and make passionate love to him. So far she hadn’t found the courage to be so bold.
There were so many things about Blake that she liked, but she was still afraid of making another mistake. She pushed aside thoughts of herself and Blake. Trying to analyze her own life was not her favorite pass-time. Especially considering all the other people she had to think about.
Being a psychiatrist had its advantages. It kept you from dwelling on yourself too much. And it made you realize that no matter how bad you think your own problems are, there is always someone else whose problems make yours look like a day in the park.
When she pulled up in front of Loews L'Enfant Plaza Hotel she got out of the car and handed her keys to the valet. She accepted a claim ticket, put it in her purse and walked into the hotel. A sign on a large easel in the lobby told her where she wanted to go.
Sydney still wasn’t sure if it had been a wise decision to accept the invitation to Larry Anderson's party. She was acquainted with the host, Congressman Blackman. He and her father had been friends for many years, but she knew Larry only in passing. She’d almost declined the invitation, but her mother had convinced her otherwise with the reasoning it was important to her father that the whole family be present.
She wondered if her brother would have shown up if he was in town. Sylvester, or Sly as everyone called him, wasn’t much for Washington society gatherings. In fact, he detested them. Sly was the family radical. Instead of going into the family firm when he graduated from law school, he’d joined the Peace Corps.
Sydney walked into the ballroom that had been reserved for the party, gave her wrap to the woman at the cloak room, and then greeted the host, Congressman Blackman and his wife, Mary. After a moment of idle conversation she excused herself and wandered over to the bar.
"A glass of wine, please." She gave a smile to the bartender. "Preferably white."
He returned the smile and poured her wine. After sampling it, she turned and looked out at the crowd. There were numerous well known Washington personalities present, ranging from Capitol Hill notables to members of the new administration, along with members of the press and local television celebrities. She saw many people she was acquainted with but made no move to speak with any of them. She was content to stay on the sidelines and watch.
As she looked toward the entrance her eyes widened slightly. A tall, raven-haired man dressed in a well-cut evening jacket and white shirt entered the ballroom. He appeared to be alone. She smiled. He was striking. Not handsome, but unique, almost patrician. No that wasn’t right.
Sydney shifted position once more and moved to an empty table, still watching. She sat down and after a few minutes realized that she was still holding the glass of wine. He was different. Just as she started to try and pinpoint what the difference was a voice called from behind her. "Sydney! Darling, whatever are you doing over here in a corner all alone?"
Sydney turned to her mother. "Hi, mom. You look beautiful."
Mrs. Forrest kissed her daughter and smiled. "Likewise, darling. Now, tell me. Who are you with?"
"I came alone. Blake’s still on assignment somewhere."
"That FBI fellow? Honestly, Sydney! When are you going to find yourself a nice man with a promising future? Why, I was just telling your father this very morning that—"
"Telling me what?" Jack Forrest interrupted as he came up behind them.
"Hi, Dad," Sydney said with a grateful smile and hugged him. "Thanks," she whispered. "You're just in the nick of time."
Jack Forrest pulled back and looked at his wife with an expression that Sydney knew was mock sternness. "Ah, the old 'get a good man' speech again, hmm, Shirley?"
Shirley smiled and patted his cheek. "Now, darling. Don't get all fierce on me. You know I'm only trying to look out for our daughter's future."
Jack smiled and took his wife's hand to kiss it. "Yes, of course. But right now I need you by my side, dearest. We must express our best wishes to the man of the hour and you know how difficult I find it to be ingratiating to that little worm."
"Of course, darling," Shirley replied and looked at Sydney. "Excuse us, dear, the Senator needs a watchdog to wish Larry happy birthday."
Sydney smiled and watched her parents move away. Her father was one of the best actors she had ever seen. He might personally detest someone but if that person could help him get what he wanted, then sugar would not melt in Jack Forrest's mouth. She had always supposed that was what made him such a successful politician.
She started to take her seat then decided against it. She was there so she might as well make the best of it and mingle.
Across the room, Adrian Zayne stood talking to a short man with a swarthy complexion. "And can you point this doctor out to me, Rico?"
Rico Cordelli smiled and looked around. "Right over there, with Senator East and his wife."
Adrian smiled and patted Rico on the shoulder. "Excellent. Thank you so much, my friend. We will speak soon. Do enjoy the evening."
Adrian walked over to the bar and got a drink, watching Senator East and the young woman with him. He watched her as she talked, noting the way light danced off her strawberry blond hair and the graceful arch of her neck as she tilted her head back and laughed lightly. She was not a tall woman, perhaps around five-five. Her figure was not the thin frame of a model, but reminiscent of pin up girls of the past. The curves were very evident in the elegant creme colored dress. He admired her shapely legs and full breasts and wondered what delights were hidden beneath the material.
She was, by all standards, beautiful. With creamy skin and dark lashed blue eyes she drew many admiring glances from the men around her.
Adrian smiled to himself and moved from his place at the bar as the music started. As he made his way through the people he watched Senator Forrest approach the woman and ask her to dance.
Sydney smiled up at her father as he led her into the swirl of dancers. "You seem to be my knight in shining armor tonight."
Jack raised his eyebrows. "Old Ralph boring you into a coma with one of his stories?"
"No, his wife was driving me to suicide with one of her attempts at matchmaking."
/> Jack laughed and twirled her around. "Your mother tells me you're still dating the FBI fellow. Are things getting serious between you two?"
Sydney's smile faded. "I'm not ready for anything serious. After what I went thought with Evan I don't think I'll ever be ready, to tell you the truth."
"Well, you know what they say about saying never," Jack said with a chuckle. "As soon as you do, you'll find yourself hip deep in the very thing you swore you'd never do. Besides, not every man's like Evan Mallory, honey. Some of us are even human."
Sydney laughed. "As opposed to what?"
"Sub-human?" he asked and raised his thick eyebrows comically.
Jack stopped moving and Sydney looked up in surprise as the tall man she had been watching earlier tapped Jack on the shoulder. "Senator, do you mind if I cut in?"
Jack stepped aside. "I suppose I can allow it. But keep in mind - this is my daughter."
"Then I shall be on my best behavior," Adrian replied and took Sydney's hand.
"So, you're Senator Forrest's daughter," Adrian said as he took her in his arms and moved her around the dance floor.
"Yes."
"And do you have a name, beautiful lady?"
"Yes, but my father always taught me not to give my name out to strangers, sir."
"Then let us rectify that. My name is Adrian Zayne and you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
Sydney smiled and looked up at him. "I'm Sydney Forrest and I don't think I've ever heard that line spoken quite so convincingly. Tell me, Mr. Zayne, are you an actor?"
Adrian smiled down at her and pulled her a little closer. "No, actually, I'm just your ordinary, run of the mill businessman, trying to make a dollar where he can."
Arching one eyebrow in disbelief she pulled back and looked at the cut of his expensive suit. "You'll have to do better than that, Mr. Zayne. Run of the mill businessmen trying to make a dollar where they can, can't afford suits like this. Why your shoes alone would set most people back a month's pay."
Adrian laughed and swung her around. "I can see that you are not easily fooled, Sydney Forrest. I like that. I think you and I are going to get along extremely well."
"Is that so?" she bantered.
Adrian leaned down close to her, so that his breath brushed her face when he answered. "Yes, most definitely. I guarantee it."
Wednesday, April 13
Senator Tyler arrived fifteen minutes late for his appointment. He looked as if he had not slept in a week and he was extremely agitated.
"Why don't you have a seat and try to relax," Sydney suggested as she closed the blinds in the room and turned on a soft reading lamp between the two chairs. "Would you care for something to drink? Tea, water?"
"No, nothing." Tyler sat down and wrung his hands in his lap. "Doctor, I don't know how much longer I can take this. I can't sleep, I can't eat, I can't concentrate . I think I'm losing my mind. I just don't know how much more I can take"
"Senator, I want to help, but I can't do that unless you let me."
"I just don't know−I don't know who I can trust. If anyone finds out−I don't know−if anyone knew what I've done . . ."
"Senator," she said softly and leaned forward toward him. "To begin with, in this room it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. Here there is no blame. I represent neither moral nor judicial authority. I don’t sit in judgment on you. My only concern is for your mental well being. Also, I must stress to you once again that nothing said here will leave this room. Our conversations are protected by the doctor patient confidentiality and I assure you that I take that very seriously."
Tyler nodded, but for a few moments his eyes darted around the room. "Okay," he said at last. "Okay."
Sydney settled back and waited for him to begin. "Well," he said and heaved a sigh. "It all started a couple of years back. I was running for re-election and you know how expensive that can be."
Tyler paused and stood. After a moment he started to pace. His words, which had started haltingly, poured in a torrent. "I was approached by a man. His name is unimportant. He offered to contribute quite heavily to my campaign. All he wanted in return was a little assistance.
“I don’t know if you’re aware of what happened in the mid 2000’s with the housing market boom, but this man and an associate of his had become involved in lending and wanted a bit of help with securitization.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know that term.” Her words had his steps halting, but only for a moment.
“Oh of course. Securitization is a process where we take an illiquid asset or group of assets and through financial engineering, transform them into a security. Do you understand?”
“No, not at all.”
“Let me give you an example. A typical example of securitization is a mortgage-backed security or MBS, which is a type of asset-backed security that’s secured by a collection of mortgages. Get it?”
“In a general sense, yes.”
“Okay, so this man, he just wanted a bit of assistance, you know?” He halted and looked at Sydney. "It didn't seem like such a big thing at the time. We all do it, you know. So, I agreed. Only I didn't know what I was getting into at the time.”
He sat down and mopped his face with a handkerchief. Sydney considered what he had said for a moment. "Then what you are afraid of is that someone will tie you and this help you gave the man together and that your career will suffer?"
Tyler looked at her and she could see the fear in his eyes. "If only it were that simple, doctor. But I'm afraid that's only the tip of the iceberg."
She did not comment but waited for him to say more. When he did not speak she prompted him gently. "Would you care to continue, Senator?"
"I can't," he said with a shake of his head. "Not now. I have a meeting that's very important."
"Very well, but I'd like to up our sessions to two a week."
"I'll have my secretary check my schedule and call you."
"Senator, I think you should try to get some rest. Maybe take a few days off and get away, relax. Sometimes distancing ourselves from the situation so that we can look at it more objectively can be very beneficial."
He nodded and walked to the door. "I'll think about it. In the meantime, do you think you could prescribe something to help me sleep?"
Sydney hesitated. She did not like to prescribe drugs, but the Senator looked as if he was about to come apart at the seams. She picked up a pad from her desk and wrote on it. "Take this to any health food store and they can find this for you. It's a tea that will help you relax. There's no side effects and it's very pleasant tasting. If this doesn’t help then I'll consider something stronger."
Tyler took the paper from her. "Thanks, Doctor Forrest. It helps being able to talk to someone."
She smiled and took his hand. "There's always a way out of any situation, Senator. A way that's best for everyone. Together, we'll work on finding that way for you."
He forced a smile and left. Sydney went to her desk and started to key in notes on her laptop from their session. She paused to think. She was not sure there was a good way out for the Senator. If what she suspected was true, then he had been taking payoffs, and that was enough to get him booted off the hill at the very least; if not booted into a river.
*****
Adrian looked at the man seated to his right. "You are quite sure this information is correct?"
"Without a doubt."
"Then make contact and set it in motion."
The man nodded and stood. When he left the room Adrian looked at the other men seated around the polished marble table. "Well, gentlemen, it appears as if phase one is about to be set into motion. If there is no other business, I suggest we adjourn."
A man spoke up from the other end of the table. "There is one other thing.”
Adrian turned his attention to the tall, stocky man. "Yes, Senator?"
"Tyler," the man said. "Do we know if he's talked?"
"I have decided to handle that matter person
ally."
"But what if he has? Everyone here knows that we can't afford a leak. If anyone finds out what Tyler knows then the results could be disastrous for us all. I don’t even want to think the hell the Oval would rain down on us. No, I don't think we can afford to take that risk. I think we should deal with Tyler and the –"
"I said I will deal with it." Adrian interrupted in a soft but firm tone. "There will be no more discussion on that aspect."
The Senator did not comment and after a moment Adrian looked around at the others. "Gentlemen, this meeting is adjourned. Have a pleasant day." He got up and walked out of the room.
The Senator who had opposed him looked around at the others. "I still say we need to do something about Tyler."
"And I say we do like Adrian says," Richardo Cordelli spoke. "If he says he'll handle it, then consider it handled."
"Easy for you to say! You have far less to lose if this thing blows up in our face."
Richardo smiled and stood. "And you have far more to lose if you cross Adrian, Senator. Think about that."
*****
Sydney punched the intercom button on her phone. "Yes?"
"A Mr. Zayne for you on line three."
"Thank you, Julie," Sydney replied, picked up the phone and punched line three. "Hello, Mr. Zayne."
"Mr. Zayne? I thought we had agreed to drop the Mr. and Ms.?"
"Adrian, I'm surprised to hear from you."
"I said you would. Did you think I would lie?"
"I don't know what to expect from you. I don't know you."
"Exactly the reason I called. Are you free for dinner?"
"Tonight?"
"Yes. Around seven?"
Her first instinct was to say no because she was involved with Blake. But then she had dinner with associates and friends who were men often and never gave it a second thought. Since she wasn’t interested in a relationship with Adrian and Blake was out of town, there was no reason to say no. "All right. Where shall I meet you?"
"I'll pick you up. See you at seven"
"But you don't even know where I live."