The Territory of Lies

by Ana Stone

  "Pirate?" Weasel raised his eyebrows. "As in rape, pillage and plunder? Sounds kinky."

  Blake didn’t think the comment was amusing. "Anything new on the Zayne investigation?"

  "Nothing significant. If he's really behind this bombing thing then he's covered his tracks carefully. Like I told you before, I've made the connection with the NRA but that's hardly proof. It's not like it's a crime to be a member - hell, half the republicans in Washington are. I'm checking out some of the more - let's say, violent extremist groups to see if there's any connections but it's going to take some time."

  "What about Donaldson and Peters?" Blake asked, referring to two of the other agents assigned to the case.

  "They checked in a couple of hours ago. We got clearance to bug Zayne's house. They're going in as soon as they get a shot. It's not going to be easy. There's always someone at the house. Oh, Roberts and Turner are on surveillance right now. Turner took care of the wiretap and Roberts managed to plant a bug in one of Zayne's cars while he was downtown."

  Blake rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Okay, I'm going to check on Syd and grab a couple of hours sleep. I'll meet you back here at ten."

  Weasel nodded and followed Blake to the elevator. "This thing with Zayne," he said as they got in. "It's real personal with you, isn't it?"

  Blake turned and gave him a hard look. "What are you trying to say? That I'm jealous of him?"

  "Are you?" Weasel asked in return.

  "Do you think I have a reason to be?"

  "Let's not play this game," Weasel replied as the elevator doors opened. "But in answer to your question, no, I don't think you have a reason to be. Syd told you she didn't like the guy. And while we're playing question and answer I need to ask you one and I need a straight answer."

  "Shoot," Blake said as he stepped outside and held the door for Weasel.

  "This thing with you and Syd. It's not like the others, is it? You're not just playing her along until you get tired of her or something new comes along?"

  "Is that what you think?"

  "I don't know, man," Weasel stopped walking. "I've known you a while and in all that time since your divorce you've never been real serious about a woman. Hell, you even earned yourself a name because of all the women who pass through your life. I'm not knocking you for that - it's your life. But now you're messing with someone I care about and that changes everything."

  "So you're looking out for Syd? Is that it? Big brother GW looking out for little sister?"

  "Yeah, I guess so. Look, man−Syd's a real special person and she's been hurt, you know. That rotten son-of-a…that husband of hers really did a number on her and I just don't want to see her get hurt again. She might seem like she's made of stone−all professional and cool−but on the inside she's still a scared and vulnerable woman."

  "Why don't we grab something to eat," Blake suggested. "Come on, we can take your car."

  They started to the parking area. "So what's the story with Evan Mallory?" Blake asked. "Syd's never talked about him except to say that their marriage was a disaster and it made her determined not to care about anyone again."

  "He was a real piece of work," Weasel replied. "He married her because she was Jack Forrest's daughter and he had political ambitions. He was having an affair with someone before they got married and continued it throughout the marriage."

  Blake looked at him in surprise and Weasel nodded. "Syd was a mess when she found out. He really hurt her. Not because he was the love of her life or anything. To tell you the truth I don't think she was really in love with him. But he fit in her world and she felt like she wasn't ever going to be the kind of woman who fell madly in love so she settled."

  "I can't imagine her having to settle. She could have her pick. She's beautiful and smart and−"

  "And sees herself as less," Weasel interrupted. "Man you got to remember where she came from. Sheila Forrest was the hottest thing in Washington in her day. Every man who met her wanted her. She was from one of the most influential families in the country, was drop-dead beautiful, had money out the wazoo from her grandfather's estate and was some kind of up and coming star on the international social scene. Syd grew up in her shadow. She never felt like she could measure up to her mom so she didn't think she was anything special. Besides, Sheila thought Evan Mallory was the perfect man for Syd and she let Syd know about it constantly."

  Blake thought about it for a few moments. "She's not like the others," he said softly.

  Weasel looked at him and Blake faced him. "I love her, man. So much it scares me. After my divorce, I swore I'd never let myself care about someone that way. But then Syd came along and I realized that I'd never felt the way she makes me feel. It's like sometimes when she just reaches out and puts her hand on my arm it almost takes my breath away. Sometimes I just watch her, marveling that she would even waste her time with me. I thought I loved my wife. I did love her. But not the way I love Syd. It's like she's what I've been looking for all my life and the thought of losing her scares me more than anything ever has."

  He laughed self-consciously. "Listen to me. I sound like a cheap romance novel."

  "No." Weasel shook his head and stopped walking. "I appreciate you being honest with me Blake. She's family to me, you know? I just had to know where you stood."

  "And now that you know how 'bout answering a question for me? Has she talked to you about me?"

  "That's classified," Weasel's face split in a wide smile. "And my lips are sealed, dude. Listen, let's skip the grub. I want to get online before I pull the plug for the night. I'll catch you at the office."

  "You sure?"

  "Yeah, you go check on Syd. She's probably having a fit not knowing what happened to you."

  "Okay." Blake started to unlock his car then stopped. "Weasel?"

  "Yeah?" Weasel turned and looked back at him.

  "Thanks."

  "No problem. What are friends for?"

  Blake smiled and got in his car. His smile faded as he remembered what he and Sydney had been talking about when they left the restaurant; her little scheme with Senator Tyler.

  And Weasel never mentioned a word about Tyler. He suddenly realized. He was supposed to be trying to track Tyler down. Strange. It's not like Weasel to forget something like that.

  The though nagged at him as he pulled out of the parking slot. Weasel didn’t forget. Blake was willing to bet that Weasel had purposely not mentioned the Senator and had steered the conversation away from him to protect Sydney.

  Come on, he chastised himself. You don't think he had anything to do with it. No, surely not. But then again, he could have known about what she was up to and just covered for her.

  "Get a grip!" he murmured to himself. "You're starting to see plots at every turn."

  Telling himself that he was just being paranoid, he headed for Sydney's apartment.

  

  Sydney tried to wake up when she felt Blake kiss the side of her neck but her eyes felt like they had lead weights on them.

  "Come to bed," he whispered.

  She wanted to answer him but she couldn’t. It was all she could do just to make sense of his words. She managed an "umm" sound, but that was all. He must have understood that she was just too sleepy because the next thing she knew she was being lifted by strong arms.

  Some time later she heard his voice again. "Did you see the Senator today?"

  "Umm hmm," she hummed without opening her mouth.

  "And what did you talk about?"

  "Hmm." She went limp as he lay her on the bed and started undressing her. His hands felt warm on her skin. She felt him settle down beside her, tracing his hands down her body.

  "Do you know where the Senator is?"

  "Hmm."

  "Sydney, I want you to tell me about Senator Tyler."

  Sydney tried to force herself to complete consciousness so that she could respond to his caresses but something wouldn’t let her. It was like she was locked in sleep and couldn’t w
aken. She could hear Blake whispering, asking her questions about Senator Tyler as he touched her. She was torn between wanting to just enjoy the sensations and wanting to remind him that she couldn’t divulge that information to him. In the end she did neither. With the sound of his whisper in her ear she sank into a dreamless sleep.

  

  Blake was a couple of blocks from Sydney's apartment when he decided to stop by his own place and get a change of clothes. When he got to the apartment he checked his voice mail on the land-land. Michael had called three times. On the third call he left a message that his ball team had won their division and he had been selected as the starting pitcher for the All Star team. He wanted Blake to call so he could give him a schedule of the games so that maybe he could come down and see one of them.

  Blake made a mental note to call his son that afternoon then went into the bedroom. Clothes lay strewn on the bed and the hamper was full. If he didn’t do some laundry soon he wouldn’t have to worry about clean clothes because he wouldn’t have any. He picked up all the dirty things and stuffed them in the hamper, then put a couple of things in a small bag, took a clean suit from the closet and left

  He checked his watch as he got out of the car at Sydney’s building. It was almost six. He might have already missed her. She liked to run early in the morning before getting ready for work.

  He unlocked the door, set his suitcase down and draped his suit across the back of the couch as he walked down the hall toward the bedroom. Just as he reached the opened door he stopped short. Sydney was lying on her stomach on the bed with her face turned away from the man beside her.

  Adrian Zayne sat up, letting the sheet fall away from his chest as he looked at Blake. "A bit early for visiting, isn't it, Mr. Edwards?"

  "What's going on?" Blake barked without thinking.

  Sydney blinked at the sound of voices and turned her face towards Adrian, reaching out for him. "Blake?"

  "No, darling, it's Adrian."

  She jerked her head up with a yelp of surprise then scrambled off the bed like she’d just found a snake in it, pulling the sheet with her to wrap around her naked body.

  "What are you doing here?"

  Adrian chuckled. "My, that does seem to be a popular question this morning. Mr. Edwards just asked me the same thing."

  Sydney whirled around and saw Blake standing just inside the doorway. She looked from him to Adrian then back again. "I thought−I thought−"

  Adrian seemed unconcerned with his nudity. "I was not aware that you were expected Mr. Edwards. Tell me, do you make it a habit to sneak into your friend's homes while they are sleeping?"

  Blake felt a cold rage swell in his chest. To think that Sydney would take Zayne into her bed made him furious. To have to listen to Zayne's mocking words made him want to hit something.

  "I wasn't aware you had company," he directed his comment to Sydney.

  "Neither was I," she replied, clutching the sheet in front of her chest.

  "And just what are you doing here so early, Mr. Edwards?" Adrian asked as he stood and slid on his pants.

  "I don't think that's any of your business," Blake responded stiffly and looked once more at Sydney. "Sorry to intrude. I'll get out of your way."

  "No!" she exclaimed and followed him down the hall. "Blake, wait!"

  He stopped and turned to face her. "I swear by all that's holy, I didn't know he was here."

  "Right." He crossed his arms in front of his chest as she tried to take his hand. "A man climbs into bed with you and you don't know it."

  "I didn't!" she insisted.

  "Tell someone who'll believe it," he said and turned away from her to head for the door.

  "Would you please wait?" She reached out and grabbed his arm, tripping over the sheet as he continued to move.

  Blake stopped again and at that moment Adrian walked down the hall, buttoning his shirt. "Darling, I hate to rush off, but I do have pressing matters that require my attention. Perhaps it would be best if we stayed at my house tonight where we will not be interrupted."

  Sydney stared at him like he was a creature from outer space as he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Say sevenish?"

  She stared mutely at him as he smiled and looked at Blake. "I would say it has been a pleasure, Mr. Edwards, but we do seem to meet at the most inopportune moments. Please excuse me. "

  He opened the door then paused and turned to look back at them. "Darling, it was a most memorable night. Try to get some rest, I know you must be exhausted." He smiled at Blake pointedly. "We didn't get much sleep."

  Sydney watched him walk out the door then looked at Blake. "God as my witness I did not invite him here."

  "And I guess you didn't have a memorable night with him either."

  "Not that I remember, no."

  "Cut the crap!" he snapped, angry at her dishonesty. "It's not like I didn't see it with my own eyes. What I want to know is why? Why did you do it?"

  "Are you insane? I didn't spend the night with him! I came here when I couldn't keep up with you and called GW to try and find out if you were all right and I fell asleep on the couch waiting for you. Then when you came home you carried me in here and−and I don't really remember but I think you were asking me about seeing Tyler and−yes! You were asking me what Tyler told me and I wanted to tell you that I couldn't talk about it but I was so sleepy that I couldn't stay awake and then−"

  "I wasn't here," Blake interrupted her. "I told you, I just got here. And Zayne was here. I saw him in your bed, remember?"

  "And I'm telling you that I didn't know he was there! Look, I know it sounds like a lie but I swear that I did not go to bed with him, Blake. I wouldn't do that."

  Blake studied her face. She didn’t seem to be lying. In fact, she looked down-right frightened.

  "I'm not lying,” she said. “It happened just like I told you."

  Sydney suddenly started like someone had jabbed her in the back. "God! Oh, god! It was him! He came in and−and he−he− " she whirled around and stared at him with the color draining out of her face. "Oh god, you don't think I−"

  Blake watched in bafflement as she clamped her hand over her mouth and ran into the bathroom. Before he could reach the door, he heard her retching. He waited until he heard the water running in the sink then entered the bathroom. Sydney was standing in front of the mirror wearing a short robe and scrubbing at her teeth with her toothbrush like she was trying to brush the enamel off.

  She rinsed out her mouth then lifted a bottle of mouthwash up and filled her mouth. When she had rinsed her face and was drying it, Blake walked up behind her. "Syd, what's really going on? Why was Zayne here?"

  "I don't know." She looked up at him in the mirror with a haunted expression. "Blake, I swear to you I don't know."

  "I think we better sit down and talk." He turned her around and steered her back to the bedroom. "Okay. " He pushed her down gently on the bed and sat down beside her. "Now, tell me what happened−everything."

  "I was following you and suddenly there was this car and someone in it was shooting at you and both you and that car were swerving and running into one another. I tried to keep up but I lost you and I didn't know what else to do but come home and wait. I called GW and I left a message on his e-mail but I never heard from him. I was so scared that something awful had happened and I thought about going back out and trying to find you but then I was afraid you'd come here and−well, anyway, I decided the best thing to do was wait.

  So, I had a couple of glasses of wine and watched television and−and I must have gone to sleep on the couch. I remember hearing you tell me I should come to bed but I was too sleepy to move or talk. Then you picked me up and−and I don' remember anything else except you whispering in my ear, asking me questions about Tyler. And then there's nothing until I woke up."

  Blake thought about what she said. "And you don't remember letting Zayne in?"

  "No."

  "Then why was he here?"

 
; "I don't know! I didn't even know he was here!"

  Blake wanted to believe her and part of him did. But there was a small suspicious part of him that wouldn’t give in and trust her. "Does he have a key?"

  "No!" She jumped to her feet and started pacing. "I didn’t invite him here and I didn’t sleep with him−at least I don't−no, I know I didn't. I don't know why he was here or why I can't remember−damn!"

  She stopped abruptly and looked at Blake. "The wine! That has to be it. He drugged me before using wine. He must have somehow gotten in and put something in the wine. That's why I couldn't wake up and why I can't remember. He−Blake, that's it. It was him whispering to me, asking me questions about Tyler. He was trying to find out what I know!"

  Blake stood up to face her. "That's a little far-fetched."

  "Are you saying I'm lying?"

  "I'm just saying that it's a little unbelievable."

  Sydney looked at him for a moment then ran out of the room. Blake followed her as she ran into the living room and picked up a wine bottle from the coffee table. "Here!" She held the bottle out to him. "If you think I'm lying then drink this."

  Blake looked from her to the bottle. "I'm not drinking that."

  "Why not? If you think I'm lying then there's nothing wrong with the wine."

  He took the bottle from her and put it down on the table. "I didn't say I thought you were lying. I just find it hard to understand. If he did get in and drug the wine to try and get information out of you then why hang around till morning? And why the big show for me?"

  Sydney suddenly laughed. "Why? Come on, Blake? Why else? The same reason he put on that display at the restaurant. Adrian likes playing games, making people believe what he wants them to believe. And look how good he is at it. You think I invited him into my bed and made up some story to cover for it. And that's exactly what he wants you to think."

  Blake realized that she was probably right. Zayne played by a set of rules all his own and it was clear that he had his sights on Sydney. How better to get another man out of the picture than make it look like she had the hots for him. "I see your point."