“What’s their endgame?” Alex wondered aloud.
“There isn’t an end, Alex. There’s just a game.”
“They have to have an objective.”
“Jesus,” Claire said. “Haven’t you learned by now that you’re shooting at a moving target?”
“I know that. Don’t you think I know that, Brackett?”
“We’re back to Brackett, I see.”
Alex sighed. “No. No. I’m sorry, Claire. I can think of at least a hundred reasons Kapralov would look to weaken the population at strategic points. What I can’t figure out is why he wants Candace to know that.”
Claire scratched her brow. “Well, maybe it isn’t the Russians who want her to know.”
“Possible. But whom?”
“Could be anyone. You know that. Someone wants to provoke her,” Claire observed. “Either they want to gauge what she’s willing to do, or they want to make her look foolish—probably both. I think you should talk to Jonathan.”
Alex groaned. Her half-brother had taken over control of their father’s company, Carecom. Carecom had been established after World War II as a medical supply company that worked directly with the military. Its government contracts, and the services and products it offered made it the perfect cover for CIA operations. Carecom had access to regions that many companies did not. Medical shipments provided ideal concealment for all types of contraband. Besides Carecom’s success at money laundering, the company had managed to help equip special forces and rogue factions in numerous countries for decades. Alex had taken the helm of the company after her father’s death in search of answers to questions about who he was and what role he played in a number of conspiracies. One of those conspiracies led to the assassination of President John Merrow, Alex’s former Colonel and best friend. Now, she had another friend sitting in the same office, President Candace Reid.
Merrow and Candace shared a commitment to higher ideals. Both believed in preserving democracy. Neither shared the belief that at any cost served as a sound policy. Alex wished she didn’t have the benefit of the many lessons she’d learned while overseeing Carecom. She did know that numerous people operated under the belief that at any cost should be employed as standard policy and procedure. Few of those people cared to safeguard democracy or people. People, like property, were deemed assets or liabilities. That made the ability to discard people easier—dehumanize them, weaponize them—remove them. It was a cold and calculating way to maneuver the world. That didn’t change the fact that it was true. John Merrow had become a liability to those who helped him ascend to the presidency. Candace had achieved that position without the aid of the intelligence community. Alex guessed that Candace Reid had earned her role as leader of the free world despite the operations of the intelligence complex. On the surface, Alex mused that the power structure of international espionage was immersed in a debate. Was Candace Reid a potential ally or an issue that would need to be removed accordingly? It made sense that obstacles and upheavals would be placed in the new president’s path deliberately. Would she react, or would she take the time to act deliberately? Would she gravitate toward diplomacy or intervention? Alex groaned. Testing Candace’s resolve was dangerous on multiple levels.
“What are you thinking?” Claire inquired.
“You’re right about seeing Jonathan.”
“I’m right?”
“Don’t gloat.”
Claire grinned. “Me?”
Alex massaged her temples with her thumbs.
“Toles?”
“She’s at risk, Claire.”
“Candace?”
Alex nodded.
“We all are,” Claire said. “Anyone who steps into this game risks being removed from it against their will.”
“That makes me feel better.”
“I’m not trying to make you feel better. Look, I can get closer than—”
“No.”
“You didn’t let me finish.”
“Because I know what you are going to suggest.”
“Then you should also know it’s the best way to figure out whom is pulling whose strings right now.”
Alex sighed. Claire had played all sides of every issue for years. She’d pretended to follow her father’s directions as an agent all the while pursuing her own agenda. That agenda changed with the wind. She’d formed alliances with the SVR, MI6, and more than a few off-the-grid agencies. She had enjoyed a close relationship with Dmitri Kargen. Kargen had been part of the innermost circle of Russian leadership, oligarchs, and intelligence operatives. American intelligence had mistakenly dubbed Kargen a simple henchman. He had been much more, moving money through back channels to assets in multiple western countries—money that would help undermine free elections, foster instability and distrust through media, and shake the foundations of confidence by staging threats and untimely disaster in various regions. He was not the architect of any plan. He had mastered bringing some of the most insidious plots to fruition. Alex hated to admit it, but Claire Brackett had the connections they needed, and she was cunning. She could walk between worlds, claiming to seek work outside the mainframe while feeding information to Alex. That was the nature of the life Alex and Claire had once led. It carried immense risk.
“Not yet,” Alex said.
Claire chuckled. “Worried about me?” she asked.
Alex looked at her partner without comment and closed the folder in front of her. She had no intention of sending Claire back into the fires of hell if she could avoid it.
“You know I’m right,” Claire said.
Without a word, Alex packed up her laptop and the files.
“Toles?”
“Let’s talk to Jonathan.”
Claire sighed heavily. She followed Alex dutifully. It remained nearly impossible for Claire to believe, but Alex cared about her. She cared about Alex. Alex would be more than a little reluctant to place Claire in the double-agent role. At some point, Alex, talk is cheap.
CHAPTER THREE
Laura bit her bottom lip as she listened to Jameson. Jameson seemed determined to attach her name and her clout to the New Roads felon re-entry program that was based in West Virginia. From Laura’s perspective, the move constituted unneeded political jeopardy. New Roads received support from more than one organization that had serious issues with Candace Reid as a person and as a political figure. She also sensed that Jameson was determined to hold her ground. She wondered if Jameson had discussed her intentions with Candace. “JD, what does Mom think about this?”
Jameson put down the paper in her hand and shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“You didn’t discuss it with her?”
“Not in any detail. Why?”
“JD, I know that you feel this is worthy of your time and your—”
“It is worthy.”
“Maybe, but I don’t think you can ignore the conflict of interest.”
“I don’t see any conflict of interest to ignore,” Jameson replied. She saw Laura’s chest rise and fall dramatically and smiled. “Thank you,” she said.
“For what?”
“Challenging me.”
“I’m not trying to challenge you.”
“Yes, you are, and you should. That’s your job.”
“I just don’t want this to backfire on you. There are lots of programs around the country that are similar that you could invest your time with and make a difference.”
“Yes, but most of those don’t enjoy the support of Candace’s opposition.”
“That’s exactly me point.”
“Mine too.”
“You’re not seriously telling me that you find New Roads’ affiliation with FVI enticing?”
“I’m not sure I find it enticing. I think it presents an opportunity.”
Laura groaned.
“You don’t?” Jameson asked.
“I think it constitutes an unnecessary risk.”
“That is probably true.”
“Then
why?”
“Because that risk is what makes the investment worthwhile.”
“That makes no sense.”
“No?”
“JD, FVI will never support Mom’s administration.”
“I don’t expect that.”
“What do you expect?”
“I also don’t believe they will withdraw their financial support from New Roads. I spoke to the director at New Roads last night—at length. I don’t believe the organization is interested in partisanship.”
“Maybe not, but they’ve proven they have an interest in causing you and Mom problems.”
Jameson nodded. Laura was right and Jameson understood that Family Values International triggered many emotions for her daughter-in-law. Laura had good reason to be wary of FVI.
“I don’t mean to deter you,” Laura said.
“Yes, you do.”
“I—”
“For reasons that I understand.”
“But you don’t agree.”
“That it’s a risk?” Jameson asked.
Laura nodded.
“I agree it’s a risk. I happen to think it’s a risk worth taking.” Jameson smiled at Laura. “You know, Candace has always sought as much common ground as she can with people—with anyone willing to come to the table. She knows when to stand her ground and when to compromise.”
“Yes, but FVI isn’t known for its ability or desire to compromise—on anything.”
“Maybe not. FVI isn’t made up of one person, or two people, of ten or twenty.” Jameson saw Laura ready to protest. “In the end, the entities that support places like New Roads will have to decide what is most important to them—their mission to upend Candace or their commitment to helping people.”
“I don’t want you to be a casualty in the process,” Laura said.
“Well, anything worth having or creating requires some risk. Don’t be so quick to assume the worst will happen.”
“And if it does?”
“What do you think the worst could be?” Jameson asked.
“If FVI and its allies do pull funding, you will be seen as responsible. And, that could lead to some destructive narratives.”
“It could.”
“You don’t seem worried.”
“I’m not a politician,” Jameson offered. “I’ve learned more than you might imagine from Candace over the years.”
“You have a plan.”
“Let’s just say that if they pull out, it isn’t me or anyone associated with Candace that will look like a black hat looming in the alley.” Jameson chuckled at Laura’s curious gaze. “Any defection by FVI from New Roads will be answered by allies that Candace and I have—financially.”
“You’re sneaky.”
“No. Just prepared.”
“Out of curiosity, what do you think the best outcome would be?” Laura wondered.
“New Roads grows its mission, and we lay the foundation of a bridge no one sees taking shape.”
“You’ve thought this through.”
Jameson winked. “I told you, I’ve learned from the best.”
***
Candace wandered into the foyer and watched as the door was opened.
“Nana!” Spencer ran.
Candace laughed. Maddie toddled behind her older brother.
“Nana!” she called out.
“My goodness,” Candace said. “Look who came to visit!” She greeted her grandchildren with a hug and then raised her eyes to Marianne’s. “You look surprised to see me.”
“I am,” Marianne admitted.
“I do live here.”
“Funny, Mom. I thought you’d be working.”
“Well, I have a couple of hours before I need to officially work.”
“Where’s JD?” Marianne wondered.
“Working.”
“That’s a bit of role reversal,” Marianne commented.
Candace laughed. She reached over with Spencer and Maddie still attached to her and hugged her daughter and then Scott. “It happens,” she said. “Occasionally.”
“Where’s Coop?” Spencer asked.
“Tired of me already?” Candace teased her grandson.
Spencer shook his head and looked at his feet.
Candace sighed lightly. She had been joking. Usually, Spencer giggled when Candace feigned hurt. It seemed he was unusually sensitive today. She squatted down to meet his eyes. “Spencer,” she called to him softly.
Spencer looked up with unshed tears.
“What is this all about? Candace inquired gently.
Spencer shrugged.
“Mm.” Candace looked up to Marianne. “Why don’t you and Scott take Maddie upstairs and find Pearl?”
“What about you?”
Candace grinned. “Spencer and I will catch up with you.”
“Are you sure you don’t,” Marianne began.
“I told you; I have some time. We’ll be there in a bit,” Candace promised.
Marianne nodded. “Come on, Maddie. Let’s go find Grandma. I’ll bet she knows where some cookies are.”
Candace waited until Marianne and Scott had made their way down the hall. She stood to her full height and offered Spencer her hand. “How would you like to help me for a little while?”
Spencer’s eyes widened hopefully.
“I need to take care of a couple of things.”
“I can help?” Spencer questioned.
“Yes, you can. And when we’re finished we can go find Cooper.”
“Nana?”
“Hum?”
“Never mind.”
“What is it, Spencer?”
Spencer shrugged.
Candace had a guess what was on the youngster’s mind. Spencer adored Cooper. Their relationship hardly followed a typical uncle/nephew dynamic. Less than a full year apart in age, the boys had always been best friends, closer, Candace thought, than many brothers could claim. But she also recognized that even as time passed, Spencer sometimes longed for the days when he had been the only child in his grandparent’s life. He had enjoyed being the center of Jameson’s world and having Candace and Jameson’s undivided attention. Things had changed dramatically. Candace had six grandchildren with another one on the way. But it was the addition of Cooper to the family that had shifted Spencer’s world the most. Sometimes, Candace lost sight of the challenge that Spencer faced. She remembered it with Marianne. Spencer was the oldest grandchild and he took his role seriously. He was articulate and intelligent, and Spencer was a natural leader. He was also a little boy—one who loved her and Jameson deeply. They had stepped in and filled a parental role after his father’s death. He would always share a special relationship that she prayed none of his cousins would fully grow to understand.
“You know,” Candace said as she took Spencer’s hand to lead him away, “I miss our hide and seek game.”
“You do?”
“I do.”
“Scott plays it with me and Mads sometimes.”
“I’ll bet that’s fun.”
“Kinda.”
“Kind of?”
Another shrug.
Candace giggled. “I’ll bet we can convince Jay to play tonight.”
“Really?”
“I think so.”
Spencer brightened and then quickly frowned. He sighed and tried to smile. “Coop likes to play too.”
“He does. I’ll bet Cooper would like to spend a little time with your Mom later.”
Spencer tugged at his lip with his teeth.
“You would be stuck with me and Jay,” Candace said. “I’ll understand if you’d rather spend some time with Cooper and Mom.”
Spencer shook his head dramatically. “Mommy misses Coop.”
Candace smiled. No doubt about that. Marianne was Cooper’s favorite person on earth aside from his parents. He adored his eldest sibling, and Marianne was completely enthralled with him. The bond they shared was created by a mutual understanding of loss. Cooper talked about h
is sister incessantly. He called Marianne often to tell her about his day at school or tattle-tale on some silly thing she or Jameson had said or done. Families were not always easy to navigate. There were always emotional minefields to both acknowledge and avoid.
“I’ll bet she does,” Candace agreed. “But she won’t mind if you want to spend time with them. She knows you miss Cooper too.”
“It’s okay. I can stay with you and Jay.”
“If you don’t mind,” Candace said. “I’d like that.”
“Did you miss me, Nana?”
Candace stopped walking and looked at Spencer. Did I miss you? “Every minute of every day,” she told him.
Spencer grinned.
“I miss you too, Nana.”
Candace winked. She forced herself not to laugh at the next thought that crossed her brain. Spencer was a master at Hide-and-Seek. For someone who hated to be away from his grandparents, he’d given both her and Jameson a few heart attacks with his choices of hiding places. Well, it will be an interesting evening. She briefly entertained the idea that it would be fun to play the game when her staff was still working. The thought of Spencer popping out for underneath a desk, from behind one of the giant filing cabinets, or some other obscure nook or cranny made her chuckle.
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