Strong Reflection: Book 2 of the Dark Series Trilogy

by Mckoy, Cate

  Jack came back into the kitchen with a deep frown marring his handsome face. He leaned over and gave Catlyn a kiss, "Catlyn, I have to go. One of my detectives has been in an O-I-S. I arranged for Tasha to pick your mom up at the airport. I don't know how long I will be."

  "What's an O-I-S?" Jared asked.

  "An Officer Involved Shooting." The 3 others answered simultaneously.

  "Please be careful." Catlyn gave him another kiss before wiping her lip gloss from his lips.

  "Sweetheart, careful is my middle name." Jack winked.

  "It's Anthony silly." Catlyn shooed him out of the room.

  "Catlyn, where is Kyle?" Ashley was curious.

  "He didn't mention specifics only that he had an errand to run."

  Mackenzie was puzzled. What possible errand could he have in a strange town where the only people he knew were right here?

  Chapter 15

  Kyle watched the director sleep. He had been here over 30 minutes waiting to speak with him. Kyle once again used his credentials to seek out medical information. The director did not have a heart attack as they all had thought. The doctors said it was a warning sign though. The director would have to make some serious life style changes if he wanted to avoid a real heart attack and be around for his grandson's graduation from West Point.

  Kyle glanced over to the door, detecting motion. It was the same male nurse that had checked in just a few minutes ago. Kyle looked him directly in the eyes before turning his scrutiny back towards the director.

  Kyle glared at his sleeping form with disgust. How could he call himself a grandfather when he had chosen one grandchild over the other? He had no business controlling the reigns of one of the most powerful positions in the country while harboring such biases and bigotry.

  Without preamble the director's eyes sprang open and immediately found Kyle's. He felt obligated a little to ask after his welfare before he tore into the director, telling him what he really thought of him as a parent and as a man. "How are you feeling?"

  He pushed the button to raise the upper part of the bed. "Fine. Where is my grandson?"

  Kyle's eyes narrowed, "With his sister."

  The old man's gray eyes sparked to life, "She is not hi--"

  "Finish that sentence and so help me God you are going to need to stay here in this hospital."

  Director Mackenzie faltered in his attempt to sit all the way up, "Listen, here boy, I don't know who you think you're talking to, but--"

  Kyle moved up closer to the bed. "I know exactly to whom I speak. An old bigot that chose the grandchild that could pass for white over the one who couldn't."

  "You don't know what you're talking about!"

  "Oh, don't I? David John Mackenzie, Sr., born April 15, 1946 in Atlanta, Georgia to a Nick and Bobbielyn Ryland. You had a pretty normal and moderate upbringing until you reached your twenties after your parents died and joined none other than the Klu Klux Klan!"

  "I see you've been snooping in files you have no business in and definitely no security clearance."

  "And I see a man who took a severely traumatized little girl who had survived anyone's worst nightmare and traumatized her even more." Kyle stood and ran an agitated hand through his hair, "You sick, twisted son of bitch! Your son chose his woman to love, he chose his kids, it was your responsibility to protect and love her too. Do you think your son would be proud to know that his very own father had become the thing he hated most and fought against every day, the very thing he died for?"

  "Get, out, you know nothing!"

  "My God, I still remember the way you introduced her, 'Come meet our new team member, Agent Ashley Mackenzie, no relation, of course', la de da, like she was nothing!"

  The old man seemed to shrink and age 20 years right before Kyle's eyes. And Kyle really started to worry as tears formed in his eyes and then overflowed on to his cheeks.

  "You don't understand!"

  "What could possibly explain how you've treated your granddaughter and disrespect of your son's wishes?"

  "Shall I answer that for you, Sir?"

  Kyle turned to the open door. Ashley, Catlyn and Jared stood there with varying degrees of anxious expressions.

  Ashley and her grandfather locked gazes for an eternity. "I suppose you must judging by that ring on your finger. Please follow protocol."

  "Catlyn and Jared, Sir?"

  The director huffed, "The more the merrier." Although he sounded anything but merry.

  "Catlyn and Jared why don't you guys sit down." Ashley turned to Kyle whose eyes hadn't left her since he turned towards the door.

  "Assistant Director Kyle Strong, security clearance code, I-D and badge please."

  "Are you joking? My clearance is higher than yours!"

  "I'm sure it is, Sir. Security clearance code, I-D and badge, please, Sir."

  Seeing that her dark eyes were serious Kyle rattled off his code and produced the items Ashley had seen a thousand time.

  After inspecting his information she turned to her grandfather, "Director Mackenzie are you satisfied, Sir?" He nodded approval reluctantly.

  Looking into Kyle's eyes Ashley started to speak. "Director Mackenzie is not only the director of the FBI. In a way you can say that is his cover. He belongs in a clandestine special ops unit that specializes in anti-racial terrorism. He was first recruited in his early twenties. His first assignment was to infiltrate the Klu Klux Klan. He spent years posing as D.J. Mackey. He worked his way up through the ranks in the KKK. Ultimately he and his team were able to disband the local chapter of the KKK and had thwarted many crimes against minorities and government agency that supported them. His second assignment was to enter a cult where the members performed racial cleansings as an initiation. The recruit would have to kill 10 or more to join, acceptable lambs to the slaughter were: Blacks, Jews, Hispanics and any female that wasn't Caucasian. Director Mackenzie and his team successfully took this group out too.

  "Director Mackenzie then for the next 20 years traveled all over the country foiling crimes against minorities and disbanding groups, clubs and organizations which took any kind of illegal stand against minorities. His last assignment before he was to take on his new position as Director of the FBI was to infiltrate an organization known as W.H.A.M."

  Catlyn gasped, "White Heterosexual Aryan Masters?"

  Ashley looked at her, "You've heard of them?"

  "So have I." Kyle said, bringing Ashley's attention back on him. She probed his eyes. He looked angry.

  "Go on and finish."

  Ashley tried to gauge his reaction but other than his strong jaw being clamped tight she couldn't tell how angry he was underneath.

  "Something went wrong on his last assignment. After netting some top level guys for major felonies, including murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment, money laundering and extortion there was a leak and Director Mackenzie's true identity was revealed to W.H.A.M. all his files were accessed, his true name, true employer, his promotion and all the information on his family particularly his son and his son's upcoming promotion. The remaining members of W.H.A.M. retaliated. They killed Director Mackenzie's wife, his son, his son's family and all the top ranking agents that were due to start in the new department and their families. It was decided that it would be best and safer for everyone involved that there be no survivors."

  Jared got up and angrily stared down at Ashley. "You lied? You told me you didn't know about me being alive!"

  Mackenzie Sr. spoke up, "She didn't know about you son. I explained to her how we couldn't be family anymore and how she had to go live in an orphanage and be brave this time--"

  He stopped talking when he felt the disapproving eyes of the others, except Ashley who looked at the floor.

  Kyle gave a humorless laugh, "Let me get this straight, you destroyed an 11 year old girl, forcing her to suppress being herself, forcing her to be her twin, forcing her to live as an orphan with no family when she has a brother and a grandfather, making her believ
e it was her fault her family died, all for the sake of your job?"

  "It wasn't for my job. It was for her protection!"

  "Bullshit!"

  "It's not bullshit. Still to this day we have no idea who or how my information was leaked. I needed to protect the family I have left!"

  Jared jumped in, "If protecting her was what this was all about, explain that hateful shit outside Jack's house last night, calling her nothing to you, shoving your granddaughter to the ground?"

  "She understands why that was done." The director turned a bright shade of red.

  Kyle split a look between Ashley and her grandfather. "If you are so concerned about safety why did you allow her to tell us your true identity virtually in public?"

  At this question Ashley raised her head and her eyes met her grandfather's. They participated in some non-verbal communication that ended with a nod from David Mackenzie. "I activated Guardian very shortly after the director went down. The ambulance you saw last night was driven by Guardian 3 and 5. The Director has been under guard ever since."

  "Wow, that is some special ops you got going." Jared was sarcastic. "Where'd his guards go now?"

  Kyle nodded, "I thought it kind of odd that male nurse kept popping in here and when he wasn't actually in the room he hung around outside your door."

  David Mackenzie confirmed with a nod, "That was Guardian 2."

  "So like the kid said, where's your guard now. I haven't seen him since the others arrived."

  Catlyn looked towards the door. "He's not out there anywhere now."

  Jared smirked, "Come on guys, even special ops can yield the room to two agents and a former agent."

  Catlyn frowned, "I guess so."

  Kyle had been watching Ashley the last couple of minutes and although not even a hair on her head had changed he knew there was something different. "That's not it is it, Ariel?"

  All eyes were on her as she answered, "No, that's not it...I am Guardian 1."

  Kyle's eyes closed and he shook his head. "Oh my God!"

  Jared wasn't as eloquent, "Holy shit!"

  Catlyn's eyes were sad as she added, "This explains so much!"

  Kyle rounded on the director, getting in his face, "Are you fucking proud at what you've done?"

  The Director gave it right back to him, "I am damn proud of Agent Mackenzie."

  "Her name is Ariel! And she is your granddaughter! All she has ever wanted since I've known her is a family. She's so starved for family she hijacked mine long before I fell in love with her. Look what you have turned her into. Do you even see?"

  "I see a damn fine field agent with a sharp shooter ranking in firearms, with top scores in hand to hand and several forms of martial arts, an agent who is smart, quick witted and can survive if you dropped her in the middle of a jungle with no supplies."

  "Well I see a woman with nothing left to lose but a grandfather she desperately loves and will die before she ever fails again, according to him. You've created a ticking bomb."

  "Agent Mackenzie is fine."

  "You coward, you can't even say her name. And, she is not fine. I've loved every inch of her body. I have seen the scars, both the internal and external. Your granddaughter has been shot, stabbed, has had too many near misses to count, beaten into a coma and violated. You think that's fine?"

  "It shows her endurance."

  Kyle grabbed the director by the front of his hospital gown. He caught Ashley's hand as she went to remove his. He held her hand tightly pulling her towards him forcing her to stumble against his body. His eyes drilled into hers, "Stand down, Guardian 1. He isn't hurt and doesn't need rescuing, understand?"

  Ashley stated into his gorgeous eyes and saw only love. She nodded and Kyle released her.

  He pulled the gown tighter and warned, "You had better start doing right by your granddaughter or she is going to die trying to win your love, approval and wanting to be 'brave this time'. You should have never been allowed to take your position after losing most of your family and friends and she should have never been an agent at all." Kyle shoved him back against the mattress, releasing him. He turned and left the room.

  ****

  Kyle tried to keep his temper in check. He had insisted Ariel...yes, damn it, he would call her what her mother named her. Not by the name chosen from pain, grief and guilt...ride with him. She had remained silent so far as did he, time to change the silence, "So all those times I thought I was saving your job by finagling a report or looking the other way or accepting it when you told me one of your half-truths was a waste of time. You were never getting fired."

  She turned from her contemplation out the passenger window. "That's not true. If you had fired me and asked for my resignation I would have had to comply. Our unit is clandestine but it's still part of the HCD and you head that department."

  Kyle harrumphed and drove a few more minutes in silence. "So pretty Miss Ariel are we still getting hitched? I only ask because I think I've alienated your family."

  "I said don't call me that anymore."

  "Sorry Babydoll can't do that, I want all of you, the real you. I want you Ariel, not some tribute of an amazingly brave little girl who didn't live beyond pre-pubescents. And why do you automatically assume she would have been this hard, ass-kicking, unfeminine automaton that dressed like a man?”

  He didn’t give her a chance to speak. “I'll tell you why, because that's the 11 year old Ariel part of your brain. It was how you viewed your sister back then. And she viewed you as the prissy, girly-girl who wouldn't break a fingernail for some fun. You don't know what she would have been like. By the time she got interested in boys she could have ended up more girly than even you were."

  "How did you know that about us? I've never talked about her to anyone but Catlyn and my very first psychiatrist."

  Kyle gave her a sad smile, "There were some happy clips of you guys before, uh..."

  "It's ok. I know what you mean. I hadn't realized Dad recorded his own murder."

  "It was Ashley's idea. She wanted to catch you with the Wyler kid I believe was his name."

  "Yes Chad Wyler. He had just asked me for a kiss. I closed my eyes and gave him my cheek when I suddenly felt something wet, hot and sticky on my face. I opened my eyes to see what Chad was doing when I saw this red line across his throat and his eyes were real wide. Then his head tipped in a funny way to the side and that's when I saw the first masked man. I screamed for all I was worth."

  Kyle glance at her and was relieved to see tears because she sounded so matter of fact, no emotion.

  "I don't know how long I stood there looking like Carrie at the prom but the next thing I remember is seeing Guardian 1 smiling at me, telling me it was going to be all right."

  "Is he the reason you wanted special ops?"

  "No. I wanted to go into special ops for myself."

  "In the words of my mother 'balderdash darling'."

  "We'll agree to disagree."

  "Works for me."

  "Kyle how did you know about me being v-violated?"

  Kyle almost missed the turn into Jack's driveway at her softly spoken question. To buy himself some time he didn't answer until they were parked in front of the house.

  "Damn, I'm sorry. I didn't want you to find out that way."

  She shook her head in confusion, "Find out? What are you talking about? I've known since I woke up and the doctor told me."

  "What? I asked him to let me tell you."

  "Kyle they can't do that if the patient wants to know and asks."

  "Damn again. I've known since I was summoned to your bedside as your immediate supervisor and emergency contact."

  “I worked it through in therapy. I feel sick about it sometimes when I think about the actual event, but I am just very glad I don’t remember it happening. I don’t need any more bad memories.”

  Kyle reached over and kissed her lightly on the cheek and touched their foreheads together. “I am so sorry honey. If he weren’t already dead
I’d kill the bastard.”

  She gave a sad smile, “I know you would. Thank you.”

  Kyle gave her another quick peck on the cheek. “Come on let’s go inside and talk some more.”

  Ashley got out of the car. But she remained standing near it when Kyle started up the stairs. "Aren't you coming in?" Kyle was worried and it showed in his face.

  "You asked me a question and you deserve an answer that isn't rushed. I am dealing with a lot. I know you are too but I just need to get my head together. I am going to go for a run, maybe down by the waterfront. I won't be more than an hour or so."

  "Babydoll, I love you." Kyle said with his heart in his throat.

  "I love you Kyle Strong. " With a heavy heart she turned and started a light jog towards the road.

  ****

  Kyle knew something was amiss the moment the door shut. The whole house had a different feel. Cautiously he called out, "Catlyn?" As he turned to the hall leading to the kitchen he felt a stunning blow to the back of his head. He staggered trying to remain standing. He attempted to get a look at his attacker, but he saw stars and then nothing as another blow was delivered to the same spot.

  ****

  Jack stretched as he flopped into his chair at his desk. What a day today has been. He groaned at the pile of work on his desk and no Tasha to help. She was currently helping him by picking up his future mother in-law. Resigned to be at his desk for at least 2 hours he picked up his phone to let Catlyn know. There was no answer. They were probably out having a nice meal while he was stuck at work. Taking a deep breath he started to tackle the mountain of papers.

  Jack had been working about an hour when Detective Carl Rider knocked on his open door. "Hey Chief, didn't hear back from you so I figured I stop by before going home."

  Jack frowned, "I've been working that O-I-S. I was on scene for hours. You have news about Dark?"

  Carl came fully into the room, "That's just it, your perp is a woman."

  "A woman?"

  “Yeah, that was my reaction too and apparently a real looker. Buzz flipped easily enough. I left you a message on your cell and office phone."

  "Hmm, that is odd. I can't imagine Dark using a woman for his villainous torture games."