Commitment

by Healy, Nancy Ann

  “Use your charm,” Dimitri offered.

  “Are you suggesting I seduce the president?” Claire looked at the ambassador directly.

  “Well, I know he isn’t exactly Colonel John Merrow, Sparrow,” Daniels chuckled. “I don’t care who you seduce or how you seduce them. Just get the information. Either get it from the embassy in Moscow or get in Washington. Just. Get. It.”

  Alex waited patiently in the small café. She sipped her cappuccino and pondered the paper before her. “Looks like interesting reading,” a voice roused her.

  Alex looked up from the paper at the handsome man before her. MI6 agent Ian Mitchell was as imposing as he was good-looking. At 6’4, his broad shoulders, dark sunglasses, and the slight scruff of his face served to embellish his natural commanding stance. “Ian,” Alex greeted.

  The MI6 agent relaxed and removed his glasses to accept a seat across from Alex. “Agent Toles. What brings you to my fair city?” he asked.

  “Where the sparrow flies,” she began.

  “Ah, yes. She left her meeting with your good ambassador about forty minutes ago. Booked a flight to Minsk for Friday,” Mitchell noted the concern and question in Alex’s eyes. “No worries for now. She is entertaining a guest. I suspect she and Mr. Kargen are in for the evening.”

  “Why Belarus?” Alex asked.

  “I’m not certain, to be honest. A neutral meeting place of sorts? I have it on some authority that your president is moving some assets into Moscow.”

  Alex nodded. “That’s what Agent Krause indicated, yes; at General Waters’ behest. You think it has something to do with that?”

  “Perhaps,” Mitchell shrugged. “If they are moving that Cesium, well….”

  Alex shook her head in frustration. “You think Daniels is pulling her strings?”

  “At the moment. He’s into something outside our scope. British Intelligence has been watching the ambassador closely of late, more closely than our normally collegial relationship would warrant. He’s had more calls from representatives of Markov’s administration than any diplomat I have ever encountered.”

  “We both know that the only thing diplomatic about Daniels’ presence is his immunity,” Alex said.

  “True. We both know there are very few diplomats,” Mitchell winked. “He knows something, Toles. I would lay odds it involves that Cesium we have been chasing.”

  “All right, stick with our friend Sparrow,” she replied as she folded the paper in front of her and pushed out her chair.

  “What are you planning?” Mitchell asked.

  “Are you worried about me, Ian?”

  “Alex,” his tone changed. “Daniels is no novice.”

  “You let me worry about Paul Daniels. I know his weakness. Trust me. He wanted to shift our plans to dinner. Business first at the embassy, then dinner. I know exactly what his game is where I am concerned. I can handle Paul. You just follow Claire.” Alex stood to leave and turned back. Mitchell had reached his feet, and Alex extended her hand. “I don’t expect any issues, but if you don’t hear from me….Agent Krau…”

  He shook his head and offered her a smile. “I will expect your call late this evening.”

  Alex made no verbal response. She smiled and removed her hand from his grip, nodding her agreement as she left.

  “Ambassador,” Alex smiled at Paul Daniels.

  “Alex. I thought we passed all those formalities when you visited in the spring,” he said.

  “I suppose so.”

  “So, let’s get the business portion of our evening put to bed,” Daniels winked. The words were not lost on Alex, and she fought to suppress a chuckle at his arrogance. “I’d much prefer catching up. You certainly have been busy since our last meeting. From investigating to negotiating,” he commented.

  “I suppose that’s one way of looking at it,” Alex admitted sarcastically.

  “What is it that I can do for the head of Carecom then?” he continued as he offered her a seat on the sofa.

  “Stillman and BGA,” she answered.

  “What about them? I know there is concern about tariffs and port restrictions, but Alex, while I can argue the administration’s case here; even plead that it is not in the best economic interest for either of us…I cannot compel…”

  “No, the restrictions are not an issue for Carecom, easy to navigate. What concerns me are their orders, Paul.”

  “I’m not sure I follow you,” he asked for clarification.

  “There are….inconsistencies. Inventory records don’t match payments Carecom received…”

  “Sounds like an accounting issue,” he dismissed her.

  “Perhaps,” she responded. “I would still appreciate…”

  Daniels smiled. “Your roots are showing,” he winked. “You think Carecom was laundering. You want me to check the government orders to Stillman and BGA. See if they match the original orders placed,” he surmised. “I have one question.”

  “That is?” Alex asked.

  “Do you hope it was your father or do you hope it originated here?”

  Alex pursed her lips and then smiled. “I just want it rectified, Ambassador. I want Carecom in the clear. That’s my job.”

  “Of course, it is,” his statement dripped with insincerity. “I’ll see what I can do. I’ll need some information.”

  “I’ve already had the documents sent to your attention,” she assured him.

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me? Long trip for a five-minute conversation,” he observed.

  “A good excuse to visit,” she winked. “I have other business in the area.”

  “Then I am glad you found a reason to fit me into your schedule. Now, what about dinner? I took the liberty of making a reservation at your hotel for seven-thirty,” the ambassador said.

  “That’s not for another hour,” Alex said with the raise of her brow.

  “I expected your needs might take a little longer. How about a drink beforehand?” he suggested. Alex just smiled. “Wine, was it?”

  “That’s Cassidy’s drink,” she replied evenly.

  “Yes, I recall that now. I prefer a good scotch. Interested?” he raised his brow.

  Alex tipped her head in acknowledgement. She accepted the first drink and sipped it generously. She pretended to listen with great interest as the ambassador continued offering what she could only describe as scantily veiled sexual innuendo at every turn. This was a scenario that she had grown accustomed to over the years. It was part of being a woman in a business dominated by egotistical men; men who were used to getting their way in every conceivable way. Inwardly, she gloated. She understood the power of seduction; the allure of conquest. In fact, she’d mounted more than a few conquests of her own throughout the years. For Alex, affairs of the heart and the bedroom had always been purely for personal satisfaction. That reality had proved her ace in the hole many times during investigations. She could play the game as long and as convincingly as any man who cared to engage her, and she could end it so abruptly as to leave the most polished silver tongue stunned into silence.

  Paul Daniels sat on the arm of a chair, sipping his third glass of scotch, making little effort to conceal his intentions as he leered at Alex. Alex sipped her drink slowly and watched him carefully. “We probably should be getting to that dinner,” she suggested, deliberately holding the ambassadors gaze as she stood.

  He pulled her toward him and she raised her brow. “No rush. I’m sure you have many interesting stories.”

  Alex leaned into his ear and took a moment to scan the top of his desk more closely. “Which stories interest you, Ambassador? You mean my time in the military? No…” Alex took a step back and opened her eyes wider.

  “We have a great deal in common, Alex. We both know it,” he said, lifting his scotch to his lips before placing it on the side of his desk. Daniels pulled Alex closer, and she allowed it for a moment, focusing on one area of the desk behind him intently. “You and I have similar needs, similar int
erests,” he said cockily.

  Alex rolled her eyes over his shoulder and retrieved the scotch carefully. She gently pressed him away and smiled. Seeing her expression, Daniels grew bolder and reached out greedily with his hand. Alex took the opportunity to place the scotch in it and deliberately closed the ambassador’s fingers around the glass. She placed her lips closely to his ear and whispered her reply. “I suppose we do…have much in common, Paul.” She pulled back and lifted the hand he held his scotch in toward his lips. “We both enjoy a good scotch. We both know the other is not exactly who they claim to be. And, as I recall from my last visit, you were quite interested in my wife.” She patted his cheek and took another deliberate step back. “Since she is not here, I guess we will both just have to settle for dinner.” Alex turned gradually on her heels and headed toward the door. “Finish your scotch, Paul. We’d better get something to fill you up. You look a bit pale.”

  Friday, December 19th

  Cassidy opened the front door and felt a breeze blow by her. “Hi, Aunt Cassidy,” Cat managed as he flew past her toward the sound of Dylan’s voice up the stairs.

  Cassidy shook her head and laughed. “Glad you could make it, Cat,” she mumbled. “Dylan’s upstairs,” she called to him playfully.

  “I know!” he called back.

  “Sorry about that,” Nick said.

  Cassidy led him through the door. “Nothing to be sorry for,” she said.

  “Are you sure it’s okay? I mean, Cat spending a couple of nights?” Nick asked.

  “Of course,” Cassidy said in confusion. “Why wouldn’t it be okay?”

  “I don’t know,” he said, moving to place Cat’s backpack near the stair. “I know Alex has been away and…”

  “It’s more than okay,” Cassidy assured him. “Alex will be home tomorrow afternoon.”

  “That’s what I mean. I know she’s been traveling and she…”

  “Come on, let me get you a coffee,” Cassidy offered. “She has been away more than I would like. I admit it,” Cassidy said as she moved about the kitchen, readying the coffee pot. “But, it’s not forever. Barb needs the break. Helen needs to go home. We’ll bring him back after dinner on Sunday. Don’t worry about us.”

  “She’s moving the offices; I heard,” Nick said as Cassidy placed a cup of coffee in front of him.

  Cassidy nodded and took a seat beside her brother-in-law. “Yeah. Seems to be her focus this coming week,” she explained. “Good thing my mother and your mother love to shop or I would have had to take care of Santa’s list all by myself,” Cassidy joked.

  “How are you doing?” Nick asked softly.

  “Me?” Cassidy asked. Nick nodded. Cassidy let out a small sigh. “I’m fine, Nick. Honestly. It’s been a rough few months dealing with the custody and Alex being away so much. I won’t deny that. But, that will all pass. I’ll be glad when it does,” she admitted.

  “You know, I can swing down Sunday, so you and Alex don’t….”

  “No. No. Don’t fool yourself. She’ll be chomping at the bit to see that baby. We’ll bring Cat home.”

  “Well, then at least come for dinner,” he said.

  “Nick, the whole point of this is to give you two some quiet time,” Cassidy reminded him.

  “It’s just dinner,” he said.

  “All right. We’ll pick pizza up on the way. Deal?” Cassidy suggested.

  “Cassidy?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Thanks. For everything, I mean,” Nick said sincerely.

  Cassidy patted his hand and smiled. “Oh, don’t thank me too soon,” she said as she narrowed her gaze playfully. “You’ll get to return the favor at some point.”

  Nick laughed. “Looking forward to that,” he said. Cassidy raised her brow in question. “She nearly passed out seeing Barb in labor. Big, tough FBI agent,” he mocked his sister. “Imagine if that was you? We’ll need a stretcher at the ready for sure.” Cassidy laughed at Nick’s assessment. “I should go,” Nick said. “Barb and Jake were both sleeping when I left. That won’t last long,” he chuckled.

  Cassidy led her brother-in-law to the doorway. He called out his goodbye to the boys and turned back to her. “Thanks, Cassidy.”

  Cassidy rubbed his back gently. “Stop thanking me. I will see you Sunday.” She started opening the door for Nick and found herself staring up into a pair of steel blue eyes. “Pip?”

  “I promised I would come see the tree,” he said. Cassidy was stunned.

  “I gotta get going,” Nick broke through the momentary silence.

  “Oh, sorry…Alex tells me congratulations are in order,” Krause said.

  “Yeah. Thanks,” Nick responded sincerely. “Thanks again, Cass.” Cassidy just nodded.

  “Bad time?” Krause asked.

  Cassidy shook her head and gestured for him to come inside. “What’s with the bags?” she asked.

  Krause held up the two shopping bags in his hands. “These?” Cassidy raised her brow. “Oh…well, you can’t have a tree without presents under it,” Krause explained. “It’s against the law.”

  Cassidy rolled her eyes and laughed. “Did you find that in the Toles Code?”

  The comment startled Krause. “What?” he asked. Cassidy pointed to the Christmas tree in the corner of the room which was already brimming with brightly colored boxes.

  “Oh,” he muttered.

  “All right Santa Krause; what gives?” Cassidy asked.

  “What do you mean? You made me promise to come see the tree.”

  “Mm-hm. I suppose I did. So, then Alex didn’t ask you to check in on us while she was away?” Cassidy asked suspiciously.

  “No….I just…”

  “What is it with you two anyway?” she joked. “Just admit you like each other and be done with it,” she laughed. She looked at her friend and noted an unfamiliar expression. “Pip?” Krause looked to Cassidy and sighed. “What’s going on? Alex…”

  “Alex is fine,” he said. “Cassidy,” he stopped himself and offered her a shrug and a smile.

  Cassidy shook her head. “Come on, I’ll get you some coffee before those boys come down and torment you.”

  “I hope it’s okay. She just worries, Cassie. I wanted to stop and drop off the presents anyway.”

  “I know she does, and of course it’s okay. You don’t need an invitation or an excuse. That’s how family works,” Cassidy said.

  Jonathan Krause sat at the counter and watched his friend putter around the kitchen and place a cup of coffee in front of him before taking her seat. He gazed at her affectionately and realized that as much as he loved her, she had first and foremost been a friend he could trust. There were so few of those in the life he had chosen. “Cassie?”

  “Yeah?”

  Krause took a deep breath. “It’s up to you. You and Alex.” He handed her the letter he had retrieved in Stockholm. “I think maybe you should give it to her. Whatever you decide… even if you decide not to…well, I will always make sure Dylan is safe. I promise you.”

  Cassidy tugged gently at her bottom lip and nodded. Her lips gradually turned up into a genuine smile, and she covered his hand with her own. “He’s a lucky kid,” she said.

  “Yeah, he is,” Krause agreed looking at her. Cassidy understood. She could never deny that Jonathan Krause loved her. It was evident in every glance and every interaction. He stood in stark contrast to her ex-husband; he respected her. And, as she sat looking at him, she was reminded that she loved him too, albeit differently than he would have liked. Krause held her gaze for a moment and squeezed her hand. “He couldn’t do any better than you and Alex,” he said with more sincerity than Cassidy could immediately fathom.

  Cassidy patted her friend’s cheek and winked at him. “Don’t sell yourself short, Pip,” she said. “Stay for dinner?” she asked hopefully. Krause gave her an uncomfortable grin. “Get used to it,” Cassidy laughed. “It comes with the package. Helen would disown me if I didn’t feed you.”


  Krause continued to watch Cassidy and enjoy the effortless nature of their discussion until the boisterous entrance of two small boys interrupted them. “Uncle Pip!” Dylan squealed.

  Cassidy laughed. “Slow it down, Dylan,” she cautioned.

  “You know what?” Dylan asked his Uncle Pip. Krause shook his head and pulled Dylan into his lap. “Cat got a brother.”

  “I heard that. That’s exciting Cat,” Krause said.

  “Nah…all he does is poop,” Cat shrugged. Cassidy had to turn away to keep herself from launching into a fit of laughter.

  “It’s still cool,” Dylan said.

  “I guess,” Cat answered with a noncommittal shrug. Krause couldn’t help but laugh. He remembered his younger brothers being born and how his initial excitement quickly turned to annoyance; annoyance that lasted on and off for the rest of his life. “That’s just the way brothers are,” he thought silently.

  “Well, I think it’s cool,” Dylan said. “I asked Santa for one.”

  Cassidy spun around with her jaw slack. “You asked Santa for what?”

  “A brother,” Dylan said.

  Krause looked at Cassidy with wide eyes. Seeing his friend uncharacteristically fumble, he intervened. “That’s not exactly something Santa makes in his workshop, Dylan,” Krause explained.

  Dylan shrugged. “Alex says Santa is magic.”

  Cassidy shook her head in disbelief. “All right. On that note,” she changed the course of the conversation. “You two need to go pick up Dylan’s room before dinner.”

  “You staying, Uncle Pip?”

  “If that’s okay with you,” he said.

  “Yep. Come on, Cat,” Dylan directed as he hopped off of his Uncle Pip’s lap.

  Cassidy continued shaking her head absently as she watched the two friends run off. “You know, he is magic,” Krause said.

  “Mm-hm,” was Cassidy’s only response.

  “Never know what Santa might deliver, Cassie. He’s surprised me a few times,” he joked.

  “I don’t think Santa owns the sperm bank,” she quipped.

  Krause laughed. “Might have an ‘in’ though.”