Cassidy was resting on the couch in the rec room when Rose entered with a cup of tea. “Sorry, I know you’d probably prefer wine,” Rose admitted. Cassidy snickered and accepted the cup with a smile. “How’s he doing?” Rose gestured to her grandson who had fallen asleep in his favorite bean bag chair.
Cassidy shrugged noncommittally. “He’s hurting. Having Pip and Alex spend the evening with him last night helped,” Cassidy said.
“How are you doing with all of this?” Rose asked.
“I’m all right, Mom,” Cassidy answered. She could see the doubt that clouded her mother’s eyes and she smiled in reassurance. “I’m worried about him,” Cassidy confessed. “It’s not an easy thing.”
Rose swallowed hard. “I know how hard this is, Cassie. I remember.”
“Yes, but no matter what Dad’s faults were; I didn’t know about those when he died. To me, he was a hero. In some ways that made it easier for me; I think,” Cassidy said.
“How so?” Rose asked.
“Dylan….you know, no matter how angry he has been, some part of him loved Chris,” Cassidy said. “Chris was Daddy. He may have been an absent father, Mom, but he was still Dylan’s daddy for seven years.”
“I know,” Rose sighed.
“The thing is, Dylan; he loved Chris because that’s what he always knew. With Alex, Mom, he loves her so much. He beams whenever she walks into the room. She might not be the person he knows as Daddy but….”
“I think I understand,” Rose interrupted. “He’s feeling guilty because he wants to be with Alex and you, and now his father is gone.”
“Yeah,” Cassidy said.
“I understand,” Rose repeated.
“Mom?” Cassidy looked at her mother inquisitively. “How come you never remarried? I mean, you never even dated that I remember?”
Rose kept her eyes on her sleeping grandson as she considered how to respond. “Oh, Cassie…at first…well, at first I couldn’t even think about that. Things were not perfect between your father and me. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t love him. I did. It hurt. My life became you. I loved that life,” Rose answered honestly.
Cassidy suspected there was something more to the story than her mother was offering. “You never wanted to replace him for me. That’s it; isn’t it?”
“Partly; yes. It took time, Cassie; for both of us to heal. You were happy. I was content. I saw no need to rock that boat,” Rose explained.
“Content? What about your happiness?” Cassidy asked.
Rose smiled. “My happiness comes from seeing you happy,” she said earnestly.
“You know what I mean,” Cassidy rolled her eyes.
“I do,” Rose admitted. “I was never lonely; if that is what you are wondering.”
“And now?” Cassidy asked.
“Lonely? With this brood you’ve got going? Cassie, life with you is never lonely or boring,” Rose poked.
Cassidy laughed lightly at her mother’s good-naturedness. “Seems like this family grows daily,” Cassidy laughed.
“I’ll assume we are talking about Jonathan here, and this is not your way of telling me that you and Alex are expecting twins,” Rose looked suspiciously at her daughter.
“Very funny. I was thinking about Pip; yes. But also Jacob and Mackenzie,” Cassidy said.
“Mackenzie?” Rose raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah. Like it? Dylan’s idea. Just so happens Alex seemed to hop right on board Dylan’s name train,” Cassidy chuckled.
“How are you doing with all of that?” Rose asked.
“I’ll assume you mean Pip and not the twins,” Cassidy winked at her mother.
“Cute, Cassie,” Rose responded. “You are joking about that?”
Cassidy laughed harder. “About Pip? No. Pip really is Alex’s brother. And, to answer your question, I am happy for her.” Rose lifted her brow a tad higher. Cassidy swatted her mother’s leg. “And, as for twins; I hope I am kidding.”
“What do you mean; you hope?” Rose asked.
“Well, Grandma Curious, the doctor only heard one heartbeat. So, I am going with just a little Mackenzie. But, we will know for certain this week,” Cassidy said.
“Ultrasound?” Rose guessed.
“Mm-hm.”
“Alex must be on pins and needles,” Rose winked.
“She doesn’t know,” Cassidy winked back.
“What do you mean? You didn’t tell her?”
“Nope. I was going to this weekend. Everything blew up. I thought we’d bring Dylan along. There’s been enough death. A little glimpse of life might help,” Cassidy explained her reasoning.
Rose patted her daughter’s leg. “You are one hell of a mother, Cassie,” Rose tried not to tear up.
“I learned from the best,” Cassidy said honestly.
“I’ve been thinking,” Rose said, looking over at Dylan.
“About?” Cassidy wondered.
“Moving closer.”
Cassidy directed Rose’s attention back to her. “Are you sure you would want to do that? I mean, Mom…you have a whole life in New York.”
“No. I have friends in New York. I’m not moving into the convalescent home, Cassie. I can still drive; you know?” Rose lightened the mood. “I’m here all the time anyway. Besides, who else are you going to get to babysit Alex?”
“Good point,” Cassidy conceded. “You know, I would love it. So would Dylan and Alex. Any ideas where?” Cassidy asked.
“Now that you mention it, your wife had a few suggestions,” Rose snickered.
“I’ll bet she did,” Cassidy giggled. “Care to share?”
“There’s a nice ranch not far from Dylan’s school,” Rose said.
“You’re serious about this,” Cassidy observed.
“Serious enough that there is an open house this afternoon I want to attend. I was hoping I could coax you and Dylan into checking it out with me.”
Cassidy smiled. “He’ll want you to buy it right then.”
“Stranger things have happened,” Rose replied.
“Really?” Cassidy joked. “Mom? Can I ask you something?”
“Of course,” Rose answered.
“What do you think Dad would have said?” Cassidy verbalized a question that Rose was certain she had been mulling over for a long time.
“About?” Rose sought to clarify.
“All of it,” Cassidy answered truthfully.
Rose took a deep breath and released it. “Cassie, your father thought that you hung the moon. If you are asking what I think…I don’t think he would have liked Chris much. He certainly would have had a hard time keeping his mouth shut about a lot of what happened in your marriage, and since.” Rose saw Cassidy’s breathing grow shallow and uneasy. “If you are asking about Alex….well, I don’t know for certain, but I’d bet my pension that he would have approved,” she told her daughter. Cassidy’s surprise was evident. “What? Do you think your father was a bigot or something? He was not. He would have cared that you were happy, Cassie; happy, safe, and provided for. He was adamant about all three. He wanted to make you happy, protect you, and he was determined that you would have everything you needed; always. Sound like anyone else you know?”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Don’t thank me, Cassie. Just do me a favor and slow down on the new additions for a while. I want to buy a raised ranch with three bedrooms. At this rate I’ll need a cattle ranch just to fit the relatives at the holidays,” Rose complained playfully.
Cassidy kissed her mother on the cheek. “No worries, Mom. Helen’s got plenty of room,” she whispered before rising to go cover Dylan back up.
“Wise ass,” Rose mumbled under her breath.
Cassidy smiled. “I heard that. Told you, I learned from the best.”
Alex walked side by side with Jonathan Krause. Very little had been said between the two as they traversed the woods behind Alex and Cassidy’s home. Alex had noticed Krause’s constant fidgeting at the kitchen tabl
e and made the suggestion that they get out of the house for a bit. She was feeling on edge as well. Dylan had finally fallen back asleep after some nightmares. Cassidy was exhausted and needed rest. Rose was still in bed. Eleana had left early in the morning, and both Alex and Krause had grown restless in the quiet.
“Thanks,” Alex finally broke their mutual silence.
“For?” Jonathan Krause asked.
“Being here for Dylan and Cassidy….and me,” Alex admitted quietly.
Jonathan Krause nodded. He followed Alex to a large log that had been placed by the stream and sat beside her. “I still can’t believe it,” he said.
“What’s that?” Alex asked. “That O’Brien is dead? That Taylor is gone? Or, that I’m your sister?” she asked.
“Maybe all of it,” he confessed through a nervous chuckle.
“Do you believe it?” Alex asked.
“Which part?” Krause poked.
“Touché,” Alex replied.
“I’ll feel better when the autopsy results come back on O’Brien,” Krause confessed.
“Do you have some reason to doubt that it was him?” Alex’s voice rattled in concern.
“No, not really. Just overly cautious,” he explained. Krause picked up a rock and cast it out toward the water, cracking the thin ice.
“Who do you think made that call?” Alex asked. “If it wasn’t Edmond or even the admiral; who? Ivanov?”
“To remove Taylor?” Krause asked for clarification. Alex nodded. “I wish I knew, Alex. That’s what worries me the most. Think about it. You know there have to be more files at Carecom, your father didn’t just keep that information in an old photo frame.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ve been thinking about that too. And, Edmond swears that he doesn’t know who this Sphinx is?” she asked.
“Edmond claims that no one knows who Sphinx is; unless Sphinx divulges it willingly, or is called in through some protocol,” Krause explained.
“Doesn’t make sense to me,” Alex offered her assessment. “Edmond has part of The Collaborative’s personnel list, Brackett, my father, Ivanov; who else? And none of them are Sphinx? If I didn’t find it so far-fetched already, I’d …”
“I know,” Krause chimed. “John had quite the map going of The Collaborative. It makes me wonder.”
“You don’t think John was Sphinx?” Alex asked.
Krause shrugged. “Not really. I’m not even certain there is a Sphinx,” he said.
“A huge bluff? A ghost created to keep them all in line; one that never existed,” Alex followed Krause’s train of thought verbally. “That’s an interesting theory.”
“It’s only a theory,” Krause said. “And, I don’t know what to believe right now. I just want to know what we all have to do with this. What role did they intend you and me to play in this whole thing? I mean, what is the end game here?”
“Money,” Alex suggested.
“Yeah, but it is more than that. I agree. Let’s face it Carecom, ASA, Technologie Appliqué….Callier, your father, Ivanov, Brackett, Daniels, O’Brien, Taylor…even John….I mean let’s be honest, they all have enviable financial means, positions of power. Sure, but why rock that boat now? We’re missing something here. The Collaborative was established after the Second World War; right?” he asked. Alex nodded. “We still don’t know to what end. What changed? Why do you think Ivanov wants to break off now?”
“My best guess is still money,” Alex said flatly. “Taylor became an exposure risk. That’s my guess.”
“I agree with that assessment. I still think we are missing something,” Krause said. “Have you noticed the personal tone…”
“Yeah,” Alex interjected. “People’s families are involved; their children…it is personal, Pip.”
Jonathan Krause shook his head in frustration. “I guess you would understand that a little better than me,” he admitted.
Alex smirked. “Oh, I don’t know. I think you understand it more than you care to admit,” she goaded him. “But, yes, I do understand. You’re right. Dylan has been hurt enough in all of this. He’s just a little boy. He didn’t ask for this craziness. He should be playing soccer and going to birthday parties, not funerals.”
Krause released another sigh. “I don’t want them to inherit this either, Alex.”
“I know that,” Alex said. “You and I both know what that might mean; for us.”
“Yes, I suspect we do.”
“Pip? I’m not certain who we can trust,” Alex confessed.
“I know. I’m skeptical myself,” he said. “Do you trust me?” he asked her pointedly.
Alex looked directly at the man seated next to her. “You know, it’s strange,” she said. Alex pinched the bridge of her nose for a moment before continuing. “The truth is, Jonathan, I have no reason to,” she said. Krause nodded. “But, I trust you more than anyone in my life; other than Cass.”
Jonathan Krause let a small smile creep onto his face. “Eleana?” he inquired.
Alex laid her hand on her brother’s knee. “You are falling in love,” she said.
“I trust her,” Krause said assuredly.
“I know you do,” Alex replied.
“You don’t?” he asked. “Because of Claire?”
“I trust her more than I do most of the people surrounding us,” Alex said. “I like her. That goes a long way,” Alex winked. “Cassidy likes her. That goes even farther,” she laughed. Alex watched as Krause cast another stone into the water.
“Are you worried about Eleana seeing Claire?” Alex asked Krause.
“Worried that Claire will harm her? No. Not physically anyway,” he answered.
Alex let the statement lie for a moment. “She has to let go, Pip. She cares about you. I can see it.”
“She loves Claire.”
“Yes, I can see that too,” Alex said. “Everyone has a past, Jonathan. Everyone. Someone recently urged me to think more about the future.”
“The future, huh?” he sighed.
“Yep.”
“When John and I were kids we used to do this,” Krause recalled.
“Do what?” Alex asked.
“Sit on a log and throw stones in the water,” he laughed. “When John wasn’t trying to build an airplane out of them.”
“He built airplanes out of logs? Or stones?” Alex asked.
Krause laughed. “He built airplanes out of everything. That’s all he ever dreamt about; flying.”
The pair sat in companionable silence for a long while, each occasionally casting a stone over the water. “What about you? What did you want to be?” Alex asked her brother curiously.
“A pirate,” he laughed.
“Of course,” Alex joined in his laughter. “I wish I had known you then,” she said a bit sadly.
“Me too,” he said. “What about you? What did you dream of doing? Flying? Sailing the high seas?” Alex grew extremely quiet. “Alex? Hey, I’m sorry…”
“No…no, don’t be. I never thought about that much until lately. When I was really young, I wanted to be a doctor,” she said. Krause studied Alex as she continued. “My YaYa, she was the greatest,” Alex said. “She got sick when I was about five. I remember my mother crying one night in the kitchen. She asked my father why they couldn’t fix her.”
“What was wrong?” he asked.
“Cancer,” Alex answered. “She had a brain tumor; inoperable.”
“I’m sorry,” Krause said.
Alex shrugged. “Anyway, I asked my father that night why they couldn’t fix YaYa.”
“What did he say?” Krause asked.
Alex chuckled. “He told me doctors were like detectives, first they look for all the clues to find what’s wrong and then they put them together. But, he said, sometimes they just can’t find all the pieces in time.”
“Interesting analogy,” Krause said. “And that made you want to be a doctor?”
“I wanted to fix things,” Alex said. “I guess I still do.”
“And here I just wanted to be a pirate,” Krause poked.
“Pirates are cool,” Alex winked. “Jonathan, I….”
“Don’t say it, Alex. We’ll see what Edmond and Jane offer tomorrow and go from there. One way or another...your kids will choose whatever they want to follow for themselves. I promise.”
“Yeah…what happens when they want to be pirates and detectives?” she tried to ask lightly.
Jonathan Krause took his sister’s hand. “Then, we will make sure they know everything there is to know so that they can be the best pirates and detectives there are. They might just surprise you, though,” he said.
“You think?” she asked.
“Yeah. Your kids have a whole lot of Cassidy in them. You’re likely to get teachers and doctors,” he suggested.
“One can only hope,” Alex said.
Eleana Baros walked quietly in through the backdoor of her home. She stopped in her tracks at the faint sound of approaching footsteps. Her breath caught in her chest at the sight that quickly unfolded before her. “Claire,” Eleana flew across the room.
Claire Brackett heard the back door open and close softly. She retrieved her pistol from her jacket and headed directly toward the sound; expecting to find one of Ivanov’s minions or one of Taylor’s goons. She shook her head to clear the vision that greeted her. “Eleana?” she called out, falling to her knees slowly.
“Claire, Claire,” Eleana repeated. “Look at me. Look at me.”
Claire Brackett looked up into a pair of bright, hazel eyes and stuttered. She reached her hand to touch Eleana’s cheek. “You’re dead,” she whispered.
The bewilderment in Claire’s eyes broke Eleana’s heart. “No,” she said. “I’m not.”
“You…how can you be here?” Claire began to cry like an infant.
Eleana fell to the floor and wrapped her arms around Claire. “I’m not dead, Claire. It’s okay.”
“I thought you left me,” Claire wept in her lover’s arms.
Eleana held Claire close. She was positive that no one would believe that Claire Brackett was capable of so much emotion. Underneath Claire’s brash exterior, there still resided a hint of innocence. It was the part of Claire that Eleana had fallen so deeply in love with all those years ago. As she felt Claire cling to her now, she realized that she always would love her. “It’s all right,” Eleana assured Claire. “Come on,” she helped the weeping woman to her feet. “Let’s go sit down.”
Commitment Page 34