Swordfish

by Andrea Bramhall

  “Hmmm. And who was that outside earlier? You looked quite friendly, Professor.” He placed the emphasis on the title, making sure she understood that it was part of the deal that she abide by the boundaries he had laid out twelve years ago.

  “Just someone I had coffee with.”

  “A date?”

  Cassie felt the hairs on the back of her neck tingle, but she didn’t know why. “Just coffee.” She’d known Stephen Knight for a long time. She’d built up trust with him—of sorts. She didn’t like him, but he had always provided what he had said he would, and she’d had little cause over the years to regret her involvement with him. He’d provided her with her alternate identity and career. He’d also given her a chance to try to bring William Sterling to justice. It was just a shame that the plan had taken too long. “Actually, I’m glad you’re here.”

  He smiled. “And why would that be?”

  “You caught William.”

  “Well, not me personally, but yes.”

  “I wanted to talk to someone about seeing my daughter again.” Cassie knew what he would say. It was the reason she hadn’t bothered asking before and sought Bailey’s help instead.

  “I’m sorry. You know the deal. That isn’t possible.”

  “But the situation’s different now.”

  “No, it isn’t. Just because Sterling is in prison, doesn’t mean he can’t get to you. He has a long reach and many people still on his payroll.”

  “I just want to see my daughter.”

  “You agreed to the deal to protect her.”

  “I’m very well aware of why I made the deal, Mr. Knight. I also know that she doesn’t seem to need my protection anymore. Where is she?”

  “How should I know?”

  “She testified against him. I assume the CIA is involved with the case against him. As a witness, your agency must have an address, a telephone number—some way of getting in touch with her.”

  “Even if we do, I don’t. And it’s in contradiction to our deal, Professor.” Stephen’s face darkened. “Contacting your daughter would violate the terms of our agreement, and you would no longer be under our protection.” He towered over her. “Am I making myself clear?”

  It didn’t matter what he threatened her with. She would see her daughter again. She would explain why she’d left her, and that she had never stopped loving her. Cassie refused to cower. She looked him in the eye and hardened her heart.

  “Perfectly clear, Mr. Knight. I trust you can see yourself out.”

  She turned her back on him and listened for the door closing. She didn’t hear it, but she hadn’t heard him enter her apartment either. She checked that the apartment was empty before slamming the dead bolt in place and checking that all the windows were locked. She lay on the couch and pulled the blanket over her body. The picture of Daniela and Karen was directly in view.

  “I don’t care what he says, or what it costs me. I will find you, darling.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Oz yawned and stretched her legs out in front of her, propping them on the desk. The sounds of machines whirring softly filled the laboratory, and the occasional sound of a pencil scratching paper and fingers clacking away on a keyboard were all she could hear. She supposed that should be a good thing. No distractions or interruptions for Finn while she was working. But in truth it was driving her stir crazy. She did nothing but sit around and wait, feeling useless while Finn did all the hard work.

  She looked over at her dad who was tapping away at a computer. She leaned back. “You need any help over there, Pops?”

  “I’m good.”

  “You sure? I can probably type faster than you can.”

  “I’m sure, thanks.”

  “What’re you working on?”

  Billy looked up. “Love letters to your mom.”

  Junior sniggered and flipped the page in the magazine he was reading. “You had to ask.”

  “Wish I hadn’t.”

  “Here.” Junior closed the magazine with a snap and tossed it to her. “Take a gander at that and chill. You know what it’s like. It’s a waiting game. Two days ain’t that bad.”

  “I know.” She slapped the magazine onto the seat beside her. “I just wish I could do something to help.”

  “You will. And you are.”

  Oz frowned.

  “By shutting up and keeping out of her way. I tried to get her to explain it to me. That shit she’s working on?” Junior whistled. “Man, I couldn’t understand one word in twenty that came out of her mouth.”

  “I know.”

  “There ain’t nothing anyone can do to help her right now.”

  “I know that. Do you have any idea how that makes me feel?”

  Junior shook his head.

  “I got a clue there, baby girl. But you picked yourself a helluva girl to fall in love with. Sometimes you’re gonna have to learn to take a backseat.”

  “I didn’t pick her, Dad.” Oz smiled. “Don’t really think I had a choice. Is it wrong of me to want to protect her and keep her away from this crap?”

  “Nope,” Billy said. “It’s not wrong to want to. But belly-aching about it all the time isn’t going to help her get done any quicker.”

  Oz closed her eyes. “I’m scared, Dad. I only just found her and I almost lost her once already.” When she closed her eyes she could still see the man’s hands around Finn’s neck. It had taken a week for his finger marks to fade from the tender skin of Finn’s throat.

  Billy sat beside her. “I know.”

  Oz opened her eyes. She hadn’t heard Junior leave, but she was grateful for the privacy. “What if I can’t protect her this time?”

  “Olivia, look at me. I’m your father, but I was a captain a long time, and you don’t make commander without being a damn fine sailor. You did everything you could on that damn barge and without you Rudy would be dead now.”

  “Dad, you don’t—”

  “Yes, I do know that. I read every report, and I spoke to that boy myself. He’s got nothing but praise for you and what you did that day. I would say you had some bad luck, but I’m not even sure of that. They were pirates, baby girl, intent on killing you, and armed to the teeth. You saved a butt load of people, got your partner out of harm’s way, and did it while you were injured. You made me a damn proud captain and an exceptionally proud father that day.”

  “Rudy lost his leg, Dad.” An aid mission to help a stricken cargo barge had turned deadly when she and her dive partner, Rudy, had discovered the vessel they were trying to help had been hijacked by pirates. The ensuing gunfight had left her with a gunshot wound to the gut, several people dead, and Rudy fighting for his life. She’d retired from the Navy after that. She knew she’d never be the same again, and she couldn’t face the prospect of putting someone else in danger if she failed to carry out her duty.

  “Yup. He did. But he’s certain that he’d have lost his life if you hadn’t done exactly what you did that day. And he loves you for it.”

  “I feel like I let him down. I’m worried I’ll let you guys down, that it’ll cost Finn her life. She saved me that day. Not the other way round.”

  “You’re wrong.” Finn stood in the doorway. “We worked together and saved each other. That’s how I like to think of it, anyhow.”

  “Finn, if I’d done everything right you never would have had to shoot Jack.”

  Finn laughed. “That’s a bunch of crap, Oz. You knocked him out. Hell, I thought he was dead then. If I hadn’t distracted you who knows what might have happened. It’s all ifs, buts, and maybes, baby.” She crossed the room and sat next to Oz. “And that doesn’t help anyone. What I do know is that we both survived it, we came out the other side stronger than we went in, and we still have each other.” She took Oz’s face in her hands and kissed her. “And that’s not going to change.”

  “I can’t lose you.” Oz hated the weakness in herself. She’d never felt fear like this before.

  “You won’t
. I already told you, you’re stuck with me forever.”

  Oz wrapped her arms around Finn, pulled her tight to her body, and whispered in her ear. “Forever wouldn’t be long enough.”

  Junior cleared his throat. “Sorry to interrupt this little love fest, but I’m starting to waste away here. When do we get released for rations?”

  “Well, I was going to suggest we order in. I’ve got a test running at the moment, and I really want to be here for the result. If the simulation proves correct, I think I’ve got the basis of my vaccine.”

  “Seriously?” Billy clapped her on the shoulder. “I thought this was going to take weeks, not a couple of days.”

  “It still might. But this really could be a huge breakthrough.”

  “I’d ask you how, but I wouldn’t understand what you were telling me. Are you sure?”

  “Ninety percent, until I get this test result back.”

  “That’s great. Really great.” Billy stroked his chin. “Listen, I’ve been thinking about a few things, and I’m not sure how far I trust our friends. They were both far too quick to insist this stuff gets made, for my liking.”

  “I’ve never liked Whittaker,” Oz said.

  “That’s just because he interrupted Thanksgiving.” Finn pinched her side and made her jump.

  “Not just that,” she mumbled. “He’s got an answer for everything too.”

  “That CIA dude makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.” Junior returned and ran his hand over the back of his neck for emphasis.

  “Me too,” Billy said. “I think we should keep this breakthrough and any development in the antidote between us, until we know for certain what kind of game they’re playing.”

  “They’re going to expect some sort of report. I already mentioned that I was going to work on Lyell’s research.” Finn frowned.

  “You’re right.” Billy frowned. “Do you think you can do something with that, but leave your own work out of the loop?”

  “Sure. It’s not like anyone’s looking over my shoulder or anything.”

  “Fuck.” Junior ran out of the room. “Stay here. Give me two minutes.”

  “What’s that all about?” Finn asked.

  “I should have thought about it before. Fuck, I’m an idiot.” Oz slapped her forehead.

  “What?” Finn stared at her.

  Oz pulled her in close and whispered, “He’s doing a surveillance sweep. There could be microphones, cameras, anything in the room.”

  Finn looked around. “What about in here?”

  “Possibly, but it’s more likely in your work space.”

  Junior came back in the room and leaned close to them. “There’s a camera in the light fitting.” He whispered, “I’ve left it in situ, I can’t see a microphone but they’d be idiots not to have one in there somewhere. I want to run a full security check on your computer systems too. I’m gonna need outside help for that, Uncle Billy.”

  Billy nodded and kept his voice quiet. “I’ll call Charlie and see how soon we can get someone from our team on that.”

  “Why don’t we take ten minutes and grab some subs, stretch your legs and get a bit of air, Finn? That test won’t complete before then will it?”

  “No. It’s got about half an hour to go.”

  Oz and Finn followed Junior outside. “I want to leave them in place so they don’t get suspicious, but that’s going to mean you being very careful what you say in your office and how you react, Finn, can you do that?”

  “Yes. As long as I know what I’m supposed to react to and what I’m not.”

  “No worries. Since we don’t know who’s watching us, let’s assume it’s everyone. I mean, they could have been there for a long time. Maybe your dad spying on someone, or it could be from when we were watching things at the lab because of your dad. We just don’t know, so we’re going to be ultra-cautious. We don’t care if they know you make Balor. That’s what everyone wants. We also don’t care if they know you make Lyell’s vaccine, improved or not. They’d be stupid if they didn’t want that, no matter who is planning to use the damn bug. But no one but us is going to know about the flu-bug angle you’re working on.”

  “Agreed,” Finn said.

  “I think we need some sort of code name for that. Then we can at least mention it without rousing suspicion,” Oz said.

  “Good plan.” Junior smiled at Finn. “What do you want to call it?”

  “Me? Why me?”

  “You’re the creator. They always get to name cool shit like this.”

  Finn laughed. “Do you guys know the legend of Balor?” They shook their heads. “In Celtic mythology Balor is the God of Death. He had only one eye and a single look from him would kill anything and anyone instantly. He learned of a prophecy that foretold his death and it was said he was to be killed by his grandson. So to prevent this from happening he locked his daughter in a crystal tower.”

  “Sounds like something off Jerry Springer,” Junior said and laughed.

  “Pretty much. Anyway, a druidess helped this guy called Cain get into the tower and Balor’s daughter bore triplets. Balor tossed them into the sea, but the druidess managed to save one. A boy named Lugh. Many years later, the boy grew up and faced Balor in battle. As the giant opened his eye to kill him, Lugh managed to rip the evil eye out with a slingshot and killed the Cyclops.”

  “Wait a minute. That sounds like David and Goliath,” Oz said.

  “A lot of ancient mythology is seen repeated throughout the bible. It’s pretty much an anthology of the best of pagan mythology with the cast of characters changed.”

  “So how does this get us a code name?”

  “Lugh killed Balor.” Finn smiled.

  “Perfect.” Oz smiled. She loved the way Finn’s mind worked. Crazily logical and disciplined creativity seemed to spark off her.

  “How the hell do you know all that?” Junior asked.

  “Google.”

  Oz laughed. “Gotta love the Internet.”

  “Just so I can clarify this in plain English,” Junior said. “Balor is—”

  “The bad shit,” Oz said.

  Junior rolled his eyes. “Thanks, I got that one. Gamble is Lyell’s crappy vaccine that you’re gonna pass off to Mehalik, while Lugh is the good shit you’ve put in a cold, created by Finn.”

  “You passed, Junior. Now can we go back inside? I’m freezing my ass off.”

  They walked back into the lab. “Oh, if you two are bored, there’s a gym down the hall from my office.”

  “You’re kidding me.” Junior grinned at her.

  “It’s not exactly state-of-the-art or anything, but it’s got a treadmill, and an exercise bike, a few weight machines. Enough to keep you occupied for a little while, anyway.”

  Junior and Oz high-fived each other and pulled Finn behind them back into the building. A brief flash of light out of the corner of her eye made Finn turn around, but all she could see were cars in all directions with their headlights beaming, streetlights, shop windows, and apartment buildings lighting up the evening sky. She disregarded the momentary flash and allowed herself to be tugged along by the two tall, blond cousins. Despite the hard work ahead of her, the potential for danger, and all the unanswered questions that hung over her, she’d never felt happier. She had a family now. People she loved, and loved her. And she didn’t doubt that for even a second.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Bailey knocked on Cassie’s door, Jazz’s leash around her wrist, while she juggled takeout cups and a bag of pastries. She heard movement on the other side.

  “It’s Bailey.”

  “Are you alone?”

  Bailey frowned. “Jazz’s with me.” She heard a heavy deadbolt slide back, and the door opened as far as the safety chain would allow. Cassie peered through the crack and as far down the hallway as she could, before releasing the chain and letting her in. She watched Cassie fit the chain and slide the deadbolt back in place. She noted that she was still wearing th
e same green sweater and gray slacks she’d had on when Bailey dropped her off the night before, and her hair was disheveled. “I’m sorry I woke you. I thought you’d need to leave for work pretty soon.”

  “I do. I fell asleep on the couch last night. How did you get into the building?”

  “The front door was propped open with a note for a delivery guy taped to it. Not very secure.”

  “Damn it.” Cassie ran her hands through her hair. “I’ve told the building manager about that so many times. He runs and leaves the door open when he does. I’ve told him it’s a security risk, but he doesn’t get it.”

  “I’ll go and close it for you.” While some people might have considered it an overreaction, Bailey knew where Cassie was coming from.

  “No, it’s fine. Thank you. I’ll be leaving as soon as I get ready for work. What difference does a few more minutes make when it’s probably been open for hours?”

  “You sure? I don’t mind.”

  “No, thanks.” She pointed to the breakfast bar. “Why don’t you sit down while I write that check for you.”

  Bailey held up the cups. “I brought coffee and a Danish each. Maple and pecan, hope that’s okay.” She spread the contents out on the counter.

  “I’m sorry. I’m running so late. I don’t have time.”

  “I was running a little late myself this morning. I have my car downstairs. I’ll drive you in when you’re ready. That should give you time, and you can always eat in the car while I drive.”

  Cassie stared at her. “Why?”

  “Why what?” Bailey knew what she meant, but she didn’t have an answer, so she did the only other thing she could think of. She stalled.

  “Why are you doing this?”

  “Offering you a lift?”

  “And breakfast?”

  “Well, I’m working on your case, and I see no reason not to offer a lift to help you out since I’m heading that direction anyway. As for breakfast, if you don’t want it, Jazz will eat it.” The dog licked her chops and panted as they both looked at her. Bailey looked up at Cassie and said softly, “Did something happen last night?”