Once, and For All

by Kendra G. Johnson

  “Let me be clear. I am the ultimate authority. Any challenge to that will be dealt with immediately.”

  Again, Danny Mac and Kenann nodded. They both had the sense that they needed to display complete obedience and servitude.

  “Good. I can use you and the cover that you have already established. We will use it as our shield to complete our agenda and to find out if there is anything to this bloody prophecy.”

  Danny Mac ventured, “And your agenda is?”

  “Not your concern,” Magda snapped.

  Danny Mac nodded.

  Magda smiled. She was back in control, where she belonged.

  Nearby, Mrs. Gage and Andy exchanged concerned looks.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Carter leaned forward in the van and pulled at Mrs. Gage’s arm. “We have to get out in front of this plan.”

  “How?”

  “Tell them they need to work with their existing bosses. If they are to maintain their cover, they have to be careful not to raise suspicion.”

  Danny Mac apparently heard what Carter was saying. He began telling Magda his exact words. This gave them a semblance of control. “Do you want our help? Then work with us.”

  Magda considered. It appeared she saw the necessity of this outlook. Covert action required certain concessions. And these people certainly had the connections she needed. “Very well then, what do you suggest?”

  Danny Mac thought fast. “We need to work completely within the framework of our team…without interruption. We can be in communication with you and receive instructions, but we should not be found to have any other agenda.”

  Magda stood and walked to the window. This was not what she had anticipated or planned when she came here today. Ann was supposed to have Kenann completely under control and compliant, as per her orders. She did not buy the notion that Kenann was anyone’s destiny, but this Order apparently thought she was. She certainly had connections. These she could use. She turned back to them. “All right. Return to your group. Cover your tracks and allay any suspicions. Then wait for word.” Then she turned to Danny Mac. Kenann stiffened at the look on her face.

  “I have determined the perfect cover for our association and frequent communication.” No one spoke. “Daniel and I shall begin an affair.”

  Kenann’s blood boiled. She was getting sick and tired of everyone wanting to sleep with her husband. Danny Mac’s calm voice interrupted her thoughts. “I’m afraid that’s impossible.”

  Magda smiled. “You dare challenge me?”

  “No, I am simply pointing out an obvious flaw in your plan.”

  “And that is?” Her voice was like ice.

  “None of our group would ever believe I would be unfaithful to Kenann.”

  Magda was enraged but remained icy calm. She moved slowly across the room and straddled Danny Mac in his chair. Kenann jumped up but Robert restrained her with a firm hand on her shoulder. She tried to shrug him off but he simply increased the pressure of his restraint.

  Danny Mac did not break eye contact with Magda. He knew they remained in a very precarious situation and he could not afford to push her too far. Magda knew how to use her body to best advantage to get a physical response from him. Best to address it head on.

  “Unfortunately, this proves nothing,” Danny Mac said.

  Magda replied, “It proves I can make you respond to me.”

  “That is a purely biological response. I love Kenann and would do nothing to hurt her. My team knows that. It would be seen immediately as disingenuous and a laughable mistake.”

  Magda was like a stage actor who had bombed her performance and did not know how to gracefully get off the stage. An embarrassed woman was a dangerous woman. She leaned in, touching her lips to his ear. “You have just made a serious error in judgement, Daniel. Your beloved Kenann will pay for this.” She bit his ear hard enough to draw blood.

  Danny Mac did not flinch. In trying to protect her, he had just put Kenann in the crosshair of this woman. This was getting more complicated by the minute.

  Magda slid sensuously from Danny Mac’s lap and turned to the rest of the room, straightening her clothing. She took in Kenann’s murderous glare and spared her an indulgent smile. This was not over by a long shot.

  * * * *

  Back at Mrs. Gage’s villa, the group was convened in the lounge area, introducing Adam and Robert to the practice of a council of war. Moira was touched to see Kenann’s response to Adam. Her tenderness held a different quality than what she reserved for even her or Daniel. It pained her that Kenann’s own father (and her son) did not nurture Kenann in the way that Adam apparently had.

  Carter had met with Mrs. Gage before the meeting, requesting to address the group. Mrs. Gage was careful not to diminish his authority in any way. They had established a tenuous alliance of power.

  When the group had reached sufficient equilibrium, she gave a subtle nod to Carter, who could now easily address the group.

  “Our mission objective was to gather intel on power brokers with nefarious agendas,” Carter began. “We achieved some moderate success in London and now have been given a possible glimpse behind the curtain, if you will. We need to exploit this. Bridget, can you get back into that villa unseen now that Magda has taken up residence?”

  “John, you insult me.”

  “Good. Do it. Plant listening devices, garner any other information you can, and get back here by tomorrow.”

  “Consider it done.” Bridget rose and left the room.

  “Danny Mac,” said Carter, “while your virtue is admirable, you are a fool.”

  Some gasped. Others stiffened in their seats. Kenann jumped to her feet. Carter ignored her and continued speaking. “Pillow talk has been the best avenue for information since the beginning of time.”

  Kenann actually growled. “If you think Danny Mac is going to be ordered into having an affair, you are delusional.”

  Carter looked at her then. “This business is a tough one with tough choices. I am just saying that no option should be off the table. You knew that when you signed on.”

  Judy couldn’t hold her tongue any longer. “And you knew what you were getting when you came looking for us! We are not some commando team. We are different. So don’t try to pull rank on us now, you insufferable son of a—.” Andy touched her arm. She sucked in a gulp of air and stopped.

  No one spoke. No one moved, least of all Carter. Not for the first time did he question his actions in pulling this team back together. He was ill equipped to lead people who were not trained for this work. He had been selfish and indulgent. What was he thinking?

  Danny Mac stood. He drew everyone’s eyes by his movement. He moved over to a window overlooking the countryside. He stared out in thought. Not a sound could be heard save the ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner. He didn’t turn around when he spoke. “What are we playing at? I am a minister. I have given my life to God and for a hot second I thought about the wisdom in what Carter was saying. Getting into Magda’s bed is a viable tool and one I’m sorry to say I have used many times.” He turned then and scanned the group. “What are we doing? Are we just playing at this?”

  Kenann whispered, “Are you actually considering this plan?”

  Danny Mac turned to her and laughed ruefully. “No, baby. I am not.”

  Jake was standing sentry near the door, as had become his habit. “Honey, it’s not about that. It’s about doing the job.”

  Andy was next. “Can we do the job if we can’t do the job?”

  The people in the room sat steeped in their own thoughts and personal doubts. After a few moments, Adam cleared his throat. Mrs. Gage looked at him and prayed he had something—anything—to redirect the pall that had fallen over them.

  Adam said tentatively, “If I may?” He did not wait for a response. “I have only been here a few days. I don’t know anything about any of you save Kenann. But I do know her. And I trust her.”

  They waited f
or him to continue. He didn’t.

  In the ensuing silence, each of them absorbed his words. They did trust each other. Their love and trust for each other was their biggest asset. But Kenann had to look at some hard truths. She spoke as if to herself. “I can’t really take the moral high ground about how far we will go to do the job… I have taken a life. Twice.”

  Danny Mac’s voice was a caress of comfort. “Kenann.”

  Carter had nothing to offer. What Judy had said rang true. He knew what he was getting when he asked them to do this. He felt like his original desire to be a part of this group was laying out for everyone to see. He stood staring straight ahead.

  Mrs. Gage had had enough. “Well, aren’t we a pitiful bunch? We are who we are. Flawed, limited, and needy.”

  Carter flinched. Was she looking at him?

  “Of course, no one is going to ask Danny Mac to violate his vows to Kenann.” Mrs. Gage was definitely looking at Carter then. “And, yes, we are limited in what we can do. But please, who are we kidding? Seal Team 6 can’t do what we do!” She looked around the room. “So stop with the whining. We have a job to do. We will do it the way we always have. Together and trusting each other to do the right thing at the right time.”

  She moved to leave the room, stopping in front of Carter. She growled in his ear, “Don’t ask to lead this group again.” She slammed the door as she left.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Everyone went to their respective corners of the estate. No one spoke. Robert wondered what he had gotten himself into. He wished Bridget had asked him to go with her. He reached in his pocket and went outside to smoke his cigar.

  Judy and Andy went for a walk on the grounds. Andy reached down and took Judy’s hand. She smiled up at him and squeezed his hand. This felt right. They were fine. No matter what.

  Jake waited several minutes before he went in search of Gabrielle. He finally found her in the staff kitchen, fixing a cup of tea. There was something soothing about fixing a cuppa. She looked up when he walked in, but then returned to her task. When she finished, she sat down at the table and blew on the steam, looking straight ahead. Jake sat beside her and rested his chin on his big fists. Mrs. Gage finally looked over and up at him. They looked at each other for a few moments and then she burst out laughing. He joined her. She could never stay mad with this man around. Her heart smiled.

  CJ and Leticia had been forced to stay behind as staff when it was clear the party was taking up residence at the villa. Blade had taken the news in stride as a seasoned operative. He had worked on his school assignments after dinner, taken his bath, and came down earlier to say good night before going off to bed. Moira made her way slowly up the stairs to check in on him. When she opened the door to his room, she found him fast asleep. Rough looked up from his post beside Blade’s bed and stood. He watched her with his solemn amber eyes and came toward her. He looked up at her as he passed and then padded down the hall to her room. She needed him more tonight than the boy.

  Adam had stayed seated in the lounge. Carter sat across the room. He finally looked over at Adam and asked, “Do you want to take a shot, too?”

  “No, Carter.”

  “Then why are you hanging around?”

  Adam laughed at this man’s hubris. “Well, to be honest, I am trying to muster up enough energy to climb the stairs to my room.”

  Carter mentally kicked himself again. This man had moved heaven and earth to get to Kenann. And the effort had taken its toll. “I’m sorry. Do you need some help?”

  “Sure.”

  “First, though, do you mind if I pick your brain about this Ann?”

  “No problem.”

  “Did you see her hidden agenda?”

  “No, but I wasn’t looking. I was hired by National Geographic to fly them around and protect them. Then Kenann came along unexpectedly and, well, my life changed. It was obvious Ann had no interest in the baby. Ken tried but he was preoccupied. Pretty mentally absent most of the time. So I added nanny to my job description. I diapered her, fed her, and loved her.” Adam looked away as tears welled up.

  Carter, uncomfortable with any sentimentality, pressed on. “So who did she meet? Where did she go?”

  “I know Kenann told you what Ann said. She was given assignments to meet with people in various cities that we were scheduled to visit. Or report on things she had seen in places we had been. Apparently, she had been given orders of what and whom to look for.”

  “It’s hard to tell how many of these stooges are out there. Thinking they are special and doing the bidding of some controller.”

  “I can tell you this: she changed. She was never mother of the year, but she became harder. Evil, if you believe in that sort of thing.”

  “Oh, don’t start with the boogeyman talk. That’s all I hear from this bunch. The devil is lurking behind every door.” He blew out a breath in disgust.

  “Carter, you would do well to listen to these people.”

  The section chief was once again reminded that he was the one who came back for them. They were perfectly content to live their lives and never think of John Carter again. But, no, he was the one who wanted to be in their lives.

  Adam continued. “She sent me off on some fool’s errand when we were in South America. Kenann was little. I didn’t want to go but couldn’t find a legitimate excuse to stay. I was afraid to make too much of my relationship with Kenann. I had already seen what Ann was capable of. I was terrified she would sack me and I would never see Kenann again. So I went.”

  Carter leaned forward. “Do you think that was when that jungle ceremony happened that they keep talking about?”

  “That’s my guess. Ken was more distracted than usual. I think he had been drugged. I cannot see him participating in anything like that willingly. Well, unless he saw it as some anthropological experience.”

  “So what do you think is the significance of that now? It keeps coming up.”

  “I’m not sure, but if I’ve learned anything from traveling around the world with Kenann and her parents, it’s don’t rule anything out and nothing is a coincidence.”

  * * * *

  Kenann walked in ahead of Danny Mac to their room. He knew she was troubled. He was troubled. What a mess.

  She pulled her nightgown out of the closet and went into the bathroom without a word. For the first time in over ten years, he wished he had a cigarette.

  She came out a few minutes later scrubbed and ready for bed. Danny Mac was struck with her simple and wholesome beauty. He loved her with all his heart. There was no woman, no matter how physically attractive, who could hold his attention and his heart like this woman. He wished she knew that. Believed that.

  He went to her. She let him take her into his arms but he knew she was holding herself back. He always knew.

  “Kenann, you have nothing to ever fear from me. I am yours. I won’t ever be anyone else’s ever again.”

  She smiled. He could be such a…big dumb boy—but sometimes he got it right. “Thanks for saying that. I needed to hear it.” She looked up at him. “So what is troubling you? Is it like Jake and Andy said? The job?”

  “Yeah, I guess. But really, what are we playing at? We are Christians, Kenann. Are we playing at being spies? Or are we playing at being Christians?”

  “Oh, Danny Mac. Christians come in all shapes and sizes. Makes and models. But everyone has their job to do. I think this is ours. Is it going to be easy? Are we going to make mistakes? Absolutely. But you can’t beat yourself up every time it gets a little murky. God has got this. And He has got you.”

  Not for the first time, Danny Mac stopped and let the wisdom of what she brought to him sink in. He knew in that moment that God was using Kenann to ground him. To remind him of things God wanted him to know. There was nothing sexier than that.

  “Mrs. MacKenzie?” he whispered in her ear before he trailed his mouth down the curve of her neck.

  “Hmmmm?” Kenann purred.

  �
��I love it when you talk God to me.”

  Kenann laughed and let him draw her down onto the bed.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  They reconvened in the breakfast room the next morning. Folks trickled in, saying good morning and making small talk while filling their plates from the sideboard. Even Carter was polite. Bridget walked in after doing recon all night to report that the comms should be up and ready to access. She read the room and put her hands on her hips.

  “Well, what happened here last night?”

  No one spoke.

  “Carter did you piss someone off again?”

  That made everyone laugh. Even Carter had to give up a rueful smile. “Why is it always me?”

  “Oh, darling, please. You’ve turned pissing people off into an art form.”

  “Amen,” Judy mumbled into her scrambled eggs. Andy kicked her under the table.

  Mrs. Gage gently tapped her china cup with her spoon. The sound was like the tinkling of a bell. Everyone turned their attention to her. “Today is a new day, and as such we shall move forward anew. Andrew, choose a room this morning to set up our communications so we can monitor what is happening in the nearby residence. Danny Mac, what do you think about going on the offensive and paying an unannounced visit to them? Tell them you had some time before we perform this weekend and wanted to take advantage of it. Any time we can make a move not dictated by Magda, we gain some subtle control. And kudos to you, Kenann. You were masterful yesterday.”

  Kenann smiled and inclined her head in thanks to Mrs. Gage. Danny Mac had sufficiently assured her last night of his devotion. She had no qualms about Danny Mac going alone to see Magda. Danny Mac was pleased as well. He wanted to protect Kenann from Magda as long as possible.

  Carter had made peace with losing any semblance of leadership with this group but still claimed a rightful place on the team. He asked Bridget, “What did you see last night? Anything noteworthy?”

  “It was a hive of activity when I got there, making it a bloody nuisance to move around. CJ and Leticia are holding their own. They were both happy to see me.”