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Ace: Unfortunately it doesn't mean Irina...
Chapter Six:
Need To Know
Sydney shrugged. "I have no idea…I'm perfectly aware that I am chasing a white rabbit, but I just need to know."
"We both do," Vaughn said. "And I'm sure you do now."
"I know that you have already done so much," Sydney started. "But—"
"Don't even ask," Weiss stopped her. "Apart from us and Jack nobody even knows about Hope's existence- I am not going to let you guys go through this yourselves."
"The only problem is," Sydney said, "we have nothing to go on but a rumour—"
"Hang on," Vaughn cut in. "We have Project Christmas."
Sydney looked at him. "Project Christmas will help us find Hope?"
"We don't know that it is Hope," Vaughn pointed. "But if we look into the actual tests subjects, find out if they've had children, if they've ever gone missing…"
"Process of elimination," Sydney said slowly. "So we'll need the Christmas list- find out how many women took part."
"You're going to track down all of them?" Weiss asked.
Sydney nodded. "If that's what it takes."
He paused. "Well, then…surely you know what that means…"
Sydney stared back at him, her expression reserved. "Of course I do."
"And you're not freaking out because?"
"Because tracking down does not necessarily mean meeting face to face. I just have to know what she's been doing."
xxxxx
TWO YEARS AGO
Sydney tapped quietly on Dixon's office door and then popped her head in. "Dad said that you wanted to see me."
Dixon nodded. "Come in, sit down," he said. "And shut the door behind you."
Slight mystified by the serious tone of his voice, Sydney did so. "What is this about?"
"What I am about to tell you is…classified," Dixon started. "Technically, you should not even be informed, but I can't allow for you—"
"Dixon," Sydney cut in. "You are starting to scare me, so do you think that you could maybe just come out with it?
"The fire in your apartment…" he trailed off. "Allison did not perish in it, nor from your gunshots."
A roaring cam through Sydney's eyes like angry waves crashing at the sand. "What…how?"
"We have no idea how, but there have been several sightings over the time that you were missing. Allison Doren is very much alive and keeping extremely active in her fields of…talent."
"Why are you telling me this? Is she an immediate threat?"
"No. I just thought that you had a right to know," Dixon paused. "And I needed to address my own selfish needs."
Sydney's brow furrowed. "Dixon?"
"I guess…I needed somebody around here who can understand what I feel when I hear her name being thrown around so casually."
"What…" Sydney started. "What happens if we run into her in the field?"
"We have orders," Dixon replied. "To bring her in- dead or alive."
Silence fell between the two friends, both of them knowing that if they ever got the chance, they would ensure that it would be the former
xxxxx
"Even so, tread carefully," Weiss said.
Sydney cocked her head to one side. "Why?"
"If Allison gets wind that you're looking for her, the aftermath will not be pretty…and you are going to need to exercise some control on your behalf."
Sydney bristled. "Excuse me? I am perfectly capable—"
"Syd," Vaughn stepped in. "Things are different when it comes to Allison- you know that. Keep your distance and don't turn this into a manhunt."
Sydney was quiet for several moments. "What I am hoping to find is so much bigger than Allison. I am not going to let her stop me in my path. I promise you that."
Vaughn gave a short nod. "Ok then."
"Speaking of path," Weiss said. "We are going to need the Project Christmas database to start. How are we going to access it without questions being asked?"
"My dad," Sydney replied. "I'll tell him everything tomorrow- he'll be able to help."
"Right- well, then how about we meet up at lunch. Try and see where we can go next?" Weiss suggested.
Both Sydney and Vaughn nodded. "See you then," she said.
Weiss winced as the bowling ball veered off to the side and straight into the gutter. This was not the best way to start off a game.
Behind him he could hear Lilly laughing. "Excellent," she said. "You are as terrible as me."
Weiss turned around, a smile on his face. "Now, terrible is not the word that I would use."
"Hmm," Lilly pondered. "How about ten-pin challenged?"
Weiss nodded. "I like it."
"Well, the let's make tonight interesting. Whoever gets the highest score has to shout drinks after the game- but no deliberately shooting gutter balls, ok?"
"Deal," Weiss grinned.
"Now," Lilly said, holding up her glass. "Here's to quite possibly the worst game of bowling ever."
"I'll drink to that," Weiss replied, raising his own. "And of course, to he who came out on top," he added with a sly smile.
"And is now out of pocket," Lilly laughed.
"Touché."
"So," Weiss leaned forward. "I need a little feedback- the bowling, good or bad idea?"
"Definitely good," Lilly replied firmly. "I have not had this much fun in months…but then it's not just the bowling. The company I am with may have played a part in that."
"Lilly," Weiss started, his tone serious. "If you continue with that kind of talk I think that I might just blush."
"Well, we can't have that," Lilly said. "How about I just cut to the chase- are you free for lunch tomorrow?"
"Uh, actually, no," Weiss replied. "I've got this meeting- work stuff."
"Trust it to be work," Lilly said, good-naturedly. "Another time then?"
Weiss looked her directly in the eyes before responding. "Definitely."
Jack looked at his daughter through unblinking eyes. "Are you sure that you want to do this?"
Sydney nodded. "Do I want to? Not exactly. But it's something that I have to do."
"Ok then," Jack turned back to his computer. "I'll get you the list of names now- I can have all other profiles and information to you by the end of the day."
"Thanks."
Within minutes, Jack handed her a print out and Sydney could not help but stare at the names. These people were like her. She had to wonder- just how had their lives panned out?
1. Douglas W. Axtell
2. Matthew Wayne Brewer
3. Karen A. Bartek
4. Diana Lynn Brown
5. Jennifer Beth Crary
6. Peter James Dacey
7. Ryan Robert Ferro
8. Chris Godfrey
9. Tricia Kay Goken
10. Harmony Leigh Gosbee
11. Allison Georgia Doren
12.Duane E. Journey
13. Ross Frank Judd
14. Michael Allen Martinez
15. Mark A. Rohmer
16. Benjamin Xavier Speck
17. Jodie Ann Thomas
18. Cameron M. Tyler
19. Nicholas S. Williams
20. Andrews Charles Zohs
Seven women, Sydney thought. Seven women who were going to help her find out the truth.
"Sydney," Jack's voice broke into her thoughts.
Sydney looked at him. "Yes?"
"I…uh," he paused, clearing his throat. "I want to apologise," he managed to say.
Sydney blinked. "For what?"
"If it all, you being abducted, if it was because of Project Christmas, then it's my fault. It was because if me that you were out through that."
"Dad, please don't," Sydney said. "I don't agree with what you did, but I think I can understand why. Don't start laying blame, there are more important things that we need to focus on."
"Eric!"
Weiss stopped in his steps, a smile forming on his face as Lilly approached. "Hey."
"Hey yourself. How are you?"
"Fine," he replied, "but also running late. Syd and Vaughn will be wondering where I am."
Lilly's eyebrows rose slightly. "I thought you had a meeting over lunch?"
"I do," Weiss replied quickly. "With Sydney and Vaughn."
"What about? I haven't heard of anything new."
"Oh, this is from before your arrival. I'd tell you, but you know the whole classified deal."
Lilly smiled. "I'm pretty well informed on that…lunch tomorrow then?"
"Book me in."
Waiting until Weiss has walked away, Lilly picked up her phone and headed over to a quiet corner before dialling.
"Wolfe?"
"It's me."
"What is the news?"
"Something is happening between Bristow, Vaughn and Weiss."
"What?"
"I don't know. Weiss informed me that it was something that had been going on since before my arrival…something tells me it may be rogue."
"Keep a close eye on her- and find out what the hell she is up, Wolfe. Do not let her elude you. Anything Bristow related, we need to know."