Chapter Six
The early morning quiet was broken by the sound of Speed's alarm clock ringing. Any other day he would groan and set the snooze to let him sleep another fifteen minutes. But today was not any other day. He arose with a grin of anticipation on his face and practically jumped out of bed. "It's a beautiful day," he remarked, even though thunder roared and the rain fell in heavy sheets against the window.
He went through the suits in his closet, finally setting on a black Armani. "She was always trying to get me to dress nicer. I bet she loves this!" He placed the suit on the closed sofa bed. "Shower, shave and be squeaky clean for my lunch date." He was almost giddy as he strode down the hall to the bathroom. "Oh the weather outside is frightful...But the fire is so delightful..." he sang as he stood under the steaming shower spray. "And since we've no place to go... Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!"
"What's that?" Stephanie asked as she and her brother played video games in the den.
"Sounds like Dad's singin' in the shower," Gregory replied. "Either that or it's the cat next door howling."
Stephanie giggled. "It's Daddy, but he does sound like a cat!"
"He'll never get on American Idol, that's for sure," Gregory commented dryly.
There was another giggle from Stephanie. "Yeah! He's awful!" The little girl glanced towards the bathroom. "Gregory, why is he singing Christmas songs?"
The boy shrugged. "Beats me."
Victoria poked her head in the room. "Breakfast will be ready in five minutes kids."
"Mommy, why is Daddy singing Christmas music when it's not even close to Christmas?" Stephanie asked.
Her mother shook her head. "I have no idea, Steph. But I wish he'd stop, the man can't carry a tune for anything." Victoria went back in the kitchen to finish preparing the morning meal. Her husband was up to something and she had a feeling that whatever it was, it involved one Patricia Shimura.
---
"Where's your father?" Victoria asked Gregory who was the last to sit down for breakfast.
"Shaving. He said he'd be out in a few minutes."
"He's shaving?" Victoria furrowed her eyebrows. "On a Sunday?"
"That's what he told me he was doing," he said.
The lines between Victoria's brows deepened when Speed entered the kitchen wearing one of his best suits and looking as if he was having dinner with royalty instead of just going to work. "It's Sunday. Why are you so dressed up?" she asked suspiciously.
"I've got a big negotiation going on. I've got to arrange meetings between us, the FBI, the CIA and a certain eastern European faction."
"It still doesn't explain the suit, Greg."
"This European group is being very difficult. We need to get the upper hand with them. So Dan figured the suit would be more intimidating. You know, put the fear of God into 'em."
Victoria waved her hand in front of her face. "More like the fear of your cologne. Did you bathe in that junk this morning?"
Speed blushed. "I guess I did use a bit of a heavy hand. My nose is a little stuffy," he lied, "so, I really couldn't smell it when I put it on."
"Well the rest of us sure can," Victoria said.
Gregory laughed. "Hey Dad, I bet they could smell your cologne all the way over in China!"
"Har har, very funny," Speed said. "Eat your breakfast."
"Daddy, I thought perfume was only for girls," Stephanie said.
"It's not perfume it's cologne, or as your grandfather calls it, after-shave. Steph, men like to smell nice just as much as women," he explained.
"Oh." She pondered that thought for a moment. "Daddy, what's the difference between cologne and after shave?"
"About thirty bucks an ounce," Speed joked.
"Huh?" Stephanie asked, confused.
"Nothing. Finish eating."
He checked his watch, downed his coffee, wiped his face with his napkin and rose from the table. "I gotta go!"
"What time are you going to be home?" Victoria asked.
"I don't know, depends on how the negotiations go."
"Well, I have an open house today. Your folks said they'd watch the kids until you can pick them up."
"Me?" Speed asked. "Their house is on the way home from the real estate, it's out of my way to drive there."
"I know that, Greg. But I have no idea what time I'm going to get finished with the open house. The people that are having it are extending the hours because they need to sell their home quickly. They're also adamant about not lowering the price. I have a feeling I'm going to be there well into the evening. Believe me I'd much rather stay home and spend time with my kids."
"Our kids," Speed hissed in low a voice that only Victoria could hear, his eyes cold and dark. "Remember that." Victoria glared at him. He turned away from her, smiled at the children and gave them a quick wave before striding to the door.
"Aren't you going to kiss Mommy goodbye?" Stephanie asked.
Speed froze in his tracks. "Oh, of course," he said, even though it was the last thing he wanted to do. He went back to Victoria, leaned down and quickly kissed her on the cheek. "Remember," he said pointedly.
Gregory watched him leave then asked his mother, "What did Dad mean by that?"
"By what?"
"He said the word remember."
She shrugged. "Nothing. He just wanted me to remember that he was going to pick you and your sister up later."
"Well duh, you told him to, so how could you forget that?"
"It was just a joke, Gregory," she said. "Now finish up your breakfast and get ready to go to Grandma and Grandpops' house." She rose from the table and started clearing it.
Gregory watched her as she angrily muttered to herself. "Mom and Dad think I don't know what's going on with them. They'd be surprised at how much I know."
---
The parking lot of the Federal Branch of Interpol Building was nearly deserted. Speed flashed his keycard at the sensor of the automated gate and when it lifted he drove through. His designated parking spot was open, of course. He went through the revolving glass door. There was a woman seated at the reception desk. "Good morning, Mr. Racer," she said in a pleasant tone.
Speed smiled at her. For the life of him he couldn't think of her name. "Good morning to you, too." He flashed his pass; she took a cursory glance at it and waved him through.
He was greeted at the elevator by Dan Detector who appraised his attire. "What are you all dressed up for? You know on Sundays you can wear whatever you want."
"I know. But I was in a corporate mood today."
The inspector sniffed. "Is that cologne I smell? Well Greg, I'm flattered. I didn't know you cared," he said in his deadpan manner.
"Very funny. First my son, now you. Is everyone a comedian today?"
"Well, you did OD on whatever it is you're wearing."
The elevator doors opened. "Maybe you should use the other one." Speed motioned to the elevator across the hall from them. "I wouldn't want to damage your olfactory senses any more than I already have."
Dan laughed and motioned with his hand. "After you."
Speed stepped inside followed by the Inspector. "I guess I did kind of put too much cologne on this morning," Speed said.
"Just a little. You got a date?" Dan joked.
"No! Of course not!" Speed said a bit too defensively.
"I was just kidding, Greg. Lighten up."
"I know, so was I." Speed forced a smile.
The elevator came to a stop on their floor. "As soon as I hear from the Bureau, we'll set up that conference call," Dan said.
"Any idea when that will be?" Speed asked as they departed the lift and walked down the hall. "Just so I know how much prep time I've got."
"Maybe sometime late this morning, if not early afternoon." Speed made a face. "Don't worry, you'll be home before six tonight."
"That would be a first. Dan, I do have some business I need to take care of around noon. Shouldn't take more than a couple of hours, if that. It's family stuff," Speed said.
"No problem. We can work around it. I can do my part of the negotiations while you're gone." They came to where another hall intersected with theirs. "Talk to you later," Dan said and turned to the left. Speed went on straight ahead to his own office. He opened the double outer doors into the reception area and was surprised to be greeted by his secretary. "Jill, what are you doing here?"
"I had some work I needed to catch up on, Sunday is the best day to do that, Mr. Racer."
"Oh. Well, I hope you get everything done early enough to enjoy at least part of the day." He said nothing more and went inside his office. "Don't know why every damn person working under me has to call me Mr. Racer." He shook his head. "It makes me so uncomfortable." But he knew that's how things were done there. The supervisors were always Mr. or Ms. and the support staff was called by their first names. It annoyed him, especially as Jill had nearly seventeen years on him. "I wonder how she feels to have to call someone who is almost young enough to be her son, Mister?"
Sitting down on the soft, leather desk chair he turned on his computer. "Might as well get started. Who knows when these guys will call." He had not been working for five minutes when his intercom beeped.
"Yes, Jill?"
"Mr. Racer, you have someone who wishes to see you."
"She's here already?" Speed asked, feeling his heart skip a beat.
"She? No it's a man, Agent Nine."
"Oh," Speed said, a bit crestfallen. "Agent Nine, huh? Well, send him in." He sat back in his chair. "I wonder what excuse he's got for skipping his family obligations this time? Whatever it is, I'm not going to let him off the hook so easily."
There was a knock on the door, and then a handsome man in a white suit entered. "Good morning, Greg," he said pleasantly.
Speed was on him instantly. "So, where were you yesterday?"
Rex Racer smiled rather sheepishly. "I was otherwise occupied. I'm sorry I didn't call you."
"Yeah, it would've been nice. The kids were looking forward to seeing their Uncle Rex. Spritle was disappointed you weren't there, of course. I mean it was only his graduation from college. But it's Mom and Pops who concern me most, especially Mom. Whenever you don't show up for family functions she thinks the worst, that you've taken off again."
"She should know I wouldn't do that. My days of running away are over."
"Are they?" Speed asked dubiously.
"Yes. You've got my word on that. I know you find it hard to trust me. But you can, little brother," Rex said.
Speed crossed his arms. "I hope so because I will kick your ass if you even think of running out on us again."
Rex laughed. "You? Kick my ass? Right. You and what army?"
"Don't need an army," Speed joked, "because technically I am your boss and I can fire you."
"You'd have Mom riding your butt if you ever did that."
Speed smiled. "I know, I was just kidding. Seriously, I love you bro and I'm so glad you're back in the fold again."
"Did I really have a choice? Once you started working here I figured it would only be a matter of time before we bumped into each other."
"So you sought me out. I gotta tell you, I was truly shocked to see you sitting at my desk that afternoon. Good thing I have a healthy heart because that might very well have killed me."
"I do have a flare for the dramatic at times, don't I?"
"Dramatic? Hell yeah! I have to admit that it was funny when Mom opened the front door to find you standing there holding a potted plant and grinning like a mad man. It's a good thing she's got a healthy heart, too."
Rex nodded. "It's also a good thing I inherited that healthy heart because if I didn't, I would've dropped dead from shock when Pops told me that he missed me and gave me that huge bear hug."
Speed grinned. "He did miss you. We all missed you."
"Speaking of missing people, what's this I hear about Trixie showing up at the party yesterday?"
"I ran into her earlier in the week and invited her. I wasn't sure if she would actually show. It was nice that she did."
"Mom couldn't stop going on about her," Rex said.
"You spoke to Mom? Why didn't you tell me?"
"You didn't ask," he said wryly knowing that he had gotten the better of his brother. " I talked to her this morning. I called to apologize for not showing up yesterday. That's when she told me about Trixie. She was so happy to see her." Rex grinned slyly. "She said you were quite happy to see her, too."
"Well, yeah she's an old friend, naturally I'd want to see her."
Rex raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure you would. Word of advice little brother, keep your feelings buried deep."
"What feelings?"
"Greg, I can read you like a book. You never got over her leaving you. That, plus your marital problems is making you very susceptible to her right now."
"I'm fine. Trixie and I are just friends. Really."
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?" Rex asked.
"You don't know what the hell you're talking about," Speed said defensively.
"Maybe," Rex agreed. "But do I need to remind you of what happened the last time you were feeling vulnerable?"
Speed's nod was barely perceptible as he stared out the big Plexiglas window that gave him an incredible view of the city.
Flashback
"Do anything exciting this weekend, Greg?" Dan Detector asked as they stood on line in the commissary.
"You mean besides our golf game Saturday?" Speed said. "I took the kids to the Universal Circus yesterday. Gregory went nuts over the animals. Poor Stephie was petrified of the clowns. She screamed whenever one got within ten yards of her. Twinkle Banks took us on a personal tour of the place afterwards. She introduced Stephanie to one of the clowns who took his make-up off in front of her. It sure helped her get over her fear of them. All in all we had a great time. The show was incredible. I think it might have been the most enjoyable two hours I've spent in a long time. I love the circus."
Dan smiled. "Sounds like Dad has as much fun as the kids."
"Yeah," he chuckled, "I think I did. It doesn't hurt that Twinkle is very easy on the eyes. It's nice to get attention from a pretty woman once in a while."
Dan nodded. "I gather that things still aren't going well with you and Vicky."
Speed sighed. "Ever since she bought that damned real estate things between us have been tense. I understand the pressure she's under to make it succeed, but it's really putting a strain on our marriage."
"Your situation isn't helped by the fact that she talked you into quitting racing and now you're working at a job that you hate."
"I don't hate my job, Dan. It's just that I miss racing, that's all." Speed said. "I'll always miss it."
"You ever think of going back?" Dan asked.
"All the time. But then I remember my family and my obligation to them. I can't risk my not being there for them," Speed said.
"Lots of men with children race, Greg."
"Tell that to my wife," he said bitterly. "I once just mentioned in passing about how nice it would be to race again. She threatened to take the kids and leave."
"Would she?"
Speed shrugged. "Who knows? I don't want to find out and I'm really too tired of arguing about it. Anyway, she's right. My family comes before anything."
"Even your happiness, it would seem," Dan remarked.
"I'm happy the majority of the time, Dan. My kids... the joy they bring me is indescribable. They make everything, even quitting racing, worth while."
"What about Vicky?" The Inspector asked.
"I'm hoping once things calm down for her that our lives will get back to normal." He slid his tray up to the coffee urn and filled his cup nearly to the brim. "Hmm... Smells good... Anyway, I'm willing to bide my time while she gets this thing off the ground." He smiled. "I do have to admit that I'm damn proud of her."
Dan nodded. "As you should be, Greg." He filled his own cup with hot tea. "She's a smart woman."
They paid for their beverages, along with a couple of donuts. "Hey there's Jake," Speed noted, motioning his head towards a table where a handsome, dark-skinned young man sat. Jacob Jackson was twenty-five and an expert in linguistics. At nearly seven feet tall he loomed over most other men, especially Speed who checked in at barely five-ten. "My brothers," he said in his deep, booming voice. "How are you today?"
"Feeling fine, my man," Speed said, high-fiving him. "I had a great weekend with the kids and also got a chance to do some golfing. Kicked Dan's butt." He turned and grinned wickedly in the Inspector's direction.
"That's only because I was using my new clubs," Dan said. "They haven't been broken in yet."
"Right," Speed remarked, a huge grin still framing his face, "Anything you say, Danny boy."
"Humph, you really need to learn to respect your elders, young Gregory." Dan pretended to be offended.
"Elders?" Jake said. "Both of you are my elders. Dan, you're older than dirt and Greg, Mr. Family Man, the days of your carefree youth are far behind you. Man, you're both old farts!"
Speed actually was offended, but he did a good job of hiding it. "Yeah that's right, I'm Mr. Family man and very happy about it. Every night I go home to my beautiful wife and our two wonderful children, who, I must say, worship the ground their Daddy walks on. What do you do, Jake? Go home to that empty apartment of yours, drag yourself down to one of the night clubs, dance with a couple of dozen chicks and choose one of them to spend the night with... " He shook his head, breaking into a smile. "Shoot dude, you've got it made."
"That I do, my man, that I do."
"Too bad your NBA career never got off the ground because then you'd really have it made," Speed said. Jake had gone to Duke University on a basketball scholarship, but a knee injury ended what looked to be a very promising career. Deciding it was best to make lemonade from lemons, he finished college with a Master's Degree in Linguistics. His fluency in six languages landed him a job with Interpol and he often played a crucial role in negotiations. He and Speed made for a formidable team.
"No biggie. I like what I'd doing now more than I think I ever would have enjoyed the NBA." Speed shook his head in disbelief. "It's true, man. My folks are proud of me, the fact that I actually used my brain to get where I am today."
"Oh sure, instead of being a mindless idiot playing in the NBA making sixty million a year," Speed commented. "I know I sure wouldn't opt for that."
Jake laughed. "I don't think you have to worry about that happening, unless the NBA decides to start drafting munchkins."
"You're a regular riot," Speed said flatly. Dan laughed; he was rewarded with a glare. "No comments from the peanut gallery!"
"I didn't say anything," Dan noted.
"Yeah, but you were gonna."
"Speaking of munchkins... " Jacob nodded towards a petite young woman with strawberry-blond hair heading in their direction. "There is a beautiful one coming our way."
"I've never seen her around here before. I don't think she works in this branch," Dan commented.
Speed nodded in appreciation of the young woman's assets. "I'd sure as hell would remember her if she did."
She approached the table. "G'day! I'm lookin' for a Mr. Gregory Racer," she said in an Australian accent. "Would one of you blokes happen to be him?"
With an embarrassed smile Speed stood, knowing now how Jake must feel as he actually towered over her four foot eleven frame. "That would be me."
The young lady thrust out her hand. "Please ta meet ya, mate. I'm Paisley Piper."
Speed grasped the proffered hand and shook it, surprised at her strong grip. "I'm very happy to meet you too, Ms. Piper. I don't wish to sound rude, but why where you looking for me?"
"The agency transferred me here for the next month to work on a special project with you. Didn't they tell you?"
He motioned her to the seat next to him. "No, they didn't. What project?" He quickly looked at Dan who just shrugged.
"Negotiations with Kapetepek about reconsidering their border policy." Paisley was suddenly all business. "Even with them open for half the year, it's still way too restrictive."
"It's their country, they have the right to do whatever they want with their borders," Speed said.
"Yes, you're right. But we're hoping that with some mediation with our liaisons they nut out an agreement of some sort," she explained.
"Ah, so that's where we come in," Speed said. "Nut out?" he said to himself amused by her Aussie slang.
She nodded. "HQ wants us to start working on it this afternoon."
"Sure. Do you want me to meet you at your office?"
"Actually... I don't have one. They told me I'd be sharing yours."
"Figures. I wish that, just once, they would inform me of things like this," Speed said in an annoyed voice.
"Sorry. Wasn't my idea, mate."
Speed smiled. "Oh, I know that. It's not your fault that they don't know how to communicate with their employees. I'll make some space for you and have my secretary arrange for them to send up a desk you can use."
"Ripper!" she exclaimed as she took his hand in both of hers and squeezed it.
Speed grinned goofily; he felt very much like a schoolboy. Paisley adjusted her chair; her leg came to rest against his. He gulped. Why did the room suddenly feel so warm? His face was burning. He quickly turned away from her and mumbled introductions to Dan and Jake. The rest of the conversation was a blur. All he could think about was the proximity of her body, the alluring scent of her perfume, her adorable accent and the fact that for the next month they would be sharing an office together. Never mind that she couldn't be a day over twenty, which made him about ten years older than her.
End Flashback
"Just be careful, all right?" Rex said.
"Huh?"
"What planet were you just on? I said to please be careful when it comes to your past love."
"I will, don't worry."
"You're my little brother; I'll always worry about you. Now, I've got to go catch a flight to London. Duty calls."
Speed smiled. "Take care, Rex. Give me a call tonight if you can, okay?"
"Sure thing. And when you see Trixie later, tell I said Hi," he said with a wink before he opened the door and left.
Speed stared after him. "How did he know I was going to see Trixie today?"
