When Vaughn had first informed me of the contacts they'd found, I couldn't even form the words to respond. I just stood there, staring at him, praying that I hadn't heard him right.
Irina Derevko.
Just when I thought my mother couldn't get any more horrible, I found out she was involved in this. "Please tell me you're joking."
Vaughn looked at me through sympathetic eyes. "I'm sorry, Sydney." He said softly. I saw him glance at the others, and I instinctively followed his gaze. The kids were staring at us, open-mouthed. Max's features were etched with cold disbelief.
I could tell that Vaughn wanted to say more. But when he spoke next, it was only to say, "I really need to go. They're expecting me…I'm already late. But look, I promise I'll tell you more when we know." He looked seriously at me for a moment, and then, as if anxious to get away, he turned and slipped out the front door.
I couldn't think. I glanced at Max, but she seemed frozen to the spot. Without even realizing what I was doing, I was out the door in a flash, practically sprinting to catch up.
"Vaughn!" I called, and he whirled around.
"Syd, you shouldn't be out here." He warned under his breath as I neared.
"Don't give me that," I spat impatiently. "You can't just drop a bomb like that and—and expect—Vaughn, I need more information. Please, give me something." I looked at him pleadingly, trying to convey the desperation I was feeling.
Vaughn ran his hand through his hair. "I know this is hard. I really, really get it. And I wish I could say something…anything that would make you feel better. But the fact is, we have no information. None. We only have what Irina is willing to give us." He gave a sigh. "And you know she'll never go for this."
I stared at the ground. "Let me talk to her." I said suddenly. I looked up again.
Vaughn stared. "What?"
"Listen, if you can get me in contact with her, if there's any way…she might be willing to listen."
Vaughn shook his head, looking bewildered. "You'd never get away with it. That would be breaking about twenty rules all at once."
"I'm not asking you to lie for me, or cover for me." I said quickly, urgently. "I wouldn't put you in that position! But Vaughn, I need to know if there's a way."
He paused. For a long time, I wondered if he'd even answer me. And then… "Marshall. Marshall would know."
I nodded. "Thank you." I said, relieved.
"And Sydney?" Vaughn added. "You know I'd cover for you in a second. I've told you before…I'm on your side."
I didn't say anything. I couldn't. I just stepped forward, closed my eyes, and hugged him tight.
When I returned to the house, it was oddly quiet. I came into the T.V. room and saw the Flock seated around the various chairs and the sofa. From the way they were staring at me, I could tell they'd been talking before I came in. There was a small, awkward silence.
"Who's Irina Derevko?" Fang growled at last.
I grimaced. "My mother."
Fang gave a tiny nod, but Iggy uttered a small "Hmm."
I shot him a questioning look, before I remembered that he couldn't see me. "What?" I asked.
But it was Max who answered me. She was sitting with her arm wrapped around Angel's shoulder, comforting her, and she didn't look at me when she spoke. "Jeb Batchelder is my father."
I blinked, surprised, but instantly sympathetic. I knew what it was like to have a parent betray you. "Before this, did you know…?"
"Yeah." Max said shortly. "We've always known that he worked for the School. But he never told us about this."
"Do you have any way of contacting him?" I didn't mean to sound interrogating, but this was important.
Max finally looked up at me. "Not anymore." She said evenly.
I didn't say anything else. Defeat washed over me. Then, Gazzy spoke. "So that's it? It's over?"
"No, listen," I looked at him earnestly. "We're doing everything we can—"
"You mean you're doing everything you can." Max stood up suddenly. "You barely even know Angel! You don't know how much this means to her! You really expect us to just sit here while you try and stop the people who did this to her?!"
I stared at her, contemplating. She was stubborn, but she had a point, and I knew that if I was in her position, I would want exactly the same thing. "No…I don't." I said at last. "So if and when we get the information we need, I promise you that I'll make sure they let you help us. No matter what happens. But right now, I need to find a way to contact Irina. And nobody can know about it. Please, Max." I pleaded, stepping closer to her. "Can you hold down the fort here for a few hours?"
Max stared at me levelly, almost sizing me up. Then, slowly, she nodded.
Now for the hard part.
--
I frowned angrily at the computer screen, willing it to display the results I needed. "Is it working?"
"One second." Beside me, Marshall typed a few phrases of coding into the database. "See all these IP addresses? It's kind of like a guestbook. Anyone who accessed this network is gonna show up here. Neat, huh?" He smiled proudly.
"Very." I murmured, still glued to the screen. "You think we can find the message the CIA sent to my mother?"
"Well, if we can, and she actually read the message, I can use my tracers to connect to any communication devices Irina—ooh, sorry, Ms. Derevko, might have on hand." Marshall blurted excitedly. "Now, we won't get any locations. Y'know, no google map stuff. Heh. It's never that easy, is it? But if you wanna talk to her directly, this is definitely the easiest way to do it."
"Okay." I sighed. "Worth a try. And Marshall? Thanks. I really do appreciate this."
"Aw, any time, Syd." Marshall grinned. He seemed thrilled to be facing the challenge of a good hack, at least.
I watched anxiously as the results filtered. After what seemed like hours, a tiny green light blinked rapidly.
"We've got a connection!" Marshall all but leapt joyfully out of his seat. "Awesome! This is great! You should have no problem getting a hold of her now." He turned to me, fiddling slightly. "Uh, well…I guess I'll leave you two alone, then." With a shrug, he leapt out of his seat, gave me a little wave, and headed back toward his desk.
I smiled, watching him go. Marshall really did grow on you. I just hoped he wouldn't mention any of this to my father. If Dad found out about who I was trying to contact, he would probably skin me alive. And a few weeks ago, I wouldn't have blamed him. It wasn't long since I had sworn I'd never speak to my mother again. But now…it didn't look like there was much choice.
I took a deep breath, glanced around to make sure no one had entered the small office, and typed.
MOM? IT'S ME. SYDNEY.
I wasn't really sure how this was going to work. It seemed like a kind of crude paging/instant messaging system. But after several minutes, there was still no reply. I frowned.
THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN BE TRACED FROM HERE. I'M USING MARSHALL FLINKMAN'S COMMUNICATION LOCATOR.
A pause. Obviously, she wasn't going to trust me that easily. Time to dive right in.
I NEED TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT THE SCHOOL.
I waited. I was almost holding my breath. This was my only chance…our only chance. I had to find out what she knew. But it seemed Irina wasn't buying it…and somehow, I hadn't expected anything else. She'd let me down so many times before. What made now any different?
Resigned to the truth, I turned away from the computer screen. Then, suddenly, something flashed across the page.
» I'D PREFER WE DO THIS FACE TO FACE.
I thought about it for about two seconds. It wouldn't be safe. I typed again.
DO YOU THINK I'M STUPID?
» ON THE CONTRARY, SYDNEY. YOU'RE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT IF YOU WANT ANY INFORMATION, IT MUST BE ON MY TERMS.
I hesitated. No, this was crazy. I was absolutely out of my mind. I couldn't really be considering meeting a known criminal and terrorist who'd betrayed and lied to me more times than I could count? And yet, said criminal and terrorist was my mother. She'd had plenty of chances to kill me if she wanted me dead. I could at least find out what she was asking.
WHICH ARE?
» I WANT YOU TO MEET ME AT PIER 47, AT EXACTLY 11:45 PM. NO SECURITY OR SURVEILLANCE. NO WEAPONS. YOU COME ALONE. IF YOU TRY ANYTHING, YOU'LL NEVER GET THE INFORMATION YOU NEED.
Could I really trust her? Agreeing to this would be defying my superiors. To meet with a known international criminal would be breaking every rule in the book…it would be going behind the CIA's back. I tensed. And then, I thought of Angel. An innocent, six year old girl who could be dying because of what Anna had done. I thought of the countless other people Anna could harm if her mission was successful. And that was all I needed to set my resolve.
ALRIGHT.
» DON'T TELL YOUR FATHER.
Well, one thing was for sure. If she thought I had any intention of telling Dad about this, she really did think I was stupid.
--
My watch read 11: 42, exactly. It was the only technology I'd brought with me, along with my cell phone. Knowing my mother, she'd have some sort of security sensors hidden around here. And if she found out I had any gadgets on me, she wouldn't show.
I walked slowly and cautiously down pier forty-seven. Everything was dark and shady, and I could barely see. This didn't feel right. What if it was a trap? A trap that I'd so stupidly walked in to. If it was, then I had undoubtedly let everyone down by coming here tonight.
I stood, tensed, letting the silence wash over me. And then, in the alley behind the pier, I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. An indistinct shadow, vaguely resembling the form a person. And then, as the figure stepped closer, her features became clearer. For a moment, I had the impression that I was staring into a mirror. The same dark hair; same light brown eyes. But as the moonlight illuminated her, I realized quickly that this woman was older than I was; her features were darker, her expression more cunning and calculating.
I was looking at Irina Derevko.
"Hello Sydney." She greeted smoothly.
I gaped at her. Part of me didn't even believe she was real. "Mm—" But I caught myself before I could utter the word "Mom." The last time I had felt close enough to this woman to call her that, she'd turned around and back-stabbed me, my father, and everyone at the CIA.
Irina soundlessly approached until there was about four feet between us. I froze, looking her over warily.
"I'm not carrying a weapon." She arched an eyebrow, looking vaguely amused. "After all we've been through, I would have at least thought you'd know by now that I have no interest in taking your life."
"That's only because you need me. You need me to be the retriever of your precious Rambaldi artifacts, so you can steal them from right under the CIA's nose the second I bring them back." I wasn't fooled for a moment, and I stared her down icily. "Isn't that right?"
Irina didn't miss a beat. "No," she said calmly. "It's because you're my daughter."
I'll admit that threw me off for a second. But it didn't take long for my anger to boil over. "Stop." I gritted. "I know what you're doing. And it won't work…not again."
"Oh Sydney," Irina looked mildly exasperated.
"No." I stopped her instantly. "I didn't ask to speak with you so you'd have another excuse to manipulate me. I asked you to speak with me to answer my questions. If you aren't going to do that, then why are you here?"
She gave me a very strange look, opened her mouth, and then closed it again. Whatever she was going to say, she'd decided against it. "Ask away."
I wasn't going to give her another chance to change the subject. "You worked for the School." I all but accused. "In Estonia. A facility in Narva."
"I did." Irina nodded faintly, her eyes narrowed. "I'm curious, however…who gave you the lead?"
I shook my head. "That doesn't matter. I was just wondering, between betraying your family and your country to Russian intelligence, faking your death, and running off to terrorize the world…when did you have time to work for them?" I inquired venomously.
Her expression was completely unreadable. She didn't so much as flinch. "That was a long time ago. It must have been…nineteen years. I was ordered there by the KGB. It was a very short employment, I assure you."
I did some quick math in my head. Nineteen years ago. That was two years after she'd left my father and I. "The KGB ordered you to work there?" I asked, and she nodded. "And then they ordered you to leave?"
Irina tilted her head. "Not quite."
"Then why—"
"Trust me, Sydney, when I say that you wouldn't believe me if I told you."
I clenched my teeth. More secrets…what had I expected? But there was no point in arguing with her. This wasn't what I'd come to find out anyway. "Fine." I said bitterly. "I need to know everything you can tell me about the facility. Exactly where it's located, and what security measures are in place."
"And why is that?" Irina inquired. "If you've come this far, you must have done enough research to know that the place has been abandoned."
Was she playing games? Or did she honestly have no idea about Anna. "Abandoned by the School," I agreed slowly, gauging her reaction. "But not abandoned completely."
I thought I saw a flicker of surprise in my mother's gaze, but she said nothing.
"What did they use it for? Back when the School had control?" I prompted.
Irina sighed. "What else? Genetic experimentation. The Narva base was, however, more focused on postnatal experimentation. They used children already born—aged anywhere from infants, to as old as about six." She explained quietly.
I felt a shudder of disgust. How could anyone be that inhumane? "And you worked for these people?" I whispered.
She averted her gaze and repeated what she had said earlier. "I was following orders."
"Right. That's your excuse for everything, isn't it? Don't pretend for a second that you couldn't have put your foot down—"
"Listen to me!" For the first time, there was an icy sharpness to Irina's usually calm, quiet voice. "You could not possibly understand my situation, Sydney. And I did not come here to discuss it with you!" I almost stepped back, faced with this sudden ferocity. But then she seemed to realize that she had raised her voice, and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, I could see no trace of emotion. "I'm sure we'd both like to get out of here quickly. I'll answer your questions if you answer one of mine."
Oh, great. This would be good.
"Why do you need to know this? Who's occupying the Estonian labs that the CIA is so interested in?"
That was two questions, I noted. What was more, I wasn't sure exactly how much I could tell her. Any information in the hands of this woman could be dangerous. "Anna Espinosa and her team have set up in Narva. She's hiding out there. They're…she's…interested in one of Rambaldi's prophecies," I explained at last. "One that had something to do with the School research."
Irina's eyes widened. "The avian DNA crossing?" She mused, clearly familiar with the prophecy. "But why…?"
I didn't think it was safe to tell her about Max and the Flock. Not yet. Given Irina's obsession with Rambaldi, there was no telling what she would do. "Anna's trying to finish what the School started. She's continuing their research." I told the half-truth, trying to remain neutral.
She didn't comment on whether she believed me or not, but nodded. "Interesting. Well, if you need them, I can send the coordinates to the CIA, along with security information—"
"No." I interrupted, a little sharper than intended. Irina stared at me blankly. I took a breath. "No...I…I need you to give the information to me. Otherwise, there's a chance that…" I didn't finish. So many things could fill that blank. The CIA could decide not to send me in, or to simply destroy the lab—and Angel couldn't afford that. Besides, I'd promised the Flock that they'd be able to help, which Dixon would definitely never agree to unless I had leverage.
But there was no need to explain. My mother was suddenly tense. "You want to lead the mission yourself?"
"This is really important." I began, wondering why I was bothering to explain myself to someone who'd broken the rules more times than I could count.
Irina held up a hand. "What's important is that you understand something, Sydney. You can not get involved with this. Ask someone at the CIA to do it—anyone. But you need to stay away from this place." She hissed urgently.
I stared at her, completely confused and thoroughly disconcerted. "What?" Was all I could think to say. I looked closer, and realized that the expression on her face could only be described as…fear. I suddenly felt indignant. "How can you tell me that? You have no idea what's at stake here. It's my job to stop people like Anna!" And people like you. I added silently.
Irina took my hand suddenly, and I was too stunned to pull away. "I know you like to play the hero, Sydney, but this is…it's too deep. Believe what you like, but I'm telling you this only because I'm concerned for your safety."
"You have no right to be concerned about me!" I backed away from her jerkily. "You've betrayed Dad and me twice now. Remember that? You left us twice. You have no right to stand there and act like you actually care about someone other than yourself."
"But I do." Irina said simply. Before I could say anything, she was pushing a small object into my hands. I looked down, and realized that it was an ear piece set, a lot like the one I used at the CIA.
"It's a two-way communicator. Equipped with bug and tracker killers. Don't bother trying to trace the frequencies." She explained, smirking slightly. "If you want your information, you'll fly to Narva, and contact me on this. The only person I trust to get you through that security alive is myself." And then, turning on her heel, she began to walk away.
I stared speechlessly after her. I had no idea what to think, or whether to trust what she'd just told me. Because when I thought about it, she'd more or less told me nothing.
Sensing my bewilderment, Irina turned around one last time. "Remember what I told you before, sweetheart. Truth takes time."
And then, just like that, she was gone.
