Chapter 52

December 31, 2008 Villa Scorpio 1 AM

Robert placed the tray on the desk. On his desk were arrayed several large wooden figures. Andrew slipped one piece after another from a large green velvet bag. There were four in all. Jacques examined a four inch figure closely.

"This is entirely handmade from a mix of light and dark wood. Ingenious and beautiful." said Jacques.

"What are they?" asked Robert.

"Hmm, I would suppose that they are chess pieces. One seems to be the image of a religious cleric, another a monk. One dark and one light." said Jacques. "Part of a full set."

Andrew looked at a note inside the pouch. "In lieu of a debt. I can't read the signature." Andrew returned each pieced into its individual pouch and then into the larger pouch. "A puzzle to consider later."

"It's a unique set, Andrew. Spread the word about it's availability. I doubt that you will be lacking in interested respondents." said Jacques. "In fact, announce it as items for auction. Allow the auction house to do a preliminary screening on your behalf."

"Were there anything else from the Cassadine set?" asked Anna giving Jacques his glass.

"A pair of sapphire earrings. That makes the ring, bracelet, choker and earrings in all." supplied Andrew.

"I'm concerned about storage. Is the safe here adequate?"

"The vault in the bunker should -" began Robert.

"Command and Control Center." Andrew clarified. "CNC for short."

"The vault in the CNC should be adequate. I fear Helena could access any commercial vault she desired." said Robert.

"Anything else, Andrew?" asked Anna.

Andrew glanced at his father then his mother. He handed a brown envelope tied with a white ribbon to Anna. "This belongs to you apparently."

Anna gazed at the pouch as if it were a cobra poised to strike. "How do you know?"

"Look at the name on the envelope. White Rose." said Andrew. "That was your code name in the D- ... old days."

She looked at Robert then at the envelope. "I ... I don't know what this could be."

Sensing Anna's tension, Robert took the envelop from Andrew's outstretched hand. "It can't be important if it's been in the box this long. We'll look at it later."

"Put it in the vault, Robert. I ... I don't need to see it. Whatever it is." said Anna firmly.

"But -"

"I don't want it." Anna snarled. "Toss it. Burn it. I do not care!"

"Thank you, Andrew. I'll take care of this." said Robert. "Is that it for this box?"

Andrew nodded as he closed the box. He placed the next box on the table and opened. This one seemed less orderly than the other as if items were hastily put in with no thought to careful packaging. There was an assortment of boxes, pouches and folded papers.

Andrew picked up brown pouch. From inside he retrieved a plastic bracelet like one used in hospitals for patient identification and an secured digital card. He looked at the SD card for clues. He saw no names or markings. The bracelet had a name 'Bryn Wyd' and a name scrawled in ink 'M Petrie' and a date '2003'.

"Martin Petrie. That's one of Papa's common aliases." said Andrew quietly. He brought the stained bracelet up to his face. Faison's scent was unmistakable. "He wore this."

"2003? That's the year I found you." said Robert.

"The year when ... when Papa went missing. He was at this place." Andrew's voice had gone very low nearly inaudible. "What is Bryn Wyd? Why was he there?"

Anna chose her words carefully. She could feel Andrew's concern and curiosity intensifying. "It's a sanitarium in Wales I think. Parts of it burned down. The facility was under the charge of ... of Charlotte Devane, Alex's mother."

This was greeted with a profound silence.

"I mean that she raised Alex after Charlotte ... kidnapped her when she ... we were born. That's how we were separated." Anna explained haltingly. "Charlotte is our aunt by marriage."

"I would like to talk with this Charlotte." said Andrew. "At the earliest opportunity."

"Charlotte is at Weltonby Penitentiary for murder, internet crime, counterintelligence activities and a few other charges." Anna shared a look of warning with Robert. She willed for him to understand. From what Alex had told her about Bryn Wyd, Anna suspected that Faison was kept there against his will. What would Andrew do once he had proof?

"Interesting." said Robert. "She's not going anywhere, Andrew. Perhaps, you can schedule a visit later on."

"I'll think about it." said Andrew. He pocketed the pouch with the bracelet and SD card inside. "I want to talk to Aunt Alex after the new year."

"We'll call her together." said Anna.

Andrew nodded agreement. He selected a flat slim box next. It was heavy despite its size. Upon opening, he saw a stack of formatted microfiche films. Carefully, he removed one film and handed the box to his father.

"It seems to be pictures and documents." Andrew put the film against the light and looked at random cells.

Anna looked at a film over Robert's shoulder. "Some of these are paintings."

Robert hefted the slim box in his hand. "There must be at least fifty slides in here. I wonder if the intent was to scan them on to a microdot but there wasn't enough time."

Andrew wrote on his pad. "Another one for later investigation." Andrew selected a bundle wrapped with a blue ribbon. He untied the ribbon and removed the wrapper. It was a small appointment book with the initials LWT embedded on the front cover. On the inside cover was scrawled one word 'Taub.' He handed the book to his mother. "This may prove useful."

Anna flipped through the pages. She said excitedly. "This is a goldmine. It records dates and places of Cartel meetings." Near the end, she noticed a bump on the back cover. She ran her fingers over the bump experimentally. "There's something underneath. Robert, we -"

Her words were interrupted by the sudden deafening sound of the alarm klaxon. Lar's calm voice came over the house intercom. "One intruder detected by the back road. Teams Bach and Mahler on intercept. House is secured." Salim's voice came next. "Kestrel is ready for immediate departure."

A hastily dressed and armed Giles appeared at the doorway. He helped Jacques with a long coat and escorted him off to the Kestrel.

"Go on," urged Robert opening a panel on the wall. He and Anna quickly picked out their guns and holsters. "We'll hold the fort."

"But -" began Andrew.

Lars voice came over the intercom once more. "Second intruder by the front gates. Team Wagner on intercept."

Robert fastened his shoulder holster and pocketed a spare magazine of ammunition. "Picked a bloody good time. We'd all be asleep by now."

"Go, Andrew!" ordered Anna even as she hit the intercom button. "Lars, has Debussy been alerted?"

"Affirmative." said Lars. "Drake apartment secured. Status is normal. Debussy on perimeter alert."

Lars voice came over the speakers with a little more urgency than before. "Third, repeat third, intruder in Quadrant 5 detected. Ravel team on intercept . Intruder two is confirmed armed. Intercept teams on chase down pattern."

"Professionals," muttered Robert. "Anna, I'll take two. You got three?"

Anna nodded. She squeezed Andrew's shoulder. "Go. We'll see you soon. Please."

"Intruder One is off property. Repeat off property. Teams in pursuit."

Robert said into the intercom. "Team Bach, cease pursuit. Orders: Bach augment Team Ravel. Mahler, continue pursuit. Team Copland on ready status."

Andrew shrugged on a jacket and sprinted out the door with Prospero running by his side. Halfway down the dock, the Kestrel's gangplank was removed. The boat began to drift away. Andrew and Prospero leapt from the dock's edge. Behind him, all the farm's lights came on in blinding intensity. From the boat, he could see dark figures moving. He could make out his parents heading in opposite directions.

"Inside, Andrew. You know the drill." order Salim. He spoke into his ship's radio. "Activate hydrofoils. Full speed out. Run dark."

In minutes, the Kestrel was chopping through the icy Port Charles river heading for the marina and the open see if need be. In the main salon, Andrew sat hunched over his console. On the console speakers, he, Jacques and Giles listened to the team's communication.

"Intruder Two retreating to perimeter." came Lars' voice. "Notice: Kestrel is confirmed out and free."

"Orders: Mahler to front perimeter double time!" barked Robert.

Nestor's voice came on. "Medic: Team Bach man down." In the background they could clearly hear gunfire. "Intruder Three retreating in my direction. We have intruder pinned down."

"Intruder Three is sandwiched between Bach and Ravel. Good." said Jacques.

Anna issued orders. "Orders: Bach, Ravel close in."

"Quite the field commander," commented Jacques.

"ALERT! Two intruders approaching dock from the water. Full security measures activated."

"Orders: Copland, shoot to kill!" came Robert's voice. "Do NOT allow craft to dock! No exceptions."

"What the hell?!" exclaimed Andrew.

"Double, hmm, triple diversion," said Jacques. "The goal was the dock and they drew coverage away first. Extremely professional."

"L-l-let's head back. They'll need our help." said Andrew

"No," said Jacques firmly. "We continue with our escape procedure."

"But, they'll -"

"Andrew, trust your parents, your team, your plans. Do not add to the chaos for that is what they want you to do." said Jacques. His fingers moved to the ship's phone. "Salim, you've heard the reports? Set course to open sea until ... conditions improve."

"We are to meet up with Debussy." said Andrew.

"Orders: Mahler, cover entrance. Wagner, push intruder to entrance and capture." The sound of faint gunfire could be heard behind Robert's voice.

"It is better to get you away first. Giles, go on deck, watch for pursuit."

"Intruder Three captured. Returning to base." said Anna's voice. "Orders: Ravel, augment Copland. Bach, return to base."

Lars voice came on: "ALERT! Debussy reports activity."

"What activity?" Andrew looked at Jacques horrified. Was there a team after Emma and Robin?

Shane's Australian-accented voice came on next. "Report: Dock is secure. Watercraft repelled. No casualties."

Robert's breathless voice came on. "Report: Intruder Two escaped. Two men down. Orders: Wagner, Mahler return to base. Copland, prep to transfer to Debussy. Wait for my arrival."

"Orders: Lars, contact Amanti. have her team join Debussy." said Anna.

"Orders received. Debussy reports actvity as Reinhardt team arrival on perimeter."

"What is Reinhardt doing there?" asked Jacques.

"How did he know to be there?" added Andrew.

"Orders: Lars, contact Donely to confirm situation with Debussy." came Anna's order.

"Good, good, Anna. She does not panic. One wonders what would it take to make her panic." observed Jacques.

"Lars, report Kestrel status." ordered Anna.

"Kestrel set to sea on radio silence." Lars reported.

"It is a pleasure to see such a disciplined team." said Jacques with satisfaction. "I did not realize how well Robert and Anna worked together. Nearly seamless. That is very rare, Andrew, as it takes absolute trust."

"They do not seem to be short of that commodity. Sometimes, I think they read each others' minds." said Andrew.

###

December 31, 2008 Drake Apartment 3 AM

Sean, Robert and Dianara stood beside Hans Dieter Reinhardt near a parked car on the corner.

Robert slapped Reinhardt on the shoulder. "So, what brings you out on a night like this, hmm?"

"I got a ... a tip." said the bearish Reinhardt.

"My daughter is not on YOUR coverage area."

"I think of you as family, Robert, as you are aware."

"Thank you for that. You can pull your people out now."

"I can see you do have things well in hand." noted Reinhardt. "I did not realize you had your own security force."

"Oh, them, just a man or two. Can't be too careful with my new grandchild."

"Of course, of course. I would do the same in your position." said Reinhardt.

"My people have things under control." said Dianara.

"Hmm, it does seem that way. How quickly you arrived here, my dear." noted Reinhardt. "Very convenient."

"Very." said Dianara not giving him an inch or more information than she needed to.

"We're getting too old for this, Hans. It's a game for young people." said Sean smoothly.

"I feel I still have much to teach." answered Hans. "There is no manual on how to play the game and win."

"if you get old enough a book isn't much help." said Robert firmly. "Have a good night, Hans."

Hans nodded. "I trust Andrew is well wherever he is."

"Quite. Your ... assistance is appreciated but, fortunately, in this case, unneeded." said Robert. "Good night, Hans."

The remaining three watched Hans and his team disperse into the early morning dimness.

"Something is rotting in Denmark." said Sean.

"Yeah, time to take out the garbage. agreed Robert.