Act III: Family Business
A driver in a sleek, black sedan met Talia and Illya at the station. The bags were loaded with efficiency.
"Prompt service," Illya commented. "Why isn't David meeting us?"
"The Project is probably keeping him." She turned to him with a sad smile. "Family business first, remember?" She squeezed his elbow briefly.
"Oh, yes. I must keep that in mind," he replied as he pulled his arm, and Talia, a bit closer.
The ride to the compound made Illya wonder how any communications would get through. The hills were steep and rocky, thick with trees. Napoleon could hide and observe easily enough, but he'd have to get in close to talk. He kept his mind on the logistics of the mission, trying to ignore the woman next to him and the familiar scent about her. They said little on the ride, making innocuous comments about the scenery flying by their windows.
They began to climb up a narrow mountain road. "Almost there," Talia said
Illya looked out as they topped a first hill. Over the trees he could see a stonewall traversing a mountain towering above them. It zigzagged across the face of the hill and disappeared among the trees. A few turns later they approached a gate in the wall. The driver slowed. Illya saw the gate swing open automatically. Cameras, but no guards here. The area here was well-groomed grass, void of any brush or tree. Approximately 100 meters later they came to a second wall and gate. Here, there guards. The small buildings were visible beyond this wall.
The guard outside the gate made eye contact with the driver and then signaled a guardhouse inside the wall. The gate swung open without a word. Double sentries, at least, Illya noted. He was beginning to admire the security. Talia's description had been exact, but that didn't surprise him.
The road curved leisurely between the small buildings and he finally saw the massive mansion. "Nice," he mumbled admiringly. She laughed brightly, but her hand found his and squeezed it firmly. He could feel her trembling and knew she was scared. "You'll do fine," he said so quietly she barely heard him.
She smiled shakily in reply, squared her shoulders, and released his hand to pat her hair in place. The car pulled up to the statuesque entry. "Remember to look sick," she breathed, now fully in control as the doorman opened the car door. She unfolded her legs and stepped out with Illya following. Taking his arm she led him up the path to the front door. When they stepped into the mansion's marble foyer there was a spray of red roses on a small table set to one side. "Oh, how sweet," Talia said, bending over the display. "American Beauties. My favorite."
Illya raised an eyebrow. "I thought purple hyacinths were your favorite."
She blushed slightly and cupped a bud in her hand. "Well, yes, but I was talking about roses."
He gave them a passing glance. "They're day olds," he commented as he looked around at the sweeping staircase, sparking chandeliers and other impressive touches.
Talia cleared her throat, then plastered on a fake smile. "Killjoy," she said without moving her lips.
"Flatterer," he replied straight-faced. Talia had said there were cameras everywhere, and that they were very well hidden. They would have to be careful.
"Ah, Talia!" The man's voice carried strongly through the air, causing Talia to turn with a genuine smile.
"David!" She released Illya's arm and accepted David Danzig's embrace. They kissed affectionately as Illya stood by.
"I missed you, dear." David said warmly. He looked her over and intimately smoothed her hair with his hand. "And this must be Androv?" He stepped aside and extended his hand, his other arm around Talia's waist.
"Yes. David Danzig, Androv Inova." Talia's introduction was breathy with nervousness.
Illya took his hand. David gripped it with a firm grip and met his eyes. Although David's lips were smiling, his eyes were cold and his grip tight to the agent. "Finally, I get to meet a relative! Nice to meet you!"
"Thank you for having me in your home," Illya said softly with a heavy accent. He didn't return the grip of the handshake, and dropped his eyes to give the appearance of being weakened by illness. "Some warmth should help me build my strength."
"You speak English quite well," David noted as he released Illya's hand.
"I speak several languages," Illya answered. "I seem to have a skill for it, and lots of time to study. Talia is the only one in the family that seems to share that skill."
"Yes, she is fluent in many tongues," David remarked.
"Um, Androv's been in poor health for some time now," Talia noted, deflecting the attention from Illya. "And must be tired and hungry. I was just taking him to his room. The Green Room, correct? It has the best light." She stepped away from David and took Illya's elbow. She steered him towards the stairs. "David? Could you have Tonnie send up some broth and maybe some of that wonderful black bread he makes? I'd like to get Androv settled."
David nodded and spoke to an old butler that seemed to appear from nowhere. He disappeared just as quietly. The driver came in with the bags, and David directed him up the stairs.
"Who's Tonnie?" Illya asked.
"The butler." Talia whispered. "He's been here forever and I think he's deaf."
David came back to them after issuing orders and took Talia's hand. They ascended the stairs together with Illya following. The pair paused to wait for him at the top of the stairs. Illya made sure his role as a recovering invalid was completely believable.
When they got to the Green Room Illya sank into an overstuffed chair, appearing winded and tired. The skeptical lines on David's brow smoothed into ones of sympathy. "Please feel free to move about the grounds as you see fit," he told the smaller man with a softer tone. "There are guards, but they will be briefed." Unexpectedly, the agent noted a look of empathy now in David's eyes.
"Thank you again," Illya replied in a weak voice.
Talia had to bow her head and turn away to conceal her amusement.
"If you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to. I'll see you at dinner, I hope?"
"Yes. I just need some rest. Thank you."
"I'll join you as soon as Androv's settled and the food gets here," Talia said as she escorted her fiancé to the doorway. David kissed her lightly on the cheek disappeared.
When she firmly shut the door, Illya immediately began to fiddle with his watch. "The room's clear for audio," he said quietly after a minute. "But I don't know about video."
Talia walked to the window next to him and drew back the curtain to open the window. "I'll check the security room. This room was clean when I left but things may have changed."
"Marcus?" Illya questioned.
"He's paranoid and thorough. That's why he's successful." She stopped and cocked her head in his direction. Slowly, he raised his head and returned her stare. She bit her lip. "I'm scared, Illya."
A ghost of a smile touched his lips and he aborted the urged to reach out to her by clasping his hands together in his lap and dropping his gaze. "I know. We've prevailed in the past, Talia. Just trust me."
"I always have and always will," she said shakily. Straightening, she brushed her hair back with her hands and began to unpack.
+++++++++++++++
When she finished unpacking Talia bee-lined straight to the computer lab. The room's familiar and comforting hum soothed her jangled nerves as soon as she entered. She paused to gather herself.
Seeing Illya again had rattled her more than she'd expected. It had taken years to deny the feelings she had for her blond countryman. The feelings came rushing back the moment she saw him, but she brushed them off, repeating to herself that David Danzig was everything she wanted.
Her mission of betrayal was begun to get David for herself. Without Arthur and Marcus in the picture, David would strike out on his own. She knew he'd be successful and ultimately happier away from them. She could see David being forced by a sense of duty into a business he didn't really want. He would eventually appreciate what she was doing.
She craved the closeness of a family, but David's family was stifling. She could see the influence already. David was determined to prove himself to his father and brother. His eyes grew harder with each passing day. She feared for him and the promise of stability. She would have to fight for him.
Talia was wholly unprepared for the rush of memories and the attached feelings when she had seen Illya in the Brussels office. She could still feel the electricity between them and was sure he did, too. She passed it off on nerves and donned a lab coat, instantly feeling comforted. She sighed as she stepped up to the coding room door and entered her personal sequence.
Talia could count on one hand the people that had access to this room. The door slid open and she walked into a sterile room lined with computer cabinets, each with two large reels spinning spontaneously as they were tasked for information. She lately envisioned the cabinets as rows of dominoes waiting to topple; her fingers tingled with the thought, a mix of fear, sorrow and excitement. Passing several cabinets she finally found David alone at a complicated console with an empty chair next to him.
He glanced over his shoulder at her approach and flashed a grin. "Hi! Come and sit. I'm just checking the final stage."
She accepted the chair next to him, feeling at home once again in front of the console. "Really? How many reels did you end up with?"
"Looks like two. Just think, Talia! The past three years of coding on two reels." Excitement tinged his voice and she smiled. He and Illya were similar in this kind of situation, and this was the David she was trying to save. Her smile faded, however, when she reminded herself of the purpose of this particular program.
"What about the keypunch cards?" She asked. The cards had been the first step in the program, a paper form of the program itself. "Are they even needed anymore?"
"Not really. I'm just using them for reference. Marcus plans on storing them in a safe place after it's launched. Redundant backup is a good idea. Reels are so easily damaged."
"Marcus is paranoid," Talia stated in a matter of fact tone.
David responded with a short, low laugh. "I wouldn't call him paranoid, really. 'Prepared' is a better term."
"Where's he going to store them?" She inquired casually as she worked with the console. "In here?"
"For now, yes," he said, waving at a heavy metal cabinet to one side. "They will be moved off site late next week. He has a place in mind."
I bet he does, thought Talia with a slight nod. "So when's the dry run scheduled?"
His voice was excited again. "Wednesday we give the overview and tour. Thursday's the actual launch day. In fact, dad is planning . . . " An intercom buzz cut him off and the tinny voice of Marcus Danzig issued forth.
"David?"
"Here," David responded.
"What are you doing down there? Get Pfitzer to take over and come to my study." Marcus did not sound pleased. To Talia, he always sounded like sour grapes.
The change in David's face was instantaneous and remarkable. At the sound of his brother's voice, David went from an excited scientist to a humorless executive. It was obvious to Talia that Marcus was determined to bring David to his level.
"Talia's here. She can continue," David remarked shortly as he rose to his feet.
"I'm sending Pfitzer down. He's been here for the last few weeks," Marcus stated with barely concealed contempt.
David ducked his head, embarrassed. "Fine," he barked as he snapped off the intercom. He glanced at Talia.
"David, it's all right. He has a point. I haven't been here," she said soothingly, knowing her fiancé would be going up alone. One rule she had learned was that you didn't enter Marcus' study without an invitation. She rested her hand on top of his. "Meet you before dinner?"
"Can't wait. I'll see you in a while." He kissed the top of her head.
"All right," she said softly as he retreated. When she heard the door close behind him she hoped one more time that she wasn't fighting a losing battle.
She spent the few minutes waiting for Pfitzer to show up going over the inputs done since she'd left. When he arrived Pfitzer gave her a verbal summary of what was to be done. She nodded, impressed. They would be ready to launch on Thursday just as David had said. She congratulated Pfitzer and rose to leave.
Her next stop was the communications lab next door to make sure Illya's room hadn't been wired for video in her absence. Although she and David had insisted on privacy for her cousin, she wouldn't put it past Marcus Danzig to do what he wished anyway.
+++++++++++++++
Solo and Neiman moved carefully and slowly into the area. They knew it would be a day or so before Illya's first check in; his partner had to find a hole in the security to do so. From what he heard from Talia and saw for himself, that hole would be difficult to find. The girl was right; Arthur and Marcus Danzig were a formidable team.
Bit by bit they planned to map the area around the compound for anything that could be used to their advantage. Radio dead zones, guard postings, natural caves and other formations, rivers and even hostile wildlife areas had to be noted. It would be tedious and grueling work, but if needed, the information would be invaluable.
The outer wall didn't exactly mark the edge of the Danzig holdings. Trees and shrubs were stripped away 20 meters out from the wall. With the security cameras, this created an open zone that would make sneaking in or out extremely difficult. The tree line actually marked the end of the Danzig compound.
Solo wanted his own sources to check out Talia Inova. He meant it when he said he trusted Illya's judgment, but he needed to know more about her. How would she act under pressure? What were her strengths and weaknesses? The person he wanted to start with the real Androv Inova. When he told his sources where to look he was told point blank not to expect much. Solo then decided to go a different track and follow up on some of those sealed details in his partner's file. Grudgingly Waverly had agreed to obtain some names for the follow-up.
"Some of the names linked to Mr. Kuryakin's past have sealed files of their own," Waverly had imparted. "I shall investigate those individuals from here."
Solo's eyebrows climbed at that comment and he again wondered about his partners' mysterious history and how Talia Inova fit in.