Chapter 7

Chapter 2

Max ran blindly through the darkened streets, dodging street venders as
they tried, in vain, to sell their meager products to her. Her
destination was the only place in the city that stood tall: The Space
Needle. Max bit back tears as images from her past played, mockingly,
through her head. The escape. Jondy crying her name desperately as she
fell through the bitterly cold ice. She remembered with self loathing
the promise she, Zack, and Jondy made to look after each other and to
watch over the others. Her dark thoughts were interrupted by the
familiar sound of her pager going off. Max sighed and tried to compose
herself as she walked to the nearest pay phone.

"Its me," she said, already knowing that it was Logan.
"Hey, are you ok? You sound a bit flat," was his reply.
"I'm fine. What do you need?" Logan wisely dropped the subject.
"Can you come over? I'll whip up one of my culinary miracles." Even in
her darkest of moods, he still managed to make her smile.
"I'll be there in five," she said.


Logan's apartment

Dinner had been wonderful, and Max had been able to, briefly, forget her
problems. Now they sat in a comfortable silence.
"So what do you need?" asked Max. Logan winced and looked uncertain,
almost nervous, as if he wasn't sure how Max would react to his request.

"I need you to come to Canada with me," he said bluntly.
"What?!?"
"My aunt," he explained hurriedly, "owns half of Cale Technologies in
Canada..."
"So? What does this have to do with me?" was the reply.
"My aunt has asked to sell part of her share to a Mr. Michael A. Jones
and I haven't been able to find out anything about him."
"So, basically, you want me to go all the way to Canada to dig up info on
this man who wants to whistle in on the family business?" she summarized.
"That's about it," he said somewhat sheepishly.
"When do we leave?"


Seattle, Airport 5.40 pm

"I think you will really like my cousin," Logan said eagerly as they sat
comfortably in his private jet.
"I'm sure she's great," Max whispered with a reassuring smile.
"She has had it rough. Over the years she's fallen into several bad
relationships. They've left her strong and independent, but also
bittter."
Max listened, fascinated, as Logan continued to talk about his, clearly,
beloved cousin.
"In many ways, she reminds of you, Max. Strong and beautiful," he
concluded.
He suddenly realized what he had said and blushed. Max smiled softly at
the compliment.
"Will she be meeting us at the airport?" Max asked.
"Yes, with her new boyfriend," he said, his voice laced with disapproval.

"Logan Cale, what's the REAL reason you're going to Canada? To check up
on your business or to check up on your baby cousin?"
"A bit of both," he admitted sheepishly. For the rest of the flight, the
two chatted contentedly about everything from the weather to Logan's
childhood.

The Canadian sky was laced with orange as the plane made its final
descent. Max and Logan trudged wearily through customs and passed the
falsely cheerful attendants. As they walked through the arrival gate, a
female voice cried out, "Logan!"
Logan's head whipped around at the sound of the girl's voice.
"Caitlin!" he cried, his face lighting up in a brilliant smile. A young
woman, approximately 24 years old, rushed over to them and flung her arms
about Logan's neck. Logan returned her embrace enthusiastically. Max
stood back and observed the happy reunion. Logan's cousin was
approximately 5'8", with long, shimmering, black hair and piercing green
eyes. The cousins finally pulled back and Logan turned to face Max.
"Max this is my cousin, Caitlin. Caitlin this is my colleague, Max."
The two women greeted each other warmly. After they had collected their
bags, Caitlin leads them out of the airport terminal to a waiting car.

Max, like the solider she was designed to be, made careful observations
of their surroundings, while Logan talked with his cousin.
"Logan you really have to met Sam. He's the greatest guy," Caitlin was
saying. Max and Logan exchanged glances. Thedoubt was evident on
Logan's face and Max offered an encouraging smile. When they reached the
car a young blond man got out and when he turned to face them, Max
gasped.

"Zack ?"