Author's Note - Thanks for the continuing reviews. This is a short but very involved Chapter. mcj
CHAPTER FIVE - IT'S ONLY MONEY
TRACY ISLAND
"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?"
Both Alan Tracy and Tin-Tin Kyrano swallowed in unison as they stood in front of Jeff Tracy's desk in the lounge room of the Tracy villa. It was ten thirty in the evening, six and half hours since their expected time of arrival. Neither of them had radioed in and they didn't have any excuses to offer for it either.
Well there were no excuses that they could tell anyone about anyway.
Alan looked at the imposing figure behind the desk. He knew it wasn't his Father but he may as well have been. He looked every bit as angry as his Father could look. The veins stood out on his forehead. Actually he looked angrier than his Father could.
Scott Tracy looked from Alan to Tin-Tin and back again. He was furious with the two of them as he eyed them.
He could have excused an hour maybe. Really he could. However six and a half bloody hours late returning to base? No way. He was not tolerating that from either of them.
"WELL?" he barked. "AREN'T EITHER OF YOU GOING TO SAY ANYTHING?"
"No Sir." said Alan quietly.
'WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO?"
"I'm late back. I know that Scott. There's nothing more I can say."
Scott started yelling then, all his worry and frustration letting go like a steam boiler.
'ALAN I GAVE YOU A DIRECT ORDER THIS MORNING AND I EXPECTED YOU WOULD OBEY IT LIKE YOU'D OBEY ANY OTHER ORDER FROM THIS BASE WHETHER DAD GAVE IT TO YOU OR NOT. YOU WOULDN'T IGNORE HIM AND YOU SURE AS HELL WON'T IGNORE ME. YOU DIDN'T EVEN RADIO IN! HOW CAN I TRUST YOU IN THE THUNDERBIRDS?"
Gordon Tracy looked over from where he sat on the couch and said lightly to his older brother.
"Hey calm down Conan. Nothing happened and they're here now."
Scott threw Gordon a glare that told him to keep quiet. He returned his attention to the two exhausted figures in front of him.
'HERE NOW? DO YOU TWO THINK YOU'RE BLOODY HERE? LOOK AT YOU. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME EITHER OF YOU GOT ANY SLEEP? WHAT IF I NEED YOU FOR A TWELVE HOUR FLIGHT RIGHT NOW ALAN HUH?"
Alan shrugged. It was no big deal. He'd go of course. Before he could reply Scott started on him again.
"AND DON'T TELL ME YOU COULD GO BECAUSE IF YOU DO THAT ONLY PROVES TO ME HOW IRRESPONSIBLE YOU REALLY ARE!"
Alan felt his temper rise.
He was not irresponsible.
Not after what he had just been through.
Scott had no right to say that.
He turned to walk out, leaving Tin-Tin looking uncomfortable in front of the desk.
'WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING? I'M NOT THROUGH WITH YOU YET"
"AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED YOU'VE SAID ENOUGH. I'M GOING TO BED IN CASE THERE'S A CALL!"
Alan Tracy's temper flared and his blue eyes, tired as they were, flashed dangerously. He'd had enough of everything and everybody at the moment and he didn't need Scott bawling him out.
'YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!'
'YOU GO TO HELL! YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER SCOTT!"
Scott swung around to look back at Tin-Tin.
He lowered the tone of his voice a little but it was still angry and loud as he addressed her.
"What about you? Do you have anything to say for yourself? Brains needed you today. I might remind you Tin-Tin that you are a member of this Organisation too. You should have ensured my order was obeyed."
She still had the pregnancy hormones raging through her despite what she had gone through today before leaving San Diego. Why couldn't Scott leave her alone? Couldn't he see she was upset? She couldn't get home any earlier.
First there had been all those forms she had to fill out in San Diego, then the horrible impersonal treatment they had received. The pain in her heart as they did it even though he held her hand and promised to make it up to her. The misery she had to endure of having to do it at all. She had to rest in San Diego after everything before coming home because of how draining it had been. How could she have obeyed the order?
She burst into tears. Couldn't Alan Tracy's brother see the pain in her eyes?
She guessed not. He had been elevated to be in charge of International Rescue. He had to be tough like his Father was and they had done the wrong thing.
"I'm sorry Scott but I can't take this anymore." she sobbed and ran out of the room.
Scott looked at his red-haired brother who raised his half-empty cup of coffee in a mock salute as he said.
"Well you handled that in your usual discreet manner big brother."
Scott gave him an icy stare before saying in a low voice.
"They did the wrong thing and I don't want any mistakes. I'm not Dad all right?"
"No you're not Dad. I've never seen Dad make Tin-Tin cry." Gordon said. "You should be proud of that."
Scott swallowed. Gordon, despite his sarcasm was right.
Alan was his brother. Tin-Tin Kyrano wasn't.
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TRACY ENTERPRISES NEW YORK
Hank Davies smiled and came forward with his right hand extended.
"Jeff. It's so good to see you again."
Jeff Tracy returned the greeting. He liked Hank. He was hard working, astute, likeable and trustworthy; attributes Jeff Tracy expected in everyone involved with Tracy Enterprises.
"How was your flight?"
Jeff replied it had been trouble free and after the break in San Diego he had arrived in New York not feeling any fatigue at all. In fact he had not checked into the Plaza Hotel yet and had come directly to the bustling high-rise building in downtown Manhattan that housed Tracy Enterprises.
Hank watched Jeff Tracy as he spoke. His dark blue eyes scanned the room. He was taking in everything and everybody. It wasn't often he came to New York but when he did nothing escaped his scrutiny.
"Jeff, I've opened your Office. All the things you wanted to look at are in there. Computer records, authorisations, statements, market assessments and trends. I think I managed to get it all."
Jeff Tracy nodded. Hank knew how in depth he was and always provided all the information to help keep his visits as brief as possible. Jeff was very interested to see who was investing in Tracy Enterprises and if the capital was growing to the point where he could soon get Brains and Tin-Tin to start designing another Thunderbird craft for him, the trip would be worthwhile.
"Thank you Hank. I'll make myself some coffee and get right to it. I don't want to be away from the... err from home for too long."
Hank laughed. "I wouldn't want to be away from that island paradise either Jeff."
Whew! Jeff breathed. That was close. He had nearly said Base. Being away from New York for so long had caused him to let his guard down.
"Jeff I'll get my Secretary to fetch it for you. You just go right on in."
Jeff looked at Hank and gave him an uncustomary mischievous grin.
"The same Secretary?"
Hank nodded knowingly. Yes. She was the Secretary that went missing with Scott Tracy.
Jeff went into the Office that overlooked Manhattan. It had a magnificent view of the city but the city was bustling and dirty compared to his beautiful tropical island home. Jeff Tracy wondered how he and his family had ever lived in New York.
Still, if he hadn't worked as hard as he had here over the years he wouldn't be living in his island paradise, surrounded by his sons and making a difference in the world. If he wanted his sixth Thunderbird he guessed he better get to work.
A knock on the door made him look up.
"Excuse me Mr Tracy." she said nervously. "Mr. Davies said you wanted some coffee."
"Yes thank-you." Jeff replied looking at the stunning young woman that was standing in the doorway in a designer dress and smart blazer. "And you are...?"
"Adelaide Washington Mr Tracy. " she said coming forward with her hand extended. "Do you remember me? I used to go to high school with Scott in Boston. I came to your house a couple of times."
Jeff Tracy thought back to his Boston days. Scott had had so many girl friends back then he couldn't remember any one of them in particular.
He stood up and shook her hand.
"I can't say as I do Adelaide but I'm pleased to know you. My mother would possibly remember you. She has a wonderful memory."
Adelaide looked a little dubious. She knew Josie Tracy would remember her especially after the bathroom incident she and Scott had experienced when they were sixteen years old. Adelaide still didn't know if Scott's Grandmother had heard them but when they came out of there two pieces of chocolate cake and some fruit juice were on a tray in Scott's room nearby.
"How is Scott?" she enquired politely.
Jeff tried not to grin. He imagined this young woman was mightily disappointed that "old" Mr. Tracy had come to town and not his handsome eldest son.
"Yeah Scott's fine. I'll tell him you asked after him."
"Yes please do. Now about your coffee Mr Tracy. Do you take it black?"
"Yes thank-you."
He watched her go. No wonder Scott was "loafing" in the Office. He would too if he was thirty years younger. He looked at the desk and sighed, shaking his head as he thought about Scott and Adelaide locked together right here on the very desk where he was about to look at the financial position of his company.
That eldest son of his!
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TRACY ISLAND
Josie Tracy came to sit in the lounge room with her second youngest Grandson. He looked up at smiled at her. Normally she would smile in return. Tonight she didn't.
"Anything the matter Grandma?" Gordon enquired.
Josie looked at Gordon. He was such a good boy. Not like that youngest brother of his.
"Gordon you know I'm going to be seventy five soon and I'm feeling every day of it at the moment."
Gordon looked at her. Something was wrong. She never admitted to feeling old.
"Can I get you anything Grandma? Scott's making a pot of coffee at the moment. Perhaps you would like to have some with us?"
Josie nodded. Maybe some caffeine might make her feel better about that poor little baby.
She had seen their plane land earlier and normally would have rushed in all ears wanting to know about the trip. However she already knew about the trip and she certainly didn't want to hear about it or any lies that they cared to make up to cover up what they had done.
Scott walked in with the tray and two cups.
"Hi there Grandma. Where have you been hiding today? I've hardly seen you."
Josie looked at her eldest Grandson.
"No. I haven't been feeling too well today Scott."
Scott nodded in understanding. He thought she must have had a cold by all the tissues on the sideboard earlier today.
"That's a shame. I hope you are feeling a bit better. Are you joining us?"
Josie nodded. She always felt better about things that worried her when she had company. It gave her something else to think about.
Gordon stood up as Scott placed the tray on the table.
"I'll go and get a third cup Grandma. I won't be long."
"Thank you sweetie."
The two of them watched him go. He is such a good boy Josie thought again. Not like that youngest brother of his. She couldn't get her disappointment in Alan out of her mind.
She turned to look at Scott and gave him the look she always did before she admonished him. He was waiting for it. He knew she would have heard him tearing into Alan and Tin-Tin.
"You were mighty loud just now."
He sighed.
"I know I was Grandma but Alan tries me on when I'm in charge even though he knows how worried I get."
She shook her head.
"No, I'm not talking about Alan. You were quite right in what you said to that young man."
He looked surprised. Here was a turn-up for the books. His Grandmother was not defending her precious youngest grandson. She always defended him right or wrong. How strange.
"I was?" he asked surprised.
"Yes. He disobeyed your orders, didn't radio in, came home late and isn't reliable to go out on rescue for at least another six hours. Your Father would have done the same thing."
"He would?" he asked again, still surprised.
"Yes. But he wouldn't have spoken to that little girl like you did."
He hung his head. She was right about that as Gordon had already pointed out.
He felt pretty bad about making Tin-Tin cry.
"Yeah I know." he said. "I intend to apologise in the morning."
"She's had a rough time of it these past two days Scott. She didn't need you to do that to her as well."
He looked at her with a quizzical look on his face. Did she know something he didn't? Scott was sure she wouldn't be referring to Alan giving her a rough time in bed. Or would she? Scott never knew what his Grandmother was thinking. He couldn't keep up with her.
Josie clammed up. She wasn't going to tell him anything. It was Alan and Tin-Tin's choice to do what they did and she didn't want to even talk about it.
Scott found all this extremely unusual. His Grandmother normally told him anything concerning his brothers.
"Grandma is something wrong with her?" he asked, trying to pry out of her what she knew.
She said nothing and seemed relieved when Gordon returned with the coffee cup and the subject was quickly dropped.
Scott looked at her with his calculating eyes as they sipped the coffee and chatted about general things. She knew something all right. He could tell. However this time the sparkle of knowing some juicy little item that was happening in the house did not seem to be in her eyes. It was as if this secret was one she wished she didn't know or was it worrying her?
Scott knew who could tell him. He intended to speak to him anyway about this business with Tin-Tin. He would know what Josie knew.
Alan.
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She lay on her bed crying as if her whole world had ended.
In many ways it had.
She tried to tell herself that it opened doors for her in other ways but she still wished they hadn't gone through with it. Life was never going to be the same for her again.
A tap on the door made her sit up.
"My daughter?"
She tried to swallow and control herself.
"Father." she gulped. "I'm in bed."
"Child, please open the door. I can hear you crying from my room."
"No Father. Please let me be."
"Tin-Tin I wish you to tell me what has happened."
She didn't want to see him. She knew the moment she saw him she would admit to him what she had done today and Alan didn't want anyone to know.
"I'm all right. I will talk to you in the morning."
Kyrano frowned. He knew something had gone on in San Diego. Why was she crying like this? He had been surprised to hear Scott dress her down in the lounge before but understood that she was a member of International Rescue as Scott rightly pointed out. She had to obey orders and with Mr Tracy away, she had to obey Scott's orders. However that wouldn't be enough to make his strong little Tin-Tin cry like she was now.
She was crying from her heart and he could sense that.
Something was amiss and if she wouldn't confide in him, he knew who he would expect to tell him.
The young man he swore that evening on the balcony he would never forgive if he ever did anything to hurt his daughter as a result of their relationship.
Mr. Alan.
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TRACY ENTERPRISES NEW YORK
Adelaide Washington was packing her briefcase at the end of the day. It had been a long one today with Scott's father around. He asked so many questions and went into such detail that she was glad he wasn't around all of the time.
Hank was much easier to work for and so was Scott. Scott made coming to work here a pleasure in more ways than one.
What a man she found herself thinking.
The sixteen year old who hadn't been able to satisfy her that day in the bathroom of the Tracy home certainly knew how to satisfy her now. Her body tingled at the thought of it.
The fax machine began and a transmission started to come through.
She sighed. It could wait for the morning. Couldn't it?
"Ready to go?"
A young man in a black business suit looked around the corner and smiled at her.
"I didn't hear you come up. Yes I am." she said as she picked up the briefcase and turned off the lights in her Office.
The two of them walked hand in hand towards the exit door.
They passed Jeff Tracy who was standing next to the photocopy machine waiting for his copies to finish. He had no intention of leaving yet. Adelaide understood from Hank that this was how he had made the company what it was. He was a relentless workaholic who went home when the job was done not when the clock said five o'clock. Hank had told her Jeff Tracy often worked until two o'clock in the morning.
"Good evening Mr Tracy." she said as they left.
Jeff looked at the young man and his heart dropped a little. He thought Adelaide and Scott were an item from what Hank had said. He hoped Scott didn't think they were if she was seeing someone else. That boy had enough on his plate without being unlucky in love too.
Jeff Tracy disliked dishonesty of any kind. He had always been hard working and honest and his sons were all the same as him. He decided to find out if Adelaide and this man were a couple. He could break the news to Scott himself then.
"Adelaide. You did some good work for me today. Thank-you." he said in his strong voice.
She smiled. "Thank you Mr.Tracy."
She knew Jeff Tracy didn't give compliments unless he meant them and those few words made all of the extra work today worthwhile.
Jeff looked at the young man and extended his hand. "Jeff Tracy. And you are?"
The young man smiled.
"Mark Washington Mr. Tracy. I'm Adelaide's husband."
Jeff paled with the shock of it but managed to smile awkwardly.
"Glad to know you Mark. Good night then. I'll see you in the morning Adelaide."
As the two of them left the Office and headed towards the elevator, Jeff felt the need to sit down quickly before he fell down.
Dear God!
Scott had involved himself with a married woman!
Surely he knew! Adelaide would have changed her surname since High School.
He'd have to know!
How dare that young woman put his son in this position!
How dare Scott jeopardise her marriage for a few minutes of physical pleasure! How irresponsible was his eldest son! And he'd left him in charge of the base!
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the fax machine indicating a new transmission had been correctly received.
It could wait until the morning. What he had just found out had knocked the wind clean out of him.
He needed a stiff drink.
He went to pick up the transmission as a courtesy to Hank, his mind only focused on his eldest son's affair with Adelaide Washington. However as he placed it on the desk his ever-alert eyes scanned the document roughly and he saw his signature.
His natural business sense made him look closer. He knew he hadn't signed anything for several weeks. Scott had been handling that.
The transmission came from a broker in San Diego. It authorised the transfer of twenty-five thousand dollars into the Tokyo operation. It was dated yesterday. He knew he had been in San Diego yesterday but he sure as heck hadn't signed anything or put any money into the operation.
This was most unusual.
His mind clicked. Another Tracy was in San Diego yesterday. But where would he have gotten twenty-five thousand dollars to put into the Tokyo operation and why didn't he sign it himself?
Jeff Tracy frowned.
Alan.
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Author's Note - Alan is a sitting duck to say the least! Please review.
NEXT CHAPTER - A FATHER'S WORST NIGHTMARE - PART 1
PS Those who want to read more about Adelaide and Scott will have to refer to Tales of a Grandmother "Scott".
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CHAPTER FIVE - IT'S ONLY MONEY
TRACY ISLAND
"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?"
Both Alan Tracy and Tin-Tin Kyrano swallowed in unison as they stood in front of Jeff Tracy's desk in the lounge room of the Tracy villa. It was ten thirty in the evening, six and half hours since their expected time of arrival. Neither of them had radioed in and they didn't have any excuses to offer for it either.
Well there were no excuses that they could tell anyone about anyway.
Alan looked at the imposing figure behind the desk. He knew it wasn't his Father but he may as well have been. He looked every bit as angry as his Father could look. The veins stood out on his forehead. Actually he looked angrier than his Father could.
Scott Tracy looked from Alan to Tin-Tin and back again. He was furious with the two of them as he eyed them.
He could have excused an hour maybe. Really he could. However six and a half bloody hours late returning to base? No way. He was not tolerating that from either of them.
"WELL?" he barked. "AREN'T EITHER OF YOU GOING TO SAY ANYTHING?"
"No Sir." said Alan quietly.
'WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO?"
"I'm late back. I know that Scott. There's nothing more I can say."
Scott started yelling then, all his worry and frustration letting go like a steam boiler.
'ALAN I GAVE YOU A DIRECT ORDER THIS MORNING AND I EXPECTED YOU WOULD OBEY IT LIKE YOU'D OBEY ANY OTHER ORDER FROM THIS BASE WHETHER DAD GAVE IT TO YOU OR NOT. YOU WOULDN'T IGNORE HIM AND YOU SURE AS HELL WON'T IGNORE ME. YOU DIDN'T EVEN RADIO IN! HOW CAN I TRUST YOU IN THE THUNDERBIRDS?"
Gordon Tracy looked over from where he sat on the couch and said lightly to his older brother.
"Hey calm down Conan. Nothing happened and they're here now."
Scott threw Gordon a glare that told him to keep quiet. He returned his attention to the two exhausted figures in front of him.
'HERE NOW? DO YOU TWO THINK YOU'RE BLOODY HERE? LOOK AT YOU. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME EITHER OF YOU GOT ANY SLEEP? WHAT IF I NEED YOU FOR A TWELVE HOUR FLIGHT RIGHT NOW ALAN HUH?"
Alan shrugged. It was no big deal. He'd go of course. Before he could reply Scott started on him again.
"AND DON'T TELL ME YOU COULD GO BECAUSE IF YOU DO THAT ONLY PROVES TO ME HOW IRRESPONSIBLE YOU REALLY ARE!"
Alan felt his temper rise.
He was not irresponsible.
Not after what he had just been through.
Scott had no right to say that.
He turned to walk out, leaving Tin-Tin looking uncomfortable in front of the desk.
'WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING? I'M NOT THROUGH WITH YOU YET"
"AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED YOU'VE SAID ENOUGH. I'M GOING TO BED IN CASE THERE'S A CALL!"
Alan Tracy's temper flared and his blue eyes, tired as they were, flashed dangerously. He'd had enough of everything and everybody at the moment and he didn't need Scott bawling him out.
'YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!'
'YOU GO TO HELL! YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER SCOTT!"
Scott swung around to look back at Tin-Tin.
He lowered the tone of his voice a little but it was still angry and loud as he addressed her.
"What about you? Do you have anything to say for yourself? Brains needed you today. I might remind you Tin-Tin that you are a member of this Organisation too. You should have ensured my order was obeyed."
She still had the pregnancy hormones raging through her despite what she had gone through today before leaving San Diego. Why couldn't Scott leave her alone? Couldn't he see she was upset? She couldn't get home any earlier.
First there had been all those forms she had to fill out in San Diego, then the horrible impersonal treatment they had received. The pain in her heart as they did it even though he held her hand and promised to make it up to her. The misery she had to endure of having to do it at all. She had to rest in San Diego after everything before coming home because of how draining it had been. How could she have obeyed the order?
She burst into tears. Couldn't Alan Tracy's brother see the pain in her eyes?
She guessed not. He had been elevated to be in charge of International Rescue. He had to be tough like his Father was and they had done the wrong thing.
"I'm sorry Scott but I can't take this anymore." she sobbed and ran out of the room.
Scott looked at his red-haired brother who raised his half-empty cup of coffee in a mock salute as he said.
"Well you handled that in your usual discreet manner big brother."
Scott gave him an icy stare before saying in a low voice.
"They did the wrong thing and I don't want any mistakes. I'm not Dad all right?"
"No you're not Dad. I've never seen Dad make Tin-Tin cry." Gordon said. "You should be proud of that."
Scott swallowed. Gordon, despite his sarcasm was right.
Alan was his brother. Tin-Tin Kyrano wasn't.
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TRACY ENTERPRISES NEW YORK
Hank Davies smiled and came forward with his right hand extended.
"Jeff. It's so good to see you again."
Jeff Tracy returned the greeting. He liked Hank. He was hard working, astute, likeable and trustworthy; attributes Jeff Tracy expected in everyone involved with Tracy Enterprises.
"How was your flight?"
Jeff replied it had been trouble free and after the break in San Diego he had arrived in New York not feeling any fatigue at all. In fact he had not checked into the Plaza Hotel yet and had come directly to the bustling high-rise building in downtown Manhattan that housed Tracy Enterprises.
Hank watched Jeff Tracy as he spoke. His dark blue eyes scanned the room. He was taking in everything and everybody. It wasn't often he came to New York but when he did nothing escaped his scrutiny.
"Jeff, I've opened your Office. All the things you wanted to look at are in there. Computer records, authorisations, statements, market assessments and trends. I think I managed to get it all."
Jeff Tracy nodded. Hank knew how in depth he was and always provided all the information to help keep his visits as brief as possible. Jeff was very interested to see who was investing in Tracy Enterprises and if the capital was growing to the point where he could soon get Brains and Tin-Tin to start designing another Thunderbird craft for him, the trip would be worthwhile.
"Thank you Hank. I'll make myself some coffee and get right to it. I don't want to be away from the... err from home for too long."
Hank laughed. "I wouldn't want to be away from that island paradise either Jeff."
Whew! Jeff breathed. That was close. He had nearly said Base. Being away from New York for so long had caused him to let his guard down.
"Jeff I'll get my Secretary to fetch it for you. You just go right on in."
Jeff looked at Hank and gave him an uncustomary mischievous grin.
"The same Secretary?"
Hank nodded knowingly. Yes. She was the Secretary that went missing with Scott Tracy.
Jeff went into the Office that overlooked Manhattan. It had a magnificent view of the city but the city was bustling and dirty compared to his beautiful tropical island home. Jeff Tracy wondered how he and his family had ever lived in New York.
Still, if he hadn't worked as hard as he had here over the years he wouldn't be living in his island paradise, surrounded by his sons and making a difference in the world. If he wanted his sixth Thunderbird he guessed he better get to work.
A knock on the door made him look up.
"Excuse me Mr Tracy." she said nervously. "Mr. Davies said you wanted some coffee."
"Yes thank-you." Jeff replied looking at the stunning young woman that was standing in the doorway in a designer dress and smart blazer. "And you are...?"
"Adelaide Washington Mr Tracy. " she said coming forward with her hand extended. "Do you remember me? I used to go to high school with Scott in Boston. I came to your house a couple of times."
Jeff Tracy thought back to his Boston days. Scott had had so many girl friends back then he couldn't remember any one of them in particular.
He stood up and shook her hand.
"I can't say as I do Adelaide but I'm pleased to know you. My mother would possibly remember you. She has a wonderful memory."
Adelaide looked a little dubious. She knew Josie Tracy would remember her especially after the bathroom incident she and Scott had experienced when they were sixteen years old. Adelaide still didn't know if Scott's Grandmother had heard them but when they came out of there two pieces of chocolate cake and some fruit juice were on a tray in Scott's room nearby.
"How is Scott?" she enquired politely.
Jeff tried not to grin. He imagined this young woman was mightily disappointed that "old" Mr. Tracy had come to town and not his handsome eldest son.
"Yeah Scott's fine. I'll tell him you asked after him."
"Yes please do. Now about your coffee Mr Tracy. Do you take it black?"
"Yes thank-you."
He watched her go. No wonder Scott was "loafing" in the Office. He would too if he was thirty years younger. He looked at the desk and sighed, shaking his head as he thought about Scott and Adelaide locked together right here on the very desk where he was about to look at the financial position of his company.
That eldest son of his!
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TRACY ISLAND
Josie Tracy came to sit in the lounge room with her second youngest Grandson. He looked up at smiled at her. Normally she would smile in return. Tonight she didn't.
"Anything the matter Grandma?" Gordon enquired.
Josie looked at Gordon. He was such a good boy. Not like that youngest brother of his.
"Gordon you know I'm going to be seventy five soon and I'm feeling every day of it at the moment."
Gordon looked at her. Something was wrong. She never admitted to feeling old.
"Can I get you anything Grandma? Scott's making a pot of coffee at the moment. Perhaps you would like to have some with us?"
Josie nodded. Maybe some caffeine might make her feel better about that poor little baby.
She had seen their plane land earlier and normally would have rushed in all ears wanting to know about the trip. However she already knew about the trip and she certainly didn't want to hear about it or any lies that they cared to make up to cover up what they had done.
Scott walked in with the tray and two cups.
"Hi there Grandma. Where have you been hiding today? I've hardly seen you."
Josie looked at her eldest Grandson.
"No. I haven't been feeling too well today Scott."
Scott nodded in understanding. He thought she must have had a cold by all the tissues on the sideboard earlier today.
"That's a shame. I hope you are feeling a bit better. Are you joining us?"
Josie nodded. She always felt better about things that worried her when she had company. It gave her something else to think about.
Gordon stood up as Scott placed the tray on the table.
"I'll go and get a third cup Grandma. I won't be long."
"Thank you sweetie."
The two of them watched him go. He is such a good boy Josie thought again. Not like that youngest brother of his. She couldn't get her disappointment in Alan out of her mind.
She turned to look at Scott and gave him the look she always did before she admonished him. He was waiting for it. He knew she would have heard him tearing into Alan and Tin-Tin.
"You were mighty loud just now."
He sighed.
"I know I was Grandma but Alan tries me on when I'm in charge even though he knows how worried I get."
She shook her head.
"No, I'm not talking about Alan. You were quite right in what you said to that young man."
He looked surprised. Here was a turn-up for the books. His Grandmother was not defending her precious youngest grandson. She always defended him right or wrong. How strange.
"I was?" he asked surprised.
"Yes. He disobeyed your orders, didn't radio in, came home late and isn't reliable to go out on rescue for at least another six hours. Your Father would have done the same thing."
"He would?" he asked again, still surprised.
"Yes. But he wouldn't have spoken to that little girl like you did."
He hung his head. She was right about that as Gordon had already pointed out.
He felt pretty bad about making Tin-Tin cry.
"Yeah I know." he said. "I intend to apologise in the morning."
"She's had a rough time of it these past two days Scott. She didn't need you to do that to her as well."
He looked at her with a quizzical look on his face. Did she know something he didn't? Scott was sure she wouldn't be referring to Alan giving her a rough time in bed. Or would she? Scott never knew what his Grandmother was thinking. He couldn't keep up with her.
Josie clammed up. She wasn't going to tell him anything. It was Alan and Tin-Tin's choice to do what they did and she didn't want to even talk about it.
Scott found all this extremely unusual. His Grandmother normally told him anything concerning his brothers.
"Grandma is something wrong with her?" he asked, trying to pry out of her what she knew.
She said nothing and seemed relieved when Gordon returned with the coffee cup and the subject was quickly dropped.
Scott looked at her with his calculating eyes as they sipped the coffee and chatted about general things. She knew something all right. He could tell. However this time the sparkle of knowing some juicy little item that was happening in the house did not seem to be in her eyes. It was as if this secret was one she wished she didn't know or was it worrying her?
Scott knew who could tell him. He intended to speak to him anyway about this business with Tin-Tin. He would know what Josie knew.
Alan.
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She lay on her bed crying as if her whole world had ended.
In many ways it had.
She tried to tell herself that it opened doors for her in other ways but she still wished they hadn't gone through with it. Life was never going to be the same for her again.
A tap on the door made her sit up.
"My daughter?"
She tried to swallow and control herself.
"Father." she gulped. "I'm in bed."
"Child, please open the door. I can hear you crying from my room."
"No Father. Please let me be."
"Tin-Tin I wish you to tell me what has happened."
She didn't want to see him. She knew the moment she saw him she would admit to him what she had done today and Alan didn't want anyone to know.
"I'm all right. I will talk to you in the morning."
Kyrano frowned. He knew something had gone on in San Diego. Why was she crying like this? He had been surprised to hear Scott dress her down in the lounge before but understood that she was a member of International Rescue as Scott rightly pointed out. She had to obey orders and with Mr Tracy away, she had to obey Scott's orders. However that wouldn't be enough to make his strong little Tin-Tin cry like she was now.
She was crying from her heart and he could sense that.
Something was amiss and if she wouldn't confide in him, he knew who he would expect to tell him.
The young man he swore that evening on the balcony he would never forgive if he ever did anything to hurt his daughter as a result of their relationship.
Mr. Alan.
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TRACY ENTERPRISES NEW YORK
Adelaide Washington was packing her briefcase at the end of the day. It had been a long one today with Scott's father around. He asked so many questions and went into such detail that she was glad he wasn't around all of the time.
Hank was much easier to work for and so was Scott. Scott made coming to work here a pleasure in more ways than one.
What a man she found herself thinking.
The sixteen year old who hadn't been able to satisfy her that day in the bathroom of the Tracy home certainly knew how to satisfy her now. Her body tingled at the thought of it.
The fax machine began and a transmission started to come through.
She sighed. It could wait for the morning. Couldn't it?
"Ready to go?"
A young man in a black business suit looked around the corner and smiled at her.
"I didn't hear you come up. Yes I am." she said as she picked up the briefcase and turned off the lights in her Office.
The two of them walked hand in hand towards the exit door.
They passed Jeff Tracy who was standing next to the photocopy machine waiting for his copies to finish. He had no intention of leaving yet. Adelaide understood from Hank that this was how he had made the company what it was. He was a relentless workaholic who went home when the job was done not when the clock said five o'clock. Hank had told her Jeff Tracy often worked until two o'clock in the morning.
"Good evening Mr Tracy." she said as they left.
Jeff looked at the young man and his heart dropped a little. He thought Adelaide and Scott were an item from what Hank had said. He hoped Scott didn't think they were if she was seeing someone else. That boy had enough on his plate without being unlucky in love too.
Jeff Tracy disliked dishonesty of any kind. He had always been hard working and honest and his sons were all the same as him. He decided to find out if Adelaide and this man were a couple. He could break the news to Scott himself then.
"Adelaide. You did some good work for me today. Thank-you." he said in his strong voice.
She smiled. "Thank you Mr.Tracy."
She knew Jeff Tracy didn't give compliments unless he meant them and those few words made all of the extra work today worthwhile.
Jeff looked at the young man and extended his hand. "Jeff Tracy. And you are?"
The young man smiled.
"Mark Washington Mr. Tracy. I'm Adelaide's husband."
Jeff paled with the shock of it but managed to smile awkwardly.
"Glad to know you Mark. Good night then. I'll see you in the morning Adelaide."
As the two of them left the Office and headed towards the elevator, Jeff felt the need to sit down quickly before he fell down.
Dear God!
Scott had involved himself with a married woman!
Surely he knew! Adelaide would have changed her surname since High School.
He'd have to know!
How dare that young woman put his son in this position!
How dare Scott jeopardise her marriage for a few minutes of physical pleasure! How irresponsible was his eldest son! And he'd left him in charge of the base!
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the fax machine indicating a new transmission had been correctly received.
It could wait until the morning. What he had just found out had knocked the wind clean out of him.
He needed a stiff drink.
He went to pick up the transmission as a courtesy to Hank, his mind only focused on his eldest son's affair with Adelaide Washington. However as he placed it on the desk his ever-alert eyes scanned the document roughly and he saw his signature.
His natural business sense made him look closer. He knew he hadn't signed anything for several weeks. Scott had been handling that.
The transmission came from a broker in San Diego. It authorised the transfer of twenty-five thousand dollars into the Tokyo operation. It was dated yesterday. He knew he had been in San Diego yesterday but he sure as heck hadn't signed anything or put any money into the operation.
This was most unusual.
His mind clicked. Another Tracy was in San Diego yesterday. But where would he have gotten twenty-five thousand dollars to put into the Tokyo operation and why didn't he sign it himself?
Jeff Tracy frowned.
Alan.
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Author's Note - Alan is a sitting duck to say the least! Please review.
NEXT CHAPTER - A FATHER'S WORST NIGHTMARE - PART 1
PS Those who want to read more about Adelaide and Scott will have to refer to Tales of a Grandmother "Scott".
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