Little Child Lost
Chapter Four
Intel
Sydney felt like a caged animal. She actually understood what Sark must have been feeling over his stay in a cell. She was almost sympathetic. She probably would be if Sark hadn't insisted she stay in this ridiculously lavish apartment. They had promptly left the Cayman Islands after he'd diverted his inheritance to various funds, each untraceable. She had access to one account; it held one million dollars. It was for emergencies only. She wasn't really able to comprehend Sark giving her an allowance of money. Of course, in such a large amount, one million dollars was pocket change. She couldn't imagine ever being able to spend all of that probably dirty cash. Of course, at the moment, she couldn't imagine ever being able to leave the cursed apartment. They were in Portugal somewhere. She wasn't sure of the city and Sark didn't feel the need to inform her. The pilot didn't come overhead on the speaker to announce the city and its weather on a privately owned plane. The pilot was probably terrified Sark would assassinate him if he did. The boyish spy was hardly warm and cuddly. She had seen a softer side of Sark; at least it was something akin to a softer side of Sark. He wouldn't budge on her leaving the apartment. He told her she wasn't a prisoner, that he was doing it for her own safety. Since when had Sark cared about her safety? He'd left to meet a contact, someone who could tell him about The Covenant and if they could link the organization to her disappearance. He told her that if this guy recognized her, he would become skittish and probably give Sark nothing. Knowing Sark, he'd vanished, backing out of their deal. That would be just like him. Sydney stopped in front of the window, staring out at the landscape below her. The ocean splayed across the land, a few palm trees and waving leaves dotting the ground. The sun was shining, warming the air. Portugal was nice. She'd always liked it. Portugal was probably one of her favorite countries. She opened her palm on the cold glass, wondering if it was possible to touch the beauty she saw.
"I hope you aren't contemplating jumping, Sydney. Working with me really isn't that tragic."
She sighed and faced him. "I was looking out at the town. You know, since you seem to think I'll be a danger to our entire plan, I thought I could at least look at it from the window."
Sark couldn't stop himself from smiling a bit and he didn't realize his crystal eyes were glittering mischievously. Sydney, however, did notice.
"I'm actually quite shocked you remained here all day. I assumed you would 'escape' the apartment after spending two hours in here."
Sydney pouted, crossing her arms over her chest.
"You mean…"
"You didn't really have to stay here? Yes. I simply did not want you to attend my conference with my contact."
Sydney glared at him, feeling for the first time since her return the strong desire to slug him. Sark placed his hands up in mock surrender, not wishing to battle Sydney at the moment.
"I received some intel from my contact. The Covenant began around the time you disappeared. Shortly after you vanished, Sloane turned himself in. I would guess that Mr. Sloane is the founder of The Covenant. The events follow each other too closely to be a coincidence. He no longer had an organization, The Alliance gone. Irina stopped aiding him and I was unhappily locked away. He now has a bunch of lackeys doing his bidding once again, but none of them know who the true head of The Covenant is. He has the National Relief Organization as a cover and the CIA has no idea. It's a perfect plan. I also know that The Covenant did have you. An assassin named Julia Lockley disappeared around the time you reappeared. The description my source gave me fits you."
Sydney sat down on the edge of the bed, letting the information sink in.
"Did you say assassin?"
"Yes. I would suppose that means you aren't as white hat as we assumed."
Sark paused, waiting to see if Sydney would acknowledge what he had discovered. She didn't seem too surprised to hear that she was an assassin. Had she already had a clue? That completely threw him off track.
"Julia Lockley. You'd think it'd ring a bell or something. But nothing. My mind is still completely blank."
Sark jerked his tie off, waiting for her to finish. He'd had to step back into the proper Mr. Sark persona again, tie and all. He had to be professional.
"Where are we going next? What's our plan?"
"The Covenant's main offices are in Kosovo. First, I have one more stop to obtain some additional aide."
"Who from?"
"Your mother."
Sydney groaned. She did not want to face her mother right then. It always left her with a series of confusing emotions and she already had her fill of those. Still, Sark was right to stop there. Irina would help, even if Sydney didn't really want to accept it. Sydney walked to the mirror, brushing her hands through her hair.
"When do we leave?"
"Now."
Sydney offered him a small smile. One thing for sure, Sark didn't ever waste time. She retrieved her purse and turned.
"Then let's go."
Sark followed her to the door, glad she didn't protest about the trip to see Derevko.