Chapter 74

Rome, Italy

Once inside a hotel room, Keith showed Reagan how to use his hand-held. She nodded and began to pace back and forth as she tapped the stylus on the screen.

Keith eyed the mortal. "And who are you exactly?"

Warren gulped. "I'm Reagan's Watcher. I didn't want anything to happen to her."

Keith laughed as he lounged in the companion chair. "So… not all of you guys are evil."

Warren shook his head. "Normally… we just watch and record your lives and your battles. It's only recently that something else started happening."

"Damn!" hissed Reagan.

"What's up?" Keith asked, appreciating her trim form.

"There's a place south of here that looks promising."

"Promising for what?" Warren sat up confused.

"You are staying here and staying out of sight," Reagan added. "You're mortal and all too fragile."

"I'm not fragile…" Warren protested.

Keith sighed and stood up… reclaiming his long coat and adjusting the sword in it's lining. "So where to?"

"Taranto… ever been there?"

Keith nodded. "Backpacked through there about ten years ago… why?"

"Something's going on there… something big. So off we go."

"What about the Rome headquarters?" Warren added.

"I don't think the main headquarters are what we need, Warren. But these minor property acquisitions in smaller areas… the ones not generally known to the rank and file in your organization… those are the ones we need to investigate first."

"Makes sense," Keith added. He held out his hand for his computer. Reagan gave it to him and pulled her own long coat and sword out and adjusted her attire to accommodate them.

"You two are planning on taking heads," Warren whispered.

Reagan then pulled out an automatic weapon and several clips. She tossed them to Keith who loaded the weapon and stowed it and the clips in his coat.

Reagan checked her own and added several additional clips to her pockets. She regarded Warren somberly. "You're staying here. This could get messy and I don't want to have to be worrying about you."

"But I should be there… I'm…"

"Not expendable," Reagan smiled and then leaned over and gave him a kiss. She laughed. "Bet you thought I hadn't noticed you." She straightened as the flustered Warren's face turned red. Turning to Keith she added. "I hope you're as competent as I need you to be."

"You lead… I'll follow. Age before beauty… although in your case… it's both." Keith gave her a mocking salute. Young he was… but he wasn't stupid. Reagan Cole was an expert in surveillance and undercover activities. He knew his place. He was back-up… and after what had happened in Geneva… Keith determined not to be caught again.

"Let's go," Reagan said as she opened the door. Pausing to give Warren a smile, "Stay in the room… no matter what."

Warren sighed and had a seat once more as he reached for the television remote. "I don't speak Italian so there's not too much I can do anyway," he grumbled flipping the set on and hoping that somewhere would be a channel he could actually understand.

-----

Nevada

The small private plane landed at the nearly deserted airstrip and taxied to a halt near the terminal. A few moments later, Katya, Matt, and Amber exited the plane. They'd chosen this as their destination as it was small enough not to be watched. An email from Duncan last night had warned the major airports were likely under surveillance. Nevada would be a good jumping off point for which of the two Watcher facilities they decided to check out first. So far no one had offered to check on either one.

After renting the car, Matt pulled out toward the highway. "I still say California. Let's eliminate that one… then we go south. That'll give us time to get ID's in order."

Katya nodded reluctantly. "I still think the more isolated one is the better target, but this one is closer and easier to get to. Let's just hope the delay is not costly."

Matt glanced at Amber sitting quietly in the back. The young immortal had become increasingly quiet and thoughtful on their journey. "We'll get to the bottom of all this Amber. No other immortal will suffer at these men's hands."

Amber met his gaze and nodded… but there was a lack of enthusiasm there… as if she were mourning the loss of her teacher all over again. Matt saw only a flat acceptance in her eyes. Matt was at a loss as to what to say.

"Ah have a few friends in the northern California area," Matt insisted. "They'll help."

"If they're not already caught, you mean," Katya snorted.

"Not these two." Matt grinned. "Interpol and the FBI have been after them for years. Last message I had from them six months ago was that they planned to hide out for a while and let things cool down."

From the back, Amber spoke up. "Sounds like criminals,"

Matt smiled. "In a way. Let's just say these two have an interestin' way of managin' to survive in a style to which they think the world owes them."

Katya shook her head with a smirk. "I can't wait!"

Matt smiled as he headed west. Immortals Jade and Jeremy Dexter were thieves of the first order. He'd known both of them for centuries. He'd decided long ago that as long as they didn't hurt anyone… anyone mortal at least… beyond their pocketbook… Matt could turn a blind eye to their activities. It wasn't the lifestyle he would have chosen… but he had always understood that for some immortals… the thrill of the theft was what kept them going. Jade was just a little bit younger than Matt… they'd even had a relationship at one time… centuries ago. It had been a brief and flirtatious fling… but Matt had always kept a soft spot in his heart for her… always looking the other way if their paths crossed professionally.

Dexter was several centuries younger. He and Jade had hooked up about twelve years ago. They'd both gone after the same prize… a Da Vinci sketch on display in Washington DC that was worth millions, Matt thought. They'd tripped each other up… but had both managed to escape. One thing had led to another… and they'd paired up… both professionally and personally. After pulling several big jobs in Europe and the States… they'd vanished into the hustle and bustle of life in San Francisco.

Matt had watched the entire affair from inside the FBI. It hadn't been his case… and he'd offered no clue as to the immortals' plans or identities. After all, as long as no one was hurt… he'd been rather amused by his friends' activities.

Six months ago he'd received a letter indicating that they thought they were being watched. They'd had an altercation with a couple of men attacking their penthouse apartment. They'd assumed at first that they were inept burglars; but something one of them said had worried the pair… something about "the end of the game is here". Upon further discussion, after leaving the men tied up…Jeremy and Jade had vanished into a wilderness region of northern California. Jade had sent the letter as much as a warning as anything else. In retrospect, Matt had begun to wonder if the so-called burglars hadn't been members of this Watcher Organization.

At any rate… Matt knew where they were… and wanted to either enlist their help and expertise… or he wanted them to know what was happening. These Watchers posed an unacceptable risk to all immortals. Even if all surviving immortals would one day meet in combat to decide the winner of the game… that day was not today… Matt McCormick was certain of it.

He turned on the radio to alleviate the silence in the car.

-----

Paris

Alisaunne waited impatiently near the entrance of the Louvre. Every time someone looked at her she felt like drawing her blades and killing them. Just as she thought she could not manage for one more moment, she felt the approach of an immortal. She glanced up, relieved to see Duncan.

She slipped into his embrace and sobbed, "They have Ian!"

"I know," he said softly, holding on to her. "I was afraid they had you too."

"I was restless… I went out… I just wandered. It's my fault… I should have been there!"

"And done what? They'd have taken you as well." He sighed deeply. At least she was safe for the moment. Ever since she'd called, he'd worried that someone would get to her before he could.

"I should have taken him with me… but I just needed to be on my own for a while." She raised her tear-stained face. "You do understand… don't you Duncan? My whole existence has been so controlled and orchestrated for so long… I needed to be alone and on my own for a while, no matter what."

"I understand," Duncan said. "It's more than time you were on your own… I just had some issues about letting you go." He smiled at her as he gently brushed a lock of her dark hair from her tear-stained face. "I always pushed my students away too soon… and they always died, Alisaunne… I want you to live."

Nodding her head she leaned back into his chest and began to sob once more. Duncan found himself stroking her long dark hair. She felt so right in his arms. He sighed… then pushed her away slightly. "We need to go. We're too visible here." He led her to the car.

Opening the door he motioned her in and then climbed in beside her. From behind the wheel, Amanda smiled at them both. "So where to now, Duncan?"

"Just drive for the moment." Duncan leaned back and closed his eyes, slightly rubbing his brow with the fingers of one hand. He could not recall being so tired in some time.

Amanda finally pulled off at small inn east of Paris. She smiled as she turned off the ignition. "We need a base of operations. We can't keep driving. I'll rent us a cottage."

"No," Duncan said sharply. He pulled some cash from a pocket and peeled off several bills. He handed them to Alisaunne. "They don't know what you look like. See what you can get for us."

The young immortal took the bills solemnly. Stuffing them into her pocket, she waited for Duncan to let her out and then entered the office of the inn.

"You really have to explain to me what is going on with you two," Amanda said calmly.

"There's nothing going on. She's involved with Ian… I told you that."

"She may be involved with Ian… but she evidently cares for you."

Duncan clasped Amanda's hand and brought it to his lips. "She's fond of me… I'm fond of her… but trust me Amanda… you are the woman I want in my life." He grinned teasingly. "At least for today."

Amanda pulled her hand free and stared at the passing traffic through the driver's side window. After a long pause she sighed, "I'd like to believe that Duncan… I truly would. But we've always just been good friends. Maybe that's all we'll ever be."

Duncan reached to turn her face back to his, cupping her chin softly. "I do love you."

Amanda nodded. "I know."

He kissed her… and was still kissing her when Alisaunne returned, climbing into the back seat. "We've got a cottage. "

He pulled back and caressed Amanda's jaw as he mouthed his feelings again.

Amanda nodded, tucked a lock of dark hair behind her ear and sniffed. "Which one?" she asked and then drove through the lot until they parked outside the furthest cottage from the road. She backed into the parking spot to be ready to pull out quickly if they needed.

After grabbing his bag, Duncan secured the car and followed the women into the cottage. One glance told him it was sparsely decorated. It had one large room that served as sitting area, bedroom and kitchen. There was a small bath with a shower at the back.

"I'll take the couch," Alisaunne said numbly as she removed and dropped her coat to the floor and curled up on the couch whimpering. Amanda grabbed a blanket and threw it over the young woman, sitting beside her for a few moments and rubbing her arm.

"I'm certain he'll be fine," she comforted, but she gazed at Duncan with worry.

Duncan pulled out his PPC and the old laptop to check messages. He sat back thoughtfully after a few moments.

Amanda rose to lean over him, her arms encircling his shoulders. "What is it?"

"Phillip's no longer on his island. They attacked there."

"What?" Amanda straightened fearfully. "The children?"

"Captured and rescued. He's in Italy with them. He's found something he's going to check out."

Amanda glanced at Alisaunne. "And Nick?"

Duncan shook his head. "He doesn't mention him. I'd assume all is well."

She leaned down and hugged him tightly. "I hope so… for all our sakes."