CHAPTER 5
The next morning Eddy was up and in the kitchen having breakfast when Porter came down.
"Mrs. Webb would like to see you in the dining room." Carlton informed her.
"You don't like very much do you?" Eddy asked, licking yogurt off her spoon.
"I have no opinion." Carlton replied. "But since you asked, proper ladies don't sit cross legged on the counter eating yogurt. At least put the yogurt into a bowl."
"It's actually Indian style," Eddy winked as she hopped off the counter and handed him her container and spoon. She then went to the dining room where Porter was sipping her coffee.
"Good morning, how did you sleep?" Eddy asked.
"Just fine, why were you eating in the kitchen?" Porter asked.
"I was hungry." Eddy winked.
"You are more than welcome to take your meals in here." Porter stated, "Even if you are dining alone."
"That's very nice of you, but I am not used to being waited on. I prefer to fix my own meals and such." Eddy replied.
"Consider it a vacation, now come sit with me while I have my coffee." Porter said.
"Mrs. Webb, how did your group of friends meet?" Eddy asked.
"Prudence and I went to school together." Porter replied. "We attended Bryn Mawr. Back then children from our station attended boarding schools."
"And the others?" Eddy asked.
"Markus Hudson and Addison Winston were military intelligence assigned to the NSA." Porter stated. "David and Parker worked with my husband on the Phoenix project. That's still classified, so I would appreciate your discretion."
"Yes ma'am. Don't worry about that." Eddy replied.
"Dysie and Jonathan worked at the CIA." Porter said.
"Jonathan who?" Eddy asked. "You didn't mention a Jonathan last night."
"Jonathan Tudor," Porter replied.
"Senator Tudor," Eddy asked turning pale.
"Yes, he was killed in 1993." Porter stated. "Are you alright?"
"Oh this is too weird," Eddy said dropping her face in her hands.
"Did you know the Senator?" Porter asked.
"Yes ma'am, I did." Eddy replied. "I was his bodyguard."
"I see," Porter said. "Well from what I was told, you did everything right."
"I'd like to think so, but he still died." Eddy stated.
"They didn't release your name," Porter said.
"No ma'am, it's for our protection. We're just called the Secret Service Agents." Eddy replied.
"If I recall, you were injured." Porter said. Eddy didn't respond she just nodded her head.
"If you will excuse me," Eddy said and got up from the table.
Eddy went down to the guest house and made a list on a piece of paper. "Pete, get this list to James, I need to see the files on these people."
"I'll take care of it," Pete said. "Are you okay? You look a little green."
"My past just came back," Eddy said and left.
As Eddy approached the house she could hear yelling. She immediately removed her gun from the holster and ran inside.
"I will kill her," Webb was shouting. "I will take her neck in my bare hands and break it."
"Clayton, calm down." Porter replied.
"I will not calm down." Webb yelled. "Where is she?"
"I assume I am the she you are yelling about," Eddy said putting her gun away.
"You broke her rib," Webb yelled.
"I was saving her life," Eddy stated calmly.
"You man handled my mother and broke her rib." Webb snapped.
"I was doing my job," Eddy yelled. She didn't care if the rules said she had to remain calm.
"You're supposed to be breaking the bones of the suspects, not the bones of those you are protecting." Webb yelled.
"Is that how they do it in the CIA?" Eddy yelled. "You break the bones of the suspects? No wonder there are so many problems in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay."
"Oh lady and I use that term very liberally with you, you have no idea who you're tangling with." Webb seethed.
"You've never done a liberal thing in your life," Eddy snapped. "And Mr. Webb, you have no idea who you're tangling with." Eddy turned to Porter, "My apologies Mrs. Webb." She then stormed out of the house and down to the guest house.
"What the hell is going on?" Pete asked.
"Clayton Webb just yelled at me for saving his mother's life." Eddy said.
"Excuse me?" Pete asked.
"He was pissed because Mrs. Webb's rib was bruised." Eddy said. "Can't the CIA send him to South America or something until this is resolved?"
"He's been there done that," Pete laughed. "And he came back."
"Yeah, like a bad penny." Eddy sighed. "He's going to get her killed if he doesn't stay out of my way."
"Did you think of trying the honey approach?" Pete asked.
"The what?" Eddy replied.
"You know, you get more flies with honey than you do with vinegar," Pete smiled.
"Please the only time honey should be used on him is to cover his body with it and throw him into a bear cave." Eddy snapped.
"Ohh kinky," Pete laughed.
"Oh shut up," Eddy laughed, "How we coming on those files."
"Nothing yet," Pete replied. "I'll contact you as soon as I know."
Eddy went back to the house, she was calm and composed. That lasted all of thirty seconds.
"I want a new agent," Webb said when she walked back in.
"That's not your decision," Eddy sighed.
"I want someone competent." Webb said.
"Clayton," Porter warned.
"Mother, let me handle this," Webb said.
"I think I know why they brought me back to handle this assignment." Eddy said.
"They were trying to see just how low the bottom of the barrel goes?" Webb asked sarcastically.
"No, they figured since I spent the last six years dealing with obnoxious Europeans, one ugly American like you would be a cake walk." Eddy snapped.
"Both of you, enough!" Porter shouted, stunning them into silence. "Eddy, go to your room."
"Excuse me?" Eddy asked. "You're sending me to my room? I don't even really live here."
"Young lady," Porter said firmly, "Go to you room." Eddy was in shock. She didn't know what to do so she turned and stormed to the stairs.
"I'm guessing it's to pack." Webb said smugly.
"Clayton, do shut up." Porter snapped. "Go to the living room."
"Mother," Webb said. "You aren't serious."
"Clayton, to the living room," Porter repeated. "You no longer live in this house, but by God if you did, I would be sending you to your room as well."
"HA!" Eddy yelled from the stairs and continued up.
Porter waited five minutes and then walked to the living room and stared at her son.
"Not one word," Porter said. "I will be back shortly and I expect that you will be here when I return." Webb didn't reply. He just stood there staring at his mother. Porter then went upstairs to Eddy's room.
"May I come in?" Porter asked knocking on the door.
"It's your house," Eddy replied.
Porter walked in to find Eddy packing her clothes. Not the outfits they had purchased but the clothes she arrived with. Porter took a seat on the chaise and watched her for a few minutes.
"What are you doing?" Porter asked.
"I am going to ask the Director to assign you a new agent." Eddy said.
"I don't want another agent," Porter smiled. "I want you."
"Mrs. Webb, I can't work like this. Your life is in my hands and if I have to worry about what your son is going to think or do or say than I am not effective. That is going to get you killed." Eddy stated. "I don't want that to happen."
"Edwina, Eddy. My son is my son." Porter sighed. "Clayton is usually a rational person. He doesn't normally act on emotions. Understand he lost his father when he was young. I'm all he has. I think he's scared of losing me. He will never admit that. I've mentioned before that he has always been a loner. I think the prospect of truly being alone is causing all this."
"I'm sorry that your son is anti-social," Eddy started.
"Edwina," Porter said in a stern tone.
"I'll try to be more compassionate." Eddy sighed.
"This means you're staying?" Porter asked.
"Yes ma'am," Eddy replied, "Just one thing."
"Yes dear," Porter asked.
"You sent me to my room," Eddy replied. "You scolded me and sent me to my room."
"If it was feasible, I would have spanked the both of you. Quite honestly, you're both behaving like little tarts." Porter smiled.
"My apologies," Eddy smiled.
"Now, I would like you to meet me in the living room in five minutes." Porter said.
"Yes ma'am." Eddy replied.
Porter went down to the living room. Webb was standing in front of the fireplace looking at a picture of his father when she walked in.
"You favor your father," Porter said.
"Mother, please let me get..." Webb stated.
"Enough," Porter said. "Clayton, you're my son and I love you and I don't doubt for one moment your love for me. But you have to stop this over reactive protection mode you have been in since your father died. Eddy is a good agent, she's meticulous and she knows what she's doing. I have faith and confidence in her. She is going to be with me until the threat is gone. You had better get used to it. I don't want you working against her. That is what will get me killed."
"I don't know what I would do if I lost you." Webb responded.
"Clayton, it's going to happen. Eventually I am going to die, I hope later than sooner." Porter said taking his hand. "It's time."
"Time for what?" Webb asked.
"It's time to cut the cord." Porter said. "Let Eddy do her job. I trust her and so should you."
"Reporting as requested," Eddy said standing in the doorway.
"Come in and sit," Porter said. "Clayton, sit down." Porter took a breath and continued. "I am confident that we have all come to an understanding."
"Yes," They replied in unison.
"There will be no more yelling and I presume no more insults, direct or indirect." Porter stated.
"Yes," They repeated, both looking at the floor.
"Shake hands and apologize," Porter said.
"What?" They said looking up at her.
"If you are going to behave like spoiled children then you shall be treated as such." Porter replied. "Shake hands and apologize."
They both stood up and faced each other. Webb had his hands on his hips and Eddy had her arms folded across her chest. It was obvious that neither was going to extend the first hand. Porter had a sudden urge to slap them both.
"I have a headache, my ribs hurt as does my arm. I am going upstairs to rest. The two of you may stand here until you do as I said." Porter stated. "And don't think I won't know if it doesn't happen." Porter then turned and left the room, trying to hide her smile and amusement at the whole situation.
They stood for what seemed like an eternity staring at each other, or rather glaring. Neither moved from their spot and neither it appeared was willing to make the first gesture. Eddy realized the entire situation was ridiculous. She had a job to do and if it meant sucking it up and being the first to be the bigger person then she would do it.
"You look like your father," Eddy said.
"I never thought so," Webb replied.
"I apologize," Eddy said extending her hand. "You're not that ugly of an American."
"I apologize as well," Webb said shaking her hand. "I'm sure you're not at the very bottom of the barrel."
"I promise I won't let anything happen to her." Eddy said.
"I promise I won't get in your way," Webb replied.
"Would you like to know what's going on?" Eddy asked. Webb nodded and she filled him in on what she knew at this point and that Harm, Mac and Sturgis were following and developing leads from the naval standpoint. Webb sat and listened. He hated to admit it, but Eddy knew what she was doing. While they were talking Eddy got a phone call.
"Agent Winthrop speaking... Are you kidding? No, no I believe you... It just sounds absurd... Yeah, I understand... Okay, hey I think I have an idea... I'll talk to you later... Out."
Eddy closed her cell phone and turned to Webb. "I think I need your help."
"You're kidding," Webb chuckled. "I thought I was supposed to stay out of this."
"Are you always so... you?" Eddy asked.
"What do you need?" Webb asked.
"I need some files declassified." Eddy replied.
"You're joking," Webb said.
"I need to see some files, and my clearance isn't high enough." Eddy said. "Either get me cleared or get me the files."
"Clearance levels are there for a reason," Webb stated. "I can't just open the doors."
"You did it for Harm," Eddy smiled. Maybe there was something to this honey thing.
"He has a big mouth," Webb said.
"He didn't tell me anything, you just did." Eddy winked. "Obviously, you've opened the doors before."
Webb let out a loud exasperated sigh. "What do you need?" Eddy wrote out the list of eight names and handed them to Webb.
"All their files are sealed as are the coroner reports." Eddy said. "They are all linked together. I want to see exactly how."
"I know how they're linked." Webb said. "They are all friends and worked together at one time or another."
"They all worked with your father at one time," Eddy replied. "He's on the list too."
"No, they didn't." Webb said. "I'm almost sure of it."
"Can you get me the files?" Eddy asked.
"Come to Langley tomorrow," Webb said. "I'll have you cleared."
As Webb got up to leave, Eddy turned to him, "Clay thanks."
The next morning Porter and Eddy were having breakfast when Webb arrived.
"Good morning mother, Cousin It," Webb smirked.
"Good morning top soil," Eddy shot back.
"Isn't this wonderful," Porter said with sarcasm. "I am so glad we had that little chat yesterday."
"Sorry," Eddy said and turned to Webb with a saccharine sweet smile. "Good morning Clay."
"How are you Eddy," Webb replied.
"What brings you here this morning?" Porter asked.
"Today is bring your long lost fake cousin to work day," Webb replied.
"I was going to drive over later," Eddy said. "I just wanted to wait until my replacement arrived."
"I figured this would be easier," Webb said.
"Well, it's better that you're here because I need to discuss something with you both." Eddy said. "I don't think it's a good idea to go to that dinner tonight. Actually I am advising against it. I am not confident that we can protect you."
"I have to attend." Porter said.
"Mother, I believe I am going to have to side with Eddy on this one." Webb said.
"The Webb Foundation donated $25,000. How would it look if I didn't attend?" Porter asked.
"Frankly, it will look like you didn't want to waste a penny of it on overcooked rubber chicken." Eddy smiled.
"I'm hiding and that is not something I wanted to do." Porter stated.
"Mother, you aren't hiding. We'll simply let them know that you aren't well." Webb said. "People know you injured your arm recently, not to mention you were at the luncheon. It will be fine."
"So we're agreed?" Eddy asked.
"Agent Winthrop, I'm here to cover." Agent Johnson said arriving.
"Clay, give me a moment and we can leave." Eddy said. "Johnson, come with me."
"You got a nice assignment," Johnson said.
"It's not as easy as you think." Eddy replied. "I should be back in a few hours."
"Any appointments I should know about?" Johnson asked.
"No, she's home today." Eddy replied. "I want hourly check-ins just the same."
"Not a problem, this should be easier than FLOTUS." Johnson said.
"Don't kid yourself, this woman makes the First Lady's schedule look like a church social." Eddy replied and left. "Clay, I'm ready."
Eddy and Webb drove out to Langley. When they arrived, Webb escorted Eddy to a sealed room and together they pulled the files. They took them over to a work table and began to review everything.
"What am I looking for?" Webb asked.
"I'm not sure," Eddy replied. "I'll know it when I see it."
An hour later, Eddy asked if she could have some index cards. Webb left and returned with a stack of cards and Eddy began to make notes. "Look at this." On the 4x6 cards she had written each person's name and a single project they had worked on. She then placed them in piles according to project and then year.
"Your father and Colonel Foster work on Phoenix with General Sinclair. When Foster was killed Addison Winslow was brought in. Your father left the project and Admiral Hudson came on board." Eddy said.
"Right, we knew that." Webb said.
"Now your mother and Prudence Winston worked together at the NSA. Your father was assigned to the CIA when Dyson and Tudor were there." Eddy continued. "Phoenix ended and Sinclair, Winslow and Hudson all went to the CIA at some point."
"So at one time they were all with the company." Webb said. "But that doesn't include my mother or Aunt Pru."
"Take a closer look at Aunty Prudence's file." Eddy said.
"She was a code breaker with the NSA, I don't believe this." Webb said. "How come I never saw this before?"
"Now take a look at your mother's file." Eddy said.
"Where did you get that?" Webb asked taking the file.
"It was a few rows back from your father's I figured I might as well get it." Eddy smiled. "They all worked for the CIA. It was at different times, it's possible that they were all working on the same project but different aspects of it. The whole coming together at the end, but no single person knowing what the other was doing. It's the perfect set up. No one person has all the information."
"The question is what were they working on?" Webb asked.
"That's your department," Eddy replied. "I can find the links. I have no knowledge in the espionage stuff."
"So what have we got?" Webb asked "Exactly."
"Colonel David Foster worked for the CIA until 1967, he then worked on Phoenix until his death. Your father worked on Phoenix until 1971 and then was with the CIA until his death. Admiral Hudson worked for the NSA until 1971 and then the CIA until his death in 1975. Prudence Winston worked for the NSA and then in 1974 was working with the CIA. She retired and died in 1984. Addison Winslow worked with the NSA and then in 1975 he was assigned to the CIA, he died in 1988. General Parker Sinclair worked on Phoenix and was then assigned to the CIA in 1976, he died in 2000. Finally there is Senator Jonathan Tudor, he worked on with the CIA in 1977, then ran for senate and will killed in 1993. The only one left is your mother and I think we need to ask her. She's the only one left who would be able to even begin to tell us what they were working on." Eddy took a breath. "Now, I want to see the coroner reports."
Webb pulled the reports and was amazed at what was before him.
"Foster wasn't killed in action," Webb said. "He was killed Paris. He was shot."
"Okay, so we have one false death report." Eddy said.
"I remember hearing that Admiral Hudson had a heart attack," Webb said. "This report says acute nicotine poisoning."
"That would have the same signs as a heart attack." Eddy replied. "Two for two."
"Prudence Winston died in a car crash, it was a hit and run." Webb said. "But the report says that her tire was shredded."
"Three for three," Eddy stated.
"General Sinclair died of a cerebral hemorrhage caused by a fall." Webb said. "What do you make of this?"
Eddy looked at the photos in the file and shook her head. "He didn't get that from a fall."
"I agree," Webb said. "Then there is Jonathan Tudor, killed walking out the Capitol by a bullet to the chest."
"It was to the head," Eddy said quietly.
Webb looked at Eddy for a second and then it hit him, "He's the one you lost."
"I have the souvenir to remember it by." Eddy said pointing to her arm, "Every time I look in the mirror."
"I don't know what to say," Webb replied.
"There's nothing to say," Eddy stated. "How did your father die?"
"The death certificate said kidney failure," Webb stated. "I remember reading it as a child, I didn't understand at the time because the only kidney's I knew about were beans."
Eddy sat for a moment and then handed him a piece of paper. "Clay, your father's autopsy states two kidneys and no indication of any problems. Read about five lines down. I'm sorry."
"This has got to be a mistake," Webb said standing up and knocking over his chair. "This isn't possible."
"It's the toxicology report," Eddy said.
"My father did not use drugs." Webb stated.
"Clay, it doesn't say he used drugs. It says he died of a heroine overdose." Eddy stated. "It's very possible and highly probably, actually I am sure of it. Someone injected him."
"I wonder if my mother knew." Webb queried. "She has some questions to answer."
"Clay, you cannot go blazing in and demand answers. She's not some terrorist." Eddy said. "You need to bring someone else in, you're too close and that's not good."
"Fine, you ask her. Ask her how she could let her friends be killed and not do anything about it." Webb shouted. "Ask her how she could let my father, the man she loved have in his file that he was a drug user. Ask her how she could keep a part of her life hidden."
"Don't you hide things as an agent?" Eddy asked. "And it doesn't say he used drugs. Your father did not die in an alley on M street with a needle in his arm. He was not an addict, and I am sure that anyone who knew him would never think such a thing."
"This can't be happening," Webb said. "This just can't be happening."
They returned the files but kept the index cards. They left Langley and instead of returning to Porter's they went to JAG.