CHAPTER 8
"What have you got?" Harm asked.
"Tom Stanton didn't do anything wrong. Just like his friends he served his country, of course in a different capacity." Eddy said.
"What makes you say that?" Webb asked.
"He ran away, after he was cleared, he ran away." Eddy said. "You said it before. He was ashamed, embarrassed. His name had been ruined and he did what he thought best for his family. He left them to continue."
"How is this connecting the deaths?" Sturgis asked.
"I'm sorry but your mother's lying." Eddy said.
"Where did that come from?" Webb snapped.
"Stanton's file was sealed after your mother retired," Eddy said pointing to the date. "She knew what was happening, they all did. They let him twist in the wind."
"You're insane. You are completely out of your mind." Webb yelled. "If she knew something, something that could now save her life, why the hell would she lie?"
"Because it is a matter of national security," Porter said standing in the door.
"Mother, what have you done?" Webb asked.
"I'll tell you what I know," Porter said and sat down. "Tom was innocent, he never supplied anything to the other side. However, the other side knew who his friends were, even if he didn't. He was approached and he mentioned it to Addison," Porter took a deep breath. "He told Addison what had happened and that he didn't want any part of it. He asked for advice. Addison told him not to worry, he had told them he wanted no part in betraying his country."
"Did he realize he was asking a CIA operative for advice?" Harm asked.
"He didn't know," Porter stated. "A few months later we were all together and Tom told us all he had been approached again..."
June 1967
"Porter, this is so lovely, it's been too long since we've all been together." Sylvia Stanton said.
"It has been too long," Porter replied.
"Darling, can I bring you something?" Neville asked.
"Thank you dear," Porter replied, "Maybe just a little something before dinner."
"Sylvia may I bring you the same?" Neville asked.
"That would be wonderful," Sylvia smiled.
"Sylvia, I don't know how you do it." Prudence Winston said joining them. "Four boys, they must keep you running."
"Tom finally broke down and got me some help." Sylvia said.
"Ma'am dinner is served," Richard announced.
"So Tom, how are the contracts working out?" Neville asked
"Very well," Tom replied. "The order has been increased. My costs went up but I can't bring myself to pass the increase along. I'll cover the losses, now is not the time to be bilking the government."
"No other problems?" Addison asked.
"Now that you mention it," Tom laughed. "A man came by the other day, he had the most incredible story. He told me my dearest friends weren't who they said they were. He told me I could make even more money if I got him information."
"What do you do?" Markus asked.
"I laughed at him," Tom said. "He had some story about you working for the CIA or something. I told him he had the wrong group of people. He asked me if any of you had ever mentioned Phoenix. I told him you were east coasters and didn't waste your time out west."
"Who was he?" Tudor asked.
"Damned if I remember, I threw him out of my office." Tom replied. "There are some crazy people out there, they think just because you have a government contract you are privy to all government business and to bring you all into it was just insane. Imagine, you guys being spies."
"After Tom and Sylvia left, we discussed what had happened. Igor Petrovik was in the United States." Porter shook her head. "We knew it had to be Igor who had approached Tom. We also knew he would do it again. The Phoenix project was just beginning. The concern was that if he kept going to Tom, he would get suspicious. We had to protect the project, we had to remove Tom."
"What did you do?" Eddy asked.
"We let it be known that Tom was dealing both sides. It was a bogus charge and that's why the trial was classified. Tom didn't run away, he was placed in witness protection." Porter stated. "It had to be made to look that he was guilty there was no other way. We didn't desert him. We protected him and his family. Sylvia never knew the truth. She came to me one day and told me what was happening. She asked for all our help. I told her that we couldn't help. What could we do? Tom was in trouble with the government. Why would they listen to a bunch of business people?"
"What happened to Sylvia and her sons?" Harm asked.
"I truly don't know. I know she remarried, but she never spoke to any of us again." Porter said. "She felt we left her hanging in her time of need. She was right in a way. Except she didn't realize it was us who provided the rope."
"Did you ever see Tom again?" Sturgis asked.
"We never saw any of them again," Porter said sadly. "Tom's name was changed. He was gone. None of us knew where he was sent."
"There is nothing in here to indicate that Sylvia was at the trial." Webb said.
"She wasn't, by the time everything had happened, Tom had divorced her." Porter said. "He was tried in January 1968. He said then he had cut all ties and would never contact Sylvia or the children. He didn't want anyone to use them to make him betray our secrets."
"Wait a second," Eddy said. "Let's suppose for just a moment that Tom's son is getting revenge for the people who ruined his father."
"Where are you going?" Harm asked. "His son was too young when some of these people were killed. So there had to be someone else."
"You just said that Tom left his family for their protection. He wouldn't then turn around and contact his son. That would defeat the purpose." Eddy said. "He also wouldn't risk coming into contact with any of you because that would bring him out into the open."
"Which means that Tom isn't the one who killed anyone," Webb said seeing where Eddy was going. "It had to be someone who was hurt by everything and would have had a first hand account to tell Tom's son."
"Exactly," Eddy said. "Sylvia Stanton is who we are looking for and her son who ever that may be."
"What was Jack's mother's name?" Webb asked.
"Susan," Eddy said. "He once told me that he wanted to have a little girl one day and name her after his mother."
"There you go," Harm said. "It's not Keeter."
"Fine," Eddy said. "But there is still a killer out there and we have to find out who it is."
"I agree, but I've got to get some sleep." Harm said.
"So do I," Sturgis said. "Can you give me a lift?"
"We'll pick this up tomorrow," Harm said. "You have us all protecting you now, Mrs. Webb."
"Thank you commanders," Porter smiled. "But Eddy's all I need."
Harm and Sturgis left leaving Porter, Webb and Eddy sitting in the study. Eddy wanted to review some more but realized that she needed to leave Webb and Porter alone. They needed to talk. "I think I need to get some rest," Eddy said and started up the stairs.
"Mother how could you?" Webb asked. "You always spoke of the need for good friends and what did you do? You served up one of your good friends like a lamb."
"Clayton, you don't understand." Porter said. "We were protecting everyone, our families, his family, the security of this country."
"You could have told him the truth." Webb snapped. "You could have said, we work for the government."
"You know better than anyone that isn't how it works," Porter replied.
"Have you ever told me the truth?" Webb asked, "About anything?
"That's not fair," Porter replied.
"Isn't it?" Webb snapped. "The death of my father, the fact that we have been working to save your life and you had the audacity to lie to my face about your knowledge of the situation. Tell me if Eddy hadn't noticed the date on the file, were you ever going to tell us?"
"Probably not," Porter sighed. "I wish you would understand." Porter walked over to Webb and put her hand on his arm. "Clayton..."
"Don't," Webb said moving a way. "You've taken away the one thing I always had faith in, you."
Webb walked away leaving Porter in the study. Eddy had been standing on the stairs. She knew it was wrong to eavesdrop but she decided to regardless of the rudeness. She walked into the study and saw Porter who looked as if her entire world had just come crashing to a halt, which it had. "Don't worry," Eddy whispered and walked out of the study. She was tired and in pain but she opted to ignore her physical limitations at this moment and went in search of Webb. His car was still there, so she knew he hadn't left. She walked toward the guest house. She doubted he would go there since the other agents were there. As the sun started to rise she saw a big oak tree. She walked towards it and then around to the other side. There was Webb sitting on the ground leaning up against the trunk of the mighty oak.
"Clay, are you okay?" Eddy asked.
"I don't want to talk about it." Webb said.
"It might help," Eddy replied.
"This is your fault," Webb announced.
"Excuse me?" Eddy asked.
"Any other agent would have just protected her, you had to find out the nitty gritty details." Webb said.
"Do you even realize what you are saying?" Eddy asked. "Any other agent might have your mother brought up on charges of obstructing justice. Did you think about that? She kept relevant information hidden from investigators."
"So what are you going to do, have her arrested?" Webb asked.
"No I think they way you're treating her is far worse punishment than any court could levy." Eddy replied.
"You don't understand, what she did, what they did," Webb stated.
"What did they do that was so wrong? What did they do that you haven't had to contemplate one time in your career?" Eddy asked.
"I would never betray a friend." Webb said, "I would never turn my back on a friend."
"No you would just turn your back on your mother," Eddy snapped. "She's your mother. Are you just going to walk away?"
"My entire life I have lived by her example," Webb said. "What a joke. She's no better than..."
"Don't finish that statement," Eddy said cutting him off. "You will regret it one day."
"Agent Winthrop, good luck," Webb said. "I'm done."
"You really are a spoiled child." Eddy yelled. "I have never in my life seen a mother and son so dedicated to each other. My god do you realize how lucky you are? I would kill to be able to have that kind of relationship with a parent. I know this isn't by business, but over the past few months, I have become very fond of your mother and honestly, this will kill her more than any bullet. Go back and clear this up. If something was to happen to her, you will never forgive yourself."
"I thought you said you had it covered," Webb replied.
"Clay, shut up." Eddy said. "You know what you have to do."
Webb looked at Eddy who was now wobbling as she stood there. They both looked at her shoulder and her shirt was covered with blood. Webb caught Eddy just as she fell forward. He carried her back up to the house. "Mother, get some towels."
"What happened?" Porter asked.
"I don't know, she must have torn open the wound." Webb said.
"I'm calling an ambulance," Porter said.
Webb opened Eddy's shirt and pressed the towel against the wound in an effort to stop the bleeding. The agent covering came into the room and surveyed the situation.
"What happened?" He asked.
"She's bleeding," Webb said. "We need to get her back to the hospital."
"The ambulance is on the way," Porter said returning. "Eddy, you're going to be fine."
"Tell her," Eddy said looking at Webb.
"Tell me what?" Porter asked.
"Nothing, it's not important," Webb said tending to Eddy.
"Tell her or I will bleed to death right here," Eddy said.
The agent traded places with Webb and applied pressure to the wound. Webb got up and escorted Porter out of the room.
"Mother, I love you." Webb said. "I am disappointed in everything that has transpired, but I love you. You gave me life and raised me to be honest and proud. I regret that you never told me these things before and I understand why, but please where your life is concerned, don't ever keep anything from me again, even if it is in the name of national security."
"I never meant to hurt you," Porter said.
"I know," Webb said hugging his mother, "I think this needs to be left in the past, where you had it."
The ambulance arrived and took Eddy to the hospital. Porter wanted to go, but the agent would not let her leave the house. Webb offered to go and placed a call on the way.
"Sturgis, this is Webb," He said. "We had to take Eddy back to the hospital. I thought you would want to be there." He then made sure the same message was relayed to James.
At the hospital, Eddy was immediately taken to surgery. By the time James arrived, Webb, Sturgis and Harm were sitting in the waiting room.
"Who the hell let her leave the hospital?" James yelled.
"She insisted," Webb said.
"And you people listened to her?" James yelled. "You two are supposed to be her friends and you, I don't know what you are but right now the word idiot comes to mind."
"She didn't leave us much of a choice," Harm protested.
"If anything happens to her, you can expect to feel my wrath." James yelled and walked away. From the other end of the hall they could still hear him yelling. "I want the moronic doctor who released her here now!"
Three hours later the doctor came to talk to them. "Are any of you a family member?" He asked.
"Well actually, we're all just really good..." Harm began.
"She's my cousin," Webb said quickly.
"She's lost a lot of blood," the doctor said. "We repaired the damage. I'm not sure what caused the rupture. I reviewed the prior surgery and it was clean and simple. She's going to have to stay here at least a week, if not more. She has to be immobilized."
"Good luck," Harm muttered.
"She's lucky she didn't bleed out," The doctor said and pointed to Webb, "Look at your shirt."
Webb noticed his shirt was covered in Eddy's blood, as he surveyed his appearance he realized his hands and slacks were covered as well.
"I better call my mother," Webb stated and walked away. When he returned, Sturgis handed him a pair of scrubs.
"Here, I figured you would want to change before you went to sit with her." Sturgis stated.
"Thanks, but that's not necessary." Webb replied. "I'm sure you guys want to be with her. I'm going to head home. Now that I know she's okay."
Webb turned to leave and Sturgis followed him, "Webb, what's going on?"
"Nothing," Webb replied. "She's okay, and I have work to do."
"Don't you think she'll want to see you when she wakes up?" Sturgis said. "You probably saved her life."
"And she basically destroyed mine." Webb replied.
"What are you talking about?" Sturgis asked.
"Agent Winthrop is good at what she does," Webb stated. "But if I never see her again, it will be too soon." Webb walked away leaving Sturgis confused.
Webb got into his car and drove to his apartment. He hadn't exactly forgiven his mother. He just made it clear that he loved her and understood why she had done what she did. On the other hand Eddy's involvement had brought to light many things which should have stayed buried in the vaults of the CIA. What she uncovered, unfortunately with his help, would change the way he looked at everything. There was a time when he actually considered opening himself up and actually taking a more interest in the lives of his 'friends'. Now that he had seen how friends can actually treat each other, he was glad that he had kept Harm, Mac and the others at arms length. He couldn't walk away from Porter, even if he wanted to, she was his mother. But he didn't need to involve himself with the rest. That was just too risky.
A week had gone by and after constant badgering the Secret Service escorted Porter to the hospital to visit Eddy. "How are you dear?" Porter asked.
"I'm good." Eddy smiled. "How's your new agent?"
"I don't care much for him," Porter smiled. "He doesn't irritate Carlton nearly as much as you did."
"He's a good person," Eddy stated. "He'll keep you safe. I just hope this all ends soon."
"So do I," Porter said. "What's next for you?"
"Once I am released and permitted to return to active duty, I'll go back to Barcelona." Eddy said.
"You're not going to stay?" Porter asked. "I liked having a niece."
"Thanks," Eddy winked. "It was fun, although, I'm still not happy about the haircut."
"It looks lovely." Porter smiled.
"How's Clay?" Eddy asked. "The last thing I remember is talking to him outside by an oak tree."
"My son is my son," Porter sighed. "He hasn't been back to the house since that night. I believe he is away. He didn't tell me so I'm not absolutely sure."
"He loves you," Eddy said.
"I know, he told me." Porter said. "This time I don't know if love is enough."
"He'll come around," Eddy smiled.
"I hope so," Porter replied. "I'm going to let you get some rest."
"Thanks for coming to visit Aunty Porty," Eddy smiled.
"Please keep in touch," Porter said caressing Eddy's cheek. "Let me know where you are and how you are from time to time."
Two days later Eddy was released from the hospital. She had offers to stay everywhere. Porter opened her home, Sturgis offered as did Mac and Harm. In the end she chose to stay with James. This way she could keep on top of the Webb case without stepping on the toes of the new lead agent. She hadn't contacted Porter. Becoming personally attached to those you are protecting is not a smart move and advised against. Eddy had become personally involved. She liked Porter, actually she loved her. She imagined that if her mother had lived, she would have been something like Porter Webb, maybe not as rich but she would have had the same kind, loving heart. The next two weeks passed quickly. Eddy was feeling stronger and stronger each day. She had even taken to reporting to the gym for some exercise. It was fine as long as she took it easy. She was sitting at James' talking with his wife when there was a knock at the door.
"I have a delivery for Miss Edwina," Carlton said standing at the door.
"Please come in," Mrs. Crowley said.
"Miss Edwina, you're looking well." Carlton smiled.
"Hey Carlton, what's shakin'." Eddy winked.
"Nothing is shaking." Carlton smiled, "Maybe a little skin under my chin."
"What can I do for you?" Eddy asked. "Is Mrs. Webb okay?"
"Mrs. Webb is fine. She asked that I deliver this to you." Carlton said placing the box on the table. "She asked me to inform you that the style will cover any holes in your body and is suitable for concealing a weapon."
"What's this for?" Eddy asked opening the box.
"Tonight is the Webb Foundation Dinner," Carlton advised. "Mrs. Webb said that the entire family should be there, even the nieces."
"I don't know what to say," Eddy replied.
"There is nothing to say," Carlton replied and smiled. "As a Webb it is your duty to attend. The car will come for you at seven."
Carlton left and Eddy opened the box.
"Wow," Mrs. Crowley said. "That is something else."
Eddy looked at the gown. It was black organza with one sleeve and a slit up the leg.
"Well, I have no idea where I am going to hide a gun in this thing." Eddy laughed.
"Your thigh," Mrs. Crowley laughed. "It will be very sexy."
With the help of Mrs. Crowley, Eddy got ready. She took her advice and used a thigh strap to secure her gun to her leg. The style of the gown would not permit a vest but so she didn't wear one. She wasn't on duty tonight and was simply a guest. It wasn't as if she needed the vest anyway. There were still no leads on the killer and the Stanton-Keeter connection had been dismissed. The new agent in charge just didn't see the connection, and a new direction was being explored. At seven, an empty limo arrived to take Eddy to the dinner. Eddy arrived at the dinner and was escorted to a private room. When she entered Webb and Porter were there.
"Why are you here?" Webb asked.
"Clayton," Porter snapped.
"I was invited," Eddy replied. "Obviously you weren't consulted on the guest list."
"No and if I had been, one of us would not be here right now." Webb said.
"That's a shame that you would have missed a dinner in your family's name." Eddy smiled.
"I wasn't talking about me." Webb said.
"No kidding," Eddy replied.
"Children," Porter said. "I don't know where this anger is coming from, however I wanted us to get together before the dinner to remind you that there will be no squabbling or rudeness at the table."
"I have no anger," Eddy shrugged. "I was doing my job. Some people just can't see the forest for the trees.
"I'm not angry Mother," Webb stated. "Agent Winthrop was doing her job. Some people don't realize that it's hard to see the forest when a tree has fallen on you."
"I have no idea what either of you are talking about." Porter said in an exasperated tone.
"Your son is upset and blames me for all that information coming to the surface." Eddy stated.
"Mother, I only blame her because it was her fault." Webb stated.
"Tonight, I expect cordial behavior." Porter said shaking her head. "You will act like you are best friends. Neither of you will do anything to embarrass the Webb name."
"Don't worry mother, those of us who are Webb's know how to act." Webb replied sarcastically.
"And those of us who are mature, will ignore the spoiled children." Eddy replied.
"I expect civility," Porter snapped.
"Fine," Webb sighed. "Agent Winthrop, that's a lovely dress. I didn't realize Sears sold formal wear."
"Clayton," Porter warned.
"Why thank you Mr. Webb." Eddy smiled. "Your tux is nice, did you borrow it from an organ grinders monkey?"
"Edwina!" Porter glared. "Do not embarrass me, either of you."
"I won't, but I can't speak for Agent Winthrop," Webb said.
"Oh shut up," Eddy sighed.
"Mother, who else is going to be at the table," Webb asked.
"The Commanders, the Colonel, a friend of Commander Turners and my bodyguard," Porter replied. "Now, it's time to join the others."
Webb took Porter's arm and she looked at him. "My Agent will be escorting me into the room. You may escort Eddy." Webb looked at his mother and rolled his eyes. He then turned to Eddy and extended his arm.
"Try to walk like a lady," Webb snapped quietly.
"Try to act human," Eddy quipped back.
As they entered the ballroom a man in the bathroom admired himself in the mirror. "Looking good," he mused. "Tonight's the night." He moved into a stall and checked his gun. This was going to be big.