Transient Reality

Part Ten

Despite the fact that Kevin was positive that the "malfunctioning gate" would attract attention, the approach up the curving drive to the Lawhorne estate proceeded without interruption. No snipers or black booted guards with semi-automatics poured out of the greenery to aim their weapons at the uninvited vehicle. No growling, drooling guard dogs raced into the yard with eyes flashing as though they had waited their entire lives to take down trespassers. Kevin couldn't decide whether to be disappointed or ashamed of himself for being brainwashed by too many mystery and spy movies.

Do we by chance have a plan, MB? Kevin asked his friend as the other man parked the car at the top of the curve of the driveway, mere feet away from the steps leading up to the sprawling, pillared front porch.

Yes, MB grinned. Follow my lead.

Now there's a plan that's always worked for us before, Kevin chided but proceeded to climb from the vehicle as MB and Ami did. He took a moment to admire the posh structure towering above him before falling into step besides Ami and behind MB.

It took barely seconds after MB rang the bell for the door to swing open. The woman on the other side of the door wore a plain gray utilitarian housekeeping uniform and peered at them through dark eyes. She was of medium height and slightly round, graying hair pulled back in bun, and fit every inch of the stereotype of the elder Mexican housekeeper who tends to the family as though they were own. She even spoke with a strong accent, although her English seemed to be flawless. "Yes, how may I help you?"

MB slid effortlessly into his part, sliding his "badge" from his pocket and holding it before the housekeeper. "Good afternoon, ma'am. I'm Special Agent Donovan Reed of WorldEx Securities. These are Agents Amanda Johnson and Keith Wellsby. We've come to speak with Mr. Lawhorne on a matter of utmost importance."

"I am sorry, but Mr. Lawhorne does not see visitors without an appointment. Do you have an appointment, Señor Reed?" The woman held herself proudly, clearly not cowed by the impressive introduction that MB spit out. Of course, Kevin surmised, working for Carey Lawhorne she probably was well accustomed to turning aside all sorts of people from solicitors to over-eager politicians.

"No, I'm afraid that we don't. However, this is a matter of national security and time is of the absolute essence," MB returned his badge to his pocket, giving the housekeeper a half-smile that managed to be both pleading and charming at the same time. "I'm certain that if you talk to Mr. Lawhorne, he'll be happy to make an exception."

"Señor Reed –"

"We'll wait."

Kevin had to give MB credit. He was good at this. Somebody has been practicing their cloak and dagger in recent years, haven't they?

Jealous that you're so out of practice? MB quipped in return.

Ami simply 'pathed them both the image of her rolling her eyes. It was something they were more than used to ignoring – she tended to roll her eyes a lot when dealing with MB and Kevin.

The housekeeper hesitated, but only for a moment. Either MB's complete confidence or boyish charm won her over and she nodded, opening the door to allow them access to the inner foyer. Kevin repressed the urge to whistle and gawk in admiration at the two-story foyer complete with marble flooring and intricately carved staircase winding upwards. He was relatively certain that most government agents did not gawk and stare like a child in a toy store. Still it did not go unnoticed by him or his associates that the foyer screamed of more money than they would ever earn in their lifetimes.

"Come with me, please," the housekeeper said after closing the door after them. She led the way into a sitting room off from the foyer, and after instructing them to wait, she exited, closing the double wooden doors behind her.

Did anyone ever stop to think that maybe we are all pursuing the wrong vocations? Ami inquired as her eyes took in the elegant sitting room. Leather furniture, polished hardwood floors and a marble inlaid fireplace were the central foci of the room.

Nah, this much money is overrated, MB responded. He probably even drives a really fast sports car to make up for – other failings.

Just because a man is wealthy and handsome doesn't mean he's inadequate in other aspects, Ami told him.

Handsome? Kevin raised his eyebrows at her choice of words.

I saw his picture and he is most certainly easy on the eyes.

Then maybe instead of questioning him, we should just let you flirt with him? There was a teasing twinkle in MB's blue eyes as the corners of his mouth turned up in a mischeavous grin.

Whatever response Ami might have given, or whatever argument the two might have gotten into was interrupted by the doors to the room opening. MB's grin faded immediately, almost as if it had never been.

Kevin's first thought was that Carey Lawhorne was imposing, and not from height or stature, but rather from presence alone. He carried himself with the poise and confidence of someone who was well accustomed to being the center of attention, and always expected to be the moment he entered a room. Dark brown hair was combed neatly away from his face, and the smile that he greeted them with actually touched his dark eyes. Outwardly, he showed no signs of nervousness or hesitation, only a carefully presented curiosity at the appearance of three WorldEx agents at his home on a Saturday afternoon. However, Kevin was a Tomorrow Person and one of his strongest gifts was empathy; while Lawhorne's curiosity was genuine, the nervousness and worry also rippled just beneath the surface.

"Agent Reed?" Lawhorne's gaze shifted between Kevin and MB, apparently trying to gauge which man had managed to charm his way past the sentinel of a housekeeper.

"Special Agent Donovan Reed," MB stated, stepping forward. He presented his badge, leaving it out long enough for Lawhorne to study it intently before finally nodding and presenting his hand in a handshake of greeting and acceptance. "These are my associates, Agent Wellsby and Agent Johnson."

Lawhorne shook each hand in turn, holding onto Ami's perhaps a moment longer than was necessary. The fact that both Kevin and MB acknowledged that lingering grasp was a testament to the fact that Lawhorne was not trying in the least bit to be subtle.

After indicating that they should all be seated, Lawhorne addressed MB. "I'm afraid I must confess to some confusion regarding your presence, Agent Reed. Maria stated that it was a matter of some … national security?" Again came the pretense of confusion, but Kevin felt the wariness from the man.

"Yes, and due to the – confidentiality – of the situation, I'm afraid that we can not go into a lot of detail. However, we would like to ask you some questions regarding Santian Corporation." If anyone rivaled Lawhorne in the ability to appear completely neutral, it was MB at this moment. Kevin really had to give his friend kudos.

"Santian Corporation?" As Lawhorne echoed the last of MB's words, Kevin did what he did best. Or rather Kevin tried to do what he did best, but when he attempted to brush against Lawhorne's thoughts, he met a brick wall.

Uh-oh, Kevin told the others, I think we're going to need a plan B. He's got natural shields. He didn't add that he could get past those shields, but that doing such would be too much like an invasion of privacy; he didn't have to say it because he knew that his friends agreed with the sentiment.

Crap, MB summed up the situation in one word. All right, let's keep him talking while I think of something else.

"Mr. Lawhorne, we are very thorough in our research. There really isn't any point in denying that you were one of the primary investors in the corporation." It was Ami who spoke, turning Lawhorne's attention from MB to her. It was Ami speaking, but if Kevin hadn't been in the same room with her, he would have doubted it. He simply hoped that he was keeping his face as carefully schooled as MB was.

Gone was her natural accent, replaced by an accent that was distinctly American. Seated on the leather sofa, she shifted slightly and crossed her legs causing the very businesslike and professional skirt that she wore to ride up her thighs, revealing far more leg than was professional under the circumstances. "Now, for whatever reason, Santian Corporation no longer exists and oddly enough, it appears to have been erased as though it never existed. We are here for a matter of national security, Mr. Lawhorne, so it would be terrible for this to turn to an exploration of," Ami shifted again, ever so much so that Lawhorne had a full glimpse of a long line of leg, "what might be quasi-legal business practices?"

For a brief moment, Lawhorne's well-practiced control slipped and his dark eyes dropped to follow the curve of Ami's leg until it disappeared beneath her skirt. It was only a moment however, a slip of control that Kevin almost missed before he forced himself to stop ogling his friend. He felt MB's amusement at the situation and for one fleeting moment, he wondered if the two of them hadn't planned this and left him out of the loop.

"Santian Corporation was a failed business idea. I'd rather not discuss all of the details of what my fellow investors and I were trying to achieve seeing how it flopped wonderfully, but, I will answer whatever questions you have. Although, I can assure you, Agent Johnson that if there was anything threatening to the security of this country, I know nothing about it."

"A black van registered to Santian Corporation was spotted in connection to a security threat that we have been monitoring, Mr. Lawhorne. Would you know how that came to be?"

The look on Lawhorne's face could have won him an Oscar. He was alternately confused and alarmed. Again, it was what happened beneath the surface that gave Kevin the information he needed. Thick tension rolled off of him, enough to be almost suffocating and his fear was quite palatable. "I'm afraid that would be impossible. All of the vehicles registered to Santian were sold or had their titles transferred to Irium Pharmaceuticals."

Ami leaned forward, the tip of her tongue flicking out to lick her lips. Her legs unfolded and crossed themselves at the ankles, the whisper of shifting fabric forcing Lawhorne's eyes to dart there briefly. Resting her arms against her legs, Ami folded her hands and gave Carey Lawhorne the most sympathetic, beguiling look that Kevin had ever seen on Ami's face. Also from that position she gave him quite a nice peek at a generous bit of cleavage. Very deliberately looking elsewhere, Kevin wondered how he managed to miss this little bit of devilment in Ami all these years. "Is it at all possible that maybe someone connected with the company might not have been as forth coming as you were led to believe, Mr. Lawhorne?"

"I think that I have a few telephone calls to make," Lawhorne decided after a moment. Whether it was a moment of consternation or simply a moment to look down Ami's blouse, Kevin couldn't be really certain. He rose and nodded to Kevin and MB, "If you would excuse me."

"Certainly," MB nodded in return. "Anything that you can do to help us – unravel – this mystery would be greatly appreciated."

Kevin waited a moment after the doors clicked closed behind Lawhorne to turn on Ami. Who are you and what in the bloody blazes did you do to Ami?

Ami shrugged and dropped back against the sofa, a frown tugging down the corners of her mouth. She was suddenly Ami Jackson again, not the ingénue of an agent who carelessly showed off more flesh than she intended. I was trying to get him to project something that would be useful. Evidently it didn't work.

MB leaned back in his seat, Well, that all depends on what you were trying to get him to project.

He's scared, Kevin interrupted before they could get started. He didn't let anything out, not thought wise, but he's definitely scared of something.

So, we just need to find out what, MB surmised.

Because that's going to be so easy to achieve. Kevin's right about him being shielded. Reading the man is like – Superman trying to see through lead – I think we've run out questions to ask. He hasn't incriminated himself at all. Ami shook her head. Or given us anything useful for finding Katie either.

You could always flash your boobs at him some more.

The anticipated explosion from Ami made Kevin put his mental shields in place and wait. However, the explosion never came. Instead, his friend frowned and shook her head. I hate using my body as a tool. There has got to be an easier way to get some sort of information out of Lawhorne that doesn't involve using his Y-chromosome against him. She paused and arched an eyebrow at MB, And it also doesn't involve using my double Xs, or my double anything.

MB held up his hands in surrender, I wasn't going to say a word.

The door slid open again and all three heads turned to look at Lawhorne. Kevin reached out with mental fingers and sighed inwardly with disappointment when he noted the shield was still in place. The tension and wariness still covered the man like a second skin, which told him that something they said or something Lawhorne had learned was quite displeasing to them.

Lawhorne extended his hand and presented a sheet of paper to MB who sat nearest to him. "This is the man you should speak with regarding the movement and transfer of the Santian vehicles. Jeffrey Palmer. His address and contact information are there. I'm sorry I couldn't be of any further or assistance."

MB glanced quickly at the paper before placing it in his pocket. "Thank you very much, Mr. Lawhorne. You've been more than cooperative. Here's my card," a business card appeared between MB's fingers and was passed off to the corporate tycoon, "if you remember anything else, or anyone else we should talk to, please feel free to call me."

"I certainly will do that, Agent Reed. Agent Johnson, Agent Wellsby," Lawhorne nodded to each of them in turn as the housekeeper strode into the doorway and simply stood there. "Now, if you would excuse me, I have a dinner engagement this evening that I need to prepare for. Maria will see you out."

Back in the car, MB handed the paper to Ami and she added it to Lawhorne's file.

MB started the engine and pulled the car around the circular drive. "So, am I the only one who thinks that was a little too easy?"

Carey Lawhorne stood in the upstairs office window, telephone to his ear. His dark eyes watched as the car pulled away from the house and rolled slowly down the driveway. A scowl wrinkled his forehead and pulled his lips into a tight grimace.

"I'm not bankrolling ineptitude, Tarkiff. I don't care how indispensable you might think you are to The Trust, everyone, and I mean everyone can be replaced," Lawhorne growled into the telephone. "Now, I want you to find out everything that you can for me about three WorldEx Agents. Donovan Reed, Amanda Johnson, and Keith Wellsby.

"And tell Dr. Denning that we may have to move the schedule up."

End of Part 10