He stared out of his window at the blue ocean and, not for the first time, wished he was back on his island. After the last note he'd promised Bill that he wouldn't do anything to antagonise his host but he was going stir crazy. Turning his gaze along the beach, he noticed a secluded area in the distance, partially obscured by rocks and palm trees, and decided to investigate. If nothing else it would afford him some peace and quiet away from prying eyes. The sun shone down fiercely but there was a light breeze blowing in off the sea, making it more comfortable and, under different circumstances, it would have been a perfect day in an idyllic setting.
As he drew closer to his destination the ground underfoot became firmer and he started to examine the various shells and pieces of wood that had washed in with the tide. Walking around a rocky outcrop he found a sheltered oasis, he was so busy studying the piece of flotsam in his hand that he didn't see the two guards until they stepped out in front of him, hands on their side-arms. He was preparing to do an about-face when a movement behind them caught his eye. Kristin lowered her book and peered at him over her sunglasses.
"You want to call the dogs off?"
"Why?"
"I'd like to talk."
"Like last time?" She removed the glasses and studied him with the whisky-hued eyes that he'd adored. The ones that were always so warm as they'd looked into his. Now they held nothing but hostility.
"No, just talk. No insults."
She hesitated for a moment and then with a flick of her hand, the guards melted into the background.
"I'm impressed. Do all Santos' mistresses rate that sort of protection or obedience?"
"No."
"Then I really am impressed and so must he be."
Kristin stared at him for a few moments longer and then replaced her sunglasses over her eyes and looked out to sea. "What do you want, Nathan?" She asked wearily.
He took that as an invitation and sat down beside her. "To understand"
"Why?"
"Look, I know things didn't work out for us but I still care about you."
She made a snorting noise. "Really..? You have a strange way of showing it."
"You mean coming after your boyfriend? I didn't know that he was until I saw you that first night."
She didn't speak just pretended to read her book.
"What are you doing here, Kris… and with him of all people?"
"Didn't Bill tell you?"
"Do you love him?"
"And if I do?"
"Then I'm sorry for you… And for what you think I've driven you to."
She turned on him, eyes flashing fire. "Oh don't flatter yourself Nathan Bridger I don't need your pity or anything else. He funds my research… Gives me what I need to…"
"And what do you give him?"
"That's none of your damn business! It's not as though you ever wanted or needed it."
"You're wrong, Kris… very wrong."
"Then why didn't you want me back on seaQuest?"
"I knew nothing about that until Bill told me the other day." He reached out and lightly touched her hand. "I've never, not wanted you."
"But not enough to give up the U.E.O. for," she retorted, snatching her hand away.
"Kris, I had no choice… I…"
"There's always a choice." He knew she was right and for some reason that annoyed him and he reacted immediately, despite his good intentions.
"What… like the one you've made here? Sell out… Let the bad guys win if they offer you enough money. Goddamnit, he's a drug dealer! That money you're so grateful for - grateful enough to sell yourself for -, comes from the deaths of innocent people… children… How can you condone that? You're a doctor for chrissake, you've seen for yourself the consequences of what he does."
"And I've seen the misery the U.E.O. inflicts too. Get out of here, Nathan, while you still can and take Bill with you." She stood abruptly, her book falling to the sand. "Go home, you're not wanted here."
Bridger sat dejectedly and watched her walk away, closely followed by her two bodyguards. Lying back on the sand he closed his eyes and sighed deeply, shocked by her total transformation and at how much she suddenly reminded him of Marilyn Stark. But Marilyn had had an excuse – she was insane. Kristin Westphalen was the sanest person he knew and that troubled him almost as much as the fact that he'd just realised that, despite their history, he really hadn't known her at all.
888
He was lying on the bed trying to control the turmoil of thoughts in his head when there was a tap at the door. As he crossed the room to open it Bill's voice sounded from outside.
"Nathan, are you in there?"
"Coming" he unlocked it and allowed his friend to enter.
"Sorry if I'm disturbing you," Bill apologised, squinting into the gloom.
"It's okay, I was just… It's okay."
Noyce tapped him on the arm and handed him a piece of paper. Nathan raised his eyebrows questioningly and the other man nodded. Crossing the room, he turned on the bedside lamp and tilted it towards the light.
The auction is set for Saturday. Shipment arrives Friday late. I'll contact you when I know more. Tell your friend to stay away from the woman or he'll kill them both. Topaz
"You know, Nathan, I've been cooped up indoors for far too long." He stretched and groaned loudly to emphasise his point. "Feel like an evening stroll?"
"Why not..?" He shrugged.
"You've seen Kristin again?" Bill asked with concern when they were finally out of earshot.
"Yeah, I ran into her and her goons on the beach."
"And..?"
"And nothing..."
"Did she tell you anything?" He persisted.
"Yeah, she told me to p… go home."
"I'm sorry Nathan."
"It's not your fault Bill."
"I should never have gotten you involved." A loud clanging sound rent the air, interrupting them.
"Sounds like the dinner bell." Nathan quipped. "You'd better go."
"We'd better go… You're invited too."
"That's a first. I thought I was persona non grata."
"Maybe they want you where they can keep an eye on you." Noyce laughed, slapping his friend on the shoulder as they walked back towards the house.
888
He was seriously beginning to wish that he hadn't been invited – eating alone in his room as usual would have been much more fun.
Santos sat, 'lording' it, at the head of the table with Kristin on his right and Bill on his left. The next four places, two either side, were more heavyweight buyers - From what he'd gathered the rest wouldn't be arriving until Friday. He was next, on the same side as Noyce, followed by assorted other aides, including the one opposite him who insisted on talking with his mouth full. There were a total of nineteen guests in all and he began to suspect that he was just there to make up the numbers.
The men to the right of him ignored him while those on his left, held no interest for him at all, and it was impossible for him to speak to Bill. He settled on silence, listening to the general conversation in the hope that he would learn something which would prove useful later. The sound of Kristin's laughter drifted down the table and he looked up and straight into her eyes. Just for a moment he thought he saw a flicker of something there… sadness maybe? Or regret? But it was quickly hidden.
Once dinner was at an end they adjourned to an anteroom for drinks and chit-chat and again he caught Kristin looking at him. He was about to go over to her when Santos grabbed her by the wrist, pulled her closer and whispered something in her ear. She immediately turned and left the room rubbing the area where his hand had been. Nathan felt a surge of anger flow through him, even after everything he still hated to see her hurt, but then again, she was going to be hurt whatever happened.
888
There was no way he could sleep at night anymore, just toss and turn. God, the sooner this was over and done with the better, although he was beginning to doubt that either Bill or himself would get off the island alive… And still no word from 'Topaz'. And, what of Kristin?
Throwing back the covers, he quickly put on a shirt – he'd taken to wearing his outdoor shorts for bed in case they had to leave in a hurry and most of his luggage was still packed. Crossing to the bathroom, he washed his face and then made his way out onto the balcony for some fresh air.
The security lights around the house illuminated the lawn and the path down to the beach. From there it was dark apart from the moonlight playing on the water. He desperately wanted to go and do some snooping around on his own but Bill's safety was far too important to him, he didn't give a hang for his own. And then there was Janet… He'd never be able to face her if something happened to her husband because of him. No, he'd just have to wait – something he'd never been particularly good at.
A movement near the water caught his attention but the moon chose that moment to disappear behind the clouds, he'd just decided to go back to bed when a figure was illuminated walking on the sand, then stopping to look out to sea. The breeze blew through her hair and her white dress billowed out; the sight both entrancing and familiar. He'd watched her like that so many times… On his island and at the end of the jetty, outside the home they'd shared near NCQ… An ache began to grow deep inside of him… a need to talk to her, try to get through to her, just once more… Without thinking, he quietly left his room and made his way down to the shore.
She didn't need to turn to know that he was there. "Go back to bed, Nathan."
"Couldn't sleep, I just wanted to make sure you were alright."
"Why?"
"I told you before… I care about you."
She shook her head and brushed the hair from her face and let out a sad sigh. "Why did it have to be you?"
"I don't understand."
"Of all the people the U.E.O. could have sent, it had to be you two."
"The U.E.O. sent Bill. I just came along to watch his back."
"And who's watching yours? No-one, as usual..."
"We have a…" He broke off abruptly, realising he was about to reveal too much. No matter how familiar a situation he was in, this wasn't the Kristin he knew, or could trust. "Did he hurt you?"
"You saw that, huh? I'm fine."
Nathan reached out and took her hand, holding her wrist to the moonlight so he could examine it. There were five bruises where Santos' fingers had pressed into her soft skin. Instinctively, he raised it to his lips and kissed it. Kristin didn't pull away, just stood impassively.
"I'm sorry, Kristin. Sorry that it came to this… Sorry that I…"
"That you what..?"
"Threw it all away..."
"It doesn't matter now."
"It does to me. You know that we'll be lucky to get out of this alive."
"Yes." She whispered.
"And I needed to say it, while there was still time…" He reached out and brushed the back of his hand tenderly down her soft cheek. "I loved you Kristin, I just wanted you to know that."
"I loved you too."
For a moment their gazes locked and they were perfectly still. Nathan felt an overwhelming need to kiss her but as he leaned forward Kristin backed away placing her hand flat on his chest to hold him at arm's length.
"Past tense, Nathan" She turned to leave and then stopped. "That agent you think you have here…"
He stared at her, his face a mask.
"He… died. A boating accident, I believe…" There was a hint of irony in her voice, which he misread.
"Damn it Kris, did you..?"
"He trusted the wrong person, just like the others."
He was appalled at her apparent lack of concern. "When did you turn into such an unfeeling bitch?"
"Don't you mean unfeeling whore?" She smiled coldly and disappeared into the darkness.
888
Nathan spent the next hour pacing the beach but he knew that he'd be no good to Bill if he were exhausted. Kicking at an unsuspecting stone, he walked swiftly back to the house, his hands thrust deeply into his pockets and an angry scowl on his face. As he made his way along the upstairs hallway he heard the unmistakable sound of Santos' voice from behind one of the doors, closely followed by a woman's laughter. His scowl deepened as he turned into his room, slamming the door behind him.
"Christ Nathan, you scared the crap out of me!" Noyce's voice sounded out of the darkness.
"Sorry."
"What's happened, old friend? What's wrong?"
"That bitch… she… she…" A warning glance from his friend silenced him.
"I take it you've spoken to Dr. Westphalen again."
"Yeah"
"And..?"
"She's sold out to Santos."
"Maybe she really does love him."
"Yeah, well that's her funeral." Bill waved a piece of paper at him and he reached over to take it.
"Just goes to show you never really can know a person, no matter how close you get to them. Perhaps you should try…"
"Forget her, Bill," Nathan interrupted. "I have." He glanced down at the note in his hand.
Shipment will arrive during legitimate sale tomorrow. I'll let you know where a.s.a.p. Topaz
There followed a chemical formula and a brief description of what would happen if they were deployed.
Nathan couldn't hide his frown.
"Is something wrong?"
"I'm not sure, Bill."
"Nathan?"
"It's nothing. Why don't you get some sleep, you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow."
"You're sure?" Noyce asked solicitously.
"I'm sure."
"In that case" he stood, stretched and walked towards the door. "Goodnight old friend."
"Goodnight." Bridger replied absently.
888
He lay in his bed once again and stared up at an unseen ceiling, a million thoughts flooding his mind, interspersed with images of Kristin – both from better days and the one he saw now. Despite everything that he'd witnessed over the past week or so a doubt still lingered in his mind. Could she have turned her back on everything that she'd once believed in? It hardly seemed possible but he'd seen it, heard her… The callous way that she'd spoken of the agents' deaths… Yet, if there was still some part of the old Kristin left, then what of her warning? If 'Topaz' was indeed dead, then who was feeding them the information and was it accurate, or an elaborate hoax? A trap to ensnare them..? Or was she just toying with him?
In the end though, it didn't really matter. He had a job to do and he'd do it as he always did, no matter what the cost, he'd have to deal with that later, if he survived. A slight scuffling sound outside had him springing from the bed and pulling the door open, he checked the hallway but there was no one in sight. He chastised himself for getting jumpy but as he stepped back his bare foot touched something on the floor. Bending down he retrieved yet another note, carrying it to the bedside light, which he switched on.
Shipment arrived early. You can get to it via the beach if you need to. The secluded spot where you met the woman – there's a path. Includes the weapons you were looking for.
He returned to the bed and slid between the covers making up his mind to check it out for himself in the morning, needing to be certain that the information they'd received was on the up and up. If it was, then something would have to be done about Kristin, she knew far too much about the U.E.O. to be allowed to run free. He decided not to tell Bill what he was going to do in the hope of keeping him safe.
888
Early the next morning, Santos and his people were busy with last minute preparations for the sale and the prospective buyers were deep in conversation over breakfast, so Kristin took the opportunity to go to Bridger's room. She knocked twice and not wanting to be caught loitering outside, slipped in unnoticed. The curtains were still closed making it difficult to see.
"Nathan?"
Receiving no reply she tried again "Nathan, we need to talk."
She crossed to the bed and reached down, realising with some horror that it was empty, hurriedly she opened the curtains. "Damn it, no..!" As she turned to leave she saw the note on the floor by the bed, read it, screwed it up and put it in her pocket. "Why the hell didn't you listen to me, you idiot!" Quickly she exited the room and headed for her own.