Chapter Five: Trust Isn't Always Earned
Cait was placing thick slices of sourdough bread in the pan with butter. She had cut out the middle of each piece and placed an egg in its place. Leaving the bread to toast and the eggs to bubble as they cooked she turned to the pot of Irish oats that were simmering on the stove. Michael and Dom had just arrived. She could tell that Dom was very guarded over the situation. She knew he was worried about String. Dom didn't fully trust Michael and probably suspected him of knowing about this whole set up all along. Before they arrived String had stayed mainly at her side barely talking to St. John. Cait announced that breakfast was ready as she fixed the first plate for String. She knew he probably lived off protein bars while he was gone. He was still recovering from his accident and needed to keep his strength up. She had a feeling he was going to need it.
Everyone dug into their food. The silence at the table was beyond uncomfortable. Michael laid his fork down and took his napkin to his mouth.
"Hawke, for what it is worth I want you to know that I had no idea that St. John was alive. You have my word on that."
String cut into his food, without looking up he replied "I know that Michael, I never doubted you for a moment."
Dom looked to Cait as if to ask her if she believed him. Cait smiled and nodded yes letting Dom know she believed Michael as well. Dom stood up and pushed his chair back. "OK, we all trust one another. Now what are we going to do about Zeus?"
Michael picked up his fork. "First we need to find out his motives. As far as Zeus knows Hawke is the only one that can fly Airwolf, he may suspect that Dom can but I'm sure he doesn't know about Cait."
Dom walked toward the table waving his hands. "So what's your point Michael?"
"Why would he take a weapon out of the hands of the only man that can use it? Without Hawke Airwolf is useless."
String looked to St. John. "I think Sinj may know the answer to that."
St. John moved in his seat as if he were uncomfortable. "I had every intention of telling all of you about Zeus's plan." St. John paused as he pushed his plate back. "He wanted me to insert myself back into your lives and gain your trust and then convince String to teach me how to fly Airwolf."
Dom looked hurt. "Then why not tell us up front about Zeus? You've' been here for weeks?"
St. John knew what they all were thinking. It was a valid question. And one that did not help his case.
St. John turned to String. "I wasn't sure of the kind of reception I would receive. Hell if it were me in Strings shoes I would toss me out on my ass. I could have told Zeus no but then he would have found someone else to do his dirty work. Besides that Zeus has had me followed. I wanted him to believe that I was working for him."
Cait looked flushed as she pushed her half eaten food around her plate. Taking a deep breath she asked. "Is that why you were following me, so Zeus would think you were trying to get to String through me?"
String jerked his head her way. "What do you mean Sinj was following you?" Anger evident on his face.
Cait saw the tightness in his jaw. He was angry. She was going to tell String all about it when they were alone. Before she could explain St. John interrupted with what was the beginning of a lie. "Cait caught me sitting outside of the hanger and approached me."
Cait was glad to see that St. John was trying to help considering how he taunted her over it when they were at the hotel but she was not going to lie to String. Trust was too important to both of them. "That's not true String. Several days ago I noticed that a black sedan was following me. At first I thought I was imagining things, then when I noticed the car at the hanger I left to see if it followed me."
String was barely containing his anger. "So I take it he did follow you. Then what?"
Cait bit at her lower lip. "I kind of gave him the slip then followed him to his hotel room."
String was running his hands through his hair keeping his composure. "So you followed someone that you did not know to his hotel without back up?"
Cait started to answer but stopped knowing that there was no good explanation for her actions. "Yeah I did. Then I went to his room and….." Everyone waited for her to finish. "I pulled a gun on him."
Michael started to snicker until String threw him a glare.
"String I was going to tell you when you got home. With everything that has happened I have not been able to talk with you alone."
St. John was trying to hide his own amusement thinking how a 110 pound woman kept getting the best of him. "String don't be too upset with her. She did out maneuver me and was able to pull a gun on me. Seems to me she can take care of herself."
String stood and walked toward Cait placing his hands on her shoulders turning her to face him. She could see his concern was real. "What if it wasn't St. John in that room Cait, what then? What if there were more men in the room? You had no way of knowing that."
Cait blushed dropping her eyes to the floor knowing he was right. She had no way of knowing what she was walking into. "I see that now String. But what's done is done."
String stood her up pulling her into his chest and kissed her. He tried to shake the thought from his mind of what could have been. Michael and St. John felt a little ashamed. String was right. If it would have been someone other than Sinj the outcome could have been a lot different.
He pushed her gently back from him looking into her eyes. "We'll talk about this later."
He then turned his attention back to Sinj. "So what did he promise you?"
Sinj picked up his glass and in one gulp downed the last of his juice. "A lot of money." He said as he sat the glass down. He knew by the looks on their faces they still did not trust him. "String I know you don't trust me, hell you don't even know me anymore. I may have been a terrible brother to you and son to Dom but I can tell you that the work I've done for the past six years was good honest work. What I did has saved a lot of lives and gotten some really bad people out of society. No matter what I would not sell out for money especially if it involved hurting you." With that St. John stood and headed for the door stepping out on to the porch.
Cait gently placed her hand on Strings face. "I believe him String."
String stood up and headed outside. "So do I."
Both men stood as they watched the sun rise. "I've missed this." Sinj said pointing to the sky. "But most of all I missed you."
"Then why did you do it. Why stay away for so long?"
"String I don't have an answer for you. The simple truth is what I wanted to do was more important at the time then you and Dom. I can't change what has happened but I can be sorry for it. There is no way in hell that I would work for Zeus."
At that moment any anger or mistrust String had for his brother was gone. Taking a step towards him he pulled him close hugging him as if his life depended on it. The past was past. Sinj was here now and that was all that mattered. Enough time had been lost.
