Chapter Six

"So, what're you up to today?" Riley asked over the phone.

Tanya glanced to her side and studied her brother for a moment as he started the car. "I'm seeing Ian off. He has this extremely important meeting in London that he can't miss even to save his life," she replied.

"Okay, so can he squeeze, like, a day in for checking out Freemasons' Hall?"

"Legally or illegally? Remember, he has the resources to do both. And it's more like a week."

"Legally if possible, but either way works. It's not like I have rigid morals anymore anyway," Riley said wryly, and she could almost hear his smirk over the phone.

"What matters is we find out what's at the end of this and, if the President is setting us up to get him to wherever this leads, we may at least get there first and have the means to stop him. Granted, he's the President, but this is worth a try."

"Wait, nobody said anything about going up against the President of the United States."

"Remember, I did think he was setting us up, which has been a concern of mine for some time now. I want to make sure that if he is setting us up, then we can get out of it without too much damage to ourselves personally, in any way."

"Okay. You...uh...seen anything lately?"

"No, thankfully, but I am a little worried I will sometime between right now this second and whenever this ends. It could happen, you know, at any time."

"Yeah, I know. I just hope you're not driving, if it happens on your way to the airport."

"I'm not."

"Okay, I'm good. I can relax now."

"You're always relaxed. That's what makes you Riley Poole."

"Well, I worry sometimes, about stuff that's actually important, like you."

"Aw."

Ian turned the sportscar onto one of the main roads and straightened out, and Tanya glanced over at him again. "Everything okay?" Riley asked.

"Absolutely. Just checking on my brother. He's behaving," Tanya replied. Ian shot his sister a look and rolled his eyes for a moment before returning his attention to the road ahead of them.

"Okay, good."

"Knowing Ian, though, anything could happen."

"You sound like you have an unpredictable family."

"I do. Trust me. You should meet my cousins someday. I assure you, they're better than American reality television."

"Oh, God."

The car slowed, and Ian turned it into a parking lot. "I'd better go," Tanya said. "We're here."

"Okay, I'll talk to you later."

The line went dead as she snapped her phone shut. She pocketed her phone as she followed her brother out of the car and into the airport lobby. "How's Riley?" Ian asked.

"He's fine, a little worried because of my being in your company, but fine nonetheless."

"Good. At least he's capable of worry."

"He is, but I think he's more laid back than most, which is actually a good thing, especially given the fact that we deal with crazies almost every day."

"Yes, we do, no doubt about it, which explains why I'm now a little apprehensive of meeting this associate in London."

"It's home territory for you both, so don't worry. You'll be fine."

They embraced, and Ian tossed her the keys and set about the process of confirming his flight and being checked out by security personel left and right. Once she was sure he boarded his plane, she walked out to the parking lot and climbed into the driver's side of the orange sportscar. "You'll do well, Ian. I'm sure of it."

She started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, heading back to Ian's mansion. As soon as she parked in the walkway, she fished out her phone and checked her messages. Riley had sent her a brief text: 'hi'. She sent him a 'hi' back and climbed out of the sportscar, keys in tow. Phil, Viktor, and Powell were finally in a state of peace, sitting in the living room and watching a movie. She herself slipped into the living room only to retrieve a book before walking into her bedroom and settling into a comfortable chair and picking up where she left off.

NTNT

Ian slouched in the seat, allowing the chatter all around him to go through one ear and out the other. He treated engine roar the same way as soon as the engine actually started. He was already going through some mental calculations. Eighteen hours to London, an estimated two, at most, for his meeting, his next flight being several days later. That left him more than enough time to examine Freemasons' Hall, as per his sister's request. Perhaps he could sneak in some time to go sightseeing. He hasn't actually seen London in a while.

He glanced out the window at the ocean several thousands of feet below the plane. It seemed so peaceful from this distance, but if he'd learned anything about anything, it was that things weren't always as they appeared to be at face value. The problem was, sometimes, peeling back the layers could be quite difficult. The difficulty this time lie with the people he was trying to peel back the layers of.

He sighed and closed his eyes, and before he knew it, he was asleep.

NTNT

Tanya lay on her bed, closing her eyes. She could only hope that Ian could accomplish what needed to be accomplished. Of course, he had to. It was in his nature to finish what needed finishing. Finally, she fished out her phone and dialled Riley's number.

"Hello, Riley Poole speaking," he said.

"Hey, it's me, Tanya. Ian made his flight and is on his way to London as we speak," she replied.

"Okay, good. This is going better than we thought."

"Yes, it is. I just hope Ian doesn't run into any trouble whilst he's in London over the next several days."

"It's Ian. Nobody can take him down, especially in London. Isn't he one of the most powerful men there?"

"He's one of the richest and most influencial, if that's what you're asking."

"See, he's gonna be just fine. You have nothing to worry about."

"He's my brother. Don't tell me I have nothing to worry about."

"Okay."

Tanya sighed and closed her eyes. "It's been a long day, so I'm sorry if I'm being snappish."

"No, no, you're fine. I understand."

"I always thought you were supposed to say that."

"Well, I kinda am," Riley said with a laugh. "I mean, you're my girlfriend, and I don't wanna piss you off. Your brother could kill me."

"Don't worry about Ian. He's perfectly harmless. Almost."

"Almost."

"Besides, he's on a plane bound for England right now. You have nothing to worry about."

"See, I'm rubbing off on you," Riley said with a laugh. "I knew it'd happen sooner or later."

Tanya smiled and shook her head slightly. "I'm glad it's you and not some career criminal I'd have only known through my brother."

"Okay."

"Let me guess, you wouldn't trust a career criminal anyway."

"Well, yeah, for obvious reasons."

"But here's how it works, Ian chose these men as a bodyguard, and they became a second family to him, and he chose them very specifically, based on certain requirements he had in his head the whole time."

"Oh, so now it's supposed to make sense."

"Forget I told you, since you obviously don't understand the complexity that is my brother."

"Obviously."

"Ri, how about we end this conversation now, cool off, and talk later."

"Okay, I guess."

"Alright." Tanya hung up and pocketed her phone. She closed her eyes and let her thoughts pull her into sleep.