Chapter 7 The Cold Hard Truth

Rome International Airport - Rome, Italy

Isabella and Tina land in Italy. Because of Tina's connections, they don't have to go through customs.

"Where are we headed?" Isabella asks as they leave the airport.

"We're going to go to a secret island that's off the coast of Italy. Chris has purchased this island. We're going to drive to the southern coast of Italy and take a boat to the island'.

"Why did he buy an island? He never said anything to me about that purchase".

"He probably purchased it before he met you. It's his private sanctuary. I've never been there either. I just hope he doesn't shoot at us first and ask questions later".

Isabella and Chris check into a hotel room in Rome for the night. Isabella calls and checks on Zak and Jean. Zak's still mad at her, so he doesn't talk to her. Jean questions Isabella about her trip, but she tells Jean she needed to get away to have some time to think.

The next Day - En Route to Chris's Private Island

Isabella and Tina travel south to the coast of Italy. Tina hires a private yacht to take them to the island. Tina captains the yacht herself.

"How far until we reach Chris's island?"

"In about an hour. I suggest that you make yourself look really hot. He's going to be so mad to see you and me. Maybe you can distract him?"

Isabella goes to freshen herself up. The last thing she wants to do is have a romantic interlude with Chris - she wants to get her questions answered.

"We're close to the island. We're going to take the dingy into the island's dock," Tina says as she looks through her binoculars at the island. She doesn't see any obvious signs of life or of defense. She hopes that Chris's security system won't blow them out of the water!

Isabella and Chris hop into the dingy and head to the island.

Chris's Private Island

Chris's out jogging when his security system announces, "Security Breach!". Chris jogs into his house and goes to the control room. He zooms the camera in to see who is approaching. He can't believe his eyes - it's Chris and Izzy! How did they find him? Should he run?

Well, Smith, it looks like you've been caught. Time to face the music! At least she'll be so pissed at me that she'll want nothing to do with me!

Isabella and Chris land on Chris's private island and walk up through a trail to the house. The house is very beautiful and very large. A man comes out the front door – Isabella sees Chris.

"So, you're alive! You b******d!" She says as she runs up to him and hits him. Isabella keeps hitting him and screaming at him.

"How could you do this to me? To Zak? Don't you love us?" She asks.

"I love you more than a man should love a woman! Calm yourself and let's go out to the pool" He says as she finally stops hitting him. She sure has a heck of a left punch for a tiny woman. She's given him a bloody nose.

"Well, since you two lovebirds have a lot to discuss, I'm going to go for a swim in the ocean. Chris, don't be a coward, tell her the truth or I will!", Tina says as she leaves them.

Chris talks Isabella to the poolside lounge and they sit down.

"How's Zak?" Chris asks.

"He believes that you're still alive. The connection that you two have told him that you were in pain, but alive. He hates me."

"Why does he hate you?"

"He thinks I'm to blame for you leaving us. He thinks I'm having an affair with Johnny."

"Are you?"

"No", she says. Chris acts relieved.

"Would you like something to eat or drink?" He asks her.

"No, I want the truth"

"What would you like to know?"

"Did you sleep with Suzy?"

"No"

"Why did you make me think you had done it?"

"That's a long story."

"I've got lots of time!"

"As you know Dimitri wanted to kill you. In May, I started to receive notes that said "a wife for a wife". Shortly after that, some old associates of mine were murdered. I decided that the threats were real and I needed to protect you and Zak".

"So you made up this fake affair with Suzy?"

"Since I had to protect you, I decided the best protection for you was if everyone believed that I cheated on you and I no longer loved you. I also wanted you away from me, so I could find out what's going on and so you wouldn't distract me. I blackmailed Suzy into cooperating with my idea."

"I put a tracking device on you and Zak. I hired special security people to watch you."

"Why didn't you tell the police about the threats? Why didn't you tell me the truth?"

"This is no matter for the police. Dimitri was a KGB agent. You would have insisted on staying by my side and helping me. I couldn't risk your life. So, I broke your heart to save your life."

"You did a really good job of breaking my heart. I haven't been in this much pain since I lost my parents". Isabella tells him.

"Izzy, I'm so very sorry for everything".

"Why did you fake your death?"

"If Dimitri had found out what I had been doing, then it's possible that someone else could find out. I decided that my "death" would be the best protection for you and Zak".

"You protected me very well the other night. I didn't realize people could make moves like that".

"I'm 60 years old. As much as I hate it, my body is not the same as it was 20 years ago. At some point, I won't be able to protect you. I won't let you pay for the things that I've done"

"Since France divorces are sealed and I know very powerful people, I can still arrange a divorce. You'll be free to be happy and you'll be able to forget me," Chris says.

"Did you arrange for Johnny to be so supportive of me?"

"Johnny is a good man and you're already good friends. He'll be a good father for Zak and he'll make you happy", Chris says.

"That's disgusting! You've already arranged a father for Zak and a boyfriend/husband for me. Doesn't it bother you?"

"Of course it does, but I can't let my personal feelings interfere with your safety and Zak's safety", Chris shouts at her.

"I can't believe that you've manipulated all of these people! How could you do this to us?" Isabella asks.

"I'd do anything to keep you and our boy safe" Chris says.

"I'm realizing that I never really knew you at all! There's a whole side of you that I know absolutely nothing about except that you're a cold hearted manipulator!!" She screams at him as she turns to walk away.

"You and Chris may stay the night, but I want you gone tomorrow morning" Chris says.

Isabella talks a walk on the beach.

The nerve of that man! Arranging her life for her! Making decisions for her! Breaking her heart to safe her life! He should have told her the truth! If she had a gun, she'd shoot him herself! I'm not going to let him get away with this! It's time Robert John Smith saw a side of me that he's not expecting!!

Isabella runs into Tina on the beach. She tells her about the conversation that she and Chris had. Chris can see that Isabella is furious.

"Did you ask Chris what he's been up to? About this other side of him?"

"No, I was so mad at his manipulations that I forgot to ask him"

"I wouldn't be surprised if that's not the way he planned it" Tina says.

Isabella makes her way back to the house and searches for Chris.

"Well, I'm glad to see that you haven't ran away from me again or faked your death again!"

"No, I'm still here. What do you want?"

"Why are Zak and I at risk here?"

"Only you are at risk. Zak is safe". Chris tells her.

"More details, please".

"When I married you I was aware that if you become a star, you wouldn't be protected. However, I didn't think that I'd left any loose ends and there wouldn't be an issue. Zak is protected."

"Why is Zak protected?"

"The families of former employees are always protected. Not a lot of employees survive long enough to require the protection. Under normal circumstances, you would be protected and this would not have been an issue."

"Zak was right. This is my entire fault"

"No, it's my entire fault. I shouldn't have joined this organization so long ago."

"What organization did you join?"

"MI-5" Chris tells her.