The next morning, the Tracy's got up late; all of them mentally exhausted after Alan's recounting of his time with Billy. Room service was ordered for breakfast and soon everyone was relaxing in the sitting room or in the warming sun on the balcony.
Jeff called Sufern, who wanted to talk with Scott; but on the phone and not in person. Scott took the call in the bedroom. He came out twenty minute later, a scowl on his face, "He's a dead man," he growled handing the phone back to his father.
"Who?" John asked from the couch.
"Sufern…Billy…take your pick," Scott huffed, sitting next to John with his arms crossed.
"Okay…Why are they dead men?" John inquired.
"Sufern because I just don't like him," Scott replied.
"And Billy?" Jeff asked, "Other than the obvious reasons, of course."
Scott clenched his jaw and ground his teeth, "Let me start at the beginning…Sufern first expressed his displeasure at me not bringing along law enforcement when I got Alan. Then finally figured out that I couldn't have gotten there in twenty minutes…but he has no way of charging me because there is no real proof, so he's annoyed with that."
"Sounds like you should be happy," John cut in, "You got Sufern pissed."
"Small pleasure," Scott grumbled, "Because apparently, the building was leveled when the police did get there. Which is why Billy is a dead man."
"Leveled?" Jeff cocked his head.
"He rigged it to blow or collapse or something," Scott explained with a sigh, "Now there is no way to get evidence to find or track him."
"This guy really knows how to cover his trail," John frowned, "No wonder he hasn't been caught yet."
"And just think," Scott muttered, "He was taught how to hide himself so well…that means someone else can do it too!"
"And there goes my sleep for a month," John said paling a little.
"Well, we're leaving tonight," Jeff stated, "And then we'll see what we can dig up from what Alan told us."
"You want to find this guy?" John asked curiously.
"I want to do more than find him, John," was all Jeff said in answer.
Out on the balcony, Alan was dozing lightly on a lounger. Virgil and Gordon keeping watch either in a lounger or on the bench, respectively. "He have any more nightmares last night?" Gordon whispered to Virgil; Gordon having slept on the floor last night, and Virgil with Alan.
Virgil nodded, "Early in the night. But he calmed down when I hummed to him. But I think he also had a good dream. He whispered a name," Virgil furrowed his eyebrows in thought," …Mary? No…Maryann? No…Marina? Yeah, Marina…no idea who that is…but he sort of smiled before he said it."
"Think it's some hot girl he met?" Gordon smirked.
"You'll have to ask him," Virgil chuckled, "I personally, don't like prying into my brothers' dreams…especially if a girl is involved."
"Good call," Gordon nodded in agreement.
"It's not a hot girl I met," Alan stated, not opening his eyes, "Just a girl I met."
Virgil and Gordon both flinched and had sheepish looks on their faces. Clearing his throat, Gordon asked, "Care to elaborate?"
"No," Alan smiled slyly, "Not really."
"Awe, come on, Al!" Gordon dramatically whined, "Where'd ya meet her?"
"In a dream," Alan said opening one eye and daring Gordon or Virgil to mock him.
Virgil narrowed his eyes, "And when did you first dream about her?"
Alan quickly closed his eyes and turned his head away, "During the second bid," he said barely above a whisper.
Gordon and Virgil shared a look, "And she keeps coming back?"
Alan sighed, and looked back at his brothers, "Promise not to laugh?"
"Promise," they both said.
"And not to tell anyone else…Dad, Scott, and John included," Alan pressed. Both brothers nodded. Alan took a deep breath and let it out, "She said she was my guardian angel," he said, checking both Virgil and Gordon's reactions.
"And did she help you?" Virgil asked.
Alan nodded, "She keeps the nightmares away."
"Still keeps them away?" Gordon questioned.
"Yeah, Gordo," Alan closed his eyes again, "Still having nightmares. But she thinks highly of all you…"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Gordon wondered.
"That all of you will keep me safe," Alan replied.
"And she's right," Virgil said confidently, putting a hand on Alan's shoulder.
"I know," Alan whispered, "I never doubted that."
"What did you doubt?" Virgil asked, catching a second meaning to Alan's words.
Alan turned onto his side, his back to Gordon and Virgil; "Myself," he said barely audible.
Gordon and Virgil shared a worried look. Gordon mouthing, what do we do?
Virgil shrugged, tell Dad? Gordon shook his head, so Virgil asked, why?
Gordon leaned closer to Virgil and whispered in his ear, "Alan didn't really tell us. He just said it aloud, probably doesn't realize he did."
"And so what do we do, then?" Virgil whispered back.
"Make him believe in himself again," Gordon replied with a small smile, "But we have to make him think he did it on his own; he can't think we set him up to feel better."
"Good thing you know how to prank," Virgil smiled, "And plan."
"There is always a reason for things, dear brother," Gordon winked then sat back.
"So you to care to explain Operation Angry Elder?" Virgil changed the subject, "I mean I am the youngest Elder, so could be excluded from them sometimes."
Alan flopped back on his back and looked over smiling, "That really depends on your attitude and how you act. You can't just go back and forth willy nilly."
"Especially if you are going to be a double agent," Gordon gave Virgil a speculative look, "So you have to go through a few tests and initiations. And then an oath…all before we reveal our secrets."
"Course then our team name would have to change to," Alan pointed out, "Terrible two plus two, really doesn't sound good."
"True, very true," Gordon rubbed his chin, "We'll have to get back to you, Virgie. Have to have a staff meeting and vote on your entrance to our exclusive organization. Which will probably happen after Operation Angry Elder."
"So no details for you," Alan finished, "But don't let that stop you from applying. We are always open to more operatives…temporary as they may be."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Virgil asked glancing between his two youngest brothers.
"That you can't always be on the inside…eventually you will be a full Elder," Gordon shrugged.
"Great," Virgil huffed, which only resulted in Gordon and Alan bursting into mirth-filled laughter.