Westin Resort, Coloane Island, Macau
Mac closed the zipper on his suitcase. He locked it and placed it beside Dianara's own case by the door. They were scheduled to leave shortly on an early morning flight. Mac was loathe to leave.
He stood against the balcony railing and savored the view over the ocean. The resort was exactly what he had needed. It was far from the bustling city center and the tourist meccas of casinos and clubs. The resort was not the newest or most fashionable but it had offered peace and relaxation. Two things that had been in short supply in his life for far too long.
The third thing absent in his life but no longer emerged out of the bathroom. Dianara tucked a trailing strand of hair behind her ear. She smiled seeing Mac.
"We can come back," said Dianara.
"On our honeymoon," said Mac.
"Fine with me." As she stepped closer, she eyed his outfit - loose, short sleeved white shirt over faded jeans and sandals. He'd gotten a trim, too. His tanned skin set off his startling blue eyes. "I think this place is good for you."
"Anywhere with you is good for me," said Mac.
"I think you're right."
"About what?"
"That the suit doesn't fit you anymore," said Dianara. "When I see you so relaxed like this, it's like … like being with a different person."
"Yeah," sighed Mac. "I do need a change. I'll turn in the badge when we get back. It can be my wedding present to myself."
"Then what?"
"I haven't decided yet," said Mac. "Do I have to decide soon?"
She nuzzled him. "No. I'd rather you didn't."
"Hmm, why not?"
"Our lives have been very busy. I was modeling, training in the WSB and then my field work. You spent so many years running the police force," said Dianara. She gestured to the room and the ocean. "We have had a few days of doing nothing but what we wanted and when we wanted to."
"No emails. No phones. No running around."
"Let do nothing for a few weeks or months more," said Dianara.
"Months?"
"A very long honeymoon trip," said Dianara with a smile. "Why don't you try being a kept man for a while?"
"And have the press say I'm marrying you for your money?"
"They will say something whatever we do, Mac," said Dianara.
"You want to travel the world with me?"
Dianara nodded. "For a little while. Let's visit those places you've been to and the places I never stopped long enough at to appreciate. Yes?"
Mac wrapped his arms about her waist and twirled her around the room. "Yes!"
After a lengthy kiss, Mac said, "After Robert and Anna's wedding, I want to meet your parents. I know they'll come to the wedding but I think I ought to meet them on their home turf first."
"My mother has a very extended Italian family," warned Dianara.
"Bring 'em on!" said Mac. "I want them to know me and vice versa. I'm going to show every single one of them how much I love you."
"You don't have to," said Dianara.
"I want to," said Mac. "I gave up on love a long time ago. Then you came into my life like a … an irresistible tornado."
"You took me by surprise, too."
"I don't want to waste a moment together," said Mac. "This is my fourth and last chance at love. I'm not letting go no matter how rough the ride gets. You better get used to me 24/7."
"I can manage that."
Their longer kiss was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"You expecting anyone?" asked Mac.
Dianara shook her head. She took her gun out of her purse. At her nod, Mac opened the door.
"Hello, cousin Malcolm!" cried out a short, dark-haired woman of late middle age dressed in native garb. "Remember me?"
"Prunella?" asked Mac.
Prunella hugged Mac exuberantly while talking. "Cousin Robert called me and said he needed my help. I couldn't say no could I?"
"Ah, right." Mac ushered Prunella inside and checked out the hallway. It was empty.
He did the introductions. "What help did Robbie need?"
"Camouflage in case anyone is, um, you know, watching. Two guests arrived here and three are leaving," said Prunella. "I'm riding along with you back to our homeland. I love weddings."
"I didn't know Robbie had kept in touch with you," said Mac.
Prunella flushed. "He got me out of a spot of trouble a while back. Family has to stick together."
"Isn't this wonderful, Dia?" asked Mac of his fiancee. He mouthed the words 'I'm so sorry'.
Dianara laughed. "I think it's great. You have so few relatives, Mac. I'm looking forward to getting to know Prunella."
"Pru, please," said Prunella. "Can I call you Dia?"
With that, Prunella led Mac and Dianara out. She talked nearly non-stop from the resort to the airport. For all her chatter, Prunella was remarkably wise to the usual espionage tricks. Dianara made a mental note to research her cousin-in-law at a later time. She suspected that adventuring and espionage were simply built into the Scorpio gene pool.
As they settled in their plane seats, Mac said, "I wonder what Robbie's been up to."
Beside him, Dianara chuckled. "I want to know if he's told Anna about the wedding yet."
"Of course he has," replied Mac. "He knows how she hates being surprised. I'm sure he's told her."
Somewhere, Australia
"For the last time, it wasn't me!" declared Robert looking indignantly at his two children who were both cross-examining him mercilessly. Beside him sat Anna sipping her coffee. They avoided looking at each other.
"But you do have a tendency to test-" began Andrew.
"Not this time! I was … was exhausted. I went straight to … to sleep."
"Andrew and I looked at the ground. There are no animal prints from dingoes or other predators anywhere near camp," said Robin.
"I checked on the horses before I went to bed. I know they were secure," said Andrew.
"They could have been untied by someone," said Robin.
"Thieves? After we were all asleep?" asked Andrew.
"Dad, you and Mom slept later than Andrew or I. Did you notice anything going on with the horses?" asked Robin.
"Um, the … um … horses were the last thing on my mind," said Anna.
"What about loud noises?" asked Andrew.
"Ah, um, I … don't think there was anything, um, audible," said Anna. "Did you two hear anything?"
"The nighttime tranquilizer does its job, Mum. No dreams. I'm out to the world," said Andrew.
"I fell asleep star watching. Who brought me to my sleeping bag?" asked Robin.
"I did," said Robert. "You're light as a feather, sweetheart." It was an attempt to change the subject which had no effect whatsoever.
"Then Mom went to sleep in Andrew's tent and then Dad in our tent," added Robin.
"Yeah, we … we ended up sleeping," said Robert. He breathed deeply then said, "Look, this isn't getting us anywhere. Let's pack up and move out. Maybe, we'll run into the horses along the way."
"Where to? The cabin?" asked Anna.
"Where else?"
"You know how to get there now?"
Robert patted his pockets. "Sure. Let's check the GPS." He stood up. "It's in my backpack." He went off to his tent to search for his jacket.
"Your father is right," said Anna. "Let's chalk this up to … to general misadventure." She rose to her feet then clutched at her back. "Ow!"
"Are you all right, Mum?" asked Andrew.
"Oh, yeah, no problem," said Anna. She rubbed at her left knee. "Too much riding … um … yesterday … morning."
Robin rubbed at her thighs. "I know what you mean. My legs are sore."
"Got carried away," said Anna. "We should learn to pace ourselves."
She began to issue orders. As her children scurried to pack their gear and take the tents down, Anna approached Robert.
Robert drew close and put something soft in her hand. "Here. It was in my pocket."
Anna looked down at her hand and grinned. It was her panties. "I was wondering where those went. I put your boxers on instead."
"Do you have my phone?" hissed Robert.
"No." Anna groaned. "The missing horses are our fault, Robert."
"I know I left the others tied up when I took the one with us," insisted Robert. "Where could my phone be?"
"Was it on the horse we took last night?"
Robert closed his eyes trying to recall the hazy memories of the previous night. "Maybe I … I put it in one of the saddle bags. Damn!"
"Admit it! We're lost again," said Anna.
"Okay, we're lost," said Robert. "However, I'm not about to give up. This calls for ingenuity and … and …"
"And what?"
"A really tall tree or a hill," said Robert as he looked off into the distance in all directions around the camp. "We need to get higher and maybe see some landmarks."
A truck followed by several ranch hands on horseback came upon the missing horses. Trailing tether leads, the horses were placidly grazing on what grass they could find. The hands led each one to the truck.
Ranch foreman, Heath, climbed on top of the truck's hood and swept the surrounding area with his binoculars. Salim checked the saddle bags and found Robert's phone. Edgar used his free hand to keep in touch with Genji and Raine on a video conference.
"We found the horses and Robert's phone but not them," said Edgar. "Status report on your end."
Heath ordered the ranch hands to fan out and study the ground. Perhaps, they could pick up the campers' trail. Critically, he checked out the horses. They were all in fine health. It added to the puzzle of the group's disappearance.
"The double is out of surgery but remains in serious condition. He's in a secure ward. World media has picked up on the double's shooting," said Raine. "Press people are positioned outside DigiMaze. I've put the phone straight to voicemail. There are a handful of press outside the Villa gates but we've been turning them away."
"Why isn't the WSB activating a news blackout?" asked Edgar.
"Too public. Too many witnesses talking," said Raine. "Frisco's ETA is within four hours."
"Too long. The press will be rabid," groused Edgar. "Before we left the house, I dispatched Vincent to Sydney to observe and report hands on. He'll step in if we need him to. His ETA is two hours."
"Any word on Ivan?" asked Raine.
"No. Yet another reason to send Vincent," said Edgar. "Genji?"
"Yes, Edgar?" asked Genji from the ranch house.
"Plane status?"
"Prepared for immediate departure. I need a half hour notice to file paperwork," said Genji.
"And we come to the wedding," said Edgar. "We better find the bride and groom fast."
"Edgar, may I make a suggestion?" asked Genji.
"Go on."
"Don't worry about the wedding. Maxi, Raine and I have things well in hand," said Genji.
"Don't worry about the wedding?" asked Edgar blankly.
"That's what I said. Concentrate on the search and leave the wedding to us," said Genji.
"You're sure you can take care of it?"
"Absolutely! Maxie's done several weddings," said Genji. "What could go wrong?"
Edgar was about to ask another question when he noticed Salim entering a text message on his phone. "Salim?"
Salim did not respond. His eyes stayed glued to the phone's screen even as his finger entered text.
Edgar studied his old friend's face. It was an expressionless mask. "Salim?" With his handcuffed hand, he tried to get the phone away but Salim resisted. "What are you doing? Give that to me!"
Edgar dropped his own phone as he struggled with Salim. Raine and Genji's voices came from the downed phone. Salim pressed 'Send' but not before Edgar got a quick look at the message.
"I'm sorry about this," said Edgar bare seconds before sending his fist towards Salim's face.
Salim's eyes blinked. Expression returned to his face just as Edgar's first hard jab landed.
Blood spurted from Salim's nose. Edgar's second shot was blocked as Salim's natural instincts came to play. Salim maneuvered Edgar's free arm behind him. Edgar stomped on Salim's foot with his heel and pushed the back of his head up hard against the taller man's chin.
"Ugh!" cried out Salim. He lost his grip on Edgar's hand.
"Salim! Stop!"
"You hit me!" bellowed Salim. "Why?!"
"Had to. You … you sent a text," said Edgar putting a hand across Salim's chest.
"No, I did not," argued Salim catching his breath.
"You did. I saw you."
Salim wiped at the blood dripping off his face. "No!"
Edgar looked straight into Salim's angry eyes. "You sent a message to … to Faison."
Late afternoon
Earlier, Andrew had shinnied up a tall pine and deduced their general location. He set the direction towards the lake. Their cabin was somewhere near the lake shore. If they followed the lake's contour, they would eventually reach the cabin.
They rode harder and faster than ever. They stopped a few times when Andrew spotted another tall tree from which he would take another directional reading.
"I'm doing the next tree," announced Robin as the group slowed over some rocky ground.
"Sweetheart, you're still saddlesore," said Anna. "Don't exert yourself."
"I'm fine, Mom."
"I'm mothering, Robin," said Anna with a quirk of her lips. "Remember our talk?"
"Oh, right. Fine, Mother dearest. No tree climbing." Robin looked critically at their packs. "Whether or not we get to the cabin, we have dried snacks for lunch but we're going to need to find food for dinner."
"Lake equals fish," said Robert. He touched his saddlebag. "I have one fishing pole."
"I have mine," said Robin. "Mom?"
"I don't think so."
"Andrew?" asked Robin. "Fishing?"
"Smelly, messy and wet," said Andrew. "No thank you!"
"Okay, starve."
Andrew held up a bulging plastic bag. "Maybe not. I've gathered fresh berries and nuts at every stop."
Anna beamed. "How thoughtful!"
"There may be wild onions around the lake," added Andrew. "Onions for fish stew."
"I'll cook," offered Robin.
"See, son, those survival skills do come in handy," said Robert.
"Is this about you forcing our very young son to wander the desert with only a knife and a canteen?" asked Anna.
"Yeah," replied Robert. "He need to toughen up."
"That sounds cool," said Robin.
"Hardly," said Andrew. He paused in front of a leafy shrub with spiky red flowers. "Stop, please."
The others watched as he dismounted. He unfolded his pocket knife before studying the bush.
"What are doing?" asked Robert from the head of the line. "Don't take too long."
"I need some wildflowers," said Andrew. He expertly cut off several small buds. He handed the flowers to Anna before removing his backpack.
"These are for …" asked his mother.
Andrew stuck a hand inside his pack feeling for something. "Somewhere in here …"
"Are you keeping a … a scrapbook?" asked Robin.
"No," said Andrew. He took out a medium-sized glass cylinder. Inside were some small flowers and buds floating in a thick clear gel. He got the flowers from Anna and gently dropped them inside the cylinder. "They're for Belle. Her corsage. For the dance."
"Oh, the Valentine's Day dance," said Anna. "That's very sweet of you, Andrew. Belle will love it I'm sure."
"It's weeks away. You can keep them fresh that long?" asked Robin.
"I think so," said Andrew. "I've ordered a corsage, of course. But I wanted to make it special since it IS Belle's first dance. I read that girls like to collect keepsakes of such occasions. These flowers will accent the arrangement. No one else will have a corsage like hers. It shall be unique like the occasion." He put the cylinder back into his pack then mounted his horse. "If the preservation fails, I have at least made an effort."
Robert set his horse to moving. "Tif is going to give you a million style points."
Anna gave Robert a knowing look as she caught up to him. "It's a very touching gesture on his part to do this for her first … dance."
"You didn't say a word. You had the femme fatale role down pat. I nearly lost … my composure when I realized what was going on," said Robert matching her pace.
"Did you really?"
"Yes. I remember the incident very clearly."
Anna gazed towards the horizon. "I remember being engulfed in new sensations and feelings." She glanced at Robert. "I'll never forget that night."
"Night and the morning after," replied Robert. "There's one more thing you ought to remember, luv."
"What's that?"
Robert grinned. "Everything Andrew knows, he got from me,"
"You, Robert? With you, it's work first, romance is second or third," Anna laughed and cantered away. "I am more than ready to get off this horse. Let's get to the cabin!"
"Third? I'm insulted! You want romance?" cried out Robert as he chased after her. "You haven't seen real romance yet! Just you wait!"
Robin rode alongside Andrew. They watched their parents gallop ahead as if they were teenagers playing tag. "So, they're engaged. When's the wedding?"
Andrew shook his head. "Mum won't set a date."
"Why not?"
"There was the search for you. Finding and dismantling D99's organization. Eve's death. Dealing with the Foundation. There hasn't been time for a wedding," replied Andrew.
"Mom does want to marry again, right?"
Andrew replied, "She is no longer obligated to marry Papa therefore I see no impediment to-"
"Excuse me, what? Marry Faison?"
"It is a long story that has … little relevance now," said Andrew. "I would not want Mum with anyone but Father."
"You're absolutely sure that there's no way Faison could get between them again?" asked Robin. "Be brutally honest with me. I need to know."
Andrew took his time answering the question. "I don't know for certain."
"He's still obsessed with her?"
"She's rejected him. Father will not let her go. She will not go willingly to him now. Stalemate."
"That's not an answer."
"Papa's obsession is tem-tempered," said Andrew.
"By what?" Robin looked shrewdly at her brother. "By you?"
"I suppose," said Andrew. "I've … begged him to let her go. He knows it would h-h-hurt me if … if Mum left Father."
"Faison would put you ahead of Mom?" asked Robin. "I saw his eyes when he spoke about our mother. And I know Faison's not one to just give up because you asked him to."
"I did not say that he would give up," said Andrew nettled. "I believe Papa has put Mum on a … a lower priority. That is all."
"With you as first priority?"
Andrew nodded. "It is not an honor I am p-p-proud of."
"Therefore the only safe hedge is for Mom and Dad to be already married," said Robin.
"Yes."
"It falls to us to help Mom set a date."
"You are suggesting we manipulate her."
"What else?"
"OUR mother?"
"Perfectly doable," said Robin with a grin.
"How?"
"All we have to do is get Mom to be embarrassed or flustered enough that she'll drop her guard down," said Robin in confiding tones. "Then we go in for the final stroke and keep her off balance until she sees we're right."
"This strategy seems risky to me."
"Sometimes you have to be bold in order to win," said Robin.
"When do you propose we start this campaign?"
Robin thought for a minute. "We need to be subtle but not too much. Pointed but vague. How long to the cabin?"
"About an hour maybe less."
"Okay. I'll think while fishing. I'll signal you when I've started."
"Should I plan for cover or friendly fire? Mum does not like being manipulated."
"Oh, she doesn't like it when it's done TO her," said Robin. "You should follow my lead. Can you do that?"
"I'll do my best."
"You have to be firm. You can't let her off the hook once she's taken it."
"I'll try."
"Mom is very stubborn. This is going to take both of us to work," said Robin. "Promise me you won't back down if she rants, raves or cries at us."
"She will?" asked Andrew aghast at the prospect.
"She might but that's just bluster. She can't really get mad as us. That'll never happen," said Robin with supreme confidence.
"I'm glad one of us is certain."
"We're her children, Andrew. She'll never disown us no matter what we do," said Robin. "She'll take it out on Dad. If she does that, then we'll know it's working."
"But what is it you plan to do exactly?"
"I'm working on it," said Robin. "Ride on ahead and let me think."
Donely Penthouse, One Temple Court
Sean signed the shipping form while Tiffany kept an eye on the courier and the dress. Maxie double-checked the form.
"The minute you land in Australia you call my mobile or this number," said Maxie. She scribbled the team's contact number on the form and, for good measure, she gave the courier a business card with the number on it. She startled the courier by taking his picture with her phone.
"What was that for?" asked the bewildered courier.
"To make sure I know who has the dress," said Maxie. "If you run off with it, I know who to look for."
Sean inserted a few folded bills into the courier's top pocket. "Maxie, honey, no need to scare anyone." He addressed the courier. "She's just kidding."
"I was not!" said Maxie. "This dress goes everywhere with you. Got it?"
The courier nodded. He collected his form. Maxie trailed him through the door.
"I'll be right back. I want to see him to his truck," said Maxie on her way out.
"And to think I used to think she was flighty," said Sean to Tiffany.
"She IS Frisco and Felicia's daughter, honey," said Tiffany. "Felicia had her moments but deep down she hasn't got a flighty bone in her. Maxie just needed some direction. She's so talented, Sean."
"Well, it looks like your mentoring efforts are working out for her," said Sean pouring himself some coffee. "She's taking classes at PCU. She's busy at the station and at the paper. And, Genji gives her homework. I can't even guess about what that could be."
"It's my way of giving back to the next generation," said Tiffany. "If I can only get Lulu's attention. There is one girl with no firm direction in life. I wish Laura was here but she's not so I have to do what I can to … to make up for the gap."
"Isn't Tracy looking out for Lulu?" asked Sean.
"I'm sure Tracy's maternal instincts exist, but you're gonna have to tell me where to find them," said Tiffany.
"Tif, that's unkind," said Sean. "Tracy's forceful personality hides a lot of … of softness."
"If you say so, sweetie," said Tiffany. She flipped through a few pages on a large binder. "Sean, is this next out of town trip really necessary?"
"Yes, it is," said Sean. He schooled his features to cheerfulness. He stood behind his wife and nuzzled her. "If I go for a few days, I can wrap up more things for this exhibit. I know you'd prefer day trips but I can't stand too many back to back trips anymore. You understand, don't you?"
"Yeah, I do," said Tiffany. "You gotta do what you gotta do."
"I'll be back before you know it."
"You better or I'm going to start thinking about trading you in for a newer model," said Tiffany.
"Model of what?" asked Felicia emerging from Sean's study.
"Tall, handsome, sexy and adores me," said Tiffany. She gave Sean a quick kiss. "But this model is still running fine so I may put off a trade in."
"Did you get a hold of Frisco?" asked Sean.
"No, he's airborne. Raine will let me know when he touches down," said Felicia.
"No more silent treatment?" asked Tiffany.
Felicia sighed. "I'm madder at the situation than I am at him. I know he wants to come home but his hero complex gets in the way."
"Tell me about it," said Tiffany glancing at Sean. "The WSB must weigh their candidates on a hero scale and pick out only the ones who get a ridiculously high score."
"Honey, I told you. The PR firm is still new. I don't trust any of the associates to get these arrangements right," said Sean.
"And, of course, you can't let Suki or the Asian consortium down by delegating the work," said his wife.
"I owe Suki my life and so does Frisco," countered Sean in a firm tone. "Some things are worth remembering and … and supporting with my time and effort."
"I hate it when you're right," said Tiffany. She looked at Felicia. "Do you want to take the extra dresses now or later?"
"I do not want to see another bridal dress for a long time," muttered Sean.
"I'll take them to Maxie's place. We'll add them to the fashion auction for the Valentines benefit for Frisco's children's theater," said Felicia. "Every cent is going to help."
"How much in the red is it?" asked Sean.
"It was breaking even until last year when operating costs skyrocketed and funding went dry," said Felicia. "It's not the shortfall that's a huge problem. It's building up the operating fund. The rent on the existing spot is nearly four times what it cost when we first started."
"You need to move," said Tiffany.
"I'm going to start canvassing some new places," said Felicia.
"We do have an out of the way space on the second floor mezzanine. It's three small rooms with one really large open space," said Sean. "It could work for offices and rehearsal space. I can guarantee the rent would be reasonable, princess."
Felicia smiled. "That sounds wonderful. And, maybe, we can have actual performances at the Majestic."
"Hmm, that wide stage is begging to be used," said Tiffany. "That reminds me I have got to get going about promoting that place. Getting acts in there on a regular basis."
"We have been rather busy lately, honey," said Sean.
"That's no excuse. I want the radio station and the theater to be a success, Sean. It's my area of expertise like your spy stuff is yours," said Tiffany.
"It's one of the most talked about places on the news and features pages, Tif," said Felicia.
"There is never enough publicity in showbiz," said Tiffany. "I'm going to get serious about it soon but first things first - Belle."
Sean was immediately alarmed. "Something's wrong with her?"
"Her DRESS for the dance. I keep asking her to go shopping with me but after school she locks herself in Andrew's office to work on that analysis project of theirs," said Tiffany. "Do me a favor, honey, Coax her out this afternoon so I can take her shopping. Please."
"What time do you need her?" asked Sean.
"Four would be perfect. Then meet us at Lola's for dinner about seven," said Tiffany.
"Consider it done," said Sean. He excused himself and returned to his study. He closed and locked the door. He logged into his computer and booked his flight to London using an alias. That done he settled into his chair.
He had some thinking to do. If things went according to his still forming plan, he would have access to Andrew's normally secured office for a few hours. It wasn't access to Command and Control but it could be useful. He had to think how to turn this fortuitous event to his advantage.
Scorpio Cabin - 8PM
"That wasn't a bad dinner," said Robert. He added another log to the fire to take the chill out of the living room air.
"It's a good thing Robin knows how to make anything edible," said Anna taking a seat on the sofa.
"Mom, remember that letter I sent to you after you regained your memory? The one Dad gave me," said Robin walking into the room. She spotted Andrew sitting Indian style by the fireplace going through his backpack.
"Yes, I do," said Anna.
"I gave you a letter, Robin?" asked Robert.
Robin moved the rocking chair closer to Andrew and sat down. "Sure, Dad. It started something like: Let me tell you about the woman I love, your mother, Anna."
Robert was thoughtful. "I wrote that at the airport waiting for my flight to see Jacques." He looked at Anna. "What did you think of it?"
"I kept it sealed for a long time. When I read the letter, I saw your handwriting. I knew it was yours. Then, I … I remembered your voice," said Anna. Her voice broke. "It felt like you were there saying the words … next to me."
Robin made eye contact with Andrew and nodded. She mouthed the words 'go' at him.
"The airport?" asked Andrew. It was the only thing he could think to say. He shrugged helplessly at his sister.
"Yeah," said Robert.
"Strange place to write something … from the heart. Why there?"
"It was the damned papers. There they were on the racks with your mother and … and Faison's pictures on the front," said Robert. "I bought one, read it and I … I felt sick to my stomach."
"Oh, gods, the tabloids must have been horrible!" said Anna.
"It was everywhere - television, papers, magazines. You couldn't get away from it at the time," said Robert. He looked at his daughter. "Robin would have seen them at some point. Lies on paper can seem like the truth."
"I would have never believed a word of it, Dad," said Robin. "Never."
Robert leaned against the fireplace. "I wanted Robin to get the truth from me. My words against whatever garbage people might say in the future. I wanted her to know what was really important to me."
"Mom," said Robin.
Robert nodded. "I meant every word."
"It was beautiful, Robert," said Anna.
"I snapped a little I guess. There in the airport," said Robert. "I'm no poet. I wrote what I felt. I don't think I ever really told you all of that before."
"You didn't have to," said Anna with misty eyes. "I knew what you … we felt for each other. Words weren't necessary."
"My stay at the institute taught me a few things, luv," said Robert. "One of those lessons was that … that words are necessary."
He sat down next to Anna on the sofa. He took her hand in his.
Anna glanced at her children. Robin sat on the rocking chair with Andrew on the floor beside her. Both were looking expectantly at their parents. She looked at Robert and gasped. Robert's expression had softened. The years seemed to have melted away off his face. His eyes shone bright with love for her.
"I wrote that letter for Robin. I want to … to say that letter to you, Anna."
"N-n-now?" asked Anna tremulously.
Robert flashed the crooked grin she found endearing. "You wanted romance. No time like the present."
"In front of-"
"We haven't been there for our children. No blame or excuses. It is what it is. It's time that we moved on as a family. Agreed?"
"That's why you wanted this trip."
"Life is unpredictable and ours is far from normal, Anna. The only thing we can leave to them is our words, our hearts. I want them to know, to see and hear what I feel for you. That they'll remember," said Robert. He looked at his children. "And, another thing, I've always said that there are different kinds of love."
Robin and Andrew both nodded remembering their father's advice and words.
He cleared his throat. "I learned something else. Eve said something to me about her and Patrick. She didn't believe that they had the kind of love that you and I have, Anna."
"She said that?"
"Took me by surprise," said Robert. "But it got me thinking, too. What we have IS rare. I'm convinced of it. Remember what Sean said about us that day at the hospital?"
Anna nodded. "That no matter what nothing could break us up. We kept finding our way back to each other. Different bonds but always connected - lovers, friends, agents, cops, parents."
"Wow!" said Robin.
"Your godfather is a very wise man," said Anna.
"He also said that if he hadn't broken us up, we would have stayed married," said Robert. "We would have, wouldn't we?"
Anna nodded. She held Robert's gaze. "We … we were perfect. Just perfect."
For a few moments Anna and Robert stayed quiet and unmoving sharing a silent communication between them. Robin looked at her mother then her father and sighed in contentment. She loved a good love story. She heard Andrew sniff. She patted him on the shoulder.
Andrew broke the silence. "What did you say about Mum? I'd like to know."
Robert looked at Anna and said, "Let me tell you about the woman I love, your mother, Anna. Not about my best friend, my lover, the mother of my child or my partner in life and work. I want to tell you about the woman I admire, respect and, most of all, love. Who is Anna Devane? She is a woman of resilient strength, enduring kindness and loyalty and someone who provokes passion in herself and others. Flawed as we all are, but just right for who she was and what she means to me. I love her in every way that love exists between a man and a woman. She is, simply and always, my Anna."
Anna wiped her tears away. "You … you maddening, wonderful man!" Uncaring of their lack of privacy, she wound her arms about Robert's neck and pressed close to him. She kissed him tenderly. After the kiss, she gazed into his face. "What am I going to do with you?"
"Anything you want."
Anna narrowed her eyes. "Anything?"
"The sky and the bank account are the limit!" declared Robert.
"When we get home, the minute we do, get us a marriage license," said Anna. "We'll get married at the Villa."
"Yes!" said Robin. She and Andrew exchanged high fives.
For Robin's ears only, Andrew said, "I bow to the queen of strategy."
"Um, at home?" asked Robert hesitatingly.
"You want to get married somewhere else?" asked Anna. "It's going to be tight but I want it simple anyway. We can pull something together within a few days."
Robert took a deep breath. "How about the, um, ranch?"
"Here?" asked Anna. "I'm not sure."
"What's wrong with it?"
"The ranch doesn't feel right. We don't have history here, do we?"
"No, but does that really matter?" asked Robert. "The … the kids are here. And, um, I don't want to wait, Anna. I can't."
Robert's word made Anna wary. There was something in his tone she didn't like. "What do you mean, you can't wait?"
"Let's go in the bedroom and discuss this," said Robert.
Anna grabbed at Robert's arm. "Is it your cancer? Has … has something turned up? Tell me!"
"Dad has cancer?" asked Robin. "What happened? When?"
"I had cancer but I'm cancer-free now. Honest," said Robert. He looked at Andrew then at Anna. "You know that … I have some goals that I want to … need to accomplish." He stared at Anna willing her to understand what he would not say in front of their son. "Until I can get to that goal, I'd like to have a lot of good memories with you, with our children. Make so many new ones to fill the void of the years we didn't have together. Are you with me?"
Anna's face lost all its previous radiance. She grew pale as she realized what Robert was implying. She nodded. She hugged Robert and placed her head against his chest. The sound of his beating heart gave her a measure of comfort. God willing, his goal wouldn't come to pass with both his and Faison's deaths. She had a little time to think of a way out of that particular dilemma. She had to think of a way.
There came the sound of horse hooves and engines from outside. They all sprang to their feet. Robert and Andrew reached the window first.
"It's Edgar," said Robert.
Andrew opened the door. Edgar and Salim strode in breathless.
"We've been searching for you and you've been here all this time?" asked Edgar.
"Just the last three hours," said Anna.
Robert laughed. "Anna WANTS to get married ASAP! Isn't that GREAT!"
"We have to get back before anything else happens," said Edgar.
"I am truly sorry, Robert," said Salim.
Robert frowned. "What's going on?" He noticed their handcuffs. "You two have something to tell me?"
Edgar broke all the bad news in one long stream. "An assassination attempt was made on Andrew's double. Frisco is in Sydney coordinating things. I sent Vincent to help Frisco but he never arrived. We can't find him. And about Faison. He's on his way here."
This was greeted with stunned silence.
"We have some good news, too," said Salim.
"Mac, Dia and Prunella are at the ranch. The tent is in place. The caterers are all set. The flowers are ordered. The bridal dress is airborne. ETA fourteen hours," supplied Edgar.
There was an explosion of questions and declarations.
"What dress?! What wedding? OUR wedding?" asked Anna.
"You lost Vincent, Edgar?" asked Robin. She didn't waste more words but set to packing. She stomped to the bedroom. They could hear her ranting loudly. "I cannot believe you people! You're supposed to be professionals!"
"We both want to get married, Anna," said Robert. "I'm just a few steps ahead of your schedule."
"How presumptuous and manipulative of you, Robert!" retorted Anna. "What if I HATE the dress?! And our friends, where are they? Hmm?"
"I WAS going to tell you about it," said Robert.
"When?" asked Anna. "You were going to spring it on me like … like an ambush?"
"Papa thinks I've been assassinated?" asked Andrew looking at Salim. He noticed the dried blood on his mentor's face. Andrew's face became stormy. "What happened to you? Who did this?"
Salim said low and slowly. "We must talk, little Sahib."
"Over my dead body," said Edgar holding up their joined hands. "Salim is not saying a word until we get back to the ranch. Everyone in the trucks. Now!"
"I take a little vacation and all hell breaks loose!" groused Robert. "Anna? Let me explain my motives here."
"Not a word, Robert." Anna turned her back on him. "Good thing I hadn't completely unpacked." She went into the other bedroom and got her pack. "Oh, this family of mine!"
The cabin was emptied in record time. The convoy of trucks and trailing horses made their way in a hurry back to the ranch.