GEM HQ, Milton Keynes, England
Chase locked his office door before sitting down behind his desk. Arnold and Sean sat on opposite wing chairs in front of Chase's desk.
"Tell me about the Scorpios," said Chase.
"I'm puzzled by your … intense interest. They're not involved in the Gems or anything to do with it," said Sean. He seemed at ease until one looked into his eyes. They were stern and hard. "I've never recruited them for it or told them about it. You know Robert and Anna are my closest friends. I'm not willing to put them in jeopardy."
"Not even to help us?" asked Chase.
"No. I have to draw the line somewhere," said Sean. "Family and friends are off limits."
"Let me state again that we have nothing against them. Our interest is for the sake of establishing mutually beneficial relationships."
"I don't call having for a chief supplier the man who kidnapped their daughter a positive association."
"That particular connection was as much a surprise to us as it was to you. It was an accidental discovery," said Chase. "I can promise you, Sean, that we are taking steps to move away from Sinclair entirely. He won't be a problem for us much longer."
"Our investigation into the Scorpios is … was self-inflicted," added Arnold.
"Meaning?" asked Sean.
Arnold took a deep breath then began, "Since Chase had met you, I wanted to meet Anna and Robert. So, I went to Port Charles. I should have simply used the front gate but that's not our first impulse is it? I made the mistake of arousing their curiosity. Instead of me looking into them, their team turned the tables on me. From what I could tell they've managed to create a formidably protected haven while staying fairly anonymous."
"They ARE retired operatives. Average citizens like I am but with the added need for protection," said Sean. "We never let go of the paranoia of our business nor should we."
"It's obvious to us that they are far from retiring," said Chase. "Being operatives at the level they were, it's understandable that fishing or babysitting grandchildren are not their normal activities. Robert has a private security firm with an international clientele. They are co-investors in your projects. All above board. However, we are also aware that like you they have maintained ties to the WSB. Plus, their son founded DigiMaze. We strongly suspect that his research division is far more capable than anyone believes."
"All right. You've done your research. Where do I fit in?" asked Sean.
"We would like you to sound them out about a partnership," said Chase.
"The Gems and the Scorpios?"
"Both sides bring unique elements to the table. Surely you can see that."
"I don't see the need for a partnership," said Sean. "Let me be blunt. Anna and Robert have moved away, far away, from their days in the service. It's over for them. At this stage in their lives, they are the most unlikely people to seek out intrigue and adventure."
"Unless they're crossed. Then they bite back," said Arnold.
"Only if provoked," clarified Sean.
"I think they've used a dizzying array of relationships and connections to get their daughter back. I can only guess what markers and favors they've called in. I'm sure they've collected more than their share over the years," said Arnold. "The fact remains that they can be a force to reckon with if the circumstances call for it."
"Here I thought the Gems could stand on their own?" asked Sean. "Am I mistaken?"
"We can. We have. But …" began Chase. "But we must continually seek out new opportunities and partners. Our survival is paramount. You drilled that into the guidelines."
"I don't see an organization at death's door."
"I'll be frank, Sean. We need help from Robert Scorpio in order to take Project Minerva to the next step. And you're the only person who can see it done."
Moskovskaya Station, St. Petersburg, Russia
It was a typical day at the terminal. Trains were on schedule. Passengers were intent on their destinations. Station staff from conductors to janitors went about their duties. The public address system announcements were nothing out of the ordinary.
Heloise and Robert got off the train and walked arm in arm down the long subway corridor blending in with the rest of the passengers. Both had small valises slung over their shoulder. To the naked eye and the video cameras they seemed like any other travelers bundled up against the winter cold with hats, scarves and gloves.
"You said far out of Moscow. You weren't kidding," whispered Robert. "Where next?"
Heloise leaned into Robert's ear and said, "We get lunch."
BANG.
The noise came from metal dustbins being emptied by a shuffling team of two janitors. Perhaps the bins were heavy. The two men were certainly making a racket.
"And people say I have nerves of steel." Robert was about to say more but he felt Heloise's step falter. He was instantly on alert.
Heloise's grip tightened on his arm. "Contact made. Let's go." Her stride lengthened and Robert kept up.
She led him upstairs to the main terminal. If she was following someone, Robert couldn't tell. They passed the ticket booths. Heloise stopped at a news agent. She paid for a paper and walked out. Robert remained silent but stuck by her side through it all. He was here to observe and learn. He had to trust Heloise completely and he did.
Outside the station, she hailed a cab. Once inside she flipped open the newspaper. To Robert's surprise inside was a slip of paper with what looked like an address scrawled on it. In fluent Russian, Heloise gave the address to the cab driver.
Twenty minutes later, the cab deposited them in front of a vintage office building. Heloise led the way to an office marked simply as "Primonov Employment Agency." She chatted familiarly with the middle-aged receptionist who escorted them to an office in the back. Heloise hugged the young woman inside.
"Fedosya Shikova meet Abelard," said Heloise.
Fedosya looked Robert over. "Hmm, you are younger than I expected. Never mind. Most of our principals are here as you requested."
Fedosya took a long metal rod from her office closet. She hooked one end of the rod into a depression in the ceiling and pulled. A part of the ceiling swung down with a folded ladder attached. Fedosya unfolded the ladder as one who'd done it many times.
"He's here," called Fedosya into the dim light of the attic.
The ladies went up first then Robert. Fedosya pulled up the ladder behind them.
In the attic, Robert's eyes adjusted quickly. Small lamps illuminated the space. All the windwos were boarded up. He found a dozen people sitting on chairs drinking tea and conversing quietly. They represented the gamut of ages, sizes and shapes. To a person they were remarkably ordinary.
Heloise was greeted like a family member. She introduced Robert as Abelard. Names would be memorized later. For now, Robert concentrated on reading faces and body language. He had to know who to trust and believe. They would not know his real name but he would know theirs. That's the way it had to be. They began to talk in English.
Fedosya said, "We have another three dozen members but they could not be excused from their work today."
Robert was amazed. "You cover all of Russia? Just your group?"
"We have agencies in the major cities including cities in the former Eastern bloc countries. We are employed in universities, utilities, banks, hotels and government offices as janitors or clerks," said Fedoyska.
"Jobs of little notice but many opportunities for our secret work," said one man with a gray driving cap on. "It is a most efficient network."
"Who would suspect a janitor or a typist?" said a woman.
"But aren't you former-" Robert began to ask.
One gray-haired bearded man chuckled. "You could say that we were here before the spies."
"I shall explain their history to you later," said Heloise. "Time is short. Let us discuss our mission."
"Is it true that we are moving against the DVX?" asked Fedosya.
Robert nodded. "The operation has already begun. It probably won't be pretty."
"We need to prepare. When will it be public?"
Heloise and Robert exchanged a look. Heloise said, "Tomorrow afternoon."
The others muttered and nodded amongst themselves. There would be time to buy needed food and supplies for their families. It was best to be prepared.
The oldest man looked at Robert. "Are the defections and the killings your plan?"
"No. They are the side effect," said Robert. "You know about Cesar Faison?"
Everyone nodded.
"He's in Moscow right now. He's taken control of the DVX and he means to hold that power for a long time." Robert handed a photograph to Fedosya and it was duly passed around. "Here's a recent picture of him. I want to know every sighting or information you intercept about him."
This news elicited gasps and a buzz of whispered conversations.
"Is it wise to attack the DVX now?" asked Fedosya. "Many of the higher ranking DVX officials were trained by Faison. Their loyalty is to him."
"Faison is cleaning house. He's purging the DVX of those he suspects are traitors. Past associations are no guarantees of safety for anyone inside. It's causing chaos and confusion. We couldn't ask for a better time."
"What do you need us to do?"
"I want to use your access to our advantage."
"How?"
Robert took out a sheaf of folded papers. He handed them out. "Memorize this. Fedosya, I want you to decide who does what within the group. Heloise and I will communicate orders to you and you only. I don't care what tactics you employ to get the tasks done. I just want results - failure or success. Understand?"
The Russian woman nodded.
"It's important that the tasks are done in the order listed on the paper. Each task can take a day or more but they have to be done in sequence otherwise our other efforts may be affected," said Robert. "If you need to refer to me, call me Mr. Skinner. Heloise is Mrs. Skinner."
He waited as the group read his instructions. To his surprise no one seemed shocked or even concerned about the actions he was demanding of them. He collected the sheets after they were all done. "Any questions?"
No one said a word. Robert scanned their faces. He saw no apprehension or worry only excitement and anticipation. He sensed more than saw the capable natures of the people around him. "As each task is done, Fedosya updates Mrs. Skinner here in whatever manner or channel you normally employ. Once a task is done, you do not have to wait for permission to get to the next task. Just do it."
"You are not a micro-manager, Mr. Skinner?" asked a young college-aged man.
"Do I have to be for this group to function? I don't think so," said Robert. "This is YOUR home territory. I've shown you what needs to be done and when. I have to trust you to know what you're doing. Be creative. Be effective. Be safe. If something is impossible, then say so."
A woman with a lined face, salt and pepper hair and vivid green eyes said gravely, "I lost a son to Faison's experiments. I thought I would never get a chance for revenge. Thank you, Mr. Skinner."
Robert pulled out three smaller pictures which were handed around. They were pictures of Helena, Peter and Charlotte. "These three individuals are also of interest. Report any sightings or information you may run across. One or more of them may, I stress may, be seen with Faison."
"Are they his associates?" asked the young man.
"At this point, their relationships to each other are too fluid to be pinned down. They do know each other. They are highly dangerous. Do not make contact in any way."
Fedosya looked at her watch. "Everyone! The next train to Moscow is in forty minutes. Remember our next meeting will be in Antonin's home tomorrow evening."
Several of the members rose and made their exits down the ladder. The remaining few clarified some minor details with Robert before leaving themselves. The entire meeting had lasted twenty-five minutes.
In Fedosya's office, Heloise and Robert joined their host for tea and pastries. Heloise seemed amused at Robert's lost expression.
"Not what you were expecting?" asked Heloise.
"Is it that obvious?" responded Robert.
"They have been doing this sort of thing for generations. I told you that."
"The reality is … is surreal. They took to it like fish to water. Downright scary."
Fedosya laughed. "Since childhood I have been told stories of daring and courage. Our parents, aunts and uncles trained us to think like a spy without being one. It's not a job to us. It's a hobby. It is something to be passionate about and we are."
"It's a dangerous business."
"The Berlin wall did not fall without help, did it?" Fedosya said.
"Touché," said Robert.
RING!
Fedosya answered her phone. After a short conversation, Fedosya said, "Heloise, you wanted traveling supplies and tickets. The order is here. I'll get it."
Fedosya left the office leaving Heloise and Robert alone.
He put down his mug and glanced at Heloise. "Where to next?"
"We are to be tourists on a freighter bound for Sweden," Heloise responded, "After that we must make a flight."
"To where if I may ask?"
"Bletchley Park in England. Can you think of a better place for a meeting of spies, Mr. Skinner?"
Villa Scorpio
Booted feet up on the desk, Anna reclined in the chair in the study and sighed. The team meeting had been a grueling one. There were so many balls being juggled and some of those balls were invisible to those not in the Club.
"I can't even write down a cheat sheet," said Anna. The energy she'd gotten from being around baby Emma had largely dissipated. She was inching closer to exhaustion. She put her notepad down and rubbed at her eyes. "Dinner, a hot bath and bed. How glamorous my life has become."
BUZZ!
SIMON's voice came over her IPhone. "Cesar Faison wishes to contact you. Do you accept?"
"My newest ally. Oh, joy of joys." She sat up and tried to seem alert. "Put him through."
Faison's face appeared. He was sporting the beginnings of a scruffy beard. "Anna? What a pleasant surprise."
"It's late. What do you want?"
"I was attempting to call Andrew but he's not answering. Is there something wrong?"
"He's sleeping and I've routed his calls to me."
"Ever the devoted mother," said Faison.
"Well, what do you want?"
"Can't we try to be friendly?"
"I'm talking to you, aren't I?"
"But we are working together again like before and-"
"No, not like before," said Anna. "All of THAT is past and gone. I don't even think about it anymore."
"But I do. We made an excellent team. Monte Carlo, Geneva, Istanbul," said Faison. "Do you know that I have met no one who suited me as well as you? We … we clicked right away as children and as adults."
"If you have no business, real business, to discuss, I'm ending this call."
"For a newlywed, you do not seem very happy."
"Goodbye, Faison, I'll let-"
"Wait! I would like to know what progress has been made regarding Charlotte."
"I will let you know when I have something. That's what we agreed to. In the meantime, sit tight," said Anna. "Patience is one of your virtues that I actually admire."
Faison's lips quirked into a slight smile. "A compliment I shall treasure. Always."
An expression of disgust crossed Anna's features. "Stop it!"
"What?"
"This faux act of yours."
"What act?"
"That you're still in love with me and worship the ground I walk on. I thought you were over it."
"I am but I cannot deny feeling nostalgic for some of the best days of my life," said Faison. "I am only human."
"Remembering those times has nothing to do with this flirtation you … you insists on perpetuating."
"Hot and cold. Ice and fire. Positive and negative. That will always be us, Anna," said Faison. "I do not deny that truth."
"I am no one to you, Cesar. Not then and not now. Just stop with the … the compliments and everything!"
"Do I make you feel uncomfortable?" asked Faison all too perceptive of Anna's psyche.
Anna blustered, "I simply do not want to continue enabling this lie that lives in your head!"
"I'm sorry. I try to treat you with disdain but I see you and my resolve fails. Sometimes I think that you were made for me."
Anna abruptly ended the connection. Faison's image disappeared in a flash but his words lingered in her mind.
Sometimes I think that you were made for me.
… you were made for me.
… made for me.
"That's because I was," said Anna. "Courtesy of Sean Donely."