Donely Residence, Temple Court
Breakfast at casa Donely was usually a sedate affair until the caffeine kicked in. Today, Belle had made the coffee extra strong.
"I'll be in the office all day, honey," said Sean.
"I'll be around here or the theater with Felicia and Maxie," said Tiffany. "The fashion show is going to be a hit and we're going to raise oodles of money for Frisco's children's theater. Can you pick Belle up from school?"
Sean smiled at his daughter. "Sure thing."
"Ah, Mama, I have to go shopping," said Belle. "I need a new dress."
"I thought you decided on the-" began Tiffany.
"I did but I ... I changed my mind. I need something, um, fancier. I think."
"I will clear my calendar this afternoon and we can hit all the shops. Is my sugarplum FINALLY becoming more like ME?" asked Tiffany in delight.
"It had to happen," murmured Sean not interrupting his newspaper reading.
"If I go to this dance, I probably won't have to go to any others. And since I'm going, I should do it right like you say I should, Mama," said Belle. "And we need to go shopping as soon as possible like this morning."
"What? Miss school?" asked Sean looking at his daughter.
"Ah, er, just today, Daddy. I have no quizzes or tests. I'm caught up on homework. I ... I even did today's homework last night," said Belle.
"You have all afternoon to go shopping, sweetheart," said Sean.
"B-b-but the shops get so crowded and besides someone could see me," said Belle.
"All the more reason to not miss school," insisted Sean.
"For heaven's sake, Sean, she's smarter than anyone in her class already," said Tiffany. "Playing hooky for one day isn't going to destroy her character."
"You speaking from experience, honey?" asked Sean.
"You can't tell me that you never skipped school," countered Tiffany.
"Actually, no. I had near perfect attendance. I only missed school when I was really sick."
"Sean, you couldn't have been a stuffy model student. You are ... were a devil may care, break the rules spy."
"People ... change." Sean folded the newspaper. He looked at Tiffany. "I won't say another word on the subject. Maybe having a ... a mother daughter day is a good thing."
"It is! We're going to shop then have lunch at O'Malleys or Lola's then more shopping," said Tiffany.
Sean looked at his daughter. "Belle, I know why you're doing this."
"Y-y-you do?" asked Belle.
"It's a new school and you want to make a good impression. Kids are more social now than they were in my day. I understand," said Sean. "Remember that school is important beyond the social aspects."
"I know that, Daddy. I love school but like you said I want to ... to make a good impression. I need a DRESS and all kinds of stuff," said Belle. "Just this ONE time. I promise. Mama can say that I've got a doctor's appointment." She kissed Sean on the cheek and left the room to get ready.
"She had this whole thing planned," said Sean. "She maneuvered us so neatly."
"I swear sometimes she was learning your lessons from the womb," said Tiffany. "It's just Andrew this time. What are you going to be like when she starts dating for real? Just remember that her daddy will always be number one."
"This has nothing to do with that."
"She's thirteen, Sean."
Sean nodded. "And she's years from dating."
Tiffany took a deep breath then said, "I'm talking about our little girl growing up." At her husband's still uncomprehending expression, she added, "Hormones. They're kicking in."
Sean's face was a picture of dawning realization. "B-b-body changes, right?"
"And attitude, rebellion and a need for more independence and privacy," said Tiffany.
"And boyfriends," said Sean. He said the last word as if he'd bit into a lemon.
"We have a teenager on our hands. Face up to it," said Tiffany. "It's just like when Robin went through it."
Sean was silent as streams of memories and images played through his mind - the first time he had met Robin, the times she'd been in danger, the times Mac had come to him worrying about Robin. Good times. Bad times.
"We'll survive this, honey. Your parents did. Mine did," said Tiffany. "Besides, she's too much your daughter to get into trouble."
"She's likely to be the one MAKING the trouble," said Sean.
"And that's why you taught her how to handle all kinds of situations," said Tiffany. "Don't worry. What could go wrong at a school dance?"
Zacchara Penthouse
Over his morning coffee, Johnny read the letter one more time. He knew what he had to do.
Mr. Zacchara,
This is a one-time offer to change your life and your fortunes. I invite you to join an exclusive group that values what each of us brings to the table and rewards trust, effort, discretion and loyalty.
To accept, call this number 555-4539.
Sincerely,
The Venturi Cooperative
He dialed the number on his cell phone. He listened then said, "This is Johnny Zacchara. I'm interested." He was put on hold.
CLICK.
Johnny heard a new voice on the line. The male voice said, "Mr. Zacharra, I'm Dino Venturi. Good morning. I have only one question. Do you want to be your own man, Mr. Zacharra?"
"You know I would or I wouldn't be calling," said Johnny. He not only liked what he was hearing but how he was hearing it. Dino Venturi sounded like the solid operator he was reputed to be. "What do I bring to the table? What do you?"
"I'll be in touch within twenty-four hours, Mr. Zacchara," said Dino. "Thank you for your call. You won't regret this." Dino ended the call.
"He called me mister. I like that," said Johnny. "That's respect."
In an hour he was headed to his warehouse. They still had enormous quantities of Fly to process then deliver. It would be a long day.
Donely Devane PR Agency
The agency was located a mere two blocks from Temple Court. As Anna entered, she was instantly greeted by the receptionist, Faith, who knew who she was. As she was led to Sean's office, Anna could see morale was high in the office as people worked with energy and high spirits.
She passed a wall of glass. Beyond the glass was a full conference room. Sean saw Anna and opened the door.
"Anna! I wasn't expecting you," said Sean. "You're just in time for a status meeting."
Anna leaned close to Sean and whispered. "What happened to a SMALL agency?"
Sean shrugged. "Things kinda snowballed with the Museum exhibit, the Court's PR, Frisco's theater, the Majestic's PR." Sean lowered his voice for Anna's ears only. "We need to have a talk later."
Anna took a chair, smiled and listened to an avalanche of project plans and progress reports.
Tom Hardy's Office, General Hospital
Tom felt his concern and alarm rise the longer his staff meeting progressed. Doctors Leo Julian, Matt Hunter, Patrick Drake and Monica Quartermaine sat in scattered places in the room.
"The toxicology report on Brittany Foscarelli, the young girl brought in by her father, confirms the presence of unidentified chemicals in her bloodstream," said Leo.
"Same chemicals as in Freddie's lab report," said Patrick. "By the way, Tom, I've cleared Freddie of any symptoms of diseases of a neurologic nature. Something else made him snap."
"It's got to be Fly," insisted Matt. "What else could it be?"
"We have to be sure. Not make assumptions based on what little we have," cautioned Monica.
Leo looked at Matt. "You were able to test those pills from the mayor's backpack. Can you test Brittany and Freddie's blood?"
"That was a one-time thing. The police should handle it since it's a criminal case."
"No. This is happening right here. We have to know and we can't play around," said Tom. "We are going to be proactive. What equipment do you need, Matt? Whatever it is, I'll find a way to get it."
"It's all in Robin's lab, ah, I mean ..." Matt's voice trailed off.
"It's okay to say her name," said Patrick. "I'm not going to fall apart. Not anymore."
"I had the lab sealed off but I can have it reopened for you, Matt," said Monica.
"We really need the computer. I don't think it's hooked up anymore," said Matt.
"We have a supercomputer of our own?" asked Leo.
"Yeah. Kinda," said Patrick. "I still have my log in account. I'll give it a try."
"Assuming we have the computer, how long until we know for sure?" asked Monica.
"An hour after I give it the results to analyze," replied Matt.
"Wow!" said Leo.
Matt looked at Patrick. "You have to back me on this."
"No worries," said Patrick. "You want me to call Andrew or Anna?"
A notice blared over the public address system. "Code blue alert. Fourth floor team, Dr. Leo Julian to room 411."
"That's Brittany's room." Leo dashed out of the room on the run followed by Matt.
Monica looked at her watch. "I have two hours before the board meeting. I'll unseal Robin's lab and give you the access key, Tom."
Tom nodded. He picked up his phone. "I'm going to update PCPD about this. Give them a heads up. I'll follow you up there when I'm done."
Patrick followed Monica out the door. "I'll go with you."
Monica said gently, "You don't have to. Not yet. It's too soon."
"Every part of this hospital holds memories. I'm actually glad about that."
"Glad?"
"We didn't have much time together but when I'm here, I feel closer to her because of the memories," said Patrick. "It's comforting to be reminded of the good times, the funny times, not just the ... the end."
"I understand. Sometimes, I still hear Alan's voice or his laughter," said Monica as they entered the elevator. "We'll go into the lab together. Okay?"
Patrick nodded. "Thanks, Monica."
Villa Scorpio
Upstairs in his room, Andrew slung his backpack over his shoulder. There was a knock on the door. It was his sister.
Robin held up a cup of coffee. "I come bearing a gift. Nice and hot. Just the way you like it. Two sugars black."
Andrew smiled and took the gift. "This is going to cost me something isn't it?"
"I'm your sister."
"Tell me and get it over with."
"I need a ride into town."
"Fine. Where's Vincent?"
"He has to stay here today to support his family," said Robin.
"But you need a ... a direct companion at all times."
Robin nodded. "You."
"Me?" asked Andrew.
"I know how dangerous you can be. Besides, we're home. We'll be perfectly safe. And you have your security shadowing your moves," said Robin. "It's not like we'll be completely unprotected."
Andrew narrowed his eyes and asked, "Did Mum talk to you?"
"About what?" Robin crossed her arms. "I just want to see the city. Satisfy my curiosity."
"You said that you were going to start working in the lab."
"I am but I'm feeling restless," said Robin. "Can't you do me this little favor?"
"You have no other ulterior motives besides being curious?"
"You are so suspicious! Doesn't this place feel, I don't know, tense? Like something is about to happen?" asked Robin.
"Mum has the farm on full alert at all times. Paranoid but in a good way," said Andrew. "Tense is utterly normal."
"Well, I need to get out of the fishbowl. Just for a little while." She smiled. "Come on! It'll be fun."
"Fine. We'll stop by Zekkers for scones," said Andrew. "Are you ready to go now?"
"Let me get my disguise!" Robin ran for the stairs. "I'll meet you outside in fifteen minutes."
"Disguise?" Andrew shook his head. "It must be genetic."
Donely Devane PR Agency
"I take back every bit of advice I ever gave you about Robin," said Sean settling into his office chair.
"You always gave me good advice," said Anna pouring herself some water from a nearby carafe. "Kept me calmed down I tell you."
"That may be but I'm finding out it's different when it's your own kid," said Sean.
"This is about Belle?"
"As Tiffany reminded me at breakfast, Belle is officially a teenager."
"You were a great godfather and an even better father. I wouldn't worry."
"I used to laugh when you and Robert would have problems with Robin. I'm not laughing now," said Sean. He leaned back in his chair. "Enough about my problems. Why are you here today, Anna?"
"Isn't it about time I was?" asked Anna taking a seat in front of Sean's desk. "Lars said you wanted to speak to me urgently and that you were upset about CnC and things DVX."
"I was surprised not upset," said Sean. "As for the DVX, who should I congratulate for the coup de grace? It was brilliantly subtle and ever so effective."
"You sound sure of that?"
"If you know how to look at things, the dots just jump out at you," said Sean.
Anna looked at Sean directly. "You taught us well." It was as far as she would go to confirm his suspicions.
"All that for ... for Faison? Undercut his power base. Make it look like a side effect of an unpredictable event when that was the goal all along. Hurt him without leaving a trail that leads to you and Robert. How close am I?" asked Sean.
Anna didn't answer but she held his gaze steadily.
"I would have liked to have been in on the take down you know. I owe him for Tiffany, for the lies so long ago."
Anna arched a brow. "Sorry."
"I'll have to look for my fun elsewhere," said Sean with a sly smile. "Last night, you left before I could tell you my news. Am I allowed to be curious about where you were? Or do you have to clear it first with Robert?"
At that moment, the office door opened. Robert stepped in with a roguish smile. "Honey, I'm home! Did you miss me?"
"Home from the wars?" asked Sean watching as Anna enfolded Robert in a welcome home embrace.
"Something like that. I had to consolidate my business operations over there now that the family is all on this side of the big pond," said Robert. "Can't spread myself too thin can I?"
Anna led Robert to the couch. "I was expecting you later at home.
Robert settled in on the couch with a grateful sigh. "Giles dropped me off here. Couldn't wait to see you."
"You two aren't giving an inch. I should stop beating a dead horse, shouldn't I?" asked Sean.
"That would be best, Sean," said Anna.
Robert looked at Sean then Anna. "Does this horse have a name?"
"Sounds like DVX, assassinations, Faison," said Sean. "I see way too many dots I recognize and dots I don't see like mine."
"He feels left out," said Anna.
"I see," said Robert.
"You two are taking TOO MANY risks. Don't argue with me!" exclaimed Sean. "I've been on that end, remember? I know the ... the exhilaration of the chase and the free fall giddiness when huge operations go well. And ... and you think you can do damn near ANYTHING. ANYWHERE and ANYTIME. That feeling is just an illusion and it starts in your head."
"You're really upset about this," said Anna.
"It was best that the least number of people know-" began Robert.
"No, no, I'm not angry about being left out. You had to have had your reasons," said Sean composing himself. "I'm talking about what happened at the Foundation, the truce with Faison and the targeting of the DVX. That's a lot to do and a lot of enemies to make. Any of that could have blown up in your face. I hope it was worth it."
"Our family is together and safe," said Robert. "That makes it ALL worthwhile."
"Now that it's over, you going to slow down and smell the roses?" asked Sean.
"We're retired. What else are we going to do but slow down?" said Robert. "Look, Sean, we're sorry that we haven't kept you in the loop. It was a tough call but necessary."
"What are friends for if not to help you out?"
"This wasn't about friendship. It's dealing with that interruption of our lives - the explosion in Venezuela - and all the ripples that it sent out over time," said Robert. "Some ... some things can't be forgotten or forgiven. They had to be set right."
"It's about regaining our OWN lives back. The lives we should have had," said Anna sternly. She looked at Robert. "We're not sorry about ... about anything."
"You two were never the vengeful types," said Sean.
"When the stakes are high enough, anyone can be pushed to do anything." Anna looked sharply at Sean. "YOU know that better than anyone."
"You've dealt with the consequences of the past what about the NOW?" asked Sean urgently. "Have ... have either of you considered the ramifications?"
"Faison's DVX sphere of influence and power is gone. Kaput!" said Robert. "That's one for the guys in the white hats."
"There's a lot to say about knowing your enemy. We knew who the bad eggs were even if we couldn't do anything about them. Who knows what this new DVX regime will be doing? The WSB-DVX relationship wasn't perfect but it was symbiotically in balance. Now it's going to be a ... a seesaw as each side sizes each other up," said Sean.
"So, each side tries to infiltrate the other. A game as old as the OSS. It gives the field people something to do," said Robert.
"Times are different. The Cold War is over," said Anna. "There's more cooperation across all intelligence agencies."
"Is there? Really?" asked Sean. "The wars for territory and spheres of influence are still here. It's just more sophisticated and hidden under many layers. In a society built on information, you think Guardian is safe, off limits? You cut off one head, more will spring up. You should have taken more time. The DVX op was hasty and-"
Robert had a thunderous expression on his face. "Hasty? What the hell do you know about it?"
Anna put a hand on Robert's forearm. "Please, Robert."
"I'll take advice any day of the week but not lectures. No way!" Robert stood and began to pace. He took a deep breath then said, "Remember when Frisco came back from Bulgaria?"
"Yeah, when he was in prison for years and declared dead," said Sean.
"He came back and his life was changed for him. His wife was marrying someone else. His friends never looked for him or questioned his death. Frisco came back to nothing and no one," said Robert. "What did we, his friends, do for him? We told him to move on."
"There was nothing else to do, Robert," said Sean. "Eventually, he and Felicia got back together. They had kids and-"
"We should have helped him deal with the problem."
"We did. Nicholas Van Buren was exposed as Domino who masterminded Frisco being in Bulgaria in the first place."
"But his organization continued and merged into the Cartel. We didn't help him as we should have. We ... we helped him ignore it."
"You're going in circles with this, Robert," said Sean.
"As agents we're told that our allegiance is to the agency, to the country. All we sacrifice was for the service," said Anna. "But what did we get in return?"
"We fight for the greater good," said Sean. "Our individual needs don't matter."
"Thirty years ago I would have bought that line," said Robert. He said hoarsely, "Every day I was in prison, I kept asking myself what it was all for? My honor, my job, my country? My family, my loved ones, came a poor fourth place. That order's not right."
"You can't launch a personal vendetta against all your enemies and think that solves everything," countered Sean. "The Game is more than you or me or Anna. One person can't change it."
Robert stared hard at Sean. "But I can buy a ticket to play instead of being played. That's what I had to do and I did it."
"Guardian and Andrew," said Sean with dawning comprehension. "My god, it all fits!"
"Guardian is a shield. I'll sacrifice it in a heartbeat to keep my boy, my family, safe."
"And the DVX is now fully under your influence with Faison gone," said Sean. "The WSB is in your back pocket already. This was never about revenge was it? That would have been too simple."
"I thought I knew the full depth of desperation and anger that a person is capable of feeling until I was in prison. The thought that my family was safe outside was the only thing that kept me going. It was the same for Frisco," said Robert. "When I was told I'd lost my family, I broke through the ... the proverbial bottom. That kind of ... of experience creates ... demons in a man that take a long, long time to go away if they ever do. They drove Frisco to leave his family behind time and again. I stayed away from Anna and Robin for the same reasons. Then I got Andrew and a chance to slay all my demons became a very real possibility."
"Faison is all but neutralized. Neither the WSB or the DVX is likely to ever give you problems again. You're together. The kids are safe. You can stop." said Sean. "Game over."
Robert returned to sit by Anna. Neither made a response.
"But it isn't over is it?" asked Sean. "Helena, Charlotte, Peter and whoever else you're not telling me about. It has to stop somewhere, sometime."
"We won't stop until we know absolutely that Robin and Andrew are completely safe from our enemies. We're committed on this course," said Anna.
"The Game isn't about individual lives or micro strategies, Anna. It's bigger than you can imagine. It's about trends and patterns and shaping those patterns into what you want. It's a wild ride. It's an impossible thing to ... to master. The variables are ... are ..." Sean's voice trailed off.
"We're finding that out," said Anna.
Robert pointed at Anna. "The wife's a lot better at the really big picture than I am."
Sean rubbed at his face. "You ... you don't ... there's more to the Game than you understand. More players than you know. Each one has a different piece of the pie. Different stakes."
"As long as they stay out of our backyard, we'll stay out of theirs," said Robert. "We don't want trouble."
"What other players, Sean? And Game with a capital G?" asked Anna. Her phone emitted a series of beeps. "My alarm." She looked at Robert. "We have an appointment with Frank." Both Anna and Robert got to their feet.
"Frank?" asked Sean.
"Someone I owe a lot to," said Robert softly.
"And you won't tell me anything more about Frank or anything else?"
Anna looked apologetic. "The less involved, the better. Sorry."
"Sean, I get the distinct impression that Tiffany would kill Anna and me if we involved you in anything," said Robert. "You're out of the Game, the Bureau and you have a good life. You earned it. Enjoy it."
"I want to help in any way I can," said Sean.
"You are. You just don't know it," said Robert.
"What do you mean?"
"Robert and I have deliberately kept you and Mac out of the loop on most things for a reason," said Anna. "You two are the last points of help for Robin and Andrew if Robert and I aren't around. We're not willing to compromise you and Mac."
"Watch our kids' back if we can't," said Robert clapping Sean on the shoulder. "That's what you can do."
Sean nodded gravely. "You don't have to ask. I love them like my own."
Anna kissed Sean's cheek. "And we love you. We don't want anything to happen to you. You let us take the risks."
"I'll be there when you need me," said Sean. "I have your back. Don't forget that."
After his friends had left, Sean brooded in his chair for a very long time. He turned various possibilities over in his head. More than one strategy tree collided with Anna and Robert.
"They don't know what they've gotten themselves into. How am I going to get them out of the Game before they do something irreversible? Or upset someone else's apple cart?" said Sean to himself.
He walked to the windows and stared into the city skyline. A biblical quote came to mind. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are. They shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
"My demons are a lot older and nastier than yours, old buddy. I can never let them loose. Never."
Finland
Red drops dripped on to the pale carpeting at regular intervals. The television news droned on and on in the background. A figure sat on the couch silent and unmoving save for one hand that clenched and unclenched.
CRACK.
The glass shards dug into his palm. The crimson spots spread wider, wetter.
It had been a crystal tumbler once. Now, it was a tool to focus his anger and his hate.
Cesar Faison was not a happy man.
CRACK.