Donely Warehouse
The Jaguar sat parked in front of Donely shipping. She had begun to drive home then stopped. Some instinct told her to read the document first before returning , Anna played the flash drive over the onboard computer. For the last hour she had been speed reading through the documents. Her thoughts were going faster and faster.
"This is staggering," murmurred Anna. She rubbed at her temples in a vain attempt to ease a forming headache.
One line kept repeating in her mind: TEST SUBJECT MINERVA ONE WAS EXPOSED AND TERMINATED.
"This isn't what happened. Why has Sean left so much out?" Anna laid her head against the headrest. "This IS a mess. If I tell Robert everything, how much will Sean deny because he probably will. What choice could he have?" She grabbed her phone and dialed Sean. "I need to talk to you. Right now."
"I gave you more than enough information, Anna. I'm busy. We're in a disaster zone, remember?"
"One question. Why did you leave me out of it?"
Sean's voice was even and cool. "Out of what?"
"Stop playing games, Sean. Jane Doe Minerva One was me. I have clear memories of that time period."
"I don't know know what you're talking about."
"You can be so aggravating."
Sean fairly hissed, "I am NOT having this conversation over the phone. You should know better."
"I drove back. I'm right outside your warehouse. Get out here," said Anna.
It was mere minutes before Sean got inside the car.
"Drive," Sean commanded.
Without a word, Anna started the car and moved out of the dock area.
Villa Scorpio Command and Control
The hum of chatter wafted up the stairs from Command and Control. Whistling, Robert entered CnC to find his team in a flurry of activity and discussion. They looked up from their work as he stepped off the stairs.
"Robert, we were about to inform you. It seems that Peter Sinclair has lost his backers. They are selling him out," said Edgar.
"What? We can't be this lucky," said Robert.
Edgar fiddled some keys. On the large overhead monitor, an email was displayed. It had one terse line:
P.S. FOR FAIR TRADE. GIVE ME AN OFFER I CAN'T REFUSE. RESP WITHIN 24 HOURS. BEST OFFER WINS.
Edgar continued, "This was posted on the message boards we frequent. It was a wide broadcast. It's starting chatter everywhere."
"It is not often someone is hung out to dry so publicly," said Lars who was red-eyed and barely awake.
Robert sat on the edge of the desk, crossed his arms and stared at the screen. "Let's prioritize on this one. I don't want to make a deal unless I have to. Has Andre been informed?"
A smaller monitor on the wall came to life and Andre's image appeared on the screen. "Way to ruin my evening."
The entire team was fully engaged now. Behind Robert, Edgar directed the staff to change assignments and tasks as priorities changed.
"What do you have as far as a location for our elusive doctor?" asked Robert.
"Nothing definite. He or his friends cover their tracks well," said Andre. "I've traced several deliveries but they were all to different locations. They must have inside people at those places that pick up the delivery on the sly. I've got watchers in three companies. If a delivery is made, then we have a trail to follow."
"Good idea but not really useful right now," mused Robert. "A deal is gonna have to be made. Anna's not going to like this. Where is she? She should have been back by now."
Edgar looked at the tracker log. "She's still in the city."
"What's keeping her? I need her here. Hell, I forgot. The roads are probably a mess," said Robert. "Switch to something I can do. Let's brainstorm what we could possibly have that Charlotte could want."
"Or Helena," said Edgar. "They have to be together."
Robert frowned. "Another viper I don't want to give any advantage to. Let's think, people!"
Mersin, Turkey
Peter loosened his collar. He sat in front of a terminal re-reading his notes for the hundredth time it seems. He had come up with the original formula surely he would remember the details given a little time.
"But your time is running out. Or the ladies' patience is," muttered Peter. He slapped his palm against his forehead. "Think, idiot, think!"
BUZZ! BUZZ!
The sound made Peter look around. In a few seconds, he realized the vibration was coming from his pants pocket. Of the few things he kept private, this rather plain phone was one. He answered the call while locking the lab door. "H-h-hello?"
"Peter, I have news," came his cousin Donatella's voice. "One warning out of family feeling. You need to get out of there. Immediately."
"What do you mean?" asked Peter.
"Watch your back." The line went dead.
Port Charles North Docks
Anna eased into a shabby warehouse in a section of the docks that saw little ship traffic. Storage companies were plentiful in the area. She could see Sean in the rear view mirror closing the tall metal doors as turned the ignition off. She got out of the car. She leaned against the car arms folded across her chest.
"Answers, please," said Anna.
"In there." Sean motioned to a small office on the right side. "One of my cover companies owns this. The office is fully secure from electronic surveillance."
They came inside and Sean opened the lights and locked the door.
Sean took a stool and sat down. "Isn't it obvious why I left you out of the report?"
"To protect me," said Anna.
"Yes but mostly it was to stop Robert from digging any deeper than I want him to dig," said Sean. "You asked me before to ... to let you tell him everything about the early days of your training and I said to leave the past where it is."
"You forbid me from saying a word." Anna stood on the opposite end of the conference table. "If I give him that drive, I can't tell him at all."
"See how well that works out," said Sean.
"Oh, Sean, you've put both of us in an impossible situation. I don't want to keep secrets but if I don't ... "
"If Robert had the slightest suspicion of your involvement, he becomes a potential target."
"The likelihood is still pretty small. It's been years," said Anna.
"The drive doesn't have one crucial bit of information," said Sean. "The Minerva Project is active. Has been for a few years."
"Again? Are you certain? Of course you are. I can see it on your face."
"If the Gems know that you aka Minerva One aka Tessa Quayle were still alive, they WILL go after you. The current program is having ... hiccups. They would analyze you to death to figure out how you succeeded. If not them, then others."
"Others?"
"The Minerva program wasn't invented by me. I sort of borrowed it. I can't imagine that it's never been replicated somewhere around the world," said Sean. "When you run across a good idea, you remember it and use it."
"Who? Who else knows?"
"This sort of program began with Project MK Ultra back in the bad old days. It was a solution that was thought up by committee - the WSB's Science Advancement Committee," said Sean. "Its charter was to find ways to use science to enhance intelligence capabilities."
"A committee?"
"Typical bureacracy. Eventually it became an early version of a think tank and it became known simply as the Committee," said Sean. "A team was assembled to create Minerva like it says in the documents. The progress of the team was informally tracked by the Committee."
"The report says I'm dead. I'm not likely to tell anyone or you. I want to tell Robert. He won't say a word. I promise you."
Sean sighed. "When is anything that simple in our business? It's too dangerous especially now."
"Why? Stop being cryptic and just tell me!" exclaimed Anna.
Sean took a deep breath. "Confession time. The Committee has the REAL report. MY report. The Gems know nothing about the Committee, the report or how much I really, truly know."
LaGuardia International Airport
Chase and Arnold half dozed in their airplane seats. They both let out sighs of relief as the plane took off.
"Good bye, Port Charles," said Arn. "I am never coming back. New York City is as close as I ever want to get."
"I feel the same but we have no choice. We have to deal with them again," said Chase.
"When we do come back, we better have our ace in the hole. I want to focus on finding Sinclair and getting that formula. I propose moving the presentation to a different date and time."
"Agreed. We need Sinclair gift-wrapped with a bow on his head when we meet with Mr. Scorpio again," said Chase.
"Before we book tickets," added Arn.
"That Minerva job needs more time anyway. It was stupid to rush it. We've been so distracted juggling too many things. We need to focus just like Sean said."
"You were right about him, Chase," said Arn. "He has more to teach us."
"Everything our fathers told us about him is true. Sean is the man." Chase reclined his seat. "I'll make up some excuse to the Executive Panel."
They would be hours airborne. They would get the message about Peter hours too late.
Mersin, Turkey
On the pretense of needing a nap, Peter retreated to his rooms. Once assured of privacy, he began to dress and collect what valuables he still possessed. He dithered for precious minutes on choosing a duffel bag or a full suitcase. The delay would cost him.
SCRATCH. CREAK.
Peter turned at the sound. He could see the doorknob turning. The door swung open slowly.
"Peter, going somewhere?" asked Charlotte silhouetted in the doorframe and backlit by the hall lights.
Port Charles Warehouse
Sean watched the emotions play across Anna's features - surprise, fear, anger then disappointment. He'd hoped to forestall this conversation but he supposed it was best to get it out of the way whatever the outcome.
"Remember our deal, Anna. Nothing we say is repeated outside of this room," said Sean.
"But you just ... you just ... I can't believe this," spluttered Anna slowing taking a seat. "You started the Minerva project. It had to be you. I always thought it was the Bureau's brain child. I was so proud that you'd considered me for the mission. I wanted to do my best."
"I had given Gabriel detailed instructions on what I was looking for," said Sean. "The program worked on you because you had a lot of the qualities necessary."
"Any woman would have worked. I wasn't special," said Anna in a lost voice. "I was in the right place at the right time. That's all."
"You WERE special, Anna. You were near perfect. I had those recordings drilled into your head. Everything I could think of - chess, art, art history, wine, jewelry. You came in a green girl and came out a sophisticated woman. Even Gabriel would have been impressed. He didn't think it could be done with anyone but your mind took it all in like sponge to water. It took a few days to fully set in but I could see you changing over the week I had you in the chamber. After all that, you were the perfect and most alluring match for Cesar Faison I could design."
"Oh, yes, and he fell for your creation. A ploy he's never known about," said Anna.
"He can't ever know. He'd kill the both of us for cuckolding him and everyone we cared for. There's a thin line between love, even obsessive love, and hate. He'd cross that line if he knew," said Sean. "The thing that got to me was that you didn't really change. You had all this new knowledge but it was always you underneath."
"That was my job. I put on the veneer you trained me for and I played it for all I was worth," said Anna. "I've kept to the cover story all this time, Sean. Everything inside of me is telling me that I need to tell Robert about this. He still clings to this notion that Faison has a ... a hold over me because of our history. If I told him about my training, then he would know why and how I can push Faison's buttons and remain completely repulsed by him."
"What would you accomplish if you did? Will it erase the years you lost? It will change nothing except arouse Robert's curiosity! In some ways, Robert and Faison are two sides of the same coin when it comes to ... to betrayal. Neither you or I want to put anyone else on the line," said Sean.
"Sean, you're just trying to save your neck. They would be going after you first."
"Of course I am! I'm not an idiot," said Sean. "But, Anna, I do think it's best for you to stay quiet. You have the life you want with the family you deserve. You made it out of the field. You know how rare that is. Why do you keep complicating your life?"
"Because I can't live with the lies and the deception any more! You can but I can't," said Anna. "I WILL tell him. All of it. He deserves the truth."
"I won't exactly be his favorite person afterwards," said Sean.
"Robert's forgiven you for worse. He'll understand after he cools off," said Anna.
"He doesn't think logically where you're concerned. Never has. Never will," said Sean. "Confession may be good for the soul but it's brutal on friendships."
"I've told Robert everything else. We're in such a good place right now, Sean. Despite all the chaos, I've never been happier. Our family is knitting together like we hoped. Robert is recovering from his stress disorder. I'm putting my marriage first. I have to," said Anna. "I'm sorry, Sean. I will tell Robert that I became a double agent on your orders."
Villa Scorpio Command & Control
Robert put his phone down on the table. "I've left a message for Anna. We have to move on this fast. I'll take whatever lumps she wants to give me later." He scribbled something on a pad of paper and gave it to Edgar. "Post this on the board using the Smoke account. It's time Smoke made his public debut." He looked at Andre. "I need a drop made in Vladivostok. Same hotel. Same roof. In an hour. Do you have someone you can trust over there?"
Andre looked to the side and pressed some keys. "Yes. An hour is tight but I can do it."
"I'm faxing over my terms. Put it inside an envelope posted on the hotel roof," said Robert.
"What are the terms?"
"I can think of only a few things she'd want and I'm open to giving it to her," said Robert.
Perhaps divining what Robert had in mind, Andre said, "Are you sure?"
Robert's face was quite serious and angry. "I want Sinclair. Period." He looked at Edgar sitting behind the monitor desk. "Send that message, Edgar."
"In progress." Edgar tapped his keyboard. The message read:
TERMS DELIVERED IN THE USUAL SPOT 2 HOURS. LET'S DEAL. - SMOKE.
Mersin, Turkey
Peter woke up in a dark place. Naked. His feet were tied to the bed at the ankles. A thick quilt covered him. A single light bulb was lit in the corner. His body protested every movement.
"How badly have I screwed things up?" asked Peter into the darkness.
Port Charles Warehouse
Sean rumbled, "Take it from someone who knows. Telling the truth isn't always the best option."
"With Robert it's the only way."
"Secrets and lies. One on top of the other until I've lost count," said Sean. "It's simply a hazard of the profession."
"What about the people you've used? Robert? Me? The Swede?" asked Anna. "I read every page on that drive. The ... the conclusions I'm getting are making me SICK! How many HUNDREDS of people have your plans affected? All those people killed by the Foundation. All from your work, your secrets, your LIES!"
"It was NEVER intended to ... I put a stop to it, Anna. After I saw you lying in the hospital bed with your face covered in bandages and Robert was so torn up about it. It hurt me to see you two like that. I made the call to cancel the project. All of it."
"But it was restarted by the group YOU founded - the GEM Group."
It was Sean's turn to be startled. "That's a good guess but not-"
"I don't have to guess. I CAN put two and two together and come up with Donely. Your fingerprints are all over this."
Sean rose to his feet. He began to pace. He said nothing.
"And you worked for the Committee. Was this before, during or after the WSB?"
Still Sean said nothing. It was the same as admitting Anna was right on every count.
"You've never left the Committee have you?" She slammed a palm on the desk. "Never! YOU were the double agent. My god! It was always you!"
"I was doing what I thought was best for my country. It was for the greater good, Anna. It's always been about that for me."
"Not only have you kept information from us, you've led us astray deliberately when we got too close or threatened to affect your plans. A word here and a little nudge taken as advice. Don't deny it. Stop playing us for fools!" Sean was about to speak but Anna held up her hand to silence him. Caught between rage and sadness, Anna's voice was hoarse. "Robert and I would die for you."
Sean's controlled demeanor cracked. His voice cracked. "I would for you and Robert. Always."
"That's not what your actions tell me," said Anna. "Let's really clear the air shall we?"
"We have. I don't have anything left to say."
"It's my turn." Anna took a deep breath to gain control over her emotions. She gazed at Sean. "Robert and I have a few secrets of our own, Mr. Donely."
Sean looked questioningly at Anna. "Mr. Donely?"
Anna was defiant. "We know about the Game with a capital G, and we've chosen the side we want to be on. It's not yours."
"How can you know?" asked Sean surprise written all over his face.
"I won't tell Robert. Ignorance is little protection but I'll use it. I'll keep to our deal. Helping you to die or disappear will be my pleasure." Anna turned on her heel and left the warehouse. As she backed out, she could see Sean still watching her from the door of the office.
Villa Scorpio Main House
Robert met Anna at the door to the study where Augusta and Mr. Hare were waiting.
"I was getting worried. You weren't answering your phone," said Robert. "You look horrible. What happened?"
She gave Robert a peck on the cheek. "I'm just tired. I took a long walk on the docks to clear my head." She noticed the strain on his face. "You look as bad as I feel."
"We got word from Charlotte. She wants a deal in exchange for Peter," said Robert.
"When? How?"
"To make a long story short, I gave her terms. Andre had it delivered to Istanbul. Now, we wait for Charlotte to make the next move."
Anna's head was spinning. "What did you give her?"
"I gave her three choices. Pick one and I'll make it good," said Robert avoiding looking at Anna directly.
"Robert, what she wants is-"
Robert's expression hardened. "I want Sinclair more and so do you. You would have made the same terms. He's a centimeter away from a global war criminal. He has to answer for what his invention has done to Therese and to everyone he's harmed. That will be justice."
"I agree. We have to talk about Peter but after this," said Anna.
Robert grinned. "We're two minutes late. I shall gird myself for battle. Lucky you, you're her pet. I don't understand it."
"She likes me. What's there to understand?"
"It's the accent. I'm sure of it." Robert opened the door.
"I'm sorry we've kept you waiting again, Augusta," said Anna all smiles.
"Not at all. I admit that I needed some preparation time myself, " said Augusta. "Please have a seat. Were you able to fulfill the task I set out?"
Robert and Anna took seats next to each other on the sofa. Augusta sat in an armchair across from them. Mr. Hare flanked her
"Yes, we read over everything. As instructed, the material was completely destroyed," said Robert.
"What do think? Feel? Impressions?" asked Augusta. "Is it all nonsense to you?"
"It put what we've worked for and against into full perspective," said Anna. She looked at Robert. "We know it's real. Every bit of it."
"You are still game as it were?"
Anna's eyes flashed with interest and emotion. "More than ever."
A tone in her voice made Robert look at her. He could sense a rise in intensity in his wife. It made his heart beat faster. He added, "We're all in with the Court."
Augusta let out a sigh. "Good. Then it is time to reveal more as I promised."
She reached into her pocket and drew out an envelope brown with age. From the envelope, she retrieved four faded photographs which she handed to Anna with grave solemnity. "The first is a picture of your father, his parents and his two sisters. The second picture was taken days after your father's graduation from university. He is standing with his two sisters and his best friend. The third picture is on his wedding day. There is your father, mother and his two sisters."
Anna studied each picture avidly. She passed the first to Robert then the second. She said, "They were so young. So beautiful."
Robert and Anna took turns looking at the pictures. Augusta watched intently for Anna's every expression.
"You look like your mother, " said Robert.
"She was gorgeous and a real lady," said Anna.
Augusta looked at the fourth and last photograph and sighed before giving the photo to Anna. "This is the last photograph I have of your father Thomas. It was Lindsay's christening. Most of the Devane family was in proud attendance."
Anna gasped at seeing the group photograph. There were more than twelve and less than twenty gathered close and smiling at the camera. "Look, Robert, it's my ... my WHOLE family. Mum is holding Lindsay."
"I always thought you had no relations outside of Lindsay and Alex," said Robert.
"I didn't. I don't remember who these people are especially the older ones. They're all gone now," said Anna. "But they are my family. The resemblance is all there to see."
"There are a few blondes there," said Robert. "Andrew got the hair from both sides."
Augusta gestured at the shelf full of family pictures. "Your children are remarkable and very attractive. I am looking forward to meeting them."
"Of course, you will," said Anna. "They would love to meet you."
Robert added, "As soon as possible."
"We were so happy before my parents died. These pictures just proved it." She dabbed at her moist eyes. "These are beautiful. I can't say how much it means to me to see them. I want to share them with my sister Alexandra and my nephew Aidan. May I make copies before you leave?"
Augusta smiled. "Unnecessary, my dear. I am giving them to you. You may share them with whom you will. There is a nephew?"
Anna's answering smile was bright as the sun. "Lindsay's son. You have to meet him, too. He has the Devane looks and name. Thank you, Augusta. I can't ever repay this."
"For that there is no need," said Augusta.
"There are the originals. They feel ready to crumble," said Robert. "How did you come to their possession? Are you a family friend?"
"She must be, Robert. That's why I feel so so comfortable with her," said Anna. She grinned. "And she's English."
Augusta sat straighter in her chair. "These are ... were in my possession because they belonged to me. I was there when they were taken save for the last one." She picked up the first picture. "I was Thomas' older sister. I am the one standing next to your mother. I am your aunt."
Mersin, Turkey
Helena looked over Charlotte's shoulder. Their meal was forgotten on the table.
"A very fast reply indeed," said Helena.
"Yes. That is unexpected." Charlotte opened another screen and began typing commands. A lackey appeared at the door. Charlotte instructed him to gather a small team and head for Vladivostok. Further instructions would be forthcoming after they landed. "We shall have their answer in six hours."
"There will be conditions I expect," said Helena.
"Of course. It's expected," said Charlotte. "I am more intrigued by their offers. They know me well enough. They will dangle a pretty carrot or three or four to choose from."
"Multiple choice? How modern. They want Sinclair very badly."
"I believe we shall wait for the Gems' offer. Theirs may be the better," said Charlotte.
"The sooner he is separated from us the better. Take the Scorpios deal."
"I disagree," said Charlotte.
"Your mind is set?"
"There are other ways for me to get what I want from Anna." Charlotte leaned back into her chair. "Playing them for fools is amusing."
"That is unwise. You are underestimating their resolve," said Helena. "The Gem Group's character is unknown to us. We have only Peter's word on their behavior and inclinations. We know what to expect from Anna and Robert. We take their offer."
"I do not believe it. You are cowed!" Charlotte faced the other woman.
"They are a formidable enemy, Charlotte, who have earned my respect. I have lasted as long as I have because I deal only with enemies I understand. They will keep their word and we shall do the same," said Helena.
"We must maximize Peter's value. Can you not see that, Helena?" asked Charlotte. "Boldness wins the day."
"Why make them the offer in the first place if your preference was to another?"
"To see how desperate they are. Why else?"
BEEP! BEEP!
Charlotte consulted her terminal. "Well, the field becomes more interesting."
On the screen was an email that simply said:
RETURN THE PRODIGAL. YOU LIVE. - An Old Friend.
Villa Scorpio Main House Study
No one had moved since Augusta's confession. No one was aware of breathing.
"My aunt?" whispered Anna. "My father's sisters both died in a ... a tragic fire. That's why Lindsay and I lived with Aunt Verity, Mum's sister. I had no Devane aunts."
Augusta's posture sagged a little but she straightened once more. "You have one aunt remaining. I am the sole survivor. The Court has sheltered me all this time."
"But the fire? It was at King's Cross train station. Documented," said Anna.
"A fire is most efficient at fogging the details of a crime scene," said Mr. Hare. "Better public with witnesses aplenty."
Augusta added. "The King and Mr. Hare arranged it and it worked."
Robert glanced at Anna. Her former positive vivacity was replaced by a disquieting daze. He took her left hand in his. He asked what Anna could not. "Why the deception? Why come forward now?"
"It was an absolute necessity that I was believed dead. You must believe that," said Augusta. "The King counseled most rigorously against my coming here but my heart overruled my sense. It was not necessary that I reveal myself but it was time, past time, for me to do right by my ... our family. Anna, please, believe me that I had only your good in mind when I say-"
LIke a cannonball, Anna shot to her feet and headed for the windows overlooking the orchards. "I have had my FILL of ... of REVELATIONS today. I really have!"
"In all the documents I gave you there was one family name that was deliberately omitted. Our family. The Devanes," said Augusta. She spared a worried glance at her niece. "In a sense not only I had to disappear but so did our entire family. It was not a decision made lightly."
Anna stood gazing out the window. Her arms gripped her sides. "The family was a forfeit? That's how the ... the lies and the killings began."
"The first forfeit for our side actually," said Mr. Hare. "Samuel Devane was a man ahead of his time, Anna. A greater man for being an unknown hero who sacrificed much to save millions."
"My grandfather Samuel was a minor code breaker at Bletchley Park. He was rubbish at codes but superb in analysis. It was he who discovered the very existence of the Kriegs' machinations. He was not believed. He was a literature professor who had a flare for mathematical theory and pattern recognition. But he was an older man among the younger. No matter how clever, youth will always see the old in a different light. He was allowed to remain at Bletchley but excluded from the stars of the team. He was assigned to study the causes of the war. Not something valued at forward thinking Bletchley but it was right for him," explained Augusta. "He was able to see the trends and match them to events and movements. Grandfather was utterly convinced of the existence of puppet masters orchestrating a grand play where the actors were utterly unaware that their strings were very short indeed."
"Samuel Devane started the Game?" asked Robert.
"No. The Kriegs originated the play but Grandfather Samuel created the chessboard," said Augusta. Her eyes were alight as if she felt the excitement of that long ago time in the present. "Grandfather realized that the only way to defeat the Kriegs was to play on their field and using their tactics. He expressed his ideas to a select few. He culled several aristocratic houses for former students and trusted friends. A few laughed at him but most were at least willing to listen and were persuaded. But everyone in our family, Anna, came to believe. Everyone."
"Go on, "said Anna softly..
"Samuel persevered in the utmost secrecy. He invented codes and methods to disguise communication. Your grandfather, my father, bless him, recruited from various branches of the government. These contacts were chained together to facilitate the passing of information with the least amount of risk. It soon reached a point where Grandfather realized that there was enough knowledge and personnel to execute plans to counter the Kriegs' work. He knew that a checkmate was not possible but a stalemate was within reach."
"Even draws can be a victory," said Mr. Hare.
"The network was small but nothing can ever be certain where people are concerned. My grandfather was betrayed. The Kriegs discovered who was causing delays to their plans. They decided to give my grandfather a lesson he would not soon forget," said Augusta. "More of our family members began to be involved in fatal road accidents or be inflicted with ailments that soon saw them dead. Once my grandfather realized the plot, he began to hide as many members of the family as could be managed. We were moved from one location to another. Country weekends stretched into months flitting from one friend's estate to another over the course of a long summer. I was eager to do my part but too young to be risked in the field. My youth and gender was put to good use as a courier ferrying messages from my grandfather to his network. I was in Dover when an informer passed to me some vital information that I had to memorize. My sister was with me at the time. We were scheduled for a train back to London. Fortunately, the King had not left. At the station, he spotted the pursuit ... the assassins sent for us. It was then that I was waylaid."
"Kidnapped," said Mr. Hare. "It was to be only a distraction for your pursuers but it became something else - your death. It is my regret to this day that we could not save your sister, my Queen."
Augusta said softly, "The bullet hit her in the neck. She died in my arms. There was nothing anyone could do."
"Death. Assassination. Disappearance. Does it matter how? It only matters that you were gone and you ... you stayed away," said Anna.
"The forfeit ended with my death. The information I provided to my grandfather gave him what he needed to turn the tables on the Kriegs. The handlful of our family that remained was saved. I cannot regret the decision only the consequences borne from it," said Augusta stiffly. "I did not come here for forgiveness. I did come here seeking some small crumb of understanding and, perhaps foolishly, acceptance."
Anna snapped at Augusta. "It's years too late for that. You're my aunt in name only. Expectations of … of instant family connections and bonds are premature."
"I thought we were getting on quite well. We had some foundation to build a relationship from," said the older woman. "Did my true identity change your heart so much? We two, no four, with Alexandra and Aidan, are ships cast adrift in turbulent seas. Anna, my dear, in times of uncertainly and danger, family can be our anchor and safe harbor."
"I don't know what I feel. I honestly do not." Anna returned to sit next to Robert.
"Honesty is a step forward," said Augusta.
"May I tell Alex and Aidan about you?" asked Anna.
"Yes, please, as soon as you may," said Augusta. "And us? What do you want me to do?"
"I can't promise anything to anyone. Promises have consequences. I can't give you what you want on a ... a personal level. Not yet," said Anna.
Robert took Anna's trembling hand in his. "We can promise the King our professional support. What goes on between you and her are for her to decide. That's the best we can do."
"I am disappointed but not surprised. You need time, Anna. I have laid too much upon your shoulders too soon. I see that. I have so much to give to you yet only time would be welcomed." Augusta rose. "Our business is concluded. Mr. Hare and I will be leaving as soon as possible."
Robert nodded. "I'll see to the arrangements." As Augusta reached the door, he said. "It took courage to come here. It will take more to ... to make a family where there was none."
"It has been lonely without my family, Robert." Augusta glanced at Anna who sat motionless on the sofa. "I have only realized how lonely I have been."
Robert moved to the door. He touched Augusta's arm. "You've given Anna her childhood back tonight. It's a part of her that she's had to deny to survive. For that, I thank you. For the rest, I know she'll come around."
"Then I shall wait as long as I may," said Augusta.
Augusta and Hare left the Scorpios alone in the study. Once the door closed, Anna shrunk into the sofa cradled in Robert's arms.
"I can't be what she expects. I won't turn myself inside out. Never again," said Anna. "What should I do? Tell me."
"Just be my Anna. That's all," replied Robert. "Let's go to our room and you can take all night to fall apart like I know you want to. The rest of the world will have to wait."
"World? Oh, god, Peter. How could I forget?" Anna sat up.
"We have some hours to wait on a reply, luv," said Robert.
"We don't have the time to wait. We need to deal with this once and for all." Anna fished in her jeans pocket. She handed the flash drive to Robert. "Peter is in Mersin, Turkey. I have the address. Get our best team together."
"Wait a minute. I just told you about Charlotte and the terms and-" began Robert.
"Sean gave me the drive."
"Where did he get it?"
"He got it from a source. That isn't important, Robert. There's so much there but getting Sinclair is our first priority," said Anna.
Robert stared at the drive as Anna walked to the door. "How hot is this information?"
"Volcanic. Please tell Andre to meet us in Mersin. I'm going to call Alex. Dimitri and his people will be an asset in that area," said Anna. "We leave within the hour. This time, Robert, you're not leaving me behind."