Alex And Cassidy: Betrayal Part 6

Alex sat in the corner of the large ballroom with Ca.s.sidy beside her and Dylan on her lap. She watched as Jane Merrow graciously made her way to each person in the packed room, thanking them and a.s.suring each that John Merrow had valued their support and friends.h.i.+p. Dylan was growing a bit restless. There were very few children present and the mood remained somber. "Bored, Speed?" Alex asked. He just shrugged. "Hmm. Well, what if we take a little walk?" Dylan nodded hopefully. Alex turned to Ca.s.sidy and smiled. "Give me a minute. Okay?"

"Sure," the teacher said quietly. She watched as Alex navigated the room and made her way to Jane. There was a short exchange that ended with the former first lady motioning to her eldest daughter. Within a few moments Alex returned with Stephanie Merrow at her side. A tall man in a Marine uniform followed closely behind.

"Dylan, this is Lieutenant Colonel Moore." Dylan looked at the tall man in the uniform curiously. "He flies the helicopter that the president uses. I thought you might like to see it."

"Can we ride in it?" he asked excitedly.

The Marine smiled. "I'm sorry, Dylan, no ride today. But, you can go inside it if you would like. I'll even show you where I sit."

Ca.s.sidy smiled and began to reach her feet when she noticed Jane Merrow approaching. "Ca.s.sidy," Jane began. "I was hoping, maybe we could take this opportunity to talk. Do you think you could meet me in the study?"

Ca.s.sidy felt her heart stop in her chest momentarily and gave a nod with a forced smile. Jane gave her an understanding pat on the shoulder before turning to head toward the room. "Dylan, why don't you go with Stephanie? I'll catch up to you in a minute," Alex suggested.

Stephanie offered her hand and Dylan accepted willingly. "No worries," she said to Ca.s.sidy. "I promise we won't lose him."

"Ca.s.s, it'll be all right," Alex a.s.sured her lover. Ca.s.sidy remained uncharacteristically silent. "Honestly, it will be." Ca.s.sidy took a deep breath and shook her head. Her lips were pressed so tightly together that they were beginning to become numb. "Come on, I'll walk you over."

"Alex..."

"Ca.s.s, you can't avoid her."

"I know," she answered as Alex escorted her to the door.

"Just be yourself," Alex said softly. Ca.s.sidy sighed and entered the room were Jane Merrow was standing beside a small table, looking out an oversized window. "I'll see you two in a bit," the agent said with a wink to the former first lady.

"Thank you, Alex," Jane replied. "I thought here would be good. You can see the South Lawn from here. So, you will be able to see Dylan when they reach Marine One."

"Thank you," Ca.s.sidy said, completely unsure of what was appropriate to say to the woman before her.

"Ca.s.sidy, you don't need to worry. I didn't ask you here to confront you about John." She let out a slight chuckle. "I know it was not a love affair. Though, I know that he held you in very high regard."

"Mrs...

"Ca.s.sidy, Jane. For goodness sake, I told you, Alex is family. You are family. Dylan is family." The tall, attractive woman sighed and motioned for Ca.s.sidy to come to the window. She pointed to where Dylan had begun to sprint across the lawn, still holding Stephanie's hand and she laughed. "John always wanted to be a pilot," she said softly. Ca.s.sidy smiled at the sight of her son and then looked at the woman beside her curiously. "Oh, there were many things he wanted, Ca.s.sidy." She paused and shook her head as she watched Alex finally catch up to the group and lift Dylan onto her hip. "I am glad she found you. You know, he loved her. Truly loved her."

"Jane..."

"Oh, it's all right. John and I, well, our marriage was not so much a choice. It was more given to us."

"I don't..."

Jane laughed at Dylan's wiggling and Alex's playful nature with the boy. "He is something."

"Yes, he is," Ca.s.sidy said proudly. "He doesn't let her out of his sight."

"Mm," Jane turned her attention to Ca.s.sidy. "John and I knew each other almost from birth; you know."

"I didn't know that."

"Well, publicly the story has always been that we met through our fathers in high school. But, our fathers worked together since before either one of us was even a thought. We knew very early on what the expectation was." Ca.s.sidy was surprised at the woman's candor. "I guess somewhere along the road I fell in love with him, or at least I learned to love him as a wife. He was my best friend and I was his. That never changed. But, for John, that is what it always was. When he met Alex. Well..."

"Jane...I..."

"Ca.s.sidy, let me finish." Ca.s.sidy nodded. "I was hurt, for a long time. Alex became such a good friend to me. I think she loved him more like a brother, you know? But, she did love him. He just became so distant for so long. Part of it was Alex, but there was more." She shook her head. "He never wanted to run for the senate, for any office."

"Then why?" Ca.s.sidy asked.

"Oh, I don't know. People pushed him. He was an Army brat. The son of a decorated officer. He followed as much as he led. When he decided to kick off the campaign for president, well...he was never home. When he was, he would lock himself in his office. He didn't sleep. He tried to spend time with the girls, but..." Jane stopped and looked at Ca.s.sidy. "I know how you must feel, standing here with me." She shook her head. "Then...that time was...I did the unthinkable. I was angry and lonely. I found someone."

"Jane, you don't have to...."

"Yes, I do. It was his best friend. Funny. They are so different and so alike. I wanted to hurt him. I did."

"What happened, between John and me, it was..."

Jane put her hand on Ca.s.sidy's and motioned out the window. Alex was standing in the doorway of the helicopter and even in the distance her wide smile was visible. "She is very happy with you," Jane smiled. "I know what it was and what it wasn't. I wanted you to know why he told me about that night."

"I'm sorry," Ca.s.sidy said softly. "I am surprised."

"Yes. Well, he was my best friend, and when he found out you were pregnant; when Chris told him; I think his heart broke a little. That's when he told me about that night. Can I speak honestly?"

"Of course," Ca.s.sidy said.

"He didn't like your husband much." Ca.s.sidy couldn't help but laugh. "He wondered. Watching Dylan...Well, we both knew." Ca.s.sidy had no idea what to say as Jane walked across the room and came back holding a folded flag. "I want you to take this, for Dylan."

"Jane...I can't. Dylan doesn't even...."

Jane smiled. "I don't expect you to tell him anything. Maybe someday, maybe you can just tell him that John always wanted a son. How much John loved Alex. He would want Dylan to have this. The girls, well, they had their father." A tear escaped her eye and Ca.s.sidy instinctively took her hand to comfort her. "Your secret is safe with me. If you ever decide...to tell him. Well, you should know I will support that."

Ca.s.sidy was nothing short of stunned. She had expected that Jane Merrow would be furious. "I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," Jane replied. The president's wife had learned many things over the years about people, about life, and about love. She had given up her own ambitions to support her husband's and surprisingly she had little regret for that decision. She loved her children and she had loved him, even with all of his flaws. "Just take it, please." She walked to a small loveseat and sat. "Before he pa.s.sed he told me that he loved me." She smiled. "And, he made me promise to look after all of you, the girls, Alex...you and Dylan." Ca.s.sidy struggled to breathe. "He kept saying he was sorry...over and over and over. I don't know what for. I'm sorry and take care of them. He would have done anything to protect the people he loved. Anything."

Ca.s.sidy detected a note of fear in the woman's voice. "I am so sorry," she said as she made her way to Jane. "He was always good to me, to Dylan...even to Chris."

"Hum. Well," Jane stood and readied herself. "Some might not think so, Ca.s.sidy. John was a good man. A good father. Even a good husband. He was not perfect, not at anything, but he was a good man."

"Yes, he was," Ca.s.sidy agreed.

"Come on," Jane put out her hand. "You can come take this before you leave." She set the flag on the desk. "Looks like they are headed back. I'm sure Dylan will have some stories to tell you."

"I'm sure Alex will too," Ca.s.sidy laughed. "Jane, I hope you know..."

"You don't need to say anything, Ca.s.sidy. That's how families are supposed to be." Ca.s.sidy smiled as Jane led her back through the door. "I love Alex," Jane said. "As much as he did. She was there for me during some very dark times; for all of us. And, it was a terrible time for her. She deserves to be happy." She nodded at the teacher. "And she is."

"I hope so." Jane squeezed Ca.s.sidy's hand before walking back to the large group still milling about. Ca.s.sidy let out a full breath and closed her eyes for a moment. Life felt surreal. She wondered how they had ended up here. As she opened her eyes again, Alex turned the corner. She saw Dylan looking up at Stephanie, regaling her with a story. The young woman was smiling and Ca.s.sidy could not avoid looking at her eyes. She shook her head as Alex caught sight of her. "Oh Dylan," she whispered. "What am I going to do?"

"Captain Toles. Davno ne videlis, Kapitan (It has been a long time, Captain)," a tall, thin man greeted the agent.

"Posol, dejstvidelno davno bilo (Amba.s.sador, indeed it has been)," she responded as she took his hand. "Ca.s.sidy, this is Amba.s.sador Matthews, our ill.u.s.trious Amba.s.sador to Russia." Ca.s.sidy smiled and accepted the man's hand.

"Ocharovatel'naya, I bolee krasivaja pri personalnoj vstreche (Charming and more beautiful in person)," he complimented. Ca.s.sidy continued to smile but tipped her head in question.

Alex shook her head in amus.e.m.e.nt. Russell Matthews had been a valued resource for the agent in her time with the NSA. She regarded him as intelligent, charismatic and most importantly, she regarded him as ethical in his dealings. "Talk about charmers," Alex laughed.

"Well, to capture you, Captain, is a remarkable feat," he nodded to the teacher who blushed at the offered sentiment.

"All right," Alex said putting her arm around her lover's waist gently. "How are you, Russ?"

"Well, I've had better weeks." The man's brown eyes seemed to turn nearly black as he spoke. "I can't believe he is gone." Alex tried to respond but she felt the weight of the conversation increasing.

Ca.s.sidy caught sight of Dylan prattling on to Stephanie Merrow with another story. True to form he was becoming more animated as he got to know the young woman better. Ca.s.sidy thought this presented the perfect opportunity to save the president's daughter and give her lover some s.p.a.ce. She gently took Alex's hand to grab her attention and gestured across the room. The agent and the amba.s.sador both turned to see Dylan pretending to hold a steering wheel. "I think that's my cue," Ca.s.sidy raised her eyebrow.

"Might be," Alex chuckled. "Why don't you grab hold of him? I'll meet you over there in a few minutes. Probably had his fill by now."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Ca.s.sidy giggled, seeing her son delight in the attention the Merrow sisters were paying him. "Nice to meet you, Amba.s.sador."

"The pleasure is mine, Mrs. O'Brien," he offered as she took her leave. The amba.s.sador turned back to Alex and sighed. "I am sorry, Alex...about John."

"I know." Russell Matthews and John Merrow had attended West Point together and had developed a mutual respect and admiration for the other. Through the years President Merrow had called on his former cla.s.smate many times as a trustworthy resource and ally, both for advice and for a.s.sistance. Matthews' placement in the emba.s.sy in Moscow drew criticism from many, but John Merrow was steadfast in his support of the former Army Captain. Most had to admit that the choice proved a wise one over the years. Matthews was a gifted communicator and negotiator. His una.s.suming manner prompted people to give him more information than they realized in many instances.

"Alex, I was hoping we could speak privately."

"Here?" she asked.

"Well..."

Alex moved slowly toward the far corner of the room, watching the eyes within to be certain no one was paying attention too closely. "What is it?"

"Why do you think they shot him?" he asked.

"Well, I don't know who the 'they' would be, Russ," she said flatly.

"I've heard some things, through some back channels."

Alex brought her thumb to her temple. "What things?"

"Advanced Strategic Applications, ring any bells?" the amba.s.sador asked quietly.

"What would ASA have to do with the a.s.sa.s.sination of a president?" Alex asked, the pressure on her temple increasing.

"I don't know, except that there is talk about Pakistan and something about a meeting in Corsica."

"I'm still not sure I..."

"Initsiativy est zdes' I vo Frantsii chrotbi kontrolirivat importom I eksportom. (Initiatives here and in France to control imports and exports, Captain)," he said.

"Torgovlya oruzhiyem (Arms trade)?" Alex asked for clarification. The amba.s.sador answered with only a glance. "You think he tried to prevent something?"

"Perhaps," Matthews answered.

Alex nodded and looked across the room to see Ca.s.sidy squatting in front of Dylan. "When are you returning?" she asked her friend.

"I leave for Moscow Monday."

"Zdes' nelza eto obsuzdat. Pozvoni Tayloru, on ob'yasnit (Here is not good. Call Taylor, he will explain)," Alex suggested. "It was good to see you, Russ," she reached for his hand.

"I am sorry, Alex," he said sadly as he noticed the agent's focus s.h.i.+ft across the room. "She is lovely," he allowed his gaze to follow the agent's to the blonde woman gently running her fingers through a small boy's hair.

"Yes, she is," Alex agreed. "Speak to Taylor, Amba.s.sador," Alex repeated, receiving a nod of understanding from her friend. "I think it's time to get a certain young man home," she winked.

"Alex," he softly called after her, prompting the agent to turn. "Be careful." Alex offered the amba.s.sador a c.o.c.keyed smile and continued on her way. "Be careful, Alex," he repeated to himself.

"You should have seen it, Mom!" Dylan beamed as he climbed into the large bed.

"I'll bet it was really something," Ca.s.sidy smiled.

"Yeah. You know that it has winds.h.i.+eld wipers? Just like our car, Mom!"

Ca.s.sidy sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled the covers over her son. "It sounds like it was quite the adventure." She contemplated the sparkle in his eyes as he finally let his head rest on the pillow. "I am very proud of you, Dylan," she said as a tear formed in her eye.

His small smile seemed to radiate the pride he felt in her praise. Alex made her way to the doorway and listened to the heartfelt exchange. "Mom?"

"What, sweetie?"

"Why are you crying?"

A slight chuckle escaped from his mother as Ca.s.sidy again witnessed the compa.s.sionate heart of her son. "I am just very proud of you."

"Why?"

"Well, because you are smart. You make people laugh." He smiled at her as her hand brushed his bangs aside. "But mostly because you are kind."

"I am?"

"Yes, you are. Today was very hard for so many people."

"I know," he said as his eyes dropped.

Ca.s.sidy's gaze narrowed as she studied his expression, seeing there the deep understanding his innocence allowed. It was not an understanding of events, but an ability to sense in all those around him a lingering feeling of loss hidden beneath adult pleasantries. "You, Dylan, made a lot of people smile today." He looked back up at her and Ca.s.sidy could see his small eyes watering. "You made people laugh and you reminded me of something."

"I did?" he asked innocently.

"Yes, you did," she smiled broadly. "That you," she paused and tucked the covers around him a bit, "are the best thing that ever happened to me." His smile began to grow. "And, Alex is the best thing that has ever happened to us," she said with a soft sigh. "I love you, Dylan," she said, placing a kiss on his forehead. As she rose to her feet she noticed his small eyes drift to the doorway.

"Good night, Alex," he called over.

The agent was still leaning against the doorway. Gray sweat pants and an FBI T-s.h.i.+rt replaced the formal uniform of hours earlier. The smile on her face was soft, almost as if it were whispering to them both. Alex looked at Ca.s.sidy and took a deep breath. Then she glanced to the boy with his head on the pillow. "Goodnight, Dylan."