Commitment Read online

  It took several minutes for Eleana to get Claire settled and composed on the sofa. She took a moment to remove her coat and brought Claire a glass of water. “Here,” she handed Claire the glass.

  “How about something stronger?” Claire asked.

  Eleana offered her lover a weak smile. “We need to talk,” Eleana said.

  “I don’t understand,” Claire replied. “Marcus told me. It was on the news…Eleana, I saw the building…I went to…”

  “I know what you were doing,” Eleana said. “You were going to take down Dimitri; right?”

  “You were not supposed to be there,” Claire said.

  “What about all the other people who were, Claire?” Eleana asked softly, prompting an anxious expression from Claire. Eleana sighed deeply. “Twenty-one people, Claire. No, I didn’t die. Only because of Russ. Twenty-one people did. How could you be a part of that?” she asked. Claire did not answer.

  “Oh, Claire. Is it true?” Eleana asked.

  “What?”

  “You are the one who killed Elliot?” Eleana’s pained expression brought on another wave of Claire’s tears.

  “It was an order,” Claire tried to explain.

  “I see. What about me?” Eleana asked. “Did you stop and think about me, Claire? Even once, in all of this…When did you stop and think about me?”

  “I think about you all the time,” Claire said honestly.

  Eleana looked to the ceiling and closed her eyes. “You think about this…about then,” Eleana said. “Is that it? You think about us; what? Having sex? Tell me, Claire…I need to know. What do you think about?”

  “I….Eleana…no….I think about you….”

  “Claire….you brought O’Brien here? To our place?”

  “I wanted to be close to you. You were gone!” Claire defended herself.

  “You made love to him in our bed!” Eleana shot back.

  “I never made love to him. Never….never to anyone but you,” Claire declared.

  “What about my brother? That was just sex? Then you killed him? My brother, Claire!”

  “It wasn’t….”

  “I know what it wasn’t,” Eleana said. “What were we?”

  “What do you mean; what were we?” Claire asked.

  “What is this?” Eleana gestured to their surroundings. “What does it mean to you?”

  “Everything,” Claire said. “It’s the only place I have ever felt….home.”

  Eleana’s tears began to fall. She looked at her lover compassionately. “Yes. It was. It was our home. I thought eventually… that would be enough…this place. What it meant to us.”

  “It is,” Claire reached for Eleana.

  “No. It isn’t. We are not the same people we were, Claire. We’ve chosen different paths,” Eleana said as her tears picked up their pace.

  “Don’t you love me?” Claire asked.

  “Always,” Eleana answered. “That has never been a question.”

  “I love you,” Claire spoke the words and placed a kiss on Eleana’s lips.

  Eleana allowed herself one last indulgence. She slipped her hand around Claire’s neck and brought her closer. She could feel the depth of Claire’s emotion. This was the only way that Claire could connect to that. It was always visceral, primal for Claire. As Eleana faded into her lover’s kiss, she realized that she required so much more now than Claire could offer. Part of her screamed to give in to Claire’s needs. Reluctantly, she pulled away and cupped Claire’s face in her hands. “I have to go,” she told Claire.

  “Where are you going?” Claire said. “You just got back…. you…”

  “This isn’t my home anymore,” Eleana said. It was a realization she wished she could deny. “You stay,” Eleana kissed Claire’s cheek.

  “I need you,” Claire grasped for Eleana.

  “Maybe. I needed you, Claire; all of you….or maybe that is just what I wanted; I don’t know,” Eleana confessed. “You have to decide what you want.”

  “I want you.”

  “I know, but you will never be able to commit to that,” Eleana said.

  “I’m here,” Claire argued. “I’m always with you.”

  “Until the next time,” Eleana pointed out. “And, where was I when you helped Dimitri blow that building?”

  “I didn’t….”

  “You didn’t press the button. I know. Where was I when you killed Elliot?” Eleana asked.

  “Where were you when I thought you were dead?” Claire shouted.

  Eleana nodded. She was tempted to take the bait and argue passionately, but something deeper was calling to her. “This is your home, Claire. That’s what I always intended. It’s yours.”

  “It’s ours,” Claire said defiantly.

  “No,” Eleana said as she reached for her jacket. “Not anymore.”

  “Eleana, wait!” Claire caught hold of her lover. “Please, stay. Tell me what you want? Do you want me to quit? Walk away; what?”

  “You can’t quit being who you are,” Eleana observed. “We’re different. We always were. Just, now….You still live in the past. What your father wants. What you need to prove. Even this place….”

  “Eleana, please….”

  Eleana smiled. “I love you.”

  “I love you,” Claire said. “I should have said it….”

  “I know,” Eleana smiled. “I’ve always known. But, there’s no future for us. I don’t want to live in our past any longer.” Claire closed her eyes. And felt Eleana’s lips tenderly brush over hers. “Be careful, Claire. It’s hard enough losing you once.”

  When Claire Brackett finally opened her eyes, Eleana was gone. She closed her eyes again and leaned her head against the door. It felt to Claire as if the only solid thing in her life had just been washed away. They had argued many times. This had been different. There was a finality in Eleana’s kiss that Claire could not deny. She took a deep breath and centered her thoughts, looking back at the home surrounding her. “She’ll be back,” Claire whispered. “Everyone goes home.”

  Monday, February 2nd

  “This is getting out of control!” President Lawrence Strickland screamed. “Jeffrey! Where the hell are our people on this? It’s only been days, and already there are people calling for my impeachment! Jesus! Is this an investigation of a God damned witch hunt?”

  “Mr. President, with all due respect, I do not control the international press,” Jeffrey Mansfield said.

  “Then you’d better create a damn good counter-offensive,” Strickland ordered. “Who the hell leaked information about Merrow’s inquiries into Taylor? No one knew that but the people in this office! I want to know who it was, and I want a viable story to debunk it.”

  “Mr. Mansfield,” Admiral Brackett interrupted carefully. “Can I have a moment with the president, please?” Jeffrey Mansfield threw his hands in the air and left the Oval Office. “You need to calm down, Larry,” Brackett advised. “You are pouring gasoline on the fire.”

  “Well, what do you suggest?” Strickland asked angrily.

  “Calm. I suggest calm. You need to be the eye of the storm if you hope to survive it,” Brackett said. “Plenty of people knew about John’s suspicions. I’ve told you before; this is not a small network. You think because you are sitting in that chair that you are running the show. You aren’t. Not even close. It took almost seventy-five years to build The Collaborative into what it is today. You are just a dot on the map, Larry; a dot that can be easily erased. If Viktor wanted you gone; you would be. Someone does not like the game you and Viktor have been playing,” Brackett said.

  “And you, Admiral Brackett? Do you approve? Or are you simply here to watch the show?” Strickland asked.

  “I’ve navigated the intelligence arm of The Collaborative for twenty-five years. It’s in my best interest to preserve it,” Brackett said.

  “So, you have a suggestion?” Strickland asked.

  “Simple, you cross Ivanov.”

  “Wh
at?” Strickland asked.

  “I thought that was pretty straightforward even for you, Larry. You cross Ivanov. Take a hit in the press. Throw Michael Taylor and Christopher O’Brien under the bus. Implicate others. Take them to task and throw away the key. Make examples of them. Become the janitor that you are…and clean house,” Admiral Brackett told the president.

  “I take it you have some thoughts on who these sacrificial lambs might be?” Strickland asked.

  “Look in your backyard first, Larry. Mr. Mansfield for instance.”

  “Jeffrey’s not………”

  “Jeffrey’s not who you think he is,” Brackett said flatly.

  “And then?” Strickland urged.

  “There are plenty of lambs to be led to the slaughter. We just have to find the right ones,” Brackett said. “Starting with those who were closest to John Merrow.”

  “Cassie, who was that?” Rose asked.

  “Eileen,” Cassidy said softly.

  “O’Brien?” Rose gently urged.

  “Yeah. They’re planning a service next Thursday in Southampton,” Cassidy said.

  “Are you going to go?” Rose asked.

  “Yes.”

  “And Dylan?” Rose wondered.

  “I need to talk to Alex and Dylan about that. Eileen has always been good to Dylan, Mom. It’s not her fault Chris turned out the way he did,” Cassidy observed. She had never been close to her former mother-in-law, but she did not dislike the woman. “I did make it clear that if we attend; Alex will be accompanying us.”

  “How did she respond to that?” Rose asked.

  Cassidy shrugged. “If she wants to have Dylan remain in her life in any way, she’ll have to accept Alex.”

  “I’d like to be there,” Rose said.

  “I would appreciate that,” Cassidy admitted.

  “Are you going to call Alex?”

  “Yes. For some reason, I think she’ll want to know,” Cassidy said.

  “Do you think it will be a big affair?” Rose asked.

  “She said private; family and friends. I don’t know how much of either he has left,” Cassidy sighed.

  “How was Dylan when you dropped him off at school?” Rose asked.

  “I don’t know. I didn’t. Alex and Pip took him,” Cassidy said. “They could convince him of just about anything; I think.”

  “Probably so,” Rose admitted. “I’ll leave you to call Alex. I have an appointment to get to.”

  “Are you headed home?” Cassidy asked.

  “In a way,” Rose winked. “I’ll see you later.”

  Cassidy waved goodbye to her mother. “Always so cryptic,” she laughed as she dialed Alex. “Hey, got a minute?”

  “Any changes?” an older man asked.

  “None; everything is secure,” Agent Brady replied.

  “Well, Agent Brady….I’m sure this is not what you imagined your reward would be,” the older man chuckled slightly.

  “I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage,” Brady said.

  “That is both a fair assessment and a significant understatement,” the older man said with a smile. “It’s not the most exotic place for an assignment, but it won’t be forever,” he said.

  “Forever can be defined different ways,” Brady responded evenly.

  The older man laughed. “I can see why she chose you,” he said. “Come on, Agent Brady. Let me buy you a cup of horrible coffee. We’ll get to know each other.”

  hat did Cassie say?” Krause asked as he and Alex rounded the corner of the hallway.

  “O’Brien’s mother called. Wanted Cassidy to know about the service they are planning,” Alex explained.

  “I hadn’t even thought of that. Probably be pretty bare,” Krause said.

  “Oh, I don’t know. You know how curious people can be, “Alex replied. She led Krause into an elevator and pressed the button for the basement. “I’m more curious about this meeting,” she said.

  “Yeah, well….we’ll see what Jane and Edmond bring to the table,” Krause replied.

  Alex stepped out of the elevator with Krause following closely behind. They walked through a wide corridor, passing through several doors before Alex stopped. “I still can’t believe this place sometimes,” she said as she pressed several numbers into a keypad and then lifted her thumb to it. “How did he even build this without anyone knowing?” Alex wondered aloud. The pair passed through the door into a small room. Alex stepped forward again and placed her eye in the appropriate position. Krause followed suit. A panel finally rolled upwards, revealing a long tunnel. “Have you spoken to Eleana yet?” Alex asked as they continued their trek.

  “No, but I’m certain she will be here,” Krause said.

  “I hope so,” Alex admitted. She stopped abruptly and turned toward the wall. A few seconds passed and a screen appeared. Alex pressed her thumb to it. Within seconds, a door was revealed and opened. She stepped through first and nodded a silent greeting to the room. “I see you all made it safely,” Alex said.

  Jane moved to Alex and embraced her. “How are Cassidy and Dylan?” she asked.

  “As well as can be expected,” Alex answered truthfully. She turned her attention to Brian Fallon. “Glad to see you in one piece, Fallon. Welcome to my humble abode,” she said sarcastically. “Let’s sit and skip the pleasantries. Pip and I have some questions, and no one is leaving this room until I am satisfied we have some answers,” Alex said bluntly. “So, who wants to start? How about we start with who made the call to remove Michael Taylor and plant drugs in Christopher O’Brien’s townhouse.”

  There was no pause. “That’s an easy one. I did,” Jane said flatly.

  “Hi,” a small voice said.

  Dylan looked up from the paper he was coloring. “Hi, Jamie,” he said.

  The little dark haired girl took a seat beside him. “I’m sorry about your dad,” she whispered. Dylan just shrugged. “I don’t think you’re a villain,” she told him.

  Dylan smiled at his friend. “Thanks.”

  “Are you sad?” she asked him.

  Dylan shrugged again. “Kind of. Sometimes he played video games with me and stuff.”

  “Yeah. I never see my dad. He left when I was a baby,” Jamie said.

  “But I see your dad all the time?” Dylan looked at her in confusion.

  “Oh yeah; you mean Jimmy. He’s my mom’s boyfriend. He’s nice,” she said. “He picks me up sometimes and he even reads to me. He doesn’t live with us, though. Maybe someday.”

  “Alex lives with us,” Dylan said.

  “Yeah, so is she like your dad then?” Jamie asked innocently.

  Dylan laughed. “No, she’s a girl,” he stated the obvious.

  “Yeah, but isn’t she like married to your mom?” Jamie asked. “That’s what my mom said.”

  “Yeah?” Dylan was confused now himself.

  “So then, what is she?”

  “My mom,” Dylan answered.

  “But you have a mom,” Jamie pointed out.

  “Yep. I have two. I have two uncles too…and two cousins,” he said.

  “That’s cool,” Jamie said. “I have a brother, but I’ve never met him…at least that’s what my mom says.”

  “How come?” Dylan asked.

  “He lives with my dad, and she doesn’t know where they are,” Jamie said.

  “I wouldn’t like it if I didn’t know Mackenzie,” Dylan said.

  “Who is Mackenzie?”

  “My brother. Well, Mom says Mackenzie might be a girl, but I don’t think so,” Dylan said. Jamie looked at Dylan as if he had two heads. He laughed. “My mom is having a baby. He’s not here yet,” he explained.

  “Which one?” Jamie asked curiously. Dylan wrinkled his nose in confusion. “Which mom?” she asked him.

  “Oh…Mom, not Alex,” he giggled. Jamie nodded. “I can’t wait to meet him,” Dylan said.

  “How come you tell everyone your name is Toles?” Jamie asked.

  “I don�
�t know,” Dylan looked down at his paper. “Cause Alex is my mom, and she lives with us. Mackenzie will be. My mom is a Toles too.”

  “I think that’s cool,” Jamie said.

  “You do?” Dylan asked.

  “Yeah. I have my mom’s last name,” she told him. Dylan smiled. “You’re lucky,” Jamie said a bit sadly.

  “How come?” Dylan asked his friend.

  “I don’t know. I don’t have a dad, or any uncles or brothers. I just have my mom…and sometimes Jimmy, if he’s not working,” she explained.

  Dylan looked at his friend and smiled. “You can share mine if you want,” he offered.

  “Really?”

  “Sure. We’re friends; right?” he asked her. Jamie nodded. “Alex and Mom say you can love as many people as you want to. Do you like video games?” Dylan asked.

  “Sure,” she said.

  “Do you like tacos?” Dylan questioned his friend.

  “Yeah, but my mom hates them,” Jamie complained.

  “Maybe you can come over when my mom makes them. They’re the best,” Dylan said proudly.

  “Which one?” Jamie asked. Dylan shook his head “Which mom makes tacos?”

  Dylan laughed. “My mom…not Alex. Alex makes cereal and eggs. YaYa says she’s missing a gene.”

  “Who’s YaYa?”

  “She’s my grandma. I just call her YaYa,” Dylan explained. “It’s Greek, like Alex.”

  “Wow. You know a lot of people,” Jamie said wide eyed.

  “I guess,” Dylan said. “I’ll ask my mom about the tacos.”

  “What are you making?” Jamie asked, looking at Dylan’s picture.

  “I was making it for Alex and Mom, but you can have it,” Dylan said.

  “Really?”

  “Sure, it’s my family. I see them all the time. You take it. Then, you won’t feel so lonely,” Dylan observed.

  Jamie accepted the picture and gave Dylan a hug. “You’re the best friend I ever had,” Jamie told him.

  “Excuse me?” Alex said. “I missed something.”