Betrayal (65 page)

“Neither will I,” he conceded.

“Point is, she is the best judge of character I know. Save that jerk. And frankly, I think she figured him out long ago and just couldn’t admit it to herself. At least call her.”

Krause was surprised. “You are lucky.”

“I know,” Alex said.

“Listen, Toles…when that disk we switched gets to….when they realize…they are going to think it was Matthews who made the switch.”

“I know,” she admitted.

“Then you also know what might happen.” She nodded. “If the admiral is expecting me, it’s likely they suspect something already.” Alex closed her eyes and sighed. Russ Mathews was a friend. “What they’ll do…”

“I know. For whatever it is worth I think he expects it,” she said.

“You’d better go, Toles. You have a big day tomorrow,” he grinned.

“Yeah, I do,” she laughed.

“What?” he asked.

“The last few weeks I seem to be saying ‘I do’ all the time. Like it’s rehearsal or something.” Krause laughed. “Call Cass, wish her luck.”

“Why? Think she needs it?” he joked.

“Developing a sense of humor?” Alex snapped back.

“Don’t tell anyone.”

“Your secret is safe with me, Pip.”

“Take care of her,” he said as Alex exited the car. Alex just smiled. Krause gripped the wheel and started the ignition. “Now Admiral, let’s see what you are planning,” he mused.

The black phone that sat on the corner of the large wooden desk rang. A hand reached slowly over and lifted the receiver. Landline; that was not a good sign. A steady man’s voice came through immediately. “There’s been a fracture. Time to call in The Broker.”

A forceful sigh escaped through a painful silence. “I understand,” was the only response.

“Sphinx must be ready,” the voice demanded.

The hand holding the black receiver tightened its grip. “I’ll take care of it.”

“Quickly,” the voice responded.

Slowly the receiver fell back to its home leaving only the hollow echo of a dial tone to linger. “I’ll take care of it.”

Saturday, May 31
^st

y God, Cassidy,” a voice called softly. “You look gorgeous.”

Cassidy turned and offered a slightly embarrassed smile. “Let’s hope your sister feels that way,” she said.

Nick shook his head. “I hope it’s okay. Barb didn’t want to let me in. I had to bribe her.”

Cassidy laughed and motioned to her future brother-in-law to sit. “How is Alex?” she asked.

“Pacing.”

“I know this will sound crazy, but I miss her.”

Nick reached for Cassidy’s hand. “It’s not crazy at all. Cassidy?” She smiled at him and raised her brow. “I want you to know how much you mean to this family.” Cassidy tilted her head in confusion. “I’m sorry about my father. I tried.”

“Nick…”

“No, please. Let me say this. Growing up, Alex was my best friend. I got picked on a lot. I was small. Alex, well, she never let me feel small.” Cassidy watched as Nick’s emotions threatened to overtake him. She had noticed from the first time she had met Alex’s brother how much Nick adored his older sister. Cassidy understood how the tension in the Toles family created a lingering sense of loss and sadness that plagued all of them over many years. She listened intently as Nick continued. “Having Alex in my life, in Cat’s, everyone being together, my
mother with Alex; I don’t think that would have happened without you. You gave me my family back.”

Cassidy took a deep breath. Nick was very much like his sister. Not everyone saw the side of Alex Toles that revealed her innocence and tenderness. Cassidy witnessed it in every moment, even when Alex seemed to exude strength and purpose. With Cassidy, Alex’s deepest fears and desires were always exposed. Family meant the world to the man before her, just as it did to her lover. “Nick,” he looked at the sparkling green eyes that held his. “I didn’t give you your family back.” He started to protest and Cassidy placed her hand on his cheek. “You and Barb, Cat, and now Helen; you complete what Alex brought to both Dylan and I. Alex gave me the family I didn’t even realize I was missing. For whatever it is worth we have fallen in love with all of you.”

“You know, I knew she was in love with you the first time you came here,” Nick confessed. “I even told her so. She denied it. Too soon. You were straight. I was crazy.” Cassidy laughed. “I had walked out to check on you. You had your eyes closed. Alex was just watching you.” Cassidy pushed back her tears. “I’d never seen that expression on her face before. She was smiling, just watching you. I just wanted you to know. Barb and I…we love you. You are my sister. I would do anything for you and Dylan.”

“I know that,” she said. “I feel the same way.” Sensing a need to shift the conversation, Cassidy stood. “Speaking of my son,” she said. “Where is he?” Nick tried to hide an impish grin. “I know that look,” Cassidy chastised him. “What are you and Alex up to?”

“Nothing,” he feigned innocence. Cassidy narrowed her gaze. “Honest, nothing. Last I knew Dylan was with The Rev.”

“You’d better save the good reverend. You know Dylan,” she suggested.

“Right,” he agreed. “He’s probably with Alex by now. I’ll make sure he makes his way here.”

Cassidy watched as he scampered out the door, passing her mother and Barb with a toothy grin. “Okay, you two,” Cassidy warned. “What is going on?”

Rose beamed with pride as she looked at her daughter. “Cassie, Alex might just pass out when she sees you.”

“Nice try, Mom. Alex has been in far more stressful situations.”

Barb shook her head. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” she remarked.

“Someone please tell me what is going on,” Cassidy looked at Barb. “Neither your husband or my future wife are very good at hiding things.” Cassidy rolled her eyes. Alex might be completely in command professionally, but at home she was constantly caught with her hand in the proverbial cookie jar. “I’ve seen that grin plenty. What is Alex up to?”

Rose walked to her daughter and took Cassidy’s face in her hands. She could sense just a hint of actual fear in her daughter. “I can’t tell you that and neither can Barb,” she said plainly. “I will tell you that she loves you…And that she is downstairs fiddling and fussing with anything she can get her hands on.”

Cassidy tried to remain stoic but failed. “Just tell me this; am I going to cry and ruin all this mascara?” Both women shrugged. “Great,” Cassidy sighed.

“There is no way you are making it through that ceremony, no matter how short without crying and we all know it, so just forget about the mascara,” Rose counseled her daughter. “And I will tell you this…” Cassidy perked up in curiosity. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you fall over when you see her either. She is beautiful.”

Cassidy’s expression softened. “Yes, she is.”

“Alexis, stop fidgeting,” Helen giggled.

Alex rubbed her temple with her thumb. “I don’t want to screw anything up.”

“Are we talking about the vows or the marriage?” Helen asked with a smile.

“Both.”

“Want to back out?” Helen asked with as much seriousness as she could muster.

“What? No!”

“Alexis, relax. Cassidy is head over heels in love with you.”

Alex smiled and shook her head. “I know. I still can’t believe it though.”

“She is a remarkable woman,” Helen complimented.

“Yeah, she is.”

“But then, so are you.” Alex was stunned. Her mother continued without missing a beat. “You are Alexis. You always have been. Beautiful, smart…sensitive.” Alex bit her lower lip. “Oh you might think you hide that well and you probably do from most people. You’ve always been sensitive, Alexis. You used to bring home every injured animal you found and try to nurse them back to health. Cats, birds, squirrels; I swear your father and I thought we were raising a future zookeeper.” Helen watched as the pained expression fell across her daughter’s face. “He does love you, Alexis. I know you don’t think so. I understand why you would think that, but today of all days; don’t you doubt that. Today is about love. Today is the day to be that sensitive little girl.”

Alex took a deep breath and stilled herself. “Thanks, Mom.” Helen just smiled.

“Alex!” an exited seven year old bounced into the room. “Whoa!” he said as he caught sight of her.

“What?” she asked him with concern.

“You are so pretty,” he said innocently.

Alex tried to remain serious. “Does that surprise you, Speed?” she asked, forcing down her laughter.

“Nah. You’re always pretty, just not as pretty as Mom.”

His statement ended all hope of containing her amusement and she moved to envelop him in a bear hug. “That is the truth if ever I heard it,” she conceded. “Your mom is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

“Yep,” he said proudly.

Alex stepped back and regarded him. She hadn’t seen him since Nick took him to get dressed. He was wearing a small black tuxedo, complete with a black vest to match. What captured her attention immediately was the bow tie around his neck. It too was black, but it sported a repeating pattern of a yellow Batman logo. She straightened it and looked at him with pride. “You look handsome, Batman,” she complimented him.

“Mom picked it out for me and Cat.”

Helen watched as Alex closed her eyes and intervened. “Speaking of your mom, Batman; we’d better get you to her. Alex needs to go.”