Eye Of The Storm - DK3 (59 page)

They broke into the open, startling the wits out of several bystanders and attracting the immediate attention of a policeman on horseback trotting by. He pulled up and backed his mount, and they made for him, almost colliding with the huge animal. “Whoa there.”

Kerry turned to see a crowd of men come out of the park, skidding to a halt when they spotted the policeman. She caught her breath and put a hand on Ceci’s shoulder, gazing in concern at the older woman leaning against the horse. “You okay?”

Ceci nodded.

“What’s going on here, ladies?” the policeman asked, his broad, bearded face wrinkled in concern. He watched the collection of sullen men fade back into the park and scowled. “Were those people giving you some trouble?”

“You could say that.” Kerry sighed. “They invited us to party. We declined. They took exception.”

The man shook his head and dismounted. “Damn it. I knew there was going to be trouble from those people.” He dug out a book from his saddlebag and made some notes, then picked up his walkie talkie. “Sim-monds to base. Looks like we’ve got some trouble at the FDR Memorial.”

He clicked off. “I’ll need some information from you ladies.”

“Um,” Kerry backed off a step, “you know, they really didn’t do anything to us, and I’d kinda rather not get involved.” That earned her a very dour glare from the policeman. “I know, I know. I’m supposed to be a good citizen, but trust me, officer, you don’t want to deal with the paperwork I’m going to cause.”

“Listen, Ms. ...” He looked at her in question.

Kerry sighed. “Stuart.” She paused. “Kerrison Stuart.”

“Stuart, right. Listen Ms. St—” He stopped. “Not that Stuart?”

She nodded. “Unfortunately.”

He rubbed his face. “Where are you staying?”

Kerry pointed.

“Go there and stay there, okay?”

“You got it.”

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“Did they know who you were?”

“I don’t think so.” Kerry shook her head. “And I’d rather they didn’t.”

He wrote something down, then nodded. “All right, Ms. Stuart, go on. Please. It’s a little crazy out here tonight. Stay inside.”

“I will,” Kerry agreed, then took Cecilia’s arm to move her towards the crossing light. “Jesus. I didn’t think those classes would come in so handy.”

Ceci was rattled. She took in several breaths, waiting for her heart to settle. “No kidding,” she murmured. “Did Dar teach you that?”

“Yes.” Kerry suddenly was extremely grateful for the long hours spent in the gym being tossed on her butt. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah.” Ceci straightened her shirt out as they crossed the street and headed towards the hotel entrance. “But I don’t want to have to repeat that any time soon.”

“Me either,” Kerry agreed, unaware of the eyes on their back. “What time is it?” She checked her watch. “Almost ten. Good.” She pulled the hotel front door opened and allowed Ceci to move in ahead of her. “Let’s find a movie to watch. Maybe room—yes?” She’d felt a brush against her back. “Can I help you?”

“Sorry,” the cheerful looking young man apologized. “Excuse me.”

He pushed ahead of her and marched towards the front desk.

“No problem,” Kerry murmured, twitching her shoulders, unable to escape a feeling of vague familiarity in his face, or his movements, she wasn’t sure which.

Definitely, though, things were getting creepier. She checked her watch again, then shook her head and followed Ceci towards the elevator.

HER MESSAGE LIGHT was blinking when she entered her room and Kerry stared at it for a minute before she walked over and picked up the receiver. She dialed the front desk and listened for an answer. “Yes, I have a…oh. Yes.” She listened to the message. A Mr. Selver, from the Washington Post: Call me, it’s very important. “Ah, thanks,” Kerry murmured politely.

But there were more. Six notes, from six different representatives of the media, all wanting to talk to her or to set up a time to talk to her.

“Wow. Um. I don’t really want to answer any of these.”

The operator replied in a friendly manner, obviously used to people who didn’t want to talk to the press. “Would you like us to screen your calls, Ms. Stuart?”

“Yes. I have a cell phone and anyone who really wants me, who I want to talk to knows the number,” Kerry replied. “Oh. But if either Dar or Andrew Roberts calls, that’s fine.”

The sound of scribbling came clearly through the phone. “Will do, ma’am. Have a good night.”

“Thanks. Oh, can you transfer me to room service?” Kerry asked, receiving an affirmative, then waiting as the call was transferred.

“Hello?”

She ordered a coffee milkshake and some chips, then set the phone down and walked over to the comfortable looking couch in the corner and flopped down on it. “Jesus.” She closed her eyes and rubbed them with one hand.
That had been...disgusting.
Both the attitudes of the unruly crowd and the attack on them made Kerry feel sick to her stomach.

Oh well.
She looked up as a light knock came at the door. “Hey.”

Ceci walked in, carrying a box of chocolates. “Want one?”

Kerry’s brow creased. “Sure. Where did those come from?”

“Godiva, by way of my husband,” came the wry response. “He has this very surprising indulgent streak in him that peeks out sometimes.”

Kerry munched on the treat thoughtfully. “Mmm. Dar does too.” She nodded. “I find stuff on my desk sometimes. A cookie, a rose…I never know what’s going to be there.”

Ceci sat down on the chair next to her and propped her feet up on 326
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the coffee table. “Do you reciprocate?”

The blonde woman nodded. “Sure.” She grinned. “I’ll go out and get her a new shirt or something for her computer, like a cute mousepad, that kind of thing.” She paused. “Sometimes I’ll leave a little poem or something around, if I’m really in a goopy mood.”

Ceci chuckled. “I used to tuck little goodies into his kit bags,” she admitted. “His favorite was a little sack of Hershey’s kisses.”

Kerry smiled, then jumped as her cell phone buzzed. “God, I hate that.” She tugged it out then opened it. “Hello?”

“Hey, Kerry. It’s Mark.”

“Hi.” Kerry felt her mental track derail. “What’s up?”

“Well, nothing good. They just blew a major node up in Virginia and half the Eastern Seaboard’s ATM and interbank transfers are down.”

“Ouch.” Kerry winced. “That’s big trouble.” She reached over and unzipped her laptop case, then pulled the computer out and put it on the desk. “I’ll dial in and monitor it. Do we have an ETA yet?”

A snort. “ETA? They don’t even know what the problem is, much less how to fix it. CLIPC’s escalating, but I think the carrier’s just chasing their tail around in a circle.”

“Great.” Kerry got up and slid into the desk chair, booted up her laptop and plugged the modem cable into the convenient wall jack. “And tomorrow’s not only Friday, it’s the end of the month.”

“Government payday,” Mark agreed. “That’s why I’m a-callin’. I was noodling around in the system when I saw the links go down. I’d guess they’re about to start notifying you guys.”

Kerry sighed. “Thanks, Mark.”

“How’s it going?”

“Yuck.”

“Well, at least there was good news on the contract front today. I bet Dar almost died when she heard about it.”

Kerry was busy logging in. “Heard about what?”

A knock came at the door and Ceci stood, waving Kerry back as she walked over and peeked through the eyehole. “Room service.” She unlocked the door and opened it, allowing the uniformed server to enter.

She was about to close the door when a large, burly man put a hand on the surface of the door and pushed it back. “Excuse me?”

“Hi. I’m looking for Kerry Stuart?”

Ceci put her body squarely in the doorway. “Why?”

“Just wanted to talk to her.” The man smiled in a friendly manner.

“My name’s Al, Al Bainbridge. I work for the local paper.”

Ceci gave him a direct look. “It’s late and I don’t think she’s in the mood to talk right now.”

“Suppose you let me ask her?”

“Suppose you move your hand before I slam the door on it?”

“It’s to her advantage if she talks to me, lady.” Now the man’s voice took on a harder edge. “Either I get some facts from her or we’ll get them some other way, and won’t it be nicer if she gets to have her say first?”

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“What is it, Mrs. Roberts?” Kerry came up behind her and glanced over her shoulder. “Ah. My pushy reporter friend.” She put a hand on Ceci’s shoulder. “I really don’t have anything to say to you.”

The man held a hand up. “Now, c’mon, Ms. Stuart. It’s just a few questions. You’re gonna have to answer them sooner or later. You made yourself too interesting a subject up there and there’s lots of people digging around for info on you.”

Kerry scratched her jaw. “Okay.” She glanced shrewdly at him. “I’ll give you a choice. Would you rather talk to me or get paid?”

“What?”

“I’m working on fixing a problem that affects all of the interbank transfers and ATM machines from New York to Virginia. I’ll ask you again. Do you want to talk, or do you want me to get on with my job?”

The reporter stared at her for a long moment. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope.” Kerry held up her corporate ID. “You choose, but make it fast, because my milkshake’s melting.”

He exhaled. “Tell you what. I’ll beat feet tonight, but willya please agree to have breakfast with me? I’m not out to hurt you, Ms. Stuart.

Honest I’m not.”

Kerry thought about it. Talking to the press wasn’t something she really wanted to do, but after those messages, she started to realize the scope of the interest in her. Maybe Al was right. Maybe it was better for her to at least have a chance at controlling what was released. “All right,”

she agreed quietly. “But I don’t think it’s much of a story for you.”

He hid a swift smile of triumph. “Guess we’ll find out tomorrow.

Good night, Ms. Stuart.” He gave Ceci a brief look, then turned and made his way back down the hallway.

“You sure you want to do that?” Ceci inquired, glancing behind her.

“Where’d the waiter go?”

“I sent him out through your room.” Kerry sighed, as she closed the door and checked her watch. “This is a mess. I wish—”

Another knock at the door. “Son of a bitch.” Kerry was losing her patience. She turned, grabbed the door handle, and yanked it back, taking a breath to blast whoever it was. It came back out in an utterly relieved trickle. “Thank you.” Kerry reached out and grabbed a handful of cotton and reeled in a tall, dark haired woman who came willingly and enveloped her in a powerful hug. “Ungh. I am so glad you’re here.”

Dar moved a little forward, very pleased at the greeting, as she let her father come in behind her. “Mother,” she greeted Cecilia with wry cordiality, as Kerry burrowed into her chest, warming the skin under her shirt with a long exhale.

“Close the door,” Ceci advised, as she fit herself into Andrew’s arms and gave him a quick kiss. “We’ve had enough excitement for tonight.”

Dar kicked the door shut. “What happened?”

“What didn’t?” Kerry muttered, refusing to release her hold. It was nice and warm and dark where she was, it smelled great, and Dar had found just the exact right spot on her back to rub. Maybe if she stayed 328
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here long enough, everything else would just sort of go away and she’d wake up back home to nothing more out of the ordinary than a Hallow-een party to go to.

Ceci’s lips quirked and she tugged her husband towards the interconnecting door. “I’ll fill you in,” she promised. “Besides, there’s chocolates in there. C’mon, sailor boy.”

Dar watched them leave, then turned her attention to the blonde woman cradled in her arms. “Hey.”

Reluctantly, Kerry opened her eyes and looked up. “Hi.” She sighed, then yelped as her cell phone went off, at the same time as Dar’s did. “Oh yeah. Everyfrigginggoddamned monetary transfer system in the Northeast is down.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.” Dar groaned, answering hers. “Yes?” A pause. “Thank you.” She closed the phone, then tossed it on the chair.

Kerry’s followed. She laced her fingers behind the smaller woman’s head and just looked at her, thinking about all the things she had to say, seeing her thoughtfulness reflected in Kerry’s eyes.

Then she deliberately put that all out of her mind as she brushed her lips against Kerry’s, then deepened the contact, getting lost in the surge of passion that lifted the nape hairs off her neck and made her knees shake just a little. They explored each other leisurely then finally parted, and Dar nibbled Kerry’s nose as they gazed into each other’s eyes. “What were we talking about?” she murmured.

“I have no clue.” Kerry leaned forward and just breathed in Dar’s distinctive scent. “I don’t want to have a clue right now. I want to take all my clues, put them in a FedEx letter pack, and mail them to Queensland, Australia.”

Dar wrapped her arms around Kerry and hugged her, lifting her up a bit and hearing a soft crackle as her spine realigned itself.

“Uhh.” Kerry sighed blissfully. “You rock.” A chuckle more felt then heard vibrated against her and Kerry smiled. They stayed like that for quite a while, then Kerry rested her chin on Dar’s breastbone, peering up.

“It wouldn’t take much for me to kick the plug out of that laptop and turned off the cell phone.”

“I know.” Dar rubbed her back. “But we’d hate ourselves in the morning.”

Kerry stuck her tongue out and found it captured in neat white teeth.

“Heth!”

Dar grinned and released her. “Teach you to sass me, young lady.”

She imitated her father’s low growl. “C’mon. Let’s get this worked out and trade tales.” She circled Kerry with an arm and led her to the desk, stopping to select a chip and scoop up some salsa. “You and Mom get along all right?”

“Um, I think we’ve bonded, yes,” Kerry admitted. “After you’ve been on a long plane flight, sat through senate investigation, and been chased by Neo-Nazis with someone…”

Dar stopped in mid motion and peered at her through a set of dark
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