I love writing WHAT IF stories. It’s like playing dominoes as I explained in the opening of The Prisoner At Puget Sound. Take something JJ and his crew wrote, place the tile (your own interpretation) next to it and go. By the way, all characters developed by JJ are his and ABC’s, but my characters are mine and mine alone.
This came about as I watched Blowback, Façade and then Taken. The interaction between Sloane and Judy Barnett was significant. He told her he lied a lot in order to get his way; he manipulated people shamelessly to get what he wanted and he blackmailed for the same reason. Why then would she believe anything he said? Let’s suppose that she does as JJ seems to think she would—especially, Sloane’s belief that he’s Sydney’s father, not Jack, because he had an affair with Irina.
Irina Derevko, Sydney’s mother and still Jack’s wife, is also a consummate liar and manipulator. However, she tells Sloane in Truth Takes Time never to speak again of his love for Sydney. They had an agreement and now he has broken it. Is Sloane in for the most definitive moment in his life?
The plot thickens…enjoy my version…BTW, this a complete story! :D
This story is rated R for language, sexuality and mild amount of violence… B)
AFFAIRS OF CHOICE
Part 1
Pickup
Dr. Barnett drove into her garage, her mind filled with terrible thoughts. She had committed the cardinal sin of her profession; she had let slip a confidence Sloane had shared with her weeks ago. The interview with Jack Bristow the week before had gone well until near the end when he was talking about his love for his daughter and what hell she put him through whenever she was on a mission. The North Korean episode had been his most terrifying moment when she and Vaughn were about to be executed. Her escape through the intervention of her mother made him extremely grateful.
“I guess I never appreciated how much she loves Sydney. I just can’t trust her with anything else.”
“During your marriage, did she give you any reason to not trust her?” Judy was treading on dangerous ground, but she was curious.
“No, never. I was thoroughly deceived.” Jack sighed. He frowned then, “you mean about her spying, don’t you?”
Judy glanced away. Jack caught it. “It’s something else you’re eluding too!” He straightened in his seat. “You mean having an affair?”
She shrugged. “It was something I thought she might do.” Now Judy knew she had said too much. Jack stared hard at her, analyzing and deciphering what she had just said.
“Do you know something…”
The interview had gone down hill from there. Jack had used his skill as an expert interrogator of prisoners to elicit exactly what the doctor, who should have known better, was alluding to in the interview.
“Are you trying to tell me,” he snarled, standing up, “that Sydney is not my daughter; that my wife had an affair with Arvin Sloane and he is her father?” Now Jack felt betrayed again. Irina and Sloane had an affair and Sydney is not his daughter? The agony he felt was so severe, he wanted to go somewhere and get blind drunk. His mind was spinning with the horrific news. He glared at Dr. Barnett. He turned and stormed from the room.
She had run after him and, standing in the doorway of her office, made one last attempt to correct her mistake. “Jack, I didn’t say she wasn’t your daughter…” Another agent in the hallway stopped and stared at her. Judy stood looking at him blindly and then turned and closed the door.
Judy put the key in her front door. She was sweating in fear just thinking about what she had done. Her days as a CIA psychiatrist were about to end. She would never again get a job in the intelligence community. She closed the door behind her, tossed her purse on a table in the hallway, and walked toward her bedroom. It was the last thing she remembered.
Jack sat on his sofa with a bottle of scotch clutched firmly in his right hand and his automatic pistol in his lap. He’d been drinking steadily for five days in a desperate but futile attempt to numb himself. He had not shaved nor eaten during this time. In his mind, the interview with Dr. Barnet kept playing over and over again in an endless loop.
What an idiot he had been! He was responsible for sending her to see Arvin to help lift him out of the malaise he was experiencing. Dr. Barnett had spent almost a month treating him. And she comes back with this… this preposterous story. He had been betrayed again, not only by his wife, but also by his best friend. If he had Irina here, he would kill her. What, he thought, without learning the truth? The truth… what did she know about that attribute? He rubbed the side of his cheek with the bottle of golden forgetfulness. The phone rang. He heard Sydney’s voice asking him to pick up. He ignored it. He could not talk to her. Not yet. Deep in his heart, he knew he would have to soon.
Jack desperately wanted this all to go away. He did not want Sydney to know anything about this. Still, if he didn’t show up for work soon, they would come to his condo. What would they find? He thought about just blowing his head off, but chances are Sydney would be the one to find him. That was not an option, he decided. The gun, however, felt comforting. The blue steel .45 felt cold and impersonal, but at the same time, warm in his hand.
The doorbell rang. “Go away,” he mumbled. “Don’t want any.” He put the gun on the end table and turned over on to his left side, ready for sleep that was never refreshing. He kept having nightmares about Laura repeatedly; about how many man she had had during their marriage, including Arvin Sloane. He shut his eyes hard, trying to erase the pictures in his mind. He did not hear the front door as it opened.
Jack could feel someone’s hands on him as they took the bottle from his hand. He knew he should respond, but he was not able to say or do anything. He just wanted everything to go away, leaving him and Sydney to live their lives peacefully.
“Gotta leave CIA,” he muttered vaguely…then remembered nothing.
Sydney walked into her apartment just as her cell phone rang. Sydney hoped it was her father. She hadn’t seen him or talked to him for five days. He had gone home after an interview with Dr. Barnett and not come back to work. Since he refused to answer his phone, she was going over to his condo to find out what was going on and why he was acting this way.
“Hi Dad—I’m…” She answered.
“Sydney!” The voice was warm, low, and familiar.
“Mom!” Sydney gasped. She couldn’t believe it. “Where are you?”
“I’m close by. I need to see you… and your father.”
Sydney was frightened. Irina Derevko in Los Angeles? She was still on the CIA’s most wanted list, especially since Arvin Sloane had turned over a new leaf. Still if she was near by, she was taking her life in her hands by contacting Sydney. She knew her daughter was a CIA agent, sworn to uphold the law.
“Why,” Sydney said cynically? She was trying to remain calm.
There was a momentary silence on the other end. “Once in a while a mother needs to see her daughter and her husband.”
Sydney caught her breath in surprise. “Husband, but—“
There was a low throaty chuckle from the other end. “Your father never divorced me nor did he have the marriage annulled.”
“I don’t… don’t…” Sydney stopped. She did believe. Her father was still in love with her mother and she knew Irina loved her. “Where are you?” She repeated.
“Here!”
Sydney whirled. Her mother stood facing her having just emerged from the bedroom. Irina had a Beretta in her hand. She tucked the cell phone into the black shoulder bag she carried. She was wearing a gorgeous Armani black cashmere suit, a red blouse; high- heeled boots, and wore her hair in a French braid. Her mother was stunning at six feet tall. Sydney was impressed. They regarded each other for a full moment.
Irina smiled, “You are beautiful, Sydney.” She indicated the gun in her hand. “Do I need to keep this handy?”
Sydney shook her head, a tear running down her cheek. “N-no, I won’t do anything.”
Suddenly, she felt the need to be close. She ran toward her mother, who took her into her arms, hugging Sydney tightly. Irina didn’t want to let her go, but she finally leaned back to look more closely at her daughter. There were deep dark circles around her eyes and a few more wrinkles at her mouth. They were not laugh lines. Sydney was not happy.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart,” Irina knew, but wanted to hear Sydney’s side.
“Vaughn got married when… when I was taken prisoner by the Covenant.”
“He was a fool,” Irina said mildly. She was not overly impressed by Agent Vaughn. He was not his father, whom she admired and respected.
“You are in danger,” said Sydney.
“Perhaps.” Irina took out a handkerchief and wiped the tears away from Sydney’s face. “I need to speak to your father. Is he at home?”
“I think so. We haven’t seen or heard from him in days.”
“I know.” She used the handkerchief to wipe her own tears away. “Can you drive me there? Do you have a key?”
Sydney and Jack lived only a few blocks away from each other. They were at his front door within minutes. Sydney opened the door. “Dad?” She walked inside, Irina following.
The phone rang. The man answered it on the second ring. “Yes?” He had been waiting for the call.
“I need you. Everything is ready. Call the airport.”
Part 2
Wake-up
Dr. Barnett’s eyes flew open. She had a splitting headache. She closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them again, staring at the ceiling. It was not her ceiling. Where was she? Her head spun when she put her legs over the edge of the bed. She closed them briefly then opened them, hoping it was just a dream, but it was not. The room was not her bedroom. It was not even close. It was enormous in comparison to hers. She was not wearing her clothes either. They were gone and she was wearing a satin nightgown. Where the hell was she?
Sydney yawned and stretched. She opened her eyes slowly and then sat up, remembering she had just opened the door to her father’s condo when everything went dark. She looked around her. The room was large and had high ceiling. It reminded her of castles she had seen when on assignment in Europe. The windows had drapes, which were closed to keep the sunlight out. She walked over to one and pulled it open. She was in a castle.
Jack’s head was pounding. He had the biggest hangover in the world. He must have passed out. He felt around for his gun. He could have sworn he had it in his hand. The bottle was missing too. Well, he probably dropped it onto the floor. He reached out expecting to have only a short reach down, but instead it seemed to go forever and he ended up on the floor on his stomach.
Now he was awake, but still unable to focus. He heard a door open and someone walking hurriedly toward him. Someone was wearing boots, pants… he closed his eyes as a flash of nausea rippled through his body. He needed a drink. Then again, he might be dreaming.
“Jack,” the voice was soft, throaty, and memorable. “Are you all right?”
“Laura,” he mumbled. “I knew I was dreaming.” He slid back into unconsciousness. It was preferable to the nausea.
Judy stood at the washbasin, using the cold water to help wake her up. She had gone to the window and seen the same thing as Sydney. She was in a castle somewhere. She found her clothes hanging in the armoire and was now considering a shower. Judy was not sure if she should be afraid or not. She finished wiping her face.
“Oh, my God!” She nearly screamed. Someone stood in the doorway, looking at her. It was a woman.
“Good morning, Dr. Barnett.” Irina was not smiling. “Feeling better?”
“Where am I?” She turned, leaning back against the sink. “Who are you? Why did you… you kidnap me?”
“I am sorry for the inconvenience, but you, Dr. Barnett, brought it on yourself. My name is Irina Derevko.” Irina never took her eyes from Judy’s face and saw fear flash across it. “Make yourself comfortable. Your clothes are in the armoire against the wall.” She turned and left Judy with the uncomfortable feeling there was more to come.
Irina knocked quietly then opened the door to Sydney’s bedroom. Her daughter stood facing her, anger in her voice, “Damn it, Mom, what the devil did you do to me? I thought we had an understanding.”
The taller woman stepped inside, closing the door behind her. “Sydney, I’m sorry, but this is too important to leave you behind. It concerns you and I had to have you here. We’re waiting for one more player in this charade. Until he arrives, you will have to be patient.”
“What is this about?”
“Something that should have been revealed years ago, but then that would have led to worse consequences for us all.” She smiled. “Now, I need you to be patient. Your father is somewhat worse for wear. I think he’s been on a… a” she frowned trying to remember the word, “a binge.”
“Oh God, Mom,” Sydney said concerned. “Dad is almost an alcoholic. If he’s been drinking for the past five days…”
Irina turned, “Come with me.” She led her daughter back down the hallway to the door, which led to Dr. Barnett’s room. “The psychiatrist, Dr. Barnett, is inside.” She handed her a key. “Let her out and go find the dining hall. Breakfast is being prepared now. I’ll see to your father.”
“Dr. Barnett?” Now Sydney was confused. What was Dr. Barnett doing here?
“Please sweetheart, just do as I say.” Irina pushed her to the door and then entered a room across the hall.
Jack was moaning in his sleep. Irina leaned over the bed and put her hand on his forehead, which seemed hot, almost feverish. She went to the bathroom and found a washcloth; wet it with cold water, and came back and placed it on his forehead. He seemed so helpless; not the Jack she had dealt with when she was in the CIA’s hands. She had an impulse. She leaned over him, gently kissing him on the lips.
“Ohhh, Laura,” he moaned, “why? Why did you do it?”
Irina’s heart constricted as she suddenly felt some of the agony he must be going through. “Jack!” Her voice was soft, but insistent. “Jack, wake up.”
He turned from her, as though trying not to hear or even see his nightmare in person. Irina stood up. It was evident she had some work to do before Jack was back to his previous acerbic self.
Irina entered the dining hall to find Dr. Barnett sitting opposite Sydney. They were not talking, just eating. Both looked up when she entered. Sydney saw the fear that clearly registered on Dr. Barnett’s face. What was going on between the other two women? She smiled at her mother.
“Did you have enough to eat?” Irina asked. She walked to the buffet, took a plate, and filled it. She had already finished her usual five-mile run and she was hungry. Her mind was analyzing the depth of Jack’s drinking orgy. She had to get him up and in reasonable control of his mind and emotions.
“Yes,” answered Sydney. Dr. Barnett did not want to open her mouth yet. “How’s Dad?”
Irina sat down at the head of the table. “Not good.” She began eating. The door behind her opened and a rather large man entered. “Bring me tea, Grigor. Thank you.”
“Yes, Irina.” He left.
“Who was that?” Sydney asked. She had never seen him before.
“That was Grigor, the cook and my bodyguard. He saved me from being raped again when I was in prison in Kashmir.” She ate steadily. She knew Dr. Barnett and Sydney were staring open-mouthed at her. “He is a good man and very devoted. He would kill for me.” Irina smiled at Dr. Barnett, who was now scared.
Sydney was now so curious about the entire affair she could barely contain herself. She knew her mother would not tell her a thing until she was ready. “So, how long do we have to wait for the other player?”
“Not long…perhaps a day or so.”
“Mom, neither Dr. Barnett nor I can turn up missing. The CIA will have fits beyond belief.”
“That has been taken care of and both of you will find the CIA not interested in what you are doing?”
Both Sydney and Judy stared at her. Both women then realized Irina Derevko’s power could reach deep into the CIA. If they were not expected back and there was no concern, that meant there was a mole high up in the company.
Irina finished. “There is a full library, a heated pool and stables.” She pointed out behind the castle. “You are free to enjoy any amenity. This castle stands on a thousand acres of land. Oh, and I should tell you, you’ve both been tagged. Don’t try to leave the area. Now, if you will excuse me. I have some work to do.” She left.
Sydney looked at Judy. “I think I’ll take a horseback ride. How about you?”
“I’m going to check out the library.” Judy had resigned herself to waiting for the other shoe to drop. Arvin was probably on his way, cooperative or not. Irina Derevko was no one to cross. “Maybe I’ll read out by the pool.”
An hour later, Irina entered Jack’s room with hot soup to find him standing by his bed, weaving on his feet. She quickly put the tray down. He looked as though he would topple any minute. He turned to look at her, astonishment on his face, then anger, followed by a look of such fierce hatred that she flinched. “You bit*ch, you rotten fuc*king bit*ch!” He cried in anguish.
“Oh Jack,” she whispered, going to him just as he was about to fall. She pushed him back onto the bed. He fell without a sound then, turned himself face down into the pillows, crying. She sat next to him, rubbing his back and shoulders. The anger inside her was rising. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. When she opened them, she noticed he was shaking violently. His body was going through withdrawals.
Taking off most of her clothes, Irina slid into the bed next to him. She reached one arm underneath him and, with the other, held him tight to her. The shaking soon stopped and he fell asleep again. Irina felt tears run down her cheeks. Why did this man make her so weak? Even when she was at CIA, every time she saw him, interacted with him, she was fighting her internal emotions. There were times when he left her in the cell that it was all she could do not to cry.
Why did she love him so much? Married ten years and then forced by circumstances to leave, she never married again. Why did Jack Bristow elicit such fidelity from her? That night in Panama meant more to her than it did to him. After all, he put the passive tracker on her while they were…she almost chuckled. He had known she was going to betray them again. He was even smarter than she thought. She slowly slipped into a deep sleep, dreaming.
Sydney walked down the hall. She had been riding and trying to pinpoint where this castle was located. It was useless. There simply were no geographical signs. The men at the stables spoke perfect unaccented English. No dialect was detectable. The only Russian was the man Grigor. She knew she wanted to know more about Irina’s time as a prisoner in Kashmir and about his part in her life. Glancing at her watch, she noticed it was nearing noon. Her father’s room was which one…she looked at her door then, remembered the sequence.
Opening the door, Sydney stepped inside. The room was quiet. Her eyes widened as she looked at the bed. Her mother was holding her father close to her under the covers. They both were asleep. Sydney turned, saw the tray on the floor, picked it up, and left the two people whose lives were so entangled by deceit, hate, and even love. She dearly loved her father, whose devotion and caring, made him the white knight in her life.
Her mother, so long away from her, now played a different role. Getting to know her had been a challenge and there were times when, on reflection, Sydney thought she had been manipulated. Irina Derevko was a mother like no other she had met during her formative years. That Irina loved her, Sydney had no doubt. What was going on right now? What was the reason everyone was here? Who was Irina expecting? She sighed, hoping that her father would be all right by the time the other guest arrived.
Irina awakened when her right arm wouldn’t move. Holding Jack and his weight had put it to sleep. She finally pulled it out and blood poured back into the numb limb. Jack was still asleep. She slipped out of bed and dressed. The tray was gone. She knew Sydney must have found and removed it. Jack needed a shower. She would have Grigor help.
A few minutes later, she was in her office making a phone call. Her agents in Zurich informed her Arvin Sloane had left Omnifan and was on his way. Of course, he had no idea what was in store for him. He thought Judy Barnett was waiting for him. Irina stood up and walked to the window, noticing the good doctor was out by the pool reading. Irina locked her office and went to find Grigor.
The two of them returned to Jack’s bedroom. Grigor went to the bed and gently lifted Jack. The CIA man blinked, waking up, as the big Russian half-carried, half-walked him to the bathroom. He finished undressing him and turned on the water, waiting until it warmed up a little. Behind him, Jack slumped on the commode. Grigor shut the door and pulled Jack up and into the shower.
Irina knew she was going to have a problem with Jack, especially after hearing him curse her with such hate. She laid his clothes out on the bed. Grigor would be shaving him after the shower. She pulled off the sheets, which smelled of alcohol related odors. She left the room with them in her arms. Maria would be sent up during lunch, to re-make the bed.
Downstairs Sydney and Dr. Barnett were already in the dining room. The horseback ride had made Sydney ravenous. Dr. Barnett had used the pool to swim several laps and she too was looking forward to eating. They looked up as Irina Derevko entered the room and took her place at the table.
“How was your morning,” she asked leaning back in her chair, hands folded.
“It was great. I took a long horseback ride. Mom, the estate is beautiful.” Sydney took a drink of water.
“I used the pool, thank you.” Judy was trying not to say anything to antagonize the owner of this estate. She was, frankly, more than a little frightened.
“Maria,” called Irina.
A small, dark haired woman entered with a tray. She served them a freshly prepared pasta dish. Irina took the uncorked bottle of wine in front of her and poured the three of them a glass. She had just finished when Grigor entered with Jack who was still unsteady on his feet. Sydney jumped up and went to him, concern on her face. He looked better than when she last saw him.
“Dad! Are you okay?”
He stared at Irina, who gazed at him with a warm smile. “Where am I?”
“At my estate somewhere in Europe,” she said. “Grigor, help Jack to his seat.” She indicated the seat next to her and which was across from Sydney and Dr. Barnett. “I believe you know Dr. Barnett?”
Jack closed his eyes as though he wanted to erase her face from his memory. “Hello, Doctor.”
“Grigor, would you get the tea and some toast for my husband, pleas?” Irina watched Jack’s face, which seemed pale.
“Don’t want anything.”
“Dad, you probably haven’t eaten for six days. You’ve lost weight.”
He stared at Sydney’s concerned face and nodded. Grigor was back almost instantly with a cup of tea and some toast, which he placed in front of Jack. His hand shook as he picked up the cup and sipped the hot drink. He was conscious of the three women watching him. He could not bring himself to look at Irina, not yet. He concentrated instead on keeping the tea down and tried eating a piece of toast. It tasted good.
“Doctor, I understand you furnished my husband with information of a highly personal nature,” Irina’s voice was contemptuous, “violating your Hippocratic Oath of confidentiality. Tell me, did you enjoy sleeping with Arvin?”
Sydney gasped and looked at Judy in shock. Jack looked up at the doctor, stunned. She slept with Arvin Sloane. Now he looked at Irina, wondering how she found that out. He certainly had no clue when he was interviewing with the doctor.
Judy Barnett had the good grace to blush. She knew she was treading on dangerous ground… ground that Irina Derevko was fully in control of and was exercising her right to do so. Judy wished she could be any place but here.
“I don’t know what you mean,” she responded defensively.
“Come now. You’re blushing. Besides,” Irina smiled wickedly, “I have it on good authority that you spent a month with Arvin. Jack referred you to him, didn’t you?” She looked at the man she was married to and loved.
“Yes, I did.” His voice seemed stronger. He stared at Dr. Barnett.
Irina took another bite of her food. “Eat!” She waved her fork at the two women. “Grigor?”
The big Russian entered the room. “Yes, Irina?”
“Bring my husband another cup of tea.” Irina watched as the doctor half-heartedly ate. She grinned. When Arvin arrived, she was going to have a great deal of fun.
Grigor entered with tea and put it down in front of Jack, who sipped at it gratefully. He was beginning to feel much better. He picked up another piece of toast and began devouring it. Something was going on here that was going to explode. He wanted to be both mentally and physically prepared when it did.
Part 3
Adversary
Jack went to his room and went back to sleep. The tea and toast had made him sleepy. He knew something was about to happen and he wanted to be up for it. He thought sleep was the best answer. Sydney had gone to the pool to read and swim. Dr. Barnett went to her room to think about the mess she had precipitated. Irina Derevko was not happy with her and she didn’t know what would happen to her later.
In her office, Irina sat looking out the window. Her estate already spread far into the distance and she was hoping to add more land sometime in the future. She wasn’t thinking about that however. Her mind was on tonight and Arvin’s arrival. She picked up the cell phone and made a call to confirm the time he was to be expected.
That night at dinner, Irina was pensive. She didn’t talk much and when she didn’t, neither did the other three. Jack threw her surreptitious, angry glances wondering what was occupying her thoughts. Once he caught her gaze on him and he flinched. Her face reflected hurt. Tough, he thought, she was a two-timing slut. He sighed a little.
They were finishing coffee when Irina announced she wanted them to go into her office. She led the way. Grigor followed the other three. Once there she indicated chairs. The television was on, but there was no program. It was a view of the rather large living room in the castle. She told Grigor to turn the sound on when their guest arrived which should be any moment.
She was seen a minute later carrying a tray with a wine decanter and two glasses. She set it down on the coffee table and took a seat. The camera was situated to cover the sofa she was sitting on, the coffee table, and the sofa across from her.
She glanced once at the hidden camera and then turned her attention to the massive front door. It opened and three men entered. The one in the center had a black bag over his head. At her direction, one of the men took it off and then turned and left the room with his partner through the same door they had entered.
Arvin Sloane blinked then focused on Irina. “Irina, it’s good to see you” he exclaimed cheerfully. You could have just invited me here without all the secrecy.” He looked about the room in interest.
“I have spent considerable time and money to make sure no one knows where I am.” She gestured to the wine decanter. “Some wine?”
“Of course,” he watched her curiously, as she poured the wine. “Why did you want to see me?”
“You broke our agreement.” She answered flatly, her eyes never leaving his face. She handed him the glass.
Arvin’s heart constricted. “I don’t know what you mean?”
“You told Dr. Barnett something you promised never to tell.” Irina was not happy he could see. “After all these years we’ve known each other, I expected you to keep our little secret.”
“I’m sure you’re mistaken.” He blustered.
“Am I?” She looked at him from over the rim of her glass. “You had an affair with her when she came to Zurich a little over a month ago.”
“What do you know about…”
“Who do you think you’re dealing with” Irena interrupted? “I am not a young 22-year old KGB agent fresh from Russia.” She shook her head. “I’m thirty years older and far more experienced, especially in dealing with you.” She watched him drink his wine nervously. “Ever since you moved to Zurich to run Omnifan, you’ve been watched.
“Tell me, was she any good in the sack? Was she as good as Emily?”
In the office, the three unseen guests watched in fascination and in one case, horror. Dr. Barnett wished she was elsewhere. She could feel the heat rising in her face. Irina Derevko obviously had spies watching Arvin… and, of course, herself.
“How dare you,” he put the glass down.
“Was our little secret pillow talk? Or was it when she was interviewing you as in doctor/patient that you told her in confidence?”
“She told who…“ he asked, almost afraid of the answer.
“Jack,” she answered quietly.
Arvin took a swallow of wine, looking at her. “So?”
“What do you think my husband is going to do to you when he finds you?” Irina smiled.
“Nothing! He’ll blame you and your womanly wiles. He’ll think you climbed into bed with me to learn more secrets.” Arvin spoke with confidence. “Who will he believe… the woman who betrayed him twice or his good friend of over thirty years? We’ve been through a lot together.”
In the office, Jack sat glued to his seat. Sydney was stunned and the doctor put her hands over her face. She knew there was a lot more to come. She stood up, thinking she could slip out but two hands on her shoulders pushed her back into her seat. Grigor had been instructed no one was to leave the room.
“I’ve been raped twice in my life,” Irina said quietly. “The second time in prison, was due to pure animal lust. The first time was by you.”
“I never raped you,” he declared angrily.
“Oh? Your rape was the same as if you had held a gun to my head. Yours, by far, was the worst!” She sipped the wine. “You were Jack’s friend and yet you had to have me in spite of that friendship.”
“You were a KGB agent,” he said.
“Still, I was married to a real man. Your performance was sadly lacking in all respects.”
He was stunned. “You bit*ch,” he snarled.
Irina watched him with mild amusement on her face. “Let’s get back to your lack of confidentiality. The agreement was if I continued helping you to locate and retrieve the Rambaldi artifacts, you would not tell Jack or the CIA about me or that you and I had an affair… a one sided one at that. I often wondered why you were not the patriot Jack was.”
“I could care less about the good old US of A.” He leaned back twirling the wine in his glass. The wine was excellent. “I didn’t care what information you gleaned from Jack.”
“Leaving him open to suspicion also,” she said. “But, only if I was caught. You almost got what you wanted, didn’t you, when I was extracted?”
He looked at her puzzled for the moment. “Sydney, my daughter,” she said.
“Our daughter,” he said.
Sydney cried out. Jack put his arms around her, unable to tear his eyes from the screen. He felt sick to his stomach. Bile was rising in his throat. He had been horrified when Dr. Barnett had hinted at the possibility.
“My daughter and Jack’s,” Irina said firmly.
“You said…” Arvin cried.
“I lied to protect the two people I loved. Your desire to have a child made it easy for me.” She laughed. “Emily couldn’t bear you one, so when I told you Sydney was yours, you jumped at the chance. Did you really think I could not protect myself? The very thought of getting pregnant by you was repugnant.”
“You fuc*king Russian bit*ch,” he cried again, anguish on his face.
“You don’t have it in you… to be a father. Jack would never put Sydney through what you did to her. What father would teach his daughter to lie, steal, fight, and kill? What father would let her join an organization as foul as The Alliance? What father would murder his daughter’s fiancé and leave him in her bathtub for her to find?”
“Jack put her through the Project Christmas,” he shouted in his defense.
“You probably egged him on, because you wanted to see the results on your little girl.” Irina poured herself another glass of wine. “Well, she’s not your little girl. She’s a woman who should be married and having children. Instead, because of you, she’s living in a world of nightmares inhabited by people like you.”
“And you,” he shouted. “What have you been to her, but a mother who twice betrayed her!”
She inclined her head, acknowledging the truth of his words. “That may be true, but she is my daughter and I love her more than she knows. Jack too, for that matter. He is the only man I have ever loved.”
Suddenly Arvin smashed his glass and leaped at her wielding the broken end. Irina dodged, grabbing his arm. He pulled loose and tried to slash her. She grabbed his arm with both hands now. He leaned in to overpower her.
“I’ll kill you,” he yelled.
Irina fell back on the sofa trying to get her legs under to push him off. Suddenly as Arvin leaned forward, two large hands appeared grabbing him by the face, pulling him off Irina. Arvin swung his hand with the glass around to cut the hands. He turned his head and stared into the absolute hate-filled face of Jack Bristow. Behind Jack stood Sydney and behind her, Dr. Barnett.
Arvin collapsed, sobbing. He was a man in pain and in denial. “Sydney is mine; she’s my daughter.”
“You foolish, sad little man! A simple DNA test would have proven that belief false. You were afraid, weren’t you? Irina asked. Afraid that she wasn’t your child.”
“You broke the agreement. Now that Jack has found out about your duplicity, I wouldn’t give a ruble for your friendship.” Irina stood up, looking down at Sloane. “I would also think Dr. Barnett has discovered how easy it is to be manipulated by a man like you.”
There was silence in the room as the protagonists looked at each other. Sloane stared at Jack, Sydney, and Dr. Barnett with the knowledge he was alone. The interaction he’d enjoyed with Jack and Sydney was gone. Judy stared at him in contempt realizing he had cost her both her reputation and job, which she loved. She turned away and walked out of the room. Sydney said nothing, just left.
“Arvin,” said Jack. “Now you truly are alone.” He glanced at Irina. Their eyes met for a long moment and then he too left. Irina asked Grigor to get the men who were to take Arvin back to Omnifan immediately. Grigor picked the smaller man up and walked him to the door.
Irina stood for a moment longer, finishing the wine in her glass. So far, the evening had turned out almost perfect.
Part 4
Moonlight
It was ten o’clock and Irina was in her office. She had finished arranging for the return of her guests to their homes. She was restless however, not sure of what to expect next. Sloane was gone out of Jack and Sydney’s life. He would not be a complication after tonight.
There was a knock at the door. “Yes?” Irina looked up to see Sydney standing there, wearing her robe.
She had a tentative smile on her face. “Mom, can we talk a minute?”
Irina stood and walked to her daughter. She was always amazed at how beautiful Sydney was even after all she had been through the past two years. Irina took her daughter’s face between her hands and kissed both cheeks. “Of course, sweetheart. We don’t get the opportunity often, do we?”
Sydney sat down in the chair in front of the desk. Irina stood, leaning against the desk, in front of her. “What did you want to talk about?”
“A lot of things were said tonight between you and Arvin. I understand a lot more now, about… about your leaving Dad and I, both times. At least I think I do.”
“Sydney, if things had been different, there would have been so many opportunities for you to know your Russian family: grandmother, grandfather, my sisters…”
Sydney gaped at her mother. “Sisters? I have aunts?”
Irina smiled, “I know. Your father knows about them. He dealt with Katya earlier when you were in North Korea about to be executed. You can ask him about her. The other sister, Elena, he’s never met.” She leaned down. “You have to understand, the Derevkos are a rather secretative lot. We are not open to scrutiny by any one, including the American side of family.” She smiled.
“Will I ever meet them?”
“We’ll see, but now I propose you get some rest. You have a long trip ahead of you tomorrow back to Los Angeles.” Irina pulled Sydney up, putting her left arm around her daughter’s shoulders. “Come, I’ll walk you up the stairs.” She turned off the light as they left room.
“Mom, what about Dad?” Sydney asked as they went up the stairs. “Do you think he’s well enough to travel?”
“I have a feeling he is, sweetheart.” Irina kissed her daughter again. “Get a good night’s sleep.”
Irina watched Sydney close the door, and then she moved down the hall to her master suite. She opened the door and was about to turn on the light when she noticed the drapes were open and moonlight flooded into the room.
“Don’t move yet.” The voice she knew so well came from the bed.
“Jack, what are you doing here?”
“I would very much like to see you undress, over there, in the moonlight.”
She caught her breath in surprise and delight. “The purpose then would be--?”
“Suppose you do as I ask, Irina, and then you’ll find out.” There was no doubt left in her mind what Jack intended to do.
:blush01:
