By
Maggie M.
“Dammit Bill, no!” Nathan glared at the man whose face was currently filling the view screen and invading his privacy yet again.
“We need your help. I need your help.”
“Look, I told you when I retired after that third tour… No more.”
“But Nathan, you won’t be doing it for the UEO or anyone else… You’ll be doing it for me.” Noyce cajoled.
“Right.” Nathan stressed sarcastically.
“I’ll be doing all the nosing around but I need back-up. And, you’re the best man I could think of.”
“We’ll be out on a limb.” Nathan wavered.
“No, we have someone on the inside. All we need to do is find out exactly what the man is up to, the rest will be taken care of by…”
“The UEO.”
“Nathan…”
“No Bill. You’ve dragged me back twice now… and the second time I gave up something that I’ve regretted ever since. Find someone else.” He sighed and closed the link before grabbing a beer from the refrigerator and making his way down to the end of the jetty.
“Hello Darwin boy.” He spoke into the vocoder that Lucas had made for him.
“Bridger sad?”
“No Pal… annoyed.”
“Why?”
“Because they won’t leave me alone.”
“Bridger never alone. Darwin here.”
“I know. But you’re different.”
“How Darwin different?”
“You’re a friend.”
“Others not friends?”
“Well, yes, but…”
“Bridger need friends.”
“Yeah Pal, I know…”
“Friends help friends.”
Two Days Later…
“Nathan, how nice to hear from you.”
“Hello Janet, are you well?”
“I’m fine. You don’t look so great though.” Her voice held an inquiry.
“I’m okay.” He replied softly, not fooling her for a moment. “Is Bill there?”
“No, I’m afraid he isn’t, he had to go away on business. I don’t know... since he retired he seems to work harder than ever.”
“Yeah, well, that’s Bill. I thought he wasn’t leaving until tomorrow.”
“So did I, but the dates got switched, his flight leaves in about an hour.”
“Thanks.”
“Nathan… Why don’t you come over for dinner when he gets back? Bring someone with you.” She finished hopefully.
A flicker of sadness crossed his face. “I’d love to.” The double-edged meaning to that statement wasn’t lost on either of them.
“It’s a date, then.”
Bridger boarded the jet with just a few minutes to spare. By the time he’d managed to get to the airport through the rush hour traffic, and then spent an eternity trying to explain to airport security who he was and why he should be allowed to get on the plane, it was a miracle he’d made it at all. He threw himself into the seat next to Bill Noyce.
“Damn Nathan, I was beginning to think that you meant it when you said you weren’t coming.”
“I did.”
“What changed your mind?”
“A pushy dolphin.”
“Should I ask?” He smiled.
“No.” Nathan replied vehemently. “Just tell me what the hell I’ve gotten myself into this time.”
“Have you heard of Carlos Santos?”
“Should I have?”
“He’s an arms dealer, amongst other things.”
“Legit?”
“On the surface.”
“Go on…” Nathan prompted.
“He owns a tropical island, bought and paid for with drug money. Lives there with an army of bodyguards and a ‘mistress-come-lover’ – although there are hundreds scattered across the globe. Who stays there depends on the flavour of the month.”
Nathan nodded.
“Anyhow, the UEO got wind of an arms deal…”
“You said he was legit?”
“I said, ‘on the surface’, he’s legit. This deal involves chemical weapons.”
“Great.” Nathan snorted. Chemical weapons had been banned world wide, several years earlier.
“All we have to do is find out when and where, so that the UEO can deal with it.”
“Uh-huh. You mentioned someone on the inside?”
“An undercover agent called Tony Radley.” Bill confirmed.
“Do we know what he looks like?”
“No.”
“What do we know?” Nathan was seriously contemplating what punishment would be suitable for Darwin when he got back. If… he got back.
“Not much I’m afraid. His code-name is Topaz, but we won’t be talking to him directly.”
“Then how the…?”
Bill put up a hand to appease his friend. “He’ll get word to us.”
Nathan sighed in exasperation.
“Look Nathan, we’ve lost three people already. Santos doesn’t like being crossed and he’ll kill anyone who tries.”
“Why hasn’t he been arrested before?”
“Because he’s good for the local economy.”
“Uh-huh. What’s our cover?”
“He’s holding a legitimate sale and everyone will be represented. I’m there for the company and also for the UEO. You’re my erm… trusty sidekick.”
“Oh great. I get to be Muttley to your Dick Dastardly.”
“Something like that.” Bill laughed.
“I guess I don’t get a medal at the end?”
“’Fraid not.”
“Darwin, I’m gonna turn you into bouillabaisse, myself.” Nathan groaned, leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes.
They were met at the airport by a couple of men with suspicious looking bulges under their jackets at around armpit level, and taken to a waiting helicopter. For the hundredth time Nathan wondered just what the hell Bill had gotten them involved in.
They landed at a remote island, on the front lawn of a huge estate. The house was exactly what you’d expect… Whitewashed walls and columns, two storeys and Lord alone knew how many rooms. Nathan and Bill glanced at each other with resignation when the helicopter took off again, both realising that they’d burned their bridges behind them.
Two more men approached, dressed identically to the last. Picking up their luggage they followed them into the house in silence. The two friends exchanged another glance and Nathan shrugged. They were shown upstairs and led to their rooms which, thankfully, were next door to one another.
“Reception tonight. 8:00… Someone will come for you.”
Bill tried to ask a question but their escorts turned and left. Nathan shrugged again and they both disappeared into their respective quarters to change.
Nathan looked around his suite, he guessed you’d call it. It was spacious and airy, with French doors leading out onto a balcony. He opened them and stepped outside to be greeted by a magnificent view of the ocean. It was an incredible sight and just the room he would have chosen. He shook himself mentally and pulled his mind back to the situation at hand. This wasn’t some flashy hotel in a tropical paradise, this room… this house… had been bought and paid for with the lives of countless innocent people. The thought made him angry and then disgusted with himself. Closing the doors again, he headed for the bathroom…
The shower had done very little to relax him. Stepping out he grabbed a towel while taking in the opulence of the room, with its marble fixtures and gold-plated fittings. All he wanted to do now was get the job done and get out of here as soon as possible. He reached for another towel to dry his hair and a piece of paper floated to the floor. Retrieving it, he read the brief note…
<< The room is bugged. All the rooms are bugged. So is the balcony. Topaz >>
Quickly, he got dressed and made his way down the hall to Bill’s room, tapping on the door.
“Come in… Oh Nathan, I think…”
“Yes, the view is terrific, isn’t it?” Nathan interrupted, and Bill stared at him as though he’d lost his mind.
It was clear that Noyce had washed and changed but obviously, either he didn’t have a note, or hadn’t seen it. Nathan laughed to himself when he remembered just how he’d found his. His friend hadn’t needed a separate towel to dry his hair for a very long time.
“Nathan?”
Raising a finger to silence him, he made his way to the bathroom and, after a few moments, he found what he was looking for in exactly the same place. Picking it up he handed it to Bill who nodded in understanding. They talked generally about their surroundings and then Nathan returned to his own room and lay down on the bed.
A tap on the door woke him and he stretched and sat up, looking at the clock. Geez, he’d been asleep for almost three hours, only vaguely disturbed by the coming and going of the helicopter as it ferried in more guests. He hadn’t even realised that he was tired. The tap came again.
“Yes.”
The door opened and a foreign-looking woman entered. In broken English she told him that she was there to remind him about the reception and that he was to wear formal attire.
He thanked her and went to his suitcase, pulling out the dinner suit he’d remembered to pack at the last minute. A half-hour later he was ready to go. He ran his finger along the inside of his shirt collar and tried to ignore the fact that it had a stranglehold on his neck. “Bill, you’re gonna owe me for this for the rest of your life.” He muttered and ran into the very person as he left his room. Noyce just looked at him knowingly and smiled.
“Nathan, for God’s sake… Could you at least pretend to be enjoying yourself.”
“Why?”
“Oh boy…” Noyce looked around the room and noticed their host heading towards them. “We’re on.”
They turned as one to greet the man and Nathan tried hard to hide his distaste as they shook hands, taking a moment to study him as he turned his attention to Bill…
He was the epitome of the old ‘tall, dark and handsome’ analogy - over six-foot, tanned and well groomed, with a neatly trimmed moustache. Nathan guessed that they were probably about the same age but in comparison, he looked older than Santos… more weather-beaten and careworn.
The man was dressed in an immaculate white suit, not a crease in sight, and had the air of someone who was used to giving orders and having them obeyed without question. Two black-clad minders stood behind him, ready to jump in at the first sign of trouble.
His voice was softly accented and charming as he addressed Noyce. What Carol would have declared as ‘sexy as hell’ Nathan loathed him on sight. He could almost hear his late wife’s voice in his ear… ‘You’re just jealous, darling.’
“It’s an honour to have the Secretary-General of the UEO in my humble home.”
“Ex Secretary-General.” Bill corrected.
“Just so…” He bowed. “And this is…?”
“Nathan Bridger, he’s… a friend of mine.”
Santos smirked knowingly and turned to Bridger. “Nathan Hale Bridger, designer and ex-Captain of the world’s most deadly submarine – seaQuest. Married once… widowed. One son, Robert Hale Bridger, now deceased. Ex Navy…”
“You seem to know an awful lot about me.” Nathan interrupted.
“Of course, I make it a point to know my… guests.” He rattled off a whole slew of information that couldn’t be found in any file and Bill stared at Bridger in astonishment.
“How did you…?”
“I have my sources. Now ex Secretary-General Noyce, since you’re the man in charge here, would you join me in the library for a private meeting.” Nathan made a move to follow but Santos’ men stepped forward to bar his way.
“I’m afraid you’re not needed my dear Captain. Stay… Enjoy the party. In fact, I have just the companion for you. It seems my latest lover is an ex of yours and she was very helpful to me when it came to information on you.” He gestured across the room and a woman stepped out of the crowd and moved towards them. Bill studied her from the feet up, since his view was partially blocked.
She was dressed in a silky, long, sheath-style dress of midnight blue, which was split to mid-thigh – exposing long shapely legs. As his gazed moved up he heard Nathan’s hiss of in-drawn breath and hastily brought his eyes to her face.
“Nathan, is that…?”
“Yes it is.” His friend replied through gritted teeth.
Santos could hardly keep the smug look from his face as he held out his hand to the woman. “Mi amore, come and keep Captain Bridger company while Noyce and I have a little chat.” His arm closed tightly around her waist before sliding down to rest on her bottom, she didn’t object just smiled indulgently. He whispered something in her ear and she laughed.
The man turned back to Bridger. “You can look Captain, you can even dance with her, but everything else is mine. Understood?”
The anger was plain on Bridger’s face… Santos was delighting in rubbing his nose in it. “What else would I want to do with her?” He retorted.
“You have no idea what you’re missing, Captain. Oh forgive me, I believe you do.” Nathan scowled at the woman not able to believe that she’d told this man absolutely everything. “Obviously, you weren’t the man she needed, if you had been, then you wouldn’t have to ask.” He looked at her once more. “I’ll want you later.”
“I’ll be waiting, my love. Just don’t be too long.”
“I won’t. You know I can’t bear to be parted from your body for more than a few hours.” He leaned in to give her a kiss. It was both passionate and hungry and the two friends didn’t need to see to know that he had his tongue down her throat. When they finally separated Noyce and Santos headed off together and, as if by magic, the lights were dimmed and the music changed to a slow ballad.
“Dance with me?”
Nathan shrugged and took her into his arms, carefully keeping his distance - the thought of what he’d just witnessed making him feel sick.
“It’s good to see you again, Nathan.”
“I wish I could say the same, Doctor.”
“Ouch.”
“Well, what do you expect me to say?”
“Hello would be nice.”
“Hello.”
They were silent for a few moments, their movements as they danced less than graceful. The rapport that they used to have, completely gone… Finally Nathan spoke. “What’s happened to you, Kristin?”
“Nothing… I’m still me.”
“No. No you’re not. The Kristin Westphalen I knew, would never be here like this… with these people.”
“You’re here.” She countered. “And no doubt Bill is doing a deal with Carlos as we speak.”
“Damn it, you know better than that. You really think I’d be here if I had a choice?”
“Oh, don’t tell me… Bill dragged you kicking and screaming from the boat and you had no idea where you were going until you arrived. How is the military, Nathan? Still cleaning up other people’s lives? Still killing in the name of peace and love?”
He tried to reply but Kristin kept up her onslaught. “You know Nathan, one country’s bad guys are another country’s heroes.” She tried to walk away but he grabbed her by the wrist.
“Will you listen to yourself! You think that your lover is a hero? Jesus Kris, what are you even doing here? You’ve thrown away everything that you believed in. And why him of all people?”
Her eyes glittered with anger. “Because he asked me. Because he didn’t run out on me… Because he keeps his promises, good or bad… I know why you’re both here and he suspects… Get out while you can. If you stay you’ll be lucky to leave this place alive.”
“Because you’re going to tell him like you’ve told him everything else? At least I’ll have tried to do the right thing. I’ll die knowing that I was on the right side!”
“And who’ll mourn you Nathan? The UEO… General Thomas?”
“Not you apparently.” His temper flared. “God, how could I have been so stupid? You really did a number on me - the dedicated doctor and scientist… And I fell for it. I must admit though, I never figured you as a… as a… gangster’s whore! What the hell happened to you?” He asked again.
“You did.” She pulled from his grasp and started to walk away again but this time when he made a move towards her, two of Santos’ bodyguards stood between them.
“Christ Nathan, will you slow down!” Bill yelled, bending double and putting his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.
“I didn’t ask you to tag along.” Nathan called back angrily from way up the beach, where he’d been running back and forth since the crack of dawn.
“I thought you might want to talk.”
Bridger stopped in his tracks, took a few slow breaths and began to walk back towards his friend, smiling slightly when he saw the state that he was in. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just give me a minute. I’m not as young as I thought I used to be.”
“You never were.”
“Ha ha.” He sat down on the sand and waited for his friend to do the same. “You think she’ll turn us in?”
“I don’t know Bill.” He replied sadly. “I don’t know her at all anymore.”
“Maybe you never did.”
“She couldn’t have changed that much, could she?”
Bill sighed. “Nathan, there are things you don’t know.”
“What things?” He asked suspiciously.
“When you signed on for that third tour, Kristin applied for the post of CMO.”
“She what? I thought she…”
“She wanted to surprise you. Thomas didn’t want her on board, so he told her that you’d vetoed her application.”
“What?”
“There’s more.”
“Tell me.” He whispered quietly.
“He used his considerable connections to get her funding withdrawn.”
“God damn it! Why?”
“Because of you. He didn’t like the influence she had over you.”
“Then that’s what she meant last night.” He sighed.
“I don’t understand.”
“I asked her what happened to her and she said me. That’s what she meant… But that doesn’t explain all this.”
“When she left the UEO, Santos approached her, asked her to work for him and in return, he’d fund her research for as long as it took.”
“You knew she was here and you didn’t tell me? You let me…”
“No. I wouldn’t do that to you. I was told that she worked for him, I didn’t know that she was his… his…”
“Mistress?”
“Yeah, I guess. And I had absolutely no idea that she would be here. You have to believe that old friend.”
“I do Bill.” He sighed. “Why would Santos of all people, be interested in her research anyway?”
“I told you, on the surface his legit, and what better way to prove it than spend his money funding research for the environment and the good of the world? Will she tell him?”
“Maybe. I said some terrible things to her last night.”
“How terrible?”
“I called her a whore.” He confessed.
“We’re dead.” Noyce muttered.
They made their way slowly back to the house and to their rooms. Noyce had another meeting with Santos and the other bidders so Nathan decided to try to do some nosing around. He climbed wearily out of the shower and picked up the towel, another note fell out and fluttered to the ground.
<< Watch your back, they’re on to you. Don’t make any trouble until I contact you again. Topaz >>
Nathan felt a hurt the like of which he’d never felt before. She’d obviously told them after all.
He stared out of his window at the blue ocean and, not for the first time, wished he were back on his island. After the last note he’d promised Bill that he wouldn’t do anything to antagonise his host, but he was going stir crazy. Turning his gaze along the beach, he noticed a secluded area in the distance, partially obscured by rocks and palm trees, and decided to investigate. If nothing else it would afford him some peace and quiet, away from prying eyes.
The sun shone down fiercely but there was a light breeze blowing in off the sea, making it more comfortable. In other circumstances, it would have been a perfect day in an idyllic setting.
As he drew closer to his destination the ground underfoot became firmer and he started to examine the various shells and pieces of wood that had washed in with the tide. Walking around a rocky outcrop he found a sheltered oasis, he was so busy studying the piece of flotsam in his hand that he didn’t see the two guards until they stepped out in front of him, hands on their side-arms. He was preparing to do an about-turn when a movement behind them caught his eye. Kristin lowered her book and peered at him over her sunglasses.
“You want to call the dogs off?”
“Why?”
“I’d like to talk.”
“Like last time?” She removed the glasses and studied him with the whisky-hued eyes that he’d adored. The ones that were always so warm, as they’d looked into his… Now they held nothing but hostility.
“No… just talk, no insults.”
She hesitated for a moment and then with a flick of her hand, the guards melted into the background.
“I’m impressed. Do all Santos’ mistresses rate that sort of protection or obedience?”
“No.”
“Then I really am impressed, and so must he be.”
Kristin stared at him for a few moments longer and then replaced her sunglasses over her eyes and looked out to sea. “What do you want, Nathan?” She asked wearily.
He took that as an invitation and sat down beside her. “To understand.”
“Why?”
“Look, I know things didn’t work out for us, but I still care about you.”
She made a snorting noise. “Really? You have a strange way of showing it.”
“You mean coming after your boyfriend? I didn’t know that he was until I saw you that first night.”
She didn’t speak just pretended to read her book.
“What are you doing here, Kris… and with him of all people?”
“Didn’t Bill tell you?”
“Do you love him?”
“And if I do?”
“Then I’m sorry for you… And for what you think I’ve driven you to.”
She turned on him, eyes flashing fire. “Oh don’t flatter yourself Nathan Bridger, I don’t need your pity or anything else. He funds my research… Gives me what I need to…”
“And what do you give him?”
“That’s none of your damn business! It’s not as though you ever wanted or needed it.”
“You’re wrong, Kris. Very wrong.”
“Then why didn’t you want me back on seaQuest?”
“I knew nothing about that until Bill told me the other day.” He reached out and lightly touched her hand. “I’ve never not wanted you.”
“But not enough to give up the UEO for.” She retorted, snatching her hand away.
“Kris, I had no choice… I…”
“There’s always a choice.” He knew she was right and for some reason that annoyed him and he reacted immediately, despite his good intentions.
“What, like the one you’ve made here? Sell out… Let the bad guys win if they offer you enough money. God dammit, he’s a drug dealer! That money that you’re so grateful for - grateful enough to sell yourself for - comes from the deaths of innocent people… children… How can you condone that? You’re a doctor for Christ sake… You’ve seen for yourself the consequences of what he does.”
“And I’ve seen the misery the UEO inflicts too. Get out of here, Nathan. Get out while you still can, and take Bill with you.” She stood abruptly, her book falling to the sand. “Go home, you’re not wanted here.”
Bridger sat dejectedly and watched her walk away, closely followed by her two bodyguards. Lying back on the sand he closed his eyes and sighed deeply… shocked by her total transformation and at how much she suddenly reminded him of Marilyn Stark. But Marilyn had had an excuse – she was insane. Kristin Westphalen was the sanest person he knew and that troubled him almost as much as the fact that he’d just realised that despite their history, he really hadn’t known her at all.
He was lying on the bed trying to control the turmoil of thoughts in his head when there was a tap at the door. As he crossed the room to open it Bill’s voice sounded from outside.
“Nathan, are you in there?”
“Coming.” He unlocked it and allowed his friend to enter.
“Sorry if I disturbed you,” Bill apologised, squinting into the gloom.
“It’s okay, I was just… It’s okay.”
Bill tapped him on the arm and handed him a piece of paper. Nathan raised his eyebrows questioningly and the other man nodded. Crossing the room, he turned on the bedside lamp and tilted it towards the light.
<< The auction is set for Saturday. Shipment arrives Friday late. I’ll contact you when I know more. Tell your friend to stay away from the woman or he’ll kill them both. Topaz >>
“You know something Nathan, I’ve been cooped up indoors far too long.” He stretched and groaned loudly to emphasise his point. “Feel like an evening stroll?”
“Yeah… Why not?”
“You’ve seen Kristin again?” Bill asked with concern, when they were finally out of earshot.
“Yeah… I ran into her and her goons on the beach.”
“And?”
“And nothing.”
“Did she tell you anything?” He persisted.
“Yeah, she told me to p… go home.”
“I’m sorry Nathan.”
“It’s not your fault Bill.”
“I should never have gotten you involved.” A loud clanging sound rent the air, interrupting them.
“Sounds like the dinner bell.” Nathan quipped. “You’d better go.”
“We’d better go… You’re invited too.”
“That’s a first. I thought I was persona non grata.”
“Maybe they want you where they can keep an eye on you.” Noyce laughed, slapping his friend on the shoulder as they walked back towards the house.
He was seriously beginning to wish that he hadn’t been invited – eating alone in his room as usual would have been much more fun.
Santos sat, ‘lording’ it, at the head of the table with Kristin on his right and Bill on his left. The next four places, two either side, were more heavyweight buyers - From what he’d gathered the rest wouldn’t be arriving until Friday. He was next, on the same side as Noyce, followed by assorted other aides, including the one opposite him who insisted on talking with his mouth full. There were a total of nineteen guests in all and he began to suspect that he was just there to make up the numbers.
The men to the right of him ignored him while those on his left, held no interest for him at all, and it was impossible for him to speak to Bill. He settled on silence, just listening to the general conversation in the hope that he would learn something, which could prove useful later. The sound of Kristin’s laughter drifted down the table and he looked up and straight into her eyes. For a moment he thought he saw a flicker of something there… sadness maybe? Or regret? But it was quickly hidden.
Once dinner was at an end they adjourned to an anteroom for drinks and chit-chat and again, he caught Kristin looking at him. He was about to go over to her when Santos grabbed her by the wrist, pulled her closer and whispered something in her ear. She immediately turned and left the room, rubbing the area where his hand had been. Nathan felt a surge of anger flow through him. Even after everything he still hated to see her hurt, but then again, she was going to be hurt whatever happened.
There was no way that he could sleep at night anymore, just toss and turn. God, the sooner this was over and done with, the better, although he was beginning to doubt that either Bill or himself, would get off the island alive… And still no word from ‘Topaz’. And, what of Kristin…
Throwing back the covers, he quickly put on a shirt – He’d taken to wearing his outdoor shorts for bed in case they had to leave in a hurry, and most of his luggage was still packed. Crossing to the bathroom, he washed his face and then made his way out onto the balcony for some fresh air.
The security lights around the house illuminated the lawn and the path down onto the beach, from there it was dark – apart from the moonlight playing on the water. He desperately wanted to go and do some snooping around on his own but Bill’s safety was too important to him, he didn’t give a hang for his own. And then there was Janet… He’d never be able to face her if something happened to her husband because of him. No, he’d just have to wait – something he’d never been very good at.
A movement near the water caught his attention, but the moon chose that moment to disappear behind the clouds. He’d just decided to go back to bed when a figure was illuminated walking on the sand, then stopping to look out to sea. The breeze blew through her hair and her white dress billowed out. The sight was both entrancing and familiar, he’d watched her like that so many times… On his island… At the end of the jetty, outside the home they’d shared… An ache began to grow deep inside of him… A need to talk to her… Try to get through to her, just once more… Without thinking, he quietly left his room and made his way down to the shore.
She didn’t need to turn to know that he was there. “Go back to bed, Nathan.”
“Couldn’t sleep. I just wanted to make sure you were all right.”
“Why?”
“I told you before… I care about you.”
She shook her head and brushed the hair from her face. “Why did it have to be you?”
“I don’t understand.”
“Of all the people the UEO could have sent, it had to be you two.”
“The UEO sent Bill, I just came along to watch his back.”
“And who’s watching yours? No one, as usual.”
“We have a…” He broke off abruptly, realising that he was about to reveal too much. No matter how familiar a situation he was in, this wasn’t the Kristin he knew, or could trust. “Did he hurt you?”
“You saw that, huh? I’m fine.”
Nathan reached out and took her hand, holding her wrist to the moonlight so he could examine it. There were five bruises where Santos’ fingers had pressed into her soft skin. Instinctively, he raised it to his lips and kissed it. Kristin didn’t pull away, just stood impassively.
“I’m sorry, Kristin. Sorry that it came to this… Sorry that I…”
“That you what?”
“Threw it all away.”
“It doesn’t matter now.”
“It does to me. You know that we’ll be lucky to get out of this alive…”
“Yes.” She whispered.
“…And I needed to say it, while there was still time…” He reached out and brushed the back of his hand tenderly down her soft cheek. “I loved you Kristin, I just wanted you to know that.”
“I loved you too.”
For a moment their gazes locked and they were perfectly still. Nathan felt an overwhelming need to kiss her but as he leaned forward Kristin backed away, placing her hand flat on his chest to hold him at arm’s length.
“Past tense, Nathan.” She turned and then stopped. “That agent you think you have here…”
He stared at her, his face a mask.
“He died two weeks ago… boating accident, I believe…” There was a hint of irony in her voice, which he misread.
“Damn it Kris, did you…?”
“He trusted the wrong person, just like the others… Just as you will.”
He was appalled at her apparent lack of concern. “When did you turn into such an unfeeling bitch?”
“Don’t you mean unfeeling whore?” She smiled coldly and disappeared into the darkness.
Nathan spent the next hour pacing the beach but he knew that he’d be no good to Bill if he were exhausted. Kicking at an unsuspecting stone, he walked swiftly back to the house, his hands thrust deeply into his pockets and an angry scowl on his face.
As he made his way along the upstairs hallway he heard the unmistakable sound of Santos’ voice from behind one of the doors, closely followed by a woman’s laughter. His scowl deepened as he turned into his room, slamming the door behind him.
“Christ Nathan, you scared the hell out of me!” Noyce’s voice sounded out of the darkness.
“Sorry.”
“What’s happened, old friend? What’s wrong?”
“That bitch… she… she…” A warning glance from his friend silenced him.
“I take it you’ve spoken to Dr. Westphalen again.”
“Yeah.”
“And?”
“She’s sold out to Santos.”
“Maybe she really does love him.”
“Yeah, well that’s her funeral.” Bill waved a piece of paper at him and he reached over to take it.
“Just goes to show you, you never really can know a person, no matter how close you get to them. Perhaps you should try…”
“Forget her, Bill.” Nathan interrupted. “I have.” He glanced down at the note in his hand.
<< Shipment will arrive during legitimate sale tomorrow. I’ll let you know where a.s.a.p. Topaz >>
Nathan couldn’t hide his frown.
“Is something wrong?”
“I’m not sure, Bill.”
“Nathan?”
“It’s nothing. Why don’t you get some sleep, you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow.”
“You’re sure?” Noyce asked solicitously.
“I’m sure.”
“In that case.” He stood, stretched and walked towards the door. “Goodnight old friend.”
“Goodnight.” Bridger replied absently.
He lay in his bed once again and stared up at an unseen ceiling, a million thoughts flooding his mind, interspersed with images of Kristin – both from better days and the one he saw now. Despite everything that he’d witnessed over the past week or so, a doubt still lingered in his mind. Could she have turned her back on everything that she’d once believed in? It hardly seemed possible, but he’d seen it… heard her… The callous way that she’d spoken of the agents’ deaths… Yet, if there was still some part of the old Kristin left, then what of her warning? If Topaz was indeed dead, then who was feeding them the information and was it accurate, or an elaborate hoax? A trap to ensnare them?
In the end though, it didn’t really matter. He had a job to do and he’d do it as he always did, no matter what the cost, he’d have to deal with that later… if he survived. A slight scuffling sound outside had him springing from the bed, and pulling the door open, he checked the hallway but there was no one in sight. He chastised himself for getting jumpy but as he stepped back, his bare foot touched something on the floor. Bending down he retrieved yet another note, carrying it to the bedside light, which he switched on.
<< Shipment arrived early, you can get to it via the beach if you need to. The secluded spot where you met the woman – there’s a path. Includes the weapons you were looking for… Topaz >>
There followed a chemical formula and a brief description of what would happen if they were deployed.
He returned to the bed and slid between the covers, making up his mind to check it out for himself in the morning, needing to be certain that the information they’d received was on the up and up. If it was, then something would have to be done about Kristin, she knew far too much about the UEO to be allowed to run free. He decided not to tell Bill what he was going to do unaware that he had received an identical message.
Early the next morning, Santos and his people were busy with last minute preparations for the sale and the prospective buyers were deep in conversation over breakfast, so Kristin took the opportunity to go to Bridger’s room. She knocked twice and not wanting to be caught loitering outside, slipped in unnoticed. The curtains were still closed making it difficult to see.
“Nathan?”
Receiving no reply she tried again “Nathan, we need to talk.”
She crossed to the bed and reached down, realising with some horror that it was empty, hurriedly she opened the curtains. “God dammit, no!” As she turned to leave she saw the note from Topaz on the bedside table, screwed it up, and put it in her pocket. “Why the hell didn’t you listen to me, you idiot!” Quickly she exited the room and headed for her own.
It had taken him longer than he’d expected but he’d finally found the concealed entrance and now he was in an underground storage chamber. It was dimly lit, but he could make out racks and racks of wooden crates stacked against the walls. To one side there was a separate consignment hidden by a tarpaulin. Lifting the corner he uncovered an assortment of steel chests and drums, he didn’t need the hazardous material sign to tell him what was inside. The sound of someone clearing their throat behind him had him spinning round to face one of Santos’ guards pointing a gun at him.
“Would you believe I got lost on the way to the beach?” Nathan quipped.
“No.” Came the growled response and the man’s finger twitched on the trigger of his weapon.
Nathan knew there was no way out and in a perverse way he was glad, because it meant that he wouldn’t have to be the one to deal with Kristin. He wasn’t even sure that he could, if it came down to it.
“Isn’t this where you take me to your leader?”
“No need, we have our orders.” His finger twitched again.
“Don’t I get a last request?”
“Shut it.”
He levelled the gun and prepared to fire but running footsteps outside distracted him. As Kristin rushed through the doorway, Nathan seized the moment and lunged at his captor. The gun fell and skittered across the floor to stop at her feet. She retrieved it and aimed at the scuffling men but before she had the chance to act, Santos was in the room with two, heavily armed, bodyguards. He looked at her with fury in his eyes.
“Kill him.”
She bit her lip, then levelled the gun on Nathan.
“Kill him or you’ll both die!”
Santos motioned to his guards impatiently, but they weren’t necessary. It seemed that, although Nathan had doubted his ability to hurt Kristin, she had no such problem. Hesitating for only a second, she readjusted her aim and then squeezed the trigger.
Bridger felt the bullet slam into him and looked at her with a mixture of shock and confusion on his face. “Kris…” He reached out a hand to her and fell to the ground as she dropped the gun.
“Come mi amore.” Santos smiled and she moved immediately to his side, but as they left she glanced back over her shoulder at the man lying on the floor, still looking up at her. “Forgive me.” She mouthed silently.
Nathan was vaguely aware of a commotion somewhere outside… The sounds of helicopters, gunfire and shouting… The pain was too much for him to fight and he allowed himself to be enveloped by the darkness. The last word that escaped his lips before he succumbed was, “Why?”
1 Week later…
He’d drifted on the edge of consciousness for days but always fought it off. He didn’t want to wake up… Didn’t want to know what had happened to his friend, or the woman he’d once loved.
She’d come to him in the darkness, tried to speak, but he hadn’t wanted to hear. Nothing she could say would ever make up for what she’d done. She was in his head now… taunting him… Asking who would mourn his loss… His eyes snapped open, glinting with barely concealed fury… “Damn you!”
“Well, hello to you too.”
The voice was feminine and familiar… he turned his head slowly, wincing at the pain. “Janet? Where… What…?”
“You’re in hospital, Nathan. In New Cape Quest.”
“How did I get here?”
She stood and patted his arm, “Let me get the doctor, and Bill, he’ll explain.”
Nathan nodded and closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift away again.
The next time he opened them Janet was gone and Bill had taken her place. “Welcome back.”
“Thanks.” His voice was flat… emotionless.
“Are you in pain, my friend?”
“A little.”
“Do you want me to…?” He reached for the bell to summon the nurse but Nathan stopped him.
“No, it’s okay.” He felt empty… as though the part inside that made him who he was had died, even though he could see, and hear and speak. He needed the pain to remind him that he was indeed, alive.
Noyce shook his head sadly. “Get some rest, Nathan. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“’kay.” His eyes closed again.
Bill left quietly and joined Janet in the corridor.
“Is he alright?” She asked worriedly.
“No… No he isn’t. I’m not sure he’ll ever be alright again.”
“Kristin?”
“Kristin.”
“Is there any word?”
“Yes.”
She could tell by his face that it wasn’t good. “Bill?”
“They’re pretty sure she died when the helicopter blew.”
“Oh God, poor Nathan.”
“She almost killed him.”
“But he loved her.”
“Not at the end.”
Janet wiped away the tears from her eyes and leaned against her husband. “I wouldn’t bet on it.” She whispered softly.
Three weeks later…
Bill sat on the barstool contemplating his beer before turning to the man beside him. Bridger’s face was haggard, his left arm in a sling to relieve the strain on his injured chest and shoulder. “I’m sorry my friend.” He patted him on the back.
“It’s not your fault.”
“If I hadn’t railroaded you into this…”
Nathan interrupted him. “There’s no chance?”
The other man shook his head sadly. “I don’t think so.” He went over the same ground he’d covered a hundred times in the past few weeks. “They saw her with Santos when they boarded the helicopter and then it exploded into a million pieces.”
“Damn.”
“Nathan, I really don’t understand this. She tried to kill you, for God’s sake.”
“No… She didn’t.”
“Jesus Nathan, what about that?” He indicated the damaged shoulder and chest.
“If she’d wanted to kill me, she would have.”
“She was just a lousy shot.”
“Then why did she ask me to forgive her?”
“Because she took the easy way out.”
Nathan was silent for a moment. “It was Kristin who was feeding us the information we needed. Kristin who left the notes.”
“What?” For a moment Bill began to wonder if the wound he’d received had affected his brain. “Don’t be ridiculous. I told you… we had a man on the inside who…”
“Was killed two weeks before we arrived.”
“How do you know?”
“Kristin told me.”
“Oh, pleeease… And you believe her?” He asked in astonishment.
“Yes.” Bridger’s voice was quiet and laced with a pain that was mirrored in his eyes.
“Hell Nathan, you’ve got to be kidding me.”
“No.” He paused. “I had a lot of time to think lying in that bed. Do you remember the last note?”
“The one telling us where, when and what?”
“Yes. Do you remember what it said?” He asked patiently.
“Of course.”
“Your man Topaz…”
“Not mine… The UEO’s.” Bill interrupted.
“Whatever. Was he a trained chemist?”
“He was just an agent working undercover as a bodyguard, you know that.”
“Then how did he know the formula for that stuff and what it would do?”
“He couldn’t have, only a scientist or a doctor would have known.”
“And who was the only person with that sort of knowledge on the island?” Nathan continued, wanting his friend to say it out loud.
“Kristin.” Bill sighed.
“I rest my case.” He took a large swig of his beer.
“Damn it!” Noyce slammed his fist down on the bar, causing the bottles to jump slightly. Nathan however, remained impassive.
“What?”
“When we first started this thing, the UEO said they had a back-up plan, in case anything went wrong.”
Nathan sighed wearily. “You still don’t get it, do you?”
“Get what?”
“Kristin wasn’t the back-up plan, we were.”
“How so?” Bill asked incredulously.
“They needed someone to take the heat off her and who better than you and I?”
“Hell Nathan, they didn’t even know that I was going to ask for your help.”
“No?” He continued patiently. “Who else would you have asked? And what better way to draw the attention away from Kristin than by making me… making me hate her?”
“But that doesn’t make any sense. How was she supposed to get out when her job was done?”
“She wasn’t… She didn’t.”
“Christ… I don’t know what to say.” Bill stammered.
“There’s nothing you can say Bill, it’s too late. Kristin died believing I hated her.” He downed his remaining drink and ordered another.
“At the time, you did.”
“No… I could never hate her… Damn it! Why didn’t I listen?”
“Nathan?”
“She warned me in those notes to stay away from her, why didn’t I listen?”
“You couldn’t have known, old friend. Those notes could have been from anyone.”
“She was right about everything then. She told me that I’d end up trusting the wrong person… I did. And she paid the price.”
A few weeks later Bill met up with him in the same bar. Nathan had just been to the hospital for his final check-up and his sling had been removed once and for all. From his position in the doorway, he studied his friend closely, noting the slump of his shoulders - he sighed and moved to the stool beside him, sitting down heavily. Nathan looked old… there was no other word for it. There were dark circles under his eyes where he hadn’t slept and the eyes themselves were dull and lifeless as he greeted him. “Bill.”
“Nathan. All mended I see.” He hoped he sounded more cheerful than he felt.
“Yeah.” He rotated his shoulder to demonstrate and then winced as it objected. Two beers appeared in front of them.
“How are you, Nathan?”
Bridger just looked at him with a hint of irony on his face. “How do I look?”
“Like hell.”
They drank their beers in silence. For the first time since he’d known him, Bill had absolutely no idea what to say.
“How’s Janet?”
“Fine… fine… although I’m afraid I’m grounded for the next fifty years.”
A hint of a smile touched Nathan’s lips. “Hold on to her Bill. Hold on tight and don’t let anything separate you. Or anyone…” He added pointedly.
“I intend to. She wants you to come over for dinner, you know.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re friends, and she’s worried about you.”
“Tell her I’m fine.”
“Are you? Are you really?”
“No.”
They lapsed into silence again, Bill not knowing how to answer and Nathan not wanting to elaborate.
“Another beer?” Noyce asked finally.
“Yeah.” Nathan remembered his manners. “Please.”
“Two more beers here, please.”
“Make that three.”
Both men froze and then Bill roused enough to turn to the new arrival. Nathan didn’t move, only his grip tightening on the bottle betraying his emotions.
“Do you need a glass, ma’am?” The bartender inquired.
“No… it’s fine as it is.”
Bill finally managed to get to his feet. “Kristin… thank God! Thank God you’re alive.”
“No thanks to you two.” The woman muttered, but there was a smile on her face. Kristin glanced Nathan’s way for a second and then raised her eyebrows suggestively… Noyce got the message.
“If you’ll excuse me I need to visit the rest room.” He disappeared into the crowd.
Sitting down on the now-vacant stool she picked up her beer, drinking straight out of the bottle. Nathan still hadn’t looked at her and suddenly, she was very nervous. What if he hadn’t forgiven her? What if he hadn’t understood?
She placed the bottle back on the bar and rested her hand beside it on the counter, her fingers trembling slightly. As she began to rise, his hand closed over hers and held on tightly. Risking a quick glance at his face she saw the tension there and the way he kept swallowing hard.
Closing her eyes in relief she moved her hand and turned it palm upwards, closing her fingers over his. Bill returned at that moment and pulled out another stool, sitting down beside the couple and immediately sensing the tension.
“So Kristin… How the hell did you get away?”
“Don’t you think we’d better take that discussion some place else?” She questioned.
“Yeah. I guess we should… Nathan?”
Without a word Bridger stood to follow them, not noticing the worried look they shared. As they approached Bill’s car, Kristin whispered. “Is he alright?”
“He’s been like this since… I don’t know, Kristin.”
They were soon comfortably ensconced in one of the UEO’s VIP suites in the local hotel. Noyce poured the drinks and then sat in one of the plush armchairs. Kristin sat on the sofa, but Bridger stood, his back to the room, gazing unseeingly out of the window. As Kristin raised her glass to her lips her sleeve slid back to reveal a white bandage.
“You were hurt,” Bill observed.
Those three words brought Nathan’s attention swiftly back to his companions.
“Flying debris… It’s nothing.” She caught the look on Bridger’s face. “It’s fine.” She assured him.
“So… would you mind telling us just how you got mixed up in this?”
“How long do you have?” Kristin quipped.
“As long as it takes.” Bill responded smiling.
Nathan remained silent but sat down in one of the other chairs.
She explained from the moment she was turned down for the seaQuest…
“It wasn’t me.”
“I know that now. It was Thomas’ way of getting me on side.”
“By cancelling your funding?” Noyce interrupted.
“No, that was part of my cover. He took me to a secret hospital ward to show me the results of Santos’ dealings. There were women and children – it was horrible. I couldn’t say no after that.”
“What happened to the other agents?”
“They were killed. As I told Nathan, they trusted the wrong people.”
“Topaz?”
“The same. He asked too many questions, antagonised too many people. Santos even began to distrust me since he’d seen me talking to Tony… sorry Topaz, once or twice. I tried to warn him. Why didn’t he listen? Why doesn’t anyone in your damn organisation listen?” Nathan suddenly found his glass fascinating.
“It was Thomas’ idea to get you involved Bill, he never even discussed it with me. He knew you’d ask Nathan for help, and that’s just what you did.”
“Looks like you were right, old friend.”
“Whoa, wait up, you knew what was going on and you still went ahead on your own?” She asked accusingly.
“No, Kris…” Nathan’s voice was pained. “I didn’t figure it out until it was too late.”
She nodded. “At least you did figure it out eventually, the others… Like you, they were so caught up in ‘their’ mission. Didn’t want, or need, outside help. It never even occurred to any of them that just maybe, they were the outside help. Bloody military, always think they know best… I contacted Thomas, told him ‘no more back up’. Did he listen? No, he sent you two to my rescue.”
“The Lone Ranger and Tonto.” Bill supplied.
Kristin sniggered derisively. “Make that Krusty the Clown and Side-show Bob.”
“Gee thanks.” Nathan muttered. “I think I preferred Muttley.”
“Sorry?”
“Never mind, go on.”
“I think you know the rest.”
“Kristin, if you didn’t want help, then why the messages?” Noyce asked.
“You call that help.” The look on the men’s faces made her change tack. “So that someone else knew when and what, apart from me, in case I…”
“Got yourself killed.” Nathan spat out.
“Hey, you nearly did a pretty good job of that for me.”
“Yeah, we’re sorry about that.” Bill apologised. “Seems we weren’t given all the rules.”
“And independent thinking is frowned upon.” She couldn’t resist another swipe at the military but neither of them rose to the bait.
“You shot me.” Nathan accused suddenly.
“Yes.”
“You could have killed me.”
“I should have.”
Bill’s head jerked round in surprise but Nathan just stared at her calmly.
“You were one person Nathan, those abominations could have hurt hundreds.”
“Then why didn’t you?” He asked miserably.
“Because.”
“Because what?”
“Because it was you. Why did it have to be you?” She finished her drink in one final, large gulp.
“What about you?” Noyce asked.
“What about me?”
“How were you supposed to get away?”
“I wasn’t.”
“I told you.” Nathan whispered.
“At least…” Kristin continued. “…I didn’t think I was supposed to. Thomas made it quite clear that he couldn’t guarantee my safety.”
“And you were happy to go along with that?”
“He caught me at a vulnerable moment. Nathan and I… We’d… He’d…” His expression made her heart hurt. “Yes.” She finished lamely, but everyone understood.
“How did you get away?” Bill prompted.
“When Carlos realised the game was up he sent his pilot to ready the helicopter. We followed, but Rydell – one of the other potential bidders - followed us. There wasn’t enough room for everyone, so he yanked me out just as we started to lift off. I hit the ground hard, someone grabbed me and pulled me out of the way, and then… boom…”
“And I thought that guy was an asshole,” Noyce muttered. “Seems we should be thanking him.”
"I wouldn't go that far," Kristin laughed but Nathan didn’t react. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the bathroom.” She stood and exited the room.
When she returned Bill was gone and Nathan stood looking out of the window. “Where’d he go?”
“To call Janet.” He shifted his feet nervously and thrust his hands deep into his pockets. “Will you stay?” He asked and couldn’t quite keep the tremor from his voice.
“Nathan, I…”
“I want you to stay.”
Kristin sighed deeply. “I can’t. You don’t know what happened… I mean, before you and Bill…”
“It doesn’t matter Kris, none of it matters.”
“Yes it does. It matters to me and it will to you, despite what you say now.”
When he opened his mouth to protest Kristin silenced him. “I… We need time; time to figure out what we both really want, and to come to terms with what happened.”
He was defeated and he knew it, sadness permeated his body and touched his soul. “You’ll come back?” At her expression he added, “One day.”
“I’ll come back.”
“You promise?”
His misery was getting to her and it would have been so easy to give in to him and stay, just to stop the hurt she saw in his face, but it would be wrong. “I promise that one day I’ll be back, but I don’t want you to wait for me. If you find someone who…”
“I won’t.” He cut her off definitively.
“You might Nathan. You can’t know that.”
“I won’t.” He repeated quietly but firmly.
She nodded and bit her lip to stop the tears that threatened to fall. “Are you still on seaQuest?”
“No.”
She looked surprised for a moment but didn’t comment. “The house?”
“Yes.”
“Alone?” For some reason she dreaded the answer, whatever it might be. She hated the thought of him being with someone but at the same time, she didn’t want him to be lonely.
“Always.” He replied softly.
She closed her eyes and swallowed hard. “Lucas?”
“He came by a few times when I first retired, but he’s still in love with the boat and the adventure… And the new girlfriend.”
“Have you met her?”
“No.”
Her heart went out to him. “He’s young Nathan, Cynthia was the same at his age.”
“How is she?”
“She’s fine. She’s…” Kristin broke off recognising their chatter for what it was… a way of delaying the inevitable. “I have to go.”
“I know. You’ll take care of yourself? No more cloak and dagger stuff… please.”
“I think I’ve had enough of that to last me a lifetime. Take care, Sailor.”
Instinctively, they moved closer together and hugged each other tightly, neither of them spoke, each wanting to hold on to the moment. Finally, Kristin broke away and she could no longer hold back the tears. She tried to think of something to say, but failed and so she leaned forward and kissed him, intending it to be a simple goodbye, but when he responded it went on for the longest time… All of their emotions wrapped up in it. It was heartbreakingly sad. She slipped out of his arms and practically ran for the door.
“You promised.” His strained voice called after her.
“I know.”
The door closed behind her and Nathan sank down into the nearest seat, putting his head in his hands and searching his mind for the words that he could have said to make her stay, but knowing in his heart, that there were none.
I'd originally intended to end this story here but the romantics in our group wouldn't let me! So, if you prefer your endings happier then move on to Part Two
