1977
Irina is 26
Friday – January 21, 1977
I think I have Sydney nearly potty trained. She still wears diapers, but most of the time she says ‘potty’ and when I take her to the bathroom, she does it. I’ve been working for this the past three months and it seems to have taken affect. Jack is gone. I don’t know where because it’s a secret, of course. They send him on assignments several times during the year and it just delays his work on Project Christmas. He’s really a good man and a total patriot…just as I am.
I wish sometimes neither of us was in this business. I could teach which I’ve come to enjoy so much and he could be some business man. Being in the intelligence gathering business is not safe. V called and wanted to see me…said he was bringing my diaper order tomorrow. I think I’ll tell him to stop. Sydney is not going to need them much longer.
Saturday – January 22, 1977
V brought the diapers. I told him he’d have figure out a new way to communicate as Sydney was potty trained. He shrugged and said that we could meet at the motel again when I left the university in the afternoon.
Anyway, he had a message from them. They had another assignment for me. It would be in Berlin this time. There was by coincidence another conference I could attend. Since it was four months away, perhaps I could go as a panelist or workshop planner.
“Why are you telling me four months in advance?”
“The target is in Africa now, but will return then. We want you to have time to prepare.”
Musing about this I wondered if I could participate in some manner. I had published two papers on some abstract English authors which garnered me some praise by Dr. Little. I looked at V saying, “Why don’t they eliminate him when he’s in Africa?”
“Too many people with him. The CIA has designed a security program for Zaire’s government and it’s too busy and…” he paused, “…too dangerous for you. You are the best we have and we don’t want to lose you.”
I grinned. At last someone said it. The best. “Okay, I’ll see what I can do. Call me at work in a few days and I’ll let you know what’s happening.”
*****
Sunday – April 17, 1977
Today is Sydney’s birthday. She’s two! She is potty trained and pretty proud of herself. Jack and I are proud of her too because she is talking up a storm as they say. She’s chatting with everyone who will listen to her. We have to be very careful what we say or do or our little darling will tell everyone. She has not learned about lying or keeping her mouth shut about the family. I hope she will be over it as soon as she learns to be careful what she says to other people.
We asked her what she wanted for her birthday last week. She was thoughtful and finally looked at both of us and said she wanted a bed. She thought she was too old to be sleeping in a crib. She was so serious about it that we almost laughed, but didn’t. Instead we went out shopping for a twin bed that would last awhile.
Jack put up the bed while I took her to church. She was quite excited when we left church because they celebrated her birthday. She became deliriously happy when she saw her new bed. She wanted to take a nap right away to try it out. Of course there was one small difficulty—our child couldn’t climb up into it yet. Jack lifted her up, glancing at me with a twinkle in his eyes. I wanted to laugh, but didn’t.
“Sydney Anne,” I said formally, “this means you will not leave your bed at night. Do you think you can stay in bed?”
“Yes Mommy, I can.” She grinned at us both. “I’m going to take a nap now.”
Oh Dear God, how I love that child.
***
Monday - May 2, 1977
Jack and I had a huge argument last night about my going to Berlin in three weeks. I reminded him that he said I could go when I told him in January I was submitting an outline for a seminar I wanted to give at the conference. He, of course, hadn’t heard me and probably mumbled something. I would be gone for the four or five days I’d told him, but he didn’t want me to leave Sydney. He said he didn’t know his schedule yet. I said we’d have to hire a sitter then. That went over like a lead balloon.
We were screaming at each other pretty loud when we both looked up and saw Sydney staring at us. She had toddled in from the family room when she heard us. Both of us immediately went silent. Jack headed for the office, leaving me with our daughter whose eyes were glistening with tears.
I picked her up and held her tight to me. I tried to explain that mommy was going away to a very important meeting and that daddy was upset because he didn’t want mommy to leave. She looked at me for a long minute. Then she said she would take care of daddy and it was okay for me to leave. I had to laugh.
I carried her in my arms to the office. “Jack, Sydney wants to tell you something.” He turned around and there was still anger on his face.
“What is it, sweetheart?”
“I will take care of you; so Mommy can go.”
His mouth dropped open. I smiled at her and then at him. “What do you think? Can she take care of you?”
Anger left his face. “Sorry darling.” He kissed me lightly on the cheek, pulling Sydney into his arms. “I think it’s possible that you can take care of me. I’ll even take you out to dinner…just like I do Mommy sometimes.”
Sydney threw her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek.
This morning Jack and I calmly discussed my being away. We decided that if he had to be away on an assignment that we would ask Emily Sloane to watch over Sydney. She agreed immediately when we called to explain our dilemma. I told her that I would cut my trip short if that happened so as not to cause any hardship. She, of course, said there was no hardship in taking care of Sydney. Thank goodness for the Sloanes. I don’t know what we would’ve done without their help.
SYDNEY AND VAUGHN
Sydney closed the journal and looked at Vaughn who was reading the newspaper. They had gone out for breakfast which lasted longer than anticipated as Isabelle was with them and, naturally, had captured the attention of all the waiters and people at surrounding tables. It was their third day in Florence and already people who came in contact with her were falling in love with Isabelle.
“When did your father die? I don’t think you ever told me.” She tried to keep her voice neutral.
He looked up! “We were not sure, but we think it was sometime in May of 1983. Why?”
Sydney sighed. “I thought it might be sooner.”
He stared at her. “When you get to that particular year, I do not want to know what happened.” It had always been a painful memory and that coupled with the fact Irina Derevko, Sydney’s mother, had viciously killed him was enough to make him not want to know.
*****
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Now here’s where I’m trying to stay consistent with what we know, which is not what the writers did. For instance, we heard she killed Bill Vaughn in such a manner as he could not be identified except with dental records but never exactly how. This is what Vaughn told Sydney in the first season. He supposedly was one of the 12 she killed while living with Jack, but maybe not. Because in the third season we heard from Katya, Bill was killed by Irina when he would not give her the location of where he’d hidden Nadia, which by the way, had nothing to do with his CIA job. He was supposedly a member of the Friends of Rambaldi.
However we think that Vaughn is about two years older than Sydney and he stated his father was killed when he was 10. Sydney was born in 1975 which makes Vaughn’s birth in 1973. Ergo, Bill Vaughn must have been killed in 1983.
But since this story is told from Irina’s POV, we’ll let her decide when she killed Bill, where and why.
Wednesday – May 25, 1977
I flew into Berlin late in the evening with a stop-over in London. It had been a long flight so I went to my hotel and collapsed, sleeping until seven the next morning. I called Jack to report I was okay. He told me Sydney was already asleep and that he loved me. I told him I was scheduled for my seminar in two days and I thought I would come right home.
“Don’t be silly, darling. Take another day to see the sights. You might not get back there again.”
“I know, but I miss you and Sydney.”
I could hear him smile. “Do what you want. We’ll be waiting for you.”
After showering, I went for breakfast and checked with the front desk for any messages. I was handed a sealed envelope with my name on it. I read it on the way to my room. It gave me the details including name and address. I made a call to the number written on the note and then destroyed it.
Later:
I went out shortly before lunch. In order to keep myself from being recognized by any of my fellow colleagues, I dressed in my black outfit having retrieved it from the locker at the bus station nearby. It was a little chilly, so I pulled on a fleeced lined jacket after putting my hair into a single braid. I tucked the braid under the jacket’s collar and tugged a cap over it. I lifted the collar of the jacket up so the braid was completely hidden. I left by the employee’s entrance.
Outside the hotel I made my way to the metro station and took a subway to the seedier part of the city. There was a switchblade in my jacket pocket and I kept my right hand on it for instant use. I’d already ascertained the way to Schwartz Street and found it to be a narrow, dark alleyway, not even a street. The houses towered at least six stories and were so close together that sunlight was almost impossible to filter to the street. Only those in the top floors could consider receiving any heat from the sun.
There was an unmistakable stench of urine, feces and food that was so intermingled that on a good day, it would be hard to ascertain the separate smells. The walls of the houses were coated with black material which I would guess to be smoke from burning coal. I found the number of the house I’d been directed to go. There was no door bell so I knocked.
A couple of minutes later, a man appeared. I’d expected a derelict given the squalor that surrounded me. However, he was clean shaven and looked sober.
“Yeah?”
“Marlene Schwarzer here?”
“No, she is not back from the butcher shop.” He stood back.
I entered and did not go any further than two or three feet inside. It looked as bad as the outside. “You live here?” I asked out of curiosity considering.
“No,” he answered grimly. “Marlene lets me use her place for meetings.”
“Isn’t that dangerous?” I was thinking that if she got too curious, she might turn him in to the police just to see if there was a reward for him.
“No.” He said no more but handed me a key. “It’s at the bus station near your hotel.”
“What the hell? You mean I came all the way over here to pick up key for another locker there?” Paranoia was, perhaps, the greatest KGB fault. I thought they took unnecessary risks. He didn’t answer and stood by the door to usher me out.
At the bus station some thirty minutes later, I removed a suitcase from a locker on the other side of the station. It was getting darker, so I sauntered back to the hotel arriving when it was nearly dark. I entered a side door and used the employee elevator to get up to my floor and to my room.
I opened the envelope. Inside were the directions and the name of my target…Edward Palmer. He was a CIA agent involved in hunting members of East Germany’s elite Stasi. Many of these former Communist policemen had disappeared and some even became model German citizens now involved with various political agencies as well as German intelligence. They had been provided with new identities and papers by the KGB. Palmer already had caught several.
Edward Palmer, it seems, had done some extensive work in East Germany and had secretly photographed over a hundred Stasi members. He, along with some German intelligence officers, was hunting down the East Germans who they considered criminals…not good Germans.
Palmer was going to be a guest at home of Kurt Kruger, a well known politician who was backing German Intelligence to help with Palmer’s quest. It was to be a big affair with about a hundred or so attending. Inside was an invitation made out to Gina Malcolm, who was a correspondent for a little known publication in the U.S. The paper was supposedly a secretly CIA-backed organization that was used to obtain passes into diplomatic affairs. As their representative, I would be going to the buffet dinner with full access to the guests including Edward Palmer and it was tomorrow night. Fortunately, the KGB had stumbled onto the paper’s silent owners and used it to their advantage.
Since I had not brought anything fancy to wear, I thought I would buy something not too spectacular. I was not planning to call attention to myself from anyone. I would also need a certain weapon. There was a phone number on the sheet. Using a pre-paid cell phone, I made the call after returning from my shopping expedition. This time I would be picking up the delivery at a department store the next morning.
Thursday – May 26, 1977
I finished off Mr. Palmer tonight and they robbed his apartment, gathering all the pictures and information he had on file. He must have believed himself safe. Erroneous assumption.
I entered the Krueger estate about 8:00 p.m. in a taxi driven by one of them. I was given a cell phone and told to call when I needed to return to my hotel. Of course, it was not a real licensed taxi.
The butler at the door was gracious when I gave him my invitation. He checked the guest list and nodded. I was handed over to another man who took my coat. I entered the hall and noticed many people standing and talking with drinks in their hand. A waiter came up to me and I took a glass, hoping to blend into the crowd. I didn’t look dowdy, but I also didn’t look glamorous. I was careful to check for visible security cameras, but I didn’t see any. Still I was not visibly cautious, but drifted around from room to room.
I’d purchased a simple black dress, which opened at the neck to show off my three stands of pearls. No one even knew the clasp which was hidden by the dress had another purpose…it held a sheathed stiletto knife about six inches long hanging between my shoulder blades. My hair hung down my back and made it impossible to see the sheath. It was my weapon of choice for this evening’s work. I also obtained a pair of horn-rimmed glasses to wear which added plainness to my appearance.
I circled through the various rooms trying to locate my target. I didn’t see him at first and wondered if he was there yet. Finally I spotted him in deep conversation with Krueger. Obviously Palmer was excited about something. I wasn’t going to pry about this because I had a job to do. So I stayed just where I could keep an eye on them.
Krueger left Palmer to attend to all of his guests. I strolled by Palmer who was searching his pockets for something. I tripped and my drink spilled onto his pants and lower half of his dinner jacket. I apologized profusely.
“Let me get a butler to help you. Oh my God, I am so sorry,” I cried.
“No, that’s not necessary Miss…er…” he looked at me.
“Gina.” I cried and a tear or two ran down my cheeks.
“Please Gina; I’ll just clean it off in the bathroom.” He smiled reassuringly and walked down the hallway toward the downstairs’ bathroom.
It was gloomy at this end of the hall, so I pulled out the stiletto. “Are you sure I can’t help you. I’m so clumsy.” I followed him.
“Don’t worry about it. Accidents do happen.” He smiled and opened the door.
I glanced down the hall. There was no one. I turned and before he knew what happened, I shoved him into the room and pushed the stiletto into the back of his neck, high up so that the sharp point cut into the brain stem. He collapsed onto the floor without saying anything. I dried the stiletto after running water over it. I checked his pulse before opening the door. He was dead.
I took the cell phone from my purse and made the call. “It’s done. Send the cab.”
Friday – May 27, 1977
I attended the seminars today and presented my workshop in the afternoon. It was well received by the teachers present. There were a hundred or so of them and they were very complimentary. I was pleased also with the presentation, especially since my target was taken care of. I looked over the newspaper that was printed in English and read nothing about Palmer’s death. I’m sure the German Intelligence kept it out of the public’s knowledge.
I’m flying home early tomorrow morning and be home by late afternoon. I’m anxious to see my little Sydney and Jack.
Saturday – May 28, 1977
Jack and Sydney picked me up. I was so happy to see them. I gave Sydney at big hug and kissed her cheeks. Then I reached up, grabbing Jack by the neck, and kissed him long and thoroughly.
“Jesus, Laura, what was that for?” He grinned when I let him go.
“I’ve missed you so much.”
We headed for the baggage area and Jack filled me in on the last four days. He was able to get time off so we didn’t have to depend on outside help. He told me everything that he and Sydney did. He said she wore him out and she chattered constantly, wanting to know about everything they did.
I laughed. He didn’t have to tell me anything. I knew it already. I spent more time with her and knew her good and bad points.
When we got home, I put Sydney to bed and read her a story. Jack was in his office and I joined him there. He asked about the conference and I told him all that had happened as well as how good my own workshop was. I could feel the heat rising inside me. I was wound up as tight as a drum and needed the release.
“I need you tonight,” I whispered. I nuzzled his ear. “Can you take care of me?”
He stood, took me in his arms and kissed me hard. “Get going woman.”
“Shower first…then…” I turned and walked into the bedroom. The suitcase was on the floor where Jack put it but I ignored it.
I dropped my clothes in the bathroom after turning on the water. I stepped inside while it was still a bit cold. I always did it this way…all my life. The hot came on slowly and I took the washcloth, soaping it up and then scrubbing myself top to bottom to rid myself of the smell of traveling. Locked up in a plane for so many hours can wear you down and weld smells into your body. I wanted to be free…of everything…even the smell of death.
Suddenly the door opened and Jack stepped inside. He stood for a moment staring at me and bent forward kissing me as the water relentlessly poured over us. I could feel his arousal and wanted him there.
“Now,” I whispered.
Leaning back against the wall, I spread my legs. He lifted me up and entered me. There was no hesitation. I slid down taking all of him inside. I locked my legs around his hips and he had to thrust only three times before I gasped and groaned as I came with a rush. I let him thrust a couple of times more; then I surged again just as he had his own orgasm. My entire body screamed with relief.
Jack withdrew and opened the shower door. “Laura,” he gasped. He lifted me up and put me down outside, grabbing a towel. He gently wiped me dry. I closed my eyes as his touch began to fire me up again. I kept my eyes closed as he toweled himself off. Then he carried me into bed. We made love again until he was exhausted, falling asleep.
Standing, I threw on a robe to check on Sydney. My sweet little girl was sound asleep. She had kicked the blanket off, so I covered her. I leaned down to kiss her cheek. Then I went into the office to look inside Jack’s briefcase.
*****
Monday – July 4, 1977
It was a holiday today and we went to a barbeque at the Sloanes. We took Sydney because there would be other children there. Sydney was stubborn about what she wanted to wear. I wanted to put her into a darling dress that Emily had given to her for her birthday, but Sydney refused. She wanted pants and a shirt.
“Mommy, I get dirty.”
Jack laughed and told me to let her wear what she wanted. I had to agree with her reasoning. If she was going to have any fun, it might involve getting dirty. I would not be pleased with that so we let her wear what she wanted.
All of those in attendance were from the CIA office. As was with most office parties, the men drifted together drinking beer and the ladies were left to put together the rest of the food. The men were in charge of the meat.
We were sitting in Emily’s large comfortable kitchen chatting about families. We were taking turns checking on the whereabouts of the five children who were outside playing on the large lawn.
“Did you hear the latest gossip,” asked one of the women.
“What?” Emily poured another cup of coffee from the urn, handing it to the speaker.
“Bob says they’ve lost several agents in the past five years and the head office (meaning Langley) was positive they’d been murdered by one person.”
“How many agents?” I asked.
“Supposedly eight.”
“Are you sure?” Emily said looking a bit shaken.
Mrs. Bob nodded. I didn’t know her last name. I never attempted to learn last names of other agents. I never forgot the funeral and the event following the one for Philip Krasner. I stood up and looked out the window. I could see the children racing around. Sydney was the youngest and she couldn’t quite run as well yet.
“Excuse me, ladies; I think Sydney is wearing out. I’d better get her before she falls down.”
Emily turned to glance out the window and nodded. I left before I was caught up with more gossip. I did not want to know more, but what I did hear meant I’d have to do something before someone caught on or suspected me. I think I am undergoing my own form of paranoia.
Wednesday – July 6, 1977
V called me yesterday, so I set up a meeting this afternoon. Jack was off to work early and I told him I was taking Sydney to the beach later just in case he would try to call. I knew if I took her after lunch, let her play in the sand and take her out into the water, she would be asleep by the time V arrived at 2:30 p.m. He did and Sydney was fast asleep. Nothing would wake her up for at least another hour.
I was leaning back in my beach chair reading.
“Hello Laura.” The voice was low, almost a whisper. It was V.
“Yes?”
“Is she asleep?”
“Yes, but let’s keep our voices low.” I glanced over at Sydney who was curled up with her thumb in her mouth. I must call her dentist. I remember him saying not to let her do this because it would do something with her teeth.
“They are impatient,” he started.
“With what?”
“The Project Christmas.”
I closed my book and looked up at him. “I cannot give them information I do not have. I know he is working on it, but the company keeps him busy on other jobs too. I am not going to push.”
“They want to know if you want to be extracted.”
“What for?” I was becoming exasperated with them. “I am not suspected and I have not only supplied them with information on Jack’s project, but have supplied them with all kinds of information on that Italian nutcase, Milo Rambaldi. As long as I give them something, they should be happy.”
“They thought you might be…bored.”
I stared at him. “No, not bored, just concerned.” I motioned him to sit down on the towel. I didn’t want to keep looking up. “The CIA is concerned about the number of agents that have been assassinated and they think one man is behind it.”
His eyes widened. “You’ve got to go?”
I sighed, shaking my head. “No, I think they need to make sure that I’m not being sent on too many assignments too close together. Let’s have a cooling off period, before I’m given another job to do.”
“You don’t tell them what you’ll do.”
“Are you an idiot? One moment you think I should go home and the next you’re saying they’re the boss and don’t frack with them.”
“I know…I know, but…”
“They need to be warned, that’s all I’m saying. I can be effective here if there’s not too much pressure put on me.” I stared at him. “Remind them I haven’t failed them in completing any assignment.”
He stood. “Yes.” He sighed. “Just be careful.”
“Don’t worry…I am very careful—always.” I watched him trudge across the sand toward the parking lot. V was a lily-livered fool.
I doubted he wanted to go back. He was happy here in the U.S. as much as I was. I had no illusions though. If the time came, and somewhere in my mind I thought it would, I’d have to be extracted. If the CIA was thinking hard about the eight I’d killed…I would have to be more careful.
*****
Friday – August 19, 1977
This was NOT a good day.
First I planned to go to the university to get my attendance records straight. I’d picked up the lists yesterday and now was going to put them on my roll call book. This also served as a preliminary grade book. I’d been pleased when I picked up the lists. My classes were packed. The attendance secretary congratulated me. She said that the word was out that I was one of the best teachers in the English Department. That was yesterday of course. Today was a bit less pleasing.
I arranged to drop off Sydney with Emily for a couple of hours, much to the delight of both. I didn’t want to have Sydney with me at school because she demands a lot of attention and I want to give it to her. I didn’t worry about leaving her with Emily because Sloane’s wife is wonderful with our little girl.
I finished about three. I dashed over to the Sloanes and picked up Sydney. We were going to the beach for the rest of the afternoon. Where I was born having a beach nearby to go to was impossible. It was cold most of the year…very cold. Now it was summer and although warm…in the high eighties, the weather man promised cool breezes at the beach. So I planned to drive to the end of Sunset Boulevard and find a good spot.
Sydney fussed about being put into a diaper, but relented when I told her it was her swim suit. I found a spot about two hundred feet from where I parked the car. The sun was warm and there was a breeze. I unpacked my extra large bag containing blanket, towel, books, one for each of us, a puzzle for Sydney, suntan oil and my journal. I’d tucked an umbrella under my arm after pulling the tote over onto my shoulder. I maneuvered Sydney in her stroller with the other. The sand was not too soft so I could make it to the spot I’d chosen.
The place I chose was near two elderly couples I’d seen before when Sydney and I came to the beach. They’d been friendly and Sydney had basked in their admiration over her conversational ability at such a young age. I judged them all to be in their late sixties and retired. I’d ascertained on previous visits that they always came to the beach about the same time every Friday. So I was happy to see them again.
We spent a pleasant three hours with them. Gregory, one of the men, bought Sydney a cherry Popsicle which she managed to dribble over her ‘bathing suit’. This gave me a chance to take her to the water and wash her off and, although it removed the red sticky on her, it wasn’t the best. I knew we’d have to have another bath when I got her home. She wanted to go out further, but I said no. She didn’t know how to swim yet.
The four older people left about six. The rest of the beach began to become deserted too. Traffic on Pacific Coast Highway lessened too. It was dinner time and I knew Sydney was hungry. I packed everything up, put Sydney in her stroller, and headed back for the car.
I was so busy putting everything away and Sydney in her car seat that I didn’t notice any of my surroundings or people. I went around to the driver’s side of the car preparing to enter then leave.
“Hey lady, can you spare a couple of bucks?”
I looked up at the sound of the voice so close to me and saw two men, both unshaven and both looking as though I was going to be their victim. My instincts kicked in and I knew they meant nothing but trouble. I stood up. I had my purse in my hand. I decided to give them the money, since Sydney was with me. I didn’t want her to be hurt.
“Sure.” I handed them each a five dollar bill. I glanced around at the same time and didn’t see anyone close enough to help me.
“Gee thanks,” one said leering at me. He licked his lips sizing me up. I might be tall, but I was thin and wiry. He wasn’t anticipating any trouble with me
“Looks like you have a lot more money in that wallet. Suppose you hand it over too and maybe we’ll have a party…”
He didn’t finish because at that moment I drove my foot into his genitals. As he screamed and fell to the ground, I threw an elbow into the face of the other. That staggered him out into the open area behind my car and the one next to it. I followed that by hitting him over the head with my purse. When he put his hands up to ward off my blows, I kicked him hard in the groin causing him to fall to the ground.
I turned in time to see the other man, who was in pain, charge me anyway. I took the heel of my hand and thrust it hard into his nose. That stopped him dead in his tracks and he fell flat to the ground not moving. The second man was struggling so I reached down gripping his right wrist with both hands. I jammed my foot into arm at the shoulder joint and twisted. He screamed. I dislocated his shoulder. That would keep them both out of circulation for a long time.
I stood for a moment, thinking about what I’d done. I couldn’t go to the police. I didn’t want to file any report. I just wanted to get home, so I jumped into the car, knowing there was nothing to tie me into the two injured men, and drove off, carefully avoiding hitting them.
“Mommy hurt?” Sydney looked at me.
“No, no, darling girl, Mommy is fine. We won’t tell Daddy, because he would be worried. We’ll be home in a few minutes. Promise?” She nodded. “That’s my sweet angel.”
Jack came home about eight. I’d fed and put Sydney to bed. I fixed us dinner. Pouring him some wine, I asked how his day had been.
“Just long, Laura. I think I’d like to watch some news and then,” he grinned, “hit the sack early.”
I smiled back. We were sitting on the sofa. “Turn it on.”
The news came on and the broadcaster was in the midst of bringing us up on what was going on in Washington. The next item however made me sit up straight. He was talking about two men found at the beach: one was dead and the other severely injured. The police had no clue or evidence leading the name of their attackers. I didn’t say anything but took a bite of food.
Jack looked at the two men’s pictures and grunted. “They look like attackers.”
“Now Jack, just because they look scruffy doesn’t mean they are.”
“Two to one, they have a record,” he said.
“Shhh, I want to hear how the man died.” The reporter on site was pointing to the body bag. The reporter was saying the man’s nose had been hit so hard the bones were driven into his brain.
Jack was surprised. “Not many people know that can happen. Most intelligence agents know that it can and are trained in that defense.”
I didn’t say anything. We went to bed early and made love.
SYDNEY AND VAUGHN
Sydney was sitting at the breakfast table and the look on her face told Vaughn she was in deep thought.
“Hey…what’s wrong?” He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “You feel all right?”
She closed the journal smiling at him. “No, I’m feeling okay. It’s just Mom. I’m reading this day she wrote about. It’s got me in it. I think she killed a guy in Santa Monica and I’m trying to remember.”
“What?” Vaughn dropped into the seat next to her. “Who?”
“I think she…no we were accosted by a couple of would be muggers and or rapists when she took me to the beach. She dropped them both in about a minute, evidently killing one with the nose smash. She kicked both in the crotch and dislocated the other guy’s shoulder. I don’t think she realized at first that she killed the one until she and Dad watched a news broadcast later.”
“So they never caught on who it was?”
Sydney laughed, “They didn’t even think it was a ‘her’. I’m sure the police thought it some sort of bar fight or grudge fight. They probably never investigated because there were no witnesses or crime scene evidence.”
“Do you remember that?”
She shook her head. “No, I was trying to…but I was just 2 ½ and as good as my memory is, it can’t reach that far. I was in the car seat and probably couldn’t see.”
Vaughn shook his head. “Add another body to the list. Listen we have Pietro coming at ten to take us to the Uffizi Gallery for the day. Is our child ready?”
“I’m sure she is ready for any adventure that comes our way.”
Saturday – August 20, 1977
I looked at the newspaper this morning before Jack got up. There was a small piece in the L. A. Times on the 12th page about unnamed men being the victims. The one who was alive couldn’t tell the police anything about his assailant. He said he and his partner were just walking to the beach when some guy attacked them without provocation. He was as puzzled about it as the police. He also volunteered that he’d had a lot of alcohol and was afraid he couldn’t even ID the assailant. I’m sure he didn’t want to admit that a woman had done it. Fine by me.
I decided to pick another beach in the future. I was sorry to lose contact with the four seniors, but I could take no chance that he would some day show up.
*****
Wednesday – November 23, 1977
It’s our sixth anniversary tomorrow and it’s also Thanksgiving. Jack is taking me and Sydney on a vacation to Yosemite which is in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We were going to camp, he said, then figured Sydney was too little and we didn’t have enough time. He made reservations at a resort outside the national park.
We drove up in the late afternoon and found our way to a small town called Oakhurst which is just a few miles outside the park. The place we stayed was a dude ranch that Jack had heard about. It was rustic. It was cold too. Although it was late, they had some cold cuts and bread and pie available. We were shown to our room where we deposited our bags before going back for food.
Sydney barely ate anything she was so tired. I ate a turkey sandwich and took her back to our room. Jack wanted a piece of pie so I left him talking to the owner/manager. Sydney was sound asleep when he returned and I’d unpacked everything and changed for bed. Jack returned just as I crawled into the bed with a book.
He waggled his finger at me grinning. “No reading. Just loving tonight, darling. It’s our sixth anniversary.”
“We’ll wake Sydney.” I protested weakly.
“I doubt it. We’ll do it slow and easy…” He stripped in seconds and crawled into bed pulling me to him.
Thursday – November 24, 1977
What a magical place this is. The park was nearly deserted. The roads were almost traffic free. We saw bears, deer—all sorts of wildlife. Sydney’s eyes got so big I thought they’d pop right out of their sockets. The park ranger we met at a little store told us the bears would soon be gone—hibernating until early March or later depending on the amount of snow.
We had dinner at the Ahwahnee Hotel which has been a fixture in the Park from almost the time it opened. It was a beautiful building old and built with a sense of the Old West. It was so rustic I half expected to see cowboys on horseback riding up. Our reservations were for an early dinner, but even so, Jack ordered a bottle of wine to go with the roast turkey dinner. Sydney was her usual chatty self and even the waiter was in awe. She told him and everyone close by about the bears she saw, how many deer and other assorted small animals. Jack and I have found that we can eat in peace when Sydney takes over the conversations as she did at the hotel.
We left early with information that there was a storm heading our way and it would probably be a good idea to leave the floor of the valley and get back to our cozy ranch hotel in Oakhurst. We’d barely returned before there was a rush of wind, accompanied by first rain, then hail and finally snow. Sydney was in her bed fast asleep so Jack and I stepped outside to watch it snow. It was not quite the same as it was where I was born.
Jack carried me back inside whispering, “Do you know how much I love you, Laura?”
“A bushel and a peck?” I was quoting a song from Guys and Dolls, which we’d seen at the Dorothy Chandler a few years ago.
“More than that, sweetheart, more than that.” He put me down outside our door, opening it, and picking me up again. He shut the door softly by leaning against it. He put me down and kissed me, silently but insistently, almost demanding.
My heart raced as his hands moved around my back and down to my buttocks. I could feel him harden. I finally came up for air, gasping…heat rising from my core.
“Take off my clothes, Jack.” I whispered. Unfortunately we’d dressed warmly and so there was an extra layer of clothing. He still made quick work of them. Then he dropped his jacket and shirt, kicking his boots off. Seconds later he was as naked as I was. We both were ready.
He started to push me down on the bed. I stopped him. “Let me be on top. There’s a lot less noise.”
He fell back onto the bed and I climbed up on him, taking his penis deep inside. It was also one way I could control my orgasm. I leaned down. Then I rode him back and forth as he sucked on my breasts. My body trembled as I sensed my orgasm starting to build. I stopped for a moment, breathing heavily and watched him intently as his mouth and right hand caressed my breasts. His left hand moved down and began manipulating my clit in such a manner that I was going crazy with the increased heat he was causing.
“Jack, no…stop…wait,” I cried softly.
He chuckled softly knowing what he was doing. The man had no scruples when it came to making love to me. “You’re ready,” he said softly. “Finish me off too!”
“Jack Bristow…” I whimpered. “You bastard…” I rode back on him hard feeling every inch of him inside once and then once again. I let out a whoosh of air as my body responded from my head to toes. He came too. His fluid shooting into me as mine joined with his. I bucked as I peaked again.
Exhausted, I fell across his chest and rolled onto the bed pulling him out of me. We lay together sweat on our faces and bodies. It had been an anniversary frack and the best we’d had so far.
*****
TBCb :lovers:
Irina is 26
Friday – January 21, 1977
I think I have Sydney nearly potty trained. She still wears diapers, but most of the time she says ‘potty’ and when I take her to the bathroom, she does it. I’ve been working for this the past three months and it seems to have taken affect. Jack is gone. I don’t know where because it’s a secret, of course. They send him on assignments several times during the year and it just delays his work on Project Christmas. He’s really a good man and a total patriot…just as I am.
I wish sometimes neither of us was in this business. I could teach which I’ve come to enjoy so much and he could be some business man. Being in the intelligence gathering business is not safe. V called and wanted to see me…said he was bringing my diaper order tomorrow. I think I’ll tell him to stop. Sydney is not going to need them much longer.
Saturday – January 22, 1977
V brought the diapers. I told him he’d have figure out a new way to communicate as Sydney was potty trained. He shrugged and said that we could meet at the motel again when I left the university in the afternoon.
Anyway, he had a message from them. They had another assignment for me. It would be in Berlin this time. There was by coincidence another conference I could attend. Since it was four months away, perhaps I could go as a panelist or workshop planner.
“Why are you telling me four months in advance?”
“The target is in Africa now, but will return then. We want you to have time to prepare.”
Musing about this I wondered if I could participate in some manner. I had published two papers on some abstract English authors which garnered me some praise by Dr. Little. I looked at V saying, “Why don’t they eliminate him when he’s in Africa?”
“Too many people with him. The CIA has designed a security program for Zaire’s government and it’s too busy and…” he paused, “…too dangerous for you. You are the best we have and we don’t want to lose you.”
I grinned. At last someone said it. The best. “Okay, I’ll see what I can do. Call me at work in a few days and I’ll let you know what’s happening.”
*****
Sunday – April 17, 1977
Today is Sydney’s birthday. She’s two! She is potty trained and pretty proud of herself. Jack and I are proud of her too because she is talking up a storm as they say. She’s chatting with everyone who will listen to her. We have to be very careful what we say or do or our little darling will tell everyone. She has not learned about lying or keeping her mouth shut about the family. I hope she will be over it as soon as she learns to be careful what she says to other people.
We asked her what she wanted for her birthday last week. She was thoughtful and finally looked at both of us and said she wanted a bed. She thought she was too old to be sleeping in a crib. She was so serious about it that we almost laughed, but didn’t. Instead we went out shopping for a twin bed that would last awhile.
Jack put up the bed while I took her to church. She was quite excited when we left church because they celebrated her birthday. She became deliriously happy when she saw her new bed. She wanted to take a nap right away to try it out. Of course there was one small difficulty—our child couldn’t climb up into it yet. Jack lifted her up, glancing at me with a twinkle in his eyes. I wanted to laugh, but didn’t.
“Sydney Anne,” I said formally, “this means you will not leave your bed at night. Do you think you can stay in bed?”
“Yes Mommy, I can.” She grinned at us both. “I’m going to take a nap now.”
Oh Dear God, how I love that child.
***
Monday - May 2, 1977
Jack and I had a huge argument last night about my going to Berlin in three weeks. I reminded him that he said I could go when I told him in January I was submitting an outline for a seminar I wanted to give at the conference. He, of course, hadn’t heard me and probably mumbled something. I would be gone for the four or five days I’d told him, but he didn’t want me to leave Sydney. He said he didn’t know his schedule yet. I said we’d have to hire a sitter then. That went over like a lead balloon.
We were screaming at each other pretty loud when we both looked up and saw Sydney staring at us. She had toddled in from the family room when she heard us. Both of us immediately went silent. Jack headed for the office, leaving me with our daughter whose eyes were glistening with tears.
I picked her up and held her tight to me. I tried to explain that mommy was going away to a very important meeting and that daddy was upset because he didn’t want mommy to leave. She looked at me for a long minute. Then she said she would take care of daddy and it was okay for me to leave. I had to laugh.
I carried her in my arms to the office. “Jack, Sydney wants to tell you something.” He turned around and there was still anger on his face.
“What is it, sweetheart?”
“I will take care of you; so Mommy can go.”
His mouth dropped open. I smiled at her and then at him. “What do you think? Can she take care of you?”
Anger left his face. “Sorry darling.” He kissed me lightly on the cheek, pulling Sydney into his arms. “I think it’s possible that you can take care of me. I’ll even take you out to dinner…just like I do Mommy sometimes.”
Sydney threw her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek.
This morning Jack and I calmly discussed my being away. We decided that if he had to be away on an assignment that we would ask Emily Sloane to watch over Sydney. She agreed immediately when we called to explain our dilemma. I told her that I would cut my trip short if that happened so as not to cause any hardship. She, of course, said there was no hardship in taking care of Sydney. Thank goodness for the Sloanes. I don’t know what we would’ve done without their help.
SYDNEY AND VAUGHN
Sydney closed the journal and looked at Vaughn who was reading the newspaper. They had gone out for breakfast which lasted longer than anticipated as Isabelle was with them and, naturally, had captured the attention of all the waiters and people at surrounding tables. It was their third day in Florence and already people who came in contact with her were falling in love with Isabelle.
“When did your father die? I don’t think you ever told me.” She tried to keep her voice neutral.
He looked up! “We were not sure, but we think it was sometime in May of 1983. Why?”
Sydney sighed. “I thought it might be sooner.”
He stared at her. “When you get to that particular year, I do not want to know what happened.” It had always been a painful memory and that coupled with the fact Irina Derevko, Sydney’s mother, had viciously killed him was enough to make him not want to know.
*****
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Now here’s where I’m trying to stay consistent with what we know, which is not what the writers did. For instance, we heard she killed Bill Vaughn in such a manner as he could not be identified except with dental records but never exactly how. This is what Vaughn told Sydney in the first season. He supposedly was one of the 12 she killed while living with Jack, but maybe not. Because in the third season we heard from Katya, Bill was killed by Irina when he would not give her the location of where he’d hidden Nadia, which by the way, had nothing to do with his CIA job. He was supposedly a member of the Friends of Rambaldi.
However we think that Vaughn is about two years older than Sydney and he stated his father was killed when he was 10. Sydney was born in 1975 which makes Vaughn’s birth in 1973. Ergo, Bill Vaughn must have been killed in 1983.
But since this story is told from Irina’s POV, we’ll let her decide when she killed Bill, where and why.
Wednesday – May 25, 1977
I flew into Berlin late in the evening with a stop-over in London. It had been a long flight so I went to my hotel and collapsed, sleeping until seven the next morning. I called Jack to report I was okay. He told me Sydney was already asleep and that he loved me. I told him I was scheduled for my seminar in two days and I thought I would come right home.
“Don’t be silly, darling. Take another day to see the sights. You might not get back there again.”
“I know, but I miss you and Sydney.”
I could hear him smile. “Do what you want. We’ll be waiting for you.”
After showering, I went for breakfast and checked with the front desk for any messages. I was handed a sealed envelope with my name on it. I read it on the way to my room. It gave me the details including name and address. I made a call to the number written on the note and then destroyed it.
Later:
I went out shortly before lunch. In order to keep myself from being recognized by any of my fellow colleagues, I dressed in my black outfit having retrieved it from the locker at the bus station nearby. It was a little chilly, so I pulled on a fleeced lined jacket after putting my hair into a single braid. I tucked the braid under the jacket’s collar and tugged a cap over it. I lifted the collar of the jacket up so the braid was completely hidden. I left by the employee’s entrance.
Outside the hotel I made my way to the metro station and took a subway to the seedier part of the city. There was a switchblade in my jacket pocket and I kept my right hand on it for instant use. I’d already ascertained the way to Schwartz Street and found it to be a narrow, dark alleyway, not even a street. The houses towered at least six stories and were so close together that sunlight was almost impossible to filter to the street. Only those in the top floors could consider receiving any heat from the sun.
There was an unmistakable stench of urine, feces and food that was so intermingled that on a good day, it would be hard to ascertain the separate smells. The walls of the houses were coated with black material which I would guess to be smoke from burning coal. I found the number of the house I’d been directed to go. There was no door bell so I knocked.
A couple of minutes later, a man appeared. I’d expected a derelict given the squalor that surrounded me. However, he was clean shaven and looked sober.
“Yeah?”
“Marlene Schwarzer here?”
“No, she is not back from the butcher shop.” He stood back.
I entered and did not go any further than two or three feet inside. It looked as bad as the outside. “You live here?” I asked out of curiosity considering.
“No,” he answered grimly. “Marlene lets me use her place for meetings.”
“Isn’t that dangerous?” I was thinking that if she got too curious, she might turn him in to the police just to see if there was a reward for him.
“No.” He said no more but handed me a key. “It’s at the bus station near your hotel.”
“What the hell? You mean I came all the way over here to pick up key for another locker there?” Paranoia was, perhaps, the greatest KGB fault. I thought they took unnecessary risks. He didn’t answer and stood by the door to usher me out.
At the bus station some thirty minutes later, I removed a suitcase from a locker on the other side of the station. It was getting darker, so I sauntered back to the hotel arriving when it was nearly dark. I entered a side door and used the employee elevator to get up to my floor and to my room.
I opened the envelope. Inside were the directions and the name of my target…Edward Palmer. He was a CIA agent involved in hunting members of East Germany’s elite Stasi. Many of these former Communist policemen had disappeared and some even became model German citizens now involved with various political agencies as well as German intelligence. They had been provided with new identities and papers by the KGB. Palmer already had caught several.
Edward Palmer, it seems, had done some extensive work in East Germany and had secretly photographed over a hundred Stasi members. He, along with some German intelligence officers, was hunting down the East Germans who they considered criminals…not good Germans.
Palmer was going to be a guest at home of Kurt Kruger, a well known politician who was backing German Intelligence to help with Palmer’s quest. It was to be a big affair with about a hundred or so attending. Inside was an invitation made out to Gina Malcolm, who was a correspondent for a little known publication in the U.S. The paper was supposedly a secretly CIA-backed organization that was used to obtain passes into diplomatic affairs. As their representative, I would be going to the buffet dinner with full access to the guests including Edward Palmer and it was tomorrow night. Fortunately, the KGB had stumbled onto the paper’s silent owners and used it to their advantage.
Since I had not brought anything fancy to wear, I thought I would buy something not too spectacular. I was not planning to call attention to myself from anyone. I would also need a certain weapon. There was a phone number on the sheet. Using a pre-paid cell phone, I made the call after returning from my shopping expedition. This time I would be picking up the delivery at a department store the next morning.
Thursday – May 26, 1977
I finished off Mr. Palmer tonight and they robbed his apartment, gathering all the pictures and information he had on file. He must have believed himself safe. Erroneous assumption.
I entered the Krueger estate about 8:00 p.m. in a taxi driven by one of them. I was given a cell phone and told to call when I needed to return to my hotel. Of course, it was not a real licensed taxi.
The butler at the door was gracious when I gave him my invitation. He checked the guest list and nodded. I was handed over to another man who took my coat. I entered the hall and noticed many people standing and talking with drinks in their hand. A waiter came up to me and I took a glass, hoping to blend into the crowd. I didn’t look dowdy, but I also didn’t look glamorous. I was careful to check for visible security cameras, but I didn’t see any. Still I was not visibly cautious, but drifted around from room to room.
I’d purchased a simple black dress, which opened at the neck to show off my three stands of pearls. No one even knew the clasp which was hidden by the dress had another purpose…it held a sheathed stiletto knife about six inches long hanging between my shoulder blades. My hair hung down my back and made it impossible to see the sheath. It was my weapon of choice for this evening’s work. I also obtained a pair of horn-rimmed glasses to wear which added plainness to my appearance.
I circled through the various rooms trying to locate my target. I didn’t see him at first and wondered if he was there yet. Finally I spotted him in deep conversation with Krueger. Obviously Palmer was excited about something. I wasn’t going to pry about this because I had a job to do. So I stayed just where I could keep an eye on them.
Krueger left Palmer to attend to all of his guests. I strolled by Palmer who was searching his pockets for something. I tripped and my drink spilled onto his pants and lower half of his dinner jacket. I apologized profusely.
“Let me get a butler to help you. Oh my God, I am so sorry,” I cried.
“No, that’s not necessary Miss…er…” he looked at me.
“Gina.” I cried and a tear or two ran down my cheeks.
“Please Gina; I’ll just clean it off in the bathroom.” He smiled reassuringly and walked down the hallway toward the downstairs’ bathroom.
It was gloomy at this end of the hall, so I pulled out the stiletto. “Are you sure I can’t help you. I’m so clumsy.” I followed him.
“Don’t worry about it. Accidents do happen.” He smiled and opened the door.
I glanced down the hall. There was no one. I turned and before he knew what happened, I shoved him into the room and pushed the stiletto into the back of his neck, high up so that the sharp point cut into the brain stem. He collapsed onto the floor without saying anything. I dried the stiletto after running water over it. I checked his pulse before opening the door. He was dead.
I took the cell phone from my purse and made the call. “It’s done. Send the cab.”
Friday – May 27, 1977
I attended the seminars today and presented my workshop in the afternoon. It was well received by the teachers present. There were a hundred or so of them and they were very complimentary. I was pleased also with the presentation, especially since my target was taken care of. I looked over the newspaper that was printed in English and read nothing about Palmer’s death. I’m sure the German Intelligence kept it out of the public’s knowledge.
I’m flying home early tomorrow morning and be home by late afternoon. I’m anxious to see my little Sydney and Jack.
Saturday – May 28, 1977
Jack and Sydney picked me up. I was so happy to see them. I gave Sydney at big hug and kissed her cheeks. Then I reached up, grabbing Jack by the neck, and kissed him long and thoroughly.
“Jesus, Laura, what was that for?” He grinned when I let him go.
“I’ve missed you so much.”
We headed for the baggage area and Jack filled me in on the last four days. He was able to get time off so we didn’t have to depend on outside help. He told me everything that he and Sydney did. He said she wore him out and she chattered constantly, wanting to know about everything they did.
I laughed. He didn’t have to tell me anything. I knew it already. I spent more time with her and knew her good and bad points.
When we got home, I put Sydney to bed and read her a story. Jack was in his office and I joined him there. He asked about the conference and I told him all that had happened as well as how good my own workshop was. I could feel the heat rising inside me. I was wound up as tight as a drum and needed the release.
“I need you tonight,” I whispered. I nuzzled his ear. “Can you take care of me?”
He stood, took me in his arms and kissed me hard. “Get going woman.”
“Shower first…then…” I turned and walked into the bedroom. The suitcase was on the floor where Jack put it but I ignored it.
I dropped my clothes in the bathroom after turning on the water. I stepped inside while it was still a bit cold. I always did it this way…all my life. The hot came on slowly and I took the washcloth, soaping it up and then scrubbing myself top to bottom to rid myself of the smell of traveling. Locked up in a plane for so many hours can wear you down and weld smells into your body. I wanted to be free…of everything…even the smell of death.
Suddenly the door opened and Jack stepped inside. He stood for a moment staring at me and bent forward kissing me as the water relentlessly poured over us. I could feel his arousal and wanted him there.
“Now,” I whispered.
Leaning back against the wall, I spread my legs. He lifted me up and entered me. There was no hesitation. I slid down taking all of him inside. I locked my legs around his hips and he had to thrust only three times before I gasped and groaned as I came with a rush. I let him thrust a couple of times more; then I surged again just as he had his own orgasm. My entire body screamed with relief.
Jack withdrew and opened the shower door. “Laura,” he gasped. He lifted me up and put me down outside, grabbing a towel. He gently wiped me dry. I closed my eyes as his touch began to fire me up again. I kept my eyes closed as he toweled himself off. Then he carried me into bed. We made love again until he was exhausted, falling asleep.
Standing, I threw on a robe to check on Sydney. My sweet little girl was sound asleep. She had kicked the blanket off, so I covered her. I leaned down to kiss her cheek. Then I went into the office to look inside Jack’s briefcase.
*****
Monday – July 4, 1977
It was a holiday today and we went to a barbeque at the Sloanes. We took Sydney because there would be other children there. Sydney was stubborn about what she wanted to wear. I wanted to put her into a darling dress that Emily had given to her for her birthday, but Sydney refused. She wanted pants and a shirt.
“Mommy, I get dirty.”
Jack laughed and told me to let her wear what she wanted. I had to agree with her reasoning. If she was going to have any fun, it might involve getting dirty. I would not be pleased with that so we let her wear what she wanted.
All of those in attendance were from the CIA office. As was with most office parties, the men drifted together drinking beer and the ladies were left to put together the rest of the food. The men were in charge of the meat.
We were sitting in Emily’s large comfortable kitchen chatting about families. We were taking turns checking on the whereabouts of the five children who were outside playing on the large lawn.
“Did you hear the latest gossip,” asked one of the women.
“What?” Emily poured another cup of coffee from the urn, handing it to the speaker.
“Bob says they’ve lost several agents in the past five years and the head office (meaning Langley) was positive they’d been murdered by one person.”
“How many agents?” I asked.
“Supposedly eight.”
“Are you sure?” Emily said looking a bit shaken.
Mrs. Bob nodded. I didn’t know her last name. I never attempted to learn last names of other agents. I never forgot the funeral and the event following the one for Philip Krasner. I stood up and looked out the window. I could see the children racing around. Sydney was the youngest and she couldn’t quite run as well yet.
“Excuse me, ladies; I think Sydney is wearing out. I’d better get her before she falls down.”
Emily turned to glance out the window and nodded. I left before I was caught up with more gossip. I did not want to know more, but what I did hear meant I’d have to do something before someone caught on or suspected me. I think I am undergoing my own form of paranoia.
Wednesday – July 6, 1977
V called me yesterday, so I set up a meeting this afternoon. Jack was off to work early and I told him I was taking Sydney to the beach later just in case he would try to call. I knew if I took her after lunch, let her play in the sand and take her out into the water, she would be asleep by the time V arrived at 2:30 p.m. He did and Sydney was fast asleep. Nothing would wake her up for at least another hour.
I was leaning back in my beach chair reading.
“Hello Laura.” The voice was low, almost a whisper. It was V.
“Yes?”
“Is she asleep?”
“Yes, but let’s keep our voices low.” I glanced over at Sydney who was curled up with her thumb in her mouth. I must call her dentist. I remember him saying not to let her do this because it would do something with her teeth.
“They are impatient,” he started.
“With what?”
“The Project Christmas.”
I closed my book and looked up at him. “I cannot give them information I do not have. I know he is working on it, but the company keeps him busy on other jobs too. I am not going to push.”
“They want to know if you want to be extracted.”
“What for?” I was becoming exasperated with them. “I am not suspected and I have not only supplied them with information on Jack’s project, but have supplied them with all kinds of information on that Italian nutcase, Milo Rambaldi. As long as I give them something, they should be happy.”
“They thought you might be…bored.”
I stared at him. “No, not bored, just concerned.” I motioned him to sit down on the towel. I didn’t want to keep looking up. “The CIA is concerned about the number of agents that have been assassinated and they think one man is behind it.”
His eyes widened. “You’ve got to go?”
I sighed, shaking my head. “No, I think they need to make sure that I’m not being sent on too many assignments too close together. Let’s have a cooling off period, before I’m given another job to do.”
“You don’t tell them what you’ll do.”
“Are you an idiot? One moment you think I should go home and the next you’re saying they’re the boss and don’t frack with them.”
“I know…I know, but…”
“They need to be warned, that’s all I’m saying. I can be effective here if there’s not too much pressure put on me.” I stared at him. “Remind them I haven’t failed them in completing any assignment.”
He stood. “Yes.” He sighed. “Just be careful.”
“Don’t worry…I am very careful—always.” I watched him trudge across the sand toward the parking lot. V was a lily-livered fool.
I doubted he wanted to go back. He was happy here in the U.S. as much as I was. I had no illusions though. If the time came, and somewhere in my mind I thought it would, I’d have to be extracted. If the CIA was thinking hard about the eight I’d killed…I would have to be more careful.
*****
Friday – August 19, 1977
This was NOT a good day.
First I planned to go to the university to get my attendance records straight. I’d picked up the lists yesterday and now was going to put them on my roll call book. This also served as a preliminary grade book. I’d been pleased when I picked up the lists. My classes were packed. The attendance secretary congratulated me. She said that the word was out that I was one of the best teachers in the English Department. That was yesterday of course. Today was a bit less pleasing.
I arranged to drop off Sydney with Emily for a couple of hours, much to the delight of both. I didn’t want to have Sydney with me at school because she demands a lot of attention and I want to give it to her. I didn’t worry about leaving her with Emily because Sloane’s wife is wonderful with our little girl.
I finished about three. I dashed over to the Sloanes and picked up Sydney. We were going to the beach for the rest of the afternoon. Where I was born having a beach nearby to go to was impossible. It was cold most of the year…very cold. Now it was summer and although warm…in the high eighties, the weather man promised cool breezes at the beach. So I planned to drive to the end of Sunset Boulevard and find a good spot.
Sydney fussed about being put into a diaper, but relented when I told her it was her swim suit. I found a spot about two hundred feet from where I parked the car. The sun was warm and there was a breeze. I unpacked my extra large bag containing blanket, towel, books, one for each of us, a puzzle for Sydney, suntan oil and my journal. I’d tucked an umbrella under my arm after pulling the tote over onto my shoulder. I maneuvered Sydney in her stroller with the other. The sand was not too soft so I could make it to the spot I’d chosen.
The place I chose was near two elderly couples I’d seen before when Sydney and I came to the beach. They’d been friendly and Sydney had basked in their admiration over her conversational ability at such a young age. I judged them all to be in their late sixties and retired. I’d ascertained on previous visits that they always came to the beach about the same time every Friday. So I was happy to see them again.
We spent a pleasant three hours with them. Gregory, one of the men, bought Sydney a cherry Popsicle which she managed to dribble over her ‘bathing suit’. This gave me a chance to take her to the water and wash her off and, although it removed the red sticky on her, it wasn’t the best. I knew we’d have to have another bath when I got her home. She wanted to go out further, but I said no. She didn’t know how to swim yet.
The four older people left about six. The rest of the beach began to become deserted too. Traffic on Pacific Coast Highway lessened too. It was dinner time and I knew Sydney was hungry. I packed everything up, put Sydney in her stroller, and headed back for the car.
I was so busy putting everything away and Sydney in her car seat that I didn’t notice any of my surroundings or people. I went around to the driver’s side of the car preparing to enter then leave.
“Hey lady, can you spare a couple of bucks?”
I looked up at the sound of the voice so close to me and saw two men, both unshaven and both looking as though I was going to be their victim. My instincts kicked in and I knew they meant nothing but trouble. I stood up. I had my purse in my hand. I decided to give them the money, since Sydney was with me. I didn’t want her to be hurt.
“Sure.” I handed them each a five dollar bill. I glanced around at the same time and didn’t see anyone close enough to help me.
“Gee thanks,” one said leering at me. He licked his lips sizing me up. I might be tall, but I was thin and wiry. He wasn’t anticipating any trouble with me
“Looks like you have a lot more money in that wallet. Suppose you hand it over too and maybe we’ll have a party…”
He didn’t finish because at that moment I drove my foot into his genitals. As he screamed and fell to the ground, I threw an elbow into the face of the other. That staggered him out into the open area behind my car and the one next to it. I followed that by hitting him over the head with my purse. When he put his hands up to ward off my blows, I kicked him hard in the groin causing him to fall to the ground.
I turned in time to see the other man, who was in pain, charge me anyway. I took the heel of my hand and thrust it hard into his nose. That stopped him dead in his tracks and he fell flat to the ground not moving. The second man was struggling so I reached down gripping his right wrist with both hands. I jammed my foot into arm at the shoulder joint and twisted. He screamed. I dislocated his shoulder. That would keep them both out of circulation for a long time.
I stood for a moment, thinking about what I’d done. I couldn’t go to the police. I didn’t want to file any report. I just wanted to get home, so I jumped into the car, knowing there was nothing to tie me into the two injured men, and drove off, carefully avoiding hitting them.
“Mommy hurt?” Sydney looked at me.
“No, no, darling girl, Mommy is fine. We won’t tell Daddy, because he would be worried. We’ll be home in a few minutes. Promise?” She nodded. “That’s my sweet angel.”
Jack came home about eight. I’d fed and put Sydney to bed. I fixed us dinner. Pouring him some wine, I asked how his day had been.
“Just long, Laura. I think I’d like to watch some news and then,” he grinned, “hit the sack early.”
I smiled back. We were sitting on the sofa. “Turn it on.”
The news came on and the broadcaster was in the midst of bringing us up on what was going on in Washington. The next item however made me sit up straight. He was talking about two men found at the beach: one was dead and the other severely injured. The police had no clue or evidence leading the name of their attackers. I didn’t say anything but took a bite of food.
Jack looked at the two men’s pictures and grunted. “They look like attackers.”
“Now Jack, just because they look scruffy doesn’t mean they are.”
“Two to one, they have a record,” he said.
“Shhh, I want to hear how the man died.” The reporter on site was pointing to the body bag. The reporter was saying the man’s nose had been hit so hard the bones were driven into his brain.
Jack was surprised. “Not many people know that can happen. Most intelligence agents know that it can and are trained in that defense.”
I didn’t say anything. We went to bed early and made love.
SYDNEY AND VAUGHN
Sydney was sitting at the breakfast table and the look on her face told Vaughn she was in deep thought.
“Hey…what’s wrong?” He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “You feel all right?”
She closed the journal smiling at him. “No, I’m feeling okay. It’s just Mom. I’m reading this day she wrote about. It’s got me in it. I think she killed a guy in Santa Monica and I’m trying to remember.”
“What?” Vaughn dropped into the seat next to her. “Who?”
“I think she…no we were accosted by a couple of would be muggers and or rapists when she took me to the beach. She dropped them both in about a minute, evidently killing one with the nose smash. She kicked both in the crotch and dislocated the other guy’s shoulder. I don’t think she realized at first that she killed the one until she and Dad watched a news broadcast later.”
“So they never caught on who it was?”
Sydney laughed, “They didn’t even think it was a ‘her’. I’m sure the police thought it some sort of bar fight or grudge fight. They probably never investigated because there were no witnesses or crime scene evidence.”
“Do you remember that?”
She shook her head. “No, I was trying to…but I was just 2 ½ and as good as my memory is, it can’t reach that far. I was in the car seat and probably couldn’t see.”
Vaughn shook his head. “Add another body to the list. Listen we have Pietro coming at ten to take us to the Uffizi Gallery for the day. Is our child ready?”
“I’m sure she is ready for any adventure that comes our way.”
Saturday – August 20, 1977
I looked at the newspaper this morning before Jack got up. There was a small piece in the L. A. Times on the 12th page about unnamed men being the victims. The one who was alive couldn’t tell the police anything about his assailant. He said he and his partner were just walking to the beach when some guy attacked them without provocation. He was as puzzled about it as the police. He also volunteered that he’d had a lot of alcohol and was afraid he couldn’t even ID the assailant. I’m sure he didn’t want to admit that a woman had done it. Fine by me.
I decided to pick another beach in the future. I was sorry to lose contact with the four seniors, but I could take no chance that he would some day show up.
*****
Wednesday – November 23, 1977
It’s our sixth anniversary tomorrow and it’s also Thanksgiving. Jack is taking me and Sydney on a vacation to Yosemite which is in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We were going to camp, he said, then figured Sydney was too little and we didn’t have enough time. He made reservations at a resort outside the national park.
We drove up in the late afternoon and found our way to a small town called Oakhurst which is just a few miles outside the park. The place we stayed was a dude ranch that Jack had heard about. It was rustic. It was cold too. Although it was late, they had some cold cuts and bread and pie available. We were shown to our room where we deposited our bags before going back for food.
Sydney barely ate anything she was so tired. I ate a turkey sandwich and took her back to our room. Jack wanted a piece of pie so I left him talking to the owner/manager. Sydney was sound asleep when he returned and I’d unpacked everything and changed for bed. Jack returned just as I crawled into the bed with a book.
He waggled his finger at me grinning. “No reading. Just loving tonight, darling. It’s our sixth anniversary.”
“We’ll wake Sydney.” I protested weakly.
“I doubt it. We’ll do it slow and easy…” He stripped in seconds and crawled into bed pulling me to him.
Thursday – November 24, 1977
What a magical place this is. The park was nearly deserted. The roads were almost traffic free. We saw bears, deer—all sorts of wildlife. Sydney’s eyes got so big I thought they’d pop right out of their sockets. The park ranger we met at a little store told us the bears would soon be gone—hibernating until early March or later depending on the amount of snow.
We had dinner at the Ahwahnee Hotel which has been a fixture in the Park from almost the time it opened. It was a beautiful building old and built with a sense of the Old West. It was so rustic I half expected to see cowboys on horseback riding up. Our reservations were for an early dinner, but even so, Jack ordered a bottle of wine to go with the roast turkey dinner. Sydney was her usual chatty self and even the waiter was in awe. She told him and everyone close by about the bears she saw, how many deer and other assorted small animals. Jack and I have found that we can eat in peace when Sydney takes over the conversations as she did at the hotel.
We left early with information that there was a storm heading our way and it would probably be a good idea to leave the floor of the valley and get back to our cozy ranch hotel in Oakhurst. We’d barely returned before there was a rush of wind, accompanied by first rain, then hail and finally snow. Sydney was in her bed fast asleep so Jack and I stepped outside to watch it snow. It was not quite the same as it was where I was born.
Jack carried me back inside whispering, “Do you know how much I love you, Laura?”
“A bushel and a peck?” I was quoting a song from Guys and Dolls, which we’d seen at the Dorothy Chandler a few years ago.
“More than that, sweetheart, more than that.” He put me down outside our door, opening it, and picking me up again. He shut the door softly by leaning against it. He put me down and kissed me, silently but insistently, almost demanding.
My heart raced as his hands moved around my back and down to my buttocks. I could feel him harden. I finally came up for air, gasping…heat rising from my core.
“Take off my clothes, Jack.” I whispered. Unfortunately we’d dressed warmly and so there was an extra layer of clothing. He still made quick work of them. Then he dropped his jacket and shirt, kicking his boots off. Seconds later he was as naked as I was. We both were ready.
He started to push me down on the bed. I stopped him. “Let me be on top. There’s a lot less noise.”
He fell back onto the bed and I climbed up on him, taking his penis deep inside. It was also one way I could control my orgasm. I leaned down. Then I rode him back and forth as he sucked on my breasts. My body trembled as I sensed my orgasm starting to build. I stopped for a moment, breathing heavily and watched him intently as his mouth and right hand caressed my breasts. His left hand moved down and began manipulating my clit in such a manner that I was going crazy with the increased heat he was causing.
“Jack, no…stop…wait,” I cried softly.
He chuckled softly knowing what he was doing. The man had no scruples when it came to making love to me. “You’re ready,” he said softly. “Finish me off too!”
“Jack Bristow…” I whimpered. “You bastard…” I rode back on him hard feeling every inch of him inside once and then once again. I let out a whoosh of air as my body responded from my head to toes. He came too. His fluid shooting into me as mine joined with his. I bucked as I peaked again.
Exhausted, I fell across his chest and rolled onto the bed pulling him out of me. We lay together sweat on our faces and bodies. It had been an anniversary frack and the best we’d had so far.
*****
TBCb :lovers:
