Заговор мечей

“How the hell did it end up in Halloran’s hands?”

“Good question. But just wait. I haven’t even reached the good part yet.”

David closed his eyes and placed a hand on Teren’s arm. “Teren, be prepared. When she says that, it means trouble.”

“Sounds like there’s plenty of that already, what’s a little more?” She turned back to Alex. “What else?”

“The chalice? The one in Mather’s box?”

“Yeah?”

“Same situation. I found it on the list of items never returned after World War II. Now, to me, it seems a little too coincidental that two men who are implicated in these political assassinations, are both suddenly in possession of pieces of art stolen by Hitler, who happens to be their hero.”

David brought his head up off the seat and looked at his partner. “What are you saying, Alex?”

She took a breath. She couldn’t believe she was going to say this out loud. “What if, and please remember it’s only speculation, but what if, these artifacts were recovered at the end of the second World War, but were never turned in.”

Teren nodded. “There were several recorded instances where service men found artworks that had been stolen, and they just kept them.”

“Right. But what if there was a cache of stolen items found. Back in the 40’s, returning servicemen could have, and did, smuggle large amounts of things back to the states. What if those items were smuggled back, and passed into the hands of people like Derek White and John Treville, who are using them to pay for these assassinations.”

There was no sound in the car except for the engine and the humming of the tires. Even that sound seemed muted by the outrageousness of what Alex was proposing.

But no one contradicted her. David dropped his head back again, and groaned. Alex turned back around and watched the road. Teren raised an eyebrow and looked out her window.

No one said a word the rest of the way to Denver.

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David agreed to be the one to call Cliff and report everything they’d found. Alex had faxed him that morning, and called him after they left the hospital, but since he had said to make him feel like he was there, they thought it was appropriate that they call him one more time.

Alex and Teren, meanwhile, had decided to visit A

“Alex, it might be better if you go on in alone. I know I’m enough to make people nervous, and I don’t think she needs that right now.”

Alex stopped and looked at her.

“Teren, is there something going on? And if there is, is it something I should know about?”

Teren folded her arms. She couldn’t look at Alex. “It isn’t anything you need to know.”

“I see.” She waited. “But there is something.”

There was no movement from the darker woman.

“Teren, please remember that you’re part of a team now. As part of that team, you need to be willing to share things. It helps us to trust each other. It’s part of what being a team player is all about.” She paused again. “If you don’t feel like talking about it, fine, but I want you to know you can.”

Teren smiled. “Thanks.”

Alex returned the smile, then turned toward Seffren’s door. She signed the visitor’s log after showing her ID to the guard on duty there. Before entering, she glanced once more at Teren. Then she opened the door, and went in.

Teren did want to see A

She shook her head, and gave herself a wry chuckle. No, it had started long before that, because that was one of the reasons A

There were other problems with having a relationship with a spy. Neither of them ever knew for sure when Teren would be called upon to suddenly leave the country. There had been times that Perry had woken them up with plane tickets in his hand. Plus, there was the added pressure of Teren not being able to contact her lover while on missions, which could sometimes last months. And A

Finally, after fifteen months of trying, A

But she never blamed A

Teren was still rubbing her hand across her forehead when she heard someone call her name. She looked up to find A

“Oh, my goddess, Teren, how are you?” Teren suddenly found herself wrapped in Je

“I’m good, Je

“Me?” Je

“Well, kind of. I think she’s in with someone, and I don’t want to disturb —”

“Nonsense, she’ll be delighted you’re here. Come on,” Je

“Je

“No, this is perfect. She’s go

“A

Teren felt Je

“Goddess. Teren?”

Teren saw Alex’s confused stare, and she gave an inward sigh. “Hello, A

For a moment there was a stillness in the room broken only by the beep of the IV monitor. Then A

Her former lover gathered her into her arms, and sat on the edge of the bed holding her as she began to cry. Teren glanced at Alex, whose eyes were wide and staring.

“Have you finished your questions, Alex?”

“Yes.”

“Then, if you don’t mind, I’d like a moment alone with my ex.” Alex’s expression didn’t change. “Is that alright?”

Finally, Alex nodded, and stood up. “A

At a glance from Teren, Je

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