Kim Baldwin - The Gemini Deception

“To save his son.”

“But it remains illegal to—”

“Thank you, gentlemen. I take it we have nothing further to discuss?” she said, dismissing them.

Both men nodded.

“Thank you for your time, Madam President.” Kaplan extended his hand. “I’m glad we could clear up this…misunderstanding.”

Chapter Thirty-nine

Penrose, Colorado

A week later, March 16

As promised, the CIA had given Ryden a new identity and moved her into a furnished condo in Penrose, Colorado, an agriculture-based town with all the necessities but too small to have a traffic light. So far, the locals seemed to be paying no heed to her likeness to the president. She’d shed the brown contacts and tried to minimize the resemblance by lightening her hair and getting it cut in a new style. She was also happy to shed the designer suits and high heels for jeans, T-shirts, and sneakers, which helped with the transformation. Part of her wanted to believe she’d heard and seen the last of TQ—she’d seen her ushered away by the feds with her own eyes, after all—but Ryden couldn’t help but look over her shoulder whenever she left the apartment.

She’d started applying for jobs right away and, five days into her new life, landed a position at the local no-kill animal shelter. She knew the work would be gratifying, and she might even have an opportunity here to resume her candle making. She’d spotted a little gift shop that day in town that she thought might be interested in selling her work on commission.

So, all in all, she couldn’t have asked for a better resolution to her ordeal—a good job, a comfortable home with a splendid view of the Rocky Mountains, and a modest bank account to get her started.

But she was lonely in a way she’d never been in her entire life.

The CIA had said her new identity forbade any ties to her past life, so now, here she was, moving furniture in an effort to forget Harper and make the new, unfamiliar environment hers.

The intercom by the door chimed and she stared at it in disbelief. No one knew where she lived and she didn’t know anyone in town yet. She slowly walked toward the panel and pushed the button. “Who’s there?”

“Harper.”

Her depression lifted in an instant, replaced by euphoric excitement. Ryden buzzed her in, opened the door, and dashed into the bedroom to check herself in the mirror.

Less than a minute later, Harper came through the doorway.

Ryden wanted to play it cool, but she flung herself into Harper’s arms as soon as she shut the door. “I thought you were gone…forever.” Ryden squeezed her tight and Harper returned the embrace, but with less enthusiasm. She felt the distance and pulled away. “I’m sorry. I was just so happy to see you.”

“I’m happy to see you, too,” Harper said halfheartedly.

“Have a seat,” Ryden said.

“I’m fine.” Harper moved to the middle of the room.

“It’s not much, but it’s home,” Ryden said, looking around.

“It’s…nice,” Harper replied dryly.

“I still can’t believe they let me go.”

“My employer had a lot to do with that.”

“He hardly knows me.”

“I asked him to.”

“I…thank you.” She fidgeted with her pockets, wanting to show her gratitude but not sure how. “I read about Moore’s…accident.”

Harper nodded. “He got the worst end of the deal.”

“He drove his car over a cliff.”

“A tragedy.”

“The CIA took care of him?” Ryden asked.

The corner of Harper’s mouth twitched as she suppressed a smile and looked down at her feet. “I can’t talk about that.”

“I see. I can’t say I’ll miss him.” Ryden grinned, but the smile quickly faded. “Rothschild is still out there, though.”

“They told you.”

“Not really much more than she was let go and that was part of the reason for my relocation.”

“They led her to believe you had an accident, similar to Moore’s,” Harper said. “But with TQ, you can never be sure of anything.”

“I wouldn’t want to risk it, either.” Ryden shivered at the thought of TQ suspecting she was still alive. “Why did they let her go? Couldn’t they make her disappear, too?”

“She had power lawyers pounding down the door by the time they brought her in for questioning that night,” Harper replied. “The attorneys stayed on the case even after she was led to CIA headquarters, and they pulled every political, fed, and—dare I admit—CIA string they had.”

“But she’s an arms dealer and a terrorist.”

“Among other things. But she also owns people in high places, either because she knows their dirty big secrets or because they owe her money or favors or simply fear for their life.”

“But she doesn’t own the president,” Ryden said. “Thomas could have decided TQ’s fate.”

“Not officially. As you know, Thomas chose to sweep it under the carpet to save face and protect her own family.”

“How can TQ have so much power?”

Harper shrugged. “She bought the right people.”

“So, she just gets away with everything?”

“Life has a way of turning the tables,” Harper said. “I’m sure she’ll one day get what’s coming to her. The question is, how many more people will she destroy until then?”

Ryden wanted to stop thinking about TQ and focus on the fact that Harper was here with her. “Please,” she said. “Why don’t you sit?”

“I can’t. I…I have to go.” Harper took a step toward the door.

“You just got here.”

“I leave for Europe in a few hours.”

Ryden felt like someone had pulled the floor from under her. “Tuscany.”

“Yes.”

“When will you be back?”

“Not any time soon.”

“Oh.” Ryden hugged herself. “I…I thought…you’d stick around for a while.”

“I can’t. I have a business to run and we have to stay away from each other. It’s not safe for you.”

“But…”

“TQ knows I work for the EOO. If she starts looking for me—”

“She wouldn’t. She’s terrified of Pierce.”

“I know, but she’s a disturbed individual. If she starts looking for trouble again and finds me, she’ll find you as well. That woman doesn’t forgive or forget.”

“I don’t care. Let her come after me. I refuse to let that bitch dictate my life.”

“I do care, Ryden. I can’t risk your safety.”

“So, what are you saying? You’re just going to walk away?”

Harper stared at her like she wanted to say something but couldn’t. A sad helplessness was etched on her face. “I have to.”

“This is so unfair,” Ryden said, her frustration boiling over. “I never thought I’d find someone like you, someone I can lo—”

“Please don’t.”

“You can control what you do but not what I say.” She was pissed. “I’m in love with—”

Harper grabbed her and sealed her mouth with her own, kissing her long and hard until both ran out of breath. “I don’t want to leave.” Harper sighed. “But I can’t stay.”

Tears streamed down Ryden’s face. “I want you to.”

Harper turned around and grabbed the doorknob. “You’re a beautiful woman, Ryden Wagner, inside and out, then and now.” She opened the door. “Don’t ever forget that,” she said in parting. Then she was gone.

Ryden leaned against the door as the sound of Harper’s footsteps receded down the hallway. She refused to believe she’d lost the only person she’d ever loved, until the long silence that followed confirmed Harper wasn’t coming back. She finally let herself slide to the floor, where she cried for hours.

*

Southwestern Colorado