The Twelfth Of Never: A suspense mystery romantic thriller (26 page)

"I'd probably be safer back there on the farm with my
parents."

"I didn't want to take the chance," Gideon replied,
still tapping his finger on the steering wheel.

Jenny glanced in the distance, watching as the city lights got
closer, and as they did, her heart grew heavier wondering if indeed she was
doing the right thing. Her life was still in chaos, even with Gideon taking
control. Now she wondered if he was indeed up to the task. After all, Gideon
was protecting Delaney when he was killed.

CHAPTER 27

Gideon pulled up to the apartment building on Park Ave,
double-parked a gray BMW. If he was wrong, they would leave in a few minutes,
otherwise he'd worry about the ticket later. Gideon glanced up at the building
before them, turning to the doorman who was already walking over to the
Mustang. Gideon got out, walked around the car, then turned to Jenny.

"You coming?" Gideon turned.

"I wasn't sure if it was in Plan A," Jenny mocked.

"Well for now this is the best I can do."

The uniformed doorman was already speaking into the
walkie-talkie as he strolled over to Gideon. The two men walking out of the
apartment building had their eyes on Gideon. Jenny feared this was a trap but
the gathering of people around them did not at all bother Gideon. The doorman
stopped their approach.

Gideon showed his ID and then whispered, "The fox is in
the hole."

Instantly, the doorman knew what it meant and turned to the
approaching men, motioning them back. Gideon waited as the doorman walked over
to the phone, dialed a number, and then covered the mouthpiece with his hand.
Gideon knew the alarm was sounded. All that was wrong would be righted, and in
a few days, this would all be history. But somehow it did not matter anymore.
He no longer wanted to be a part of it. All Gideon wanted was the woman
standing next to him, but he knew he could not have both her and the life he
lived.

Quickly, they were ushered into the apartment building and
onto a waiting elevator. When it reached the fifteenth floor, the door sprang
open. The man in the silk brocade robe startled Jenny. He stood as tall as
Gideon, but with a more fatherly look. His glasses made him appear scholarly.
Jenny did not know what she expected when Gideon said they were coming to see
him, certainly not the man in front of her.

"I've been trying to reach you all day," Colby
snapped. He took hold of Gideon's hand while patting him on the back with the
other.

"That's funny. I've been calling you too."

"What do you mean? I left explicit word that if you
called to put you right through," Colby stopped for a moment, a puzzled
expression crossed his face. "Why didn't you use my private number?"

"Your calls are being screened."

"You have to be mistaken. My private number is never
screened."

Colby stared at Gideon and then turned around abruptly. He
walked into the apartment, picked up the phone and dialed, then listened. His
eyes told all when he heard the voice at the other end. Colby hung up and
turned to Gideon.

"But why would Phil screen my calls?"

Gideon took the envelope from Jenny, and then handed it to
Colby. "This might explain some of it."

Colby took out the map and unfolded it, then turned to Gideon
and stared. "You know what this is?"

"It looks like the summit is scheduled at Camp David.
Tell me if I got it wrong. Is Sadat one of the players?"

"Gideon, you do know."

"Only a little. My guess is it's scheduled for
Monday."

"Yes, but how did you find out? Begin and Sadat wanted
their own security people to cover the event."

Gideon pointed to the notes at the bottom of the map. Colby
knew exactly what it meant.

"Maybe you should call it off until the area is
secure." Gideon took out the list of caterers. "It will take a while
before we can check all this out."

Colby quickly dialed another set of numbers. He hung onto the
receiver with one hand, and the other held the list, all the while pacing until
someone picked up at the other end.

Jenny watched the whole exchange in awe. She was actually in
the apartment of the Director of the CIA. She pinched herself on the arm to see
if it was a dream. But the pain told her it was all happening. Jenny turned to
Gideon, but he was too engrossed with Colby to notice her.

"Mr. President," Colby said finally, and then
paused. "There's been a breach. Monday's meeting has to be
rescheduled." Colby glanced at Gideon and then continued, "I have it
from a reliable source that an attempt will be made to neutralize the
negotiations."

Jenny's heart sank. She thought about what the word neutralized
meant in spy terms. Her whole body went numb for a moment.

Gideon was at her side holding her arm before her knees gave
way. They both turned to Colby, but he was too busy talking to take notice.

"Under the circumstances, I think early in ’78 would give
us time to sort this out." Colby hung onto the phone and glanced over at
Gideon and Jenny. "Do you have a place to stay for a few days?" he
asked, covering the mouthpiece with his hand.

"No. Not really," Gideon replied. He glanced at
Jenny quickly. He was not used to being on the run. And was not quite sure what
to do with Jenny to keep her safe.

"You can stay here with Mrs. Hamilton," Colby said,
smiling politely at Jenny.

It surprised Jenny that Colby knew who she was. But then she
figured Gideon must have filled him in on all the sordid details of her being
in the closet at the time of Delaney's death. She felt a little embarrassed at
not coming forward sooner. It would have saved getting her parents involved,
not to mention the attack on Benjamin and Trish. But there was no time to dwell
on the what-ifs in life.

Gideon turned to Jenny. He let go of her arm then and walked
over to Colby. "Would you mind if I made a call?" he asked.

"No, there's a phone you can use in there," Colby
pointed through the living room. "I've got to make a few calls myself.
I'll use my private line." He turned to Gideon while raising his eyebrows.
"There are a few pressing matters to take care of," he said, and then
quickly added, "Gideon, I'm glad you're safe."

"Thanks," Gideon replied.

Gideon turned to Jenny, and together they disappeared into the
room Colby pointed to. He walked over to the bed and sat down. Then he picked
up the receiver and glanced at Jenny; he desperately wanted to tell her his
true feelings, but could not. Instead he dialed the number. When he heard the
voice at the other end, he turned.

"Bronk, there's been trouble." Gideon paused for the
lecture Bronk initiated, and could tell by the tone that all was well even
though Bronk's blood pressure must have hit the roof that night.

"Did he say if they were okay?" Jenny asked
interrupting the lecture Gideon was getting.

"Not in so many words, but by the tone of his anger, I'd
say yes," Gideon said with his hand over the mouthpiece.

Jenny collapsed on the chair in relief that it was finally
over. She looked up at Gideon. He hadn't slept in over twenty-four hours, and
the morning shadow was clearly visible. His curly windswept hair added to the
rugged persona of a man in charge. She had never met such a take-control type
of man and was intrigued at the lengths he went to keep her safe.

When Gideon finally hung up the phone, Jenny reached over and
touched his hand. "Thanks for all you've done."

"I almost got you killed tonight."

"I'm just thankful you stayed at the farmhouse to protect
my parents. You didn't have to do that."

Gideon turned to Jenny. He could feel the heat rise as his
heart pounded with the touch of her hand. "Why don't you lie down and
rest," he said as he got up and walked to the door. "I've got to talk
to Colby."

Gideon stood at the door for a few moments. He missed the feel
of Jenny being close. A part of him wanted to stay in that room with her, but
the side of him that was tied to the agency would not let him.

Gideon could feel his knees weaken, his heartbeat quicken, and
his palms become sweaty. Gideon had no self-control when it came to Jenny
Hamilton. His main concern was with keeping her and her parents safe rather
than national security. It may have all turned out okay, but his judgment was
definitely impaired.

* * *

Tuesday, September 20, 1977

They spent two days in Colby's apartment. Jenny never saw
Colby again after that first night. There was nothing on the news about the
planned summit or a cancellation. It was as if none of it ever happened. But
Jenny had the scars in her life to prove it did.

Jenny busied herself fixing breakfast for Gideon. She enjoyed
his company and was glad he had not left her alone. As they sat at the
breakfast bar, Jenny could tell by the expression on Gideon's face that
something was troubling him. Finally, after shuffling the eggs and bacon on his
plate for ten minutes Jenny could take no more.

"Would you stop that? You make me nervous."

Gideon looked up at her. "What?" he replied, not
realizing what she had said.

"What's the matter with you?" Jenny asked.

Gideon set the fork down. "Ian's been deported. It's all
over."

"Finally, I can go home." Jenny got up and walked to
the sink.

"Yeah, I guess so," Gideon replied sadly.

Jenny turned to Gideon. "You don't look so happy. I'd
think you would have had your fill of babysitting me."

"I never considered it that."

"Hey, that isn't what you said last Wednesday."

"You were listening?"

"How could I not listen?"

"That was different."

Jenny laughed. "I'm just thankful it's over. What I can't
understand is why Ian wasn't arrested for what he did at the hospital, not to
mention that poor nurse."

"Those were only a few of his victims."

Gideon glanced up, but did not say more. He did not want to
tell Jenny how lucky she was to just walk away from Ian with only a trashed
apartment.

"And all he got was deportation?" Jenny shook her
head.

"That's what you get when you have diplomatic
immunity."

"That sucks," Jenny snapped.

"Look at it this way, at least we know about him and his
little group. We'll be able to keep closer tabs on them."

"Some consolation for his victims."

"Yeah, I know."

Jenny glanced at Gideon and sensed there was more to his
depression than just the assignment ending.

"So now where do you go?" Jenny asked.

Gideon shrugged his shoulders. "Not sure."

Jenny walked toward the door. "Can you drop me off at my
apartment? That's assuming it’s still there."

"Oh, it's there all right. But I think you'll have to
look for a new roommate."

"Why, has something happened to Trish?"

"She's been at Benjamin's apartment since her release
from the safe house."

"You've been spying on them?"

"Protective custody. Making sure there was no retaliation
on Ian's part."

"Gideon," Jenny stared at him until she had his
attention. "It is all over with, isn't it?"

"Yes," Gideon replied.

It did not take Jenny long to collect her belongings. When she
walked back into the living room, it was with the anticipation of getting on
with her life. But when she entered the room and saw Gideon sitting on the couch,
his sullen expression had not changed from earlier.

"What's the matter?" Jenny walked over to the couch,
sat down next to him.

Gideon glanced up at Jenny, forced a smile. "I'm going to
miss you."

"You're serious, aren't you?"

"You know, Jenny, now that I've found you. I'm even more
infatuated by the person behind the photo."

Jenny slowly reached over and brushed the side of his cheek
with the back of her hand. She had been afraid Gideon had lost his fascination
with her and now was touched to learn he still cared.

"Why Mr. LaMont, are you trying to tell me
something?" she mocked.

Gideon leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, and then he
reached over and wrapped his arms around her.

Jenny remembered the evening in the park when he held her, how
she thought about John and longed for him. But it was not John she longed for
now. Gideon kissed her gently. It was warm and sensuous, sending chills through
her body as she longed for more.

After a few intense moments, Gideon released her. "I have
two daughters."

"You also have an ex-wife."

"I just wanted you to know I come with baggage."

"We all have our first loves, but that will never stop
the way I feel about you now," she whispered.

They sat there for a few moments, neither saying a word. Not
wanting to break the spell. Gideon did not want to even think about his job or
his life. All he wanted was to savor Jenny at his side and pretend it would be
like this forever.

Gideon took Jenny in his arms and held her tight. He did not
want to let her go, not after all the years he searched for her. In that moment
he knew she would be his someday, and it made their parting that morning more
tolerable.

CHAPTER 28

Gideon drove Jenny to her apartment. Soon the streets would be
alive with people, but for now Jenny enjoyed the peace. Once Gideon parked the
car, he quickly walked around to her side, took the bag from her, and then
helped her out.

Jenny thought about life with Gideon. She thought about his
job, a job that caused the breakup of his first marriage. It scared her
thinking about him off in distant countries. What scared her more was the
thought that there were people like Ian in the world.

They walked up the three flights. Jenny's mood changed
worrying about their future together, but before she could say anything or
express her concern, Gideon took her into his arms and kissed her long and
hard. For a brief moment all those concerns melted with the warmth of him next
to her.

Benjamin's door opened, an unruly head of hair peeked out.
"You finally made it back," he said glancing at Gideon and then
turned to Jenny.

"Why, is there a problem?" Gideon asked.

"Bronk's been calling you the last half hour."

Just then Jenny's phone started ringing. She quickly unlocked
the door, ran in, and picked up the receiver. Jenny turned and handed it to
Gideon.

"It's for you."

Gideon took it from Jenny, and then stood there for a few
minutes listening to the other end. His face was suddenly void of color. He
never had a chance to say a word. Gideon slammed the receiver down. He turned
away from Jenny for a moment, and then glanced at Benjamin.

"Is there trouble?" Benjamin asked.

"Yeah, big time," is all Gideon said, and then
turned and walked up to Jenny.

Gideon took Jenny into his arms and held her for a moment
before glancing down into her soft hazel eyes. "Don't leave the apartment,
you understand?"

"Sure, but why?"

"I'll tell you later. I've got to meet someone now."

Gideon quickly disappeared while Jenny stood staring at
Benjamin. It puzzled her.

"What was that all about?" Benjamin asked.

Jenny turned, "Whatever it was, it didn't sound
good."

"Well, I've got work to do," Benjamin said. He
turned and walked out of the apartment.

Jenny shut the door, and then locked it. She walked into the
bedroom, showered, and readied herself for work, already having been away more
days than she cared to think about, and not even sure she had a job to go to.

Once she was ready, she made a pot of coffee, turned on the
morning news and listened to the announcer speculate about Middle-East peace
talks. Jenny sat down on the chair and was mesmerized by what was being said
and what part she played. It was the ringing of the phone that startled her
back to reality. She set the cup of coffee down and reached for the receiver.

"Gideon isn't here, Jake," Jenny said, and then
listened for a moment.

It surprised her that Gideon was not the one he wanted to talk
to. Jenny had not seen Jake after they left the farm. She knew the siege on the
farm ended as soon as they left, but the fact remained, she owed Jake a lot for
staying behind with her parents. It troubled her what he was asking now. Gideon
told her not to leave the apartment, now Jake was asking her to meet him in the
park.

"I can't, Jake," she finally insisted. But what came
next troubled her more and caused her great concern. It was what Jake said
about Gideon hiding what really happened to John in Vietnam. It caused her to
sit up and take notice. Jake challenged her to come to the park and find out
the truth.

Reluctantly after a long pause, Jenny finally said.
"Okay, I'll meet you at the fountain in a few minutes."

Jenny left the apartment, hurried out of the alley and crossed
Washington Square North to the park. It was still early, and only a few park
dwellers mulled about the outer edge. She hurried up the path, glancing around
for a familiar face. Jenny walked up to the fountain, and looked around. Only a
few people passed her by, and then she realized something was not right. Not
even the birds were singing. Jenny turned quickly, searching for what she was
not sure. She stepped back from the fountain. It was then she saw him.

"Why, Mrs. Hamilton, what a pleasant surprise," Ian
said in a soft, pleasant voice, almost to the point of being sweet.

Her heart raced, staring at the man who caused so much pain.
His white hair haloed a face void of all emotion. She had seen it that day in
the hospital room. Ian's icy blue eyes never left her, and fear encompassed her
inner soul.

"You called?"

"One of my many talents," he replied. A sinister
smile crossed his face as he blocked her departure.

Jenny stepped back and edged her way off the path. She glanced
around quickly, but no one ventured near.

"What do you want?"

"To thank you," Ian smiled, but it was not a
pleasant smile.

"Oh yeah, like you have a lot to be thankful for."

"On the contrary."

Jenny thought about the coded list. Gideon said it was a list
of names, Delaney's comrades in arms. Somehow Ian did not convince her that all
he wanted to do was thank her.

"Like this isn't a major inconvenience for you,"
Jenny said, edging her way backward.

As Jenny did that, Ian grabbed her arm. She winced in pain
when he pulled her to him. Jenny was inches from his smile. All she could do
was stare up into those cold, unfeeling eyes. Her body shook with fear.

"Oh, but you must not leave, I'm not finished."

Jenny broke free from his grip, rubbing her arm to make the
pain go away. "I really don't care to listen to this." She searched
for someone to help as she stepped back.

"Oh, but you must, I'm not done with you yet."

Jenny put her hands up. "No need, I'm leaving."

Jenny stared while Ian pulled the gun out of his pocket. It
glistened in the morning sun. She found it difficult to breathe when he aimed
it at her heart. Jenny remembered Gideon and the night in the park, but unlike
Gideon, Jenny knew Ian intended to pull the trigger.

"Why did you kill John?" was all she could say.

Ian smiled, "The young lieutenant?" He laughed while
reaching in his pocket with his free hand. He pulled out a cigarette, and then
lit it with a shiny gold lighter. Ian blew out the billowy white cloud while he
watched Jenny closely.

"I have a right to know why you did it."

"He held the group together. Without him they all broke
eventually."

"You bastard," Jenny snapped, realizing the
senselessness of it all.

"Swearing doesn't become you, Mrs. Hamilton."

"Like it would be one of your virtues."

Ian took a deep drag on the cigarette, then laughed again as
he stood near the edge of the fountain.

Jenny just stared at the man with the gun, not able to move
for fear he would pull the trigger.

"Do you know what irritated me most, Mrs. Hamilton?"

The monotone voice sent a chill through her. Jenny’s only hope
was to keep him talking. "Do I have a choice?" she said finally. The
tightness in her stomach got worse with every moment that passed.

Ian nodded his head, but the gun never swayed or left its
target. "Do you realize how long it took me to recruit Mr. March?"

"As far as I'm concerned, prison isn't bad enough for him
and deportation is too good for you."

Ian continued as if not hearing her. "It took me
years," he raised his eyebrows as if to emphasize the time.

"So now you can send him letters in prison."

Ian's eyes narrowed as he raised the gun. Jenny heard the
sound of someone running through the park. In the recesses of her mind, she
heard the sound of her name being called, but could not move. Not even to turn
and look. She was too mesmerized by the icy blue eyes that mocked her and the
piece of steel aimed at her.

Jenny cringed and then, as if in slow motion, a shot rang out
and in that instant Gideon was standing in front of her.

"Gideon," she whispered. The shot pierced her
eardrums and echoed through the trees. Birds took flight, animals ran for
shelter, and then there was silence again.

Gideon's gray eyes slowly melted as if not seeing her, the
expression on his face was void of emotion. He stared at her for a moment
without moving. Then he whispered, "I love you."

Jenny grabbed Gideon quickly. She tried to hold him up in her
arms, but the weight of him was too much and he slid to the ground while Jenny
clung to him.

Jenny looked beyond Gideon to Ian. The small puff of blue
smoke escaped the gun. Ian stood motionless, and then that smile crossed his
face again.

"Why?" It was all Jenny could say. Gideon lay on the
pavement, covering her with his blood. She knelt in front of him as she stared
up at Ian.

"He was living on borrowed time."

Gideon was a crumpled mass of flesh in front of her. Jenny
touched his cheek gently with the back of her hand. She longed to be back in
his arms, to feel his strength, to have him protect her, but knew it could
never be with Ian alive.

"When will the killing end?" Jenny's voice quivered
as she waited for Ian to pull the trigger and finish her too.

Ian ignored her question, took a drag off his cigarette then
tossed it into the fountain. The gun never left its target.

"There's still the matter of Mr. March," Ian said
coolly.

Jenny looked at Gideon, whose back was to Ian. Finally Gideon
opened his eyes, without moving his head he whispered to Jenny. "Unstrap
my gun and put it in my left hand."

Jenny could not move for a moment as she thought about what he
was asking her to do. Slowly, without thinking, she reached into his jacket,
undid the snap while watching Ian. Jenny slid her hand lower, until she felt
the cool metal instrument of death. It was covered in warm blood, and once she
grasped it, she pulled it free and then snapped the safety back. Jenny could
feel Gideon's eyes on her, but she could not look down for fear of him stopping
her. As much as she wanted to give Gideon the gun she could not let him commit
suicide, because that's what he would be doing, if she put the gun in his hand.
Jenny slowly stood up as Gideon reached for her but was too weak to stop her
from what she was doing.

"Jenny, don't." Gideon whispered.

When Ian saw the gun, a smirk crossed his face. He was not at
all concerned about what Jenny planned to do. "I should have finished the
job five years ago," Ian said nodding to Gideon on the ground.

"You're sick, and you have to be stopped," Jenny
said as she stared at Ian.

Ian laughed, as if he found humor in what she said. His grip
tightened on the gun.

"You don't have the nerve."

"Don't push me."

"I did the world a favor when I killed your
husband."

Jenny quickly took aim, but could not pull the trigger.

Ian lunged for her. A shot rang out. He stepped back and
looked down at his blood-soaked shoulder. His smile disappeared, and then he
raised the gun.

Jenny shut her eyes and prayed. The explosion in her eardrums was
deafening, but there was no pain and she wondered if that was what it felt like
to die. Still she felt the cool morning breeze and heard the sound in the
distance of a city coming alive, and then she heard the splashing of water.

Jenny opened her eyes in time to see the crimson water from
the fountain pour over the sides as Ian's body bobbed; his eyes were still open
looking up at the sky. She was mesmerized by the gaping red hole between his
brows.

Jenny waited for a moment before turning around, and once she
did, was relieved to see Jake braced up against a tree behind her. She turned
back to the fountain. Jenny did not move until she was convinced Ian was indeed
dead.

Gideon attempted to get up, but collapsed back onto the
concrete. Jenny slowly bent down and wrapped her arms around him.

"Are you okay?" Gideon whispered.

"It's finally over," Jenny said softly.

In the distance the approaching sirens could be heard, but the
two did not move. Jenny did not ever want to let go of Gideon for fear of
losing him too.