Chapter 3
Mac let Cydney rage as she paced her small living room floor back and forth. He was waiting for the fire to burn out and the pain of grief to hit in its place. He knew they had been expecting the bad news right from the moment Dennis Neville had contacted Cydney. But at the back of their minds there had always been a modicum of hope that he would get himself out of trouble like he had countless times before. But not this time. Lady luck had withdrawn her favour and the discovery of his broken body in a car wreck on that mountain pass in Kentucky had ended all hope. And Mac's first thought was to tell Cydney personally straight away and that's why he found himself in her small apartment watching her deal with the bad news. He felt mentally exhausted and grief stricken. He had known and been friends with Dennis Neville for most of his time in the EPA. But he pushed his grief and loss aside because he was worried about the young woman pacing the floor in front of him. He knew that Dennis and Cydney had shared a special bond between them that went far beyond the normal relationship of long time partners. He knew they often wouldn't need words to explain their actions to each other but would instinctively react to a situation or a gut feeling in their investigations. Mac suspected Dennis had deeper feelings for this talented young woman but he never let those get in the way of his professional relationship in his dealings with her. He wondered if Cydney knew how Dennis felt towards her? He suspected not. But he knew she cared deeply for the man she looked on as one of her dearest friends. As quick as the storm erupted it wore itself out and she flung herself into one of the easy chairs in front of him. Sitting with her head in her hands he watched her control her grief and heartache. Taking a deep breath she raised red rimmed eyes full with unshed tears. He sensed she would not give way but would grieve when she brought these people to justice. Now she had work to do.
'I want the case Mac. I want to send those bastards to hell.' She spoke softly her husky voice at odds with the underlying steel in her voice.
'Cyd�I dunno. Maybe you're too close to the case.' He hesitated fearful for her.
'I want it Mac. I want Nev's killers. I can bring them to justice.' She spoke vehemently. 'I don't want revenge. I want justice done.' Mac eyed her speculatively and she grinned without humour. 'Ok maybe I do want revenge but I promise to do it within the law, no underhanded stuff. Mac I want this case. You know you're gonna give it to me so why prevaricate. You know I'll get the job done. I hope you're not worried about me.'
Mac grinned ruefully. She had hit the nail on the head to his main objections about her taking over from Nev. 'I admit to some concerns for you.' He saw her bristle and he raised his hand to halt the tirade he was expecting at his admission. 'Admit they're justified Cyd. This isn't your average run of the mill case. It's got dangerous and deadly stamped all over it.' She opened her mouth to speak again and again he waved her into silence. 'I know you've been in danger before and have handled yourself brilliantly�its just Cyd�.' He took a deep breath and continued on. 'I am worried for you. These faceless people are dangerous. They will show no remorse as they work towards their own ends. Call me an old protective fool Cyd, but that's how I feel�however I'm giving you the case because you're the right person for the job. Just cut your boss some slack because of his concerns Cyd. He means well.'
She got up with tears in her eyes and dropped a kiss on his head. 'I know Mac� that's what makes you the best boss. For all your concerns and worries you will always be objective. There is no slack to cut Mac, I understand and respect your concerns.'
Mac squeezed her hand. 'Just don't get dead Cyd� be careful out there.'
'I won't boss..well not if I can help it.' she added with that grim humour the office came to expect from her. 'I don't think I'd like being dead very much. Now come on Boss I'm buying you a drink. We've a loss to share and Nev would approve of us sinking a few beers over our memories of him.'
'Yeah that he would Cydney�. That he would.'
**********
The next few days were action packed and Cydney didn't have a lot of time to think or grieve for her loss and there were many loose ends to be cleared up before she could restart her investigations. First there was Nev's funeral to get through and the office wake for him.
Dennis Neville had been a popular member of the agency and his death hit the office hard. It was a gloomy depressed bunch back at their usual watering hole after the funeral service. The guys had been incredibly supportive of Mac and Cydney, but after a few drinks, tongues became loosened and the memories and stories of Nev started to flow as they shared their thoughts, laughter and their bereavement with each other.
'Just how Nev would have wanted it.' Cydney whispered under her breath.
'Say something Cyd?' Wayne asked as he placed a beer in front of her.
She smiled her thanks and said ' Yeah I said this is how Nev would have wanted it..us lot all sharing stories about him over a few beers. I bet he's here about somewhere watching down over us.' She grinned suddenly and it lit up her face and for the first time in days Wayne saw the smile reach her eyes. ' I bet he's saying listen to them talk a load of rubbish.. give me a cigarette and a beer right now cause they're gonna drive me nuts.'
She sighed and said softly with a hint of tears in her voice. ' But I'm going to miss him so much Wayne.' She looked up with another tremulous smile. 'But I'm not going to miss those goddamn cigarettes and that awful smoke.'
Wayne smiled he remembered the often heated discussions between the partners over Nev's smoking habits and the effects on his health.
'So when are you off?' Wayne asked as he took a sip of his beer. A group of their colleagues joined them at the table and over hearing Wayne's question they all started to add playful tips about packing for the wilds of Kentucky.
'I say she's gonna meet some hayseed and settle down on a farm and raise ten kids.' Jerry grinned.
'Nah she's gonna get lost in the wilds and we're gonna have to come rescue her.' Bill O'Reilly added his two cents worth.
'Yeah like you could move that big ass out of your chair O'Reilly to hike through the wilderness to find me�it's almost worth getting lost to make you come rescue me. And Jerry, make that a dozen kids the hayseed and I will have to eke out an existence on a farm remember, we'll need all the help we can get.' She finished her beer and placed it on the table.
'If that's the case I hope I give you away at your wedding.' Mac added as he joined them placing another beer in front of Cydney.
'Thanks Mac I thought you were on my side.' She grinned wryly. 'Besides this is me you're all talking about here. I have no life remember? I'm married to the job.'
'Well Cyd, you'll always have us.' Jerry grinned.
'That's such a comfort.' She softened her words with a smile. 'Well I guess the hayseed and I will have a good choice of Godfathers for the brood, and at the rate I'm going with men in my life the hayseed might be my only offer.'
'So when are we to lose you to the wilds of Kentucky and the hayseed?' Wayne asked.
'Tomorrow morning. I fly out early are you offering me a lift to the airport?' she laughed.
'Do you want one?' Wayne asked.
'If you're offering yes please. I hate the waiting around for the taxi especially since it's an early flight. I always worry the cab's not going to arrive in time.'
'Ok I'll pick you up. Cyd are you sure you don't want to reconsider going out with my brother in law?' He noticed an evil look in his friend's eye. 'Ok I'm shutting up right now Cyd.'
She laughed and said. 'Ok fellas, this round's on me then I'm off home. I've a long day ahead tomorrow.'
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As Cydney drove along she admired the scenery and the spectacular countryside, despite all the teasing by her workmates she was actually a country girl at heart and was quite at home here in the wilderness. She often spent her holidays hiking with some old collage friends so she was an accomplished bushwalker with a love for the outdoors.
Cydney hired a car at the airport and armed with instructions and directions from Mac she loaded her luggage, laptop and lab analysis equipment into the car and began negotiating her way through the city traffic to the open spaces of the country and she was making good time. Mac had arranged for her to meet Dennis's contact at his country retreat home in the mountains.
She glanced down at her map to make sure she was on the right road, she wanted to make no mistakes with the directions now as it was getting late in the afternoon. The contact lived a fair way out from the nearest large town. And she wondered if there was a decent hotel nearby that she could book into, but she was worried that being a small town she would attract a good deal of attention, and that wasn't good when you wanted to keep a low profile.
So far she had no dealings with the contact. Mac had been the only person beside Dennis to have any deal with him so she was flying blind here. She let her mind run over what she knew about the man. And what she did know was all to his credit. From Dennis's notes she knew he liked and respected him. In her introspection she drove past the turnoff she was supposed to take. Out of the corner of her eye she recognised the sign so muttering an impatient curse she slowed the car down and did a three point turn which enabled her to turn off onto the right road. About five miles along she came across a signpost that designated this was the property she was looking for.
She drove a short way before she had to climb out and open a gate. Doing this she slowly guided the car through its narrow entrance then got out and shut the gate behind her.
Before climbing back in the car to continue on she took the time to look about and study the view. It was spectacular. A sweeping vista of the mountainside filled her eyes as the slowly setting sun bathed and painted the expanse of forest greenery with its warm golden rays. It was certainly impressive and she could understand this man's desperate need to fight to protect it.
In the still silence she could hear the abundance of wildlife as the echoing symphony of the birds played music for her ears and she listened delightedly with a smile on her face. Closing her eyes she raised her face to capture the last of the afternoon sun's warmth and spreading her arms she spun round and round as she soaked up the fresh air. Opening her eyes she again looked out admiring the view again and she spoke to herself. 'Yes all this is certainly worth giving your life for. You were right Nev� you were right. Rest in peace my friend. They won't get away with destroying this�.not while I'm around to stop it.' She looked around reflectively one more time before climbing back into the car. Cydney continued her journey along the bumpy dirt track till she came across a large circular gravel driveway in front of a huge ranch style house made of logs and stone. Impressed she sat in the car and studied the house.
'Wow�it's beautiful.' She murmured to herself. It looked very welcoming, especially as the sinking sunlight warmed the stone and reflected a contentment about the place. It looked as though it belonged here and was part of the environment.
'Well I can't sit here all day admiring the house, I better find its owner.' She said to herself.
Climbing out of the car she closed the door with a bang and looked around her. Craning her neck to peer up the front verandah she paused and bit her lip. Now was her moment of truth. Hearing a crunching on the gravel behind her she spun around towards the sound to see who was making their way towards her. It was a tall slim but well muscled man wearing a black cowboy hat from under which a mane of long dark hair hung free. He was wearing faded denim jeans, a white tee shirt under a checked shirt. Boots on his feet completed the look as he made his way easily towards her. He smiled slightly and it softened his rugged features as a pair of fine green eyes studied her hesitantly. His voice when he spoke was even and pleasant and it didn't hide his origins. It was pure Kentucky.
'Ma'am� uh can I help you?' he asked pleasantly.
'Yeah..i'm supposed to meet someone here. He's expecting me. I'm Cydney Wade.'
He looked at her befuddled, as if he was disbelieving his eyes. 'You're a girl.' He said confused and hesitantly.
Cydney looked down at her chest and studied it pointedly with pursed lips before looking up and saying. 'You don't say�. That's real bright of you country boy�I guess you don't get to see woman out here in the wilds that much eh?'
A blush stole across his face and he opened and shut his mouth uncertainly before stammering out ' No I mean� I mean .. hell you know what I mean. I was expecting a man. Your boss said to expect agent Sidney Wade.' His southern drawl became more pronounced with each word as he tried desperately to explain himself. She decided to put him out of his misery. She smiled up at him.
' I am agent Cydney Wade� and you I presume are Kevin Richardson.' She stuck out her hand and delighted in watching his expressive face come to terms this shock information. This was going to be very interesting indeed.
Chapter 4
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