Chapter 5
Kevin made his way downstairs shivering in the early morning chill
air. He dragged on a shirt glad that at the last minute he'd
remembered his houseguest. Normally he would have probably made his
way down stairs without a shirt on and pottered around the kitchen
making coffee before heading off for his shower. But he found he
wanted to make a good impression with the woman who would be sharing
his home indefinitely, he realised they would both have to find their
feet with one another. But there were bound to be things they both
would do that would get on each other's nerves as they forged this
new but strange partnership.
Kevin noticed the fire had burnt out to almost nothing but embers so
he walked over to the fireplace and pulling aside the firescreen he
threw on a couple of logs and with the poker stoked the dying coals
in flames. He stared pensively into the fire his bare foot resting on
the hearth as he considered his position in life. Over the last few
months he had thought a great deal about his future. He was glad the
band was in hiatus at the moment. He didn't have the worry about
neglecting his responsibilities to the fellas and their music so he
could be involved with this campaign. Although he did have a pang of
guilt about possibly putting his life in danger, not so much for his
sake but if this endeavour cost him his life, he wondered if the
fellas would understand why he had to make the attempt in the first
place. Why he had to try to make a difference.
He chuckled to himself as he pictured in his mind all his bandmate's
faces if they realised what he was up to, but they would back him to
the hilt even if they didn't understand. No judgements and
unconditional friendship was what had held them together all these
years. Through all the good times and the bad, the rocky turbulent
times when it all looked like things would unravel they had stood
tight with each other knowing that only they mattered. They might
argue like cat and dog at times but when the chips were down their
bond strengthened and became unbreakable. Shaking his head he gave a
rueful grin and he found himself actually missing the fellas, missing
their companionship.
`Now you are losing it Kev.' He murmured to himself with a soft
laugh. `Especially if you're missing that lot.'
`Do you always talk to yourself? A quiet voice asked breaking into
his introspection.
He looked up from the fire and found a pair of smiling grey eyes
watching him with no small amount of amusement. Cydney had appeared
like a silent ghost beside him. She had obviously been out jogging.
She was dressed in an old sweat pants and football jersey that looked
like it was a favourite workout outfit with her fair hair pulled back
in a ponytail. She had tied a bandanna about her forehead to stop the
sweat from running into her eyes and her cheeks glowed with good
health and from the early morning's chill. She held out her cold
hands to the flames to warm them as Kevin made way for her near the
fire.
He smiled and answered her question with a grin. `Yeah be warned
Cyd. I talk to myself and also howl at the full moon. And oh yeah i'm
just on my way back to bed� vampires can't handle the sunlight you
know?'
She giggled at his nonsense. `Well you're in trouble because that
yellow round thing in the sky out there now is called a sun.. and
you're not shrivelling up in front of me are you now?'
He flashed her a sudden grin that lit up his eyes. `Ok so you found
out I'm not a vampire�but do I howl at the full moon?'
`You'll be howling in pain in a minute if you don't stop it.' Cyndey
laughed then waved a hand at her clothes. ` Excuse my unfashionable
look but I'm in desperate need of a shower then coffee and food.'
`I showed you where to get the fresh towels from didn't I?'
`Yeah thanks Kev and after breakfast I want to go grab some groceries
from town. I can't be freeloading on you while I stay here.'
`You don't have to do that Cyd.' Kevin picked up the poker and
stabbed at the fire again making the sparks fly about.
`Yes I do�. And besides I have a very good expense account. The
agency would have footed my hotel bill and all the sundries, so they
can buy us food and some nice wines to wash it down with. And it'll
give me a chance to look about the town, get the people used to
seeing my face and get them used to seeing me out and about with you.
The sooner that happens and is accepted the sooner we can start
snooping about and start asking discrete questions without anyone
thinking it's strange that we'll be seen together. There is method in
my madness you know.' Cydney reasoned hoping she hadn't offended him.
It was always hard building a new partnership, you had to feel each
other out and learn what triggered each other button's and set them
off. Even if it required treading on a few toes. You had to know
exactly what went on in your partner's mind and where you stood, when
and how they would react to certain situations. She presumed it was a
bit like a marriage of sorts. But the most important thing was trust
and knowing that no matter whatever happened, your partner would
always be there for you when it counted.
Kevin looked across at her from under a mop of dark hair that had
fallen across his face as he fiddled with the fire. He sensed she was
not exactly testing him out but feeling her way, finding her feet
like he was. He surmised that there would be a testing of the waters
between them and then realised he would have to reassess his whole
attitude towards her. Not expecting to be involved with a female
agent had thrown him and all his expectations. Not that he would ever
not think she wasn't a capable agent, it was his prejudices and
worries he would have to come to terms with and not Cydney's
abilities. The fact that he would be side by side in the trenches so
to speak with a woman and one he barely knew at that was an idea he
would have to adjust to and quick. He'd been brought up to respect
and protect women and here was involved with what he suspected was a
fiercely independent woman fully capable of protecting herself and
him if the need arose. And he wondered about how he really felt about
that� and how threatened it might possibly make him feel. Kevin
realised he had some serious thinking to do and this partnership
depended on him coming to terms with the fact that Cydney was the
trained operative here and he would essentially have to take orders
from her as she saw fit. Now was the time to put aside all doubt and
take a step forward. Knowing along the way and during their journey
he was bound to step on her toes, he sensed that she wouldn't mind
that and would fight fair if he put his case honestly and reasonably
to her. He guessed she was used to working with men and dealing with
their sensibilities. Cydney had capable and reasonable stamped all
over her and he suspected she hid her managing of his sex's foibles
behind a disposition of good humour and patience that he had never
experienced in a woman before. He suspected she could wind the other
agents in her office round her little finger if she wanted to and
they wouldn't have a clue that she was doing it. But for all that he
sensed a will of iron and a determination to succeed that matched his
own. This woman might come across as quiet and softly spoken, but he
sensed she would make a formidable relentless enemy and he pitied the
murderers of Dennis Neville. The word nemesis suddenly sprang to mind
and a cold chill ran along his spine as he realised Cydney would see
ultimately justice done, whatever the cost, for all that her eyes
laughed and smiled out at the world there was a steely resolve behind
their soft greyness. Yes there was definitely method in her madness.
He had to follow her lead in this matter. She knew what she was
doing, this was her territory, this was her job.
`I guess you're right.' He told her with a slight smile as he
straightened up from the fire and pushed the hair back from his face.
`Look you know what you're doing. Just fill me in and I'll try and
follow your lead.'
`Well just introduce my face to the town folk. I'll go by whatever
story you think will best explain my presence here. We'll take it
step by step from there.'
`So if I tell everyone you're my girlfriend that'll be ok?' he said
wanting to get his story straight. `I could say you're my cousin but
I don't think they would swallow that.' He added as a smile tugged at
his lips. `They'd wanna know all the family in's and out's and I
don't think we'd be able to sustain that under repeated questioning
especially me being a local boy. Someone's bound to pick up that
great aunt Mary didn't have a daughter that married Joe from across
the mountain.'
Again that shy half smile tugged at his lips and Cydney found herself
thinking not for the first time since meeting Kevin that she was in
the presence of a seriously good looking man and it would be no
hassle to pretend being this man's girlfriend. In fact it would boost
her ego she thought wryly as she agreed with his suggestion.
`Ok now we have our story settled and worked out I'm off for a
shower. We can work out the "finer details" over breakfast.'
`Ok, I'll get some coffee on then get ready myself.' He said as she
made her way upstairs to the bathroom. She turned around on the
stairs and smiled her thanks at him. He watched her disappear from
view. So today all that was dangerous starts again he thought with a
fluttering of nerves in his stomach. He poked at the fire stirring
the flames again willing his nervousness to ease but despite that he
knew he was doing the right thing by getting involved.
Later that day Kevin watched impressed as Cydney worked the room like
a seasoned professional. They had collected a supply of groceries and
were having lunch at the local diner, which he thought was another
good place to introduce Cydney to the people of the town. Dressed
casually in old faded jeans and boots with a well worn Kentucky
Wildcats sweatshirt and her fair hair pulled back into a simple
ponytail she looked years younger than he guessed she was. Her face
was devoid of makeup but as he sat and watched her animated
expressive face as she chatted easily and confidently he realised she
needed no such artifice to be attractive. She had run the gauntlet of
questions at the grocery store from all the over protective granny
and motherly types who had taken Kevin into their hearts and thought
of him as another grandson or the son they'd never had and charmed
them with ease. One woman had later pulled him aside and told him
they made a lovely couple.
Cydney in conversation with another middle aged woman at the time
caught Kevin's eye during this exchange of words and she flashed him
a cheeky wink letting him know she'd heard every word. Amused, Kevin
had found it hard to keep a straight face but he composed his
features admirably and with grave seriousness agreed with the woman
in front of him, that they were indeed a great couple together.
That's partly why he liked living in this quiet out of the way town.
After the initial excitement of a local boy made good returning to
live in the area Kevin quickly became just another one of the local
lads. But the town was fiercely protective of him and respected his
privacy. They remembered him and his family from his days when his
father had run the camp up in the mountains. Here he could leave the
hype of his celebrity life behind and just be himself, Kevin
Richardson. The men he could have a beer with and talk football and
basketball and if he did cop a ribbing about his celebrity life as a
Backstreet Boy over the local poker game, it was all done in good
fun. Just as Jimmy Watt's the local painter copped a ribbing when
he'd painted Mrs Macredy's walls green instead of cream. Here he was
treated as just another one of the fellas by the men and it helped
keep him grounded and at times sane with the mad frantic existence
that was his was life at times.
When he walked down the main street of town no one bothered or
hassled him, he was just Kevin. The town's folk would say said hello
chat to him just like they normally would with any of the local
people.
He turned his attention back to Cydney and smiled inwardly as he
watched her. One of the farmers was talking to her about breeding
pigs and how his particular favourite pig was a champion breeder. He
caught her eye and pulled a face at her. She was chewing her lip and
looked enthralled but her grey eyes twinkled with amusement and he
realised her lip chewing was to stop a giggle escaping. Deciding to
come to her rescue before the well of laughter she was obviously
holding in erupted and burst forth, Kevin stood up and flung an arm
about the man's shoulders and said lightly. `Now Earl Cyd here is
hungry. We're about to order our lunch and since Cyd's so interested
in Daisy, I'll bring her by the farm one day and you can show her
first hand just what a champion breeder she is.'
Kevin's lips twitched at the incredulous look of stunned amazement on
Cydney's face. She shot him a look that promised revenge and he
grinned unrepentantly across at her. `You can show her your long
haired goats while you're at it as well.' He added for good measure
and a strangled choke emerged from Cydney's throat. Kevin sat back
down on the stool beside her not game to look at her for fear of
bursting into laughter himself.
Earl seemed quite impressed with this idea. `Ya'll drop by anytime
you like now. I'd be mighty honoured to show your young lady mah
Daisy. Mighty fine pig she is ma'am. I'll let you order your lunch
now. Mighty pleased to meet you Miss Cydney.'
Cydney managed to control her mirth and with just a hint of laughter
in her voice she thanked Earl kindly for his instructions and
information about pig breeding. He placed his well worn straw hat
back on his head and with a courtly bow towards her and a smile that
showed gaps were there was once several teeth he took his leave of
them.
Cydney turned slowly on her stool towards Kevin and her lips curved
upwards in a smile and she shook her head. `You are so dead
Richardson.'
`Well you wanted to see some local flavour.' Kevin gave into his
laughter.
`But pigs and goats Kevin?' She laughed with him and he thought it
was a delightful sound. He liked her sense of humour.
` I'll give you local flavour. I don't know how I kept my face
straight especially with you sitting there being no help at all and
pulling faces at me.'
`I know.' Kevin cheerfully admitted. He reached across and pulled two
menus towards him and he handed Cydney one. `If I buy you lunch will
you forgive me?' he picked up his drink and took a sip.
`I'll think about it.' She said with a sideways smile as she turned
her attention to the menu. And he almost fell off his stool in a
choking fit when she blithely ordered a roast pork salad roll.
It was early in the evening when Kevin wandered in his study and
found Cydney pouring over various maps of the local area. He put a
cup of coffee down beside her. She looked up from her contemplations
and smiled. `Thanks Kev. You must have esp, I was just thinking of
dragging myself away from these maps and getting a cup.
He dragged out the chair opposite the desk and sat down. `How's it
going. Do you have everything set up now?'
`I'm getting there. Can I borrow that table over there to set up the
analysis equipment?' Cydney pointed to a table in the corner of the
room that had a few magazines and books scattered on top of it.
` Sure, take whatever you need Cyd. Can I help you in any way?' Kevin
asked over the top of his coffee cup.
`If you like. I'll need to hook the laptop up and set up the lab
stuff on that table. Then I think I'm ready to start collecting the
water and soil samples.'
`I gather we'll collect those as we go about asking questions?' Kevin
asked as he picked up a map and studied it. Cydney pushed out of her
chair and with coffee cup in hand she walked around the other side of
the desk and leaned over his shoulder and pointed at various large
black circles that she had drawn on the map.
`Yeah. See Kevin the reports of people sickening in these areas have
to be investigated. I need to catalogue the symptoms, collate them
into some form of report. Collect the samples to make sure the
symptoms of the illnesses the people are suffering are the result of
poisoning from the toxic waste. Then when I validate that and collate
all the evidence together, we make a move on the source.'
Kevin looked up over his shoulder as Cydney straightened and took
another sip of her coffee. `Did Nev not collect any samples? That
would save time if we could use them.'
`No he didn't. When he got the tip off from you about the symptoms
people in these areas were showing I was working undercover on a case
that was nearing completion. His plan was to get you to video the
dumping of the waste, then when I had wrapped up the other
investigation I would join him on this one. Nev and I would then have
worked together doing what you and I are planning to do now.' She
sighed deeply. `The trouble is when he was murdered the video of the
dumping of the waste wasn't found in the wrecked car. He obviously
was watched and traced. As far as he knew, he was positive your
identity remains undiscovered. He told me he had covered your tracks
well. How they cottoned on to Nev remains to be seen, no one in the
department is sure yet how that happened.' She sat back down at the
desk and rested her chin in her hand.
`A leak in the department?' Kev asked. ` I hope it wasn't something I
did?'
`Be reassured Kevin, it was nothing you did. Nev was adamant that you
were safe and that you were very careful. He told me himself that he
had been extra cautious in his dealings with you. That he had back
tracked and confused his connection to you so much that anyone trying
to find his source would get bogged down in a lot of crossed leads
and that the trail would be cold.' She shrugged her shoulders. `It
could've been a leak or sometimes circumstances just work against you
and you get the wrong breaks. It's all part of the job.'
`Well let's hope the breaks go our way now.' Kevin sighed as he put
the map back down on the desk.
Cydney stood up and stretched her arms above her shoulders to ease
the aching in her back. `I hope so as well, anyway I'm starving and
it's my turn to cook dinner tonight. I'm not letting you wait on me
hand and foot. It's your turn to fight with the wine cork tonight.'
Kevin grinned up at her as he swung back in his chair. `Ok then.'
`I was thinking about cooking Daisy's cousin.' She laughed and Kevin
shook his head at her with another of his lopsided grins that
crinkled his eyes as he laughed.
`Cyd, Cyd, Cyd..what am I going to do with you? Do you have no sense
of family?' he chuckled.
`Not when I'm hungry.' She retorted. `Now get that butt of yours out
of that chair Richardson and open that wine. I'm thirsty and you can
keep me well supplied while I cook us Cyd's special stir fry.'
And still chuckling and shaking his head at her, Kevin followed her
to the kitchen.
Chapter 6
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