Free The Peace Proxy: Part 1 by Cyril Adams

tried
to sort out the link between Talbot and Mike’s professed
conspiracy. He could not.
    “Well, Mike seemed sure this was legit. He
was concerned enough to reveal his identity to me. If you had seen
him, you would agree.”
    “I’m not trying to rain on your parade here,
Garrett. This story looks pretty thin, that’s all.” Charlie
reluctantly continued, “Garrett , remember this
guy set us up two years ago.”
    “I saw it on his face.
It wasn’t him.”
    “I’m just saying we have to watch ourselves
on this one. We’re running out of prospective employers in this
town.”
    Garrett flashed his winning smile. “Come on
Charlie, how bad could it be?” he replied as he checked the time.
“Damn, I’m supposed to meet Katherine in D.C. I have to go. I’ll
come back after lunch.”
    “Right, I’ll keep looking into Talbot.”
    Garrett took the subway. If he could catch
the 11:30 A-Lev, he would not be late. He made
it, but an air leak in the tube delayed its departure. He called
Katherine to let her know.
     

 
     
     
7
     
    A local favorite, Victoria’s restaurant was
always Katherine’s first choice when dining out. They usually sat
on the glass-enclosed veranda, but as Garrett approached, he did
not see her at a table abutting the rail where she preferred to
dine. He signaled the maître d’, who recognizing Garrett from
previous visits, heartily welcomed him back. Garrett asked if
Katherine was waiting for a table. The man informed Garrett she had
already been seated and directed him to the second floor. Garrett
found her sitting at a table in the back of the establishment, far
distant from the open seating he knew she preferred. Last month,
she had the two of them wait hours for a table with a view. He
grimly accepted this was not a social lunch.
As he approached, she gave him a nervous smile. He smiled in kind,
trying to act nonchalant, despite the uneasy feeling that had found
purchase deep in his psyche since he boarded the train.
    “I ordered for us,” she informed Garrett as
he sat.
    “What’s going on?” he tentatively
inquired.
    She hesitated for a moment, eyes looking
around the room, judging if anyone was within earshot before
saying, “Oh Garrett, they gave us an alpha scan.” The words quiet,
but rushed, were accompanied by a grimace that betrayed the terror
the experience had evoked.
    “What?” Garrett asked in disbelief, certain
he had misunderstood her statement. The penalties for an illegal
alpha scan, regardless of the organization, were severe. He had
never heard of the procedure being conducted outside the judicial system. His initial shock subsided rapidly, and he reached across the table, taking her hand
in his. She was trembling. Her gaze remained on the tablecloth as
she fought to hold back the tears that threatened to burst forth. This was new territory in their relationship, and Garrett did not know how to react. He
did the only reasonable thing he could manage. He overcame his
fear-driven desire to know what had occurred and held her hand
while she quietly fought to regain her composure. Eventually, she collected herself.
    She looked at Garrett. “I’m all right,” she
assured Garrett, with a weak smile, answering the unspoken concern
that was etched across his face.
    “Katherine, who gave you the scan?” Garrett
questioned in a soothing tone.
    Katherine straightened in her seat,
appearing more focused. “I don’t know. When I got to the office
this morning…” she trailed off as the waiter arrived with their
order. Garrett eased back into his chair as the waiter deftly
placed two bowls of lobster bisque on the table. Garrett had not
realized he had come out of his seat in an effort
to comfort Katherine.
    “Is there anything else I can get for you?”
the waiter inquired.
    “No, thank you,” Garrett replied. Katherine
continued to stare at the newly delivered first course. The waiter
stayed a moment longer than Garrett would have considered good
manners