He left the attorney's office with a completely confused expression on his face and a note in his hand. Following the directions, he found himself at the bank. Swallowing nervously, he made his way inside and headed towards the information desk. Before he had managed to give more than an initial garbled explanation, the woman at the desk smiled at him and said, "Ah. Yes, sir. We were notified that you were on your way. If you'll just follow me, please."
Nervously sticking his hands in his jacket pockets, the man followed silently. With a professional smile, the woman quickly went through the security check. Reciting the information that had been detailed on the note, the man was granted access to the discreet waiting room and a large security deposit box was deposited on the table. The bank employee left, discreetly closing the door to the room behind them.
The man gazed at the box for a long moment. He didn't touch it; he just stared at it. What had the devious old goat dropped in his lap now? Well, there was only one way to find out. Carefully, he reached out and opened the box. A small digital recorder sat on top of several anonymous envelopes and bundles. Sighing, he reached out and pressed play.
A familiar and long-missed voice filled the room. Jonathan Doors.
"Liam, if you're listening to this then I've been dead for a while now. Hopefully before I died we managed to reach an understanding. I am proud to have known you. You irritated me more than any other person on the face of the planet but your damn instinctive humanity forced me to look at my actions. You tempered them a bit. For that, I thank you.
"This box contains a few things that you might need. There is information about some of my pet projects as well as information on some of the major players in Washington and around the globe. If things have gone to schedule, the ANA should be beginning to exert its influence.
"You and Renee will definitely be approached - or have been already. The box also contains information on the architects of the alliance. Always know as much as you can as the people you end up working with - remember that young man. You're too important a piece of the puzzle to risk.
"There is a gift for you, too. All the information I could dig up on your human parents. Copies of old photographs... things like that. I robbed you of the chance to know your mother and your relationship with your father is too convoluted, even for me. It's a look at your past; it's the only present I thought you might want.
"I have a favour to ask too. If I managed to reconcile myself with Joshua and get him away from that damn One Taelon Avenue project of his, there is a message in the box for him too.
"Give it to him. Please."
Liam sighed. Jonathan... if only you knew what had happened.
In his private office within the Doors International complex in Washington D.C., Joshua Doors started from a half-doze when his global signalled an incoming message. He glanced at his watch. 11 p.m. Who on earth would be contacting him at that time of night?
Sighing, he opened the global. It was his private line, it might be important. He blinked and rubbed at tired eyes. "Major, this is unexpected. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call at this time of night?"
He watched Kincaid rubbed nervously at the back of his neck. He looked uncomfortable. Intriguing. The major sighed and said, "I don't really feel comfortable talking to you about this over a global. Can you meet me at the Flat Planet in about an hour? I need to give you something before I head up to the mothership. It's important. Please?"
Joshua agreed. There was something about Kincaid's tone that his instincts told him meant that the other man wasn't exaggerating.
Fifty minutes later, Joshua Doors slipped quietly into the Flat Planet Café and headed off towards the back tables; he knew where Kincaid could normally be found. He was right. The major sat waiting on him, a half finished cup of coffee sitting on the table in front of him and a sealed package. Joshua hesitated as he slipped onto the seat opposite. The package had one word written on it. Joshua; it was his father's handwriting!
The major, obviously seeing the look of recognition in his eyes, hastened to explain why he had the package. Joshua listened, a little bewildered, trying to come to terms with what Liam Kincaid was telling him. It was understandable that his father might have messages to pass on to the resistance but why leave the message for Kincaid? Why leave it so long after his death? Why entrust his message to his son to this man?
"I don't know what his message contains, Joshua. I only know that he wanted you to have it."
Kincaid rose to his feet and tugged at the leather jacket that had been draped over the back of his chair. "I have to go, Joshua. If you want to talk about what the message contains, or about your father, I'll listen. I should be back in a few hours."
Kincaid left and, a few minutes later, so did Joshua; hands clenched tightly round the message his father had wanted him to get.
Back in his office, Joshua slowly unwrapped the package, fingers shaking. There were two separate items, a digital recorder and a small, obviously old and well-fingered photo frame. The picture inside was of two newborn babies, side by side in hospital incubators. Completely confused, Joshua fumbled for the play button. His father's voice filled the room and he bit at his lip to keep his emotions in check.
Joshua, if you're listening to this two things have happened. We were somehow reconciled and I'm dead. I love - loved - you very much, Joshua; I always have. I realise that I didn't always show it and, that you didn't always believe it, but it is the truth.
Liam has been entrusted with this message for you. He and I never saw eye to eye on a lot of things, if you could believe it, at certain moments, I was as hard on him as I used to be on you. He's a good man, though.
This message is hard, son. I always wanted to tell you the truth about why your childhood was the way it was. Why I seemed so distant. Why your mother self-destructed like she did. It's just that the memories were so hard to deal with and then your mother took her own life. I almost told you on numerous occasions after she was gone but I was afraid to.
The closest I ever came was the month the Taelons arrived; you know what happened to my life after that. There was no way I was going to tell you... I didn't want you close to me, it would have put you in harm's way.
You have to know, though. You have the right. This was the best I could up with and my heartfelt apologies for letting you know about this in this way.
The photograph contained within the package was taken the day you were born. You're the one on the left. The one on the right... the one on the right... God, this is hard! The one on the right is Jericho. Your twin...
Joshua's suddenly nerveless fingers dropped the recorder on to his desk as he gasped, "What?!"
His father's voice continued on...
Jericho is younger than you by ten minutes. It was a hard delivery for your mother... she almost died. That night that you were both born was the longest of my life. The nurses took you both away to clean you up. That photograph was taken for the family album... the only photograph I ever had of you and your brother together.
Your mother took a turn for the worse and the doctors and nurses were all rushing about in a frantic effort to save her. The one thing that wasn't done... the one thing the nurses didn't do... they didn't tag you both.
Your brother was kidnapped that night and a ransom demand for five million dollars made. I was devastated. Your mother ended up under heavy sedation. I had to deal with things myself. I was more trusting then, I called in the FBI.
They said not to make any announcement of the birth and no public announcement of the kidnapping was made. For two weeks the negotiations went on, I was frantic and more than willing to pay the ransom. Then the FBI said that they'd located where the baby was being held.
There was a full-scale assault. It failed. One of the kidnappers got away, taking Jericho with them. No trace of your brother was ever found. Jericho's birth was kept a closely guarded secret. Nobody had known that your mother was expecting twins; not even her doctors, it had been a complete surprise.
I have had an army of private investigators searching for him ever since, alive or dead; I had to know. It was the grief that tore your mother and I apart. Eventually, she turned to drink and, well, you know what happened... poor, bewildered child that you were, you had to live in that house with no clue as to what was going on.
I'm more sorry than you will ever know, Joshua. How did we tell you that you had a brother that had been stolen away the day you were born? Maybe we did the wrong thing, it was the only thing we ever agreed on after he was taken; your mother and I decided not to tell you.
With me gone, you're the last link to Jericho. You had to be told. My senior attorneys know the truth; they have all the records that my investigators compiled, every lead they traced.
It's up to you now, Joshua. My final legacy to you is a heartfelt request from your father. Find your brother. Find Jericho.
Joshua took a deep breath and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He fingered the photograph, lightly tracing the face of the baby on the right. His brother... Jericho...
He opened his global and sent a message to Major Kincaid asking him to meet him for breakfast the next day, finishing simply, saying, "...I need your help."
Liam put down his knife and fork and silently watched the man opposite him. Joshua's call the night before had not been unexpected; he'd had the sneaking suspicion that the old man had left a surprise of some kind for his son. Looked like he'd been right. He watched for a few more minutes as an abstracted and completely oblivious Joshua Doors tapped at the rim of his coffee cup with a nervous finger. Enough was enough.
Gently, Liam said, "What is it, Joshua? What do you need from me?"
His eyes betraying confusion, worry, doubt, disbelief and a few other fleeting emotions Joshua Doors cast a quick glance round the conveniently quiet café that Liam had suggested they meet at. Dad said he could be trusted, you idiot. Just tell him! Taking a deep breath, Joshua did so...
Once Liam had told himself to pick his jaw back up of the floor, he sat there lost in thought. Joshua's announcement had been as stunning as it was enlightening. It went a long way to explaining some things about Jonathan Doors, his distrust and hatred of anything connected to the FBI, Sandoval in particular. Federal agents had cost him a son. His views of the FBI hierarchy now made a hell of a lot more sense.
Twins. Who would have ever thought...
"Of course, I'll help," said Liam, bringing his focus back to the matter at hand. He gave Joshua what he hoped was a friendly and reassuring grin. "We'll find him, Joshua. One way or another we will find him."
That simple statement eased the ache in Joshua's heart - just a little - he wouldn't have to do this alone. He'd thought that he'd have to convince the major to help him, but no, Kincaid had immediately offered to help in the search. His father had been right, the occasionally brash exterior deflected away from obviously hidden depths of compassion and understanding. I wonder if he wears his 'attitude' like a shield. It'd be a good way to make people underestimate him and protect himself at the same time.
He looked at the major and said, "I want to keep this--"
"...Confidential," finished Kincaid. "I understand, Joshua. I won't tell a soul without your authorisation."
"Thank you," said Joshua. "So, where would you suggest I... we... start?"
Kincaid frowned for a moment, thinking. "I've got briefings most of the day on the mothership.
"Why don't you contact your father's attorneys and have the records of the past searches couriered over to your place? I'll meet you there at... say, eight p.m. We'll go over the old information and familiarize ourselves with the data.
"Next step will be to see if they missed anything. If they did, we investigate, if they didn't, we start from scratch.
"It'll be hard, hell, it's going to be like finding a needle in a haystack. One way or another, whatever we have to do, we are going to find Jericho."
That sentiment seemed like a good place to go their separate ways. Each man headed off to deal with their daily lives; each man, though, had one thought plaguing their minds all day. Somewhere out there, Jericho Doors was waiting to be found.
Joshua Doors opened the door to his city-centre loft apartment and greeted his visitor with a tired smile. "Hi, Liam. Come on in. Can I get you anything? Coffee, a beer..."
"Actually, I'd love a glass of milk, please."
Joshua stifled a chuckle. So. The big, bad Companion Protector drinks milk, does he? I wonder... "Would you like some cookies with that, Liam?"
Eyes twinkling merrily, Liam strove to keep a straight face as he said, "Only if they're chocolate chip, Joshua."
The young billionaire gave a startled look at the fact that the Protector was more than willing to accept his teasing with such good grace and started to laugh, Liam joining in a second later. Joshua wandered off, mumbling, "Milk and cookies for two, coming right up." As he did so, Liam made his way into the living room and paused at the sight that greeted him. Boxes upon boxes of stuff were scattered haphazardly around the room. There was a huge pile of files and old-fashioned computer disks on the table. This was going to take a while.
Joshua came back carrying a tray laden with two glasses of milk and a veritable mountain of cookies; clearing a space on the huge table, he deposited the tray and said to Liam, "One cookie or two, sir?"
"One for now, my good man," replied Liam in a haughty tone. Grinning at Joshua, he snagged a cookie with one hand and a file with another; dropping into a nearby chair, he got to work scanning the contents of the file. Joshua absently munched on a cookie of his own as he returned to the file he had been reading when Kincaid had arrived.
Liam put down the file he was reading and arched his back as he stretched muscles that were clearly protesting the fact that he had been sitting still way too long. He glanced at his watch and blinked in astonishment. Five hours?! They'd been at this for five hours!
"Joshua, I think we should call this a night."
"Huh?" muttered a bleary-eyed Joshua Doors.
"It's two a.m., Joshua."
"What?!... Oh, hell. I'm sorry, Liam. I didn't mean to keep you at this for so long."
Stretching tiredly, Liam smiled at the other man. "Don't worry about it. It needed to be done and I'm glad to help. We'll talk about what we've each found in the morning, okay?"
Joshua nodded and started to follow Liam to the door to see him out when he stopped suddenly and said, "Wait. This is stupid. Why don't you just stay in the guest room? It's the least I can do for all the work you've done tonight."
"Are you sure?" asked Liam. When Joshua nodded at him, he gave a tired smile and a mighty yawn. "I think I'll take you up on that. The way I feel, I'd be asleep before the lift got to the ground floor."
Joshua yawned too. Something his father had jokingly told him when he was a child suddenly sprang to mind. He'd been about six and determined to stay up late to see a fireworks display with his father. Jonathan Doors had - for one of the few times in his childhood memories - given in to his pleading and agreed to take him. He really had been too young and spent most of the display fighting yawns. He'd eventually lost the battle and given a mighty yawn, and another... and then another... His dad had smiled and said that it was time to go home. In the car, his dad had started yawning too. He'd grinned ruefully at his son, saying, That's the thing about yawning. It's contagious. Once one person starts everyone around them inevitably ends up joining in.
Bringing his mind back to the present, Joshua said, "That's settled, then. The guest room is the first door on the left. I'll see you in the morning. Good night."
"G'night, Joshua."
The next day over a breakfast of pancakes and maple syrup the pair discussed what information they had found. It wasn't much. Uncorroborated sightings of a man and a baby in a nearby town on the night of the FBI raid on the kidnappers' hideout. Orphans matching the age and general description of Joshua... The hundreds of unidentified children that the investigators had visited in morgues to get tissue types... Nothing was ever found to indicate that any of them were Jericho.
Liam looked at Joshua sitting across from him with a dejected slump to his shoulders. They were going to have to be a bit more aggressive if they were going to find any answers. They were going to need help too. There was too much information to wade through alone. That meant J. Street but he'd save that suggestion for later. He had another one to broach first and it was a doozy.
"The information in the FBI files has obviously been severely edited. You agree?"
Eyes showing his anger, Joshua Doors nodded. Liam took that as his opening. Taking a deep breath, he said, "I'd like to go directly to the source. I want your permission to approach a member of the FBI to see if they can provide us with any unedited information."
Joshua frowned but eventually just said, "Who?"
"Sandoval."
"What?! Are you out of your mind?!"
"I don't think so. I think he'll help. Taelon matters aside he was and is a damn fine agent. He doesn't take kindly to the FBI or its agents screwing up. I think he'll want to help get to the bottom of this.
"The worst he can do is say, 'go to hell'. Whatever he decides, he'll keep the matter confidential. I know him well enough to say that he wouldn't hinder an investigation."
"I don't think..." prevaricated Joshua.
"Trust me, Joshua."
"You, I trust. Sandoval... Does the term 'when hell freezes over' ring a bell?"
Joshua sat there and met the calm gaze of Kincaid. There really was no other option... He sighed.
"All right. Ask him."
Kincaid nodded and rose to leave. "I'll call you this afternoon to let you know how I got on."
Joshua sighed and stared morosely at his half-finished coffee. Success could well lie in the hands of Sandoval. His father was probably spinning in his grave at the thought.
Whatever it took, though. He'd do whatever it took to find out the fate of Jericho. Where are you, brother? What happened to you?
Ronald Sandoval looked up from his desk with a scowl on his face. He was in a foul mood today and everybody knew it, the Volunteers were keeping a wide berth of him and nobody had lingered in his office today, much less voluntarily entered it.
With a sigh, he recognised his visitor, Kincaid. The major seemed to have no sense of self-preservation at times. To be honest, Kincaid's positive outlook on life was one he admired, when he was not being driven to distraction by that self-same attitude and the Boy Scout tendencies that it instilled in the other man. He seemed to come to the aid of every waif and stray on the planet, not to mention every damsel in distress. Sandoval felt the throbbing vein in his temple begin to pulse in anticipation of the aggravation that Kincaid was bound to be bringing him; God the man was annoying sometimes!
Sandoval opened his mouth to snap at the other man but then he caught sight of the peace offering that Kincaid was carrying. Coffee... decent coffee... Halleluiah! Wordlessly, Kincaid held out one of the containers to him, lemon mocha; his favourite. He nodded a silent thank you to the other man and waited patiently. Kincaid couldn't remain still for very long. He'd get to the point sooner or later.
He watched as Kincaid paced about his office like a nervous big cat. The major kept casting surreptitious glances at him and, for once, he let his exasperation get the better of him and said, "Major! Would you find a spot and stand still! Better yet, sit down and tell me what's going on."
Kincaid had the good grace to look faintly apologetic as he dropped into one of the seats that he had indicated. The major's long and graceful fingers fidgeted with the coffee container that he was holding. For a long moment there was silence, and then, Kincaid spoke and once again managed to surprise him.
"I need to ask you a favour, Sandoval."
Sandoval could feel his eyebrow rising, much as he tried to mask his surprise. Kincaid had never asked him for a favour, not unless you counted the little matter of the deception with Captain Marquette's body; the truth about that had come out eventually.
Cautiously, Sandoval replied. "What sort of favour?"
Kincaid looked up with a placating expression on his face, his eyes strangely pleading.
"It's nothing to do with the Taelons, Sandoval. This is about an old FBI matter... a kidnapping. I'm helping someone look into the events surrounding the kidnapping. The FBI kinda screwed the whole thing up and I get the feeling that the files that the family obtained from them about the investigation were 'edited' to say the least."
Sandoval said nothing for a long moment. He was the first to admit that the FBI's record was not pristine but he was loyal, or at least as loyal as he could be. "What makes you think that, Major Kincaid?"
"Instinct."
Sandoval frowned. The major's instincts were usually good; they'd saved his life on more than one occasion.
"I'd have to know the name of the person you're helping, the name of the person abducted and why you are involved," said Sandoval quietly, stalling for time to think.
Kincaid's eyes locked with his in a strangely intent gaze as he said, "I'm helping Joshua Doors. The person kidnapped was his twin brother, Jericho. He was abducted from the hospital the day they were born. He's not been seen since.
"Why am I helping him? He's my friend and he asked. It's that simple."
The identity of the kidnap victim was something of a surprise to say the least but not Kincaid's motivation. The man was nothing if not loyal to his friends. This sounded... interesting...
"I'll see what I can find out, Major."
"Thank you, Sandoval."
Later That Day
Sandoval closed his global with a sigh. Doors had been metaphorically closing in his face all day. His quiet investigations were being stonewalled and he wanted to know why. He turned to his last avenue of access; if he'd had any sense at all, he'd have called her first.
"Hattie, it's Ron Sandoval."
The old woman with grey hair and merrily twinkling blue eyes, grinned as she looked at him.
"Ronnie, sweetie! It's been far too long. I'd begun to think that you'd forgotten about old Hattie."
Holding his global in his hand, Sandoval gave a genuinely fond smile as he said, "That could never happen, Hattie. You're unforgettable."
The old woman's eyes narrowed. "What's wrong, Ronnie?"
Sandoval sighed. "I'm looking into something for a friend. An old kidnapping case. I keep getting stonewalled, Hattie, and I don't know why."
"What case, Ron?" asked a curious Hattie.
"The kidnapping of Jericho Doors."
Hattie's eyes widened in shock. "You get off this channel. Now. Come see me tonight at the old meeting place. Ronnie... be careful."
The connection was abruptly severed and Ronald Sandoval frowned in confusion. Hattie had sounded scared and nervous, something he'd never heard from her before.
Kincaid, what the hell have you got me involved in?
Mind whirling with what Hattie had told him, Ronald Sandoval kissed the old woman on the cheek and muttered a distracted thank you and an admonishment to her to take care of herself.
The old woman watched him leave with a gentle frown on her face and worry in her heart. The Jericho case had been a deep dark secret for so long that not many people remembered it. She had been a PA to so many directors over the years though that she knew most of the hidden secrets of the FBI, and who wanted them kept hidden, and why.
Ronald Sandoval had been like an adopted nephew to her in his early days at the Bureau, he'd been unfailingly courteous - a result of his upbringing and innate good manners - she'd recently lost her husband and they had just sort of clicked as friends. She'd watched and worried as he'd changed and grown cold to his former colleagues - never to her, though - just them.
He'd said he was helping a friend... It had been so long that he'd willingly described anyone as a friend that she'd just had to help him... Besides, the situation regarding the Jericho Doors kidnapping had gone on far too long as it was.
You and your friend be careful, Ronnie...
The next day, Liam found himself back in Sandoval's office, once again carrying coffee for them both. He'd received a call from his father late the previous night telling him that he had some information for him, and that he'd expect him in his office at 8.00 a.m. the next day... with some more lemon mocha coffee.
He'd said that he'd be there and made some half-hearted grumbles about being the designated coffee procurer, Sandoval had smiled slightly but he had been clearly distracted.
The morning now here, Liam sipped at his vanilla latte, worried; Sandoval did not get that distracted over mere trivialities. Sandoval spoke, interrupting his reverie.
"Major... Liam... I did some digging into the matter that you asked me about..."
"And..." asked Liam.
"I ran into metaphorical brick walls all day. Nobody wanted to even acknowledge my questions, let alone answer them."
Sandoval watched as Kincaid's shoulders slumped, the other man rose to his feet, saying, "Thanks for trying, Sandoval."
I swear at times he has the patience of a toddler! Sandoval called out, "Liam, wait!"
The major paused in mid-step and turned a confused gaze on him. With an exasperated glare, he waved Kincaid back to his seat and continued his story.
"Having had no success trying the direct approach, I chose a more indirect one and placed a call to an old and dear friend that has been with the Bureau for years. She knows more of our secrets and the location of more skeletons in more closets than anybody else alive.
"She remembers the Jericho Doors kidnapping, the disaster that was the investigation, and the internal cover-up that followed.
"According to my friend, the lead agent was a well respected and long-serving member of the Bureau. Unfortunately, he was saddled with an unqualified deputy. The press black-out was total but, if there was a successful resolution to the kidnapping of a child from such a prominent family, then the careers of those involved would have been catapulted into the stratosphere."
Liam looked at Sandoval and hissed out, "Are you trying to tell me that this kidnapping investigation was screwed up because of internal politics?!"
Sandoval shrugged - an expression of contempt on his face - as he said, "We are talking about a time thirty years ago, the Bureau was even more rife with internal power struggles than it is today.
"We both know that internal politics exist within the Bureau, I don't condone what was done or why, especially not with the life of a child at stake, but it happened.
"This incompetent deputy was the nephew of the then Deputy Director of the Bureau, and his incompetence was overlooked by supervisors anxious not to rile his uncle. This 'nephew' was the one that ordered the premature assault on the hideout. He was killed in the ensuing gun battle but by then the damage was done.
"The uncle ordered a cover-up, and the older agent took the fall and was demoted. All the agents were ordered to comply on pain of transfer to the most unappetising duty posts in the Bureau if they breathed a word of what had happened. The nephew got a hero's burial, killed in the line of duty. The uncle died last year after a long battle with cancer.
"The records were tampered with and that is why the information the Doors family was provided with is incomplete. The older agent, the veteran, never forgave himself for not keeping a greater rein on his idiotic deputy. For the rest of his career, and on his own time, he did his best to try and track the lone kidnapper that got away with the baby.
"He was killed in the line of duty ten years ago. He left his personal files - the ones he kept at home - to my friend that I told you about. She has kept them all these years; she didn't know what the Doors family had been told or even if they would welcome an approach about the matter.
"She says that the last piece of information that was uncovered was the death in a bar-fight of a man who matched the rough description of the escaped kidnapper. The agent tracked a car stolen from the town near the hideout to a nearby airport where it was abandoned and another stolen. Five car robberies and three states later, he thought he had lost the trail... up until this bar-fight three years later.
"He would just have dismissed it as coincidence but for the fact that the man killed was survived by a three year old 'son' with no birth certificate... a son that would be the right age to be Jericho Doors. The boy disappeared into the foster system of California and all traces have been lost in a sea of red tape.
"The agent did manage to get a copy of a photograph of the 'son' and compared it with a press photo of Joshua Doors at the same age. There were apparently slight differences in appearance but while they may not be identical twins, their appearances were similar enough to leave the agent in no doubt that he had found the last location of the boy that he was looking for."
Sandoval looked at the silent form of Liam Kincaid.
"My friend is forwarding the files to me here at the Embassy, I'll notify you as soon as they arrive. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. Please offer Joshua Doors my apologies for the Bureau's past actions in this case, and Liam, if you need any more help, please feel free to come to me."
Kincaid's reaction surprised him. The major got to his feet and held out his hand to him, saying, "You've nothing to apologise for Sandoval, this was not your fault. Thank you for all that you've done. I mean that... thank you.
"I need to go call Joshua and update him and I promise that I will call if we need you. Please thank your friend for us, too. She sounds like quite a remarkable lady."
Sandoval grinned at that and said, "You have no idea..."
Liam watched in interest as a faint blush made its way across his father's cheeks as Sandoval murmured, "She wants to meet you."
"Why?" asked Liam.
"I said I was digging into the case as a favour for a friend, and she wants to meet someone that I would willingly call a friend. Don't worry, I'll think up an excuse..."
"Don't you dare!" mock-glared Liam, the smile on his face robbing the rebuke of any sting. "I'd be honoured to meet her. Just tell me where and when."
Sandoval's shocked expression was interrupted by a call on his global. Pity, thought Liam. It might have been fun to tease him some more.
Four hours later, Sandoval gave the call to Liam to notify him that the files were in his office, and that he was going to be on the mothership for the rest of the day; he and Joshua were to make free use of it while he was gone.
Liam watched worriedly as Joshua Doors (who had headed over as soon as he had called) silently sifted through the notes of the long-dead agent that had refused to let the matter drop. Slowly, his heart began to acknowledge that not every FBI agent was 'the scum of the earth' as his father had once announced.
Liam had been right to go to Sandoval. His friend in the Bureau obviously trusted him enough to tell him the whole sorry mess. Maybe, there was more to the Implant that met the eye.
His hands trembled as he put the two copies of the photographs side by side. They were old and worn, but the family resemblance was unmistakable. Jericho! What happened to you?
Joshua felt Liam put a tentative but reassuring hand on his shoulder. The Protector whispered, "We'll find him, Joshua. You just have to have faith.
"The next step is to get a search of the past thirty years worth of records for the foster system of California under way. That isn't going to be easy. Can I call in an associate of mine to do the search? It'll go faster if you say yes..."
Joshua nodded and, in a hoarse whisper, said, "Make the call. Please, Liam... do whatever you have to. I have to know what happened to him."
Two Days Later
The incessant beeping tone of his global roused Liam from a deep sleep. One long and well-muscled arm emerged from below the covers to root about on his bedside table for his discarded global. At the same time, the other arm reached out and covered his head with his pillow as he tried to banish the noise and get some sleep.
Duty was too well ingrained in his psyche for him not to check who was calling at this time of night, though. Being the child of two dedicated Companion Protectors had its downside, he'd inherited pesky traits like devotion to duty, loyalty to his colleagues, integrity, courage... whether the people he worked with deserved them or not.
Bleary eyes checked the code designation of the caller's ID and he sat up - all trace of fatigue dismissed - it was Street. That could mean only one thing...
On the other end of the signal, Street grinned appreciatively at the sleep-mussed, bare-chested Protector that answered her call. Reward enough for the all-nighter she had just pulled. Behave yourself, girl! It's a good thing he can't read minds! Banishing certain pleasing if unlikely thoughts, Street smiled and said, "Got the information you wanted, Kincaid.
"When you get to Los Angeles and to the St. Francis Home ask for Father Tollan. He's the one you need to talk to."
Liam ran a distracted hand through his hair, saying, "Thanks, Street. I owe you..."
Street shook her head. "No. This one's on the house. I hope Joshua finds the answers he's looking for.
"Later, Kincaid!"
With that flighty sign-off, Street cut the signal. Liam muttered under his breath about hyperactive cyber gurus and got out of bed.
Ten minutes later, having pulled on a fresh shirt and a comfortable pair of jeans, he was wandering around his apartment in his bare feet and making himself a cup of coffee while he thought things through. Having decided on his course of action, he began making calls. Joshua was his first call - naturally - to let him know what was going on and to arrange to meet him at ten o'clock that morning to fly out to California. The next call was to Sandoval. His father proved to be a continuing source of support. He was cleared of all duty for the next forty-eight hours - subject to emergency recall - and given full authority to use his shuttle or any other Companion resources to aid in the investigation of the fate of Jericho Doors.
Liam's last call was to Renee to tell her that she would have to handle the scheduled briefing for the Resistance's remaining deep-cover cell leaders... he was temporarily unavailable.
Knowing he wouldn't get back to sleep, Liam pulled out a random book from his eclectic selection. He settled back to read as he waited for a reasonable time to make breakfast... three thirty in the morning was most definitely not reasonable.
Sipping his coffee, he began turning the pages of Robinson Crusoe. The next day was going to be an emotional journey; he needed to get centred. Joshua was going to need his support.
Liam and Joshua had arrived at the St. Francis Home in Los Angeles a little after eleven a.m. only to find that Father Tollan was in the middle of a meeting and wouldn't be free to speak to them till noon. Sensing Joshua's disappointment, Liam made a hopeful request to Mrs. Phelps, the home's administrator. Smiling, she had agreed.
The cynical part of Liam - Augur had taught him well - was sure that the ease of her agreement was due in large part to the donation from the Doors family that she was already spending in her head. Not for the first time, Liam wondered how the hell, Joshua, Jonathan and even Renee, put up will all the avaricious people they encountered and how they managed to keep the spirit of charity alive in themselves - never mind be able to determine which causes were genuine and which were fraudulent.
Mrs. Phelps was in her early fifties and dressed like a typical mom, though Liam was forced to admit that he was not the best judge of typical parents or their attire. His opinion of the woman rose greatly during the tour of the home that she gave them; she was dedicated about her job and the home where she worked. The St. Francis Home was spacious, airy, brightly decorated and had a huge garden and play area. Most of the children were in school but there were a few running about here or there and they greeted Mrs. Phelps with grins or friendly waves. Artwork decorated the walls and the atmosphere of the place was happy.
Liam saw the tension in Joshua's frame ease slightly; this place was nothing like the hell-hole that he was sure the other man had been imagining - that had been the reason he requested the tour, so Joshua could see that - and it seemed to live up to the reputation that Street had uncovered. It had been renowned for fifty years as an excellent care facility for orphaned children and it had an enviable reputation in placing kids in good homes. Jericho could have done much worse.
When the were finally shown into Father Tollan's office, Liam had to bite the inside of his lip to restrain his grin; the priest was in his sixties and he looked exactly like the way the old Hollywood movies portrayed men of the cloth.
His mind drifted for a moment as he remembered the first time that he realised that his love of old Hollywood movies from gangster films through to Hitchcock was another inherited trait from one of his parents. He'd spent half an hour sulking and missed the end of 'Angels with Dirty Faces' until he'd come to the realisation that he liked old movies anyway, no matter that one of his parents did, and logged it as another bizarre piece of knowledge about Sandoval. The stoic Implant was a movie buff - go figure!
Father Tollan listened attentively as a strangely hesitant Joshua Doors related the story of their investigation to date. When Joshua's voice trailed off into silence, the old priest pressed on the intercom button and asked Mrs. Phelps to go to the archive and fetch the file on David Todd.
Turning to address Joshua, Father Tollan said, "I remember him. I'd only been here a few months myself when the boy you are talking about arrived. His name was David Todd, as far as we knew; he had no birth certificate and could only remember the man Todd that had been his 'father', he had no recollection of any other family.
"I like to think that he was one of my successes. He came from a troubled background and there were a few early discipline problems. There was something about him, though, something that called out for attention. From him I learned more patience than I thought possible but it was worth the struggle.
"David blossomed into a caring and giving individual. He was always ready to help out with the younger children, he became their champion almost, ready to defend them against anything. He also had a keen mind... in the ten months that he was with us; he caught up with the school kids of his own age and then began to outpace them.
"He was placed with a good and decent family and kept in touch with me off and on till he turned eighteen."
"Does he still keep in touch?" asked Joshua eagerly.
"No, my son. I'm afraid he does not." Joshua slumped dejectedly in his seat and closed his eyes. He missed the glance that Liam sent at the priest. There had been something about the priest's tone of voice... Liam's eyes widened as he realised the silent message that Father Tollan was trying to tell him. David Todd was dead.
"Can you give us a way to contact the family he was placed with?" asked Liam in a quiet tone.
Father Tollan sighed. "No. Those records are confidential. I realise that this case is highly unusual and deeply personal, so what I will do is contact the family and ask if they will agree to meet you. It is the best solution I can offer."
"Please, Father. Do what you can," said Joshua, "I have to talk to the people that knew him when he was growing up."
Joshua and Liam arranged to call back later that afternoon. Mrs. Phelps was called to escort them back out, she and Joshua began to make their way down the corridor. Liam paused at the door and waited till Joshua was out of earshot before saying, "What happened to him?"
There was a sad sigh from the priest sitting behind the desk. "I shouldn't be telling you this and I will do my penance but if the family says no, you might still be able to find out what happened to him. Mr. Doors deserves at least that.
"David Todd was a soldier, just like you, Major Kincaid. Think for a moment and I'm sure you'll realise what I'm getting at."
Liam's eyes widened before he gave the priest a solemn nod and left to catch up with Joshua. What the priest had left unsaid was perfectly clear. David Todd - Jericho Doors - had been killed in the line of duty during service in the S. I. War.
Liam did his best to focus his attention and respond to the nervous chatter that Joshua kept up all through their late lunch but his mind had stalled on the words that Father Tollan had left unsaid. Jericho was dead. If the family refused to talk to them he was going to have to be the one to tell Joshua. He was beginning to realise how much he didn't want to do that - he'd rather face Zo'or in a towering rage than inflict any more pain on Joshua Doors. The man had been put through enough.
The beeping of his global interrupted his morose thoughts. Excusing himself to Joshua, Liam opened the global at the table. It was Father Tollan... smiling. Liam breathed a sigh of relief. The priest's words confirmed his expectation. The Todd family was understandably a bit nervous about meeting their son David's long-lost brother but they had agreed to meet them.
The old priest looked at Liam for a long moment before he ended his call. In a wise and gentle tone, the man said, "Tell him, Major Kincaid. It'll be better if it comes from a friend. David's family will provide the details but do the right thing and tell Mr. Doors before he meets them. He's got one or two surprises waiting on him as it is."
Liam knew his own gaze betrayed his unwillingness to hurt his friend, but, he sighed and said, "I'll do it this evening. Thank you, Father."
He shut the global and found Joshua Doors staring at him, questions shining in his eyes. Liam gulped nervously and his fingers began playing with the edge of his water glass. Looked like he'd be telling Joshua sooner rather than later. Not here, though. Not in a restaurant.
"The Todd family has agreed to meet with us, Joshua." He held up his hand to forestall Joshua's next question. "Father Tollan sent the address to my global. We're to meet them at their home at ten a.m. tomorrow morning. There is some stuff that you need to be told first and Father Tollan has suggested that it would be best if I told you.
"Not here, though. Do you mind if we head back to the hotel now? I don't want to do this in the middle of a restaurant."
Joshua nodded, his eyes betraying a dawning understanding and fear. Liam sighed silently. Why could he never be the bearer of good news? Quietly, he said, "I'm ready to go whenever you are."
As a matter of course, Joshua had asked his personal assistant to book him two adjoining suites in the luxury hotel that he and Liam were staying at. The minute they walked in, he headed to the bar and grabbed them each a bottle of beer. Wordlessly, he started pacing back and forth in the sitting room of his suite. Liam let that go on for a few moments and took a few sips at the beer. Deciding that it was better just to get it over with, he said, "Joshua..."
His voice froze Joshua in mid-step. Joshua turned his gaze to Liam, eyes pleading for something Liam couldn't give.
"David's... Jericho's..."
"Don't say it, Liam! Please."
Voice gentle, Liam said, "I have to. Father Tollan said it would be better if the news came from a friend; and I am your friend, Joshua.
"David Todd is gone. Father Tollan did not give me any specific details but he did say enough. David was a soldier. He was of the right age to have been serving during the S.I. War; I'm presuming he was killed in the line of duty.
"I'm presuming... I don't know for certain. The Todd family will give us the specifics tomorrow but I had to tell you first. Joshua, I am so sorry."
Liam looked as Joshua Doors stood in the middle of his hotel suite, head bowed, trying to get control of his emotions. Eventually, the other man did look up to meet his gaze, sorrow shining in his eyes.
"It's not your fault, Liam. Thank you for being the one to tell me. Father Tollan was right about that. I'm glad it was a friend that told me."
Liam slouched back in his chair, beer bottle still in his hand. He looked the picture of relaxation but his voice was firm as he said, "I told you when we started this search that I'd be there for whatever you needed. I meant it then and I mean it now."
Joshua gave an effort at a smile as he said, "That includes tomorrow, right? You're coming with me to meet the Todds?"
"If you want me to, Joshua."
The faint effort at a smile suddenly became more rueful as Joshua admitted, "I don't think I could face them alone, Liam."
He watched as the Protector got to his feet and walked towards him. With his free hand, Liam placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, saying, "You won't have to. I'll be there.
"I'm going to go back to my own room. You try and rest. You've got a long day ahead of you tomorrow."
Quietly, Joshua murmured, "Thanks for everything, Liam."
The reassuring hand patted his shoulder again and then Liam left him to his solitude.
The next day, the door to the Todd house opened as soon as Liam pulled their rental car into the driveway. A man in his fifties stood in the doorway. He had greying hair and a military bearing. "Gentlemen, come in. My name is Walter Todd, Father Tollan told us about the reason for your visit. There's a lot we need to discuss."
Face expressionless - to those that didn't know any better - Joshua entered the house. Liam paused a moment. He addressed Walter Todd, saying, "Sir?"
The older man easily understood his silent question. He said, "Colonel. United States Marine Corps. Retired."
Liam drew himself to attention and saluted crisply, saying, "Major Liam Kincaid, sir. Currently assigned to the Companion Protector service in Washington D.C."
Returning the salute, Walter Todd said, "Welcome to my home, Major. Please come inside and join your friend."
Liam walked in chatting quietly to Walter Todd. In the living room, he saw Joshua sipping at what looked to be homemade lemonade and chatting to an older woman - presumably, the Colonel's wife. She had auburn hair streaked with white, a gentle smile and a calming air. She seemed to be putting Joshua at ease and, for that, Liam was grateful.
Smiling fondly at his wife, Walter said, "This is Clara, my wife. I see Joshua's already availed himself of some of her famous lemonade. Would you like some, Major Kincaid?"
Clara's eyes blinked in surprise at the military title. Liam smiled at her, saying, "I never pass up on homemade lemonade, and please, call me Liam."
A few minutes later, everyone was sitting sipping lemonade and an awkward silence fell. Joshua looked at Liam with a vague desperation in his eyes. Liam took the look as a plea for help and decided to take the plunge and start the story.
"A few days ago, I received a bequest from Joshua's late father and another legacy that I was asked to pass on to his son. That legacy is what brought us to your door today. It was the first time Joshua had ever been told that he'd had a twin brother.
"The story begins the night they were born..."
Forty minutes later, Joshua and Liam were sipping gratefully at their lemonades, throats hoarse from all the talking they had done. The older couple had listened, silent, to the by turns sad, shocking and heart-rending tale.
Joshua looked at the couple, longing in his eyes. "Tell me about him. Please."
Clara and Walter exchanged a long look. She rose to her feet and disappeared for a few minutes. She returned carrying several photo albums and placed them on the coffee table. The couple moved on the couch separating to allow Joshua to sit between them. As they did so, Clara said, "We'll do better than that. We'll show you."
Liam stood to go stare out of the window and give them some privacy but Joshua stopped him, saying, "No, Liam. You come see this too."
Liam gave Joshua a searching glance before moving to perch on the arm of the couch next to Clara and watched as she began turning the pages of the album...
The next half hour passed in a blur for Joshua. The photographs that Walter and Clara showed him cut deep in his heart. Jericho - David - had blossomed within the shelter of their love and support, the photos showed that clearly. His brother may have had a bad start in life but he'd found a niche in the care of the Todd family and it was ironic for him to think that despite the vast wealth the he'd been surrounded by for his entire life, that Jericho had probably had the happier childhood.
Liam's voice interrupted his musings. "I can see the resemblance."
"You can? How?"
Compassion in his eyes, Liam looked at him and said, "Jonathan always kept pictures of you in his wallet. First day at school, first date, one of you in a hockey uniform... he rotated the selection."
"I never knew that!" said Joshua in a stunned tone.
"He loved you; he wasn't very good at expressing it sometimes, but he did love you..."
Walter and Clara exchanged wordless glances over Joshua's bowed head as he gazed down at the photos. They'd caught the surprise in Joshua's tone and heard the implications behind it. Obviously, he hadn't had a very happy childhood.
Mothering instinct coming to the fore, Clara's hand settled on Joshua's wrist in a soothing gesture. Quietly, she said, "Take your time with these, Joshua. I'll answer whatever questions I can."
Walter rose to his feet, saying, "If you'll excuse me, there are some calls that I need to make. Liam, will you help me, please?"
A little confused, Liam rose to his feet and said, "Of course, sir."
When they were gone, Clara turned the page and Joshua let out a little sigh. Jericho - David - in a uniform. He said, "What uniform is that, Clara? What branch of the service did he join?"
Pride evident in her voice, Clara said, "He was a Lieutenant in the Army Rangers."
There was silence for several minutes. In an unconscious gesture, Joshua's fingers reached out to brush against the photo. In an almost inaudible voice he said, "How did he..." but he couldn't finish the question - he couldn't say the words.
Clara finished the question, saying, "How did he die?"
Mutely, eyes tortured, Joshua nodded.
"We were never given the full details, Joshua. We don't know where he died. All we were told was that he was part of a squad on a classified mission. They were ambushed and took heavy casualties.
"David was injured himself but managed to get two of his comrades to safety before he was finally killed.
"We shouldn't even know that much but we were told more about what had happened as a courtesy to Walter and the time he spent in the service."
Joshua felt something wet on his cheek - when had he started crying? He'd never even met his twin, how could he be feeling like his heart was breaking? Clara moved on instinct and wrapped her arms around him in a comforting embrace. Joshua surrendered to the comfort being offered and wept away his tears of loss and grief for the brother that had been so cruelly ripped from his life.
Liam and Walter stepped back away from the doorway to give them some privacy. Liam fought to control his conflicting emotions. What had started out as a favour for Jonathan had brought Joshua into his life as a friend rather than just an acquaintance. Then they had found out that Jericho was dead and his heart had bled for his friend. The call that Walter had just made was a bright lining in an otherwise tragic tale, though. He couldn't wait to see Joshua's reaction...
Ten minutes later, Joshua was shown another album of pictures... one that temporarily robbed him of the power of speech. David had been married?!
The question in his eyes was clear to see.
Walter Todd gave him a gentle smile, saying, "Yes, he was married. There's more..."
"More?" asked an astounded Joshua.
"At the time of his death, his son was two years old."
"His son?!"
Liam grinned and said, "Oh, yeah. You're an uncle! Walter called Meredith and she and her son are on their way. They'll be here in an hour."
An Hour Later
Liam was fighting a losing battle not to grin as Joshua paced up and down the Todd's living room. He couldn't remember ever seeing the man so nervous. If it weren't such an emotional circumstance it would be funny.
This was the man that had put a Taelon on trial for murder - and won - and he was terrified about meeting an eight-year old and his mother!
Joshua paused in mid-step as the sound of car door slamming was heard in the driveway. He looked at Liam like a deer caught in headlights. Liam smiled a reassuring smile and whispered, "You'll be fine, Joshua."
A slender brunette with calm green eyes, wearing jeans and a blue shirt walked slowly into the living room. She looked the picture of tranquility but her clenched fists indicated that she wasn't quite as calm as she was making out.
The boy at her side was wearing jeans, scuffed sneakers and a pale green T-shirt. He had sandy hair and blue eyes and was - unbeknownst to anyone but Liam, who had seen the photos - the spitting image of Joshua at the same age.
Joshua and Meredith looked at each other for a long moment. He made the first move. He walked forward, hand outstretched, saying, "I'm pleased to meet you, Meredith; more pleased than you can ever know. How much has Walter told you?"
Shaking his outstretched hand, Meredith said, "Enough. I'm so happy to meet you. I'm just sorry that David never got the chance."
Joshua looked briefly at his nephew, saying, "Does he..."
"I told him in the car on the way over."
She put a gentle hand on her son's shoulder to move him to stand beside her. Softly, she said, "I'd like to introduce you to your nephew. This is my son, Joshua Todd."
Joshua Doors did a double take. "What?"
Meredith smiled sadly. "David insisted. As soon as we knew we were having a boy he insisted that his son had to be named Joshua. It was a feeling that he couldn't explain. He said that it just had to be Joshua. Now we know why..."
Smiling nervously, Joshua bent down to look at his nephew. Shyly, he said, "Hi there. I'm your Uncle Joshua. That's a bit of a shocker, eh?"
The boy looked at him solemnly.
"You were daddy's brother?"
Joshua nodded. "He was my twin."
Joshua rocked back on his heels as his nephew threw his arms around his neck and said with all the logic of a child, "If you were daddy's brother then you're my uncle. I love you."
Joshua returned the hug and whispered, "I love you, too."
There wasn't a dry eye in the room...
Two Days Later
Hattie looked over the tall, friendly looking young man that walked into the restaurant with Ronnie. Damn, that was a cute boy!
Ronnie smiled at her and kissed her cheek, saying, "Hattie, this is the friend you wanted to meet, Major Liam Kincaid."
The major, smiling, took her outstretched hand and shook it gently, murmuring, "A pleasure to meet you, at long last."
She smiled at them and said, "Both of you sit down. I want to hear the full story of Jericho Doors. The news services have only been told the bare bones, I know that much!"
Liam and Sandoval shared a grin. Solemnly, Liam said, "You were right. She is feisty."
He laughed aloud at Sandoval's martyred expression as she whacked him on the side of the head in exasperation.
"We will," he said. "First, I need to give you this." He handed her a sealed envelope.
"What is it?"
"Joshua asked Sandoval how he could express his gratitude to you for your help. That's the result. A cheque for one hundred thousand dollars for the charity of your choice; just fill in who you want it made out to. It's all arranged."
Liam smiled as Hattie beamed her delight. Obviously, Sandoval had been right in his assessment that she would want nothing for herself.
"Okay, Hattie. What do you want to know?"