Chapter 45
Sam brought the wines, all French, of course.
Fritz and Linzy arrived early. Rick was still postponing the bar exam and uncertain of his future.
With his older brother still missing, he found it impossible to focus.
Eva happily made the ten-hour drive from Emory to join the party and see if it was actually possible to celebrate.
The families had never been close but always friendly.
Paul’s kidnapping had not exactly bound them together, but they were determined to support one another.
Chelsea saw the Tanners at least once a week and knew they were not doing well.
They were sleepwalking through the nightmare of losing a son, while at the same time struggling financially.
They were living in a small condo, missing their beloved home, and facing an uncertain future.
She assured them the money they owed to her parents was not an issue, but as proud people they found it impossible to ignore.
They would not rest until it was repaid.
As for Chelsea, she was a model of positive thinking, even cheerleading.
The video of Paul, as heartbreaking as it was, at least proved he was still alive.
She had convinced herself that his return was imminent because she knew he was mentally and physically tough.
Through sheer willpower, she endured each day with forced enthusiasm and refused to ruin it with negative thoughts.
A good therapist was helping mightily. Sam was her rock, her confidant and best friend.
He, too, put on a good front and was eternally positive.
They talked several times a day and went to movies and new restaurants.
She enjoyed hanging around his bar and chatting with the college students who gathered there.
Paul was coming home, and when that wonderful day arrived they would finish their honeymoon in fine fashion and get on with their lives.
Agent Dyer was a trusted source of little useful information, but he kept in contact and was as supportive as possible.
Though always careful with his opinions, he believed that a “solution” was in the works, though he wasn’t sure what it might be.
The FBI was monitoring everything, but he was quick to say it had no jurisdiction.
Paul Tanner was a security matter being handled by the CIA and Pentagon, and so far there were no leaks from those guys.
He assured her the U.S. government had given its three ex-servicemen the highest priority.
Over cocktails, Chelsea passed along the latest from Dyer and spun it with as much optimism as possible. Then they sat down for dinner, held hands, and gave thanks for life and health. They toasted Paul and prayed for his safety. They even managed to share some laughs.
—
On the same day, Rae Claire and Stuart Nash announced their plans for a rather sudden wedding on December the tenth in Friar’s Chapel, a tiny church in Georgetown and a favorite for couples wanting more modest ceremonies.
They did so on social media and also with a small paid announcement in the Washington Journal.
Their families were given a heads-up, and were shocked.
Rae Claire’s mother and sister called immediately with a dozen questions.
They were concerned but at the same time relieved.
She was, after all, almost thirty-three years old.
Sharon was two years younger and truly happy that her big sis would marry first. Jenn quickly recovered from the surprise and began making plans, none of which appealed to Rae Claire. The wedding tension began.
Mr. and Mrs. Nash were likewise caught off guard but soon came around. Stuart was thirty-one and they believed he wanted to settle down. Mindy, his nosy little sister, had doubts about his fiancée but knew to keep quiet. She also knew she didn’t have a vote in the matter.
Rae Claire provided detailed plans to both families that left little doubt who was in charge.
Only sixty-five guests would be invited, with the Nash family getting a few more seats than the Russos.
Stuart had more relatives, most of whom were not on the list. Of those who made the cut, he secretly hoped only a few would attend.
The entire show was a sham, though a legal one in all regards.
He could almost feel the embarrassment of a quick split only a few months after the vows.
If I survive, he kept telling himself.
Rae Claire seemed not to be bothered by the sham.
It was an integral part of the operation, one she had created, and she was determined to make it succeed.
Her future with the agency was her only real concern, and to that end she was willing to sacrifice.
She had never been certain that she was cut out for marriage anyway.
A quick but necessary divorce would not slow her down.
The wedding would be a nondenominational affair with a yet-to-be-determined chaplain doing the honors.
There would be no best man and no bridesmaids, which upset Sharon and Mindy.
It would take place at 5 p.m. at the chapel, and be followed by a lovely dinner in a nearby restaurant.
The bride and groom explained that they had saved enough money to cover the entire cost. Thus, there would be no expenses for the families, other than the weekend travel to Washington.
In private, the couple amused themselves with the knowledge that the American taxpayers would pick up the tab for everything—ring, gown, tuxedo, invitations, church rental, flowers, chaplain, and reception dinner.
The following day, Sunday, they would jet off to Paris for a lovely honeymoon, also paid for by another account hidden somewhere deep inside Langley.
The announcement brought the expected inquiries from dozens of friends, virtually all expressing surprise but also congratulations.
Most of Rae Claire’s friends, and there were not that many, had not met Stuart Nash.
Most of his friends were still in North Carolina and didn’t know he was involved in such a serious romance.
Formal invitations were dropped in the mail that day and would be followed by e-invites.
—
The evening of the announcement, Nash was working out in the basement gym of his apartment complex.
An attractive divorcée named Carmen had caught his attention and they had been flirting.
She was about forty, fit and nicely toned, and he had been entertaining thoughts.
She lived alone and only one floor below him.
Since it had been established by his fiancée that physical involvement was not in the equation, he naturally had been looking around.
Early on in their courtship he had joked about consummating their marriage prior to the actual wedding, but those jokes had ceased.
Rae Claire seemed to have no interest, and he had concluded that she did not find him at all sexy.
The feelings were mutual, but why not have a romp or two?
Why not have a fling and test the waters?
What the hell are we going to do in Paris?
Carmen was making the right moves and there was an attraction.
However, Nash had become paranoid about almost everybody.
She could easily be working for the same bunch of spooks and baiting him.
He saw no real danger in taking the bait, but wasn’t sure what would happen then.
He was committed to the operation and couldn’t risk compromising himself.
It took discipline to say no when she suggested a drink at her place. Hell, they probably have cameras in her bedroom.
He felt like such a loser when he declined, but reassured himself when he went to bed, alone.