Chapter 9 Hey, Cuz
HEY, CUZ
SYDNEY
At six-thirty, Caroline pulled into the garage of their parent’s two-story Alexandria home overlooking the Potomac River, and parked beside her mom’s car.
She got out, tapped the garage door opener attached to the wall.
Once the door shut, Sydney exited from the back seat, rubbing her neck.
On the ride over, she’d spent most of the time peering out the back window.
“My neck is killing me,” she said.
“You were a good lookout.” Caroline smiled. “Are you ready for a million questions, starting with your wig?”
Sydney had selected a short wig with light brown hair and bangs. On her eyes, she’d worn oversized sunglasses. Even with the tinted windows, she was prepared. More than prepared. And she was packing heat in more than one location. She housed her shades in her handbag.
“So ready.” Sydney stepped into the house and breathed in the familiar and comforting aromas.
I’m home.
More than the house itself, she adored the two people in it, and she couldn’t wait to see them. The delicious fragrance of a freshly baked apple pie filled her with joy. Though her mom worked full time, she always managed to bake something whenever they’d have a family dinner.
Her mom came bolting around the corner, the biggest smile on her beautiful face.
Kathrine Austin was a force in her own right.
Before marrying, Kathrine competed in the Olympics, winning bronze in the women's 50-meter freestyle and silver in the women’s 100-meter freestyle and relays.
Sydney got her athleticism from her mom.
Kathrine had worked at the National Security Agency for most of her career. While she didn’t talk about her work, both she and Caroline got the impression their mom’s job was clerical. Her mom would make comments like, “I’m a tiny cog in a giant wheel of big shots.”
But the thing Sydney loved most about her parents was their relationship.
For thirty-five years, they were the light to the darkness in the world.
They were best friends, choosing to do things with each other over anyone else.
Every single time. She’d heard her dad get “angry” with her mom a handful of times, but it was so foreign to all of them that her mom would burst out laughing, her dad too.
They’d apologize, kiss, and all would be right in their world.
Her mom was the heart of their family. Her dad, the guts.
For as long as Sydney could remember, her parents had been her rocks.
They didn’t drink, rarely cussed, but they did have their own secret fun.
Years earlier, Sydney had ventured into their huge walk-in closet in search of a dress…
only to discover a few racy outfits hanging in the back on her mom’s side.
If there was anything both she and Caroline wished, it was to have a relationship like them.
Instead of hugging them, their mom stopped short, her gigantic smile filling Sydney with love.
“I just want to take this in for a few seconds,” Kathrine Austin said. “The last time we were all together was Christmas.” Then, she barreled into them, enveloping them in a loving Mom embrace.
A myriad of emotions flooded Sydney. If she lost it with her mom, there would be no recovery. She’d turn into a blubbering mess. Clearing her throat, she clung to her mom until her dad entered the room.
“Daddy.” She broke away and hurried over, hugging him with so much force, he started laughing.
Mark Austin held her close. She breathed deep, appreciating the strength and the tenderness in his embrace. When she separated, he stared into her eyes, glanced at her wig. “Things got intense, huh?”
Lying to him would be futile. “Yeah, cray-cray.”
“Worse than usual?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Are you safe here?”
“I better be.”
Mark Austin was a retired police detective who taught civilians tactical training. He loved what he did, loved helping his students. A true people-person, he was well respected in law enforcement.
Sydney’s mom clasped her hand. “Can you wait to eat or are you two starving?”
“I’m fine,” Caroline replied.
“Same.” Sydney glanced around the clutter-free kitchen. “Are we going out?”
“Of course not,” her mom said. “When Caroline told us she needed to park in the garage, your dad called some of his security guard buddies. The house is being watched.”
Some of the tension gripping Sydney’s back released. “That’s great.”
“Let’s talk.” Her mom eyed Sydney’s wig, then her loose-fitting shirt. “Are you armed?”
Sydney lifted the oversized shirt revealing a belly band holster, her SIG Sauer at the ready. “And I’ve got one strapped to my ankle.”
“Good girl,” Mark said. “Caroline?”
Caroline pulled aside her leather jacket to reveal her holstered gun tucked under her arm.
“Excellent,” he said as he hugged his youngest hello.
“Let’s catch up for a few,” her mom said before moving toward the kitchen table.
The two sisters exchanged glances. Her mom sat ramrod straight. Yes, she had amazing posture, but the woman looked like she was holding court.
Here come the questions.
“We only have thirty minutes,” began their mom. “Aunt Valerie is coming for dinner and she has a surprise.”
“Maybe it’s her homemade fudge or brownies,” Sydney said.
“Those brownies are the best,” Caroline said.
“She told us to set an extra plate,” her dad said.
Sydney’s shoulders fell. “No fudge.”
“No brownies.” Caroline made a sad face.
Their dad pulled a pitcher of iced tea from the fridge.
As he got busy pouring four glasses, Mom said, “Dad and I think she has a new boyfriend.”
Years earlier, Aunt Valerie’s husband had died. To Sydney’s knowledge, she kept busy with work and stayed away from the dating sites.
Her dad set out the filled glasses before joining them at the kitchen table. “We missed you, Sydney.”
Sydney raised her glass. “Love you guys.” They toasted, then sipped the cold drink.
“How long are you home?” her mom asked her.
“No idea,” Sydney answered.
“Why the wig?” her dad asked.
“Bad hair day,” she replied, and Caroline barked out a laugh.
“Sydney, please,” her mom pushed back.
Sydney glanced from her mom to her dad, then paused on her sister who offered an encouraging nod.
“Someone on my team with was gunned down, so I’ve been told to lay low.”
Her mom flew to her side, pulling her into a hug. “Honey, I’m so sorry.”
Sydney had to stay strong, so she threw back her shoulders and said, “Thanks. She was a great Op and a good friend.”
As Kathrine sat back down, Sydney said, “I’m not staying at the condo, but I’m safe.”
“How can I help?” her dad asked.
Sydney regarded him. “Unfortunately, you can’t. The trail has gone cold. I’m chasing someone who’s identity is well hidden.”
“You don’t know what he looks like?” her mom asked, her eyes wide.
“I can’t get into it,” Sydney replied.
“Too late,” her dad said. “You’ve hooked Mom. She won’t be able to sleep.”
“Fine,” Sydney said, “but not a word. Not a hint of a word to anyone.”
Her parents nodded.
“I’ve been chasing an international sex trafficker and known misogynist who goes by King A. I took out his number-three man in Italy. My fellow Op took out his number two, but she got killed.” A sharp pain slashed her chest. She pushed out of the chair and turned away, trying to hide her grief.
Kathrine hurried over, caressed her back. Her mom’s comforting touch made all the difference. “Thanks, Mom.” She kissed her mom’s cheek.
“Pie,” her mom said. “Let’s have some.”
“Kath, you’ll ruin their appetite,” her dad said.
She and Caroline started laughing. This wasn’t the first time Mom had offered dessert as the cure-all. Wasn’t Dad’s first time objecting either.
“Mark, a sliver won’t hurt. Why don’t you take the flank steaks out of the fridge while I plate the pie?”
“Yes, dear.”
Caroline and Sydney shared a smile. She loved watching her parents do their “thing”. It was part annoying, part sweet, but always entertaining.
Sydney pulled four dessert plates upon which her mom placed four of the slimmest pieces of pie she’d ever seen. Instead of sitting back down, the family stood around the quartz center island and savored the yummy treat.
“Mom, mygod,” Caroline said. “Your best ever.”
Kathrine beamed. “I’m happy you like it.”
“Thank you, Mom,” Sydney said after swallowing down a mouthful of sweetened apples and flaky crust. “I feel better already.”
Truth was, she didn’t, but she knew her parents would spend half the night talking about her, the other half tossing in bed.
“Where’s this King A now?” her dad asked, bringing them back on point.
“No idea,” Sydney replied. “But I’m going to find him.”
“How, if you don’t know what he looks like?” asked her mom.
“I have no idea, but I will never give up.”
“That’s my girl,” her dad said. “Fight ‘til the end.”
“Don’t say anything to Aunt Valerie,” Sydney said.
“Of course not,” her mom replied. “Help me remember, what’re your covers?”
“I work in cosmetics,” Caroline replied. “Right now, I’m consulting for several major brands.”
“And I’m an analyst for—” Sydney shifted toward Caroline— “Ohgod, I can’t remember.”
“You’re an analyst for the Department of Commerce,” Caroline replied. “You work in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.”
“NTIA, baby,” Sydney said with a chuckle.
“What does your fake job entail?” Dad asked.
“Telecom policies,” Sydney replied. “And then I’ll redirect the convo to something else. I’ll tell them I’ve been busy shopping for a speedboat.”
Their laughter felt like medicine for her tortured soul. Her spirits lifted a little, and she leaned close and hugged her dad. “Love you guys so much.”
“What’s going on with the wedding plans?” Mom asked Caroline.
For the first time in months, Sydney felt like she could breathe. She hated putting her family at risk by being there, but knowing the house was well guarded eased her concerns. The ThunderStrike team her dad had hired was the best.
Maybe I can relax for a few hours.
The doorbell rang.