Cloud Dust: RD-1 (R-D #1)(16)

"That makes two of us."

*

"We can't barge into the President's office and tell her she made a mistake," Shaw said.

We'd chosen a familiar haunt away from the Mansion to have our discussion—a small, nearby park devoid of bugs and listening devices. Thankfully, the Hound was still at the Mansion, or he might have heard what we said.

"Look, we both know Cutter was one of her picks for the Vice President's position when he ran for the presidency—as a conciliatory move after she won the nod at the primaries. The polls showed Flint was a better fit, so Cutter backed out. He's been kissing presidential ass for a while," I shook my head. "He's been retired from the military for eight years, in case he got the nod for Secretary of Defense. He was just waiting for this to come along so he could continue to rub us the wrong way."

"How long did Parrish act as his assistant?"

"Four years. The information I have says he's in Cutter's pocket, all the way, although he's been working in other departments for the military."

"Captain Dalton Parrish, here to spy on everything," Shaw sighed. "Everything will go right back to Cutter."

"What has the President told him already?" I snorted. "We'll be lucky if we're not shipped to Alaska."

"Or shoved onto a submarine," Shaw agreed. "I hate those things."

"What about the President's upcoming conference at Camp David?" I said. "She'll want Maye and Nick there, for sure."

"I hear she may take all of them," Shaw said.

"If that's the case, she'll ask for Corinne, too. And the Russian."

"I hate Camp David," Shaw muttered.

*

"We have information."

"What information?" Dmitri lifted an eyebrow. He was acting as the Soviet Ambassador until someone else was appointed.

"Just a conversation," the informant shrugged. "But the Russian was mentioned. I believe you know what that could mean."

"I'll make contact immediately," Dmitri said and nodded his dismissal.

*

Corinne

"You won't be smiling if I lose my coffee all over you," I said.

Rafe/Ilya was still grinning (the bastard) as he stared down at me. I was flat on my back, with his arm pressed against my throat. At least I wasn't gasping for breath, and I would have been if he'd pushed harder.

"You think I haven't gotten worse than that?" he said before leaning back and letting me up.

"I hope it was unpleasant every time," I said, struggling to rise. He didn't offer a hand.

Just as I'd feared, all five of the Five had shown up to watch my beating. I had no physical defense against this man. He knew it. They knew it. I knew it. "I'll bet you beat up kittens in your spare time," I rubbed my left hip—I'd landed on it after the last attack.

"I like cats," he responded, stepping back.

"That doesn't mean I'll like you any better," I snapped, "just because we both like cats."

"I expect you to go through those exercises we did earlier every morning. I don't care how sore you are," he said. "We're done today."

"Thank God," I muttered and walked stiffly toward the door.

"God had nothing to do with it. You should thank me," he said. I heard the Five laughing as I left the gym.

*

"I can't walk. That's how my lessons went," I said. Dr. Shaw arrived shortly after I got out of the shower, just to see how my beating had gone.

"We need to discuss the list," he said, taking a seat at my kitchen island and nodding when I offered coffee.

"You know how I feel about that," I said. Moving my arms felt like moving lead weights as I dropped a coffee pod into the brewer and hit the button. I figured I wouldn't be able to move anything later in the day, but didn't point that out to Dr. Shaw. I'd take ibuprofen and hope to get through it.

"Corinne, we know sex can relieve stress, as well as offering other benefits. You've ignored this as long as you've been in the Program. I think it's time you did something about it."

"Who's asking now?" I huffed, handing the fresh cup of coffee to him. I noticed my hand wasn't particularly steady as I did so.

"Dalton Parrish has added his name to the list. You know just about any male with breath in his body here at the Mansion is on that list."

"I don't want Dalton Parrish. That should be clear enough. If I don't take any of them, then none of them can be offended. Right?" I stuffed another pod into the brewer and shoved a thumb against the button.

"Corinne, if somebody you do want isn't on that list, you can add your name to their list," he said.

"Nope. Not going there, either." I figured part of Becker's animosity toward me had to do with the fact that I'd ignored his name, just like all the others. The sad truth? We were only allowed to get close to somebody associated with the Program. If we wanted somebody from outside, that was considered a security breach. Dr. Shaw saw the need for intimate contact among the survivors of Cloud Dust, and had no trouble hooking the others up.

I was the one who balked.

I had my reasons.