"It still scares me, Mom."

"I know, Skyler, but..." Marlene paused as their waitress brought a tray containing the tea and scones. After placing down their order Skyler and her mother were left alone. Marlene continued speaking. "I know you're scared but we are doing all we can. I can't just pull the plug on my project. The possibilities are endless."

Picking up the white china teapot their waitress had provided, Skyler poured her and her mother a cup of tea. Her thoughts mulled over Marlene's words. She didn't want to argue with her but Skyler knew she wouldn't feel content until the mysterious 'Dr Kleein' was discovered.

"Let's just hope everything gets straightened out soon then."

"Yes." Marlene took a sip of her tea. "I have faith in Mark."

Skyler grinned. "Oh, I'm sure you do, Mom."

"Skyler Tidwell, what exactly are you implying?"

The blonde held up her hands. "Nothing... please believe me, there are some topics I can do without getting a visual on."

"And I shouldn't take offence by that because?"

"You're my mom!"

"Okay... I can accept that. I had a mother myself too." Taking a bite out of her scone, Marlene thought back to that morning when she had picked her daughter up to go shopping. "So, tell me more about how things are going with you and Addison."

Back at Special Operations H.Q., Addison Black poked her head around the door to General Blithe's outer office. Sitting at her desk was Antonia Bakersfield, diligently working her way through a computerised doc.u.ment. She looked up at Addison's voice.

"Afternoon."

"Addison!" Antonia looked past Addison to the garment bag she held over her shoulder. "Been shopping?"

"Just a couple of things." Addison held up a dark green shopping bag containing her sash. "Reminded me how much I hate it though."

"I could have told you that... how many times have I had to do it for you!"

"Good point." Pulling the garment bag from over her shoulder, Addison draped it over her left arm. "The General in there?"

Miss Bakersfield rose from her desk. "No, he went down to Samuel's lab. He's testing a new project. I was going down there myself if you fancy a butchers?"

Addison shook her head. "You've spent way too long in the capitol, Miss Bakersfield. The first time I find you eating jellied eels I'm calling for help."

Laughing, Antonia shut down her computer and approached Addison. The agent held out her free arm and Antonia hooked hers through Addison's.

"Escort you to Sam's lab, Miss?"

"Thank you, kind ma'am." Antonia smiled as she and Addison made their way towards Samuel's laboratory.

Within the closed confines of an elevator, Antonia lifted the corner of Addison's garment bag. "A dress? I thought you were wearing dress uniform?"

"I am. This is for Skyler Tidwell."

"Oh, I see."

The lift doors slid open and both women stepped out into the corridor towards Samuel's testing facility. Smaller rooms to the left and right of them were empty. Addison realised it was likely all scientists were in with Samuel and the General waiting to witness the unveiling of Samuel's new gadget. Of course, Addison was just as interest and sped up her gait to Samuel's lab. She opened the door allowing Antonia to enter first.

"Ma'am."

Antonia smiled as she tucked a lock of long dark hair behind her ear. "Thank you."

They walked into the laboratory, instantly finding Samuel's new source of attraction. Addison draped her garment bag over a nearby chair and placed the second bag on its seat. Addison approached the object, that although she considered visually stunning, she wondered what exactly it was. A crowd of men and women gathered around the attraction, General Blithe stood beside Samuel.

"Okay... you've got me," Addison called out. "What on earth is it?" She pointed to what she presumed was a helicopter only it held no rotating blades above and its whole shape appeared similar to that of a shark. Or possibly a whale, Addison thought. It was black, sleek and the windows were tinted dark and reflective.

"This is the first prototype," Samuel answered. He jotted notes onto a clipboard.

"Of?"

"A new type of transportation. It may take a few years before it can be used in the field but this is the first working model."

Addison stepped closer. Tilting her head she bent her knees slightly and looked underneath the machine. What she found were intricately constructed panels surrounding four circular funnels. They appeared no more than two inches thick and the approximate diameter of each was that of a dinner plate. The agent frowned.

"What's it called?"

"I'm calling her 'The Air Shark, Grava-Force PT1'."

"Hmm... concise," Addison commented. "And how does it work?"

"Dr. Perkins was just about to explain," Mark Blithe said.

Addison held up a hand. "Sorry." She mimed locking her lips together and handed the invisible key to Miss Bakersfield. The secretary took it and placed the non-existent object down into her cleavage.

"You know where it is when you want it."

Addison winked and nodded in amus.e.m.e.nt. She turned back to look at Samuel when an approaching figure to her right caught her attention. Addison looked to see Quinton Zimmerman stand by her.

"What are you...?"

"Don't want to miss the show now do I."

Addison rolled her eyes. "That reminds me. I have a bone to pick with you."

"Hey... if it's about the Spas, it was one of those freak happenings."

"Yeah, freaky... I could have..."

"Shhh," Quinton said, cutting her off. "Have to be quiet, remember?"

With Antonia to her left, Quinton to her right and Blithe and Samuel in front of her, Addison silenced in order to listen to Perkins' presentation.

"Well guys and gals," Samuel began. "As I said I call this 'The Air Shark Grava-Force PT1'. One day soon I hope it will replace the military's current use of the helicopter. It works by a way of refracting with the earths natural magnetic core to lift it above the ground. A super silent engine pushes Air Shark across the sky at a current speed of Mack One. At the moment she runs on the usual jet engine fuel but I am designing a new type of engine unlike anything ever invented before." Samuel looked to General Blithe as though seeking permission to say more about that.

"What kind of engine?" Quinton asked.

Blithe nodded in affirmation but something in the eye contact between Blithe and Perkins captured Addison's curiosity.

"Well," Samuel began. "I'm working on an engine that runs on a particular gas."

"What form of gas?" Antonia enquired.

"That is the amazing part." Samuel's expression grew with excitement. "It will be initially powered by solar energy; then the use of a small capsule of the gas to start it up. This then turns to kinetic energy to establish the process of taking carbon dioxide out of the air and using that as a fuel. This pushes the machine through the atmosphere and the exhaust fumes released are nothing more than oxygen."

"That's amazing," said Giles Philips, a Special operation's agent.

"Incredible," said another.

Addison looked to Zimmerman who arched his eyebrows at her before asking Samuel, "And you have started tests on this?"

"It's in process."

The congregated group of scientists and agents seemed to hang on every word Samuel said. Addison's eyes scanned each face, suspecting that one of them was possibly their traitor and Agnes Brodie's superior in the plot to steal Project Gemini. Turning her eyes to the General, Addison stepped forward and stood behind him.

"In ten minutes I shall be commencing the first low level test flight of Air Shark." Samuel grinned as his colleagues began clapping.

Addison tapped General Blithe upon the shoulder. "A word?"

Mark turned to the agent. "Of course, Addison." Side by side General and Captain stepped away from the crowd. Once an adequate distance away, Addison stopped. "What is it?" Mark asked.

"That's what I'm wondering." Addison replied. "An engine that runs on solar power, a gas capsule, kinetic energy and a conversion process of carbon dioxide to oxygen? What's that all about? Is this even real?"

"It's parts of several ideas Samuel came to me with last month. All pretty much at the beginning drawing board stage but..."

"But you hope to feed false information to our traitor to see if this data is used for personal gain or power play."

"Although I'm conducting my own investigation, yes. Samuel came to me with the idea. It certainly won't do any harm."

"Yeah." Addison looked back to where Samuel, Quinton and Antonia stood off to one side conversing. "And what if Sam's the traitor?"

"I've not ignored that possibility." Mark pushed his hands into his pockets. "But I'm exploring every avenue possible. Right now everybody's a suspect. Even one percent of me suspects you, Addison."

The agent shrugged. "Natural caution. I'd say one percent of me suspects you too. As I know d.a.m.n good and well it isn't myself, I feel like I should be offended you do suspect me... but I'm not. Everybody's a suspect." Addison looked back over at the groups of people. She scanned each one in turn until finis.h.i.+ng with Sam, Quinton and Miss Bakersfield. "I know it isn't me and I only have a one percent suspicion it's you or even Skyler Tidwell. Apart from that, I suspect everybody. I have to."

"What about Marlene?" The General asked.

"I'm sorry, Mark, but to me she is a suspect too. What better way to regain control of her project than to take it underground? I mean...did Brodie really know whom she was working for? Marlene disappeared from our secure lodgings just a little too easily." Addison turned from watching her friends back to Mark. "However, saying that, I still believe the traitor is here with us right now."

Mark nodded as they both looked back at the conversing scientists and agents. "So do I, Addison. So do I."

Chapter 27.

Just a short time now Dr. Kleein thought as the gloved fingers of the villain gently returned the sealed vial to its padded and secured nest. Getting the vial into the gala will be no problem for someone as smart as I am. Thoughts turned to how easy it had been to obtain the ricin that had been inserted into the tuberculosis mycobacterium. The right contacts with the right funding and you can get anything, even the world's deadliest poison.

Although not outwardly affluent, "Dr. Kleein" had combined a substantial inheritance with inside information and currently had ama.s.sed an impressive portfolio of stocks, bonds, real estate in many countries and cash. The 'doctor's' real ident.i.ty might be unknown, but the influence of the Kleein name was not.

Tonight the Hyde application of Project Gemini comes into full flower. Then I will be in a position to command the world's attention and destroy Addison Black and everything she holds dear. With that, the gloves were removed and preparations for the Special Operations gala begun.

Addison Black was removing her dress uniform from the protective plastic bag it had inhabited for the past few months. She remembered wearing it to Jimmy Easton's funeral, a far different occasion than this evening. I got my revenge for you, Jimmy. Agnes Brodie received exactly what she deserved and tonight I drink to her demise and your memory. No more bad memories though, Jimmy, because tonight I intend on making new memories. Very good memories with Skyler.

Addison lifted the green sash she would wear across the uniform, the decoration changing the somber nature of the garment to a celebratory one.

Yes, the good memories start tonight with her.

Skyler closed the door after generously tipping the delivery boy. The large box, clearly from Harrod's, was wrapped in the distinctive green color. She knew it was from Addison as the messenger had been fully screened and cleared by Security downstairs. Taking the large box to the kitchen table, she opened it to find a small white card. In a bold script it read, This frock is very humble, but, like Cinderella, it would be transformed if you were to don it for the gala. Please wear it, Skyler.

Yours, Addison Skyler spread the tissue paper to reveal a stunning emerald green gown with sophisticated lines and a daring neckline. Humble frock, my backside! Skyler knew high fas.h.i.+on when she saw it and the gown she held was as far from humble as caviar was from turnips. She brought the gown up in front of her, catching her reflection from the mirror situated on the wall across the room. Her breath caught at the sheer beauty of the garment.

Oh Addison, it's spectacular she thought. You are undoubtedly the most generous, most wonderful and most romantic person I've ever met. This dress is even going to outs.h.i.+ne the one Mom picked out. I just love it she admitted to herself as she twirled the gown around the living room. I love the color, I love... The thought caused Skyler to stop her dance and look at herself in the mirror again.

Marlene was smoothing a fragrant cream into her skin after stepping from a rose scented bath mere minutes before. She hoped her hands would be replaced later by Mark Blithe's and a trail of gooseflesh lifted in the wake of her fingers.

The professor decided this special night was going to be even more special. Tonight she would go with her feelings and invite Mark into her bed and her heart. She had every indication and hope that he would accept. They had grown ever closer and she could no longer deny the powerful pull of the very attractive man.

She swallowed nervously with the revelation that she was on a path she had not taken in a very long time. She resumed applying the cream to her skin as she glanced over to the red dress she would be wearing to the gala. I hope you recognize the significance of the sash tonight, Mark, because I'm staking my claim on you. I think I'm about to give everyone the surprise of their lives at the gala.

Mark Blithe fumbled with the decorations on his black jacket, wis.h.i.+ng for at least the tenth time that battle ribbons and medals weren't part of the dress uniform. Securing the last of them, he surveyed his work. Not bad for an old bachelor soldier he mused. He had never enjoyed official functions, but this time he looked forward to it with antic.i.p.ation. He allowed himself the luxury of thinking about the ball ahead and pictured the scene of his triumph.

As he began to dress for the occasion, he frowned. Addison's comments earlier in the week about the traitor were disturbing. She was nearing the truth, he was certain and he had his suspicion that he was not immune to her questions. He would need to do something to turn her attention elsewhere, someplace more productive. The search for the traitor needs to be directed, and directed by me he thought. Maybe Miss Bakersfield can be of some a.s.sistance.

Antonia Bakersfield was leaning forward across her vanity table making little kissing motions with her lips and adjusting her lipstick according to the look she saw in the mirror.

Got to look my best tonight she thought as she slipped on her earrings. They complimented her choice of black satin gown perfectly. I'm glad I decided not to wear my uniform. I'm sure Addison will give me much more notice in this.

A large orange tabby cat leaped up onto the vanity and watched her mistress spritz perfume behind each ear, along her neck and into her cleavage. Antonia turned her head from side to side with an appraising look. Addison Black, you're in for a few surprises tonight. She rose from the vanity table and left her bedroom, picking up her evening bag on the way. Dropping in a few necessities, she checked her watch. Her escort for the evening, Quinton Zimmerman, was due to arrive any minute * * *

In one of London's innumerable black cabs, Quinton Zimmerman settled comfortably into the back seat. He was relaxed and confident. His target was in sight and he wouldn't let the night end without completing his mission. He gave an amused chuckle, earning him a glance from the driver in the rear view mirror.

Quinton glanced at the man and winked. Too bad you aren't in my shoes tonight, mate, he thought. There will be a few raised eyebrows when I make my move.

As the streets slowly pa.s.sed he reviewed the past several days. He had been impressed with the presentation he had witnessed regarding the new transportation device. He thought the invention could potentially be worth millions or even billions of pounds. It was a sum of money he wouldn't mind having at his disposal. Maybe Special Operations didn't know what a genius they had in Samuel Perkins, but Quinton did.