[Quinn 04] - The Silenced

In addition to Nate and Quinn, there were only three other people present. Two were reading books, while the third, an older gentleman, seemed interested in some birds on the path. None were threats.

Quinn motioned to a bench in a deserted corner. They sat. It was over a minute, though, before he finally spoke. “What I’m going to tell you goes no further than between you and me.”

“How’s that different from anything else?”

“This isn’t anything else. This isn’t about a job.”

“Orlando?” Nate asked, unable to keep the worry from his voice.

“No. She’s fine.”

“Okay. Then, what is it?”

Quinn stared at Nate, his face hard. “I have your word, your blood oath, that you will never tell anyone what I’m about to tell you.”

“Of course you have my word. You shouldn’t even have to ask that,” Nate said. “What the hell is going on?”

Quinn took a moment, knowing he was about to break his most important taboo. “My personal life may have been … compromised.”

It took a second, then Nate said, “Oh, God. How far back?”

“All the way,” Quinn said.

Nate digested the information, then asked, “Is that why we’re in Paris and not London?”

Again, Quinn hesitated. He couldn’t help it. It was a reflex he’d honed over many years. Finally, he nodded. “You remember a couple of weeks ago, when I was out of town?”

“Sure.”

“I was attending my father’s funeral.”

“I’m sorry,” Nate said. “I had no idea.”

“How could you? I didn’t tell you.”

“I really am sorry.”

“We weren’t close,” Quinn said. “Don’t worry about it.”

“So the funeral has something to do with us being here?”

“Only in the sense that you need to know about it.”

Again, Nate looked confused.

“You’re going to meet someone who was there, and if she mentions it I don’t want you to be surprised.”

“All right. That makes sense. Who is it?”

“Her name is Liz,” Quinn said. “She’s … my sister.”

Nate stared at Quinn, surprised.

“She’s studying at the Sorbonne,” Quinn explained. “We’re here because she might be in danger. I want to make sure that doesn’t happen.” He paused. “But to do that, I need your help.”

Nate didn’t even hesitate. “Whatever you need, I’m there.”

“Thanks.”

“Is there anyone else you’re worried about?”

Quinn hesitated. Again, this was sacred ground. But he had no choice. “My mother. Orlando’s with her right now.”

“Whoa,” Nate said, shaking his head. It was a lot to take in. But like the professional he’d become, he seemed to quickly adjust and move on. “What do you need me to do?”

“I’m not one hundred percent sure yet. Liz and I, we aren’t exactly on the best of terms.”

“I sense a pattern. Does your mother hate you, too?”

Quinn shot him a withering look.

“I’m sorry,” Nate said. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“It’s complicated,” Quinn said. “And no, my mother doesn’t hate me.”

“Well, that’ll save you some therapy at least.… Sorry. Shouldn’t have said that either.”

In the distance, the old man who had been watching the birds started walking down the path toward their bench. His gait was slow, almost a shuffle.

“Does your sister know what you do?” Nate asked.

“Of course not,” Quinn said. “Wait. Does anyone in your past know what you do?”

“No.”

“I’m serious, Nate. Have you told anyone what you do? Have you even hinted about it?”

“No. No one.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. And how did this suddenly become about me?”

Quinn leaned back, duly chastened. Nate was right. He’d momentarily channeled his anxiety into the possibility that his apprentice had screwed up.

“Liz thinks I’m in the international banking business. My mother thinks so, too.”

Nate had heard Quinn use the cover with other civilians in the past. “At least you can use that to explain why you’re in town.”

“Yeah,” Quinn said.

After a moment, Nate asked, “What’s Orlando setting up for your mom?”

Quinn explained the plan he and Orlando had worked out.

“When did you call your mom?”

“When we were waiting for the plane in Newark.”

“She go for it?” Nate asked.

“She didn’t say no. Secretly, I think she’s probably happy to have company. It’s been less than a month since she lost her husband.”

The old man had advanced down the path, but was still out of earshot. Quinn gave him a glance, then turned back to Nate.

“So what’s the plan?” Nate asked. “Are we just going to keep an eye on her?”

“I’m not sure. I’m still trying to figure that out.”

“Do you know what Liz’s living situation is?” Nate asked.

Quinn nodded.

“Does she have any roommates?”

“No.”

“So only a one-bedroom apartment.”

“Yes.”

“I assume she has a couch,” Nate said.

“Of course she has a couch.”

“Then why can’t we do a variation on what Orlando’s doing with your mom? You introduce me as a friend who needs a place to stay for a little while. I can crash on her couch and watch the inside. You can get someone to help you watch the perimeter. Done and done.”

The old man moved into hearing range, so Quinn and Nate fell silent.