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Автор: Anastasia

"A ship wrack? In Bermudas? But that’s impossible! We’d have known, we still have friends in O.S.I.R.," I knew the questions were mainly rhetorical but replied: "You know, Connor, it may be a coax. And who is the mysterious friend who wrote it?"

"Well," Connor was again his old self," I’ll let this letter examined so we could know about the "friend"."

He sounded casual but I knew his thoughts were again in Bermuda Triangle, the place that had a strong influence on him.

AJ stared at us: "Are you worried, Daddy?" Sometimes it seemed to me she could read our thoughts because for a little girl of four she asked astonishing questions and was never wrong about the way we felt. Connor stooped down: "No, it’s all right. It’s not your fault. You better go and take Sunny, we’re leaving for the university now and you should be in your kindergarten."

AJ looked at me, unbelieving but I nodded: "Go on, lovey, get ready." She left the room, obviously reluctant.

"Let’s talk about the letter later," I proposed, "after you’ve examined it." Connor smiled: "You sound exactly like AJ. Everything is going to be all right."

I looked into his face and believed him.

I was too absent – minded during the day to concentrate on my work which brought no consolation I so badly required. Finally I called Peter. He was like always delighted to see me and I was sorry to talk to him about my worries but I needed someone to talk to and I knew Connor now was not the right person.

"Pete, we’ve got an anonymous letter today, telling about a wrack in the Bermuda Triangle."

"Sounds like fun," Axon answered unconcerned.

"Pete, what if it’s true? Connor will want to go there, I’m damned sure he’ll do it. To save people," I talked on, while Peter patiently listened. Then he finally said: "And if he goes, what will you do?"

I feared he’d ask this question. I stared out of the window at the green lane in front of the university. Everything was so calm and peaceful. An idyllic I didn’t want to destroy. But it seemed we were not destined for such a life, Connor and me.

And I replied Peter the only right way: "I’ll come with him. I won’t let Connor go away from me any more."

Pete didn’t answer.

In the evening we were sitting at the table and discussing the matter.

"I couldn’t find any finger prints or any other clue," Connor reported. "Looks like we’ve got a really secret matter."

"But I don’t know anything about it," Anton interrupted, "don’t you think I’d know it?"

Connor shrugged: "I don’t know and I’m not quite sure about the whole matter. But I think I should go there."

Rachel looked from me to Peter: "Isn’t it dangerous?"

"You wouldn’t know until you find out," Peter answered.

Catherine turned to Anton: "Anton, I’m not sure whether we should let Connor go. I think it’s only a trick."

Connor only smiled: "Catherine, look, if it’s a trick I’ll find out. If not, it’s worth the lives I could save there."

I felt I had to interfere: "Connor, I don’t know whether it’ll stop you or not, but I’m going to come with you. I won’t let you go there on your own."

Silence fell over the table, no one talked. Until someone from behind talked: "Mommy, where are you going from me?"

I turned around and looked directly into AJ’s gray eyes, filled with tears.

I walked around the house, looking into every room, my heart tightening. Everything was going to be just fine, I reassured myself; I’ll be away for only two weeks. But I couldn’t get rid of a strange spell, a kind of bad premonition. Today we were leaving. No matter how Connor tried to cajole me into staying I firmly put down my feet and there was nothing he could do about it. I think he was glad to have me around but both Connor and me were worried because of AJ. She was petrified as she found out that we were going away and she was staying behind. At first she cried and asked me to take her with us but I tried my best to explain to her that we couldn’t take such a little child with us. I hated to leave Anne Julia behind, my heart was bleeding but nothing could be changed. We had to investigate the case and Connor was right that little children just couldn’t join such an expedition.

Now she was downstairs with Peter and Rachel. Connor thought it would be better for AJ to stay with them while we were away and I agreed with him. It was the best place for her and besides Peter adored the child. Now I slowly made my way down the stairs and out of the house.

AJ rushed over to me: "Mommy, please don’t go away. Tell Daddy he should stay here as well."

I looked down at my little daughter and wished I could do as she said. AJ gave up crying, even as a baby she cried seldom, but there was a lost expression in her eyes that I hated. She looked so small and vulnerable but I knew she was able to cope better than I did.

"AJ, darling, we’re only going away for a fortnight," I bent down and picked her up. "

But it feels like eternity. I will miss you so much!" she whispered.

"I’ll miss you too, honey, but we’ll soon be back," I promised. The car was ready. I put down AJ.

As I turned to go, she spoke up again: "And what if not?"

I span around and hugged her: "AJ, remember, no matter where we are and no matter what happens, we will always be together, I’ll always stay you mother and dad your father. I promise I’ll watch over you."

"Good bye, Mummy."

As the car drove away, I could still see her, standing at the gates, Peter holding her hand. Watching me in a way I knew I’d never be able to forget. How could I know I saw her for the last time?

Within two days we were on board of a boat that would bring us to the Bermudas. Connor spent all his time with cards and I did my best to help him but no matter what I did, I kept seeing AJ at the gates, long dark curls blowing in the wind, gray eyes filled with despair.

"Thinking about Anne Julia?" I didn’t notice Connor coming up the deck. "Yes," I admitted. It was no use lying to Connor. "

The same with me. I hope you understand that we only went because we can save lives. If it’s not too late," he was staring ahead of him, seeing something I couldn’t notice.

"I know, honey, I understand. Remember how we went here last time? It was five years ago," I looked up in his face.

"A long time," smiled Connor, "so much changed. And what’s important: changed for the better."

"Oh well, here’s my Mr. Doyle speaking," at this moment my cellular phone rang. "See you later, professor doctor," I gave him a peck on the cheek and went down to talk to Anton. When I returned, Connor was already gone, working in his cabin.

I couldn’t fall asleep this night. There was a storm coming and the sea was already showing the first sign of a thunderstorm.

Finally I fell into a deep and troubled sleep.

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