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"You mean you already know the girl?" Mat could hardly believe his ears.
"Yes, I do. She's Elisa Doyle," Lindsay answered firmly.
The child was sitting on her knees, attentively watching Praeger, who paced across the room. "Eh… Lindsay, could I talk to you? Alone?" he certainly meant Elisa. Without saying anything the girl stood up and looked at Lindsay.
She smiled: "We'll discuss it later darling, o.k.?" She watched Elisa go and Praeger could see in her glance tenderness he never mentioned before.
"What do you think you're doing?" he started. "We're coming here with an official investigation and you rush out of the car and returns five minutes later with a girl from nowhere, trying to prove it's a daughter of some Doyle, your old Case Manager who died three years ago. Lindsay, have you already thought of a little holiday?"
"Mat," she even sounded softer, "it is Elisa, I have met a woman who can tell you the whole story."
"O.K., this little - one is Doyle's daughter but you must understand only one thing: she doesn't exist, Lindsay. There are no papers at all that say when or where she was born. She has never been born on this planet, you don't have to believe me, look for yourself in the Data Banks."
"But she is real, Mat. You do see her. Or perhaps you want to say you have changed your mind about the aliens?" she stood up. "I would like to talk to Mrs. White, Mathew. Shall I wait for your permission or do it on my own?"
"Do as you wish," Praeger has already made up his mind to ring up Elsinger. The whole case was either a mystery or a hoax.
Lindsay found Elisa sitting on the ladder of the Mobile Lab. She looked up and smiled: "Is he still angry, Mum?"
"It's not so simple, honey," Lindsay lowered herself to the steps. "Mat is a skeptic, and I must say it's not easy to believe you exist. There are no papers and no documents."
"But I am here," the girl shrugged. "I can read thoughts but it doesn't mean I am not real. You could do it too." "
Reading thoughts?" Lindsay asked. Elisa nodded.
"But I wouldn't like to. It's a great responsibility and not a gift. I wouldn't have liked to know what strangers think. It won't do any good," Lindsay said.
"I know, I dreamt so often of a normal life, of loving parents instead of tests. But now I have a chance," Connor's eyes watched Lindsay.
"I have a chance too," Lindsay replied slowly.
"I think you exaggerate, Mathew," Elsinger looked amused. "You're again making an elephant of a fly. It's only a little girl."
"But Frank, Lindsay is behaving like mad and I have a strong feeling that no matter what happens Anton and Peter will be on her side," Praeger was really worried.
"How would you like to have Donner around telling you Elisa is Doyle's daughter? I never actually knew Doyle but it seems to me it's Lindsay's skeleton in the cupboard. She's obsessed with the child," Praeger didn't even mention that after mentioning Doyle's name Frank's face became again serious.
"She said the girl was Doyle's daughter?" he interrupted Mat.
"Yes," Mat sounded surprised by Elsinger's interest in Lindsay's words. "I'll come over and take charge of the situation," Elsinger promised. "And Mathew don't let Lindsay and the child disappear. It's a warning." Praeger put down the receiver.
Again he was left with nothing. The worst was that he had to look after Lindsay. It has always been hard, but now their relations became worse and he doubted she would listen to him. Or to Elsinger.
Mathew sighed and walked out of the room. He saw Peter and Anton discussing something with Mr. and Mrs. White. There was no trace of Donner. Anton noticed the Case Manager and made a sign for him to come nearer. Mat approached the group and after having greeted the Whites he asked Peter: "Axon, where's Lindsay?"
"Heading home, Praeger," it was obviously a pleasure to Peter watching the surprised face of his chief. "She has called HQ half an hour ago and they told her the investigation was over. Lindsay said she must get to the town before eight because she needs some shopping for Elisa. So Mathew she went away. And don't say she did it behind your back," he added seeing that Praeger wanted to tell him something," you were busy calling up so she couldn't get to you," he finished smiling.
"She had no right, Axon and you do know it," Praeger snapped.
"Oh, you have got orders to keep her here? Mat I would like to give a piece of advice: don't trouble either her or Elisa. It's none of your business," and Peter turned to the Whites showing Praeger the conversation was over. Anton shook his head: the situation was getting worse and worse and he wondered what would the end be.
Lindsay felt as if she were new - born. It was a pleasure being with Elisa, having her eyes opened. They spent some hours buying clothes and toys and for the 1st time since the long three years Lindsay was completely happy. Now watching Elisa sleep she thought about her parents. She could rather well imagine what life the girl had because she was sure that in that or other way CIA was involved. And that they won't stop till they find Elisa again. Will she be able to face them? Was it right to let past return? But there was a question that troubled her even more than all the others: will she able to live without Elisa?
The knocking at her door waked Lindsay up. She looked at her wristwatch and saw it was already seven o'clock. She stood up, trying to remember what was yesterday and went to open the door. It was Marc. "Good morning, Sleeping Beauty," he greeted her.
"Hi," she was still hazy.
"Aren't you going to work today?" he wondered and that made Lindsay remember yesterday.
"Oh, my God, I am due to be in the O.S.I.R. in forty-five minutes and I haven't a slightest idea what I shall do with Elisa… though wait a minute," she attentively watched Marc.
"Marc, would you do me a favor?"
"Everything you wish," he smiled.
"I'll be here in a moment," and before Marc could reply Lindsay was out of the room. He sat down on the sofa and grinned. Lindsay sounded just like she used to.
Lindsay cautiously shook Elisa. "Darling, you have to wake up. I am working but I'll leave you with Marc. I am sure you'll like him."
It took an effort for Elisa to open her eyes. Then she saw Lindsay and smiled: "Good morning, Mummy."
"Good morning, Lizzie but would you please hurry up? I don't want any confrontations with Mat. I'll pick you up at five," she gave Elisa her clothes.
In five minutes they both entered the room where Marc sat. "Marc, it's," Lindsay paused and then finished bravely," it's my daughter, Elisa."
The words sounded unusual but warm. Even if Marc was surprised he gave nothing away. "Hi, Lisa, I am Marc and as far as I know I am meant to keep an eye on you."
"Don't worry, Lin," he added having fastened Elisa's seating belt. "I'll be a good baby - sitter."
Lindsay stooped and kissed the girl: "Until later, Lizzie."
Then she turned to Marc:" Thank you so much, I don't know what I'd do without you."
Marc smiled: "You're very special and that is why I love you."
Lindsay saw the car driving away and got into her own. No matter how she wished to stay with Marc and Elisa there was her work to face. And Praeger.
The first whom she saw in the building was Peter. They greeted warmly and Peter asked: "How's the girl?"
"She's fine," Lindsay smiled," Marc is looking after her. "Oh, Pete I think you should get to know her nearer. it's a charming child!"
"Just like her father?" Peter wondered. And Lindsay didn't make a face or sounded hurt. She replied: "Yes, she's so much like Connor."
They continued discussing the former Case Manager and were doing it as they were called from behind. They turned and saw approaching Elsinger. "Beware, Lindsay," Peter warned. "He's dangerous and I am sure he's after Elisa."
"Peter, Lindsay, I am so glad to hear the last case was successfully finished," his face was beaming.
"Indeed it was," Peter answered cautiously.
"Lindsay, could I have a couple of words with you? I am sure Peter would have liked to stay here as well but I think it would be better if he goes to Praeger and tells him you're here. You know how annoyed Mathew can be," he was playing the role too well. Peter threw Lindsay a glance. She pressed lightly his hand as if reassuring.
"O.k., Frank. Lin, don't talk too long. I know there's a lot to be discussed but still…" he went down the corridor and Lindsay followed Elsinger into his study. "Well, I don't have to pretend with you. The girl is none of your concern, Lindsay. You should give her back, she's very valuable for the experiments. I don't quite understand you: you have never met her parents and you have never known her. Why do you need her?"
"Frank, she's not a parcel to be given and taken back. She's a child, who needs care. You told me you wouldn't pretend: why do you say then that I don't know her parents. You're very well informed, Frank, I won't believe you don't know Natasha. I won't even believe her death was casual."
Elsinger went a bit pale: "Don't get too far, Donner. You're on a thin ice. You surely don't want to end up like Natasha."
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