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Chapter 165 - Things of Bygone Days
They were quiet all way to Santa Barbara. Mary and Bernard have shared some words sometime, discussing mundane things. Mason focused on the driving and intently keep looking in the rear mirror to see if they were followed. Sophia was deep in her thoughts staring out the window.
They came back to Santa Barbara in a few hours, but they felt like passed a lifetime.
When the four come in Capwell's house they immediately saw Theda. She nervously paces through the atrium, almost wringing her hands. And seeing they returned safely, she almost cried.
"Lord, Bernie! I nearly went mad, almost buried you!" She hugged him. "Will you forgive me? I just could not reject Phia".
"I'll think about," Mr. Wayne growled, but hugged her back.
"Dad, come here, I'll show you to your room," Sophia touched his arm. However, before even they had time to make a few steps, Charlie appeared from somewhere.
"Sophia, you're here! Why Mrs. Duvall has your dress? And who is this?" The boy looked suspiciously to Bernard.
"He is my dad, Charlie. Dad, it's Charlie, my youngest stepson".
The oldest one and the youngest one silently eyeing each others.
"You're welcome, sir," Charlie remembered his manners and offered his hand to Mr. Wayne. And then he confidentially whispered to Mason: "I did not even know that Sophia has the dad".
"Yes, she does," Mary came up from behind and put her hands on boy's shoulders. "He's just a little bit lost. Mr. Wayne".
The latter finally walked up and shook hands with Charlie, then continued his way up with his daughter.
"Where's he have been? Why did you say that he got lost?" Charlie turned to Mary.
"Because he did. But it's grown-up stuff," Mason intervened. "Beside, should not you be in school now, young man?"
"Look at the clock! I already came back," the youngest brother said angrily and walked to the balcony door.
"Mom, I'll take you home," Mary offered to Theda who stayed nearby.
"No, don't worry, I'll take a taxi. Thank you, my dear," Theda hugged her daughter and headed for the entrance door. "Take care of Bernie, please".
"Of course, we'll," Mason answered instead Mary. "Do not be worry, Theda, nothing will happen to him. He's completely safe".
"Who?" they heard the surprised voice of CC Capwell.
"Mr. Wayne. We found him and brought here".
The patriarch raised his eyebrow. "Sophia already knows?"
"Of course, I do, CC," Sophia's already coming down the stairs. ""We" includes me too".
Bernie did downstairs in a slow pace after his daughter.
Bernard Wayne and CC Capwell stared at each other. CC studied his wife's father for a moment and then offered his hand: "Mr. Wayne, I believe? Welcome to my home. I'm CC Capwell".
"Thank you for your hospitality," Bernard shook his hand. "Especially considering all associated risks," he defiantly looked up like he was not sure that CC is aware about surrounding Bernard dangers.
"I am sure we will handle with them," CC casually waved off. "But I would like to hear the details of your story. "He had hiding from the deadly danger for many years" is some vague explanation, do not you think?"
"Of course. It's whole point," Bernard smiled and then frowned. "Yes, I'll tell you. Not enough to put you in the same position in I am, but hopefully enough to make you understand that this is not a joke or some ancient mystery for antiquaries had an interest only".
"Let's go into the living room," Mason cut in. "We will be much more comfortable there".
They went through the atrium to the living room and settled by the fireplace. Coming last Mason properly closed the door and then sat down on the arm of the sofa nearly Mary's place.
A few minutes later it's was Mary who broke the silence.
"Mom said that it all started with the murder of the family," she said looking at Bernard. "Why you were put in danger, Uncle Bernard?"
"It's pretty hard to explain," he said slowly. "Ronnie, Ronald Stevens who was my friend and colleague, was the brilliant guy. He invented..." Mr. Wayne hesitated, choosing his words. "In short, it was something very important for national security and it was immediately bought by our government. And it is still in use..."
"What was it, Mr. Wayne?" CC Capwell asked. "Without getting into details, but in a nutshell?"
There was a thoughtful pause.
"The unique good location for US nuclear forces' deployment," finally Bernard said hoarsely.
Mason gave a whistle.
"I suppose it's meaningful response," he said. "But where the threat coming from? Do you mean it's work of foreign intelligence services?"
"No," Bernard shook his head. "The point is Ronnie was working on the idea of security. The US security. But the government had certain circles who wanted it's not just a defensive position but an offensive one. And they did not hesitate to kill the whole family of the man who was ready to apply his unique mind for the benefit of our country. It was mean," his voice was laced with anger. "It's disgusting vile!" He chewed his lip and continued: "But I never had Ronnie's brain. I could not develop an idea, it's not my strong side. And probably it saved my life. Mine, Lizzie's and your one, Phia," CC raised his eyebrows in amazement and looked at his own wife. She shrugged uncomfortably. "They didn't get to us that night".
"But my mother said you were helped by the government. How it can be?" Mary asked, feeling Mason's hand on her shoulder.
"Government departments have always been significantly divided," Bernard said. "They're very independent of each other. We were helped by ones which were headed by persons who were on the side of Ronnie in his strategy. They made for us a lot: they moved us through half the country, given new names and even subjoined us to the founders of the city. We were able to start a new life..."
"I still do not understand," CC Capwell said softly. "If you are not a genius like your colleague, then why anyone want to kill you?"
Bernard turned to look at him. "I have profound knowledge of Ronnie's work. And I do shares his views. The defensive or offensive debate is going on till now. They afraid that I would intervene. Back then".
"Later something was changed?
"Yes. The politic moods changed. And the sympathetic attitude for me was faded. I just become the unwanted witness, the person who knew too much. And whose knowledge can not become obsolete. And they just started hunting for me".
"So you're still hunted by our security services?" Mason asked.
Bernard nodded. "And I can hardly see someone could stop them. Even such powerful person like CC Capwell".
"We'll see this," CC rose from his chair. "In the meantime be my guest, Bernard. Frankly, I did not expect to meet you".
"Neither I," Bernard bent his head politely, then he stood up and shook hands with CC.
Looking after his father Mason mused: "From your words, Bernard, it follows that in fact the danger is for you personally. It's just you who keep in mind the secrets that no one else knows".
"Actually, yes. But who can say for sure? I'm able to pass all I knew to my friends and family in any time. No one can consider self safe next to me".
"Yes, that's right", Mason paused. "Do you think we brought someone on our tail?"
"Mason, what you mean?" Sophia got up.
Mason looked into her father's eyes and sighed: "I think Mr. Wayne agreed to come with us not due to our persuasion but what he saw in the window. What was it, Mr. Wayne? Any sign?"
"You are very perceptive, Mason. Yes, I saw the sign outside. It meant that suspicious strangers seen in the city. I could not risk all you. Beside I'm already too old to be on run again".
"You did not answer my question".
"No, I do not believe that they tracked me down through your visit," Bernard said reluctantly. "Otherwise I probably would dead now".
"So we saved your life," Sophia came up and hugged him. "Dad..."
He said nothing, but did not push her away.
"I need to talk to my father," Mason got up and left the room.
Mary's eyes narrowed suspiciously, and she followed him.
"What's you up?" she stopped him in the atrium.
"Perhaps this is the only chance to catch killers in the act", he replied seriously.
"Are you crazy???" Mary grabbed the sleeve of his jacket. "Do you want to come back to Santa Ynez and chat with assassins?"
"Not alone, do not worry. Besides, you heard Mr. Wayne. These secrets are known only by him. Yes, I see he thinks that they would kill everyone who he had a word with, but it's stupid. And in any case he is their first and primary goal," Mason smiled and covered her hand by his hand, gently unhooking her fingers from this jacket. "I'm sorry, I need to talk with my father. Capwells close ranks".
Mary rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. "Be careful".
"Always".
And he quickly went to CC's study.
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