Detective Danny Cavanaugh 01 - The Brink

attribute, was his ability to see a few steps ahead. It was what his American acquaintances called, “seeing the forest for the trees.” He knew very well the one thing that could generate massive amounts of revenue, the kind of revenue that would spark the interest of any Group member.
    War.
    Wars always boosted—no, fully engorged—the bottom line of those who engineered and supported the conflict.
    Fantroy sat quietly in his chair while his innards burned with one question. Did someone in this room want the United States and Great Britain to go to war?

Chapter 50
    Sydney felt tension grip her chest as she woke. She clawed at it, realizing it was only the seat belt when she opened her eyes.
    “Hey. Hey. You’re okay.”
    Sydney turned in the direction of the calming voice to see Danny, the kindness in his face highlighted by the dashboard lights.
    Although sleep had given her the gift of temporary amnesia, Sydney’s situation immediately flew back to her.
    I’m on the run.
    She looked beyond the windshield into the darkness. “Where are we?”
    “Just west of Knoxville, Tennessee.”
    “What time is it?”
    Danny eyed his watch. “5:10.” Then he grinned. “In the morning, in case you were wondering.”
    Sydney opened the glove compartment and pulled out the first aid kit. She loosened the bandages on her palms and used an alcohol swab to clean out specks of dirt that remained embedded in the cuts.
    She winced in pain. “Ouch.”
    “Can I help?”
    “No. It’s just a little stinging.” Sydney looked away from her hand and thought that talking to Danny would get her mind off the pain. “I’m sorry that I fell asleep while we were talking. How rude of me.”
    “It’s okay. You were tired.”
    “What was the name of the city we were passing through at the time?”
    “Tuscaloosa, Alabama.”
    “Right. Tus-ca-loos-a.” Sydney finished with her left palm and reattached the bandage. She ripped open another alcohol swab package and grimaced as she prepared for the next round of pain. “I believe you were about to tell me why you wanted to kill yourself.”
    “I already told you. Because I’m on the run.”
    “Bullshit, Danny. You’re a fighter. I can see that in the short time I’ve known you. You wouldn’t end your life just because you’re a fugitive. Tell me the real reason.”
    Danny sighed. “You don’t pull any punches do you?”
    “ La vie est trop courte .” It was obvious Danny needed the translation. “Life is too short.”
    Danny stared into her eyes for a long moment. She barely heard his next words. “Some other time.”
    Sydney wanted more from him. She knew she had to give more to get more. “You asked me before if my life is about revenge for my father’s death. I am who I am because I want to change the world, Danny. It is unforgivable that millions starve to death because they don’t have enough money to eat or even have access to clean water. The international financial system is broken. It is built on greed, nothing more. I am repulsed by it, but the only way to make changes is from the inside. That’s why I jumped at the chance to be on the ICJ. I am what you would call a crusader. I would say the same about you, no?”
    Danny didn’t answer. He was silent for a while but then he gave up his secret. “I have a photographic memory.”
    “A photographic memory?”
    “The official term for it is eidetic memory. I can look at something for only a few seconds—a map, sheet music, a diagram—and I can recall everything about that same image hours or days later.”
    “That is quite useful for your profession, no?”
    “It can be. But …”
    “But?”
    “There’s more to it than just memorizing maps and charts. My mind also recalls things I never experienced: strange, awful things.”
    “Like nightmares?”
    “More like hallucinations. They started shortly after my father died.”
    “Are they about him?”
    “Some. The worst part is, I can’t control them. What I see and hear … it feels as real as you are sitting there.”
    “My God, Danny. I couldn’t even imagine.”
    “Dealing with my mind has made me abuse drugs and alcohol my whole life. It’s the real reason why I was at the cabin to, you know, end it all. Being on the run just gave me a final excuse.” Danny stared out through the windshield. “I never told anyone that before.”
    Sydney touched his arm. “Thank you for trusting me with your story, Danny.”
    He smiled at her.