CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

As the work continued to reunite families, the team picked up the pace on trying to find Deirdre Bishop.

"Alright, I have some additional information about Deirdre's life in Ghana," said Zulu. "We know that she was protected while her father was alive, but once he was killed by us, she was vulnerable. When the new leader took her mother as a wife, he decided to take her as well."

"We knew that, Grandpa," said Brix.

"I know, son. Just listen." He smiled at the young man that he was so filled with pride for. He was a good man, a good husband and son, but he was also one of the best teammates. "Her father may have done her a favor by sterilizing her. Her new husband pretty much left her alone once he realized she couldn't have children. He kept her because that meant keeping her and her mother both under his control, or so he thought."

"How did we get this information?" asked Sebastian. "I mean, I don't want to complain or anything, but how do we know it's real?"

"She still has a brother living in Ghana. He was able to escape and now works in the city under a different name. His sister was of no value if she couldn't produce children for their stepfather. He helped her disappear one night, giving her all the money he had, which was only about three hundred dollars."

"How in the hell did she get from Ghana to the UK with only three hundred bucks?" frowned Major.

"She walked," said Zulu, staring at the others. A sudden appreciation for Deirdre's determination filled the room. "She walked from Ghana to Gibraltar, hiding on a boat out of Tangiers. She then walked, hitch-hiked, and traded sex for rides to France."

"Holy fuck. How long did this take her?" asked Brix.

"According to her brother, almost four years. Once she got to France, she took odd jobs working in restaurants, cleaning office buildings, that sort of thing. She saved every penny she could, barely eating most days. Once she had enough for a ferry ticket to England, that's where she went. By that time, she'd learned enough English to be pretty convincing.

"Again working her way through the country, she took odd jobs, read every book she could lay her hands on, watched old British films and television to refine her language, and then met Marshall. It had been nearly seven years by the time she waited outside those gates at Oxford. Seven years of doing everything she could to ensure success."

"Did she ever try to get help? Maybe go to a refugee station or service?" asked Brix.

"Her brother said she went to two places asking for assistance. One denied her any help. The other was a woman's shelter, where she was given a room for a month. It was enough to allow her to get on her feet."

"Alright," nodded Brix. "So we have one very, very determined woman wanting wealth and her place in society. Is that right?"

"According to her brother, that's all she ever wanted. She wanted to have money. Lots of money, and she wanted to be noticed, be seen."

"Well," said Walker, nodding at the television screen. Heath had given them access to satellite television in order to get U.S. based news. "She's being seen by the entire world now."

"A story from across the pond, Kyle, and it's a wild one. Lady Deirdre Bishop is wanted by Scotland Yard in the death of her husband, Lord Bishop. It is thought that Lady Bishop had something to do with the sinking of the Italian ship, the Costina, several years ago. Get this, Kyle. She arranged to have the children, the same forty-seven children that went missing after the sinking, taken to an orphanage.

"It's only speculation at this point as to what she wanted to do with those children, but many, now adults, have reunited with their birth families. It's a wonderful scene at Castle Moray Hotel, where dozens of people are discovering their families once again."

"That is a wild one, Bill. If anyone should see this woman, do not approach as she is believed to be dangerous. Call the local authorities or any of the numbers you see here on the screen for the FBI, Scotland Yard, or Interpol."

"Well, I guess she finally got her fame," said Daphne, staring at the scene. She sat down on Brix's lap as the other women walked in, doing the same. Magnolia hugged Walker, kissing him passionately, then pulling back, staring at him.

"Are you okay, babe?" he asked, concerned for his woman.

"I'm good. I'm better than good, Walker. All of this has reminded me of how very lucky I am. I've got a family that loves and supports me, I have my health, I have great friends, and more than anything, I have you, Walker. A man who loves me in spite of my craziness and paranoia."

"Oh, babe. It's not craziness or paranoia. Your fears are real, but we're getting through them. Together."

"When we get home, Walker, I want a wedding. A big, crazy, wild, hundreds of people Belle Fleur wedding. I want everyone to know how much I love you, and I want to start our life together."

"Mags," he whispered, feeling the emotions bubbling to the surface. "My sweet, sweet Mags. I can't think of anything more perfect."

"I'll pass it along to the wedding fairies," said AJ.

"I'd say this is something to celebrate," smiled Heath. "Dinner and champagne!"

"No champagne for me," said Daphne, smiling at Brix. "I was going to save this for later, but it seems we're in the mood to celebrate. Your grandmother confirmed it for me. I'm expecting."

"Wh-what?" he asked, confusion filling his face.

"Pregnant, Brix. You know, a bun in the oven. A baby arriving by stork. I'm pregnant. We're having a baby."

"Oh, hell," he smiled. "Oh, hell. Dad, Mom, I'm gonna be a father!"

"We heard, son," smiled Tiger. Hazel hugged them both, kissing Daphne's cheeks.

"You're going to be a great mother, Daph. Let me know if my son does anything stupid. I'll kick his ass."

"Thanks, Mom," smirked Brix.

"Well, alright then. A wedding and a baby to celebrate. Let's go. Timothy has dinner almost done, and we'll pop open the champagne. And apple juice," he said, hugging his old friend. "Congrats, Daph. Remember, if it's a boy, Heath is a great name."

"Timothy!" came the cry from the kitchen. They all laughed, taking their seats for a well-deserved meal.

For one night, just one night they would celebrate and not talk about Deirdre Bishop. They would worry about her tomorrow and find her no matter what.