On day three, the tour hit Simply Ali for a nice interview with Cassandra.
Cassandra Bauer arrives for a candid interview wearing casual wear and a big smile. We sit for what is to be a quick talk about a few topics. Knowing Trevor is waiting downstairs for her, I introduce the questions right away. "What was it like growing up as the daughter of a widower and Navy Seal?"
Sadness fills her eyes and her fingers fidget with the crease of her pants. "I really can't explain it. For the longest time it felt as if I had lost both parents...I"—her voice catches—"I did lose both parents that day. My father cared for my mother deeply and her death crippled him. A military man, he never had to deal with the domesticated side of a family life, my mom took care of everything home related. So, left alone with me, a girl no less, he was lost and I guess he turned to the only thing he knew best, the military. As a result, I was pretty much raised in a boot camp, raised with a strict hand, where tears were considered a weakness. I learned quickly to lock my feelings and tears away." Her eyes grow thoughtful. "Trevor says I look like her. I don't think that helped being reminded of her every time he looked at me."
"Do you miss working for the CIA?"
A smile quirks Cassandra's lips. "I loved my work with the CIA. It was the one place where I felt everything I had endured, learned as a child was worth it. It was the one place I felt I belonged. Granted, the majority of the time I was behind a desk, but the times I was in the field were exhilarating."
"I understand that's where you met Nathan Nelson. I also heard something about him being with you the day you were shot. Can you give us more details? Is that why you left?"
A frown furrows her brow and her hand unconsciously presses against her side. "Yes, Nathan was there. He was the first friend I made when I joined the CIA. We have been friends ever since. We were both part of a team handling detail for a dignitary. And yes, it was that assignment that spurred my decision to leave." Cassandra becomes pensive, withdrawn.
"Okay. Let's stick with Nathan a minute. Did you ever date? Were you an item?"
She sits back in her chair lost in thought and grimaces. "For years, I avoided committed relationships and had been called cold, frigid on occasion. I think I was numb to feelings, in part because after seeing my father so devastated by having loved someone so completely and then becoming a shell of a person without her. I never wanted to ever go through that so, on an unconscious level, I avoided love. Nathan was a complication. I knew from day one he was interested but I never felt that way about him. Over the years, I convinced myself that I was the issue and a one point thought that I was creating the problem. That maybe, knowing someone else loved you would be enough. Based on our history, the fact that my father liked him, and that Nathan seemed to be in love with me, I took a chance. Needless to say I regretted it the moment...I...anyway it was...." She shakes her head. "I lost a good friend that night and at the same time realized my gut instincts were right. There was nothing more than friendship between us. If only he would realize that...."
"What was it about Trevor that, excuse the expression, thawed your heart?"
A wide smile spreads her lips and she chuckles. "Nice one. 'Thawed your heart'..." A bright glimmer shines from her eyes. "It's weird, you know. The moment I set eyes on him in that big room there was something that drew me to him and blocked out everyone else." She chuckled. "At the time, I thought it was because I wanted to strangle his ass. When I crowded his desk to catch his attention and his eyes cruised my body—" A flush creeps up her neck, flooding her cheeks. "Anyway, I think it was the shock and respect in his eyes when I confronted him plus his damn Irish brogue that sealed the deal for me. Who'd a thunk that the word 'shite' could be sexy?" She shakes her head as if she still can't believe what she just said. "I'm glad he didn't give up on me and kept chipping away at the ice." Her lips relax into a soft smile. "I can sympathize with my dad now. I get it. I would do anything for the bloody Irishman."
"Do you think you will find his parents? If so, do you think they're alive?"
A flare of sadness and hope burns deep in her eyes as she pushes her hair from the side of her face and tucks it behind her ear. "I don't know how to explain this. I know that Trevor longs for that to happen. He hasn't given up hope and I don't think he should. We will find them. There are too many pieces of the puzzle that just don't fit right. Almost as if two different puzzles got mixed up together. It's just a matter of finding the right pieces in the mess. Some days we're so close I can taste it. In fact, we're on the trail of another clue. It seems we're on our way to Israel next. Maybe we will have good news to report when we get back."
The sound of the door creaking draws both our attention and a big grin lights up her face as Trevor pops his head in. "Ready, a ghrá?"
Cassandra stands, extends her hand toward me and grips mine firmly. "Thank you for inviting me. It's been great chatting with you." When she reaches Trevor's side, he wraps an arm around her neck and pulls her to him, dropping a kiss on her temple. They both wave as the door closes behind them.
Hopefully their next trip will be a walk in the park...but you never know with those two...