Chapter 40
Patrick Tam – Devin HsuThe team sat silently in the waiting room waiting for a doctor’s reply. Erin noticed Mia was in her own little world. Darren sat furthest from her, his face buried in his own hands, her heart came out to him automatically. Ryan and Jenna exchanged glances as they noticed the strange tension in the little room “What’s taking so long?” Jenna broke the ice.
Devin had taken a call earlier but he returned minutes later with Ted by his side “Hi guys.” He greeted softly “Anything yet?”
Matt shook his head “No. Did you find her?”
Ted felt bad for giving him the news “Actually, she went to the police to turn herself in.”
“She what?!” Matt exclaimed.
“Why would Reina want to kill Doug?” Jenna asked in confusion.
“Maybe there’s more to it than we think?” Ryan consoled.
Matt nodded in agreement “Yes, there has to be something else. Did she say anything else?”
Ted shook his head sadly “She only confessed to attempting to kill Doug. Nothing else.”
“I’m going to get to the bottom of this!” Matt shot up angrily as he headed for the door.
Devin put his hand up to calm him “Is that okay Ted?” the captain nodded “I’ll go with you guys.” Turning to the rest of the team, he looked at Jenna “Call me when you hear something about Doug.” Throwing Erin a glance, he smiled shortly and left with the other two.
The room grew silent again “Why?” Darren asked suddenly. Mia ignored the question as if it wasn’t for her “Why?!” he said louder, eyes penetrating at hers but she refused to look at him in the face.
Erin turned to Mia, who was emotionless and back at Darren, who was near tears “Darren, maybe this isn’t the right time—”
“Then when?” He snapped “Tell me Erin, would you have kept it from me if I didn’t see it with my own eyes? She acted like it was her husband on that stretcher!!” he pointed angrily.
Erin was stumped, not sure of what else to say. But it seemed Mia's mind was in space, she gave no reaction. Minutes after, the door opened. Erin looked up and raised her brows in surprise “Ethan?”
He nodded with a slight smile while Mia looked up, finally giving a reaction “Hi.” He greeted sadly. His eyes were droopy and he looked exhausted.
“I thought you were in China?” Erin asked.
“I was. I came down to visit some family when the hospital called me with an emergency, they were shorthanded. So here I am. We were able to get the bullet out of his chest. I noticed before the operation that he was wearing some kind of a vest?” his brows knitted strangely.
“Bulletproof vest.” Jenna answered before snickering “I guess it didn’t help.”
Ethan shook his head “No, it was just a regular foam vest. The material inside was heavy Styrofoam. Nothing special.”
“What?” Erin stood up looking surprise. Darren too looked up strangely “It was switched?”
The young doctor shook his head “I’m not sure what happened. But I’m assuming you guys would know more than me. Was it possible that someone could have switched his vest?”
Then it occurred to her “Wait…Reina. She switched his vest.” Erin pointed out.
Jenna turned to Ryan and it came to her “Yes. I remember. The vest was given to Doug but when he tried it on, it didn’t fit him. She came to him and switched it saying that she picked his up by accident!” Jenna punched her fist “Damn it!”
“Can we see him?” Mia asked earnestly.
Ethan sighed, “He lost a lot of blood, I want to warn all of you to be prepared. He’s still in critical condition and…”
“And what?” Mia demanded harshly.
“We could lose him tonight.” Ethan finished “I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. So if you have anything to say to him, do it now.” With his warning, Mia popped from her seat and rushed outside. He turned to Erin with questioning eyes. Darren couldn’t control his feelings as he got up and stormed out of the room.
Erin turned to the other two “You two stay here. Excuse me Ethan.” She sidestepped him and rushed after Darren. She found him waving hysterically for a taxi but there were none at that time of night “You can run but you’ll have to face her eventually.”
Angrily, he spun around to her “I’m not the one that needs to face someone!” he said with widened eyes “They were having an affair behind my back and I had no idea! She can’t even admit it but her actions show me otherwise. How much did you know Erin? Honestly, no more lies…please, I have the right to know.”
She lowered her eyes, still unable to face him “I’m sorry Darren.”
“My God…Bonnie…what do I tell her?” he slumped to the ground in frustration “I can’t forgive her, Erin. I can’t do it…I can’t forget that look on her face when she was holding onto his hand. He was like a brother to me… I was backstabbed.” Shaking his head in disbelief as he allowed the tears to escape.
Erin stepped towards him slowly as she sighed and knelt down next to him “We don’t have hard evidence. They are innocent until proven guilty. Until she admits it, we cannot jump to conclusions. Yes, he snuck out a few times to see someone but I never actually saw anyone in the limo--”
“Limo?” he looked up with tears stained face.
“When was this?” Darren asked.
“Two days ago.” She answered softly.
“The limo was in the shop.” He said, eyes turned away as if something had hit him.
Erin quickly picked it up “What?”
“You swear it was my limo?” he emphasized.
She nodded “I’m pretty sure, I’ve seen the limo enough to recognize it.”
“I took the limo to the shop myself, Mia wouldn’t know where it was taken too. She doesn’t even know that I take it to the shop.” He said with a look of confusion “Something’s not right.”
Erin nodded “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out. Right now, we need to see how our teammate is doing.” Darren hesitantly agreed as he got up and followed her inside.
*************
Matt was impatient as he waited in the cage like room. Reina was treated like a prisoner eventhough her trial date was not for another week. She came out in a gray uniform too big for her slender figure. The cuffs on her hand, she refused to look at any of their faces “Reina!” Matt stood up but was quickly pushed down by Devin.
“Matt.” He shook his head “Don’t make it harder on Ted.” Ted smiled thankfully. He sat down after Matt and turned to Reina “Why did you do it?”
She shrugged carelessly but refused to answer “Was it because of me?” Matt asked sincerely “Please…talk to me.”
Reina couldn’t hold in the tears as she let them silently escape her eyes as she looked up at his face and whispered “No.”
“Yes it is! Did Hung Gor force you? Please, just tell me the truth, I know you wouldn’t hurt anyone on the team!” Matt challenged.
Ted and Devin looked at each other and back at Matt “Hung Gor?” Devin turned his head with suspicion.
Matt lowered his eyes to his hands before answering Devin “Before she was recruited by Joe, she worked for Hung Gor as an assassin. Recently, he’s been trying to give her money to bribe her in going back to him. We declined it but he’s relentless.” He turned back to Reina “Please, just tell me. I won’t be mad.” He shook his head earnestly.
She sniffed back the tears “No, he didn’t force me to do anything.” She kept a tight lip.
“So it’s true…” Devin whispered more to himself. He looked up at Reina “I can’t help you if you don’t tell us the truth. Do you really want to go to jail again?”
She looked up with a smile through the tears “Why not? It’s not that bad. They feed you and there’s shelter. It’s not like its my first time.”
“Do you remember how hard it was for us to get you out?!” Matt cried, “How could you say that? What about me? Was that all just a big scam? Please Reina, I know you’re not that kind of person, please tell me…” he begged desperately.
She shook her head, eyes distant “No. I did this all myself.” Looking up at him, she smiled “Thank you for everything. But I realized that I could never love anyone more than Andrew. Although your attempt was close.” She got up and left the place. Matt was hurt beyond words as he pounded his fist on the table. Reina paused as she turned to look at him, she lipped the words ‘sorry’ that Devin noticed only because he turned to wave at the guard.
Tilting his head strangely, he turned to Matt “Her punishment won't be too bad. Just as long as Doug is still alive.”
**********
“Nurse!!!” Mia cried hysterically down the hall as she tried to search for a medical team. She ran into Ethan instead “Ethan!! Something’s wrong!” she pointed to Doug’s room.
Jenna and Ryan were about to visit Doug too when they heard Mia’s shrill cries. They rushed down the hall and found Ethan and Mia jogging towards a room. They quickly followed and paused when a few nurses passed by to assist Ethan. The monotone ring nearly stopped her beating heart. Jenna reached out and clutched onto Ryan’s hand, her eyes tearing up again “His heartbeat…”
Ryan shook his head as he held onto her shoulders “No…he’ll be okay. Ethan can save him…” even he knew it didn’t look good. He watched as Ethan pumped the electric waves onto Doug’s bare chest to bring him back. Mia stood on the side crying and praying that he would be okay.
A moment later, Ethan finally gave up “Patient’s death time, 9:34pm.” He said to the nurse and covered the blanket over his face. Turning to Mia, his eyes widened when he saw that she was weakening, her eyes rolling upwards. He moved fast to catch her before she could hit her head on the ground “Mia!” he called.
Ryan and Jenna moved into the room to help support Mia “I’ll take her out.” Ryan said as he picked her up with ease and placed on a bed in the room across from Doug’s room.
Erin and Darren decided to go to the room when they returned to the empty waiting room. They were in the hall watching Ryan rush by with an unconscious Mia in his arms and Jenna spotted them at the corner of her eyes “Doug’s gone!” she wailed and covered her face in tears. Erin rushed over to embrace the young girl “He’s gone…” she sobbed.
Darren lowered his head, saddened by the news. Ethan walked out and he too was in tears “I’m sorry…I thought I could save him.”
“It’s not your fault.” Erin assured him “Go check on Mia.” She nodded to the room where Ryan took her into.
Ethan nodded sadly as he entered the room to make sure she was okay. She was revived and gripping onto Ryan’s sleeve while demanding “He’s not dead!! He’s not!! Ryan, tell me, he’s not dead!” she looked up and saw Ethan by the door, running over to him as she began yelling “Why didn’t you save him?!! What kind of a doctor are you?!!” she sobbed while hitting him on the chest. Tired, she lowered her forehead into his chest while he hugged her in a warm embrace.
Chapter 41
Patrick Tam – Devin HsuAn hour before Doug’s actual burial, a wake was set up so that friends may see him for the last time. Mia stood next to his coffin, eyes damped from the nonstop tears that flowed since the moment he was pronounced dead. Erin bowed the third time as she approached his coffin, gazing at him “Rest in peace.” She whispered.
Mia nodded at her friend “Where’s Darren?”
Erin turned her head back to look for him but he was nowhere in sight “Mia, I think you owe him an explanation.”
She shook her head sadly “This is not the right time.” Her eyes moving down to Doug’s peaceful face. Touching him on the cheek, she sighed, “It’s too late.”
“I’m sorry.” Erin leaned over to hug her friend. Turning away, she left the tiny chapel. Her eyes searched as a few more guests arrived for the funeral. She found Darren leaning on a tree smoking quietly “Hey.” She greeted from behind.
He didn’t bother to turn back “I thought we were different.”
“You two are.” Erin insisted “What doesn’t break up a relationship can only make it stronger. If you are willing to forgive and forget. Think of Bonnie, growing up without a parent would be devastating, look at me.” He turned to her as she smiled.
“Would you forgive Brad if he cheated on you with your best friend?” he asked honestly. Slowly, her head moved downwards “That’s what I thought.” He turned back to his cigarette and distant thoughts.
Jenna’s eyes were puffy as she sat in a corner, Ryan sitting next to her “This is just a bad dream.” She said quietly “I’ll wake up eventually.”
“Don’t be like that.” Ryan coaxed “We have to face the truth one day.”
“But I want to be in denial right now.” She turned to him with ready tears “I miss him so much, Ryan.” She sniffed while he tried hard to contain the tears, afraid it would trigger her to sob again. Pulling her onto his shoulder, he patted her gently while she cried.
Erin found a marble bench outside the chapel where she sat by herself, collecting her thoughts. She didn’t see him as he took a seat next to her “What are you thinking about?”
“How this happened too fast.” She replied, eyes still gazing at the gray sky above.
Devin nodded “Yeah, maybe a little too fast.”
The hint in his voice made her look over at him “What do you mean?”
Smiling, he tilted his head “I think you already know.”
Sighing, she shook her head “Actually, for once I don’t.” suddenly it occurred to her “Where’s Matt? And Carmen?” He found it useless to hide anything from her. Pulling out a wrinkled letter, he gave it to her to read. It was a ransom letter from Hung Gor, they had captured Carmen. Erin folded the letter “What about Matt?”
“Reina killed a teammate, I doubt he will want to face anyone.” Devin assumed.
“Why do you think she did it?” Erin wondered.
Shrugging his shoulders, he replied “Love, protection, sacrificing…that’s only my guess.”
“Yeah, love makes you do crazy things.” She shook her head and then stopped to think “Wait…you don’t think he went to see Hung Gor do you?”
Devin eventually nodding “I think we’re already too late.”
*************
Digging through her drawers, he found a check signed by Hung Gor with an address. Desperate to save her, he left his home looking for the madman that would be Reina’s only way out. He found the address led him to an old alley. It looked more like a hide out. Before he could knock on the door, it swung open appearing Ah Gam “We thought you would be coming.” He waved him in.
Matt brushed away the feeling in the pit of his stomach as he followed Ah Gam through a hallway of maze “Where is he?”
“I’m taking you to him, isn’t that who you wanted to see?” he asked with raised brows. Matt nodded blankly while Ah Gam continued to glance at him from time to time “You could be killed.”
“I don’t care.” Matt answered honestly “Anything to save her.”
“Brave.” Ah Gam nodded without emotions. He reached a wooden door and knocked three times. When Hung Gor said the magic words, he opened the door and turned to Matt “It’s never too late to turn back.”
He looked at the guy strangely, wondering why he was warning him. Matt stepped inside the door was closed shut “Lieutenant!” Hung Gor greeted with a merry chuckle “It’s been a while!”
“We never met.” Matt said blankly.
“Yes, shame on me!” he hit himself and began laughing again “Who would have guessed you would come groveling at my feet. The leader of the P.R.A. What a joke!” he spat harshly.
He stared at the temperamental man “You know why I came, tell me what I need to do for you to help her.”
Hung Gor tilted his hand upward from the armrest “What makes you think I could help her?”
“Tell the judge that you asked her to kill Doug.” Matt knew it was absurd even before he said it. He would never go for it but he was desperate.
He threw his head back with a laugh “Yes and while I’m at it, I should just confess about all the murders that happened in the past ten years that went on undiscovered!” he shook his head while getting up to pour himself a glass of whiskey “You are quite a character, lieutenant.”
Matt fell to his knees, his last attempt “Please, I’m begging you. I can’t live without her, she doesn’t deserve this.”
“Because I do, right?” Hung Gor was relentless, giving him no reason “She vowed her life to this assassin group and what did she do? Turn around and backstab me by joining the P.R.A., a team designed to destroy people like us! You must be fucking out of your mind if you think I would help you!” he threw the glass cup against the wall as it crashed and splattered all over the ground.
Matt glared back with much hatred “How about Becca? You have her now, she was with the team originally.” He reminded the madman.
Nodding in agreement “You’re right.” Turning to the door, he cried out “Becca!!”
Seconds later, she entered the room. At first, she was surprised to see Matt kneeling but she quickly caught her cool “Hung Gor.” She didn’t forget to be respectful.
“Say, you remember the lieutenant don’t you?” he turned his eyes to Matt as she nodded “He is looking to save his precious fiancé, the traitor of the assassins. Let’s show him what we do to welcome our guests.”
Becca knelt down in front of Matt, her eyes dark but he could tell it wasn’t too late for her to turn back “He’s dead.”
She froze in place until Hung Gor cleared his throat, bringing her back to reality. Pulling out handcuffs, she pulled him to his feet and placed them on “How does it feel, lieutenant? To be handcuffed, betcha didn’t think you would ever be on that other side?” Hung Gor tempted “Tell me how far you would go to save little Reina?”
“I will do anything.” He vowed.
His lips curled crookedly “Destroy the P.R.A. I don’t care how it’s done, just get rid of it.”
Matt’s head began shaking slowly “No…I can’t.”
“Come now, give yourself more credit. You can do it. Really, what is in exchange for that? Your fiance’s safety, her freedom, your future as husband and wife. Do you care for this team? You do not owe anyone anything. Especially the team.” Hung Gor nodded to Becca as she realized what he was telling her to fetch. His eyes widened when she didn’t move. But one look, she knew what she had to do. Walking around his desk to a cabinet, she pulled out a metal box, inside was a leather whip that was never used “I bought this at an auction years ago but never got a chance to use it. I hear it rips through the skin sharper than a carving knife.”
“You can do what you want with me, but I cannot betray the team.” Matt stood his ground.
“Suit yourself.” Hung Gor nodded to Becca, whose mind was in space “Becca!!” he barked.
She stammered in reply “Ye…Yes?” he flicked his head towards Matt as she nodded. Looking at the whip in her hand, she gripped it tight and whipped it towards him, her eyes tightly closed. She could hear the cracking against the skin, it had sliced through his shirt.
Holding in the cries, he began perspiring after the second whip “So, how does it feel?” Hung Gor laughed “Is the team worth it now?”
Matt knew he what he was getting into before he stepped foot in the room. Shaking his head stubbornly “Joe handpicked each and every one of the members on the team.” He grunted when another whip hit him on the chest but still he continued, “He always said, each person is special in their own way. Regardless of what the future will hold…Ah!” he finally cried in pain when he couldn’t take it anymore “Once an agent, always an agent.” His words caught her off guard as she paused at another whip.
“Becca!!!” Hung Gor commanded. She turned to him, eyes distant. Losing patience, he got up and retrieved the whip from her hand and began slashing at him until he fell to his knees dripping in sweat and blood. Angry, he threw the whip aside and yelled “Ah Gam!” the assassin entered the room “Take him out!”
“Yes.” He bowed politely and took Matt to the cage room. He was barely able to walk as he fell into the cage in pain “I warned you.” Ah Gam said before raising the cage upwards.
“Matt!!” Carmen called from her own cage “What the hell did you do to him?!!” She cried, glaring at Ah Gam with much hatred.
He tilted his head at Carmen “What did I do? Do you blame me for everything?” he asked. She turned her head away, not willing to answer him “You’ll regret ever treating me that way!” he threatened and walked out before slamming the metal door shut.
“He’s not moving.” Luke noticed.
“Matt!” Carmen tried again.
“I’m okay.” Matt’s voice was barely audible but the room was silent enough to hear a pin drop. He turned over on his back and quickly noticed they were all caged “What a crazy bastard.”
Carmen laughed despite their situation “He’s okay.” She grinned happily “Why did you come? Devin said that no one knew of my separate mission.”
He pulled himself into a sitting position as the cage swung here and there “What separate mission?”
“He knew Luke and Jessie were captured and somehow he found out where they were taken. On the day of the Time Square mission, he asked if I would do a separate mission for him. Unfortunately, I failed.” She lowered her head in shame.
Matt shook his head “No…he wouldn’t expect you to succeed.”
“So he wanted this to happen?” Carmen asked in confusion “I don’t get it.”
“Does it matter? God knows how long we’ll be here.” Luke said without feeling “What are you doing here anyways?” he asked Matt curiously.
“Redeem Reina’s life.” He said. He turned to them “She killed Doug and is in jail for murder.” He explained shortly.
“What?!” Carmen shrieked “What…why…why?”
"Oh my GOd..." Luke gasped.
Jessie was in and out of consciousness but she knew what she heard. Rolling onto her stomach and using the bars to help her up, she gasped “Matt…what…what did you say?”
He quickly noticed Carmen’s shaking head, warning him not to repeat it to the fragile girl “Nothing…I didn’t say anything.”
“No, he didn’t.” Carmen agreed. Clearing her throat at Luke, she widened her eyes at him.
“Right, I didn’t hear anything.” Luke said hastily.
Jessie shook her head “No…you did…you said Reina killed Doug. He…he’s dead?” she could feel the tears ready to explode “Tell me!” she yelled.
Carmen turned to the hurt girl “Jessie…”
“So it’s true…” she turned away while tears began to flow with ease “Doug…” she realized the name would never escape her lips again.
Chapter 42
Patrick Tam – Devin HsuA priest was hired to do the ceremony as he began ushering people to the gravesite “Please, I need a moment to do the traditional blessing of the body. I want to please ask everyone to wait outside by the burial grounds.”
“I’m sorry Father, but we are doing a military type of funeral.” Erin spoke up.
Mia shook her head at her friend “It was Doug’s request to have it done the Christian way. He would not rest in peace if this can’t be done.” She covered her quivering lips before she began to choke up with tears again.
Erin turned to Devin who nodded “I will respect his final request.” She took a hold of Mia’s shoulders and walked her outside. The double doors closed behind them “He’s been smoking all morning.” She nodded to Darren, still in the same place he was an hour ago.
She shook her head “I couldn't get him to quit.”
“Yes, you could.” Erin insisted “Go, talk to him.” She pushed. Mia was reluctant but Erin was persistent, pushing her towards his direction. She gaze at her friend with desperate eyes but knew she would not take no for an answer. Erin watched as Mia said a few words to Darren, a slight smile on her lips. Yet, he was not easing up to her. Suddenly, he threw his cigarette down on the ground and stormed away. Worried, Erin rushed over to her friend “What happened?”
Mia shrugged “I told him I wanted a divorce.”
“You what?! Mia, how could—” Erin was cut off when the chapel door opened and the pastor waved to catch their attention.
“We can move the coffin now.” He announced with a bible in hand.
Eight guys joined together to escort the coffin outside. The girls stood in the front row, leading the way. Flowers surrounded the grave waiting to be buried with the lost agent. It was hard for everyone to keep the tears to themselves as they cried openly. Mia held a rose close to her heart as she sobbed, saying her goodbyes was almost impossible. Throwing the rose into the ground, she kissed her fingers with her lips and pointed it downwards “Goodbye.”
Erin bowed, eyes damped but she wasn’t afraid to show emotion “We’ll miss you.”
Ryan and Jenna joined hands as they threw down a handful of flowers “You’ll never be replaced.” She whispered, “Long live the three musketeers.” She managed to choke out.
“We’ll never forget you.” Ryan bowed.
Devin knelt to the ground and looked downward, his eyes twitched strangely but decided not to question “Help us find the others.” His eyes moved up and in a far distance, he noticed someone was watching them. Getting up, he walked back to Erin while the priest said the final prayer before the grave was covered “Nine o’clock.” He whispered.
She turned her head slightly and noticed the figure “Becca.” She sighed “She still loves him, I know it.”
“Maybe we could get her to turn around.” Devin suggested.
Erin shook her head “No, she has to turn herself. Trust me, I’ve known this girl since she was naïve and innocent. She’s always been a stubborn mule about her decisions. Once she settles on it, it’s almost impossible to convince her otherwise. She’ll turn back.”
“How can you be so sure?” he asked.
“Instincts.” She placed her sunglasses and bowed when the last scoop of dirt fell over the grave. Without saying another word, she turned to leave. Everyone else too left silently, still mourning for a lost friend. She took off in her car, not knowing where she was going, but she followed the gut feeling in the pit of her stomach. Suddenly, she had an urge to see Michael. Parking her car in the front, she made her way to the glass doors and let herself in.
By the time she reached the receptionist, the girl advised her “Mr. Wu is gone for the day. Actually, you just missed him by a few minutes.”
“Was he alone?” Erin wasn’t sure why she asked.
“No. There was a man with spiky hair that walked him out. They seemed very solemn, like there was a serious issue that needed to be taken care of.” The girl analyzed.
Spinning on her heels, she rushed towards the elevator and when it finally stopped, she raced towards the exit. Catching a glimpse of Michael on a motorcycle with Ah Gam, she hopped into her car and drove off after them. Pulling out her cell, she dialed for Devin’s number “They got Michael! I don’t know what he’s planning, we need to warn Riley and Leah, I have a feeling they’ll target them next.”
“I’ll get Jenna and Ryan on it.” Devin replied, he too was on his way home.
“Too late for that. You need to go yourself.” Erin insisted.
“Fine, we’ll meet tonight at headquarters. Call the others for me.” With that, he hung up and spun his car in a U-turn, screeching tires, he raced towards Riley’s office building. By the time he got there, he realized he was too late with the police surrounding the building and ambulances pulling out injured people. He easily found Ted “What happened here?”
“Kidnap…shooting.” Ted motioned for him to follow him inside “Riley is missing, some witnesses said there was a girl with a gun, she appeared to be out of her mind shooting at everything and everyone. Two fatalities and six injuries.”
“Do we have an identification on the crazy woman?” Devin asked while looking over the bullet holes in the wall.
Ted shook his head “We have a few descriptions, but no one knows recognizes her.”
“Becca.” A female voice spoke up from behind them.
The guys turned and quickly smiled “Leah. You saw her?”
The young girl looked devastated but she explained, “Yes. I was in a meeting with Riley and a few managers when I got up to get him some water. He gets thirsty when presenting with a speech. I was in the kitchen when I heard loud gunshots and then people screaming. I peeked my head out of the door and saw Becca in a black suit with sunglasses aiming her gun at everyone while she yanked Riley along. She was screaming for me and asked Riley where I was, but he refused to answer. I hid back in the kitchen and prayed that I wouldn’t get caught. At least you guys would have one lead.”
“You did the right thing.” Devin nodded firmly.
“What happened to her? Why is she doing all this? I heard about Doug when Jenna called us this morning but we couldn’t make it to the funeral…now that I think about it, maybe we should have.” She felt guilty for losing Riley.
Ted shook his head “It’s not your fault Leah, they had a plan that was to be executed regardless of where you two might be. They very well could have done it at the cemetery, this group of assassins were cruel and ruthless, they stop at nothing.”
“Assassins?” Leah whispered, “She’s an assassin?”
“As far as we know.” Devin agreed “I need you to stay safe, is there anyone else that can run the company until we get him back?”
Leah nodded “The other shareholders and managers can do it. I’ll stay home and wait for your call.”
“No, they’ll find you there easily.” Devin said wisely “I’ll set up a room for you at Erin’s, in the meantime how would you feel like being a temp agent? We’re a little shorthanded.”
She smiled confidently “I was waiting for you to ask.”
**************
Erin rushed up towards the gated house and buzzed the doorbell but when no one answered the intercom, she jumped the metal fence and ran to the door banging on it “No, please be home…Julie!! JULIE!!!” she cried.
The door was opened by an exasperated butler “Miss, it is not polite—”
“Is Julie home?!” she demanded.
“Mrs. Wu is in the library.” He answered slowly.
Erin pushed her way through and ignored his calls for her to stop while he announced her arrival. She had long ago memorized where the library stood. Opening the door, she found Julie on the couch, a letter in her hand while her hand covered her face sadly “Julie…”
She looked up with a tearful face “He’s been kidnapped.” She picked up the letter and pointed it to Erin.
“I know.” She sighed and read the brief ransom note. It basically had no special meaning, they were asking for a ridiculous amount of money “We’ll find him.”
“Why does this keep happening? We only want a normal life.” Julie covered her face again.
Erin bent down to comfort the girl “I’m sorry, I know you guys have a lot of faith in the team but once your linked to the team, it’s hard to hide from being targets. Maybe when we find him, you two should move out of the country with little Terry?”
“If he comes back.” Julie said without hope “How many times can luck happen to a person? I have a really bad feeling about this.” She reached out and gripped her hand “Please…find him. Bring him back safely. We’ve worked too hard to be together. I’d rather die than to continue living without him.”
She smiled “I promise you Julie. Whether I come back alive or dead, I will bring back Michael. Now the most important thing is for you to stay in the house. Leave the alarm system on 24/7. We’re not going to give them another chance to get anyone else.”
“Okay.” Julie said, feeling better from her confirmation “Be careful.” She smiled. Erin got up to leave when she stopped her “By the way, how is Ga Jei? The last time I talked to her, she sounded stress about her upcoming wedding next year.”
Erin debated with herself of whether or not she should tell her the truth. Instead, she thought the young girl didn’t need the added worries “She’s doing good. I’ll tell her you said hi.”
“Tell her to eat more. A skinny bride is never healthy looking.” Julie smiled. Erin nodded briefly before letting herself out.
**************
Reina felt mechanical when Devin broke the news to her. It was way past visiting hours but he was able to get through the rules. She sat back in her chair looking dazed “He’s so stupid.”
“Love makes you do stupid things.” Devin said “You can lie to Matt because you love him but I can see it in your eyes. You still love him very much, why did you tell him that you didn’t?”
“So he could move on with his life. How could he be with a criminal?” Reina asked.
“I guess you forgot how he overlooked that part and helped you out of jail. You weren’t exactly a saint before and I don’t think he ever cared about your past.” He pointed out.
“Well I guess he’s wrong.” She stood her ground and got up to leave.
Devin turned around on the chair “No, he’s not wrong, just blinded by love.” She paused to turn to him “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he’s back on the team all in one piece.”
“Thanks.” She smiled gratefully and allowed the guard to escort her back to her cell.
SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004
