The Zodiac of PRA IV: The Return
Chapter 37
Aaron Kwok – Ted Kwong aka Libra
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Ruby Lin – Mia Lam aka Pisces
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Taurus
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Kenix Kwok – Rebecca Heung aka Cancer
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.
Joyce Tang – Reina Ng aka Gemini
Charlene Choi – Jenna Cheung aka Aries
Edison Chan - Ryan Tong aka Sagittarius
Nicholas Tse – Riley Kwok aka Leo
Myolie Wu – Leah Hong aka Aquarius
Raymond Lam – Mark Chiu aka Capricorn
Tony Leung – Robert Kwok
Andy Lau – General Joseph Cheung (head of security)
Patrick Tam – Devin Hsu
The following morning, Jenna returned home. She ran through the excuses in her head for not coming home earlier. Her head was in clouds for she didn’t see the figure coming at her. The two collided shoulder to shoulder “Excuse you!” Jenna said with sarcasm as she looked at the hurried man. He muttered a hasty apology and walked by. Suddenly she stopped in her steps and turned to him “You! Hey Mister!!” but the man kept walking. She recognized him. He was the man that helped her with Robert Kwok.
Shrugging her shoulders, she continued up to the elevators and stood outside the door. Letting out a sigh, she had to face the music some day. Using her key, she opened the door but noticed it wasn’t locked “Joe, you forgot to lock the door!” she called into the house. Assuming that he was home since his wallet and keys were on the coffee table. Maybe he was ready to leave, she thought to herself “Joe, I’m home!” she called again.
Jenna walked to the fridge to get a drink. She noticed he had bought her favorite morning drink, orange juice. Smiling as she poured herself a glass, she roamed the house to find her dad “You know Joe, we’re too old to be playing hide and seek.” She talked to herself while walking down the hall to his room. He wasn’t there. She found her room door ajar “Come out, come out wherever you are…” she stood dead in her tracks when her eyes focused on his body. The drink fell from her hands and splattered into the floor “Daddy?” chills ran down her spine, goosebumps appeared on her arms as she stammered towards him.
His neck was sliced open, she noticed as her eyes traced his face and body. Tears erupted slowly and soon she was sobbing while reaching for him. She cradled his neck while rocking half his body in her arms “Daddy…”
“Jenna…” the hoarse voice brought her back to reality as she pulled away with a large grin on her face.
“Daddy!”
“Be careful…” his eyes widened and he winced in pain causing the wound to rupture again and he began bleeding profusely. Lifting a shaky hand, she covered his wound but the blood poured through her fingers, dripping onto her jeans.
“Don’t talk.” She whispered, “You’ll be okay. Don’t leave me daddy…please…I’m sorry. I’ll be a good girl, I won’t leave again. Please…” she begged through tearful eyes.
Joe blinked slowly, he was dying “Too late…” he muttered “Be careful…” he said through closed eyes. Suddenly, they opened “Riley…Jenna…Riley…”
“What about him?” Jenna asked while trying hard to maintain her composure. But she was sobbing too much to comprehend his words. He was fading away in her arms “Daddy…don’t sleep. Please, stay with me!! NO!! You can’t die!!! NO!!! Daddy!!” she shrieked on the top of her lungs hoping it would keep him alive.
Neighbors overheard her cries as one male came over and was stunned at what he saw. He quickly called the cops and within minutes, they were in the apartment asking questions and trying to pry Jenna away from Joe’s lifeless body “Miss, we have to take him.”
She looked crazily at the cop as she clutched onto his body for dear life “No…you can’t take him. He’s not dead. He’s just napping.”
“Jenna!” Ryan appeared at the door. He had come to see Joe when he noticed the police were parked at the bottom of the apartment building. He took the stairs to the floor and his stomach fell when he realized the cops were in Jenna’s apartment.
“Ryan!” She smiled through her tear stained face “Tell them to leave. I don’t need them. Daddy’s just resting, he’s okay.”
He nodded for the police to move away and let him take over. Ryan bent over, his eyes reddening from the gruesome sight “Jenna…don’t do this to yourself. I know how you feel…you’re in denial right now. But you can’t be this way, Joe would want you to be strong.”
“Why are you talking like he’s gone? He’s right here.” Jenna replied lightly but her eyes deceived her.
“Jenna!” he cried while cradling her face in his hands “Look at him!!” he pushed her face closer to Joe’s “Look! He’s gone! You have to face reality!” She twitched her head from side to side “Yes. He’s gone…” a tear fell from her cheeks and onto Joe’s face. She looked down at his motionless body “Come here.” He beckoned as she slowly let go of Joe and fell into Ryan’s arms. He pushed her face into his shoulder while he nodded for the police and emergency technicians to take over. Her body convulsed with each sob and he tightened his grip around her “Shh…it’s okay…” he consoled.
**********
Ryan followed Jenna to the hospital while he called Matt about the news. He in turned paged everyone the sad news. Stunned silence came from each member that got the page. It was surreal, they had just talked to him the day before, how could it have happened so fast? Questions filled the waiting room while voices stayed quiet, only silent tears covered their faces.
The doctor entered the room with the finished examination “The cause of death was a slice along the throat, he lost too much blood.”
“Just like Shelly’s.” Mia said, her eyes distant on the wall across from her seat.
Matt nodded, the lump in his throat was hard to get rid of “Is there anything else we should know? Or could we determine this was just a murder case?”
The doctor tilted his head strangely “There is something else. His blood test appeared that he had taken at least two sleeping pills. Does the patient have a habit of taking this drug?”
The group turned to Jenna for an answer, she looked up with puffy eyes “He’s always had problem sleeping. He takes a pill each night to help him sleep better.”
“So that cannot be a factor.” Matt analyzed.
The doctor shrugged “That is your job to determine. The final report will be ready for pick up tomorrow.”
“Thank you doctor.” Matt nodded politely.
“What do we do now?” Becca asked, she felt the team was lost without its dragon head. Joe was the creator, the team would not exist without him.
Matt smiled weakly “I don’t know what to tell you. But I know what Joe would say to us right now.”
“Move on and find the culprit.” Jenna replied darkly. Her eyes moved up to Riley, who was looking more nervous with each passing minute “What’s wrong?” she asked threateningly.
He settled his arms in a crossing motion “Nothing. Why would you ask that?”
Jenna stood up slowly as she walked towards him dangerously “Why did my dad tell me to be careful of you? Who are you and why are you so determined to join the team? Did you kill him? Did YOU?!” she demanded.
“Jenna, what are you saying?” Erin intervened when she noticed Riley was growing uncomfortable.
“Erin, this isn’t about you. Move.” Jenna growled.
“No.” she stood her ground “Tell me what happened.”
She let out a sigh “Fine. Before my father died, he told me to be careful…of Riley.”
“Those were his exact words?” Erin asked.
“You don’t believe me?” Jenna accused.
She shook her head vehemently “I didn’t say that. I just don’t want an innocent person to be blamed for something. Did Joe say be careful of Riley or did he say be careful, Riley?”
“Why does that matter? He said those three words! Even a two year old would conclude the same thing!” Jenna cried with angry eyes.
Mark stood up next to her “Jenna’s right. No matter how you say it, it will sound the same. I think you need to explain something to us Riley.”
“Yeah, I agree.” Ryan nodded.
Matt quickly raised his hands to stop the group “Guys. What happened to the rule of innocent before proven guilty? We cannot determine from Joe’s three words that Riley is a suspect. No one was present. Jenna, did you see anyone else?”
She looked away but suddenly, her eyes relaxed “Yes! I saw him.”
“Whom?” Ryan asked, she did not tell him earlier.
Jenna turned to Erin “That same guy that helped me with Robert Kwok.”
She felt a cold chill run down her spine “Him…”
“Who is he?” Ted asked her “And why weren’t we told?”
Reina stepped up from his accusations “Don’t be angry with her. I knew too but we thought it would be best not to let the team know until we determine who it was.”
Erin patted her on the shoulder “It’s okay Reina. You don’t have to hide for me. Yes, I’ve known for a while and I know exactly who it is. But just because Jenna saw him outside her apartment building, doesn’t mean he is the killer.”
“You seem to be hiding a lot for this guy.” Doug noticed.
She quieted while all eyes turned to her for an answer “It’s Devin.” Mia guessed by the look on her face. Erin’s eyes moved up and she knew her answer was right.
“Who?” Darren asked his wife.
“The guy we ran into in Guang Chow and the same guy that ruined our terrorists capture at the Federal Building weeks ago. I knew he was suspicious!” Mia claimed.
“Then why would he help Jenna?” Reina asked.
Matt raised his hands again to silence the crowd “Hey, this is not the place or time to discuss this. First thing’s first, we have to work on Joe’s burial and until then I do NOT want any one of you guys to do your own research or condemn anyone.” His eyes moved to Ryan and then to Riley, who was still shaken up.
“Yes, sir.”
**************
After the group left the hospital, Riley took a cab to Sa Tin. He walked into the tall high rise building. His fists balled as he entered the elevators. Marching into his office, he gave no welcome to the receptionist who greeted him with an awkward smile “Sir, you have to check in!” she called. He had looked familiar but she would be in trouble with Robert if she didn’t announce the guest.
“I don’t have to.” Riley turned with a growl “I’m his son.”
“Jane, let him in.” one of the bodyguards said with authority.
Riley’s eyes darkened as he passed the guards and into Robert’s office “Why did you do it?”
“Do what?” Robert asked innocently “And the next time you enter this office, I would want you to knock.”
“The hell I will! Mr. Kwok, did you kill Joe Cheung?” he asked again.
“Son, is that any way of addressing your father?” he asked with a smirk on his face.
Riley snickered “To a man that killed my mother, he is not worthy of the word. Now answer me.”
“No.” Robert replied easily “I did not kill him. Are you happy now?” he was growing frustrated with his son’s attitude.
“Did you send someone to kill him?” Riley questioned.
He poured himself a drink and sipped it calmly “No.”
Riley’s face softened “You didn’t? Then who did?”
“Why is this of importance to you?” he asked carefully.
“You know I am in the Team. Why would you even ask me that question?” Riley quipped.
Robert Kwok’s eyes saddened “Twenty three years that I have not seen you. Eventhough you said you have forgiven me, but I know you are still angry that I kicked your mother out of the house.”
“We lived in poverty.” Riley recalled “But I didn’t care…I cared about her. She was always so sad and constantly cried over you. I was repulsed but she was a young girl in love. Who could blame her for making the worst decision in her life? I always told myself growing up that I would not accept you.”
“Then why have you come back?” he asked suspiciously “After a year of your disappearance, you come back three months ago. If my memory serves me right, that is the time you joined the team.”
Riley turned away so he would not see the sadness in his eyes “Because my mother’s dying wish was for me to find you. I’ve done my job.” He began walking towards the door.
“Riley.” He stopped his son “Couldn’t we let bygones be bygones and continue here on out? I owed your mother an apology, she was framed and I didn’t believe her. Had I known that she was innocent, I would have never kicked you two out of the house. Why can’t you let that go? I know you want to return to my side, if not you would not stick around for the past three months.”
“You have a son, why don’t you turn to him?” Riley spat harshly.
Robert’s face turned ice cold “Don’t speak of him! What a useless ingrate! My precious Jasmine was killed because of him!” Riley turned to him with a surprised look “Right, you didn’t know you had a sister.”
“What happened to her?” Riley asked with sincerity.
“If you want to know more. Stay by my side. I’ll tell you everything you want to know.” Robert smiled warmly “You are my son, you are welcomed in my home. Come live with me and help me with the business. I cannot do this myself.”
“How about the team?” he asked.
Robert snapped, “They are scum! You don’t need them!” when he noticed Riley looked startled, he softened his voice “Why work hard when you can live comfortably? Come, what do you say?”
“Mom would be happy.” Riley smiled causing Robert to laugh heartily.
Chapter 38
Aaron Kwok – Ted Kwong aka Libra
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Ruby Lin – Mia Lam aka Pisces
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Taurus
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Kenix Kwok – Rebecca Heung aka Cancer
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.
Joyce Tang – Reina Ng aka Gemini
Charlene Choi – Jenna Cheung aka Aries
Edison Chan - Ryan Tong aka Sagittarius
Nicholas Tse – Riley Kwok aka Leo
Myolie Wu – Leah Hong aka Aquarius
Raymond Lam – Mark Chiu aka Capricorn
Bobby Au Yeung - Charles Lam aka Chuck
Tony Leung – Robert Kwok
Patrick Tam – Devin Hsu
The sun was warm and the air was humid the day of Joe’s funeral. Hundreds of people gathered there to share their last respects to the distinguished man that changed the lives of the people. The team dressed in their dark uniforms as they settled in the small chapel before the burial. Although they tried to stay strong, it was hard to hide the solemn sad faces that appeared in every row. Police officers lined up in uniforms while Joe’s fellow soldiers from Beijing flew down for the affair.
The team were honored to be seated in the front row, Jenna sat dead center while Matt said his short speech “He was an intelligent man and so kind at heart. More than anyone would ever know. He taught me endless degrees of great skills that I will always take with me wherever we go. I know the team will take a while to get over this void of loss. For Joe was our leader, what is a team without its leaders? But I know if Joe were here, he would want only one thing from us. Move on.”
He finished and returned to his seat while Jenna stood up slowly, tears still fresh on her cheeks as she took the podium “Joe was a hell of a father.” She started bringing a few smiles in the crowd “He was more than a dad to me. He was my friend, that’s why I often refer to him by his first name, he hated it but I loved it. He was my hero yet I often resented him for abandoning me for his work, but standing here today made me realized why he did it. Take a good look around, this chapel can only fit a hundred people but there are more than that standing outside. He would have been pleased.” She lowered her head while trying hard to hold in the tears “I shouldn’t have doubted him. I shouldn’t have argued, then maybe this wouldn’t have happened? Who ever did this to him will pay!” she challenged at Riley, who sat quietly until she looked at him with a vengeance.
Mia turned to Erin with raised eyes “Was that direct?” she whispered.
Erin stood up as she caught everyone’s attention “It’s time for the burial. Please everyone line up outside.” She nodded for the guys to take the casket.
They put on their white gloves, ready to take one of the eight handles. Riley stood at the end of the line with Mark on his other side, while Matt and Chuck stood in the front. Darren and Ted were in the second row. Ryan and Doug were to take the third row. She approached Riley “I don’t want you touching my dad’s casket.” She said with a vengeance.
“Jenna…” Reina began.
“No.” she said firmly refusing to let anyone stop her.
Riley peeled off the gloves as he placed it over the wooden casket “I’ll respect that.”
Jenna took the gloves and decided to carry her father’s casket with the men. She handed Erin the photo of Joe “Can you lead for me?”
“I’ll be honored.” She smiled warmly, there was no soothing the pain she felt. She nodded to Reina, Mia, Becca and Leah to go with her leading the casket to the burial grounds. Riley trailed behind while the long rows of uniformed policemen lined up. It look liked a scene from a Military movie as they marched to an even beat.
The fellow China soldiers lined in as they performed a gun salute for Joe. Shots were fired in the air in honor of the fallen hero. A short excerpt was read from the bible explaining the rebirth of a flower. Metaphorically, Joe was being reborn by placing him in the ground. Jenna kept a straight face but her tears continued to flow, she stood proudly when row after row of uniformed men saluted him for the last time. The team was the last to salute as they circled around the open hole in the ground.
Matt’s commanding voice announced “Salute!” they clicked their heels together in unison and an angled hand laid above the right eye with perfection.
Flowers were thrown into the grave before the tractor pushed the dirt into the ground. Jenna fell to her knees suddenly “Daddy…” it was barely audible but the team’s heart ached for her.
Ryan knelt down with her, he looked at her with comforting eyes. Stroking her hair as he soothed her with a smile. She leaned onto his shoulder comfortably while he draped an arm around her shoulder, helping her up.
Mia turned to Darren “I hate this.”
“I know.” He pulled her into his chest with ease.
It seemed the lump in her throat only grew larger with each minute passing. Erin looked away, afraid of losing control of her emotions. She spotted him in a distance, dressed in a black suit and dark sunglasses, she recognized him anywhere. He was facing Joe’s grave and gave a respectable three bows. Erin turned to Joe’s grave and then back at Devin, he was leaving.
“What is it?” Ted asked when he noticed she was staring at something.
Erin turned to him with a shaking head “Nothing.”
**********
After the burial, Reina and Erin took Jenna home to gather her belongings. She suggested that it was best for Jenna to stay with them in the meantime. The girls walked through the door and noticed the entire apartment was ransacked “What the…” Jenna whispered in shock.
“They were looking for something.” Reina guessed.
“Maybe they already found it?” Erin thought out loud as she looked around the house. His room was torn apart, they didn’t even let the mattress go without tearing it to pieces “Guys!” the girls followed her into the room as she pointed “Whatever it is, it must be important.”
Reina turned to Jenna “Is there anything that your dad would keep here? Important documents or files? Maybe it has something to do with the team?”
She shook her head slowly “He never told me that he kept things here. I would assume it would be in Beijing with him.”
“Whatever it is, they think it’s here.” Erin said with good reason “Let’s clear up the place, I don’t think it’s safe if we stay here any longer.” The girls nodded in agreement as Jenna went to her room to gather her belongings. It was barely touched. Erin started in Joe’s room as she gathered anything that looked important into a pile. She found a box inside his closet that was dumped out.
Reina helped her with the computer which was actually stolen but the disks were thrown around the desk. She turned to ask Erin a question when noticed that she was staring at something “What did you find?”
“An old album.” She motioned for Reina to come closer “Probably from high school or college.” She turned the pictures page by page and stopped at a picture with Joe and another person. They looked to be good friends, arms around shoulders and huge teasing grins at the camera.
“Is that who I think it is?” Reina asked pointing the man with the wavy long hair next to Joe.
“I think so.” Erin nodded as she pulled out the fading yellow picture and placed it into her pocket “We’ll need this.”
She used the box to gather the items and together they moved Jenna’s clothes and belongings to Erin’s home. Jenna sat on her new bed “I’m back.” She said to the bed with a small sad smile.
“You don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to.” Erin wanted to give her options.
“I wouldn’t know where else to go.” Jenna smiled “It’s like having sisters and a half brother.” She smiled thinking about Luke.
“Speaking of half, where is he?” Reina asked.
Erin shrugged “Work?” she glanced at her watch “Ready?”
“Where are you going?” Jenna asked eagerly, she didn’t want to be alone.
The girls looked at each other “The hospital. Operation Bait is starting tonight.”
“Why tonight?” Jenna asked curiously.
“The night of Joe’s funeral? They would think we would be too busy mourning, the perfect night to kill Michael. Matt’s already there.” Erin said “I think it would be best if you stay here, you’ve had a long night.”
She nodded vaguely “Okay.” The minute the girls left, Jenna rushed to Erin’s room to look for her pick lock case. She found it in a dresser drawer “Favorite hiding place.” She smirked and rushed off into the night to R.K. Jewelers. She used her employee tag to enter the front door.
Jenna slipped through the security, entering the elevator she ducked under the camera and before she got out off the top floor, she threw a black cloth over the camera so it would not catch her image. She approached the locked glass doors to Robert’s office and used the tools to get through. She was quick, even faster than Brad use to be with the locks. She checked behind her for cleaning people and eventually made it through to the west wing where Robert’s office sat.
She tried the door but it was locked “Nice try.” She whispered after unlocking the door with ease. Jenna closed it softly and used her small flashlight to snoop around. She remembered his safety chest and tried the different combinations. She tried his birth date as well as his dead daughter’s but it was useless. The combination could be anything. Pulling out his drawers she searched for a clue. She came upon a little yellow notepad paper with a date on there. It was her father’s birthday. Trying to shake the eerie feeling as she tried the combination and miraculously, it opened “Bingo.” She muttered to herself while pulling out a carefully closed file.
Opening it while she placed the flashlight butt into her mouth, she read the information. Her eyes bulged out with each page as she read. It was about the team, he knew everything. Including her information. There were clips of articles from thirty years ago, in England. The headlines read: Interpol Catches P.R.A. Thieves. Another read: Head of P.R.A. Captured. She concentrated on the picture but could not recognize the man.
Realizing that maybe they were watching her, she quickly placed the documents into the safe but kept the articles in her butt pocket. Getting up, she raced for the door but to her shock, it opened and appeared Robert Kwok’s bodyguards. They quickly attacked her without warning. She tangled herself into the fight and eventually lost due to their strength and experience.
Jenna was blindfolded and taken through the back door where a black van sat waiting for her. They drove for a long time and no one said a word which made it more difficult for her to determined where they were going. When the car stopped, they yanked her from the seat and off the van. She felt the soft ground under her feet, it was dirt. They led her inside a place, her suspicions told her it was a home. She could smell the sweet aroma of jasmine flowers. It was Robert Kwok’s home, she concluded.
They took her to the library where her blindfold was taken off but the chain around her hands were still present “Hi Jamie.” He greeted. The room was dim but she could see the conniving smile on his face “Or should I say Jenna? How is Joe, by the way?”
At the mention of her dad, her eyes turned misty “Bastard.” She choked out.
He threw his head back with a laugh “Too bad I couldn’t kill him with my bare hands. But it was fun watching it.” He snickered “The jerk deserved to die.”
“Why?” Jenna asked in confusion.
Robert got up slowly as he walked around his desk and sat at the edge of the table, giving her a better look at his face “A person that takes what is rightfully NOT his deserves to die. I stripped him of every dignity and authority. Afterall, what is a team without a head? I can hear him say that now. Too bad he’s in hell.”
“If my dad is in hell, there’s no place that would take YOU.” She quipped.
His eyes darkened as he glared at her, but slowly he let the calm side take over again “Not bad. You’ve got a smart mouth, too bad it won’t help you this time. Since you miss your father so much, why don’t you go with him?” Jenna widened her eyes while he laughed “Don’t be frightened, child. It will happen in due time.”
The guards took her from Robert’s words. She was locked away in a room with no window, it was as bad as a jail. The chains were cold against her skin as she sat on the ground, her eyes moved up towards the ceiling “Daddy…help me.” Lowering her head, she said a silent prayer in her heart.
Chapter 39
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Ruby Lin – Mia Lam aka Pisces
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Taurus
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Kenix Kwok – Rebecca Heung aka Cancer
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.
Joyce Tang – Reina Ng aka Gemini
Charlene Choi – Jenna Cheung aka Aries
Edison Chan - Ryan Tong aka Sagittarius
Dicky Cheung – Chris Wong
Daniel Wu – Michael Wu
The operation went smoothly with the team surrounding the entire hospital, waiting for Chris to make his move. Mia, Becca and Darren were dressed like patients roaming the third floor. Doug stood by waiting for Matt’s orders. Erin and Reina sat in a car, which was parked in the lot waiting for their orders. Ted was called into the police station and could not make it to the operation.
“You think he’ll fall for it?” Mia asked through her headset.
“Let’s hope so.” Matt said with confidence.
Hours passed and still there were no strange visits. When the team was ready to call it a night, a white van marked ‘Exterminator’ came by and parked in front of the hospital “I see something.” Doug said to the team.
“Everyone to your positions.” Matt ordered.
It was Chris and a gang of four guys dressed in white jumpsuits looking like workers. They wore identical caps which hid half of their faces as they entered the hospital with ease. Looking around, they noticed the coast was clear. The entire hospital were full of white gurney patients and white jacket wearing doctors. The five exited the elevator doors with an aura of confidence, they turned to each other and with Chris’s nod, they split up.
“They just separated.” Darren noticed, his mustache tickled his nose but it was part of his disguise “What are they doing?”
“Maybe they’re checking for us?” Mia wondered out loud.
Matt tapped his chin thoughtfully “Ryan, give us the sign and we’ll clear the floor.”
Ryan was pinned under Michael’s bed, waiting for Chris to arrive “I don’t hear anything.” He whispered. But as he said the words, the door creek open.
“Well, well, well, we meet again.” Chris snickered at Michael’s lifeless body “I’ve been waiting for this day.” Pulling out a gun, he pointed it at Michael’s third eye “I can kill you right now.” Ryan prepared to show his face but Chris’s laugh told him to stop “But that would be too easy. I want Julie to witness this for herself.”
He turned and waited for his four assistants to come back “Its clear.” One guy nodded firmly.
“Good. They’re probably too busy crying over their precious Joe.” Chris snickered “Take him away.” He waved nonchalantly.
After the door closed, Ryan announced, “The eagle has taken the mouse. I repeat, the eagle has taken the mouse.”
“Action!” Matt called to his teammates.
Mia, Darren and Becca’s job were to clear the floor keeping patients out of the way while they gave Chris and his men a clean escape. They caused a few accidents along the way making doctors and nurses stop to check. Becca moved a couple of patients back to their room. At the corner of her eye, she could see Chris and his men moving fast into the elevator “They’re going down.” She announced.
“Doug, your cue.” Matt instructed.
“My pleasure.” Doug moved from his hiding place behind a tree as he placed a homing device under the van. Pulling out the control, he began to activate it “Two more seconds.” He breathed.
“They’re coming!” Erin announced when she noticed Chris walking Michael out with the four men. They had changed him into their matching uniforms “Doug, hurry!”
He pressed himself under the van “Stupid thing never works when you want it to!” he grumbled as he pressed the activation button on the device. He heard the doors sliding open as they gathered inside hurriedly “Come on, baby!” he whispered while punching in the code numbers. The red light came on indicating it was ready “Done.”
The car engine was ignited as Doug had no choice but to hang on. The car moved away with a screech “Doug, where are you?” Matt asked when he looked at his hidden camera screen.
“He’s under the car.” Reina announced as she pulled the car from the lot and followed the homing device control in Erin’s hands.
“Stay far girls.” Matt warned, “Doug, be careful, get off when you have a chance. If they hit a dip, you’re gone.”
His arms grew weary with each passing minute, they seemed to be speeding down a highway. The control still bit between his teeth as he held on for dear life. At one minute, the car made a complete stop, when he realized it was a red light, he dropped his body on the ground and laid straight and still until the car drove off. Moving quickly, he rushed to the left lane “God, I thought I’d never get off!”
“We’re coming Doug.” Erin said as she directed Reina to the direction of the van. Minutes late, the girls arrived, picking up Doug on the way “Well done.”
“Thanks.” He sat in the back of the black sedan “Where do you think they’re taking him?”
“Same place where Julie and Bonnie is kept.” Reina replied calmly.
“How do you know?” Becca asked suspiciously.
She smiled slyly “Because I know.”
Mia giggled through the headpiece “Becca, you need to get over that fear thing.”
Doug chuckled along “Hey Reina, you never told me your secret.”
“Doug Chung!” Becca growled.
“You might want to actually turn off your headset before you talk.” Darren snickered.
“Where are you exactly?” Matt asked as he followed the trail on the digital map screen.
“Remote area, barely any lights. Looks like a quiet town.” Doug reported.
“Wait, he’s stopping.” Erin pointed to the screen on her lap “I think he reached the destination.” She looked up and noticed Reina had not followed the trail “Reina, it’s on the left.”
“I know this place.” Reina replied as she took a detour around the bumpy road. They turned corners around trees and she finally stopped her car under a large oak tree, where the shadow blended them into the small forest.
“Where is this place?” Doug asked.
She smiled under the moonlight “Come on.” She got out of the car, leaving Erin and Doug looking at each other strangely. They followed her towards the lighted mansion. They snuck up towards the van and noticed the men were barely taking Michael out.
“Hurry!” Chris rushed as he looked around in a panic.
Reina walked around the van and showed herself while Erin reached out a hand to stop her, that was not part of the plan “Reina!” She hissed.
Clapping her hands in a slow rhythm, she smiled while Chris pulled out his gun at her “You…I thought you were dead?”
“Strange, I thought the same for you.” Reina snickered “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Erin, what the hell is going on??!” Matt exclaimed angrily. Their plan was to follow and wait for the right moment to attack.
She turned to Doug with widened eyes “We don’t know.” Erin replied quietly.
“Look who I brought.” Reina smiled as she whistled through her fingers “Come on out Erin, Doug. You remember Chris don’t you?” The two were forced to show their faces while Chris’s gun moved to Erin and then Doug, he was confused and not sure what to do “Steady there.” Reina commented when she noticed Chris’s shaky hands.
“Reina, what are you doing?” Erin hissed.
She turned to Erin with a wicked smile “Something I wanted to do for three years.” Pulling out her gun in a heartbeat, she pointed it at Erin’s head.
“Reina!” Doug cried while Reina turned on them and backed up until she stood next to Chris.
“Crap! I knew it was too good to be true!” Becca cursed when she listened on what was going on.
Matt grew nervous for his two agents “Team retrieve, we’re going to get them.”
Reina smiled when she heard the order “Not so fast Matt…” she turned to Chris “There’s a homing device under the van.” He nodded to one of the guys as they retrieved it and destroyed it “Aww…too bad. You can’t find us now.” She cooed mockingly.
“I can’t believe you, Reina.” Erin shook her head disappointedly “You’ve been playing us the whole time?”
She yawned, looking bored “Please, I wasn’t the idiot that fell for the I turned good scam. How could you ever believe that I would turn back to the team? You were the ones that caused me to go to jail! The horrible shit hole was not meant for humans. My only goal was to get out and get my revenge…And Mia…little naïve Mia, who always believed in me…what a joke.” She spat harshly, knowing that Mia was listening.
The team had retrieved in their hideout van as they listened to Reina’s hurtful words “How could you? I believed in you, Reina.” Mia replied through tears.
“She’s not worth your tears, Mia.” Darren comforted his wife.
“Boo hoo.” Reina smirked “What the hell are you standing here for?” she nodded at Chris “Take him inside.”
He grinned happily obliging “I’ll be glad to.” He nodded to the men as they ushered Michael inside.
Reina’s gun still pointed at them “Say you’re prayers.” She pulled back the trigger and prepared to shoot.
Doug reacted quickly as he pushed Erin behind the van before the bullet escaped its mouth. The shot was deafening as Matt and the rest were startled by the gunfire “Shit! Erin, Doug! Are you alright? Come in!”
The two knew it was impossible to hide forever as they made a mad dash to the car while shots continued to escape. Each missing them by a hair. They retrieved their own guns and exchanged bullets with Reina, it was too dark to aim causing them to miss half the shots “Damn, she’s really trying to kill us!” Doug cried as they hid behind the black sedan “She’s got the keys!”
Erin looked worriedly at her partner “We’re okay Matt, but we can’t get away. You have to come for us.”
“Can you give us directions?” Matt nodded to Darren to take over the wheel.
“Yeah, I think I can.” She replied.
Doug looked over the trunk of the car and noticed that Reina was running into the house “She’s gone. She went inside with them.”
“I’m going in.” Erin announced as she refilled her barrel with bullets.
“NO!” Matt ordered “It’s too dangerous. How are you going to defend yourself?”
“I’ll go with her.” Doug said.
Erin shook her head “No, you need to direct the team here. I’ll stall them. If they try to kill Michael, Julie or Bonnie, I won’t stand there and watch.”
“Erin, this is an order, you are not to leave from Doug’s side.” Matt said firmly while the van moved roughly down the highway.
She pulled out her headset and handed it to Doug “If I go down, I’m taking her with me.”
“But Erin…” he began but knew the girl was determined. She would not let anyone stop her. He watched her sprint towards the home “She left, Matt.” He said.
“Damn it!” Matt punched his fist into his palm.
“She’ll be alright.” Mia said with confidence “Erin is smart, she’ll know what to do.”
“I can’t believe she turned on us.” Darren sighed.
“I do.” Becca snickered “I’ve always known.”
Mia sighed, “She had us all fooled.”
Matt turned away, with a hurtful gaze “Yes…she did.”
SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004
