Pushed Too Far
…
Kate turned the corner in to the street that would take her home, dimming the lights on her car as she drove up the road and in to the driveway. She parked the car, closing the car door quietly when she got out. She looked around to make sure nobody was about before going to the trunk of her car, taking out the object, with some difficulty, a thud when it slipped from her grasp. She dragged the object with her as she made her way around the back of the house, placing what she was carrying just under the hedges under the kitchen window before unlocking the patio doors and making her way in to the house. She began searching under the kitchen sink for what she needed, getting the bin bags and cleaning supplies that she required.
"What are you doing?"
Kate jumped when she heard the small voice behind her, turning to see the small girl looking up at her.
"Paige…"
Kate came over to the little girl, kneeling down in front of her, a forced smile on her face.
"Paige sweetheart, go back to bed."
"Mummy's been waiting for you."
"I know dearie, go back to bed."
Kate sighed when she heard the footsteps on the wooden flooring, the footsteps getting closer.
"Paige honey, is that….Kate, you're back."
Kate stood up, running a hand through her hair, turning away from the other woman and small child.
"Kate?"
"Would you please take her up."
"Kate I…"
"Now…." She said, a little louder than she meant too.
Paige hid behind her mother when Kate raised her voice.
"Paige honey, do mommy a favour and go back to bed and I'll be up shortly to read you a story okay?"
Paige nodded before walking away, Kate looked over at her partner to see anger on her face.
"Jess I'm sorry I…"
"Don't you ever yell at her like that again Kate, don't you dare."
"I'm sorry dearie, really I am."
The was complete silence for a few moments before Jess moved in to Kate's space.
"Where the hell have you been Kate, it's nearly 3am."
"I…I had some things to take care off."
"Such as? At this time of night and I…"
Jess stopped short when she finally took in Kate's appearance, noticing the blood just above her cheek. She moved to touch Kate's face, seeing the older woman flinch slightly.
"What happened to your face?"
"It's nothing."
"You've been attacked."
"Jess I…"
"What's happened, we're supposed to be partners…talk to me."
The determination in Jess voice didn't go unnoticed by Kate, who took the younger woman's hand and guided her outside in to the back garden and over to the object she's put under the hedge. Jess followed Kate's gaze to see the white sheet.
"What is that…a dead body?"
"..."
Kate remained silent when Jess looked at her and back towards the white sheet.
"Oh…my god. Are you serious? Kate?"
"Dearie I can explain?"
"Fuck…is that really a dead body?"
"I had no choice, I had too."
"what the hell is happening."
"Lower your voice."
"Lower my…are you fucking kidding me."
Kate grabbed her hand and took her back in to the house, praying the neighbours hadn't heard them. Jess began pacing back and forth, panic on her face.
"Jess dearie, you need to calm down."
"Don't you dare tell me to calm down, I have every right to be worried. We have a dead body in the garden for god sake."
"I'm sorry."
"I don't want apologies Kate, I want answers."
"He…he attacked me, he was going to kill me…I didn't have a choice."
"Why, why was he trying to kill you."
"He wanted Raymond, his whereabouts, they thought I knew."
"Who's Raymond?"
"Someone I know…I knew, a long time ago."
Jess took hold of Kate's face in her hands, giving the older woman a chaste kiss before she forced Kate to look at her.
"Kate, I don't know what the hell's going on but you need to start telling me the truth, if you want my help…I need to know what I'm getting in to here. I have Paige to consider, if this is going to put her and myself in danger then I need to know everything."
"I'll tell you, but first I need to make a quick call and get the body hidden."
…
Raymond Reddington was sitting in his favourite chair, the classical music playing in the background as he took a long drink of scotch from his glass, closing his eyes as he felt the liquid slide down his throat. He heard his phone buzz beside him, taking his phone he saw the unkown number appear on his screen.
"Yes? Who is this?"
"Hello Raymond."
Red heard the familiar voice, his stomach twisting, not quite believing who was on the other end of the phone.
"Kate." He said, surprise in his voice.
"I know I'm the last person you expected to hear from Raymond but…I really need your help."
"What's happened?"
"Can you just come, I'll text you the address."
"Of course, I'll be there as soon as I can."
Red hung up just as Dembe came, removing his jacket.
"There's been a change of plans Dembe, I'm sorry but we have to go out again."
"Is something wrong?" Noticing the worried look on his bosses face.
"I've just had a phone call…from Kate…she's in trouble."
"Kate…she survived?"
"Apparently so."
"And she called you?"
"Yes…I'm not sure what's going on but…she sounded worried. We should go?"
Red got to his feet, putting on his jacket as he and Dembe made their way to Kate.
…
To Be Continued…