Title: Dark Visions
Author: Dreamscape (Shelley J.)
Email: sdjolly@bellsouth.net
Archive: as long as I'm given credit and you let me know the URL...go for it!
Summary: Cody and Monica are undercover, leaving Donovan alone with a new team member and a serial killer to track down.
Rating: R – for language and graphic situations
Type: Romance/Adventure
Spoilers: Slight spoiler to OFAS
Disclaimers: I claim no rights to Frank, Monica, Alex, Cody, Jake or Paul Bloom. They belong to Shane Salerno and, unfortunately, NBC. Everything else came from my warped brain. ;-)
Chapter OneDonovan's pensive frown gave light to his feelings on the subject of Cody going undercover. Paul Bloom paced the room waiting for his answer, while Donovan studied the temporary transfer orders.
"He's the best, Frank, and they need him," Bloom reminded Donovan.
"I know he's the best, that's why he's here." Donovan tugged at the goatee on his chin thoughtfully. Cody was the best and the DEA asked for his transfer to go undercover for their sting operation in Miami, Florida.
"The drug lord, Conseto Vansuala, is looking for a computer wiz. The DEA has put word out of a hacker whose loyalty can be bought for the right price."
Cody had watched the exchange from across the room. He wanted this assignment; needed it to prove he was as good as the rest of the team. He was damn good at his job, that wasn't an issue with him. His issue was that he never put his neck on the line, while everyone else did.
He unknowingly held his breath while Donovan and Bloom left Frank's office and descended the stairs. The look on Donovan's face was guarded, as always, but Bloom's reflected victory. Cody let out the breath he was holding. He was on assignment!
"Good luck, Cody," Donovan offered his hand. "Hurry back to us."
"Don't worry, Boss," Cody said, smiling. "You'll never get rid of me." Handshakes and hugs from his teammates momentarily overwhelmed him.
"Remember, if you need us, for any reason, we'll be there in a flash," Donovan assured him.
"Thanks, Frank," he stammered. "Oh, and by the way, don't worry about my replacement. It's all taken care of." Cody nodded toward the doorway.
Donovan watched as Cody walked to the doorway to talk to the figure standing in the shadows. Female, about 5'6", slim built and she wore the standard issue FBI skirt suit and pumps, but that was all he could make out.
"Hi, Cody," Sabrena smiled, reaching a hand out to him. "How'd it go?"
Cody took her small hand, holding it gently. "Good, Bre, Donovan gave it a go."
She nodded. "Have you told them about me?"
"No, there hasn't been a chance," he said, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, you'll be fine. Frank has your dossier from the Bureau, although he hasn't had a chance to read it yet." He paused when a frown crossed Sabrena's face. "There's nothing in your file to frown about."
"Okay." She looked around the room, taking in the apprehensive looks from the small group. "I'm ready," she told Cody.
Now that Cody led the woman into the room, Donovan could make out the rest of her features. Brilliant red hair—French braided. The length was definitely not regulation. The braid fell to the small of her back. Unbraided, it would fall past her buttocks. A sudden picture developed in his mind of her lying on a bed, her hair spread beneath her like a soft blanket, as naked as the day she was born. He shook off the picture and the sudden warmth that centered at his loins. What the hell made him think that? As she drew closer, he made out the slim oval of her face, her small, pert nose and the slight dimple in her angular chin. And those eyes, sparkling emerald green, shone brightly with uneasiness.
"Everyone," Cody began. "I'd like you to meet Sabrena Fairchild. She'll be taking over my duties while I'm on assignment."
Sabrena shook the hands that were held out to her. Donovan's was the last. She grew nervous under his intense gaze. A spark of anger ignited in her belly; she didn't like that feeling of nervousness he instilled in her. He didn't trust her, she could understand that, but that didn't mean she had to like it. She would prove to him her worth.
"Welcome to the team," he said, before turning his attention back to Cody. "You take it easy, Cody."
"I will, Boss," he answered. "And Bre will take care of everything. I've know her since we were kids, skinny dipping in Old Man Drury's pond." Cody's eyes twinkled with mischief.
Sabrena's jaw dropped. Everyone looked at her like she had six heads. "Cody, are you insane? We were seven years old. Now, get out of here before I kick your ass to Florida!"
Cody held up his hands to ward off an invisible attack. "Okay, okay, just having a little fun before I go." He kissed her cheek and winked. "Take care of the big lummox...he's helpless without us computer geeks."
Sabrena smiled warmly at her lifelong friend and put her arms around him in a soft hug. "Be careful," she whispered. He nodded to her then turned and waved to everyone as he left the building.
"So, you've known Cody for a long time," Monica commented as she sat in a nearby chair.
Sabrena sat opposite her at the conference table. "Yes, our parents were friends at college and they stayed close throughout the years. Cody and I grew up together; he's the brother I never had."
Alex sat next to Sabrena. "For a minute there, I thought there was something between you two."
Sabrena smiled. "Nothing romantic, if that's what you mean. But we are very close."
"So, what agency do you hail from?" Jake joined them at the table.
"FBI. I was recruited while I was in college. Stanford."
While his team chatted with their new member, Donovan went over her file. Twenty-eight year old Sabrena Fairchild had done extensive work with the Bureau on a number of different cases, but was focused mainly on serial killings. He shot a questioning look at Bloom, who still hovered in the background. "What's going on, Paul?"
Bloom edged closer to Donovan. "We have a special assignment for your team. Ms. Fairchild has the particulars. You can reach me on my cell phone if you have any questions."
"Somehow, I'm sure I will," he commented with a somber look at Bloom's retreating back.
Donovan seated himself at the head of the conference table and turned his attention to Sabrena. "So, Agent Fairchild, Bloom tells me you have our next assignment."
Sabrena didn't miss the cold edge to his words. He was none too happy about her being there, nor the fact that she carried the knowledge of their assignment. She retrieved the briefcase she had left at the door, returned to the table and unzipped the front pouch, removing several manila file folders.
"Before you open these, I must warn you of their graphic content," she said, handing a folder to each member at the table. "We're in search of a brutal, sadistic serial killer."
She watched as they opened the files to see several pictures of naked women, their chest cavities ripped open, and their intestines strewn about. Each team member bore the expression of unmitigated horror. Each one except Donovan; his expression was impassive, as if he had no feelings whatsoever.
"The killer guts his victims and rips open their chests while they are alive and conscious. He toys with them while he pulls out their insides. He's a monster, people. Pure and simple."
"You know it's a man, for sure," Donovan asked.
"Nothing is certain, but the profile indicates it's a man." She stood and paced around the table. The profile may not be certain, but she knew it was a man. "We believe he is a white male, in his late twenties or early thirties."
"Why? Why would he do this?" Alex stammered. It wasn't really a question, more of way to express her disgust.
"As you can see, all three victims are female of African-American descent. His profile indicates he has a need to purge his disgust of females, in particular, African-American women. He may have been spurned by such a woman when he was younger, or cannot deal with his own attraction to the race. Which may indicate a racist background in his family." Sabrena paused to take a breath and went to the water cooler to wet her dry throat.
"Where have these murders taken place and why isn't the Bureau handling this themselves?" Donovan asked.
"They are handling it. They sent me. I am the liaison between the JD and the FBI. We need your operatives, you need me," she replied succinctly.
"Fine," he retorted. "Where did they take place?"
"UCLA. On-campus housing. All three undergraduates were housed in the Sunset Village buildings. All of the women were from other countries, but one of the three was the daughter of the French Ambassador." Sabrena returned to her chair at the table. "That's where you come in, Monica."
Monica's eyes grew wide. "What do you mean?"
"The Bureau wants you to go undercover posing as an undergrad, an African Tribal Princess from the Guo Garimani tribe."
"A Princess! Why is it I always go undercover as the scourge of the earth and Monica's first time she's a friggin' Princess," Jake complained and Monica rolled her eyes at him.
"Don't make light of this, Agent Shaw," Sabrena cautioned. "This is a very dangerous assignment. Now, Monica, in your file you'll find a bio. Your tribe is small in number--maybe three thousand, maybe less. Its location is in Kenya near the mouth of the Tana River in the Lamu and Tana River districts, Coast Province."
"What about language?" She asked.
"Your native language is all but extinct. Swahili is the norm now. We have an agent waiting outside to teach you some of the language and dialect."
Monica nodded. She stood and started toward the door before Donovan stopped her.
"What if I refuse to take the case," he questioned. Cases thrust upon them from outside the Justice Department usually meant he had no choice, but he'd be damned if he'd put Monica in danger for anyone. Already he was dealing with Cody being undercover. Monica was just as green as Cody when it came to actual undercover work.
"Did you even look at the file I gave you, Agent Donovan?" She asked with exasperation, hands on hips, head tilted slightly. He gave her a nod before she continued, "Then you saw the letter? The one with the Presidential Seal? Signed by the President himself?"
Donovan opened the file again. How had he missed that? But there it was, the last sheet contained in the folder. Damn.
"None of us have a choice in this matter, Agent Donovan. Not even I had a choice. Although, my duty to fill Cody's position is nothing compared to what your team will undertake." Bre understood his anger, but the President wanted the best. After Donovan and his team handled the Attorney General's son's kidnapping, the President had taken great interest in the agent and his team and when the French Ambassador demanded satisfaction, the President insisted that Frank Donovan handle the case.
Sabrena walked to the door and ushered Monica along with her. Opening the door, she motioned to the men waiting in the black sedan outside. The driver exited and opened the rear door and waited for Monica. "They'll bring you back in two days," Sabrena told her. "By then, we'll have all the necessary paperwork done at the UCLA campus and all surveillance equipment installed."
Monica turned and waved to her friends. "See ya in two days!"
Donovan looked at Jake and Alex. Each wore an expression of disbelief. He felt the same way, although he hid his emotion. Who was this wisp of a girl to come in here and tell him what to do? He shook his head. It wasn't her fault, so why was he blaming her? Maybe it was the take-charge attitude she exuded. Oh, well...time to get to work.
"Are there any other commonalities of the victims?" Donovan asked.
"Yes, they all shared four of the same classes. Advanced Psychology, Cultural Aspects of Medicine, Health Outreach and Education to At-Risk Populations, and Advanced English as a Second Language."
"That was a mouthful," Jake commented.
"We'll start there," Donovan said, rubbing his jaw. "Is the college aware of our operation?"
"Yes, the Chancellor of UCLA will ensure that all our needs are met without delay," Sabrena assured.
"Good. Let's get the surveillance equipment installed in the four classrooms, as well as the buildings the women lived in." Donovan began pacing the room. He would do his best to protect Monica. "Jake and Alex will go on campus to investigate the murders."
"Won't that put our killer on alert?" Alex questioned.
"No, he'll be expecting an investigation," Donovan assured her.
"That's right. He'll also hunger for it, and knowing all the attention is meant for him, it will feed his ego. Unfortunately, it will also intensify his passion for the kill," Sabrena interjected. "The Chancellor has made accommodations at the Bureau's request to make a room available for our Agents in the buildings where the murders took place. Alex and Jake can stay there. That way they will be close to Monica."
"Lady, that's the first thing you've said since I met you that I actually agree with," Donovan said sarcastically.
To be continued...