This is a fiction I wrote quite awhile ago. Re Edited and cleaned up a bit, I hope you will enjoy WHEELS 2, a sequel to the 1st Season Episode, WHEELS, where Cinnamon (Barbara Bain) plays two different characters and finds herself attracted to the kindly Miguel Cordova (Martin Landau who, of course, also plays Rollin Hand). Thank you, Becky99.

CHAPTER ONE

The sky above was darkening. Yet, in contrast, a brilliant gleam shone from his inspired eyes. "We won. Did you hear that, Anna? We won." MIguel Cordova spoke softly, almost in disbelief. He had been so certain the opposition would take an unquestioned win ... He, of course, realized all of Polaria's people begged for freedom and would vote against a hard-line military dictatorship, but he knew the Commandant. He wasn't a stupid man.

If the Nationalists really wanted this election, it would have been won, by any means.

Was it possible there was interference on the Liberty Party's side? Something, perhaps, to counteract the Captain? No. He wouldn't ... couldn't think of that just yet. Miguel Cordova looked into her admiring eyes. "Perhaps you don't have to go now." he said, hopefully.

The relief Cinnamon Carter felt when the political announcement had been made over Miguel's car radio suddenly turned into confusion. The man had grown fond of her. That was expected. If he hadn't, the entire mission might have failed. Feeling no pity, Cordova would very simply have ignored her pleas for mercy and left 'Anna Cro' to the foreign police. But Miguel wasn't that sort of man. "I wish that were possible," she smiled, sadly. Slowly, the woman leaned up and forward, planting a soft kiss on his mouth.

Her lips were warm, almost melting, and a simple man like Miguel Cordova would remember it and her forever.

"I wish things were different." Cinnamon had access to Miguel's files before their first meeting. The woman already knew of his political imprisonment. The marks of manacles would forever scar his wrists. Why he was arrested, she could not be altogether certain. She could only assume the man's natural sense of what was right interfered with the thinking of his country's superiors. Nevertheless, after the war, he was able to re-register for the vote... And, in sense, won his battle. A government's adaptability would never cease to surprise her... especially when a Nationalist government found themselves in the wrong.

"Things will be different now," he whispered, a hopeful vigor radiating in his expression.

"I hope so." Parting from him, Cinnamon walked quickly to the awaiting bus. It would take her to Copalina where Dan and the rest would be lodged. Then, the following day they would board a plane and return to the United States. She was unable to prevent a last look at Miguel, then boarded.

He stood, watching her from the side of his stalled V.W. Bug. The gas station attendant said it would be fixed by morning. It took all the self-control he could muster not to run after her, begging her to stay. The last time Cordova felt such a surge of emotion was when he'd mourned his wife, Margara. Such a flower she had been!

When the bus pulled away Miguel was left with a hollow feeling. For a brief time, in spite of the desperate circumstances, he had felt happy. Now, for reasons unknown, the object of his growing affection would probably never return. Miguel realized it was foolish to become emotional over such things. He barely knew the woman! But, he could not understand Anna's quickness to leave. For awhile it seemed she'd genuinely returned his fond feelings.

'She has family, perhaps...' Miguel reasoned and suddenly smiled. 'She is safe. That's what matters'

[]

When Cinnamon's bus pulled into the station, she was still thoughtful. The entire five-hour trip had been hot, sweaty and uncomfortable, in spite of having been driven during the cooler night. Yet, she hadn't dwelled on the heat and darkness. The woman could only think of poor Miguel and the possible danger the IMF had placed him in. While it was true that his Liberty Party had won, and Polaria was now a free country - extricated from the dictatorship of cruel government officials - the new reign wouldn't truly take over or go into official effect for another month.

That part bothered her. But more-so was in the idea of Cordova making an all too soon appearance at his bookstore in the 12th District. Captain Traise and the Commandant had seen Miguel (as portrayed by Rollin) collapse, do to 'heart failure'. They, along with several other citizens, had also seen him carted away in an emergency vehicle, which was supposed to be taking him to a hospital.

How was it going to look when this perfectly healthy but confused man to set up shop only a day after his affliction? Certainly he'd be questioned. What type of answers could he give?

As hard as Cinnamon tried to shake the feeling, she couldn't. Miguel might find himself suffering through painful interrogations before the Liberty Party was able to take full control. A puzzled Cordova would be able to tell them nothing of importance. And certainly he would not tell them about his valiant escapade at removing escapee 'Anna Cro' from the eyes of their searching police. He was too gallant and honerable and, besides, such information could cause more problems than he already had!

The attractive spy shook herself. This was foolish. More than likely, Captain Traise and his Commandant were hiding their heads in shame. Not only did they lose the election, but any evidence of sabotage would show them for what they truly were - ignorant fools. After all, the voting machines were being held in their own police station, protected by armed guards. How could they look their superiors straight in the face and say they thought the station machine were broken into - devices tampered with right under their noses? They might be shot on sight. No. For those two the best action would be to ignore the mystery of the suddenly up and about Miguel Cordova and accept defeat without a struggle.

Cinnamon felt immediately better. Standing on the bus station floor, in the heavy flow of native well wishers, she finally spotted Rollin Hand. He'd had been looking for her ever since the trail of buses pulled in. He was dressed as she was; out of fashion. A peasant husband meeting his young wife.

When they made contact, he held her in his arms and kissed her tenderly. His wife had been on a long visit to Tanda, a city several miles away. "It went without a hitch," he whispered in her ear.

Cinnamon could have laughed. Those were hardly the words a lonely, deprived wife wanted to hear after such a long bus drive. As they walked, she asked softly, "What about Barney? How's he doing?"

Their electronics expert had been unexpectedly injured during a prison break-out and riot at the beginning of the perilous mission. He, however, refused to return to the United States until the mission was completed and he had done his part.

"Barney's fine." Rollin smiled. "He's lost blood and almost passed out while rigging the machines, but we got him shuttled off an hour ago. Willy's with him. By the time we get back to the States, he should be up and about in a hospital room."

"That's a relief." Cinnamon sighed and could feel the tense muscles around her neck relax. As Rollin's arm rested across her shoulders she could only think, "Thank God it's all over!"

[]

By the time Rollin and Cinnamon arrived at the motel room, (Rollin had signed in as 'Mr. Dias' and laughingly told the clerk that he was going to surprise his wife with a sudden second honeymoon), Dan Briggs - chief of the Impossible Missions Force - was pacing the floor in agitation and deep thought.

He'd checked into a room down the hall but waited in the larger for the couple's return. Stepping through the doorway, Cinnamon looked at her boss with concern. Rollin didn't seem to notice Dan's new mood. He moved directly to his equipment and began to check out a make up kit. The jostling in the escape van (disguised as an ambulance) had caused predictable damage to a couple bottles of liquid latex and cracked several plastic molds. It couldn't be helped, Rollin knew, but he sometimes wished there were less exciting, gentler ways of completing missions.

Finally, without formality, Cinnamon questioned Briggs, "What's the matter Dan?"

"We've been told not to interfere, so it doesn't matter." He spoke hollowly, through half angry, clenched teeth. "I hate when something like this happens."

Rollin turned from the mess in his kit and stared at Briggs for a moment or two. Cinnamon glanced once in the agent's direction, then back again at his superior. "Did something go wrong with our mission?" he asked. Then, in second thought, "Wait did Barney have a turn for the worse?"

Dan shook his head, "Nothing like that. Our part of this mission and Barney are both in good shape..."

"Then?" Cinnamon could feel her fists tighten in impatience.

Briggs really did not know whether he wanted to tell them or not, but they truly weren't giving him choice. "An hour ago I made contact with The Secretary. I needed to update him on our progress and also wanted to see if Barney and Willy had arrived on schedule. The Secretary informed me that Barney and Willy were fine and being debriefed at a hospital in Los Angeles." Dan sighed and continued, "Unfortunately, he also informed me that secret sources in Washington report," Dan bit his lower lip for a moment and looked deeply into Cinnamon's eyes, "Miguel Cordova has just been arrested."

"What?" Even though this had been a fear of hers Cinnamon couldn't believe her ears, "Miguel?"

"Yeah," Dan continued, "the investigative police say he and a cryptic 'woman' rigged his heart attack just so he could skip the country and get away from being taken. Traise is saying Cordova belongs to a network of embezzlers. They were supposed to have been his conspirators in crime, part of Cordova's private syndicate. All this came out a few hours ago, although the law is saying they've been watching Cordova for months."

Cinnamon's eyes were wide and angry, "Miguel's lived in the 12th District for most of his life. He's been nothing more than a loyal citizen and brave countryman. A patriot!"

"I can't believe it!" Rollin was furious, "Traise and his Commandant are lying. Can't anyone see that?" On the other hand, Rollin thought, acquaintances had seen Miguel (Rollin) drop just after he had been faced with threatening questions about Katherine Block (Cinnamon), the lovely American whom he'd been accused of keeping company with. It was all very convenient. "It's obvious they think Miguel was complicated in OUR scheme, but instead of making themselves look stupid with talk of a police station break in - they've developed a trumped up charge." He glanced at Cinnamon then Dan. "Katherine Block is American. Couldn't this cause misunderstanding between Polaria and the United States?"

"It might," Dan agreed, "but Polaria is small. It can't afford enemies as big as the States. Only silent steam. There will be no accusations."

Cinnamon touched her forehead as if she were developing a headache. "They're questioning Miguel on a subject he knows nothing about, Dan." Rollin's earlier statement was exactly what she was thinking on her bus ride. The 12th district police didn't want themselves to look like fools. She could feel private tears of grief pushing up and silently cursed her sensitivity. The woman looked at her two companions, an anxious sparkle in her eyes, "When was he arrested"

"Only an hour and a half after your bus pulled out. They picked him up at the gas station."

"Wait." Rollin frowned, "How are they going to explain why Cinnamon was let go? If she was with Cordova when he was attempting to 'escape', then she should be under suspicion as well. A policeman would have been waiting for Katherine Block when she arrived in Copalina."

Briggs sat in a chair beside him and stretched, "Now we're getting back to an American involvement. Undoubtedly the Commandant is telling the public about 'Anna Cro' - the European refugee."

"But Miguel would not tell them about me." Cinnamon protested. "Under threats I'm sure he wouldn't breathe a word."

"And under torture?"

"Do you really think it could go that far?" Cinnamon understood her surprise to be uncharacteristic. She was wise enough to know what lengths dictators could and would go to when desiring information. "But they know about Katherine Block? Why would they believe Miguel when he calls me Anna?"

"They have no real reason to disbelieve him. No one says a European spy can't imitate an American spy. They think you lied to them and she and Miguel are involved. Cinnamon, who knows what they're truly thinking. All they know is that you were not who you pretended to be."

"And Miguel is part of a conspiracy to overthrow the Nationalist party." Rollin added. His tone was quiet, "The Liberty Party has succeeded on the part of fair elections, but I think we've destroyed Cordova while helping them."

Cinnamon looked thoughtful. "Dan," she began with abrupt determination, "we have to rescue him."

"No." Briggs was quick with his objection. "Our part is done. If we were to attempt a rescue we'd be acting on our own. The Secretary was very explicit when handing out our orders. If anything goes wrong, we'll get no help." Noting the surprise in her eyes, he finished, "And, I will not accept that responsibility."

"Dan!" she practically cried out, "a man's life is in danger. Why are you suddenly being a 'by the book'?"

"I'm sorry."

"But it's OUR fault that Miguel is in the situation'," she appealed. "A victim of circumstance. His arrest was never in our plans."

"I understand that."

Rollin gazed steadily at Dan's solemn expression. Briggs was his friend and he knew him well enough to understand he was hiding his true feelings. He had a conscience. Dan felt bad enough about Cordova's imprisonment and didn't want to anticipate one of his OWN team members in a similar position. While it was true that the IMF team had a good working relationship, it was also true about a deeper camaraderie between business partners ... a friendship, that was more endearing than what could be assumed by the sometimes stiff actions displayed. Rollin considered all this before saying what, he knew, one member wanted to hear, "Dan we're both willing." His friendship with Briggs might be in jeopardy but Cinnamon was a different story.

The closeness they shared was intimate and a bit more hidden. Hand was sincerely unable to brush her feelings aside, as was expected by an authority figure.

Cinnamon looked over at Rollin and flashed him a quick, sweet smile. He, at least, was with her on this one ... and she could feel a rush of adrenaline. "Dan, whether you agree or not, Rollin and I are going to make an effort at this. We would much rather do it with you than without." She took a deep, rather nervous breath. Cinnamon was not one to openly display her emotions or, for that matter, mutiny. But he had to understand. "Miguel is a dear man and I will not stand by and watch his life be torn apart!"

Unexpected, a smile upturned the corners of Briggs mouth, "This means a lot to you doesn't it?" When she nodded, he looked at Rollin, "What can I say? I was never one to argue with a lady..."

Plans would have to be made.

[]

To Be Continued ...