Finally the bag over Tess's head was pulled off. She blinked as her eyes adjusted to the light.
She was in a car with Vance, the two of them sitting in the back seat. He was on one side, her, the other.
"It's so nice that you're awake now," he said, taking a sip of brandy from a glass. He offered it to her, but she shook her head no.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"We're heading to the airport in Phoenix," he answered coolly. "From there we'll catch a connecting flight to Boston, and from there, London."
"London?" Tess asked confused, "why are we going there?"
"You'll see," Vance almost whispered. He took another sip of the brandy, and then proceeded to stare aimlessly out of the window.
"Now," Vance said quietly, "Don't try to run." He had discarded his gun in the car, and had no way of keeping her with him. "If you make any attempt to escape, I'll call security, and it's over." His voice was menacing now.
"I won't," Tess agreed grudgingly. She sighed as they walked into the airport.
After what seemed like hours of sitting and reading old magazines, they were able to board their flight. Vance had bought them seats at the back of the plane so that they wouldn't be disturbed.
Tess sat in silence most of the flight. She did not move from her seat. Vance had taken her cell phone so that she couldn't call Sean.
Sean. It hurt too much to think about what he must be going through… again. This was now the second time that she had run off with Vance. But Sean would be better prepared to track them this time. I mean, for God's sake, she thought, he was a fucking FBI agent!
Finally a flight attendant came with their drinks. Tess looked at hers. It was a coke. She suddenly felt like a child again; having Vance order her a soda.
She drank it in silence. She didn't dare ask Vance why they were going to London. But she guessed that it was for some horrible, nasty reason. She blocked that thought from her mind and settled down into her seat.
After hours of flying, waiting in cramped airports, and sitting in silence, Tess and Vance reached London.
Vance hailed a cab and ordered it to a hotel. Good, Tess thought, at least we're going to get some sleep tonight. But then she stopped. He's a psycho. Being in the same room as him; possibly the same bed… No. She wouldn't let herself think about it.
The thought made her shudder. Vance noticed.
"Cold?" he asked. He took off his coat and offered it to her. As Much as she didn't want to have anything to do with him, she accepted the jacket gladly.
After a short while, the cab stopped. Tess stepped out into the cool London evening as Vance paid the driver.
They walked into the front lobby of the hotel. Looking at the clock, she saw that it was only about six in the evening. Weird. She felt a lot more tired.
Jet lag, Tess! Duh! She thought to herself.
Vance hurried passed the front desk and straight to the elevator.
"We're not checking in?" she asked, almost jogging to keep up with his long strides.
"No," he answered after a short pause, "We won't be staying long."
The elevator doors opened, and a man stepped out. He gave Tess a soft smile, and she could not help but to smile back.
Just then the man's cell phone went off. He flipped it open and said, "Hi, Sophie. Where are you? I'm in the hotel lobby. What time are you going to get down here? What? Are you sure? I can cancel and stay with you if you like. All right. See you later."
Tess caught the conversation just before the elevator doors slid shut.
After a short ride, they exited the elevator and headed down a long hallway. Vance stopped outside of room 106, and knocked on the door. A woman opened it. She had dark brown hair, and was wearing jeans and a heavy sweatshirt. Tess suddenly felt awkward in her tan slacks and green blouse.
"Sophie?" Vance questioned. The woman nodded her head, staring at him.
Then Vance reached into his pocket and pulled out a gun.
How the hell did he get another one? Tess wondered.
The woman let out a small yelp, and started backing into the room. Vance edged forward, dragging Tess with him.
The woman backed into the bed in the room, and fell on it. Vance grabbed her shoulder and forced a bag over her head.
She cried out, "Robert!" in a French accent before Vance hit her with the gun, and she went limp.
"What the hell are you doing?" Tess shouted. "You bastard!"
Vance turned to her, his eyes blazing, and shoved another bag over her head. Then her world went black.
Again Tess awoke in a car. Her head hurt quite a lot now. She looked over to see the woman named Sophie still unconscious. She slowly sat up and looked to the seat across from her. Sitting there was an old man. Next to him, resting on the seat, leaded two metal crutches.
"Evening, Tess," he said in a British accent, before swinging his arm around towards her, and she knew no more.
