I was lifted off the floor by strong arms. I remained limp hoping that whomever was holding me would think I was unconscious. I wanted to hear what these men would make of my escape attempt and how vigilant they would be for another attempt. My arms and legs were rearranged into a restful pose while the man holding me spoke.

"I called you and told you to come talk to her so that I could assess her physical state. She wouldn't let me near her in the med suite and you know Loki would arrange an 'accident' if he found out any of us forced her into anything. My god, man. She is his niece, his little sister for all intents and purposes. How would you handle this if it were your sister or Bomber or even Julie?"

"I'd kill you, or at least beat the crap out of you." It was that same deep rumble from before. Still, I needed to get out of here and quickly. "Take her to one of the holding cells for now. When she wakes up we'll talk and you can assess her then." Looks like my chance to get out of here is now or never. The light slants on my face from my left, the side held tight to a broad male chest. No time to dwell on that. As we start to move I try my best to let out a small moan of pain. It works, his steps are slowing. As he takes another step I act pushing hard against his chest and jumping out of his arms. I run to the door and push it open just in time to be grabbed from behind. "No running," came the deep rumble as I was hauled back inside, damn.

I didn't know what to expect as the man with the deep rumbling voice dragged me through the building to what I had to assume was a holding cell. It was a plain room with cameras in two corners. On this door the hinges were on the outside, no easy escape this time. I sat with my back to a corner to wait for the interrogation I was sure was coming.

It felt like I had been sitting here for hours, but that might just be due to the waiting and lack of any time keeping method. The door clicked as the handle was turned so I stood up. I wasn't dumb enough to try rushing the door. I may be blond but I'm not stupid. I was surprised when a curly haired brunette walked in. Surely they didn't think I would talk to them just because they sent in a woman, right?

"Hi, I'm Stephanie. Johanna, right?" I looked at her thinking how I would love to have her curls for a day and deliberately not answering. "Your uncle, Loki, sent you here. Do you want to talk about why?" I sighed. This woman would pester me with questions and I already knew she would find a way to get her answers. Might as well talk then

"I don't know Loki."

"Ok, why don't you tell me who would send you here."

"David"

"Is he your uncle?"

"Yes"

"He's ex-military isn't he." A statement posed as a question. I didn't answer so she continued speaking. "Almost all the guys here are ex-military from one branch or another. Ranger is the boss and is former Special Forces." She looked at me as if assessing my reaction to that statement.

"I understand now." It was cryptic, I know, but I wanted some control back and withholding information was the only thing I had going for me.

"Are you ready to talk about it?" Stephanie asked.

"I want a real room, a hot meal and a phone." My demands where not unreasonable and maybe then I could get to the bottom of what was really going on.

Stephanie knocked on the door then and left after promising to see what she could do. I walked over to the mirror that I was sure was one way glass to start assessing my condition. My long, fine, straight blond hair was a twisted, knotted mess at the back of my neck. The make up I had on was on its last legs and the darkness of my old mascara ringed my ice blue eyes. At least the suit wasn't ripped. It's not that hard to fit my 5'7" frame but I hate shopping for clothes and that might become a necessity as it appears that, for the time being, I'm stuck in New Jersey.

I was starting to get hungry when Stephanie came back with a tray loaded with food. She walked over to the small table to set the tray down.

"Let's eat and we can chat for a bit," she was a little enthusiastic to get me talking.

"Thanks for the food." We ate in a slightly uncomfortable silence for a while. The silence didn't bother me but Stephanie started to fidget as I finished my salad. "What do you want to know," I sighed.

"Why are you here?"

"My uncle can't stand to see me take care of things on my own."

"That is not why and you know it"

"Because over the past three months five co-workers of mine have been murdered."

"Is there any reason to think you're in danger?"

"All of them were working on supplies for a mission I provided analysis and cultural references for."

"That wouldn't be enough to think you're in danger."

"Do I get my room now or do I have to jump more?"

Stephanie gave out a small sigh, "We're just trying to help you."

"That doesn't answer my question"

"Your room will be ready in a few minutes. Bobby will come to take you there. He's really concerned that the drugs might be interfering with your ability to stay conscious."

I gave her a blank stare. Someone asked her to fish and see if I would admit to playing opossum. I finished eating in silence and then waited for Bobby to come take me to my new cell. I really hated being trapped inside. It was one thing when I was staying in because I wanted to and something else when someone was forcing me too.