Chapter 3
Robin had been in Italy for a while now and when she had called this last time she told Robert and Anna how much she misses them, they missed her too so they told her they were coming to see her. They would all meet in Paris and have a nice visit. All three of them were excited to get to spend some time together.
Duke, on the other hand, was not impressed at all when he found out that Anna was planning a trip to Paris with Robert. He felt he needed to talk to Anna about Robert's intentions, they may not be back together yet, but he didn't want her moving on with anyone else either. When he got to Anna's house he was happy that she was the only one there.
"Duke, what are you doing here? I'm in a hurry."
"I came to talk to you about this trip you're taking with Robert. I don't like it. You shouldn't be going on romantic trips with him."
"Who said anything about a romantic trip?"
"The two of you are going to Paris together."
"Oh so you heard where we were going and I bet you never bothered to listen to anything else. You understand that people's lives are in danger right? That we sent our daughter away to keep her safe. We are going to Paris to see Robin! She and Filomena are meeting us there. Robin misses us so we are going to visit her, end of story."
"Maybe for you but would Robert say the same thing?"
"He wants to see his daughter, he hated that we had to send her away and he misses her."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"Well, it should have. A mother and father are going to visit their daughter, that's it."
"Are you really that blind? He still loves you, has he already told you that?" he asked angerly. "Are you still in love with him?"
Anna looked at him, struggling not to start yelling at him. "Duke you are being ridiculous. Now you should go because I have to pack."
Still upset Duke left, he realized that any progress they had been making was just wiped away again because of his accusations. He knew he was jealous and that he needed to control that, but he really did believe there was more than just friendship between Anna and Robert.
...
On the flight over Anna and Robert talked. She told him about Duke showing up while she was getting ready to leave and about Duke's accusations. Robert now knew he had told Duke all he would to help him win Anna back. A part of him was glad Duke was making a mess of things with Anna.
"Duke can be upset if he wants," she said, "but he needs to understand that there is a lot going on and that we aren't just going on a little holiday."
"I thought you two were in a good place again, working out your problems."
"I don't know Robert, one day we are then the next I think I might be wasting my time. I just don't know what to think. I get the feeling he's still keeping secrets as well."
Robert put his arm around her, "Anna take some time to think while we're away. You need to figure out what you want."
Anna smiled up at him, "Thanks for listening to me."
...
Even though Anna had been annoyed about which hotel they were staying at, never mind what room she was in, she believed Robert when he said Sean had made all the arrangements. They were there to visit Robin and that was all that mattered. Anna did like that Robin got to know a little more about her parents brief time together. She felt Robin should know that there was a time that her parents had been very much in love and very happy together.
The first couple of days had been wonderful just spending time together with Robin exploring what Paris has to offer. It was the on the third evening when Robert and Anna had gone out for drinks that they overheard two people talking. Robert leaned in and put his hand on the side of Anna's face partially hiding her face. "I think they're talking about Sean," he whispered as he planted kisses along her jawline.
Anna put her hands on the back of Robert's head blocking their faces a little more. She giggled softly then, "I recognize one of them, Petrof he's DVX," she whispered in his ear as it appeared he was kissing her neck. They listened to the conversation behind them, anyone seeing them would think they were lovers sharing a moment together. When the pair they were listening to got up and started to leave Robert lifted his head some so he could look at Anna. "We're you trying to give me a hickey?" she asked quietly.
"You know I don't leave marks where they can be seen," he said with a smile. "Did you get a good look at the woman with Petrof?"
"Yeah, I don't know her but I could describe her." They stayed close to each other, talking in whispers keeping up the appearance of lovers having a private conversation. "Should we follow them?" Anna asked with a giggle and a hair flip.
"No, let's make sure they have time to leave the area then head back to our hotel." He stroked her cheek then glanced around, "They seem to be gone."
"I don't think anyone was watching them," Anna leaned in and kissed him then smiled. "Take me home, darling," she said a little louder for the benefit of anyone that might have been listening. They stood up and Robert put his arm around her and they walked off into the night together. They walked a couple of blocks then hailed a cab. They were sure no one was following them but they still got dropped off a couple blocks from their hotel. Once they were upstairs they went to Robert's room. "We need to identify that woman," Anna said as soon as the door was closed.
"I know we do. They never said his name but they had to have been talking about Sean right?"
"The current location, the things about his past. If not Sean then one of us," she pointed out.
"Good point, but they could have seen us." They were both pacing, snowballing everything going on in their heads.
"I don't think that they saw us. I need a recorder, I want to get that description on record while it's fresh in my mind."
Robert got one out of his bag and handed it to her. "We'll call Sean tomorrow and give him the heads up."
"You do that, I'll stay with Robin while you take care of all of that." Robert agreed then Anna sat down and started describing the mystery woman that was planning Sean's death. With any luck they will have an ID for her soon, then they will at least know who they are looking for.
...
When Robert got back from the WSB office he went straight to Anna's room. He found Anna and Robin playing a game together, Filomena had gone back to Italy earlier that day, her family needed her help for a while. "Hello ladies," he kissed Robin on top of her head. "Can I talk to your mommy when this game is finished?"
"Yeah, we're almost done. Daddy, are you working?"
"Well just a little, but I promise we'll still have lots of time to have fun together."
"OK, just let me beat mommy then you can talk to her," Robin told him with a smile, he smiled back then sat to wait. After a few minutes, Robin let out a little yell when she won. Anna got up and joined Robert.
"So what do we know now?"
Robert pulled out a picture, "Is this the woman from last night?"
Anna took the picture and studies it, "Yes, who is she?"
"Elena Cosgrove, ex DVX. The WSB isn't sure what she's up to now but the agent I talked to said if she's meeting with Petrof it's bad news. He's a DVX hitman."
"OK, so we need to warn Sean about Petrof."
"I already have. I think what we heard last night was Elena hiring Petrof to go after Sean. They've probably worked together in the past and most likely she trusts him."
"If she's no longer with the DVX why does she want to take out high ranking WSB agents?"
"I don't know. For right now I think we need to focus on Petrof and what he might be planning."
"For right now we need to focus on our little girl, she's why we're here remember?"
"Yes of course." He looked over at Robin who was playing on the bed, "What are we doing today?"
"Robin found out there's a zoo here too and told me she wants to go see what kind of animals they have in a French zoo," Anna told him with a little smile.
"You mean like la bear, la camel and la tiger."
"I think your French needs some work," Anna said and they both started laughing. Robert put the picture of Elena Cosgrove back in his pocket then they got ready and left for the zoo.
...
Anna saw Petrof first, Robert and Robin were still watching the tigers so she knew Robert hadn't seen him. She turned and walked over to them. Anna put her arm through Robert's and leaned into him. He smiled and put his other hand over her as he kissed the top of her head, "Are we being watched?" he asked so only Anna would hear.
"I'm not sure but I just saw Petrof. I don't know if he saw me but it might be time to leave." As casually as they could they left and went to get something to eat. Robert watched to see if they were being followed while Anna tried to keep Robin distracted. Neither of them wanted her to worry that they could be in danger.
Part way through their meal they saw Petrof, he came in alone and sat by himself. Robert was seated so he could see him clearly and believed he was just watching them. When they finished eating Anna again tried to keep Robin from noticing the man following them out of the restaurant. They flagged down a cab and jumped in, shots rang out as it pulled away from the curb. Both Robert and Anna covered Robin when the back window shattered, Anna yelled at the driver to keep driving and they speed off down the street. A few blocks away they got out and changed cabs. When they were sure no one was following them they went back to their hotel.
They all went into Anna's room and Robert called the WSB office to report what had just happened. They were told to stay where they were and arrangements would be made to get them out of Paris.
Anna was sitting with Robin on the bed, Robin hadn't said much since they had gotten back. She had screamed when the window in the cab was shot out and had asked a few questions on the way back but not now. Robert knelt in front of them, "I know that was scary today but we're going to keep you safe and we're all going back to Port Charles together." Robin slid forward and hugged him tightly. He looked up at Anna, she nodded in agreement, Robin had to come home with them.
Since Filomena was in Italy she could just return to Port Charles from there. Now all either Robert and Anna could think about was getting their little girl out of Paris safely. The phone finally rang about two hours later. There would be a car there for them in twenty minutes. Their bags were packed and waiting by the door, they would be picked up ten minutes before they leave. They would be given a case with what they would need and a few things in case anything went wrong.
"Robin we'll be leaving soon, you should go to the washroom," Anna said after their bags had been picked up. She watched Robert tuck a gun into the waist of his pants. She picked hers up, "I don't want to use these around Robin."
"I know, neither do I but I won't go out there without protection. Anna if anything happens out there you take Robin and get the hell out of here. I'll stay and make sure you aren't followed."
"Robert," she started.
"I'll cover you two and make sure you get away."
"I won't go back to Port Charles without you."
"If we get separated you need to get somewhere safe. I need to know I don't have to worry about you two."
"If it comes to that it's me and you taking on the world. No one can know where Robin and I go."
"Yeah you're right," Robert said just as Robin came back into the room then there was a knock at the door, it was time to go.
Anna pulled a few more items out of the bag and handed them to Robert. As he took them she touched his hand, "Our first assignment." He nodded that he understood, then Anna picked up the bag and took Robin's hand, "Let's go."
Robert opened the door, there was one agent waiting for them. Robert had met him earlier that day and nodded to him in greeting. He started walking down the hall, then Anna and Robin last was Robert following them all.
There were three cars waiting downstairs, all the same make model and colour. If anyone was watching them, they didn't want to make it too easy to be followed. When they got to the lobby Robert and Anna saw Petrof at the same time. The agent in front of Anna didn't notice her and Robin turn and go down a different hallway. Robert watched them as they hurried away, then Anna pulled Robin through the door at the end of the hall he knows leads to the side alley. Once they were outside he called to the agent in front of him, "Marks, Petrof's here with two other men." They both pulled their weapons when Petrof noticed them, he motioned to the other men with him. The other three men pulled their weapons as Robert and Agent Marks took cover. As soon as the first shot was fired more WSB agents burst through the main doors.
...
As soon as they were outside Anna pulled Robin away from the main street. They made their way three blocks over by moving between buildings and crossing the street by joining larger groups of people. When Anna thought they were far enough away she hailed a cab. Once they were inside Robin asked, "Where's daddy?"
"There were some bad men waiting for us at the hotel so he stayed there to make sure you and I got away safely. He'll join us when he can."
"I'm not leaving without daddy!" Robin insisted.
"Robin we need to get out of Paris, it's not safe for us to stay here right now."
"I'm not going home without daddy," Robin said as tears rolled down her cheek.
"We aren't. We need to get to the place he's going to meet us. Once we're there he'll find us. It might take a couple days for him to get there but he'll be there." Anna put her arms around her.
"OK mommy," Robin said as she snuggled into Anna trying to stop crying. Robin knew her mommy wouldn't lie to her about this and she had to trust that her daddy would find them.
Anna checked what all was in the bag the WSB had dropped off. There was cash, passports for her and Robin ammo and two more guns. She still had their real passports but didn't want to use either. Somehow Petrof and his men had not only found their hotel but were there at the same time they had planned to leave. She had to come up with a plan to get out of Paris and quickly. When she saw a travel agency that advertised bus tours she told the driver to stop and she and Robin got out. There was only one thing she had to do, that was get her and Robin to their rendezvous point. Once they were there she could worry about Robert.
...
Robert was still in the hotel lobby. There were now six WSB agents there and Petrof and his men lay on the floor all dead. Robert looked at the six agents, one of them had tipped off Petrof but which one? Who could he trust he thought, then he heard Anna's voice in his head, 'it's me and you taking on the world.' The only thing that mattered was making sure his family was safe. Anna got Robin out and he knew she would get them out of Paris. Now he just had to make sure she had time to do that, then he had to get away without anyone following him.
Agent Jasper Marks walked over to him after having a heated conversation with one of the other agents Robert didn't know. "Where are Devane and the child?" he asked.
Robert glared at him, "Devane and the child?"
"Sir, I know they came downstairs with us. I'm just concerned, the child's safety has to be considered.
"The child has a name!" Robert said trying to remain calm. "Robin Scorpio, my daughter. Her mother and I are concerned about her safety, that's why they are both gone."
The agent that had been arguing with Marks came over. "What do you mean they're gone? How is that possible?"
Robert didn't answer his question, "Who the hell are you?"
"Listen buddy, I'm asking the questions. Now tell me where Devane and the child went!"
Robert grabbed him by the shirt collar, "Tell me your name right now or kiss your career with the WSB goodbye!" Robert yelled in his face. This got the attention of the other agents but Marks held up his hand to stop them from coming over.
"Agent Simon Frost, senior agent on this operation."
"So you're the one that failed. You're the one I will be reporting for this screw-up."
"I didn't let Devane and the child get away and they never took one of the waiting cars. This isn't my fault.
Agent Marks stepped forward, "The child's name is Robin Scorpio, her mother got her out of here somehow."
Agent Frost looked at him, why hadn't he been told this was Robert Scorpio's child. "Whose her mother, where did she come from?"
"Anna Devane is my daughter's mother," Robert told him. "My ex-wife is now on the run with our daughter because you and your people messed this up. You couldn't even handle escorting us out of a building."
Frost knew Robert was the interim chief and could end his career so he turned and walked away before saying anything else. Marks moved away from Robert as well, he stood watching the other agents wondering what went wrong. How had Petrof found them and how did he know when they would be moving them? After a few minutes, he went back over to Robert who seemed to have calmed down some. "Sir, can I have a word with you?"
Robert turned to him, he looked around and saw that none of the other agents were close to them. "What is it, Marks?"
"I don't know how this went so wrong. The only way they could have been here is if someone had tipped Petrof off. I'm glad your family got away and I understand why you aren't telling Frost anything."
"At least one of you has a brain."
"I want to help you. Meet me here in three hours, I should be done with this by then." Agent Marks slipped Robert a piece of paper when they shook hands.
"Thank you." Robert watched him as he walked away. Robert still wasn't sure he could trust any of them but Marks was the only one that had said what he was already thinking. No matter what he had to get out of here without any of them following him. If he does decide to meet up with Marks he doesn't want any of these other agents knowing about it.
Robert waited until the agents were all busy. The bodies were about to be removed and the agents were all talking to other people so Robert took this opportunity to leave the hotel. Once outside Robert hurried off down the street then hailed a cab, he got the driver to take him about ten blocks before getting out and walking several blocks then hailing another cab. He repeated this three times before ducking into a little cafe. He got a coffee then took a seat, he pulled the note Marks had given him out and read it.
I know you don't trust us and I understand why. I want to help you get to your family. If you need cash, a car, whatever, meet me at 372 Rue le Brun apartment 7B.
Robert sipped his coffee while thinking about what he should do next. He checked what Anna had given him before they left the room. It was a passport and ID. Like Anna he had his real one as well, he had some cash but not enough to travel to the other side of the country. When he finished his coffee Robert left the cafe and hailed a cab. He would go watch the apartment on Rue le Brun, if only Agent Marks showed up he might risk meeting with him. He got dropped off a block away and walked the rest of the way. It was still about an hour before Marks said to meet but that gave him time to find a hiding spot or change his mind.
...
Anna had gotten lucky and booked them on a bus leaving for the French Riviera that evening. If their luck held out they should be in a hotel room tomorrow afternoon waiting for Robert to join them. She smiled to herself wondering if Robert would remember their names. Anna stroked Robin's hair as she slept, while she looked out the window watching the lights of the city go by. Soon they would be out of Paris, then she could relax.
