Chapter 4

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Before he left Willy and Barney, Rollin was given a few safety devices and a flexible explosive to hide in his coat pocket.

"Remember, spread the compound over the lower glass pane and I'll do the rest." Barney said. He lifted a small box with a white button in the center. "One click." he said.

"And it will look like the window was pushed from the inside out?" Willy asked.

"Yes. It's been tested."

Rollin understood. "And the pellet?"

"I'm giving you three." Barney said, "Use them when needed."

They could not be too prepared.

[]

"Spectacular." Rollin murmured. He appeared to be talking with himself, overwhelmed by the architectural beauty about him. He was escorted about the great house by its owner, Andre Knoll, who appeared very pleased to show off his home. Rollin already had an idea of what he would be seeing as they explored. Barney had produced a diagram of the interior only hours before he left the hotel room. Their technical expert's ingenuity never disappointed.

Rollin ran it over in his mind as he was directed through the parlor, library, ballroom, game-room, kitchens and several elaborately decorated bedrooms. He walked about the east, north and south wings of the grand house, congratulating Knoll on his wonderful eye for antiques and tapestries. However, his host purposely guided Rollin away from several doors near the west wing; rooms he claimed would be of no interest.

"Merely storage." he said.

Finally, Rollin took a stroll in the main garden with Cinnamon's imposter. He noted the woman was despondent, visibly glum through the mask she wore. Her eyes were somewhat red and bleary, indicating she had cried before his arrival. Rollin suspected last evening's inebriated invitation had been badly received by Knoll, particularly when Rollin called the house first thing this morning and quickly invited himself over. He told Knoll apologetically that he was very busy and would be leaving in a couple of days. This might be his last chance to view the estate's splendor.

"You must be very happy here, Janine." Rollin told the woman, watching her reaction as they wandered.

"Yes." She said, her voice holding emotion, "Andre is a good man and he's been very kind to me."

"That is obvious." Rollin pushed, "He must love you very much. I can see his admiration every time he looks at you." He took her hand suddenly, "You know how I feel about you, Janie. How I've always felt about you." His eyes were imploring, "Any man who looks at you loves you. It is your gift."

"Any man?" she asked quietly, looking from their connected hands up into his blue eyes. Nervous, she pulled back when she sensed their handsome visitor was moving in to kiss her. Complex emotions assailed her. The woman's bottom lip trembled slightly, "Excuse me, James. I must check-on lunch."

Once again, Rollin felt encouraged. He watched the conflicted woman walk to the manor-home from the garden. The agent told her he would follow shortly. Speaking through his button microphone, Rollin told Barney and Willy that, the first chance he got, he would explore the west side of the estate and they should stand ready with their disruption and transportation.

During lunch, sitting in one of the more informal dining areas, Rollin warmly and openly told Knoll that he envied him not just his home and gardens but also that he had been fortunate enough to acquire the lovely Miss Razzman as his devotee. She was an exquisite asset and he, one among many men, was envious.

The woman flashed Rollin an uncomfortable smile.

"Indeed." Knoll bowed his head ever so slightly and lifted his glass from the table in a cheers gesture. "To beautiful women."

"To Miss Razzman." Rollin saluted with a small clarification, "The loveliest flower in your garden. The perfect lady."

The woman stared at Knoll during the toast, met his gaze, and allowed the tears to fall. She then fleetingly excused herself with a sob and ran from them.

"Did I say something wrong?" Rollin appeared stunned but he had hoped this outburst would happen. The woman had been unsteady in the garden, appeared on the verge of weeping even then, and Rollin suspected she and Knoll had bitterly fought.

"Excuse me." Knoll pulled his chair out, laying the napkin beside his plate, stood and followed her.

Rollin waited until they were completely out of sight before he withdrew out the opposite door. Keeping his eyes open to danger, the agent then made his way to the principal staircase and quickly footed it to the west wing. He approached the doors Knoll had been avoiding but was stymied by a call. A footman spotted Rollin and, thinking quickly, he asked him where the closest washroom was located. The young man was accommodating, appearing to suspect nothing, as Rollin walked in the direction indicated. Once he was out of sight, Rollin quickly reversed step and came back to the forbidden doors. He opened one side, slid inside, and shut it again behind him. Rollin quickly surmised Cinnamon would not just be held under lock and key but would probably also be guarded by a sentry as well.

Focused, Rollin rounded a corner and quickly stepped back when he learned his assumption was correct. The man, appearing bored, sat in a chair just outside an ornate door of what appeared a bedroom. Rollin reached into his jacket's inside pocket and produced one of the pellets Barney had insisted he take with him. Rollin was now glad he listened. He broke the seal on the external wrapper and, with a silent but forceful pitch; he aimed directly at the guard. Rollin, peering around the corner, observing a small puff of smoke and watched as the man fell from his chair, dropping to wobbly knees, then collapsed to the floor unconscious.

He tried the door, rattling the handle, but it was locked. Rollin searched the prone man on the floor and found the key in his left-side pocket. "Good boy." He whispered and slipped the key into the lock. It was a smaller bedroom compared to the others Rollin had seen and far more clinical. He slowly made his way inside then, spotting her, he rushed to the bed.

Cinnamon lay on her side, wearing a dark skirt and long-sleeved blouse, peacefully sleeping. She was pale and seemed a little too thin, he thought, but at least she was alive … Rollin, attention diverted, noted several odd apparatuses near the bed and wished Barney was with him. He might be able to identify exactly what they were and if they posed a danger to he, Cinnamon or the house should they come into contact with a flame or small detonation. If they had more time he would describe them to Barney but, as it was, Rollin felt he would be lucky to get Cinnamon and himself out of the house in one piece.

"Cinnamon," Rollin whispered. She was whole and alive and lovely despite her ordeal. Yet, a distrustful part of the agent could not believe it was this easy. Carefully, sitting on the edge of her bed, Rollin reached over to touch Miss Carter's chin and cheek. He needed to be absolutely certain that this too was not a mask. It was not. It was the woman's own perfect peaches and cream complexion. "Cinnamon." He repeated and watched as she stirred, her head slowly rocking back and forth.

Regardless of the danger, Rollin paused and was once again reminded of how he had watched her sleep, months ago now, while they were cruising the Hawaiian Islands. She was just as appealing now, soft and warm and nearly kitten-like in her attempt to awaken. Rollin felt the tension leave his neck and shoulders. That release heightened when he acknowledged that she might also be able to answer some nagging questions.

She gulped slightly as her eyes fluttered open. At first Cinnamon could not believe what she was seeing, "Rollin?" she queried. No, it wasn't possible, she thought, and nearly cried out at Knoll, telling him to stop tormenting her. "Rol …"

"Yes, it's me." He took her by the upper arms and helped Cinnamon to sit upright. He smiled warmly at her disbelieving expression. His smile widened slightly as an uncertain hand lifted to touch his jaw and cheek, as if she too were searching for a mask, the fingers drawing a line up to his temple. "Are you all right?" he asked.

"Rollin!" Cinnamon threw herself into his arms, now fully recognizing her colleague, friend, and lover; grateful for his presence and so pleased she had held on to her resolve. She knew they would come for her and – somehow – Cinnamon also knew Rollin, not Jim, would be the person she would see first when awakening. "Darling. I …" she started but stopped when Rollin tapped the button on his jacket, indicating they were being listened in on.

She nodded her understanding.

Rollin then touched her hair, silently leaning forward to kiss her on the forehead, and looked into Cinnamon's exhausted eyes. He could not begin to know what Knoll and his people had done to her but the equipment in the room, a contrast to the antique furnishings through-out the rest of the house, was strange and disquieting. He would ask her about it later. Currently, escape was paramount. "Can you move?" he asked her.

"Yes." With his help she stood and slid her feet into a pair of low heeled leather slippers. Cinnamon teetered for a moment, feeling dizzy and spent, but his arm holding her steady gave the woman strength. "How are we going to get out?" she asked, snapping back into an inquisitive IMF agent.

"It's taken care of but this is a part of it." He pulled the compound from his pocket, a putty-like substance, and walked over to the room's lone window. He looked outside, careful no one was in the garden and able to spot them. He then spread it on various areas of the glass, paying careful attention to the bottom portion as Barney indicated. Once finished, Rollin lifted the top button of his jacket. "Barney, this is your queue. Give us ten minutes then activate. Willy, bring the truck around."

"Will do." came a crackle in his ear.

Rollin then looked at Cinnamon and reached for her hand. "Come with me." he said.

[]

Once he had locked the bedroom door behind Cinnamon and himself, Rollin up-righted the sentry in his chair and placed the key back into the man's pocket. When the guard awoke he would merely think he had fallen asleep on duty. This would not be something he would call to Mr. Knoll's attention.

Again, Rollin took Cinnamon's hand and rushed her to the hallway which connected the west wing to the main staircase. They were standing in a small darkened alcove as he peered into the downstairs foyer, to see if anyone was present or looking for him. "Wait here." Rollin told her as he carefully disengaged Cinnamon's hand from his own. Cautiously, he began to make a move for the stairs.

"Don't go." Cinnamon suddenly said, grasping his arm, appearing nervous and frightened.

Looking into her darting green eyes, Rollin was sympathetic but surprised. Cinnamon was usually very cool and poised, even during their more desperate missions. It was one of the abilities that made her such a valued secret agent. Still he, none of them, could know what had happened to her after Cinnamon had been kidnapped. Rollin suspected a large amount of chemicals were now coursing through the woman's blood stream. Probably enough drugs to make any human being edgy and distrustful. He would make a note later to check her arms for pinholes. "It's okay, Cinnamon." He spoke gently and touched her shoulder, "You'll know when it's safe to move. Quickly make it out the front door down to the gate. Willy will be waiting for you. Understand?"

Attaining control, she bobbed her head. "Yes." And before she let him go said: "Please be careful, Rollin."

He gently gave her shoulder a squeeze before making a run for the staircase.

Rollin was halfway down the stairs when he heard muttering shouts from Knoll's parlor. They came from his woman and Rollin, curious, approached the curtain dividing it from the foyer. He watched at the couple argued with one another and suddenly was made aware of another possible development.

"Be honest." She said, "You don't want me. You want that blond, that ridiculous piece of fluff upstairs, with the beauty and dignity I am so greatly lacking!"

Rollin noted her accent. A Swede, he thought, and – despite the situation - admired her nearly flawless adoption of an American accent.

"Even that fool, Jefferies, loves her and he hasn't seen her in years!"

"Quiet, Marie." Knoll lifted a hand and glanced over his shoulder in the direction of the dining room. Then, "She is merely the means to an end and you know it. We have no time for this petty suspicion. That fool is still waiting for us, probably on his fifth glass of wine since we left him alone. We need to get him out of the house."

"You go back in there!" she hissed, "I am done for the day!" With that, the woman defiantly pulled her Cinnamon mask off, revealing short auburn hair. Marie was by no means ugly but she was rather plain, Rollin thought, and he could see why having someone as divine as Cinnamon Carter in their home might make her jealous. He suspected there was more to it than that but if she and Knoll were lovers Rollin could only guess this was not the first fight they had after he abducted Cinnamon.

"Once this whole thing is over, when our duty is complete, you and I will not have to worry about Miss Razzman ever again." He assured, taking the reluctant Maria into his arms. "The plan is self-eliminating, my love. Remember?"

"So says Dr. Kwik." The woman relented somewhat, "Sometimes I think you trust that man far too much, Andre."

He smiled at her and touched Marie sweetly under the chin. "The party at the American embassy will be unlike any they have ever seen before."

Rollin stepped back, certain yet hesitant of the IMF's next move. His instincts told him they needed to keep Cinnamon where she was. Whatever Knoll had planned involved her and they would not truly understand her part in their enemy's mission unless the undertaking was allowed to progress. However, on a more personal note, Rollin did not want Cinnamon in danger for another moment. What if part of Knoll's assignment involved killing her before tomorrow night's party? The uncertainty was mind-boggling.

They would go ahead as planned.

Rollin could only hope that by taking Cinnamon away he had stalled the assassination attempt on one of the diplomats for another time. In a way, although not a permanent solution or something Jim Phelps would be proud of, it would still make for a successful mission. He silently watched as Cinnamon, seeing the coast clear except for Rollin, walked down the stairs, her eyes darting about, until she reached the front door. She paused briefly, acknowledging him with a short nod, then made her exit.

Rollin returned to the dining room. A few moments later Knoll arrived to see Rollin, or Mr. Jefferies, indulging in another glass of his fine wine.

"Forgive me." Knoll said.

"Not to worry, my friend." Rollin replied, "I understand that often times affairs of the heart take precedence."

"Indeed. Thank you."

"But I really must be going." Rollin put the glass down on the table and stood, "Forgive me for taking up so much of your valuable time, Mr. Knoll."

"Will I be seeing you at the Embassy party tomorrow night?"

Rollin smiled as he rounded the corner to shake Knoll's hand, "I wouldn't miss it." Then: "Will Janine be coming down again?"

"No, I am sorry. She has a headache."

"Oh, I am sorry." Rollin said as he was escorted to the front door, "Please, give her my best. Perhaps next year you both can come to the United States and be my guests."

"Sir!" A mature footman with a thick accent came to the dining room, appearing anxious. "Apologies sir. There is an emergency that needs your immediate attention!"

Knoll sighed audibly, "The life of a landowner." He explained to Rollin. "Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Mr. Jeffries. It's been a pleasure."

"Sir, please hurry! It's in the west wing."

This caused an immediate reaction and Knoll left Rollin, in mid handshake, at the door as he raced up the stairs. With a mild smile, Rollin hesitated for a few seconds before he exited the house. "The pleasure was all mine." he murmured as he walked to his car.

Rollin waved at the gate guards as they opened up to allow him escape. He had Barney's two remaining knock-out pellets within easy reach just in case there was trouble but, as yet, Knoll had not given the word and he left without obstruction. Eventually, he would catch up with the others in the truck and they would proceed directly to the safety of the American embassy. The hard part was over, Rollin thought. With Cinnamon safe all they had to do was be certain the diplomats were out of danger. He was confident, with the help of his team members, they would prevail.

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"That was unexpected." The woman said, standing beside the shattered window of the small bedroom in the west wing. She looked out into the garden and the gate beyond the yard. "I find it stunning, after all we did to her, that she managed an escape."

"Yes." Knoll stood behind Marie, placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Do you think Jefferies helped her?"

"Possibly, although we are intended to believe she did it on her own." He looked closely at the window. It looked as if Miss Razzman had pushed it out and carefully crawled along the outside ledge to drop to the grass below. "In the end, it does not matter. It is not ideal but we already know she, whoever the woman really is, will insist on staying on at the embassy. She will go to the farewell party and eventually all will work as envisioned. As a matter of fact," He turned Marie around to look at her, "this is less dangerous for you, darling. I can appreciate that."

"With her free you will not need me to go to the party? Are you sure? Perhaps I can run interference." she said, attempting to be helpful.

"It might have been nice to have you there, masked as Janine and planting seeds of doubt in certain ears. However, with her there in full view of a room full of people - and Dr. Kwik ready to do his part – this could work out very well."

His hands touched Marie's auburn hair and caressed her pale cheek.

Pleased by his attention now that the blond was gone, Marie chuckled and allowed Andre's affection. She leaned forward, awaiting a kiss.

"Soon it will all be over, dearest." Knoll said just before he snapped her neck and watched the stupefied woman fall to the floor, dead.

She had outlived her usefulness.

He would have to notify Dr. Kwik of a few changes.

[]

They arrived at the embassy by twilight and Cinnamon assured her team that although she was fatigued she felt well. Rollin insisted, however, that the embassy medic check her over. The doctor declared that although Cinnamon was a bit dehydrated and disoriented she was well. She had been drugged as Rollin suspected but they were advised that it would have no lasting consequences.

After a good night sleep she would be up for breakfast and questioning.

Willy was the first person who mentioned they needed to get her back to the states for a debriefing and care but Cinnamon told them no. She was absolutely determined to be at the farewell party for the diplomats the following evening. After all, Cinnamon reasoned, she was still an agent and since the mission was still in progress - and it did not seem she was compromised - she wanted to see it through.

"Besides," Miss Carter said, settled into an arm chair and drinking a cup of tea before she turned in. "I am going to love seeing Knoll's expression when he sees me at the gathering. I might even ask to slap the cuffs on him and Dr. Kwik myself." She jested.

Rollin reluctantly agreed to let her finish out the mission but told Cinnamon he would be by her side constantly. He smiled uneasily when she nodded, sipping her tea, and gave him a secretive wink.

[]

Continued ….