Chapter Four
Two Days Later
"This guy really knows how to disappear," Hardison said as he stretched.
"He's got to be around here somewhere," Nate said. "Keep looking."
Nate glanced around the busy streets of New York City as he and Sophie took some time away from the hotel. He looked at her as he set his phone down.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
"I feel fine, Nate, don't worry about me." Sophie reached over and grabbed his hand. "This is nothing that I haven't faced in my life."
"But you don't have to deal with this alone anymore, Soph. You got me and the team to lean on now. I know what goes on in your head." Nate leaned back into the hard back chair.
Sophie smiled and lifted her glass of wine.
"How's Eliot feeling after being shot?"
"You know, Eliot, he finds away to get his mind away from what happened," Nate said.
"He really needs to settle down," Sophie sighed.
"I don't think he will ever settle down," Nate said. "He wouldn't be the Eliot we know and love."
Sophie gave a nod as she looked out.
"It's kind of a shame though that Amelia ended up being a real bitch. She would have made a perfect match for Eliot."
"Soph, let's get off the subject," Nate said. "You're treading on dangerous grounds."
She smiled and looked at Nate.
"So, how bad was Sterling's wound?" Sophie asked.
"Serious enough to put him in the hospital and enough to admit that he didn't want to lose Agent Graham." Nate looked at Sophie.
"Think this little episode will change him for good? I mean for admitting he didn't want to lose her is a big step for him."
"Close calls bring those true feelings out. But so does morphine and alcohol."
"Nate."
"It's true," Nate said as he lifted his coffee.
Hospital
Coleen handed Sterling some files and he looked them over as she used her computer to communicate with the others.
"Where are you, Trotter?" Coleen whispered.
Sterling looked over at her as she typed vigorously on the small laptop. He shook his head and glanced down the file.
She glanced up at him as he flipped through the files and smirked.
"I can't find anything," she sighed.
"He'll resurface sooner or later." Sterling closed the files.
She sat her computer down and walked over to him.
"Just relax a little," Sterling said.
He moved over and she rested in his arms. Her hand lightly touched the stitches. He kissed her head and pulled her close enough to be comfortable and still have her beside him. Her green blue eyes stared at the files and looked up at him.
"The doctor said you may be able to leave in a day or so," she whispered.
"Good, in time for me to get back to work." Sterling leaned his head on hers.
"No, we've talked about this, Jim. You are taking time off to heal. You could have died." Coleen closed her eyes. "I won't have you risking your life like that."
"How am I supposed to protect you?" Sterling asked.
"The same way you always have, from a distance. I have a team to use, you can just monitor from safety."
Sterling rubbed her arm and enjoyed the comforts of holding someone he cared deeply about. His gaze stared at the wall letting his mind wonder. He didn't want to rush things between the two of them afraid to mess up again. But she was different and they understood each other.
"Marry me," he whispered.
He looked down when he didn't hear her say anything. Sterling smiled at the sleeping woman that stayed day and night since he was shot. He had seen her hit her breaking point and had seen her give herself to the job. She had become his balance and brought him into the next chapter in his life. Her nurturing instincts made her an ideal choice to be a mother.
"Maybe another time," he whispered as he just held her while she slept in his arms.
Some Downtown apartment
Eliot slipped out the bedroom of a waitress he met at a twenty-four hour diner. He slipped his shirt on and pulled back his dark hair and did just what he did best…disappeared. There was no reason for getting too attached to someone if he wasn't going to be gone in the next twenty-four hours. It wasn't in his nature to settle on one person.
He slipped out the front door and out down the hall to stairs of the complex. He walked into the brisk air and looked back at the apartment of the young waitress. A smile touched his lips and sighed.
"So, this is where you were," Parker's voice came from behind.
Eliot jumped back and hit his injured side. He hissed in pain and Parker looked at him.
"Damn it, Parker! Why the hell do you do that!" Eliot snapped.
"Thief," Parker said pointing to herself.
"What are you doing here?"
Eliot stepped down the steps.
"Why aren't you bothering Hardison?" Eliot asked.
"He's trying to locate Trotter using Interpol's data base. I got bored and there's really nothing for me to do."
"So, you stalk me instead?" Eliot walked past her.
"I was just curious where you were. Plus you're fun to sneak up on." Parker followed him. "So, what's bothering you?"
"You are for one," Eliot said as he took large steps to get away from Parker.
"Who was she?"
"A waitress, what does it matter?" Eliot looked at her as she kept up. "Is there a point coming soon?"
"No, just curious."
Eliot stopped and looked at Parker. "About?"
"Why you do what you do?"
"Really, Parker?" Eliot rolled his eyes and kept walking. "Go stalk Nate and Sophie for once."
"They're no fun to stalk. Plus they're talking about mushy stuff." Parker stopped and shivered.
Eliot kept up and pulled out his wallet to see no money in it. He stopped and turned to Parker with a raised eyebrow. He extended his hand out to her and she smiled. She reached into her pocket and slapped the money into his hand.
"I hate this city," Eliot muttered.
"You hate a lot of things, Eliot."
"Thanks for reminding me."
As they made it to a cross walk they came across a little luck. Eliot looked forward and stopped midway in step.
"Parker, look," Eliot said.
Parker glanced across the street.
"Trotter," Parker said.
"Call, Nate." Eliot said.
They quickly stepped and crossed the street. Eliot kept an eye as they kept their distance. He was carrying a black suitcase.
"What is he doing?" Eliot whispered.
"Nate, Trotter's on the lower east side," Parker said.
"Quiet, Parker." Eliot pulled her out of view when he saw Trotter looking around.
"Stay with him, we'll have Hardison follow you using your GPS," Nate told her.
"Will do." Parker looked at Eliot as he stepped back into the crowd.
Parker wasted no time in keeping close to Eliot as they followed Trotter. He took a few turns down different side streets, but Eliot and Parker were close on his trail.
"Where is he going?" Parker asked.
"I don't know, but we're losing our cover each street he takes." Eliot tried to keep distance as the crowd began to thin out.
Parker glanced up at the rooftops and grabbed Eliot by the shoulder. "There's always up."
"I'm not climbing any buildings today. The ground works just fine."
Eliot kept walking and lost track of Trotter. He glanced around once they came to a busy intersection. Eliot glanced around looking for him.
"Damn it!" Eliot cursed.
He went to turn to Parker, but he felt something jab him in the back. Eliot took a deep breath and he looked forward.
"Keep walking straight ahead," Trotter's voice came up from behind.
Eliot swallowed, not wanting to take the risk of having whatever in his back be the barrel of a gun. He walked and glanced around for Parker, but she was not in sight.
"So, where you heading, Trotter? You can't fly there's Interpol agents and FBI at the airports." Eliot glanced from the corner at the desperate man and glanced to the other side to see Parker. "Where are you body guards…or I should say Amelia's."
"I'm on my own; I should have never brought in a partner. She got to greedy and probably would have turned on me anyway if Interpol hadn't showed up."
"Good choice, because that's the best way to do it. I did it for years until now." Eliot looked at the busy intersection.
He watched as Parker followed close by and kept her distance. He looked around trying to think fast.
"So, was it your idea to shoot an Interpol agent or was that Amelia's?"
"I don't do the dirty work. I leave that those who are trained for that," Trotter said, "To bad she didn't finish the job and kill the other one."
Eliot nodded and looked ahead.
"Yeah, too bad," Eliot remarked.
Eliot looked at the red light for the cross walk. He looked at the passing cars and looked at everyone around him. He glanced to his left at Parker as she stood there waiting.
"There's one thing you don't know actually about that agent your crazy partner shot," Eliot said.
"What's that?"
Eliot turned and faced Trotter.
"He survived." Eliot head butted Trotter and jumped in front of traffic.
Trotter narrowed his eyes and aimed his gun at Eliot as he dodged speeding cars. Parker raced towards Trotter and grabbed the suitcase. He turned and ran after Parker firing a shot at her. She ran down a sidewalk between crowds of people.
Parker called Nate. "I got the suitcase."
"Does it have the rubies in it?"
"I don't know."
Parker slowed down and took a side street to hopefully avoid Trotter.
"Where's Eliot?"
"I don't know, he took off the opposite direction. Used himself as a distraction running away from Trotter."
"Alright meet at the hotel. Be careful Parker."
"Alright."
Hospital: Noon
The sound of Coleen's phone vibrated in her purse. She opened her eyes and looked around seeing she was wrapped in Sterling's arms. She smiled and closed her eyes.
"Aren't you going to get that?" Sterling said.
She looked up at him and shook her head.
"Not right now," Coleen replied.
"Could be important," Sterling said.
Her phone began to ring again and she sighed. She slipped from the comforts of his hold and reached for her phone.
"Agent Graham," Coleen said.
"Agent Graham, so good to hear that your partner made it," Trotter's voice said on the other end of phone.
Coleen felt her stomach churn. She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Where are you, Trotter?" she answered.
"How about we make a deal, I don't finish the job that Amelia started if you bring me my rubies back?
"I don't have them."
"An agent just stole my case with the rubies. Ask her."
Trotter hung up and Coleen stood up straight. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and stuffed her phone into her purse. She took a deep breath and turned to Sterling. He looked at her waiting for her to tell him what Trotter had to say.
"Mr. Ford's team has the rubies," Coleen's voice shook.
"But Trotter said something else."Sterling pushed himself up.
She came to his side and rested her hand on his shoulder. He looked at her and grabbed her hand.
"I'll be fine, get those rubies and get Trotter," Sterling said.
"I can't leave you, Jim. Not with someone threatening to finish the job." Coleen looked at him.
"You have to be an agent now. Do your job," Sterling said with a stern tone.
Coleen took a deep breath and leaned forward and kissed him.
"I'll be back," Coleen said. "I'll make this quick."
He gave a nodded and she grabbed her purse. She pulled out her phone and called for Sterling's team with orders to make sure no one went in unless authorized. She then called Nate to let him know that she was on her way.
Hotel: 12:30pm
Parker set the suitcase down and opened it for Nate. There the rubies glistened as the light touched them. Sophie got close and looked at them.
"We have the rubies now, so what about Trotter?" Sophie asked.
"He's going to want to make a deal. He'll call someone from Interpol." Nate shut the case. "What happen to Eliot?"
There was a knock on the door and Nate walked towards the door. He opened it and Eliot pushed through.
"I almost got hit ten times running from Trotter." Eliot held his leg as he took a seat on the bed. "I swear I've been shot, stabbed, punch, but getting hit lightly by a car hurts like hell!"
"Maybe you should go to the hospital now, Eliot," Parker said.
"No thank you. I rather not explain everything." Eliot rolled up his right pants' leg to reveal a big gash in his calf.
"I'll get some bandages," Sophie said.
"Check, Eliot's bag he carries it all," Parker said.
Sophie looked at Eliot.
"Call it a superstition, but I thought I'd come prepared," Eliot remarked.
"Sounds like I'm not the only one who believes in that," Sophie said as she looked under the bed for Eliot's bag.
"This ridiculous, it's like I've never been injured like this," Eliot sighed.
Parker handed him a towel and he dabbed his leg.
"Who the hell puts a spike on the front of their car?"
"Ouch!" Parker said.
"Can we get to the issue at hand while you get bandaged up?" Nate asked.
"By all means go on," Eliot remarked.
Nate sighed and took a seat.
"Agent Graham called and said that Trotter called her. He threatened to finish the job Amelia did. She's on high alert right now. She said that Trotter wants the rubies."
"So, give him the rubies," Eliot said.
"We're going to give him the rubies with a price," Nate said. "Agent Graham is going to personally hand off the rubies to him. But without fail Hardison has already added something a little special to the suitcase."
Hardison smiled and lifted a device that stuck to the bottom of the suitcase.
"This will send impulses that will set off all the bells and whistles when he goes through security. And best part is we get to watch." Hardison smiled. "It's wireless so I can control it from here."
"We're handing off the real rubies to Trotter?" Eliot said. "And this is going to help catch him? I don't buy it."
"Eliot, you got to believe that it will work," Sophie remarked.
"Why not just take him down when he's at the airport. Customs will have to search his bag anyway."
"Trotter has papers for the rubies, he's already filled them out and we can't depend on Customs to contain him unless there is a reason." Nate looked at Eliot. "Airport Security will be our only help. Agent Graham will be there when it goes down."
There was a knock and Nate went and answered the door. He stepped to the side and saw Coleen standing there.
"Glad you join us, Agent Coleen." Nate closed the door behind her.
"Is everything set?" she asked. "Trotter's plane leaves soon."
"All set."
Coleen looked at the team and nodded.
"Let's go," Coleen remarked.
Nate nodded and looked at the team. They sighed and all packed up their equipment and followed behind Coleen. She took the rubies and explained the rest on the way to the airport.
"We don't want to spook him. He asked I come alone." Coleen looked at Nate.
"And you will," Nate said.
She seemed nervous as she got closer to the airport. She pulled into the parking lot and Sophie and Nate got out.
"You three stay here," Nate said.
"Of course my favorite place," Eliot mumbled.
"You're injured, Eliot, shut up," Hardison said.
"I've hurt people in worse conditions than this. Broken foot and arm."
"Just chill out," Parker sighed.
Coleen, Nate, and Sophie walked into the airport. Nate looked at Coleen as she breathed deep.
"Just take it easy. We'll be in the coffee shop," Nate said grabbing Sophie's hand.
Coleen nodded. She turned on her ear piece and looked at the two of them as they walked away from her.
"Alright, just relax."
Hospital 1:00pm
Sterling rested easily and shifted in the uncomfortable bed. He had been feeling pain and asked for another dose of morphineto take the edge off.
He heard the door open and looked at the clock. A nurse had said she'd come to check on him.
"I have a bite for you to eat, Mr. Sterling," a nurse said as she pushed the cart open.
"I'm fine," he said. "I'll wait until my daughter comes in to eat."
"Are you sure, its one o'clock already?" the petite young woman stood next to the cart.
Sterling looked over and nodded.
"I'm sure. Just tired."
"That's the medicine they gave you to relax." She walked over and looked at the chart. "Looks like you're heart rate is little above normal. I'll have the doctor come in."
She smiled and Sterling nodded.
"I'll send him right away." She headed to the door. "I'll leave this for you something you feel like taking a bite."
Sterling gave her a nod and she walked out. He closed his eyes and let his mind settle on more pleasant things. He felt his body finally give into sleep.
But it was not long when he heard the door open again. He waited to hear if they said something. He watched from the corner of his eye to see teal scrubs and a white lab coat. The door shut and Sterling looked over to see the doctor. He lifted up the chart and Sterling watched the slender, dark haired man.
"Blood pressure is high," the weary voice of the man said.
He turned and looked at Sterling.
"We're just going to have to do something about that, won't we?"
Sterling became tensed at the sight of Trotter.
"How did you get in?" Sterling said.
"It's a hospital not a prison." Trotter walked over and pulled a syringe from his coat pocket.
Sterling pushed himself up and looked for something to defend himself.
"I don't believe your little agent girl friend will come with the rubies." Trotter walked towards him. "You might feel a pinch."
Trotter thrust the syringe towards Sterling's leg. Sterling lunged to stop his hand. He grabbed Trotter's wrist and pushed his hand away. He could feel the pain that was rushing over his body as he fought to keep from Trotter from stab him with the syringe.
"You are quite strong despite the morphine in your system. Maybe you need a little more." Trotter pressed the button of morphine.
Sterling winced as he felt his body going numb from the morphine. He reached and pulled the IVs out of his hand.
Trotter grabbed Sterling by his neck and Sterling reached for the IV stand and knocked it over in Trotter's direction. He knocked him back and Sterling pushed himself out of bed. He fell to the ground trying to fight the morphine that was in his system. He breathed deep and looked at the blood that dripped from the pulled stitches.
"You are pretty good at what you do," Trotter said getting up.
Sterling pushed himself up from the floor and held his chest. He looked at Trotter and noticed his vision was getting blurry. He stumbled and rubbed his eyes.
"Morphine is a bitch isn't it?" Trotter looked at him.
He stumbled back against a wall and Trotter came towards him.
"I need a little leverage for my rubies," Trotter said.