Disclaimer: Still not mine … unfortunately …

A big thanks to Maria656 for betaing this chapter. You did an awesome job and YOU are my personal hero! ;-)

Hope you enjoy!

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4. Careful dance

Max weaved through the crowd. She made one step to the left and dodged a laughing group of women that had blocked her way. After passing them, she stepped back to the right and already felt a bit of the tension inside of her vanish. The first obstacle was placed safely between herself and Lydecker, but his intense glances still seemed to burn torrid holes into her back.

He was still so close … too close!

She forced herself to keep her casual pace, forced herself to let her hips sway provocatively with every step and then expertly sidestepped a couple that apparently was involved in a hot tempered argument.

That's better … so much better. She breathed a sigh of relief, ignoring the angrily hissed words of the couple. The goose bumps on her upper arms vanished gradually and her heartbeat went slowly but surely back to normal.

She even allowed herself to take a closer look at the Christmas tree that now stood impressively in front of her, towering above everything in the middle of the room.

The tree was lovingly decorated with gleaming stars, red globes, sweets and fairy lights. Batches of nicely wrapped up packages had been piled up beneath the far-reaching twigs of the dark green fir. It was a huge tree, and it provided perfect cover.

Max seized the chance and after ensuring that Kendra and Bling were still dancing, she scanned the room carefully for any suspicious activity. She found nothing. It seemed as if everybody was having a good time … okay, everybody except the arguing couple she had just left behind.

The bitter taste of envy ran down her throat. She had only wanted to enjoy the evening, tried to have some fun. Life ain't fair girly-girl…, she told herself with a hint of sarcasm … especially not for an X5 on the run.

A small smile crept across her face as she watched Kendra trying a hazardous hip swing and looking not very sexy in the progress. Bling's amusement showed clearly on his face and Max realized astonished that the normally so calm and quiet physiotherapist grinned from ear to ear and tried an Elvis-styled gyration too, laughing heartily when Kendra looked at him with big incredulous eyes.

Max moved forward, carefully avoiding Lydecker's field of vision, as close as possible to Bling and Kendra. She waited patiently for the right moment to catch Bling's attention and when he looked into her direction she quickly cast a final glance into every direction to make sure nobody was watching and then waved urgently for him to come over. She tried to signal him to come alone, but wasn't sure whether he'd understand the meaning of her gestures.

God, I feel so bad about ruining their evening, she thought as Bling bent down to speak to Kendra and finally approached her with big, ground-covering steps. Kendra just gave her a big smile and a wave, but fortunately stayed on the dance-floor.

"What's up Max?" Bling asked and grinned broadly. "You wanna join us?"

Max shook her head, her eyes downcast and then hesitantly looked up at the bronze-skinned man. "Look, I'm sorry, but …" She suddenly felt insecure. … She so didn't want to do that.

"Max … it's okay." Bling soothed and softly touched her upper arm, pushing her to spill her guts. "What's the problem? Mr I-wanna-save-the-world-and-can't-have-some-fun wants to go?"

She couldn't help but smile at Bling's not so unusual suggestion, but shook her head again. "I think Kendra and you need to go." She exhaled the air in a rush and looked pleadingly into his dark brown eyes. "This guy I saw at the Steinlitz Hotel … Lydecker – he's here." Max stated outright, all business now. "And he came over to ask questions about Logan's involvement at the "Steinlitz". To be honest, I have absolutely no idea what he's up to." She straightened her posture and unconsciously lifted her chin; her eyes intently meeting his.

The urgent look of her dark eyes told him more about the seriousness of the situation than words could ever have done. "And I don't wanna risk his meeting Kendra …" Max explained. "… and asking questions 'bout me or Logan. I dunno if he draws the right conclusions, but it's dangerous enough that he knows Logan and I are friends … and Kendra doesn't even know."

"Yeah, you are right." Bling stated, his smile long gone. "Can I do something to help? … He doesn't know me … so I could distract him … somehow."

Max smiled at Bling's sincere words and not for the first time since meeting him, she was grateful this man had Logan's back. "Thanks Bling." She was just about to decline his offer, when a thought crossed her mind. She tilted her head to one side and after due consideration of the idea her smile widened. "Yep, I think there might be something you can do."

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Logan felt his stomach sink to his shoes and had to suppress the urge to close his eyes. He tried hard to remain calm and impassive but wasn't sure if he succeeded.

"I don't know what gives you the idea that I know anything about Jude Thatcher," he tried carefully.

First of all he had to find out if the Colonel knew anything. Under no circumstances could he allow himself to risk giving too much information or even stumbling into a trap. It was like moving a pawn in a game of chess to lure the opponent into revealing his strategy. The only problem was that Lydecker rumbled his game easily. His mouth warped into a non-humorous smile and he leaned forward.

"Ah … the journalist." A low chuckle escaped his throat and the raspy voice had the hair on the back of Logan's neck stand on end. "You don't want to reveal information, so you ask a counter question. Very smart." The blonde man commented dryly. "Listen son, I've been working for Uncle Sam for quite some time now and that kind of situation is standard procedure for me. Don't try to outsmart me! I won't listen to any half-assed statements. I want to know the truth … and I don't have all night, understood?"

Yes. He definitely understood perfectly. A wave of nausea rolled over him and for a moment he asked himself panicking what he should do. Now I get the slightest idea why my tough, smart-mouthed Max is so afraid of the man, he thought. This was like moving the queen to crush a pathetic pawn.

Realizing he had to do something, Logan nodded slowly, never breaking the eye contact, although he suddenly felt intimidated and helpless. For a second he contemplated to refuse cooperation. Lydecker couldn't squeeze him to say anything. But at the same time Logan became aware of the fact that this way he'd confess his involvement. He couldn't risk becoming the man's enemy, not with Max around.

"Look," the Colonel spoke again, a first sign of anger in his voice. "… Jude Thatcher is a seven year old boy. He was in Darius' hands when I saw him last. Somebody must have seen him. He couldn't have just vanished into thin air … and I need to find out where he is."

Logan nodded again. Everything around him seemed to shift out of focus. His mouth was suddenly dry and he had to keep himself from licking his lips. "I am sorry Mr Lydecker." Logan looked sincerely into the older man's eyes. His voice was clear and he added with certainty, "But I have absolutely no idea where the boy is."

Plausible denying, Logan thought dryly. He tried to build up a safe line of defense. It wasn't about winning the battle; he just wanted to get out of that unharmed. Contrary to his calm appearance, he was entirely on edge. His heart pounded violently against his ribcage and he had to remind himself to breath evenly. He knew he played a dangerous game, but he couldn't betray Jude. The boy had suffered enough and there was no way he'd allow that Jude fell into Lydecker's hands.

"Okay, let's assume I believe you," Lydecker said. "There's still the big question, how you managed to escape two hard-nosed terrorists?"

"They wanted to bring me all the way up to the roof," Logan explained calmly. The memory of that threatening situation was still very fresh in his mind … too fresh. "Fortunately one of them heard something, and they probably didn't expect me to be a big threat …" He averted his gaze, unconsciously rubbing the wheels of his chair. "…so when one of them went away to look for the source of the noise, I managed to grab the other one's gun and get away and only seconds later all hell broke loose."

He knew his explanation was lame, but it was the only thing he could come up with in such short notice. He searched Lydecker's face intently for any sign of suspicion, afraid the man wouldn't believe him, but the Colonel nodded.

"Never underestimate your enemy." A tiny smile found its way onto Lydecker's lips, when he nodded again. "You might not be able to run, but that thing …" He moved his chin to indicate he meant the chair. "… sure causes you to build up strength in your upper body."

Oh, that was easy, Logan thought, but couldn't help the embarrassment he felt at having this conversation. He didn't like to discuss such topics with Bling and he was his physiotherapist, but speaking with Lydecker about this stuff definitely gave him the creeps. Still, for the first time since meeting Lydecker he felt he could really deal with the situation.

I wonder where Max is, he thought concerned. She was absent for quite some time now and he had absolutely no clue what she was up to. I just hope she's okay.

TBC

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I know the chess-thing has been done before, but I couldn't resist the temptation and I only threw in a few crumbs 'cos it fit so well. Speaking with good ol' Deck has to be like playing a game of chess, isn't it? ;-)

I've read a story that was completely wrapped around a game of chess (just don't know the writer any more, maybe anybody can help?). It was awesome.

Please review!