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UNDER PRESSURE

Chapter Seven

Two armed guards surrounded Trent and Molly on either side as they were led from the parked Humvee a few yards away. Both of them still had blindfolds over their eyes but had not been bound or restricted in their movement in any away. Although surprised, they were thankful for this at least. Worthington trailed behind the couple, watching their every move as he diverted his gaze to the skies just as a parting in the clouds revealed a small sliver of sunlight as the storm cleared the area.

Worthington side-stepped his two guards as they approached a clearing of brush in a wooded area and led the way through a thick patch of woods. The path had been traveled much recently as could be seen by the lack of grass where Worthington walked.

Trent and Molly did their best to trust their capturers, their hands guiding them futilely along the path. No matter who was watching, Trent tried to keep a hand near Molly's so he knew where she was at all times. No less than twice had Trent kept his hand securely in hers as they traveled the length of their journey in the Humvee. Whether it was fear that caused Molly to return the gesture or not, Trent was comforted by the fact that at least they were together. Still, he couldn't stand this helplessness for much longer.

"James. Morrison." Worthington nodded curtly towards the two men that approached him from the hideout just a few more yards away. The older man stepped aside with the two soldiered individuals, whispering vaguely beneath their breaths.

Trent perked up as they came to stop. He cocked his head to listen closer as if it would help. What he did not know was that they had reached the other side of the secret path and now stood at the base of what appeared to be a dilapidated mansion of some kind. Its three stories towered over them, overshadowing them as the sun pressed against the earth from behind it. Trent heard a sniff from beside him and quickly turned towards the sound. "It's alright," he whispered tried to find Molly's hand. He reached it successfully, firmly gripping her delicate hand, feeling her soft skin against his own. She returned the grip equally, once again letting him know she trusted him in the only way she could convey.

"Alright, you two!" Morrison barked and marched towards the large house. "Follow me!"

At the nudge of a weapon in each of their backs, Trent and Molly started following the stranger's discomforting instructions. By the time they had reached the top step onto the veranda, they were busy taking a deep breath before another shove in their lumbar regions urged them beyond the threshold and into the house. They both stumbled forward, thankfully into each other as the door slammed behind them causing them both to be startled. Quickly, the blindfolds were snatched from their eyes. They squinted intensely as their eyes adjusted to the new lighting of their surroundings. Thankfully it wasn't too painful since the room was very sparsely lit. But that was both a blessing and a curse, Trent noted, carefully getting a feel of his surroundings without wanting to be too obvious.

"This way," Worthington instructed, a hand on each of them and a smile laced over his face.

Trent and Molly turned to follow him, both of them eyeing each other for any measure of comfort it was worth. Worthington led the two down to the basement by way of a narrow set of stairs tucked behind a reclusive door. The hall was dark and uninviting with its share of cobwebs and dust decorating each inch of it. Trent managed to catch Molly in time when a brief loss of her footing could have proved detrimental. He also wondered to himself if this could be just the beginning. As soon as Worthington opened the door at the foot of the stairs and revealed his secret, both Trent and Molly were in shock.

It was an absolute palace. A fancy chandelier glistened and bounced rays of light all over the room from directly overhead. A giant king-sized bed was situated across from them directly in between two very expensive-looking table and lamp combinations. Still at least four paintings dotted the walls around them individually…paintings that clearly had to have cost a fortune. To their left tucked in a narrow corner was a full-size kitchen, complete with a well-stocked pantry of the finest foods. There was at least three bottles of the best European wine selection to complete the frivolous display.

"This is to be your new home," Worthington announced, a smirk on his lips as he gestured around the room. "Come on, boys. Let's go." He paused at the doorway and turned back, stifling a chuckle. "Now, mind you. You only have a day to spend here."

"Why is that?" Trent questioned.

"Because…this entire building goes poof with you two down here." He noticed the shock on their faces. "What? You thought I was some gracious life-saver? Please! I only saved you from that wreck so you wouldn't be able to tell the authorities about me."

Molly scoffed. "We wouldn't have needed to if you wouldn't have been so anxious to run away in the first place."

"True," Worthington noted. "I guess it's too late for any of us then, isn't it?" Without another word said, Jacob Worthington and his men were gone, the door behind them locked securely.

Somehow the once insatiable palace felt like nothing more than a prison now.

Trent hurried to the door and jiggled the knob furiously. "Hey!" he shouted hopelessly. Defeated, he turned and settled his back against the wall to catch his breath while gazing across the room to Molly whose eyes were filled with trepidation. Surely there was some other way out of this confusing mess.

Judging by the barely visible driveway, the tarp covered entrance, the half-broken chimney, and molding wood frame, Katheryn judged the last known address of the man Jacob Worthington to be nothing short of a dump. It had to be a hideout of some sort. But why would the address be available to see if the place was for dealings he didn't want the world to know about.

Before Katheryn had a chance to finish her brief assessment of the premises while Carlos shut off the engine, her door suddenly opened, and Agent Dinozzo smiled straight at her. Confused as she scrunched up her forehead and glared, she quickly shook away the notion, fearing he had seen it.

"I'm sorry if I startled you, miss," Dinozzo backtracked.

"That's okay," Katheryn chuckled, drawing a curious Carlos' gaze as he got out of the SUV. "And the name's Katheryn Beaumont, by the way." Carlos couldn't hide his smile.

"So," Tony continued as they walked the rest of the way up to the dilapidated house. "You been a PI for long?"

Kath shook her head. "Not long. And I'm not officially licensed yet. But Trent has trained me well. My main job is at the H.O.P.E. Center. I'm the second in command I guess you'd say in operations that keep the place going alongside Alex and Josie. That's really where my heart is."

"I see. And what goes on at this center?"

"Oh it's a wonderful place," Kath blushed. "We help those in need in our community and do everything from fundraising to helping folks find jobs to running a daycare. It's never a dull moment for sure!"

"Do you love it there?"

"Absolutely. I worked there before Walker discovered my other talents," Katheryn chuckled. "And then Trent took me under his wing…and I met Carlos." Her voice trailed off as she made eye contact across the distance with the man who had captured her heart.

Tony noticed the subtle communication and grinned. "I can tell you've been a very busy woman. All I know is these folks are very lucky to have you. And I hope they know that."

"Oh, we do," Carlos was quick to mention, trying his best not to sound too stern as he searched for Agent Dinozzo's wistful gaze. Returning his attention to the porch he was about step up onto, he noticed a few missing planks and was careful to avoid bodily injury as he traversed the dangerous path. He also made sure to alert the others to the danger before giving the doorknob a try and knocking. No answer. But the door freely gave way.

By the time they were all inside, Carlos had found his flashlight and was busy highlighting the room after realizing the lights would not work.

Katheryn was the first to break away from the group with her own flashlight and investigate the side room just off from the narrow entrance. Immediately she knew she had found what they were looking for. Each was filled with numerous memorabilia and plans. From what she could figure out, it was a plan to hijack something…a train perhaps.

"Carlos!" Kath called and waited to hear footsteps pounding down the hall towards her. As the sound came to rest next to her, she continued examining the dark room. "So it looks like Jacob Worthington is trying to fake his own death." She scoffed.

"What makes you say that?"

"Right here." Kath pointed. "He planned to have the train derail. He'd then escape the carnage and meetup with his buddies…here." Carlos squinted to have a look at the town she was pointing to on the map. He nodded in agreement. "And look at this list." She picked up a piece of paper from the cluttered desk. "These are the exact ingredients one would need to make a bomb."

"But why do you think he wants to fake his death?"

Katheryn thought for a moment. Then it suddenly struck. "He's got Trent and Molly! If they survived, he probably took them with him for insurance when he tried to make his getaway."

"Yeah, you're right," Carlos reasoned, resorting to his own thoughts to sort this out. "I bet he never counted on two survivors putting a wrench in his plans." He tapped the map firmly. "Let's go check out that town."

"You got it."

After two solid hours of vigorously tearing apart every inch of their palace-like prison, Molly couldn't help herself any longer. She collapsed onto the bed at the far end of the room, burying her head in her heads so Trent would not hear her cry. She had promised herself she wouldn't cry. But that didn't seem to matter much anymore as time continued to march on without them. Try as she might, Trent immediately could hear her whispered cries from across the room and didn't hesitate to stop what he was doing and find his way across the room. For what seemed like an eternity, Trent held her and let her cry.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, guilt tearing him up inside.

Molly broke away from his embrace to look at him and wiped away her tears. "Why? It's not your fault. It's not anyone's fault come to think of it."

"We didn't have to come on this trip. Kath and Carlos were just trying to be nice."

"But we did! And I don't regret it once, Trent Malloy!" She choked back another sob and swallowed hard. "And…and even if we don't get out of here, I don't blame you at all."

Trent gazed into Molly's tear-stained eyes and wished he could make it all better. Yet somehow her words seemed to do that very thing. But there was still one thing he had to make right. "Molly?"

"Yeah?"

His eyes darted away briefly allowing him to gather his thoughts. He gently squeezed Molly's hand and drew her gaze to his. "I love you, Molly Mason. I promise you I'll get us out of this. But no matter what, you deserve to hear that."

Trent witnessed another tear cascade from Molly's soft blue eyes. But this time, there was a smile accompanying it.

"I—I love you too, Trent Malloy. I trust you."

Trent slipped a smile from the corner of his mouth as he neared Molly, drawing her to him gently as he kissed her. Molly wrapped her hand around his neck. Trent did likewise as they held each other there…in the moment…wishing it never had to end. The scintillating explosion that followed, towering above them would be the last thing they remembered of what had been a perfect moment.

"That was Bobbie," Kath announced as she turned off her cell phone and watched the countryside pass them by at sixty miles per hour. "Some of Worthington's goons just hit a warehouse outside of Austin. Another group struck a similar warehouse not far from Dallas. They're not sure if it's connected to Worthington yet though."

"Any word on the APB?" Carlos asked.

Katheryn shook her head. "I'm sure Worthington is making himself scarce."

"Especially since his plan is going down so well," Tony broke the silence in the back seat. "According to our records, Jacob Worthington has a track record of hitting armaments around the US by way of different cells that the cops could never trace back to him. This may be his big one."

"He may be getting ready to enact his revenge," Ziva inserted.

Kath nodded. "You're right. Who was the initial agency that spotted him for crimes before he was dismissed from the military?"

Tony scanned the file he had brought with him. "From this it looks like a little police station just outside of Mount Pleasant tipped off the FBI who handed off the case to us."

Carlos and Kath caught each other's gaze in shock. That's the same city from the map inside the house. Instinctively, Carlos sped up. Whatever was set to take place there could not be good.

Walker was waiting for Carlos and Kath when they came to a stop right outside the Mount Pleasant police station a while later. Carlos wasn't ahead of Kath by much as she heeled him from behind meeting with Walker a few short yards away.

Walker noticed their unasked questions and began, "Me and Trivette were nearby when reports of an explosion came over the radio."

"An explosion?!" Kath queried.

"Yeah. Local authorities also spotted Worthington's truck headed this way."

"Why would he come here and not head for Mexico or something?" Ziva questioned.

Walker glanced at Carlos.

Before Carlos had a chance to speak, Agent Dinozzo squeazed between Katheryn and Carlos and stuck out his hand. "Agent Tony Dinozzo. NCIS."

Walker shook his hand. "Pleasure to meet you. You're trailing Worthington too?"

Tony nodded. "Yes, sir. Me and my partner David here." Walker's eyes seemed to be searching Tony's soul as the young agent back off and settled behind Carlos and Kath again.

Smirking back a grin, Kath reached behind her and drew her weapon in unison with Carlos who was also preparing for what was ahead.

"Dinozzo?" Walker spoke.

"Yes?" Tony perked up.

"You and Kath come with me. Carlos, you take Agent David and go with Trivette to watch for Worthington."

Katheryn paused, her silent expression asking Walker why he had to pair her with Agent Dinozzo of all people. Walker only smiled and turned to lead the way to the alley that led up the road to where the explosion had been reported to be heard. Kath trailed him closely, Dinozzo watching her every move from behind.

At one point, they paused to choose which path to take and Tony cracked a smile as he struggled to catch his breath. "You move pretty fast there, Beaumont."

Kath scoffed. "Just part of the job."

"Job?! You're not even a real cop."

Katheryn shot him a glare. "What? Like being in NCIS is real law enforcement?!"

"It is! And I'll have you know I was a cop long before I was an agent."

"And I guess a guy that looks at girls with his eyes popping out of his head is trustworthy on the field?!"

"Far better than that wannabe boyfriend cop of yours who was fired from the force."

"He chose to leave, Agent Dinozzo! And I can trust Carlos Sandoval with my life. Don't think you can shoot a few insults my way to get me to like you. You'll have to do better than that." Thankfully Walker was on the move again. And so was Katheryn. She wouldn't let this would-be stranger get the best of her when her friends' lives were at stake.

Mount Pleasant was as typically quiet as ever. A few kids roamed the streets and a car passed every five minutes on average. Carlos was about to go crazy sitting on the bench outside of the rural police station. He was about to chronicle the journey of the lead at his feet from one side of the sidewalk to the other when Ziva spoke up from beside him.

"You love her?"

"What?" Carlos replied, startled out of his broken reverie. He hid a smile. "Yeah. Yes, I do. What about you and Agent Dinozzo?"

Ziva laughed. "He's nothing more than my partner, Mr. Sandoval. Nothing more, God willing."

"I, um, I may not know much about matters of the heart," Carlos confessed. "But you two seem like more than partners."

Again, Ziva scoffed. "You should get your eyes checked."

"No, I don't think I do." Carlos perked up, quickly dismissing his train of thought as a vehicle halted in the middle of the street several yards down the street. Three men got out of the back of truck and hurried behind the nearest building before the truck reversed and sped back the way it had come. Drawing his weapon, Carlos hurried forward, not explaining himself to Agent David.

Carlos ran headlong across the street with his weapon outstretched into the alley as he slowed, following the trail ahead of his steadily. All was silent. The wind whistled through the debris and leaves on the ground surrounding him. He took one step after the other until he heard a weapon cock behind him. He froze.

"Nice work, cop," a raspy voice laughed gleefully. "Walked right into the trap."

Carlos turned, his eyes narrowed as he released his grip on his weapon and handed it to his capturer as he snatched it away from him.

"Not so fast!" Agent David called from the entrance of the alley. She inched her way towards the dastardly criminal from behind with her own weapon raised and clasped between her hands aimed directly at the back of the man's head. "Release him. NOW!"

Carlos was surprised at the fire in the female's voice but wasn't about to be ungrateful as the criminal dropped Carlos' weapon and tried to dart away from the scene. A gunshot ringing right past the side of his head dealt out by David stopped him dead in his tracks. He trembled as he threw his hands in the air and whimpered, begging David not to shoot. Carlos cuffed the goon while Agent David still had the drop on him and led him back to where Ranger Walker's truck was.

"They're still gone," Ziva mentioned, looking in the direction of where the others had went.

"Yeah," Carlos chimed in as he handcuffed the guy to the silver frame of Walker's truck. "Where are your friends, mister?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Carlos snatched up the man by his collar. "Don't you dare lie to me! People's lives are at stake here. Where are your friends?!"

"I ain't telling you! Not in a million years."

Ziva laughed gently to herself as she crossed her arms and nodded to Carlos. "Why don't you catch up with the others? I'll have an answer out of him before you get back."

"Are you sure?" Carlos questioned.

Ziva scoffed. "Don't be deceived by my looks, Mr. Sandoval."

"If you insist." Kicking up his heels, Carlos ran as fast as his feet would take him into the nearby wooded edge where Walker, Katheryn, and Agent Dinozzo had went.