Putting the Band Back Together

by mascaret

Reddington said it again and closed his eyes in frustration and exhaustion. "It's not Dembe." Cooper frowned. "If that's true – and I don't think that it is - we may have managed to stop the poison, but we are still no closer to figuring out who it is targeting you."

10. Chapter 10

Putting the Band Back Together

Chapter 10

Elizabeth looked to Reddington and Mr. Kaplan.

Letting the phone just hang there in his hand, Reddington looked utterly devastated. Liz thought he finally believed.

Eyes shiny, Mr. Kaplan had her lips set in a thin, grim line.

Liz didn't know what to say, but as the silence dragged on, she felt she had to say something. "I'm sorry. I know you didn't want to believe it was Dembe. I didn't want to believe it was Dembe."

Eyes downcast, Reddington gave a slight shake of the head and persisted. "It's not Dembe."

Liz blinked. "Were we listening to the same phone call? He just confessed! He threatened you again!"

Mr. Kaplan said it as well. "It's not Dembe."

Liz couldn't believe what she was hearing. Dembe had just confessed, but still Mr. Kaplan and Reddington were in agreement.

"How can you say that?"

Mr. Kaplan explained. "He's protecting someone."

Liz couldn't imagine. "Who?"

"Isabella."

Liz dismissed the idea. "Isabella Stone is in custody. She couldn't have poisoned Reddington – unless you think she put the poison in place before she got caught? But why would Dembe protect her?"

Still with that crestfallen expression, Mr. Kaplan corrected her. "Not Isabella Stone. Isabella Zuma."

tbc

A/N Yeah? Nay? Meh?