Title: Boundaries
Author: Cindy Ryan
Notes and summary: see part one
The knock on the door combined with the simultaneous beeps of Merri and Chris's cell phones caused a knot to form in Chris's stomach. He exchanged a curious glance with his partner before standing from the dining room table and gong to the door. He checked through the peep hole to see the security detail that was assigned to the safe house. He frowned and opened the door.
"What's going on?"Chris asked as Merri joined him.
"Orders from Agent Pride to move you ASAP."The NOPD officer stated grimly. "Grab your things."
"Got a conformation text from Pride."Merri stated as she glanced at her phone then put it away. "Said Klain is making moves."
"Pride wants you to leave your phones possibility they've been compromised."The officer reported grimly.
Merri tossed her phone onto the sofa and then began heading upstairs.
"I'll get the laptops."Chris suggested as he headed to the living room and placed his phone with Merri's."I didn't unpack much. Can you snag my stuff?"
"Will do."Merri affirmed as she reached the top of the stairs.
Chris put the computers in their respective bags and then glanced around the lower level to make sure there wasn't anything else important. Less than ten minutes later Merri was at the bottom of the stairs carrying both their bags. She had their coats over the other arm. Chris plucked both bags from her and withdrew his weapon. She unholstered hers and together they followed the security detail out of the safe house. Chris kept his eyes on the street and neighboring buildings. They made it into the SUV without incident. There was an SUV behind them with the remaining members of the security detail. The caravan pulled out and merged into traffic.
For Dwayne things were moving much too slow. While he was relieved that Merri and Chris were out of the compromised safe house Dwayne was still waiting on half of his reinforcements. The team from Biloxi was still thirty minutes out. Dwayne was currently briefing the NCIS team from Baton Rouge. He was in the midst of that briefing in the main area of the NCIS office when Patton rolled in with Sebastian at his wheels.
"NOPD got a call from Oasis motel near Business 90."Patton interrupted as he came to a stop. "Maid found a body that matches Regan Norris. All shades of a homicide."
"Damn."Pride swore. "I'll put a BOLO out on her husband."
"One thing I found while going through Reagan's financials and it's big."Sebastian commented as Pride unlocked his gun from the file cabinet.
"What is it?"Dwayne asked as he shut the drawer.
"She's in major debt...high medical bills. Her nine year old son, Dylan is sick there were bills from the children's hospital."Sebastian continued grimly. "Loretta has a friend on staff so she pulled in a favor. Dylan has hepatic angiosarcoma cancer of the blood cells of the liver."
"Is it treatable?"One of the Baton Rouge team asked a young blonde woman.
"Only with a full or partial liver transplant."The tech reported sadly. "Dylan needs a fighting chance...should be..."
"In a hospital not caught in the middle of a homicide investigation."Pride finished. "Let's find him. Patton coordinate with the Baton Rouge team and the NOPD."
"On it."Plume replied as he rolled over to the visiting agents.
"Sebastian you're with me."Pride instructed.
Sebastian had to scramble to catch up as they left the NCIS office.
The new safe house was on the outskirts of New Orleans on the north side. It was a single family home this time no condo and set apart from any neighbors. It was a brick ranch with a wooded area behind and a small yard out front. Chris didn't let himself relax until they were inside and only after the place had been checked. It was clear. Chris borrowed one of the NOPD officer's cell phones and called King. After hanging up a few minutes later Chris returned the phone to the waiting officer and the security detail took up positons outside. He filled Merri in as they took their bags to respective bedrooms.
"So the one person who could tell us why Klain is doing this is dead."Merri said with frustration as she tossed her bag on the bed and sat down. "And Klain has a source in the Navy. He could easily have somebody in NOPD too"
"I'm bettin' he doesn't since we got here without incident."Chris replied as he put his bag down and crossed the hall and entered Merri's room. "Sounds like things are movin' fast on King's end. Hopefully we won't be here long."
Merri stood and walked over to her partner. He pulled her into an embrace and she rested her head on his chest.
"You never asked me what happened on the Moultrie."Merri commented and she felt Chris tighten his embrace and rest his head on top of hers.
"Figured you'd tell me when you were ready."Chris replied.
"We got time now."Merri said ruefully as she pulled back to meet Chris's gaze. "Might as well tell you the whole thing."
Chris intertwined the fingers of their right hands as he led the way downstairs.
"Let's see if there's any food or coffee around here."Chris suggested. "I'll settle for both."
"Me too."Merri said quietly.
Merri knew telling Chris of one part of her past she'd most likely tell him about her sister. Both were painful to talk about but Merri understood that part of a relationship was sharing the burden. Something she hadn't been very good at in the past but hoping this would continue the path to a new start for her and a more solid foothold in whatever the future held with Chris.