"Anything yet?" Jane asked when she walked into the lab.
"Nothing yet," Patterson said without looking up.
"Any luck with the boy?" Weller asked as his wife joined him.
"No. Volkov killed his family but he managed to escape. He said that everyone he captures has the symbol on them," Jane said thinking about the boy. She stared blankly at the monitor running data through the system. Everyone he captures has the symbol on them. What did this mean about her? Jane left the lab and stepped into the hallway, breathing heavily, trying to recall what had happened to her. Did this man mark me as his or is it just another clue linking them two were the thoughts that kept running through her head. She couldn't think straight. Tears started rolling down her cheeks. Then Kurt was there next to her. When he saw her he didn't need to ask if she was okay. She wasn't. When she saw him she started crying harder. He ran to her side and held her tight.
"W-What if I was one of those women?" she asked in shock.
"You weren't. You're okay. It's just another clue. You had nothing to do with him," he soothed. She was still shaking. He held her tighter. "I'm right here with you. You're okay."
They stood in the hallway for a while before returning to the lab. No one had gone to check on them. Everyone just assumed that it was related to the miscarriage. They returned to the lab to see if there was any new news.
"Anything yet?" Jane asked as she wiped the tears stains from her cheeks. Patterson looked at her friend for a moment then to Kurt. He gave her a gentle look that told her that everything was okay now.
"We just got some intel," the blonde said pulling up the results. "Nikolai Volkov: Russian war lord, criminal, smuggler. He's responsible for smuggling Russian-American women and children. It says he was last seen leaving Russian about four months ago. Nothing since then."
"Is there any way to run the symbol through the data base to see if there is anything about it? Maybe even social media posts with it so that we can narrow down a location?" Weller asked.
"I can try," Patterson replied as she resumed typing on the computer.
"I can see if Stepan remembers anything about his surroundings," Jane stated. Kurt gave her a concerned look. Her face softened at his concern. She left the room and returned to the boy.
"Степан, помните ли вы со слухом или зрением что-нибудь, что могло бы помочь нам найти этого человека (Stepan, do you remember hearing or seeing anything that might help us find this man)?" she asked.
"Я помню воду, как волны. И много машин (I remember hearing water, like waves. And a lot of machines)," he said solemnly.
"Это помогло много. Спасибо. Я вижу, доктор Борден получил вам пищу. Это было хорошо (That helped a lot. Thank you. I see Dr. Borden got you some food. Was it good)?" she asked noticing the drink and empty plate. Stepan nodded happily. Jane smiled and returned to Weller and Patterson.
"Any luck," Patterson asked upon Jane's arrival.
"He said he remembered hearing water and waves and maybe machinery," Jane responded reciting what her new friend had told her.
"There is a port that closed down about a year ago. It has a bunch of warehouses and empty shipping containers," Patterson answered. Jane looked to her husband for a plan for the course of action.
"I'll notify Mayfair and have the team check it out," Weller said as he exited the room. Jane was right on his heels. They entered Mayfair's office while she was still on the phone.
"Any luck yet with the boy?" she asked hanging up.
"Jane got him to talk. With his help we have discovered that the man's name is Nikolai Volkov. He's a Russian war lord who was last seen leaving Russia four months ago. He is responsible for smuggling Russian-American women and children. We believe one of his sites is located at a port that has closed down. I would like my team to check it out," Weller stated.
"Go ahead and prepare everything you need. I would like surveillance of the area before you enter, if possible. I don't want you going in there blind," Mayfair warned.
Kurt nodded, "I'll have Patterson see what she can do." The two left the glass office and returned to the darken space. "Patterson, can you see if there were any cameras in the area so that we can get an idea of what we're up against?"
"Sure. Let me see," said the blonde as she started her search. "It appears that the nearest camera is five miles away from the port. They must have taken down the system when they closed the port." Jane's eyes widened.
"What does that mean for us?" she asked. Kurt sighed.
"It means we don't know what to expect when we get in there," he said staring blankly at the monitors in front of him. "Let's get ready to go."
The team approached the compound on foot, not wanting to draw attention to themselves with vehicles. The only way into the building were two doors on either side of the warehouse. Reade and Zapata took one entrance while Jane and Kurt took the other.
"On my count," Weller said into the intercom. "1, 2, 3!" The team stormed into the building. Surprised guards raised their guns to fire but were killed before they had the chance. More and more men appeared with AK-47's. Metal shipping containers pinged as bullets and casing flew into them. There were seven men left. Kurt hit two and Zapata and Reade each took out one. Three more left.
"Where's Volkov?" Zapata asked over the microphone. "I don't see him."
"I've got him," Jane said. "Weller can you cover me?" Jane took off towards the metal stairs as Kurt fired at the remaining men, killing the three. Jane rounded the corner to go up to the second floor when she felt cold metal against her neck.
"Don't move," the voice said. "Put your gun down." Jane pressed the button for the clip to fall out and tossed the weapon on the concrete floor in front of her. The man shoved Jane as they started walking into the center of the warehouse.
"Jane!" Weller yelled seeing his wife wit a knife to her neck.
"What do we have here?" Volkov asked with a thick accent.
"Put the knife down Volkov," Weller demanded, aiming his gun at the war lord. Kurt took a few steps towards them.
"It's nice to see that you have a caring husband, my dear," the man seethed. "I'm not going to tell you again. Put the gun down, or your precious wife dies." Volkov pressed the knife harder against Jane's throat. She looked at Kurt, who was also looking to her. They locked eyes and exchanged nonverbal "I love you"'s and approval. Jane gave a slight nod. He knew what it meant. She was trusting him to have precise aim. She was trusting him with her life. She did trust him, and he knew it. This was a do or die moment. Kurt aimed his gun ready to fire.
"This is your last chance Volkov. Put the knife down," Weller demanded one last time. He knew he wasn't going to lower the weapon. Kurt steadied his aim, glanced at his wife once last time, and took the shot.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. Please let me know what you think. Any feedback is much appreciated.