Chapter 11
…
Dembe's eyes flew open when he felt the impact on the side of his face, raising his head slowly to see Salgado and his man standing over him. His first thought was Reddington, quickly turning to see Reddington sitting on the other side of him, blood dripping from the side of his head.
"Raymond, are you okay?"
"Don't worry about me, I'm fine Dembe. I have to say Brendan; I remember your introductions as being a lot more nicer."
"Only to my friends…and you're no friend of mine Red, not anymore."
"And here was me thinking there were no hard feelings."
Reddington smirked as he looked over as Salgado, his sarcasm just making the other man angrier as Salgado's fist impacted with Reddington's face once again.
"You're a real piece of shit Reddington, you know that."
"It has been mentioned once or twice in my lifetime."
"You got some nerve coming here."
"Really, I could say the same for you. You really shouldn't have come back here."
"No, I promised you I'd make you pay for giving me up. I lost my wife, my son because of you."
"So you rape a very good friend of mine to get back at me."
"Rather enjoyed myself I have to admit." He grinned.
Dembe's anger got the better of him, attempting to get to his feet to get to Salgado at the mention of Kate but his man gripped him hard, throwing him back.
"Easy Aaron, let's save some fun for later shall we."
"You won't get away with this." Reddington added.
"Really, I'm not so sure. You forget I know you Red, you're not a stupid man, you wouldn't be so careless as to tell anyone else where you were going or what you were planning. I assume this is for revenge for your cleaner."
"You're damn right it is, why her, of all people…why Kate?"
"I've been observing you for a while now; I never really paid that much attention when we were actually friends…how close you were to Mr Kaplan, not until recently when I stated paying close attention to your daily life. Oh and by the way, working with the FBI…you really have down graded, though I have to say that young woman, what's her name again…oh that's right, Elizabeth Keen. She's quite a looker, I did consider her at first but I decided Mr Kaplan would be the best bet, the one that would hurt you the most. I knew there was nothing you wouldn't do for her and I knew hurting her would bring you directly to my door. I was expecting you, not today obviously, I would have prepared better."
"You didn't have to rape her." Dembe finally spoke.
"She has quite the fan club Mr Kaplan, doesn't she? It seems I definitely made the right choice. Come on Aaron, let's get things ready, and leave these two to ponder what's left of their miserable lives."
…
It had been nearly four hours since Kate had phoned Reddington and still he hadn't returned her calls. Each one went straight to his voicemail, deciding to try Dembe's instead. Her heart sank when on the third attempt his did the same. Andrea came in to the kitchen, her hand coming to rest on Kate's shoulder as Kate put her phone on the counter.
"Okay lady, do you want to tell me what the hell is going on. You've been on that phone constantly for past few hours, talk to me Kate?"
"It's Raymond, I'm worried about him."
"Red can take care of himself."
"I've tried and tried to call and his phone keeps going straight to voicemail."
"He's probably busy with the man who hurt you."
"But Dembe too, he won't answer either…something's wrong."
"Don't you think you might be reading too much in to this?"
"He's gone to kill the man who raped me dearie, what if things didn't go to plan. It was only him and Dembe, they didn't take the full team…what the hell was he thinking."
"I don't know, that maybe he's already involved enough people in this mess as it is."
"Can you stay here with Agnes?"
"Why, where are you going?"
"I have to find out what's happening."
"No, Kate no…it's far too dangerous for you. Don't put yourself or the baby at risk."
"I have to help him; god knows he's doing enough for me."
"The difference is Kate that he's not the one who's pregnant. Do you really want to face Salgado again, after what he did to you?"
"I can't just sit back and do nothing dearie…I'm sorry, I have to do this. Can you look after Agnes or not?"
Andrea stood staring down Kate, seeing the determination on the older woman's face, knowing she wasn't going to back down from this.
"Andrea?"
"Yes, I'll stay with her."
"Thank you."
Kate made her way over to her coat rack and pulled on her coat and grabbed her handbag, her hand on the door ready to leave before Andrea stopped her.
"Dearie I…"
Kate was quickly silenced as Andrea brought her to her and covered her lips in a passionate kiss, taking Kate by surprise.
"Be careful, I mean it. I don't want to lose you." Andrea said softly.
"I'll be careful…I promise."
"Make sure someone goes with you, please."
"I will."
"I mean it Kate."
"I promise you, I won't go alone."
"I love you."
Kate's head shot up at Andrea's words, seeing tears in the younger woman's eyes.
"I thought you wanted to take things slow." Kate smiled.
"Bugger slow...life's too short. Come back safe."
"I will and I love you too, I'll call you."
Andrea nodded her head before Kate turned and walked out, leaving Andrea full of worry.
…
Dembe sat powerless as he watched Salgado take his anger out on Reddington, punch after punch to the man who had crossed him.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE." Dembe yelled.
"Leave it Dembe." Reddington answered, spitting out blood from his mouth.
"You won't survive this Salgado; I'll make sure of that."
"And how are you planning on doing that…all tied up."
Reddington's phone buzzed for the umpteenth time, Red closing his eyes tightly as Salgado finally gave in and retrieved the phone. Looking at the screen and seeing twelve missed calls.
"My my, someone's popular."
Reddington watched closely as Salgado swiped the front of the phone.
"It would seem your Mr Kaplan has been trying to get a hold of you, very desperately by the looks of it. She's left you a few voicemails…why don't we have a listen shall we."
"Leave it alone."
The fear suddenly entering Reddington's voice didn't go unnoticed by anyone in the room.
"Aaron put it on speaker." Salgado ordered.
"Yeah boss."
Aaron did as he was told, before he dialled the voicemail. All four men in the room went silent when Kate's voice came on the speaker phone.
"Raymond, it's Kate. I know what you're doing; I don't like the idea of you and Dembe alone out there. I think I always knew deep down that you were going to kill him, but Raymond please, however angry you get…don't mention the baby, please dearie. I have Agnes with me, so I'll be at home for the rest of the day; call me when you get this."
Reddington looked up to see Salgado staring back at him, as they continued to listen to the other few voicemails asking Reddington to call her immediately.
"Turn it off…NOW AARON."
Aaron did as he was told before putting the phone in the breast of Reddington's suit jacket. Everyone remained quiet, Dembe not quite sure what Salgado would do as Reddington waited on another attack.
"What did she mean?" Salgado finally asked.
"What?"
"Don't act dumb Red, it's not who you are. Don't mention the baby?"
"That's not your concern."
"Isn't it, who's Agnes?"
"The child of a friend."
Salgado went quiet for a few moments before he finally spoke again.
"I won't ask you again Red…what baby?"
Reddington looked up in to Salgado's eyes, smirking as he shook your head.
"Do what you want to me, but I'll never tell you."
Before he could brace himself, Salgado began throwing punch after punch in Reddington's direction, Dembe feeling completely useless as all he could do was watch.
…
Kate arrived outside the FBI building, feeling nervous. All the places she ever thought she'd find herself, this building was not one of them. She gave the guard her name, telling him who she worked for before the guard let her inside. As she waited for the elevator to reach Elizabeth's unit, Kate began to worry about Reddington and Dembe, wondering just how much trouble they were truly in. When the elevator opened she stepped out, looking around at the busy unit, Agents going about their daily work. She looked around before making eye contact with Agent Navabi, who came over to her.
"Mr Kaplan, this is a surprise. Does Mr Reddington need our help?"
"No dearie, is Elizabeth around."
"No, she's working a case. I'm not sure when she'll be back actually, don't you have her number. I was under the impression you were looking after the child."
"I am, well my friend Andrea is watching her while I stepped out."
Kate scanned the room; Samar had impressed her with her weapons skills and found the young agent quite enthralling.
"Can I help at all?"
"Actually dearie, if you wouldn't mind. Could I have a word with Agent Mojtabai."
"Of course…he's just over there." She smiled, gesturing towards Aram.
"Thank you dearie."
Kate smiled politely before making her way over to Aram whose head was down at his laptop.
"Aram."
The young man looked up to see Kate standing at his side, worry on her face.
"Mr Kaplan."
"We discussed this, it's Kate."
"Of course Kate, sorry…what are you doing here?"
"I need your help, can we talk somewhere more private."
"Outside."
Of course."
When they were out of earshot of the other agents, Aram got two coffees for himself and Kate and took it over to the older woman who was sitting on one of the seats by the FBI building.
"There you go."
"Thank you Aram."
"Don't worry, it's decaf."
Kate could only smile before he took a seat beside her, the worry still etched on her face.
"So…what is it you wanted to see me about?"
"Raymond…he's, he went after Salgado today."
"I know."
"Yes, I know you do. The last few hours I haven't been able to get a hold of him, or Dembe and I'm worried."
"Okay, so what do you need from me?"
"I need you to give me the location they were going too."
"I don't know Kate, he was very pacific about who was to know and he…"
"He's missing Aram, they always, always answer their phones, no matter what. It's been nearly five hours and nothing. Something's happened and I need to find them. All I want from you is their location, I'll do the rest."
Aram was in two minds about giving it to her but even Kate had a look about her that told Aram to do as he was asked. He got out his phone and asked for Kate's which she handed over. Watching as he put in the details of where Reddington and Dembe were heading.
"Thank you Aram, I really do appreciate this."
Kate gave a warm smile, before getting up to leave.
"Hang on; you're not going there alone are you?" He asked, suddenly worried.
"There's no one else, I don't have much choice dearie."
"You're pregnant for god sake, you can't go alone."
"I can't get a hold of the team; Raymond obviously wanted this kept quiet from them, which I respect."
"Well then I'll come with you."
"Don't be silly dearie, I can't ask that of you."
"You're not asking, I'm telling you, I'm coming."
"Very well, I'll go and bring the car around."
He nodded as Kate went to get the car, while he quickly left a message for Elizabeth.
"Liz, it's Aram. We've go a problem, Reddington's gone missing and Mr Kaplan wants to go off and find him. I'm texting you an address, if you get this, I really need you to get there asap, please."
He quickly hung up as Kate pulled up.
"Ready dearie."
"Let's do this Mr Kaplan."
…
To Be Continued…