The Baker's and the Habidi's were waiting at the pickup site for the van that would take them to the airport. Sarah Jane looked around for the third couple, knowing, of course, it would only be J. T. She was just about to comment when the man came stomping up, dragging his suitcase behind him.
Nate took in the younger man's appearance. Eliot was unshaven, his hair drawn back in a hastily tied ponytail. He was wearing dark shades and, Ford was fairly certain, the same clothes he'd had on last night which were now terribly wrinkled. The older man recognized the look – he'd worn it himself. The glasses hid bloodshot eyes and cut the brightness that would exacerbate the hangover headache. He also knew Spencer had drunk until he passed out, explaining the clothes.
Parker, however, noticed something else. As Eliot crossed his arms over his chest, his hand caught the Thief's attention. The knuckles were red and scabbed over – the remnants of his encounter with the punching bag. When she started to reach out, Hardison grabbed her hand. Then, in character, responded, "Janell, I think Mr. Sherman would prefer you not bother him."
She looked from her husband to the man who was obviously hurting but nodded her acceptance. The transport pulled up and they began to board. When asked about his wife, the Texan growled, "She's not coming. Let's go." He crawled into the back seat. The other two couples followed him in, taking positions that blocked access to J.T. but also kept him from being able to leave. Two hours later, they were in the air to Boston.
Kayla came awake instantly, the pain racking her entire body. Francisco Calderone stood over Logan, his foot putting pressure on her swollen knee. She leaned forward, grabbing at his ankle, which stressed her ribs. She groaned, "Enough."
Chi-Chi laughed, letting her up, "Your friends have left."
Through clenched teeth, Kayla replied, "They weren't my friends. They were my cover."
"Whatever," he shrugged, "They are gone and it appears they followed instructions. Also," he nodded toward the open door, "the husband left your suitcase." Logan glared but didn't respond. Calderone continued, "Our flight will leave at eleven tomorrow. I'll give you a chance to clean up before departure." He looked at her with condescension, "I can't afford to be seen with you looking like this." Kayla still refused to speak which seemed to suit her captor. He smiled, "I like this side of you, Kayla. Continue to be this cooperative and I might even remember to feed you sometime later today." Chi-Chi turned on his heel, leaving her sitting mutely on the mattress.
The team that entered the loft in Boston were tired and defeated. Yet, they knew the job was not complete. Sophie immediately went to the kitchen to make coffee. Parker started organizing their equipment, getting ready for a return trip. Eliot and Nate pulled up satellite pictures of the island, the cove and surrounding areas so they could begin studying it for weaknesses. Alec opened his laptop, punched a few keys and began to laugh his I-am-the-smartest-man-in-the-room laugh. All eyes turned to him.
"Don't keep us in suspense, Hardison," Nate ordered.
The young Hacker leaned back in his chair, linked his hands behind his head and began to explain, "Calderone has to get off the island. Taking into account what Eliot said, that he wouldn't kill Kayla, he's got to take her with him. If he's going to do that, Calderone's only got a couple of aliases that he can get access to quickly. So, I flagged his passport and the two names I figure he would use." He turned the computer around, "Francisco Calderone leaves at eleven tomorrow morning and his traveling companion is none other than Karla Sherman."
"Ties up loose ends. Makes a record of her arrival and departure," Eliot nodded, biting his lips.
Parker asked, "Where are they headed?"
"D.C." Hardison answered.
Nate Ford smiled. He had his first advantage in this frustrating job. "Hardison? Can you hack Calderone's phone at the CIA?"
He leaned forward in disbelief, "Can I hack his phone? I find our missing teammate and the man wants to know if I can hack a phone." He mumbled under his breath, pounding the computer.
"Nate? What are you thinking?" Sophie asked, returning the Mastermind's sly smile.
"I'm thinking Calderone will be needing transportation for his prisoner."
She nodded, "On it." Sophie turned around to make calls.
Ford instructed, "Hardison, I'll also need you to make sure the links between Calderone and Lopez are airtight. We'll need to give the Attorney General a slam-dunk case." Alec gave Nate a thumbs up then continued to type.
"Parker," he wheeled around to the blonde, "I need you to call your sweetheart, McSweeten. He and his partner, Taggart, need to help Special Agent Hagen and Special Agent Thomas after their latest deep cover assignment." Parker smiled broadly and left to make her phone call.
Last but not least he turned to the Hitter. Clapping a hand on his shoulder, Nate cocked a brow, asking, "Eliot? How's your Spanish?"
Calderone had awakened Logan early the morning of the flight. He'd allowed her to shower and change and then made her apply make-up to cover the bruising on her face. She had refused help, limping noticeably to the transport that would get her to the airport.
They were now sitting in First Class on the plane. Chi-Chi had put Kayla in the seat closest to the window. This made her injured knee easily accessible. He laid his hand just above the swelling and squeezed slightly. Kayla tensed, hissing in pain.
"Just a reminder that you will behave," Calderone warned. He had already handcuffed her, reinforcing her place as prisoner. The bracelets were tight around her wrists and now covered by her jacket.
"I give you my word, Chi-Chi. I'm not going to try anything."
"Ah, yes, your precious word." He shook his head, "I never trusted you, Kayla. Unlike the kids that worked with us in Columbia, your word never meant anything to me. If only they had realized that as well."
Logan showed her first spark since surrendering. She leaned in, "Let's not play like we don't know what happened. It was your fault that Donovan died. You tried your damnedest to blame me but no one…no one believed you."
"Someone believed me, lest we forget, I did have orders to kill you," he smiled. "But, you bore me. This is ancient history and I am not going to listen to you all the way to D.C."
"What's that mean?" She asked heatedly.
He jammed the hypo into the fleshy part of her leg, "That I will have a peaceful flight home."
Kayla couldn't believe that her own arsenal was now being used against her. The sedative was fast acting. Already she could feel the numbing effect coursing through her body. The last thing Logan saw was Calderone's self-satisfied smile.
"Javi? ¿me oyes?" the disembodied voice asked.
"Si', I can hear you," Javier Lopez responded in Spanish, "barely. Chi-Chi?"
"Si', the signal from the air is terrible," the conversation continued in their native language.
"Why are you calling, Chi-Chi?"
"There's a problem with the wire. The bank says they have new rules about international transfers."
Lopez' tone got aggressive, "You promised me a payoff, cousin. Money in exchange for letting the couples go and for finding Logan."
"Yes, I know I did. And, I am going to pay. We just have to satisfy the bank." Lopez started to argue but he was interrupted, "You know, if you could meet me in D.C. we could transfer the money in person."
Javier looked at his watch, "I could have the plane fueled and the flight plan filed in a matter of minutes. If I left now I might even beat you to Washington."
"It is settled then. We'll meet in D.C. and finish our business."
"Bueno, Chi-Chi. I'll see you in D.C." Lopez hung up the phone. He called out to Leonys Cruz, "Notify the pilot to fuel the plane. I have money to collect."
Eliot hung up the burner phone and smiled at Nate. Ford gave an approving jerk of the head saying, "Alright, let's go steal a Mechanic."