Chapter 14

AJ's call to Victor was mainly to confirm that Mac was someone to listen to about her feelings on such things. AJ also inquired if Victor had heard from their contact. Victor reported that Pearson had still not checked in, but that he would let AJ know as soon as he heard anything. AJ thanked him and went to see what Allison was doing, dreading that he would once again have to tell his daughter that they would never see her mother again.

Three days went by with no call from Pearson, so Victor finally admitted that he needed to send someone in to check out the situation. What the agent sent in put a chill in all their hearts. Pearson had been beaten to death and then returned to his apartment so he would be sure to be found. Lying on the body, actually stuck down in a patch of blood, was the photo of the three of them together in Fahad's office. Pearson was kneeling on the floor between Clay and Taya who were sitting in chairs. It was clear that Pearson had already been questioned by the state he was in, in the picture, while Clay and Taya at least at that time looked unharmed.

So now they knew. Mac had been right. Clay and Taya had been captured and were being tortured by people who obviously had no qualms about killing their victims. Victor was putting together an operation to go in and get them out. Two days passed while this rescue was being set up and within hours of the 'go' time, information came in that Victor would have given anything not to have to deliver.

Thinking that maybe it would be easier to deliver the news to another man first, Victor knocked on AJ Chegwidden's door almost hoping that he wouldn't be home, but since his Escalade was in the driveway, that wasn't likely.

AJ opened the door and knew by the grim expression on Victor's face why he was there. He didn't greet Victor or invite him in. AJ in fact stepped out onto the porch, closing the door to the house behind him. Allison was in the living room watching TV and this was one conversation AJ was sure he didn't want her to hear. Before Victor could say a word, AJ started to speak, "I won't believe she's dead unless you can produce her body, so don't even try and convince me she's gone."

"AJ, I'm sorry, but I wouldn't have come to tell you she had died serving this country if we didn't have conformation," Victor told him.

"Do you have a body for me to bury this time?"

"No, AJ, I'm sorry we don't, but there will be a star put on the wall for her right next to the one for Director Webb."

"Oh will you put it next to the one that was put there the last time she died? Or will you just change the date on the one that's there?"

"AJ, I know how hard this must be on you and if there's anything I or the Company can do for you or Allison please just let me know."

"Oh? You know how hard it is to be told your wife is dead, mourn her for seven years only to have her miraculously return then have her go off on one more mission and have you come knocking on the door to tell me once again that she's dead?"

"No, you're right. I've never been through anything like that. I was just trying to be understanding. I hate to bring you this kind of news and then have to leave, but I have to go and tell Mac the news about Clay."

"I'm sure after having been told Webb was dead on more that one occasion, she'll be demanding to see a body as well!"

"That isn't possible, AJ. Their bodies were destroyed in a car bomb, but we had a witness that saw them before the car exploded."

"Then I'm sorry, I refuse to believe that Taya is dead," AJ informed him and then turned to go back into the house leaving Victor standing there on the porch stunned at this reaction.

To be continued…