A.N. Thanks for your patience. Went back to work last week and working on getting rid of a toothache right now. I hope you enjoy the new chapter. :)
A couple of days later at the federal building, Penning had Bilkins in a conference room looking at maps of the United States, Mexico and Canada. Bilkins kept his focus on Mexico even though he knew they never made it there legally or illegally. Penning was focused on the US and looking at the possible routes Brian would've driven and found a route he was sure that Brian would take but he wasn't giving it away to Bilkins. He didn't know what was going on with the career agent but he knew something wasn't right. Penning asked pointing to the Mexico map in front of Bilkins, "Do you have a line on Mexico?"
"We haven't heard from any authorities about border crossings but I would think that they headed into Mexico even though nothing's pinged on the radar." Bilkins said as he skimmed over the other maps and looking a little more interested still with the Mexico lead.
Penning glared at Bilkins and said, "Authorities? What the hell are you talking about? I'm trying to keep this quiet. Now Brian's going to disappear for good if he gets wind that we've put out warrants and APB's."
Bilkins looked unapologetic and said, "We've got to find him sooner rather than later and that's the quickest way to do it."
"You don't have a clue who you're dealing with - I do. Other people we don't want to know has access to this information and now this case is even more fucked up than what it already is." Penning yelled as he pushed his chair back.
"Well we had to do something. Brian's moving awful smoothly through this whole thing if we can't find him and no one's planning on holding any of the rest of team. You guys seem to want to let O' Conner go. What the hell does he have on all of you so you'd be complicit in his escape? Huh? That's what I want to know."
"That is a can of worms I'm not opening, nor is any of my other staff!" Penning growled.
"One day soon you're going to regret not telling me." Bilkins said as he stomped out of the room.
Penning collapsed in the chair and hoped Brian was okay. Brian had only let slip his connection to Owen Shaw when he was asleep on his office couch and Penning had to get him for a meeting. Brian had been dreaming and it didn't seem pleasant as Penning went to wake Brian up and found himself planted on the floor by a very freaked out agent. He rubbed his neck just thinking about it. Neither talked about it but Penning became aware of the connection and why O' Conner was so good at his job.
Mia watched the phone that Jackie had delivered a couple of days previous and it started to ring, jolting her her out of her thoughts. She didn't recognize the number but knew that Brian and Jackie were the only two that this particular cell number. She answered the phone, "Hello."
"Mia it's me Brian." Brian started carefully.
"No shit Brian. When were you going to actually include me in your planning? I'm taking care of two people and trying to run two businesses at the same time!" Mia yelled into the phone.
"Mia I'm trying to keep you guys safe." Brian pleaded. "The less contact the better. Once Vince is able to fly then Jackie will deliver an envelope with stuff you'll need and flight information and stuff like. Keep him informed. He wants you guys to be safe just like I do. I'm trying to work it out that Dom and I can meet up with you guys but I don't want to give anymore over the phone. All of this is too risky."
"Well you'll have to deal with it!" Mia snapped. "What is going on? Jackie won't tell me anything so I think you have a lot of explaining to do."
Brian leaned against the phone booth he was using and watched as Dom wandered around the small market area they found in Nice. He rubbed his face with his left hand and felt the ring scrape his cheek. "A lot is going on Mia. Dom's safe for the time being and once Vince is healed up better than you guys are going to be enjoying the South Pacific for a while while I straighten out some stuff going on. Then Dom and I will meet you guys."
"South Pacific? You're sending us to an island paradise to keep us safe?"
"It'll give me and Dom peace of mind Mia. I can't really tell you anything else. Housing and everything is setup so when he's better, call Jackie."
"That's it? Call this person and trust that we'll be able to get out of the country?"
"You will Mia." He noticed Dom leaning against a wall looking a little worn out. "Look I gotta go Mia. Dom isn't feeling well. We've been on the move since Race Wars and he needs some rest."
"That's it then? An island is waiting for us and eventually you guys will meet up with us?" Mia sighed as she looked around the kitchen she grew up in.
"Pretty much. Money's not an issue so you'll have bank cards and everything so that you can get what you need when you get there. Now I need to go. I'll try and call on the occasion and next time you can talk to Dom. Bye Mia." Brian hung up the phone and stepped out of the booth.
"How's Mia?" Dom asked yawning.
"Besides taking care of Vince and Jesse, she's pissed at me but I hope that she'll understand what's going on. I'm trying to keep them safe and you safe."
Dom pulled Brian into his good side and rested his head on top of Brian's and said, "She'll be okay. I don't want her to know half of what we have do if I'm thinking what you're thinking."
"I'll try and keep the information to a minimum. When we get to Monaco then you can talk to her for a few minutes. Just don't mention where we are. The FBI and CIA can pick up all of our conversations and put everything together. I already mentioned the South Pacific so that'll be interesting as they try and find out where I'm sending them."
Dom chuckled and said, "Everything will work out Brian." He held him tighter and kissed the top of his head while Brian wrapped his arms around Dom's waist and buried his face in Dom's neck. He was glad that Dom was being strong for the both of them right then because he wanted to have a mini breakdown.