Chapter 24. Heart of darkness.

She didn't believe her luck. The wetback was going for a training run. She could hear the other girl bickering, but to no avail. Teddy was going to reward her, without any doubt!

She saw Alex start out on her run, towards her. The air pistol with the soporific dart was in her hand. Alex didn't even know what happened. Her legs went wobbly, but there was this friendly woman who took her in her arms. The last thing she remembered, was a tender embrace, then the lights went out for her.

Francesca had laid Alex on the rear seat of her car. She had contacted Teddy and was on her way to one of his safehouses. She didn't like the fact she had to follow a preprogrammed GPS. She wanted to be in command. She needed to know where she was going, in case she had to leave in a hurry. She was a mercenary, but the kind that survives! She already had decided that they were generally going in the direction of the North Sea. She would gamble on Ghent. It was after all an harbour. As soon as the GPS had directed her to the N60, she was sure and glad. She knew the city well enough to make a get-a-way if needed. Somehow she had a gut feeling it might be necessary.

Francesca ended up in the harbour. She had a short fright when a police van passed her by, sirens howling. It soon veered away to the left, and she heaved a sigh of relief. A large hangar seemed to be her destination. Nobody took notice of her car, everybody too busy with his own work. She stopped in front of the doors, got out off the car, took Alex in her arms and walked into the hangar.

This act and the input from Mandy and Clover would be the end of the organisation she worked for. As soon as Alex was taken out of the cage of Faraday the car formed, the lazy tracking device in her training clothes were activated by one of Woohp's spy satellites. Her position was recorded and Woohp headquarters notified. Francesca was unaware of all this happening. Security checked Alex's clothes, but as the lazy tracking devices only reflected information and didn't actively send it, they weren't discovered. Alex was taken to a cell and incarcerated.

Teddy was very pleased. All the men and women who didn't succeed where Francesca did, were taken care off. And pretty soon, this woman would follow their fate. Yet he wanted some fun with her first, after all his orders were not to torture Alex, they said nothing about this mercenary. His smile made Francesca suspicious. He paid good money, but she didn't trust him.

"Is she the one you wanted, mister Ushkin?" Francesca asked.

"Yes, she has killed my brother. I'll make sure she dies a slow and painful death. Follow me I'll pay you." Teddy invited.

"No thanks, mister Ushkin. I prefer the normal way. I'll check my account later on. Have a fine day." Francesca declined and stepped away to the exit.

But that was counting without Teddy. He quickly grabbed her arm and got himself a nice hit against the head sending him out.

Francesca left the hangar and drove off as fast as she dared not to attract attention.

The flying column she crossed didn't take any notice of her.