Chapter 49--Here's the latest installment in this super long fanfiction! I hope you enjoy it.


Antonio looked at Duval, Sr. for a long moment. The older man stared back without blinking his eyes once.

"Why have you come here to see me," Duval repeated.

This time Antonio had his answer.

"I came about your son," he said.

Duval nodded.

"The one you work for," he said, "Not the one in prison."

"How did you know?"

Duval chuckled, dryly.

"I know everything that involves family," he said "and when you spend your days and nights inside a cramped cell, you realize what matters most."

"But you don't claim Andre as your son."

"I've given him everything I have," Duval said, "And he's grown into his role as a proper Duval."

Antonio glared at him.

"He's a human trafficker," he said, "That's carrying out your family name?"

Duval scratched his face.

"His success in his business has outstripped my own," he said, "My other son frowns on what he does but he's young and idealistic. He has not an ounce of business sense."

"Your son has very strong feelings against his own half-brother," Antonio said.

Duval shrugged.

"He views him as an aberration to the family line," he said, "But he's just a different branch of the same tree which has taken root and will grow strong long after I'm gone."

"And what about what he's done to innocent people," Antonio said.

"There's no such thing in our world," Duval said, "You know that."

"What about all those women that he's victimized, including those lying in unmarked graves?"

Duval waved his arm dismissively.

"They made bad choices," he said, "And with bad choices, come consequences."

"Including the ones that your son had kidnapped," he said, "Like my sister and C.J. Parsons?"

"Now there's a name from the past, a delightful creature" Duval said, smiling "What's she been up to lately?"

"What do you know about her kidnapping?"

"Is that what it's called these days," Duval said, "My son was quite taken with her since he crossed paths with her years ago in Boston. Pity, we had to make the difficult decision to sacrifice her and her friends to save Andre but family comes first. It was of course such a relief to hear that they made it out safely."

"But then you tried to kill her and Matt later on," Antonio said.

Duval shrugged.

"That was purely business," he said, "Nothing personal. But with my son, it's different."

"So you knew what he was planning all that time?"

"Matt ruined my business and separated me from my sons," Duval said, "He had to pay for that and the best way to make him pay is through his loved ones."

"So that's what he did?"

"Matt and I share Achilles heels," Duval said, "The difference between us is that he wears his heart on his sleeve. That will be his undoing every time."

Antonio raised his brows.

"Did you tell Andre that?"

Duval paused.

"Anything to help a son avenge his father," Duval said, "He's my flesh and blood and I'm proud of what he's accomplished. I will go to my grave a happy man."

"You're going to lose him before that," Antonio said, "He's gone too far and by the end of this, he's likely to end up dead or locked up in another federal prison."

Duval laughed and then coughed uncontrollably. He took out a handkerchief and wiped his face.

"They'll never get him," he said, "Antonio is much more cunning than even myself. He will get his missing property back and he's get back to his business."

"You mean C.J.," Antonio interjected, "Why can't he just let that situation and move on? Why is he using all his resources to find her?"

"Because she doesn't belong to him anymore," Duval said.

Antonio looked confused.

"What are you saying," he said.

"Andre sold her to someone else before she escaped."


C.J. looked out the window at the grey skies which had dropped sheets of rain all morning. Rarely, the balmy days were interrupted with squally weather like on this day. She walked back to where Matt sat on the couch.

"It's really pouring outside," she said, "I imagine everyone's staying on shore today."

"At least it's a warm rain," Matt said, "It should be great outside when it lets up."

"I've been thinking about my dream," she said, sitting beside him, "It was so strange dreaming about this woman like she was standing in front of me."

"Do you have any idea who she might have been?"

C.J. shook her head.

"She seems familiar somehow, but nothing comes to mind."

"Maybe another woman who was being kept at the compound?"

"Maybe," she said, "I didn't really see any of the other women. I heard about them but didn't really see them. I was kept pretty isolated."

"Did Andre talk about any of the other women?"

C.J. thought back.

"Not much," she said, "I don't think they wanted me to really know what they were doing."

"What about Piser?"

She started to shake her head then stopped.

"Maybe in passing," she said, "He used to tell me that Andre's plans were to sell me at some point to someone else especially after I tried to escape."

"Did Piser handle that part of Andre's business?"

C.J. struggled to concentrate.

"I'm sorry," she said, "It's hard to remember things. It's just all fragments when it comes to what people said and there are some things I don't remember all, it's just blank. Sometimes I wish everything was that opaque."

"There's nothing to be sorry about," he said, "I wonder if Elena knows anything about his business."

C.J. shook her head.

"I don't think so," she said, "Elena's a good person and if she had known, I think she would have had serious doubts about Andre much sooner than she did."

Matt sighed and sat up.

"I think I'm going to go into town."

"What for," C.J. asked.

"I think I'm going to try to make contact with Jonathan again."

"Why," C.J. said.

"I need to see if I can get some information from him for a change."

He walked into the kitchen. She followed him.

"He's not going to divulge anything from the investigation," C.J. said.

Matt put on his jacket.

"We'll see about that."

C.J. reached for her jacket.

"I'm going with you."

He nodded and they both left the bungalow.


Jonathan sat in the darkened room with Chad and watched the grainy video projected on the screen. It showed a meeting of men in suits that took place in an undisclosed location.

"It sounds like they're making a business transaction," Jonathan said.

Chad pointed to a tall muscular gentleman with salt and pepper sprinkled into his darkened hair.

"I think I recognize that guy from some of the photos we saw from a case last year," he said, "It was another trafficking case that ICE sent us to look at for witness protection evaluation."

"Oh yeah, the young woman who lived less than 24 hours in one of our so-called safe houses," Jonathan said.

"We never caught the assassin," Chad said, "And ballistics didn't come back with much on the bullets that was useful."

"That's because they were pros," Jonathan said, "Just like those hired by Andre including those who infiltrated our division."

Chad sighed.

"Thanks for the reminder," he said, "This guy runs an operation out of Russia and the Ukraine though he's out of Italy originally."

"Anyone got a name for him," Jonathan said.

"Negative on that," Chad said, "But his organization brings in over $100 million annually. He dabbles in drug smuggling and arms dealing as well but his biggest merchandise are women and children soldiers in some of the African countries."

"So how does he stack up against an Andre Duval," Jonathan said, pointing at the screen, "Because I believe that's him sitting right across from him."

Chad examined the film.

"Yeah…it sure looks like him," he said, "I wonder when this video was taken."

"Not too long ago it looks," Jonathan said, "I wish the audio were better. We might have to send it back to forensics to work on it."

"That shouldn't be too difficult," Chad said, "We've got all the state of the art equipment."

Jonathan took a deep breath and exhaled while collecting his thoughts.

"So if that's Duval conducting a legitimate business meeting, then why's one of the world's most notorious traffickers at the same table?"

Chad paused.

"It's possible that Gentleman X also presents himself as a reputable businessman."

"Does Agent Denton know about this?"

Chad nodded.

"He's on his way down here," he said, "but we all have much more evidence to look through before we can even think about planning what our next course of action will be."

Jonathan listened to him while looking at the screen at the two men.

"We'd better get to it."


Chris and Fran looked at Rhonda who sat down next to them at the coffee shop.

"So what did you find out," she said.

"If Dan's guys can't break through the encryption on Scott's files, I think my roadie friend can do it."

Chris nodded.

"The guy who gave us the wiring devices?"

"Yeah, he's willing to help us out," she said, "It might take some time."

Chris sighed.

"All this has taken a lot of time. It's been months now and we don't know if Matt and C.J. are any closer to being able to come back."

"I know it's been difficult," Rhonda said, "But if we can link Scott to Duval, we can use that information to get a location for Duval."

Chris shook her head.

"We have to be very careful," she said, "It might get to be very dangerous very quickly."

"I think that maybe if we can get something solid, we can take it back to Jonathan," Rhonda said.

Both Fran and Chris looked at her suddenly.

"Jonathan," both said at the same time.

Rhonda nodded.

"Yeah, I think that he's getting really upset at the slow pace of this whole thing."

Fran sipped her coffee.

"Maybe he's ready to trying something a bit different," she said, "It would be about damn time."

"Maybe," Rhonda said, thoughtfully.


Antonio just stared at the older man.

"Who did Andre sell her to," he asked.

Duval clasped his hands together.

"I don't know," he said, "Some big shot from Eastern Europe, maybe Russia."

"Why did he do this?"

"He owed this guy some favors and even more money."

"I don't believe you," Antonio said.

"No it's true," Duval said, "My son's an excellent business man but he needed overhead beyond what I could provide for him since my financial assets were frozen."

"But you gave him land and you gave him equipment including weapons."

"Ah yes," he said, "But as for money, that was limited by the governments of several countries who had partnerships with the United States."

"So he needed to secure some loans," Antonio said, "And his merchandise were his collateral."

"He's got enough in profits to pay off his debts," Duval said, "But his financers aren't interested in money. They want a piece of his business."

Antonio folded his arms.

"Antonio's not going to take that lying down."

"My son will still be a great success on his own even if he has to pay these individuals off with some of what he's got."

"So these men might have put the bounty out on Ms Parsons when she escaped," Antonio said.

"Not directly," Duval said, "But they made it clear to Andre that this was what he was to do. I think it'll just be a minor setback in the long run."

"What about the other women," he said.

Duval sighed.

"They were also interested in a young girl who works for him," he said, "But my son put his foot down there and they backed off."

That caught Antonio's attention.

"Who's this young woman," he said.

"His associate," Duval said, "I believe her name is Elena."

Antonio struggled to keep the shock off of his face, something he wasn't accustomed to doing.

"Why was that," he said.

Duval studied the younger man.

"For personal reasons," he said, "She's someone of great importance to him. That's why she's there."

"How could that be," Antonio said, shaking his head.

Duval just smiled at his confusion.

"You need to find the answer to that on your own," he said, "You are her brother after all. That should provide you some clue."


Serena looked up at Matt and C.J. from the computer.

"Are you sure you want to do this," she said.

Both looked at each other and nodded.

"Okay, I'll see what I can do," she said, "It might take a few minutes to get a secured line."

"We'll wait," Matt said as he and C.J. sat on the couch nearby.

"I can't believe you two came out in this weather just to make a phone call to a man who's looking all over for you."

She shook her head at both of them and got to work.

C.J. sat back and listened to the rain which took her to another place.

She sat in her cell listening to the rain outside the small window, which didn't offer much of a view. The sound gave her some connection to the outside world, however tenuous. She had awoken up an hour ago, her mind foggy and her mouth dry. Even drinking a pitcher of water didn't ease the sandpapery feel of her throat. Her wrists were very tender and her body ached. She wondered if she were coming down with something but her forehead remained cool. Elena had stopped by to drop her off a plate of food.

"The senor wishes to give you extra food," she said, "He sees that you're getting so thin."

C.J. recoiled.

"I feel funny," she said.

"Are you hungry," Elena said, "It's been a while since you ate."

C.J. shook her head.

"No, I feel funny," she said, "And what's that cologne you're wearing?"

Elena looked at her confused.

"I'm not wearing any cologne," she said, "And I don't smell anything unusual."

C.J. rubbed her forehead.

"I must be imagining it."

Elena smiled.

"Here, there's some good food here to eat," she said, "You need to eat more."

C.J. sighed.

"I'll try," she said, walking over to sit at the table. Her legs felt rubbery with each step.

Elena prepared to leave. Then C.J. heard footsteps and looked up to see Piser leaning against the doorway smiling at her in a way that chilled her.

"So how are you doing," he asked her.

She didn't look up at him.

"Get out of here," she said.

Elena looked at C.J., uncertainty in her eyes.

"Are you okay, Ms?"

C.J. nodded.

"I'm fine, you can go now."

Piser watched Elena leave with the tray then entered the room. C.J. still didn't look up at him.

"So how are you doing this morning," Piser asked, "I mean I would imagine if you're feeling tired or unwell."

"I would never tell you how I'm feeling," she said, "So there's no point in you asking."

"Andre's entertaining some business partners," Piser said, "One of whom appears to be very taken with you. You must have done something to impress him."

She looked up at him.

"What do you mean," she said.

"Well, if and Andre negotiate a price, you'll belong to him by the end of the month."

She put her hand over her mouth, trying to keep the bile out of her throat. She would never let Piser see her lose control.

"You don't remember him, do you?"

She narrowed her eyes at Piser.

"Remember who," she said.

He shook his head and prepared to leave.

"It's a shame really," he said, "I'll almost miss you when you leave. But then everyone will because no one who ever knew you will ever see you again."

He left and she walked back to the bed, reaching underneath it for her towel wrapped with items that were going to help her escape this place. She lay back and held it on her chest trying to formulate her plan, knowing that time was running out before her window of opportunity might close forever.


She got up from the couch and walked up to the window to look out into the rain. Matt watched her go and leaned back on the couch, waiting for Serena to tell him she had secured a line for them and would patch them through to Jonathan. C.J. stayed by the window for a while and then putting her hands in her jacket pocket told Matt she needed to get some air.

He nodded and watched her leave.

"Matt," Serena said, "I should have one up for you in a minute."

He walked over to join her.

"Then I can dial in to your friend at the U.S. Marshals without him tracking back."

"You're a miracle worker," he said.

"So are you," Serena said, "She's a very nice woman and I can tell she thinks the world about you."

He smiled.

"It's mutual," he said, "I just hope she's going to be okay."

"She will be," Serena said, "Not today, not tomorrow but she will get there especially with you in her corner."

"It's no less than she's ever done for me," he said, "More than once she's been the only one standing by me."

"I remember what you told me after you recovered from your runin with one of our sting rays."

Matt remembered.

"I was delirious," he said.

"Not all the time," she said, "You said you were going back to where you came from and tell her the truth."

Matt sighed.

"I went back to L.A. to do that and the whole world had turned upside down," he said, "I've been trying to reset it since."

"But it hasn't changed the way you feel…"

He shook his head.

"No, I definitely feel the same," he said, "She's got so much going on right now and so much has happened. Things I can't change as much as I really want to do so."

"These are times that really test a person's resolve," she said, "But you're a man who knows what he wants and it's all going to work out."

"I don't know if she believes that," he said, "Sometimes she seems to think so but other times…"

"It's the trauma speaking, Matt," Serena said, "She's had her whole view of the world changed and it's going to take her time to sort it out and she won't be able to do that until this Andre's out of the picture forever."

"I know you're right," he said, "I just hope we can do that."

She put her hand on his shoulder.

"We're going to do everything we can," she said, "to make sure that it does and then the two of you are going to have to take it from there."


C.J. sat on the steps outside, allowing the rain which had softened its touch hit her shoulders. She pulled her hair back, closed her eyes and tilted her head up to allow it to caress her face. She tried hard to push Piser out of her mind, but she knew he came when she felt strong doubts consume her. She thought about Matt and how much he had done to try to help her. He had given up everything after having been away from home so long to go into hiding with her. She knew it had taken its toll on him even if he never said anything. And every time she remembered that, she felt like bolting. Running away from this place and disappearing so no one could find her. Even Matt, because as long as she remained close to him, he was in danger of getting caught in the cross-fire and she couldn't live with herself if anything happened to him. The past months she had spent with him only reminded her of that. She had to make sure he stayed safe and she wasn't sure she could do that if they stayed together.

She stood up and walked out into the rain. She took a few steps before breaking into a run, the rain soon blurring all around her.


Jonathan sighed after watching some of the videotaped evidence of meetings between Duval and at least two other suspected traffickers. He knew it wasn't enough evidence but at least it might prove to be a beginning of the end of Duval's criminal career if his office played its cards right.

Chad returned to the room.

"So anything else you need enhanced," he said.

Jonathon turned away from the screen.

"I want to concentrate on the meetings with the Italian," he said, "Send all these videos in for audio enhancement."

Chad nodded.

"There's a bunch of other files to look at," he said, "Some of the women we found are probably included somewhere."

"What about any others," Jonathan asked.

"We don't know yet," Chad said.

"What about C.J.?"

Chad shook his head.

"Nothing on her yet," he said, "But she wasn't captive that long so don't expect much."


"I've got it," Serena said.

Matt looked at her as she clicked her fingers across the keyboard.

"It'll just be a second," she said, then handed him a receiver.

He listened to the ringing on the other end.

Jonathan heard his phone ring and picked it up.

"Hello," he said, "Who's this?"

"It's Houston," Matt said, "And don't bother to track this because this conversation won't be long enough."

Jonathan sat up straight. Chad noticed and gave him a strange look but Jonathan ignored him.

"What's up," he said, "And more importantly, when are you two coming in?"

"Not for a while," Matt said, "We've got work to do here."

"Why am I not going to like the sound of that?"

"Because you believe in creating red tape more than in cutting through it."

Jonathan sighed.

"That's not true," he said, "Believe it or not, we're working very hard on this end. We've just been viewing tapes of Andre Duval meeting with one of the most notorious human traffickers in the world."

That got Matt's attention.

"Who," he asked.

"We don't know yet," Jonathan said, "We're still working on audio."

"What have you found out about this guy," Matt said.

"He's really powerful, really rich and he's got some ties to Duval," Jonathan said, "Maybe Duval procured women for him."

"C.J. mentioned that she never saw the women in the compound," Matt said, "Which leaves me with the impression they didn't stay there that long, at least not the live ones."

"She was there about a month before she escaped, so that gave her some exposure but not much to what's going on."

Matt hesitated.

"C.J. said that Duval talked about selling her several times but she doesn't know if it ever went beyond just making threats."

Jonathan sighed.

"When we plow through these records, we might find out either way," he said, "Let's hope that wasn't the case."

Matt sighed. He knew that was one hope that despite their differences, the two men both shared.


C.J. walked back to the building, her body worn out from the run and her mind exhausted with trying to figure out what to do next. Part of her still wanted to continue running into the rain, But she had stopped suddenly realizing she was trying to escape. The rest of herself tried to stay firmly rooted to where she stood. Fear permeated her when she remembered her flashback to her conversation with Piser and she didn't know why. Her body shook and she wrapped her arms around herself to still it. She looked up and saw him.

"What are you doing here," she said.

She saw him fading into the shadows near the trees which swayed in the breeze.

"I'm here to get you," he said inside her mind.

"How did you find me," she said, backing away.

"I'm with you always", he said, "You can't run away from me."

She backed up another step and bumped into something unmovable. She flinched and felt hands on her shoulders.

"Hey, it's just me," she heard a familiar voice say.

She relaxed and turned around to see Matt standing there.

"I finished the phone call with Jonathan and you were gone," he said.

She smiled at him.

"I just needed some air," she said.

He looked around them.

"It's still raining," he said, "and you're getting soaked."

"I guess I am," she said, "I'm ready to head back."

"You okay," he said, walking alongside her.

She nodded, but didn't look at him as they walked back down the dirt road in silence.

"What did Jonathan tell you?"

"He said that they were viewing some taped meetings that Andre conducted with a trafficker that was even bigger than he was," Matt said, "They're still in the early stages of reviewing those tapes."

C.J. nodded.

"I know, Piser told me more than once that Andre met with other business partners," she said.

"Did he say what about?"

C.J. fidgeted with her hands.

"Not much...," she said, "We'd better hurry. It's starting to really come down again."

Matt didn't push the issue.


Scott sat in his office, wondering what to do. The latest interrogation of the agents had unnerved him because for the first time, they had evidence tying him to Duval. And he felt that the elaborate story that he had woven for himself had begun to unravel. He had no intention of going down for the entire operation and needed some insurance to protect him.

He reached for his cell phone and punched in some numbers.