Chapter 50
Blink and You Missed It
Frederico Suarez sat in his black sedan reading a Spanish newspaper and drinking an espresso. He had been watching the building for the past twenty four hours aside from the three hour break he received when Doug came to relieve him so he could climb in the back seat and take a short nap.
His recent investigation due to Doug's growing concerns had unturned many curious realities. Elizabeth did not remember having a child. He knew the child had been abducted but never looked into it because he was headed for Iraq on active duty. Another man, one that the Corinthos Organization freely let into their circle and actually lived in Elizabeth's home was related to their current threat. Still yet another man was stalking Elizabeth. All while Jason Morgan appeared to be blissfully unaware of the dangers Elizabeth was facing.
When he had come to Fort Jackson to see Elizabeth after her attack by Manny Ruiz, he and Doug had a long talk. Frederico knew the Fed's had a long running open file on Corinthos and Morgan. He could not and would not hinder that investigation. However, what Manny did to Elizabeth was obscene. He was just like his father. Using innocent women and beating them, groping them, sometimes raping them. Thank God he didn't rape Elizabeth.
Allowing Morgan to kill Manny served several purposes. He did not have the blood on his hands. In his field in the military, accessory would never stick. He could actually use it to his advantage if he needed to in the future. Frederico would never see the inside of a jail cell if the truth ever came out about the death of Manny Ruiz. In the future, he could use it to keep Morgan in line or move investigations from the FBI away from his CIA operations. One bit of information from him could have the FBI salivating in another direction and he could go about his business unhindered. Also, an eye for an eye comes to mind. Manny Ruiz's father killed his father, so his father's son killed Ruiz's son. Divine justice all wrapped up in a nice neat little package.
The only problem was Elizabeth. He liked the girl. He honestly felt she was the true, genuine angel sent from heaven. Problem? She's now hooked into the mob and her life is forever in constant danger. Another problem? She was blissfully unaware of the danger. Again a problem? She was in love with the mobster and he knew that no amount of reasoning on anyone's part would deter her from the life she wanted. A life with Jason Morgan. Final problem? Jason Morgan only sees threat from his rivals inside the organizations. He doesn't see the real threat lurking in the shadows. A threat that has nothing to do with Corinthos or Morgan. A threat that has solely to do with Elizabeth. A stalker. An unrequited love. A man possessed with wanting what he can't have. What he lost long ago.
He looked up and noticed his target walking from his building. Frederico took mental note of everything he was carrying. His arms were loaded. Newspaper, bubble wrap, packing tape and a book. Elizabeth's self appointed savior pulled his binoculars from the passenger seat and zeroed in on the book. A Study Guide to Effective Hypnosis. What the hell is that about? Is he planning to hypnotize Elizabeth into believing she loved him? That would never work.
Frederico sat up and leaned his head on the steering wheel. He needs more information but is not willing to go to the mob to get it. He needed to keep his hands clean. All he wanted to do was protect Elizabeth. He did not want to get himself into any FBI file associated with the criminal element surrounding Elizabeth. Teaming up with Doug had proved beneficial. Over the past few months, when he needed something, information, he would simply set Doug into motion. He pulled out his cell phone, dialed the number and hit send.
Doug was easily able to walk the fine line between staying clean and still collecting his unreported income from the mob. It was easy enough. He inserted himself into the group of co-workers that were a part of Elizabeth's clique. He would just happen to be eating at the same restaurant she was when she went alone. He knew how to follow someone unnoticed and he knew how to keep his mouth shut. All the things Jason Morgan required for him to receive his stipend.
When Frederico came to him a few months ago, at first he was stunned. He denied any reference to his having been in the mob years ago or receiving money from them now. Finally when Frederico produced surveillance of his weekly meeting with Francis or Jason and the payoff, he relented. Once Frederico explained what he wanted, Doug happily agreed. All he wanted was information before passing it on to Morgan. That was easy. Easy money and a guarantee of protection from the government. He had it made. Nothing ever happened anyway.
Nothing except for her stalker. He was harmless and Doug knew that Jason could alleviate Elizabeth's problem with out batting an eye. However, Frederico wanted to hold off telling Jason. He said he didn't want an innocent person killed. The man never did anything to harm Elizabeth. They were actually close friends from what Doug could tell. A little obsessive behavior didn't deserve a bullet in the head.
"I have no idea. I'll see what I can find out on my end. I'll be by to relieve you in about four hours. I'll take over the next forty-eight hour shift." He closed his phone and pondered his next move.
