Hi: Hope all is well with everyone. Having trouble with the Traffic Section of F/F. Small problem…hope all enjoy.
Chapter 70
Time to speak what's on your mind
Those present in the hospital room could feel the sterile walls and the sanitized atmosphere pressing their already stressed forms tighter. Distressed expressions dominated the group as they hovered over the bed. All eyes focused on the newly returned patient. The success of the emergency operation still needed to be decided, though it's outcome hung in the air adding more weight on the weakened family unit. Though one of the emotionally drained visitors did little to hide a malicious surge of hate traveling over her expression.
"Elaine, he'll pull through. He's too strong not to." Ted feared touching his wife. Her rigid stance filled strained muscles with a power he was well aware of, from experience.
"Mrs. Pownall," Maddie's hair reflected her emotional condition. As her mind zoomed from one horrid thought concerning Ben's fate to another, sweat soaked strands of black curls shot off in all directions as if a sculpture of Medusa.
"Where is she? Where…" In a low voice that somehow managed to send chills down Maddie's spine, Elaine turned to the door. Her long fingers brushed Ben's cheek, passing an array of plastic tubes running to and from different parts of her oldest son.
"She's with Little Ted, he's…" Elaine's younger son pauses for strength to finish. After a deep breath, Doug continues.
"Both him and Hope are really…" He shakes his head, looking downward hoping the tear hanging from his lower right eyelid will remain hidden.
His mother has no trouble expressing her thoughts.
"That bitch is the cause of this." Raising her hand to block any reply from a hesitant Ted, "I'd give up my legs to have him safe and well." Turning to Maddie, "yes, my dear. I wish she never popped her damn head out of the water. She's the cause of this. And she will," now Elaine needs to take a breath. "She will hurt us all."
"Elaine, not now. We'll."
She is quick to reply to her husband.
"We'll is right. Both of us have to be on the same page. We'll stop this bitch…" Overcome with anger, she halts long enough to turn and stare at Maddie.
"Remember that conversation we had?" Ignoring the young woman's attempt to reply. "I know there is a bun from Ben in the oven." The once infuriated woman now sports a smile. Pointing to Maddie's belly, Elaine runs her finger along the yellow t-shirt highlighting the young woman's form. Sliding her digit to Maddie's hip. "In a few months this formfitting blouse will be a little stressed."
All those present stiffen at the harsh, and sinister sounding laughs from the now jovial women.
"Loosen up. Now is the time to speak what's on your mind." She grabs her husband's arm. "Ted, me and Maddie will do all the work. "Doug," looking at her youngest child. "You just stay out of the way. Think business matters." The smile broadens under wide open blue eyes. A glint of daylight sneak through the hospital room's lone window. Elaine's expression sparkles as if an out of control blaze.
Naval Medical and Research Center
Matching the somber, or even frightening mood of the hospital, the dark colored interview room of the Naval facility still possessed an oppressive atmosphere.
"I see by the way you've kinda controlled your outbursts," Lt. Commander Martinez's casual, almost friendly tone did not match the redheaded prisoner's expression.
Swallowing several times, Vanessa's fair complexion darkens as blood flushes through her facial muscles. Repetitive scratching of a quivering lower lip by pearl white teeth match the slight squirm of her posterior on the metal chair. The intermittent jingle of handcuffs surround the silent, bound woman.
"I meant what I said." Nicole's sparse eyebrows flex. "When we take you in," through a slanted grin, "you no longer exist."
"What do you want to know?" The trembling form in the orange jump suit asks.
"Your brother has told us about a fortune in European and American currency, just waiting somewhere across the Atlantic."
"I thought my little brother could hold out a little longer than this." Vanessa bites her lip.
"Well, reminding him that if Ben Pownall dies," Nicole leaves her chair and walks around the desk. "Complicity in First Degree Murder," she pauses to snort out a delicate laugh. "It does have a slight ring to it."
"We aren't involved in that. Someone must have…" She stares into Nicole's dark eyes. Vanessa realizes her words are meaningless.
"If we hand you over to the proper authorities…"
The redhead cuts Martinez's warning short.
"Listen, can me and my bother…some kind of deal. I mean…" Her red tinged complexion begins to fade. "There is a lot of money involved. I'm sure your superiors." Lifting her bound hands, Vanessa tries to get into a standing position. "Please, can you uncuff me. I'll tell you what we know." The beaten woman flops back in her seat.
Martinez produces a key, almost from thin air, as if performing a magic trick.
"I know you won't escape." She whispers.
"I want to make a deal, why would I do that?"
"For a smart girl, you seem to ignore the obvious." Replies Nicole.
"What do you mean? I mean…just send us somewhere."
"Before I unlock these bracelets, who was the shooter?" Said as she waves the key in front of the anxious prisoner.
"I…" The hesitation morphs into silence.
"If you don't tell me," Nicole continues. "By the way, your brother already did. So, you tell me."
"If you know, what the hell do I have to. Just to prove you've gotten me up against the wall."
"Listen, Red. Now…is the time to speak what's on your mind." Standing straight up, she bends over Vanessa. "You don't tell me," a short giggle. "That thing you ignored."
"What did I ignore?" Red hair flies in all directions as she scrambles her form on the squeaking metal chair.
"You ignored Ryn. And what will happen to you and your brother if Ben dies."
Vanessa becomes still in the chair. Her body takes on the appearance of a nail thrust upon a powerful magnet. Lips and teeth clench. A mumbled word drips from her mouth.
"There'll be no stopping her." Nicole sighs. "You'll be missing body parts when they find you."
"Michael Cameron." A head full of fiery red hair drops taking most of her upper body with it. "He was in Special Forces. There will be a file on him….pictures and all." Nicole unlocks the handcuffs.
"I don't know where he is or where he went." Picking her head up, "you gotta believe me." Tears flow down her cheeks. "He worked…like me with the Agency."
"Don't worry. The CIA won't protect him. We'll find him." Nicole answers the distraught prisoner before calling a special number in her contacts.
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