Chapter 2
"What... what do you mean she's out? How did she get out?" Jonathan asked as he stood closer to his niece in her stroller.
Kay sat down in her chair, "I don't know... she escaped last night. She almost killed the officer who was guarding her cell."
Cameron furrowed his brows, "Almost?" It genuinely confused him. He was glad that another person didn't die at her hands but as far as he knew, the former mystery woman was willing to kill anyone who got in her way. What made this guard so different?
"She's in the hospital now. Woke up a few hours ago."
A horrid thought crossed Jonathan's mind, "She hasn't gotten her hands on the serum, has she?"
Kay shook her head, "No, those have been stored away but honestly... I'm thinking of sending in a request to have them destroyed." The twins gave her a curious look, "That serum can only do harm so what's the point of still having it?"
They both nodded in agreement. "What about the team?" Cameron asked.
"I called Jordan and Gunter and Mike's already called Dina and has had his boys pulled from school so he can keep an eye on them."
"What about Marigold?" Cameron asked remembering the kind old woman who had taken his sister in years ago.
Kay nodded, "I've already had two officers sent to watch over her while undercover so she can keep her business running."
Just then Farrah woke up. She started to whine when there was nobody near her and her eyes began to tear up. Jonathan was the first to respond. He took her out of her stroller and held her close, "Hey, don't cry Farrah, we're right here." Farrah rested her head on Jonathan's shoulder and gripped his shirt as her tears stopped. "What are we going to do?"
The agent sighed as she got up from her seat, "First things first, we get our previous case files. If we have all the information we already have on Cornelia then maybe we can at take a guess on where she could go." Cameron and Jonathan both nodded at that logic. She turned her head to Jonathan, "You worked with her personally for a few months."
Jonathan felt his mind fill with guilt, "I did."
"Any idea where she might head to?"
Jonathan shook his head, "Based on my experience, she never stays anywhere long enough for anyone to recognize her especially since she always has something to disguise herself." He held his niece closer as he started to feel this sense of dread take over. "She could quite literally be anyone right now."
"Where can we find these files?" Cameron asked.
"In the FBI archives." Kay replied, "And I know someone who can help."
(~**~) (~**~) (~**~) (~**~)
In an office in the FBI archives, a woman was emptying boxes as she arranged her little office. Her office in the FBI archives was a little smaller than most but she didn't mind. Her desk was against the wall to the right, of course, it was against the only wall that wasn't a floor to ceiling bookshelf. Those bookshelves were filled with different books, knickknacks recent files that need to be placed in storage. The woman had dark skin which contrasted nicely with the white fitted shirt with dramatic bell-bottom sleeves she was wearing along with a pair of navy blue pants and a bold navy blue hijab that framed her face. As she opened the last box, there was a knock on her office door, "Lara?"
The woman looked up and smiled, "Hi Kay."
Kay nodded, giving a tiny smile, "Welcome back."
"Thank you. It's good to be back."
"I was wondering if you're up for a case."
Lara let out a chuckle, "I'd be more than up for it." She then noticed the twin gentlemen behind Kay, one of whom was holding a baby girl.
Before Lara could ask, Kay was quick to introduce, "This is Cameron and Jonathan Black; they've been working as consultants with us for a while now."
Lara nodded to the twins, "It's nice to meet you two." She smiled to the small child, "And who's this?"
"This is our niece Farrah." Jonathan replied smiling when he noticed Farrah smiling at Lara.
Lara smiled once more before turning back to work mode, "What can I do for you?"
"We need you to pull up all the files from a closed case from about eight months ago. The Black/Jonbroni-Blanc case. One of the killers escaped."
Lara's eyes widened, "I see..."
Farrah started fuss as her face twisted. Everyone knew what that meant. Jonathan held her at arm's length to Cameron, "Cam, Farrah needs you."
Cameron sighed, letting out a light chuckle and taking her from his brother, "Her diaper bag is in Kay's office."
"Okay then," Kay spoke up, "Cameron and I will be back in a few minutes because I still don't trust him alone in my office."
"I wouldn't be alone, Farrah would be with me."
"Farrah's not a reliable witness."
Cameron let out a gasp of mock horror, "How dare you Agent Daniels."
Kay rolled her eyes as she and Cameron walked away, promising to be away for only a few minutes. There was slight awkward silence as now it was just Johnny and Lara. Jonathan cleared his throat, giving a nervous chuckle, "Uh, just in case it wasn't clear. I-I'm Jonathan. Jonathan Black. Consultant." It still felt odd to introduce himself using his own name but it was a good odd.
Lara's face widened with a smile as she let out a light chuckle, "It's nice to meet you Jonathan. I'm Lara. Lara Acosta. Archivist." He nodded at her is response, not going for a handshake but giving her a smile as well. He couldn't help but notice that she was visibly shorter than he was. Probably 5'5 at most.
"So..." He started, "An archivist, huh?"
"Yup."Lara nodded as she started to look through the files, "I tell you that it wasn't exactly what I thought about doing when I was a kid but I like my job. I get to read a lot so that's a plus."
Jonathan grinned, "What did you have in mind as a kid?"
"Space Princess." She replied nonchalantly as if it were the most obvious answer in the world.
Jonathan couldn't help but let out a chuckle, "Of course..." There was silence once again as Lara continued to scavenge through the files looking for the closed case file. "So Kay was welcoming you back?"
Lara nodded again, looking up at him for a moment, smiling, "Yeah, I've lived in Malaysia for the past few years for some extra schooling but I did just spent the last few months in Europe, living out my teenage dreams of seeing the world I guess." Jonathan was about to respond when she let out an "Aha!" She pulled out a somewhat heavy-ish file and placed it on her desk, "I've found the file you're looking for. I hope it helps."
Jonathan eyed the file, "I hope so too."
"Farrah, slow down! You're gonna hurt yourself!" Cameron called as the little girl raced past Johnny into Lara's office giggling while Cameron was fast on her trail with Kay quickly following.
She ran over to Lara and hugged her legs. Lara was surprised for a moment but was quick to smile down at the child, "Well hi there."
"Hi!" Farrah exclaimed to the woman.
Jonathan wanted to go pull Farrah away but thought better of it. He just gave a nervous grin as Cameron and Kay came back into the office, "Sorry about that, Farrah's just really friendly."
"Oh, it's fine. My nephew went through a phase like this." She bent down and gently released Farrah's grip on her legs. She opened the bottom drawer of her desk and pulled out a strawberry lollipop and handed it to the little girl, "I hope Farrah like lollipops." Farrah cooed when she received the treat; she toddled over to Cameron to have him open the candy for her. "I just found the case file you're looking for."
Kay picked up the file, "Thank you! Maybe we can find out where Cornelia is using what we already have on her." She looked to Cameron and Jonathan, "We will get her."
"Maybe we really should put her in a padded room this time." Jonathan remarked.
"I don't know Jonathan, she might be able to tear her way out if her nails are sharp enough." Lara responded as she raised a black eyebrow making Johnny give a lopsided grin, something which Cameron noticed. Kay nodded as she began combing through the file. "Well!" Lara said, clapping her hands together, "If you need anything else, I'll probably still be here." Lara smiled as she went back to unpacking her office.
Kay gave her old friend a small smile, "Thanks for this Lara; you've been a big help."
"Don't mention it Kay." She replied.
(~**~) (~**~) (~**~) (~**~)
After looking through the files and finding no leads that could lead them to the former mystery woman. Kay told the brothers that they should probably take Farrah home and get some rest themselves. This was not going to be easy. This time, Cornelia Berossi left no clues on how to find her. They didn't know what she was planning or why she escaped. They didn't even know if her plan was to be found this time.
"So..." Cameron started as he drove off.
"So." Jonathan replied.
"Lara seems nice."
"Shut up."
Cameron chuckled, "What? All I said was that she seems nice. Don't you think so Jonathan?"
Johnny furrowed his brows at his brother, "That is my name... I don't understand your need to emphasize it." Cameron rolled his eyes. Either his older brother really was oblivious or he was hiding something. Cameron made a left instead of a right, "We're not going to the archive?"
"Nope, I contacted everyone and we all agreed that going to each other's places for now was a better idea. Cornelia knows where the archive is and more importantly, she knows how to get in." Cameron's hands tightly gripped the wheel, "Quite frankly, I just don't think it's safe right now..."
"Especially for Farrah." Jonathan nodded in understanding as he took a quick glance to the quiet toddler who was just staring out the window. "So everyone's coming to our place tonight?"
"That's the plan." Cameron nodded.
The rest of way, the brothers tried just talking about random subjects to keep their minds off the fact that woman who almost ruined their lives was now missing. Once they got back home, Jonathan took Farrah out of her car seat as the little girl just tightly gripped her uncle' shoulders. Jonathan rubbed her back lightly, letting the toddler relax as they headed to the apartment.
When they went inside, Jonathan went to put the tired baby in her pajamas just in case she fell asleep before her bedtime while Cameron went to check the mail. As Johnny helped get his niece into her bunny pajamas, he couldn't help but glance at one of the shelves by the change table. It was a picture of Shawn and Fiona holding Farrah just weeks before they had died. As much as Jonathan loved having Farrah around and as amazing as a kid she was, he still felt a strain rise in his throat whenever he saw their pictures. That woman had been his little sister but she had grown up alone. As hard as their childhood was, one thing that made it bearable was that he and Cameron had each other. He can't imagine what would have happened to Farrah if Fiona's body hadn't been found. What would have happened to this sweet little girl if Bennett Blanc had gotten a hold of her? What he still questioned was Fiona going to that abandoned building in the first place. Out of all the stories he had heard from Marigold, he didn't remember her ever mentioning that building.
"Johnny." A tiny voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Farrah waved her arms in the air, "Up. Up."
"Okay Tiny." He picked her up, letting her hug his neck. Farrah pointed to her crib and let out a little peep, "You want your bunny?"
"Bunny." She squeaked.
He walked over to her crib and picked up the blue plush. Farrah was quick to grab it and grip it tightly with one arm. Johnny gave a light grin as Farrah looked at him with her big brown eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. "You know, it's not fair that you're so cute." Farrah let out a giggle. "Oh, you think that's funny, do you?" Farrah giggled again. Jonathan couldn't help but chuckle a tiny bit himself. "Let's get you something to eat." Johnny walked out with Farrah in his arms. He found Cameron sitting by the kitchen island, reading a letter. "Cam?"
Cameron lifted his head, "Hmm?"
"Everything alright?"
"Yeah, yeah, everything's fine."
Jonathan raised his eyebrows, "Cameron."
Just then, there was a knock at the door. "Hello? Anyone home?" They heard Dina's voice call out.
"I'll tell you later." Cameron insisted.
Jonathan raised an eyebrow as he walked over to open the door to find Dina and Jordan on the other side, "Hey guys. Come on in."
"Hello, you can give Farrah to me now." Dina demanded with a smile as she put down her bag. Jonathan rolled his eyes and passed Farrah over to Dina who excitedly took the child in her arms, "Well, hello Farrah."
Farrah beamed at the British woman, "Dina!" Dina gave the toddler a kiss on the head.
"Well, would you look at that?" Jordan laughed, "Dina doesn't even acknowledge you guys anymore."
Dina rolled her eyes, "I will... but first I'm giving this little angel my undivided attention." She cooed to the little girl, "Yes I am. Yes I am." Farrah giggled as Dina held her close giving her a hug.
Cameron laughed, "Where's Gunter?"
"Getting the food. I made sure he remembered to get extra plum sauce for the spring rolls... and to get extra spring rolls." Jordan replied.
"Jordan, I think you have a problem." Jonathan smirked.
"It's only a problem if it can kill you."
"Given how many of them you eat, it just might kill you."
Jordan just grinned, "Then I will die happy."
Jonathan rolled his eyes, "Fine but your tombstone will read that your cause of death was by having too many spring rolls."
"I would be disappointed if you didn't."
"Do you guys really have nothing else to talk about?" Cameron smirked as he placed the letter in a nearby drawer.
"What about you? You've barely said two words which is very unlike you."
Cameron let out a chuckle, "I guess I'm just... a little tired that's all." Jonathan eyed his brother for a moment but didn't say anything.
It wasn't until later that night when everyone had gone home that Johnny thought about talking to Cam again.
Of course, not everyone had gone home. Kay was fast asleep on Cam's shoulder with Farrah asleep in her arms. "Hey." Jonathan whispered as he sat next to his brother.
"Hey." Cameron whispered back giving Johnny a small smile.
"You alright? You've been kinda quiet all night."
Cameron lightly shook his head as he gently stroked Kay's arm, "I'm fine..."
"Are you?"
"Do you think I'm doing a good job?" Cameron blurted.
Jonathan blinked, "What?"
"Raising Farrah. Do you think I'm doing a good job at that?"
Jonathan chuckled, "Yeah, I'd say so. In case you haven't noticed, Farrah's a great kid... and she's happy and healthy. I think that's more important than anything."
Cameron looked at his niece who was smiling in her sleep as she hugged her bunny. He gave a deep sigh, "I just hope I don't screw her up."
"Cam, you're not going to screw her up. If you were, she'd already be screwed up." the two brothers shared a quiet laugh. They were silent of a moment before Jonathan spoke up again, "So did you get it?"
Cameron grinned, "Yeah, a few days ago actually."
"When are you going to ask her?"
"I don't know. Whenever it feels right I guess."
"I still don't know what Kay sees in you." Jonathan smirked. "I mean besides looks obviously." He remarked, gesturing to himself.
Cameron rolled his eyes. "I don't know either... but she makes me happy. I love her." He said as he kissed the side of his girlfriend's head causing her to snuggle closer to him.
Johnny's smirk turned into a genuine smile, "I'm happy for you Cam."
"Thanks Johnny."
A few more minutes of small talk passed before Cameron nudged Kay to wake her up and have them go to bed. Kay carefully handed Farrah over to Jonathan. The toddler fidgeted slightly but then quickly relaxed without waking up.
As Cameron wrapped his arms around Kay when they got into bed and he started to fall asleep himself, he couldn't stop thinking about that letter. Why did they send it? After all this time... why now? Why did they want to see Farrah now?
Okay, I know I said I would write the last chapter of 'A Coffee Connection' before this... I did start... but I didn't finish... but I will!
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and if you did please let me know what you liked. I'm always ecstatic to get feedback from you guys.
Have an amazing day! XD