ACT IV
Claire ran a cool washcloth over Darien's head, trying to do something to rid him of the high fever he was currently running. He had fallen into a deep sleep, but they could all tell it was anything but restful. Every couple of seconds, he would twitch and moan, sometimes mumbling nonsensical words and sentences.
"Kevin," he murmured, smacking his lips.
The Official sat down on the bed next to him, staring up at Claire with a look of worry on his face. "What's wrong with him?" he asked.
"Infection," said Claire grimly as she ran a hand down Darien's arm. "I've given him some antibiotics that should be kicking in soon, but until then…" she trailed off, motioning to Darien's pain-filled expression.
"Mom," he suddenly shouted, lurching up off the bed. Claire pushed him back down with the help of Eberts. "Don't leave me, mommy, please," he whimpered.
"Darien, calm down, sweetheart, it's just a dream," whispered Claire in his ear.
"No! Please no! Don't leave me. I don't want to live with them. Please mommy!" cried out Darien as tears started falling from his cheeks.
Claire gave the Official a startled glance. "I thought Darien's mom died?" she whispered. "I thought that's why he went to live with his aunt and uncle."
"It's just a dream," said the Official curtly.
Claire detected something odd in his tone, but shrugged it off as Darien started to moan loudly. She brought the washcloth to his face and began wiping away the tears. "Shhh, calm down, Darien, just calm down."
Finally, Darien seemed to relax against the bed. His breathing eased and he seemed to be in a genuine, restful state of sleep. Claire looked up and gave the Official a small smile. "I think it's past. He's going to be okay."
"Good," said the Official with a look of relief on his face. A few seconds later, his cell phone began to ring. He quickly picked it up and answered it. "This is him. Good, good. Keep us posted," he said, hanging up the phone.
"What's going on?" asked Eberts as he sat down on the bed next to the Official.
"Hobbes and Ms. Monroe have just arrived at the rendezvous point. Things are looking good," said the Official.
"Finally some good news," said Claire as she swept away a pesky piece of hair from Darien's forehead.
"Yeah," said the Official, nodding in agreement.
**
Bobby uncuffed Ivan and shoved him out the back of his Sedan. "Remember, you tip them off and you'll be a memory, my friend. The bug we got on the button of your jacket is undetectable in any kind of search. You get your money and then we're storming in," said Bobby.
Ivan nodded uneasily and began walking up the street towards the shopping center.
"You sure this is a good idea?" asked Alex.
"Like I trust that little punk. We're tailing him and then we're gonna break up the party before it can get started," said Bobby as he stuck his gun in his holster.
Alex smiled widely. "Sometimes you really surprise me."
Bobby cocked his head to the side with a large grin on his face. "Stick around sweetheart, I'm full of surprises."
Alex rolled her eyes in amusement and joined Bobby in getting out of the Sedan. Bobby picked up a small hand held radio and turned it on. "Hef to the bunnies, Hef to the bunnies, come in, over," he said into the radio.
"This is the bunnies, what's your sig. rep?" said a voice on the other end.
"We're tailing our man in. You wait for my signal and then you bust in with guns drawn. Give us two minutes and follow us in the truck. You copy, over?" said Bobby.
"Copy, over and it," said the voice.
Alex looked at Bobby with a raised eyebrow. "Hef to the bunnies?" she said in a slightly annoyed tone.
Bobby shrugged innocently. "What?"
Alex shook her head. "Never mind. Come on," she said as she started jogging down the street.
Bobby followed her and they both jogged in silence for a block until they reached the outskirts of the shopping center. They both stopped at the corner to catch their breath and cock their weapons. They eyed the video store, which was about a 100 yards away. Bobby took out his radio again and turned it to channel three. He put it up to his ear and listened closely. "Two hundred thousand dollars each," he heard someone say. "My employer is very pleased. He would thank you personally, but unfortunately, he doesn't want his identity compromised. Perhaps, we will have another job for you talented men one day."
Bobby switched the radio to channel five. "Go, it's a go," he shouted into the radio. He and Alex started in a dead sprint towards the video store, their guns drawn and ready to fire. The sound of screeching tires, followed by the sound of stomping feet told them that the SWAT team was right on their heels.
Bobby switched the radio back to channel three to hear what was going on inside. He heard a few desperate shouts from several men, including one that had to have come from Ivan. "No!" he heard Ivan scream. "I'm sorry, these are my instructions under these circumstances," he heard another voice say.
Suddenly, the video store exploded, sending a huge fireball up in the air and knocking everyone to the ground. Smoke filled the air as the rest of the shopping center caught on fire.
Bobby and Alex slowly picked themselves off the ground after the shock of what had happened wore off. They both sat on the ground in a daze, giving one another confused looks while the SWAT members milled around them, giving orders and calling police and fire units. After a few minutes, Bobby reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone, dialing the Official's number. "Sir, uh…I've got good news and bad news."
The Official, who was pacing around the bunker, sighed heavily. "Give me the bad news."
"Um, all the assassins are dead," he answered.
"What's the good news?" the Official mumbled.
"All the assassins are dead," answered Bobby. "Which means we got the bad guys, we just don't know who they were working for," he said as he stood up and gazed at the blazing inferno in front of them.
The Official grumbled. "All right. Wrap things up there and meet us back at the Agency." The Official paused for a moment and went on. "Good work, Hobbes. Tell Monroe the same."
"Will do, chief. How's Fawkes doing?" he asked.
The Official glanced down at Darien's peacefully sleeping form and a smile formed on his face. "Just fine," he answered.
"Best news I've heard all day, sir. Bye," he said as he hung up the phone. He glanced at Alex and gave her a big smile. "We done good, Monroe."
Alex smiled and nodded as the pair observed the arrival of police and fire trucks. They glanced at one another and both began to laugh. "Aw crap," they both said simultaneously.
TBC in the tag