QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

All eyes appeared to be on Donovan and Loralei.  He had yet to look away.  He had yet to even try to look away.  None of them knew why their boss was staring at the woman hard enough to nearly knock her flat.  Jake was more confused than any of them.  He knew this woman, knew that Donovan had been seeing her, and she was an agent?  It seemed as if nothing made sense anymore.  Either that, or Zara was wearing him out, and he was simply too exhausted to think straight.

Jake leaned toward Donovan.  "Did you know about this," he stage-whispered.

He said nothing.  He was completely unable to vocalize.  Instead, he shook his head.  He had yet to take his eyes off Loralei.  His angered hurt had suddenly bloomed even hotter than before.  She had been lying to him about more than a 'husband.'  He had recognized her partner as the man who answered the door.  He had thought her secret was that she was married.  But lo and behold, she held an even bigger secret.  She was goddamn FBI.  Donovan came close to calling a break before the meeting began.  He had to get out and get air before his anger suffocated him.  However, there was little time for that.  Loralei was holding his ire drenched gaze.  She had tried to explain it to him, but he wouldn't listen, and now he was even angrier.  She had so much to tell him, but she was certain he would not listen.

"Can we get this meeting started," Loralei said suddenly, needing to get Donovan's eyes off her face.

Her desire to begin did not break his gaze one bit.  He wasn't sure if he could proceed without knowing the entire truth.  When Donovan didn't say a word, Loralei began handing out files that she had made a few days ago while her partner set up the slide projector.  She didn't make direct eye with Donovan at all.  She handed him his copy and moved on.  He followed her with his eyes during the whole process.  By the time each person had his or her own file, her partner had taken a seat at the table, but she couldn't.  She had to move around, had to get away from his eyes.  Purposely, she stood at the very end of table so she could look down at her notes and run the projector.

"First of all," she began, "I would like to introduce myself and my partner.  I'm Loralei Kadin, and this is Bart Jackson.  We've been working on the case since it was transferred to our region."  She waited expectantly for one of them to begin introducing Donovan's team to her and her partner.  She recognized the young man sitting to Donovan's left, but she didn't know his name.

Donovan started at her hatefully.  She clearly expected him to introduce his team, but he couldn't yet vocalize.  He was afraid that if he opened his mouth, he would start yelling.  Cody took the initiative and introduced the team to the two agents.  He stopped when he came to Donovan.  It seemed as if they were already 'acquainted.'  Donovan finally took his eyes off Loralei's face and focused them momentarily on Cody.

"Introductions won't be necessary," he said icily before fixing his eyes back on her face.

Monica and Alex exchanged a knowing glance.  They finally figured it out.  The auburn haired agent must have been the woman responsible for keeping Donovan at home in bed instead of at work on time.  Apparently, he wasn't aware of her status.

"Very well," Loralei said without meeting Donovan's gaze.  "This woman is very cunning and heartless."  [I could say the same about you, Donovan thought].  His hurt radiated off him in slow waves.  It was disturbing, and she couldn't concentrate.  She cleared her throat and continued, "She has murdered at least four men that we're aware of, and she has probably inherited millions of dollars.  She's young and attractive but has an affinity for older men.  She researches her potential husbands down to what their favorite foods are.  When she has a man in her grasp, she marries him, and then finds a way to get rid of him.  Would someone please hit the lights?"  She watched as the one named Alex walked over and killed the lights.  Donovan was still staring at her, boring his eyes into her.  He wasn't paying attention to anything she said.  She turned on the projector and clicked a button.  "This is Cedrick Clawson.  He was the Black Heart's last known victim.  We haven't exactly proven she killed him, but his wife, Sam Crump, is now missing.  She also fits the profile."  She clicked the button and an obscured photo appeared.  "This is the best photograph that we have of BHK." 

Donovan didn't bother looking; his eyes were glued to Loralei.  The rest of the team looked up.  The photograph wasn't all that great, but they saw the striking mane of bright red hair.

Loralei continued:  "As you see, her hair is very long and a unique shade of red.  Through all the interviews and research we've conducted, her hair length is her only static trait.  Her other distinguishing feature is a crooked tooth.  Of course, we realize that there is a possibility she may have altered her appearance, shortened her hair, or even had her teeth fixed.  BHK has inherited more money than any of us will ever have in our lifetimes."  She needed to address Jake and Donovan directly, but instead of meeting Donovan's gaze, she focused her eyes on Jake's face.  "Agents Shaw and Donovan, both of you have features that our girl finds attractive.  That's why we wanted you to pose as wealthy businessmen to draw her in.  Your profiles can be found in the files I gave you.  Study your identities.  It won't take long for her to scope you out and strike."

Finally, after so long a time without speaking, Donovan found his voice.  "You know a lot about her, don't you, Agent Kadin?"

There was an accusation in his voice she didn't like.  "When a vicious killer is on the loose, you damn well better expect me to do my homework.  I hope I can count on you to do the same."

Alex, Cody, Monica, and Jake exchanged a look between them:  What the hell was that all about?

Loralei tore her eyes off Donovan and went back to her slide show.  She rambled on about the dead men, but she couldn't concentrate very well.  Every now and then, Jackson would have to prompt her on points she missed.  She knew that Donovan was readying for battle, and he would not let her go easily today.  She wanted to talk to him, she owed him an explanation.  Would he talk to her?  She wasn't sure.

Once she had finished showing the slides and giving them the information they would need, Jackson took over to answer questions and fill in any holes that Loralei had missed.  She had missed a lot, she was sure.  She had had enough of Donovan's hatred and anger.  She needed a quick breath of air.  Donovan watched her leave the room, and for a moment, he was relieved.  His eyes were burning miserably from staring at her so long.  He excused himself and made his way toward the bathroom.  Inside, he splashed several hands full of cold water on his face.  Get hold of yourself.  He hastily dried off his face and went back into the conference room.  His team was still engrossed in conversation with Agent Jackson.  He quietly slipped away and went outside to search for Loralei.

It didn't take long to find her.  She was standing just short of the front steps to the building.  She hadn't noticed Donovan yet.  He found his eyes once again wondering to her face.  There were many things he wanted to do to her, including kissing her, but he put that impulse way in the back of his mind.  He once again found himself needing answers, and he was hell bent to get them.

Loralei sensed his presence and she turned to face him.  His gaze had not changed one iota, but she was glad he had come out.  She wanted to tell him everything.  "Frank," she began.

He held up his hand, interrupting her.  "Don't say anything for a minute.  Let me speak.  Okay?"  She nodded and watched him carefully.  "Why couldn't you say something sooner?  That's all I want to know.  I don't care to hear anything else."  He was lying, of course.  He wanted to hear it all.

She seemed to sense he hadn't meant what he said, and for a moment, it eased her mind.  It meant he still cared.  "I don't want to talk to you about this out here.  Would you meet me somewhere?"

"Where do you suggest," he asked sarcastically, "your place?"  He shook his head; his expression was one of deep confusion.  However, it was meant to be mocking and hurtful.  "Oh, that's right.  You don't have a place."

"You bastard," she sighed.  "Frank, please."

He wanted to apologize, he was genuinely sorry.  He could control just about every emotion inside him, but sometimes, his malevolent side came out no matter how hard he fought it.  He sighed and chewed thoughtfully on his bottom lip for a few seconds.  "All right, Loralei.  I'll meet you here in about four hours.  I'll send everyone away."

"Thank you, Frank."

He shook his head.  "Don't thank me.  You owe me, Loralei, and it takes a lot to settle a debt for which I'm due.  Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand clearly," she said softly.

*  *  *

It didn't take much to have the office cleared in four hours.  Donovan sent them all away to get sleep.  Tonight, they would meet at the office and set up to begin hunting down the Black Heart Killer.  Donovan waited for Loralei impatiently.  She was running late, and he was convinced she had changed her mind.  Exasperated, he collected his things and started to leave.  He caught Loralei at the door.  In fact, she nearly ran into him.  He stepped back and led the way back inside.  He said nothing to her.  For now, he wanted her to do all the talking.  He took her up to his office in case some of the others returned early.  He didn't intend to allow her to leave until he was satisfied.

He sat at his desk and she was forced to seat herself in a visitor's chair parked in front of him.  She felt awkward, as if she had been called to the principal's office.  She didn't know how to begin.  There was so much to say, so much to tell him, and she hoped he would understand.  She had no doubt their affair was over, but she needed his forgiveness. 

She sighed and opened her mouth, not sure what would come out.  "I was sent ahead of my partner to set up surveillance on you.  When we met by accident in the parking garage, I was looking for you then, but I didn't know who you were until you told me your name.  I thought that if I became acquainted with you, I'd have better access, but I didn't think I'd become attracted to you."

When she stopped talking, he sat back and allowed her words to sink in.  His shock and devastation grew.  "Surveillance?  What the hell do you mean?"

"Frank, would you please let me do this?  I was sent to keep this killer from targeting you.  A woman was seen following you for a few days before she disappeared.  I'm certain this was our girl.  I don't know why she took her attention off you.  I was to monitor every move you made just in case she made contact with you.  The apartment you came to is directly across from yours.  We had cameras set up to take pictures, and I planted a bug just underneath your couch."

"Was it all an act, Loralei," he asked darkly.  He was tempted to throw her out of his office for good.  "You had my apartment bugged?  You set up surveillance cameras to watch me as if I were some type of criminal?  I don't understand the motivation of the FBI anymore.  You are the most unorthodox agent I have ever had the displeasure to meet.  Did you record everythingDid you?  Did you record the nights I fucked you?  Was that part of your great 'getting acquainted with me' scheme?  Was it?"  He had clasped his hands onto the arms of his chair to keep from going after her.

His words were like speeding bullets.  Each one hit her hard, puncturing her flesh.  "Frank, you have to understand," she began meekly.  "That was never a part of it.  Never.  It wasn't my intention to seduce you.  Why do you think I fought so hard?  I didn't want any of this to happen, but I was helpless to stop it."

"Do you expect me to believe this shit," he spat.  "Why didn't you back away when I was no longer this predator's target?  Why are you still here?"

"I don't care if you believe me or not, Frank.  It's the truth.  I didn't back away, because I couldn't.  Do you think I enjoyed hurting you, hurting myself?  If that's what you think, Frank, you're the asshole.  I got involved with you, and I shouldn't have, but I couldn't help it, I couldn't back away."  She stood and leaned forward, placing her hands flat on his desk.  She fixed a stony gaze on his face.  "I'm here because the threat is still very real.  We have to stop this woman before she kills again.  I didn't set out to hurt you, and I'm sorry I did, but I'm not sorry about what we had.  Hate me all you want, but do it later.  Right now, I need you.  Once this case is closed, you'll never see me again."

Did he want that?  Did he want her to disappear?  God, what was he going to do?  For weeks, she had consumed his entire soul, possessed him to a degree he could never fathom.  Those feelings were still inside him, but he had nowhere to put them.  Even as much as he hated her at that moment, he wanted her.  How long would it take for him to drag her across his desk and strip her naked?  Ten minutes?  Five?  One?  Damn her.  Damn her to hell.

"Get out, Agent Kadin," he spat severely.  "I can't look at you right now."  He wasn't exactly being honest.  He was actually afraid of attacking her, making love to her on his desk.  He didn't want to act on that impulse, to subject himself to more of her lies.

"Okay, Frank," she said.  "I never meant to hurt you."

If she didn't leave soon, he couldn't be held responsible for what would happen.  "Get out."

Without another word, she turned away from him and left.  Donovan sat at his desk for thirty minutes or more trying to get himself together.  When he felt halfway normal, he went to his apartment and turned over his couch.  He found the bug quickly enough.  Before he crushed it to tiny bits, he growled, "Fuck off."