Nowhere To Run
Chapter Eight
////////////////////////////////
Thanks again for the reviews!! Since this is my first fanfic, the response has been terrific. A special thanks to Deana for her enthusiastic and encouraging reviews of each and every chapter so far. Very much appreciated!!
////////////////////////////////
Frank turned Katherine around so that she was facing him once more. His hands went to her face once again and continued wiping away the remaining tears. His touch was gentle and so caring and the look on his face radiated all of the emotions that he felt for this woman. Love and concern with a touch of uncertainty.
Katherine in return gazed at the man who held her fate in his hands and was awestruck. What did he expect from her now? What was the real reason that he had let her go? How could she possibly make him believe her? She knew that she owed him a very lengthy explanation and opened her mouth to begin, but he quickly placed a finger over her lips in an attempt to silence her.
Frank didn't want explanations right now. He saw the jumble of emotions on her face and knew that she was trying to figure out where to begin, but he was very aware that reality would soon rear its ugly head. Right at this moment he was content to just swim in the knowledge that he was truly falling for this woman. He let the emotions of the moment just wash over him.
With his finger still at her mouth, he began to trace the contour of her bottom lip. As he did so, the blood began to race through his veins and he saw the look in her eyes change immediately. The previous moment had been one of gentle caring, but now he felt overwhelmed by the need to kiss her passionately. He needed her. He wanted her…….now.
He suddenly became aware that she had said something, but he hadn't heard it. He looked up to her eyes and saw the uncertainty and hesitance mingled with…….what?
He was so overcome by his own emotions that he was having a hard time reading her. Did she want this as much as he did? His doubts resurfaced. He searched her eyes once more. If she truly was the woman that all of their case files said she was, she could have easily taken control of the situation after he had taken off the cuffs. But she had made no effort to go for his gun or the one that he assumed she was carrying. Instead she stood before him, but a hair's breadth away and seemed as caught up in him as he was in her. Again he gazed into her eyes and saw………he sucked in a breath at the realization. She did want this. He clearly saw a need as powerful as his own hiding there.
She opened her mouth once more to speak. Frank quickly quieted her.
"Not now," he said softly as his lips claimed hers.
The kiss was vastly different from before. That time they had both been tentative, but now, what they were sharing was anything but hesitant. As his lips moved over hers, for a brief second she barely responded. But she soon was responding to the kiss and matching his own desire. As the kiss deepened, his hands left her face and skimmed down the sides of her body. Fingers lightly touching her arms before settling at her waist. He moved his hands to the small of her back and pulled her closer to him. He wanted her to feel his need. The maneuver sent shivers down her spine and deepened her own desire for him.
As she gave herself over to the kiss, she slowly wound her arms around his neck and plunged her fingers into his hair. One hand was gently caressing the back of his head, playing with the short hairs at the nape of his neck. This caused Frank to tighten his hold on her. And when she gasped in response, he took the opportunity to take the kiss further. His tongue traced her lips gently and he soon felt her own join in. His tongue soon plunged into her mouth and explored hungrily. Her response was a soft groan that was like music to his ears. He stroked her tongue over and over with his own, and soon both were reeling out of control. Their mutual need escalated quickly.
Hands roamed wantonly one over the other. Searching for bare skin. Caressing. Needing more and more.
Frank suddenly pulled back, fighting to regain some semblance of control. He grabbed her upper arms and held her away from his body, almost at arms length and felt cold at her absence. His breathing was labored as was hers, and when he could finally look at her, he saw her eyes hooded with passion. Pupils dilated almost obscuring their vivid green color. Her cheeks were blushed from her obvious arousal and her parted lips were still moist and slightly swollen from their intense kiss.
At first she just stared at him, confused. She tried to read his eyes and could see him battling what he felt for her. He wanted her. She had no doubt of that. She had felt it. But she also knew that what he was feeling must surely be dueling with his sense of duty. But she wanted this moment at least. Tomorrow would bring whatever fate had in store, but tonight she wanted to pretend that they were the only two people left in the world.
Katherine slowly reached out and gently touched his face. Her fingertips barely grazed his cheek. It was a gesture of tenderness, not passion. He placed his own hand over hers and gazed into her eyes. Then slowly took her hand and placed a gentle kiss in her palm.
"I don't want to think about tomorrow," she breathed to him, her voice barely louder than a whisper. "Tonight, let it be just the two of us." she added as she took a step closer to him.
Her words seem to free him. She was telling him that it was alright to surrender to their feelings if only for tonight. Tomorrow would bring responsibilities along with the harsh light of day.
Frank again placed his hands on her face and kissed her briefly. Then he dropped his hands and stepped back and for a moment she feared that he was going to leave her. But instead he held his hand out. She looked down at his outstretched hand and then back to his face and saw the breadth of emotion there. If it was possible, her heart began to race even faster than before. She placed her hand in his and he slowly led her back to his bedroom.
Once there, he tuned to face her. Never breaking eye contact, he tenderly caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers and then ran his hand back through her hair, all the while pulling her closer to him. He lowered his head until their lips were a mere inch apart, but he didn't kiss her. One hand was still wound in her hair and the other slowly descended to the front of her blouse. He fingered the collar and ran his fingers down the inside towards the top buttons. She could feel the backs of his fingers against her skin. His hand paused there before finally opening the top button. This simple teasing was driving her wild. Touching but not touching. Her breath was coming in shallow gasps. If it was at all possible, she wanted him more than she had before. A warmth spread throughout her body and she almost felt dizzy with the strength of her need. After what seemed like forever, their lips finally joined, and both were lost to their mutual passion.
As before, the smoldering depths of their desire soon turned to an out-of-control blaze of want and need. Hands explored hungrily. Articles of clothing were quickly discarded. Tongues dueled. And the outside world was completely forgotten.
As they moved together on the bed, a tangle of sweaty limbs, they neared their passionate completion. Hands stroked and caressed. Lips, mouths and tongues teased and licked. Soon both were crying out from the strength of their climaxes.
Still buried deep inside her, Frank was lying with his head in the crook of her neck, trying to regain control of his breathing. As her legs were still wrapped around him, so were her arms wrapped around his back, gently stroking his sweat drenched skin.
He slowly lifted his head and framed her face with his hands. He stared into the depths of her eyes as though he were gazing into the very depths of her soul. He kissed her gently once more and withdrew from her.
He rolled onto his back and brought her along side him. His arms gently enfolded her as she lay with her head on his chest listening to his even breaths and strong heartbeat. They lay there forever, just basking in the glow of what had happened between them. Neither wanted to let go, fearing that doing so would mean the end of whatever tenderness they had shared.
Katherine slowly raised herself onto her elbow and gazed down at Frank. She touched his lips lightly with her fingertip and gently kissed him. Then she looked away and sighed. She couldn't avoid the inevitable.
"We need to talk," she said solemnly.
"I know. You need to tell me what's really going on. At least from your point of view," he added.
She sat up and pulled the sheets around her, separating herself from Frank.
*He may regret this evening after I've finished* she thought sadly. But she knew that she would never regret what had happened between them. Yes, the sex was incredible, but it was more than that. She had never felt so connected to anyone before, and it was so much more than just physical attraction.
*I'm falling in love* she thought with a sigh.
"I'm not sure where to start," she began.
"Just start explaining, and I'll ask questions if I get lost along the way."
She nodded. Taking a deep breath she began.
"I know what your files say. Or at least I have a pretty good guess. They say that I'm a hired contract killer. Am I right?" Frank nodded in reply.
"I thought so. It probably states that I've gunned down, what…….10 or 12 men in cold blood?"
"15"
"That many, huh?" she asked sarcastically. "Well, the file's right on one point at least. I have killed before," She saw Frank stiffen in response, so she quickly added, "but not in the way that they'd have you believe."
"I'm CIA," she stated simply.
Frank's eyes widened in response. He was totally unprepared for that revelation, He had been expecting a story of how she had been forced into a life of crime by some unknown source. But never this. So here was the truth, she WAS a contract killer. But instead of being funded by some mob boss, their government was footing the bill.
"CIA?"
"Yep. I was recruited while I was still in college and have worked for the Company ever since. It's been almost nine years now. At first I was doing light undercover work and then they found I had a talent when it came to weapons. Guns especially."
"How talented?"
"Very," she stated without boasting, "I can hit a small rock no more than an inch in diameter at 100 yards in a 20 MPH cross wind."
"That's talented," he said with amazement in his voice.
"When I started the special weapons training, I thought it was fun. I blew the other recruits out of the water and I was proud of that. I just never seriously thought about what I would do with that type of training. Looking back now, I should have guessed. What else could I have done?"
"So after months of long hours and torturous testing, I was finally ready for my first assignment. Well…….physically I was ready. When they gave me the file on my first target I very nearly went running away in horror." She paused and gave a dry chuckle. "I can remember yelling at my superiors, 'You want me to do WHAT?!?!' "
"I threatened to leave and, of course, they threatened back. 'What did you think you were going to be doing!', they shouted back at me. 'We trained you to be a professional assassin, and that's exactly what you're going to be. The government spent a lot of money on your training and we expect to get a return on that investment! You WILL complete this mission. End of discussion!' I realized I had little choice."
"So, I took the assignment. I tried my best to turn off whatever emotion I was feeling, but I could barely keep my disgust under wraps. When the case was finally complete, in other words, when I finally pulled the trigger and ended another being's life, I dropped to my knees and proceeded to throw up for the next hour."
"A few days later, I returned to Washington to a hero's welcome. I was congratulated left and right and I did my best not to grab someone and scream, 'I just killed a man, you idiot!! I didn't make the winning touchdown! I didn't win the Nobel prize! I took another person's life!' I accepted all their good wishes as well as I could and fled the building. I wanted out, but I knew I was trapped. They'd never let me go."
"I swore I would never be able to handle a gun again. I couldn't fathom it. Going through that again. But like clockwork, the Company called. They had my next assignment. I hung my head after hanging up the phone and resigned myself to the fact that this was my life and always would be."
"Over the years, the cases got easier. Not the technical aspects of the job. In fact some targets were absolute hell to get to. I'm talking about taking a life. God….. I hate to admit that. But it's true. After awhile you become numb to the emotion. You get in. Get your target in your sites. Pull the trigger. Then get out. Clean and quick. No fuss, no mess. And over the years, I became VERY good at my job."
"Soon, I began receiving special assignments. Stuff that not everyone in the Company knew about. Top secret. And that's when it got dangerous."
"Some of the meetings that I went to to get my cases were held in darkened garages, back alleys, or deserted parks. That should have been my first clue that everything was not being played above board. But I trusted the men that I worked for. I assumed that they would never lead me down the wrong path. I should have realized that some assumptions can get you killed."
She paused and was staring at the corner of the sheet she had been nervously running through her fingers. She didn't think she could tell him anymore. What little she had told him so far would probably put him in harm's way. And she wasn't willing to risk his life in order to purge her soul.
Frank had been listening to her, trying to absorb everything she was telling him. He knew now why here eyes sometimes looked tortured. Everything she had endured over the years had left deep emotional scars, and he longed to be able to help her heal.
"Hey," he said softly, "come here." He reached for her and brought her against the warmth and protection of his body. She snuggled against him, trying to cling to the wonderful feelings that he invoked in her. At this moment, he was the only light in her dismally dark existence, and she desperately wanted nothing more than to stay right here with him forever.
"It's OK," he began, "We'll figure out a way to get through this." He wrapped his arms around her and tried to will away the deep seated dread that her words had invoked. She worked for the government and now was on the run. Was she running from someone she had tried to take down? Or was she running from the very men who she had trusted to guide her footsteps? That last thought unnerved him more than anything else and a cold shiver ran down his spine. If she was running from one of the bad guys, he could find a way to protect her. But how could he save her from the very government that they both worked for? How would he keep her safe then?
With these thoughts he moved slightly, meaning to ask her a question, but he realized that she had drifted off to sleep. He gazed at her as she seemed to be dozing so peacefully in the comfort of his arms.
He lay there for quite a while, just watching her sleep. So much had happened over the past few hours. His life had changed irrevocably. And there was no turning back.
Trying not to wake her, he settled back more comfortably on the bed. He closed his eyes, thinking back on everything she had told him. *I'll find a way to protect her* he thought as he unconsciously tightened his hold around her. And with that thought, he joined her in sleep.
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It was after 10:00pm when Jake finally met up with Alex outside of McCauley's Bar. Both were exhausted from their seemingly endless search. They had canvassed just about every house, apartment building or business in this 6 block radius.
"Anything?" Jake inquired.
"Well, if you count a few maybes or I think so's as anything then, yeah, I think I hit the jackpot," she answered sarcastically. She was tired and cranky and it took everything she had not to jump down Jake's throat.
"Same here. At least a dozen people remember seeing her but couldn't recall where. For the most part, however, I'd say this day was a complete bust."
"So did Donovan ever tell you where he got this lead?"
"Not really. After we had our little talk this morning, I brought it up again and all he said was that it came from a very reliable source."
"A reliable source? That's it?" she said, clearly irritated.
"Hey! Don't shoot the messenger, huh?"
"Sorry," she mumbled as she lit up another cigarette. She took a moment to gaze at the front of the bar. "So why is this search centered around this place?" she asked as she turned to look at Jake.
"I have no idea."
"You mean you didn't ask?"
"Look, Donovan wasn't exactly volunteering any more information!"
"No…….that's not what I mean. I mean what did the owner say?" she inquired pointing to the building.
Jake just looked at her for a second then said, "I thought you were going to talk to him or her."
"God damn it Jake! You mean we could have saved us both a lot of mileage today if we'd just started here?"
"All right! All right! Calm down. We're here now, so let's ask!"
With that the two entered the bar. After looking around briefly, they headed over to the man behind the bar.
"Well good evening! What can I get for the two of ya?" he asked cheerfully.
"Nothing except maybe some information," Jake stated.
"If I can. What kind of information are ya lookin' for?"
"Well for starters……are you the owner of this place?"
"I am! Brendan McCauley's the name," he said extending his hand to the pair.
" I'm Agent Shaw and this is Agent Cross."
"Agents? Now what would ya be looking' for here?"
"We're looking for a woman who may have been seen in this area," Alex continued.
Jake reached inside his coat pocket and retrieved the photo that they had been showing through the neighborhood all day, and handed it to the man.
Mac eyed them a bit nervously but then finally tilted his head to look at the picture.
"Do you recognize her?" Jake asked.
A smile lit Mac's face and he replied, "Well of course I do! This here's Amanda Blake."
Alex and Jake were both stunned. "You mean you really know her?"
Mac looked at the two incredulously. "I'll have you know that I know the names of every single customer who's ever graced that doorway!"
The two couldn't believe their luck. "When was the last time you saw her?"
"Now let me think………..it was last Saturday night! The Dodgers were playing!"
"Have you ever seen anyone else with her? Anyone at all?" Jake asked excitedly.
"Well generally when she's here, she pretty much keeps to herself, but on Saturday she was in the company of a fine young man."
"You wouldn't happen to remember his name, would you?"
"Young lady! Of course I do! I told you that I know the names of every patron who's ever come in here."
"So what was this man's name?"
"Frank Donovan."
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Next chapter: The sh** hits the fan!!
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Chapter Eight
////////////////////////////////
Thanks again for the reviews!! Since this is my first fanfic, the response has been terrific. A special thanks to Deana for her enthusiastic and encouraging reviews of each and every chapter so far. Very much appreciated!!
////////////////////////////////
Frank turned Katherine around so that she was facing him once more. His hands went to her face once again and continued wiping away the remaining tears. His touch was gentle and so caring and the look on his face radiated all of the emotions that he felt for this woman. Love and concern with a touch of uncertainty.
Katherine in return gazed at the man who held her fate in his hands and was awestruck. What did he expect from her now? What was the real reason that he had let her go? How could she possibly make him believe her? She knew that she owed him a very lengthy explanation and opened her mouth to begin, but he quickly placed a finger over her lips in an attempt to silence her.
Frank didn't want explanations right now. He saw the jumble of emotions on her face and knew that she was trying to figure out where to begin, but he was very aware that reality would soon rear its ugly head. Right at this moment he was content to just swim in the knowledge that he was truly falling for this woman. He let the emotions of the moment just wash over him.
With his finger still at her mouth, he began to trace the contour of her bottom lip. As he did so, the blood began to race through his veins and he saw the look in her eyes change immediately. The previous moment had been one of gentle caring, but now he felt overwhelmed by the need to kiss her passionately. He needed her. He wanted her…….now.
He suddenly became aware that she had said something, but he hadn't heard it. He looked up to her eyes and saw the uncertainty and hesitance mingled with…….what?
He was so overcome by his own emotions that he was having a hard time reading her. Did she want this as much as he did? His doubts resurfaced. He searched her eyes once more. If she truly was the woman that all of their case files said she was, she could have easily taken control of the situation after he had taken off the cuffs. But she had made no effort to go for his gun or the one that he assumed she was carrying. Instead she stood before him, but a hair's breadth away and seemed as caught up in him as he was in her. Again he gazed into her eyes and saw………he sucked in a breath at the realization. She did want this. He clearly saw a need as powerful as his own hiding there.
She opened her mouth once more to speak. Frank quickly quieted her.
"Not now," he said softly as his lips claimed hers.
The kiss was vastly different from before. That time they had both been tentative, but now, what they were sharing was anything but hesitant. As his lips moved over hers, for a brief second she barely responded. But she soon was responding to the kiss and matching his own desire. As the kiss deepened, his hands left her face and skimmed down the sides of her body. Fingers lightly touching her arms before settling at her waist. He moved his hands to the small of her back and pulled her closer to him. He wanted her to feel his need. The maneuver sent shivers down her spine and deepened her own desire for him.
As she gave herself over to the kiss, she slowly wound her arms around his neck and plunged her fingers into his hair. One hand was gently caressing the back of his head, playing with the short hairs at the nape of his neck. This caused Frank to tighten his hold on her. And when she gasped in response, he took the opportunity to take the kiss further. His tongue traced her lips gently and he soon felt her own join in. His tongue soon plunged into her mouth and explored hungrily. Her response was a soft groan that was like music to his ears. He stroked her tongue over and over with his own, and soon both were reeling out of control. Their mutual need escalated quickly.
Hands roamed wantonly one over the other. Searching for bare skin. Caressing. Needing more and more.
Frank suddenly pulled back, fighting to regain some semblance of control. He grabbed her upper arms and held her away from his body, almost at arms length and felt cold at her absence. His breathing was labored as was hers, and when he could finally look at her, he saw her eyes hooded with passion. Pupils dilated almost obscuring their vivid green color. Her cheeks were blushed from her obvious arousal and her parted lips were still moist and slightly swollen from their intense kiss.
At first she just stared at him, confused. She tried to read his eyes and could see him battling what he felt for her. He wanted her. She had no doubt of that. She had felt it. But she also knew that what he was feeling must surely be dueling with his sense of duty. But she wanted this moment at least. Tomorrow would bring whatever fate had in store, but tonight she wanted to pretend that they were the only two people left in the world.
Katherine slowly reached out and gently touched his face. Her fingertips barely grazed his cheek. It was a gesture of tenderness, not passion. He placed his own hand over hers and gazed into her eyes. Then slowly took her hand and placed a gentle kiss in her palm.
"I don't want to think about tomorrow," she breathed to him, her voice barely louder than a whisper. "Tonight, let it be just the two of us." she added as she took a step closer to him.
Her words seem to free him. She was telling him that it was alright to surrender to their feelings if only for tonight. Tomorrow would bring responsibilities along with the harsh light of day.
Frank again placed his hands on her face and kissed her briefly. Then he dropped his hands and stepped back and for a moment she feared that he was going to leave her. But instead he held his hand out. She looked down at his outstretched hand and then back to his face and saw the breadth of emotion there. If it was possible, her heart began to race even faster than before. She placed her hand in his and he slowly led her back to his bedroom.
Once there, he tuned to face her. Never breaking eye contact, he tenderly caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers and then ran his hand back through her hair, all the while pulling her closer to him. He lowered his head until their lips were a mere inch apart, but he didn't kiss her. One hand was still wound in her hair and the other slowly descended to the front of her blouse. He fingered the collar and ran his fingers down the inside towards the top buttons. She could feel the backs of his fingers against her skin. His hand paused there before finally opening the top button. This simple teasing was driving her wild. Touching but not touching. Her breath was coming in shallow gasps. If it was at all possible, she wanted him more than she had before. A warmth spread throughout her body and she almost felt dizzy with the strength of her need. After what seemed like forever, their lips finally joined, and both were lost to their mutual passion.
As before, the smoldering depths of their desire soon turned to an out-of-control blaze of want and need. Hands explored hungrily. Articles of clothing were quickly discarded. Tongues dueled. And the outside world was completely forgotten.
As they moved together on the bed, a tangle of sweaty limbs, they neared their passionate completion. Hands stroked and caressed. Lips, mouths and tongues teased and licked. Soon both were crying out from the strength of their climaxes.
Still buried deep inside her, Frank was lying with his head in the crook of her neck, trying to regain control of his breathing. As her legs were still wrapped around him, so were her arms wrapped around his back, gently stroking his sweat drenched skin.
He slowly lifted his head and framed her face with his hands. He stared into the depths of her eyes as though he were gazing into the very depths of her soul. He kissed her gently once more and withdrew from her.
He rolled onto his back and brought her along side him. His arms gently enfolded her as she lay with her head on his chest listening to his even breaths and strong heartbeat. They lay there forever, just basking in the glow of what had happened between them. Neither wanted to let go, fearing that doing so would mean the end of whatever tenderness they had shared.
Katherine slowly raised herself onto her elbow and gazed down at Frank. She touched his lips lightly with her fingertip and gently kissed him. Then she looked away and sighed. She couldn't avoid the inevitable.
"We need to talk," she said solemnly.
"I know. You need to tell me what's really going on. At least from your point of view," he added.
She sat up and pulled the sheets around her, separating herself from Frank.
*He may regret this evening after I've finished* she thought sadly. But she knew that she would never regret what had happened between them. Yes, the sex was incredible, but it was more than that. She had never felt so connected to anyone before, and it was so much more than just physical attraction.
*I'm falling in love* she thought with a sigh.
"I'm not sure where to start," she began.
"Just start explaining, and I'll ask questions if I get lost along the way."
She nodded. Taking a deep breath she began.
"I know what your files say. Or at least I have a pretty good guess. They say that I'm a hired contract killer. Am I right?" Frank nodded in reply.
"I thought so. It probably states that I've gunned down, what…….10 or 12 men in cold blood?"
"15"
"That many, huh?" she asked sarcastically. "Well, the file's right on one point at least. I have killed before," She saw Frank stiffen in response, so she quickly added, "but not in the way that they'd have you believe."
"I'm CIA," she stated simply.
Frank's eyes widened in response. He was totally unprepared for that revelation, He had been expecting a story of how she had been forced into a life of crime by some unknown source. But never this. So here was the truth, she WAS a contract killer. But instead of being funded by some mob boss, their government was footing the bill.
"CIA?"
"Yep. I was recruited while I was still in college and have worked for the Company ever since. It's been almost nine years now. At first I was doing light undercover work and then they found I had a talent when it came to weapons. Guns especially."
"How talented?"
"Very," she stated without boasting, "I can hit a small rock no more than an inch in diameter at 100 yards in a 20 MPH cross wind."
"That's talented," he said with amazement in his voice.
"When I started the special weapons training, I thought it was fun. I blew the other recruits out of the water and I was proud of that. I just never seriously thought about what I would do with that type of training. Looking back now, I should have guessed. What else could I have done?"
"So after months of long hours and torturous testing, I was finally ready for my first assignment. Well…….physically I was ready. When they gave me the file on my first target I very nearly went running away in horror." She paused and gave a dry chuckle. "I can remember yelling at my superiors, 'You want me to do WHAT?!?!' "
"I threatened to leave and, of course, they threatened back. 'What did you think you were going to be doing!', they shouted back at me. 'We trained you to be a professional assassin, and that's exactly what you're going to be. The government spent a lot of money on your training and we expect to get a return on that investment! You WILL complete this mission. End of discussion!' I realized I had little choice."
"So, I took the assignment. I tried my best to turn off whatever emotion I was feeling, but I could barely keep my disgust under wraps. When the case was finally complete, in other words, when I finally pulled the trigger and ended another being's life, I dropped to my knees and proceeded to throw up for the next hour."
"A few days later, I returned to Washington to a hero's welcome. I was congratulated left and right and I did my best not to grab someone and scream, 'I just killed a man, you idiot!! I didn't make the winning touchdown! I didn't win the Nobel prize! I took another person's life!' I accepted all their good wishes as well as I could and fled the building. I wanted out, but I knew I was trapped. They'd never let me go."
"I swore I would never be able to handle a gun again. I couldn't fathom it. Going through that again. But like clockwork, the Company called. They had my next assignment. I hung my head after hanging up the phone and resigned myself to the fact that this was my life and always would be."
"Over the years, the cases got easier. Not the technical aspects of the job. In fact some targets were absolute hell to get to. I'm talking about taking a life. God….. I hate to admit that. But it's true. After awhile you become numb to the emotion. You get in. Get your target in your sites. Pull the trigger. Then get out. Clean and quick. No fuss, no mess. And over the years, I became VERY good at my job."
"Soon, I began receiving special assignments. Stuff that not everyone in the Company knew about. Top secret. And that's when it got dangerous."
"Some of the meetings that I went to to get my cases were held in darkened garages, back alleys, or deserted parks. That should have been my first clue that everything was not being played above board. But I trusted the men that I worked for. I assumed that they would never lead me down the wrong path. I should have realized that some assumptions can get you killed."
She paused and was staring at the corner of the sheet she had been nervously running through her fingers. She didn't think she could tell him anymore. What little she had told him so far would probably put him in harm's way. And she wasn't willing to risk his life in order to purge her soul.
Frank had been listening to her, trying to absorb everything she was telling him. He knew now why here eyes sometimes looked tortured. Everything she had endured over the years had left deep emotional scars, and he longed to be able to help her heal.
"Hey," he said softly, "come here." He reached for her and brought her against the warmth and protection of his body. She snuggled against him, trying to cling to the wonderful feelings that he invoked in her. At this moment, he was the only light in her dismally dark existence, and she desperately wanted nothing more than to stay right here with him forever.
"It's OK," he began, "We'll figure out a way to get through this." He wrapped his arms around her and tried to will away the deep seated dread that her words had invoked. She worked for the government and now was on the run. Was she running from someone she had tried to take down? Or was she running from the very men who she had trusted to guide her footsteps? That last thought unnerved him more than anything else and a cold shiver ran down his spine. If she was running from one of the bad guys, he could find a way to protect her. But how could he save her from the very government that they both worked for? How would he keep her safe then?
With these thoughts he moved slightly, meaning to ask her a question, but he realized that she had drifted off to sleep. He gazed at her as she seemed to be dozing so peacefully in the comfort of his arms.
He lay there for quite a while, just watching her sleep. So much had happened over the past few hours. His life had changed irrevocably. And there was no turning back.
Trying not to wake her, he settled back more comfortably on the bed. He closed his eyes, thinking back on everything she had told him. *I'll find a way to protect her* he thought as he unconsciously tightened his hold around her. And with that thought, he joined her in sleep.
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It was after 10:00pm when Jake finally met up with Alex outside of McCauley's Bar. Both were exhausted from their seemingly endless search. They had canvassed just about every house, apartment building or business in this 6 block radius.
"Anything?" Jake inquired.
"Well, if you count a few maybes or I think so's as anything then, yeah, I think I hit the jackpot," she answered sarcastically. She was tired and cranky and it took everything she had not to jump down Jake's throat.
"Same here. At least a dozen people remember seeing her but couldn't recall where. For the most part, however, I'd say this day was a complete bust."
"So did Donovan ever tell you where he got this lead?"
"Not really. After we had our little talk this morning, I brought it up again and all he said was that it came from a very reliable source."
"A reliable source? That's it?" she said, clearly irritated.
"Hey! Don't shoot the messenger, huh?"
"Sorry," she mumbled as she lit up another cigarette. She took a moment to gaze at the front of the bar. "So why is this search centered around this place?" she asked as she turned to look at Jake.
"I have no idea."
"You mean you didn't ask?"
"Look, Donovan wasn't exactly volunteering any more information!"
"No…….that's not what I mean. I mean what did the owner say?" she inquired pointing to the building.
Jake just looked at her for a second then said, "I thought you were going to talk to him or her."
"God damn it Jake! You mean we could have saved us both a lot of mileage today if we'd just started here?"
"All right! All right! Calm down. We're here now, so let's ask!"
With that the two entered the bar. After looking around briefly, they headed over to the man behind the bar.
"Well good evening! What can I get for the two of ya?" he asked cheerfully.
"Nothing except maybe some information," Jake stated.
"If I can. What kind of information are ya lookin' for?"
"Well for starters……are you the owner of this place?"
"I am! Brendan McCauley's the name," he said extending his hand to the pair.
" I'm Agent Shaw and this is Agent Cross."
"Agents? Now what would ya be looking' for here?"
"We're looking for a woman who may have been seen in this area," Alex continued.
Jake reached inside his coat pocket and retrieved the photo that they had been showing through the neighborhood all day, and handed it to the man.
Mac eyed them a bit nervously but then finally tilted his head to look at the picture.
"Do you recognize her?" Jake asked.
A smile lit Mac's face and he replied, "Well of course I do! This here's Amanda Blake."
Alex and Jake were both stunned. "You mean you really know her?"
Mac looked at the two incredulously. "I'll have you know that I know the names of every single customer who's ever graced that doorway!"
The two couldn't believe their luck. "When was the last time you saw her?"
"Now let me think………..it was last Saturday night! The Dodgers were playing!"
"Have you ever seen anyone else with her? Anyone at all?" Jake asked excitedly.
"Well generally when she's here, she pretty much keeps to herself, but on Saturday she was in the company of a fine young man."
"You wouldn't happen to remember his name, would you?"
"Young lady! Of course I do! I told you that I know the names of every patron who's ever come in here."
"So what was this man's name?"
"Frank Donovan."
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Next chapter: The sh** hits the fan!!
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