Nowhere To Run
Chapter Eleven
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I know that the last chapter seemed like a re-run of earlier action, but please believe me when I say that the final confrontation between Jake and Frank was a necessity. All explanations will come in the next few chapters. Please hang in there with me!!
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After Jake's exit, Frank stood with his back to the rest of the group, just staring at the door that Jake had used. The silence was deafening, and no one seemed quite sure how to continue on. Finally, Kate slowly approached him and placed her hand gently on his back. He visibly stiffened as if his thoughts had taken him so far away that he had been unaware of his present surroundings.
"We need to talk………alone," she nearly whispered.
Frank turned slowly and stared down at the woman in front of him. He saw that the look on her face was one of sympathy and………..something else………..fear perhaps? He reached out and gently rubbed his hand up and down her arm in a reassuring gesture while giving her a slight smile. A smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Let's go up to my office. We can talk there," he replied and turned to head toward the stairs. Before reaching the foot of the steps, he suddenly remembered the other agents in the room. Almost as an afterthought, he turned to them and said, "Monica, why don't you share what you found from Katherine's file with Alex and Cody. And now that you've heard her story, begin to formulate possible plans of action."
The pair continued their ascent to the office and closed the door behind them leaving the three remaining witnesses in utter confusion.
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"Will somebody please explain to me what just happened," Cody said first with his eyes still glued to the closed office door. Then he turned to look at his two fellow agents who looked just as stunned as he felt. *Good! I'm not the only one who's lost.*
"I mean, what the hell is going on here?" Cody continued. "We all know that Donovan and Jake don't always see eye-to-eye, but did either of you ever think that you'd see them actually pull guns on each other?? This is just messed up! Plain and simple."
"I knew that Jake was really pissed off last night after we left that bar, but I would have never expected what I saw this morning," Alex stated and then added, "Maybe what happened yesterday morning got to him more than I thought it did. It's not every day that your boss sticks a gun in your face."
"And thank God for that, or I'd have to ask for better life insurance coverage," Cody interjected. He looked at the two women who were staring back at him with a 'Don't try to be funny today, Cody' look on their faces. He just smiled sheepishly in response.
"Monica, what's your take on this situation?" Alex inquired.
The profiler glanced briefly in Alex's direction and started to pace. "I honestly don't know what to make of it. The only thing that I can deduce from either one's behavior is that they're both under considerable strain. Frank has been caught in a situation that he's never been in before. Namely, he's developed feelings for the suspect."
"Yeah!" Cody interrupted, "Did you all catch that little rubbing of the arm maneuver just before they went upstairs? It's like he totally forgot that there were other people in the room!"
"Do you think that's what this is all about?" Alex questioned. "That he's really fallen for this woman and he can't think straight?"
"That's my guess," Monica replied. "That and the fact that if her story is true, we've all been lied to. Our own government is in pursuit of this woman and we're the pawns being used to bring about her capture."
The three mulled over that last statement trying to reason through what could only be described as an impossible situation.
"And what about Jake?" Cody finally asked. "We all know that he can be a little………oh, how should I say this………….volatile at times, but Jesus!" To which he received an icy glare from Alex. "Ah, come on, you've seen the way he acts first and thinks later! Some day he was bound to go over the edge. Unfortunately, he picked today to do it!" Again Alex was glowering at him. "I know, I know, shut up Cody!"
Monica considered briefly what Cody had said and added, "Cody's right……..to a point. Jake has always had a very definite edge to his personality. It probably comes from the way he was raised, having only himself to rely on. But there is something else to consider. He looks up to Donovan. As much as the two of them butted heads at the beginning, Donovan's style of leadership and discipline were exactly what Jake needed. He needed structure in his life and Donovan provided that. When Frank lost it yesterday, I think Jake lost some of the respect that he had for him. And now with Frank battling his own demons, Jake is at a loss."
"Wow," Cody began, "you're good. No wonder you make the big bucks. I just have to wonder how you'd analyze me."
"Honey………there ain't enough money in the world for that," Monica deadpanned.
"So now what?" Alex inquired.
"We do like the man asked. We formulate a plan on how to proceed."
"I just have one more question though," Cody stated as the two women turned to face him. "What if Jake's right? What if she really is manipulating us and Donovan?"
The three looked from one to another and finally Alex responded. "I say we cross that bridge if and when we get there. And then burn it if we have to."
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While the three agents were discussing the situation downstairs, Frank and Kate were having a rather heated debate of their own.
"I'm only going to tell you this one more time………this is a huge mistake!" Kate exclaimed.
Frank sighed once more, and simply stared at the woman leaning against his desk. "What if I were to tell you that there's no other way? What would you say then?"
She looked at him blankly and said, "Frank………Jake's right. No matter how true my story may be, the real truth is that this is tearing apart your team. And I can see how much it's tearing you apart as well. The only viable solution to all of this is for me to disappear."
"No," he simply stated, "I'm not going to let that happen. I'm not going to let you face this alone. End of discussion."
"Excuse me?!!? Are you just dismissing me like my opinion doesn't count here?? I will go where I want……..when I want……….got it!! If I want to vanish without a trace, that's exactly what I'll do! I don't need your approval, Mr. Special Agent!"
With that she started for the door, but stopped when she heard Frank say softly, "Please don't go." She turned to confront him, and found him staring out the window and not facing her. Something in the vulnerability of his position or the quiet anguish she heard in his voice tore at her heart.
Finally Frank turned to face her and said, "You're right. I have no hold over you. If you want to leave, I can't stop you, but I'm asking you to stay. I'm asking you not to walk out of my life. The thought of you being on the run and all alone again would kill me." he let those words sink in and added, "Please let me help you."
Kate could do nothing but stare back at him. She knew he meant every word and she somehow also knew how much each of those words had cost him. And that fact made each syllable even more precious. Tears welled up in her eyes as she slowly crossed the room to stop directly in front of him. She brought her hand up to his face and lightly ran her fingertips along his cheek. She stared at him as if she were gazing upon him for the first time, or as if she were afraid that she would never see him again. Then she murmured to him, "I promise……….I won't leave. But you have to swear in return that I won't regret this decision," she added while gazing into his eyes.
"I swear to protect you with everything I have, with everything I am. That's the only promise that I can give you."
And as she started to protest, he cut off those words by lowering his mouth to hers.
The kiss was filled with quiet passion tinged with desperation. Both knew that what lay ahead of them was filled with uncertainty and because of that fact they clung to each other as if this may be their last moment together.
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A short time later, the two emerged from Frank's office and proceeded to the main floor in order to join the others who had been busily at work. The three paused briefly to glance at Kate and Frank. Alex quickly noted Kate's red rimmed eyes and wondered absently about what had been said between the two.
Frank stopped at the conference table and said, "I think before we go any further, we need to discuss what's happened. Would everyone please sit down." He paused while the group made their way to the table and sat down.
"I can tell you now, that from what I know, this could very well get messy. If my suspicions are correct, countless officials may be involved in this cover up and without knowing who may be involved, we're on our own. Jake was right. What I'm asking you to do is putting your careers and possibly your lives on the line. If anyone wants out, please feel free to leave now. I won't think any less of you."
He looked around the table and saw each agent lost in their own thoughts.
"Alex? What do you think?"
She paused only briefly and then stated, "I'm in. If everything Katherine's said is true, then we have to take these bastards down. If we don't, God only knows who their next target will be."
"Monica?"
"I agree with Alex. I joined this team so that I could help bring criminals to justice. Just because these individuals work for the same government we do, doesn't make them any less a criminal. In fact, I'd say it makes them even more so."
Finally, Frank turned to his last agent. "Cody?"
"Do you seriously think that I'm going to let you touch my computers without me being here? I think not!" he said with a wink.
Frank smiled briefly at his tech op. *I can always count on Cody to lighten the mood.*
"Alright, with that settled. The first course of business is where to hide Kate while this investigation continues," Frank said.
"There are several safe houses in the area. Most are available at the moment," Alex stated.
"And all are known to anyone who works in either the Bureau or any other branch of the Justice Department. We can't risk it," he responded.
Cody piped in, "Maybe she could just stay here for the duration."
"Maybe………" Frank said as he mulled over the possibility, "but I'm not sure this is the most secure location."
"Why not?" Monica questioned. "After all, as far as the Bureau is concerned, we're still on Katherine's trail. They don't know that we've tracked her down, so to speak."
"Yes, but………"
"You're thinking about Jake, aren't you," Alex interrupted.
Frank locked eyes with Alex and she had her answer. At this moment, he didn't trust Jake, and that knowledge almost left her breathless. As a team, they held each other's lives in their hands. Trust was implicit and unquestionable. How could the events of the last 36 hours have deteriorated that trust so quickly?
"He won't turn her in," she stated with emphatic conviction.
"Are you 100% sure of that Alex? Are you willing to bet Kate's life on it?"
Alex was speechless. A very short time ago, she thought she had known Jake as well as she knew herself. But now after what she'd recently witnessed, she wasn't absolutely positive of how he would react to anything. Could he really turn on his own??
Frank saw her battling with what he had just told her. It was almost painful to watch. He knew that Jake and Alex were very close. They were partners. And for her to question the loyalty of her partner was shaking her to the very core. He saw her close her eyes and sigh heavily. And not for the first time since this case began, Frank wondered how many casualties they would leave in their wake.
Alex opened her eyes and with a defeated tone asked, "So do you have a plan for where it would be best to take her?"
Frank nodded and said, "I think so, but I think it would be best if the rest of you didn't know."
"And why is that exactly?" Alex questioned with a slight irritation in her voice, "You don't trust us either?"
"It's not that believe me. If something were to happen, I want the rest of you to be able to answer truthfully that you don't know where she is. Make no mistake. We are now in harm's way. If we're caught aiding and abetting before we can prove Kate's case, we'll be the ones to go down, and I want to be able to protect the rest of you as much as possible."
"Frank……." Monica began, but Frank quickly cut her off.
"This is non-negotiable. This is the price of your participation, so to speak. If I could do this by myself I would, but I need your help to gather the information necessary. But as far as any direct involvement, that's where I draw the line. End of discussion."
Kate had been watching the interaction between Frank and his agents in silence. Her eyes darted from one to the other as they spoke, feeling like an outsider watching the action through a pane of glass and not able to participate. But as Frank's last statement hung in the air, unchallenged, she finally broke her silent observance.
"Does he always issue ultimatums like that?"
The four turned to face her as if finally realizing that she was there. After looking at each other and then at Frank, Monica finally responded, "Oh honey, you have no idea!" And at that the five broke into smiles.
"Alright," Frank interjected, "If we're through here at the moment, I think I'd better get Kate to a safe hiding place."
The three agents nodded and returned to their work.
After Frank and Kate exited the building and got into his car, she finally turned to him and said, "Well…………I think that went well. Don't you?"
He turned to stare at her in disbelief and caught the hint of humor in her eyes, and had to chuckle. "Yeah, you're right. If things get any better, I don't think I'll survive it!" he added as he pulled out into traffic.
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Wednesday morning -- 10:35AM
Jake exited the taxi that he had taken from the airport, and stared up at the building in front of him. The J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building. He took a shuddering breath and steeled his nerves. *I can do this! I know I can do this!*
As he climbed the steps to the main entrance, he thought once more over the events of the last couple of days. He knew that someone had to take this step. He just wished once more, before placing his hand on the door, that somehow it could have been someone else taking his place.
As Jake entered the lobby area, he immediately went toward the reception desk, but was intercepted by a man who obviously knew who he was.
"Agent Shaw?" Jake nodded in response. "I'm Director Lindford. It's a pleasure to meet you. The rest are waiting for you in my office upstairs. Shall we go?"
"The rest?" Jake inquired.
"Of course. When you call in and say that a man like Frank Donovan is aiding and abetting a known criminal, you're going to gain the attention of just about everyone in the Bureau. Surely you must have realized that?"
Jake stared at the man blankly, and then consented to follow. *I know this has to be done. So why do I feel like Judas?*
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Chapter Eleven
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I know that the last chapter seemed like a re-run of earlier action, but please believe me when I say that the final confrontation between Jake and Frank was a necessity. All explanations will come in the next few chapters. Please hang in there with me!!
//////////////////////////////
After Jake's exit, Frank stood with his back to the rest of the group, just staring at the door that Jake had used. The silence was deafening, and no one seemed quite sure how to continue on. Finally, Kate slowly approached him and placed her hand gently on his back. He visibly stiffened as if his thoughts had taken him so far away that he had been unaware of his present surroundings.
"We need to talk………alone," she nearly whispered.
Frank turned slowly and stared down at the woman in front of him. He saw that the look on her face was one of sympathy and………..something else………..fear perhaps? He reached out and gently rubbed his hand up and down her arm in a reassuring gesture while giving her a slight smile. A smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Let's go up to my office. We can talk there," he replied and turned to head toward the stairs. Before reaching the foot of the steps, he suddenly remembered the other agents in the room. Almost as an afterthought, he turned to them and said, "Monica, why don't you share what you found from Katherine's file with Alex and Cody. And now that you've heard her story, begin to formulate possible plans of action."
The pair continued their ascent to the office and closed the door behind them leaving the three remaining witnesses in utter confusion.
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"Will somebody please explain to me what just happened," Cody said first with his eyes still glued to the closed office door. Then he turned to look at his two fellow agents who looked just as stunned as he felt. *Good! I'm not the only one who's lost.*
"I mean, what the hell is going on here?" Cody continued. "We all know that Donovan and Jake don't always see eye-to-eye, but did either of you ever think that you'd see them actually pull guns on each other?? This is just messed up! Plain and simple."
"I knew that Jake was really pissed off last night after we left that bar, but I would have never expected what I saw this morning," Alex stated and then added, "Maybe what happened yesterday morning got to him more than I thought it did. It's not every day that your boss sticks a gun in your face."
"And thank God for that, or I'd have to ask for better life insurance coverage," Cody interjected. He looked at the two women who were staring back at him with a 'Don't try to be funny today, Cody' look on their faces. He just smiled sheepishly in response.
"Monica, what's your take on this situation?" Alex inquired.
The profiler glanced briefly in Alex's direction and started to pace. "I honestly don't know what to make of it. The only thing that I can deduce from either one's behavior is that they're both under considerable strain. Frank has been caught in a situation that he's never been in before. Namely, he's developed feelings for the suspect."
"Yeah!" Cody interrupted, "Did you all catch that little rubbing of the arm maneuver just before they went upstairs? It's like he totally forgot that there were other people in the room!"
"Do you think that's what this is all about?" Alex questioned. "That he's really fallen for this woman and he can't think straight?"
"That's my guess," Monica replied. "That and the fact that if her story is true, we've all been lied to. Our own government is in pursuit of this woman and we're the pawns being used to bring about her capture."
The three mulled over that last statement trying to reason through what could only be described as an impossible situation.
"And what about Jake?" Cody finally asked. "We all know that he can be a little………oh, how should I say this………….volatile at times, but Jesus!" To which he received an icy glare from Alex. "Ah, come on, you've seen the way he acts first and thinks later! Some day he was bound to go over the edge. Unfortunately, he picked today to do it!" Again Alex was glowering at him. "I know, I know, shut up Cody!"
Monica considered briefly what Cody had said and added, "Cody's right……..to a point. Jake has always had a very definite edge to his personality. It probably comes from the way he was raised, having only himself to rely on. But there is something else to consider. He looks up to Donovan. As much as the two of them butted heads at the beginning, Donovan's style of leadership and discipline were exactly what Jake needed. He needed structure in his life and Donovan provided that. When Frank lost it yesterday, I think Jake lost some of the respect that he had for him. And now with Frank battling his own demons, Jake is at a loss."
"Wow," Cody began, "you're good. No wonder you make the big bucks. I just have to wonder how you'd analyze me."
"Honey………there ain't enough money in the world for that," Monica deadpanned.
"So now what?" Alex inquired.
"We do like the man asked. We formulate a plan on how to proceed."
"I just have one more question though," Cody stated as the two women turned to face him. "What if Jake's right? What if she really is manipulating us and Donovan?"
The three looked from one to another and finally Alex responded. "I say we cross that bridge if and when we get there. And then burn it if we have to."
///////////////////////////////////
While the three agents were discussing the situation downstairs, Frank and Kate were having a rather heated debate of their own.
"I'm only going to tell you this one more time………this is a huge mistake!" Kate exclaimed.
Frank sighed once more, and simply stared at the woman leaning against his desk. "What if I were to tell you that there's no other way? What would you say then?"
She looked at him blankly and said, "Frank………Jake's right. No matter how true my story may be, the real truth is that this is tearing apart your team. And I can see how much it's tearing you apart as well. The only viable solution to all of this is for me to disappear."
"No," he simply stated, "I'm not going to let that happen. I'm not going to let you face this alone. End of discussion."
"Excuse me?!!? Are you just dismissing me like my opinion doesn't count here?? I will go where I want……..when I want……….got it!! If I want to vanish without a trace, that's exactly what I'll do! I don't need your approval, Mr. Special Agent!"
With that she started for the door, but stopped when she heard Frank say softly, "Please don't go." She turned to confront him, and found him staring out the window and not facing her. Something in the vulnerability of his position or the quiet anguish she heard in his voice tore at her heart.
Finally Frank turned to face her and said, "You're right. I have no hold over you. If you want to leave, I can't stop you, but I'm asking you to stay. I'm asking you not to walk out of my life. The thought of you being on the run and all alone again would kill me." he let those words sink in and added, "Please let me help you."
Kate could do nothing but stare back at him. She knew he meant every word and she somehow also knew how much each of those words had cost him. And that fact made each syllable even more precious. Tears welled up in her eyes as she slowly crossed the room to stop directly in front of him. She brought her hand up to his face and lightly ran her fingertips along his cheek. She stared at him as if she were gazing upon him for the first time, or as if she were afraid that she would never see him again. Then she murmured to him, "I promise……….I won't leave. But you have to swear in return that I won't regret this decision," she added while gazing into his eyes.
"I swear to protect you with everything I have, with everything I am. That's the only promise that I can give you."
And as she started to protest, he cut off those words by lowering his mouth to hers.
The kiss was filled with quiet passion tinged with desperation. Both knew that what lay ahead of them was filled with uncertainty and because of that fact they clung to each other as if this may be their last moment together.
//////////////////////////////
A short time later, the two emerged from Frank's office and proceeded to the main floor in order to join the others who had been busily at work. The three paused briefly to glance at Kate and Frank. Alex quickly noted Kate's red rimmed eyes and wondered absently about what had been said between the two.
Frank stopped at the conference table and said, "I think before we go any further, we need to discuss what's happened. Would everyone please sit down." He paused while the group made their way to the table and sat down.
"I can tell you now, that from what I know, this could very well get messy. If my suspicions are correct, countless officials may be involved in this cover up and without knowing who may be involved, we're on our own. Jake was right. What I'm asking you to do is putting your careers and possibly your lives on the line. If anyone wants out, please feel free to leave now. I won't think any less of you."
He looked around the table and saw each agent lost in their own thoughts.
"Alex? What do you think?"
She paused only briefly and then stated, "I'm in. If everything Katherine's said is true, then we have to take these bastards down. If we don't, God only knows who their next target will be."
"Monica?"
"I agree with Alex. I joined this team so that I could help bring criminals to justice. Just because these individuals work for the same government we do, doesn't make them any less a criminal. In fact, I'd say it makes them even more so."
Finally, Frank turned to his last agent. "Cody?"
"Do you seriously think that I'm going to let you touch my computers without me being here? I think not!" he said with a wink.
Frank smiled briefly at his tech op. *I can always count on Cody to lighten the mood.*
"Alright, with that settled. The first course of business is where to hide Kate while this investigation continues," Frank said.
"There are several safe houses in the area. Most are available at the moment," Alex stated.
"And all are known to anyone who works in either the Bureau or any other branch of the Justice Department. We can't risk it," he responded.
Cody piped in, "Maybe she could just stay here for the duration."
"Maybe………" Frank said as he mulled over the possibility, "but I'm not sure this is the most secure location."
"Why not?" Monica questioned. "After all, as far as the Bureau is concerned, we're still on Katherine's trail. They don't know that we've tracked her down, so to speak."
"Yes, but………"
"You're thinking about Jake, aren't you," Alex interrupted.
Frank locked eyes with Alex and she had her answer. At this moment, he didn't trust Jake, and that knowledge almost left her breathless. As a team, they held each other's lives in their hands. Trust was implicit and unquestionable. How could the events of the last 36 hours have deteriorated that trust so quickly?
"He won't turn her in," she stated with emphatic conviction.
"Are you 100% sure of that Alex? Are you willing to bet Kate's life on it?"
Alex was speechless. A very short time ago, she thought she had known Jake as well as she knew herself. But now after what she'd recently witnessed, she wasn't absolutely positive of how he would react to anything. Could he really turn on his own??
Frank saw her battling with what he had just told her. It was almost painful to watch. He knew that Jake and Alex were very close. They were partners. And for her to question the loyalty of her partner was shaking her to the very core. He saw her close her eyes and sigh heavily. And not for the first time since this case began, Frank wondered how many casualties they would leave in their wake.
Alex opened her eyes and with a defeated tone asked, "So do you have a plan for where it would be best to take her?"
Frank nodded and said, "I think so, but I think it would be best if the rest of you didn't know."
"And why is that exactly?" Alex questioned with a slight irritation in her voice, "You don't trust us either?"
"It's not that believe me. If something were to happen, I want the rest of you to be able to answer truthfully that you don't know where she is. Make no mistake. We are now in harm's way. If we're caught aiding and abetting before we can prove Kate's case, we'll be the ones to go down, and I want to be able to protect the rest of you as much as possible."
"Frank……." Monica began, but Frank quickly cut her off.
"This is non-negotiable. This is the price of your participation, so to speak. If I could do this by myself I would, but I need your help to gather the information necessary. But as far as any direct involvement, that's where I draw the line. End of discussion."
Kate had been watching the interaction between Frank and his agents in silence. Her eyes darted from one to the other as they spoke, feeling like an outsider watching the action through a pane of glass and not able to participate. But as Frank's last statement hung in the air, unchallenged, she finally broke her silent observance.
"Does he always issue ultimatums like that?"
The four turned to face her as if finally realizing that she was there. After looking at each other and then at Frank, Monica finally responded, "Oh honey, you have no idea!" And at that the five broke into smiles.
"Alright," Frank interjected, "If we're through here at the moment, I think I'd better get Kate to a safe hiding place."
The three agents nodded and returned to their work.
After Frank and Kate exited the building and got into his car, she finally turned to him and said, "Well…………I think that went well. Don't you?"
He turned to stare at her in disbelief and caught the hint of humor in her eyes, and had to chuckle. "Yeah, you're right. If things get any better, I don't think I'll survive it!" he added as he pulled out into traffic.
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Wednesday morning -- 10:35AM
Jake exited the taxi that he had taken from the airport, and stared up at the building in front of him. The J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building. He took a shuddering breath and steeled his nerves. *I can do this! I know I can do this!*
As he climbed the steps to the main entrance, he thought once more over the events of the last couple of days. He knew that someone had to take this step. He just wished once more, before placing his hand on the door, that somehow it could have been someone else taking his place.
As Jake entered the lobby area, he immediately went toward the reception desk, but was intercepted by a man who obviously knew who he was.
"Agent Shaw?" Jake nodded in response. "I'm Director Lindford. It's a pleasure to meet you. The rest are waiting for you in my office upstairs. Shall we go?"
"The rest?" Jake inquired.
"Of course. When you call in and say that a man like Frank Donovan is aiding and abetting a known criminal, you're going to gain the attention of just about everyone in the Bureau. Surely you must have realized that?"
Jake stared at the man blankly, and then consented to follow. *I know this has to be done. So why do I feel like Judas?*
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