CHAPTER 2
Frank met Elaina at the door when she came home that night. "We need to talk."
"Must be important, you haven't welcomed me home yet." Elaina says setting down her bag.
Frank kissed her and led her to the couch. "It is important and I want you sitting down."
"Now you're scaring me what happened." Elaina asks as she sits down.
"Reese called, Hank is in the hospital. He was thrown today." Frank explains. "He has a couple of vertebrae bones broken, broken leg and bruised ribs. He'll be in there a few weeks."
"I guess I better go since you can't. I can take off in the morning. Is there something else bothering you?" She asks as she saw in his eyes that there was more.
"Maria."
"I know, I should have told you about her problem, but she said she was in control and was okay." Elaina replies.
"She has an attitude problem too. She was argumentative during briefing, which I despise from anyone. You know come to think of it she is acting like you did a few months ago."
"You mean when I was stressed out and fighting with you." Elaina asks turning to him.
"Exactly. Are you sure she can handle this case and not drink anymore?" Frank asks as he leans back in the couch.
"I think since everyone knows, she'll be okay." Elaina replies.
"After this case I think she should see the company psychologist." Frank suggests.
"If you really think that is necessary, maybe I should pull her."
"I do need her for this case; she is the only agent available that can sing." Frank replies.
"Okay, but if she acts up more, get her out. Even if it does blow the case. I don't want her to get hurt." Elaina says.
"I promise I'll keep a close eye on her, so will Monica. When exactly do you want to leave?"
"I need to talk to Andy, tell him where and why I'm taking off. Have you told Derek and Megan?" Elaina asks.
"They were here when Reese called. Derek wanted to go but I told him no."
"Good, he'll be mad at you instead of me." Elaina jokes.
"He's the one that wanted to graduate early, so he has to stay in school."
"I know besides we pulled him out enough for different reason's this term. Besides, I would rather go alone anyway." Frank frowned when she said it. "Okay, I wish you could go, but you can't so I'd rather go alone. Did that sound better?" She hugs him.
"Much. We ordered in, there's pizza in the kitchen or you can have the leftovers from the fridge."
"I'll get something later. I better see if the plane will be ready in the morning. I also have to remind Megan of Sarah's doctor appointment at the end of the week." Elaina says as she gets up off the couch to stretch.
"I already took care of the plane, it will be ready and Megan has said she would take Sarah for her check up. All you need to do is handle the office and pack." Frank replies.
"Sure you don't want to do that too?" She asks.
"We were only helping." He replies as he pulled her down into his arms and kissed her. She seemed to forget her troubles and leaned against him as they kissed. "Would you like to finish this upstairs?"
"Yes I would, I need to store up since I don't know how long I'll be away from you."
She pulled him close and kissed him. They walked up to their room; as they went in Elaina started undressing him.
"Wait a minute." He walked over to the door and locked it. "Making sure we aren't interrupted."
"Quick thinking, but they all know not to come in without knocking."
"I'm not taking any chances." Frank replies as he walks back over to her while she was unbuttoning her blouse, but he took over. She put her hands on his shoulders and traced across them with her fingers. He opened her blouse and she dropped her arms down to take it off. He reached around her to unfasten her bra and as he did she leaned closer to him and kissed his chest. She looked up in to his beautiful dark eyes. "Make this a night we will never forget."
He picked her up and laid her on the bed. "I plan on making this the most memorable night of your life." When he kissed her this time she knew she was in for a night of passion. Her heart was beating so fast that she thought it would jump out. He was kissing every inch of her body. She jumped when he kissed her stomach, his beard tickling her. She was very ticklish and he took advantage of it every chance he got. She grabbed the back of his neck to get him to move away from a certain spot. "You know better than to do that to me."
He moved on top of her holding her hands above her head with one hand. "You should know better than to interrupt me." He had a devilish smirk on his face. He started to tickle her again with his other hand. She tried to free her hands but couldn't. She laughed so hard she started to cry, so he quit. He let go of her hands.
"I'm going to get you for that." She warns him.
"Promise? I can't wait to see how." He kisses her and then removes the tears from her face with his tongue tasting each one. He kissed her neck nipping at it at times. She wrapped her legs and arms around him signaling to him that she wanted him now.
They spent the night making love over and over again; it was almost daybreak when they fell asleep. Elaina was jolted back awake by a bad dream. She was happy to see she didn't wake him up. She got up and put her robe on and went over to the window. She noticed it had frosted heavy that night making the world look even colder to her. She tried to remember her dream and why it had bothered her so much, but couldn't. Elaina noticed she had only been asleep an hour and was very tired but she didn't want to go back to sleep because of the feeling the dream had left with her. 'If I could just remember what it was about.' She thought to herself.
Frank reached over for her, but she wasn't there. He looked around the room and saw her at the window. "What are you doing over there?"
"Just looking out."
"Come back to bed, you need to get some rest." Franks says turning over in bed.
"This coming from the man that just kept me awake practically all night." Elaina jokes.
"I didn't hear any complaints earlier."
She walked over to the bed. "And you won't now either. I just had a bad dream and don't want to go back to sleep yet."
"What was it about?" Frank asks as he strokes a few of her hairs out of her face.
"I don't remember that's the problem."
"Climb in; I'll keep all the bad dreams away." He lifted the blankets up for her.
"If you could, I wouldn't have had the first one." She climbed in beside him.
He held her tight as she snuggled up against him. "You've been worried about something for most of the night, maybe that's what caused your dream."
"I have been worried about Maria. I wish I didn't have to go. But I'm also worried about Hank and the ranch." She became very quite.
"What are you thinking about now?" He asks as he closes his eyes.
"My dream, it had something to do with snow. That's all I can remember."
"Lady, you're going to Montana, it has been snowing there for a month." Frank says as he kisses her on her head.
"I'm just being foolish I guess. Letting a dream get to me like this. My sleep is more important than worrying about some weird dream."
"That sounds more like it. You do need your sleep and so do I. You've kept me awake too much tonight." He teased her but she was too tired to get him back.
*******************
The next morning in Elaina's office she was briefing Andy about what was happening with the case and why she was leaving.
"Maria is going to be tested every night. If there is even a hint of alcohol in her blood, she is off this case and she well be suspended indefinitely. If there was any other way, I would have taken her out then but there wasn't." Elaina explains.
"What if we do have to pull her?"
"We will have to start from scratch, which will not make our boss happy. This brings me to the budget cuts he wants. He's not going to be happy with my report. You'll be in the hot seat when he gets it so you better read it over." She handed him the file. "I know this emergency has come at a bad time but I really appreciate you handling all these extras."
"I don't mind doing it except for the banquet you promised you would attend so I didn't have too."
"I am really sorry about that honestly, but one of us has to be there. We were ordered to be there and I can't so that leaves you." Elaina couldn't help but laugh at his expression. "Come on Andy you get free food and a chance to take your beautiful wife Sam out to a formal banquet. What more can you ask for?"
"For you to go." He laughed too. "I've been through worse and survived I guess this won't kill me. Besides this means you owe me a really big favor and I plan on asking when you least expect it."
"See now you have incentive for doing this for me, though I really don't like the way you said that. If you need to reach me for any reason this is the number at the ranch, other than that I'll have my cell with me." She handed him the number.
"Don't worry about things here; just take care of Hank and the ranch."
"Thanks again Andy for doing this for me. I will be waiting to repay you."
"See you when you get back." Andy left and she gathered up her coat and briefcase and walked out.
As she walked down the hall she dialed Frank's cell. "Hello Sweetheart." She said as he answered.
"Where are you?" Frank asks.
"Leaving my office, about to get on the elevator. Why?"
"Because." The doors came open and Frank was standing inside. "I'm here." They each turned off their phones.
"What are you doing here?" She asks as she walked into the elevator and gave him a bear hug.
"Taking you to the airport. Our good byes this morning where hectic with the kids saying goodbye too."
"Yes they were and I'm glad you are taking me, I was already starting to miss you." Elaina says, still holding on to him.
"Are you still worried?" Frank asks looking down at her.
"Something just seems to be nagging me in the back of my mind, I just can't figure out what it is."
"We've decided to break in the club, sort of, and get the place wired so we can keep a better eye on everyone involved. Maria's stunt yesterday made me a little nervous." Frank says as he looks up at the elevator numbers.
"Me too and I won't worry as much if I know you can watch her closer."
"There's no need to worry about this case, I'll worry enough for both of us." Frank replies. "You just take care of things at the ranch."
"Yes sir." She kisses him as the elevator stopped and the doors opened. "I love putting on a show for the masses." She says seeing a group of people waiting on the elevator.
*****
Frank arrives back at the nest to see Alex there again. "What are you doing here; you should be at home resting." He says as he takes off his coat.
"My back is feeling much better and I needed to clean my gun." Alex replies looking up at him.
"Looks like you're cleaning our whole arsenal." Frank notices the guns lined up on the floor next to her. "You're not supposed to lift anything heavy."
"They aren't that heavy and I was bored and needed something to do." Alex replies. "They needed to be cleaned anyway."
"I see you lifting anything over the limit, you're out of here." Frank warns her.
"UC honor I won't." She salutes him as he went to his office.
Monica, Sab and Cody walked in together. "Donovan here?" Monica asks.
"In his office, aren't you supposed to be watching Jake and Maria?" Alex asks as Sab went to the office.
"They're on their way." Cody replies, flopping in a chair next to Alex.
"Maria in trouble again?" Alex asks Cody.
"No, but the case maybe." Monica replies.
"What's going on Monica?" Frank was coming down the stairs with Sab.
"Montgomery is going out of town."
"Do we know where or why?" Frank asks as he reaches the group.
"No, he told Maria he was leaving for a few days." Monica replies.
"Do you think he's been tipped off that we are watching him?" Cody wonders.
"I doubt it; he may be meeting a contact somewhere." Monica suggests.
Jake and Maria came in arguing. "Donovan will not let you go, not after yesterday."
"I need to go and get evidence for this case." Maria countered.
"Go where?" Frank asks as the two reach the group.
"Montgomery wants me to go with him to Florida and then New York." Maria replies.
"We didn't hear that, when did he ask you?" Sab knew they didn't miss any info.
"He called my cell after we left." Maria replies.
"Jake's right, you're not going." Frank says.
"But we need to get evidence against this guy and so far we have nothing." Maria protests.
"You are not going so drop it Maria." Frank orders.
"I promised you and Elaina no more drinking; I can go and keep that promise. Let me go with him." Maria insists.
"I said drop it." Frank yells at her. "Alex you're bored and surveillance is easy enough, I want you and Monica to go follow him. I want reports every 2 hours."
"Flight 263 leaves 9:00 tonight, for Miami." Maria told them. "Since I'm not needed here, I'm going home."
"I want to see you in my office first." Frank orders her. They walk up to his office together. "Have a seat."
"Ready for the chewing out sir." Maria says as she sat down.
"I want to know why you are acting like you are."
"I'm just trying to do the job I was assigned to do, but you keep tying my hands. I want to get Montgomery." Maria replies.
"We all want that, why is it so important to you?" Frank asks as he stands in front of his desk.
"If I tell you, all hell well breaks lose in this office." Maria replies.
"If you don't tell me after making that statement, you are going to find out what hell is."
"Okay, but just know that Elaina never knew about it either. I was personally involved with Aaron Richards." Maria replies. "We kept our relationship private."
"Why didn't you tell Elaina when she assigned you?" Frank stood in front of her and leaned against his desk.
"I thought about it, but I figured if she knew she wouldn't have allowed me to be a part of it."
"Your right, she wouldn't have." Frank agrees.
"I should have told her and you about it, but at the time I thought I could handle being close to Montgomery. I guess I was lying to myself and that is why I tried the liquid courage to get through it." Maria continues. "I honestly didn't want to drink it after I ordered it, but his advances toward me.I just couldn't take it. Next thing I knew I was ordering another drink."
"Why would you think it is going to be easier going to Florida with him?" Frank asks.
"I never said it was going to be easier. I just know that we need evidence to get him put away and I figured if I am by his side I could get it for us." Maria replies.
"I admire your willingness to put your feelings aside to go and do your job, but you're still not going. Alex and Monica can get us any evidence we need. Do you know who he is leaving in charge at the club?"
"No, but I can find out easily enough. Can I use your phone?" She dialed the phone and then put it on speaker.
"Hello?" Montgomery answers.
"Hello Conner."
"My little songbird, are you calling to say you can come with me?" Connor asks. Maria rolled her eyes at the nickname.
"No, I'm sorry but I can't reschedule with that doctor. It is to have my throat examined and you really don't want your songbird to start squawking do you?" Maria asks in an innocent voice.
"No, I wouldn't want that." Conner replies. "I guess there will be other trips we can take together."
"You sound like a man that loves to travel."
"I do and with my many interests I have the need to travel frequently." Conner replies.
"I'm very intrigued. You'll have to tell me about your many interests someday and I will return the favor." Maria was very good at flirting.
"Maybe I will love."
"I'll make sure you have plenty of new customers when you return. Jake has a reporter friend who is going to do an interview with me for the local entertainment section." Maria adds.
"That's great; I love publicity for the club and you."
"Is there anything I can do for you while you are gone?" Maria asks.
"Sure there is. I'm going to let you be hostess while I'm gone. Martin will be in charge of the everyday business and closing up."
"I was wondering, I would like to free up my days and was wondering if I could lock up and rehearse after hours?" Maria asks looking to Donovan.
"I really don't like the idea of you being alone there late."
"But Jake will be there and Martin if he wants to stay." Maria says. "So is it okay with you?"
"Okay, I'll allow it. I'll give Martin a key for you and as long as someone stays to protect you, you have my permission."
"Thank you Connor. I promise when you get back I will have a very special song rehearsed just for you."
"I will look forward to it. Good-bye Love."
"Good bye." She hung up the phone and smiled at Frank. "How did I do?"
"You already have him wrapped around your finger." Frank replies.
"What can I say; I'm very good at seduction even when I hate the target."
"Just don't seduce yourself into a corner." Frank warns.
"It's been known to happen, but I survived it."
"I'm serious; I don't want him attacking you."
"I'm serious too, it won't go that far believe me. I won't allow him to get that far. I'd kill him first." Maria adds.
"Maria!"
"What. I meant in self-defense." Maria explains. "If I was going to kill him because he killed Aaron, I'd have already done it."
"Sorry for jumping to the wrong conclusion." Even though he still wasn't sure if she did mean self-defense or not.
"You and Elaina have that in common. Jump first, asks questions later. By the way, has she left yet?" Maria asks.
"I took her to the airport and she left about an hour ago. She had a bad dream last night and she's been worried ever since."
"Since when does she worry about dreams?" Maria asks in confusion.
"She never has but last night's really bothered her." Frank replies remembering last night.
"Are you going to tell her about my involvement with Aaron?" Maria asks.
"We both know what will happen if I tell her, so no I'm not going to. I'll hold the information over your head to keep you in line." Frank replies.
"That's generous of you. I guess I should be getting out of here. I don't need to be at the club until later, unless you want me to go back to be with Montgomery before he leaves?"
"I doubt that he would let you know anything. After the performance you gave on the phone, I'll allow you some free time."
"That's real big of you. I'll sneak Sab and Cody in after last call. I guess you won't have to break in after all."
"How did you know we were going to break in?" Frank asks.
"I read lips too remember. I saw you tell Jake this morning. There's one more thing, I'd like to mess with Cody and Sab's minds. They pulled a prank on me a few weeks ago and I'd like to get them back." Maria says with a smirk.
"I don't mind; just don't let it interfere with the case." Frank replies.
"Oh it won't it. They might think it has to do with the case but it won't."
"Mind telling me what you're going to do?" Frank was curious.
"Promise you won't tell?"
Frank met Elaina at the door when she came home that night. "We need to talk."
"Must be important, you haven't welcomed me home yet." Elaina says setting down her bag.
Frank kissed her and led her to the couch. "It is important and I want you sitting down."
"Now you're scaring me what happened." Elaina asks as she sits down.
"Reese called, Hank is in the hospital. He was thrown today." Frank explains. "He has a couple of vertebrae bones broken, broken leg and bruised ribs. He'll be in there a few weeks."
"I guess I better go since you can't. I can take off in the morning. Is there something else bothering you?" She asks as she saw in his eyes that there was more.
"Maria."
"I know, I should have told you about her problem, but she said she was in control and was okay." Elaina replies.
"She has an attitude problem too. She was argumentative during briefing, which I despise from anyone. You know come to think of it she is acting like you did a few months ago."
"You mean when I was stressed out and fighting with you." Elaina asks turning to him.
"Exactly. Are you sure she can handle this case and not drink anymore?" Frank asks as he leans back in the couch.
"I think since everyone knows, she'll be okay." Elaina replies.
"After this case I think she should see the company psychologist." Frank suggests.
"If you really think that is necessary, maybe I should pull her."
"I do need her for this case; she is the only agent available that can sing." Frank replies.
"Okay, but if she acts up more, get her out. Even if it does blow the case. I don't want her to get hurt." Elaina says.
"I promise I'll keep a close eye on her, so will Monica. When exactly do you want to leave?"
"I need to talk to Andy, tell him where and why I'm taking off. Have you told Derek and Megan?" Elaina asks.
"They were here when Reese called. Derek wanted to go but I told him no."
"Good, he'll be mad at you instead of me." Elaina jokes.
"He's the one that wanted to graduate early, so he has to stay in school."
"I know besides we pulled him out enough for different reason's this term. Besides, I would rather go alone anyway." Frank frowned when she said it. "Okay, I wish you could go, but you can't so I'd rather go alone. Did that sound better?" She hugs him.
"Much. We ordered in, there's pizza in the kitchen or you can have the leftovers from the fridge."
"I'll get something later. I better see if the plane will be ready in the morning. I also have to remind Megan of Sarah's doctor appointment at the end of the week." Elaina says as she gets up off the couch to stretch.
"I already took care of the plane, it will be ready and Megan has said she would take Sarah for her check up. All you need to do is handle the office and pack." Frank replies.
"Sure you don't want to do that too?" She asks.
"We were only helping." He replies as he pulled her down into his arms and kissed her. She seemed to forget her troubles and leaned against him as they kissed. "Would you like to finish this upstairs?"
"Yes I would, I need to store up since I don't know how long I'll be away from you."
She pulled him close and kissed him. They walked up to their room; as they went in Elaina started undressing him.
"Wait a minute." He walked over to the door and locked it. "Making sure we aren't interrupted."
"Quick thinking, but they all know not to come in without knocking."
"I'm not taking any chances." Frank replies as he walks back over to her while she was unbuttoning her blouse, but he took over. She put her hands on his shoulders and traced across them with her fingers. He opened her blouse and she dropped her arms down to take it off. He reached around her to unfasten her bra and as he did she leaned closer to him and kissed his chest. She looked up in to his beautiful dark eyes. "Make this a night we will never forget."
He picked her up and laid her on the bed. "I plan on making this the most memorable night of your life." When he kissed her this time she knew she was in for a night of passion. Her heart was beating so fast that she thought it would jump out. He was kissing every inch of her body. She jumped when he kissed her stomach, his beard tickling her. She was very ticklish and he took advantage of it every chance he got. She grabbed the back of his neck to get him to move away from a certain spot. "You know better than to do that to me."
He moved on top of her holding her hands above her head with one hand. "You should know better than to interrupt me." He had a devilish smirk on his face. He started to tickle her again with his other hand. She tried to free her hands but couldn't. She laughed so hard she started to cry, so he quit. He let go of her hands.
"I'm going to get you for that." She warns him.
"Promise? I can't wait to see how." He kisses her and then removes the tears from her face with his tongue tasting each one. He kissed her neck nipping at it at times. She wrapped her legs and arms around him signaling to him that she wanted him now.
They spent the night making love over and over again; it was almost daybreak when they fell asleep. Elaina was jolted back awake by a bad dream. She was happy to see she didn't wake him up. She got up and put her robe on and went over to the window. She noticed it had frosted heavy that night making the world look even colder to her. She tried to remember her dream and why it had bothered her so much, but couldn't. Elaina noticed she had only been asleep an hour and was very tired but she didn't want to go back to sleep because of the feeling the dream had left with her. 'If I could just remember what it was about.' She thought to herself.
Frank reached over for her, but she wasn't there. He looked around the room and saw her at the window. "What are you doing over there?"
"Just looking out."
"Come back to bed, you need to get some rest." Franks says turning over in bed.
"This coming from the man that just kept me awake practically all night." Elaina jokes.
"I didn't hear any complaints earlier."
She walked over to the bed. "And you won't now either. I just had a bad dream and don't want to go back to sleep yet."
"What was it about?" Frank asks as he strokes a few of her hairs out of her face.
"I don't remember that's the problem."
"Climb in; I'll keep all the bad dreams away." He lifted the blankets up for her.
"If you could, I wouldn't have had the first one." She climbed in beside him.
He held her tight as she snuggled up against him. "You've been worried about something for most of the night, maybe that's what caused your dream."
"I have been worried about Maria. I wish I didn't have to go. But I'm also worried about Hank and the ranch." She became very quite.
"What are you thinking about now?" He asks as he closes his eyes.
"My dream, it had something to do with snow. That's all I can remember."
"Lady, you're going to Montana, it has been snowing there for a month." Frank says as he kisses her on her head.
"I'm just being foolish I guess. Letting a dream get to me like this. My sleep is more important than worrying about some weird dream."
"That sounds more like it. You do need your sleep and so do I. You've kept me awake too much tonight." He teased her but she was too tired to get him back.
*******************
The next morning in Elaina's office she was briefing Andy about what was happening with the case and why she was leaving.
"Maria is going to be tested every night. If there is even a hint of alcohol in her blood, she is off this case and she well be suspended indefinitely. If there was any other way, I would have taken her out then but there wasn't." Elaina explains.
"What if we do have to pull her?"
"We will have to start from scratch, which will not make our boss happy. This brings me to the budget cuts he wants. He's not going to be happy with my report. You'll be in the hot seat when he gets it so you better read it over." She handed him the file. "I know this emergency has come at a bad time but I really appreciate you handling all these extras."
"I don't mind doing it except for the banquet you promised you would attend so I didn't have too."
"I am really sorry about that honestly, but one of us has to be there. We were ordered to be there and I can't so that leaves you." Elaina couldn't help but laugh at his expression. "Come on Andy you get free food and a chance to take your beautiful wife Sam out to a formal banquet. What more can you ask for?"
"For you to go." He laughed too. "I've been through worse and survived I guess this won't kill me. Besides this means you owe me a really big favor and I plan on asking when you least expect it."
"See now you have incentive for doing this for me, though I really don't like the way you said that. If you need to reach me for any reason this is the number at the ranch, other than that I'll have my cell with me." She handed him the number.
"Don't worry about things here; just take care of Hank and the ranch."
"Thanks again Andy for doing this for me. I will be waiting to repay you."
"See you when you get back." Andy left and she gathered up her coat and briefcase and walked out.
As she walked down the hall she dialed Frank's cell. "Hello Sweetheart." She said as he answered.
"Where are you?" Frank asks.
"Leaving my office, about to get on the elevator. Why?"
"Because." The doors came open and Frank was standing inside. "I'm here." They each turned off their phones.
"What are you doing here?" She asks as she walked into the elevator and gave him a bear hug.
"Taking you to the airport. Our good byes this morning where hectic with the kids saying goodbye too."
"Yes they were and I'm glad you are taking me, I was already starting to miss you." Elaina says, still holding on to him.
"Are you still worried?" Frank asks looking down at her.
"Something just seems to be nagging me in the back of my mind, I just can't figure out what it is."
"We've decided to break in the club, sort of, and get the place wired so we can keep a better eye on everyone involved. Maria's stunt yesterday made me a little nervous." Frank says as he looks up at the elevator numbers.
"Me too and I won't worry as much if I know you can watch her closer."
"There's no need to worry about this case, I'll worry enough for both of us." Frank replies. "You just take care of things at the ranch."
"Yes sir." She kisses him as the elevator stopped and the doors opened. "I love putting on a show for the masses." She says seeing a group of people waiting on the elevator.
*****
Frank arrives back at the nest to see Alex there again. "What are you doing here; you should be at home resting." He says as he takes off his coat.
"My back is feeling much better and I needed to clean my gun." Alex replies looking up at him.
"Looks like you're cleaning our whole arsenal." Frank notices the guns lined up on the floor next to her. "You're not supposed to lift anything heavy."
"They aren't that heavy and I was bored and needed something to do." Alex replies. "They needed to be cleaned anyway."
"I see you lifting anything over the limit, you're out of here." Frank warns her.
"UC honor I won't." She salutes him as he went to his office.
Monica, Sab and Cody walked in together. "Donovan here?" Monica asks.
"In his office, aren't you supposed to be watching Jake and Maria?" Alex asks as Sab went to the office.
"They're on their way." Cody replies, flopping in a chair next to Alex.
"Maria in trouble again?" Alex asks Cody.
"No, but the case maybe." Monica replies.
"What's going on Monica?" Frank was coming down the stairs with Sab.
"Montgomery is going out of town."
"Do we know where or why?" Frank asks as he reaches the group.
"No, he told Maria he was leaving for a few days." Monica replies.
"Do you think he's been tipped off that we are watching him?" Cody wonders.
"I doubt it; he may be meeting a contact somewhere." Monica suggests.
Jake and Maria came in arguing. "Donovan will not let you go, not after yesterday."
"I need to go and get evidence for this case." Maria countered.
"Go where?" Frank asks as the two reach the group.
"Montgomery wants me to go with him to Florida and then New York." Maria replies.
"We didn't hear that, when did he ask you?" Sab knew they didn't miss any info.
"He called my cell after we left." Maria replies.
"Jake's right, you're not going." Frank says.
"But we need to get evidence against this guy and so far we have nothing." Maria protests.
"You are not going so drop it Maria." Frank orders.
"I promised you and Elaina no more drinking; I can go and keep that promise. Let me go with him." Maria insists.
"I said drop it." Frank yells at her. "Alex you're bored and surveillance is easy enough, I want you and Monica to go follow him. I want reports every 2 hours."
"Flight 263 leaves 9:00 tonight, for Miami." Maria told them. "Since I'm not needed here, I'm going home."
"I want to see you in my office first." Frank orders her. They walk up to his office together. "Have a seat."
"Ready for the chewing out sir." Maria says as she sat down.
"I want to know why you are acting like you are."
"I'm just trying to do the job I was assigned to do, but you keep tying my hands. I want to get Montgomery." Maria replies.
"We all want that, why is it so important to you?" Frank asks as he stands in front of his desk.
"If I tell you, all hell well breaks lose in this office." Maria replies.
"If you don't tell me after making that statement, you are going to find out what hell is."
"Okay, but just know that Elaina never knew about it either. I was personally involved with Aaron Richards." Maria replies. "We kept our relationship private."
"Why didn't you tell Elaina when she assigned you?" Frank stood in front of her and leaned against his desk.
"I thought about it, but I figured if she knew she wouldn't have allowed me to be a part of it."
"Your right, she wouldn't have." Frank agrees.
"I should have told her and you about it, but at the time I thought I could handle being close to Montgomery. I guess I was lying to myself and that is why I tried the liquid courage to get through it." Maria continues. "I honestly didn't want to drink it after I ordered it, but his advances toward me.I just couldn't take it. Next thing I knew I was ordering another drink."
"Why would you think it is going to be easier going to Florida with him?" Frank asks.
"I never said it was going to be easier. I just know that we need evidence to get him put away and I figured if I am by his side I could get it for us." Maria replies.
"I admire your willingness to put your feelings aside to go and do your job, but you're still not going. Alex and Monica can get us any evidence we need. Do you know who he is leaving in charge at the club?"
"No, but I can find out easily enough. Can I use your phone?" She dialed the phone and then put it on speaker.
"Hello?" Montgomery answers.
"Hello Conner."
"My little songbird, are you calling to say you can come with me?" Connor asks. Maria rolled her eyes at the nickname.
"No, I'm sorry but I can't reschedule with that doctor. It is to have my throat examined and you really don't want your songbird to start squawking do you?" Maria asks in an innocent voice.
"No, I wouldn't want that." Conner replies. "I guess there will be other trips we can take together."
"You sound like a man that loves to travel."
"I do and with my many interests I have the need to travel frequently." Conner replies.
"I'm very intrigued. You'll have to tell me about your many interests someday and I will return the favor." Maria was very good at flirting.
"Maybe I will love."
"I'll make sure you have plenty of new customers when you return. Jake has a reporter friend who is going to do an interview with me for the local entertainment section." Maria adds.
"That's great; I love publicity for the club and you."
"Is there anything I can do for you while you are gone?" Maria asks.
"Sure there is. I'm going to let you be hostess while I'm gone. Martin will be in charge of the everyday business and closing up."
"I was wondering, I would like to free up my days and was wondering if I could lock up and rehearse after hours?" Maria asks looking to Donovan.
"I really don't like the idea of you being alone there late."
"But Jake will be there and Martin if he wants to stay." Maria says. "So is it okay with you?"
"Okay, I'll allow it. I'll give Martin a key for you and as long as someone stays to protect you, you have my permission."
"Thank you Connor. I promise when you get back I will have a very special song rehearsed just for you."
"I will look forward to it. Good-bye Love."
"Good bye." She hung up the phone and smiled at Frank. "How did I do?"
"You already have him wrapped around your finger." Frank replies.
"What can I say; I'm very good at seduction even when I hate the target."
"Just don't seduce yourself into a corner." Frank warns.
"It's been known to happen, but I survived it."
"I'm serious; I don't want him attacking you."
"I'm serious too, it won't go that far believe me. I won't allow him to get that far. I'd kill him first." Maria adds.
"Maria!"
"What. I meant in self-defense." Maria explains. "If I was going to kill him because he killed Aaron, I'd have already done it."
"Sorry for jumping to the wrong conclusion." Even though he still wasn't sure if she did mean self-defense or not.
"You and Elaina have that in common. Jump first, asks questions later. By the way, has she left yet?" Maria asks.
"I took her to the airport and she left about an hour ago. She had a bad dream last night and she's been worried ever since."
"Since when does she worry about dreams?" Maria asks in confusion.
"She never has but last night's really bothered her." Frank replies remembering last night.
"Are you going to tell her about my involvement with Aaron?" Maria asks.
"We both know what will happen if I tell her, so no I'm not going to. I'll hold the information over your head to keep you in line." Frank replies.
"That's generous of you. I guess I should be getting out of here. I don't need to be at the club until later, unless you want me to go back to be with Montgomery before he leaves?"
"I doubt that he would let you know anything. After the performance you gave on the phone, I'll allow you some free time."
"That's real big of you. I'll sneak Sab and Cody in after last call. I guess you won't have to break in after all."
"How did you know we were going to break in?" Frank asks.
"I read lips too remember. I saw you tell Jake this morning. There's one more thing, I'd like to mess with Cody and Sab's minds. They pulled a prank on me a few weeks ago and I'd like to get them back." Maria says with a smirk.
"I don't mind; just don't let it interfere with the case." Frank replies.
"Oh it won't it. They might think it has to do with the case but it won't."
"Mind telling me what you're going to do?" Frank was curious.
"Promise you won't tell?"