After taking care of the rooms, he joined the others at the elevator.  Once inside he jabbed the button for the eighth floor.  No one spoke during the ride up and he noted each of his team eyeing Jessica curiously.  He assumed they wondered why she was tagging along with them, but he didn't feel the need or inclination to make any explanations to them at that point.   Stepping off the elevator, he led the group to the first room and unlocked the door.  He waited as they filed in, Jessica brought up the rear.

"Room key," she demanded, holding out her hand.  Her eyes locked onto his defiantly.

"Join the others, Jessica," he insisted impatiently.

She huffed a bit, but entered the room and watched as he sauntered over to what she thought was a closet door only to find when he opened it; the door adjoined the next hotel room.  "What the hell is this?"

"This is what it is," he replied sternly.  "You and Alex in this room," he said, pointing into the room he just opened.  Jake, Cody, and I will stay here."

"Hey!" Cody protested, taking in the sight of the two king-sized beds.  "I'm not sleeping with either one of you."

Donovan wanted to roll his eyes and shake Cody for good measure, but he remained stoic.  "Just for being the first to speak up, you volunteer to share a bed with Jake."

"Thanks a lot, Cody," Jake grumbled and sat down tentatively on the far bed.  "If you toss in your sleep, I'll beat you senseless," he warned.  His injuries were still very tender, especially his ribs.

"Wonderful," Cody groused and began setting up his computer on the small table in the corner of the room.

"I'll order up some room service," Alex inserted, picking up the menu.  "I'm starved."

"Sounds good," Donovan agreed.  "Cody, get me Kersh on the line.  I have some questions for him."

"Will do."

Jess slipped quietly into the next room, thinking to get away from the group and head off on her own.  The thought was so tempting, but she was so tired.  She looked at the door for a few moments, contemplating her choices.

"At least get some sleep before you try to run out."

The voice came from behind her, drifting over her, and blanketing her it its unexpected warmth.  Somehow he knew she wanted to run, wanted to head off at full steam, and go after Drevin.  Did he suspect?  Could he know?  It was possible he did.  That frightened her more than she realized it ever would.  If he knew, how long until someone else did?  And then, she was a dead woman.

"I'll stay," she whispered softly.  She was too tired to fight, too exhausted to handle the horror of Drevin anymore.  A shower and a few hours sleep and she would be back to her old self, ready to face the fear that was her life.  "But I'm going with you, wherever you go with this.  Unless, of course, it is over."

"That has yet to be determined," he answered.  He leaned against the doorframe watching her.  Her back was still to him and she seemed frail somehow, defeated and broken.  It was a sad sight to behold. 

She nodded.  "I understand."  She turned to face him.  Damn him for being so gorgeous.  She had no idea what to say as her eyes roamed over his tall frame, clad fully in black.  It should be illegal to be so attractive.  The words that finally left her mouth were so lame she thought she would die from embarrassment.  "I need my clothes and I know you don't trust me enough to go after them."  When he didn't answer, she shot him a 'give me a break' look.   "I want to take a shower."

He noted his thoughts regarding her state of mind were reflected in her green eyes.  She was close to the edge of something.  Not a breakdown, but something that threatened to engulf her and pull her over.  Although she was now putting on her snarky attitude, terror lurked in the murky moss depth of her eyes.  He wished there was a way to erase her fears and replace them with something happier.  He nodded his head toward the bathroom.  "Shower.  I'll have your things brought up."

He turned and slipped back into the adjoining room leaving her staring at the spot he once stood.  He was like a wall, impossible to see through.  He seemed flat and smooth on the surface, but she had the feeling once the layers started to peel away, there were many facets to the man named Frank Donovan.  No one could be as blasé and cold as he appeared all the time.  No one.

***

Twenty minutes later, Donovan stepped out of the shower.  He donned a pair of gray sweatpants and white t-shirt.  As soon as he spoke to Kersh, he was crawling into bed and shutting out the world.  He was toweling his hair dry when he walked back into the main room and was greeted by a shout from Cody saying he had Kersh on the line.

"Fine.  Put him on speaker," Donovan ordered, perching on an end corner of the bed.  After Cody pushed a button and gave him the cue that all was functioning, he said, "David...I think it's time you tell me what the hell you're really after on this Drevin case."

The room was silent waiting for Kersh's response, which was slow in coming.  During that short moment, Jess emerged from her own shower, clad in an oversized copper t-shirt, and covered by a cozy terrycloth robe provided by the hotel.  As Donovan had promised, her things had been brought up to her room and she found her suitcase just outside the bathroom door. 

"Okay, Frank," Kersh sighed audibly over the speaker.  "You know how it is...every time someone wants to make a name for themselves, they go after their local crime syndicate.  Philadelphia has their share of families, Luciano is the most prominent."

"I'm familiar with the name," Donovan acknowledged.

Jess heard the conversation and moved quietly to the door that adjoined the rooms.  She kept out of sight, wanting to be informed of what was going on, but knew Donovan would withhold information from her.  She didn't begrudge him that; she more than understood his position, however, it didn't stop her from needing to know.

"Going after Drevin was a diversion," Kersh continued.  "There are some weird happenings with this case.  The evidence linking Drevin to the deaths of Laura and Tammy Reynolds has slowly disappeared.  Shortly after Drevin skipped town, a report that was supposedly filed by Reynolds' sister disappeared.  I have never seen this report, however, the officer who took the woman's statement filed a complaint.  This complaint cannot be located.  It's only a whispered rumor amongst his family and friends.  And now the physical evidence linking him is gone, too."

"Has the officer been questioned?" Donovan asked expectantly. 

"That's the thing...he's dead.  Shot down while making a routine traffic stop four months after Reynolds and her daughter were run down."

Donovan's head jerked up at the sound of a shocked gasp and a soft thud against the wall.  Jessica.  She was eavesdropping.  Damn it.  "What else, David?  What are you hoping for with this case?"

"Morbidly enough, we expect Drevin to go after the sister.  All reports indicate that she has fallen off the face of the earth.  The case has now changed to finding her and putting her in protective custody."

Donovan indicated for Cody to terminate the call and he moved swiftly to the open door between the rooms.  He reached through the doorway toward the left and grabbed hold of the first thing his hand contacted – a terrycloth robe.  He hadn't meant to pull as hard as he did, but she flew forward, crashing into his chest.  His arms went around her reflexively to steady her. 

"I know you're angry," she began hesitantly, looking down in an attempt to avoid his stern look.  "I shouldn't have eavesdropped, but I wanted to know what was going on."

He nodded slightly and placed a finger under her chin, directing her to look at him.  "I'm not angry.  There was no need for you to hide."  He released a frustrated sigh and led her to one of the beds and urged her to sit.  He took a spot on the second bed, facing her.  "I know this bounty is more than the money for you."  When she began to protest, he held up a hand silencing her.  "I can see it every time Drevin's name is mentioned.  It's no longer something you can legally pursue."

Saddened, she nodded slowly.  "I realize that, Donovan.  I'm out of your hair in the morning...promise."

He shook his head and released short breath.  "No.  Somehow I don't trust you to let this go, Jessica.  And you'll only wind up screwing up your life."

"What do you plan on doing with me?  You can't lock me up...what?" 

Her eyes had grown cold and distant.  It was a sign she wasn't really listening to him.  His plans could wait until she had gotten some much needed rest.  "We'll discuss this in more detail later.  For now," he insisted, pointing to the bed as he stood and moved to the door, "you get some sleep."

Without protest, she shrugged off the robe and slid under the covers.  With the thoughts whirling around in her brain, she really didn't think sleep would find her easily.  Officer Tollbridge was dead.  She had spoken to him shortly after Drevin jumped bail.  The man had barely been thirty years old, had a wife and a two-year-old daughter.  Just thinking about the cruelty of life nearly brought her to tears.  Dead.  Laura and Tammy Reynolds.  Dead.  The convenience store owner who refused to give into mob extortion.  Dead.  Kind and compassionate Officer Tollbridge.  For what did they lose their lives?  None of it made sense.  With a mournful sigh, Jessica rolled onto her side, pulled the blanket up around her, and drifted off to sleep with the feeling the coming of the new day would not make anything better.

***

Donovan lounged in the spacious bed leaning back against the headboard as he perused the latest information Cody gathered on Melanie Burgess.  A rather raucous snore forced him to look over at the other bed in the room.  Whether it came from Cody or Jake, he was uncertain.  Regardless, he hoped that whoever it was did not keep that racket up the entire night. 

His attention turned back to the report.  Before the 'accident', Burgess and Reynolds had lost their parents, as well as Reynolds' husband, in one of those freak railway crashes between New York and Boston.  Burgess and Reynolds had also been on the train, however, they survived.  Due to the loss of their family members, they both received a sizeable life insurance settlement.  When Reynolds died, everything went to Burgess.  In total, she received over a million dollars.  Amazing what double indemnity pays. 

He tossed the file on the nightstand and clicked off the bedside lamp.  As he sank down to rest his head on the pillow, he wondered what happened to Melanie Burgess.  Set for life in the money department, she just vanished.  Was it foul play or her choice?  As for the money, could it ever compensate for losing one's entire family?  No, he didn't think so.  He would bet his last penny that anyone in Burgess' place would give up every nickel to have their family back. 

He finally closed his eyes, determined to get a few hours sleep before the morning arrived and they had to book it to the airport and head to Philadelphia.  Alex had long since retired and when he had checked on the two women an hour ago, they were sleeping soundly.  Another snore erupted from the bed next to him and he knew damn well Jake and Cody were dead to the world.  Otherwise, the one who was not making those obnoxious sounds would be beating the tar out of the other one.  He relaxed and pulled the covers up under his chin.  His turn to sleep, or so he thought. 

Quiet sobs from Alex and Jessica's room brought him from his comfortable bed.  He didn't think to stop and put on his robe, he was too concerned by the tortured sounds echoing throughout the rooms.  Clad only in his thin sweat pants, he moved quietly into the other room and quickly noted that Alex was still sleeping.  The sobbing was coming from Jessica.   

He went to her bed and sat gingerly on the side, looking down upon her.  She was also sleeping, but in the throes of a frightening dream.  He reached out and brushed a lock of hair from her cheek.  For a moment, he rolled the silky tresses between his thumb and forefinger before releasing them.  She uttered something unintelligible and turned over onto her back.  Thinking she had calmed within her dream, he was about to go back to his own bed when she cried out.  It wasn't a scream, but a soft, heart-wrenching sound. 

"Jessica," he whispered, wanting to pull her out of her nightmare, but not wanting to awaken Alex.

"Don't go, Laura...please."  Her head tossed from side to side slowly with each word.  "Not fair...not fair..." 

Her voice was barely audible and he had to lean down to hear her.  "What's not fair, Jessica?"

"Melanie..."

Donovan frowned.  "Melanie?  What..."  He was about to ask her what she knew about Melanie when she stirred and her eyes fluttered open.

"Donovan?  What?"  She sat up quickly.  She lifted a hand to her cheek and felt the dampness from her tears.  "Good Lord.  I am turning into a baby."  When her vision focused and she realized he was bare-chested, her embarrassment increased.  

Donovan smiled compassionately.  "You don't look much like a baby to me."

"Right.  So, you came to tuck me in, Donovan?" she asked.  She was feeling just a little more than slightly embarrassed and her snippy attitude took over. 

"No.  You were crying in your sleep.  You said some things...while dreaming," he prodded, ignoring her snarky comment.  He was hoping she would divulge the contents of her dream.

Her eyes widened.  "I talk in my sleep?  Gawd, how humiliating."

"You didn't say anything personal.  You did mention Laura Reynolds and her sister Melanie," he informed her, his eyes locking onto hers as if searching for answers.

"Did I?  Odd." 

"That's it.  Odd?  Do you remember the dream?" he inquired, wanting more.  There had to be more.  She didn't even know these people.  Unless...   A sudden image flashed before his eyes.  Thick glasses and brown hair, but those same deep green eyes.

"No.  I never remember my dreams.  Do you?  Care to share?" she teased, a bit sarcastically.  He was getting too personal and she was feeling too vulnerable. 

"I do remember my dreams," he answered.  "Maybe someday I'll share one or two, but not until you give me some answers."

"Okay, Donovan," she countered, leaning forward until her lips were a mere breath from his.  "I'm up for it.  I find you intriguing enough to play this game with you.  I'll show you mine, if you'll show me yours."

He couldn't think; he could only react.  He pressed forward, his lips taking hers tenderly, at first.  The intensity built quickly as they explored each other, tasting, touching.  His tongue learned every curve and contour of her mouth, her tongue, the smooth texture of her teeth.  His hand cupped the nape of her neck, holding her, stroking her cheek with his thumb while he tasted her sweetness.  When she demanded entrance into his mouth, he gladly gave way to allow her the same access she gave him.  He met each thrust of her tongue with his own, taking every ounce of her passion he could drink in.  He only broke the kiss when he grew breathless and knew she had to be feeling the same. 

He sat back, devouring her with his eyes.  Her mussed, but lovely, hair, her lips swollen from his kiss, her breasts heaving from passion.  She was beautiful.  And she was a fake.  "Good night, Melanie."

She sucked in a shocked breath.  He couldn't know.  But he did know.  She could read it in his eyes.  Eyes that held hers steadfastly, that looked right through her and saw all that she had hidden.  He knows.  "How?"

"We'll talk in the morning," he insisted.  He should be angry, but he wasn't.  She had just admitted an overwhelming secret.  He could only imagine the grief and pain she had suffered at Drevin's hands.  Something drove her to change her identity to pursue him and he had every intention of finding out the truth, but it could wait.  She wasn't going anywhere.  "Slide over."

"What?"  She looked wildly around the room and her gaze fell upon Alex.  "What the hell?"

"Slide over.  I'm not taking a chance that you'll skip out while I'm asleep."  He lifted the blanket and gave her a little shove until she scooted to the other side of the bed.  "I'm tired and I plan on getting a few hours sleep."  He stretched out on the bed and pulled the blanket over them.  "Come here," he insisted, pulling her into the crook of his arm. 

"You've got to be kidding me!"  Exasperated, she turned onto her side and pillowed her head against his chest. 

"Just go to sleep," he urged, bringing his arm around her.  He'd have a great time explaining this in the morning, but it was all he could think of short of tying her up.  Besides, she felt good in his arms.  He would deal with the repercussions in the morning.

"Frank?"

"Hmmm..." he murmured sleepily.

"I'm glad you know," she whispered as she snuggled closer to his warmth.  "And I wouldn't have run out on you."

"I know," he answered quietly before drifting off to sleep.

***

To be continued...