Broken Promises

Chapter Fifteen

Laura scurried to answer the phone before it woke her sleeping children. Glancing briefly at the clock while she did so, she noticed that it said 11:45 PM. Her heart beat wildly in her chest as she tried not to panic, but her first thought was that something had happened to Frank. Why else would someone call so late?

"Hello?" she answered, slightly out of breath.

"Laura? Are you all right?" a voice asked on the other end of the line.

Laura closed her eyes, and sighed. "Jake….you scared the hell out of me," she explained.

"Oh geez…..I'm sorry. Damn it…..I didn't even look to see what time it was," he apologized.

"It's OK. Did you find out anything?" she asked, instinctively knowing that was why he had called.

"Well…..kind of. It's not a lot, Laura," he explained, trying to prepare her for what he had to say.

"It's all right, Jake. I just need to know something."

"I understand. I have to ask you something first though."

"OK, what is it?" she asked, a little nervous at how he had started this conversation.

"What was the name of the man that recruited Frank for this mission?"

"Raymond Marsh," she answered, knowing for sure that she'd told him that specific piece of information when they'd last talked.

"I thought so," Jake mumbled slightly. "Laura….Marsh was found dead this evening in his hotel room in Miami."

Laura sat down heavily on the nearest chair and stared blankly ahead of her. A thousand questions rushed through her head. Who killed him? Are they sure that it's murder? Does this have something to do with Frank or this case?

When Jake didn't get an immediate reply, he began to worry. "Laura? Are you still there?"

Shaking her head slightly in an attempt to clear her thoughts, she finally answered. "Yeah….I'm still here," she said barely above a whisper. In the big picture, she could have cared less if Raymond Marsh was dead or not, but the timing of it filled her with a sense of dread. Directly or not, this was going to somehow affect Frank, and that scared the hell out of her. Gathering her thoughts, she finally began to ask the questions that she needed answers to. "Are they sure that it's murder?"

Jake looked at the report that Cody had printed out for him. "Yeah….there's no doubt of that. He was shot through the back. He was dead within minutes."

"Do they think……" her voice trailed off before she had the heart to ask her next question.

"Do they think that it has anything to do with Frank?" he asked. "No…..he was on a flight to Colombia when it happened."

Laura relaxed slightly. Closing her eyes, she let out the breath that she wasn't even aware that she was holding. "Thank God," she said almost silently. She knew that her husband hated Marsh. Of that there was no question. And in any normal situation, he would never have done anything violent as a result of that hatred. But somewhere, deep down inside, she was all too well aware that Luis Mendoza just might.

Regaining her composure, she finally continued. "Do you have anything else for me, Jake?"

Jake glanced once again at the report. Much of it was inconsequential…….or at least at the moment, it seemed to be. Things like….the approximate location of the compound that Frank had been taken to outside of Miami……number of days that he'd spent there…….airline used to transport him to Colombia…..flight numbers. But there were two pieces of information that Jake wasn't so sure that he wanted to share with Laura. One was the fact that Frank had not traveled alone to Colombia. That, in and of itself, meant nothing. He very well could have been paired with another agent as part of some elaborate cover. But the other thing….a picture taken at the airport in Miami…..this is what he didn't want to have to tell Laura about. Somehow, his boss had obtained this photo from a CIA operative stationed in Miami. Someone who had obviously been sent to make sure that Frank got on the flight to South America.

He fingered the picture and frowned. In it, Frank and some woman had been caught enjoying a very intimate moment together. Something about the photo….something about the position of their bodies led him to believe that this wasn't just play acting. He knew Frank Donovan….knew the love the man had for his wife. To have been captured in such a compromising position meant only one thing. This……the person who was in the photo….was not Frank. A cold chill ran up his spine just thinking about what that meant.

When Jake hesitated much longer than was necessary, Laura became suspicious. "Jake….what is it? What don't you want to tell me?"

Jake sighed heavily and rubbed the bridge of his nose. His internal debate continued, even up to the moment that he opened his mouth to answer her. "There's just one thing more. He wasn't alone when he flew to Colombia," he finally told her. Please don't ask, Laura…..please don't ask!!

Something in the tone of his voice troubled her…….made her believe that this one statement meant so much more than he was telling her. "Who went with him? Another agent?" she asked, not surprised that someone else had been caught up in this intricate operation.

Jake winced slightly before answering. "I'm assuming that it's another agent, yeah."

His short clipped answer now worried her. "Who was it Jake? Do you have a name?"

For a few seconds he considered lying to her. The operation was taking place thousands of miles away, and she would never really find out any details even after it was all said and done. So why should he be the one to spill the beans? "Yeah…..I have her name."

The hair on Laura's neck suddenly stood on end. Her? Laura's mind began racing….thinking back to the time when Frank had first come to her as a patient…..when she'd helped him retrieve the memories of who he really was. During that process, he had spoken of a woman, someone close to him. What was her name? "What is this woman's name?" she asked out loud, as the cold feeling in the pit of her stomach grew.

Picking up the flight manifest, Jake scanned the sheet in front of him. "Ummmm……. here it is. Lucia Cortez."

Laura's heart momentarily stopped, or at least that's how it felt. She wasn't 100% sure, but she could have sworn that it was the same woman that Frank had mentioned all of those years ago. The fact that he had once again been paired with someone who had worked alongside him before, didn't bother her. It was the who that person was, that did. She tried desperately to remember the girl's name. Was it the same?? Something similar, perhaps? She mentally berated herself for not being able to recall that particular detail. As soon as she hung up the phone with Jake, she intended to retrieve the records that she'd saved from 15 years ago.

Jake heard nothing but dead silence from the other end of the line. "Laura? Are you all right?" he asked once again.

Putting on a brave front, she answered, "Of course I am. I just thought….."

"You thought what?"

"I thought that maybe I recognized the name," she finally confessed, but kept her other thoughts to herself.

"Oh….someone Frank talked about from…..before?" Jake asked hesitantly.

"Maybe," was all she was willing to say. "Is there anything else?"

"No, that's it. If I hear anything further, I'll let you know," he responded, almost glad to end the conversation, before she asked anything further.

"Thanks, Jake." Before she hung up though, a thought suddenly occurred to her. "Jake…..does anyone else know where Frank is? I mean, I got the impression that Marsh was the one in charge and with him out of the picture….."

Jake frowned at what she was asking. During his stint with the FBI, he knew all too well that everyone from the higher-ups on down knew what each group was up to, but he wasn't so sure that things worked the same in the CIA. Somehow, he didn't seem to think it did, and Laura's questioned disturbed him more than he wanted to let on. "I'm sure that they do. I mean I was able to get this information, right?" was all he could say, for anything further would be pure speculation.

"Yeah….I'm sure that you're right. Thanks again."

"Anytime. And just let us know if you need anything else. You know that we're here for you," Jake added, meaning every single word.

Laura smiled sadly. "Thanks Jake, and thank everyone for helping out, OK?"

"You bet. See ya."

"Bye." Laura hung up the phone and stared blankly at the wall in front of her. She needed to find those files and look over them once more. Knowing that she wouldn't sleep until she did so, she decided to set about her mission now instead of waiting until morning. Hauling herself out of the chair, she made her way toward the basement steps. Years ago, she had used one of the rooms downstairs as a type of home office, and that was where any and all files that she'd accumulated over the years were locked up. Leaving the door open, so she could hear the children, she descended the steps in search of the answers that she needed.

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About the same time that Jake was calling Laura, Frank and Lucia were entering their hotel. After checking in, they made their way to the elevators off of the lobby. Once inside the confines of the elevator, Lucia made her move.

What had occurred in the limousine had only served to whet her voracious appetite and now…….now that they were almost alone together……she wanted more. Frank had been leaning against the wall when she pressed herself tightly against him, even managing to work her way between his slightly parted legs. Winding her arms around the back of his neck, she almost forcefully pulled his head toward hers. At first, as her lips met his, she thought that he would push her away, since it appeared that he was refusing to respond. But in the blink of an eye, the tables were turned on her.

Pivoting his body, he soon had her crushed against the side of the elevator as he took her mouth hungrily. Moaning in both surprise and pleasure, she quickly responded to his will. He lifted her slightly as his hands cupped her round bottom. Once he had her where he wanted her, the force of his body against hers was enough to keep her in place. She wanted more, however, and moved to wrap her legs around his waist. As soon as she accomplished this, she could feel his throbbing erection exactly where she needed it to be, against her warm, moist center.

The torture was almost too much for her, as she ripped her mouth from his and leaned her head back against the wall, now panting uncontrollably. It had been too long since she had enjoyed him like this. She made a decision, then and there, that she would have him and, God help her, she would do anything she could to keep him.

Frank was lost…….lost in the feel, the smell, the touch of the woman in his arms. He sought the pleasure that she so readily gave. He nipped and sucked her supple neck, knowing, but not caring, that he would leave marks on her tender flesh. As his mouth continued its onslaught, so too his hands worked their magic on her curvaceous body. Once he worked his way under her skirt, he then easily pulled her thong down, completely exposing her tender derriere to his kneading hands.

He contemplated, for more than a second or two, of taking her right there in the elevator, but thought better of it. In a minute or two more, they would be alone in their room and he would be able to fuck her any way he pleased….for as long as he pleased. Lucia was always a willing partner, no matter what the time, place or situation.

Slowly he eased himself away from her, more than aware that she was amazingly close to climaxing. One touch, in just the right spot, and she would be screaming his name like a banshee. As he looked at her flushed face, he smiled sadistically. Perhaps tonight, he would have her beg for it. He could keep her so very close to her orgasm for hours and would only let her climax when he had her in tears and begging like a dog. A bitch in heat……that's my Lucia……

He reached behind his back and unlatched her legs from around him. The look on her face was one of desperation, but before she could speak, he explained. "Shhhhh, mi insaciable [my insatiable one]. Wait but a few moments, and I will give you what you crave," he cooed to her as he stroked her cheek with the back of his hand.

Just then, the elevator doors slid open behind him. Turning slightly, he saw that an older couple waited to enter. Grabbing Lucia's hand, he pulled her toward the opening, and was more than a little amused at the disapproving looks the couple gave them as Lucia attempted to adjust her panties as they went. Before proceeding down the hallway, Frank turned toward the still open elevator and addressed the other couple.

"¿Quizás ustedes no recuerden lo qué es la pasión?" [Perhaps you do not remember what passion is?] he taunted with a wicked smile, and laughed heartily when the two glared at him in response.

Once the doors slid shut, he continued down the hallway with Lucia in tow. After opening the door to their suite, he practically shoved Lucia through the doorway as he felt the urgency of his own need for her rise. The door quickly shut behind them, leaving them in the dark. Frank walked to the nearest wall with the intent of flipping on the light switch. "Just a little longer, mi amor," he reassured her, a hint of devilish amusement in his voice.

In the microsecond that it took for light to fill the room, Frank knew that they were in trouble. Lucia was across the room from him, now in the clutches of a man who stood at least 6'5", his hand plastered across her mouth in order to prevent her from screaming any type of warning. Three other men….armed men…..stood close by, and Frank could feel something cold and hard pressed squarely against the back of his head. A gun, he presumed.

Cursing at himself for not securing a weapon for himself earlier, he knew that they were defenseless. Raising his hands slowly from his sides, he waited for one of the men to explain their intent.

"Ahhhhh Luis….tú siempre tuvistes un gusto exquisito para las mujeres," [Ahhhhh Luis….you always did have exquisite taste in women,] a voice from behind him stated. "Espero que no hayamos interrumpido nada." [I hope we haven't interrupted anything.] The man laughed knowingly and said, "Pero puedo ver por la cara de tu dama que sí lo hemos hecho. Siento tener que defraudarte, querido, pero me temo que Luis es necesitado en otra parte esta noche," [But I can see from your lady's face that we have. Sorry to disappoint you, my dear, but I'm afraid that Luis is needed elsewhere this evening,] he stated, now addressing Lucia.

During the last few seconds, Frank was able to hear enough of the man's voice in order to identify him. "Do I have to stand here with my fucking arms raised all night, or do you plan on telling me what the hell is going on, Manuel?"

"¿Crees que me conoces, eh? [You think you know me, eh?] the man asked with a certain edge to his voice.

"I know that you can't aim worth shit. Hell….you can't even hit the fucking toilet when you piss," Frank stated defiantly.

Bellows of laughter erupted from the man. "¡Joder, Luis! ¿Cuánto tiempo ha pasado? ¿Y qué demonios te ha ocurrido en el pelo?" [Shit, Luis! How long has it been? And what the hell happened to your hair?] the man asked as he took the gun away from Frank's head.

Turning slowly, he was still not quite sure that he could trust any of the men in the room, although they all seemed to have relaxed their stance once Frank acknowledged who held him at gunpoint. Even the goon holding Lucia appeared to have eased his hold on her, although Frank noted that he still held a hand across her mouth.

The 15 years had not been kind to Manuel Ortiz, Frank noticed. Always a bit slovenly, the man had gained at least 50 to 60 pounds and his face was flushed almost beet red as if he'd just run a 100 yard dash in mere seconds. Still, a long time ago, Frank had included Manuel on a very short list of men that he had trusted.

"So what do we do now?" Frank asked, still not sure what the point of this little surprise was, and totally ignoring the reference to his own appearance.

Manuel chuckled once more. "Always down to business, eh Luis? And what's with the English? Don't tell me you've been too long away from here to remember how to speak the language."

"Maybe……maybe it has been too long. If you don't mind, it would be easier for me," Frank explained. The truth was he had no problem at all conversing in Spanish, but he wanted the others around him to work harder at communicating with him. He felt at an extreme disadvantage at the moment. He needed something, no matter how small, to tip things back in his direction

Shrugging his indifference, Manuel rubbed a hand across his sweat covered nose, he said, "I suppose you want to know what the hell we're doing here?"

"For starters, yeah. And would you please tell your goon to get his fucking paws off my woman."

Nodding his head, he instructed the other man. "Do as he says. No disrespect intended, I assure you."

"Of course not," Frank responded playing along, at least for now. "So what are you doing here? I thought we were supposed to meet up tomorrow morning."

"Yeah…well, Juan's decided that he wants you there tonight. So if you and your lady don't mind, we'll escort you to our cars downstairs."

"No," Frank stated simply.

Manuel looked slightly amused by the defiance he saw in his old friend. "No? And why the hell not?"

"She stays here. I'll go with you now, but she remains at the hotel."

Manuel stepped closer to Frank and nearly whispered, "What's wrong? She doesn't have any idea what you do to make a living?" Manuel eyed Lucia from across the room, and noticed that she still looked somewhat flustered and confused.

"It's not that," Frank answered. "I just don't want her getting involved with any of this. At least not until I've established what the hell I'm doing here."

"Ahhhhh……" Manuel responded, looking back and forth between Frank and Lucia as he considered the situation. "I think that for now, she would be safer with us, and besides, Juan knows that you brought the woman along, and might be insulted if you didn't bring her."

Frank gritted his teeth. There were so many things that he wanted to say in response, but he knew that now was not the time to press such an issue.

Manuel sniggered once again as he saw the anger flit across Frank's eyes. "Temper, temper, Luis…….remember to keep that infamous temper of yours in check when you meet with Juan later. He's not quite the same man that he was so long ago. The years…….well, let's just say that they've hardened his heart. At least what was left of it," Manuel added with some delight.

"Come my friends….we still have almost a two hour journey to get to our destination, and I don't know about you, but I'd like to get at least some sleep tonight." Turning to the men with him, he added, "Grab the happy couple's bags, will you? At least make yourselves useful for something," he muttered as he turned toward the door.

Before venturing into the hallway, Manuel and his men made sure to have their weapons concealed. Soon they reached the lobby and were on their way moments after that.

Frank sat in the back of one of the sedans sent to pick them up, along with Manuel with Lucia sandwiched in between them. He held her hand reassuringly, although he knew that once they were on Juan's turf, he would be able to do very little to protect her. He remembered all too well the way that Juan treated women. They were commodities to be bought, sold, used and abused. And although he didn't really care for Lucia, he still didn't wish to see her thrown to the hounds.

Staring out the window at the darkened countryside, he wondered anxiously what this upcoming meeting would bring. Forcing it upon him, was exactly Juan's cup of tea. Keep your opponent off keel, that was his M.O. The question in Frank's mind was……..when did I become his opponent?

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A/N Many, many thanks to Ayla for helping me with the translations into Spanish! Hugs!!!!