Chapter 11: A Bargain
Kurz finished his story at last and sat silently waiting for what would come next. Tessa was quiet for a long moment. He forced himself not to fidget.
"Thank you, Mr. Weber. I think I understand now. You're dismissed."
Kurz didn't hesitate to leave.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"It seems his sister kept more than a few secrets from him, Mr. Kalinin," Tessa said after the Sergeant had gone.
"Indeed, Captain."
"Should we tell him that we're bringing her here?"
"Not yet. I think we should speak with her first."
"Very well."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Angela sat staring back at Nick and his young partner. They were trying to make her nervous by creating an uncomfortable silence. They only succeeded in freaking out the younger agent. Nick was smirking. Obviously, he thought he had the advantage. Angela kept her expression neutral. He couldn't know that after all she had seen and done that he couldn't intimidate her that way.
The stand-off was interrupted when Jake was admitted to the room. He was carrying a briefcase and her bag.
"What are you doing here?" Nick demanded.
"I've been assigned to represent Captain Davis."
Nick's expression soured. "Mrs. Espinosa doesn't need your help, Major."
"I think that's for her to decide."
"What's in the bag?"
"Some toiletries. We can't have her going to court smelling like a hobo, now can we?" He turned to the guard. "Please unlock the handcuffs."
"I can't."
"I'll take the responsibility."
The woman protested weakly, but Jake overruled her. When the guard had returned to her place near the door, Jake placed the bag on the table.
Nick was forced to change his strategy. "The charges against you are very serious, Mrs. Espinosa."
"The charges against me are bogus, Nick, but you know that." Angela dug into a hidden pocket inside the bag. "By the way. I'm leaving here tonight, and you're going to let me go."
"And why would I do that?"
She found what she was looking for and pulled it out. "Because you want this." It was a computer disc.
"And what is that?"
"Everything I know about the Rizetti and Espinosa families. Which is considerable since I've been a member of both."
Nick paled. "What do you want?"
"Three things. All non-negotiable."
"Go on."
"One." She turned to Jake. "A discharge. Effective today."
"I have it with me," he replied solemnly.
"Two. All charges will be dropped, also today."
"I can probably arrange that," Nick replied "What else?"
"You call off the search for my brother. He's over eighteen now. If he wants to be found, he will be."
"And if your demands are not met?"
"Don't be dense, Nick."
Another guard entered the room. "Agent Patterson. There's a call for you."
He rose to leave. "We'll continue this conversation in a moment."
When he was gone, she turned to Nick's partner. "Agent Smith?"
He started.
"You seem like an honest man."
"I try to be."
She presented the disc to him. "I'm entrusting this to you, Agent Smith."
His jaw dropped. She heard Jake gasp.
"Keep it well hidden until after I'm gone. Then, follow your own conscience."
He took it with a trembling hand and placed it in his jacket pocket.
Nick returned. "Well, Angelina, it seems you've gotten your wish. I'll take the disc now."
"My ride will be here at midnight. When I'm outside the prison with everything in writing in my hand, I'll give you your disc."
He glared at her. "Fine. It's time to go, Agent Smith."
"Are you sure that was wise?" Jake asked when they were gone.
"Mr. Smith looks smart enough to see that Nick can't be trusted. Besides, I have more than one disc in here."
"Who exactly is 'Nick' anyway?"
"Nicholas Rizetti. Luciano Rizetti's second son. Patterson is his mother's maiden name."
Jake nearly choked in surprise. "Will he let you go?"
"No. He'll try to keep me from leaving. It's…uh…to bad my team won't be there to help me out. I'm not sure I can get out of this one on my own."
"Isn't it just," he replied, catching her meaning.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Angela took a deep breath of the night air. It was nectar compared to the smells inside the jail. She looked out into the night to see a helicopter on the dimly lit landing pad. Several figures emerged, heavily armed. One of them stepped forward to meet her. Angela gaped when she recognized the man. He's limping, she noticed.
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to see you here."
"I'm ever at your disposal, Senorita."
"The disc, Angelina," Nick interrupted.
"Do you have the documents I requested?" she asked, not taking her eyes off Alejandro.
"Here." He handed her a manila folder. She opened it to examine the contents. Everything was in order.
She fished a disc out of her pocket. She had written his name on it. "I always keep my bargains," she said as she placed it in his waiting hand.
She turned to face Jake. "It's such a shame that I won't get to say goodbye to my team. I'm really going to miss them."
Jake grinned crookedly as she heard sounds of struggle in the darkness. Several black-clad figures were herded into the dim light by Blake and the others.
"Is that all of them?" she asked.
"Yes, Captain," Blake replied.
"Excellent work people. It's been a privilege serving with all of you."
Enraged, Nick charged her bare-handed. She was caught off guard, but only for a moment. With little difficulty, she caught him and held him fast, a knife at his throat. "Tell me one thing before you die, Nick."
"What?" he croaked.
"Why did he wait so long to come for me?"
"Mother. She hid your identity from him until she found out what you are."
She pressed with the knife. "Why?"
"She hates you more than I do. She was eager to see you die."
She released him.
He coughed before speaking. "I thought you were going to kill me."
"Whether I like it or not, Nick, you're still my brother. I can't kill you."
"Only half," he growled.
"True. Give Father a message for me."
"What?"
"Tell him to stay away from the Whispered."
"Or what, exactly?"
"Or I will forget about family honor and kill him myself." She turned away from him and addressed her team. "Where were we?"
Blake called them to attention, and they saluted her. She started to choke up a bit as she returned the gesture.
"Jake," she said turning once more to her old friend.
"I guess this is it, isn't it?"
She hugged him. "Give my love to Kerry and the kids."
"I will. Good luck."
She nodded in reply.
"Alejandro," she said, turning to the big man.
"Yes, Senorita?"
"Let's go."
"Yes, Senorita."
She started toward the helicopter, and he followed a few steps behind her. She said nothing until they were airborne.
"Alejandro?"
"Yes, Senorita?"
"How did you get the limp?"
"On a mission. It was serious enough that I had to take a new job."
"Oh? What do you do now?"
"I am now an AS mechanic."
"How do you like your new job?"
He grinned before answering. "It would be easier if your brother could keep himself out of mischief."
The other men chuckled, and she joined them. "I'll bet." She yawned deeply.
"You're exhausted."
"I'm afraid so."
"It's a long trip. You should rest." He put his arm around her, and she leaned against him. She was asleep almost immediately.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"It's strange," Angela said wistfully as they made their descent to the base."
"What's that?" Alejandro asked.
"All my life, I've always known where I was going. I always had the next step planned. Now, for the first time, I don't know what's going to happen."
"Perhaps it's time to let the future tend to itself."
"Perhaps."
The plane landed, and Alejandro led her through the main building to Captain Testerossa's office. He knocked. "Come in," came a muffled voice from inside. The girl captain was seated behind a large desk, flanked by two older men. Angela was a little disappointed at seeing the Captain in person for the first time Somehow, when they'd resonated, she seemed taller.
"Welcome to Melida Island, Ms. Davis."
"Thank you, madam Captain."
"Mr. Guerra," the girl said to Alejandro." Please wait outside."
"Yes, Captain," he answered politely and closed the door behind him.
"I believe you have something for us, Ms Davis."
Angela nodded and reached into her bag. She pulled out a disc. "I've given a copy of this to the FBI already. Although, this version is a bit more complete. It includes information that I've learned since leaving the family."
"Why would you share information with us that you wouldn't share with your own government?"
"There are too many individuals on my father's payroll."
The Captain nodded. "You've kept your end of our bargain. Now we have a proposition for you."
"I'm listening."
"We have a vacancy to fill."
"Go on."
"The position requires a skilled AS pilot with command experience. Are you interested?"
"I might be." Are you kidding? "I'll need to think about it."
"Perhaps a small demonstration will convince you."
"What do you mean?"
"There will be a training simulation tomorrow morning at 0900. You're welcome to observe with me."
"I'd like that, Captain."
"I'll see you tomorrow then. Dismissed."
Angela left the office and stepped out into the corridor to find Alejandro waiting for her. "Well?"
"The future seems to be tending to itself." She explained what had transpired as they walked. "So, in the morning, I decide."
Alejandro barked out a laugh. "I think, Senorita, that you already made up your mind."
"Alejandro. How many times do I have to tell you that my name is…"
"Your name is Angela," he finished for her. He stopped and opened a door, indicating for her to enter the room. "Your quarters."
She flipped the light switch and looked around. "Not bad."
"It's late. I should say goodnight." He turned to leave.
"Wait," she said, taking hold of his hand. "Please stay."
He hesitated. "Sen…"
She cut him off with a kiss. Gently, she pulled him inside. Giving in to her advances, he closed the door behind them.