Face had insisted that he was going to the funeral. Hannibal knew that traveling with Face would be a nightmare. He could barely sit, yet alone stand. But he also knew how important it was for Face to say good-bye to his sister. Stockwell had objected at first, of course, but Hannibal refused to back down and so Stockwell arranged for them to take a private jet to Florida. BA was not happy with this arrangement, but he decided that for Face's sake he would tuck his fears away. And so three days after learning of Ellen's death, the team flew to Florida to say a final good-bye.
Face sat stoically throughout the graveside service. He sat between Hannibal and BA. Murdock and Frankie stood behind him, Murdock's hand on his shoulder. After the service, well wishers shook Face's hand, told him they were sorry. Face just stared at the casket, unable to speak.
After the service, the team headed back to the hotel where Stockwell had arranged for them to have a three-bedroom suite, complete with two Abels standing guard outside the door. BA had found three bugs throughout the suite and had promptly disposed of them.
Face lay on the couch, his brow furled in pain. Hannibal took him a glass of water and some of his pain medicine. "Take this, Face. You look like you're about to fall over."
Face took the pills without protest, a testament to the amount of pain he was in. Hannibal reached out for him. "C'mon, Son, let's get you to bed. We don't want you to end up in the hospital again. I think Murdock has laid out some pajamas for you." Hannibal pulled Face up from the couch and helped him to one of the bedrooms. "Let us know if you need anything." Hannibal closed the door.
Face retrieved the pajamas Murdock had laid out on one of the chairs. He slowly pulled of his suit and slipped into the pajamas. He slowly slid into bed and pulled up the covers. He began thinking about AJ and Ellen. The medicine began to take affect and he drifted off to sleep.
Hannibal opened the door slowly and looked in on Face. Seeing he was asleep, he left the door ajar so that he or one of the team could check on Face periodically.
Frankie, Murdock and BA had gathered on the balcony, waiting for Hannibal to join them. Hannibal walked out, loosening his tie. "Well, he's asleep. I left the door cracked and we'll leave this door open as well so we can hear if he needs anything."
BA spoke first. "We need a plan Hannibal. I ain't doing another mission for Stockwell. Why did he try to kill Face? I don't understand it."
Hannibal thought for a moment. "I'm working on a plan. But it's not just the escaping part we have to think about. We have to have a place to go. I'm not worried about money. Face has seen to it that we're set in that area. As for why Stockwell would want Face dead….I don't know. I mean, they obviously can't stand one another. None of us likes Stockwell, but Face has never had trouble voicing his opinion to Stockwell's face. But that's no reason to kill him. Ellen must have found the reason. We've got to find out who her source was and find out too."
"And how do we do that?" Murdock asked.
Hannibal smiled. "We order room service."
XXXXXXX
Stockwell and Ellen Bancroft watched the funeral from the comforts of their limousine.
Ellen spoke first, "You know, it really is touching how hard Face is taking my death. I didn't realize he was so fond of me."
Stockwell snaked a smile across his face. "He's not the only one, Darling. You are going to be able to see this through aren't you? If you have any doubts, you need to voice them now. If you change your mind midstream, I can't guarantee your safety."
Ellen snuggled up to Stockwell, running her finger up and down his chest. "Oh, I'll see it through General. You don't have to worry about that. After all, it's not like he's really my brother now, is it?"
"True, true. My, you are a conniving one aren't you? You're father would be proud."
Ellen frowned. "Yes, I suppose he would. But I don't really care what he would think about me. Any man who would leave his family the way he did….Well, it doesn't matter now. What matters now is that we have the complete diary of my father's works. The power is ours, General. And so is the A-Team."
Stockwell reached across for a bottle of champagne. After opening the bottle, he poured two glasses and handed one to Ellen. "Here's a toast. To phase two. Let the games begin."
Ellen raised her glass, "To phase two."
XXXXXX
It took two men to bring up the room service order placed by the team. The Abels at the front door inspected the food and the waiters before letting them wheel in the carts.
"Goody, goody. Looks like we've got a feast. C'mon Frankie, let's try some of this black stuff!" Murdock grinned toward Frankie.
Hannibal looked at the "black stuff." He smiled at Murdock. "That's caviar, Murdock. I figure since Stockwell's footing the bill, we should eat like kings."
Frankie spread some caviar on a cracker and smelled it. "I don't know Johnny. You sure this stuff is good?"
Murdock, whose mouth was full of caviar, spoke, "Itth good Fwankie. Twy it."
BA stood across the room near Face's room, just watching Murdock and Frankie, shaking his head at the exchange of whether they should eat caviar or not. Hannibal approached him. "Okay, they're inspecting the waiters, the food, the cart. So we won't be able to sneak out that way. And just because we know of the two at the door, doesn't mean there aren't more in the lobby, the garage, who knows where."
BA looked at Hannibal. "Sounds like the only choice we got is to go through the front door."
Hannibal pulled a cigar out of his pocket. "That's what I was thinking. Here's what we're going to do."
Hannibal and BA formulated a plan as Frankie and Murdock dined on caviar and lobster. All were so lost in what they were doing, they didn't notice Face enter the room.
Face cleared his throat. "Umm Guys?"
Four faces turned to face him.
Face continued. "Guys, listen. I just wanted to thank you for coming here with me."
Murdock spoke first. "No problem, Faceman. We all liked Ellen too. We're your family. There's no where else we want to be." Murdock lifted the lid off one of the trays. "Look here, Face. Hannibal ordered some smoked salmon for you – it's one of your favorites!"
Face walked over to a table by the window and sat slowly in the chair. Frankie carried the tray of salmon to him.
"Thanks, Frankie. Could I get a glass of wine too?"
Hannibal shook his head. "No you don't, Face. You're still on pain medication. You know you can't have alcohol."
"But Hannibal, one glass—"
"No, Face. How about some water, or some tea?" Hannibal smiled. Face's whining was actually music to his ears after the events of the last few weeks.
"Fine. Water. At least I get to eat some real food." Face placed a napkin on his lap and picked up the silverware. He began to eat. "This is really good. You know, I could get used to eating like this…." Face stopped.
Murdock ran over to him. "Face, what's wrong? You okay?"
Face was turning red. "I….can't…..breathe…." He stood up abruptly, his hands around his throat.
Murdock yelled, "He's choking!"
Face fell to the floor. Hannibal tilted Face's head back and opened his mouth. Face was still struggling to breathe. Hannibal put a finger in Face's mouth and swiped his throat. He couldn't see or feel anything that Face might have choked on. Face's breathing was becoming ragged now. "Frankie, call an ambulance."
BA knelt beside Face, preparing to pick him up. "There ain't no time for that, Hannibal. I say we take him in now." He picked up Face and headed toward the door. Murdock ran ahead and opened the door. The Abels immediately turned and blocked the doorway.
BA snarled, "Out of my way. I've got to get him to the hospital."
The Abels looked at each other. Hannibal pushed his way through. "You can ride with us if you want, but we're taking him to the hospital. NOW!"
Hannibal ran to the elevators. BA was carrying Face, Murdock and Frankie trailing behind him. The Abels followed.
Minutes later the party made their way through the lobby. Hannibal yelled to a cabbie in one of the taxis out front. "You. We need to get to the nearest hospital!" Hannibal opened the back door and BA slid in, clinging to Face. Hannibal jumped in the front seat. Frankie, Murdock, and the Abels commandeered another taxi.
"How much further to the hospital?" Hannibal asked anxiously.
"We're less than a mile away." The cabbie replied.
Suddenly, the raspy breathing of Face stopped. BA yelled, "He's stopped breathing, Hannibal."