DISCLAIMER: The characters of Red Eye do not belong to me. I'm just playing with them.

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Chapter 1

"Is that him?" the silver-haired man in the dark suit inquired, watching intently through the pane of two-way glass. He stood as close to the glass as it was possible to get, studying the interrogation room on the other side of the glass, bare save for a single table and two chairs.

And the sole occupant.

"Yes, sir," the taller, dark-skinned man with the earpiece replied. "That's Jackson Rippner." They both watched as the seated figure in the metal chair shifted, the action causing his handcuffs to clink loudly.

The man in the dark suit smiled grimly. "I guess the name fits him. Does he know we're here?"

"He doesn't know YOU'RE here. We've been questioning him regarding his recent activities."

"And what did Mr. Rippner have to say for himself?"

"Not much, sir. He's been…questioned…" Here they both glanced at the fading bruise on Jackson Rippner's cheek. His wrinkled suit hid the rest of the pain the guards had inflicted on him. "That's all right though. We were able to get plenty of information from the men on the fishing boat."

The man clenched his fist. "Yes…them…Bastards." He sighed. "Well, let me talk to him."

"Mr. Keefe, may I remind you that this man was responsible for orchestrating the attempt on the lives of your family?"

Charles Keefe frowned at his bodyguard. "Johnson, you needn't remind me of anything. All the facts of this case are, unfortunately, carved into my memory. You're not going to change my mind. My family is always at risk. It's one of the risks of being who I am, and you know that... Besides, Rippner's just the wedding planner."

His bodyguard looked confused. "Excuse me, sir?"

Keefe waved his hand impatiently. "Y'know, when there's a wedding. Someone hires a wedding planner. The wedding wasn't the planner's idea, he just gets it going. And Mr. Rippner's plan would have worked, if it hadn't been for Lisa Reisert."

The bodyguard looked uncomfortable. "Yes...Ms. Reisert."

"Or, as I hear you boys call her, the 'security leak'." Keefe smiled wryly at Johnson. "Don't think I haven't heard."

The bodyguard came as close to a blush as he ever did. "Sorry, sir, I appreciate she saved your family. She's a hero, for sure. But…"

"Yes, but…" Keefe rubbed his chin, looking away. "She's going to have a lot of eyes looking at her, and most 'em aren't going to be friendly."

Johnson gave a short, worried nod.

"Well, with any luck, this plan is going to take care of three birds with one stone."

"Sir?"

There was a tired look in the senator's grey eyes. "Being Chief of Homeland Security has opened my eyes just a little, Johnson. Our boys are good, no doubt about it. Some of the best, in fact. But I know talent when I see it. And trust me, talent like that is few and far between. That man can think on his feet. It's simple, Johnson – Mr. Rippner is of more use to us out of prison than in it."

Johnson looked shocked. "Sir! You can't seriously be suggesting…?"

Keefe laughed at the look on his bodyguard's face, but the laughter had a hard edge to it. "Don't worry. I'm not planning on recruiting every assassin who tries to take a hit at me. That would be insanity. But this one…"

Johnson watched his boss, then turned to look at their prisoner, wondering what Keefe saw in the slim, hunched figure. As for the men who'd set off the rocket launcher…Keefe had already given explicit instructions on how to deal with them. Johnson noted with satisfaction that at least they would be in prison for a long time.

"Well," Keefe made for the door. "Better get to it. You know what they say. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."

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Author's Notes: Lisa will be entering this story very soon. Please review and leave a comment! Thanks!