Chapter 20 - Recrudescence

15th February 2013 - 15.00pm

Evony's Suite - The Royal Horseguards Hotel, London

"Evony, Evony, where are you. We need to talk." Bo stormed into her room without knocking or waiting for an invitation. Evony had hired the suite at the Horseguards, which consisted of a private room, a lounge, bar area and an office.

Bianca swiftly emerged, making Bo jump, "She's in a meeting, and you can't go in there."

"Fine, I'll wait. Tell her that I want to see her." Bo's face scrunched up, still not used to seeing Bianca every day, mostly because she hated how she treated Lauren in Morzine. Ahh, she was thinking again of Lauren, again filling her every thought

"Sure," Bianca half-smiled before disappearing behind the door.

Evony looked up the moment Bianca entered her office, "I'm in a meeting."

"Sorry, it's just Bo Dennis is outside, and she's adamant about speaking to you."

"Ahh, our star, let her in Evony, she'll be pleased with her new contract that I've just delivered, signed by the producers."

Evony smiled at the network director, "John, darling, let me break it to her. I want her to know how special it is and ensure that she keeps to our plan."

"Okay," John replied, "She's a diamond Evony, and I'm so pleased that we have her on the show, exclusively ours for the next three years. She will make us all rich."

"Let me handle Bo," Evony stood, "I need her to think that it is year by year basis and any minute she can be dropped if she falls out of line."

John laughed, "Evil Evony, but I like it. You play her any way you want, but we need publicity and fast. So, get her out with Tamsin, in a designer dress and on TV interviews tomorrow."

Evony smiled, "Of course, and you stay quiet about her long-term contract."

"She is hot property. I'm happy you've chosen to keep her with Vixens." John walked with Bianca to the door and left. Outside he merely acknowledged Bo with a nod and a smile. Bo smiled back and hurried into Evony's office.

"What do you want?" Evony looked up, seeing her puffy eyes and knowing the reason why. "I gave you the day off, remember."

"What did John say," Bo asked, "About my contract?"

"It's in negotiation. The producers want you and Tamsin together to boost their ratings. I told you to say what was written. You on your own do nothing."

"Do you think they will re-sign me?"

"I don't know," Evony lied, "In the meantime, sign this. It's for an advert." Evony handed her the Vixens Contract, opened at the back page."

Bo went to grab it, but Evony had hold of it tight. She needed to distract Bo, "What's the matter Bo, looks like you've been crying."

Bo looked up, "I've just seen Lauren."

"And how did that reunion go?" Evony smirked and pointed to the bottom of the page, "Sign here."

Bo signed the papers and sat down, "Not great, she is not the woman I thought she was. I romanticised her and put her on such a pedestal. I feel like a fool."

Evony placed the now signed contract in her drawer and locked it. "I hope now you can move on and concentrate on your career."

Bo lowered her head, "you were right. Emotions are a weakness."

"I genuinely am right. What are you wearing?" Evony eyed her outfit up and down and tutted. "You know you have contracts for designers, and you need to be seen wearing their clothes and not that awful leather jacket."

Bo removed the jacket and placed it on the floor beside her. "I will do whatever you ask, wear whatever you want, say whatever you say, date anyone you choose and be whoever you want me to be. Just help me. All I have left is my career and the show."

"Okay, Bo," Evony rubbed her chin. She loved it when her plans turned out better than she desired. Evony stood unbuttoning her blouse and exposing her white lace bra, "Let's start with getting her out of your head before we get you back on track with Tamsin."

Bo hesitated for a moment, then file came into her mind, and all the officers that must have enjoyed the read."Sure, couch or the table?

1st March 2013 – 07:45 am (two weeks later)

Laurens' Apartment

Lauren sat slumped on her armchair. It was the only piece of furniture left in her now empty flat. It was moving out day and to the left of Lauren were two medium-sized suitcases and her trusty messenger bag, all of her worldly processions. The apartment was part of the package working for the NCB, but after she had resigned had to move out.

Lauren flipped over her flight ticket between her fingers. She had changed her mind and was leaving in a few short hours, flying to Toronto. The past two weeks hurt, but not as much as seeing Bo and Tamsin together. Lauren wasn't sure it was real, she hoped for another Rainer showmance, but Lauren would fight for Bo either way. She knew she would have to win back her affections, but she would at least be around to try if she got the job at Toronto PD. She would tell her about what Evony threatened and let her decide what she wanted to do. And that all started with getting n the plane and believing in miracles.

The smell of rain travelled through the open window, and Lauren inhaled. It felt fitting that today it rained. It suited her solum mood. Looking at her watch, she saw that her taxi was due to arrive anytime soon. She grinned; at least she didn't have much to carry. Lauren stood and stretched her back. She knew that there was a bottle of red wine that she hid away. Lauren reached up under the sink and pulled it free from its hiding place. Grateful it was a screw top. Not wanting to wash up the glasses again, Lauren drank the wine straight from the bottle. The warm liquid was soothing her and making her already feel giddy. The last thing Lauren expected was a knock at her door. Shit, the taxi was early.

Lauren screwed the top back on the bottle, grabbed her messenger bag and flung it over her shoulder and took hold of the suitcase handles, "Coming." Lauren shouted, rushing to the door.

"What the-" Lauren pulled the door open. "Jack, what are you doing here?"

"Alright, Lewis," Jack looked at the bottle under her arm, "Bit early, but go on then pour me a glass."

Lauren stood, the door handle in her hands and watched as Jack entered her old apartment. He wore his trademark three-piece suit, shirt top button open and a skinny tie loose around his neck. Hair was styled high in a quiff, slight grey edging the sides.

"I was just leaving." Lauren closed the door.

He looked around the bare flat, "I can see."

"What do you want?"

"So, Massimo is banged up for three years, good going. He's a fucking menace, shame about Evony." Jack sat on her chair. Lauren stood to the side, arms folded. "She was your target. What happened?"

"Nothing happened. I reported back every day on her. She played her cards close." Lauren relaxed her stance. "Besides, I've quit that shit. I don't have to answer any more questions. If you're interested, read the file."

Jack smiled, "I have. Hours are missing and a full day."

"They were personal moments, and I won't share them, the NCB asked me for thirty days, and they got the same answer.; it was none of their fucking business."

"Touchy. Well, that's part of the reason I'm here. I respect that you held your ground, and I would like to offer you a job."

"I'm done." Lauren opened the red wine and drank straight from the bottle again. "Find someone else to hide in cars, pretend to be a chef and heart-hit people. Dyson has set me up with a job interview to join Toronto PD, locking up criminals the old-fashioned way, you know with evidence, motive means and opportunity."

"That all sounds shite," Jack stood, taking the bottle from Lauren and drinking mouthfuls. "Besides, we don't do that crap. That's for the uniforms and agencies to fuck about with."

"Really?" Lauren laughed, "So you don't work for NCB anymore?"

"No, and I never did. I erm, borrowed you. You see, all federal law enforcement agencies investigate and execute arrests by gathering intelligence on persons of interest. Using people like you to spy." Jack tutted, "I work above the law-abiding agencies."

Lauren shook her head. "Really, so I'm meant to believe you're Black Ops?"

Jack gave a smug grin. "No, we're above them and unknown. A team of specialists working in all the Commonwealth countries. You want a fresh start; I can give you one."

"I have a job lined up." Lauren drank her wine.

"Fuck off." Jack swiped the bottle out of Lauren's hands, "You were going places, Lewis. The NCB prodigy. Then you fall in love, fuck it up, now you want to start from the bottom as a PC fucking Nobody in Toronto. Besides, you won't be allowed in the country with the shit you're in with the Americans. Your passport is hot, Lauren."

"What do you know about that?"

"Who do you think got you out?" Jack replied. "And you know only a few people thought you were that Siobhan woman, including Bo herself. I spoke to the agents holding you; who do you think ratted you to them in the first place? So I don't think you are in her good books. And then there is the girlfriend that she seems to want to tell the world about. You going on a romantic pursuit will end badly, even if you manage to get in via Mexico or Alaska, who don't give a fuck what the Americans think."

Lauren let the words sink in. He was right as she thought the same thing. The Americans hadn't officially charged her but did say she was on their travel watch list. "Thanks for the tip about Mexico or Alaska. I will keep that in mind." She borrowed all the money she could from her friends and Brother for this ticket so hoped it was transferrable.

"What I'm offering is for you is the chance to redistribute the powers as we see fit. The wolves' rule, not the sheep. And Evony is one hell of a wolf."

Jack saw Laurens' body tense when he mentioned her name. Bingo. "If you want to stop cunts like that using their power to get what the fuck they want, then you need to kill their power source."

Lauren stood her ground, "So, what, you telling me that you and your team are assassins then?"

Jack walked toward her. "Don't judge me, Lauren. We both know what you did in that alley in Kemer. No hesitation. You and me, cut from the same cloth."

"I-I-I," Lauren slumped. She did not know how to answer Jack. He was right.

"Listen, Lauren, you're on your arse. You have nothing. Evony took it all."

"I don't think she is to blame for everything." Lauren took back the bottle. "I was able to screw up my own relationship."

"She's the one that broke you. With a broken heart, you had no fight in you. But when she broke you, she didn't play fair, and you play by rules. Imagine there were no rules?" Jack raised his eyebrow, "People like Evony wouldn't win. You need to stop being a sheep and start being a wolf."

"Look, whatever you may think of me, I won't kill someone for being sly, vindictive or cunning." Lauren sat on the window frame, "You have the wrong person."

"Have you seen the matrix, Lewis?" Jack stood and walked over to her.

"Yes, why?"

"Here is your red door, blue door moment." Jack stretched his fist out in front of him. "If you choose my right hand, I will help you to your taxi and wish you all the best as PC Plod of the Toronto Police, and I'll never contact you again. Heck, I might even pull some strings to get you into Canada."

Lauren gulped, "And your left hand?"

"I will tell you it all. Who I work for go back thousands of years, restoring order to a world on the brink of chaos. I'll train you to stop wolves like Evony from hurting sheep like your poor Bo. We'll undercover the mystery of Siobhan and put a huge fucking grenade up the arsehole of the one that fucked with you." Jack wiggled his left hand.

"Bo?" Lauren asked, "Is she in trouble?"

Jack took a moment. From all that he said, the only thing she heard was Bo. Interesting. Nothing her watching him, he wiggled his left hand again. "Depends on how you define trouble?"

Lauren grabbed him by the collar, but he was faster and threw her over his shoulder, pinning her to the floor. "I've already said too much Lewis, to know more, you'll need to join my team and go wherever I send you. And we don't have trouble getting in with our diplomatic immunity and private jets. I will train you to the highest standards in all combats, and then when you're ready, you could take on all the wolves of this world, and this time, you'll win."

Lauren struggled to get free, but Jack had her in a stronghold. "At least tell me if Bo is okay?"

"Bo is more than fine. Evony got her the contract to stay with her show, and Bo fucked her in gratitude." Jack saw Laurens' pupils dilate.

Lauren twisted and landed a punch on Jack that winded him. Pushing him off her, she pinned him down. "Liar. My gir-" Lauren stopped herself. "Bo, wouldn't go near Evony."

Jack laughed, tasting the blood in his mouth, "you're good but undisciplined, but with our training, you will be great. And Bo would go near her, and she did." Jack pulled out his phone, showing Lauren a photo.

Lauren let go of him and zoomed in on the picture. Bo had Evony laid across her desk and was on top of her.

"They were lovers for three years and only broke up a few months before she met you. But the truth is, Lauren, you don't actually know anything about Bo." Jack stood, "Join us and take control of your own destiny, release your inner wolf, and help maintain stability in an unstable world.

"You mean play god," Lauren sat up. It was the second time she was willing to fight for Bo, and again, she had been emotionally winded. This time though, what was being said was true. There was proof. Lauren would have followed Bo to the end of the world if she thought she wanted her to. But looking at the phone, Bo didn't want that. She didn't even know her.

Jack held his hand out for Lauren. "I've already said too much. If you want to know more, you have to join us, the Wolf Pack. But know this also your brother is a target. Massimo has a hit on him. He is old school and knows the best way to destroy an enemy is to kill their heart, starting with family."

"Massimo has a hit on my brother?" Lauren stood, "what can I do?"

"Choose my right hand?" Jack replied. "You will be trained, and together, we can protect him."

"But Bo," Lauren paced the floor, "If I leave it too long, I will lose her."

"You already have lost her." Jack placed both hands on Lauren's arms, "No-one is forcing her and Tamsin. They have come together by free will. They know it is a sure-fire way to kick start and boost their careers. You will go there for nothing and return to nothing."

Just then, the taxi honked its horn, and Jack turned to Lauren, holding out both hands, "Decision time."

27th February 2013 - 15:00 pm (two days earlier)

CIA Headquarters

Jack strutted in like he owned the place to the annoyance of Agent Vance. "Hey, this is a restricted area, are you lost?"

Jack gave him a wide grin. "I'm Jack Frost-"

Jack was cut short with the agents laughing, "Really Jack Frost, and I'm Mr Snowman, and he is fucking Rudolph."

"That's nice. I don't care for bestiality myself, but as long as Ruldoph consents. I'll keep my opinions to myself."

The agents looked at each other confused, "What?"

"Your pal is fucking a reindeer, and I am saying I don't give a shit." Jack grinned, "Now, what's going on with Lauren Lewis?"

"That's not what I meant, and you don't have any authority here." The agent pulled his gun.

In a shift action, Jack disarmed him and released the bullet from the chamber and the clip from the belt. He handed him back the now unloaded weapon. "Speak to your bosses, and bring me a fucking cup of tea. And do it now."

One of them hurriedly ran to the wall phone. It was only a few sentences, and he returned asking Jack how he took his tea. The other opened the two-way mirror, and Jack saw Lauren handcuffed to a metal table in the middle of the room. She looked tired and thin. "Has she been fed?"

Both agents looked at each other, not sure how to answer. "She has been kept here by Deputy Director Donaldson. We were only asked to bring her to this interview room for you to speak to her."

"I'm not here to speak to her. I'm here to speak to Donaldson. So please be a pet, and let them know I'm waiting."

Again they stood and stared at each other, frustrating Jack. "NOW!"

They both ran out the door, and Jack studied Lauren. Indeed she had lost weight. She looked gaunt. Jack was not sure if he was right about her, but his gut told him he was. He had seen her with his own eyes in Morzine.

The door reopened, in stepped Deputy Director Donaldson, "Jack."

"Hello, Deputy Director. Have you fed her?"

"No, the protocol was followed, no food or sleep, and only enough water to keep her alive."

"And her room?"

"Two by three-foot, just enough room to stand, but not lie or sit."

"And in a week, what have you learnt?" Jack stood and took a closer look at Lauren.

"That she is resilient." They replied matter of fact.

"Then bring in Pablo." He stated.

"We did, she mocked him. Spent the time belittling him, that he actually broke down."

"Then it's time for Andrew."

"Already been here for five days, and she drowned twice during the waterboarding."

"Fuck, then what?"

"We managed to bring her back. She woke up and laughed."

"Have you taken DNA samples?"

"Of course, and yes, she has some markers, but I will not conclude your theory about her. It just isn't possible. Your wrong, she is a tough, sarcastic little fucker, but she won't be trained with the others. You can keep her. She will make a good soldier for you." A file was presented and given to Jack. He opened it and was filled with Genetic information about Lauren. The Director was right, close but not close enough. "You can keep that copy for when she joins you."

"If she joins me?" Jack remarked, still starring at the woman in front of him.

As if she could feel the eyes on her. Lauren looked up and directly into his eyes. "I know you are there, charge me or release me, but I'm bored of this shit."

"Release her, but first get her a room, food and let her sleep. I don't want her fucked up when I see her."

The Director nodded and left. Jack continued to study Lauren and spoke into the empty room, "No, you are special. And I will help you realise that, Lauren."