While the others continued to work on the potential list of suspects, Barney researched his new-found daughter and her life. Whatever he could find from her younger age to today. She had grown up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She had always been at the top of her class ever since she was in primary school. She was athletic and had been in the basketball, tennis and swimming varsity teams. She had graduated valedictorian from New Haven University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's program in criminal justice management and psychology. She was fluent in Spanish, French, German and Russian. He didn't know her yet, but he was damn proud of the woman she had become, even if it had been without him.
Suddenly, there was a ringing sound coming from the communication center. They all looked up from what they were doing and looked at each other inquisitively.
Toll Road headed for the computer.
"We've got a video call coming in". He looked at Barney. "You're expecting something"?
"No", said Barney. "Is the caller identified"?
"No. What do you want to do"?
"Take the call".
Toll Road nodded and clicked on the answer icon on the screen.
Barney frowned upon seeing the one on the screen.
"It's been a while Ross".
"Can't say I've missed seeing your ugly face, Church. What can I do for you"?
"I've got a mission for you, Ross".
"I'm already working on another important mission and I'm not interested in doing business with you or for you anymore".
Church saw that Barney was about to end the call. "My sources tell me that congratulations are in order".
"What are you talking about Church"?
"Well, it's not every day you learn that you have a daughter".
Barney narrowed his eyes.
"I've got no idea what you're talking about Church. Better get rid of your source because it's not reliable".
Church laughed as the scenery behind him changed as he walked. Barney and the others heard a door open. Church handed one of his man his ipad.
The image then showed Church sitting on a bed where Barney recognized an unconscious Charlie. Barney tightened his jaw and clenched his fists.
"Imagine my initial shock when I came across this information. Barney Ross has a daughter and didn't even know about it. When I saw her, I could see the resemblance with her father. Strong, talented and feisty".
Church's hand slowly trailed up Charlie's bare leg. "All the way down to the tattoos". His hand stopped at her ankle where a four-leaf clover was tattooed, then her right inner wrist where a tattoo of an arrow with the word 'strength'.
"My favorite one", continued Church as his hand trailed down to the top of her skirt. He pulled down the elastic band of her skirt and it revealed on the top of her pubis a tattoo of a red rose with a heart through its stem.
"And her skin, is so soft".
Church stood. "Enough about Charlie, let's talk business".
"You lay another hand on her and I will kill you", said Barney whose blood was boiling.
Lee looked at Barney and whispered to him "What are you talking about? He touched her already, he's dead"!
"You still owe me 5 million dollars Barney and I'm afraid that over the years and with the interest, that price has gone up to 25 million dollars".
"Done. Let her go"! said Barney in a threatening voice.
"Not that easy", replied Church.
"What do you want"?!
"I'll give you the details of the mission real soon. Charlie's sedative will wear off soon and I'm eager to spend some time with her, get to know her in and out. I'm sure it will be quite enjoyable".
"When I find you Church, I'm going to rip your heart out, piece by piece with a spoon".
"You'll never find me Barney, so, don't hold your breath. I'll be in touch. I'll make sure to pass on your regards to Charlie".
Church ended the conversation.
Barney kicked the chair across the room. "Son of a bitch"!
Gunner looked at him. "I guess we can stop working on that list".
"We need to get to Church", said Lee.
Cesar looked at him. "Why"?
"Because, if you ask me that mission of his, its suicide and even if its not, once we're done with it, we can't be sure he won't kill Charlie anyway".
"Church spends his time up in the air. He hardly ever sets in plane on the ground. How do you plan on doing that"?
"I don't know", replied Barney. "All I know is that we need someone on the inside. Someone we can trust and someone that won't get him suspicious".
He looked at Toll Road. "Did you record the video call"?
Toll Road nodded.
"Play it back".
After it had finished playing back, Barney turned towards Lee. "Church has never seen you and you're exactly the kind of guy he employs".
"When it comes to Church, that's not a compliment".
"If we can get you on his team, you'd be on the inside and could get to Charlie".
Lee stared at him. "And how on Earth are you going to get Church to hire a new guy"?
Barney smiled. "Trench. That is if you agree".
Lee put his hand on Barney's shoulder. "You know you don't need to ask me that".
Barney nodded and looked at Toll Road. "Send Trench a coded message. Have him meet us here tomorrow morning".
Barney and Lee walked away without saying another word but both couldn't bear the fact of seeing Church's hand on Charlie's body!