Trench looked at Barney then the others.
"And you want me to infiltrate Christmas as one of Church's new men"?
"Exactly", replied Barney.
"It's like inviting the President of the United States to your birthday party, practically impossible"!
Barney cocked his head to the side. "Trench, you know I wouldn't be asking this if it wasn't important and I think you've captured the urgency of the situation".
Trench nodded. "I'll try".
He then looked at Lee. "If you do get in, you're on your own".
"I can handle it".
"I'll be in touch", replied Trench as he stood.
He walked and stopped at Barney's side. "I hope you get your daughter back safe and sound, but if I can give you a tip. If you have the 25 million dollars, pay Church and when he least expects it, kill him".
Charlie stirred and opened her eyes. She blinked a couple of times and looked at the man that was sitting on the chair next to the bed she was sleeping in.
"Hello", said the man as he looked at her.
She said nothing as she quickly scanned the room and inventoried what was in it. There were no windows. There was only the bed she was in, a chair occupied by the man and a flat TV screen on the wall opposite the bed.
"Who are you"? she asked looking back at the man. He was wearing a suit, which indicated somewhat his level of status and importance.
"My name is not of importance but during the duration of your stay, you can call me Church".
She sat up in the bed and tilted her head to the side, analyzing him. He was smug and not something Charlie appreciated in people.
"Where am I and what am I doing here"?
Church stood and walked over to the flat screen TV to turn it on, revealing a map.
"We are currently flying over Atlanta. As to the reason why you are here, well, let's just say you are a person of interest, Miss Michaels.
She lifted an eyebrow upon hearing that. She had been far from imagining that she was in a plane and on top of that no longer in South Africa. And to top it all off, he hadn't presented himself as CIA and that was worrisome.
"Follow me", said Church as he opened the door and waited for her in the corridor. She stood and followed him. They arrived in the main cabin of the plane. Again, Charlie scanned the room. There were four men, armed and strongly built. There was a bar, a sofa and a few leather armchairs. Further down the hall, she could see a command center with a few more people and a lot of computers and screens.
"You must be thirsty. Allow me to get you something to drink", said Church as he headed towards the bar.
"Water, please", replied Charlie as she looked out one of the windows. They were at a cruising altitude.
Church returned with two glasses, his filled with whiskey. He handed Charlie her glass and motioned to the armchairs.
"I'll stand if that's alright with you", replied Charlie. She wanted to make sure that there was no friendly relationship settling in. She didn't trust Church and she wanted him to know it.
"Of course," he replied as he sat down in the armchair and took a sip of his drink.
He put his glass down on the table.
"Quite an impressive résumé that you have", said Church as he joined his hands on his lap.
Charlie smiled, but it wasn't a sincere smile.
"As much as it could be interesting to go over it, I would appreciate it if you could land this plane, so that I can get back to work".
Church smiled. "Unfortunately, I can't do that".
"Of course not. If this was a simple discussion, we would be having it in public. You want me or need for something and you want to make sure to get what it is that you want. It's very practical to have a plane, I can't escape, and you are in full control of the situation".
Church was about to answer when one of his men walked over.
"Sir, there is a video communication for you".
Church stood and looked at him. "Take her back to her room and don't take your eyes off her".
"We'll resume our discussion later", he said as he walked away.
The guy nodded and grabbed her by the elbow and pushed her towards the bedroom. She wriggled his hand off her.
"You touch me again and I will kill you the first chance I get"!
"I'd like to see you try" said the guy.
She shook her head. "You apparently don't know my résumé".
"Mauser, what can I do for you"? asked Church.
"Actually, it's more what I can do for you".
Church looked at him intrigued.
"You want to work for me now? Last time I asked you walked out of the church leaving me to deal with Ross".
"That hasn't changed. But I know you're always looking to improve your team and I have exactly the kind of profile and skills you are looking for".
"Is that so"?
"Yes. A guy that used to work for me many years ago is looking for a new challenge and good money".
"Does your guy have a name? I want to check his credentials".
"Malcolm O'Connor. He's one of the best".
Church typed the name into his computer and looked at his résumé and credentials. He lifted an eyebrow in interest.
"Indeed. You know me too well Mauser".
Trench smiled.
"How soon can he be available"?
"He's waiting".
"Perfect. Do I need to worry about insubordination or his lack of loyalty"? asked Church as he continued looking at the file. He had been an SAS soldier and wasn't American, and that was something he particularly liked.
"No. He's a good soldier Church. You won't have any problems".
Church closed the file and looked at Trench.
"Get in touch with your guy. Have him at Opa Locka Executive Airport tomorrow at 0900 hours. I will only be on the ground for fifteen minutes. If he's late, I leave without him".
"Understood".
Church ended the conversation and headed back to the living room and took a sip of his whiskey. He then headed back to Charlotte's room.
"My apologies for the interruption, it was an important business call".
Charlotte was sitting in the chair. "I don't give a damn about your apology. I want answers and I want them now"!
Church smiled and Charlie wondered if he ever got mad. "The only thing you need to know is that you are leverage. Even if you are stuck on my plane and under the surveillance of me and my men, I don't consider you a prisoner," he paused for a second, "l would say more a collaborator, a partner".
"A partnership? What's in it for me"?
"The truth and your freedom", replied Church.
"The truth about what"?
Church ignored her as he headed to a closet in the room and opened it. "I took the liberty of getting you some clothes. There is a bathroom with shower in the room next door. Freshen up, change. Dinner is at 7".
With that he left the room and she found herself aggravated by the fact that he hadn't answered her question. What truth was he talking about? She may have not liked him one bit, she knew from years of being undercover that, if she wanted information, she was going to have to play nice and get close to him.