As Hannibal entered the lodge later with Stockwell and the rest of the team, he couldn't help but notice the feeling that they were being watched. It was normal for a few of the ables to come and go and so he didn't think anything of the fact that at least two were in the house when they went in.
"How'd things go tonight?" Hannibal asked the one able standing in the kitchen as he walked in.
"Fine, Colonel," the man replied as Hannibal nodded. "Everything's quiet."
Hannibal nodded his head as he watched the able leave to make his rounds. He knew the vetting process each guard went though first hand since Face had taken over because he helped put it together. So he wasn't at all sure where the uneasy feelings he had were coming from.
"You're back?" Maggie said coming down the stairs with Templeton in her arms whom she handed off to his father. "Gloria and Ellen just went to bed and I think this little guy is hungry."
"I'll take care of him," Murdock said heading into the kitchen.
"I think, I'm turning in," Face said wearily. "Big day tomorrow."
"I'm with Faceman," BA said in agreement before they both headed upstairs leaving Hannibal and Maggie alone.
"Did you have fun?" Maggie asked as Hannibal grinned.
"Sure we did," he said looking around. "Anything happen here tonight?"
"No, why?" Maggie replied uneasily.
"I don't know," he said with a shrug. "I just got a bad feeling that's all."
"Don't worry," Maggie said hooking her arm in his. "Everything's fine. Let's go to bed, okay?"
"Okay," Hannibal replied leaning in to give her a kiss in the lips. "You sure know how to put my mind at ease, MO."
After Hannibal had fallen asleep, Maggie quietly retrieved a package from her medical bag before returning to the kitchen. It had arrived innocently enough in the mail for her but she knew as she opened it, the contents inside were anything but innocent. She held up a vial of the strongest neurotoxin she'd ever used and took a deep breath. The affects on the victim would be quick and virtually painless which she was grateful for. Given while asleep, no one would question the death the next day. Everyone would just assume the General died in his sleep. Now, all she had to do was wait for the right moment to administer it.
"I was hoping, I'd find you alone a moment," the able said quietly as he entered the kitchen. "You have everything you need?"
"Yes," Maggie said slipping the vial into her pocket. "You can tell your boss, it'll be done by tomorrow night and then he can release my family!"
"That's the agreement, Doctor," the able said handing her a Polaroid picture. "This was taken today. As you can see, your husband and son remain unharmed."
Maggie snatched the photo from him and closed her eyes before focusing on the picture. "Just make sure they stay that way or the deals off!"
"We'll keep our end of the bargain," he said taking the photo back and putting it into the pocket of his jacket. "As long as you keep your end!"
Face straightened his tie before turning around at the light wrapping on his bedroom door the next morning. "Come in," he said as the door opened and Stockwell walked in. "What can I do for you, Hunt?"
"I just wanted a moment to give you something that my father gave to me the day I graduated from West Point," Stockwell said gently handing Face a vintage gold pocket watch. "I never married but I thought this would be a special enough occasion to warrant such a gift and I hope you'll accept it."
"It's very nice," Face said admiring the craftsmanship of the piece. "But, I cant take this. It's very expensive and must hold some sentimental value to you."
"No," Stockwell replied sadly. "Not exactly sentimental. Please, I want you to have it."
"Alright," Face said as Stockwell smiled broadly. "Thank you."
"Your welcome, son," he replied before pulling out a picture from his pocket. "This was my father," he said handing the old black and white photo to Face. "I wanted you to see it for obvious reasons."
Face couldn't help but let out a little gasp of air as he looked at the almost mirror image of himself. "I thought, I resembled my mother but looking at this, I can clearly see where my looks come from."
"I have much more to show you when we get back to Langley," Stockwell said putting the picture away. "But, today is all about you and Gloria!"
"Thank you," Face said honestly. "Having my family here on such an important day means everything to me."
"Your welcome," Stockwell said checking the time on his watch. "We should go. You need to be at the chapel first."
"It is getting that time, isn't it," Face said with a smile.
"Are you ready?" Stockwell replied with a nod as Face sighed.
"Very," he said happily. "I love Gloria with all my heart and I can't wait to make her my wife."
"Then you're in luck," Stockwell said mischievously. "I hear she's already got a dress and is ready to say, I do."
