For Great Justice!

Disclaimer: I own no part of Red Eye, and am in no way earning any profit off this story. It is fan fiction, and is written for enjoyment, not monetary gain.

It was late afternoon by the time they arrived at the hotel; the sun was reflecting off the planes of glass like fire, making Cynthia squint as she got out of the car and went inside to do some explaining. She sighed as everyone paused silently to take in her disheveled state.

"I'm fine…" she said aloud, going over to the main desk and typing in a few commands before logging out and picking up her bag. "This is my holiday; I'm going to need it…"

Jackson and Lisa continued to drive until they reached her father's house. With a sigh, she turned off the engine and staggered out of the car, bone-weary. Jackson offered support but she just pushed his arm away and walked on her own. Feeling a bit put-off, Jackson shoved his hands in his pockets and followed her to the front door.

Upon opening it and walking inside, however, he was greeted by a snarling, angry father, and the barrel of a gun pointed right between his eyes.

Oh no, not again…he moaned to himself, inwardly.

"Dad! No!" Lisa protested, tugging her father's arm down. "He's saved my life a few times…"

"Get out of my house." he snarled. "Go on. Get out before I lose my patience."

Jackson was out of the house and gone. Lisa didn't even have time to make an excuse for him to stay before he was up the street and out of sight.

"Why did you do that?" she demanded, surprised at her own anger and frustration; she chalked it up to being kidnapped. "He was only trying to help!"

Flustered, Joe couldn't respond before Lisa had stridden off to her upstairs bedroom.

It was a few days before Lisa could stand to go into work again. When she did, Cynthia was already back, and caught up between a few clients.

"No, I'm sorry, sir, but that room has already been booked…may I suggest 3045?"

The man rolled his eyes but paid, and she handed him the keys before going on break. Lisa took the opportunity to catch up.

"You're awfully quiet." Cynthia said as she made herself some coffee. "How have things with Jackson been going?"

"My father chased him off at gunpoint." Lisa lowered her eyes. "I haven't seen him in days."

"You miss him." Cynthia said without thinking.

Lisa's head snapped up. "I do not miss that arrogant, pig-headed, chauvinistic bastard!"

Cynthia giggled, albeit nervously. "You do miss him. I didn't say you loved him. Just that you missed him."

Lisa winced, and then sighed when she realized that her friend was right. Jackson had been a large, welcome presence in their lives for the past few days, and now it felt like something was missing.

"If I ever decide to love that creep, shoot me where I stand." she said grudgingly, patting the small handgun she'd taken to carrying around on a strap under her skirt. "I'm serious."

Cynthia's eyes widened. "Ah…well…"

There was a moment of awkward silence. It was interrupted by the high-pitched ring of a cell phone.

Sighing and rolling her eyes, Lisa looked at it. Caller display hadn't come on, there was no number.

Raising an eyebrow, she flipped it open and answered. "Hello?"

There was silence.

"Hello?" she asked again.

Nothing, but she could hear breathing on the other end of the line. "Listen – if this is a prank call, I'll – "

"You will do nothing, Miss Reisart," the voice was cold, calculated, "except for listening very, very closely to what I have to say."

She narrowed her eyes. "Who is this? What do you want?"

"It is not important that you know who I am, but it is important that I know who you are. You are an important hotel manager. You are one of Jackson Rippner's failed missions. And you are the reason he is about to die."

The bottom dropped out of Lisa's stomach as a cold wave of fear swept over her. "So – "

"There is a car outside. Take it. Rippner will not be the only one to die, but he will be the first." there was a click, and then an empty dial tone.

Lisa dropped the phone as if it were a live snake. "Jesus."

Cynthia stooped to pick it up. "What's wrong? What's going on?"

Lisa stood up, taking the phone back. "Death threat, not just to Jackson." she whispered, then grabbed her friend's arm and tugged her towards the back. There was a car waiting, dark, with two gray-clad men waiting by it.

"Not again…" Cynthia moaned. "This just screams trap!

"I know." Lisa murmured, sliding her fingertips over her skirt and making sure the gun wasn't visible. "But at least we know this time."

"We're not going!" Cynthia tried to protest, but as her friend walked purposely across the parking lot, she knew she couldn't go back. "You're going to get us all killed!"

"I know." was all Lisa said.

To be concluded…