Chapter 3

"Sab, will you hurry! We'll be late for the train." Cody tried knocking again. He had gone to get the tickets while Sabrina continued to sleep. "Come on Sabrina, at least answer the door!"

Cody noticed the other guests were starting to look out their doors to see what was going on. He decided to go to his room to and have the switchboard try her room. While he waited for them to ring her room, he started to wish he had booked one room with two beds instead of rooms next to each other. When the clerk told him there was no answer, he went down to the front desk to ask if they had seen Sabrina.

As he approached the desk, he noticed it was the same clerk who was on duty when they checked in. "Excuse me, I was wondering if you've seen the young lady who checked in with me yesterday?"

"I'm sorry, Sir, I don't recall the woman you checked in with."

"She's about 5'7", hazel eyes, brown hair..."

"Yes, I remember her now, but I'm sorry, I haven't seen her today. I just arrived on duty. I can check to see if the other clerk saw her, if he hasn't left yet."

"Please do."

The clerk went to the back room and when he returned he looked in the message box. "The other clerk said this was left for you."

Cody read the note:

Cody,

Got a late call; didn't want to wake you. I have to go back to work a case. Call you soon. Please go on to LA...maybe I can meet you there.

Love Sab.

Cody thought it strange that a level four agent would be called in for an assignment. If anyone were needed badly enough, they would've called a higher-level agent. He went back to his room and called the bureau to make sure they had called. "This is Agent Cody Forrester; I'd like to know the status of Agent Sabrina Kells please." Cody could hear the person typing in the name.

"Agent Kells is on vacation and not to be called, per orders from Agent Blakely. Would you like to talk to another agent?"

"No, thank you."

Worried, he thought about the couple who had been spying on them, or at least that was what Sab thought. He was hoping she didn't do something foolish, like investigate on her own, and get into trouble. He decided the best thing to do was to check with some of the other hotel staff and guests to see if anyone had seen her.

"Where are you, Sabrina?" he said out loud, walking out of his room.

After hours of talking to guests and staff, Cody was becoming nearing hysteria. He knew he needed help now in finding her.

When the phone rang, Jake was sitting in his hotel room thinking about what transpired the day before. He was hoping it was Alex. "Hello?"

"Jake, it's Allison. I was wondering if you would consider..." Allison wasn't sure how to word her request without upsetting him. "I'm sorry; it's just that I'm afraid you'll be angry if I ask you this question."

"Just ask. I won't be angry," Jake said, trying to put her at ease.

"I was wondering if you would consent to a DNA test. I'm sure you have your doubts too. I think this is the best thing to do. Don't you?"

"I had thought about it myself last night. I wasn't sure you'd want to have one."

"Yes, I definitely think we need to know for sure. I have contacted the nearest lab. They can do it at about 11:00. Is that okay with you? There's also someone I'd like for you to meet today too, if you don't mind?"

"Sounds good. Alex and I can pick you up in a little while. Whom do you want me to meet?" Jake wondered if he had siblings, though she had not mentioned any during their talk.

"Just a very good friend who has dropped in to visit and is like family to me. I'd like for the two of you to meet."

"You've peaked my curiosity. I'll see you in a bit," he assured, hanging up the phone.

Jake went to Alex's room to see if she was awake. He knocked on her door and waited. When she didn't answer, he used his fist to hammer louder "Good morning!" he said when she finally opened the door.

"Don't be so cheery. I haven't had my coffee yet," she said, turning around, heading back to the phone. Almost as though ignoring her visitor, she picked up the phone and ordered room service.

"What time is it anyway?" she asked, joining Jake at the foot of the bed.

"About 9:30. I thought I'd let you sleep late, but I got a call from Allison. She wants to have a DNA test this morning," Jake replied.

Alex was astonished to hear the news. "You mean she came up with the same idea we had last night?"

"Yeah, I was shocked at first. I guess when you come from a prominent family, you have to worry about people taking advantage of you."

"I guess. It also answers your question about it being some sort of set-up. Do you want me to stick around, or do you want some private time with Allison?"

Jake looked at Alex. "I want you... I mean I want you to stay. I still need you as a friend." He was starting to have feelings for Alex as more than a friend and co-worker. He wondered if she would or could feel the same way.

He moved in closer to her, looking into her eyes. They were sparkling ice in the light and practically mesmerized him. She didn't move away when he put his hand on her face, but instead leaned forward to kiss him. Parting her lips, she invited him to explore her mouth. He accepted the invitation and as he kissed her, he laid her back on the bed. She placed her had on his neck while he nuzzled and nibbled hers. She moaned with pleasure, but both were suddenly jerked from their passionate state by a knock on the door. Room service had arrived.

"Hold that thought," Alex said with a smile getting up to go to the door. She pulled the cart into the room and shut the door.

"You're not going to give him a tip?" Jake smiled walking over to Alex.

"Seeing me in my robe was enough of a tip," she said, giggling. "Want a cup?"

"Sure." Jake watched her every move.

She handed him the cup and as their hands touched, she realized she wanted to go back to their 'conversation'. "Weren't we interrupted?"

"It was a very deep subject and think we were only scratching the surface." Jake smiled and held out his hand. Alex took it and they walked back to the bed.

Derek and Frank were just finishing their breakfast when Monica came into the kitchen. "Was that Elaina who left so early this morning?"

Frank got up and held a chair out for her. She smiled to thank him. "Early? I guess for a city girl it was early. She left to drive Megan to her parents. She has the day off and Derek is the babysitter. What would you like for breakfast? Just name it. If I can't cook it, Derek can."

"Really?" Monica was surprised that a teenage boy would want to cook.

"Dad taught me to cook when Mom was recovering after Sarah was born. I tried to help out as much as I could."

"Two men in the same house who can cook! Elaina is one lucky woman. I think I'll just have toast and OJ. I'm still recovering from dinner last night. Elaina is a very good cook, too."

Frank poured Monica her juice while Derek made the toast. "My mother taught me to cook at a very young age. She said I'd need to know how even if I were to get married. I'd need to know how to cook breakfast to serve my wife in bed."

"Your mother sounds like a true romantic."

"Very much a romantic." Frank looked at his watch, "Your mother should've been back by now. It only takes forty minutes to get there the way she drives," he said, picking up the phone and dialing, he let it ring several times.

"Maybe she stayed to talk. It's been a while since they've seen each other. Or she might have stopped to see Uncle Reese," Derek said, placing his plate in the sink.

"She didn't say she was stopping anywhere else. We're supposed to go riding this morning." Frank's cell phone rang and he looked at the ID to see if it was Elaina. It wasn't, but he was surprised by who it was. "Hello, Cody."

"Boss! I really could use a favor. Sabrina has disappeared," Cody said anxiously.

"What do you mean 'disappeared'?"

"We stopped in Iowa, on our train trip to L.A. Sab said there was this couple spying on us. I didn't take her seriously, but now I'm worried they were and may have something to do with her disappearing."

Cody was speaking so fast Frank barely understood what he was saying. "Cody, slow down and let me ask you a few questions. Did she leave a note?"

"Yes, it said she'd been called late for an assignment. But I checked it out…she wasn't called. Agent Blakely had given orders not to disturb her on her vacation."

"I know. I asked her to do that. I thought you two would want to have time together," Frank stated.

Cody could barely believe his ears. His boss had a romantic side after all. If he wasn't so worried about Sabrina, he might take the time to ruffle Frank's feathers a bit.

"Cody, are you still there?"

"Yeah, I'm still here. What can I do? I have no clue where to start. I've asked the hotel staff and most of the guests, but no one has seen her."

"Why don't you try going to the airport and ask around there. If she did leave on her own, that's where I'd look next."

"I guess I'm not thinking too clearly. I should've thought of that myself," Cody lamented.

"It's understandable that you're not thinking clearly; you're worried about her."

"I'm really sorry I bothered you on your vacation. I just needed some help."

"I'm always here for my team, Cody. Please keep me informed as to what you find."

Frank hung up the phone and looked at his watch again. He dialed the number once more; this time she answered. "Where the hell are you?"

"The sweet tones of my loving husband," she quipped. "I tried to call, but the line was busy."

"Why didn't you try the house number?"

"I did, it was busy too."

Frank looked and noticed Derek had left the room and was probably using the house phone. "Sorry for yelling at you. I was just worried when you didn't answer."

"I went to see Reese." For some reason she could never fully understand, Frank and Reese just did not get along.

"Why did you go see him?"

"He is my brother, and I wanted to talk to him, that's all."

"Did you warn him about flying over the horses and scaring them the way he always does?"

"Yes, I did and he won't do it again. I made him promise. I also told him if he did, you had my blessing to beat the hell out of him." Elaina looked into the rearview mirror and saw a truck following her too closely. She sped up a little to put some distance between them, but the truck just closed the distance.

"I'll hold you to it. Are we still going riding today?" Frank asked, but she didn't answer. "Elaina, did you hear me?"

"I heard you, but I'm a bit busy driving at the moment." Again, she sped up and so did the truck. This time it got even closer.

"I can hear you speeding up. What's wrong?" Frank asked, trying to hear what was going on.

"There's someone trying to run me off the road," Elaina said shakily.

"Where are you right now?"

"Not far. I just turned off the main highway...headed towards home."

Frank ran from the house and slid into his SUV. He headed up the road in an attempt to help Elaina. "I'm on my way; try to stay away from it."

"Easy for you to say." The truck rammed her from behind, locking bumpers. It then started pushing her toward the edge of the road. "Frank, I'm going to have to jump out."

"I'm almost there! Elaina?" There was no answer. Frank cursed under his breath, flooring the SUV. When he approached a hill, he saw an explosion. He quickly called the sheriff's department and told them about Elaina's call.

Frank stopped his vehicle a few yards from the burning truck…Elaina's truck. It had been slammed into a tree which was at the edge of the embankment. The flames were so intense he couldn't get near it to see if she was still in the vehicle. "ELAINA!" he cried out.

He was terrified with the thought she could be burning to death in the truck. He tried again to get close enough to see inside, but the flames and heat were too much for him. His heart and mind were racing; he had to find out if she was in there. He remembered she said she was going to jump, but where did she jump? Was she okay? He suddenly heard something…it was coming from the other side of the burning truck. He ran around it and listened again.

He heard it again…coughing. It had to be her. He looked over the edge and saw trying to get up. He slowly made his was down the steep embankment. "Elaina, lay still!" he yelled not wanting her to hurt herself more. He dropped to his knees when he reached her. She was still coughing. "How badly are you hurt?"

"I think I just got the wind knocked out of me." She brushed some of the dirt off, while Frank looked her over. "I guess other than a few cuts, I made it through that experience rather well; don't you think?" She hoped her smile and humor would ease his fear, but it didn't.

Frank put his arms around her to hold her close to him. "I thought I had lost you. I can't stand the feeling of losing you."

"I'm sorry for scaring you. Believe me I was scared too. I hope we never lose each other." She could hear the sirens coming in a distance. "You called the police?

"Yes. Let me help you up. We need to get you up on the road and have you checked out." He helped her to her feet and they slowly walked up the hill. "Did you see who the driver was?" he asked. "Nevermind, we can talk about it later." He could feel her shaking and knew now wasn't the time to grill her for answers.

When they got up the embankment, the fire department was putting the flames out on the truck. The paramedics came to Elaina to take her to the ambulance. She looked back and saw Frank talking to the deputy. She had to tell him, sooner or later, she knew the driver, but telling him could mean the end of someone's life.

After Elaina gave her statement to the deputy, she and Frank drove back to the ranch. Frank had called to explain what happened to Monica, so she could tell Derek. When they pulled up he and Hank were waiting for them.

"Mom, are you okay?" Derek asked, hugging her gently.

She held him close to her playing with his hair, thinking he needed a haircut. She laughed inwardly; she was almost killed and now she was thinking about haircuts. "I'm fine honey, where's Sarah?"

"She's with Monica."

For no reason, Derek's answer made her snap…lashing out at him. "Sarah is your responsibility today, not Monica's! She has injuries to her back; she can't lift Sarah."

Frank spun her around to face him. "Don't yell at him! He's just concerned about you. Monica is fine watching Sarah for now. If you're angry about what happened to you, take it out on me…not our son."

She pushed Frank away, running into the stables. He started to go after her, but Hank stopped him.

"Let her go, friend. I'll keep an eye on her."

Frank sighed; he knew if anyone could calm her other than him…it was Hank.

He had always been there for her while she grew up. He had become a second father to both Elaina and Frank. In turn, he treated them as the children he never had.

Hank walked into the stables, finding Elaina brushing her palomino, Sahara. "I was just getting ready to do that myself. She's been fussing at me all morning. I guess she knew you were in trouble and was trying to tell me." Hank walked over to pet the horse's head while the horse nuzzled into his chest.

"I wished she could've warned me before I left. I might still have my truck," Elaina said, patting Sahara on the neck.

"Your sense of humor is trying to come back."

"Emphasis on trying." Elaina handed him the brush. "I saw the person in the truck, Hank. Now, I need to tell Frank. I made one hell of a mistake not telling him before now."

"What is this big mistake? Can you fix it, Missy?"

"I hope so. You see I found out about something…" She paused mentally kicking herself. "Damn it! Why do I keep things from him? It isn't like me to do something so stupid. I thought I could handle it, but I just made a big mess out of my life. I might've even destroyed the trust my husband has in me."

"You better go to him and tell him now before matters get worse."

"I believe it already has," she said sighing. Taking Hank's advice she slowly walked to the house.

When Elaina entered the house, she heard Frank on the phone in the living room. She looked in long enough to sign to him she was going to take a quick shower. He nodded in response and she left him to his call. She needed to think of how she could tell him what was going on.

Elaina heard someone knocking on the bedroom door when she came out of the bathroom. She knew it wasn't Frank; he'd never knock on their bedroom door.

"Elaina? It's Monica."

Elaina opened the door. "Come on in. I knew it had to be you or Derek."

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"I can't think of anything." She started to dry her hair when she turned back to Monica. "I've been keeping something from Frank. I tired to handle it myself and I have screwed up bi time! Telling him is the only thing I need done and you can't do it for me, she said, throwing the towel in the hamper. "Things are going to get real interesting around here when I do. You might want to take cover."

"I can't imagine things getting too rough between the two of you. I've watched both of you when you're together. I've never seen anyone more in love. You seem to be the perfect couple."

"Hate to disillusion you, Monica, but this wouldn't be a first in our relationship. We've had many disagreements…just as any other couple, she said combing her hair our. "We're far from being a perfect couple, so don't think we are." Elaina dropped the comb when Frank walked into the room

"I'll leave you two alone," Monica said, knowing they needed privacy.

"Cody called. He knows where Sabrina went."

"Really? Where?" Elaina asked.

"Believe it or not she's in Billings. I told him that Hank would pick him up and bring him here, then we'd help him find her," Frank replied.

"I have a good idea where she is. She has a good friend living there. Wonder why she lied to Cody?" Elaina pondered.

"People usually lie to hide something. What are you hiding from me?"

Elaina could tell when he lied and he could do the same with her. "I haven't lied to you. I've just been keeping something from you. There's a slight difference."

"Difference hell!" Frank's temper was starting to show, by the way that he clinched his jaw. He watched her move from the mirror over to the bed to sit down. "What are you keeping from me?"

"I know I should have told you sooner. I thought the U.S. Marshals would handle it quickly." Elaina tried to choose her words carefully.

"Tell me now and quit beating around the bush."

"There was a prison break. Four escapees." She was still trying to figure out a way to tell him who it was. Her past, and his, was about to haunt them.

"Who escaped, E? What are you not telling me?" Frank came over to stand in front of her he knew she hated him towering over her. "Tell me now; don't stall any longer."

She knew he was eaten up by his anger because he called her 'E'. "It was Collin and three others!" She stood, walking away from him to get clothes from the closet.

"Collin Turner? Why the hell didn't you tell me? You know he hates you." Frank grabbed her and turned her to face him. "When were you going to tell me?"

She couldn't look him in the eyes. "I didn't think I would have too. You rarely watch TV or listen to the radio when you're here. You shut yourself off from the outside world as much as possible. I thought I could handle this without you," Elaina explained.

"Was Collin the one in the truck?"

"Yes, there was another man with him. Stu Bradshaw; one of the other escapees."

Frank was to the boiling point and part of her told her to run, but she stood her ground like she always did.

"You do realize you're not the only one in danger. The lives of our children, and now, two of my team members, are going to be in the line of fire because you felt I didn't need to know. I find it perplexing that you can talk to people you barely know about our family, but you can't talk to me about your ex-husband trying to kill you!"

"I'm sorry. I honestly thought the Marshals could handle it."

"How long have they been on the loose?"

"I was called on my way home Friday. I called the Marshal's office before we left and they said they had everything under control. They said they knew where they were."

"Didn't you ask them to keep you informed?" Frank asked, trying to cool down.

"Yes, I did. That's why I went to see Reese. I gave them his number, so you wouldn't find out." Her voice trailed off mentally kicking herself again for saying it.

"We'll have to tell Derek the truth about his father. The fairy tale version isn't going to work any longer. That is if you haven't already told him and kept that from me too."

"No I haven't told him! Monica asked me about Collin and I told her Derek's version."

"Why didn't you tell her the truth?"

"I guess because I was afraid she might let something slip," Elaina answered.

Frank didn't say anymore to her, he just went out of the room slamming the door. He practically ran down the stairs, where he found Monica reading in the living room. "Monica, follow me!"

Monica knew that tone of voice all too well. She followed him to a room, which she had never been in. Elaina said it was off limits and no one was to enter without her or Frank. "I know where you and Cody are. Now we need to find Alex and Jake."

When they entered the room, Monica saw it was full of monitors and electronic devices. She knew Cody would be in heaven seeing it. There was another door at the far side of the room leading to what looked like another bedroom.

"Mind telling me what's going on?" She was almost afraid to ask, but if she was to help find Jake and Alex, she needed to know.

Frank explained what Elaina had told him, plus the truth of what happened to Collin and that Derek didn't know the truth yet.

"Collin was actually part of the bank robberies. He had set up the hiding place, then turned in his partners so he could take the money. But he didn't count on Elaina being part of the takedown. He thought she would just send in a team of agents and he'd have enough of a diversion to take most of money and hide it to retrieve later," Frank explained.

"Elaina said he was shot and had amnesia, was that true?"

"Elaina had to shoot him, but the amnesia was faked. She tricked him by talking about my family and he slipped up by correcting her about a detail."

They heard the door open behind them. Derek entered the room with Sarah in his arms. "Mom said we should go in the safe room, why?" Frank didn't answer him. "I think I'm old enough to know when something's going on."

"Not now, Derek! Just do what your mother said and we'll explain later."

Derek was about to protest when they all heard a helicopter fly over. Frank raced out of the room in time to see Elaina going out through to the kitchen.

"Elaina, where are you going?" he asked, catching up to her.

"I have an idea of where they might be hiding. I asked Reese to fly me there," she said, still walking.

Frank grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. "You're not going anywhere!" He tried to pull her back into the house, but Elaina kicked his legs from underneath him. While he lay on the ground swearing, she ran towards the helicopter.

"I'll tell you what I find. I promise!" she yelled over her shoulder.

Elaina got into the helicopter next to her brother. "Let's go, Big Brother, before he decides to shoot us down," she said after putting on her headset.

"I'd like to see him try. I have bullet resistant glass in this thing, and it's armored."

"May I ask why?" Elaina asked, looking at him.

"Look who I'm related to. The last time I helped you…I was shot down and broke both legs and my shoulder in the crash. Need I say more?"

"No. I did apologize for that mission, didn't I?" she asked with an evil grin.

Reese looked at her, then laughed. He was her older and only brother. If she needed to fly anywhere, she could always count on him. He loved to fly, and even started his own flight school. He was tall like their father maybe taller, Reese was six foot, four with sandy blonde hair which he kept cut short most of the time. He talked with a slight Texas draw after going to college there. He was divorced from his high school sweetheart, which left him heartbroken because she took their daughter from him. When his ex-wife moved, she made sure he couldn't find them. Elaina only hoped someday they would find one another again.

"Do you really think they're at the hunting cabin?" he asked.

"It's a place to start. Stay high so if they're there, they'll think we're just a regular fly over going to the airport," Elaina said, looking out the window.

"All you want is to fly over, nothing else?"

"Did I say there was anything else? I need to see if they're in the cabin. Then, I'll talk to Frank as to what we do next."

"You actually think Frank is going to let you do anything? Especially, after what you did to him back there?" Reese asked, looking at his sister.

"I know Frank. Right now, he's calling the last two members of his team to come here. That means they will assemble to work together. The minute he gives them an order as their superior, I'll become his superior and he can't refuse any of my orders without losing his command."

"He may risk it to protect you," Reese commented while they came to the area they wanted to look at.

Elaina searched with binoculars to keep from having to fly too close. "There's the truck that ran me off the road. There's another car there as well. I've seen enough! Let's get away from here."

Monica finally reached Jake by his cell phone. He explained to her most of what was happening with him and Alex, then asked to speak with Frank. He explained to him about the DNA tests and Frank just told him to hurry as much as possible.

When they entered Allison's house, Jake noticed the suitcases right off. He began wondering if she was going to run out on him. "Are you planning to go somewhere?"

"No! They belong to my friend I told you about. Please come and sit down."

"I'm afraid we need to get the test done and then leave. We've been called back to work," Jake said, entering the living room.

"Sab, what are you doing here?" Alex asked, surprised to see her there.

"I had no idea that you all knew each other," Allison said. "Sabrina and I are friends…we met a few years ago." Allison knew Sabrina didn't want anyone knowing about her past. They were in deed friends, but also something more. Allison had become her guardian after her arrest years ago as a favor to a friend.

"We worked with Sab a few months ago on a case," Jake stated.

"Why are you being called back? Has Cody been called?" Sabrina wondered.

"Donovan has some trouble and has asked for our help. Turns out he's on vacation not far from here in Laurel," Jake answered. "Monica said Cody was already there. She was a little sketchy on the details."

"Suddenly the world seems to be a little smaller," Sabrina said. "Do you think Donovan would mind if I tagged along? I really need to talk to Cody,"

"I think it would be okay. What would one more agent hurt?" Alex answered. "We better be going."

"Allison was about to tell me why she was having the tests done when you guys showed up. What am I missing here?" Sabrina asked.

"Jake could be the baby I gave up years ago."

"Really? That's great!" Sabrina hugged her friend and then Jake. "I know you have wondered about your mom. I hope you find out its Allison. She's a terrific lady."

"Thanks, Sab. I hope it's true too." Jake said with a smile to Allison.

"I'm ready. I don't want to keep you from your work," Allison said, grabbing her purse. When Jake and Sabrina walked out, Allison held Alex back to talk to her. "Alex, please don't let anything happen to either of them."

"I'll keep an eye on them…I promise."