Chapter Six
Matt woke with a startle, less than two hours after falling back to sleep.
"Flannery," Matt answered, half-asleep.
"We lost Duff," Frank said, biting back the tears that threatened to spill again.
"What? I thought he woke up," Matt sat up-right, waking Emily up in the process.
"He had, but the doctor told me it would be best to tell him about Lia. It broke his heart so bad that he died. I killed him, Matt," Frank said.
"No, don't blame yourself Frank, but I've damn near had it. We've lost two people, and dammit that's two too many. I'm gonna kill the son of a bitch myself," Matt said, his voice full of hostility and anger.
"Meet me at the field office," Frank said, before hanging up the phone.
Matt sat his phone back down, his hand bawling up into a fist.
"Matt?" Emily called.
"We lost Duff," Matt said, before his head fell into his hands.
"I thought...I thought he was doing better," Emily said, tears springing into her eyes.
"He was, but Frank didn't have a choice," Matt said, knowing she'd take the hint.
"Oh...oh god, it's my fault," Emily said.
"How is it your fault Em?" Matt asked, looking toward Emily.
"I should have talked Lia out of it. I should have did it myself. If I had Lia would be alive, and so would Duff," Emily said, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"And you'd be dead Em. I couldn't take that...that would be enough to kill me. Knowing I'd have to wake up everyday without you," Matt paused, biting his bottom lip, trying to shove back the tears that threatened to fall.
An Hour Later
"What's up Frank?" Matt asked.
"Look we have to find this bastard," Frank said, pacing the floor uncontrollably.
"Frank, we all wanna catch this prick, but the last time we didn't think a plan through, someone...uh," Matt let his sentence trail off.
"I know, but I figure we lure him in here. I mean what place do we know better?" Frank asked.
"That's not a bad idea," Matt said.
Cheryl's Room
Cheryl sat up as much as the throbbing pain in her stomach would allow. Tears fell from her eyes, as she looked through the photo album she begged Frank to bring her. The first photo she came a crossed was one of Emily and Lia, laughing at something. The next photo was Cheryl and Lia, smiling for the picture. The next photo was of Lia and Duff, it was a more recent photo. They were staring lovingly into each other's eyes. Cheryl knew that Lia wouldn't be able to resist that charm that Duff had to him.
Cheryl sat the photo album in front of her when she reached the photo she was looking for. It was a group photo, a very recent group photo. About a month before SBGS appeared, and drove fear into each of there lives. A month before she lost two of her friends, and two of her best agents.
Tears escaped Cheryl's eyes again. She couldn't make herself say the words that would make this nightmare a reality. The words that would conform that her friends were truly gone, not only that but her three remaining friends were off doing god knows what. She shook her head, she knew what they were doing, they were trying to catch the son of a bitch that torn they're lives apart. She just hoped that they had better luck this time. She hoped that each one came out unscathed, and unharmed.
FBI Field Office
"Frank, I think maybe we should call for back-up," Emily said.
"No dammit, this bastard has hurt too damn maybe of my friends. I sure as hell ain't going to let him lay a damn finger on either one of you two," Frank said.
Emily leaned into Matt. She had never seen or heard Frank like this. It scared her, but intrigued her all at the same time.
"Look, I think Em's right," Matt said.
"I won't do it," Frank said.
"Fine, let's set up," Matt said.
Cheryl's room
Cheryl had tried and failed to reach Matt and Emily on their cell's, so she went to pick up the phone again, to dial Frank's number. Just as her fingertips grazed the top of the phone, it started to ring. The noise startled Cheryl, but she grabbed the small phone, and pulled it to her ear.
"Hello," Cheryl answered.
"Hey, look we're going dark, don't try to contact us," Frank said.
"What are you three up too...tell me NOW," Cheryl demanded.
"I can't, you'll try and talk us out of it," Frank said.
"That means I wouldn't like it," Cheryl said.
"Well, that, and it's against procedure," Frank said.
"Just be safe," Cheryl said, deciding to give up.
"We will," Frank said, before hanging up.
FBI Building
"Let me guess, she's not happy?" Matt asked.
"Uh...I think they have her on some good painkillers," Frank said.
"I'm scared to ask this, but why do you say that?" Emily asked.
"Why...because she only tried to talk me out of it once, before giving in," Frank said.
"Yeah, that's kind of odd," Matt said.
Frank looked down at his watch, "Damn it's time."
Outside the FBI Building
The steel blue-eyed man stood outside the field office. He had over heard Matt discussing with his partner, of a late night meeting. He knew that the woman was waiting, alone in this building. She was the one he wanted to kill, not that pretty one, but oh well, life goes on. He opened the door, and walked in.
Inside the FBI Building
"You did your part right?" Frank asked, knowing he was late.
"I..." Matt's sentence trailed off, as the lights went out in the building.
"Do you think he knew it was a set-up?" Frank asked.
"Hell...who knows," Matt said.
"I know," a man said, walking in from the shadows.
"You stupid son of a bitch," Frank said, staring at the man.
"Assuming those two Agents that died...your friends?" the man said.
"Yeah, and I'm going to kill you myself," Frank went to move.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," the man said.
"And whys that?" Frank asked.
"Well I decided to drop that pesky little knife, and use something...easier to kill with," the man said, showing the high powered rifle he was holding.
"Look, why don't you just put that down?" Frank asked.
"Do I look stupid? I'm not stupid...the only question I want you to answer is...who is gonna die next?" the man asked, as fear over took each agent's eyes.