Disclaimer: The characters are property of Janet Evanovich and I am not making any money from this story. The story line is mine.

Sequel to: Finding Yesterday

Warning: Angst and High Drama

Bed of Lies

Chapter 5

By Elissahara30

The Center SGO operations, Washington D.C.

The Center wasn't really the center of anything; the SGO's compound barley merited being part of the District of Columbia. I stood before the mountain worth of stairs, wondering if I was making a huge mistake by trusting DM again. I looked over at him and he was straightening his tie trying, I had never seen him look so uncomfortable in his skin before and that just added to my unease.

He quietly handed me my SGO credentials and I took it carefully. I had never intended to join them, but once I got back from France Ranger made sure I had the option. Looking at them in my hand, I couldn't help but wonder again if the last few years were leading me down this path. That no matter how hard I wanted a 'normal' life, it just wasn't achievable. Being with Ranger had meant as many sacrifices as it did to simply love him. It was something I understood, and on some level accepted.

I checked my gun holster in my jacket and gently touched the butt of the P220, slipped my credentials into my jacket and looked over to DM, "I'm as ready as I'll ever be," I said.

He nodded his head and led the way up the stairs to the main doors; I couldn't help but look up at the metal bars hidden in the holes along the top. I tried to suppress the whole walking into the den of the devil. I could hear my heels click, click against the black marble floor lobby floor with the emblem of the SGO so proudly engraved in blue and gold across the surface.

Before the bank of elevators was the security station with the metal detectors on the right and left side of the mammoth desk. The silver of the detectors stood out among all the black and gold of the lobby, we took the left most line and watched as DM flashed his credentials and put his gun in the slot. He walked through the detector and when the alarm blaring and he took his gun back and waited for me.

I pulled out my own ID and flashed it to the guard and slipped my P220 in the slot, and I held my breath as I went through the metal detector, and hid my grimace as the alarm went off. The guard pulled me aside and I gave DM an apologetic shrug as the hand sweeper went over my person. It stopped at my head and I gently tugged out the metal hair clip. My hair fell in long curls down my shoulder. Once I removed the clip nothing else pinned on the alarm.

"Need anything else?" I asked the guard, he shook his head no at me and I took my gun and my hair clip back and made my way to DM.

We made our way to the bank of elevators and DM pressed the call button. DM looked at me and I gave him my best no nonsense smile, but I feared he didn't buy it for a moment. The doors opened and we stepped onto the elevator. I had only been to The Center once before, two years ago when Ranger and I returned to the United States; we were both debriefed on what happened in France. But of course those interviews happened on the fourth floor. We were headed down to level eight, the detention block.

When the doors opened and we exited, I suppressed a shiver. I could feel the little hairs on my arms buzz from the electricity in the air. It smelled heavily of ozone, and I really didn't want to know why. DM led the way down the corridor, the sound echoing hollowly around us. I kept my focus on DM's back, trying not to notice the cameras at every angle, not much room to maneuver, no camera blind spots.

We made our way to a glass enclosed room with a table and four chairs in the middle. And there sitting at the table was Katharine Kilbourne aka Eleanor. She looked good in her orange uniform and I god did I hate that bitch. Outside the glass room stood another uniformed guard and he was huge. Tank didn't even have anything on this guy he was so big. DM and I both gave over our ID's as we waited to be let into the glass room.

When the guard was satisfied with our credentials he pushed a combo on the key pad beside the door. I followed DM into the room and sat quietly in the chair across from Eleanor. DM sat down stiffly beside me and Eleanor gave us both a superior smile.

"Don't you look good Doug, all dressed up just for me," Eleanor simpered.

"Cut the crap Kathy," DM spat back.

"Temper, temper Doug, not a way to treat me now is it?" She turned to me, "How's Carlos doing, he miss me? I sure miss him."

DM put a restraining hand on my arm, and Eleanor smirked all the more, "Now I know you didn't have me moved here just for a social visit. What's my deal?"

"A little presumptuous of you Kathy," DM said.

"You're just predictable Doug, just like your girlfriend over there," Eleanor said.

"I am not predictable," I said through clenched teeth.

Eleanor leaned back in her chair and looked at the both of us closely, "The only reason Doug would be here is that it would have something to do with The Christian and you," her smile turned sharp, "Would only be here because of Ranger, am I right?"

DM reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the file that he had received from the NSA about The Christian, he set it down on the table, "The Christian was picked up by the NSA in the middle east."

"I love it when I right," she didn't move toward the file, "Not a word until I know what my deal is," Eleanor said.

"I can cut your sentence by half," he said.

"Not enough," Eleanor countered.

"Give an offer," DM said.

"Time served with a new identity and seed money," she said.

"Fuck that!" I yelled as I stood up.

"Jersey," DM reached up and pulled me down hard into the chair, "Shut up."

I looked away from Eleanor's triumphant smile. "Time served, and I promise not to let anyone know you're out." DM said.

"You must think I'm a rank armature at this Doug, no deal. Send me back to Lexington. I had a rather nice cell with a lovely girl named Leigh lee. The things she could do . . .," DM reached across the table and grabbed Eleanor's arm and pulled her to him, "You're going to tell me what I need to know!"

She pulled herself free, "No I am not."

DM opened the file before him and pulled out a picture of The Christian and another man, "Who is this?"

She sat back crossed her arms and smiled, "You must be desperate to have to come to me and ask. No one else willing to talk to the mighty Devil Mage anymore, I feel so bad inside."

"I don't think she knows anything," I said as I pulled the file over to me, "I bet all you know is a bunch of bull shit anyway."

"Petty insults won't work on me Stephie," she said, "I'm much more talented than that after all."

I leaned forward and smiled, "Two words Eleanor only two," I said.

"Please I'm dying with anticipation," She mocked.

"Petrovich Edict," I said.

The mood change in the room was instantaneous, as D+M swore under his breath and Eleanor pushed back from the table and stood up, and for the first time since I met the bitch I saw fear. She was almost to the doors when I grabbed her arm and swung her around, "I want to know what you know?"

She looked between DM and I and she pulled away and closed her arm around herself, "No deal, send me back now!"

DM went around me and steered Eleanor back to the table, "We're not here for that Kathy, we just want information on The Christian that's all I'm asking."

"How many did you contact Doug? How many know you brought me here?" She asked her eyes pleading with him, "I don't want to be involved."

"I asked a couple of favors that's all, no one knows why." DM assured.

But it wasn't enough, she knew something and I needed to know what, "They took Ranger to GitMo," I said.

Eleanor rested her head in her hands, "Then it's started," she whispered and looked up at DM, "You said the NSA have The Christian and they removed Ranger. Do you realize how much danger you have just put me in?"

"You think what happened to The Christian and Ranger has to do with the . . ." Eleanor raised her hand to quiet me, "Don't say it again."

"What are you afraid of then?" I asked.

Eleanor looked at DM, "Did you ever wonder why he sold out Doug," her voice lost all its energy, "He knew someday they were going to find him and he wanted out at any cost. If he was smart he got rid of his key code a long time ago."

"What key code?" I couldn't help asking.

Eleanor looked at me for a long time neither of us moving, "There are five codes belonging to five agents."

"Kathy stop," DM warned.

She looked at DM sharply and leaned forward her eyes intent, "You wanted information then you're going to have to get me out now."

"I can't do that," DM said.

"If I can get you out," I whispered urgently, "What can you tell me?"

"God damn Jersey," DM pulled me back, "You can't do that."

"I have too," I said.

"The Christian was making a deal," Eleanor said to both of us and we turned and looked at her as one, "I knew because he wanted me out to help with a special project. I think whoever promised him immunity was the same someone that wants the key codes. I think they received Ranger's name from him."

"Who else has the codes," I asked.

"I don't know, I was never supposed to know." I looked at DM and his eyes were showed and before I could ask another question a voice called out, "Times up."

We turned as one, as a man in a suite stood just inside the glass door, the mammoth guard was missing. I felt DM stiffen next to me, "We're not done speaking to the prisoner."

The man's face remained blank as he came further into the room and Eleanor reached out and took my hand. I turned and looked at her and she moved the photo from The Christian's file close to me. Our eyes met, "Aaron Mantinkin," she mouthed.

The slid the photo closer to me and nodded my head very carefully to acknowledge that I hear her. The man came closer to our table and flashed his badge, "Agent Warren NSA, I need to secure the prisoner and take the files."

"You have no authorization to be here," DM said.

"I have a subpoena for Katharine Kilbourne; she is to be remanded with the NSA in regards to our continuing investigation into the agent known as The Christian." Eleanor squeezed my arm tighter.

"We're just finishing," I said neutrally and I gently moved Eleanor's hands of mine. I moved and up and tucked a hair behind my ear.

"You can't leave me here," Eleanor gritted out between her teeth at me.

I turned toward her and said, "I'm sorry I wish you had more information concerning our investigation." And started toward the glass door and as soon as my back was turned Eleanor launched herself at me and grabbed a fist full of hair.

"Get off me!" I yelled as both DM and Agent Warren prided her off me. My hair hung around my shoulders as Eleanor held a good chunk of my hair.

"Do I now have a bald spot," I said as I patted my head. DM grabbed my elbow and ushered me out of the room. We did double time on our way back to the elevators without looking back. We got on the elevator without incident and made our way up to the lobby level. We went through the check points again and out the front door. As we walked down the stairs the alarms started going off on the building and DM whirled around to start back up.

"No," I said.

"What?" He growled at me.

"Let's get out of here before this place is locked down and we're held for questioning." And I rushed the rest of the way toward where we parked our rental car. I slowed down as I noticed a photo on the windshield. It was of DM and me entering The Center building. I flipped the photo over; I have my eyes on you.

I slipped the photo in my jacket before DM caught up with me and got into the car and started it up. I could hear sirens in the distance and as soon as DM got in I punched the peddle and took off down the road.

"What the hell was that back there?" He asked.

I took a sharp corner trying to get as much distance between us and the chaos starting back at The Center, "Keeping my promise." And I just kept on driving.