Here is my update! Sorry for the long wait.

Killer Portrait – Chapter 5: Hope and Faith?

Suze's POV:

"What?" Jesse exclaimed. "Where?"

The light turned green, and I dashed to the streets, trying to find it. Finally, I went back to Jesse.

"It's too late, he's gone," I said.

His face was a look of grim determination. "No it's not. We can ask about him."

"Let's go." We went to the gallery, all previous plans forgotten.

"Now, we need to gather all the information we can get about the guy who bought the painting. Let's split up," he directed.

"Divide and conquer," I agreed. (A/N: Got that from a show.)

I was walking towards an area with paintings all over, when a hand clamped on my shoulder.

"Hey."

I looked back at Paul's friendly smile. I forced one on my face, mentally cringing.

"Hey Paul," I greeted.

"What are you doing here? Planning on buying the entire gallery?" he joked.

"No… actually, I need to ask you something about a customer," I admitted. "A guy who just bought a … portrait."

"And why would I tell you?" he asked playfully.

"It's important. I need to know about him," I pressed.

His face hardened. 'I'm sorry, Suze. Can't reveal that-"

"Hey Suze! You're back!"

I turned around slowly. "Hi Dean."

"What brings you here?" he asked curiously.

"Uh… if we can go somewhere more private…" I looked at Paul.

"Well? Go away." Dean said, looking at him expectantly. Paul looked at me, narrowing his eyes, and finally walked away.

"Okay, he's gone. You were saying…"

"I need some information about that guy who just left. The really tall one with that portrait?" I asked hopefully.

He frowned. "I thought you were taken."

I rolled my eyes. "I am, but it's nothing like that!" He looked at me dubiously. "Please?" I insisted.

He sighed. "If you're talking about the one who just bought the portrait you looked at, then yeah, I know him. But why should I release the information? It's against our policies."

"Because if you don't I'll…call Jesse and make him beat you up to bloody pulp?" I replied.

He just laughed. Seeing my serious expression, the smile left his face. "You're serious then. Hmm… What about you go out with me to dinner tonight, and I'll tell you all about him," he bargained.

I considered it. "How do you know I'll even show up?" I asked.

"Well… because I'll just give you some now, and the rest later," he answered triumphantly.

"How do you know I won't leave?" I countered.

"You drive a hard bargain. Well, because I will give it once we are finished eating."

I thought hard. "Okay," I finally relented… I had something up my sleeve, something I haven't even thought about before.

"Good," he smiled. "Now, where are you staying so I can pick you up… about eight?"

I rattled off the address. "Now, the guy's name?"

"Huh?"

"You said you were going to give me half of the information to me now," I reminded him impatiently.

"Oh yeah. The guy's name is Sam. Sam Hale."

"Where does he live?" I asked.

"I'm telling you that, later," he grinned. "Can't wait for tonight." He walked away. I mentally yelled in frustration as I looked for Jesse.

"Hey Jesse, the guy's name is Sam Hale," I said, once I found him.

"Good work querida," he praised. "How did you find out so quickly? Do you know where he lives?"

"Well, I asked this guy… He told me his name. I will know where he lives tonight," I said uncomfortably.

"Tonight?" He looked adorably confused.

"Dean will tell me where he lives… during dinner," I blurted. "He'll tell me only if I go out with him."

"Oh. Okay then, as long as nothing happens," he smiled, kissing my cheek. I am so lucky. I mean, how many girls have understanding boyfriends like Jesse?

"But," I hastily said, "Why don't we just search for his address? I mean, we have his name."

"Smart girl," he said. He set his laptop, and typed in Sam Hale. Soon, we found five Sam Hales. But none of them lived in Seattle.

'Okay… how can this be?" I asked, frustrated.

"I guess you will have to go to dinner with him, after all," he shrugged.

"This is not fair," I complained.

"But we are doing this for Adam and Cee Cee," Jesse pointed out.

"For Adam and Cee Cee," I repeated determinedly. "Wait- but what are we going to do once we get the address?"

"I'm going to go to the address, and warn him," he replied.

"You're going alone? Can't you just wait for me?" I asked.

"No. It's too dangerous. Besides, Alejandro knows me, not you," he said. "I think I will be able to talk to him."

"But what if you're too late and Alejandro is there? Or he won't listen to you?" I asked worriedly.

"Just trust me, querida. I will be able to handle this. I think Alejandro will be shocked once he sees me. After all, I was supposed to die a hundred and fifty years ago. I think this should work out to my advantage," he answered confidently.

"One last question," I interrupted. "How are you supposed to defeat him?"

He wrinkled his brow. "Okay, all I will do is burn the portrait. That should get rid of him temporarily, giving me enough time to save Sam and get out of there with it. I'll bring it back to the hotel, where we will try to destroy it- permanently."

"But what if it can never be destroyed?" I asked again, even though I said the previous question would be the last.

"Oh." It was obvious that the idea never entered his head. "Well, just hope for the best and have faith… Remember Susannah, never say never."

What a good time to talk about faith and hope…

… Not.

I'm sorry for making this so short. But short update is better than no update at all, right? So, if you want me to update this, you know what to do. This story is almost finished. I think. Just a few more chapters to go. Please review! They make me update quicker, knowing someone is reading this.

Jen