Chapter 16: For Justice, For Revenge

Casey returned to the Headquarters and Rhea all but hog-tied him and led him to the infirmary to get his shoulder checked out. The damage wasn't as extensive as he feared. His bones were intact, but if he wanted to play it safe, he had to wear a sling. He went back to his quarters to rest his shoulder and mull over his discoveries. He awoke refreshed after a two-hour nap and washed up. Simon and the others had tracked down Lane Stevens' present location and alerted the local authorities. The investigation was practically over, yet Casey felt as if it'd only just begun.

There was a low knock on his door and he struggled to turn.

"Who is it?"

"It's Rhea…may I come in?"

"Yeah. Why not?"

Rhea walked inside with a tray of food and a bottle of water.

"Eat up, it's just a sub hero."

"You guys are gonna kill yourselves and me with these sandwiches. I feel like Big Mike." Casey remarked, but polished off the quick meal within a few minutes. Rhea waited patiently, and then dug into her shoulder bag for a white tube.

"Take off your shirt and lay down on your stomach."

"Ohh, Jones! I just ate, ya know?" Casey eyed her with a crooked smile and did as he was told.

He honestly didn't mind a back rub. He settled into a comfortable position, but it hurt to move his left arm. Rhea squeezed a few dollops of the ointment onto his shoulders and went to work, grinding deep into his upper back muscles and working her way down. Casey grunted and moaned as all the tension knots and pains dissipated under the hot lotion and her roaming fingers.

"You do have great hands." He murmured into the pillow.

"Thanks, I did some work as a masseuse during summers off from school."

"Aren't you just a Jacqueline of all trades?"

"It's the best way to live, where's it hurt most?"

"Uhh…upper left, yeah! That's it!" He cried out when she touched the sore spot.

"Just above the clavicle, more toward the Acromion and Bursa. I'm so glad you didn't break anything."

"Me too, because my work is not finished."

"After tonight it will be, John. You did it, we have all the evidence we need to make a case against Costa and Lane Stevens."

Rhea stopped and patted his back. She helped him turn over and spread more ointment on his collarbone and shoulder. Casey gazed up while she worked. She was intent on the task at hand, her lips pursed and her shapely brows knitted in concentration. He put his hand over hers and she gradually slowed down and knelt beside him.

"I said it's not over…you know it and I know it. Costa will find a way to worm out of this. If anyone is going to take the heat it may be you. They'll trace your husband's ties to Costa and he'll play the ignorant card. And there's something else."

Rhea's heart beat rapidly, her fingers clenched over his broad chest. "I know."

"Regardless of whether they catch Lane or not, Costa won't let you out of this alive. The moment I leave for Washington he'll make sure to finish his dirty work. I'm afraid for you, Rhea."

Gazing into his solemn eyes, Rhea saw his genuine concern. She tried to feebly laugh it off, but her mouth quivered and tears rolled down her cheeks. She laid her head softly in the crook of Casey's arm. When she raised her eyes, her pure sadness touched his heart.

"Maybe…maybe…I deserve it. I've harbored his corrupt secrets for too long. I'm just as guilty as he is."

Casey tilted his head with a frown and squeezed her hand. "No, don't say that. You're one woman against a powerful and corrupt man with the world at his disposal. Listen to me, Rhea; as soon as they nab Lane, I want you in Washington with me. You're going to explain everything except…"

"The time travel. I understand that."

"Good." Casey propped himself up on his elbows and Rhea assisted him again. She pulled at his blankets and shook her head.

"You know, John, I wish…I wish this damn satellite never existed. I feel like going in there with a hammer and destroying the whole thing." Her face darkened and she made a motion to leave.

"I'll have Simon turn the self-destruct mode on and it will all be over."

Casey grabbed her wrist and pulled her close again. He studied her intensely and brushed his lips over hers. Rhea wrapped her arms around his neck and they fell into a warm, deep kiss.

Before long, Casey opened his eyes and their mouths parted. He nuzzled his face against hers, and ran his hand down her back. His throat closed with grief and his eyes watered.

She looked up at him. "John, what's wrong?"

"You can't…" He whispered. "You won't destroy it…not until you do something for me."

Rhea's heart dropped; she bit her lip, still tasting him. "I want to help you, but…."

They kissed again. "Please. You have to. It's not just for me. We can't let Costa win." Casy whispered, trailing his lips down her neck.

The telephone rang and startled them and Simon came on the line.

"Rhea! They caught Stevens! He came back to the hideout Casey found, and they grabbed him right on the spot. We need our snarky NSA brass to get to the station and drill him for the particulars. Is he up to it?"

Rhea stood motionless with the phone away from her ear. She took a deep breath and handed Casey a clean shirt from his suitcase. He clutched it with a new fire in his eyes.

"Yeah, Simon, he'll be on his way." She hung up the phone and helped Casey put his shirt on.

Casey made sure he had his wallet, badge, and weapon and charged for the door. Rhea ran up to him and stopped short of an embrace.

"When…when you come back, we'll be ready. We have to do it quick, I know Costa will somehow interfere."

Casey leaned on the door jamb and stroked her face. She nestled her cheek in his palm and his thumb caressed her lips.

"If this works, the nightmare will be over. And then maybe we'll…"

Rhea gently removed his hand and led him out the door; she put the keys to her minivan in his hand.

"We'll have never met. Go, Casey. Pick this guy's brain and get back here, because we have to work fast."

Casey grinned, but felt a deep loss within. "Thanks, Rhea. You're quite a woman."

"Yeah, yeah…that's what they all say. Now get out there!"

He darted out of the complex, ready to come face to face with Chuck's killer. Rhea fell against the door with a stifled sob. Her husband's image crossed her mind. There was no telling how this would play out, but she wanted to help Major John Casey as much as she could, for justice, for revenge…and love.