IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I screwed up royally in the last chapter. I thought that I published the changed chapter but looking at it now (6/30/07) I realize that I haven't. And when I looked for it on my computer I couldn't find. The only thing I can think is that when I went to save it, I didn't actually save the updated version. So, damn me. It's pretty much a minor change but adds a little more fun to the story.
I debated with putting up an updated chapter four but have decided against it mainly because I figured out how to make it work. What I'm talking about will make more sense in coming chapters.
With that said enjoy!
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"I do not like where your mind is going," Kimiko told Raimundo.
"Neither do I but unfortunately it makes sense," Rai agreed sighing and looking down at the notes he'd written down on a pad of paper. All of them were his thoughts on their latest clue and it had led him to an uncomfortable answer.
"There is no way that you're right," Kimiko said shifting uncomfortably on the couch knowing that what she'd just said was a lie. It was the only plausible explanation for the riddle that they'd come up with and they'd been at it for almost an hour.
"I don't like it anymore then you do," Rai said rubbing his eyes. He wasn't thrilled at all with the prospect of having to go into the underground of New York City, specifically into the abandon subway tunnels that many homeless people had turned into a community that was more like a refugee camp then an actual society. They'd been working on hard on the clue and up until only a few minutes ago they'd had nothing to go on. Then Raimundo had had a moment of clarity and realized that the note was pertaining to New York's almost tragic excuse for a subway system.
"And the bell tolls?" Kimiko asked.
"I'm thinking it'll be under the clock at Grand Central Station."
"And by under you mean underground, as in deep underground," Kimiko sighed.
"Yup."
"I've always heard rumors about mole people," Kimiko lamented.
"Well they say all rumors are based in fact," Raimundo said leaning back on the loveseat and stretching his arms over his head. Kimiko glanced at him and found she couldn't look away when given a tantalizing peek of Raimundo's welled developed six pack of abs.
'What else he's got hiding under there?' Kimiko couldn't help but wonder. Realizing what she'd just thought Kimiko blushed hard and buried her face into her hands. Raimundo looked over at her and misinterpreted the act.
"You ok?" he asked. Kimiko mumbled incoherently into her hands. "What was that?" Rai asked again leaning forward. Kimiko only mumbled again and shook her head, sending her pigtails swaying. "What?" Rai tried to suppress a laugh unsuccessfully. Kimiko didn't respond that time and Raimundo stood up and moved toward her. "What's going on with you?" Rai asked again slightly concerned now. He touched her shoulder and she turned her body away. "Kimiko?" Rai pressed as his hand closed gently around her wrist and almost automatically Kimiko tried to tug her hand away while keeping her face covered.
"Kimiko," Raimundo said tugging a little harder but Kimiko fought back trying hard to keep her face covered. They began to struggle with one another, in an almost playful manner, before Kimiko lost her balance and fell off the couch bringing Raimundo down on top of her. Kimiko was still only for a moment, face to the carpet with Raimundo awkwardly across her, before she tired to push herself up.
"Get off of me," she said blushing again and trying to get his weight off of her with limited success. "Raimundo!" she snapped irritably when he didn't move.
"What would you do," Raimundo suddenly asked, "if someone had you pinned like this?"
"What kind of a question is that?" Kimiko snapped back feeling the heat continue to rise on her face.
"A perfectly logical one," Rai told her and got up. "Do you know how to defend yourself?" Kimiko stood moodily.
"I can take care of myself," Kimiko told him irritably. Suddenly his arms were back around her, pinning her arms to her side. "This is no longer funny," Kimiko said as she struggled against him.
"What would you do?" Rai pressed.
"I don't want to hurt you," Kimiko told him.
"Then show me slowly and softly," Rai whispered into her ear and Kimiko felt the hair rise on the back of her neck.
"Oook," Kimiko struggled with the simple word and Raimundo fought down a smirk. He felt her shift slightly. "I'd kick at your shins since that is one of the most sensitive places to go at. And then I'd go limp to loosen your hold, or go at your kidney," she explained, "Or try to pinch you. Anything to get your grip loosened up."
"And then?"
"I'd take a page out of Sandra Bullock's book," Kimiko smiled.
"Meaning?" Rai asked curiously.
"Solar plexus, instep, nose, groin," Kimiko said in a sing song voice.
"Effective," Raimundo agreed, "though running is probably the best option." Rai let her go and noticed Kimiko didn't immediately turn to face him. "The, ah," Raimundo coughed uncomfortably, "groin is a good spot to go but don't always rely on it. Its good to keep in mind that most guys will try to protect themselves," he paused again, "there." Kimiko nodded and laughed slightly turning back to him.
"One of my RA's called it the 'ultimate move'," Kimiko grinned.
"Just glad you know how to defend yourself," Rai told her seriously.
"Every girl should, at least in this city," Kimiko shrugged and then sighed. "I guess we need to get going. Just cause I don't like it doesn't mean that we can avoid it." She bent back over the table and scooped up everything they'd pulled out.
"Your right," Rai agreed and handed her her bag, "lets go."
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"My thoughts are with you and your family Mrs. Pedrosa," Omi told the woman over the phone. "Yes, I promise that as soon as I hear from I'll make sure Raimundo calls you. Take care," Omi said goodbye.
"Is everything ok?" one of the regulars and sometimes worker in Omi's gym asked looking over at him. The tiny man sighed hard.
"Trouble in Raimundo's family and it seems as if Raimundo is out of communication."
"If he's smart he's warming up to that cutie that came in this morning," Danny said stretching and freezing under Omi's glare. "What?" Danny asked loudly.
"What are you talking about?" the third trainer asked. Omi opened his mouth to respond but Danny beat him to it.
"This total hottie came in looking for Raimundo his morning and he left with her," Danny broke in with a lecherous grin.
"After she performed a most impressive flip on you," Omi added.
"And I'm still head over heels in love," Danny replied while Omi scoffed.
"She flipped you to avoid you!"
"What can I say? I like them feisty," Danny grinned.
"You are hopeless," Omi said with a shake of his head.
"What about this girl?" the forgotten third member of the conversation asked.
"I believe her name was Kimiko, but it is nothing important," Omi assured him.
"Hmm."
"Is something wrong?" Omi asked.
"No nothing, just some things on my mind." Omi didn't press more so he decided to take a chance. "Say Omi, would it be possible to get the rest of the day off?"
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"Come on," Raimundo urged.
"Another minute," Kimiko shot back.
"Kimiko," Raimundo groaned out.
"Check that tone."
"But," Rai tried to protest but Kimiko cut him off again.
"Shut up," Kimiko told him and continued her pacing. Raimundo rolled his eyes and crossed his arms in an annoyed manner.
"I promise you this is safe, it's a service walkway. Even if the trains were still running in this tunnel you'd be safe."
"Famous last words Pedrosa, famous last words." Raimundo rolled his eyes again and continued to watch her pacing on the platform from where he already waited on the walkway below. He began to mutter in Portuguese, a habit for when he became annoyed or frustrated with something. "What are you saying about me?" Kimiko asked pausing to watch him.
"Nothing," Raimundo lied.
"Yeah right," it was Kimiko's turn to roll her eyes. "You're calling me a bitch or something."
"I would not call you a bitch in any language," Raimundo promised. He held up two fingers and placed a hand over his heart. "Scouts' honor." Kimiko gave an extremely unladylike snort but Raimundo added it to his ever growing list of 'cute Kimiko moments'.
"There is no way anyone would let you in the boy scouts," Kimiko scoffed and resumed her pacing while Raimundo suppressed another groan. He was just about to climb back up on the platform when Kimiko suddenly stopped and turned. "Ok," she said squaring her shoulders, "I'm ready." She walked over to the edge, looked down and then looked at him. "Little help?" Raimundo wasn't sure if he should groan or laugh so he settled on a smile and shake of his head, before crossing the tracks and standing beneath where she stood.
"Come on," he assured her extending a hand, "I've got you." Kimiko nodded, coming to the very edge of the platform and half slid, half jumped, using Raimundo's hand for balance and support. He wasn't expecting her to loose her footing as soon as her feet hit the floor and suddenly found himself with Kimiko leaning heavily against him, his arms automatically going around her. "You ok?" he asked after a breathless second.
"Fine," she said with an embarrassed blush on her cheeks as she stood on her own. She glared at Raimundo who was clearly enjoying himself. "What?"
"Nothing, nothing," Rai told her. There was an awkward pause and then Raimundo asked, "So, is your nickname grace?" He avoided a punch as Kimiko fumed.
"So I have some issues with vertigo," she seethed, "sue me."
"Vertigo?" Rai repeated and then shook his head. "Kim, that's not vertigo, that's like five feet."
"Kim?" Kimiko repeated.
"Sorry, you don't like being called Kim?" Rai asked with a tiny tilt of his head.
"No, just kinda caught me off guard is all." The truth was her name was often shortened to Kim, especially in the States but for some reason the way it rolled off of Raimundo's tongue seemed much more natural and pleasing to the ears. She didn't mind being called Kim but avoided it when possible. Raimundo gave little head shake and turned back to the walk way, keeping an eye on Kimiko to make sure she didn't trip over the tracks. He suspected that it wasn't vertigo but the fear of being underground that had her a bit off balance. It was a perfectly rational fear that Raimundo could admit to sharing but he was a lot better than most at controlling things like his fears in high stress situations. He helped her step up onto the service walkway and Kimiko looked down either end of the tunnel. After a bit of searching Kimiko was able to get into city records, apparently she was a bit of a hacker though Kimiko assured him it was all legal and public knowledge, they'd found an abandon tunnel that ran beneath Grand Central. It was going to be a bit of a hike once they got to the tunnel and Kimiko wasn't looking forward to it by any means.
"Which way?" Kimiko asked looking back at Raimundo.
"GPS says this way," he pointed to his left.
"Are we going to be able to keep the signal once we get deeper into the tunnel?" Kimiko asked with a worried crease in her forehead.
"Not sure," he admitted.
"Better transfer it to my PDA," Kimiko suggested, "I think I have a better chance of keeping a signal then you do."
"And why's that?" Rai asked. His phone was pretty high end and he didn't think a PDA could do much better. Kimiko pulled the PDA out of her bag.
"One of the nice this of being the Tohomiko Electronics' heiress, as you so eloquently put it earlier, is access to pretty much anything and everything that runs on electricity. This thing has got a super battery and amazing reception abilities. Its," she blushed slightly, "is hooked up to a private satellite that only a couple other people have access to."
"That's," Rai struggled for the right words, "impressive."
"That's one way to put it," Kimiko muttered. "So send me the coordinates." Rai did as she requested and headed off in the set direction, Kimiko following immediately after him.
"So you're sure that this tunnel isn't an active sub line?" Kimiko asked again.
"Completely positive."
"So we don't have to be worried about getting run over or electrocuted?"
"We are safe," he paused and frowned, "from those things at least."
"And the homeless people?"
"Just do like we talked about before and don't get confrontational or anything. Picture yourself as a cop; they're pretty much the only ones that come down here besides the people living here so they'll avoid you," Rai told her. "Just make sure you keep your bag in front of you, don't get separated from me, and don't give money out."
"The homeless in America are so different then the ones in Japan," Kimiko shook her head. "Its taken a little getting used to. I feel so bad for them."
"Just keep yourself focused on the task ahead," Rai suggested. He was shinning the light they'd brought in front of him, every so often making a wide sweep to check the area but so far so good.
"And rats? What about rats?" Kimiko asked after a minute or so of silence.
"That you probably will have to watch out for," Rai answered her honestly. Almost immediately Kimiko was closer to him, her hands bunching in the back of his shirt. "Didn't really have you pegged as the type that freaks out over rodents," he told her glancing back at her over his shoulder.
"I'm not going to pass out or scream at the sight of them but I certainly don't feel the need to interact with them," she shuddered, "at least not in the wild."
"The wild?" Raimundo repeated not really sure how to take it.
"They're ok in pet shops and stuff like that but the once running around the city are mean little bastards and I'm not in the mood to be bit."
"Then I suggest you don't look down on the tracks," Rai said in a serious voice.
"Haha, very funny Raimundo," Kimiko said slightly annoyed.
"I'm serious," Rai told her. The prankster of his youth of desperate to get out, wanted to pretend that there was one on her shoulder or something of that nature but he suppressed it. He was also serious about not looking at the tracks. Kimiko gave a squeak and nearly knocked him over a moment later. "What?" he asked surprised.
"I looked at the tracks," Kimiko admitted in a small voice.
"Come on, keep moving," Rai suggested and felt Kimiko nod against his back. They continued on for a few more minutes, Kimiko parting from Raimundo but only slightly.
"I don't want to sound like a snob or anything," Kimiko broke the silence a little while later, "but this place reeks."
"You're not a snob, it reeks," Rai agreed.
"Rai," Kimiko said in a softer voice this time.
"Yeah?"
"I think someone is following us." Raimundo fought his first instinct to face whatever Kimiko sensed head on but he still wasn't completely sure about her ability to defend himself if he wasn't there. He didn't want to put her in harms way but he also needed to protect her and he was at a slight catch 22. He reached behind and pulled her a little closer, keeping them moving the whole time and considered his options, kicking himself for not asking earlier what her actual self defense training was. Raimundo could now hear the feet that had tipped Kimiko off and he wondered how he hadn't heard them before. Whoever was behind them certainly wasn't trying to hide their foot fall and that made Raimundo think that it might just be some 'locals' and not the hunter like he'd originally worried.
"Trust me Kim," Kimiko barely heard Raimundo whisper as he pulled her even closer. Kimiko nodded against Raimundo's shoulder and felt him tense momentarily before his hand tightened on hers. It took Kimiko a second to realize what had happened and she almost didn't believe it until her feet were firmly back on the ground. Raimundo had grabbed her hand and swung her with enough strength and force that she'd briefly been flying over the tracks, landing so that Raimundo was between her and whoever was behind them, his back to her. She turned to Raimundo who had somehow pulled his gun and had it trained in front of him along with the flashlight.
"Stop right where you are," he yelled his voice echoed off the walls of the tunnel. Two people froze in the flashlight's beam and Kimiko could see the light bounce off of knives they carried almost casually. Kimiko glanced around for anyone else that might be around but the light was so limited that she was worried that more people could be hiding anywhere. Hearing movement nearby Kimiko turned and kicked out, catching a man in the stomach. He went down with a tumble and Kimiko heard the clatter of a knife near her feet. She grabbed it quickly but it felt so awkward in her hands that she wasn't sure that it would do her any good.
"Are you ok?" Rai asked her when he felt her back pressed against his.
"Fine," she assured him but was wishing she had a flashlight of her own. They'd brought the one from her apartment and hadn't thought to buy another one along the way.
"You two cops?" one of the men in front of Raimundo asked and Kimiko let him answer.
"Yes but we aren't here to disrupt you. We're just looking for something, maybe some information."
"What the hell is going on here?" a new voice asked and Kimiko was momentarily blinded by a new light.
"Linda!" the second man in front of Rai called. "These two are cops!"
"All right, what's going on? Who's in trouble now?" a healthy sized Hispanic woman came into sight. Her accent was heavy from a person who'd been born and probably still lived in the Bronx's.
"Who knows?" the first man shrugged.
"We aren't here for anyone," Rai called still keeping his eyes on the two in front of him.
"Then why the hell you here?" Linda asked. A tiny groan answered her and the beam of her flashlight went off of Kimiko and down to the man that she'd kicked down. "Shit Tom you drunk again?" Kimiko blinked at the woman as she stooped to look at the collapsed man near her feet and noticed the for the first time the sizeable crucifix around her neck.
"I didn't think I'd kicked him that hard," Kimiko said and the woman waved her off.
"You could have blown on him and he'd go over just as hard," the woman stood and peered around Raimundo and Kimiko. "Is that what you two were doing out here? Looking for Tom?"
"Yeah and we caught sight of these two," the first man jerked his head at Raimundo who still hadn't lowered his gun. Linda looked over at Kimiko.
"You can tell your partner to put his gun down. These two don't want any more trouble than the rest of 'em."
"Ah, you hear that," she tried to keep a straight face as she spoke, "partner. You can put your gun down." Rai didn't move an inch.
"Who's your friend?" Rai asked.
"Linda?" Kimiko ventured.
"Sister Linda Mendoza," Linda told them, "and honestly you can put your gun down. These two won't hurt you." At her back she felt Raimundo lower his arms but his body stayed tight and Kimiko knew that he'd be ready at a moment's notice. "Ronnie, Mel can you get Tom back?"
"Sure thing," one of the two said and, to Kimiko's horror they jumped confidently onto the tracks and then scrambled back up. The two easily picked up the passed out man and walked off.
"So," Linda said when the two were gone, "you got any ID on you?" Rai had turned and faced them both by now and passed the flashlight to Kimiko while he pulled out his ID and handed it over.
"I'm not exactly a cop," Rai admitted when Linda's eyes widened a bit.
"I'll say! Can't say if we've ever had an FBI agent out this way," she handed back the badge to Raimundo. "What about you?" she said jerking her head at Kimiko who turned her head at Raimundo for an answer.
"It's a bit of a story," Rai told her, "and I can't really tell you everything. But she's here with me because she's very important to the case."
"Kinda like protective custody or something like that?" Linda asked.
"Something like that," Rai agreed.
"Well anyway as long as you ain't here to cause trouble or stir things up then you ain't gonna have any troubles." She looked back over her shoulder. "You'll have to forgive those two. We've been having a lot of assholes coming down lately trying to get people involved in shit like bum fights."
"That's awful," Kimiko said sincerely.
"I gotta say that I knew a fair amount of nuns growing up and they didn't talk like you," Rai mused. That wasn't completely true. A couple of the nuns that ran his school had a mouth on them that would make sailors blush.
"Yeah well," Linda shrugged.
"Can I ask what you're doing down here?" Kimiko asked suddenly. "I can't say I expected to see a nun down here."
"Doing God's work," Linda answered automatically. "I'm not preaching or anything like that. Just trying to help my fellow man, making sure everyone has at least a little something in their stomachs."
"Wow," Kimiko said truly impressed.
"Someone's gotta do it," Linda replied and then straightened. "Now what are you two doing down here?"
"The next clue in the case said to come down here," Kimiko told her and Linda cocked her head to the side.
"Clue?"
"Yeah," Rai immediately jumped in, "like I said it's complicated."
"Whatever, I'm not gonna press you on it," Linda said holding up her hands.
"We're trying to get a certain GPS point," Rai went on, "and I'm thinking it's going to be smack in the middle of the community."
"Huh," Linda said looking a bit skeptical.
"I know it's farfetched but it's the truth," Kimiko said in an almost desperate tone.
"I believe you two, don't worry I just have a feeling that this isn't something that I want to be involved with and it would probably be better if the folks down here didn't get involved either."
"Probably better for everyone in the long run," Kimiko agreed. Linda nodded and turned on her heel.
"Come on you two," she said leading the way, "let's go see if we can't find what you're looking for."
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"This is unreal," Kimiko whispered to Raimundo. Raimundo had to agree with her but tried not to let it show, keeping his face serious and his body radiating confidence. They'd been led to a wider area of the tunnel that used to be a crossroads of sorts where various tracks met. Spread out around them were dozens, if not hundreds of tiny "houses" crudely constructed out of random material including a lot of cardboard. Many of homes' owners that had been out in the open when Kimiko and Raimundo arrived with Linda had scurried into the cover of their houses while others continued to watch curiously but didn't interact. Feeling themselves being watched by the hidden eyes of the homeless community they'd followed Linda to, Raimundo was grateful for the woman's help, thinking how difficult it would be without her as a guide.
"You come down here everyday?" Kimiko asked Linda when Raimundo didn't respond.
"Try to," Linda nodded as she walked on. "Now where are we heading?" Raimundo open his phone and glanced at the screen.
"I've got nothing," he said looking over at Kimiko, "is your PDA still getting a signal?" Kimiko nodded as she pulled the hand held out of her bag. She touched the screen and frowned.
"I can't get an active map but the signal will go off like crazy once we're near it."
"Pretty fancy piece of equipment you've got there," Linda observed and Kimiko face went a little flush.
"A gift from my father." Linda didn't respond just looked at her expectantly.
"Well," she said after a moment, "don't you think that it's better if you lead the way?"
"Oh!" Kimiko almost exclaimed. "You're right, sorry." Kimiko glanced at her screen and pointed it in a few directions before finding the direction she wanted. Rai placed an encouraging hand on her shoulder as they walked on. Kimiko stopped after only a minute or two of walking and bit her lower lip. "This is it but," she glanced around, "there's nothing here."
"You sure this is the right place?" Rai asked.
"As long as the GPS isn't malfunctioning but I don't think it is." Kimiko looked back at him desperately. "Rai what are we going to do?"
"What exactly you two looking for?" Linda asked from behind the two. Kimiko shook her head and but didn't even look up.
"I have no idea," she said in a soft voice.
"So what's the story Linda?" a new, slightly familiar voice asked. Kimiko and Raimundo looked over at the two men they'd met in the tunnel only a few minutes ago.
"Not much," Linda answered. "You two got Tom squared away?"
"All set," the one Kimiko thought was named Mel answered.
"Oh!" Kimiko suddenly said bringing everyone's attention to her. "I almost forgot," she said digging into one of the outer pockets of her bag. "This belongs to your friend," she said handing over the knife she'd picked up earlier, "I wanted to make sure it got back to him." Raimundo only smiled at her while Mel, Ronnie, and Linda gave her studied looks. Kimiko glanced back at Raimundo. "What?"
"You picked this up for Tom?" Mel asked.
"Is that ok?" she asked as the knife was taken out of her hands. Neither man responded and Kimiko looked back over at Rai. "We still don't have any idea what to do."
"Just what is the problem?" the other man, Ronnie asked.
"These two are looking for something only thing is they don't know what," Linda answered.
"Well that's stupid," Mel laughed. Rai didn't answer, just plucked the PDA out of Kimiko's hands and changed the screen to look at the clue.
"Maybe we were wrong," he admitted with a sigh.
"But we can't be," Kimiko argued, "it all makes sense."
"I'm not convinced about the Grand Central Station Clock part," Rai glanced at her.
"But you're the one that suggested it," Kimiko almost moaned.
"But why would the clue say 'bell tolls' when it could say something like 'clock chimes'?"
"You two looking for a bell?" Ronnie broke in and Kimiko turned toward him.
"You have one?"
Linda smiled. "Right this way."
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"I'm going to New York," Clay said completely deadpan.
"Sure you are," Cynthia answered back skeptically not looking up from the paperwork she was pouring over.
"I'm serious. Something is up with Raimundo and I need to go find him," Clay said trying not to lean too noticeably on the desk.
"What are you going to do? Go door to door and ask people if they've seen him? Also there is the little matter of getting there and the fact that your benched cause your leg. By the way sit down before you pass out," Cynthia motioned at the chair beside her desk. Clay sat down reluctantly. He'd be fine if some insane intern had run into as he stepped off the elevator. "And what about work?" Cynthia went on once he'd sat. "Just because you don't think there is any glory in office work doesn't mean that it isn't important." Clay chose not to respond to that but cupped his chin in hand and leaned thoughtfully on her desk.
"I didn't come here to get chewed out by you, I came to ask for a favor," Clay finally told her. Cynthia turned her full attention to him and looked interested.
"Oh?"
"Yeah," Clay nodded sitting up again. "Just meet me for lunch at the sandwich shop on Hamilton and we'll talk."
"Hamilton is a bit of a haul," Cynthia frowned.
"Yeah but I'm buying so it'll be worth the trip," Clay smiled and Cynthia rolled her eyes.
"Fine when do you want to meet?"
"Eleven thirty ok for you?"
"It might be hard to take an early lunch today."
"Just try to be there as soon as you can," Clay said standing.
"And what are you up to till then?" Cynthia asked.
"Got some things to check into," Clay said walking away. "See you later." Cynthia watched him go and couldn't keep the worried frown from her face.
"What are you up to Bailey?" she asked herself softly.
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"It's an actual bell," Raimundo said slowly.
"Yup," Mel said with a slow nod. "Showed up here few weeks back."
"Showed up?" Raimundo questioned.
"Yup."
"Folks down here drag stuff down here all the time. No one really takes a second glance," Linda said with a shrug and then looked over at Kimiko and Raimundo. "You two didn't tell me you were looking for a bell."
"We thought it was a metaphor," Kimiko said softly, her eyes trained on the bell hanging above their heads. She stepped forward, until she was directly beneath it and shined her light up into it. "Rai! There's something in there," Kimiko said an excited voice. Raimundo was by her side in a heartbeat, looking to where she'd pointed. Sure enough there was something attached to the inside of the bell that clearly didn't belong. Their three companions were crowding around a second later.
"Huh, never noticed that before," Ronnie said with a tilt of the head.
"Never thought to look," Mel added. Raimundo barely heard them as he glanced around for anyway to get up to the bell.
"Just how the hell did that thing get up there anyway?" he muttered more to himself then anyone else.
"We could try knocking it down?" Kimiko suggested looking for something to knock at the bell with. "What are you doing Rai?" she asked when she noticed him move away from her. He didn't respond, instead tested the wall of a make shift hut that looked like it had been constructed out of cardboard. Apparently he didn't like what he found because he moved over to the next house and repeated the test.
"You break one of those things you're toast buddy, I don't care if you are a cop!"
"Ronnie!" Linda scolded.
"What?"
"Rai you better not be doing what I think you're doing," Kimiko said finally catching on. Rai didn't respond again and Kimiko frowned in annoyance. She was about to yell at him again but Raimundo was already in motion, finding a suitable house a few feet down that he could use to hoist himself up.
"Pedrosa get your butt back on the ground!" Kimiko yell moving to where he was starting to scale the wall thanks for to the various metal covered wiring attached to the wall. By the time Kimiko reached where he'd crawled up Rai had already reached the curve of the tunnel roof and was getting a handhold on the piping that ran overhead. Once he had a solid handhold Raimundo began to make his way, hand over hand toward where the bell hung. Once again Kimiko was impressed by him and wondered if she'd even be able to hang from the piping for very long. "If you get electrocuted and fall and break yourself in two you are getting no sympathy from me!" Kimiko shouted after him as she followed his progress back to the bell. Raimundo couldn't help but grin and snuck a look at her as she stalked underneath him.
"Glad to know you care," Rai called back down to her.
"Seriously," Linda said when Kimiko rejoined them, "you two have a very interesting relationship."
"If he does get out of this ok I'm going to strangle him," Kimiko shook her head in an annoyed manner though her eyes were trained on Raimundo who'd reached the bell. Kimiko couldn't help but hold her breath as she watched Raimundo hang by one hand and reached with the other into the bell.
"It's stuck in there pretty good," Raimundo said with a tiny grunt as he tried to work out whatever was inside free.
"Careful," Kimiko said softly without thinking as she watched Raimundo dangle above her head.
"Got it!" Raimundo called down with one last tug. He looked down at Kimiko. "Catch!" Kimiko opened her hands and moved when Raimundo let go of the mystery object. Another box, similar to the one they'd found earlier landed in Kimiko's hands, coated with a fine layer of dust that showed it had been stuck in the bell for sometime. Kimiko looked back up expecting Raimundo to be heading back the way he'd come but in the split second it had taken to look up Raimundo had already dropped and landed beside her no worse for the wear. Kimiko blinked slowly as she watched him stand straight from where he'd landed in a crouched position. He turned to look at her and grinned at her expression.
"Show off," Kimiko muttered looking back at the box in her hands.
"It looks like the last one," Raimundo observed taking the box from her hands and turning it over in his own.
"This is what all the fuss is about?" Linda asked walking over to the two.
"Apparently," Raimundo replied. Before anyone could say anything else a cry broke through the air causing everyone to whip around. A small thin girl, younger then Kimiko by a few years practically barreled into Linda who managed to stay standing and held the girl as she spoke rapidly in a language Kimiko didn't understand.
"Is she ok?" Kimiko asked.
"She showed up here a couple of weeks back, but no one understands her," Linda explained. "She speaks some English but very little. We think she escaped from one of the illegal sex slave trade houses." Kimiko swallowed hard at that. She'd read about things like that but it was hard to believe that such things could exist in America, let alone the world. "I try to get her out of here but she's so petrified of everything."
"Yeah but she's been getting better," Mel said with concern filled eyes. "Something must have really set her off." Kimiko glanced at Raimundo as he stepped closer to Linda and the girl and surprised everyone by speaking softly in Russian. The girl immediately brought her attention to Raimundo and spoke rapidly to answer him. Raimundo held up his hands and signaled at her to slow down. The girl struggled to do so, apparently very happy to have someone to speak to. Raimundo nodded as she spoke and then laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Can you tell her," Linda interrupted, "that I want to take her somewhere that she'll be protected and taken care of?"
"Sure," Rai said and then spoke to the girl who immediately shook her head. Rai replied and made the sign of the cross and pointed back at Linda. The girl still didn't seem entirely convinced but nodded anyway.
"She'll go but we've got a problem," Rai said standing. "There's someone coming down here that Larissa says is Russian. He's got her really freaked, obviously."
"Her name is Larissa?" Ronnie asked. "Huh, I've just been calling her Russian girl."
"That's her name and she isn't Russian, she's from Belarus," Rai told them standing tall. "Stay here," Rai told the group and took off in the direction Larissa had come from.
"Like hell," Kimiko spat taking off after him. She didn't hear any feet following behind her and was slight grateful for that. She caught up with Raimundo when he stopped to peer around the corner of the end of a line of homes.
"I told you to stay," he spat when she reached him.
"And what gives you the right to tell me what to do?" she asked. "Now be quiet, someone is coming." Rai shook his head at her but went quiet anyway and continued to watch. Someone did come into sight and Raimundo swore under his breath and started pushing Kimiko back slowly.
"What?" Kimiko asked as she complied and backed up. Rai simply grabbed her hand and tugged her along.
"Is there another way out of here?" Rai asked when they made their way back to where they'd left the others.
"What's wrong?" Linda asked concerned.
"Hopefully nothing," Rai said with a shake of his head. "The guy who's down here isn't looking for Larissa, he's looking for me and Kimiko. And it would be better for everyone if we didn't run into one another." Ronnie, Mel, and Linda looked amongst themselves. Finally Ronnie stepped up.
"Come here," Ronnie motioned down the row and started walking ahead of them.
"Wait we can't leave yet," Kimiko protested. She looked over at Raimundo. "Remember the last clue? We can't leave until we know there isn't anything else to do."
"She's right," Rai agreed and then looked over at Linda. "I'm really sorry for all of this but is there anyplace that we could hide out for a minute while we figure this thing out?"
"I don't like all this trouble," Linda mumbled.
"We'll stick 'em in with Tom," Mel cut in. "Not like he'll even notice."
"Thank you," Kimiko said sincerely as she and Raimundo followed Mel and Ronnie.
"Just keep your mouths shut and hopefully this guy will leave us be," Ronnie snapped back.
"Don't be rude," Mel snapped at Ronnie and Kimiko held her breath hoping it didn't escalate any further. Fortunately it didn't and they stopped in front of one of the makeshift houses and Mel motioned then inside as he lifted back the blanket that acted as the door. Kimiko was about to duck inside when shouting caught everyone's attention.
"I'm gonna make sure Linda is ok," Ronnie said running off. Kimiko hesitated going inside, worried for Linda and the other girl, Larissa's safety but gentle prodding from both Mel and Rai had her inside with a passed out Tom.
"Who was that Rai?" Kimiko asked when he was next to her. "You obviously know him."
"Someone I knew when I was under with the Heylin. But I have no idea what he is doing here," Rai said with obvious frustration. "It does not bode well for our situation if the Heylin are involved. I thought that I got out with enough cover, so did the Bureau, but if they're involved with all of this then evidently not."
"What are you two going on about?" Mel asked looking between the two.
"Something that I'm interesting in hearing about but can't right now," Kimiko shook her head and then easily slipped open the top of the box. Mel stepped forward curious and Kimiko immediately covered the box. "Please, I'm not trying to be rude," she said looking the man in the eyes, "but we're dealing with something bad here and if you see this you could be involved and I don't want you at risk. You and your friends have been so nice and helpful that I don't want to chance you getting hurt but getting involved." Kimiko kept her unwavering eyes locked with the older man's who finally sighed and stepped back. Kimiko sent him a thankful look and then turned to Rai and opened the box for both to see.
Raimundo couldn't help the surprise that shown on his face when he saw what was in the box and a glance at Kimiko showed she felt the same way.
"Better check the website," Rai suggested taking the box from her. Kimiko nodded and pulled out her PDA quickly went to the webpage that held the second clue.
"New link," Kimiko told him as she selected it with a tap of her PDA 'pen'. "Not a new window, just redirecting," she spoke aloud as the new page loaded.
"What have we got?" Rai asked stepping closer and looking at the screen.
"Seems like you were right about one thing at least. This is the address for Grand Central," Kimiko answered, "but I don't know what the other numbers are."
"I guess we need to head out of here then," Kimiko said pocketing the PDA and then taking the box and putting it in her bag.
"You two heading out of here?" Mel asked.
"Seems that way. Is there a back way out of here?" Rai asked.
"Follow me," Mel said ducking his head out to check the way before motioning at the two to follow him.
"I don't know how we can thank you for everything," Raimundo told Mel as we followed him.
"Don't think about it," Mel said a shake of his head not looking back. Kimiko caught Raimundo's eye but he shook his head, silently asking her not to press anything at the moment. "This is a service ladder," Mel told them as they stopped at the solid tunnel wall where a ladder was built into the wall. "Should take you right up," he added stepping back.
"Should?" Raimundo questioned as he tested the first metal rung.
"Don't generally go this way but it's what I'm told."
"Ok then," Raimundo sighed hoping back down to the ground. He extended a hand to Mel who took it after a reluctant moment. "Thank you for everything."
"I feel like we should stay and make sure that guy doesn't cause trouble," Kimiko said with a worried sigh.
"We can take care of ourselves down here," Mel told her.
"But," Kimiko started to protest but Raimundo cut her off.
"He's right Kimiko, and I don't like the idea of going out the same way Vlad came in." Kimiko's eyes moved between Raimundo and Mel.
"Ok," she finally conceded and then turned to Mel and surprised the two men by giving him a hug. "Thank you for everything."
"Um, you're welcome?" Mel replied obviously a little flabbergasted.
"Come on Kim," Rai encouraged motioning for her to climb up ahead of him. Kimiko nodded and said one last goodbye to Mel before starting to climb up. Rai let her get a little ways ahead of him before starting to climb himself. He didn't get very far before a hand on his pant leg stopped him. His initial reaction was to kick out to free himself but Rai managed to stop and instead looked back down at Mel.
"You two keep safe now," he told Raimundo with serious eyes. "And take extra care of her, keep her safe. She's something special." Rai nodded after a moment and smiled.
"I'm realizing that more and more," he told the other man.
"Hey," came an urgent whisper from above making Raimundo look up. "You coming or what?"
"Coming," he assured her and began quickly climbing up after Kimiko. She let him catch and then started climbing the short distance that was left.
"Where do you think this leads?" Kimiko asked when she reached a metal door above her head.
"Only one way to find out," Rai answered. "Do you need," he started to ask but paused when Kimiko grabbed the metal handle of the door and began to slide it open, "any help?"
"Hang on a sec," Kimiko said once the door was about a quarter of the way open, "it's stuck." She gave another shove but it didn't budge so Kimiko took her other hand up to help shove the door open. Rai saw her start to loose her balance almost immediately and raised an arm to balance her. However, even before his hand had reached her Kimiko succeeded in pushing the door open and Rai's hand settled on her bottom instead of her lower back. Both were motionless for a moment before Kimiko shot through the open door, not seeming to care what was on the other side. Rai leaned motionless against the ladder and grimaced when he realized that he'd have to follow her through eventually. Suppressing a groan Raimundo half expected to be hit the moment he made his way through the opening. Kimiko was already standing, pointedly brushing dirt from her clothes in an effort not to look at him. There was a furious blush on her cheeks and Raimundo could tell that she was trying to contain herself.
"Um," Rai started to stay but Kimiko cut him off.
"Don't even go there Rai," she told him still not looking him in the face. "I'm hoping that was an accident and I'm just going to leave it at that."
"Yes, good," Rai mumbled a reply as slid the door shut behind him. "Where are we?" he asked as he stood. It appeared that they had come up from the subway and into an alleyway. "I didn't even know that they had service entrances in areas like this."
"Makes sense I guess, if there were an emergency or something," Kimiko shrugged. "I'm guessing we're somewhere near Grand Central." Rai nodded in agreement.
"Come on then," he said walking toward the street. He did a quick look around and started walking in the direction of Grand Central.
"You know your stuff," Kimiko said as he walked confidently along. She'd lived in New York for nearly five years but still wasn't always confident in her sense of direction around the city.
"Like I said before I've lived here the majority of my life," Rai said indifferently.
"Rai?"
"Hm?"
"That guy that was in the tunnel, how'd you know him? You called him Vlad," Kimiko asked softly. Raimundo sent a glance her way, not still entirely sure he was comfortable with telling her about his time in the Heylin.
"Well," he sighed, "he was one of the people I met and interacted with a lot while I was in with the Heylin. When I got out, went back to the FBI, it was very abrupt and earlier then planned. I had to fake my death so that people in the organization wouldn't come looking for me. I thought it worked but with Vlad showing up it makes me think that the Heylin knows who I am and where I am." He gave another huge sigh, stopping with the crowd on the corner. "It makes me think that the Heylin are defiantly involved, and that they're probably the ones who have Amelia." Kimiko watched the fear and worry grow in his eyes as he spoke and she was so over come that before she even realized it she'd wrapped her arms around him in a comforting hug. When she pulled back Rai stared at her blankly before managing a smile.
"Thanks."
"We'll get her back, I'm sure of it," Kimiko said confidently as they crossed the street, Grand Central now in sight.
"You know you can't tell anyone anything that I've told you about being in with the Heylin Organization," Rai reminded her.
"Under lock and key," Kimiko said with her hand over her heart. She suddenly stopped, eyes widening in understanding, and then smiled at him.
"What?" Rai asked looking back at her.
"I know where to go in Grand Central!"
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So a lot of Raimundo and Kimiko this chapter huh? I'm thinking I'll publish a smaller chapter next that focuses more on the minor characters, that way I'll be able to get it out faster. Just a thought though…
This chapter was loosely edited as usual so any huge mistakes please let me know. I'm playing around with an Independence Day one shot, I'm not promising anything but I may put something out later tomorrow (Tuesday) or maybe Wednesday.
Anyway as usually please read and review! Also thank you sooooo much for all you wonderful loyal reviewers that have left comments on each chapter! It makes me so happy that people are enjoying this story (so many favorites and alerts- makes my head spin!) You guys make writing this fic all worthwhile! Thanks again!!