"New Horizons" PART FOUR

Only faint hints of the day's sunlight remained consumed by the coming night sky as Katheryn's Stingray roared to a stop in front of Detective Sandoval's apartment building. The rather larger, industrial-looking landscape hid what view of the sun remained as she stepped one foot out of her car and into the darkness, easing herself forward as she pressed the button to close the top on the treasured beauty. Easing around the front of the car, she opened the passenger side door and took hold of her suitcase, setting it on the broken pavement gently to shut her car door. Glancing up to Carlos' apartment, she saw him briefly look out the window before his figure disappeared away from view. The window suddenly grew dark as the lamps were turned out. Katheryn waited for a brief moment before she heard the clanging sound of footsteps against the metal stairwell that led to the ground below. They were swift and careful. Most of all, they were familiar. Katheryn smirked under her breath. Was it right that she was beginning to memorize Carlos' walking patterns?

"I see you made it." Carlos was catching his breath as he paused next to his jet black Durango, calling across the short distance to Katheryn as he set his large duffle bag on the ground. He reached into his jeans' pocket, shuffling around the tight space for his car keys.

"Of course." Katheryn smiled and began the short walk to Carlos side with her suitcase in hand. It wasn't too heavy. Besides, rolling it would be a waste of time.

Katheryn settled the suitcase by Carlos' duffle just as Carlos clicked the unlock symbol on his keychain. The headlights on the SUV flashed on and off before Carlos eased in front of Katheryn to the back of the SUV, lifted the lift gate, and circled back to retrieve their luggage. "Really? Just one suitcase?" Carlos queried with a touch of disbelief edging his voice.

Katheryn hid another smirk, trying not to bring Carlos' rather chauvinistic statements from earlier today into the conversation. "Is that so wrong?"

Carlos had put her suitcase in the back and had returned for his own duffle. "I—I suppose not." He grinned. "I just…Never mind." He had clearly already put his foot in his mouth one too many times today.

Katheryn flashed a broad smile Carlos' direction as she made her way past Carlos and around back to the passenger side front seat, boarding the SUV with an unmistakable grin.

Carlos eased the lift gate shut with a soft thud and took his place in the driver's seat, shutting the door fervently and cranking the engine. The interior features flashed on their familiar nighttime colors much to Katheryn's delight. She had ridden in the backseat with Molly last time when they had went to the dojo together and hadn't gotten a chance to check out all the bells and whistles in Carlos' new vehicle.

Directing the SUV out of the little parking area and onto the secluded streets adjacent to his home, Carlos set his eyes on the road as the darkened vehicle settled into a moment of silence. The engine's steady hum as the wheels rolled forty-five miles per hour along the streets past houses and small businesses was all that could be heard.

Carlos flashed a glance towards Katheryn in admiration. His brown eyes seemed to glisten as he watched her gaze at the "scenery" with a sense of contentment. He dared to speak up and interrupt her reverie. "Walker's going to meet us half way at the police station to change vehicles. He's also got us a few things we'll need while undercover."

Katheryn nodded, pulling herself out of her reverie to direct a smile Carlos' way.

Carlos had a hard time keeping his eyes on the road the entire time. If Katheryn had known, she probably would have scolded him in some sarcastic fashion. Yet he tried his best not to be too obvious at the same time.

Five minutes passed. Carlos chose to keep his eyes on the road this time as he kept one hand on the steering wheel and the other rested on the door next to him. "Have I told you how beautiful you look when you're thinking rather deeply?"

Katheryn jerked softly out of her deep thoughts and nearly blushed as she tried to process Carlos' words. She hid her struggle behind a smile. "I don't know." She chuckled dryly, hoping Carlos would understand. But she instantly felt ridiculous and wish she would have said something else. "What—what's most important is that I know for sure you've said it now."

Carlos smiled a bit and returned his focus on the road as the Dallas Police Department and Walker's Dodge came into view in his headlights. "He's here already." Carlos parked the Durango alongside the street behind Walker's truck. Both Carlos and Katheryn eased from the Durango in unison, Carlos turning the engine off and removing the keys as he went.

As the twosome formed a path to Walker by his Dodge, a soft glint coming from the entrance to the police department caught their eyes. The full glass door opened and shut, a familiar face emerging from it and approaching the small group under the cover of very little light. Katheryn could have sworn the face was familiar but dared not take a guess at who it was as the nighttime darkness prevented her from being absolutely sure the person was who she thought it was. Besides all this, the woman wasn't wearing her police uniform. And her attire was far from police-worthy…debasing even from her status as an officer. Her blouse was tattered at the hem while a small hole…no…two small incisions were in danger of spreading more at the hips of her calf-length floral skirt. Her hair was spread about her shoulders versus the tidy ponytail Katheryn had remembered from the other woman. Still…between the darkness of night and the oncoming shadows, Katheryn could not be sure whatsoever.

"Carlos. Katheryn," Walker began as the woman stopped next to Walker. "This here is Officer Sydney Cooke. She'll be going undercover with you both also."

With jovial smile, Sydney extended her hand to Carlos first. "Glad to finally work with you, detective. I hear your name around the department a lot."

Carlos chuckled as he shook Sydney's hand, playfully wary of what rumors could be spreading around in the force in his honor. "Good things I hope?"

"Oh, excellent things." Sydney reassured with a grin. "Although there are a few that seem to perhaps be a little jealous."

Carlos rolled his eyes just a bit. "Yeah. His last name wouldn't happen to be Ryan would it?"

Sydney nodded briefly, confirming Carlos' suspicions with an airy chuckle while turning to Katheryn, hand extended. "It's good to see you again, Katheryn."

"Likewise." Katheryn's broad smile hid the fact that she was secretly embarrassed to have not recognized Officer Cooke in the first place. She shook Sydney's hand firmly before they parted and Walker began to address them all.

"Officer Cooke will be going undercover with you both as a maid to give you extra backup. Also…" Walker hoisted a duffle bag out of the back of his truck and handed it off to Carlos. "Sydney put this together for you both. There's some things in there that will be good for you both while on this job." He winked at Katheryn with a smile, nodded to Carlos, and tipped his hat as he turned towards the driver's side of his Dodge Ram.

Carlos was just about to call out to Walker and ask about their change of vehicles when headlights coming from up the street blinded his view as they eased to a stop on the other side of the street. With a deeply-wrinkled forehead and a slightly gaping mouth, Carlos noticed Walker waved towards the driver's door of the luxury car just before he accelerated forward and into the distance, leaving the three to wonder about this mystery car.

Sydney, Katheryn, and Carlos exchanged wary glances within a split second before the window to the fancy vehicle whizzed downward, revealing a rather familiar silhouette despite the darkness.

Carlos grinned, his tensions relaxing as he looked both ways down the road and adjacent to the four-way stop before jogging gently across the one lane to the car ahead. He stooped over a bit to greet the driver. "Hey, Trent. What's up?"

Trent grinned, his hand hanging over the steering wheel as he spoke. "Well, when times get tough in the drug cartel business, Santiago's bodyguard has to double as a chauffeur it seems."

"I see." Carlos' laugh echoed in the small space as stood up to full height and tapped the edge of the door. "Pop open the trunk, will you?" He waved over the women from where he stood, nodding to indicate the way was clear for them to cross. He turned back to Trent. "I've got a feeling the next few days will be far from dull."

"Tell me about it." Trent sighed sharply, his breath evaporating in front of him.

Carlos was about to secure his spot in the passenger side when he halted while at the same time Katheryn's voice stopped him from behind.

"We should probably take the back seat." Katheryn wrinkled her nose up as she posed the idea.

Carlos nodded, surrendering to the obvious. "Yep. You're right." He held the door open for Officer Cooke and waited for her to be settled inside before he shut the door, moving to open the backseat for Katheryn with a tight-lipped smile.

Once Katheryn had scooted through to the other side, Carlos got in also, securing the door shut. "Alright, chauffeur, you can go now." Carlos instructed Trent, slapping him on the shoulder before settling into his own seat.

Trent glared through the rear-view mirror at Carlos with a sarcastic smile, knowing that the days ahead would indeed never be dull.

##

The rather long brick-paved one-lane road soon extended into a wide, circular driveway; a fountain adorned with a cement angel which held a vase of flowing water was centered in the middle of the paved landscape. The mansion seemed to tower over the little car as Trent put it into park in front of the doorway. Double French doors graced the front of the brick palace situated just beyond a narrow little courtyard.

Katheryn tried to get a look of the place as she glanced out Carlos' window on the other side of the car. The tinted windows didn't afford much of a good look she concluded, settling back into her seat as Trent sighed and unbuckled in unison with Officer Cooke.

Trent seemed to delay, peering out of the car in glances…first the windshield, then his own window, and even Officer Cooke's window. "I don't see any welcome committee. I suppose that's a good sign."

Carlos followed suit, hovering over the handle of the door as he too took in the scenery. He lifted his head slightly as he turned to Trent. "You got the keys?"

Katheryn shifted her gaze from Carlos to Trent.

Trent chuckled. "Why would I have the key? I thought Walker gave you the keys. It's your house."

Katheryn turned to Carlos.

"No, Trent. I distinctly remember Walker saying he'd give you the keys."

Katheryn faced the front seat yet again, this time on the verge of a broad smile.

Slowly and deliberately, Officer Cooke's hand eased into the air in the middle of them all, her finger extended, as the single key dangled from her fingernail.

Both Trent and Carlos sighed, relaxing into their seats with a bit of embarrassment in each of their demeanors as they did so.

"Now that we got that settled…" Katheryn dismissed the ordeal with a toothy grin before scooting to the edge of her seat and reaching for the car door handle on her side of the backseat.

Yet before she could even pull the handle, she felt Carlos' gentle touch secure her on her right knee. It caught her off guard as in a split second she settled back into the seat, turning to make eye contact with Carlos. "What is it?"

"You should come out this way…after me. Just because we don't see a welcoming committee doesn't mean they're not out there somewhere."

"Good point." Katheryn released the door handle and carefully eased back over the middle seat to Carlos' side. She swallowed hard as she looked her fingers over for no reason. It occupied her as she fought the bit of nervous tension that began to set in. She wasn't sure if it was from the undercover job at hand or from the touch. Either way…She shut her eyes tightly as she waited for Trent and Officer Cooke to exit the vehicle. It would be slightly less suspicious if they went first. Meanwhile, she took a deep breath, inhaling sharply but silently as to not alert Carlos to her inward struggle. She searched for that familiar tenacity within herself and took hold of it. I can do it, she whispered to herself about ten times before opening her eyes with a smile full of confidence. Katheryn also took note of the door wide open and the cool night air that swished against her blouse as it flowed inside the luxury car.

Carlos stood waiting with one hand on the door and the other outstretched to her. With a fitting smile, Katheryn sank into the realm of Katie Santiago in heart and the best she could in her mind. Putting one foot out the car, she placed her right hand in Carlos' and allowed him to help her out of the car.

The sight of the mansion quickly overtook Katheryn. Her gaze drifted over the property around it. Although dark, she could tell that it was quite the grand place. Enraptured by the entire storybook scene, she tried her best to keep her thoughts and actions in check. Katie Santiago would be used to this sort of display of wealth. Therefore, she had to be used to it too. At least in her attitude. She was just about to shake away her reverie when she jerked softly, almost undetectably, feeling Carlos' lips press against hers with such a fervor. Yet she didn't resist, letting her hand gently rest on his chest as his hand lay gently against her flowing blonde hair at her neck while they kissed.

Trent had since caught a glimpse and was trying his best not to smile, remembering that his undercover character was most likely used to this sort of display.

Officer Cooke noticed Detective Sandoval's quick thinking. She leaned in to Trent as they waited by the courtyard gate. "Is he always this passionate about his undercover roles?"

Trent chuckled lightly followed by a sigh. "Usually his undercover work hasn't required him to be married. But yes, I suppose he does take things…seriously." He moved to unlock the gate with the key that Officer Cooke then handed him.

Carlos and Katheryn hesitantly eased away from the moment, their eyes still locked upon each other, letting the moment sink in.

"You never know who might be watching," Carlos explained, as if the moment needed any explanation.

Katheryn smiled. "No need to explain."

She didn't hesitate to slip her arm into his as he offered. Their steps fell into sync, leading them to where Trent and Officer Cooke awaited them.

"Hmm…That's funny." Trent's forehead was creased as he slipped the key out of the slot, the door swinging open with no effort on his part.

"What is it?" Katheryn battled which façade to take on as she spoke.

Trent turned to Carlos and Katheryn. "It was already unlocked."

Officer Cooke reached a hand to her side to draw out her weapon but suddenly remembered she was not in uniform. She felt sort of naked without her weapon. It had become a part of her since joining the force several years ago. This being an undercover job, she would only have her martial arts training to rely on. Hesitating, she glanced up at the house and sighed. "Nothing appears to be out of place."

"Yeah. Seems too quiet around here." Carlos took a step back. "Didn't Walker say the moving team should be here?"

"Maybe they already left." Trent inserted with a note of encouragement.

"I don't know." Katheryn was usually the optimist. But this was too odd, even for her.

"How is everybody?" A hearty voice from inside the courtyard alerted the little group, causing them all nearly to jump out of their skin in terror.

"That," Carlos swallowed hard, feeling his heart beating against his chest, "was not necessary, Trivette."

"Sorry, guys," Trivette frowned. "We decided to hide the moving truck in the back where it couldn't be seen from the road and Mahoney's house. The real moving truck left a couple of hours ago. The house should be set for you guys." He extended his hand to Carlos, flashing a grin to Katheryn. "Congrats you guys!"

With a sarcastic grin, Carlos shook Trivette's hand. "Nice get-up, by the way."

Trivette glanced over his attire…faded blue jeans, a scraggly cap, and a t-shirt reading Barnes Moving Services. He grinned, "Thanks!" before turning on his heel and heading back into the house, through the basement stairs, and through a secret door that led to the outside where the "moving truck" awaited him.

Officer Cooke waved a hand towards the open French doors, stifling a grin. "After you."

Trent went ahead of them and flipped on a few more of the switches on the wall near the door just inside. He stepped aside once inside the foyer, looking over the grandeur of the entrance with disbelief. He let out a shrill whistle as Carlos and Katheryn entered behind him.

"Got that straight," Carlos agreed, letting his own gaze follow Trent's.

Trent slowly walked forward, as if cautious to touch anything as he made his way to the next vast space on a self-guided tour.

Sydney Cooke was less surprised as she entered but still took it in with the others. "This place has six bedrooms, five bathrooms, a library, and two grand offices each with their own half-bath, two kitchens, a great room, a living room, a den, and a finished basement. There's also a 500 square foot entertaining patio just off of the great room. Oh," Sydney lifted a finger, pointing to a closet-like façade across the room, "and there's an elevator to access the third floor which is entirely a 1500 square foot master suite…" Sydney laid her hand on Katheryn's shoulder with a smile, "…for the happy couple."

Katheryn was speechless as she listened to the facts Sydney dished out while the officer's voice echoed within the two story vaulted ceilings. A grand staircase before them, she assumed, would lead to the second floor while the double-door closet across from the staircase to their immediate left, she also assumed, was the access to the elevator. Either that or it was the biggest mud room closet she had ever laid eyes on. Which seemed to be a possibility worth consider actually.

"When the Rangers requested me for this case, Ranger Walker brought me here for a brief tour this afternoon."

Katheryn nodded, despite the yawn she currently struggled to stifle unsuccessfully. She was silently thankful that Officer Cooke had read her mind and answered her unspoken question.

"Well," Carlos interrupted her train of thought, running a hand through his hair lethargically. "What do you say we call it a night?"

Katheryn nodded limply. "Yes. I'm rather tired. What about our bags?"

"That would be my job." Trent announced his presence as he had made his way back to them.

"Yes, sir." Carlos threw sarcastically with a grin to his best friend, briefly saluting with the tip of his index finger.

Officer Cooke laid her hand on Katheryn's arm, garnering her attention. "I took the liberty of stocking your closet with a few items I figured Katie Santiago might wear." She smiled, searching for Katheryn's eyes. "Don't hesitate to call for me no matter what…under cover or not. That's why I'm here as your maid." The two women shared a brief chuckle.

"You aren't talking about me are you?" Carlos returned to hear the light laughter with his forehead creased after depositing his coat in the next room where the coat closet was.

"I'll never tell," Katheryn threw over her shoulder with a toss of her hair, fully encapsulated in Katie Santiago as she moved forward and to the elevator. "Are you coming?" She smacked away a sigh of annoyance.

Carlos sighed. He like Katheryn far more than Katie. But Katie wasn't so bad either. At least he loved the one underneath the said façade. Smiling, he made his way to Katheryn's side, opening the doors to the elevator for Katheryn. Once inside, he pressed the necessary button, the doors closed against them, and the narrow box began its ascent.

The twosome were mostly quiet for the short journey. Katheryn took note of the shiny golden walls of the elevator, its glistening interior reflecting their faces quite accurately and with no distortion. She would have nearly slipped into her familiar reverie usually brought on by sleepiness at this hour had not the soft thud of the elevator shook her awake.

The doors opened immediately, triggering Carlos to step forward. He opened the next set of doors to reveal the biggest bedroom most likely either of them had ever been in. It had to be at least 1000 square feet by Carlos' silent and quick estimation.

Right before them was a living space, complete with a full sofa and a loveseat set that finished in an L-shape around the coffee table while facing a grand marble fireplace to the far left. In the distance was a large canopied king-sized bed surrounded by ivory-topped nightstands with golden lamps on either side of the bed. Three vast windows lined the wall from one side down to the other and all faced the front of the home. They were familiar…the same ones Katheryn had spotted from outside just a short while ago.

The couple continued to stare in silence just as the elevator doors whirred open and revealed Trent standing there, duffle in one hand and suitcase in the other. "Somebody call room service?" He grinned.

Carlos spun on his heel and moved forward to take the bags from Trent. "Very funny."

Trent whistled yet again as he looked the place over. "Wow."

"Yeah." Katheryn nodded, her eyes still slightly wide from the shock.

Trent turned to Carlos. "Need anything else, buddy?"

Carlos turned to faced Katheryn. She shook her head and bid goodnight to Trent before proceeding forward to scout out the rest of the room. "No. I think we're good," Carlos grinned with finality gracing those last words.

"Alright." Trent clapped his hands together and turned to leave. "Sleep well. I'm going to go try to find my bedroom in this place." He ended on a light note with a chuckle before he slipped into the elevator and let the doors close behind him.

Carlos turned back around to see Katheryn at the other side of the room. She slowly walked alongside the vast bed, running a finger along the surface of the luxurious bedding as she took each step. Carlos stood still for a moment. He couldn't help but admire her from the distance that separated them. A small smile crept to the corner of his mouth…only for the peaceful moment to be shattered as the nearby telephone rang viciously, echoing in the still room with such a force that it caused them both to be startled. The twosome exchanged a quick glance. Without a second thought, Carlos traced a straight line to the telephone which occupied its own stand by one of the windows. A third ring splintered the silence as Carlos tried to ignore the irritating sound. He attempted to read the screen on the home device despite the noise. The chilling sound didn't make matters any better as Carlos read the number swiftly, lifting his gaze just barely to read the name that the number belonged to. In clear, unadulterated light was written only one name. Wade Mahoney.