"New Horizons" PART FIVE

A faint hint of morning sunshine peeked in between the nearly closed curtains of the vast master bedroom and bent against the bed, highlighting it ever so softly amid the morning darkness. Katheryn twisted in her sleep slowly, turning over onto her left side, facing the sunlight. She reached out her arm subconsciously to the space beside her. Katheryn squinted a bit in her sleep as the sunlight hit against her eyes. Within seconds, her eyes began to flutter open as she came to. Stifling a yawn, Katheryn drew her arms back to herself and cradled the covers against her body, shielding it from the cold she hated so much. Although awake now, she kept her eyes shut tightly, as if hoping it was just a dream and she was still asleep. Yet with that subtle wish came the flow of reality back into her mind. It was as if she was in a hotel far from home, waking up to strange surroundings yet feeling safe.

Katheryn then remembered reality vividly. There was no denying it now. She recalled a few seconds ago…as her arm lay outstretched against the other side of the bed. It had been empty. This revelation caused her to become fully awake this time. She sat up in bed, swinging her legs out and onto the floor before stopping to straighten her t-shirt and rub at her eyes. The morning was never gracious to her it seemed.

After a few more seconds and with a somewhat better composure, Katheryn twisted from her place on the edge of the large bed to view the other side, still laden in streams of golden sunlight. It had clearly been slept in, although she couldn't quite know for sure. She had fallen fast asleep before Carlos had returned from checking in with Trent and Walker. And being the deep sleeper that she is, Katheryn never woke up even once until now. Yet the bed had without a doubt been slept in. She distinctly remembered leaving that side neatly made the night before, curling up into her side only.

Katheryn was still in thought, processing the moment when the distant elevator eased open and a stream of joy came in the form of Officer Cooke. She wore a form of maid uniform, accented by a fashionable floral apron while she carried a tray of breakfast goodness into the suite. She gently set the tray on the coffee table in the living space, directing a broadening smile across the room. "Good morning, Mrs. Santiago. I trust you slept well?"

Katheryn beamed a half-smile in return. "Yes. I did." She rubbed the bed over with her palm as she stretched out over the space. "This bed is definitely comfortable."

"Good." Sydney Cooke chuckled. "And your evening with Mr. Santiago was pleasant?"

Katheryn was on the verge of a blush, the reality of sharing her bed with another quickly setting in. "Oh, um, yes. It was alright." She frowned. "Actually I have no clue. Carlos wasn't here when I went to bed. He wasn't here when I woke up either."

Sydney looked at the other side of the bed and then back at Katheryn. "It looks like he was here though."

Katheryn nodded. "Yes, it does. Say, have you seen Detective San—Mr. Santiago this morning?"

Officer Cooke stifled a smile as she caught Katheryn's quick comeback before frowning a bit. "I haven't. But I'm sure he just went to talk to Trent."

Katheryn shook her head. Officer Cooke was probably right. "Thanks." She smiled. "And thanks for the breakfast."

"No problem." Sydney turned to leave. "You call downstairs no matter what. Remember?"

"Got it." Katheryn nodded once and firmly as she watched Officer Cooke ease back into the elevator. After stretching for the hundredth time, she finally gave in and lethargically crossed the room the breakfast provided for her. She sat down on the soft plush sofa and forked in a few bites before sipping on the orange juice. Katheryn smiled a bit, admitting that Officer Cooke had many talents. Cooking was definitely one of them.

Katheryn was just about to fork in another bite of the omelet on the most likely very expensive dish when the phone at the side of the room began ringing. Her thoughts shifted to last night and the call from Mahoney himself as she stood slowly and approached the device. She let out a raspy sigh of relief as she read kitchen on the screen and picked up the phone, placing it to her ear. "This is Katie."

"Your presence has been requested in the gym." It was Officer Cooke's voice edged with a smile.

This place has a gym too? Katheryn was tempted to ask but held her tongue, issuing a brief okay before hanging up. She quickly hurried to change into some gym clothes and brush her teeth before heading out of the bedroom…or apartment…whichever was most accurate to call the elaborate place.

Arriving on the first floor, Katheryn wasn't sure exactly where to go. To her right was the foyer illuminated by the grandest morning sunlight and to her left was a long hallway that she assumed led to the kitchen due to the pleasant aroma that seemed to drift her away from that direction. It almost reminded her of Molly's blueberry muffins. Throwing the reverie aside after a brief smile, she hurried her step forward this time across unfamiliar territory. The first room she passed through was the living space, complete with a crystal chandelier that hung from the second story and shadowed a loft above while it overlooked a grand marble fireplace on the other side of the room that stretched the entire two stories.

Katheryn couldn't help but continue to glance over the items over and over a couple of times as she weaved her way through the vast space to the other side. The arched entryway in the far corner led into the library. Everything within her wanted to stay and check out the titles left behind by the previous owners. She silently questioned the sanity of anyone who would leave precious cargo such as books to the company of cobwebs and dangerous neighbors before continuing on her journey. A few seconds later as she walked, a certain sound became louder and louder before it faded out as she continued walking. With a creased forehead she doubled back to just outside the library. To the side was a large door, unlatched and slightly open. Coming from the opening was a repetitive rendition of thumping. Punch. Punch. Punch. One right after the other.

"That's it!" A male voice echoed up to where Katheryn stood.

Katheryn's interest was piqued once she heard the voice. Smiling at its recognition, she dismissed any fears and scooted passed the door and into the space to find a carpeted staircase leading downward to her right. She followed it swiftly, skipping one or two steps along the way from her eagerness before landing at the bottom. She rounded the corner to reveal the largest gym she had ever seen.

Before her was a vast blue kickboxing mat, etched with the familiar white markings. Surrounding it was several pieces of gym equipment, punching bags, and large rack of weights ranging from five pounds to fifty pounds or more it seemed. There were no windows in the large room; only a set of three skylights at the top of the ceiling that filtered in enough bright sunshine to light the grand basement.

Trent was standing on one side of the punching bag that hung from the ceiling by its metal chain. His biceps were flexed as he tensed, sweat beading from his brow as he had obviously just been engaged in his own workout. Now he seemed to be taking upon a different role while Carlos pivoted on the surface, punching the bag in rhythmic fashion.

"That's it!" Trent repeated. "Left punch, right punch, knee. Left, right, knee. That's better." Trent caught a glimpse of Katheryn out of the corner of his eye as she strode in from around the corner. He never shifted his gaze as he gripped the bag. Instead he lowered his voice; a grin accompanied his words. "Your wife's here."

Carlos stopped clean in his tracks, jerking back his punch as he panted hard. Turning to face the entrance, he saw Katheryn ambling closer to them decked in her long sweatpants and a loose t-shirt. He smiled as he looked her over; she apparently had come prepared to do battle. "I see you found us."

"Indeed I did!" Katheryn smiled as she stopped in front of the twosome. She shifted her eyes to Carlos. "You know you could have left a note."

Carlos raised one eyebrow. "A note?"

"Yeah. To let me know where you were going. We're undercover, Carlos. I should know these things."

Trent hid a smile. "Should I leave the room?"

Carlos flashed a sarcastic frown Trent's way, taking note of Trent's smirk as he returned his attention to Katheryn. "I apologize. I was trying not to wake you."

Katheryn slipped into Katie Santiago with a breathy sigh. "That's sweet of you. But you'd better do better next time, Mr. Santiago." She whipped around as she spun on her heel and began her stretches for her workout.

"You keep at it." Trent glared at Carlos before easing away from the bag to where Katheryn was.

The twosome nearly sat down in unison, their legs outstretched as they each reached for their feet to get a good leg stretch.

"So," Katheryn began as she stretched. "Any action yet?"

Trent shook his ahead. "Nope. Nothing yet."

Carlos took one last stream of punches at the bag and worked to catch his breath as he ambled over to Trent and Katheryn, planting it on the floor near them to work in a quick stretch too. "Walker said it's been pretty quiet over at Mahoney's."

"He probably wants to look good to his new neighbors."

Trent nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Or he's getting a plan together for something."

Carlos sighed. "I should probably go check in with Walker or Trivette about now."

"So soon?" Katheryn feigned a pout. "How about some one-on-one first?"

Carlos hid his apprehension behind a chuckle. "I think I've been whipped enough for one day."

"Very funny." Katheryn called out as she watched Carlos' figure disappear around the corner. She listened as she heard his footsteps against the staircase as he made his way to the first floor before she worked herself back up to her feet. She pivoted on the mat a little with a grin. "I'm all yours."

"Oh really?" Trent chuckled.

"Yup. I need to be ready. You know…just in case."

"Sparring first?"

"Works for me!"

##

Trent, Carlos, Katheryn, and Officer Cooke spent the majority of that same afternoon constructing a plan for the coming evening. Seven o'clock would come before they knew it. And they couldn't go into the next stage of the operation half-cocked. All of them sensed that this dinner would be a turning point in the undercover job…a chance to form a trusted relationship with Mahoney. Just one wrong move would mess it up entirely and put each one of them in jeopardy.

"Alright. Here's the first floor of Mahoney's house." Carlos pointed to a place on the blueprint that lay across the dining room table. Trivette had managed to sneak it into the house overnight once Carlos had informed Walker that dinner was scheduled. "And here," Carlos dragged his finger a few inches downward, "is the foyer. If Walker's right, Mahoney has guards in every nook and cranny of the place. You just can't see them all."

Katheryn carefully detailed as much of the layout as she could in her mind. "Will you be coming with us, Trent?"

Trent shook his head.

"I don't understand. We might need backup."

"And that's exactly why I won't be coming."

Carlos eased into Katheryn with a wink. "He'll be busy enough while we mingle with our new neighbor."

Katheryn nodded, a smile tempting her lips. "Oh, I see. Any objections to letting me in on the plan, you two?" The silence and smiles told her all she needed to know. She bit her lip. "I see how it is. Well, if you both will excuse me," she cocked her head around to look at the nearby clock, slipping into Katie Santiago with a sway of the hips, "I've got a dinner to get ready for." Katheryn pecked a kiss on Carlos' cheek, touching the other side of his face with her hand briefly before hurrying away. It was mostly for good measure in case they were being watched somehow. Or at least that's what she kept telling herself.

Carlos raised an eyebrow, not able to wipe the smile off his face. "Apparently I'm not the only impulsive genius around here."

"Clearly." Sydney Cooke feigned a cough or two as she drew her fist to her lips.

Carlos turned around. "What was that?"

Trent quickly looked away and focused on the layout before them again. "Oh, it was nothing." He set to work, going over the plan for his personal evening's escapades, working through some way to change the subject. "Is everything ready?"

Carlos nodded. "It should be."

Meanwhile, Officer Cooke glanced from Trent to Carlos and back again. Her eyes were squinted as she processed a particular thought that caused unpleasant thoughts.

Carlos took note and frowned. "What is it?"

"I don't get it. How come you told me about the plan but left Katheryn out? She's as much a part of this operation as you both are. Out with it."

Trent looked to Carlos, surrendering with a slight lift of his hands. It had all been Carlos' idea.

Carlos was quite hesitant as he sighed, turning to look at the map. He was currently harboring a mental image of Katheryn by his side much like last night when they arrived and how wonderful that kiss was. His feelings for her seemed to grow each time a situation they ended up in together became more dangerous. And his protective instincts were without flaw when it came to their still-budding relationship. Carlos raised his head to meet with Sydney's intent mien as she stared him in the eyes to wait for a legitimate answer. "To be honest, Sydney, I didn't want Walker letting Katheryn on the case to begin with. This job is very dangerous. But she's very eager. And I love that about her. But I don't want to put her in anymore danger than she has to be in."

"I see." Officer Cooke sighed. "Are you two…?" Her statement trailed off as she posed the obvious question. Carlos' response was a brief nod. "I guessed as much. It wasn't hard to figure out." She paused, deliberating her choice of words. "But you can't let your feelings get in the way."

Trent stood listening. Listening only…while he waited to see what Carlos would say. Secretly, he had to agree with Officer Cooke.

Carlos thought through Cooke's statement a second or two before nodding. "You're right. You are. I—I just wish I could…" He stopped himself short, raising his gaze resolutely with a slight smile. "You're right." Carlos picked up a sheet of paper from the table, folded it twice and slipped it inside his jeans' back pocket as he moved to leave the room. "I'll be right back."

The elevator ride wasn't fast enough for Carlos as he rode to the third floor, although he wouldn't let his eagerness show. Officer Cooke had been right. He had no business keeping the secret plan from Katheryn. Yet it was hard to set aside his thoughts and feelings to admit it to himself. Katheryn was more than a friend now. It hadn't been so hard when they had just met. But even then he couldn't deny having had some feelings for Katheryn when she showed her true colors. Her rebel streak had saved his life after all.

Jolting to a stop, the elevator's doors eased open. Without giving it a thought, Carlos exited before they had fully opened, easing passed the living area swiftly before a second shadow drew his eyes upward. His steps halted as he by reflex reached for his firearm. Yet it wasn't there.

"Well well well...If it isn't Detective Sandoval."

Katheryn fought the urge to cry out a bit as Wade Mahoney's knife pressed into the middle of her throat, causing her to cringe as its cold edge sent chills through her entire being. The sharp edge glistened a bit in the lamplight as he turned it this way and that. Swallowing hard was all she could attempt do as she stood secured in Mahoney's deathly grip.

Mahoney's maniacal laugh echoed a bit as he bathed in the victory of seeing two helpless people before him.

Carlos glared into the man's evil eyes. "What do you want, Mahoney?"

"Oh, I've got what I want." He grinned. "Sit down!" Mahoney barked into the darkness.

Katheryn tensed a bit, feeling the knife cut into her delicate skin as he jolted.

Carlos never moved a muscle. Yet Katheryn saw in his eyes the desire to act differently.

"Move it!" Mahoney tore into the air again.

Carlos turned to see two chairs sitting side by side. He glanced upward to the phone situated just beyond the chairs by the wall. He turned around and communicated a silent message to Katheryn with his soft brown eyes.

Katheryn took heed, thinking of a timely distraction. "Please, sir! Please, don't hurt me!" She wiggled a bit on purpose as she stalled.

"Shut up!" Mahoney turned his eyes away from Carlos long enough for Carlos to ease past the chairs to the phone he pressed two buttons and turned back, securing himself in the first chair promptly. "Say one more peep and you're dead! You understand?!"

Katheryn caught a glimpse of Carlos out of the corner of her eye, nodded penitently before her capturer, and remained quiet for the time being.

Mahoney grabbed her by the arm and dragged her over to the chair next to Carlos, slipping off the ropes that held her hands bound together and retying her up to the chair.

Katheryn winced a bit as the ropes tensed against her wrists for a second time. Carlos noticed her pain and wished to end this now. Their cover was blown for sure. He had nothing to risk now.

Mahoney reached for a second rope and tied Carlos up to the back of his chair this time before standing back up to his feet and ambling across the room.

Carlos and Katheryn watched as the well-dressed goon mumbled to himself a few things and rearranged every drawer and shelf in the room by dumping its contents on the ground. He proceeded to shatter a few expensive vases with a sweep of the hand before running a hand through his thinning hair, panting to himself and mumbling a few more indecencies through his anxiety.

Mahoney laughed. "I bet you thought you had me fooled, eh? Santiago." He laughed some more. "I have friends in high places you know." He began a steady pace back and forth in front of his two hostages. "One call told me all I needed to know about you two. That is…once I got Annie back." He grinned.

"What did you do with Annie?!" Katheryn shot back at the man.

Mahoney only chuckled, stopping in front Katheryn and stooping low to glare into her narrowed hazel eyes. "Oh, you'd like to know wouldn't you? I could take you to meet her if you'd like."

Carlos scoffed. "Quit playing games, Mahoney. What do you plan to do with us?"

Mahoney rose to his feet, staring Carlos in the eyes this time. "I assure you I am far from playing games, Carlos Sandoval. You see, I want Cordell Walker dead. And you two," he pointed at them both, "are my ticket to paradise." He ended with another maniacal laugh and moved to walk away.