The Hidden Woman

Chapter 5

Two days later the kids were bored and ready to go back to school. There was no way they were going back to the parochial school they had been going to, so she made arrangements to have them join an extremely selective school that was serious about security. This was one of those times she was pleased she had money. All entry exams, interviews, and hassles were waived just because of her name. The school routinely had body guards waiting the entire day protecting children against kidnapping. Specialized key cards were required for entry. Her children would start there the next day.

Leaving the kids with Rosa and taking Bobby with her, she went to the school that had allowed her children to be kidnapped in the first place. She walked into the principal's office, Michael Cannard with Bobby immediately behind her. Bobby was ready to tear the place to shreds, and Ophelia had asked him to reign it in unless necessary. First she presented Mr. Cannard a letter informing him she was withdrawing her children immediately. There would be no further payments forthcoming. The second letter was a copy of the personal letter she was having sent to every parent about the incompetence surrounding security that allowed her children to be kidnapped from the school. While she didn't outright encourage the parent's to withdraw their children, she knew most would. The third document was a legal declaration that she intended to sue the school, the principal, school personnel involved in the release of her children to the kidnappers, the church, and the Archdiocese for putting her children in serious danger of bodily harm. The principal almost keeled over onto his desk.

She looked at his apoplectic face and smiled. "The papers on the lawsuit are being filed today, as we speak. I wanted to present the initial declaration to you personally. I don't want the money. I sure as hell don't need it, but I will make this school, you personally, as well as the staff that sent my children along with people who did not have the safe word and who did not bother to check with the FBI to verify their story pay for your negligence. How many Russian FBI agents do you think there are who look like thugs? You are all idiots and you will pay personally, as well as your staff. I will keep you and the others buried in paper so you are as bankrupt as the Archdiocese, even more so since I plan to take the Archdiocese down too. You can pray that I get bored with it all before you are living on the street. I have met with you and your staff every month to discuss security. Everyone knew about the safe word, even if they didn't know what it was. My children SCREAMED not to go with the men who did not have the safe word. They KNEW the rules. And they were held for ransom by the Russian mob because of your incompetence. I will bring you all down. The entire house of cards, not for the money, hell I could bail out the bankrupt Archdiocese and not lose any sleep, but because you endangered my children in the worst possible way. Better get a good lawyer. But you know what, I have the best in town and I am his only client. He has nothing to do except drown you in paperwork. Imagine how long I can drag this on and how long you can afford to pay $600 an hour. Have a nice day Mr. Cannard." With that she got up from her chair turned her back on the principal who literally looked like he might die of fright, and walked out the door with Bobby following in close formation.

They got into her big black armored Mercedes, Bobby starting the car and then he turned around and looked at Ophelia. "Nice to have you back in top form, even if it is only temporary."

She smiled at him as well, "Nice to be back. Before we leave I wanted to call Colby and see if we were still on for lunch before we head over there."

"Granger."

"Hey Colby. I just wrapped things up at school. Are you busy or can you still have lunch?"

"Definitely on for lunch. Have Bobby bring you to the office. I'll meet you in the lobby, get you through security along with Bobby's gun, and I thought you might like to see the team before we head out for lunch. There is a nice little bistro within walking distance."

"That sounds nice. We'll be there in a few."

Ophelia, Colby, and Bobby walked out of the building after talking a while with the team. Colby had dressed a little different that day and everyone had been giving him a hard time. Fortunately it didn't come up when Ophelia was there. He had bought some very nice black Armani pants and matching sport coat and an Armani shirt the color of his eyes. He had actually bought quite a bit of nicer stuff, but that is what he was wearing that day. Liz had also helped him pick out some expensive cologne. He would certainly not embarrass Ophelia by how he was dressed. Ophelia noticed how gorgeous he was with the shirt the matched his eyes. While he had a beautiful face and she thought she could spend hours caressing it, that shirt made his eyes really stand out. They had spent ten or fifteen minutes talking with the team, talked about where she was changing the kids' school too. Everyone laughed about various things and she left with Colby leaving the impression of being very nice, just a regular person. The team, especially Don and David, were really happy for Colby because he had had a long string of nothing, and here he was going to lunch with an amazing beauty, who was really nice and really rich to boot.

As they passed through the exit at security, returning their badges, she leaned up to Colby's ear and told him how really nice he looked. "That shirt really shows off your eyes Colby. And I like the way you smell. You weren't wearing that the other day." She smiled at him happily while Bobby watched from behind, happy that she was happy.

Colby held the door for her and she walked through while Bobby went through a nearby door so he could walk slightly in front of the couple. A man approached with two other men who were clearly bodyguards. As soon as Bobby stopped Ophelia and Colby, Colby moved in front of Ophelia, with his and Bobby's body effectively blocking her. Colby immediately started looking for snipers.

"Bobby move her back into the building."

The strange man with a balding head and hair on the side dressed immaculately in what were probably hand tailored English suits and definitely very expensive Italian shoes started to speak. "I only wish to speak to Ms. Bennington. I mean her no harm, absolutely no harm."

The three some were almost to the door to the building.

Colby was angry and frightened for Ophelia. He roughly told the unknown man, "Fine, you mean her no harm, you come inside to talk."

The man was silent and then nodded his head, "As a sign of good faith, I will come inside. Once I am done speaking with Ms. Bennington, my friends and I will leave her, and you, in peace."

Ophelia spoke up from between Bobby and Colby. They created a human wall or shield which made communication quite difficult. "Who are you and what do you want?"

"I understand you speak Russian. Will you indulge me?"

She stared at him hard, and then nodded her head, "Отлично. Мы поговорим русского до тех пор пока я не посчитать его не в моем наилучшем проценте. Опять я спрашиваю, который будут вами и вы хочет? (Fine. We will speak Russian until I deem it not in my best interest. Again I ask, who are you and what do you want?")

"Я буду человеком бандиты kidnapped ваши дети предельно работали для. Я пришел apologize. Я имею внучат close to времена ваших детей, и я никогда condoned такое действие. Оно вполне было сделано без моего знания, и включили каждое, котор было общано с. Было потерей $500K, никогда worth ушибить ребенка. (I am the man who the thugs who kidnapped your children ultimately worked for. I came to apologize. I have grandchildren close to your children's ages, and I would never have condoned such an action. It was completely done without my knowledge, and everyone involved has been dealt with. It was a $500K loss, never worth hurting a child.)"

"But you still expect me to cover a debt from a man I barely knew?"

"No Ms. Bennington. I have no further business with you. I simply write off the $500K. You and your family will be protected by my…family. It seems the least I can do."

"I appreciate your desire to offer protection, but as you can see I have quite a bit of my own protection. Thank you though for your concern."

"As you wish Madam, but just the same we will always be in the background to protect you. Here is my card. The number will always reach me."

Ophelia sighed, "If I take that card, it could imply that I am accepting your protection, which undeniably would come with a price that while I may be able to pay, I would be unwilling to. I prefer my protection loyal and with no extra price tags. Thank you for your concern."

"As you wish, I will forever be at your disposal. You will find my offer comes with no price tag, and I am very loyal to those who have my protection. Have a good day. We will leave you to your lunch. Gentlemen. Take care of her, she is truly precious."

With that last word the very polite, genteel, and no doubt extremely dangerous man left the FBI building with his body guards. Ophelia sagged slightly after such a strange and dangerous encounter. She had been terrified the whole time, cautious to not anger the man, and yet trying to make clear her unwillingness to accept what he was offering. In the end he did not accept her refusal, and while there may be no price tag to his offer allegedly, the head of the Russian mob was not one to have in one's life ever.

Colby had caught her when she sagged, and was murmuring soothing words in her ear as they went back through security and upstairs to his office. Colby explained that they would have to file a report with the RICO group, and that team would get the photographs off the camera in the lobby.

"Colby, am I in danger? Are my kids? Why would he come to us like that? He had to know the entire exchange was being taped on the camera."

"Honestly Ophelia, I don't think you are in any danger. I think he is honestly planning to protect you and your kids. But he is a very scary guy, and we cannot take this lightly. You may very well hear from him again."

They still hadn't eaten and Ophelia didn't look like she was up to reports and interviews until she had. Colby asked David to run across to the bistro and pick them up some lunch. Bobby placed both his and Ophelia's orders and David left to pick up food. Everyone really liked Ophelia and couldn't believe how shitty her life had gotten in just a few days. Don was talking soothingly to Ophelia with Colby nearby. Everyone seemed to think the same thing… the head of the Russian mob intended to protect her and her family, probably out of some sense of remorse for the kidnapping and terrorizing of her family.

Two hours later she had given her statements, including the part in Russian, signed whatever had to be signed, and asked to please be allowed to go home. Bobby went to get the car and Colby walked Ophelia to the elevator and out. She had quietly wrapped her arm around his beautiful Cerulean shirt and leaned her head on his shoulder. He could smell her floral shampoo that filled his nostrils. It smelled like stargazer lilies, and he thought he could smell that scent forever. They were not alone in the elevator so they stayed quiet, but he did kiss her head and draw her to him even closer.

Soon they were out of the elevator and her hand slipped down is muscled arm and into his large hand. He intertwined their fingers. She had been careful to stay away from his gun hand and walk on the opposite side. She had learned that from both Michael and Bobby.

"I'm sorry lunch didn't work out today."

She smiled at him, "I got to have lunch with you. Maybe not the way we had planned but still, I think I might take you however I can get you."

He laughed slightly, "That is good to hear because sometimes that is all you get."

"When the time comes, I hope that at least I wake up with you in my bed, whatever time that is."

"I think I can guarantee that Ophelia. Since lunch was a bail, how about dinner tonight?"

"Dinner would be with me and the kids. Our time would come after bedtime. And Colby? You'd still go home to your bed."

"Baby, I wouldn't have it any other way." Colby kissed her on her forehead, gathering up that scent he would always associate with her. "I'll try to be there by 6." He turned and opened the car door, checked for Bobby, ran his thumb down from her temple to her lips. "See you soon."

More to come, but only if the review fairy comes!