Chapter 15

The limo driver pulled off the road and up to a row of gas pumps at a small quik stop/ grocery/gas station, one similar to thousands all over the state. As he went through the ritual of pumping the gas, his three passengers took advantage of the break to get out of the car. He watched as Danforth-Hayes took position as point guard, scanning the area, looking for anything out of the ordinary. Richardson strolled inside the store and came out a minute later swigging down a soda while eating a candy bar. Sir Nigel seemed to enjoy the opportunity to light up his pipe, sending plumes of cherry scented tobacco smoke drifting his way. The 'invisible man' - he often thought his charges considered him 'invisible' - replaced the nozzle on the pump, and walked toward the store, slowing as he approached Sir Nigel, he said, "We'll be ready to leave in just a moment, Sir."

Danforth-Hayes watched the exchange between the limo driver and Sir Nigel. In the background, his eye caught the figure of his partner, lounging against the side of the building. He shook his head at the casual attitude of his partner. He simply couldn't understand the reckless and dangerous lapse of diligence, even within the boundaries of the relative safety of a 'friendly' nation like the United States.

Slowly and deliberately, he approached his partner, not even trying to hide his disgust, he said, "I don't mean to intrude on your 'break' Jamey, but kindly take notice of Sir Whitledge's safety while I step inside for a moment."

"You know me boss, ever vigilant." Richardson's cheeky reply accompanied a snappy salute. Turning back to keep Sir Whitledge in his line of sight, he sensed his partner stalk off and into the building. Muttering to himself he said, "You're a little too tightly wound - my boy - too tightly wound." Richardson allowed himself a small smile. If his partner had any idea of how much Richardson actually took note of - and passed on to others - Danforth-Hayes might well have to acknowledge a grudging respect for Richardson's alertness.

Danforth-Hayes and the limo driver exited the market together, although to the casual observer here wasn't a hint of camaraderie between the two men. And in fact no such emotion was felt by either man. Danforth-Hayes caught Richardson's eye and motioned towards the limo. Richardson nodded once, walked the short distance to where Sir Whitledge stood, slowly puffing away at his pipe.

"It's time to go, Sir."

"Yes, of course." Sir Nigel replied. He took one last puff off the pipe before emptying the bowl into a foam cup with the remains of his coffee in it. Swishing the mixture of tobacco and coffee around, he tossed the blended mess onto the gravel lot. Walking toward the car he came to an old oil drum that was being used as a trash receptacle, stopping he pulled a balled up wad of paper from his jacket pocket, clearly putting it inside the cup before dropping the cup into the trash.


Alex slowed as she steered her car through the s-shaped curve in the road. Lewis had warned her about the curve and the proximity of the turn to the entrance to the small private road leading to the small house where Bobby and Hope were staying.

Making the turn she was surprised that once past the bushes and trees along the road, she was now in the midst of a wide-open expanse of land, the tree line beginning again about a mile ahead. Seeing the black Camero Lewis had told her Bobby had borrowed, she was reassured to see that the car's nose was facing out ready to make a quick escape. While Bobby and Hope had decided not to avoid the meeting with Sir Nigel, Bobby was taking precautions. As she slowed the car allowing it to roll to a stop in front of the house, Bobby came out of the house, raising his hand in greeting.

Opening her car door, she stretched and offered up a wary embarrassed, tight-lipped smile. Bobby strolled over to the car and leaned against the car's fender, arms across his chest, gazing at his shoes.

He broke the silence, "So, I just finished loading up the car with the few things Hope and I bought, ready to go - just in case."

"That looks new..." Alex noted with a trace of genuine smile on her face. She pointed at the 'Woodstock Revisited' sweatshirt he was wearing.

An embarrassed grin played around his lips, remembering how he'd stripped Hope of this same sweatshirt last night, "We didn't have a chance to stop and pick up a change of clothes - I really wanted to get Hope out of the city..."

"Just in case." Alex nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, just in case." He wasn't going to tell her, that he'd been just as desperate to get Hope out of the city, before her anger at him for confronting her would lead her to walk away from him.

Eames nodded towards the house, "She's inside?"

Bobby nodded. She kicked at a piece of gravel with the toe of her boot, "Um... look Bobby, about..."

His shaking head stopped her, his words encouraged her, as he said, "You ... you were right to check." Quickly glancing back at the open doorway, he continued, "I knew… I felt that Hope wasn't a danger to me, I didn't stop to consider that she might be the one in danger."

Alex needed to clear the air, "If the search hadn't triggered the trace, no one would be in this situation. I'm so sorry, if I'd just let you... if I'd just let things follow the natural course of events …"

Bobby nodded his head sadly, speaking softly, "I suppose that's all true. But the surveillance was real – is real. If she really needs the security, if Hope is really in danger, she needs to be aware of it – and she hasn't been."

"She has had to tell me … tell me things she didn't want to, at a time she didn't want to, but there's no changing that now. It's done Alex, there's no going back. All we can do now is deal with the situation as it is." While he surveyed the area for.... anything - anything to keep from looking Alex in the eye, he added, "We should probably go inside. There are a few things we need to go over before Whitledge gets here." He hated it when he and Alex were off-balance as they were now.

Alex nodded. She understood what he was saying. Right now, things were not 100 percent right between them - but they would be. She felt that one worry slip away - but realized there were many others laying just beyond her awareness.

Inhaling deeply, she followed Bobby into the house, even more wary of the welcome that awaited her beyond that threshold than she had been of her first few minutes with Bobby.


Hope heard the two of them, Bobby and his partner enter the house, but didn't turn to greet them. She took one last moment to enjoy the view of the field and trees beyond relishing the sense of peace the scene instilled within her. Remembering the small herd of deer from last night, and the sense of calmness that had descended around her while watching them, she now understood that it was in that moment of clarity that she'd rediscovered a strength and confidence that had laid dormant for too long.

Even today, the feeling continued to grow. Since going over the outline of a plan with Bobby earlier, she had felt a growing resolve and determination to face down whatever awaited her. She would soon be taking back control of her life. No longer was she going to cower within the confines of her apartment, living in complacent apathy. There was no going back to that life now - it was too late, she'd had a taste of another life, another chance. She'd taken a bold step with her first letter to Bobby, and even though there was still doubt and fear about that action - there was no turning back.

"Hope? Alex is here." Bobby had advanced to a point about halfway between the two women. Alex had stopped walking just after entering the room and Hope stood at the french door staring out as she'd done several times since they arrived.

Hope turned to get her first look at his partner. Alex Eames was quite a petite woman. That was surprising, she'd assumed the female officer would be taller, more of a physical match with Bobby. What other assumptions had she made about the detective? Which ones would prove to be wrong and which would prove to be correct? What preconceived ideas did the petite detective harbor about her?

There was a lot of tension in the room. All three were unsure of the others' reactions to each other. Hope took the opportunity to cross the room, slowly extending her hand as she did so, and softly saying, "Hello Alex. It's good to meet you. I wish... " she glanced over to Bobby and back to Alex before continuing, with a shrug of her shoulder, "...well, I wish the circumstances were - different ... better."

Nodding, Alex agreed. "I can appreciate the - the circumstances, and I am sorry for them ... I feel responsible for them."

"Well, given what we know so far, I guess maybe you should. But then, I don't think we have all the facts yet. So what do you say we just let the ideas of blame and responsibility slide for now."

There was the anger Alex had been fearing, it wasn't a hostile or confrontational anger, merely appropriate for the situation - which Alex took as a good sign. There may be a chance for the two of us to become friendly - at least for Bobby's sake. Alex felt a relaxed and genuine smile forming, "I say that's a great idea."

"Good." Hope waved Bobby over, "I know he has several ideas he wants to run by you, so why don't you two sit and I'll get us all some coffee."


Lewis and Gina were not making very good time. And the tension in the car wasn't helping any. Lewis was sulking and Gina felt badly about that. He had figured out that she had gone off on that tangent about Bobby's partner, Alex.

"I'm sorry... okay?" Gina pleaded. "I know that wasn't fair. But I didn't think it was right to waste time arguing about whether I should come with you or not."

Lewis took his eyes off the road, and turned to look at Gina. "You're right, it wasn't fair." He voice sounded hard and he turned back to focus on the road. "This isn't just some kind of game, Bobby and that girl could be in real trouble."

Gina realized she'd gone too far. She hadn't really thought anything about Bobby's partner having his cell phone number. She hadn't accused him of anything, she knew he was worried about Bobby, and worried about dragging her into a situation he was unsure of, that could prove to be dangerous, and she had given him an excuse to take it out on her.

Unconsciously mimicking one of Bobby's mannerisms – one she must have seen Bobby do a thousand times. She turned toward Lewis and tilted her head sideways to catch his eye. Softly, she said, "I really am sorry. I know you're concerned about Bobby. But that's even more reason for us to get there quickly, just in case there is anything we can do."

Not yet feeling charitable, or ready to forgive her for making this more stressful for him - he wasn't willing to give in and let her off the hook just yet. "Look, we're almost there." He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his cell phone. "Why don't you call Bobby... Or better yet, just hit redial and tell Detective Eames we'll be pulling into the drive in about five minutes." He added snidely.

Gina stared at him and simply nodded her head stiffly head several times - all the while biting her tongue. If he's not careful, we really are going to have a fight...

Gina dialed the phone and when Bobby answered on the first ring, she wasn't the least bit surprised.


Bobby's phone rang and he looked at the caller ID before answering. "What's up Lewis?" Bobby said into the phone.

Bobby's voice was hard and cold. It took her a moment to answer. "It... It's not Lewis, it's Gina. Lewis wanted me to call and tell you we're only almost at the house, just another few minutes and we'll be there."

"What do you mean, 'we'll be there'? Why? There's no reason why you guys should...." Bobby was practically shouting into the phone.

Gina had about had it with men this morning - and she was ready to let it out. "We're worried about you. We... I'm worried about my house getting shot up. And if you are going to have a problem with me coming up to my house too ... well then you'd better start worrying about what happens to you when I get there - on top of everything else that you have to worry about. Is it really worth it, Bobby?" She paused a moment to let him consider his answer. When he didn't respond, she added, "I didn't think so."

Gina was hopping mad now and simply disconnected the call before throwing the phone down in disgust. "Men!" She spit out harshly as she rolled her eyes, dismissing the startled look on Lewis' face before turning to stare out the window, hoping to calm down before she saw Robert Goren.

Bobby stared at the now silent cell phone. Frustrated, he ran a hand over his head, he said, "Lewis and Gina are almost here." Exhaling loudly, he asked of no one in particular, "Who else is going to show up?"

Eames looked from Hope to Bobby, quietly answering, "I did check in with Captain Ross on my way up..."

With a look of incredulity on his face, he spun around to look at her, "Eames! That's... that's all I need, that's what's been missing through out this whole time, Danny Ross. This is starting to turn into a farce."

Hoping to pacify him, she added, "Well, he didn't say he was coming..."


Gina opened the front door so suddenly and forcefully that it bounced back off the wall as she stormed over the threshold. Shouting back over her shoulder at Lewis, she didn't see both Bobby and Alex reach for their weapons, staying the move as they realized who had entered.

" - and don't you ever try to tell me what I can do and cannot do ever again! Do you understand me?" Looking around the room and seeing the startled looks on everyone's face, she stumbled.

"And don't you start with me either." She added, pointing her finger at Bobby. "Don't any of you - start with me." With that, she continued to stalk through the house and out onto the patio that Hope had just found so peaceful.

Lewis followed Gina into the house. Needlessly he admitted, "We had a little bit of a fight on the way up here. Sorry to add that onto this…" Frustrated, he sighed deeply and he reached back to massage the back of his neck. "I'd… I'd better go check on her…"


"I think we're here sir." The limo driver said over the intercom. He'd just turned off the road into the driveway.

His three passengers sat up straighter and peered out at the house and three cars sitting in front of it. Sir Nigel opened the door and started to get out, pausing to tell the two agents, "Gentleman, if you'd kindly wait here for me..."

"Sir Nigel," Agent Danforth-Hayes began, "I don't think that's a very good idea sir. We don't know what this Goren's intent is. He did appear to forcibly compel Miss Tornton to leave with him."

"Did you read the report you prepared for me?" When he received no reply, he continued, "If you had, you would realize how absurd that notion is. I will be fine, this situation does not warrant concern for my safety. The only concern - my only concern is for the well being of Ms. Thornton. I merely need a few minutes alone with her before subjecting her to appearance of her surveillance team."

Reluctantly ceding to his wishes, "As you wish, Sir Nigel." Danforth-Hayes reached into a briefcase at his feet and pulled out a device that looked like a car alarm remote. "If anything... anything at all occurs to make you feel uneasy, simply push this button..." He pushed the small button on the remote to show the Home Secretary what would happen if he did - both he and Agent Richardson had a receiving device that emitted a series of soft beeps as soon as the button was activated. "... and we'll be in before you or anyone else has had a chance to draw a single breath."

Sir Nigel looked over at Agent Richardson, whose imperceptible nod accompanied a cheeky wink of the eye.

Such impertinence! Swiftly turning back to the other agent he said, "Fine, fine. Hand it over." Sir Nigel quickly got out of the car. Straightening, he put the cellphone sized device in his pant pocket, adjusted his jacket and ran a slightly shaking hand through his hair. He was nervous about the first face-to-face contact with his daughter-in-law in over three years. He couldn't imagine what she thought and felt about him or of his late son after that length of time. He was about to find out.