Kate and Rick were going to bed holding tight to each other.
"Do you think she will try to kill us tonight?" Rick whispered to his bride.
"Let her try I still sleep with a gun." Kate replied. They ate sparingly since the groceries were forgotten. Take out was out of the question. Jordan was ensconced somewhere in the loft as was Will everyone was warned about moving around at night. Once the doors were shut to their room they would not let them open again until morning. It was safer that way.
In Rick's mind they were the prisoners. Sophie is out there somewhere waiting and watching.
Finally the tensions made them both fall sleep holding each other tightly. They were still wondering would everything be alright in the morning?
Kate awoke and heard footfalls coming toward them. Kate got her gun out and was ready to shoot when it was Alexis peeking around the door.
I'm scared can I stay with you guys? Alexis whimpered.
"Alexis you could have been shot where are the FBI agents?" Kate wondered.
"I don't know but… Please?" Alexis was trembling.
"Come on Alexis close the door and block it with that chair." Kate said.
"Where are your bandages?" Kate asked.
"I don't know all I know I was asleep in my chair and then I awoke and the bandages were missing and I could hear." Alexis said.
"Well that will not do. Go to the bathroom and bring me the bandages and antibiotic cream." Kate ordered.
Alexis dutifully got the supplies it was better than thinking about the alternatives.
Kate sat up then applied the medicine and bandages. Soon Alexis was all taped up and was sitting against the head board nodding.
Kate's heart went out to the young woman. She stroked her hair Alexis relaxed even more. Soon Kate eyes were drooping and she passed out herself.
\\\\\
Jackson Hunt and his son Colin were flying toward the British Isles. He knew exactly what to say when he came to the meeting at MI6. Carmine Bracken was cunning and ruthless not a good combination in his way of thinking. One thing he is counting on is her oversized ego. That will be her downfall. Jackson was looking over the latest satellite pics of the island. He had already selected where they would make landfall. From there it was up to the mole in their organization to guide them to the objective.
The mole was a Bracken too. Caroline Bracken aged 15 contacted CIA for safe passage. She knew everything her Mother and Grandfather were doing. She knew this vendetta against someone as kind and nice as Kate Castle was wrong. She did not kill anyone. Only her mother had hate in her heart. Caroline wished she was adopted by people like the Castles.
Caroline had to act real tough to the guards otherwise they would bully her. But they always straighten up when her mother's name was mentioned. Gad she hated it here.
Her only hope was that the CIA honored their word. A Jackson Hunt was to be her contact. She hoped he would be nice and take care of her.
\\\\\
Morning came and Jackson disembarked the plane a drove straight to Gertrude Hunt's house in east end of London. Jackson had not returned to this place in 10 years.
"Come on Dad Mum won't bite" Colin said.
Gertrude Hunt was a tall thin woman in her late 50's and was sitting at the breakfast table when Colin opened the door and poked his head in.
"Is anyone home?" He yelled.
"Colin is that you?" His Mum asked.
"Aye Mum it is I Colin back from the adventure in America. Mum you better be sittin' down. I brought a guest. Mum Dad is back!" Colin said.
Gertrude's smile turned angry and she slapped Jackson hard.
"Jackson Hunt what in god's name are you doing here. I told you I never wanted to see you again! Colin, how could you bring your father here knowing what you do?" Gertrude said.
"Mum listen that was a long time ago. Dad did not want to leave us. It was part of the mission. We are going on a mission where either of us might not be coming back. I thought you might want to get some closure before we have to leave." Colin said.
"What's all this noise?" a sleepy woman's voice was heard. Both Colin and Jackson could hear the footfalls coming down the stairs and turning the corner was Colin's sister Sarah.
Sarah looked at the situation and finally realized her Brother was standing in front of her.
"Colin" she said hugging him hard!
"Where have you been? Mum was so worked up that I left the kids with Harold god knows what 'is doing to them right now." Sarah said.
"Sarah it is so good to see you." Colin said.
Sarah closed her eyes holding on to her brother. When she opened them she was looking into the bluest of blue eyes and they were not hers since he knew her eye color. It could be only one person.
"Daddy…!" She cried as she left Colin behind and hugged her father. She was genuinely glad to see her father unlike her Mum.
"Sarah stop that! I suppose you both want something to eat?" Gertrude said getting out the potatoes for Mash and placing the sausages on the cooker.
Gertrude was many things but she was most of all a great cook and Jackson's mouth watered for a traditional Bangers and Mash breakfast.
Once the meal was prepared they sat around the table which brought back many happy memories.
Once Breakfast was done they showered and changed clothes. Then it was one last kiss from his daughter and hug then they were off to see the minister.
Sarah was crying when they left. She felt that this would be the last she would see of her daddy. Gertrude was very sympathetic to her youngest child hugged her and held her until they were out of sight.
/
The meeting at MI6 was slow and frustrating but it did give them time to learn how they were taking a C5 to Diego Garcia. There they would rendezvous with the HMS Trident Sea the pride of the Royal submarine force. The special equipment had already been shipped to the Island by the CIA. It would have been loaded on to the boat by the time they arrived. Finally the meeting was over and both Jackson and Colin were met with a MI6 representative Lt. Commander Gregory Baker of the Royal Navy. It was through him they were being allowed on the HMS ship.
All three of them were loaded on the C5 at Lakenheath Royal Air Force base. They strapped in for the 14 hour trip.
/
Morning came and both Kate and Rick were awoken by Alexis' snoring.
"Morning Rick, where is that awful noise coming from?" Kate asked.
"Oh you did not believe me? Well listen the proof is in the pudding or the snoring in this case." Rick said. "What is she doing here?"
"She was scared and she lost her bandages. I had to redo them last night." Kate said.
"Well I need to …"
Rick saw Kate run quick to the bathroom and retched. He got his to go bag and dutifully followed behind then he started her tub and together they washed away the grime of the last day leaving Alexis alone in the bed.
Kate applied the cream and bandages to the worst bite and scratches the other she let air dry.
They got dressed and Kate took her spot on the couch while Rick got her breakfast. Sophie did not attack that night which Rick was internally grateful.
They ate together watching the news. The taskforce finally release the name of the shooter. Captain Gates was giving the press conference.
Kate listened as the Captain outlined how the man did what he did and why. The blogosphere was full of praise for the man.
"Rick they are treating Avery as a hero." Kate said.
"Yeah…? Well he was one in my book. The only evil person was Bracken and the callousness of placing a bomb when he knew Avery's family was on board. It was sickening Kate. The poor man thought it was pilot error until you came back and proved it was not. That was the trigger knowing it was a bomb. From there he had only one goal to seek revenge. Kate." Rick said.
"Rick how did he know I didn't tell anyone." Kate said.
The mail came and the FBI after checking it over Kate was given a postcard and a letter with a web address inside the envelope with no return address.
Kate read the postcard.
"So sorry to hear of both yours and Rick's mishaps please think about that sequel."
Stephen.
"So what is the website Rick?" Kate asked.
"Kate let me place it on the big screen it will take a moment." Rick said.
The on the screen was Agent Avery in a video he must had made before he left DC.
"If you are watching this I am already dead. I am so sorry Kate I never wanted to be a part of this corrupt organization. But I was forced. I feel I am no hero. At best I was a War Criminal. In 2004 in Afghanistan east of Kandahar there was a tribal leader selling arms to the Taliban. I was sent to eliminate the threat. What I did was kill a 5 year old little girl in her daddy's arms. The Pentagon awarded me the silver medal and retired me. I then applied and was accepted to the FBI academy. I passed easily and I was assigned to Agent Jordan Shaw's team. I was married and I was doing what I liked until one day I got an anonymous phone call saying I had to work for them otherwise my shame would be publicized. Seeing I had little ones I could not afford to go to jail. So I agreed to do what they wanted." Agent Avery said.
"I grew in esteem inside the organization and I learned who was in charge and each person's role. I have that hidden until my death then it gets released. I was devastated when I learned this plane went down. I had a feeling that there was something in the crash which was important. They asked me to find whatever it was. I did but I did not turn it over to them. This was in October when they asked me. Kate I found your evidence. I recognized the bomb maker signature. It was my old spotter from Afghanistan a Frenchman named Henri Phillippe." Agent Avery continued.
"He was there the day I murdered that little girl. Finding the bomb fragments I buried them deeper. I hoped one day that evidence would be used in his trial. But the more I thought about it the more a trial would become less certain. His corruption was vast. The only way for justice was for me to pick up the rifle again. I am so sorry that you were there Kate. It was my only opportunity. I knew you would eventually find me. Kate you are one of the best investigators I ever had the pleasure of working with and of course your husband too I give high praise." Agent Avery stated.
"The organization I served reluctantly had callously killed my children and my mother in the vain attempt of killing you Kate. You see I had to kill him he was the rotten center.
They did not know I knew then the word came down to assassinate you again. I hope I reached you in time." Avery said.
"Yours truly,"
"Arnold W Avery USMC retired."
The video ended. Kate and Jordan along with Rick were stunned at his confession.
The website disappeared. It was for the best. Possibly the NSA could retrieve it but they were not on the taskforce. Agent Avery made sure only those chosen would see it and then it would be gone forever.
"I do not care what he did in the past he died a hero's death protecting my wife and my two unborn children from certain death!" Rick said. "For that I commend you Arnold Avery."
Both Kate and Jordan nodded.