Thank you to everyone who posted feedback esp those who do not like this OC.
To balance it off ... Gloria is back by request doing what she does best.

Chapter 5 Cracks in the Foundation

If Michael had not been so ill, Helena would never have allowed her foundation work to intrude on her day at the Warehouse. But when she saw there she received a text from the new staff member and thought it might be about Michael, she opened it immediately. Helena Campbell apologized for texting but asked HG if she could possibly help? Michael had left some papers for her to sign. Could they meet at the Ritz Carlton in Yankton that evening? Michael had told her they were urgent.

Helena was surprised that Michael had not mentioned them but Gloria had told her that this virus was probably in his system for two weeks, disrupting his health slowly over the course of time it took to emerge. She did not like to deal with these matters while working at the Warehouse but knew if she didn't, Michael would push himself to take care of whatever needed to be done. Gloria had told her that they were having a hard time getting the fever down that morning.

HG sent a text telling Helena Campbell she would be there at six as requested. Now she had to convince Artie to allow her to miss the software update meeting he had scheduled weeks ago.

"Artie, I am sorry and I would never dream of missing this if it was avoidable but it seems my presence is required elsewhere this evening. I will come in early tomorrow I promise and go over every detail of the new program. Besides, you know I have a much better handle on these things than …. some of the others ….. and will require far less time to familiarize myself with the changes," HG spoke truthfully.

"No shortage of ego there," Pete said knowing he was one of the 'others' HG was referring to.

Artie agreed she could go but not until they had finished inventory. HG's only regret was that Myka could not come with her. It would have been nice to have dinner at the hotel after she took care of business.

"How is Michael doing?" Myka asked HG as they were finishing up.

"Gloria said that they have been trying to get the fever down. He's on an IV and is sleeping a lot but she's right there with him, so I feel confident he will be better soon," HG said. Myka smiled at how much confidence in the nurse HG's words revealed; as if her mere presence was all the guarantee HG needed.

"I wish I could go with you to Yankton," Myka confessed. It was a straight ride over Route 81 and about thirty minutes away.

"I shan't be long. Just some papers to sign. I do not wish for anyone else from the foundation to know where I live so it's better I meet them there. Michael seems much taken with this new woman so I'm sure it will go smoothly and I'll be back in no time," HG said.

When the inventory was done, Myka walked HG out to the car.

"Now remember sweetie. You of all people should know the digital voice in the GPS system cannot argue with you so there will be no sense in fighting with her and besides, it distracts you," Myka warned having been in the passenger seat and witnessing the Brit's anger at the machine.

"Well, if you're going to make it conversant, she should get it right!" HG said indignantly because the small box was a great source of aggravation for her.

"Yes, I know how you feel about it, Hel but again, it can't hear you and I don't want you getting upset on the road," Myka said calmly. "Promise me you won't fight with her."

"Fine," the Brit finally relinquished.

Myka waved as HG drove off and prayed she could keep her word. Then she returned to the Warehouse where everyone was gathered to start the software lesson. Helena did remember Myka's request and didn't give in to yelling at the machine when it said to turn left and there was a building in the way. But the Ritz Carton Hotel was not something that you could miss in Yankton and HG found it easily enough. She texted Helena Campbell that she had arrived.

The newest staff member had told HG that she had business in Yankton establishing the program in the local school district. It seemed plausible to HG since Michael was expanding the number of schools that participated in the foundation's reading program. What struck HG as odd was that in all the time she knew Michael; his travels never included high end hotels. HG got a text back to please come to room 2323. HG made her way up to the 23rd floor and knocked on the door. It was the maid that let her in though, not Helena Campbell.

"Missus, Ms. Campbell will be right back. Please, you make yourself at home here," the young woman said to HG and implored her to come sit on the couch.

There on the table were the documents, next to a plate of fresh fruit and a steeping pot of tea. The maid immediately fixed HG a cup of tea which Helena decided she could use after being silent with that blasted machine. Myka may have asked her not to argue but she didn't mention anything about not wrapping the wire around it tightly and throwing it in the back seat. When asked if she could get her anything else, HG thanked her but said no. HG heard the woman close the door behind her as she left. She looked around the suite as she sipped her tea. There was a laptop on the desk but little else that would indicate someone was there. HG picked up the papers to look through them. The tea was good and she was thankful that Michael had shared with Helena Campbell how much she enjoyed a good cup. If someone didn't come soon, she thought, she could just sign the papers and leave them and get back to Univille before dark. She texted Myka – arrived safe and sound. She knew Artie would be annoyed if she was disturbing the class she was too busy to attend but Myka insisted that she let her know.

She took a pen out of the bag she carried and decided to start signing the documents. She had never signed any of the others but Michael seemed to have placed those little neon colored sticky arrows in the places she should place her signature. Suddenly, the words of the paper started to move and HG pulled her head back up to focus. But now the room was spinning and she knew it was only a matter of time before she passed out. She grabbed for her phone but someone's hand was taking it from her. Someone whose touch was very cold.

When HG came to, she pulled her drooping head up in the chair with a start. She was no longer on the couch but sitting in a heavy straight backed chair with arms. She went to move as her vision came into focus but she couldn't. She looked down to see the silver duct tape around each of her wrists and ankles.

"I'm sorry to have to do this, Helena," the woman's voice said from behind her and HG knew it was familiar but could not place it. She did remember the hand that was now slipping down her neck, palm flat as the fingers slipped past the bra.

"Your heart is beating so fast," the woman said now and she got closer to HG's left ear. "Are you as excited to see me as I am to see you?"

Karen Carson withdrew her hand slowly and caressed HG's jaw before she walked around in front of her. "I went to an awful lot of trouble to arrange this," she said to Helena and there was no doubt in HG's mind that she meant she should appreciate it. The vision of the woman who had blackmailed HG months before came into view. It took even one of the greatest minds a couple of seconds to figure out what she was doing there. She thought perhaps Karen had subdued Helena Campbell and then she remembered why the name sounded so familiar to her.

"Jules Verne?" she asked.

"You finally figured it out. I am so proud of you," Karen said and HG was insulted on so many levels.

Karen sat on the coffee table in front of the chair. She put her hand on Helena's left knee. "I can't tell you how much I appreciated you paying for the private room, Helena," she said.

Helena had indeed paid for her private room when Karen had been admitted to the mental health facility those many months ago, although it was supposed to be anonymously. She felt sorry that the woman was so disturbed and asked Myka if she thought it was okay. Myka agreed because they believed that no one would divulge the information to Karen. But it was amazing what this woman could extract from people.

"Did you think about me all those weeks, Helena?" she asked as she slipped her hand up HG's leg. HG knew she should not show her displeasure and tried to smile.

"Of course," she lied. "But why did you do all this? You could have just called me," HG attempted to stall her.

"They wouldn't let me see you. They made me stop writing to you. There was a court order to keep me away, did you know that?" Karen said and HG was struck with how childish her voice became.

"I'm sorry about the tea," Karen said looking back at the cup on the table. I was afraid if you weren't a bit subdued, you wouldn't listen to reason."

HG now realized there was something in the tea that knocked her out. The sun was almost down so it had to be an hour since she got there.

"Why don't you take this tape off me so we can talk?" HG said looking directly into Karen's eyes. And the seductive look that HG had perfected might have tempted the woman if her cell hadn't gone off. Karen got up and grabbed the phone. "Well, what a surprise. It's from Myka. How is Agent Bering?" Karen asked sarcastically. "I do hope I get to see her again," the captor said and HG knew she meant to do Myka harm. She pressed the phone and read the text.

"She hopes your meeting is going well and wants to know if you're leaving soon. Hmmm. Maybe you should tell her you're tied up and will be late?" Karen said smiling at her own joke and then looking back at the phone.

"Do you love Agent Bering?" Karen asked and HG recoiled at the harsh look in her eyes. She grabbed Helena's face roughly. "Do you love her?"

"Agent Bering and I are work partners," HG said trying desperately to get her trust to untie her. "Now, why don't you undo this tape?"

Karen looked at the phone and then turned around and placed it on the coffee table. She faced HG and undid the tape on her right wrist. She wasn't gentle when she pulled it off but took it in her hands and rubbed it.

HG put her hand out and touched her captor's face. "Why don't we just sit on the couch there and get reacquainted?"

Helena knew she had to be released from the bindings before she could put any plan into action. She had to gain this woman's trust long enough to get her to free her. The problem was, Karen trusted no one.

"Do you love her?" she asked HG again but this time her eyes were angry and she was squeezing HG's hand tightly.

"I told you, Myka and I work together, that's all." HG tried again. But a wicked smile came across Karen's face. "Then why does her text say – "I love you" – she asked as she opened the phone to read it again.

"Helena, the basis of any good relationship is trust and I am beginning to doubt I can trust you. Is she your lover, Helena?" Karen asked and HG could detect the change in her tone.

"Myka has certain affection for me but I assure you, we are friends," HG tried and that smile came back across her captor's face.

"You know Helena, the one thing I will not tolerate is lying," Karen said as she began typing.

"Let's ask Agent Bering how much she loves you," she said as she furiously pressed the keys into the phone. "Let's spend the day in bed tomorrow?" she typed but did not share.

HG watched as she did this and could only hope that Myka would know somehow that she was not the sender. Karen was becoming agitated and HG knew she needed to keep her calm.

"Darling, why don't you forget about Agent Bering? I am here …," HG tried.

"Forget about her? Forget about the woman who ruined it for us? Who put a gun to my head and then purposely hit my head on a table? I don't think so, Helena. I will get her back for that. I heard her trying to take care of you while I was helpless last time," she said and her voice got angry as she recalled the events.

The phone beeped and Karen looked at the text. She raised her head up slowly and looked directly into Helena's eyes.

"I will not tolerate lying!" is what she yelled before she slapped Helena's face with the backside of her hand. The loud sound filled HG's ears and she immediately felt swelling near her upper lip and something oozing down.

"I don't think you realize how much trouble I have gone through. I had to sit through weeks of therapy convincing them I was okay and that you didn't matter to me anymore, Helena," she said as she started to pace around the room. Helena raised her freed hand to wipe the blood away.

Karen looked through HG's phone and there was text after text from Myka mostly because since HG had learned how to text, she felt it was a way to keep in touch with Myka – even if they were only a couple of aisles away in the Warehouse. Karen was smart enough to know that what she was really interested in was in HG's 'sent' box.

"Do you love Agent Bering?" she asked HG again from behind her.

"As a friend, I told you," HG said but had no idea that Karen was reading the texts she sent Myka declaring just how much she loved her.

"Wrong answer, Helena!" Karen said as her anger grew inside of her at the thought that Helena shared in the love that Myka had just declared in her answer. She grabbed for Helena's bag to put the phone back in but the contents spilled out. Helena heard the thud the tesla made as it tumbled out of the bag. She had forgotten it was in there.

"Now what do we have here?" Karen asked curiously as she picked it up. She was familiar enough with firearms to guess that it was some kind of Taser. "Is this what they give you agents to use?" she said almost laughing. She picked her arm up and aimed it at the couch.

Helena's heart raced because she knew if this woman realized what this could do, she might use it.

"I don't see why you went to all this trouble to get me here only to make it so that I cannot be with you," HG said annoyed and her tone distracted Karen from the gun.

"I did go to a lot of trouble, Helena. Not only did I have to fabricate my new identity, I had to deal with that goody two shoes assistant of yours. Wherever did you find him, Helena?" she asked and put the tesla on the table.

"Michael?" HG asked only now realizing that Karen would have been alone with him for weeks now. 'Did he upset you?"

"No, he's a nice guy but wouldn't let me, well Helena Campbell, near the precious Helena Wells. Only he was allowed to contact you," Karen all but pouted and again returned to sit in front of HG. "So I got him out of the way," she said with a chilling tone. Her words struck Helena hard. What had she done? How did she do it?

"What did you do, Karen?" HG asked trying to remain calm but her heart was racing that Michael was in danger because of this woman.

"I got him out of the way! Why is it that people around you try to protect you, Helena? Do you need protection?" Karen asked and regained her seductive intentions and ran her hands up the front of her captor.

"What did you do to Michael?" HG asked again because she feared now that it was worse than she had thought but her questioning annoyed Karen.

"Why is it that you care about everyone else Helena, except me?" Karen asked and her voice was wounded.

"I care a great deal about you," HG tried but Karen was off again.

"Really? You didn't visit me once, Helena. In all those weeks, you didn't write me or call me. Not once!" she asserted. "I saw the flowers you sent Michael at his apartment, Helena!"

"Michael does not interest me, Karen. Only as a good employee. He takes care of things for me. There was no need to hurt him. What did you do to him?" HG asked trying to keep the urgency from her voice.

"I gave him a water bottle that I was certain was dirty and disgusting and hoped it was contaminated with something. I didn't know if anything would happen but I needed him out of the way for a few days so I could get to you, Helena," she said slowly. "I lucked out on the first try," and HG could see she was actually proud of herself.

Helena detested her touch but had to tolerate it to keep her calm. She had not brandished a gun but that didn't mean she didn't have one. The cell phone beeped again and the fury returned to Karen's eyes. She turned quickly and grabbed it.

"Oh, isn't that sweet. Myka wants to know when you're leaving and to drive safely and guess what, Helena? She signed off with 'look forward to it'. Helena had no way of knowing it but that affirmation that Myka was looking forward to spending the day with HG pushed Karen over the edge.

The next blow to Helena's face was filled with the anger that was building inside the deranged woman. Helena's head flew back from the blow and her hand instinctively went up and grabbed Karen's wrist. Karen had forgotten about the untied hand and was shocked to suddenly feel the pain in her arm being twisted. But she literally had the upper hand and turned her hand quickly to grab HG's arm and twist. Helena heard the snap and knew immediately from the pain, something was broken in her hand. Karen grabbed for the tesla and pushed it into Helena's side and pulled the trigger. She heard the whirling sound as the electrical charge mounted and exploded directly in Helena's ribcage. The jolt sent the chair reeling backwards and Karen dropped the weapon as she smelled the odor of burnt fabric and skin. She bent down next to an unconscious Helena and pulled the chair upright. She undid the tape on HG's remaining limbs and carried her to the couch. She would take care of her now – just like Myka did last time.

Gloria had spent the day next to Michael's bed. In the late afternoon, the antibiotics finally took effect and the fever started to go down. He opened his eyes to see the stranger next to his side rail. "Do you know Helena Wells?" he asked in a raspy but frightened voice. "Very well," Gloria answered. "She's in great danger," he said holding on tightly to Gloria's hand before falling back into the bed.

Gloria wasted no time in calling Myka as she ran out the main hallway of the hospital. She was slightly overweight but pushed herself to get to the entrance where she hailed a cab to the airport. She was winded and promised herself she would diet. "Myka, he was in the apartment when that new staff person was there. She thought he was asleep but he heard her talking about Helena. Myka, he said it sounded as if this woman knew Helena and was going after her. It scared him," Gloria reported and Myka struggled to get every word from the out of breath nurse.

Myka told Artie and Pete. They got in the car and called the police in Yankton. A Secret Service agent in danger warranted the SWAT team and Mrs. Frederic ordered a helicopter to take them. They arrived within fifteen minutes and landed on the hotel roof in time to see the members of the special team on the roof across from the street and on the 23rd floor. The hotel gave them the master key and Pete and Myka made their way downstairs with the backup police. Myka slowly pulled the keycard through the slot and gently opened the lock and pushed open the door.

Pete yelled at Karen to step away from Helena who was lifeless on the couch. He saw the red dot on her skull from the sharpshooter across the street. She stood up and moved away from the couch with her hands in the air. The sight of Myka rushing to the bruised and tasered Helena was too much for her to take and she screamed as she lunged down towards Myka.

The glass shattered as the bullet flew through the window and hit Karen in the side of her head.

Helena came to momentarily and was afraid she was in the arms of her assailant but realized quickly, she knew those arms.

Either she had died or Myka had saved her again.

Was not sure this CHAPTER should end so dramatically - so please tell me your thoughts.
I appreciate your comments and feedback.

Thank you to my editor who always makes time for me.