(Jenny's POV)
"Mmmm…" I moan as I come to. I want to rub my eyes, but my hands are tied behind my back. "Great," I mutter sarcastically. What is it with bad guys and their sexual bondage fantasies? Wait a minute. Bad guys? Bondage? Unknown location? I finally wake up with a jump as I remember. "The Four Horsemen – that's right!" They were after Tom but I saved him and got him to safety. I wanted to lay some hurt on those jerks but they conked me out with that knock-out spray.
And now I'm here… wherever this is.
I look around. Looks like I'm in a warehouse – it looks as if it has been empty for years. It's old, crumbling and derelict, with a rank smell. Big brambles and dead ivy cling to the walls and white, flowering weeds are growing among the stone floor. There are empty bottles, crushed cans of beverage and McDonald's cartons chucked all over the place, and all kinds of freebie newspapers and advertising bumpf littering the floor. There are some doors that are locked and bolted and boarded over and the windows have either cracked glass, broken or missing from the frames. The only furniture in the room is the chair I'm on and a red velvet sofa… with mud all over it. The Horsemen sure know how to pick a location.
I let out a startled gasp as the double doors in the far end of the room swings open with a loud creak. Light pouring in.
The sun is in my eyes. Seeing light for the first time in what feels like forever has sent up a bright reflection. I turn my eyes away, shutting them to shield them from the sun. I open them again when I hear the doors shut. I turn back to see who has come into the warehouse. My eyes widen and I let out a gasp.
Cuatro Jinetes.
The Four Horsemen.
They walk towards me like in the opening sequence of Reservoir Dogs. In my head, I'm imagining that they're walking in slow-motion, while 'Little Green Bag' by the George Baker Selection is playing in the background.
From right to left, you've got the blond, grey-suited Horseman who knocked me out with the spray, the handsome wavy-haired, blue-suited Horseman that I kicked in the back of the head. The next Horseman is a foot taller than the blond man, and powerfully built and is older than everyone, with an olive complexion, slicked back dark brown hair and light brown eyes, wearing a black suit with a purple shirt. The last Horseman is about three inches shorter than the older man and slim, with short, spiky black hair and light blue eyes. He's wearing a burgundy suit jacket, black trousers and a black shirt.
The Horsemen stop three feet away from me. The older man frowns and narrows his eyes at me. He steps forward towards me. He stops and locks his eyes on mine; studying my face. I sit perfectly still and I don't say anything.
"Hmmmm," the older Horseman says thoughtfully. "Freddy?" he calls, motioning for the man to come to him.
"Yes, boss?" says the blue-suited man, coming to his boss's side. So the man examining me like a case study object is the notorious Julio Vargas, leader of the Four Horsemen.
"Would you like to explain to me why there's a woman tied to this chair rather than the person I actually wanted?" Vargas asks Freddy.
"Um… well… you see, boss… Skips and I did capture the boy and w-we were about to load him in the car, but-but the girl interfered a-and she attacked us, making us lose the boy in the process," Freddy nervously explains. "The girl was about to attack us again, but Skips brought out the Knock-Out Spray you provided for us and used it to… you know… knock her out. S-so we loaded her into the car and brought her here."
I listen to the heavy silence after Freddy finish explaining.
Vargas crosses his arms over his chest and closes his eyes. What was Vargas going to do? Is he gonna yell at his henchman? Is he gonna beat him to a pulp? Or is he gonna shoot him?
He lets out a sigh that breaks the silence. "That would explain why you and Skippy were so nervous when I arrived here," says Vargas. He opens his eyes. "I must admit you have good taste. This is one exquisite creature of a woman. Good job, Fred."
Freddy looks very relieved and goes back to where he stood.
Vargas gives me a thin, slow smile. "I must apologize for what my men did," he offers. "I hope they weren't rough with you."
"Didn't feel a thing," I say in a sarcastic tone.
Vargas chuckles. "So tell me, pretty one, what is your name?"
"It's Go Fuck Yourself, A-hole." My voice gets steely. "I'm not telling you anything – not my name, about the boy you're after, nothing!"
"Hey! Don't you dare talk to the boss like that!" the man with the burgundy jacket shouts. "Don't you know who he is?"
Vargas turns to him. "Rizzo, Rizzo, calm down. It's all right." He turns back to me. "Again, apologies for that little outburst my colleague made. And you're right. You don't need to tell me your name."
"I… I don't?" I ask.
"Of course not. I really don't care what your name is. I mean after all, I am going to kill you."
I stare at Vargas and let out a nervous laugh. "Um, I'm sorry; could you repeat what you just said? Because for a second there I thought you said you were gonna kill me."
"Of course, pretty lady. I am going to kill you," Vargas repeats, pronouncing each word slowly and distinctly. "For three reasons – one, you set my hostage free. Two, you attacked my colleagues who happen to be very close friends of mine. And three, you told me to go fuck myself."
Damn. I knew I shouldn't have gone the mouthy route.
"I think strangulation would be the perfect death for you," Vargas suggests. "I couldn't beat up such a delicate face and I don't want bullet to penetrate that beautiful of yours."
But it's OK to bruise my neck with large hands or a piece of rope?
"Killing me won't make a difference, you know," I say. "You still got that little problem of the witness that got away. He'll testify against you and your friends and you'll all be behind bars where you belong."
"Ah, yes. The witness you helped escape. If he hadn't seen me murder Ratburn, none of this would be happening." Vargas goes into a deep thought. After a moment, he snaps his fingers. "I've got it!" He turns to Freddy and Skippy. "Fred, Skips, get the laptop and camcorder from the car."
The two nod and make their way out of the warehouse, while my eyes go wide with horror.
Oh Christ. They're gonna rape me and put it on the Internet.
As if reading my thoughts, Vargas says, "Relax, little flower, it's not gonna be some rape fantasy sex tape. I'm just gonna… persuade MI9 to hand the boy over to me in exchange for you."
"And if they don't?" I ask.
"Then the boss will kill you," Rizzo replies.
Vargas nods. "Precisely. And we'll do it live over the Internet – just so MI9 will become racked with guilt for not saving you."
I swallow. I'm not ready to die. I begin to try and free my wrists from the ropes – discreetly – as Vargas and Rizzo take themselves to one side to talk about something-or-other.
Once I'm free of these ropes, I'm gonna turn into the Cat and lay some hurt on these dicks. But if I do that, the Horsemen will tell MI9 that a girl that they kidnapped turned into the feline crime-fighter and gave their butts a kicking. It won't take MI9 long to figure out that a civilian who's not supposed to know about Tom being in witness protection transform themself into the second most wanted person on their wanted list – I'll get thrown into jail, too. I stop struggling with my rope-freeing and bow my head.
It looks like MI9 are gonna be the ones who'll have to save me, rather than me saving myself…
I hope.
(Frank's POV)
It's been nearly half an hour since the Horsemen kidnapped Jenny. As soon as the team brought me and Tom down to HQ, they immediately began to work through CCTV on where the black car went, while Tom and I sit in silence.
I can't believe this has happened. I can still picture the two members of the Horsemen load Jenny into the back of their car and speed off. Some boyfriend I am. I couldn't even save her.
Tom isn't taking this well either. He's just staring at the table, silently blaming himself. I place my hand on his shoulder.
"We're gonna get her back," I promise Tom. "We'll get her back and those creeps will be put behind bars until Hell freezes over."
Tom shrugs. "I still think that this is my fault," he says. "If I'd stayed and helped Jen…"
"You still would've been captured by the Horsemen and they would've killed you. You're lucky that Jen was there when she was and saved you… even if it meant that she had to be captured herself. But we will get her back."
"Frank… there's something I have to tell you…"
SWOOSH!
I hear the elevator doors open. I leave my place at the table to see who has entered HQ.
It's Stark.
"Would someone care to tell me how the Four Horsemen knew that Tom was here?" he demands. "Hm? Anyone?"
Rose, Oscar and Carrie sit silently in their seats, struggling to say something, but no sound comes out.
"I know," Tom pipes up. We all turn to him. "Over the past few days, hoodie gangs have been hanging around the school gates and have been reporting back to Vargas. They must have been following me all this time."
All of us stare at Tom with astonishment.
"How do you know this?" Rose asks.
Tom blushes. "Because… because Jenny told me."
"What?!" I exclaim. "She told you? When?"
"After PE. She also said that she knows I'm not Rome Black."
"How the bloody hell did she find out?" Stark angrily enquires.
"She… she's got a friend who looked up the name in the school records at St Michael's and… and the name didn't show up on the records. After she figured out that I'm in witness protection… I told her everything."
"You did what?" Stark temper suddenly flares. "Do you realise what you've done? Not only did you reveal confidential information to a civilian, but now, the Horsemen are gonna torture her to see if they can get any information out of her. How could you be so stupid?"
I step in front of Tom. "Hey, don't take your anger out on Tom. We are all at fault. If we had known about this earlier, we would have increased security and have some of them on patrol outside the school," I say, realising my mistake in not taking action sooner myself. I knew someone was watching and I did nothing about it. "Also, Jen would never tell the Horsemen about Tom. She would never do that."
"You don't know that."
"Well I do, OK?"
Stark tries to stare me down, then Rose says, "We've got an incoming video message."
"Play it," Stark says through clenched teeth, not taking his eyes off me.
"Greetings, MI9." A voice rings out that makes Stark and I call off our staring contest and turn to the computer.
It's Vargas!
"It is I – Julio Vargas. But I suppose you already know that," he says. "For the past few days, I've been trying to get hold of a person that you have in your custody who saw something he never meant to see. My men were very nearly close in getting the boy, but their plan failed when someone decided to intervene." The camera moves to the left to reveal Jenny. She's sitting on a chair, with her hands behind her back. She looks OK… for now. "Pretty little thing, isn't she?" says Vargas, going up to her and stroking her cheek, making me ball my hands into fists. "She could make a man very happy one day. But at the same time, she is a foolish girl – for she is the one who let the person I want escape and now she has to pay the price… unless you're willing to cooperate. This is how it's going to go down: you have exactly thirty minutes to bring the boy to the abandon furniture depository on Woods Mill Street in exchange for the girl. If you don't…" Vargas snaps his fingers and a man with a burgundy jacket comes into view and points a gun at Jenny's head. "…the girl dies – live on the Internet, for everyone to see. So, MI9, who do you value more: your witness or an innocent and very pretty civilian? Your thirty minutes begins now. Let's hope the decision you make is the right one."
The video ends with static showing on the screen. We all stare at the screen, not knowing what to say – or do!
"What are going to do?" Carrie asks, breaking the silence. "If we hand Tom to Vargas, he'll kill him."
"And if we don't, he'll kill Jenny," says Oscar.
"Even if we hand Tom to Vargas, he'll end up killing Tom and Jenny," says Rose. "Either way, everyone loses."
I lean my back against the pillar, in a state of shock. These is one of the toughest dilemmas I've ever come across – either give up the only witness willing to testify against Vargas and the Horsemen for my girlfriend or do nothing and keep the witness, but at the same time, watch my girlfriend in front of my eyes.
I look over to Stark. Even he doesn't know what to do.
For once, MI9 are stumped for ideas.
"I can't believe you guys are giving up!"
We all look over to Tom, who's standing with his hands on his hips and a frown on his face.
"I thought you guys were the best. You could do anything. Instead, you're just sitting around with faces like a wet blanket, waiting for your friend to die," he says.
"So what do you want us to do, Tom? Just hand you over to Vargas?" I ask.
"Yes."
Everyone stares at Tom like he's lost it – and I think he has.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Stone, you want us to hand you over to Vargas?" Stark asks. "In case you haven't forgotten, if we give you to the Horsemen, they will kill you."
"Not unless you have some cutting-edge technology to prevent that from happening," says Tom.
"Oh… I… I don't know," I say. "What if you get checked?"
"That's a risk I'm willing to take. But knowing the Horsemen, they wouldn't know if a Frisbee was coming towards them unless it hits them in the face. So what do you say, Frank?"
I stare at Tom. He's certainly up for it – he's buzzed with energy and there's fire burning in his eyes.
"All right, I'm in," I finally say. "Follow me, Tom; I've got some gadgets for you."
I go to the lab and pick out various gadgets from the cupboards and drawers and place them on the table.
"First, we have the Marble Smoke Bombs – can create a thick cloud of smoke for up to several minutes," I say, giving the bag of marbles to Tom. "Next, we have the X-ray Contact Lenses – allowing you to see through anything." I hand a clear contact lens container to him. "Finally, the Instant Freeze Cologne – filled with liquid nitrogen, it's capable of freezing anything." I hand the final gadget to Tom.
"Awesome!" he says, pocketing the cologne and smoke bombs, and putting on the contact lenses. "But there is the problem of me getting shot."
"I've got just the thing." I bring out a black garment storage bag from the bottom cupboard and place it on the table. I unzip the bag to reveal a red jumper with the St Hope's prefect badge on it. "Behold – the Bulletproof Jumper. It looks like an ordinary jumper, but press the badge and the jumper will become sturdy and hard as steel."
"Cool," says Tom, pulling off his jumper and putting on the bulletproof one.
"I've got the location of Woods Mill Street," says Rose. "It's about a twenty minute drive from here."
"Then let's get going! Time's a-wastin'," says Carrie.
"I'll arrange some back-up," I say.
"Don't worry, Frank, we'll get Jen back," says Oscar, patting my shoulder. He joins Stark, Tom, Rose and Carrie in the elevator and off they go.
I hope they make it on time. People's lives are at stake.
I take out my phone and call for a SWAT team.
(Jenny's POV)
"Just another two minutes to go until you get to sing with the angels," says Vargas, looking at his watch. "It seems MI9 has made their decision and decided to keep their witness, while you bite the dust."
I don't say anything. I just silently pray that MI9 have something up their sleeves to stop these bastards and save me. If not, then its curtains for me. I can't believe it's come to this. This is where I'll die – in some crumbling old warehouse. There were so many things I wanted to do with my life: get married, have children, swim with dolphins, that sort of thing. I didn't even tell Frank that I love him – but I supposed he already knows that. I hope MI9 have a plan – I've given those agents the best years of their lives as the Cat. The least they can do is help an old friend – even though they don't know the girl they're gonna save is their ally.
Vargas comes up to me. "Since MI9 has decided to leave you to rot in this warehouse, are there any last words you would like to make before I steal your life away?" Vargas asks.
I take aim. I spit hard – directly in his eye.
Vargas stares at me, wondrously spattered. "You dirty little bitch!" he says, backhanding me across the face, forcing me and the chair to fall sideways on the floor.
The slap hurts like hell. My cheek will be red and swollen later… if there is a later.
Rizzo pulls me and the chair up again, while Vargas wipes his eye with a handkerchief.
"Look likes this countdown has been brought to zero," says Vargas, bringing out his gun, cocking it and pointing it two inches away from my forehead.
I stare hard at the barrel of the M1911 pistol. If I have to die, I'd die with my eyes open.
Just as Vargas is about to pull the trigger, I hear a faint call.
"Vargas!"
I freeze, listening.
"Vargas!"
Who is that?
Vargas pulls his gun away from me, listening hard. The call gets louder.
"Vargas!"
Vargas turns to Skippy. "See who that is and bring them to me," he orders.
Skippy gets up from the dry-mudded sofa and leaves to investigate. After a few minutes, the door opens and he comes back in, dragging along with him… Tom?!
What the hell?
"Hey, boss, look what the cat dragged in," says Skippy, shoving Tom to the ground.
An evil smile spreads on Vargas' face as he sees his prize. He turns to me. "You got lucky, princess," he says. He turns back to Tom. "So MI9 decided to go for the better option."
"That's right, Vargas. I'm here – in the flesh," says Tom, standing up.
"Rome, what are you doing? Get out while you still can!" I yell to Tom, deciding to go for his undercover name rather than his real one.
"So that's what your name is, huh? Rome. Named after the capital city of Italy – my mother's birthplace." Vargas struts over to Tom and punches him in the nose while Freddy and Skippy hold him fast. "You have caused me grief these last few days." He tweaks Tom's nose as Tom tries to break loose from Vargas' henchmen. "Hiding from me and telling tales on me." He wags his finger. "Naughty, naughty."
"You don't scare me, Vargas!" Tom snaps. "I'm not like the other witnesses you frightened off or killed. I'm gonna testify against you and your dickhead friends from here to high heaven!"
Freddy and Skippy hold him while Vargas socks Tom again.
"Stop it!" I scream. I struggle to get on my feet to stop that evil bully from hurting Tom but Rizzo pulls my hair, forcing me to sit. All I can do is watch.
"It's time to say goodnight," Vargas announces.
The henchmen step away from Tom as Vargas aims his gun at Tom's heart.
"No, please!" I plead. "We promise not to tell anybody about this. Just stop this craziness!" I cry desperately.
"Don't worry, Rome. This will hurt for only a second," Vargas murmurs. He pulls the trigger and shoots.
BANG!
BANG!
"NO!" I shriek as Tom falls to the ground. "Rome! Rome!" He doesn't move. He doesn't flinch. His body lies motionless, his arms and legs outstretched. Tears start to stream down my face. "You bastard! You fucking, heartless murdering bastard! You killed him!" I scream. "You killed him!"
"And now I'm about to do the same to you," says Vargas, advancing towards me with maliciousness in his eyes, pointing the gun at me. "To think you were gullible enough to believe me when I said I'll release you in exchange for the boy. You foolish girl. Ah well, at least you'll see your friend again in Heaven."
I bow my head, my tears dripping down my face. I've got a runny nose, too, but what does it matter. As I wait for Vargas to pull the trigger, I hear screams and startled cries.
"Oh, my God!"
"No fucking way!"
I raise my eyes to find out what the commotion is. My eyes widen with confusion, my mouth twisted with shock.
The corpse is moving.
Tom starts to slowly sit up. He blinks and closes his mouth.
Slowly, slowly, Tom climbs to his feet. And stares into the startled faces of the Horsemen and me.
"Surprise," Tom tells everyone in a lifeless, dry voice, so bitter, so angry.
The room fills with startled screams and cries.
"He's alive!"
"I don't believe it!"
"Rome – are you OK?" I call.
"Yeah. I'm fine," he replies.
Vargas' expression changes from confusion to anger. "What the fucking hell!" he cries. "I killed you! I killed you, you motherfuckin' prick! Why aren't you dead?"
A bitter smile crosses Tom's lips. He pats the front of his jumper, which makes a clanging sound. "Bulletproof Jumper. Happily provided to me by MI9."
Vargas' face clouds in anger. "Get him! I want that son of a bitch dead. Do you hear me? DEAD!" he yells.
The other three Horsemen pull out their guns and are about to shoot Tom, when Tom drop some smoke bombs, releasing thick white smoke, engulfing the room.
"Hey, what the hell?"
"Where is that little punk?"
"I can't see a damn thing!"
Coughing, sputtering and gasping for air, I frantically try and free myself from the ropes.
"Don't worry, Jen, I've got this," says a voice, pulling at the ropes.
"Huh? Rome?" I puzzle.
"Yeah. Sorry about freaking you out earlier."
"No…" I cough. "No problem."
I feel the ropes loosen of my wrists and with one final tug, I feel the ropes fall to the ground. Tom pulls me to my feet.
"Let's get out of here," he says.
"Do you know where you're going?" I ask.
"Yeah. I'm wearing X-ray Contact Lenses."
Tom takes my hand and slowly leads me through the smoke to exit. As we go, I feel a hand slam down on my shoulder. I spin around and through the thick smoke; I stare into the face of Rizzo Montana.
"Lights out, doll face," he utters, raising his gun in my face. But I grab his right arm with my left hand and with great strength, use my right hand to punch the outside of Rizzo's elbow, breaking his arm that's holding the weapon. I manage to grab hold of the gun use the handle to hit Rizzo hard on the side of his head, disorienting him. Finally, I deliver a powerful low kick to the back of Rizzo's leg that makes him fall flat on his back.
"Don't ever call me doll face," I say, kicking him hard in the ribs. "Cunt."
As the smoke starts to clear up, something bumps into me. I quickly spin around, expecting a confrontation with another member of the Horsemen. "Rome!" I cry. "You scared me."
"Sorry. You OK?"
"Yeah. You?"
Tom nods.
When the smoke finally dissipates, I notice two people frozen on the spot. Their faces are ice blue and there's icicles hanging off parts of their body, including their guns.
I finally realize that it's Freddy Patucci and Skippy Beretta frozen in ice.
I raise a finger to the sculptures. "Rome… Did you do that?" I ask.
"Yeah," says Tom. "They were about to gun me down, but I stopped them with the Instant Freeze Cologne." He holds up the yellow cologne bottle.
"Right. Well, that's those two sorted. Montana is incapacitated…" I motion to Rizzo lying in agony. "But where's Varg–?"
A shot rings out; I drop back and feel a burning sensation at the side of my head. I reach up and touch my temple. I pull my hand back and suddenly realize that it's blood. Tom drops to my side.
I look up to see Vargas towering over me and Tom, with a sneer, pointing his gun at Tom then me.
I feel Rizzo's gun still in my hand. I've forgotten about it until now.
"It's time to die," I hear Vargas' warped voice say.
I slowly raise my gun hand. It trembles. I can hardly hold on to the gun. I feel Tom slips his hand over mine, helping me lift the gun and together, we both pull the trigger and shoot.
The shot goes wild and hits Vargas in the shoulder blade. With a look of astonishment, he drops his gun. He reaches down to retrieve it, but Tom holds up the Instant Freeze Cologne and sprays it on Vargas, freezing him.
More time must've passed, but it feels like minutes to me when MI9 agents and the SWAT team finally burst into the room. Shortly thereafter, everything is becoming blurry. I'm starting to feel light-headed.
One of the last things I remember is Tom holding my hand. "Oh Jenny. Please be all right. You've got to be OK. Please please please don't die."
Faraway voices blur – shadows swarmed with shouts and movements –
"Jenny! Jenny, can you hear me?" someone asks.
I smile as another person gently lifts my head and places an oxygen mask on my face. Then without any warning, blackness swallows me.
xxoOoxx
When I wake up, I look around. Everything is white and sterile-looking. I try to ease up but the pounding in my head forces me back down. That's when Frank appears.
"You finally woke, I see," he says.
He sits on the bed besides me and holds my hand. The look on his face is filled the mixture of joy and concern.
"Where am I? How long have I been here? What happened?" I close my eyes for a second, trying to regroup. "How did I get here? How'd even find me?"
"Well." Frank sighs. "I was cleaning Mrs King's office when the phone rang. Nether she or Mr. F was in the office, so I answered and I heard that you were brought into Casualty after you were shot by a gangster. I asked which hospital you were in and whizzed over here extra sharpish." Frank kisses the back of my hand. "You don't have to worry about that idiot – after the doctors patch him up, he's heading straight to jail. So are the other three that were with him. A bullet grazed you. You'll have to wear that headwrap for a few more days."
"OK," I nod.
"You really frightened me, you know. I thought I was gonna lose you."
"I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
Frank smiles down at me and brushes my hair back. There's a knock at the door. It opens slightly and Tom puts his head round the door. The bridge of his nose is covered with a plaster splint. "Um… Can I come in?" he asks.
"Course you can, Tom," I say.
Tom comes into the room and stands by my bed.
"How are you feeling?" he asks.
"Tired, but I'm fine," I reply. "You?"
"I'm OK… ish." Tom fidgets, shifting from one foot to the other. "Listen, Jen, I… I'm sorry for any trouble I've caused…"
"Hey, don't apologize. You didn't do anything. It's those dickhead wankers called the Four Horsemen who caused all the trouble. You, Tom, are a hero – you're the one who's gonna put those pricks in jail, where they'll be locked up like the animals that they are. Besides –" I motion Tom to come closer – "you came and rescued me, as well as save my life. If that doesn't make you a hero, I don't know what will. Thanks." I give him a quick kiss on the cheek.
Tom blushes and smiles shyly. "You're welcome."
"We should let Jen rest," Frank suggests. He leans forward and kisses my forehead. "Don't think about what happened today. Just get better so you can come home," he tells me.
I nod.
I watch Frank and Tom go out of the room, Tom waving at me. Like we're never gonna see each other again. And we probably won't. Especially since Vargas has connections.
After the door shuts, I stare up at the ceiling, thinking about how lucky I am that I only got away with a graze and a swollen cheek. At the same time, I think about what would've happened if Vargas hadn't missed and actually shot me in the head…
I shake my head to dismiss the thought. Like Frank said, I should forget about what happened today and get some rest. And rest is what I need. Rest and sleep. I'll be as right as rain in a few days.
I close my eyes and I drift off to sleep.
(Frank's POV)
After we leave Jenny to rest, Tom and I take a walk down the ward, where Oscar, Rose and Carrie are waiting for us at the nursing station.
"How is she?" Rose asks as soon as we reach them.
"She's OK, but a little tired. She's resting now," I say.
"What's gonna happen to Vargas and the others?" Oscar asks.
"Well, Vargas is getting treated after being shot in the shoulder. So is Rizzo Montana – this one for a broken arm and cracked ribs. Afterwards, they'll be contained in an MI9 cell, along with Freddy Patucci and Skippy Beretta, where they'll be awaiting trial on Monday."
"Tom will testify and the Horsemen will be locked up for life – hopefully, with no parole," says Carrie. "And Tom will go back to his normal life."
"Actually, it's not that simple."
"What do you mean?" Tom asks.
"You got to remember, Tom, that the Horsemen have connections with the hoodies gangs. Meaning that they'll be keeping tabs on you for a while – during and maybe even after the trial."
"Does that mean that Tom will still be in witness protection?" Oscar asks.
"I'm afraid so. He'll have to change his identity again and be under government protection – meaning he won't see his friends and family for some time."
Tom stands quiet.
"Are you OK, Tom?" Carrie asks.
He nods. "Yeah. I'm fine, really. If changing my name to protect my family and friends so scum like Vargas and his friends can't get to them, then so be it. It's like Jen said, I'm a hero. I'm saving people's lives here – and it feels good."
I give Tom a pat on the shoulder and smile in assurance. Just then, Stark appears, along with Agent Reed.
"Mr. Stone? Agent Reed is gonna take you to your home in Hammersmith where you'll pack a bag," says Stark. "From there, you'll be taken to a safe house – unfortunately not the one Agent Cole has been staying in. This will be a different one. The location is classified – you'll know when you get there. But don't get too comfy because every two weeks, you'll be moved to a different safe house. And that's how it'll be – until Vargas has given up on you. Understand?"
"Yes, Chief Agent Stark," says Tom. He sticks his hand out for me to shake. "Thank you for having me, Frank. And take care of Jenny."
"I will, Tom," I say.
Tom shakes Oscar's hand and gives Rose and Carrie a hug and a kiss on the cheek, making them blush and gaze dreamily at Tom as he leaves the hospital with Agent Reed.
"You three should get back to school. Even though PE is your last lesson and Jen isn't there, you better get down to revising for your mock exams next week," I tell Rose, Oscar and Carrie.
Oscar and Carrie groan, but Rose is ecstatic.
"Come on," says Oscar. "Let's see if Percy can give us a ride back to St Hope's."
The young spies take off down to corridor to catch up with Agent Reed and Tom, leaving me and Stark standing in the corridor. After they disappear behind the double doors, I lean back against the wall and close my eyes.
"You OK?" Stark asks.
"Mmmm," I say.
"How's the patient?"
"Jenny. Her name is Jenny. And she's fine."
There is silence.
Suddenly Stark blurts out, "I know she's your girlfriend."
I open my eyes in shock and snap my head towards Stark. I blush violently.
"I-I-I… I don't know what you're talking about," I stammer.
"Give me a break, Frank. I know everything. Agent Stewart told me," says Stark, crossing his arms. "While we were waiting in the car, she accidently let slip that you're in a relationship with this girl. After that, she and agents Cole and Gupta told me everything."
"Oh. So… now you know."
"Yes. It kind of explains why you were so quick to defend this girl – sorry, Jenny, saying that she wouldn't tell the Horsemen anything."
"And she didn't. I told you she wouldn't."
I stay silent for a while, watching the doctors and nurses go about their business – wheeling their patients in wheelchairs or stretchers, discussing what medicine to give to the patient or talking to the relative of the patient.
"We got lucky today, Stark," I say. "I can only thank God that Jenny got away with a swollen cheek and a graze. If she and Tom hadn't shot Vargas back, the situation would've been a lot more serious. I dread to think what would've happened if Vargas didn't miss."
"Luckily, he did," says Stark.
"But what if he didn't? What if he shot her in the head? I wouldn't know what to do if Jen died. I don't know how I'll cope. One thing's for sure, I would never forgive myself. It's my fault that she's in hospital. If I've arrived a little sooner before the Horsemen got to her, I could've helped her and none of this would've happened."
"But if the Horsemen captured Tom, they would've killed him. It was lucky that your girlfriend came when she did."
"Even if it meant she had to be captured herself?" Stark stays quiet. "I didn't think so." I cross my arms over my chest and sigh. "You know while she was sleeping, I kept circling her bed, looking at how peaceful she was – like Sleeping Beauty. I kept thinking to myself: what did I do to deserve a girl like Jen? Why am I with her? What does she see in me?"
"Well, other than the tacky boiler suit and the Harry Potter-style glasses, she sees someone who obviously likes her and thinks the world of her."
"Mmm, true. But at the same time, I'm lying to her. I make up stupid excuses to her and I sneak around – it's like I'm having an affair. It's not fair on her. And now, I've put her in danger. It's one thing to put myself in the firing line, but not someone I love. I thought I could keep my secret agent life and my relationship with Jenny separate, but look what's happened – she's lying in a hospital bed. I put her there. Me. On top of that, I just told her that the hospital called the school saying she was in an accident, when it was you, Stark, who called me. Damn it, I can't do this anymore. I've got to tell her the truth – I'm gonna tell her I'm a spy."
"What?" Stark squawks. I nudge him. The nurse at her station and a passing doctor look at Stark. He clears his throat and whispers, "What?"
"I'm gonna tell Jen that I'm a secret agent," I repeat.
Stark stares at me like I've lost my mind. "Are you crazy? If you tell her you're an agent, you'll be kicked out of MI9," he hisses.
"That's not gonna happen."
"What are you talking about?"
"After I tell Jenny I'm an agent… I'm gonna leave MI9."