Lex talionis
Chapter 22. A tooth for a tooth

This damn table is too high, Isobel mentally cursed, trying to stretch her back as much as possible to raise herself higher above the tabletop and shifting in her seat.

Beside her, Jubal reached for her hand underneath slyly and squeezed it gently. The warmth his skin conveyed made Isobel both calm and blush at the same time. She forced herself not to look at him, even though it would have helped, because she didn't want the communication to catch her looking away, at him. She stretched again, uneasy.

To be honest, when Isobel had called Maggie and asked her to set up a video conference from prison with Vargas, she had expected a lot more questions. However, the agent simply set it in motion as diligently as she could and, in less than an hour, had everything set up. Isobel suspected that, conveniently, Maggie had found a way to not have to brief Reynolds yet, or the call from the ADIC would not have been long in coming.

Some hospital administrative staff were preparing the communication, coordinating with someone on the other end of the line to check that the audio was working. Meanwhile, Arenas and Ugarte just waited in silence. Isobel could never thank Ralph enough for only asking her to be present during the conversation, not to intervene. For his part, Ugarte had been very reasonable once he had her and Jubal's official statement. Darío would have liked to be there too, but his condition simply did not make it advisable.

Fortunately, not long ago, a guardianacional had brought them their baggage, which they had recovered from the trunk of the rented car. Surely after having checked its contents, though of course they didn't mention that. Both Jubal's backpack and Isobel's suitcase had some bullet holes in them. To her great relief, some of the clothing were intact. Isobel would have hated to have this interview covered only by a hospital gown. She would have preferred one of her formal business suits, but with that simple shirt and jeans, at least she didn't feel naked. Jubal had also been able to dress and shave. Although pale and with some bruising on his face, he looked rather better than the very worrying state he had been in that morning when he had entered her room and which Isobel's heart still cringed at the memory of.

Curiously, upon retrieving her things, Isobel had found several missed calls on the cell phone Vargas had called her on before. She had almost expected him to try again. He didn't, though. By then the Durango capo must have known he was going to talk to her shortly.

Now it was only a matter of a few minutes. The image of a federal prison interview room was already appearing on the large screen in the hospital's multimedia meeting room. It showed only an empty chair.

Jubal watched Isobel carefully take a breath and let it out slowly. He had been able to sense that she was nervous. He couldn't explain why he had known. Perhaps something in the subtle tension in her neck, or the slight way she had pressed her lips together.

That was why he had felt the need to caress her hand.

At that moment, however, any trace of her uneasiness had completely disappeared, displaying a solemn serenity that Jubal found simply breathtaking. He left a final brush and withdrew his hand.

A few seconds later, Antonio Vargas, head of the Durango cartel, appeared in the screen and sat in the chair, upright, dignified. He was of course wearing a prison jumpsuit, but immediately his presence, even remotely, filled the room and seemed to preside over the meeting. His face was impassive as always, though there was a certain feverish gleam in his eyes.

"Castille. Valentine. I did not expect to see them in one piece after your confrontation with Juárez in Aguadulce."

Isobel controlled her irritation. Why did Vargas always have to be so well informed? "I'm glad to surprise you once again, Vargas," Isobel replied boldly, but in a soft, calm tone.

He waited, but she didn't say anything else.

"Well? Are you going to tell me what you found out? That's why you wanted me here for, isn't it?"

So we don't know everything, huh? Isobel thought with somewhat petty malice. "That's right," she conceded, "For that. We have found out that you owe us a lot, Vargas."

"What can I owe you except revenge?"

"Carlos and Sofía are alive," she said point-blank.

Vargas blinked once. His expression filled with disdain. "You lie."

"No. You know it's not my style. Something that, as much as it annoys me, we have in common. Your sister-in-law, Adriana, orchestrated the whole thing and kept them hidden." Isobel saw Vargas frown, but went on. "You, who boasts of 'integrity', killed Rina Trenholm and threatened Agent Valentine's children, two innocent kids... for nothing. You sure as hell owe us."

The way Vargas raised his eyebrows was only dismissive, but it betrayed his discomfort. "If Adriana did that, she would be responsible. Not me."

"As the murderers of Sofía and Carlos were responsible instead of my people and me?" Isobel's gaze bored into him until Vargas jerked his neck in annoyance. Jubal had to control an ill-timed urge to cheer. The corner of his mouth stretched with some satisfaction. "Of course, you do now, don't you?" she added. "How about being on the other side of a fallacious reasoning, Vargas?"

He leaned back, open contempt on his face. He snorted through his nose. "You say you don't lie, and you expect me to believe this. You're too naive, Isabel. Lies. All lies."

Unperturbed, Isobel did not answer, but she did not hesitate either. Vargas' cheek twitched for a moment in a tic of impatience. "Alright. Enough beating around the bush, Castille. Tell me where are they?"

Isobel couldn't help to make it difficult for him. "Where are who?"

Vargas' jaw visibly tensed. "Sofía and Carlos. If they are alive, then where are they?"

"We don't have to answer that," Jubal suddenly interjected.

Both men looked at each other as if they were dueling.

"You're planning revenge, aren't you, Agent Valentine? An eye for an eye," Vargas provoked him.

She didn't know how, but Isobel sensed the thick, grim indignation that enveloped Jubal like a storm cloud.

"And the whole world goes blind," Isobel replied. "No, we're not going to hurt them," she assured. "But El Patrón is after them. And that's... That's only your fault." Oh, look. I also know more than it seems. "Right?"

Fury blazed in Vargas' eyes. "Where are Sofía and Carlos? Tell me!" he snapped.

Isobel's heart pounded wildly in her chest. There it was. Right there. The joker in that game. The wildcard she could play against Vargas that would keep him pinned down at last. Isobel clenched her fist tightly under the table and her injured wrist responded with a lash of pain.

No.

She would not play that game again. She would not tell him that she had his family in her power to have control over him. She did not want to fortify that maze of lies. She wanted to destroy it.

"I don't know," she said flatly.

Next to him, he heard Jubal take a sharp intake of breath.

Giving a violent tug at his chains, Vargas sprang forward suddenly. In his reddened face, in the ferocious way he bared his clenched teeth, one could see that if he could, he would have beaten the information out of her. Isobel didn't even move. She held his gaze with an aplomb that set Jubal's pulse racing. Denial poured out of Vargas' eyes.

"I don't know," Isobel repeated, holding out her open hands.

Then, her sincerity sunk in, precisely because there was not the slightest reason for Isobel to lie to him. Vargas' expression slowly transformed into one of pure hatred; one born solely out of frustration. He leaned back.

There was a knock at the door. Isobel ignored it, but when it opened without waiting for permission, she had to turn her head.

Adriana entered the room, dressed in an impeccable tailored suit and perfectly groomed; flawless hairstyle, well applied makeup. Only a bandage over her eyebrow and a bruised cheekbone hinted at the violence she had gone through only a few hours before. A man wearing an elegant suit that said 'expensive lawyer' accompanied her.

Arenas and Ugarte stood up abruptly, but Isobel stopped them with a gesture, raising her hand slightly. Adriana crossed her gaze first with Jubal, then with Isobel, raising her chin with defiant pride.

"Adriana," Jubal was the first to come out of his stupor. "You're back," he acknowledged. "How-?"

"Darío told me where you were."

She wasted no more time; she stepped forward, entering the image that Vargas saw.

"Antonio."

"Adriana."

There was not the remotest trace of family warmth in those greetings.

"[Sofía and Carlos are alive, Antonio.]"

Vargas looked at Isobel briefly.

"[So I have been told.]"

Adriana also turned to Isobel. She made an understanding gesture. The relief that she had not made a catastrophic mistake in telling him herself left Isobel's heart lighter.

Meanwhile, Vargas seemed to have regained his control completely.

"[Adriana, you know you'll pay for this]," he threatened coldly.

"[I have no regrets]," Adriana declared bravely, with only a slight tremor in her voice. Then she continued in English: "If my sister and my nephew are alive, it's thanks to that. Thanks to I hid them from Juárez, from you and from the world. And to agents Castille, Valentine" she gestured towards Jubal and Isobel, "and Montero", she swallowed hard, and Isobel realized then that her eyes were wet and her mascara was slightly smeared, "who risked their lives to protect us when I could no longer hide them. I do not regret it in the least. If it had been otherwise, right now they would both be dead."

Vargas paused reflectively. He studied Isobel and Jubal for a few moments.

"Where are they?" he asked Adriana calmly.

"Away. Safe. From Juárez and from you. And I hope you never find them," Adriana spat spitefully.

Vargas' hurt expression was evident, and it irritated Jubal to no end that he could not help but feel compassion for that concerned father.

"I..." Adriana hesitated. "I didn't want you to see them again, but Sofía... Sofía wants to talk to you."

She pulled out a tablet from the briefcase in her hand. She turned it on and faced to the webcam in the room.

"Antonio!" Jubal and Isobel couldn't see her, but they recognized Sofía's voice. "Antonio, [my love! We're alright! How you must have suffered for us... I'm so sorry!]"

Vargas's gaze swept the screen anxiously. "Sofía..." he sighed her name. He seemed unable to say anything else.

"Antonio, Isobel Castille and her agents saved our lives," Sofía continued in English; she must know that they were going to be in the room. "If Carlos and I are alive, it is thanks to her. Agent Castille, if you're listening, thank you. Thank you."

Isobel would have liked to acknowledge the gesture, but she didn't dare interrupt.

"But now we have to go back into hiding," Sofía continued. "The Juárez cartel will still be on our trail. Antonio... I love you, but I have to protect Carlos for both of us."

Vargas' mouth became a tight line; his eyes hardened. "Castille is to blame for the fact that I cannot protect you both myself," he replied resentfully.

"Yes, but she's done a good job in your place. Back in Aguadulce, Isobel Castile and her men almost lost their lives to save us. Do you understand? I don't want you to hurt them. Please, I beg you, Antonio, stop trying to hurt them. Give me your word."

Vargas' eyes bulged, his face congested. He lowered his head. So much that it hung from his neck, his face hidden by the shadows.

Then he began to nod, as if he finally accept something. When he raised his face, he was almost serene again. Only his wet eyes reflected a deep emotion. "Alright. You have my word," he assured her.

Isobel had to bite her lips to control her surprise. Part of her had never believed it would work.

There was a silence in which Antonio and Sofía seemed to be talking to each other only with their eyes. Isobel averted her gaze, feeling that she was somehow invading a moment of intimacy. She saw that Jubal had also lowered his eyes.

In Sofía's audio, the echo of a public address system was heard.

"I have to go," she said, her voice cracking.

"Sofía... Te quiero."

"Te quiero, Antonio. Hasta siempre."

The corner of Vargas' mouth then lifted slightly for a brief moment, in a somewhat mysterious way. "Hasta siempre, amor mío."

Sofía must have hung up the call, because Vargas' eyes lost focus.

The silence returned, but this time thick and uncertain.

"Well?" Isobel finally broke it off. "What can we expect from you, Vargas?" She managed not to sound as anxious as she actually felt.

"I have given my word to Sofía," he replied as if there was nothing more to say, back to his impassive countenance. "You have kept them safe and sound. Their lives for yours," he declared. "No hard feelings. At least from my side." he paused, "But don't expect Christmas greetings," he added grimly.

No hard feelings... The nerve of this man.

Relief escaped Isobel with a sigh, but she did not answer. She would not talk about grudges. It was better not to say anything. It would have been disrespectful to Jubal who, at her side, had taken a deep breath while crossing his arms tightly over his chest, as if not to allow himself to insult Vargas. She just wanted her people not to be in constant danger. Kyle... That had its own ending. Vargas already had what he deserved with a life in prison. It was what justice had decided and that had to be enough for her.

Jubal also remained silent, cursing inwardly and biting his tongue to keep from verbally assaulting Vargas. He hoped Rina's ghost was ringing his ears and freezing his bones. That she would do so for the rest of his life.

No. He slowly uncrossed his arms. Jubal hoped that Rina was somewhere bright, warm, and full of peace. Vargas could torment himself alone, if he had a shred of conscience. But Jubal... No, he could never forgive Vargas. He didn't want revenge. Not anymore. Jubal would not forgive him, though.

Under the table, he felt Isobel's hand grasping his with understanding and affection. That contact managed to almost completely banish the anger from his heart.

·~·~·

After picking up the key-cards at the hotel reception desk, Isobel and Jubal went up to the third floor and walked together down the bright, wide hallway on their way to their respective rooms. Through the large window that ran along one side of the corridor, it could be seen that it was almost dark outside. Upon she arrives her room, Isobel would have to call Reynolds. The ADIC had left her several missed calls and it wasn't something that was wise to delay any longer, but she wasn't looking forward to do so at all either. She was dying for a shower and to sleep in a decent bed.

After the interview with Vargas, Adriana had sincerely thanked Jubal and Isobel for what they had done for her sister and nephew. She had then introduced them to her lawyer and had informed Ugarte that she was there to turn herself in for certain document forgery offenses. Isobel had no doubt that she had people working at that very moment to cover her tracks for the other, more serious crimes.

Before putting herself in the hands of justice, however, she had asked to speak with Darío alone one last time. She was with him in his hospital room longer than it takes to say "thank you". When she had come out, Darío had an intrigued look on his face and was quieter than usual.

Isobel didn't have a chance to ask. Shortly after Adriana and her lawyer left with Ugarte to record her confession officially, Verónica had shown up at the hospital, fresh from Nuevo Laredo. She was listed as an emergency contact in Darío's Guardia Nacional information, and naturally, they had called her. She made a show of her arrival, dramatically declaring that she was going to take care of him.

However, the pettiness and abusive behavior had not been long in coming. Isobel had cursed having to witness that, and was sorely tempted to give Veronica a piece of her mind.

She didn't have to. A couple of hours later, just a little before Isobel and Jubal were to be discharged, Darío couldn't take it anymore; he reminded Verónica that they had broken up and asked her to leave. She cried and made another operetta out of her departure, but in the end, she left. Darío had not looked happy, but relieved as only someone who has finally managed to turn a very difficult corner in his life can be. Isobel had been glad for him.

Arenas had then driven Jubal and Isobel to a hotel in Montemorelos where they could spend the night.

Now that she was walking down the hallway next to Jubal, Isobel was suddenly aware that this was the first time she had been alone with him since the moment they had shared on the hospital rooftop.

Now it was very different. Now, she had a triumphant feeling that gave her an overflowing exhilaration that was almost impossible to control. She felt invincible, unstoppable, and a part of her was very worried about what crazy things that might drag her into. She had to avoid temptations at all costs. As such, for example, coming into physical contact with Jubal in any way, shape or form.

Arriving at Isobel's room, she used the key-card and opened the door. The silence, which until then had been comfortable between the two of them, become really awkward.

"I'll... I'll pick you up later to come down for dinner," Jubal finally managed to say, beaming. He also seemed to be in a good mood. Isobel nodded, trying to remain composed. "It's amazing what you've achieved," he declared, leaning closer and smiling at her in a way that made it very difficult for her, and which made her smile in return. "We'll have to celebrate, won't we?" he added.

His charm made Isobel's euphoria bubble irresistibly. She let go of the telescopic handle of her suitcase and, although she had just told herself that she should not do anything like that, she hugged him. He received her with great pleasure.

"Thank you," she said after a few moments with a lump in her throat.

"'Thank you'?" Jubal wasn't sure he heard her correctly. "Why?"

Isobel struggled to find the words to describe what she wanted to say. "I wouldn't have made it without Darío and you. Thank you for... being there," she couldn't come up with anything better, but she was completely sincere.

"We agreed we can count on each other, Isobel." Jubal pulled away a little so he could look her in the face. "I'll always be there if you need me," he whispered.

In awe, he raised his hand and traced with his thumb the most delicate brush from her cheek to her cheekbone. A shudder made Isobel's heart tremble and spread through her entire body. Her eyes closed involuntarily. Suddenly, Jubal's lips were on hers, at first in a perhaps somewhat hesitant way, then becoming overpoweringly intense. She felt herself melting under his touch... just before she panicked.

She took a long step back.

Jubal froze, not knowing how to react.

Isobel looked at him with wide eyes; right now, she was absolutely certain that, if she got carried away, the next thing she would do would involve taking off their clothes. From what had happened before the assault in Aguadulce, Isobel had little doubt that he would accept. The friendship she had with Jubal had become something very special; she couldn't just throw it overboard for a moment of physical satisfaction.

A second later, he mistakenly thought he knew what Isobel was thinking. He lowered his eyes and chin, adjusting the strap of his backpack over his shoulder. "Of course," he muttered, trying to sound circumspect but not quite succeeding. "I'm sorry." He headed for his own room, just one door away.

Isobel's stupor did not allow her to stop him before he closed the door without saying another word.

·~·~·

After taking a quite cold shower, and although her body felt exhausted, Isobel's mind was still tirelessly alternating between what had almost just happened between the two of them and what had actually happened. She felt a little clearer, however, and knew right away that the first thing she had to do, even before calling Reynolds, was to talk to Jubal. Clarify the situation between the two of them. Professionally, neither of them could afford to do that, but it was very clear to her that she had handled the situation with very tactlessly. Perhaps she even offended him.

Although she wasn't sure she knew exactly what she was going to say to him, she was convinced that they could deal with the matter like adults. She got dressed and went out into the hallway. She knocked on his door, but Jubal did not answer. Isobel hesitated to insist; perhaps he was sleeping. Uncertain what to do, she looked behind her, outside, through the huge glass window overlooking the hotel parking lot and discovered Jubal pacing slowly while talking on the phone.

His affectionate smile told Isobel that he was talking to his children. For a few moments, the tenderness she felt towards him was impossible to suppress.

But then, Jubal raised his face and the lamppost next to him clearly showed that the joy that his lips were drawing did not even show in his eyes.

He hung up the call and his shoulders slumped. He ran his hand over the back of his neck, looking down at the ground, as if despondent. It intrigued her.

She watched him carefully, taking advantage of the fact that for once he wasn't hiding what was going on inside him, thinking himself all alone. Right now, Jubal did not seem (sexually) frustrated. He seemed... sad.

Isobel felt an unforeseen twinge of guilt. What if she hadn't offended Jubal with her rejection? What if she had... hurt him? She had been so preoccupied with what she herself was feeling that she hadn't even stopped to think about what he was feeling.

A certain sense of vertigo assailed her. As much as she wanted to hide from it, she was forced to face the fact that Jubal had poured an intense expression of affection into that kiss earlier. One thing and another could mean... No. Could they? I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but here... with you. Isobel's heartbeat redoubled inside her chest.

Down in the parking lot, a furtive movement near Jubal jerked her abruptly out of her musing.

A hooded man came out from behind a dark van parked there, walking stealthily. Jubal, absent-minded, didn't even notice that he was moving right behind him.

Isobel's already rampaging heart leapt into her mouth as the hooded man grabbed him by the throat from behind.

·~·~·

When Jubal had gone outside, was because the four walls of his room were suffocating him. He tried to distract himself by talking to Abby and Tyler; it was nice to hear their voices, to calm their concern for him, to hear that they were glad he had accomplished his mission. However, the very instant he said goodbye to them his own anxiety returned with even greater force.

It had to be that he had misunderstood Isobel terribly. A deep embarrassment tormented him for stealing a kiss that she did not want to give him. Moreover, the implications hurt in a way he could barely handle.

But... a little over twenty-four hours ago, at Adriana's house... Wow... Then Isobel had behaved very differently. The eagerness and ardor in her kisses had been unmistakable. Although, on the other hand, they had been in mortal danger, and that can make someone do a lot of crazy things. It had been very uncharacteristic of Isobel, certainly. What that very morning on the hospital rooftop he had seen in her eyes had been very profound, hadn't it? Or... he thought it had been.

Actually, he could be totally wrong. Damn it.

Unfortunately, being immersed in that confusion made him an easy target. The attacker took him completely by surprise.

Yet, feeling an arm around his neck, Jubal was able to react immediately. By reflex acquired in his training, the back of his skull connected forcefully with the covered face of the person holding him, who staggered backwards. But not before he had begun to apply something to his neck with a syringe. Noticing the sting of the needle, Jubal spun around, already crouched and on guard.

The syringe went flying.

He did not waste his tactical advantage, although he mentally cursed the tremendous stupidity of not having brought his pistol with him; he attacked with a powerful right jab with the momentum of his whole body. The hooded man blocked it, though not completely, and the blow nearly knocked him off his feet. Jubal jumped forward immediately, tackling him; he tried to knock him out, only to receive a knee to the stomach. Taking the pain, Jubal scrambled across the floor with the other man trying to make a pinning hold on him.

Jubal was bigger, stronger, but the attacker was very agile and mastered the techniques, slipping away from him every time, trying to catch him too. Desperately, Jubal rammed an elbow across. He was lucky enough to place it square at the base of his opponent's jaw. This managed to stun him and Jubal was able to get behind him. Wrapping his forearm and bicep around his throat, Jubal used his other arm to pull and close the hold. His left shoulder suffered. The attacker panted, throwing his elbows back, but Jubal knew how to move to minimize his blows.

Then his muscles stopped responding, as the drug that had entered his circulatory system finally took effect. Jubal realized with panic that his vision was blurring, his limbs becoming like jelly. He lost his grip on his enemy, who gave him a shove and pulled away from him. Jubal threw out his hands to catch him again, but he could barely lift them.

He had stopped being able to think, but his survival instinct told him he had to run. Unfortunately, his legs couldn't even get him to his feet; he fell heavily to the ground as he tried, his face smacking against the asphalt.

The hooded man pulled out another syringe and injected a full dose.

Jubal was only able to crawl a couple more feet before the darkness swallowed him up.

·~·~·

Running down the steps three at a time, with her lungs burning, Isobel reached the parking lot, gun in hand. By the time she came around the van behind which the attack had taken place, the hooded man had already finished hoisting Jubal into the back through the open side door.

Isobel should have fired then, but she missed her chance. The attacker pulled out a gun and the two stood pointing it at each other. Isobel found herself staring into the face of the unknown. Her opponent hid his face completely with a black cloth mask; dark glasses hid even the color of his eyes.

"Drop your weapon!" Isobel ordered. "Right now!"

The man moved quickly, shifting his aim from Isobel to Jubal's head, who was completely helpless: bound, gagged, and unconscious.

"I take that this man is important to you?" his voice was a hoarse whisper that made it unrecognizable, but reminiscent of something being dragged across a gravel floor.

It gave Isobel an uncontrollable shiver.

"Get away from him!"

"Drop the gun," said the man calmly, resting the barrel of his pistol against Jubal's temple and cocking it.

Exhaustion and fear paralyzed Isobel.

"Now," he said.

That black-gloved finger tightened on the trigger, which began to yield obediently to the pressure. Isobel knew she was going to regret it, but she threw her gun away. She did not know what else she could do.

"Get in the van," ordered the faceless man.

~.~.~.~