Teren stayed silent until her boss had gotten into the car. Then she casually leaned over and pulled his gun, pressing it against his temple.
“Tell me what’s going on, Ronald.”
He swallowed hard, but reached forward and started the car anyway.
“We made a mistake putting the tickets in your real name. Airport security got wind of it, and we learned they were going to meet you at the gate and arrest Agent Reis. I’m sorry I couldn’t warn you ahead of time, Teren.”
“Another mistake?” She shook her head. “Not good, Ron. You’re making far too many. Give me a good reason why I shouldn’t just eliminate you and all your fucking mistakes.”
“Because you wouldn’t know which safe house your friend is being taken to.”
Teren stopped for a moment. “I thought she’d been arrested?”
“Well, we arranged for airport security to hand her over to a couple of FBI agents, who will then take her to the safe house.”
“Who are the agents?”
“Ken Thomas and Cliff Jackson.”
“Shit.” Teren holstered his gun and leaned back. “You idiot, Ron. Get moving.”
He backed out. “What’s wrong?”
“I think Jackson’s part of this.”
Graves snorted. “Not likely. I’ve known the guy too long, Teren.”
“Yeah, and you’re judgment on people up to this point has been just great, Ron.”
He didn’t say anything for a moment, and they left the short term parking.
“I thought I was doing pretty good, Teren. I chose you and Perry, after all.” There was true regret in his voice.“I’ve been doing this for a long time, Teren, and the one agent I ever misjudged was Mather.”
“And I lost my partner because of it. If you’re wrong this time, and I lose Alex… .” she broke off, unable to speak around the choking lump that rose in her throat.
Graves nodded, and the car sped up.
Alex glanced towards the driver, and was surprised to see Ken Thomas grinning at her.
“Ken?”
“Hey, Alex.”
He started the car and pulled away from the building. Cliff looked back at the way they’d come, then reached behind Alex and undid the cuffs.
“Jeezus, Alex, it’s damn good to see you.” He said, and pulled them from her wrists.
“Same here, Cliff. I think.” She frowned, rubbing her hands to get some feeling back. “Wanna tell me what’s going on?”
“Sure. Sorry about the arrest thing. We blew it, and airport security saw your name. Until you’re cleared with the Director, we can’t take you off rogue status. So, they had every right to arrest you.”
“So, I’m being taken to a federal lock-up?” she asked quietly.
“Not hardly,” Ken winked at her in the rearview mirror. “Nah, we’d been working with a CIA man named Graves to get you back here. So, when we found out that security would be waiting, we just decided to let them do their job — course then, Cliff and I would be available to take you off their hands, and take you to meet the Director.”
“Per written instructions from Director Collins himself,” Cliff added. “Everything above board, no mishaps, everyone happy.”
“Right.” Alex eyed Cliff. He seemed a little older, as if the last week had aged him without touching those around him. She wanted to think of him as the friend she’d always considered him, but Teren’s words echoed in her mind.
“How’s David?” she asked to change the subject.
“He’s fine, Alex.” Cliff put a hand on her shoulder. “Soon as we get this visit with Collins out of the way, Ken’s volunteered to drive you to the hospital to see him.”
“Any word on when they might release him?”
Ken spoke up from the front. “Tomorrow. Miri’s all excited about it.”
“That’s great.” Alex relaxed a tiny bit at knowing her partner was going to be just fine. “I can’t wait to see him.”
Patting her again, Cliff leaned back, and relaxed, blowing out a sigh of relief. “Damn glad you’re home, kid.”
Alex nodded. “Nice to be back, Cliff.” I think.
Teren recognized the house as soon as it came into view. She had spent part of her convalescence in the large white building, and had enjoyed the peace and quiet that still reigned in this area outside DC. It had been a safe haven then, and she could only hope that it would be now as well.
“How long until Alex is supposed to arrive?”
“They should be right behind us. I’m afraid you won’t get to see her for a little while, though. She’s supposed to be in a meeting as soon as she gets back. I’ll help you get settled in, and you can get a shower and some dinner while you wait.”
“A meeting with who?”
Graves glanced at her. “The FBI Director, Andrew Collins. I told you that, remember?”
She nodded. “Right. They’re meeting at the house?”
“Yeah, soon as Cliff brings her in. You and I will go through the back, and check in.” He turned the car into the driveway, and drove past the house, turning into a small circular area behind the building.
Teren stared at the house, lost in her memories. This was where she had finally broken down and accepted Perry’s death. Where she’d heard of the lack of success in finding Mather — and where she had sworn to Perry’s spirit that she’d find Mather, and destroy him, along with whoever he was working for.
This was the place where she’d woken to the realization that she’d killed her partner. Even though it was at his insistence, it had still eaten away at her.
Alex’s image popped up in her mind, and the guilt eased somewhat. Alex had never even raised an eyebrow at the revelation that Teren had fired the bullet that ultimately killed Perry Watson. She’d taken it in stride, accepting it as part of Teren’s engimatic past. For that, Teren had been, and always would be grateful.
“Teren?”
Graves’s voice cut into her thoughts, and she moved away from the car, carrying both her’s and Alex’s briefcases.
Alex was beginning to get nervous as they left the District and headed into Virginia.
“So, where’s this meeting supposed to be, Cliff?”
The older man lifted his head and blinked. “Some CIA house. Ken has the directions.” He put his head back against the seat.
“I see. And what about Teren?”
Ken glanced at her. “Teren’s supposed to meet you at the safe house. Don’t worry, Alex. Everything’s been taken care of.”
“Right.” That’s what I’m afraid of.
They turned off the highway, taking the frontage road for a short distance before turning once more, and heading due west. They were no longer in the city, which had given way to sprawling open fields, mixed with forest. Every mile or so they’d pass what appeared to be a small farm, but other than those brief glimpses, there were no other buildings.
Eventually, Ken turned the sedan into a driveway and slowed at the gate. He flashed his badge at the guard, who grunted and waved him through.
Alex could see several security cameras by the gate, and a few more in the bushes as they followed the gravel drive towards the house.
The place reminded her of the sprawling antebellum mansions of the Old South, complete with a wrap around white veranda, and an ivy trellis. There were three floors, without counting the basement, and she estimated her entire apartment would probably not take up a quarter of the main floor.
Cliff whistled. “Wow. What a place. Looks like you’ll be comfy here, Alex.”
She smiled weakly at him. “Maybe.”
Ken pulled to a stop in front of the porch, where two men had come out of the house and were waiting. The three FBI agents stepped out of the car.
“Agent Reis? The Director’s been expecting you. If you’d come with us, please?”
Alex nodded, following one of the men up the stairs.
Teren stared out the second floor window as the car pulled up. A sigh of relief escaped as she saw her blonde friend get out, and walk towards the house.
“Is that them?” Graves asked from behind her.
“Yeah. They’re here. So, I have to wait until after this stupid meeting?”