by Serena Zane
CHAPTER 25
Lucy lounged on one of the many deck chairs spread across the yard. The humidity forced her to take off the suit jacket she sported and her silky top stuck to her like a second skin. She held a cool daiquiri in one hand and fanned herself with the other when the sound of footfalls met her ears. Lucy turned, and spotted Rivera approaching her from behind. He laid his hands on the top of her chair.
“Hello Valerie, it appears as though you’re enjoying our tropical sun. I must say, you look quite splendid sitting in front of my pool. You may need some sunscreen though. We wouldn’t want you to burn such beautiful skin.” He held up a bottle of lotion. “May I?”
Lucy eyed the bottle skeptically and then looked at him. She didn’t see anything wrong with what he suggested and shrugged her shoulder. She turned on her stomach, and slipped the straps of her shirt down her arms. Rivera sat beside her on the lounge chair and started to spread the lotion over her shoulders.
“You seem a bit tense, Valerie.”
“It’s nothing. Probably just the plane ride over here, I wondered if you had any other clothes lying around. These aren’t really conducive to the Colombian weather. They’re sticking to me.”
“I agree.” Rivera said smoothing lotion up her arms. “Something must be done.” His hands came into contact with her wrists. He yanked them back painfully.
“What are you doing?” She demanded.
“I think you’re definitely far too pale for this weather. I should ensure that this beautiful skin does not get scorched by our sun.” He ran a finger down her arm. She struggled beneath him and tried to dislodge him from on top of her.
“Where is Conner? I thought he was with you.”
Rivera changed his grip. He roughly moved her wrists above her head and held them there. “I’m afraid my dear Lucy that your friend took his leave.” Lucy’s eyes widened at the use of her maiden name, somehow Rivera found out who she was. “As I don’t want you running off into the forest and hurting yourself, I must constrain you.” He slid his free hand up her bare skin and over her back, grabbing her shoulder in a painful grip he flipped her over, “It appears as if you and I are going to get our fun after all. I’m afraid I can’t let you go since you know all about me.”
The motion gave her an opening. Lucy brought her knees up between his legs and slammed hard.
Rivera let go and fell back grasping himself. “Damn bitch!”
Lucy wasted no time. She shoved him off, jetted out of the chair, and ran into the nearby jungle. She glanced over her shoulder and watched as Rivera tracked her with his eyes squinted in pain. He whipped the gun out of the back of his slacks.
She focused her attention back on the forest. Lucy pushed through thick vegetation shoving aside large plants and ducking past vines. Shots whizzed by her as she raced through the jungle. Thoughts swam wildly in her head as she crashed through the underbrush as the slap of leaves stung against her bare skin.
Rivera’s pursuit sounded loud as he followed her. She didn’t dare stop to adjust the halter-top that Rivera had pulled around her waist. Her slacks caught on a branch and she heard a tearing sound which she ignored. If she didn’t find a hiding place soon Rivera would be upon her. And then God only knew what he would do.
Lucy paused briefly. She surveyed the landscape. If she could climb one of the trees maybe he would pass her by. She grabbed at the nearest trunk and gasped as the rough bark scraped her breast. With a grimace she started to climb, her legs hugged the tree in a death grip. She settled herself into a high branch out of sight and started to wait.
CHAPTER 26
Kevin paced, impatient for Avery to arrive in the Conference room. When the man finally got there, he brought two others with him.
“Hello. This is Saul and Nico. They’re both great members of the Agency down here. Shall we begin?”
Kevin and Cindy listened intently as they went through all the information they’d recently uncovered.
“When do we go?” Kevin asked annoyed. They were wasting time. No telling what was happening right now at Rivera’s estate. Kevin didn’t like not being in contact with any agent, let alone Lucy. His fists clenched and he tried to hold it together. Playing cowboy wouldn’t do her any good. That could possibly ruin any evidence that the team could collect to take down Rivera’s operation.
“Go?” Avery met Kevin’s gaze with a steady one, “I’m afraid we don’t just storm peoples homes as you do in America. We must plan.”
Kevin’s fist came down on the table. “While we sit here and plan, one of our Agents is our there endangered-- No telling what the guy’s going to do once he finds out that the diamond is a fake. We need to get moving.”
“I agree,” Hawke said from across the table. “This is not just any agent. She’s a good friend, and I don’t want to see her get hurt if we can prevent it.”
“It appears as though this agent means more to the both of you than the job.”
With affirmative nods from Kevin and Hawke, Avery’s analytical gaze moved to each one of the other members on their team assessing the situation. “Right. We know where Rivera lives. The only unguarded spot on his property is through here.” He pointed at a small inlet on a map and continued talking, “If we’re to go in this soon, that’s the best route. We can only offer backup support I’m afraid. We’re down men due to most being out fighting the guerilla problem in the area. We’ll give you all the necessary supplies and ammunition. We can leave immediately, since you are in such a rush. It should only take us about a half hour to reach his backyard.”
Kevin paid attention as Avery laid out the plan. He paced back and forth exchanging worried glances with Hawke. Lucy had better be safe, or he didn’t want to answer for what would happen to Rivera.
The briefing ended abruptly, and the other men filed out of the room. Avery turned to them. “This agent must be something to command the loyalty of two such as you. We are with you.”
The night turned cold as they made their way through the thick brush outside Rivera’s estate. Kevin’s nerves alert and on edge as they neared the fence in the backyard. His pistol strapped to his thigh. In no shape to get into a scrap, his gun would come in handy if something did occur. His leg hurt, but he wouldn’t let that deter him. The Agency might want this guy, but Kevin wanted him more.
Three guards paced the perimeter of the fence. Oblivious to the fact Kevin and Hawke watched them from the other side of the fence. The guys moved at a steady pace along the perimeter, guns at ready, looking anything but professional. A large gap formed as the guards paced away from one another.
Kevin felt Hawke move beside him. He got to one knee. Hawke placed her foot on his leg. He controlled a wince as she pushed off. She caught the top of the fence and launched herself over. Kevin followed.
If the diagram was correct the backdoors that opened onto the patio would be right ahead. He could barely see through the dark as they slunk through the porch area, but reached the doors without mishap. Not too many guards were left on the premises and the lights were darkened. They proceeded in a stop and start motion as to not alert those guards that were left. Kevin could hear animal calls in the night air and sweat trickled down his back in the humidity as they made it to the tiled patio.
He reached out to try the handle and Hawke stayed his hand. She pointed to the red flashing light above them. A telltale sign of an alarm. Kevin slid down the wall. Hawke disappeared for a moment.
Kevin waited for her to return, he watched the blinking red light while taking occasional glances around. Hawke remained to be the best tech he’d ever worked with, but it seemed like an eternity until she came back around the corner. A huge grin filled her face. Kevin glanced at the spot where the red light had been and it was black.
Too easy, he thought as she stepped through the entrance door.
“We’re in. Move now.” Hawke whispered into the link on her wrist to the team that waited for them just beyond the fence in the jungle and hiding
in spots around the property. They glided down the hall quickly needing to get to the room before the other part of their team entered the building.
Kevin followed the diagram on the inside of the house he’d memorized. They would be able to make it to the study with the hidden room without interference. It seemed strange that no one was guarding the hall, but Kevin kept going. The guard must be on his rounds. The room they looked for would be four doors down the hallway on the right hand side.
Hawke followed closely beside Kevin, and they pressed against the wall making their way cautiously down the hall. Sounds came from other areas in the house where the F.I.U.W. team had entered the building. Gunfire sounded in multiple areas. Crap!
No light lit the space in the hall other than the soft glow of a lamp coming from the study. They moved forward and listened for a moment, silence. The door slightly ajar, Kevin noticed the shadows of a couple people pacing the room. Kevin motioned to Hawke with his hand that they should enter into the room together. She signaled back. She understood and agreed. He gave up all pretense of trying to sneak in. There was no point now, with a shove the door swung wide. The men inside opened fire the second they stepped through the door.
Already alert to possible danger, Kevin rolled to the side dodging bullets as they thudded into the wood behind him. Kevin raised his gun, and fired, aiming at the man closest to him. The first guy fell with a thud on the carpet.
He located Hawke on the other side of the room.
She pressed herself up from the floor, and her eyes shot to a spot behind him, “Garrett! Behind you!”
Kevin whipped around just as a large object slammed into his head. It crashed into the floor as is fell shattering. The man who swung the heavy vase struck out and caught Kevin in the leg with a kick.
Shots fired from the other side of the room, but Kevin didn’t have time to worry about Hawke, he raised his gun and fired as his injured leg crumpled in pain. The other man fell to the ground in front of him barely missing hitting Kevin as he hit the carpet.
Footsteps echoed on the wood floor, and Kevin tried to turn his head.
Hawke ran across the room and knelt in front of him, “Are you okay?” She placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Yeah. But it looks like we may have gotten here too late.”
He surveyed the room the case on the table drew his attention first. He shoved up from the floor and limped over to the desk. It lay open with the fake Hope Diamond inside. Kevin cursed silently and wondered where to find Lucy.
“Garrett, over here.” Hawke’s voice invaded his thoughts. He went over to where she stood, “look.” She pointed to a small separation of the wall behind a tall bookcase.
“Okay, together.” They both pulled the wall open, just enough to slip through. “You bring your flashlight?”
“Yes, hold on a minute.” Shuffling sounded around for a minute until a small beam came on. Hawke slowly started to scan the room with her flashlight. “This is it.” The lights flashed in the room flickering on. Paintings, sculptures, and jewelry displayed neatly along the walls and in cases. “Bingo.”
Kevin glanced around, she wasn’t there. The paintings, the artifacts, right in front of them, but she wasn’t there.
“Right. This will keep, we need to find Montgomery.” They both edged out of the room and started to move toward the door. Hawke stopped not far into the outer room over a dark puddle. Kevin noticed Hawke back away. He went still when he saw Chuck Conner laying in his own pool of blood. They hadn’t noticed before in all the action the other body lying in the room.
“Now. We’ve got to find Montgomery, now.” Urgency threaded his voice.
Hawke nodded in agreement. “We split up. I’ll take the upstairs.”
“Right.” They moved off as one in the inky blackness in search of their missing teammate. Kevin went through each room methodically, taking time they couldn’t afford to give. She wasn’t there. The only thing he came across was FIUW agents and their prisoners. Rivera left quite the force behind, several of them now dead, the rest captured, but no Lucy.
“She’s not here,” He growled into his wrist communicator.
Hawke’s tone sounded concerned as she replied, “Not here either. They either have her, or she escaped.” He met Hawke on the stairwell. Both of them somber in heavy silence they walked out of the house.
Avery approached them as they exited. “Did you find her?” He appeared as though he’d been through quite a scuffle. His hair mussed up, and there were a few rips in his clothing.
“No, we need to keep looking. We don’t know if he has her.” Kevin wasn’t about to give up on Lucy. He turned towards Hawke, “Look by the pool, maybe we can find something out there.” The illumination off the swimming pool provided enough light to see that no one else was there.
“Search for clues.” Kevin narrowed his eyes as he scanned the area. He ignored the other team members as they gathered up the remaining guards Rivera left.
Avery took control and directed the team to load them into vans they would be interrogated back at the base.
Kevin’s gaze passed over the lounge chairs, his sharp eyes fell on the jacket Lucy had worn. He lengthened his stride and picked up the garment half afraid of what he might find. No blood. He let out the breath he didn’t realize he held. Kevin turned to Hawke and held it up.
“She’s definitely here. This is the jacket she wore. Damn it!” He slapped the garment against his thigh and sat on the lounge chair running his hand through his hair.
Hawke came to stand beside him, “Lucy probably realized that her cover was blown and bolted. If I know her at all, she’s trying to make it in the jungle.”
Kevin shook his head, turned his gaze up to Hawke, and took in her steady calm. Hawke certainly believed in Lucy. He should too, but his mind struggled to grasp the idea that Lucy might be safe. “She doesn’t know the first thing about jungle survival techniques. She won’t stand a chance.”
Hawke cocked her head to the side and stared at Kevin, “You really don’t know much about her if you think that. I’ll bet she’s safely in a well hidden place, waiting for us to come get that jackass.”
“Fine,” Kevin threw the jacket over his arm, “Let’s go.” He raised his wrist and spoke into the com link.
“Avery. This is Garrett. We’ve got a situation.” Kevin rose pacing back and fourth in front of the pool, wearing a path in the concrete. Avery was busy directing the round up.
Hawke continued searching the area. Kevin kept an eye on her as she walked over towards the edge of the forest. Hawke bent over examining the leaves on a particular plant.
It took a moment for the response on his unit. “Avery here. Report.”
“Montgomery’s covers been blown. She’s must have flown into the jungle and I believe the un-sub is in pursuit. If that’s the case, then we’re going after her. We can’t hear them from here. I can only assume they haven’t found her yet. Hawke is tracking her now.”
“Do you need assistance?” Avery sounded a bit put out over the handset, and Kevin didn’t want the man involved if his heart wasn’t in it. That wouldn’t do Lucy any good.
“No, you take care of the guards and the art. We’ll find Montgomery.” He turned off his wrist communicator with a frustrated snap. “Right,” He looked at where Hawke crouched on the ground, and wiped a hand over his face. “Hawke, can you find out which direction they headed in.” He strode over to where she checked the vegetation.
“What do you think I’m doing?” She gave him a look full of daggers and then turned back to the plant life.
“Right,” he leaned down to get a better look, “You find something?”
“These are broken.” She pointed to several points in the greenery, “on both sides of this entry point. It looks like they followed her. It would take more than just Lucy to do this, she’s too small to make this large a break. Plus the prints in the ground here prove more than one person came through at this point. This is w
here we should start, but I would recommend waiting for Avery and his team,” Hawke eyed the trees with a weary look, “I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not up on my Jungle 101.”
Kevin moved to the side of the jungle closest to where they stood and stared out into the darkness. “This can’t be much different than tracking someone in the country. We can follow these tracks and the breaks in vegetation. She’s out there and in danger, I’m not waiting for anyone.” He took his light and flashed it on the ground following the signs of entry.
Hawke followed his lead and started to walk the trail into the rain forest. The dense foliage didn’t help matters any, sweat trickled down Kevin’s back as they began their search.
CHAPTER 27
Lucy clung to the branch for all she was worth, feeling the humidity as a drop of moisture ran off her nose onto the bark. Rivera passed by twice in the span of time she crouched in the tree. The second time, she assumed he went back to get his men. She hadn’t heard any sound for some time, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t out there looking for her. Not knowing how long she’d been clinging to the tree, her hands started to get tired.
She leaned back, rested against the trunk, and took a moment to look around assessing her situation. Lucy pulled her halter off. She wiped the sweat off her face then slipped it back into place. If she waited it out until morning she might make her way to the road and see if she could find a nearby village to seek refuge and contact the team.
Sounds of animals moving around her set her teeth on edge, closing her eyes, she sent up a silent prayer that she wouldn’t encounter any snakes. Lucy handled a lot of things, but snakes, not one of them. Skin crawling at the thought, she wished for the power to make morning arrive all the sooner. She felt the splash of a raindrop on her hair and tried not to groan.
Well, at least they won’t be able to find my tracks if they get washed away. As soon as the thought hit her she smiled with another brilliant idea. If my tracks get washed away I can move without being detected in the rain, Yes.