Chapter 3

A few weeks later, Frank and Elaina received an assignment, they found it hard to say good bye to Derek. He was at that stage in his life when he clanged to his parents and didn’t want to be separated from them. They hated to trick him, but they needed to leave so they had Allison take him to her apartment until they left then she would bring him back into the house to stay. Elaina didn’t know how long it would take to accomplish the mission, it they were gone longer than a few days Allison knew to take him to the Blakely ranch. This would also give them a reason to go visit her family for a few days.

“Do you know why we are going to Bolivia of all places?” Frank wondered.

“We’re going to talk to the leader of a small drug Cartel. Seems our government wants to make some sort of deal with him. We’ll have the complete details when we get there. We’ll be staying at the embassy in La Paz then we fly to Cocabamba. They have a private plane waiting for us at the airport,” Elaina said, explained to Frank.

“Well, at least I didn’t get those damn shots for no reason,” Frank said, laughing.

When they reached the airport, they went to the hanger where the plane was waiting. The pilot came out of the small office inside. He was tall, wearing a flight jacket, jeans, sunglasses, and a baseball cap pulled way down. It didn’t matter she couldn’t see his face. It was the strut that told her who it was. She dropped her bags and went running up to him. She grabbed him around the waist and hugged him tight.

“What the hell are you doing here?” she asked.

“I’m your pilot. When I heard about the mission I traded with another guy.”

“I’ve missed you,” she said, kissing him on the cheek as Franked joined them.

“Should I be jealous?” he asked, wondering why she was so friendly with this man.

“Frank, this is my big brother, Reese. He’s a part-time pilot for the agency.”

“Small world. Nice to meet you finally,” Frank said, shaking his hand. “Elaina has told me a lot about you.”

“Probably all lies,“ he said, laughing.

Elaina pulled his hat off and swatted him with it.

“You haven’t changed, Hell Cat,“ he said, taking his hat back. “Figured I better go on this gig if I wanted to meet you. Sis, said she didn’t know when you‘d get back home.”

“Christmas is coming,” Elaina said, laughing.

“Yeah right. You two ready?”

“Yep, keep us in the air, Brother,” Elaina said, kissing him on the cheek before she boarded the plane.

“Hell Cat?” Frank asked, raising an eyebrow when he got seated next to her.

“His nickname for me.”

“Sounds appropriate enough,” he said, smiling. “Do you know how to fly?”

“I can fly a helicopter. He was training me for planes but we both got too busy. Maybe someday I will get back to my lessons.”

“I might take a few too,” he said as they took to the air.

The flight was uneventful and long. Elaina had brought a book along with her, but Frank was a bit bored. She suggested he go up with Reese and talk shop or take his first flying lesson. He decided he would go talk to Reese an possibly get more background on his fiancé.

“Did Elaina tell you I want to marry her?” he asked.

“She mentioned it when I called the other day. She said she hadn’t given you a direct yes yet.”

“No, she hasn’t, but I’m sure she will soon. She’s moving slow which is fine with me.”

“She told me you know about her and Lucas. I want to find that bastard someday.”

“Stand in line. I have a buddy helping me look for him.”

“I’ve been looking and its as if he fell of the face of the earth. Or maybe someone else already killed the sorry bastard.”

“I hope not. Killing is too good for him,” Frank said, seriously.

“You and I think a lot alike. Make me a promise. Let me in on the action if you find him,” Reese requested, smiling.

“I will,” Frank said. The two of them shook on the promise.

When they arrived in La Paz, Reese stayed with the plane to get it checked out for the rest of the flight, while they went to the embassy to get their information on the assignment. When they arrived, she was given a package while they were shown to their rooms. Inside were pictures of Armando Uribe, his wife Magdalena, and their little boy Miguel. Elaina hated not being told exactly what an assignment was before going on one. She carefully read the report then gave it to Frank to let him read it.

“Don’t glance over it, read it and know it my heart,” she said with a deadly serious tone.

“Is there a test when I get done?” he joked.

“You are now on a serious assignment, Mr. Donovan. I expect you to act accordingly.”

“Yes, Sir…I mean Ma’am,” he said, laughing.

“Mr. Donovan. I am your superior on this mission and I will have your respect or I will drop kick your ass back to the U.S. Do you understand me?”

“I apologize for my behavior. I will not let it happen again.” Frank took the file and sat on the bed to read it. He stopped a few times to glance over to her. He watched her take a gun from the package along with the clips and laid them next to their suitcases. He saw her smirk when she took out a hunting knife. He observed the glassy-eyed expression she got on her face when she took the knife from its sheath, running her fingers down the blade. Without any notice she launched the knife, sending it sailing inches above his head into the wall.

“You are supposed to be reading the file, not watching me.”

Frank thought she had lost her mind for a moment. It was when she started laughing that he figured she was proving that she was in control and he had better watch his step with her.

“Are you going to pull shit like that all the time?” he wondered. “I find it very unprofessional.”

“Honey, you’re a rookie. You have no idea how professional or unprofessional I can be,” she said, grabbing the knife from the wall. “Every agent should know if their weapons are in good working order.”

“Guess I should be glad you didn’t try the gun.”

“You’ll know if it works when you break it down and clean it. The gun is yours by the way. I love my knife. I like getting close to my prey,” she said, smiling.

“I thought this was a diplomatic mission according to this file.“

“It doesn’t matter how you see the assignment. We are dealing with a drug smuggler and probably a killer. Do you want to go in unarmed?”

“I guess not. This is a side of you that is very new…and scary.”

“You’ll get used to it. Now, study that file. I need go tell Reese what we‘re doing?”

“I have a question. There is only one bed in here. Does that mean we are sleeping together?”

“Yes. Sleep is all we will do, nothing else!” she snapped.

“Sorry, I was just wondering if you wanted me to share the bed with you.”

“This has nothing to do with what happened to me. I can’t stress this enough, so listen to me. When we are on an assignment as partners in crime, so to speak, we will act as agents and only think as agents. We do not talk about our personal lives at all. If at any time we let our relationship come into our assignment it could get us killed.”

“I understand. It‘s going to be difficult but I understand.”

Elaina sat down next to him on the bed. “I’m sorry if you think I’m being bitchy about this, but I have survived each assignment I’ve been given because I don’t think of family or show my personal feelings while I’m working. Its hard but it can be done and it has to be done.”

“It must be really hard when your family works with you.”

“A lot harder. So, don’t make it any worse for me…us,” she said.

“This Uribe guy is a piece of work, even if he did just start out in the business. Why does our government want to make a deal with him?”

“They have a method to their madness,” Elaina said, about to leave “All I can tell you is he is a very dangerous man and you need to read all they have in that file.” She motioned to the information in front of him.

“I will,” he said as he went back to the file.

Elaina and Frank were to talk to Armando about becoming the eyes and ears of their government, against the Bolivian government and other cartels. Even though he was also the leader of one of the drug cartels, he was the most likely to help the people of Cocabamba. The government was denying the city of due aide, saying they needed it to fight the drug cartels in their country. The United States wanted Armando to help them in setting up a team to investigate the army. He would help legitimize the Americans for being there and it was up to Frank and Elaina to sell the idea to Armando.

Frank and Elaina were greeted and frisked at he door before being shown into the house. They were promised to have their weapons returned to them when Armando thought he could trust them. Armando was sitting with his wife, while their young son slept nearby in a playpen. He introduced her to them and they chatted about his son before Armando and his bodyguard escorted them to another room.

“Don Armando, I am here on behalf…”

“I know why you are here. You are not the first to approach me on this matter, Senora Blakely.”

“You want me to help your people spy on my people. What is in it for me?”

“We are not spying on your people. We want to make sure the army and government are not squandering the aide we give them for your people. In turn, our government will aide you in your fight to save the people of your city from starvation. We know the conditions they are living under are deplorable. Our government is willing to give you access to an account to purchase food, medical assistance, and other necessities,” Elaina explained. “You will be held accountable for every penny. Use it for other gains and you will be sorry.”

“There has to be more of a catch to this deal. What is it?” he wondered.

“You are to keep all of your drug business away from the United States,” Frank said. “We find out you are selling drugs to other cartels and it comes into our country, you will not like the consequences.”

“Your government is allowing me to stay in the drug business as long as it doesn’t go to your country as long as I help them. Am I correct?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” Frank said, showing his distain. “You will report to either Agent Blakely or myself if you have any problems. Your local contact will meet with you after you agree to the terms.”

“I find this offer very unusual. Why me?”

“Of all the cartels you seemed to be the most caring of what goes on in your part of the world. You maybe a drug smuggling piece of shit, but you at least care about the people around you,” Elaina said, throwing her feelings into the conversation. “Do we have an agreement?”

“I can tell you don’t like me, Senora Blakely. I won’t hold it against you…for now. I will think over everything you said, then I will give you my answer in the morning. I extend my hospitality to you, You may stay in my home tonight if you wish.”

“We have a hotel room in town. We respectfully decli…” Frank started to say.

“We accept. I think it would be good if we got to know each other better,” Elaina said. “Maybe you can change how I feel towards you.”

Frank pulled her away to speak with her. “What the hell are you doing? You insult him then you turn around and want to stay the night?”

“He has a reason for asking us. Besides, what better way to get to know him than to exist under his roof?”

“I guess your right. Learning how he thinks and works does make sense. Maybe I should become a friend since you have made it plain to him you don’t like him,” Frank stated.

“Now, you are thinking like an agent,” Elaina said, smiling.

“I’m glad you’re please.”

They had dinner with the Uribe family, Armando asked each of them about their lives but the didn‘t give much information. Elaina hated discussing her fictional life as much as she did her real life. She was impressed with how easily Frank spoke to Armando, they seemed to becoming closer. Watching Frank work his charm on their guest, put her at ease; he was going to be a good agent maybe one of the best.

After dinner, Elaina sat with Armando’s wife while he and Frank went outside for a walk. Elaina was well aware that there were guards watching their every move. She and Magdalena sipped a glass of wine and talked about the beautiful antiques about the house. She learned that Maggie, as she let her call her, was part gypsy and said she could tell the future. Elaina became wary around her.

“Would you like for me to do a reading for you?” Maggie asked.

“I don’t think that would be wise. I have many secrets and I prefer no one find out about them,” Elaina said.

“I will not reveal any secrets, I promise.”

Maggie looked sincere and she wanted to believe her. She sat for a moment and cleared her mind before saying yes. She gave her hand to her and watched her intently. Elaina thought of nothing just in case she read minds.

“I see you becoming a bride but not as soon as either of you would like. You do have a little boy,” Maggie said, frowning.

“I have my reasons for lying earlier.”

“I understand.” She pulled Elaina closer. “Will you help me escape from here?”

Elaina eyes locked on hers. “Excuse me?”

“I can’t stand the man Manny has become. Please help me leave here,” she whispered.

“I’m not sure I can. I would have to contact my superiors,” Elaina said quietly.

“Please help me,” she begged.

“I will find a way. Just give me time.”

That night Frank and Elaina were shown to their rooms. When Elaina figured everyone was asleep, she slipped into Frank’s room. He was asleep and she had to shake him awake. He reached out for her thinking she was there for other reasons, but she held him at bay.

“I take it you’re not here to be held,” he said, sitting up.

“God, I can still smell the cigar on you. I told you that was…” She had reminded Frank when he came back in from smoking a cigar with Armando that she couldn’t stand the smell of them due to the fact Lucas always smoked around her.

“I’m sorry. I was tired and just flopped in bed. I’ll go shower first.”

“No, I’ll deal with it. We need to talk without words,” she whispered.

Frank ran his hands over his eyes, trying to remove the sleep from them. He nodded that he understood while Elaina sat at the foot of the bed away from him, using American Sign Language to tell him what happened.

She was thankful he had taken the classes while at the academy. Occasionally, she would have to repeat a sign he wasn’t sure of. ‘Will you help me get her out?’ she asked.

‘How are we going to do this?’

‘I‘m not sure yet. I was hoping together we might come up with something. If we do it before we leave then we can take her to the embassy with us, but we have to divert her bodyguards.”

‘What kind of diversion do we need?’

‘Something like a car accident or maybe even an explosion. We can’t do anything…’

Frank stopped her when he heard a noise outside the door. He looked underneath, seeing someone standing just outside. The door knob started to turn, so Elaina quickly got under the covers with him. Suddenly, the door opened without a warning with the lights going on.

“What the hell?” Frank yelled.

“I am sorry, Frank. The guards thought he saw someone sneak into your room,” Armando said.

“I did sneak in,” Elaina said, coming from under the covers. “Would you please leave; we don’t like an audience.”

“I had a feeling you two were more than agents. You should have told me and I wouldn’t have put you in separate rooms,” he said with a smile.

“Well, now that you know, get out!” Frank said, chuckling.

Armando said goodnight to them, then shut the lights off and closed the door behind him and the guards.

It was afternoon before Armando called them to his office to give them his answer. It was yes and he asked them to stay one more day to celebrate his son’s birthday. It meant more time to plan Maggie‘s escape, but Elaina didn’t want to stay at his house. If they were to get Maggie away from there they would have to leave to set things up.

“We have to get back to the states as soon as possible. When I checked in with our superiors they said we had a kidnapping case to work. It is a family I know very well and they asked for me personally,” Elaina said, making their excuse.

“I am sorry to hear you cannot join the festivities. I hope you are able to return the child safely. Frank, can you stay?”

“Afraid not. I go where she goes,” he said, putting his arm around her waist.

“I figured as much.”

“This is the number where you can reach us. Remember, you will be held accountable for everything we give you,” Elaina said, handing him a business card.

“I look forward to seeing each of you again,” Armando said.

“You are leaving?” Maggie asked when she walked in, carrying her son.

“Yes, we will return for a visit someday I promise,” Elaina said, smiling.

“Please, make it soon. We so enjoyed your company,” Maggie said.

“We’ll try to make it soon,” Frank said. “We better head out.”

After they left, Magdalena turned to her husband. “I would like to go into town and pick up a few things for the party. Will you come with me?”

“I have business to attend to. Hector will go with you. I will take Miguel if you would like,” he said, kissing her on the cheek.

“I thought I would take him with me to get some new clothes. He is outgrowing everything,” she said, caressing his cheek.

“As you wish. Don’t be gone long, I miss you already,” he said with a smile.

“I won’t be long.” She followed Hector to the awaiting car, slipping into the back seat. She waved to Armando when the car pulled away.

Magdalena was walking across the street to meet back with Hector in the car. He was sitting with the baby while she went to get some party favors for the children attending tomorrow. She would have taken the baby with her, but he had fallen asleep and she didn’t want to wake him. She was halfway across the street when a car came speeding toward her. She froze seeing it, her mind was telling her to move, but her body was not responding. Before Hector could reach her, the car slammed into her sending her flying into the air and landing in the middle of the road. Hector fired upon the car, but it was useless. He went to Magdalena to see how badly she was hurt. She was dead.

Frank and Elaina were on their way to meet Reese after getting their things from the hotel when they were paged. It was Armando. Frank pulled over to a pay phone to call him back. One of the guards answered the phone, telling him about the accident. He slammed the phone down and ran back to the car relaying the message to Elaina.

“She wanted to leave him but not like this,” she said, sadly

“I‘m sorry we couldn‘t help her,” Frank said. “This could start a war when he finds out who ran her down.”

“I know.”