Chapter 16
"Dying wasn't the best option, but it was something she felt she could handle. Losing someone else, she wasn't so sure about."
Chapter 16: Your Everyday, Average Action Sequence
The SUV pulled up to the docks of Buenaventura, Colombia at precisely 11:45. Valdez, Caitlin, and his four guards stepped out of the car into the midday sun. Caitlin raised her arms above her head and stretched. And I thought the roads back in America were shoddy, she thought to herself. Bumpy didn't even begin to describe the two hour car ride from Bogota to Buenaventura; she was glad that it was over. Then again, coming to the end of the road only meant that they were mere minutes away from the end of this particular story. The story that could have only two outcomes: success or failure. In all likelihood, life or death.
Life or death. She walked along the pier, feeling the warm sun and the breeze on her face. Days like these were rare, and even though she was here on work, she allowed herself to enjoy the pleasure of her surroundings. She remained conscious of Valdez talking to his men, of any and all activity going on around her. Even so, a part of her mind was preoccupied with worry.
Eric, why couldn't you just stay away? She had meant it when she told him that she refused to lose him for the good of any cause. She would rather put herself in danger any day than cause harm to someone she loved. Someone I love...oh, God, I still can't believe I told him.
~*~*~
"Mike?" Eric looked at his friend, who was sitting next to him in the van.
"Yeah?"
"She really said it, didn't she? I mean, I wasn't just hallucinating or dreaming? Was I sauced with tequila? Is there any possible chance that she was talking to you, who is infinitely more handsome than me? You were in a towel, after all."
Vaughn rolled his eyes. "Eric. Stop, drop, and roll out of this babbling mode, because I gotta tell you, you sound like an idiot."
"So, the moral of all this is, she loves me?" Eric said as he fastened his vest, his mind a million miles away.
"Yeah, she loves you. And I'd like to point out that when she said it, you didn't say anything back," Vaughn ribbed as he checked the clip on his handgun.
"Wait. I didn't say anything?" Eric asked incredulously. "My mind sort of went blank after her whole 'bulletproof vest' comment."
"I believe you said something eloquent like 'Oh. Uh. OK. Good to know.' Not exactly a smooth talker, are we?"
Eric made a disgusted face. "Great. Fabulous. Way to go, Weiss."
"Don't worry about it, Romeo. You've got the rest of your life to tell her. We have more important things to think about now."
They felt the van come to a stop, and Vaughn reached out to open the door. "We still don't know who Valdez is meeting, or what type of car he drives." They had stopped just outside the back door of an abandoned warehouse, blocks from where Valdez and Caitlin were. Vaughn and Weiss jumped out, followed by the rest of their team.
When everyone was assembled inside the warehouse, Weiss cleared his throat. "OK, you guys know the drill. Ross, get to the roof. Sinclair will signal us about the number of guards Valdez has." Ross nodded. "You two," he pointed at two of the agents, "take the east road that leads to the docks. You two, the north road, and you two, the south road. We don't know what sort of car to look for, so check any and all attempting to get to the docks. Radio the rest of us as soon as you've found the car of Valdez's contact. Vaughn and I will meet you and get in the car with the contact. Valdez won't know we're with him until it's too late. The rest of you haul ass back to the van, and meet us at the docks as soon as possible." He signaled them to move out, and turned to Vaughn. "And now..."
"We wait." Vaughn said. "We get back in the van, watch the action, and wait."
Weiss slid open the van door and climbed in, glancing at the monitor that was linked to Caitlin's necklace camera. "Have I mentioned before my extreme and utter hatred for waiting? No? Well, I should have, because it's huge. Guinness record-worthy hatred. Ross," he said into his comm, "what's the signal?"
"She's tucking her hair behind her left ear," Ross replied.
"That means there are four of them, plus Valdez. We've got nine. Not bad odds."
"We'll see," Vaughn cautioned. "Just out of morbid curiosity, what did Devlin say when you told him about the change in plans?"
Weiss rolled his eyes. "Let's see if I can get it right. 'Pull out immediately, Agent Weiss. Get Sinclair and get out.'"
Vaughn laughed. "And here we are."
"You're not the only one who can sweet talk." He held up a hand as Ross muttered something intelligible over the comm. "Come again?"
"She's talking to some guy, not Valdez. Short, Hispanic, bushy mustache."
Weiss glanced at Vaughn. "Sounds like our friend."
~*~*~
Caitlin felt a presence next to her and turned slowly, expecting to see Valdez. Instead, her eyes met those of his assistant. He smiled at her. "Miss Sinclair. It is very beautiful here, yes?"
"Oh yes. Mr. ...I'm sorry." She shook her head apologetically. "My mind must be elsewhere today."
He extended a hand. "It's quite all right. I'm not sure we've been properly introduced. Carlos Saldivar."
She accepted his hand. "Mr. Saldivar. A pleasure."
"Same here." He smiled. "Miss, I just wanted to assure you of something."
"Yes?"
"A friend can always be found, when you least expect it." He looked knowingly into her eyes.
Realization hit her. "The note. It was you."
He nodded. "It was indeed." He glanced back to Valdez. "I have reasons that are better explained at a later time. But for now, I have some things to take care of." He patted her hand and walked back down the pier.
Caitlin turned back when she reached the end of the dock. She could see that Valdez was getting impatient, as he kept checking his watch and glancing to the street. She walked slowly back to him, calling out "Rafael. Is everything all right?"
He turned to her and smiled, a smile that was more a grimace. "When you are near, my dear, everything is always right. It's just that my associate, Mr. Williams, is running a bit late. Nothing for you to worry about." He got silent and looked Caitlin up and down. "I'm not sure I've told you today how lovely you look, Caitlin."
Caitlin tried not to show her disgust. The one thing she hadn't been able to get used to was Valdez's blatant appreciation for her looks. "Nope, not yet."
"It's funny, really. Lately when I look at you, I can only think of one thing." He took a step toward her.
She swallowed nervously as he got closer. "What's that?"
He ran his hand through her hair. "How we were interrupted that day, months ago, by the unfortunate incident with Agent Brandt. You proved to me then how far you would go for someone you loved. I'm wondering, does that still hold true?" He lowered his head and leaned forward as if to kiss her.
Caitlin uneasily backed up a step. She looked around for someone to help, but it was no use. No Carlos, no Eric. She was on her own. "Well, uh, I'm sure that your friend will be here soon," she said hastily. "Maybe I could help you keep watch. What type of car does he drive?"
Valdez's eyes glinted. "That's a good question, darling," he replied smoothly. His voice suddenly went rough and full of malice. "I'm sure your Agent Weiss would just love to know the answer."
Although deep down, Caitlin had known that Weiss was right, that Valdez knew all along what was going on, she had held on to the hope that maybe they were mistaken. But from the looks of things, they had been right on target.
Valdez tightened his grip on her hair. "Isn't that right, Agent Weiss?" he said, reaching down and toying with the necklace that lay on Caitlin's shirt. "I know you're listening. I know all about your attempt to destroy me. Well, here's a hint. You failed. But if you're standing in front of me in the next five minutes..." Valdez yanked Caitlin's head back. His hand twisted and yanked the necklace.
"She might yet live," Weiss heard Valdez say before the screen went fuzzy and then blank.
Weiss paled. "Oh, God. Caitlin." He jumped down from the van. Vaughn grabbed his arm before he could start running down the street.
"Weiss, no. Get back in the van."
"Vaughn, he's got her. He's going to kill her." He tried to shake off Vaughn's hand.
"Hold on. He's not going to kill her. From all appearances, it's you he plans on killing. You run out there now, you're as good as dead."
"I can't just leave her there!" Weiss yelled.
"You heard our friend. He's got some kind of plan. We could still win this; we just need to wait a few more minutes."
Weiss leaned his forearm against the van, resting his head on his hand. It was all he could do to stay still and not run to her. "Fine. I better ask Ross what's going on out there, since the camera's dead."
Vaughn pointed to the speakers in the van. "OK, but we're not completely in the dark. He killed the camera, but the earrings are active. We've still got audio."
They listened intently to Caitlin and Valdez's verbal sparring. One thing I can say for the girl: She doesn't go down quietly, Weiss thought. Praying he was right. Praying they wouldn't be too late.
Valdez stroked the back of Caitlin's head. "Now, Caitlin, we wait. And then, you'll get to see firsthand what happens to those you love when you deceive me. Honestly, I figured you would have learned the first time around."
Caitlin stared up at him defiantly. "What if he doesn't come, huh? You'll have to settle with killing me." She selfishly prayed for that to happen. Dying wasn't the best option, but it was something she felt she could handle. Losing someone else, she wasn't so sure about.
Valdez shook his head. "He'll come. If he loves you half as much as you obviously love him, he'll gladly lay down his life for your own." He rubbed his pistol up and down her arm, clearly taking pleasure from her discomfort. "And the CIA will add one more star to their wall."
"Agent Weiss!" Eric lifted his head at the sound of someone calling his name. He saw the Hispanic man, Carlos, leaning his head out the back window of a Jeep. In the driver's seat was a middle-aged man, sweating profusely. Carlos held a gun to the man's head.
"You!" Weiss shouted back. "What are you doing?"
"Helping you out," Carlos replied. "You didn't know what type of car to look for, did you?"
Weiss shook his head. "No. This the guy?"
Carlos nodded. "Get in. Something tells me your Miss Sinclair is in trouble."
"No kidding." Weiss and Vaughn climbed into the Jeep as Vaughn radioed for the other agents to follow them in the van. Eric turned to Carlos. "Why are you doing this?"
Carlos shook his head. "Later. Drive," he said to the man up front.
"Don't kill me, oh please don't kill me," the man said shakily as he put the car in gear.
"We're not going to kill you," replied Weiss. "Just drive to the docks, and get out to meet Valdez as if nothing is wrong. You follow those instructions, nothing will happen to you. Oh, and about the whole drug trade thing? Don't worry, I've heard it's not too bad in prison."
At the rumble of a motor, Valdez broke eye contact with Caitlin and glanced to the road. "We're not done," he said to her, releasing his grip on the back of her neck. The Jeep slowly pulled up to the dock and parked. "Hello, Adam," he called as the driver exited the car.
"Rafael," the man said uneasily. He glanced furtively back at the car.
Caitlin hesitated. She knew what she was supposed to do, Eric's instructions had been very short and clear. When the other party showed up, run. Don't ask, just run. But now, at the crucial moment, she couldn't seem to make her feet move from their rooted spot. What if he gets hurt? I can't leave him.
"Anything wrong, my friend?" Valdez asked the nervous man.
Weiss and Vaughn jumped out of the back of the Jeep.
"Yeah, I'd say there's something wrong, Valdez." Weiss pulled his gun, taking slow, deliberate steps to Valdez. His gaze shifted to Caitlin. He raised an eyebrow. What the hell does she think she's doing, just standing there?
Valdez chuckled. "The proverbial Trojan horse. Well done, Agent Weiss." He gave the signal to his men, who trained their guns on Vaughn. "Unfortunately, you seem to still be at a disadvantage."
Weiss laughed derisively. "Nice try, but if you think we came that unprepared you're sorely mistaken. The CIA has you surrounded." Where the hell is the van? He looked purposefully at Caitlin, motioning for her with his eyes to get out of there. He needed her out of the line of fire before...
Too late.
Valdez hooked his arm around Caitlin's slim neck, pressing the barrel against her throat. "Your move, Agent Weiss. I suggest you drop your gun on the ground and walk forward."
Weiss slowly lowered his gun. "You won't get away with this."
"Maybe not. Right now, I'm only concerned with the matter at hand. Drop your gun."
Weiss tossed the gun to the ground, where it clattered on the pavement.
Valdez transferred his gun to his free hand, keeping the other wrapped around Caitlin. "Watch closely, my dear," he said to her maliciously. He directed his attention back to Weiss. "It's unfortunate that she loves you so much, really. Her feelings are ultimately your death sentence." He leveled his gun with Weiss' head, his finger squeezing the trigger.
"No!" Caitlin stomped on his foot and grabbed the arm that held the gun just as it fired. The bullet hit Weiss in the chest, rendering him to the ground. His head struck the pavement.
"Weiss!" Vaughn shouted, wanting to run to his friend but held back by two of Valdez's men.
Valdez turned on Caitlin and slapped her across the face. "You know, maybe killing you wasn't such a bad idea after all." He shoved her to the ground, aiming his gun at her.
"I don't think so," a voice came from beside him. Valdez glanced up to find Carlos standing next to him, his gun flush against Valdez's temple.
"What are you doing?" one of Valdez's guys yelled to Carlos, transferring his aim from Vaughn to Carlos.
"The right thing," Carlos replied, cocking the hammer on his pistol.
"Stay out of this, Saldivar," Valdez hissed. "That's an order."
"I don't take orders from you anymore," Carlos replied, squeezing the trigger. Caitlin covered her eyes as the shot rang out. Valdez emitted a cry, dropping to his knees with a bullet lodged in his head. He convulsed slightly, falling face forward as his eyes rolled back in his head.
Caitlin peeked out over her hands. She watched in shock as Valdez's body suddenly went still.
Valdez's guards both came running over. "Boss!" One of them kneeled next to Valdez's now lifeless body. The other glared at Carlos.
"Traitor," he seethed, punching Carlos in the face.
"Hey!" Vaughn jumped into the fray, trying to pull the SD-3 operative away from Carlos. He threw a wild punch and shouted, "Caitlin! Go check on Weiss."
Caitlin, confused beyond belief at what had just taken place, looked up at Carlos, who had just been freed from his attacker. He nodded to where Weiss was lying motionless on the ground. "Go to him. Here come your CIA counterparts, they'll deal with everything else."
She ran to Weiss and crouched down next to him. "Eric. Eric, do you hear me?" He lay still, eyes closed. She put her head to his chest. Heartbeat. Oh, thank God, there's a heartbeat. As she searched his midsection for the bullet, his eyes fluttered open. "Caitlin?"
She let out a strangled, relieved cry at the sound of his voice. "Eric. Where were you hit?"
He motioned for her to unbutton his shirt. She did so, discovering the bulletproof vest underneath. He gave her a ghost of his lopsided smile. "Nothin' but Kevlar, baby. Did you honestly think I'd tempt the wrath of Sinclair? Not a chance."
Caitlin smiled back at him. She sat on the ground, gingerly pulling his head into her lap, stroking his hair. The CIA van pulled up then, the agents jumping out, making arrests. There was chaos all around, but she didn't care. She needed to get Eric to a hospital for the wound he had suffered when his head struck the pavement. But for now, she was content just to hold him and convince herself that he was still there. That they were real.
Posted by Carrie on 12:01 PM