The Hostage - Page 1/28

I stood in the front of the bathroom mirror applying mascara. I had just finished putting on my maroon button up shirt and a black skirt. Keith was leaning against the door in his black suit with a blue shirt. When I finished my makeup he put his arms around me and kissed my neck. Now, was a good as time as any.

"Babe, I'm late."

"No, we're right on time. We have more than thirty minutes to get to CTC."

I laughed and turned around in his arms. I looked into his eyes. "No, babe. I'm late."

He cocked his head and gave me a half smile. "Really? How late?"

"Three days, you know I always start on the 6th."

He scratched the side of his face. "Hmm . . . all right then should I run to get a test?"

"After work, we'll do it together."

He bit his lip. "Okay, but maybe you shouldn't go out into the field today just in case, y'know?"

I nodded. "I wanted to talk about that. If we are-"

"-Then we get transfers to DOJ or DOD." He tucked my hair behind my ear and gave me a half smile.

I smiled and threw my arms around his neck. He always knew what I was thinking. "Yeah, I know we talked before about how dangerous this job is. But it's even more so with kids . . ." I paused, as I played with his collar. "I know we don't know just yet but I really hope we are."

He stroked my cheek and kissed me softly. "Me too. I love you and nothing would make me happier."

I kissed him. "I love you too."

***

As soon as Keith and I walked into CTC, a busy day started. Diplomats from the Middle East: Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan were visiting, discussing and holding peace talks with President Larson.

We had strong Intel that the hotel the diplomats were staying at was going to bombed by a group of Islamic radicals led by a man named Mulad Nahir. We had very little information on him, but we knew what he looked like because he had been on a watch list for some time. Mulad was a tall, broad shouldered man with thinning salt and pepper hair, a goatee, and steel black eyes. Keith and Pete were heading immediately to the hotel. I'd told James I was ill and not well enough to go out into the field.

I stood outside the locker room waiting for Keith to finish getting ready.