{"id":363,"date":"2014-12-30T06:59:37","date_gmt":"2014-12-30T06:59:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/?page_id=363"},"modified":"2022-01-01T19:13:59","modified_gmt":"2022-01-02T01:13:59","slug":"part1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/episodes\/episode10\/part1\/","title":{"rendered":"Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Episode 10: \u00a0Catch Her If You Can<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Part 1<\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

Her hands ran over the books, taking in the varying textures that the different bindings offered her impatient fingers. There were so many delicious choices in this library, each one filled with its own priceless bits of history, bursting to be known, to be read. Instead, they sat on the shelves of a selfish government, in a restricted section, collecting dust.<\/p>\n

Her time was limited, but she could not stop her fingers as they wandered over a first edition copy of Mark Twain\u2019s legendary Huckleberry Finn<\/em>. Carefully, she pulled the book from its spot on the shelf and laid it delicately on the table next to her. Gently, she opened the front cover and peered at the opening sentences. \u201cYou don\u2019t know about me without you have read a book by the name of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; but that ain\u2019t no matter. That book was made by Mr. Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly.\u201d<\/em> This book alone would be a treasure to own, but she was not here for this treasure. Closing the cover, she placed the book back with its companions. She could not spoil her months of planning for this one item by taking one of considerably less value.<\/p>\n

Her research told her she needed to move two rows to the left, about halfway up the aisle. Softly, she skulked, careful not to disturb anything more, in case the new guard decided to come on duty earlier than scheduled. Standing on the tips of her toes, she scanned the spines of each book on her intended shelf. When she reached a series of books covering the Wisconsin Cheese Festivals from the turn of the twentieth century until the recent decade, a smirk crossed her face. It was a wonder to her that no one questioned why a book about cheese festivals was located in the restricted section of the Library of Congress. She assumed that those who used the library never really looked at the titles of the books unless they needed them.<\/p>\n

Cautiously looking around, she took in the location of the cameras and kept her face turned so that it could not be seen in full. Then, she reached her hand towards the Cheese Festival books and pulled three of them off the shelf. Rising on tiptoe again, she glanced into the opening the books left. Nothing immediately jumped out at her. Still smirking, she stuck her arm through the gap and began to feel around behind the books. She felt nothing but the back of the bookcase.<\/p>\n

Frustrated, she shoved the rest of the books about the Wisconsin Cheese Festivals onto the floor. In her haste, a few other hardbacks fell off the shelves. Upset with herself for mistreating the books, she bent down to pick them up from the floor. Her source had informed her the text was located here. She knew her source was not wrong; he agreed with her agenda, at least the agenda she had told him. Brushing the strands of black hair that had fallen into her face back behind her ears, she stood and placed the books on the table behind her, careful to continue averting her face. Grabbing the first book in her stack, she stood staring at the annals of the cheese festivals from 1920-1929 and thought about the situation that faced her. This was her one chance. She had two choices: abandon her pursuit for this one item and move on, or tear apart the entire library searching for it and hope she could find it before a storm of guards came to take her away.<\/p>\n

Neither one of these ideas sat well with her. Unfocused on what she was doing, she started to put the book back on the shelf. A noise coming from the stairwell caused her to look up, panic-stricken, and that was when she saw it. The back of the bookcase behind where the cheese festival collection had been located was not as far back as the back of the shelves behind the other books.<\/p>\n

Positively giddy at this point, she stood up on the tips of her toes and started feeling around again. There had to be a catch of some kind to release what she most desired. After only a few seconds of groping around, she felt something different and heard a slight click. This was it. She knew the alarms would begin sounding; she had to grab the book and make a run for it. There would be no time to cherish her new possession until she was safe.<\/p>\n

Prying the boards away, she finally felt binding and quickly pulled it out of its spot. Unable to wait, she decided she needed to take a look now. It was imperative that she knew she had the correct book before bolting, rather than finding out later she\u2019d stolen a first edition Betty Crocker cookbook. Scanning the words of the first page, she knew right away that she had the real deal: only one page in, she already saw secrets about the United States and its founding fathers. Unable to keep up an air of professionalism, she let out a squeal.<\/p>\n

\u201cUp here,\u201d she heard a voice call. The squeal was too much, probably. It was fine with her; she wanted them to catch a glimpse of her, to witness her great theft. Running faster than she thought possible in a skirt and heels, she made her way toward the back staircase and took every chance she could to look up at the security cameras. She needed to look now; it was part of her escape.<\/p>\n

Finally, she reached the doors. Mere steps away from freedom, she heard the same voice she\u2019d heard earlier shout, \u201cFreeze!\u201d She turned to face the voice, laughing at the clich\u00e9 use of \u201cfreeze.\u201d Really, couldn\u2019t they find a more creative way to tell someone to stop moving?<\/p>\n

A smile started to play on her lips as she stared at the guard through the black strands of hair that had fallen back into her eyes. His hands were shaking slightly. \u201cAshavari?\u201d the man questioned. The woman laughed. It was even better that this guard had caught on to her disguise perfectly; that was something she had not planned for. Before he could say anything else, the woman pulled a gun from her suit jacket and shot the guard in the knee.<\/p>\n

There was barely enough time, but she made it out of the library and managed to be far away before the police, FBI, and CIA arrived. She walked along the path in the park, caressing the book\u2019s cover gently. By far, this was her most coveted possession, but she did not have much time to cherish it. She had to move on to the next heist, the next priceless book that needed \u201crescuing.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cYou guys need anything?\u201d an accented voice called out through the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we\u2019re good, Opal! Well, wait, come on over; I\u2019m sure we could use something to help brighten up the room,\u201d Nick called back with a grin as he refocused his attention on the files on the table in front of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you start getting coy with me, Nick!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Carter, I told ya, she\u2019s mine,\u201d joked Brian, who was sitting next to Nick on the couch. It was a new phenomenon for the two of them to be in the same room, teasing each other in a friendly way, without any underlying animosity. But things had changed ever since the FANthrax virus had almost claimed Brian\u2019s life in Canada. \u201cWhatever happened with Julilly, anyway? I\u2019da thought you\u2019d have used that trip to the Olympics as another chance to hook up with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick shook his head, grinning sheepishly. \u201cMan, you know how those things go\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have booty call girls in every country or something?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick\u2019s grin grew wider. \u201cSomething like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood thing they\u2019re booty calls, or they\u2019d get sick of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBrian, you just don\u2019t know. Once they go Nick, everyone else makes \u2019em sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian shook his head and returned his focus to what they were actually supposed to be working on inside his suburban home just outside of Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n

To Nick, the two-story colonial house set at the end of a tree-lined cul-de-sac looked like something out of a movie. It had pale blue siding with white trim and tall white columns on either side of the red front door. The large back porch had a pair of handmade wooden rocking chairs, perfect for drinking lemonade on a warm summer day. The inside had a homey feeling, designed for comfort rather than style and filled with heirlooms passed through Brian\u2019s family. It was actually the kind of home Nick wished he\u2019d grown up in — not that he would ever say so aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, you paying attention?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot fully, sorry.\u201d Not at all, to be more accurate — not that he\u2019d ever say that either.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was saying, from the look of it, everyone\u2019s starting to calm down about the Olympics. South Korea finally stopped blaming Canada for their lax security, and Cypress Mountain is open for operation again now that the avalanche cleanup is finished. You and Styx are lucky you got out of that alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick nodded, shuffling through the papers with pent-up frustration. \u201cYeah, but what about Drums and Dr. Rough? I tell ya, man, the last I saw of them, they were flying off a cliff. Literally, off a cliff! They went over the edge! Tell me, how could they possibly have survived that? But these say no bodies were recovered\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian watched Nick and nodded sympathetically. \u201c\u2026which makes you think that, once again, Rough managed to escape.\u201d<\/p>\n

After slamming his fist on the table, Nick tossed the files in his hand down. \u201cIt\u2019s fucking frustrating, man! This midget has gotten away from us five different freaking times! Who knows, maybe more, and it just took us ages to realize it was that twitchy bastard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot just you that\u2019s aggravated, Nick. We are, too. My superiors are pissed no one\u2019s found him. They\u2019re shocked as hell that HimTak hasn\u2019t gotten the job done yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t rub it in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, but we\u2019re getting fed up, too. I don\u2019t get how he keeps slipping away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Cause he\u2019s a munchkin coward. Little people are evil.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian smirked. \u201cHey, cut the short jokes. Not all of us are angry, overcompensating, little twits.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick snickered. \u201cWell, you\u2019re not angry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, I ain\u2019t the one showing mine off all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaaaan, you know K almost killed me \u2019cause of you.\u201d Nick picked up the files again, his eyes scanning them for anything that could help him finally track down FANS and give them what they deserved. He tried not to think about how Brian had forced him to flash Canada and show off not-so-little Nicky at the hotel in Toronto.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know; he called and yelled at me, too. It was worth it to see your face.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad to see you feel guilty about it, Country Boy.\u201d He saw Opal pass by them, heading into the kitchen. \u201cHmm, I know Red sent you that video, but did Opal ever see it? Might explain why she\u2019s not knocking at my door yet\u2026\u201d he teased with a playful smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I saw it, Nick,\u201d she answered with a giggle as she tossed her curtain of silky black hair over her shoulder. Her green eyes met his as she opened the fridge. \u201cI just prefer the good ol\u2019 fashioned country boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOuch, Opal.\u201d Nick pouted dramatically with his hands over his heart. \u201cI don\u2019t know if I can go on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou better \u2019cause I know I ain\u2019t doin\u2019 all this paperwork for HimTak and the CIA by myself,\u201d Brian said matter-of-factly, his accent thickening. He shoved the HimTak papers back at Nick\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n

Nick shook his head. \u201cFine, but one day, Opal\u2026 one day\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed and closed the refrigerator door. \u201cOne day, your dreams will come\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian groaned. \u201cHon, don\u2019t get him started on Disney songs. He doesn\u2019t stop!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick stuck his tongue out at him. \u201cHad my share of those last year, thanks. But I can sing for you since you love it so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Opal came to the table, leaned over Brian, and kissed him softly. \u201cSorry, sweetie,\u201d she said with a wry grin. His hands reached for her face gently and pulled her down for another kiss.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou owe me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe\u2026 I need to run to the store, though, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMmm\u2026 not if you\u2019re gonna do this, Ashie\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Oblivious to the exchange, Nick began to sing. \u201cI want to love you\u2026 P-Y-T! Pretty Young Thing\u2026 you need some lovin\u2019\u2026 T-L-C!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMichael Jackson again?\u201d Brian asked, once he pulled away from Opal, who went to grab her purse and keys. He watched Nick with amused amazement.<\/p>\n

Nick danced in his chair to the music in his head. \u201cHey, the man was the King of Pop.\u201d He grinned as he got back to work, continuing to sing, of course. \u201c\u2026Tender Lovin\u2019 Care\u2026 and I\u2019ll take you there\u2026 I want to love you\u2026.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cP-Y-T!\u201d<\/em> Brian chimed in, waving as Opal headed for the door, laughing to herself. It was good seeing them get along, though it looked like Nick wasn\u2019t the best influence in the world. Either way, it was entertaining.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Bout time I see you loosen up!\u201d Nick beamed brightly. \u201c\u2026Pretty Young Thing, you need some lovin\u2019\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cT-L-C!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cTender Lovin\u2019 Care\u2026 I\u2019ll take you there\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Just as they finished the impromptu duet, there was a loud knock at the door. Brian gave Nick a shrug before he got up and walked through the living room to answer the door. Nick listened closely as the person at the door introduced himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Agent Tom,\u201d a man said, \u201cand this is Agent Hank. We\u2019re with the FBI. Is there an Ashavari Desai at this residence? We have a warrant for her arrest.\u201d Nick sat up as soon as he heard Opal\u2019s real name and the word \u201cwarrant.\u201d He crept silently through the living room and across the hallway, where he slipped into the coat closet unseen.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn what charges?!\u201d Brian exclaimed, still standing in the doorway to deny them access to his home. Obviously, he knew Opal had just left, but they didn\u2019t know that, and he wanted to stall them for as long as possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as you\u2019re concerned, she\u2019s been connected to a number of crimes: grand theft, assault with a deadly weapon, and threatening national security, at the top of the list,\u201d Agent Hank said, growing impatient.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the–\u201d Brian started before taking a moment to process this information. During the pause, he looked back and noticed the coat closet door cracked open just slightly. He would have been impressed with Nick\u2019s quick hiding skills if he hadn\u2019t been so concerned about Opal. \u201cWhen did she supposedly commit these crimes? We\u2019ve been damn near inseparable for almost a week now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick\u2019s eyes widened as he listened through the crack he\u2019d left in the door. He immediately pulled out his cell phone and sent Opal a text message: FBI IS HERE LOOKING TO ARREST YOU. DO NOT COME BACK TO BRIAN\u2019S. STAY WHERE YOU ARE.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSo Ms. Desai is here, then?\u201d Agent Tom said, ignoring Brian\u2019s last comment.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, actually, she\u2019s not,\u201d Brian said through gritted teeth, as it was clear he was not going to get through to these guys enough to call off their manhunt for his Opal. \u201cShe went into D.C. for the day with some of her friends.\u201d He hoped they would buy his lie but knew they had no reason not to. The Rok had been trained to spot liars just as well as they had, so he knew all the traps to avoid.<\/p>\n

Agent Tom and Agent Hank exchanged looks. \u201cFair enough. We should be able to find her there,\u201d Agent Hank said to Agent Tom, quietly enough that he surely didn\u2019t want Brian to hear his comment.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust remember, Officer Littrell, if we suspect foul play, we can have you arrested for obstruction of justice and harboring a fugitive of the law,\u201d Agent Tom said as Agent Hank walked back down the front steps of the porch and made his way back to the car.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope that\u2019s not a threat, Agent,\u201d Brian commented, trying to control his temper as much as he could at that moment, \u201cbecause it sounded awfully threatening and damn near accusatory. Now, if that\u2019ll be all I can do for you today\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose it is, Officer Littrell.\u201d Agent Tom turned around to walk to the porch steps, twisting back to look at Brian before he descended them. \u201cI hope I won\u2019t have to come back here looking for you soon, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave a good day, gentlemen!\u201d Brian called as he began to close the door, waving goodbye while ignoring Agent Tom\u2019s last statement. He instantly turned around after locking the door and darted to the hall closet. \u201cI\u2019d make a joke about you coming out of the closet right about now, but we really need to–\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c–Warn Opal to stay somewhere safe until we can come get her?\u201d Nick finished, holding up his cell phone to show the text message he\u2019d just received from Opal that simply said: WHAT?! FINE, GET HERE QUICK. B KNOWS WHERE.<\/em><\/p>\n

Brian grinned as he read the message, then reached behind Nick to grab a jacket. \u201cCome on. We have to work quickly if we\u2019ve got a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cI gotta hand it to ya, Carter,\u201d remarked Brian as he drove them to Opal\u2019s preferred grocery store. \u201cYou can think on your feet. I\u2019d almost say that was genius.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the passenger seat, Nick raised his eyebrows and blinked rapidly, feigning disbelief. \u201cWhat was that, Littrell? Could you say it again? The last part?\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian smirked. \u201cI said, I could almost<\/em> call that genius, Carter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost,\u201d Nick repeated, smirking back.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Course\u2026 they could\u2019ve searched the house and blown your cover,\u201d Brian added, determined not to let Carter\u2019s head inflate too<\/em> much. \u201cYou\u2019re just lucky they didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOpal\u2019s lucky,\u201d Nick amended in a dark tone. \u201cSo what the hell is this all about, anyway? What exactly are they accusing her of doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

While waiting a few minutes to be sure the Feds were truly gone, Brian had placed a call to a contact he had in the FBI to find out just that. Now he pressed his lips into a grim smile, his nostrils flaring as he drew in a sharp breath and answered, \u201cThere was a break-in at the Library of Congress last night. Security was breached in a restricted section, and a priceless book was stolen. Security cameras captured a woman who resembled Ashavari, and I guess there was an eyewitness — a security guard at the library — who recognized her\u2026 or thought he did, anyway. But\u2026\u201d He shook his head quickly. \u201cIt couldn\u2019t have been her. She wasn\u2019t there, Nick. She was with me at the house. Neither of us were anywhere near the Library of Congress last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut no one else knows that, right? It\u2019s only you who can confirm her alibi, and since you\u2019re involved with her, CIA or not, you\u2019re not exactly an unbiased witness. Sounds like the stupid fucking Feds think they\u2019ve already got the case in the bag,\u201d Nick spat, his words tinged with bitterness at the mention of federal agents.<\/p>\n

For once, Brian could understand his resentment. \u201cExactly,\u201d he muttered back. \u201cI\u2019m not gonna let them put an innocent woman — my<\/em> woman — behind bars for a crime she didn\u2019t commit. If it\u2019s the last thing I do, I\u2019m gonna get Opal away from here until this whole thing blows over\u2026 until the real culprit is caught.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHarboring a fugitive\u2026 nice.\u201d Nick grinned. When Brian gave him an annoyed look, he added quickly, \u201cNo seriously, dude, I approve! If Opal\u2019s innocent, and the goddamn U.S. government\u2019s determined to find her guilty, then you gotta fight to protect her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing Nick\u2019s enthusiasm, Brian was suddenly skeptical. He didn\u2019t have an actual plan yet, but it seemed he was well on his way to doing exactly what Nick was suggesting: harboring a fugitive. And he, a CIA officer! Opal was innocent, but there would be no doubt of his guilt if he helped her escape. They would go down together.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno, Nick,\u201d mumbled Brian, shaking his head. \u201cI dunno what I\u2019m doing\u2026 I dunno what I\u2019m thinking! This is a bad idea. Maybe she should just turn herself in and offer her alibi.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then what, rot in federal prison while they frame her anyway? Make an example of her to show the public they\u2019re cracking down on library terrorism?\u201d Nick let out a derisive snort. \u201cScrew that,\u201d he retorted. \u201cAnd you can forget this whole \u2018I\u2019 business. Make it \u2018we,\u2019 dude — I\u2019m with you all the way. Anything to screw over the government\u2026 and save a damsel in distress at the same time. I\u2019m in. I\u2019m so in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian laughed skeptically, still shaking his head. Deep down, though, he felt oddly touched at Nick\u2019s sudden surge of loyalty towards him. Well, him and Opal\u2026 perhaps with the emphasis on Opal\u2026 and at the root of it was Nick\u2019s hatred of the government, the very agency for which Brian worked and bled. But even still, he was touched.<\/p>\n

00Carter really wasn\u2019t so bad after all, once you got used to him.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe we\u2019re plotting against the government in the freaking ladies room at Safeway,\u201d grumbled Nick, looking around in disdain.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not plotting against the government,\u201d Brian said sharply, giving him a warning look. \u201cWe\u2019re just plotting how to get Opal away until the government catches the real criminal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight.\u201d Nick snorted. \u201cAnd we\u2019re doing it in the women\u2019s bathroom.\u201d He cast a mistrustful glance at the tampon dispenser.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said\u2026\u201d Brian sighed heavily with the air of someone trying to explain a complex problem to a hyperactive two-year-old. \u201cIt\u2019s the only place they don\u2019t have security cameras to record everything we\u2019re doing. If the parking lot cameras catch the three of us together, they\u2019ll know I helped Opal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, why couldn\u2019t we have done this in the men\u2019s room?\u201d Nick complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy can\u2019t the two of you just stop bickering and tell me what this is all about!\u201d exploded Opal suddenly, stunning the two men into silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, hon,\u201d Brian apologized to her quickly. \u201cListen, someone who resembled you broke into a highly secure wing of the Library of Congress last night and stole something valuable. Between surveillance camera angles — and you know how grainy those images are — and the statement from a guard who thought he recognized you, they\u2019re convinced it really was you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?!\u201d Opal cried, shaking her head as her eyes widened. \u201cBut that\u2019s insane! You know I couldn\u2019t have–\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Brian cut in. \u201cAnd Nick knows that too. That\u2019s why we\u2019re going to get you away from here before they can incarcerate you for something you know nothing about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I have an alibi! You can confirm–\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know how much good my testimony will do. Like Nick said earlier, they won\u2019t consider me an unbiased witness. Word gets around; the Feds will know we\u2019re together. They\u2019ll think I\u2019m just covering for you. And then they\u2019ll start to wonder if I\u2019m involved too, if maybe I even helped you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026 Brian, this is the government\u2026\u201d Opal protested weakly. \u201cThey just couldn\u2019t do that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick snorted. \u201cYou just said \u2018it\u2019s the government.\u2019 Of course they could! They could, they can, and they will if we let them. They pull shit like this all the time! You, of all people, should know — you work for them.\u201d Opal shook her head, but he went on, \u201cYou can stay at HimTak, at least for now. It\u2019s the one place in the continental U.S. that the government can\u2019t touch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s located next to Area 51. That\u2019s government property.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick offered her a grim smile. \u201cYou keep our secrets, and we keep yours. We coexist, but we don\u2019t interfere in each other\u2019s business.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut isn\u2019t that what you\u2019re doing now? Interfering in their criminal investigation by hiding their suspect?\u201d Opal asked.<\/p>\n

Nick frowned at her. \u201cLook, do you wanna stay out of jail or not? I\u2019m offering you a safe haven. You\u2019ll be safe at HimTak. They can\u2019t touch you there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Opal nodded slowly. \u201cOf course I want to stay out of jail. I just don\u2019t want to do anything that would jeopardize either of your careers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finally, Brian spoke again. \u201cIf anyone\u2019s jeopardizing my career, it\u2019s me. I\u2019m doing this of my own free will. Your freedom and safety are more important to me than serving a government that would put an innocent woman behind bars. You got that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Opal didn\u2019t reply. She looked like she wanted to protest again, but she kept her mouth shut.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, between Nick and I, we\u2019ve got a lot of pull with Kevin. I know once he hears the whole story, he\u2019ll see to it that you\u2019re protected. You\u2019ll leave here with Nick, and he\u2019ll contact K and get you safely back to the HimTak headquarters in Nevada.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian sighed. \u201cI\u2019ve gotta stay here, pretend I don\u2019t know anything about your whereabouts. If I disappear too, they\u2019ll know I helped you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick cleared his throat. \u201cHere, put this on,\u201d he said, offering her a long, blonde Halloween wig from his shopping basket. She rolled her eyes but took it out of its packaging and secured it on her head. While she did, he put on the gorilla mask he\u2019d picked up for himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou two better hope they don\u2019t bust you for shoplifting on your way out,\u201d warned Brian.<\/p>\n

\u201cChill out, Country Boy; I\u2019m not stupid. I paid for it,\u201d said Nick. \u201cI don\u2019t wanna draw any more attention to us than we already will, but at least this way, if the Feds get a tip that we were here, they won\u2019t get anything off the surveillance cameras in the parking lot. Nothing they can prove, anyway. By the way, here\u2019s your disguise.\u201d<\/p>\n

He tossed Brian another package containing a huge, black seventies afro. Brian flashed him a look of deepest loathing but reluctantly opened the package and pulled the wig over his wispy curls.<\/p>\n

Nick started to snicker at once. When Brian glared, he said, \u201cHey, it suits you, man! I mean, you\u2019re like four inches taller with that thing on! You\u2019re almost as tall as me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter stop while you\u2019re ahead, Carter,\u201d Brian growled, \u201cand get my girl outta here before I change my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got it, Richard Simmons. Come on, Blondie.\u201d Nick reached out to take Opal\u2019s hand, but Opal hesitated, turning pleading eyes upon Brian.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait\u2026 Bri, are you sure about this? Have you really thought about the implications of–\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian stepped closer to her so that they were face to face. Beneath the ridiculous \u2018fro, his eyes were serious. \u201cI\u2019ve done a lot of thinking, and it all adds up to one thing: You\u2019re getting in that car with Nick where you belong.\u201d<\/p>\n

Opal shook her head, tugging on the front of Brian\u2019s jacket. \u201cBut Brian, no, I\u2026 I–\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, you\u2019ve gotta listen to me! You have any idea what you\u2019d have to look forward to if you stayed here? Nine chances out of ten, we\u2019d both wind up in a federal prison. Isn\u2019t that true, Nick?\u201d He looked to Nick for back-up.<\/p>\n

The gorilla head dipped in a nod. \u201cI\u2019m afraid the FBI would insist.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re saying this only to make me go,\u201d accused Opal.<\/p>\n

Brian\u2019s reply was immediate. \u201cI\u2019m saying it because it\u2019s true. Inside of us, we both know you belong at HimTak with Nick. If that car leaves the parking lot, and you\u2019re not in it, you\u2019ll regret it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo–\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Opal\u2019s eyes had grown teary. \u201cBut what about us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll always have DC. We didn\u2019t have; we\u2026 we almost lost us until you came to Canada. We got it back last year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I said I would never leave you,\u201d whispered Opal.<\/p>\n

Brian shook his head. \u201cAnd you never will. But I\u2019ve got a job to do, too. Where you\u2019re going, I can\u2019t follow. What you\u2019ve got to do, I can\u2019t be any part of. Ashie, I\u2019m no good at being noble, but it doesn\u2019t take much to see that the problems of three little people don\u2019t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA hill of beans?\u201d snorted Nick, interrupting their tearful exchange. \u201cWhere\u2019d you pick up that expression, Country Boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian ignored him. He only had eyes for Opal. \u201cSomeday,\u201d he said, \u201cyou\u2019ll understand that.\u201d As her face fell, he reached out and took her chin between his thumb and forefinger. \u201cNow, now,\u201d he murmured, tilting her face up to meet his. \u201cHere\u2019s lookin\u2019 at you, kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick cleared his throat. \u201cWe should get going. Everything\u2019s in order.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian looked at Opal. \u201cAre you ready, Ashie?\u201d<\/p>\n

Opal\u2019s voice was suddenly stoic. \u201cYes, I\u2019m ready.\u201d She joined Nick at his side. \u201cGoodbye, Brian. God bless you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian\u2019s throat felt tight. \u201cBetter hurry so you\u2019ll miss the Feds,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Without another word, Opal allowed Nick to take her hand, and they walked side by side to the door of the ladies\u2019 room. Nick held it open for Opal, and they sidestepped the \u201cCAUTION: Wet Floor\u201d sign Brian had placed just outside the door to give the impression that the restroom was being cleaned. He looked back once just as Brian said quickly, \u201cAnyway, thanks for helping me out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou owe me, you know,\u201d said Nick. Brian could imagine the big, smirky grin hidden by his gorilla mask. \u201cFirst I saved your life, and now I\u2019m saving your woman. But I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll be good for something someday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that mean you\u2019re officially no longer opposed to working with someone who works for the government?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNah\u2026\u201d Nick shrugged. \u201cI guess you\u2019re alright, Rok.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian smiled. \u201cNicky\u2026 I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.\u201d<\/p>\n

With that, he waved them off, watching from the shadow of the doorway as a man with a gorilla\u2019s head and a woman with Rapunzel hair walked quickly out into the fluorescent lights and disappeared through the automatic sliding glass doors at the front of the store.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Part 2<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Episode 10: \u00a0Catch Her If You Can Part 1   Her hands ran over the books, taking in the varying textures that the different bindings offered her impatient fingers. There were so many delicious choices in this library, each one filled with its own priceless bits of history, bursting to\u2026<\/p>\n

Read more<\/span><\/i><\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":145,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"templates\/template-onecolumn.php","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-363","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P5xaHX-5R","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=363"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/363\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":986,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/363\/revisions\/986"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/145"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}