Chapters 8, 9, & 10

Chapter 8

The entire team checked in to their hotel.  They made sure the family and the security agents had adjoining rooms.  Cole and Phiny were across the hall.  They were all exhausted form the trip and decided to get some sleep.  Cole laid wide awake thinking about Tina.  The instant he saw her on the plane, all the feelings came rushing back and so did the memories from back home.  After about an hour he couldn’t stand it anymore. 

As he was putting on his shoes, Phiny woke up.  “Where are you going?  It’s late and you need rest.”

Cole stood up.  “I just need some fresh air to help me relax.  I’ll be back in about an hour.  I have my cell if you need me.  Go back to sleep.”

Phiny wanted to protest.  She knew why he couldn’t sleep and had an idea of where he might go to get fresh air but she was too tired to do so right now.  She barely heard to door close behind Cole as he left.

Cole walked almost a mile in the clean, cool ocean breeze.  He didn’t know just how far he walked until he looked up and the beautiful Hilton Resort in front of him.  He smiled.  He knew God lead him here for a reason.  He took a deep breath and headed in and took a seat at the lunge bar. 

The bartender asked, in his think Jamaican accent, “What can I get you, man?”

“Scotch and water please.  And do you have a phone I can ring a room?”

The bartender poured his drink.  “Sure do you know what room?”

Cole thought.  He has no idea what room Tina was in.  He laughed and said, “No she forgot to tell me.”

The bartender walked to a computer a few feet from Cole.  “What’s her name, sir?”

Cole told him Tina’s name as he typed it in.  “Here she is in room 2035.  Want me to ring it for you?”

Cole said yes and the man dialed and handed Cole the phone. After a few rings, Tina answered.

“Tina, its Cole.  Sorry to call so late.”

Tina laughs, “Its ok we were just hanging out up here and goofing off.  You know how us Carpenter sisters are.  What’s up?”

Cole takes a deep breath.  “I am down here in the lounge.  Can we talk?”

Tina hesitates before answering.  “Sure I’ll be down in a minute.”

Cole orders himself another drink and the drink he remembers Tina drank all the time when they went out.  Soon she was standing beside him at the bar.  He points to a secluded table in the corner and carries the drinks over.  He sits down.  “Here, I hope I remembered correctly.”

Tina laughs, “Yes you did but I really don’t drink much anymore.  I stopped in Med-School”

Cole sinks into his chair, “Oh sorry.  I thought you…”  He stopped mid-sentence as Tina puts her hand on his.

“Cole it’s ok.  I have one every once in a while so this one won’t hurt,” she says flashing her beautiful smile.  She takes a drink as Cole smiles back.  She continues, “Now, what’s wrong, Cole?”

Cole takes a drink.  “What makes you think something is wrong?”  He takes another drink.

Tina chuckles, “You come here at this hour and say you want to talk and you wonder why I think something is wrong.  Besides, you’re drinking scotch and water.  You only do that when something is wrong.  You better spill is Cole Connor.”

Cole finishes his drink.  “You know me too well, then and still now.”  There is a long silence as Cole rattles the ice in his glass and thinks how to say what he is thinking.  Finally he leans back and blurts out, “Are you still living in Texas?”

Tina smiles, “Yes.  I am working and teaching at Baylor in Waco.  I work in the Pediatric Center of Childhood Diseases and am a teacher professor at the Med-School.  Why?”

Cole is impressed as he orders another drink, before he continues.  “I need a favor or two.  Can you call my folks and find out when Suzy’s wedding is?  Like tomorrow?  I need to know and I can’t contact them.  Here’s the number.”

Tina looked confused as she took the napkin Cole wrote the number on.  Cole saw her confusion and tried to explain.  “Look, I can’t go into details but I am working undercover as Donavan Maloney.  I haven’t been able to talk to them in several months.  I know they are worried.  If you could find out for me and leave a message at the desk of my hotel under that name, I’d really appreciate it.  Also tell them I am just fine and I love and miss them.”  Cole stopped as he started to tear up. 

Tina squeezed his hand.  “Yes, I can do that.  But I can see you are not fine.  Talk to me Cole.  Please.  I can see you are hurting.”

Cole smiled as he took her hand in his.  “Tina, I can’t do this anymore.  I’ve got to get out but I don’t know how.  I used to feel like this was what God wanted me to do but now I feel He is telling me otherwise.  I am so deep into this, I am not sure what will happen if I say I want out.  I have heard others say that there is usually only one way out and I can’t do that.  I don’t want to put my family through that.”

Tina knows exactly what he means by that and just sits quietly for a few minutes letting her thoughts come before finally speaking.  “Cole, of God wants you elsewhere, He will provide the way.  Is there anyone on the inside you can really trust?”

Cole shakes his head.  “The only one that I might is my operator but he has done too much for me already.  I don’t want to involve anyone else on the inside and risk them as well.”  Cole begins to tear up again and takes a drink.  Then Tina sees a light bulb come on as he speaks.  “Tina, can you do one more HUGE favor?  Can you find out is Special Agent Todd Campbell still works for the F.B.I.?”

Tina hesitates.  “I guess so, but why?”

Coles answers as he writes the name and number down.  “He was my boss when I worked there.  He actually helped me get into this agency.  We kept in contact for a while but not as of late.  Maybe he can help.  Explain the situation to him and ask advice or help but tell him I said, ‘To keep the juice handy.’  That’s a phrase he will know and what it is needed for.  Can you remember that?”

Tina writes the phrase down as Cole looks at his watch.  “Crap, I told Phiny I’d be back in an hour.  I gotta go.”  He jumps up and kisses Tina on the cheek.  “Thank you for doing all of this Sweet T.  You have no idea what it means.”

Tina smiled.  He hadn’t called her Sweet T since he moved away to work for the F.B.I.  “Sure thing Cole.  I’ll get it done first thing in the morning and leave a message at your hotel.”  She stood to hug him and didn’t expect it to feel so good.  It seemed neither wanted to let go.  Finally Cole reluctantly slipped out as he kissed he cheek again and headed back to his hotel.

Cole was relieved to find Phiny sound asleep when he returned.  He quietly slipped into his bed for a few hours of sleep. 

Cole awoke just as the sun rose over the beach.  It was a beautiful sight and he laid there and watched until the smell of coffee caught his nose.  He poured a cup and walked out on the balcony to enjoy the morning.  He could hear Phiny finishing her shower. 

When she finished, she poured a cup and joined him.  “Beautiful isn’t it?”  Cole just nodded as Phiny continued.  “SO what time did you return last night?  I was out.”

Cole smiled as he sipped his coffee and stared at the waves.  “It was about 2:30AM.  I just had a nice peaceful walk.”  Just then there was knock at the door.

Phiny smiled, “Must be breakfast.  Hope you’re hungry.”

The bell boy entered and set breakfast up at their table.  He handed Cole the morning paper before leaving. There was a little conversation as they ate.  Cole read the paper.  He kept the real estate section and gave Phiny the rest. 

She saw and asked, “Planning on buying a place here?”

Cole just smiled, “It’s a great place, never know.”  He finished his last bit of toast.  “I’m gonna go for a run.  Wanna come?”

Phiny was surprised he asked.  He had been secretive and standoffish lately.  “Well,” she answered, “I just showered but I think a run will do some good.”

They both changed and headed out.

They ran about three miles up the beach before heading back.  They were waiting on the elevator when Cole spotted Tina coming in the door.  He quickly found an excuse.  “I am gonna get a smoothie.  Why don’t you go take a shower and I’ll be right up.”

Phiny smiled, “OK.  Can you get me one as well?”

Cole kissed her cheek.  “Sure see you in a few.”

Tina spotted Cole just as the elevator door closed.  “Hey, I was just gonna leave you a message.”

Cole smiled and kissed her half on the cheek half on the mouth.  “In person is much better don’t you think?”  Cole led Tina to the smoothie stand.  She shared with him what she found out as he ordered and waited.

“First off, your parents were glad to hear form me.  They want me to come to dinner next week.  They are great.  They were glad to hear you are doing well and they send their love.  Suzy’s wedding is in 3 months on the 18^th of July at the church.  They all really hope you can make it.”  Tina pauses as Cole’s ordered is delivered and he pays.  “I got a hold of Todd Campbell.  It’s now Assistant Director Campbell.”  Cole smiles sheepishly as Tina continues.  “I told him the situation and he said he would ‘pick the grapes and see if he had a buyer.’”  Tina read the phrase from a small note pad.  “He also gave me this number to give you.  He said give him 48 hours.”

Cole took the paper from her.  “Thank you so much Sweet T.  Het have you explained the situation to your sisters yet?”

Tina smiled, “Yes I did.  They want to have lunch today.  Is that possible?”

Cole smiles.  “It should be.  I’ll see if Phiny can find something to do so we can all talk freely.  I gotta go.  I’ll call you and let you know.”

Tina smiled.  “We will be out and about.  Here call my cell.”  She writes the number down and gives it to Cole.

“Great, look forward to it.”  He leans in and kisses her on the lips with a quick peak.  Tina get a tingle inside and wished it lasted longer.  Cole smiles at her as if to say he did as well.  She walks out when he gets on the elevator.

“So, how is Tina?” Phiny asked as Cole shuts the door.  He didn’t say a word as he handed her the smoothie.

He finally speaks as he takes a seat.  “Spying on me?”

Phiny sits next to him.  “I’ve got to keep an eye on my husband.  Especially with all these tropical beauties running around,” she says with a smirk.

Cole smiles as he finishes his smoothie.  “I am gonna go take a shower.”

Phiny grabs his arm as he walked by and stops him.  “Do you remember that night we stayed up and talked?  Do you remember the things we said? Do you still feel that way?”  She looked up at him for an answer.  He couldn’t look at her.  Finally she stood and looked him in the eye.  “You still love her don’t you?”

Cole just stood there in silence as his heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest.  Phiny got mad and turned to walk away but he grabbed and stopped her.  “I still have feelings for you.  Nothing will change that. Yes she still holds a special place in my heart but that’s in the past.  You’re here now.”  He gently pulled her close and they kissed very passionately.  They only stopped when Phiny’s cell rang.

They continued to hold each other close as she answered, had a short conversation and hung up.  “That was Michael,” she said.  “We are to stay here for a few days.  The others will as well.  You and I are just to blend in as tourist/honeymooners and go about normally.  We are to have no contact with the group until further notice.” 

Cole pulled her closer and kissed her neck.  Phiny embraced him as her whole body melted into him.  He finally released her and headed to shower. 

Just as Cole turned off the water, he heard his cell phone ring from the bathroom counter.  He quickly dried off and grabbed it.  “Cole, hey its Michael.  DO you have a few minutes?”  Cole thought is strange that Michael was so casual.

“Yes sir.  What is it?”

Michael chuckled.  “This isn’t a work call.  I have a surprise for you.  Please hold the line for a connection.” 

Cole was unsure what was going on but did as he was told.  After a brief silence, Cole heard the most wonderful sound.  “Hello Cole.  How are you sweetie?”

Cole almost leapt through the phone.  “Hey mom!  I am well how are you?”

They talked for almost an hour.  His mother asked him about Tina.  “Yes mom, it was great seeing her again.  My heart leapt when I saw her.  I am having lunch with her and her sisters today…No mom that doesn’t mean we are getting back together.  You know that’s not possible… Yes I hope to come to the wedding.” 

After a while, Michael broke in and let them know they had to go.  They both said their goodbyes and Michael ended their call before saying, “Ok Cole, you have no idea the rules I just broke for this.  So now for work stuff.  If you are going out to lunch, Phiny HAS to go with you.  I need you guys to keep your cover so having lunch with 3 women by yourself is not good.  I know you have told Tina as least part of what is going on.  You need to be extremely careful.”   The call ends. 

As he hung up the phone, Cole knew the sacrifices Michael had made.  He also knew that telling Tina even part of the truth could compromise the entire mission.  He stood there leaning over the sink wishing Tina had not been on the plane.  He prayed, “Lord, you know I still love her but these feelings could put lives in danger here.  Please help me control these feelings.  Please Lord!  And what about Phiny?  I have developed feelings for her.  Show me the right path.  Help me make the decision.  Help me do your will in all of this.”  By now Cole was down on his knees with tears running down his cheeks. 

Phiny heard the quiet sobs and knocked softly on the door.  “Donavan, are you ok?” 

Cole wiped his eyes as he stood up.  “Yeah.  I’ll be out in a minute.”  Cole finished getting ready and gathered his emotions before opening the door.  He looked at the clock and realized it was almost lunch time.  He picked up the phone to call Tina.

Cole told her Phiny would be coming as well.  He could tell the disappointment in her voice.  They made arrangements of when and where to meet.  Cole reminded her to use his cover name.  She promised they all would.

Cole went to see if Phiny was ready.  He heard something in the bedroom.  He peeked through the cracked door and saw Phiny on her knees beside her bed.  He heard her softly crying.  He listened before he entered and realized she was praying.

He waited quietly until she finished and said another prayer of his own.  After a couple of minutes, Phiny stood and began wiping her eyes.  Cole quietly walked up behind her and put his arms around her.  “He’s a great God!  He’ll answer in His time.”

She turned and put her arms around his neck.  “He always does,” she said as she gently kissed him on the lips. 

“Are you ready to go to lunch,” he asked.

Phiny smiled, “I really don’t think you want me tagging along.  You go by yourself.”

Cole kissed her forehead, “I’d love for you to come.  Please!”

Phiny laughed as she walked to the bedroom door.  “Ok but only because Michael said I had to.”

Cole took off after her.  “Hey now that’s not fair!”  He caught her at the elevator, took her in his arms and kissed her.

They stood there kissing as others passed by, watching and smiling.  Suddenly Cole looked up and saw and older lady waiting beside them for the elevator.  “Sorry, we are on our honeymoon.”

The lady smiled.  “It’s perfectly alright.  Love is beautiful!”  Just them the elevator doors opened and they all got on.

Cole and Phiny walked arm in arm down the beach front to the restaurant.  Just the block before, Cole stops and turns to Phiny.  “I have to tell you something.  I had Tina do some things for me.  Things you probably don’t need to know, at least for your protection but I feel it necessary to warn you.  She might mention it.  She called and old friend at the F.B.I. and …”

Phiny smiled and nodded.  She placed her finger gently on Cole’s lips.  “It’s ok.  No need to say it all.  I know the rest but if you say it, I’ll have to tell the truth if they ask.”

Cole smiled and nodded at her.  They walked to the open air restaurant arm in arm.

Chapter 9

Tina looked up over her glass and saw Cole and Phiny.  Her heart sank.  She hated seeing him with another woman, even if it wasn’t real.  She was surprised to see them so friendly.  She just kept telling herself it was all part of his cover.  She stood and greeted them.

As Cole greeted her he leaned in and whispered in her ear, “I’m sorry.  I had no choice.”

Tina smiled as she sat down.  “My sisters will be here in a minute.  They wanted to hit one last shop on the corner.”  Just as Tina said that, Cole saw them coming.  They all greeted each other and sat to continue the conversation.  Phiny felt like the odd man out.  Cole and Tina tried to keep her included in the conversation but it didn’t work.  After a while, she excused herself to the lady’s room.

As soon as she left, Tina moved closer to Cole.  “I have to tell you something.  It’s been eating at me since the plane the other day.  I can’t stand it anymore.  I have to say it.”  Tina stopped and looked at her sisters who encouraged her to continue. 

Cole took Tina’s hand and said, “Ok, go ahead.”

Tina took a deep breath and slowly let it out and just let it out as she looked at Cole.  “Cole, I still love you.  I never stopped loving you.  I have dated other guys trying to fill that void.  I thought one time I had.  Last year I got engaged to a man I thought I loved.  I broke it off three weeks before the wedding because I knew this was not the man I was to marry.  I can’t explain how I knew but I did.  That was about four months ago.  Ever since then I have been praying and seeking God’s guidance in this area.  The day after I broke it off, I found the ring you gave me before you left.  Two days later, I found all your pictures.  Every few days I found something else of yours that I thought I had put away.  Before coming on this trip, I prayed and fasted for 2 days.  I prayed God would give me a definite answer one way or another.  I prayed he would completely get you out of my life or completely bring you back into it.  The next day I was on that plane.”  Tina was almost in tears.  She looked up and saw Cole was as well.  She smiled and waited for him to answer but realized he had no words.  Then she saw Phiny returning to the table so she moved back to her spot.

Phiny saw the awkward silence and tried to break it.  “Ahh, talking about me I see.”  Cole smiled a halfhearted smile but no one moved.  Phiny tried again.  “Well did someone die or what?”  Again no response.  Finally Tina’s sister Pam spoke.

“Phiny do you like to shop?  There’s this little shop over here on the corner that is having a sale.  They’ve got fabulous stuff.  Missy and I were planning on going back after we ate.  Would you like to join us?”

Phiny could see eight eyes waiting for her answer.  She could also see what they wanted it to be.  “Sure, I’d love to,” she said halfheartedly.

Tina mouthed “Thank you” to Pam and Missy as they left the table with Phiny.

Cole and Tina sat in silence for several minutes.  Cole could not even look at her.  Finally, Tina spoke up.  “Cole, please say something.  Anything!”

Cole looked at her with tears streaming down his face.  “Tina, you have put me in a very difficult place.  Everything in my wants to take you in my arms and love you for the rest of my life.  But because of my work, I can’t do that.  I can’t do this!”  He pulls his hand from hers and leaves.  Tina tries to stop him but it’s no use.  She chases after him.

It took almost 20 minutes before she found Cole sitting on the rocks down by the beach.  She approached, silently and sat down.  She sat there for a few minutes staring at the waves.  Then Cole turns to speak.  “Tina, I have prayed and dreamed of the day you would come into my life again and say those words to me.  I dreamed of how we would go off together and love each other for the rest of our lives.  When I saw you on the plane the other day, my heart finally seemed whole again, just from seeing you.  The void that was there since the day I left suddenly disappeared.  Tina that was the greatest feeling in the world.  Then you stepped things up and said those things to me today.  I suddenly realized I was whole again and God was giving us the second chance we both prayed for.”

Cole stopped, took a few deep breaths, and then continued as she stared into the ocean.  “Tina, unfortunately I am not in a position right now to move forward.  I am not even supposed to be talking to you at all, much less having a relationship with you.”  He turns to her.  “Believe me. If it were possible, I’d be all for it but it just can’t happen.  Not now.”

Cole stopped, turned away and buried his face in his hands.  Tina felt bad.  She never realized the place she had put Cole in.  Although she never meant for it to be so hard, she never thought how it would affect him.  She said a silent prayer that God would give her the words to say.  After a few moments, the words came.

“Cole, I never meant to put you in such a position.  I am sorry for that.  I really didn’t think of how his would affect you.  I can’t imagine how difficult this is for you.  You have obligations right now and I know you can’t abandon those not would I ask you to.  What kind of person would I be if I did that?  I told you those things because I wanted you to know how I felt.  I also wanted you to know that when things change and we can be together, that I am here waiting.  However long that is, I’ll be right here when you are ready.”

Cole was speechless.  Every time he took a breath to speak, nothing would come out.  Finally he quietly spoke.  “I have no idea when that is or even if it will happen.  I can’t ask you to wait.  I might be in this for the rest of my life, I am not sure there is a way out of the agency.  I couldn’t live with myself knowing you are waiting.  No Tina, I can’t ask you to do that!”

Tina took his left hand is hers.  She then took her right hand, turned his face toward her and held his cheek. “YOU ARE NOT ASKING!” 

Cole stared into her emerald green eyes.  He tired with all his might to hold back but he could not contain his emotions.  He grabbed Tina, pulled her in close and began kissing her.  He didn’t care who saw or if his cover was blown.  He wanted so much to be with Tina at that moment, he would give it all up.  They laid back on the huge rock and continued to kiss passionately as the waves began to splash up around them, almost washing them off the rock. 

Cole looked up momentarily and saw a huge storm cloud rolling in.  “We better get out of here,” he said.

Tina reached up and pulled him close.  “Just a little longer,” she whispered with a grin.  They kissed several more minutes.  Then the rain, thunder and lightning were coming in all around them.

Cole helped Tina up.  “Come on we’ve got to get out of here.”  They took off running for shelter as the rain pelted them.  Every time is thunder or lightened, Tina would squeeze Cole’s hand a little harder.  They ran into the closet open building.  They shook some of the rain off.  In the doorway, Cole turned to Tina.  “T, remember that rock, always.  It’s the place God brought us back together.  That’s our special rock.”  He kissed her and they moved inside.

It only took a couple of steps to realize the type of building they had ran into to escape the storm.  Cole looked at Tina and smiled.  Tina spoke first, “Wow what a beautiful church.  I didn’t know this was here.” 

Cole and Tina had ran right into a small chapel right on the beach.  There seemed to be no one around until they heard a voice that startled the both.

“Hello friends.  How can I be of service?”

His think Jamaican accent made them both smile.  Cole turned to the direction of the man.  “Sorry to bother you.  We were just getting out of the storm.  This a beautiful place.”

The man smiled.  “Ah God’s house is a refuge for all the storms life brings.  It is His beauty that exceeds all.  Please come.  I will bring you towels to dry yourselves.”  The man disappeared but quickly returned with two towels.

“Thank you sir,” Cole said as they took them. 

The man smiled.  “My wife is making coffee to warm you.  It will be ready shortly.  My name is James Greene.  I am the Pastor here at Rock of Refuge Christian Church.”

Cole smiled and extended to shake his hand.  “Thank you Pastor Greene.  My name is Don… Cole Connor and this is Tina Carpenter.  Nice to meet you.”  Tina was a bit surprised Cole used his real name.  She looked at him funny but he just smiled.

Pastor Greene was easy to talk to.  Cole and Tina sat there for over an hour sipping coffee and talking with him and his wife Ellen.  Cole told him more about the agency and the situation then he had told anyone else.  He told them about the relationship with Phiny, making Tina uncomfortable.  He also told them about him and Tina.  Pastor Greene offered advice and prayed over them both.  He then asked if he could speak to Cole alone.

Ellen and Tina went for a walk around the church.  They were quite until Ellen spoke, “Tina, don’t worry about this other woman.  There was a completely different look in his eyes when he spoke of you.  It is not love he feels for her.  He only thinks it is.”

Tina smiled but said nothing.

“Cole, you have told me many things about your life,” Pastor Greene said.  “I am sure many of these you have told no one.  Let me assure you, God knows best and He knows the desire of your heart.  If you are the righteous man I see and believe you are, God will give you those desires.”

Cole just sat there.  He was feeling free for the first time since he joined the agency.  Finally he spoke, “Pastor Greene, I truly believe God is using my experience in the agency to prepare me for his calling.  In the last year, with everything going on around me, I fell God is calling me to a great work.  I have been to so many places and seen so many people in need of God’s love, it breaks my heart, especially the children.”

Pastor Greene smiled, “Cole, do you believe in coincidence?”

Cole was a bit puzzled at his question.  “No sir, I do not.  I believe everything happens for a reason and God’s purpose.  Why do you ask?”

Pastor Greene grinned almost ear to ear as he stood and walked to the window.  “My wife and I have been praying earnestly for a young man to work with our orphanage ministry.  Ellen had a dream last night that God would reveal this person to us, today.  I believe He has.”  He turns back to Cole.  “You see, we have very specific needs for our ministry.  We need someone with travel experience because we actually go into other countries to get children who have a need or have been in and orphanage for a long time.  Children are adopted here rather quickly.  We need someone who is comfortable in other countries and can speak many of the languages.  I believe you could be that person.”

Cole sat stunned.  He was sure his jaw dropped as Pastor Greene spoke.  He tried to speak but nothing came.  Pastor Greene say down in front of him.  “I know it’s a lot.  Don’t worry about it now.  Just pray about it and when the Lord is ready, He will provide the way and guide you the right way.”

Just then Cole’s phone rang.  He had almost forgotten about his work.  He stepped to the front door of the church.  He could see Ellen and Tina heading back to the church as the sun come out again.  He heard Michael’s voice, “Donavan, we have a situation at the hotel.  You need to return ASAP.  There has been a security breech at the hotel.  The eldest son has been kidnapped.  Security is planning the next move.  I need you and Phiny to help them.  She will meet you there.”

Cole head dropped as he put the phone away.  He was getting use to things with Tina.  As Tina approached, she saw the look in his eyes and stopped, “What’s wrong?”

Cole took her hands.  “I have to go.  Duty calls.  I will call you later if I can.  If I can’t, please remember that I love you, Sweet T.” He gently kissed her lips and walked away with tears in his eyes.

Tina turned and watched him go in a stunned silence.  As tears rolled down her face, Ellen put her arm around her.  “He’s a changed man, dear.  God id working in him.  Just pray and give it time.  There is a plan.”

They stood there in silence until they could no longer see Cole.  Then Tina turned to Ellen and spoke.  “Thank you so much Mrs. Ellen.  I am glad God allowed us to become friends.  I will pray about what we talked about and will keep in touch.”  They hugged and Tina left to return to her hotel.

Cole met Phiny in the hotel lobby and they hurried up to the security room.  Cole was emotionally drained form the events of the day.  Now as the evening began, he had to get his mind back on the mission ahead.

The security team quickly briefed them and they were given assignments.  If had been over a year since Cole had been on security detail.  He didn’t like the idea of having to use a gun but would if he had to.  AS he strapped on his gear, he thought of Tina and the events of the afternoon.  He said a silent prayer about all of it and headed out.

Cole’s mission was to work with two other members of the security team and keep the rest of the family safe while trying to get them out of the country again.  Phiny would stay at the hotel and help at the Command Center.  Cole had been trained in personal project detail with the F.B.I. but this was only the second time he ever had to do it. 

As the Command Team gave the signal to begin moving the family, Cole felt his stomach knot up.  He swallowed hard and took his position.  He smiled a nervous smile at Abigail to try to reassure her things would be ok but was sure she could see the nervousness in his face.  As 8 year old Teresa saw Cole she smiled.  Cole tried to smile back but it was hard.  He wasn’t sure what was about to happen.

The Lawrence family minus 12 year old Henry, loaded into the vehicle along with Cole and the other two security officers.  They slowly pulled out of the parking garage and headed for a small airstrip on the other side of the island.  The 40 minute drive would be the most difficult part of the journey.  Within 2 blocks of the hotel, they were stuck in bumper to bumper traffic.  Cole felt like a sitting duck.

Soon a police officer came walking down the street stopping at each car to info the driver of the situation.  As he approached the vehicle, Cole and the family ducked in the back.  The van driver pulls out his gun and holds it down between the seats as he rolls down the window.  The officer pokes his head in.  “Evening gentlemen.  Sorry for the hold up.  We have a fruit truck loose his load.  They are just about finished cleaning it up.  We should be moving shortly.”  The officer leaves and the driver put his gun away.  As the officer gets to the back of the van, he squats down to tie his shoe.  The driver tells Cole and the family to stay down.  The officer gets up using the side of the van for help as the driver gets out to see what he is doing.  The officer smiles and waves as he talks of the radio.  Then he comes running back up, “We are moving.  Better get back in sir.”

The drier walks to the back of the van and quickly inspects where the officer put his hand.  He sees nothing and returns.  “I don’t see anything he might have put on there but never can be too careful,” he says as the roll forward. 

As they get where the accident was, Cole sees the officer leaning up against the light post smoking.  The van then turns the opposite way of most traffic toward the airstrip.

About 10 minutes later, Cole is almost asleep when he hears the driver say, “Be alert, we’ve got company.”  Cole looks out and sees three black sedans racing up behind them.  Within 30 seconds they are surrounded.  Cole hears the “FULL ALERT” call in his ear piece.

The driver floors the gas trying to get away but it is no use.  Cole tells the family to take cover.  Abigail gathers the children and they all lay on the floor.  As the cars surround them the van has to slow down.  They have him boxed in.

Suddenly the windows on the sedans roll down and out come automatic weapons and they open fire.  Cole and the other men return fire but are severely outnumbered.  The van is blanketed with bullets and eventually comes to a complete stop. 

Cole feels a numbness in his shoulder and leg.  Cole falls to the floor in pain. As he does, he feels a warm pool of blood covering the floor that is not form him.  He quickly asses the family. 

Abigail had been shot numerous times.  She is dead.  Teresa, the oldest girl was barely alive.  The two youngest were bloody but seemed ok.  Abigail and Teresa covered them to protect them.  Cole yells for the driver but gets no answer.  Finally the other agent in the passenger seat faintly says, “He’s dead and I may not make it.  Can you get us out of here?”

Cole drags himself to the driver seat.  “I think so.  I’ll see where they want us to go.”  Cole calls Command Team.  “Command this is Bear 2.  We took heavy fire and have 2 confirmed dead.  The rest are wounded.  Vehicle severely damaged but I believe drivable.  Waiting instructions.” 

After a few moments of silence, Cole hears the reply from a familiar voice.  “Bear 2 this is Command.  Be advised the plans have not changed.  You are to continue with the regular plan.”

Cole looked at the agent in the passenger seat who heard the same instructions.  Cole answered.  “Command this is Bear 2.  Phiny is that you?”

The reply came quickly.  “Yes Donavan.  The other agents took a break.  It’s me.”

Cole couldn’t believe what he was hearing.  The other agents wouldn’t take a break until the plane was off the ground.  “OK so let’s make sure I understand.  You want me to continue to the airstrip and continue as planned?”

Cole heard the urgency in Phiny’s answer.  “Yes, continue as planned.”

Cole acknowledged and turned off Comms.  Timothy was still fighting for his life in the seat next to him. 

He spoke faintly. “Donavan, something is not right.  We can’t continue to the airstrip.  We’ve got to get somewhere safe and find a doctor fast.”

Cole could think of only one place he felt safe and only one doctor.  He had to think fast in order to get there without being tracked by Command.  They needed a phone and a different vehicle.

“Timothy, you relax and hang in there.  I’ll get us somewhere.  I just got to find some new wheels.”  Cole drove ahead a few miles.  He saw a small gas station ahead.  He pulled in quickly and spotted an old bus out back.  He hobbled inside. 

The attendant was standing behind the counter.  “Hello sir, how can I help you?”

Cole limped to the counter.   “Does that old bus out back run?”

The man laughed, “Sure just needs some gas.”

Cole pulls out his money roll. “How much you take for it and a full tank of gas?”

The man looks in almost disbelief.  “$500 American dollars for the bus and I’ll give you the gas for free.”

Cole lays $500 on the counter.  “Do you have a phone I can use?”

“There is a pay phone out front,” he says. 

Cole thanks him as he takes the bus key and limps out the door. 

He quickly dials the number.  Finally there is an answer.  “T its Cole.  Listen, I can’t explain right now but meet me at the church with any medical supplies you have.  I’ll be there in about 20 minutes.  Ok?”

Cole waits for and answer.  “Sure, I’ll be right there,” Tina says.

Cole hangs up and painfully moves all the bodies and wounded to the bus.  He fills it with gas and takes off to the church.

Chapter 10

Timothy was fading fast.  If he didn’t get help soon, he would die.  The cloth Cole had put on his wound was now completely blood soaked.  They were still several miles from the church.  Cole, who had been shot in the left thigh and left shoulder, was running on pure adrenaline.  He knew his injuries were bad.  He cried out in pain each time he had to shift gears. 

At a stop light, he managed to cut his pants leg off and applied it to Timothy’s wound.  His own were bleeding badly but he didn’t have time to attend to them.  Behind them he heard Teresa cry out in pain.  He was glad to know she was still alive. 

Cole sighed a bit of relief when he saw the church steeple in the distance.  He pressed the gas a little harder and the bus sputtered a bit.  Timothy’s breathing had become very labored.  Cole was sure he had only a few minutes.  As she pulled into the back parking lot, Cole frantically honked the horn.  Soon Pastor Greene and Tina came out the back door.  Cole jumped off the bus dragging Timothy in his arms. 

“Pastor Greene, get the girl in the front seat.  Have Ellen get the two younger kids and check them out.  I think they are ok just bloody and scared.”  Just then, Ellen came running out the door.

Cole laid Timothy on the floor in the back room of the church.  Tina was right behind him.  “Cole are you ok?  Looks like you’ve been hit.”

Cole ripped opened Timothy’s shirt to expose his injury.  “Yes I am fine.  I know this isn’t usually your stuff but I really need your help.”

Tina smiled and assessed Timothy’s injuries as Pastor Greene laid Teresa down beside him.  “Tina, I think she is gone.”

Tina leaned over to check.  Somberly she said, “Yes, she’s gone.”

Pastor Greene said a prayer as Tina closed Teresa’s eyes.  Cole began to cry.

“Pastor Greene, can you help me get the other two bodies out of the bus?  Tina, we will be right back.”

Cole and Pastor Greene carry Abigail and the other agent in and lay them on the floor.  Cole immediately kneels down beside Tina as Pastor Greene begins to clean the three bodies.  “How’s he doing, T?”

Tina sighs, “Not good.  I am surprised he has lasted this long.  Cole, there is just too much damage.  I’m sorry there is nothing I can do.”

Cole stood up and walked to the wall.  He puts both hands on the wall and lowered his head.  “That double crosser!  I can’t believe I fell for it!”

Tina follows Cole and puts her hand on his shoulder.  “What are you talking about?”

Cole turns and leans his right side on the wall.  “Phiny double crossed me!  All this time she made me believe we had something and boom!  I can’t believe I let it happen.”

Tina was surprised.  “Are you sure it was her?”

Cole flexes his left arm in pain.  “Yes, it had to be.  Nothing else makes sense.”

Tina reaches up and touches Cole’s wound.  “You better let me look at that.  If not you might lose that arm.”

Cole starts taking off his shirt as Tina gets her bag.  Before Tina gets back to him, Cole faints.  Tina panics and yells, “Pastor Greene, help!”

Pastor Greene runs over and helps Tina move Cole to the blanket laying on the floor.  “He’s lost a lot of blood,” Tina says.  “We’ve got to get him some or we may lose him.  Check his I.D. to see if his blood type is on there.”

Pastor Greene looks through Cole pockets.  “Here it is.  Say A+”

Tina listens to his heart.  “Very slow rate.  We’ve gotta move.  What blood type are you?”

“I am B but Ellen is A+.  I’ll get her,” he says as he gets up.

Ellen comes running in from the other room with Pastor Greene trailing behind.  “Where do you need me sweetie?”

Tina smiles and points to the blanket beside Cole.  “Pastor Greene, I’ll need your help.  DO you guys have any small tubing of any kind?”

Pastor Greene thinks and replies, “not that I can think of?”

Tina sighs.  “What about straws?  Do you have several straws?”

Ellen speaks up.  “There are straws in the children’s craft supplies.”

“Great!” Tina replied.  “Get them and tape them together end to end with this tape.”

Pastor Greene takes the roll of tape and heads out.  Tina begins to get to work.  “Ellen, while he is doing that, I’ll need your help.  I have to get these bullets out and sew him up before giving him the blood.”

Tina give Ellen instructions on what to do.  Tina works carefully to get the bullet out of Cole’s shoulder.  “This one is in deep.  I will probably cause more damage taking it out then it did going it.”

“Could you leave it in,” Ellen asks.

Tina hesitates.  “I could but I am afraid on infection and it moving.  I’d rather take it out and deal with the damage later.  Hopefully a good surgeon can repair any damage.”  Tina takes a deep breath and pushes her instrument into Coles shoulder.  “Here goes!”  She works diligently trying to grab the bullet.  “Almost got it.  Ellen can you pull this open a bit more?  There!”  Tina pulls the bullet out.  “Now just clean and sew up this one and on to the leg.”

Tina assess the injury.  “Looks like this one went all the way through.  Luckily it missed the bone and major muscles.  Maybe some small issues but just a clean and sew up on both sides should be fine.”

“Found the straws,” Pastor Greene announces as he enters the room.

“Great!” Tina replies.  “I need you to make two different tubes about five straws long.  Now we just need something to pump the blood down the tubes.”

“We just brought a new fish tank.  Would the pump from that work?” Ellen asks.

“It might,” Tina replies.  “Only one way to find out.”

Ellen rushes to get the pump.  She returns just as Pastor Greene finishes taping up the last straw. 

“Let’s see how this works,” Tina says.  “Can you bring me a glass of water?”  Tina tapes a needle to one end of each of the straws.  As Ellen sets the water down, Tina attaches the straws to the pump.  She puts the needle into the glass.  “Pastor, plug it in.”

The motor kicks on and within seconds water is coming out the other needle.  “It works!”  Tina yells.  “It’s slow but it should be enough.”  Pastor Greene unplugs it as Tina continues.  “OK Ellen, I am sure this will be a bit painful,” she says as Ellen lays next to Cole.  “I will only do it until I feel he has enough.  If at any time you feel funny, let me know.”

Tina stuck the needle into Ellen’s arm and the other into Cole’s.  She then nodded to Pastor Greene to plug in the pump.  The blood slowly moved up one tube, through the pump and down into the tube in Cole’s arm.  The pump sputtered a few times.  Tina just prayed it would work long enough to make a difference. 

After about 10 minutes, the sputtering become more frequent.  Within a few more minutes, the pump stopped completely.  “The blood is just too thick for it,” Tina said.  Pastor Greene unplugged the pump as Tina took the needle from Ellen’s arm.  “Lay there and keep pressure on this,” Tina told her.  Tina gently pulled the needle out of Cole’s arm and taped it up.  She checked his heart rate.  “Rate is still slow but better.  I hope we got enough.  How are the two younger children?”

Ellen took a drink of the juice Pastor Greene brought her.  “They are fine.  Only found a few scratches and minor cuts.  Most of the blood was someone else’s.  I cleaned them up and they went right to sleep on the pallet I made them.  What do you suppose happened?”

“I have no idea,” Tina answered as she covered Cole up.  “Only one person can tell up.”

Pastor Greene knelt beside Cole.  “Ladies, let us pray for our brother.”

They all laid a hand on Cole and joined hands.  Pastor Greene spoke a very elegant prayer for Cole’s health and the entire situation. 

By the time the sun began to peak through the church windows, Tina was exhausted.  She had stayed up all night listening to Cole’s breathing and checking his heart rate.  He had not stirred since he fainted.  Tina prayed.  She prayed for Cole, she prayed for the two little children and she prayed for her own strength and safety.  She didn’t know what had happened to Cole or if the person who did it would be looking for him and take them all out.

 As Tina check his heart again, Ellen came in.  “How’s he doing sweetie?”  she asked.

“Not much change I can tell.  How are you?”  Tina asked as she ran her fingers through Cole’s blood stain hair.

“I am good,” Ellen told her.  “You look exhausted.  Why don’t you go rest in my bed and I’ll watch him.  Remember I am a retired nurse.  I can handle it.”  Ellen chuckled hoping to convince Tina to rest.

“Yes I know,” Tina said continuing to stroke Cole’s hair.  “I am grateful for your help last night.  I think I will rest but first I need to shower.  Would you have something I can change into?”

“Sure sweetie,” Ellen smiled.  “I thought you might want something.  I already laid several things out on the bed.  Help yourself.”  Tina gave Ellen a hug as she left the rom.

The warm water felt good on Tina’s tired body.  It helped relax the muscles but not the worry.  After the shower, she quickly called her sisters with the update.  She left them in such a panic when Cole first called her, she didn’t want them to worry.  She told them she’d call later if anything changed.  As she slipped into bed, she said another prayer for Cole.  Just as she said “Amen,” she fell fast asleep with tears rolling down her cheeks and onto the pillow.