Chapter 40: Run Or Stay?
“England?” he asked, looking at her like she had sprouted horns. He certainly had not seen that one coming.
“Yes, England,” she responded, chuckling nervously. “Dad has a house in Greenwich he barely uses, and I have access to it whenever I want. We could stay there for a few weeks while we find our own place. It will be a new life, a fresh start. For real this time.” She had thought hard and long, and believed this was the solution to whatever was suddenly attacking them. “We can leave as soon as tomorrow if Dr. Chang clears you for travel.”
The confused look never once left George’s face as she spoke. He almost couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Being undercover almost his whole career, he certainly was used to impromptu trips. However, it had almost always been between states, a couple of times into neighboring Cuba and Mexico. But, across the ocean to England? “Why?” he asked, his mind able to formulate no other question.
“Why?” she chorused incredulously. Was the man unaware of the past few days? A case of amnesia perhaps? Just how badly had he banged his head? “Why? Oh nothing,” she responded sarcastically. “Just a little case of attempted kidnap, attempted murder and gang beating. Nothing too serious like that.”
George held his arms up to stop her, but she wasn’t done. “I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep since my stepmother visited. People we are yet to identify broke into my condo just last week and tried to kidnap me, almost bludgeoning you into the underworld in the process.” She was ticking off each point with her fingers as she proceeded. “And for the cherry on the cake, George, the Drug Lord you busted has a bounty on your head. A bounty that was almost collected not too long ago. I almost lost you, for God’s sake.” Her voice cracked at the end. The fight going out of her, she pleaded. “I am not safe, George. Neither of us is. Come with me to England. We’ll just be two simple people living simply. Please.”
Even as Isla spoke, George knew what she was asking was impossible. He had a duty to the force, and was not one to run away from his troubles. He pretended to consider it for her benefit. After a minute, he spoke. “Isla. Darling. I am so terribly sorry, but my answer is no.”
It was tough watching her face fall, but she needed to hear the truth. “Hear me out. With the resources available to these people, they will easily follow you to the ends of the earth. Drug Lords are not a particularly forgiving bunch.” A thought struck him “Isla, we are certain people are after me. Better, we even know who they are. I know my enemy and therefore, have a possibility of defeating them.” He paused giving her time to catch up with him. “The same cannot be said of you though. We do not know who wishes to do you harm. We can only speculate, but as long as we are in the dark, you are in more danger. I have to stay here and put an end to the threat to me, but you? There’s no reason for you to remain. Take the trip, Isla. Be safe and I will join you subsequently.”
Even before he was done speaking, Isla had begun to shake her head in disagreement. “That is totally out of the question, George,” she said firmly. “I almost lost you once, I won’t let you go headfirst into the fire again. It’s either we leave together or we stay together. Your choice."
George let out a frustrated breath. Isla could be as stubborn as a mule when she wanted to be. “I can’t leave, Isla. You know that. Please.” He pleaded. “Not now, anyway. I’ve never been one to leave a mission halfway. I have unfinished business here.”
“Too bad. Stay it is then,” she declared with finality. The conversation came to an abrupt end as a nurse came in, ordering him to rest. “I’ll be in the hall,” she said as she bent over to kiss him. “Amaka is bringing lunch, and Chris says he will come around soon.” He grunted in acknowledgment as he watched her walk away. If he lost this woman, he would never feel complete again. He had to keep her out of trouble.
First, he had to leave this damn hospital.
***
Sitting pretty in the oval-shaped dining table in her suite at The Continental, was Julie. She had a glass of milk to her side and directly before her on the table sat a file marked, ‘Confidential.' It had taken some doing, but she had finally gotten the information she needed. She had burned with fury when Red Notice had reached out to her, calling to report the botched job.
What sort of man fought off three trained, brutal professional mercenaries? A mere boyfriend? She didn’t think so. The next step had been to get Harry back into her bed which was no task, considering how eager he always was to be with her. Getting him to reveal Isla’s boyfriend’s identity was the trickier part, but she had succeeded, needing just a first name and a picture from Harry’s phone while he slept.
A few calls by Red Alert to some of his highly placed ‘friends’ in the police force, and she had gotten the file seated in front of her. Some good money had exchanged hands for this information, but, as far as she was concerned, it was worth every cent. She was certain the original was seated in some vault somewhere, but these were direct photocopies, and for the moment would have to do.
Her heart pounding, she turned the first page.