Rick Holmes
Junior Member
That's interesting...
Posts: 62
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Post by Rick Holmes on Mar 7, 2017 19:04:20 GMT -6
Rick opened his door and waited for Anna to join him in front of the truck. Once she got there, he offered his arm for her to link hers through, then led her across the parking lot.
As they walked, Rick's steps slowed for a moment as he said softly to her, "I almost forgot to tell you. Joseph is...well, he's not exactly "normal", particularly in how he looks. He had an accident that pretty seriously scarred half of his face. Try not to stare, but be ready for him to try and use it to freak you out. He's been known to be a little melodramatic when it comes to letting people see the scars. He thinks it's funny."
Smiling encouragingly at her, he increased his walking speed to normal again, turning his disarming smile onto the walking mound of muscle holding the door open, though it was obvious that it was wasted effort. Yet, when the goon made as though to pat him down, Rick's smile turned hard, a look in his eyes that Anna had surely not seen before: a promise of painful death. Unnerved, the bodyguard stepped back and motioned to the door leading into the private dining area, from which a combination of smells indicated that a large spread of delicious breakfast delights awaited.
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Fadó Pub
Mar 7, 2017 20:06:06 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by Anna K. on Mar 7, 2017 20:06:06 GMT -6
As she gets out, she smiles at him and looks over to the place, passing her hands over her clothes to look like a little less creased. And then placing her curly and long hair to the side, she must be looking like a teenager right now, for sure her hair is a mess since It had dried in a natural way...Probably something like Bon Jovi in some 80's videoclipe. She sighs and thinks It was not that bad since the guy they are going to meet has no face. So the way she looks probably isn't going to be a ruge problem. She looks at Rick and smiles feeling importante as her arm holds his, and while he talks she pays attention. And then she chuckles..."Rick, please, I never stare. I worked in a pub. We get used about ALL kind of people...And we learn to desguise.." she smiles and goes ahead as he leds her. She look at the big guy at the door and then over Rick, he was really handsome and had a such beautiful smile, she frowns a bit sabia eyes seems to become darker unconsciously she pulls him a little bit close, imperceptible for the look of the big man but for sure Rick feels It...She looks away and then as they got inside she feels the delicious smell of the good as her stomach aches...she was starving... saying nothing she looks around as a little smile plays on her lips she whispers.."seems delicious..." She looks up att him by her side and for the first time she gives him a beautiful smile.
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Post by Rob on Mar 9, 2017 20:10:44 GMT -6
As his two guests entered, Joseph turned and faced them fully. Eschewing his usual theatrics concerning his scarred features, he made a simple gesture toward two nearby chairs for them to join him.
"Please, sit down, Mr. Holmes and Ms. Manccini," he invited, sitting down at the table himself. To forestall any outbursts of surprise or denial, he added, "I am fully aware of who you are, ma'am. But, to be honest, I couldn't care less, especially in the situation I'm in now. There's been a bounty on your head for quite some time now, one that I've no interest in collecting, insulting as the amount being offered is anyways. So, please, eat. If you're to take any part in what's going on, you'll need your strength. And, please, if you have any insights you can offer, it would be more than welcome."
Turning his attention to Rick, he said, "As for you, Mr. Holmes, I take it that you and I have a common enemy in Ms. Donner. She's responsible for my best friend's capture, and has betrayed your friends in the C.I.A., marking her for death from both sides of the criminal line. I intend to walk into their compound and blow her and her boyfriend, Mark's, brains out. What can you say to change my mind, hmm?"
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Post by Anna K. on Mar 10, 2017 18:37:57 GMT -6
Anna is still smiling when, some more steps inside, she sees the man. She blinks for a moment and remembers what Rick said, she looks down and then to the man's hand making a gesture to them. She looks at Rick once again and then over the man. She follows Rick as he moves beside her , she stands there as the man says her last name, she feels the blood going down on her feet for a moment her knees shake, but Rick was there and she was save, holding his arm. "Thank you" was low but enough to be heard. She gives a little smiles but more becuase she was really nervous. And then the man talks to her and she blinks, she says nothing. But he knew who she is..."Insights?!", still low....almost a whisper..., she wonders what does it means, maybe the flute, she is not going to tell him a stupid dream and song following her, not even about the light, he would laugh of her. She looks at Rick and then the man talks to him. She will have a conversation with Rick, maybe he will say if it is really a insight...she says nothing else, she sits down as the big man approches and pulls the chair, slowly she leaves Rick's arm, but she is not going to eat unless Rick says it is really safe.. she smiles a little over the man in front of her, she feels sorry for him, but he was already talking to Rick about business, so she is not really important what is very good considering her life till two days ago.
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Rick Holmes
Junior Member
That's interesting...
Posts: 62
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Post by Rick Holmes on Mar 10, 2017 19:44:58 GMT -6
Rick smiled as he assisted Anna to her chair, pulling it out for her, then sitting in one next to her. He pulled a plate over in front of himself, then grasped for a pair of tongs, placing a few pancakes, some sausage links, and a few pieces of bacon. As he buttered and syruped the pancakes, he thought quietly to himself as Joseph spoke. He glanced over at the criminal ringleader, reaching under the table with his free hand and squeezed Anna's reassuringly, flashing her a quick grin and nod to confirm what Joseph had said about his not being interested in her. Dream or not, it seemed that he had a greater ability to "read" people than ever before, had since after the incident on the jet.
Letting go of Anna's hand, he began to eat as Joseph spoke to him, ensuring that his outward attitude was that of giving as much attention to the man's words as possible. In his mind, however, was the thought that Joseph was being unusually forward, unusually truthful. He looked up at the scarred features before them, studying the set of the man's eyes, his body language. It came as a shock to Rick that he completely believed everything Joseph was saying, something that was unprecedented in the agent's experience.
Setting down his fork, he reached for the container of orange juice and poured a glass for Anna, then one for himself. He sipped at the juice, then said, "You want us to convince you to not take action, you say. Why would I, or the Bureau, do that? Anything you do will be an asset to my mission." He toyed with the fork for a moment, then speared one of the sausages on his plate with it, holding it before his eyes as though inspecting it as he added, "I have skills of infiltration that perhaps only your friend could even come close to matching, and I know that you have no others in your employ that could say the same. However, I must ask that you keep a sharp rein on your temper.
"Agent Donner is my target. Anyone else is fair game. I'll even leave her boyfriend for you. From what my office has discovered, it's him you have the most grief with anyways. What do you say?" He took a bite from the sausage and chewed with relish as he waited. He did love a well-prepared breakfast, after all...
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Post by Rob on Mar 10, 2017 20:06:17 GMT -6
Joseph reached over to a plate with fruit on it, snatching an orange from the pile, refusing to meet his guests' eyes. A frown seemed to be permanently etched into his features, and it was obvious that he'd been losing sleep. He was beyond stressed. If the other two were to examine him closely, they would notice that his clothing was wrinkled, not anywhere close to the pressed-and-creased perfection that was his normal.
He peeled the orange as he considered Rick's words. Popping a segment of the orange into his mouth, he finally looked up into the agent's eyes. "Make no mistake," he said around the mouthful, "if I run into her first, she will die. She's responsible for drawing out my friend, the closest thing I have to a living brother, and getting him captured by a man that has so far: beaten, tortured, raped, and perhaps killed. If I were as much a monster as they are, I would be far more interested in paying them in like kind for their sins against me and mine, but I am actually human, after all."
Sighing, he started pulling over more food and heaping it onto his plate. He was famished, not having eaten in some time. Strangely, having Agent Holmes, an agent of the F.B.I. no less, as an ally soothed his ragged nerves, making him realize just how hungry he was, especially since he was sitting there and watching the man eat. The food smelled amazing, too.
"All right," he finally said as he added condiments where appropriate. "I will allow you your chance to take her out. But, as I said, if I find her first..." He made a cutting motion in front of his throat with the butter knife to illustrate his point. "She betrayed your government, she betrayed me. I'm sure you appreciate my position."
He smiled, the expression feral on his twisted features, as he stabbed the knife into a strawberry and brought it up and ate it from the knife's point.
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Post by Anna K. on Mar 10, 2017 20:22:01 GMT -6
Anna blushes as his hand touches her under the table, and she feels he is giving her confidence. Blushing and smiling in return. She watches him embaressed as he pulled himself a plate and do the same, not really paying attention in the conversation right now she watches all the food they have, slowly she serves herself pancakes, eggs and bacon. Anna feels there is no need of fancy manners over there, she doesn't look at the man in fornt of her or she won't eat. At same time she bites of the bacon,serving herself juice, she thinks about offering Rick, but she knows it is better not to bother him right now. She eats, slowly, savoring her food, drinking her juice, but when Rick starts to talk she blinks, saying nothing, but all that death conversation isn't something she is used about. Swallowing the food with some difficulty she drinks her juice, all of it, as they talk about kill the girl and her boyfriend. All she thinks about right now is that she is glad she was not the target for now, shaking her head slightly she lifts her eyes and then looks right to the man and then over Rick, something was really wrong, she feels the blood running all over her body, something like a heat covering her, she desguises it, but her skin burns, a drop of sweat slowly rolls over her back, that is uncomfortable and then happens, the man in front of her sttabes the strawberry, Anna gives a slightly jump in fear, and the food seems a big ball of fire into her mouth, she chews it slowly, filling her glass with more juice, she is a mix of pale and fever at same time, she drinks as it helps her tô swallow the food, she was really hungry, but her stomach now aches, she leans slowly over Rick and whispers..."I'll be right back, need to go to the Ladies room", she stands as her eyes already is scanning the place, "Excuse me", she sees the sign and saying nothing she walks over there, thinking about how people should be talking when she was the target...closing the door, she slowly lets her body slides on the wall by the door, tears filling her eyes, Anna still has a lot to learn and all that conversation takes her mind to a dark place, full of death and pain...she sighs trying to breath and not cry, slowly she stands, washing her face as someone whisper "We are almost there", she turns around, there is nothing there, she blinks, the sound is gone..."Great , you are raving now?!" talking to herself, she washes her face again and again, making it a little red now, she dries herself and walks back to the table...."Sorry.." she tries a smile to Rick whispering as she sits back down.
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Rick Holmes
Junior Member
That's interesting...
Posts: 62
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Post by Rick Holmes on Mar 15, 2017 17:07:30 GMT -6
Rick watched with a concerned frown as Anna stood up from the table and excused herself. He'd seen her facial features twisting with discomfort as she tried to eat. As she disappeared into the ladies room, his eyes flashed angrily toward Joseph, then to the plate she'd left behind. "I sincerely hope," he said through clenched teeth, "that you haven't done something incredibly stupid, Mr. Penfinici. You and I need to be allies in this affair. But, if you've done anything to harm that young woman, I fear that you won't be leaving this establishment on your own feet. A body bag, perhaps."
Hearing the shuffling of the bodyguard's feet as the massively muscled man moved toward him, obviously intent on making him pay for his threat, he turned slightly and glared at the other man, daring him to make the first move. Seeing such a confident demeanor, the guard stopped moving, looking to his boss for instruction. At that time, Anna had come back out again, and had once more slipped into her chair. Rick slid his hand back into hers, murmuring, "Everything all right?" though he kept his gaze locked upon the bodyguard.
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Post by Rob on Mar 15, 2017 17:17:20 GMT -6
Joseph leaned back in his chair, as surprised as the Agent was at Anna's abrupt exit. He'd noticed the distress she was in, and was concerned, though not to the extent that Rick seemed to be. He decided that prudence was required, and motioned to one of the servers to prepare to call an ambulance.
When Rick voiced his threat, though, his own expression hardened. "You'll get that one for free, Agent Holmes," he growled as he motioned his guard away. "I understand that you're concerned for Ms. Manccini. Therefore, I won't have your body disposed of in the cardboard crusher out back. But, you understand this...You won't get a free pass a second time."
Wiping his mouth with his napkin, he tossed it onto the table and rose to his feet. "I think our business is done. I'll provide you with your distraction, you do whatever it is that you intend to do. Kill the bitch of an Agent if you must, but you will leave Rolbard to me. Are we clear?"
Without waiting for an answer, he left the dining area, heading for the building's rear exit.
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Post by Anna K. on Mar 22, 2017 14:49:15 GMT -6
Anna's face was still red, as she sits down Joseph stands, follwing him with her eyes she looks up at him and then she looks away and down, she sighs as she hears Joseph's last words. She looks at Rick and whispering she says "What did I miss, Rick?" she blinks and her eyes moves over him. She doesn't want to eat anymore, "What's going on?" she wonders about telling Rick what happened in the bathroom, the whisper , but she doesn't. "Are we living as well? Anna's eyes were between a deep blue and a dark green , a mix of fear and pain at same time. "Rick.." she whispers approching of his ear as she says..."That man, Joseph, is he human?" was very, very low, her face is blushed, her breath is inconstant, Anna seems to be anxious about something, sometimes she could feel her skin was hot , sometimes she was shivering...she lows her eyes as she tries to remain calm.
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Rick Holmes
Junior Member
That's interesting...
Posts: 62
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Post by Rick Holmes on Mar 27, 2017 18:44:11 GMT -6
"Crystal clear, asshole..." Rick muttered as Joseph left. Then he turned his attention to Anna, looking her over carefully for signs of any symptoms. Clearly, she was still shaken up a bit by whatever it was that had driven her to the restroom. A look of regret crossed his face as he reflected upon the thought that he might have pushed her into something she wasn't ready for, perhaps never would be.
"I'm sorry," he said. "Yes, our meeting is over. Nothing of too much consequence was decided, though. It went about as well as I expected, and I managed to pass along the warning the Director wanted given to Joseph and his organization: the Bureau is involved, and we won't tolerate any interference. I would have preferred a more peaceful end, but I actually somewhat expected Joseph to take my presence a bit more personally. He must be really worried about his friend."
As he spoke, he finished up eating the food on his plate; no sense in letting it all go to waste. At Anna's whisper, he suppressed a shiver that went through his spine at her hot breath upon his ear, then glanced over at her and nodded. "Yes," he said, wiping a bit of pancake syrup from his lips with his napkin. "He is, indeed, human." Curious about what caused her to ask such a question, he added, "Why do you ask?"
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Post by Anna K. on Mar 27, 2017 19:19:25 GMT -6
She smiles a little shy and shakes her head slowly shrugging slightly, "I...am not sure, I had this feeling, about this place, about that man", she mover her head a little so she can stare into his eyes, " I left the table, because all that conversation about killing the woman was making me really sick, I couldn't eat hearing you both talking about it, I ...I only could thought about myself being the target, you know, the way you both were talking, about her and the boyfriend, was too much, sorry Rick, I am not used about this, I've been hunted for so long, I...it makes me sad and sick...." a little smile playing in her lips. She was not afraid anymore since he is there next to her, but at same time afraid of all this. Serving herself some water she sips and licks her lips.."Rick..." She sighs again and looks at him, she leans slowly close to him again..."I believe I am having those things they call post traumatic stress disorder, like I am going nuts or something.." she whispers because she still thinks someone is around and is able to hear them..."In the plane, the song in my dreams..and as well in the bathroom when I was taking a shower, the song was playing again...and then a moments ago, here, I heard voices ...weird, they said..."we are almost there" ..and the song was there again...Do you think I am going crazy?" gently she places her hand on his, it is very cold, she shivers as she remembers...her eyes touches his...he is able to notice she is shaking..."I am really afraid....I don't want to feel sick this way..." she blinks and pulls her hand away to grab the glass and drink more water, as she does he is able to notice she is trembling...
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Rick Holmes
Junior Member
That's interesting...
Posts: 62
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Post by Rick Holmes on Mar 27, 2017 19:31:29 GMT -6
Rick's distraction was swiftly forgotten as it was replaced by concern. He had, indeed, been the cause of her distress. "PTSD?" he said, frowning a bit in thought. Then, shaking his head, he added, "No, you don't express any of the other symptoms. But, I can definitely understand how this has sounded to you. I am so very sorry, I shouldn't have involved you in this meeting. You must understand, however, that this is not an easy thing I am committed to do. I don't take life needlessly. In fact, if at all possible, I would rather she be taken alive and tried in a court. But, the reality of the situation is that she has dangerous knowledge that could endanger thousands, if not millions, if she were to utilize it in a harmful way. At the very least, the security risk to undercover agents across the globe alone would require her to be silenced. Some of the agents are posted in countries that, if discovered, would go to war with the US in minutes, if not hours."
He watched her as she reached to her glass, still troubled. "Anna," he said. "I don't know just what sort of belief system you have in place, so far as religion or spirituality is concerned, but I want to ask you something. You don't have to answer right now, but I do want you to think about it. Come..." He rose to his feet, offering a hand to help her to hers. "Let's go to the hotel. The Bureau has a secure reservation for me there. You need some rest. I want you to consider letting me do something similar to hypnosis on you. It will let me explore your psyche very deeply, but I think I can root out whatever it is that you're having difficulties with, and we can deal with it together." He smiled as he said the last word, hand extended.
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Post by Anna K. on Mar 27, 2017 19:52:30 GMT -6
She lifts her eyes as he stands watching him and then his hand as he talks to her, she smiles gently and takes his hand "Rick, I don't think now I have a religion to follow, I used to go to the church every sunday with my parents but ..you know ..not anymore" his strong hand on hers makes her feel better about all this, she walks beside him over to the door, she nods to the waiter and to the workers as she tries to follow her thoughts, they walk and she also tries to follow him, Rick is a tall man and one step of his means two of hers, he is walking elegant and she seems in hurry following, Anna is a pretty woman, but sometimes she looks like a little girl, and this thoughts makes her chuckles, she nods to the man at the door as they walk to the car, she watches him as he opens the door for her and with a smile "Thank you" she gets in and puts the seat belt on, she sighs deeply and turns on the radio, smiles at the song playing, as Rick sits beside her...she closes her eyes as she enjoys the song and feels comfortable and safe again...."Rick, you don't need to apologize, after all you are saving my life..." she getly places a kiss on his cheek and chuckles as she returns to her place and closing her eyes she relaxes. Even with PTSD or not, she was really grateful for him to cross her path or she to cross his...she smiles slightly as he drives to the hotel.
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Rick Holmes
Junior Member
That's interesting...
Posts: 62
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Post by Rick Holmes on Mar 27, 2017 20:34:16 GMT -6
Rick took the most direct route to the hotel, not yet concerned about being followed. Besides, he felt a strange urgency to check this out. He still wasn't sure if the vision he'd had on the jet had been a dream or was real, but he was beginning to suspect a pattern forming. While he drove, he utilized the truck's bluetooth connection with his phone to call the hotel and alert the clerk that he was coming, gaining assurance that the room was ready and that a man would be waiting with the key.
He pulled into the hotel's parking lot a few minutes later, driving the truck around to the rear of the building. When he pulled up to the entrance to garage built into the lowest level of the hotel, he waited until he was approached by a hotel employee. Rolling down his window a few inches, he spoke with the man a few moments before rolling the window down further to accept the key the other man slid through. Obviously, some code phrase or words were used as a means of recognition, but they had been so innocuous that it was virtually impossible to tell what they were, exactly, as they had fit so well with a standard "Welcome to the hotel, sir" speech.
The door rolled up and Rick drove inside, the door rolling back down just as the rear of the truck cleared the space for it. He got out, retrieving Anna's things for her. He led her to an elevator inside the garage, inserting the key into the face of the button panel, this allowing them access to the restricted floor. Once they arrived, he led the way to the nearest door, using the same key to open it and let them inside the spacious room.
It was, in actuality, a single large room, but with definite separate sections. There was a dining area that had a small kitchenette, a sleeping area that had two queen-sized beds, and a living room that even had a desk for a work-space, wires for internet connections and mobile device charging laying across the desk. A door led to an equally spacious bathroom, a sunken tub, separate shower stall, and a double sink sharing space with the toilet.
Rick set Anna's clothes on one of the beds, her box and remaining items on the floor next to it. Smiling reassuringly, he took her by the hand and took her over to the work area, sitting her in a chair across from another that he took himself. Sliding close to her, his knees touching hers, he said, "Relax, Anna. I don't want you to think about anything."
Reaching to her hands, he held them comfortably in his own, locking his eyes directly with hers. They were a pale blue, nearly like ice chips, yet with a warmth in them that would have melted the ice long ago. He began to breathe in a particular manner, slowly, deliberately, in through the nose, exhaling gently through the mouth. The sound of his breathing, soft as it was, dominated all other sound inside this soundproofed sanctuary. His eyes seemed to be beckoning her gaze, drawing her into his eyes. The warmth slowly changed to intensity, a single unspoken impulse being directed through them to take her into her own mind and touch whatever it was that was at the core of her current emotional distress and draw it out.
As he did this, his eyes grew a deeper shade of blue, nearly seeming to glow suddenly. He went ridged, Anna's hands falling from his as they spasmed before his fingers clenched tightly into fists. His breathing became ragged, seeming to be coming from a hyperactive bellows. His eyes clenched tightly shut, memories of his own...or, rather, of another lifetime...began to play out behind the lids, years passing in a few instants at a time, threatening to overwhelm him. He rode out the mental barrage, however, being disciplined enough in thought, thanks to his training, to know that to resist would break his psyche.
A few seconds that seemed decades later, he opened his eyes again, revealing the blue glow to be dying away, as if a door inside him was reluctantly closing. He looked at Anna, wondering just what it was that this simple hypnosis session had triggered in him. Still panting slightly, he raised a brow. He retained a few flashes of memory from the vision, if that was what it was, and a name kept trying to leap to the tip of his tongue.
He finally spoke, his voice straining slightly as he said, "Who is Brandy?"
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