Prologue

Heart pounding, Robert Dubose's throat constricted as he desperately waited for news. Thoughts deeply focused on the ensuing battle, the disgusting mess in his office continued to go unnoticed. Haphazard stacks of files littered every surface of his cluttered office.  The smell of many takeout dinners lingered in the air. The orders blended together until you could no longer tell one from another. Barely hanging onto the back of his desk chair, the arm of his long forgotten suit coat brushed the floor.

His constant pacing took him past his trash can that overflowed with empty water bottles and food wrappers. It stood. As a never ending reminder of his single minded obsessions. The burning desire of his to bring about David Murphy's ruin and death. At last, the very moment of the final showdown he'd dreamed of and designed had arrived.

Danger surrounded Tiana Alexander, the woman David Murphy had been hired to protect. Having been able to compromise not only David Murphy but the safe house as well has guaranteed that the two of them were no longer secure. In moments, they were under attack. The outcome of the siege would determine the path Robert's life would follow. His life, his entire future depended on the events playing out. If his plan went the way he'd envisioned, David and Tiana would no longer pose a threat a threat to him. They would be right where he wanted them, dead. If they somehow managed to survive, he was finished. The only question was would he escape with his life?

The minutes ticked by slowly creeping into hours. The indigestion that constantly plagued him grew into a raging fire in his chest. Rubbing his arms with sweaty palms, Robert's nerves burned and twitched making it impossible for him to stand still. The pain drove him giving him no other option but to give in to the need to move. He focused himself to focus his thoughts off of what was happening. Anxiety built inch by inch moving him closer to the edge with every second he allowed himself to think about David Murphy. His life relied on the action taking place, action he had no control over. Action that carried the potential to devastate him.

Grabbing at his tie, Robert yanked on it over and over. Gulping in air, his tie felt as if it was tightening with every breath he took. Finally able to loosen it from around his neck, he jerked it from his shirt and threw it down onto his desk. Shoving his hand into his pants pocket, he pulled out his roll of antacids. He popped them into his mouth one after another as quickly as he could. Chewing furiously, he prayed for any relief he could find from the heartburn. Swallowing quickly, he fought the nausea that was rapidly rising and threatening to spill over. Don't let me be sick, he chanted silently, not now. I'm begging you.

Robert's non-stop pacing around his office caused his legs to throb and ache. Reaching the window, he paused to peer out into the darkness where not even one star was visible in the sky. The vast blackness of the night reflected the evilness that marked the day. The light that illuminated the Washington Monument was the only object able to pierce the darkness. The symbol that represented American freedom, the symbol of truth he'd betrayed. Lost in thought, a sudden awareness dawned clearly.  The time drew near for him to face the aftermath of his actions. Shaking his head to dispel his pessimistic thoughts, a noise penetrated the silence surrounding him.

"Mr. Dubose's?" Speaking cautiously, Trent Davenport inched the door open enough to stick his head into the room. The long stressful day he'd had left his clothing rumpled. Silently debating the decision facing him, he chewed on his bottom lip. Carefully considering which direction he would take, he struggled with his conflicted feelings. If he followed his heart, he stood the chance that he'd become a traitor. If he followed his head, he ran the risk of betraying the man who had handed him his career. Reaching up to rub his eyes, Trent prayed his instincts led him down the right path.

Startled from the noise, Robert spun around while his heart hit him in the back of the throat. As he became aware it was only his assistant opening his office door, hr forced the rising panic down. "What is it Trent, any news yet?" Waiting around is killing me. My future, he'll my life is t stake here. Barely able to hide the signs of fear on his face, his stomach churned. Each second that elapsed was a constant struggle to conceal any and all of the emotions racing through his body. If I'm going to survive this intact, then no one can know what I'm going to do next. No one can suspect.

Swallowing nervously, Trent stepped into the room quietly closing the door behind him. Taking a deep calming breath, he straightened his stance as he lifted his head to face his mentor. Almost immediately, he recognized the tension in the room as it climbed up his spine. The air in the room was thick with scents of fear and sweat. Peering intently at Robert, Trent could feel the heat radiating from him. Sweat beaded on Robert's upper lip as he fidgeted where he stood. The signs of his distress were plainly obvious causing Trent to proceed cautiously. Shit, he looks like he's about to lose it, he thought, but why?

Squaring his shoulders, Trent prepared to deliver the information he'd acquired. "Yes sir, Mr. Dubose's, I do. The conflict has ended and the first reports are just now starting to come in. The files I've seen suggest that all the suspects are dead, although the search is still ongoing."

"What about Murphy?" Robert demanded as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Did he survive?"

"Mr. Dubose's, sir, it appears as if both Mr. Murphy and Ms. Alexander have survived the attack. However, Ms. Alexander was injured and is currently being transported by ambulance to the local hospital. We will know more about her condition once the doctors have had a chance to examine her." Shifting his weight from one foot to another, Trent chewed on his lower lip unsure whether or not he should pass on the rest of the report. Hesitating he stalled while he weighed is options. If I do, and my instincts are wrong, I will be opening myself up to a lot of serious trouble.

Catching sight of the anxious look that crossed his assistants face, all the muscles in Robert's body froze. In an instant, he knew that whatever the information was that caused Trent to pause wasn't going to be good for him. Whatever caused Trent to hesitate is about to end any future career I might have achieved. Damn you Murphy! "Spit it out Davenport. I don't have all day!" He ordered longing to end the conservation as quickly as possible. I'm running out of time.

Making the decision to warn Robert, Trent continued as sweat ran down his back from the stress. "It's just that ...well ...sir, they're sending agents here. They're on their way here with orders to detain you."

Reaching back for the arm rests, Robert dropped into his chair hanging his head in his hands.

Reaching Roberts reaction, Trent's face paled and his stomach clenched with the knowledge he'd made the wrong choice. My instincts were entirely off. "The rumors I've heard about you over the years were true", he accused. Right then Trent understood how mistaken he'd been to warn him. Ignoring what the other agents had said, he had refused to believe the stories that had flown around the office. Chose not to accept that he'd actually worked closely with the man who had attempted to murder not only an innocent woman but a fellow agent as well. Allowing himself to consider the number of lives that has been lost in the explosion at Tropical Dreams would be his undoing. How could I have been so wrong? Trent thought nervously as his fingers massaged his temples. How could I have missed the signs? Stop thinking about it, he screamed at himself. Find a way to stall him!

Grabbing his jacket, Robert picked up his briefcase full of files. Starting for the door, he stopped as Trent took hold of his arm. "Davenport, by now you've figured out I'm not a man to cross. If you know what's good for you then you'll take your hands off me this instant. I don't want to kill you." he growled furiously as his hand moved towards his gun. "I'll be damned if I let you stand between me and that door."

"Mr. Dubose's, sir, please!" Trent pleaded as he tried to gain control of his rising panic. Heart racing, his mind drew a blank as he tried to figure out what to do next. He understood all too well how dire the consequences he would face would be if he let Dubose get away.

Using the moment of Trent's indecision, Robert jerked his arm loose and raced out the door. Running down the hall, each step took him closer to freedom.