by Jeff Uribe
[NRPG:
Alton : I expect that Jordan will have some questions for Leo and Zenya regarding their slight change of attitude.
Peter : I think that's all there is about the case so far. I don't think that I forgot that much. We've had some dead ends, but the bulk of the explanation is here. Oh yeah, and the reason why Leo and Zenya are declaring war on the Crosses is because they found out in NYC that it was Thaddeus that ordered the hit on their families that Docker was paid to carry out.
Sau woon : That "question" that was passed by Jim would be the one about her child that was miscarried in New York and could possibly be a clue as to when the switch was made, since the child was Starling's.
Zulu : Do we make a deal with the devil or don't we? Interesting dilemna. ]
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[Zulu Office]
> "What can you say about that! Now we can't even trust each other."
> "Well, I've already established Leo's identity beyond doubt," Jim smiled.
> "OK. It's good to see you Jim, and better to see you're alive and > well. We'd better brief you on the case."
Leo went over to his desk and checked to make sure everything was still there as Zenya decided to do the same. Vanessa smiled as she gave Jim a welcome back hug and Jordan checked his ransacked desk.
"Christopher's back." Vanessa told Jim, as everyone else came back to gather around them.
Jim looked surprised, a crease furrowing his brow. "I thought he was killed by Rebecca when she tried to get all of us?"
Jordan nodded, "So did we, but apparently it was some sort of clone that was killed instead."
Jim thought about this and cautiously asked, "Are you sure that it's Chris and not a clone that's back?"
Vanessa nodded with a smile. "The blood tests prove it and, well... it just feels right. He's back."
Jim smiled back, "Well, I'm happy for you and all." With a glance, Jim passed a question to Vanessa that she caught and frowned about, her mind thinking. "Anyone know who's behind this?"
"Not a clue as of yet." Leo said.
"Although we believe that the Crosses are behind it somehow." Zenya added, a frown crossing her face at the thought.
Just then, a familiar voice said from behind the group, "Whatever you may want to believe, neither dad nor Rebecca are behind any of this."
In one fluid motion, all five agents turned towards the door with their weapons drawn. Startled, Amanda Ericson took a step backwards with her arms up in front of her as she secretly marveled at how the entire group moved as one.
"Woah, woah..." she said as she tried to regain her composure. "Hold on, guys. I come in peace."
Leo and Zenya cocked their guns in unison as Leo said, "I find that very hard to believe. What do you want?"
Fear began to flood Amanda's system as she saw the steely fire of hatred and retribution burning in their eyes. "I.. I.. just came to talk." she stammered as she looked from Leo and Zenya to Jordan.
Jordan looked at the rest of the group and lowered his gun. Vanessa and Jim followed suit, leaving Leo and Zenya with their guns still drawn and beaded on Amanda and their fingers twitching just a little to much for Jordan's taste. "Leo, Zenya... let's hear what she has to say." Jordan said.
Fighting back the urge to blow her away, Leo reluctantly lowered his gun and reholstered it after making sure it was safe. Zenya did likewise as Amanda gave out a little sigh of relief. Amanda knew, right then and there, just how close she came to dying. That look of pure hatred in their eyes... she shivered unconsciously at the thought.
"I came to tell you that the Crosses are in no way involved in this case. In fact, dad wants to also find out who's behind this." Amanda turned her attention to Jordan. "It appears that whoever cloned Mr. Starling, also managed a clone of Rebecca." She dug into her purse and pulled out the photo of "Ann" Cross talking to Jordan and Vanessa on the steps.
Vanessa looked at the photo. "She said that she was Rebecca's sister."
"Rebecca does have two sisters, but none is a twin." Amanda said, as she put the picture on the desk. "Father was wondering if perhaps we could work together to find out who's behind this."
Martin looked surprised and said, "Do you really think we'd believe something as ludicrous as that?"
Amanda shrugged and said, "Believe what you want. The offer stands. I suggest you think about it, then give me a call with your answer. All of his resources would be at your disposal and we could find a resolution much faster if we worked together rather than against each other. You know my number."
As she turned to leave, Leo stepped forward and called her. Amanda stopped and turned to see what he had to say.
He leaned forward and said in a low voice, "When you talk to your father again, you tell him that Leo and Zenya knows what he did. Tell him also that what goes around comes around and payback is a bitch, big daddy Thaddy."
Amanda drew back, a confused look crossing her face since she had no idea what Leo was talking about.
Leo turned back to the group who was watching their exchange. "Make sure he gets the message."
Amanda then turned around and beat a hasty retreat to the door. Whatever Leo meant by what he said, she knew it wasn't good for her or anyone else connected to the Crosses. Little did she know that the message she was to deliver was a veiled declaration of war on the Crosses for what Thaddeus did to his family by a very pissed off Leo Jones.