"Yeah, they'll see the plane was rented to me and when they find our blood and I.D.'s they'll think we died," Rian said. When she finished she put the tubes in her pocket and began putting the bodies in the seats. She put the seatbelts around them to hold them up and placed the headsets on their heads.
"Are you ready?" Rian asked Ari as she programmed the autopilot to climb back up to seven-thousand feet and run for an hour. When it stopped running the plane would crash into the National Forrest in Washington State and burst into flames. Or at least, that was her plan.
Ari nodded and waited for Rian to put on the backpack. She hooked the tandem straps around Ari and snapped them to her straps. Then, she clipped the small backpack to her straps.
"Here we go," she yelled as she pulled the door open just enough for them to fit through it. They were just above five-thousand feet. Rian held onto Ari tightly and jumped into the wind.
They spiraled at over a hundred miles an hour as they quickly fell through the sky. Rian counted in her head using her training to evaluate when they hit three-thousand feet. When she got to the bingo number she pulled the cord and the parachute flew out of the backpack and filled the sky above them like a large red and blue balloon. Ari jerked against her as the chute cut their fall speed in half. Rian grabbed the side cords and began looking for a landing spot away from people. She found the water next to the mountains and directed their descent in that direction.
A few seconds later, they hit the water with a huge splash. Rian unclipped Ari and pushed her to the surface as she sank down with the parachute on her back. It took her longer than she wanted to get out of the straps and swim away from all of the material to get to the surface. Ari was bobbing ten feet away frantically searching for her.
"I'm over here," Rian yelled as she swam towards her. The water was cold, but the shore was only a few feet away. Rian looked back, thankful the parachute sank to the bottom. Hopefully, no one saw them come down.
Ari's teeth chattered. "I didn't see you come up. I thought...-"
"I'm okay," Rian said. "Just swim as fast as you can baby. We have to get out of this water."
They reached the shore and Rian crawled out of the water and turned around. Ari's face was blue and she was shivering. Rian grabbed her and pulled her out of the water.
"I'd rather die like this, than at the hands of my father." Ari was shaking so bad she could barely talk.
Rian wrapped her arms around her. She knew hypothermia was setting in. She needed to get Ari warm and soon. She walked her up into the woods and opened the backpack. She quickly opened the emergency blanket.
"Strip your wet clothes off and wrap up in this," she said to Ari as she did the same. They huddled together in the warming blankets. Rian had their clothes hanging in a tree a few feet away.
"Do you think our clothes will dry?" Ari asked. She was still cold, but wasn't shivering uncontrollably anymore.
"Probably not completely, but they will be dry enough for us to move tonight."
Chapter Eighteen
Rian and Ari hiked most of the night through the mountains in their damp clothes. When the sun came up they were cold and hungry and had another mile to go before they finally found a town.
"We need to get moving," Rian said as she used the phone inside the gas station to call a taxi service.
"We need some dry clothes," Ari said back to her. She was huddled in the corner by the heater. "What's the next step in the plan?" she asked. Rian walked over to her and held her hands out to warm them.
"Our taxi's here," Rian grabbed her hand and hurried to the waiting car. "I'll explain everything soon. I promise," Rian ran the back of her hand over Ari's warm cheek.
"Take us to the Pacific Central Station, please," Rian said as she pulled Ari against her to try and keep her warm.
Both women watched the beautiful trees and buildings go by as they drove through Vancouver to the train station. Rian kept note of certain places as they neared the station. She handed the driver a handful of Canadian Dollars that she exchanged her U.S. Dollars for in the store where she made the phone call.
"Wait here. I'll be right back," she said to the driver and Ari who stared back at her through the open window.
Rian moved quickly inside the train station. She'd only been there once and that was half a dozen years ago. She maneuvered through the thin crowd towards the ticket area and luggage lockers. She went down each row until she came to number nineteen-nineteen. She pulled the chain she had hidden under her shirt. A small silver key was on the other end. She stuck the key in the lock and the door popped open revealing a small container. Rian looked in both directions, satisfied no one was watching her she opened the container and put all of its contents in her inside jacket pocket. She closed the container and relocked the locker before hurrying over to the ticket line.
"Two person cabin on the Canadian, please," Rian said to the woman behind the glass. She watched her type on her computer. When she asked for I.D. and payment Rian handed her two cards from the contents in her pocket. One was a Canadian I.D. with her picture on it and the name Olivia Dawson on it. She also handed her a Visa card with the same name. The woman input the information and ran the card. She smiled and handed both cards back to Rian along with two train tickets. She was thankful for some of the things she learned while working as a government agent. One of the biggest was having a safe place in another country in case you were ever compromised.
Rian rushed outside and got back in the waiting car. "I saw a street market a few blocks over there," Rian pointed North. "You can drop us off there."
Ari watched Rian pull a map out of her pocket. It was marked in various places in red pen with notes written on the side margin. She folded it and put it back in her pocket when the car stopped in front of the large indoor flea market style shopping center. Rian handed him a few more bills and got out of the car. She held her hand out to Ari.
"Let's go shopping," Rian said as they walked inside. "We need a few changes of clothes, toiletries, and a suitcase. Get something warm and comfortable."
"What were you doing at the train station?" Ari asked as she started down the first aisle.
"I'll explain everything later. We need to hurry our train leaves in less than three hours," Rian said as she grabbed two pairs of jeans and a sweater from one of the tables. She also picked up a suitcase big enough for their clothes and the backpack she'd been carrying. She watched Ari move around the booth looking at the various clothing items for sale.
An hour later they had walked the entire market. They quickly changed and packed their suitcase in the restroom. They tossed their old clothes in the trashcan and brushed the fur off their teeth.
"I feel somewhat better," Ari smiled.
"Me too. I have one more thing to do, then we can grab something to eat and head back to the train station." Rian led them towards the market exit.
~
Rian and Ari boarded the train and made their way down the narrow hallway towards cabin number twelve. Rian opened the door to a seven foot by four foot room with two fold down bunks against the wall and two small chairs against the window. There was a small closet on one side with drinking water, towels, pillows, sheets, blankets, and a small compartment for luggage. The other side of the room had a small door that led to a tiny bathroom with a toilet and a sink. Ari walked in and sat in one the chairs. The room was small, but cozy enough for two people.
"Dinner will be served in the dining car in two hours. If you paid for in-room meals they will be distributed once the dining car opens for service," the conductor said as he walked down the hallway.
Ari watched Rian store their suitcase and sit in the chair next to her. "I'm sorry I couldn't tell you anything. I have no idea if we're being followed, so I have to take every precaution."
"I understand," Ari said. "I trust you, Rian. I am a little curious though. We pretty much left everything behind in that plane."
Rian grinned. "Blame the American gover
nment or at this point thank them," she said as she stretched her legs out and turned the cabin heater on full blast. "One of the first things they teach you is how to survive if you're ever compromised. You need a safety net in another country. A little over six years ago I traveled around Canada and I decided to make it my safety net. I purchased a baggage locker at the train station and stashed a fake Canadian I.D., a prepaid Visa, a map of the country with personal marks about certain places I've been that are safe, and a few other items. I never thought I'd need to access that locker."
"Wow. You're like 007 or something," Ari laughed.
Rian shook her head. "No. More like a model FBI agent that did everything by the book and a paranoid retired agent that's trying to stay alive."
"Well either way, I am glad you followed the book. What was that package you mailed?"
"A throw away cell phone with instructions."
"Who did you send it to?"
"Leann," Rian said. She watched the slight change in Ari's face. "I'll call the phone in a day or two since we have some time before we get to our destination. Hopefully, she can give me some updated information."
"What is our destination?"
"Toronto. We arrive in about three and a half days. Then, we cross the border."
"We're going back to the States?" Ari raised an eyebrow.
"Washington, D.C. actually," Rian stated nonchalantly. She watched out the window as the train pulled away from the station.
"Isn't that a little crazy, Rian?"
"No. Not really, as long as Walsh thinks we're dead. I'll be able to get close."
"You're not going to follow him are you?"
Rian nodded. "I have to catch him meeting with your father. It's the only way to take them both down."
"What are you going to do if you catch them together?"
"I don't know yet," Rian looked at her. "Do you care about your father, Ari?" Rian paused. "Should I call you Arianna?"
"I've always been Ari to you and always will be."
"For the record, I think Arianna is a beautiful name. It fits you well. What's your middle name?"
"Francina."
"That's pretty too."
"Thank you." Ari smiled. "How do you think I feel about my father?"
Rian shrugged.
"He took away the only thing that ever mattered to me in this world." Ari grabbed Rian's hand. "Whatever he has coming to him won't be enough as far as I'm concerned."
Rian nodded and squeezed her hand. She honestly wasn't sure how she was going to end this fiasco, but one thing was for sure, Philip Walsh and Fiorino Canturri would never be able to hurt her or Ari ever again, she would make sure of that.
~
Two days later Rian pulled the throw away cell phone out of her pocket. It was identical to the one she sent Leann. She dialed the programmed number and waited as it rang.
"Hello," Leann answered skeptically.
"It's Rian."
"Oh my god! Finally, I was starting to worry," Leann said as she rushed out the building towards a spot outside where she could talk without being overheard.
"How is everything?" Rian asked.
"Hectic, crazy. Your funerals are both Thursday. The captain went a little overboard, I think he secretly had a crush on you," she laughed.
"So the plan worked?"
"Oh yeah. They found the plane wreckage and bodies the next day and they were sent to a lab in Washington that confirmed both identities. It was all over the news."
"Perfect," Rian said a silent prayer that her plan was working so far. "Did you do everything else that I asked?"
"Yes. As soon as you guys were airborne I went to your place and took out all of the stuff on your list and torched it in the incinerator," Leann said. "Where are you guys?"
"Canada."
"What's next in your plan?"
"I can't give you any more information, Leann. They may come question you and you know too much as it is. Just know that we are safe. Call the news reporters and have one of them film the services or at least take pictures. I need to see who attends both. Throw that phone in the incinerator when you hang up with me. I'll call you in a couple days on the other phone I sent you."
"What if I don't hear from you?"
"Then I'm dead."
"Be careful, Rian."
"Always," Rian said before she hung up.
"Well?" Ari said.
"We're officially dead. Our funerals are this Thursday."
"I've died twice and had two funerals in one year. There should be some kind of record for that or something," Ari said sarcastically.
"The good thing is so far everyone's buying it. Leann said it was all over the news. The clincher will be if Walsh shows up at the service. I know your father will probably avoid a trip to the States. He may send someone though."
"It will be my brother probably," Ari said.
"Brother?"
"Valentino Canturri's my half-brother. He's ten years older than me. How did you not know about him?"
"Our records indicated Valentino was Fiorino's nephew, not his son," Rian said.
"Val's an asshole and he's my father's right-hand. He has been groomed to take over since he was old enough to talk. If anyone from my father's organization shows up it will be Val."
"Is he the one that set up your death?"
"Yeah. Well my father met with me face to face. When I agreed he left the country and Val handled all of the details. He's smart, I'll give him that, but he's as corrupt as my father if not worse. I know as my father's right-hand he's personally killed numerous people. Val's dangerous," Ari said.
"I guess I didn't have the Intel on your father that I thought I did if I didn't even know about his two grown children. One of which I was living my life with," Rian shook her head. "I think Walsh may have been proofreading my Intel before it came to me. That son of a bitch, I wonder how long he's been working with your father."
"I have no idea. I'd never seen him before when I met him with you, but I was gone for over two years. Maybe it happened during that time," she shrugged.
A knock at the door startled both of them. Rian jumped up and checked the peephole. She opened it when she saw the server waiting patiently with the dinner service cart.
"Filet mignon with mixed vegetables for two with cheesecake for dessert and two glasses of red wine," the woman said as she handed everything to Rian.
"I was starting to wonder if they had forgotten us tonight," Ari said as she folded the table down from the wall next to the chairs.
Chapter Nineteen
The train lurched to a stop at union Station in Toronto. Rian grabbed their suitcase and ushered Ari towards the exit car. They walked briskly through the station and hailed a taxi outside. Rian looked at the red marks on her map and directed him to a nearby hotel.
"I need to regroup," she said to Ari.
"It will be nice to be immobile for a little bit. I feel like I'm still on the train."
"Me too," Rian said. "It'll pass."
After they checked into the hotel Rian took a long hot shower to wash away the week of grit and grime that was stuck to her skin. The hot warm water flowing down her back sent her mind back in time. She physically missed Ari. They hadn't made love since Ari returned to her and Rian knew she was the one holding back. She loved her so much and was so happy to have her back in her life, but every time she touched Ari, she was reminded of the night she lost her.
When Rian came out of the bathroom in a robe Ari went straight to the shower. Rian grabbed a new throw away phone from their suitcase and dialed the programmed number. She was relieved when Leann picked up.
"How were the funerals?" she joked.
"Sad," Leann said.
"I'm sorry you had to deal with that." Rian paused and walked over to the window. Their room was on the seventh floor and the view of downtown Toronto was breathtaking. "Did you get any pictures or video?"
"Yes. A news photographer owed me a favor. He got about a
hundred photos."
"Great."
"I also overhead a weird conversation between the FBI Agent named Walsh and another guy."
"So, Walsh was definitely there?" Rain asked.
"Oh yeah, he spoke. They pretty much did both funerals together and he stayed for the whole thing."
"That rat bastard." Rian paced the floor. "What did you hear him say?"
"He was sitting alone for the service, but when it was over he was walking with another man with dark hair. I was parked in that direction so I pretended to be upset and crying like everyone else as I walked along close to them. Walsh told the other guy to tell his dad he'd see him soon and he turned away and went in another direction."
"Hmm, I bet that was Val," Rian said to herself.
"Who's Val?" Leann asked.
"Ari's brother."
Leann laughed. "And the plot thickens."
"No kidding," Rian said. "Are the pictures on a disk?"
"Yeah, do you have a way to see it where you are?"
"No. Damn it," Rian said. "Wait, can you print a few of them?"
"Yes, my printer prints photos in the lab." Leann said.
"Okay, print the ones of Walsh and everyone he talked to especially the dark-haired guy," Rian said. She gave her the address to a P.O. Box close by to send them to. "Do the same thing with this phone that you did with the last."
"When will I hear from you again?" Leann said.
"When this is all over," Rian said as she hung up.
~
Rian had her back to the bathroom door when she heard it click. She turned around to see Ari standing a few feet away wearing only a white thick terrycloth robe. Her blond hair cascaded down her shoulders and her two different eyes were shining brightly in the dim light. She smiled softly. She was just as beautiful as the day Rian met her.
Rian crossed the room and stopped in front of her. She reached down and pulled the belt loose keeping her eyes on Ari's as the robe opened. She pushed it back off Ari's shoulders, bent her head slightly, and kissed her. It had been so long since she tasted the sweet, softness of Ari's mouth. She ran her tongue around the edge of her lips before slipping inside. Ari matched her pace dueling for position and gasping for air.
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