Frank Cooper sat silently at his desk digging through the mountain of legal papers that he had found inside the envelope. Eventually David Grant interrupted his careful study of the contents. "Hey, Frank. What are you looking over so carefully?"

"You won't believe this. These papers are requesting that I take Carmen and Pilar Santos to their house tonight at 6:00 PM."

"That's a good one, Frank." David laughed upon hearing Frank's remark. "You are joking, aren't you?" he continued after glancing at the serious look on Frank's face.

"No, I'm not. These papers are from the FBI; sent on behalf of a Colonel Dax from San Cristobel. It seems that the government down there is investigating a bank in San Cristobel owned by the Santos family. They want Carmen and Pilar at the Santos house tonight for questioning while they look for documents about the bank at the house."

"You're not really going to take them over there. With Carmen's connections in San Cristobel, this could all be a set up to escape!" David exclaimed as he leaned across Frank's desk.

"We don't have a choice, David. These papers are the real deal. I called the FBI offices and verified them myself. Forget getting off early tonight for that date with Vicky; you will be accompanying me on a prisoner transfer."

David slammed his fist on the desk in frustration. As usual, there was something fishy about the latest events with the Santos family. He wondered if it would be possible to sneak into Casa Santos before that meeting tonight to check things out. He wasn't going to let Carmen Santos escape on his watch.


***


David sat in the police cruiser outside the gates to Casa Santos. It was a half-hour before the scheduled arrival of the prisoners. He had managed to convince Frank that he should take a car and an uniformed officer to insure the security of the Santos compound before the prisoners were brought in. David was confused about one thing, and it made him much more suspicious. They were scheduled to meet the FBI and agents of he San Cristobel government here, but there wasn't any sign or indication of any agents on the grounds. David instructed the uniformed officer to remain with the squad car. "Tell Cooper that I went inside to find out what's happening since I don't see any FBI agents or vehicles around."

David slipped up towards the house unnoticed. He began walking from window to window; silently hoping one was open or unlocked. When he approached the terrace, he noticed a French door slightly ajar. After looking for any signs of people around outside, David entered the dark room inside the door. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he was shocked to see Michelle on the sofa and a strange man sitting at a desk. 

"David, what are you doing here?" Michelle whispered.

"I was sent ahead to secure the premises before they bring Carmen and Pilar here."

Michelle looked at Miguel as she asked David, "Why exactly are Carmen and Pilar being brought here?"

"We have orders from the FBI to bring them here for questioning by an agent of the San Cristobel government," David replied. "I was a little concerned when I arrived and there was not any sign of any FBI agents to secure the premises. We wouldn't want this to turn out to be some farfetched escape plan of Carmen's."

"Trust me, it isn't," Michelle commented. "By the way, Detective David Grant this is Colonel Dax. He's the agent of the San Cristobel government that Carmen is being brought to speak with."

David looked at the man behind the desk. He felt uneasy about this meeting, but David could tell that Michelle apparently knew something about what was happening. After all that Carmen had done to Danny and Michelle, David knew that she wouldn't stand for Carmen having any way to escape her punishment. "I need to radio the officer outside and let him know to tell Frank that Colonel Dax is here."

Miguel nodded and David made his call. When he was finished, David inquired about checking out the rest of the house.

Miguel spoke, "When all of my guest arrive, we will go into the dining room. Please let me have the element of surprise to get the answers I need."

Michelle nodded at David to indicate that it was okay to wait. He reluctantly recalled how he had failed to trust and believe in his friend during that trial. Maybe trusting her now would alleviate some of the awkwardness that had been present between them. In his heart, he had always known Michelle could have never killed Ben. However, David knew he had let vengeance towards Carmen for causing his father's stroke cloud his judgement about Danny and Michelle's roles as members of the Santos family. David nodded his head in understanding and they waited several long minutes. Finally the doorbell rang.

Michelle heard Dietz answer the door. She could hear the muffled voices heading towards the dining room. She heard Danny's deep voice greeting Ray, Bernard and Nino. The bell rang again. This time, Michelle was shocked to hear Theresa's voice greeting Danny as he answered the door. Michelle pressed her ear closer against the closed door trying to overhear what was being said. Her heart filled with joy as she heard Danny firmly put an end to Theresa's purring about dinner alone by saying, "The other guests are in the dining room. I have no idea why you were invited, but Michelle arranged this gathering, not me." Michelle could just picture that hussy's pout as Danny pointed her to the dining room before answering the doorbell again.

Prince Edmund stood at the door as Danny answered. He could tell that his one time friend was surprised to see him on the doorstep. As Danny was beginning to speak, Edmund heard footsteps behind him. He was shocked to see Detective Cooper and three uniformed officers escorting Carmen and Pilar in the door, also. Danny escorted this last group of guests into the dining room. As they were getting settled, Miguel opened the study door and instructed David and Michelle to enter the dining room before him. As they entered the dining room, Danny looked up and saw Michelle. He immediately rose from the chair and crossed the room in a few long strides, wrapping his arms around her as soon as he reached the doorway. "Where have you been? Are you alright?" he whispered in her ear so the guest would not hear.

"I'm fine. I think you need to sit down before this continues. The fireworks are about to begin," Michelle quietly said into his ear. 

After everyone was finally seated, Dietz entered the room talking on his cell phone. He walked over to the dining room door and opened it as the person on the other end of his call instructed. Everyone studied the man in the doorway. The silence in the room was broken by Carmen's shocked gasp, "Oh my God! This can't be. You're supposed to be dead."


Parts 34-36

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