"The Virtuoso"

War and Peace

Once Andreas sent over the video, he looked over at Mona. Sitting in the chair in her condition, she tried her best to hold her head up, but she was extremely weak. Andreas walked over to her and leaned in to whisper in her ear. "He's never going to come for you. You disgust me. You're damaged. I'm not letting you out of my sight again." He grabbed a fistful of her hair so that her face was towards him. "I should have killed you when I had the chance. You disobeyed me. I will crush your spirit. Lure him here. And finish the both of you off myself."

Dembe looked back at Raymond. He was still staring out the window, taking deep breaths. "Our enemy seems to have the upper hand, Dembe," Raymond said suddenly. " I desperately need to find out where he has her captured. But at the same time, I know that's exactly what he wants. We are in a tough situation. I don't like feeling this vulnerable, this helpless. He has left me feeling exposed, knowing damn well my feelings for Eleanor have affected me in some way." His phone started to ring. It was Harold. " Raymond, Aram has filled me in on what has transpired. We are working hard on honing in on her location. Donald and Samar have joined a team to patrol the streets and surrounding areas of the club. Aram, what have you found?" "Mr. Reddington, I was finally able to find her. He has her in an abandoned building off of State Street." "Thank you Aram" Raymond started to say, but was interrupted by Harold saying "Raymond, you need to let us help you in this mission. I don't want you to be so blinded by your anger and need for revenge that you put yourself and the team in danger." Raymond sighed deeply and replied "Harold, you really think I want to be part of your team? Play by your rules while you send your team on a suicide mission? You will let me find Eleanor on my own and end this madness." Raymond hung up the phone and tossed out of the window.

Meanwhile back at the post office, Donald's phone began to ring " Reesler" he answered promptly "Reesler it's Cooper" Harold replied. "Raymond has taken it upon himself to rescue Eleanor and the other young women. He thinks you and the rest of the team may be in danger. Continue to the location but keep a sharp eye out." "Will do," Reesler replied. Samar gave him a knowing look. " You don't have to say anything, Samar," Reesler said. "I can see it in your eyes. Raymond is going to try and go through this alone. It is beyond aggravating. It pisses me off that he wants to always play the hero that saves the day. Like he wants to make a constant fool of me. A mockery of me." "Reesler" Samar said calmly, " I can assure you that is not the case. Not in this situation. Eleanor clearly means something to him. They have a connection that runs deep. He is genuinely concerned about her well-being and safety. I don't blame him for taking every precaution." Reesler sighed and said "Well when you put it that way, I guess it makes sense." He proceeded to take the walkie-talkie and say into it "All units, we are pulling over temporarily."

As Dembe approached State Street Raymond said "We need to pull over. He will most likely have cameras surrounding the place. We need to be calculated and silent here. An ambush of sorts." Dembe nodded and pulled into a nearby parking garage. "Raymond" Dembe said quietly " Is this girl really worth it? I know you, my friend. You run high on your emotions. Even if they serve a purpose, in the long run, is this worth it?" Raymond pondered his words for a moment then said "Yes Dembe. With absolute certainty. Eleanor means a lot to me. This is worth it." Raymond then proceeded to call Reesler and Aram. "Raymond, what have you found out so far?" Reesler asked. "A moment Donald. Aram, I am on State Street. Am I anywhere near the location?" "Mr. Reddington there is an abandoned art gallery two blocks away. There is a lot of foot traffic there. I would say start there." Raymond and Dembe got out of the car, their guns concealed. Another car approached them. It was two other members of Raymond's team. "It is the middle of the afternoon, rush hour. I highly doubt Andreas would be stupid enough to gun down innocent civilians." Dembe said. "Well, you never can know their level of intelligence until the moment strikes them." Raymond murmured. They entered through the alleyway, determined but focused.

Andreas was pacing the room, looking very angry. "Does nobody listen when I speak?" he suddenly screamed into the darkness. "Where the hell is he?"

Little did Andreas know Raymond had come up with a plan. His agents would take out the guards in the back entrance. The guns they would use were silent, the bullets would not make a sound as they took out the enemies. Raymond and Dembe would enter through the front. Aram would hack into the security cameras and make sure Andreas wouldn't suspect anything.

"Sir, the cameras have gone dark." a henchman said suddenly, breaking the silence. "What are you talking about?" Andreas said angrily. He walked over to the screens to see it for himself. He pressed a finger to his ear and said "I need a visual of what's going on at the lower levels." On the other end of his earpiece was nothing but static. "Now you're scared, aren't you?" Eleanor said weakly, breaking into a smile. She was sitting upright in the chair, hands tied behind her back. In a fit of rage, Andreas hit her across the face so hard that he knocked the chair over on its side, causing Eleanor to scream out in pain. Andreas motioned to his assistant and he proceeded to grab her wrists forcefully and tie them in front of her body. She was crying out in pain and doubled over on the floor. "If you know what's good for you, you will shut up and not say another word." he said angrily. "She should be allowed to speak as freely as she feels". A familiar voice echoed through the room and silent bullets flew and struck down the two henchmen in the room beside Andreas. Out of the darkness appeared Raymond and Dembe. "On your knees, Andreas," Dembe ordered. "The FBI are on their way. It's over." Andreas froze in place, as Raymond lowered his gun and walked over to him. He noticed Eleanor sprawled out on the floor and knew what he had to do. He hit Andreas with the back of his gun and had Dembe drag him to the chair. As Dembe restrained him, Raymond walked over to Eleanor. He kneeled down beside her and laid a hand on her cheek. He pressed a finger against her neck to check her pulse. "She's still alive, by some miracle of God." he said, sounding relieved. He then turned to Andreas. "Now, shall we get started?"