Keeping Faith

Chapter Sixteen: Nonexistent Man

      It had been almost four months since Faith had seen David. Oh yes, he had gotten in touch with her once through Tony. But a third handed conversation was a little too public domain for her.

Of course, he had no choice. If it were up to him, he would be with her right now. She knew that. But with the undercover case still in full swing, well — it didn't look like he would be coming back soon.

Now Jonathan was flying down there too. Much to Sharla's dismay. He only told her that David was "in more trouble than he knew" and was off.

Faith had come over to stay with Sharla while Jonathan was gone. Faith pressed Sharla, "Do you have any idea where they are?" Sharla nodded, "Yeah, they're in Chicago. Some drug ring there or something."

Faith fumed, "Why did they have to pick David? Why didn't they use Chicago cops or the FBI?" Sharla shook her head, "Apparently they did, but time was running out. David's been offered a job in the FBI anyways." Faith nearly choked on the water she was drinking, "Wha — what?"

Sharla quickly regretted granting Faith that information, "Oh, he didn't tell you, did he?" She shook her head, "No. No he didn't." Sharla placed a hand on her friend's arm, "I'm sure he's going to. I just don't think he has made up his mind whether or not he will join."

She hugged Max tightly and nodded, "He would be a good agent, I'm sure." Sharla grinned, "Faith, he'd pick you if it came to that. But if you love him, you won't make him choose."

Faith shot a disapproving look at Sharla as she continued to pet Max, "I never said I was in love with him." Sharla nodded, "You're right, you didn't. But you didn't deny it — It's alright if you do. And I'm pretty sure that you do."

Faith asked her slightly puzzled, "What makes you think that?" Sharla grinned, "Because he's had that look for three years, but this is the first time I've seen it on you."

Carlos signaled for Anthony to follow him, "Come on, hurry up." Anthony rolled his eyes, "What are we sneaking around for. The car with the shipment is that way." He pointed toward the opposite direction.

Carlos nodded, "Sí, but we are not going to pick up the shipment." Anthony frowned, "Would you like to explain what we're doing then?"

Carlos mumbled under his breath in Spanish. Anthony sighed. He just knew that this guy was taking him on a wild goose chase. And his constant Spanish conversions in their conversation was only adding to Anthony's frustration. He wished he would have paid more attention in his Spanish class.

It would have made it extremely easier to converse with Carlos rather than constantly asking him to repeat what he said, only in English.

Carlos pointed towards the main office, "That back room is the one place I have never been allowed to go in. I've been here for a year now and the only ones that have entered that room are Darien, Sonny and Cora."

Anthony cocked his head, "Cora goes in there?" Carlos nodded, "Yeah. I think that is Vince's office. I'm pretty sure Cora is as much his as she is Eddie's."

Anthony sat there puzzled, he shook his head as he tried to wrap his mind around this new information.

Anthony finally inquired, "Wait, you've never seen Vince?" Carlos shook his head, "No, never." Anthony glanced at the man standing beside him, "Have you ever seen anyone go in there with food? Or is there a back door somewhere?"

Carlos shook his head, "That would be a no. On both questions." Anthony grinned, "Then Vince is an elaborate fabrication. He doesn't exist." Carlos narrowed his eyes, "Qué?"

That was one word in Spanish that Anthony understood. He began to explain, "Look, it makes sense. I think Vince is Sonny and Darien combined. They made up an untouchable leader in the form of Vince to make themselves seem less of a prize."

Carlos shook his head, "That doesn't make any sense at all. Why put the effort into creating a man that doesn't exist?"

Anthony shook his head, "I don't know. Maybe so that while we are working to capture a nonexistent guy they can get away."