New York
"ANGELA!" SPENCER SAYS ANSWERING THE KNOCK to his hotel door to reveal Angela holding a large white bag and two coffee cups. "You're a bit earlier than I was expecting."
She smiles as she invites herself into the room. "I figured you could use a little breakfast."
He closes the door and turns to find Angela already setting out the contents of the bag onto the small table in front of the sofa. "I wasn't sure what you ate so I got a little variety," she says looking up at him.
"That's fine," Spencer answer shortly. "I meant to ask you about what you said yesterday about being ready for anything."
Angela pauses halfway with putting a bagel to her mouth and looks hard at Spencer. They lock eyes and she stares hard for a moment before saying, "Are you sure you want to really know what is going on here?"
"I was sent here to investigate and it is my job Angela," he says with sternness in his voice. "So if there is something you're holding back you need to let me know."
Angela bursts out laughing at the expression Spencer has taken on. "Come on Spence I'm not going to hold something important from you unless I felt it absolutely necessary," she says as she sets the bagel down onto the table. Then she taps the seat next to her and says, "Have a seat. I have something to tell you that will probably rock the foundations of what you know."
"Oh I don't think there is anything that can do that after what I've been through," he says as he takes a seat next to her. "Especially after losing Sam."
"Tell me about her," Angela says taking his hand into both of hers and looking at him with sincerity.
Spencer takes in a deep breath almost choking over his first words. He wanted to share this with Angela but he really wasn't expecting what it would be like to finally be able to do so. After a second he finally found his voice. "She reminded me a little of you, full of fight and energy. She was an amazing woman and I really wish you could have met her Angela I really wish you could have."
Angela returns his smile and energy. "I wish I could have too. How did she go? If...if you don't mid me asking."
Spencer's smile quickly fades and is replaced with a hardened grin. "Julie Branon, the niece of the leader of an organization called the
Black List
, killed her."
"The
Black List
?"
"It's a long explanation," Spencer says shaking his head.
"I know who they are," she answers reaching up with her hand and stopping his face with it. A questioning look spreads over his face which Angela quickly picks up on. "My boss, Michael Terrigian, is a member. It is what I wanted to talk to you about. I guess you were right about not being able to surprise you with anything."
"You already have," he says. "But why didn't he mention this to me. I'm sure he knows who I am considering Martin Sternigan already has it out for me."
"He didn't mention it because the
Black List
is behind the
Sanguine Consortium
."
"And do you have proof?" he asks skeptically.
"Not physically," she says looking away. "Everything I had was based on the word of Jianyu and now he's..."
Spencer reaches over and turns her face back around toward him to see tears streaming down her face. He was prepared to object to her accusations against the
Black List
. Sure he didn't hold a lot of love for the organization but he didn't believe they were the enemy, but now looking at the woman sitting before him crying over an old man that obviously meant so much to her, he was beginning to doubt even his own certainty.
"Is there anything else that has brought suspicion over Captain Terrigian?"
"Other than every time I get close to pinning some damn thing on the Consortium or even find who is leading it somehow the evidence disappears or I'm ordered to back off?"
"Have you tried Internal Affairs yet?"
"Haven't you been listening," she almost yells as she stands up. "The Consortium has its hands in everything as it has since my father was a cop. I don't know why I even bothered contacting the FBI."
Angela grabs her jacket and starts the leave when Spencer grabs her by the wrist stopping her and holding her in place. He doesn't say anything until she finally turns around and acknowledges him. "Wait. I didn't say I didn't believe you or that I wasn't going to help."
"Then what are you saying?" she asks crudely.
"I'm saying this day in age every leaves a trace and technology is the best place to leave it. He has to connect with the
Black List
through the computer so he probably does everything else on it."
"So you want to break into his computer?" she speculates.
"Exactly. If there is anything there we'll find it."
"Thank you Spence," she says as she jumps on his lap and wraps him in a hug. "I knew I could count on you."
"Why wouldn't you?" he asks when she pulls away to face him. "We'll go tonight after the captain goes home."
"Why wait until then?"
A puzzled looks crosses his face. "Cause that would be the best time unless you know something I don't."
She smiles. "I do. Terrigian has a weekly meeting he goes to around lunch. He'll be gone for nearly two hours."