The Nomination:

This one gripped me the entire story. The element of fear, shock and heartwrenching decisions came through so clearly. The suspense was palatable, right up through the ending. The descriptions fit the mood and darkened the entire setting. There was a distinct chill... from the set to the emotions...and the writer pulls you in from the first sentence, tipping her hand only as much as necessary, a brilliant balance from start to finish.

Chapter 1

The snow finally stopped. The improved visibility came as a relief to the men positioned on the roof of the abandoned building. Their black uniforms stood out against the white snow layered on the grey concrete barrier they knelt behind. From a distance, they appeared as vultures waiting for some prey to enter their realm.

The cold synthetic stock fit perfectly in his left hand, like a carpenter’s favorite hammer. Mixed with the metallic odor of his Remington was the stringent smell of oil and cleaner he had recently used to clean his rifle. It tickled his senses reminding him of past times when he knew it like no other partner before or after. After having it drilled into him during his stint with the SWAT team, he continued the habit of keeping his rifle well-oiled and prepared for use at all times and he practiced often, at least once a month.

The erratic wind tousled his hair and cooled his skin but the sweat continued to slide down away from his hairline. He couldn’t recall a time while he was with SWAT where he had been this nervous. He had been in complete control then, of course now was different. Fighting to remain focused, Jack again assessed the choppy wind pounding him from his view on top of the two story building across from his target not but 100 yards away. Jack took into account the angle of the target below him sheltered from the wind by surrounding buildings and made the necessary adjustments, never removing the crosshairs of his scope from its target.

He could feel the snow melt below his knee, penetrating the material of his pants. And while Jack’s rapid beating heart was keeping his body warmer than normal in this cold weather, he was still fighting to keep a chill from invading his body and cause any shaking. Knowing that he should have prepared his current position more thoroughly but not having the time to do so, Jack tried not to think about the cold now penetrating into his leg. Fortunately he had thought enough to place a heavier material over the top of the half wall he was using as a prop and support for his arm and rifle.

Jack waited to hear word from his team that they had succeeded in turning off the electrical fence surrounding the building or had found some other means to enter the courtyard saving him from the horrendous task laid before him. If they could only get closer where they could contain the situation, then his skill as a sharpshooter would not be needed and her life would not end.

Kneeling next to him, Myles watched through binoculars the scene below with mounting anxiety. While Myles allowed emotions with regard to the woman below complicate his thoughts, he mostly worried about the man by his side, confident of Jack’s ability but hesitant in Jack’s capability to keep his heart at bay. Myles prayed for both his friends, the one next to him held ramrod with duty, and the other held in what appeared to be a trance of anger, fear and torment. One he could help, the other he could only watch and pray for God’s unwavering love.

Blinking only enough to keep his eyes moist so his target remained in clear view, Jack maintained his stance, waiting for engagement to take place.

Keeping himself detached from his victim was almost impossible as emotions flowed through Jack pounding his heart and flooding his mind. Fortunately, years of training helped him to focus on the job at hand and kept all other thoughts aside. He had to keep thinking of them as a target and a victim, nothing else. If he didn’t keep his focus not only could he endanger the victim but he could cause considerable pain to his . . . to his target, something he couldn’t allow . . . not to her. He had prayed for another means to contain the situation but now realizing that there was nothing else that could be done, he now prayed for the bullet to be accurate and for her to feel no pain, no awareness that her life was to end. He wanted a merciful kill, if there was such a thing and he prayed God would understand and forgive although he knew he would not find any forgiveness in his own heart. Pulling every ounce of strength from within himself, Jack kept vigil through the crosshairs and knew within a millisecond that the time has come.

Hearing Myles’ yell next to him, Jack finished a slight exhale and held his breath while gently pulling the trigger releasing a .308 caliber hollow-point bullet which flew straight and true into the victim just behind her right temple, directly into her brain, killing her instantly. Jack never let his eyes leave the crosshairs, focusing intently on the bullet’s path and watched with heartbreak as the bullet reached its target. As soon as Jack knew the victim was safe Jack allowed the rifle to fall to his side and he slumped to the ground and sat in the snow leaning back against the cold wall he had been using as a prop for his shot.

He knew she felt no pain and while this provided some comfort, he began to shake with the knowledge that her life was gone, ending before it had really begun. Jack sat numb, unable to feel emotion, drained of everything, only knowing that his life would never be the same.

He sat, not moving, unaware that the team had finally gained access to the courtyard but only seconds after his shot broke though the cold air; unaware that his friends had been frozen in their places by that sound and had watched in horror as she fell in a heap upon the concrete ramp where she had only been standing seconds earlier.

If Jack knew that within seconds they would have been inside the courtyard, he would have still fired the shot knowing that even then they couldn’t possibly have gotten to her in time. Now Jack just sat watching a few snowflakes fall, reminded of a time just two days ago.

Chapter 2

(Two days ago)

Snow began to float down through the air, not a glimpse of the morning sun peaking through the covered sky. Jack fought to keep the steaming contents contained to the Styrofoam cup as he drove cautiously through the slushed filled streets. Driving carefully over a small pile of snow created by a snowplow, he parked the car next to the curb and rewarded his efforts with several sips of hot coffee.

Sue, the Special Investigative Assistant on his team, had been watching and waiting from the lobby of her apartment building. She hurriedly approached Jack’s car and opened the back door, tossed in a bag and let Levi, her hearing dog, into the warmth of the car. She then opened the front door and climbed in next to Jack giving him a shivering but radiant smile. “Good morning. I’m frozen already.”

Flashing Sue one of his award-winning smiles as he pulled the car back onto the street, Jack countered, “Its colder than a witch’s . . . oh, never mind.” Sue smiled, familiar with the saying but appreciating his reserve. He could do no wrong right now especially after his kind treatment toward her last night. She had been at a low point yesterday trying to make sense out of the emotional collage in her head and Jack had listened, given advice and finally just held her while she cried her mind clear. Touching the bruises on her face left behind by her encounter with a light post two nights ago, Sue wondered how she ever let her date’s bitter comments bother her and create such doubt about herself and her romantic future. After a good cry, an attentive listener and several strong hugs, Sue felt more herself. Jack certainly could understand her, better than anyone else. He was her training agent and they worked well together so it was only natural that they had begun to spend social time together as well, a few lunches and an occasional dinner.

Removing the lilac scarf from her long blonde hair, Sue turned in her seat admiring the picture Jack made in his heavy black trench coat. He looked comfortably businesslike, if there was such a thing. “So what’s the plan this morning. It’s quite cold to stand outside isn’t it?” she asked hopefully.

Jack waited until a red light required him to stop before turning to answer Sue. He almost never had to think anymore about turning to face her so she could read his lips. It had become a natural part of his posture and he often found himself turning to face someone when he spoke even if they could hear. “Bobby tried to line us up with a van but didn’t have any luck. So, we’re doomed to be popsicles today. I hope you wore your thermal underwear.” Seeing Sue’s confusion over the thermal underwear part, Jack finger spelled the words for her.

“Oh . . . I came prepared.” Sue pointed to a duffel bag sitting snugly behind her seat.

They soon arrived at Stuber Park and quickly transferred into Bobby Manning’s vehicle parked along the north side. Levi made a quick detour by a tree before joining them in the new vehicle.

“Why can’t bad guys take time off during the winter?” Bobby laughed at Sue’s comment. “Because little-missy we would be out of a job half a year and, while that sounds appealing, my girl Darcy has become used to dinner out once in a while. No job - no money - no girl.”

“Like Darcy dates you for your money.” Shaking his head, Jack turned and winked at Sue who sat in the front passenger seat. Jack brought their attention back to the case as he commented “Hubbard called last night.” Jack had been receiving anonymous calls providing leads in their case. Yesterday they linked the calls to Steve Hubbard, a son of a former business partner of Peter Marinelli, a local godfather of crime and their main target in this case. Hubbard’s father, Phil Michaels, had died violently years before and Marinelli had been the prime suspect then but Marinelli used well-paid connections to keep himself out of jail and the case remained unsolved.

Risking Jack’s displeasure, Sue giggled and asked “Did he want to share golfing tips?” When Sue and Jack visited Hubbard yesterday he had been practicing his putting skills when he sent an errant golf ball out his front window. Unfortunately, it broke the window at the time Jack and Sue were getting ready to knock on his front door. Assuming they were being shot at, Jack took evasive maneuvers pulling Sue to safety, and then apprehended Hubbard by dragging him through the broken window. Only after Hubbard was secured in handcuffs did Jack realize his mistake. Hubbard had been nice enough about it, even jokingly giving Jack a golf ball as a souvenir, but Jack still felt bad about the whole incident.

With a threatening smile at Sue, Jack continued to talk about Hubbard’s call. “Hubbard remembered reading in his mother’s journal an entry written just days before her death. She wrote something about Baston lying to her and Hubbard assumed she meant that Baston was lying about any involvement in his father’s death.”

“If Baston was lying about his innocence in the death of his partner Michaels, then Marinelli could have some very interesting information for Cobb today, something that would ruin Baston’s political career.” With a thoughtful frown, Bobby propped his arm along the back of the front seat. “Controlling Baston would be very easy if Senator Martin (Cobb’s employer) had such information.”

Jack nodded his head in agreement. “And, Senator Martin could get the land he wants zoned for development without Baston continuing to stop the process with cries of endangered field mice or some other environmental crisis.”

“So, we arrest Cobb and find out what information Marinelli gave him, right?” Sue looked questioningly at Jack.

“No. We don’t have any evidence of wrongdoing, just suspicions. So far we know that Cobb is expecting a ‘shipment’ from Marinelli, probably information. Until we have something concrete, we don’t make a move. Bobby, update Tara and D (Demitrius) and tell them to stay put unless I give the signal. I don’t anticipate making an arrest this morning. I think our next step will be to approach Senator Baston. See if Lucy can arrange a meeting for us later this morning. I think we better get ready and into position before Marinelli and Cobb get here”

Sue jostled the car as she piled on layer after layer of clothes much to Bobby and Jack’s amusement. While she struggled to add more clothes, Jack donned his ear piece and stepped out of the vehicle.

“Hey Sparky. Remember, Marinelli might recognize you being that you tried to arrest him a few years back. Just make sure he doesn’t see that ugly mug of yours. Keep it lip-tight, if you know what I mean.” Jack turned his back to Bobby while Sue blushed deeply. During their recent surveillance, Marinelli came close to seeing Jack but thanks to Sue’s quick thinking in kissing Jack, Marinelli never saw his face. While the kiss had been work related, their response to each other had been purely personal. And Bobby loved to annoy Jack by bringing up the subject of the kiss whenever possible.

Jack assisted the now plump and stiff Sue from the vehicle leaving Levi to keep Bobby company. Jack fought back laughter as her normal graceful gait now waddled beside him along the sidewalk. The sidewalks were too slick for walking so they trail blazed their own path through the snow to the same bench on which they stood for the last surveillance. Sue giggled recalling how Jack had lifted her up to the bench so she could see their targets better through the tops of the evergreens standing tall behind the bench.

Jack bounced on his feet, trying to keep the cold at bay. Sue, quite comfortable in her layers, kept a watchful eye out for their targets. It was not long before Tara warned Jack over the earpiece that Cobb was entering the park from the south. Within minutes, Marinelli’s black Mercedes pulled to a stop on the east side of the park and Marinelli stepped from the back seat, wasting no time in approaching Cobb. Jack and Sue pushed closer against the evergreens hiding from Marinelli’s view as he approached almost parallel to the bushes.

Once Marinelli was out of view behind the evergreens, Sue tried to lift her leg in order to climb on the bench but her abundance of clothes would not allow her to bend her knees. Jack put both arms around her thickened waist and awkwardly lifted her onto the bench. Sue glared down at him, daring him to say anything. Jack wisely remained silent although Bobby, who had a perfect view from his car, made a few humourous comments to Jack.

Sue watched the two men through the top of the evergreens. They could not tell that she stood on a bench, not that she was really noticeable among the branches especially in her white outfit and blonde hair.

Jack stood below her and listened attentively as Sue quietly relayed their conversation. “Cobb . . . here’s the payment.” Sue watched as Cobb handed Marinelli a thick white envelope. Marinelli then handed Cobb a large manilla package. “Cobb wants to know where the rest of it is . . . Marinelli says that it’s safe . . . everything his boss wants is in the envelope . . . if it isn’t enough, call me . . . they’re leaving. . . wait . . . Marinelli is looking around . . . he’s heading this way.” Sue felt old panic set in and thought, Not again.

Quickly helping Sue down from the bench, Jack knew from previous experience there was no place to hide. He knew what they must do. Not sure whether his heart raced from adrenaline or excitement, Jack turned to Sue anticipating the kiss that would hide his face from Marinelli. After all, it had worked last time.

Sue turned away from the bench where she had picked up something. She faced Jack, knowing very well what his intentions were this time around. Their first undercover kiss had been instigated by Jack; their second kiss she had started; and now the third, well let’s just say that Jack had no idea what was to come.

As Marinelli rounded the evergreens, Jack leaned in anticipating the warmth he would find once their lips touched. Instead, all Jack felt was cold . . . severe cold and he could not see as a cloud of snow engulfed his face. Taking a step back, Jack slipped on the icy sidewalk and reached out for something to hold on to, grabbing Sue in the process. Sue, awkward with her new layered figure, could not keep her balance and fell as well. Jack hit the ground face first landing in a pile of icy snow while Sue fell down on Jack pushing his face further into the snow.

Marinelli spied the couple at play in the snow. Relieved that he had been incorrect in his feeling he had been watched, he turned and returned to his car. Jack gently rolled Sue off of him and looked for Marinelli, spotting him as he stepped into his car and drove away. Jumping to his feet and brushing pounds of snow and ice from around his face and his collar, Jack sputtered with angry bewilderment. He was taken completely surprise by Sue’s action, the second time this week, and he was not sure he liked being on the receiving end of Sue’s antics.

Sue lay in the snow looking up at the weary sky. She could not get up thanks to her outfits and her robust laughter was not helping either. Jack glared at her with a gleam in his eyes. “What was the big idea?”

“Well, the big idea was to keep your ugly mug from being seen. It worked didn’t it?” Sue teased with a playful grin on her face.

“Getting an attitude, are you? Then you can just watch my ugly mug walk away leaving you to cool off on the cold ground.” Jack turned away and began to take a step when he thought he heard Sue begin to cry. He quickly turned back and helped her to her feet.

“Sue. I’m sorry.” Great job Jack. Just what she needed, another reason to cry.

Once Sue was up on her feet and standing firmly on the ground, she looked over at Jack with a twinkle in her eyes. “Thanks Jack. See your ugly mug back at the car.”

“What the . . .” Jack stood transfixed at Sue’s departure, his mind scrambling to comprehend her behavior. Knowing that he had just been duped, Jack turned to thoughts of revenge. Two can play at this game. That’s two points for you; one for the kiss earlier this week and another for the snowball. But I’m just getting into the game.

As Jack followed Sue back along their beaten path to the car, over his earpiece he could hear Bobby’s tormenting laughter. Finally accepting his fate, Jack joined in with his own deep laugh as the snow began to fall heavier filling the air with a haze of white.

Chapter 3

(The Bullpen)

Levi trudged into the office and collapsed beside Sue’s desk where he could keep an eye on the activity in the room and snooze whenever possible. While Levi watched with sleepy eyes and attentive ears, Bobby and Sue poured cups of coffee and talked to Tara and D who had arrived minutes earlier.

Stirring creamer into his second cup of coffee, D asked about Jack. “Wasn’t Jack with you?”

Bobby failed to contain a laugh and expelled a loud snort. “He’s changing his clothes.” Bobby turned to Sue, realizing that she missed D’s question and tapped her on the shoulder. When Sue faced him, Bobby nodded toward D. “He just asked about Jack?”

Sue giggled while Bobby continued to laugh all the way to his desk, sloshing coffee over the sides of his cup.

“My, my . . . I detect a new Sparky story? Do elaborate.” Myles sat straighter in his chair in anticipation of the answer.

“Let’s just say that Jack is living up to his name. Sparks were definitely flying earlier this week in Stuber Park. They were just snowballed today.” Bobby laughed hard encouraged by his own joke.

Sue blushed and cleared her throat. “Jack fell in the snow.”

“There must be more to the story than that?” Lucy approached Sue who sat protectively behind her desk. Bobby’s sly comment and Sue’s blush did not go unnoticed by her sharp eyes.

“Why don’t you ask Jack.” Sue pointed to Jack who has just walked in looking attractively handsome in a black sweatshirt and worn jeans. Feeling all eyes on him as he entered the bullpen, he knew instantly that Bobby had already shared his humiliating news and he felt the heat rise in his face.

D approached Jack. “So, are you going to enlighten us or are we going to have to bribe Bobby for the information?” D winked at Bobby as he waited for his answer.

Surprised Bobby had not shared the story and with relief Jack looked at Sue. “She’s the one you need to see, not Bobby” Watching Sue blush, Jack playfully smiled with small satisfaction over her discomfort. Somehow I don’t think you’re going to be very comfortable explaining why you threw snow on me. Just the beginning of my payback babe.
Sue felt all eyes directed at her and the warmth on her face grew greater. Biting her lip, she looked back around the room at her coworkers, not sure how to answer, knowing there was no way to avoid them. She could not tell them about their earlier kiss this week and how she avoided it today with the snowball. That would be too embarrassing and awkward. Sue hoped that a partial explanation would satisfy the natives. “I threw a snowball at him.”

Lucy let out a deflated “Oh.” She was disappointed in Sue’s answer having hoped for a more exciting story. Looking to Jack, who stood by the coffee pot with a cup to his nose, she wondered why a snowball would be so funny to Bobby and so embarrassing to Jack and Sue.

The smell of the coffee as he poured it tantalized his nostrils. Taking a deep breath, Jack silently enjoyed the first sip before turning back to address the group and saving Sue from further explanation, at least for the moment.

“Cobb and Marinelli made their exchange this morning. Tara, have SOG keep us on hourly updates as to their whereabouts. Lucy, were you able to arrange a meeting with Baston?”

Distracted from her mission for the moment, Lucy grabbed a pink piece of paper from her desk and handed it to Jack. “Yes, Baston’s working from home today and is expecting you at 11:30. I told him you needed to discuss a security issue with him.”

“Good. Sue and I will visit Baston and let him know our suspicions. Perhaps Baston can provide some light on what information Cobb now has in his hands. If not, we’ll see if Baston will assist us if Cobb or Senator Martin try to contact him.”

Placing his coffee cup on his desk, Jack spun his chair around and plopped down with a defeated weariness. Facing the bulletin board, he sat with arms crossed, frustrated with the lack of evidence and information in the case. They were not getting anywhere and he could feel Marinelli slipping from his grasp, no matter how hard he kept his grip tight. Jack rubbed the bridge of his nose trying to relieve the pain developing behind his eyes. He searched the deep regions of his brain for something, some item they may have missed.

Bobby watched Jack with understanding and concern. He felt inadequate in his ability to help his friend especially since he was hitting the same walls when it came to evidence in the case. Bobby stood working a kink out of his back by twisting one way and then the other. Feeling some relief to the tension in his back, he walked over and sat on the corner of Jack’s desk. “Hey mate.”

Jack leaned back in his chair and sighed. “It’s falling apart. We don’t have anything but a whole lot of speculation. If Baston can’t help or refuses to cooperate, we . . .I can’t justify continuing our surveillance.”

“I know. Let’s face it. We never had anything in the first place.” Seeing his friend’s eyes darken with anger, Bobby quickly calmed the fire. “I want Marinelli too. But we can’t create something out of nothing.”

Jack nodded understanding Bobby’s words just not wanting to accept them. Clamping his hand on Jack’s shoulder, Bobby resigned to remain optimistic. “Okay. Let’s see if Myles found anything in the Michaels’ file.”

Both men turned and looked over at Myles who sat holding a file on his lap, right ankle propped on left knee as a stand for the file. Absentmindedly he played with his suspenders until brought to full attention when he pulled one suspender to far away letting it snap back on his chest. With a small outcry, Myles rubbed his wound.

Smiling gleefully at Myles’ discomfort, Bobby broke Myles away from his pain. “Myles. Have you found anything in those files yet?”

Still rubbing his chest. Myles responded resoundingly. “Yes. We need to start employing higher educated individuals. The spelling and grammatical errors in the reports . . . its appalling.” Seeing Jack and Bobby’s displeasure in his comment, Myles rescinded his answer and responded properly. “No. I have not found anything relevant or useful. This case is not coming to fruition.”

“Frew-what?” Bobby wrinkled his nose and turned to Jack for clarification.

Sitting at her desk with a pink pen twirling in her hand, Tara quickly offered a definition. “Fruition. It means completion. The case is not coming to completion or going to be solved.”

D watched fascinated by the bright yellow feathers extending from the top of Tara’s pink pen and wondered where she found her collection of oddities. Turning his attention back to the conversation, he added, “You can say that again. We’re running into dead-end after dead-end.”

Jack leaned forward slightly pausing with both hands waiting on the arms of the chair to push his body upwards. With head bent, he spent a few seconds gathering his thoughts. Pulling himself to his feet and standing tall, Jack looked around the room at the talented group before him. Knowing they were waiting for something inspirational, he could only offer minimal encouragement.

“We still have some things to work with. We’ll keep following Marinelli and Cobb and observe any future conversations between them. Sue and I will visit with Baston and see what we stir up. In the meantime, D and Bobby, I need you to help Myles in reviewing the Michaels’ case. I just have a feeling we’re missing something there. Tara, can you run a check on Baston’s financials before we head to our meeting? It might come in handy. Hang in there everyone. We still have a few more plays, let’s make them count.”

The team returned to their work, no longer feeling defeated but not entirely encouraged. Sue watched Jack as he returned to his desk. She was unaware of the conversations before Jack’s final speech, not knowing anyone was speaking until she saw Jack move to stand. But, she could gather from Jack’s slight pep talk that the team was feeling frustrated from the lack of positive results. She knew how important this case was to Jack and the others. Until this week, she had never heard of Marinelli but had since heard of several cases that had slipped through their fingers thanks to some connection paid for by Marinelli. She feared that this case would end the same.

She watched Jack sitting head bowed at his desk. He sat tensely, hands together in a thumb battle with himself. Looking in Sue’s direction but not at her, he stared unfocused for several minutes. Finally, he raised his head and found Sue’s watchful eyes and for several seconds he allowed himself the luxury of losing himself in their depths, forgetting everything else.

Sue sat perfectly still, afraid to move, afraid to blink.

After silent seconds, Jack regained focus, looking down quickly and then back at Sue who smiled softly, conveying support. He returned her smile grateful for her presence. They both looked down to read files on their desk, their exchange never far from their thoughts.

(Baston’s House) - continuation of Chapter 3

The neighborhood screamed new money as did the occupants who wanted the world to know of their recent advances in life. To say the mansions were ornate would be a limited description. The mansions were impeccably maintained and extravagantly designed to the point of being overdone. What one neighbor built, added or created, another neighbor tried to outdo, just bigger or more recklessly lavish. Homes were constantly under construction or being remodeled. ‘Keeping up with the Jones’ was an understatement here where every neighbor was a competitor.

Jack and Sue drove by mansion after mansion; their senses assaulted by tasteless flamboyant design and senseless slaughter of utilitarianism. One house was so horrific it begged for Jack and Sue to stop and peruse its cement fountains, statutes and borders that filled the yard to capacity allowing no grass to seep through its concrete carpeting.

Expecting to see the same ostentatious style, Jack and Sue were stunned by the breathtaking home at the end of Baston’s tree-lined driveway. It stood proud with white stone comparable with that of the ancient Egyptian temples. Floor to ceiling tinted windows stood grandly throughout the house, giving a warm contrast to the brilliance of the stone supports. The windows were topped with graceful arches and within each arch laid leaded glass in designs of various flowers native to the state. The curving front steps lead to two enormous mahogany framed doors with crystal clear glass engraved with two doves, sparkled into graceful flight by interior lights.

Jack parked next to a black Escalade and a fiery red Porsche holding rank on the cobblestone circular drive. Sue broke the silence first. “Wow.”

“Tara said he had several successful investments but . . . well, this is something else. Let’s go see if the man is anything like his house.” Jack turned off the engine and stepped from the car. Sue exited the vehicle, retrieved Levi and joined Jack.

Sue was unable to contain a gasp as they walked up the stairs to the front door. The half moon cement porch had been completely dried of snow. Sue had read somewhere that heaters could be installed along walks to keep passageways cleared of snow and she looked about for any indications of such devices.

Jack was lost in his own exploration of what interior he could see through the magnificent windows along the front of the house. Lights glowed throughout the house and welcomed visitors to come inside and enjoy the warmth. And while the interior furnishings appeared elegant, they also comforted and beckoned one to sit, chat with friends or curl up with a good book.

Hesitating to break the comfortable silence that appeared within the house, Jack gingerly pressed the doorbell, delighting in the tranquil chime that could be heard through the door.

It was only fitting that a casually uniformed maid answered the door and directed them to Baston’s office. The interior of the house was everything the outside had promised, a mix of contrasts, dignified with elegant casualness and calm with splashes of bold colors. The smell of flowers, lemon oil and leather soothed the senses. The foyer’s inlaid marble encouraged the eyes to explore and follow its angled designs to several other rooms surrounding its circular expanse. Peering into various rooms as they followed the maid to Baston’s office, Jack and Sue were delighted with images of exquisite rooms with tasteful layers of various textures and mediums and accent lighting creating cozy atmospheres.

(continuation of Chapter 3)

John Baston fit perfectly in his office, almost as if he were the inspiration for the room. Six feet, if not an inch taller, he boasted a full head of grey hair and proud wrinkles around pleasant steel-grey eyes. His chest was broad and his abdomen pleasantly plump. His hands were long and lean, artist hands. He sat behind a huge oak desk covered in various stages of paperwork, piles of folders opened and unopened, calculator and pens in use. Jack was surprised to see a working man’s desk and not a showpiece, especially since the rest of the room held antiques from various generations and museum pieces of art Jack had only seen in galleries. Bookshelves lined two walls, filled to the rim with hard cover books of all kinds. Photos hung on walls, stood on shelves and furniture depicting Senator Baston with a wide range of people, including one of him with the President of the United States. Because the office resided in a corner of the house, two walls were draped in extra large windows that overlooked a beautiful garden currently covered in a blanket of snow. A fireplace sat disorderly used along the interior wall and fire flicked playfully from several pieces of wood. The only pieces missing from the room were a mounted deer head and a pipe. As Baston was a strong environmentalist, Jack was not surprised to find these items absent.

With a gracefulness belying his age, Baston stood and walked around to introduce himself in a confident, yet soothing voice. “Hello. I’m John Baston.” Jack could immediately picture Baston preaching to the senate with such a powerfully commanding voice.

Shaking Baston’s extended hand firmly, Jack introduced himself and Sue. “Thank you for seeing us on such short notice Senator. I’m Agent Hudson and this is Ms. Thomas.”

Baston turned to shake Sue’s hand when he spotted Levi. “Well, well. Who’s your fury friend?” Without waiting for an answer, he lowered himself to kneel before Levi and gently exposed his hand for Levi’s sniffing approval.

“This is Levi. He’s my service dog.” Sue continued. “I’m deaf and Levi helps me.”

Baston spoke directly to Levi with great affection. “So, you’re more than just a pretty face.” Levi responded with a lick to Baston’s face who laughed delightfully like a small child.

After a few customary offerings of drinks and something to eat, all declined, Baston invited Jack and Sue to have a seat in the beautiful tapestry armchairs before his desk. Baston settled back down in his huge burgundy leather chair and propped his arms on his desk. Turning to Sue, he educated a guess, “I take it you read lips?” When Sue nodded, appreciating his candor, he continued. “Fantastic. If I forget to look directly at you when speaking, please throw a book at me or do whatever you need to get my attention. I’ve been known to get carried away when speaking and I don’t want to be rude.” Sue smiled fascinated by his immediate estimation of her need to see his face, something most people never thought of unless she pointed it out. Unknowingly, she pulled a clump of hair back from her face over her left ear revealing the bruises along her face. Baston immediately spotted the bruises but refrained from asking how she became injured. “Now, I understand you had a security issue to discuss with me personally and not my staff.”

Jack, too, was impressed with Baston, in fact, more than impressed almost reverent. “Yes sir. We have no proof so I am speaking strictly on speculation at this point. We believe that someone may try to blackmail you in the near future.” Jack paused and carefully chose his next words while Baston leaned back in his chair listening attentively, although somewhat distracted by the bruises on Sue’s face. He wondered if she acquired them during the line of duty and wished his own daughter had such gumption. He imagined she was sitting up in her room talking to herself as she did all day long. Probably having another discussion over the phone with the current psychologist. Who ever heard of phone counseling anyway? Probably charging me $500 an hour. Baston quickly cleared his thoughts from his wayward daughter and focused on the handsome couple before him.

“We have been party to several conversations between individuals linked to your present position as Senator and to a past business. Please understand sir. I must stress that we do not have any evidence and I ask that you take no action on your own with regard to what I am about to tell you.” Seeing Baston nod his head acknowledging his agreement, Jack continued his story. “We believe that Senator Martin, or someone in his office, may have purchased information regarding you.”

Baston’s eyes widened at Jack’s words. “What do you mean? What information?”

Jack focused intently as he made his next statement. “We don’t know what information . .. yet. We have a source within Senator Martin’s office that provided a lead involving one of the Senator’s aides and Peter Marinelli.”

Baston paled considerably at the mention of Marinelli. Looking at Sue and seeing that she too noticed Baston’s condition, Jack decided to hold back their suspicion that Marinelli had evidence regarding Michaels’ murder.

Baston stood and turned to the window. After several seconds, he turned back around, his pale face now beginning to flush with quiet anger. “I’m not sure how Peter’s crooked dealings with Mr. Martin would involve me?”

Once again, Jack decided to play one of his cards, keeping the rest tightly concealed. “We’re not sure either but we suspect it may have to do with a past business relationship you had with Marinelli. Can you think of anything Marinelli might have that would benefit Senator Martin?” Jack watched Baston carefully. He could see Baston’s face reflect anger, fear and then terror. He paled again and broke out in sweat along
his forehead. Baston began to shake his legs nervously as he stood with hands in pockets now turned back to look out the window.

With a wavering voice, Baston turned around and responded to Jack’s question. “No, I can’t think of anything. If there is nothing else that I can help you with, my daughter is ill and I must attend to her needs. I’m sure you can find your way out.” And without a goodbye, Senator Baston left the room leaving Jack and Sue too stunned to move.

With a mix of regret and sadness, Jack filled the silent void left by Senator Baston’s sudden departure . “I think we just confirmed our suspicion that Marinelli knows something important about Michaels’ murder and, if Baston’s physical condition is any indication, Baston knows something important about the murder as well.”

“I liked him. Is that wrong?” Sue could not decide whether she should feel guilty for liking him when he could be guilty of a crime or if she should feel guilty for thinking he could have committed a crime.

“I liked him too.” Levi placed a paw on Jack’s leg. “And so did Levi. And, while I am confident in Levi’s perception of people, we can’t rule out any possibilities. Let’s get back to the office.”

Sue stood and placed her business card on Baston’s desk unaware that a solitary figure, dressed in white, stood watching her from the snowy garden just outside the window behind Baston’s desk. Feeling a chill attack her soul, Sue shivered and quickly joined Jack in the hallway, while Levi lingered for a moment observing the watcher with raised hackles. With a low warning growl, Levi turned and followed his master from the beautiful home, glad to flee the young evil that lurked outside the window.

Chapter 4

(Baston’s House)

The wood cracked and the fire flickered as pieces of wood splintered under the intense heat. The sound was soothing, reminiscent of camping trips as a child. He had always found the fireplace to be a sanctuary of peace and now as the warmth enveloped him he felt its harmony and it eased his soul. His love note for his wife sat secured on his desk by a picture of him and his daughter. At least in that picture taken when she was five, she had been his daughter. Shortly thereafter, she had become some other man’s creation. He never stopped loving her, even after all that had happened. He had tried. He had prayed. Now with an old evil resurfacing, he thought he had no choice, not only for his wife but for . . . for the child he loved as his own.

Anger began to hack at his peace and he took a swallow from the sniffer, savoring his last tastes of great Kentucky bourbon, allowing its warmth to soothe. He placed the glass down and picked up the revolver that lay on the table beside him. Lovingly he ran his fingers along the coolness of its ivory handle. He could feel the original owner’s courage and strength emanating from its powerful beauty. Thanks to a friend of a friend, he had acquired the Colt Automatic Pistol years before, for a pretty price, and he had since lovingly displayed it for friends and family. General Patton had many guns in his military career. This 1908 Colt with its inlaid ivory handle with four General stars was one the last guns given to General Patten during his distinguished miliary career. It was an heirloom and he took great pride in knowing that one of America’s great heroes once carried it trustingly by his side.

Without hesitation, he placed the deep blue barrel into his mouth. Turning the gun so that he held it upside down, he positioned the tip of the barrel against the rear of his mouth. With one last prayer for forgiveness, he placed his other hand against the gun for support and pulled the trigger.

The fire continued to play merrily in the fireplace. She watched fascinated by the reds, yellows and oranges intermingled at work in destroying the now half-burned log. The reflecting light from the fire created a beautiful design in the blue of the gun laying at its feet. Intrigued, she bent to pick up the gun and was quickly burned by the heat of the barrel. Surprised that the gun would burn her, she mistakenly assumed the heat was created by the power that had just thrust the bullet from its interior when it had actually been the heat of the fire that had warmed the barrel when it had fallen too near.

Grabbing the handle of the gun, using her shirt as a barrier, she held the gun in front of her awed by its power. With great appreciation, she observed the scene before her much as an art lover would admire a work of art. His expression, the splatter, the beauty of it filled her with joy. She had seen the same expression, destruction on the various animals she had tortured and killed over the years when they had lived in Africa. But the gun’s power was a new experience for her and she was thrilled by its ability. Stones and knives had been her tools then but now this gun could prove to be useful.

Turning to leave, she felt a part of her begin to strengthen. She felt anguish and fear and knew someone wanted out. Muttering to herself, fighting the one that sought escape, she forced the others to help and soon the battle was won. With a triumphant grin, she left the room, gun in one hand and a crumpled business card in the other. Her companions cheered her on, encouraging her onto victory.

(Back at the Bullpen)

After a pleasant lunch, Sue and Lucy walked into the office, full of food, giggles and smiles. Lucy was so happy to see her friend back to being herself. The disastrous date from the other night had emotionally strangled Sue, leaving Lucy worried for her friend who tended to be quick to doubt herself when it came to her own personal life. Thankfully, Jack had been there for her, offering additional support above and beyond Lucy’s own support and a man’s touch seemed to make the difference. Ever since her conversation with Jack, Sue seemed to have more confidence and a glow of happiness about her. Lucy practically rubbed her hands together in anticipation of the possibilities that lay with matching Sue and Jack together.

And while Lucy schemed and plotted, Sue . . . well, Sue was just happy. Life was feeling really good, especially at work.

Lucy placed a bagged lunch on Tara’s desk, interrupting the perky blonde’s typing. Inhaling the delicious aromas that penetrated the bag, Tara signed “thank you” to Lucy and Sue. While delving into the contents of the bag, she bounced with excitement, “Sue received a delivery while you were at lunch.”

“Oh really. What is it?” Lucy recognized Tara’s exuberance as an indication the delivery was of a personal nature. She approached Sue’s desk and caught her friend’s attention. “Tara says you received a delivery.”

Sue looked down at her desk for a package and quickly spotted a card strategically placed on top of her paperwork. With a curious smile, she grabbed the envelope. Seeing no other writing than her own name, she turned questioningly to Tara.

Tara choked briefly on a huge bite of lasagna. “The receptionist sent it up. She said that a really good-looking man asked that it be given to you.” Quickly she filled her mouth with another bite of lasagna, moaning in delight, offering no apology for her vocal enjoyment.

“I wonder who it is from?” asked Sue looking at the front and back of the envelope.

With a disgusting grunt, Myles dropped the file he had been trying to read onto his desk. “Just open the darn thing so we can get back to work.”

“Oh hush Myles. Everyone’s at lunch anyway.” Lucy rarely had patience for Myles’ complaints.

“I’m here.” Myles protested with a hand to his chest.

Lucy rolled her eyes at Sue who hid a smile behind the envelope. They were use to Myles’ complaints and never took them seriously. While Myles swaggered disgustingly from the room, Sue sat at her desk and gingerly opened the card wondering who her mystery sender could be. The thought that it was Jack wistfully entertained her thoughts.

The card was exquisitely crafted from grass paper with a real rose bloom quietly preserved to the front with the words “Thinking of You” embossed below it in gold. With breathless anticipation, Sue touched the rose bloom but was slightly disappointed to find it brittle and no longer soft and velvety. This displeasure left as quickly as it came as the flickering hope that the card was from a certain handsome agent reentered her mind. With renewed eagerness, Sue turned the card open and with a bright smile and sparkling eyes began to read the beautifully scripted words that lay deeply embedded on the inside of the card.

As Sue read the inside of the card, her face flushed red with anger and her eyebrows furrowed deep into her forehead. The intensity of her anger radiated with every heavy breath that shook her body. Invigorated into action, she jumped to her feet and grabbed her coat.

“Sue, what’s wrong? What did it say? Who is it from?” Lucy was greatly concerned by her friend’s obvious anger. Taking the card Sue thrust at her, she hesitated, fearful to read what angered Sue. Giving in to curiosity, Lucy quickly scanned the card while Tara, who had joined them, read from over her shoulder.

“What a . . .” Tara wiped a dribble of lasagna from her mouth as she sputtered a few unpleasant terms. Tara could not believe the nerve of this guy. It had only been two days ago, on a horrible dinner date, that Steve proudly displayed a hotel key and asked “before or after dinner.” Tara thought Sue had taught Steve a lesson about how to treat a lady but apparently the slap to his face only inspired him as indicated by his grim words.

Watching Sue hook Levi’s leash onto his collar, Lucy feared the answer to her coming question, “Where are you going?”

“I have a few chose words of my own to say to Steve Erken.” Sue took a step forward but was blocked by her dearest friend who held her arm out to keep her from passing.

“No! Sue, don’t do it.” Lucy signed passionately as she spoke. “Please, there has to be a better way than this. Tara, help me.” Lucy turned with pleading eyes to Tara for assistance who was too absorbed in reading the contents of the card a second time to hear Lucy’s plea.

“He’s a bully and I’m not going to let myself be treated like this any more.” Knowing her friend was only worried about her, Sue tried to reason. “I need to do this. I’m going to his office, a very public place and I am going to speak to him calmly and then leave. I won’t be gone long.”

Knowing how determined Sue could be at times, Lucy partially relented. “Okay, but we come with you.”

“No. I have to do this by myself . . . Please.” Sue grabbed Lucy’s hand and captured her gaze holding it with unfailing determination. “Have you ever walked away from a situation only to think of a hundred things you could have said but didn’t think of then? I don’t want to look back to today and think I should have done this or said that. And I . . . I need to do this by myself . . . just me . . . without help.”

“I don’t like it.” Lucy quietly commented and then reluctantly conceded “But I understand that you feel you have to do this.” Lucy gave Sue a quick hug before stepping back to appraise Sue’s appearance. “If you’re going into battle, you’ll need to wear your armor. Let’s touch up your makeup and fix your hair. It always boosts the confidence to look good and it will really be a thorn in Steve’s side when he sees what he missed out on by being a jerk.”

Tara watched Lucy drag Sue from the office toward the restroom. Anxiety consumed her as she had reread the card. Experience told her that Steve’s words bonded a promise and should be taken seriously. Determined that Sue should not go alone but respecting her wishes, Tara decided that a quiet surveillance on her behalf would be in order.

Returning to her desk to grab her coat, Tara stopped briefly to look up Steve on her computer and locate his business address. As she started to leave her desk, the phone rang and she hesitated, battling with whether to continue on her personal mission or to respond to the call as no other team members were in the room. Duty won the battle and she briskly answered the call. “Agent Williams . . . Yes it is . . . He’s away from his desk. May I take a message? Lt. Beal, with homicide . . . What?” Tara set down abruptly at the speaker’s words. “Baston . . . When?” Tara closed her eyes as the news set in. “I’ll relay your message to Agent Hudson and have him contact you immediately.”

Tara quickly dialed Jack, thoughts of Sue forgotten for the moment. “Jack, its Tara. A Lt. Beal from PD homicide just called. Baston committed suicide shortly after you left this morning.” Tara listened as Jack expressed disbelief. “ Lt. Beal wants to speak with you. Here’s his number . . . . ”

Tara stared at her computer monitor, dazed from the news. When Myles returned to the bullpen minutes later, he found Tara still staring at the screen. Pausing to place a file on Tara’s desk, he quickly noted the paleness of her face which darkened the spatter of freckles on her cheeks. His stomach clenched and he reached out to touch his friend. “Tara, what’s wrong?”

Tara looked up at Myles, comforted by the hand he placed on her shoulder. “Baston committed suicide.”

By the time Tara explained the news to Myles and then to D who walked in from lunch shortly thereafter, her concerns for Sue were temporarily waylaid. She was too busy trying to obtain information regarding Baston’s suicide and talking theories with D and Myles. It was not until Lucy returned to her desk that Tara’s anxiety over Sue came rushing back to the front of her thoughts.

“Lucy. Has Sue left yet?” Tara quickly donned the forgotten coat and prepared to leave the office but was halted when Lucy responded. “Yeah. She left some time ago. By now, she should be there telling the jerk a thing or two.”

Tara let out a “Damn” that surprised the other agents. It was not often they heard Tara say anything derogatory and it usually meant bad news. Before they could comment, Jack rushed into the office with Bobby on his heels. Throwing his coat at the rack, Jack missed and let it fall to the ground not caring.

“I should have seen it. I should have pushed him. I let him walk right out of that room knowing he was shaken by my comments.” Jack pounded his desk. “I should have known.”

Five sets of eyes watched quietly, waiting for the next explosion. Bobby finished hanging Jack’s coat after grabbing it from the floor. “Jack. You can’t read minds. You told us about your discussion with Baston and none of us thought that he would do something like this.”

“You weren’t there. I was. It was my responsibility to know.” Jack’s eyes burned with intensity.

Myles sat with head bowed, experiencing one of those times when words eluded him. He exchanged a glance with Tara whose own face reflected the hollowness he felt. Three years ago they had shared a case in which a witness had committed suicide just days after being questioned. As an agent, you always felt responsible for all the players in a case and it was never easy dealing with a death, especially a suicide brought on by your actions. You never get over the guilt. It stays with you and haunts you on lonely nights filled with insomnia and bleakness.

Eventually you have to come to terms with it and realize your limitations and forgive yourself. It had taken quite some time for that to happen for Myles and Tara’s words of wisdom came back to him. They had been there for each other then, closer than they had ever been. Time had slowly faded that closeness and Myles missed it.

Locking eyes with Tara, Myles choked out his words for Jack’s ears. “It’s impossible to predict a tormented mind’s actions. You did your job and you did it well. What choices Baston made were his to make, not yours. We are limited to doing what we can with what we know.”

A small smile reached Tara’s lips and her eyes as she recalled saying those exact words to Myles once upon a time when they had been more than coworkers. Some sadness for those times long lost leaked from her heart.

Knowing that Myles was correct but still hating that he could not have prevented such a loss, Jack nodded with understanding. Seeking the gentle comfort he knew Sue would offer, he turned to her desk, surprised to find her absent. “Where’s Sue? Does she know?”

“Oh, #$@%” Again Tara let out a derogatory comment that brought Myles to his feet and Jack’s and the other agents’ swift attention.

“She went to confront someone and I meant to follow her.” Seeing Lucy’s surprised expression, Tara quickly explained. “I disagreed with Sue. I think his words were too threatening to ignore and I planned to follow her to make sure he didn’t do anything.”

“Tara, what are you talking about? Where’s Sue?” Jack looked from Lucy to Tara. Not waiting for an answer from Tara, he stomped his way to stand in front of Lucy.

Lucy walked to Sue’s trash can and pulled the card from within its depths. Handing it to Jack, she tried to apologize . . . explain. “Sue received this today. It’s from Steve, her date the other night.”

Jack felt his heart pause just before a surge of anger flooded his veins. He quickly read the card his grip tightening until the card began to bend violently. With clenched teeth, Jack demanded an answer again. “Where is she?”

Lucy tearfully answered. “She went to Steve’s office.” She quickly added, “She should be back soon. It’s been almost an hour and his office is nearby.”

Just as she finished, Levi ran into the room with a young agent following quickly behind with one hand on Levi’s leash and the other holding his side from running so fast. “Hey slow down buddy.” Looking up and sensing the unstable mood of the room, he quickly apologized. “Sorry for interrupting, but this young fella’s ID says that he belongs here to a Ms. Thomas.” He quickly scanned the room looking for someone who would step forward to claim Levi.

“What are you doing with Levi?” D was the first to speak.

“I found him in front of the building and recognized him from around the office. He seemed to be by himself and I thought maybe he escaped for some fresh air.” The young agent tried to break the tension with some humor but could see he failed miserably.

“Did you see Sue . . . Ms. Thomas anywhere?” D continued to speak for the group who remained immobilized at the sight of Levi without Sue.

Realizing something was terribly wrong, the young agent responded officially. “No sir. There was no one immediately within the dog’s area. The dog was just sitting, almost waiting, by the front doors. He hasn’t been outside very long. It’s been snowing for some time and his fur isn’t even wet. I would say that he’s been outside less than a few minutes. Would you like me to check out front again?”

“Myles, you go with him and look around. Bobby, alert security to search the building. Tara, try to contact Sue.” D turned to Jack who had just pulled himself from his haunted reverie.

“Lucy, get me Steve’s address.” Jack’s jaw muscles twitched and his eyes vehemently gleamed.

Tara dialed Sue’s Blackberry. “It’s turned off.” Tara’s eyes began to mist as guilt consumed her for not following her friend.

Lucy handed Jack Steve’s address and watched as he ran from the room followed immediately by Bobby and D.

“I know she said she was going to walk, but I’m going to check and see if her car is in the garage.” Tara quickly left Lucy alone with her own guilty thoughts and fears.

It’s all my fault. It’s my fault . . . Lucy lowered her head to her hands and cried out of concern for her friend and guilt for failing to see any danger. And between sniffles, she prayed while Levi caught each tear with his face nestled in her lap.

Chapter 5

The sun warmed the highway melting all traces of snow from its surface. The grey highway marked a weary trail through the white landscape leading to the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The four black suburbans tore along the highway, racing past valleys encased in snow and flying past trees bowed to the ground with the weight of the cold whiteness. In the front vehicle, Jack gripped the dashboard and pushed with his feet, willing the car to go faster. He watched as the yellow segments marking the middle of the road turned into one long stripe as they sped along. He would rather have been driving, focused on getting them their fast and safe, rather than passing the agonizing minutes watching one winter scene after another out his window.

No one had said a word since leaving headquarters. In the three following vehicles, all was quiet except for the low murmurs of commanders discussing possible scenarios, organizing their team and relaying commands. The rest of the SWAT team prepared weapons and checked equipment. Every once in a while an anxious silence would fall upon them and heads would turn and peer into the thoughtful eyes of another team member. There was always a greater risk for someone getting hurt, killed, especially when the situation and the target were unknown variables. Slowly the sounds of ammo clicking into place and vests being secured came to an end. And the occupants of the last three vehicles sat with weapons by their side, heads forward and eyes down while the sounds of the highway beneath the wheels of the vehicles provided a background of peace to the resoluteness of the interior. This was their time to mentally prepare and pray, no other preparations could be made until they arrived at their destination.

Tara kept her eyes closed most of the trip, afraid to open them for fear the tears she kept at bay would spill over her cheeks. She had listened to Bobby and D tell Myles about their rampant visit to Steve Erkan’s office. A visit in which they had been too late. According to Erkan’s secretary, he had suddenly decided to go to his country cabin in Virginia and would not return until Monday. Bobby painted such a detailed picture of the perky brunette secretary chewing wildly on her gum that Tara could just picture her and her teasing responses to their questions. Bobby said she was totally goo-goo eyes for Jack and they had a hard time getting her to focus on answering. She kept playing with her gum, pulling it to and from her mouth in a suggestive manner, all intended for Jack. Tara knew that any other time Bobby would have loved to go on about the flirtatious secretary’s activities, but not today. Today they had to find Sue and, according to the short skirted flirt, Sue had shown up at the office just as Steve returned from lunch. It was after Sue and Steve had a quick discussion in his office, Steve decided to leave for the rest of the week. What concerned the group was that Sue did not express any displeasure in leaving with Steve, nor did she arrive at the office with Levi. They just could not understand what was going on, but knew that Sue would never leave Levi out in the cold unless forced to do so.

Armed with more than an address, they flew across the countryside heading for Middleburg, VA and, hopefully, to Sue. Tara sighed heavily, wishing she could start the day again, made different decisions, prevent Sue from ever leaving their office. She could feel Myles shift in the seat nearby. Just when she thought she could not hold the tears back anymore, she felt her left hand being picked up from her lap and placed snugly in a pair of warm hands.

Myles watched Tara, wanting to pull her close and let the tears that flicked in out of her eyelashes to fall free from their restraint. He knew that she blamed herself for not following Sue as she intended but he also knew that Tara was a survivor and would bounce back quickly. And that was why she was a great agent. She did not hide from her emotions nor did she let them control her actions. But, he wondered what she did when everything became too much. He worried whether she had someone special to help empty the pain that came with the job.

Feeling the warmth of Myles’ touch and knowing by his gentle caress that he understood, Tara began to feel better and ready to do her job once again. She pulled her hand from Myles’ comforting grip and squeezed his right hand. Looking up, she offered a grateful smile. Her eyes glistened as the last of the unshed tears held tight to their hold on her eyelashes. Quickly blinking them away, Tara tried to pull her hand back but found it to be held strong. With only his eyes to explain, Myles held tight and placed their joined hands on the seat between them. Without resistance, Tara turned to look out the window, enjoying the peace Myles offered.

Bobby, who sat sideways in the middle seat of the vehicle, could not help but notice the interchange between Myles and Tara. Turning slowly to face forward, confused thoughts twirled in his head as he pondered the demented twists of the day, especially the turn developing behind him.

Chapter 5

The sun warmed the highway melting all traces of snow from its surface. The grey highway marked a weary trail through the white landscape leading to the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The four black suburbans tore along the highway, racing past valleys encased in snow and flying past trees bowed to the ground with the weight of the cold whiteness. In the front vehicle, Jack gripped the dashboard and pushed with his feet, willing the car to go faster. He watched as the yellow segments marking the middle of the road turned into one long stripe as they sped along. He would rather have been driving, focused on getting them their fast and safe, rather than passing the agonizing minutes watching one winter scene after another out his window.

No one had said a word since leaving headquarters. In the three following vehicles, all was quiet except for the low murmurs of commanders discussing possible scenarios, organizing their team and relaying commands. The rest of the SWAT team prepared weapons and checked equipment. Every once in a while an anxious silence would fall upon them and heads would turn and peer into the thoughtful eyes of another team member. There was always a greater risk for someone getting hurt, killed, especially when the situation and the target were unknown variables. Slowly the sounds of ammo clicking into place and vests being secured came to an end. And the occupants of the last three vehicles sat with weapons by their side, heads forward and eyes down while the sounds of the highway beneath the wheels of the vehicles provided a background of peace to the resoluteness of the interior. This was their time to mentally prepare and pray, no other preparations could be made until they arrived at their destination.

Tara kept her eyes closed most of the trip, afraid to open them for fear the tears she kept at bay would spill over her cheeks. She had listened to Bobby and D tell Myles about their rampant visit to Steve Erkan’s office. A visit in which they had been too late. According to Erkan’s secretary, he had suddenly decided to go to his country cabin in Virginia and would not return until Monday. Bobby painted such a detailed picture of the perky brunette secretary chewing wildly on her gum that Tara could just picture her and her teasing responses to their questions. Bobby said she was totally goo-goo eyes for Jack and they had a hard time getting her to focus on answering. She kept playing with her gum, pulling it to and from her mouth in a suggestive manner, all intended for Jack. Tara knew that any other time Bobby would have loved to go on about the flirtatious secretary’s activities, but not today. Today they had to find Sue and, according to the short skirted flirt, Sue had shown up at the office just as Steve returned from lunch. It was after Sue and Steve had a quick discussion in his office, Steve decided to leave for the rest of the week. What concerned the group was that Sue did not express any displeasure in leaving with Steve, nor did she arrive at the office with Levi. They just could not understand what was going on, but knew that Sue would never leave Levi out in the cold unless forced to do so.

Armed with more than an address, they flew across the countryside heading for Middleburg, VA and, hopefully, to Sue. Tara sighed heavily, wishing she could start the day again, made different decisions, prevent Sue from ever leaving their office. She could feel Myles shift in the seat nearby. Just when she thought she could not hold the tears back anymore, she felt her left hand being picked up from her lap and placed snugly in a pair of warm hands.

Myles watched Tara, wanting to pull her close and let the tears that flicked in out of her eyelashes to fall free from their restraint. He knew that she blamed herself for not following Sue as she intended but he also knew that Tara was a survivor and would bounce back quickly. And that was why she was a great agent. She did not hide from her emotions nor did she let them control her actions. But, he wondered what she did when everything became too much. He worried whether she had someone special to help empty the pain that came with the job.

Feeling the warmth of Myles’ touch and knowing by his gentle caress that he understood, Tara began to feel better and ready to do her job once again. She pulled her hand from Myles’ comforting grip and squeezed his right hand. Looking up, she offered a grateful smile. Her eyes glistened as the last of the unshed tears held tight to their hold on her eyelashes. Quickly blinking them away, Tara tried to pull her hand back but found it to be held strong. With only his eyes to explain, Myles held tight and placed their joined hands on the seat between them. Without resistance, Tara turned to look out the window, enjoying the peace Myles offered.

Bobby, who sat sideways in the middle seat of the vehicle, could not help but notice the interchange between Myles and Tara. Turning slowly to face forward, confused thoughts twirled in his head as he pondered the demented twists of the day, especially the turn developing behind him.

Chapter 6

The house sat snugly nestled in an alcove of trees on two acres among the edge of the mountains. A small creek meandered its way slowly across the land, through trees, past rock groupings and under the deep front porch that graced the front of the large cabin. The fresh snow covered the ground and the SWAT team struggled to secure footing within its depth.

It had only taken a few minutes for D, Jack and the SWAT lead to survey the land and develop a plan of action. Now with everyone in place, they sat and waited for the signal to enter the house. Time slowed and movements took minutes instead of seconds. With the word “Go” echoing through the silence, white clouds of warm air expanded from mouths as blood surged taking muscles into flight. The protected landscape exploded with movement as agents dressed in white snowsuits broke from their camouflaged positions..

Jack stayed close to the lead that entered the back door, following his every move as they quickly worked their way further into the house. All around, he could hear agents breaking through doors, running room to room, securing the area as they scoured the house for Steve . . . for Sue. Within seconds of their entry into the house, Jack heard her screams and he rushed past the lead toward the room that lay beyond the kitchen. The lead quickly countered Jack’s move and took his rightful place in front as he broke through the door. He aimed high and to the left, while Jack took low and to the right.

Moving quickly into the room, with gun aimed at a naked Steve who stood in the corner with a pair of pants dangling from his raised arms, the lead waited while Bobby and Myles shoved the nude suspect to the ground and handcuffed him. The lead looked around the room at the group that had taken charge of the scene and knew it was time for him to leave. It was their comrade they had come for and he had done his job by getting them in safely. With a quick nod toward Jack and D, he quietly exited the room pulling his team back outside.

A huge fear held him tight, kept him from breathing. Just from the sound of her screams, Jack knew what had happened in this room and the horror of it filled him with a quick burning rage that left him incapable of rational thought. He knew how lucky he was to find the pile of sheets in his gun’s line of sight and not Steve. Or perhaps, Steve was the fortunate one in that regard.

Jack’s arm shook as he reached to pull the sheet from her face, his heart broke with each whimpering cry radiating from within the pile. Tara’s touch to his shoulder and her quiet request stopped his movement. “Jack, maybe I should . . . maybe it would be best if you and the others left the room. Give us a few seconds and then send in the medic.”

Seeing that Jack hesitated, Tara added gently, “I’ll take care of her Jack.”

Bobby reached down to his friend and guided him from the room. They stood outside the door of the bedroom like guardian pillars, protective and challenging.

Back in the room, Tara pulled back the sheet to reveal a mass of tangled blonde hair. No longer fighting the tears, she lovingly stroked her friend’s hair offering words of comfort. “It’s okay now. We’re here. We’re finally here. Can you sit up, Sue?”

The sheets fell softly around her as she turned to sit up. She held the sheet tightly to her chest while her hair cascaded down over her shoulder. Tears dripped from her face and she fought to control the flow. After several huge sniffles and a few wipes to her face, she gathered her strength and spoke in a timid voice, ‘Thank You.”

As the woman in the sheets looked up and exposed her face, Tara felt the air rush from her lungs. “You’re not Sue.”

“I’m Kathy. I didn’t think anyone was going to find me here. He wouldn’t stop when I said no and I cried and screamed for help but I really didn’t think anyone would hear me.”

She continued to ramble her grateful liturgy while Tara sat back hard on the floor stunned by her discovery. She quickly came to her feet upon the entrance of the medic and moved out his way so he could examine the victim. Her breathing came quicker and Tara felt lightheaded. She lowered her head, trying to keep from blacking out under the pressure of blood pounding through her head. Never stopping on her path to the door, she opened it and fell straight into D’s arms. In between difficult breaths, she exclaimed, “It’s not Sue. She’s not Sue.”

In one coordinated chime, the men astonished, “What?” Jack ran into the room and stopped at the woman’s feet. The force of the development rammed his chest, sending his soul struggling to maintain a stationary position within his heart. He turned from the room and stormed past his astonished team and out the back door, making his way to the now dressed Steve that sat in the warm interior of a suburban.

Without thought to procedure or his career, he violently extracted Steve from the vehicle and threw him to the ground, pinning him hard beneath his knees. “Where’s Sue? What did you do with her?”

The team quickly raced from the house in time to witness Jack’s actions. They watched as Jack continued to demand Sue’s whereabout. And while Jack fought to maintain control over his anger, Steve babbled and cried. “Sue?”

Jack spoke through clenched teeth, his voice low and fierce. “Sue Thomas. Where is she?”

“Sue . . . I don’t know. I saw her after lunch outside my office.” He looked to the other agents for help, shaking with fear at the venomous glares he received. He soon felt a warmth cross the skin of his inner thighs as muscles gave way and fluids were released.

Steve was wise to be fearful of Jack, but Jack had more control than Steve could ever appreciate. “What happened?”

“She was upset because I sent her a note demanding payment for my suit. It was custom made. I paid over a thousand dollars for that suit and she ruined it.”

“Do you mean this card?” Jack pulled the crushed card from his pocket and shoved it in Steve’s face. “You threaten Sue in the card saying that you will make sure she pays for her behavior. So what did you do to her to make her pay.”

“I gave her the bill for the new suit I was having made. She threw it back at me and walked off. I didn’t do anything to her. Kathy showed up then and we went into my office”

Jack threw Steve back to the ground and walked off toward the trees, punching at the air and talking angrily with himself. Within minutes he was back instructing the lead to take charge of the situation at the house. He gathered his team and they quickly departed for the city. While Jack drove with angry abandon, the rest of the team grabbed their cell phones and began the frantic search for Sue once again.

The snow began to fall, gathering speed as the black suburban forged its way along the highway. And throughout the hills the sound of the wind resinated through the valleys crying loudly in unison with Jack’s thoughts, “Sue, where are you?”

Chapter 7

The window covered the entire outside wall of the hotel room. Sue had pulled the velvet drapes as wide as possible and stood in the middle of the window staring down at the spectacular view. The sky was no longer dreary grey but a brilliant blue with soft clouds playing peek-a-boo in the distance. The waves danced and played in the sunlight, showering the beach with sparks of water. Each wave invited Sue and she felt herself swaying with the music of the ocean.

She did not need to hear to know that he had entered the room. She could just feel his presence almost as if a hand just lifted her heart, taking away the pain. Turning swiftly, her dress shimmered, drawing his attention to her slender legs and the close fit of her dress. The material was like spun cotton candy and the princess cut emphasized every curve and valley of her figure. She had worn her hair down as he always liked it. With bated breath, she waited for him.

His eyes glided up her dress, caressing and devouring and noticing every detail. He paused on her lips just long enough to draw a gasp from Sue as she shivered from anticipation. With a slow smile, he sank into her eyes, seeking and taking all that she offered.

Her heart pattered and breathing became difficult. “I knew you would find me. I hoped you would come for me.”

Within two steps he stood in front of her, having never taken his eyes from her face. Slowly he moved his hand along her arm melting her, weakening her. When he reached her face, he lovingly stroked her cheek. Their lips met briefly before he paused to look into her eyes once again. With a primal groan, he closed his eyes and took claim to her lips.

She wanted to put her arms around him but could not make them move. She pulled and fought but they stayed behind her held in place with tight ropes. Where did these ropes come from? What is going on? Sue broke from his kiss and cried, “Help me. Help me.” But as soon she spoke, he faded away into the grey fog that engulfed her world. Sue cried and cried but he did not come back. Please, don’t leave me. Please come back for me. Please . . . I need you.

As Sue struggled with her dream, she rolled back onto her tightly bound hands sending shockwaves of pain to her brain, pulling her promptly awake. Unable to contain her scream of agony, Sue cried out under the unbearable pain. The cold had taken its toll on her delicate appendages and her fingers had gone beyond numbness hours ago, leaving agonizing pain with every bump.

Sue tried to regain a focus on her dream, hoping to capture the wonderful emotions that wrapped her in warmth. But while his face remained sketched in her heart, the rest of the dream remained elusive. Trying not to focus on the wishfulness of her thoughts Sue took stock of her situation again hoping to find something she may have overlooked during the previous assessments.

Nothing . . . there was nothing in the room, except Sue. The cement walls stood more than twenty feet high without windows and only a steel door separating Sue from freedom. The floor, also made of cement, offered no comfort or warmth. Fortunately, Lucy had insisted that Sue change her outfit before heading to Steve’s office. Sue now wore Lucy’s red thick sweater rather than her silk blouse because according to Lucy “red boosts your confidence.” Her wool slacks and overcoat kept her body from freezing and Lucy’s high-heeled boots finished her outfit smartly and warmly.

And while her outfit was warmer than most, the cold had penetrated its armor hours ago leaving Sue shivering. The bare lightbulb that hung from the ceiling was Sue’s only comfort, keeping her from a world of darkness.

At first Sue had spent considerable time trying to free her hands and searching for an escape. Accepting there was no way out, Sue turned to thoughts of her family and friends and to Levi. It killed her not knowing if Levi was okay. Her first tears had been shed for Levi, followed quickly by prayers. She had not begun to pray for herself until recently, Levi always first and her own safety last.

She knew her coworkers would be looking for her by now but the likelihood that they would know where to look was almost nonexistent. However, she felt that if anyone could find her it would be Jack. And while her heart believed he would come for her, her brain said that it was practically impossible that Jack would know where to look, that anyone would know what had happened to her.

She had spent the last couple of hours in and out of sleep, dreaming and thinking of her friends, but mostly of Jack. She allowed herself to daydream about Jack because it kept her sane and she needed her wits about her when her captor came back into the room.

Struggling against cold and tired muscles, Sue forced herself to stand and walk the room. It was important to keep her body warm and muscles loose, ready for any opportunity to escape. Sue felt confident that her captor would make a mistake soon and she wanted to be ready.

She wondered what Jack would do if he were in her predicament. Her face lighted with a smile as she recalled his stunned expression when she threw the snowball in his face during their surveillance at Stuber Park just a few days ago. The look he had given her had melted her legs leaving her barely capable of walking. Her smile diminished as sorrow filled her heart, fear that she would never see his face again. Concentrate Sue. Don’t think negative thoughts. Breathe. Breathe.

Sue paced around the small dank room, struggling to maintain control over the thoughts that left as quickly as they came. She searched and probed for anything that would help her escape. Thinking back onto her training at the Academy, Sue recalled a seminar on survival. Anger. I need to get angry. Use anger to build adrenaline, to create strength. Okay. Let’s get angry Sue. Her thoughts quickly turned to Steve Erkan. Just thinking his name drove her heart to pump harder. The nerve of him to give her a bill for a new suit almost made her laugh. There were times that Sue wished she could purposely hurt someone and be able to live with herself afterwards. Because she wanted to kick Steve in the balls and grab his ears, jerking his head down into her waiting knee and then twist his arm behind his back until he cried like a ninny.

Heat permeated her skin as blood boiled within veins filling muscles with power. Sweat glistened on Sue’s forehead as she paced back and forth in the room waiting for her moment.

Chapter 8

It was a somber group that trudged into the bullpen during the dark hours before dawn. Greeted with Lucy’s struggled smile and Levi’s anxious search for his owner among the group, they sat at their desks not knowing where to turn next. They had no leads, no witness and no ideas. The term dead-end glowed like a neon sign over the room.

Jack sat listlessly at his desk, hope quickly fading. Even the ringing of his phone did nothing to startle him from his despair. Reaching wearyingly for the receiver, Jack held the phone to his shoulder before answering. “Hudson. Yes, sir. I’m sorry to hear that but we have a situation of our own to handle right now. We can’t offer . . . how did you know that?” Jack sat up straight in his seat and snapped his fingers at Bobby and D, aiming to get their attention. “When was she last seen? Would she have any idea where Melinda may have gone? She’s what? See what you can find out. Can you fax me a copy of that letter? Thanks.”

Jack rose quickly, hope filtering back into the room. “Senator Baston’s daughter is missing. She left a letter that said she would seek revenge on Sue for her father’s death.”

Bobby looked at D with a puzzled expression. “Why would she blame Sue for Baston’s death?”

Jack rubbed his face while he waited at the fax machine for the anticipated letter. “I don’t know. Maybe she saw Sue and I visiting her father.” Suddenly something dawned on Jack and he snapped his fingers. “Sue left her business card for the Senator. She must have found Sue’s card.”

The humming of the fax machine drew everyone’s attention. As the letter scrolled out from the bottom of the machine, Jack began to read the words, growing colder by the second. As soon as the machine finished printing its delivery, Jack pulled the letter and handed it to D who read it out loud to the team.

“Mummy. Do not worry. I will be fine. They have decided that Daddy’s murderer must die. I can’t stop them. The decision has been made and I have no control. The F.B.I. agent will die for her crime. Please forgive them. Please help me. I love you. Mel.

Don’t worry Mommy Dearest. We will take good care of your little angel. She will live only as a harbor for us. We breathe through her world but we live our own. The time has come for the repressed to strive, for the hidden to be seen and for all to know our power. In your struggle to help Melinda, you kept us imprisoned but Father respected us and treated us individually. He wanted our freedom and if his life had not been abruptly ended, we would have lived as many instead of one. We will atone for his death and Agent Sue Thomas will die. She brought the sadness into Father’s life. She urged the power to take his soul and she will die. Justice. There is no justice, only justified restitution. We will survive. Mal.”

“I don’t understand. Who else is involved?” D handed the letter over to Myles who scanned its scribbled contents for further clues.

“Baston’s daughter Melinda suffers from schizophrenia. She has multiple personalities that has been controlled by medicine but recently she has been resisting taking her meds. Obviously, she succeeded.” Jack stared thoughtfully at the ceiling as he leaned back in his chair.

Myles attentively laid the letter on his desk and returned to his seat. Taking time to organize his thoughts, he straightened his tie, smoothed his slacks and delicately arranged his arms across this chest. Not wanting to dispel hope but needing to point out the reality of the situation, Myles chose his words carefully. “Melinda would likely situate herself some place familiar.”

Unable to sit still, Jack bounced back to his feet. “Lt. Beal is questioning her mother as we speak. Tara, get us a listing of all properties owned by Senator Baston, including any properties owned by business interests.” Hope thrived again and Jack turned excitedly back to his desk.

With slow words, Myles continued his thoughts. “We should focus on isolated, vacant locations. The stronger persona likes words, rituals. She will take her time and wills need privacy to do her deed. She is patient but only for so long.”

Tara waited until Myles paused before interrupting. “I have your list. Fortunately, I had already begun the search on Baston earlier today when you asked for his financial information. All of his businesses are located in prime locations. However, he does own several buildings that appear to be vacant, and eleven are outside the city limits, mostly in warehouse districts.”

“Okay. We’ll split the list and go in teams to each location. Bobby, contact SWAT and have them regroup and meet us at our first three destinations. Tara, give us the most isolated locations first.”

Chapter 9

Lack of sleep played havoc on their nerves and tempers began to flare. The team was beginning to crumble under the pressure to find Sue and to find her alive. And now on top of everything, the SWAT team had been called away to a major hostage situation at a bank downtown and Jack and his team were left to finish the list alone. With only two properties left to check, they could feel time running out, if there was any time left to run out. Everyone fought against losing hope but despair was invading every thought and wearied the resolute group.

Forever the dutiful public servants, they forged ahead with determination and numerous prayers of hope. The first property they would sweep on their own was located just outside D.C. proper near a small airstrip, used mostly for crop dusting. Located down a long gravel drive, the property consisted of four buildings surrounding a small cement structure. The two story buildings appeared to have been abandoned for several years with broken windows, pieces of wood deteriorated from the elements and doors hanging lopsidedly on hinges. The wind could be heard echoing throughout the area almost warning any visitors to stay clear of the dilapidated buildings.

Jack surveyed the property with red-rimmed eyes and a headache that had been with him since yesterday. Every muscle in his body screamed for relief but he ignored their cries and stood tall and determined. He began a search for footprints or other disturbances in the snow while his team spread out doing the same. They walked silently with catlike motions, slowed and steady, always aware of their surroundings.

Myles’ short whistle broke through the echoes radiating from between buildings. The team quickly joined him as he stood between two of the nearest buildings. His whisper of “It’s on” drew Jack’s attention to the high electrical fence that surrounded a large courtyard. In the middle of the expanse, stood a one story structure without windows and only one entrance.

“And it’s fairly new.” Bobby took note of the shiny fence, yet aged by sun and rain. “It makes you wonder what’s so important to keep so protected.”

Having finished his inspection of the fence, Jack nodded in agreement with Bobby. “We need to clear these buildings. You three move to the right and we’ll meet on the other side. Let’s go.”

Myles, D and Tara headed for the first building in their direction, guns drawn and senses on high alert. Bobby and Jack headed quickly into their first building but found the staircase completely demolished and incapable of passage. They search what areas they could reach and deftly moved to the next building.

The other members of the team were having similar luck, finding most of the buildings in such disrepair that floors threatened to cave under their weight and entire staircases rotted into oblivion. Within ten minutes, all the outside buildings had been searched and they gathered again beside the fence.

Bobby was the first to notice the footprints in the snow on the ramp leading to the concrete bunker-like structure. Although Bobby could only see the prints along the ramp, he surmised from the displaced snow on the landing that the footprints continued up the ramp, around a light post and up to the steel door.

Bobby pointed to the structure behind the fence. “It seems someone has been outside since this morning’s snow.”

“And the footprints don’t leave the ramp, so we can assume they are still inside. I can’t tell if the prints are from one or several people. They’ve been walked over too much to identify. Did anyone bring binoculars?” D turned to look at the group and watched as Tara, always the prepared, pulled a pair from her F.B.I. jacket pocket. The view through the binoculars did not help in deciphering how many sets of prints were on the ramp.

“Okay. Let’s assume someone is inside that building. How do we get in?” D continued to survey the area through the binoculars.

“There has to be a power source somewhere, either connected to the outside buildings or an electrical poll near the road.” Bobby looked back down the road and spied an electrical poll with several wires extending to various polls around the buildings. “I think I can cut the power to the fence from that poll.”

Myles rolled his eyes and smugly commented, “That sounds like a grand idea and when 50,000 volts run ramped through your body, we’ll be sure to let everyone know it was your idea.”

“Do you have a better one?” Bobby sneered, his emotions raw from lack of sleep and concern for his teammate.

“I do.” Myles pointed back to the road. “We passed a utility truck on our way here, just a mile down the road. Perhaps they are still there and can assist in disconnecting the power.”

“Why didn’t you say so? I’m on it.” Bobby took off for his car at a dead run.

“We need to get ready for when Bobby gets back and power is off. Myles, find access to a roof and check out that cement block. I want to know if there are any ventilation tubes or any other means to enter. Hopefully we can flush whomever out and have them come to us. Tara, you and I will get ready with the wire cutters.” D turned to Jack knowing his next instructions were not going to be well-received. “Jack. I need you on the roof providing cover. Myles will be your second.”

Jack nodded knowing that his aversion to heights would have to be swallowed and forgotten. The team needed a sharpshooter and without SWAT here he was the only one qualified for the job. Without a word, Jack returned to his vehicle, opened the trunk of his car and removed his rifle from its case. As soon as he felt the coolness of the barrel in his hands, his entire demeanor changed. His eyes narrowed and focused intently and his breathing became controlled. His heartbeat equalized and began a steady tempo.

Jack rolled his shoulders, loosening muscles, as he followed Myles’ footsteps to the nearest building. He continued his rotation of muscles to joints, popping, stretching and flexing. It was critical for a shooter to keep loose and avoid muscle spasms or locked joints, a common hazard of the business. Sitting for long periods, unable to move, having to maintain your target was difficult physically and mentally.

By the time Jack reached the roof, he was prepared and focused. He quickly positioned himself and his rifle, not daring to look down over the edge of the roof. The only view he allowed of the ground was what he found through his scope. He would not accept his own personal fear to creep into his thoughts. It was bad enough that he had to fight back the wave of emotions that bled throughout his mind with regards to Sue.

Myles stiffened at Jack’s side. “Someone’s coming out. It’s Sue.” Myles found it difficult to contain his excitement at seeing Sue alive. He had already given up any hope of finding Sue alive but had kept his thoughts to himself. In his excitement, he forgot his normally eloquent speech and repeated a label coined by Bobby’s earlier that morning. “The split-personality chick has a gun to her head.”

Too focused to notice Myles’ slip in speech or to care, Jack kept one eye locked on Melinda’s head and the other observing the movement of her gun. He wanted desperately to look at Sue and see if she was okay but he could not afford to lose sight of Melinda for even one second.

Myles watched through Tara’s binoculars as Melinda forced Sue against the light post. He could hear her rambling tirade from the roof and understood clearly that she had begun a countdown to Sue’s death, starting with five.

There was no time to cry out the predicated warning of “F.B.I., drop your weapon.” Sue would be dead before he uttered half the warning. As Myles formed the word “Now” instructing Jack to shoot, he could already hear the chambered bullet being pounded by the hammer and expanded from the rifle. Even before his shout ended, she lay dead, her white outfit lost in the pile of snow in which the force of the impact propelled her, a small amount of blood spattered along the wall behind.

As Jack sank to a sitting position, Myles watched as the team ran from a cut opening in the fence and to Sue’s aid within seconds of the shot. Sue, whose back had been to Melinda, had fortunately not witnessed her silent death. Bobby prevented her from turning around and escorted her from the area. Myles turned to report to Jack that the scene had been secured and Sue appeared to be okay.

His words fell silent when he saw his friend sitting on the snow-covered roof, shoulders slumped and head held in hands. Myles turned back to watch Tara working the scene. He placed a hand on Jack’s shoulder. “It had to be done. The shot . . . Jack. You did well.”

Tara felt his watchful gaze and turned to look up at the lone figure on the roof. She hesitantly offered a small wave as if to ask if everything was okay. Myles looked briefly at Jack and then returned Tara’s wave.

“I need to go down and help.” Myles removed his coat and placed it across Jack’s knees, wanting to do more but unsure where to begin. With one last squeeze to Jack’s shoulder, he took to the stairs leaving Jack to begin the grieving process.

(Just Prior to the Shot)

The cold air pushed her breath back into her lungs, sending waves of chills into her already cold body. While her hands were no longer tied, the hours of containment and cold had taken their toll on her fingers and rendered them swollen and bruised. Unable to hold herself steady, Sue stumbled on the door frame of the steel door as Melinda pushed her forcibly through the opening. Sue fell on the snowy ramp, sliding to rest near a poll. Melinda only grinned as she yanked Sue’s hair pulling her back on her feet. Forcing Sue to look at her, Melinda threw a trilogy of words into the air, spouting nothing that made sense, at least to Sue.

Since yesterday, Sue had tried to follow Melinda’s words but could only pick up pieces now and then, just enough to understand that Melinda was suffering from some kind of mental problem. At first, Melinda had spoken quite calmly and often stared at Sue while she spoke. It had been easy then to recognize different personalities reaching out in Melinda’s conversations. The style of words and even Melinda’s own body language would change with each personality. Sue could not be sure which attributes were from the real Melinda. At first, she tried to speak to Melinda, using every bit of training on hostage negotiations she could recall from Quantico. But Melinda’s personalities would change so quickly and suddenly that Sue found it too difficult to try and negotiate with all of them. It was almost as if some master controller purposely changed the character to throw Sue from her mission.

It would not surprise Sue to find out that one particularly angry persona controlled all of Melinda. This character was evil pure and simple and it frightened Sue. Mallory was her name, Ms. Mallory to Sue as she had been repeatedly instructed. When Mallory took over Melinda’s conscious, everything about Melinda changed. Mallory stood ramrod in a straight military stance. She held her head high and looked down at everything, using her nose as a line of sight. Her face would contort into a mass of ugly lines and Sue had great difficulty in reading her lips because she would snarl her words and move her lips in such an odd way, almost as if she was trying to prevent Sue from knowing what she was saying.

But the change in Melinda’s eyes brought a great fear into Sue, unlike she had ever known. Melinda’s beautiful ocean blue eyes would turn dark as if the seabed had been violently disturbed sending waves of mud up to the surface. The color was not the only thing that changed, Mallory’s eyes never seemed to focus on anything. At first Sue thought this persona was blind but she soon realized that it was not that she did not see, it was more like she saw things no one else could see. It left Sue shaking and wary of her surroundings

As the morning progressed, Mallory became more belligerent and started pacing and screaming at Sue. Sue gave up trying to negotiate and started crying out for Melinda, hoping to encourage the real Melinda to surface, but Mallory only laughed at Sue’s feeble attempts. And then suddenly a few minutes ago, Mallory looked down at her watch. She then pulled out a gun and forced Sue to leave the building.

Sue shivered as the cold wind greeted her. She tried to focus on what words Mallory spat into her face but could only recognize that she was informing Sue that her time to die was now. Normally at times like this, one would see their life pass before their eyes, or say prayers to God for salvation, but Sue had already said her prayers and spent time looking back on her life, even wishfully make additions. At the moment, Sue did not think but reacted to her surroundings, savoring her last moments. She could feel the snow squishing under her shoes as Mallory urged her forward. The wind no longer seemed cold but flowed past her skin, leaving a trail of kisses behind. The world slowed and Sue swore she could hear the wind and she turned her head as if to draw the sound closer into her ear. It was when she turned to listen for this sound that she could not hear that she saw a dark shadow, highlighted by the grey clouds in the sky. At first Sue wanted to cry out in irrational terror fearing the shadow to be death coming to collect its payment. But the shadow soon split into two and Sue knew; she knew that Jack had found her and her heart beamed a cry of joy unheard, unseen but felt throughout Sue’s soul.

When Melinda shoved Sue against the light post, Sue reached out to stop the impact but cried out in pain as her bruised hands hit the metal poll. Melinda smiled with delight at Sue’s pain and pushed her once again into the poll almost when Sue cried even louder. And then when Melinda violently shoved Sue’s face into the poll, Sue felt laughter at the irony that just a few days ago her face met the same fate with a similar light post. I guess it will take a little longer for those bruises to heal. But her choked laughter quickly turned to tears of anguish as the end of Melinda’s gun pushed into Sue’s head, leaving no doubt to Sue that her bruises would never heal.

Sue raised her eyes to the roof of the building, searching for her dark angels. She could not find them and she feared that they had decided to leave the roof hoping to gain a better position on the ground. Sue feared they would not arrive in time to save her.

Sue knew when Melinda pulled the gun from her head that the time had arrived. The wind suddenly died and all was calm. Sue watched as a snowflake floated down from the sky and flutter within two feet of her face on its path to the ground. Sue wondered if her fall would be as graceful.

Small tears escaped and ran uninterrupted down her cheeks. Through the blur of tears, Sue saw a haze of white and imagined heaven with angels running to meet her. She felt such peace and inner joy and readily accepted her fate. But when the angels, who resembled her friends, ran past her with guns pointed, it took several seconds for her to realize her angels were real and here on Earth.

Chapter 10

The warmth from the plastic heat pack began to sooth the pain in her hands. She looked up into the brown eyes hovering nearby and received an encouraging wink. Sue could not help but smile at Bobby’s affection. The warmth of the heater in the car and the heat pack in her lap lulled her and she felt lethargic but alive.

“I didn’t think you would find me.” Sue turned to Bobby and felt a small tear escape along her face.

Bobby reached up and wiped away her tear with one finger. Unbeknownst to him, he shared Myles’ belief that they would never find Sue alive and he was relieved to be wrong. As usual, he hid his emotions with humor. “Are you kidding? We always find our man . . . or woman, being the case. Besides, how could we not find you with Sparky breathing down our necks.” He turned in the open doorway of the car and looked at the roof of the building behind him, the hair on the back of his neck rustling. He frowned, not from the brightness of the sun now shining for the first time in days but from concern for his best friend who had not come down from the roof.

Sue watched Bobby and followed his gaze to the roof. Slowly she began to put the pieces together. Bobby had pulled her away from the courtyard so fast that she had not seen Melinda being shot and it was not until she reached the safety of the car that Bobby told her of Melinda’s death. Seeing Bobby’s worried glance at the roof, Sue quickly surmised that Jack was up there and he had fired the shot that took Melinda’s life. “Jack shot her.”

Bobby nodded in reply to Sue’s statement. “He had no choice. It couldn’t have been easy for Jack . . . I mean . . .”

Sue touched Bobby’s arm. “I know. Jack told me why he left SWAT.” She looked up at the roof sending a quick prayer for Jack.

Bobby was surprised that Jack had shared this information with Sue and a part of him was hurt. He had not realized how deep Jack and Sue’s relationship had become and Bobby felt left out of this new and important aspect of his friend’s life. Jack never hesitated to talk about his days with SWAT but, as far as Bobby knew, he had only shared his reasons for leaving SWAT with Bobby; but apparently Jack felt close enough to Sue to share those dark memories.

It is very rare for a sharpshooter to actually shoot anyone during their career and Jack had the misfortune to kill two people during his time with SWAT. After the second kill, Jack decided he could no longer carry the emotional weight associated with the job. Bobby could clearly remember when Jack told him about this difficult time in his life. They were watching the Lakers playing against the Rockets and as usual the Lakers were ahead by several points and bored with the game, Jack and Bobby had started telling stories from their past, trying to outdo each other with their acts of heroism. At one point, Bobby teased Jack about being a sharpshooter and hiding behind a rifle instead of being on the ground where the real action took place. Jack has suddenly become very quiet. “Did I ever tell you why I left SWAT? It’s different when you react to a shooter from a short distance. You’re given no choice in those circumstances. But when you’re sitting far away and have time to plan your shot, it feels . . . I feel . . . was I any better than a murderer. There’s more control shooting at a distance and there should be more choices then. I began to doubt what I was doing and I feared I wouldn’t be able to pull the trigger one day when the team needed me. I knew then it was time to move onto something else.”

The memory of that day was interrupted by Sue who urged Bobby to go to Jack on the roof. But Bobby ignored her request, pulled her from the car and placed his coat around her shoulders. His friend’s well-being was more important than any insecurities he was beginning to feel.

Bobby could see Sue’s concern and paused briefly before responding. “He knows I’m here. And when he needs to talk, I’ll know. He’ll probably show up at my place tonight with a six-pack just a few minutes before the pizza I ordered arrives.” Seeing Sue’s confused expression, he continued. “We’ve been friends for a long time Sue.” With another glance toward the building, Bobby sighed and looked deep into Sue’s eyes. “No. Right now I think he needs you . . .” Not wanting to reveal too much of his friend’s feelings for Sue, he quickly corrected and added, “. . . a woman’s touch.”

With a reassuring nod and a final push, Sue carefully stepped through the battered doorframe of the building. It took her some time to reach the roof as the staircases were weak and shifted often under her weight. Her hands hung useless at her sides and Sue had to lean up against the wall several times for support.

Although the wind had died into a slight breeze under the watchful gaze of the sun, the briskness of the air shocked Sue as she stepped out of the shelter of the staircase and onto the roof. But the cold was immediately forgotten as her eyes fell upon Jack, silently sitting by the short wall along the edge of the roof. Myles’ coat still laid across Jack’s raised knees left untouched. He looked lost and vulnerable and Sue hesitated to approach him and at the same time she wanted desperately to run to him.

Sue sat on a hard pile of snow next to Jack. She started to speak several times but her words could not find a voice. Wanting desperately to free her heart but lacking the confidence to do so, Sue simply leaned her head down onto Jack’s shoulder and said, “Thank you.” Seconds passed and Sue waited and just when her fears began to seem real, he lowered his hands from his eyes and leaned his face against her head.

When Jack first heard someone on the roof, he assumed it was Bobby. Not wanting to speak to anyone, he had simply ignored the invasion. But when he felt her head touch his shoulder, he knew it was Sue. A wide range of emotions had sapped his energy and he hesitated at first to take the comfort she offered. But his mind was too overwhelmed to fight his heart and he leaned in closer enjoying the touch of her hair against his face. Her essence filled his nostrils and his heart felt light and full at the same time.

It was just a few short hours ago he had fought to keep negative thoughts about Sue’s survival out of his mind. And when Sue had walked out of the bunker alive, Jack then had to fight the shivering relief that threatened to dispel his ability to hold his rifle steady.

Now she sat next to him and, as expected, more concerned for him than for herself. Sometimes he wanted to shake her because she tended to worry about others’ needs before her own. She would never hesitate to help someone, even if it endangered her own life. And after a traumatic experience, Sue sat on the roof of a broken building, shivering in the cold, just to comfort him. Jack wondered what he did to deserve someone like her in his life. And he prayed that he would eventually deserve her heart as well.

Sue’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “Do you know where I can rent a tank?”

Surprised at her question, Jack turned to Sue to ask “What?” but paused when he saw her face. Her cheeks were chilled pink from the cold breeze that also blew her hair softly from her face revealing the still healing bruises. She looked so small and delicate in Bobby’s huge coat and Jack thought she had never looked more beautiful. Her observant eyes looked within him and Jack shuddered at what she must see; a man no longer confident in himself..

Sue watched as Jack’s eyes changed from the color of deep honey to an intense chocolate brown. She returned his gaze taking in the dark shadows under his eyes and the rough beard that created a hollow ruggedness on his face. Sue became embarrassed as thoughts of Jack’s scratchy face against her soft skin played in her mind.

Jack watched the splattering of red along Sue’s cheeks intensify. He pondered what created the blush and stuttered to think that perhaps . . .

With great difficulty, Sue repeated her question. “Do you know where I can rent a tank? I have this urge to drive down Memphis Street and take out all the light posts that I can find. A tank should do the job nicely.”

Sue explanation was so earnest and filled with such disdain that Jack could not help but a laugh at the image of Sue driving a tank down one of the oldest sections of D.C.; a long street lined with antique gas lamps. He could just see her reveling in every post that she ran over.

“I’m serious. I have had it with light posts. They’re out to get me Jack. I just know it.” Sue tried to appear sincere but gave in and enjoyed the feel of laughter between them.

They needed to laugh and Bobby was happy to see his two friends begin to heal. Retreating from the shadows of the roof doorway and back down the staircase of the building, Bobby allowed a laugh to escape his own heart. He would have done no differently in helping Jack as humor always worked. Good job, little sheila.

Sue watched as Jack looked to the staircase leading to the roof. He turned back to her with a smile and seeing her confused expression he responded, “I thought I heard something. I guess it was just a wallaby.”

Not even giving Sue a chance to question his strange response, Jack stood and helped her to her feet. Pulling Bobby’s coat more firmly around her delicate shoulders, Jack paused with his hands on the collar of the coat. He reached out to brush a strand of hair away from her face, capturing her bright eyes within his gentle gaze. “I think you’ll be safe from light posts from now on. I’ll make sure of it.”

The End

You can find this story, and all of Mjasd's other stories here in her archive page. Comments are always welcome!