A/N: Okay, so I was challenged by Kav to begin posting something new by June 1, and challenged by Tina to write something lighthearted. Then I challenged myself to write a short story (5000 words or less, is that truly possible for me???). Well, the easy part is accomplished - Kav, it's only May 29 and here I am! I've met my own challenge as well. The rest, well, let's just see what you all think.


His attention on the report in his hand, Jack turned the corner and immediately bumped into the person who had just exited the elevator. “Excuse me…” he mumbled before looking up. “Oh, sorry, Sue!” Lifting his hand, he circled his heart in an “A” handshape, and she nodded, telling him it was okay as they fell in step together. “You’re just in time…” He waved the file in his hand. “We’ve got a new case…”

“No rest for the weary, huh?” Sue quipped, giving him a small smile before proceeding ahead of him through the doorway.

Jack walked over to his desk, his brow furrowing and his steps slowing as he neared it. Thinking back, he tried to recall when he’d first walked into the office that morning, but he’d been distracted; Bobby had been telling him about the ball game he’d seen the night before, and then had come the call from upstairs. Whether it had happened while he was being briefed, or if it had happened overnight, the result was the same: the model car that always sat in its place of prominence on his desk was gone.

He pursed his lips and swung to look around the room, but there were no surreptitious glances, no hidden smiles… it was business as usual for a Bullpen morning. “Okay, everyone, listen up. We’ve been handed a new case this morning, and it appears to be a real whodunit.” Catching Sue’s narrowed gaze, he smiled and signed, MYSTERY. When she nodded he continued with the briefing, all the while wondering who would have made off with his prized possession. If an FBI agent couldn’t leave a personal article on his desk in safety, what was the world coming to???

***

Ooooo - I'm excited!

Good for Kav for challenging you......

Good for Tina for challenging you......

Good for you for challenging yourself.....

Good for us you've started!!!!

I can't wait for more and what is this prized possession are they talking about?

I think the prized possession is his model car that's gone missing.

And

Can you tell I'm excited about a new story from you??????

Lucky I decided to check the blockbusters before I went ahead and nagged you...I was going to give you a count down. I'm so excited...but....already dreading how quickly this will be over. But if it's all done and you're just posting now, you could start another one by June 1 And my hat's off to you if you can write something under 5000 words. I can't even write an intro to a story in 5000 words I am feeling Jack's pain...someone walked away with my favourite table at work.

Waiting impatiently for more.

kav

Kav, How does someone walk away with a table????


YEAH!!!! Janet's writing!!!! I'm happy!!! See me bounce?

I'm set. Bring it on!!!

Jill

Janet only you could take some small detail like Jack's most prized desk possession - a model car - and turn it into a fanfic! I'm so looking forward to this "whodunit"!

And Kav I'm with Jill - how does one steal a table? I'm guessing not very gracefully!

The Case of the Missing Model Car. It sounds like there is going to be a wild ride ahead.

Now, unless I mis my mark, I think there may have been a bit of confusion...I dont think the case is about a prized posession being missing...yup yup...no details about the case...yet. That's what was running through the back of his mind while telling the team about the case...right?

Here's what I think we know about the case...

right?

Woohoo, I'm so excited about this JP!! Hmmm, I'm guessing Jack's "prized possession" is being held ransom (trying to tie in the title here)...

Can't wait for the next post!

can't wait for the next post,


can't say i'd ever noticed the car,


maybe 'cos i'm too busy loking at jack to notice what's on his desk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cath

Could a prized possession be a photo of Sue and Jack on his desk?????? I think that would be pretty important to Jack!!!! We're happy. NEW STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cath, I've never noticed it either!

Jenny

I think there is something rotten in FBI... Jack, you have to find out who stole your model car !!!!!


Restie

Thanks for all of your comments... wow! Web, you're right! I found a pic that showed Jack at his desk with his car. Just one of those many details I've noticed over the years as I watched the show.


Setting down the fax he was reviewing, Jack’s eyes strayed to the empty handcrafted wood stand. The team had been taking turns playing pranks on each other lately and he figured someone had finally aimed one at him, but he wasn’t about to engage. Without a response to play the next move, whoever had his model would soon tire of the game and return it. It was just a matter of waiting them out.

He let his gaze drift around the room, watching the others busily come and go. Sue and Lucy were downstairs pulling files from archives; Bobby and Myles had just returned from chasing down a lead. D hung up his phone and headed out the door, stopping only briefly to talk to Tara, who obviously had just come back from the vending machine. Noticing him looking her way she held up her bag of M&M’s in offering, but he shook his head, turning his gaze back to his file.

A nudge at his leg a little while later drew his attention, and he looked down to see Levi staring up at him, a small envelope clipped to his ID. “Whatcha got there, Buddy?” Leaning over, he retrieved the note, his name written on the outside in heavy block type. Giving the Golden’s head a rub, he sat back and opened the envelope. Inside was a photo, or what looked like a photo, but had to have been computer enhanced. Scrolled in one corner of the picture were the words, Off for an adventure… It wasn’t handwritten; the text too perfect to be anything but computer-generated as well. He turned the envelope over, but it was nothing more than nondescript white stock found in every office supply store, and he knew if he had an analysis done, he would learn the printing was probably done on a common photo printing machine found in many retail locations and even some homes. The clue lay in the messenger. “Levi, where’s Sue?” He followed Levi’s gaze to see her rush through the door looking rather harried.

“Levi! How did you get back up here? I’ve been looking all over for you!”

Jack stood quickly and met her as she hurried over. “You didn’t send him to me with this message?” He held it up with a raised eyebrow.

“What do you mean?” Taking the picture from his hand, she glanced over it quickly. “Someone sent you a postcard?” Her look of confusion seemed genuine and Jack gently took it back.

He pointed to the blue car that appeared to be making its way down the mountain highway in the photo, only the angle and depth were a bit off, making it obvious that the car’s image had been superimposed into the background. “That’s my car… the model that’s missing from my desk.” He turned and her gaze drifted past him before widening as she realized what was missing.

“Your car… Jack! That’s awful! Who would do such a thing?”

He shook his head. “I’m sure it’s just another prank. If I don’t make a big deal over it, they’ll give up and give it back.” He met her gaze, searching her eyes. “You didn’t know anything about it, then…”

“Of course not!” Her eyes narrowed. “I know how much it means to you… I mean…” She broke off, catching her lip between her teeth as she looked away.

He touched her arm. “It’s okay… maybe you can help me keep an eye out for the perpetrator of the scheme.”

Giving him a sidelong look, she slowly nodded.

***

This reminds me of something I was involved in at work a few years ago we called the Great Potatohead Caper. We kidnapped Mr. & Mrs. Potatohead off of one of the Reps desks and held it for ransom, too. We sent pictures of the body parts and notes making our demands. She put up a LOST poster begging for their safe return. Our ransom was ice cream. It was so much fun...

So, one suspect down 5 to go. Unless we count Garrett and Randy....

Can't wait to see!

Well, darn! I was hoping Sue was holding the car for ransom. Payment? A kiss!!!!

This is great, Janet. Are you sure you want this to be a short story? We wouldn't mind it going longer!

This is a great pic of Jack. Not only is the car easily seen, but he has such a pleased look on his face. I wonder who he is looking at?

I have noticed the car before as well. It will be great to have you enlighten us as to the story behind the car model, jp3. Sue was so serious about not using it for a prank that I'm thinking it must be a good one.

It seems like I remember him picking it up and toying with it a time or two...


Either way, great stuff Janet!

I love movie "Amelia from Montmartre" too.... I am really curious who does this to Jack... I bet it's Sue


Restie

maybe all the team have kidnapped it and will return it when jack tells sue he loves her,................ or kisses her, .................or takes her out on a proper date................ or marries her...........................

cath

This is better than Flat Stanley. Only poor Jack.........he's torn between this being a joke and someone really taunting him............Glad he's keeping it in perspective!

Jill

first of....love where this is going...if in the right direction!!

now who would do such a thing and hold jack's model car ransom!!

cath hun you really have quite an imagination there!!!


sue does look to innocent to me?!?! or does she?!?!

can't wait for more!! post soon!!


p.s. jill love the avatar!! cute puppies!!

I find it rather funny actually, and I wouldn't dismiss Sue's involvement right off the bat. She can keep a very good poker face when she wants to.

I like some of the ransom ideas !!!

This is great! I hope that it is indeed only a harmless prank...

Okie, your story is so funny! Dontcha just love pranking friends?!

This is me with an Eeyore face. If someone had offered me a ransom for my table I would have paid it...alas...they just took it, whisked it away into thin air.

I can't decide if Sue is as innocent as she's letting on...she could have been acting all worried about Levi -- I mean would one of the team sneak him off on her? They know how upset she would get. I'm beginning to formulate a theory...lots of holes yet and I realize I don't have much time to perfect it since this is a short story -- unless you want to lenghten it..that would be just fine by me.
kav

Levi follows orders very well! Now Janet if we beg for another post will you follow orders also? I can't remember if it is stormy in your neck of the woods tonight - it is ending here at least temporarily!

Another post sure would be great. Is it storming where you are duckfan? It sure is here - it's been raining all afternoon and now my street is flooded so I'm stuck at home for the evening.

All of your theories are fun to read!! This is definitely a short story, but it's not going to be over too quickly! Pam, the storms are headed our way... we've probably got an hour or so before they arrive, so I'm posting now. Who knows how long I can hang around!


“You want us to bring anything back for you?”

Jack smiled slightly at Sue’s suggestion. “Sure… that would be great. Thanks.” He watched as they made their way from the Bullpen to get some lunch. There were several files he wanted to review in conjunction with their case, and while they could have waited an hour, he also wanted to do a little ‘surveilling’ in the office. He’d overheard Bobby say that D would meet them at the café, so he knew he would have it to himself.

Waiting an appropriate amount of time, he got up to refill his coffee cup, using it as an excuse to pass by Tara’s workstation where he casually perused the various files and documents sitting on its cluttered surface, resisting the urge to stack all of it into neat piles. But there was seemingly nothing out of order or connected to the disappearance of his car. Filling the cup, he turned and made his return trip past Myles’ and Bobby’s desks. The model of tidiness, there wasn’t an errant scrap of paper to be found on Myles’ desk, while Bobby’s looked like it had been hit by a tornado. Sifting through it would take longer than he had, so he checked the more obvious places but once again came up empty.

He straightened and looked around the room again. Sue’s desk reflected her nature: neat, but not fastidious, with little personal touches without being cluttered. Shaking his head, he set his coffee on his desk and moved past hers. One look in her guileless eyes and he’d known she wasn’t involved in the prank. Whoever was behind it probably figured she was too close to him to keep from giving it away.

Continuing on to D’s desk, he cautiously flipped through the files he’d seen Lucy set on the side. Putting them back, his gaze fell on a white corner peeking out from underneath the blotter. The weight and brightness of the envelope was the same as the earlier note, and he gingerly lifted the edge of the blotter. JACK The same bold lettering screamed his name and he picked up the envelope, frowning a little at the idea that D might be behind the scheme. Though he often enjoyed watching the pranks play out, it was rare for him to get involved directly. Making sure the files were as he found them, he took the envelope and went back to his desk.

***

he is so going to be busted for sneaking around now he's found the envelope hidden away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cath

It's little details like this that make you such a great writer, Janet!!! And have you really cleared Sue? So what is D up to? You've just blown two of my theories so I'm busy formulating antoher one.

kav

I think it isn't anyone on the team and that envelope was planted for Jack to find...I'm WAY off, aren't I?

Uh-oh, don't get caught Jack!

Humm. I think the envelope was a plant, too. The thing is, Jack is a sharp cookie. He surely is considering all of the possibilities.

I'm also thinkin' that someone "picked the wrong FBI agent to mess with."

First of all, Janet, glad to see you join the challenge! I'm loving the premise of your story and can't wait to see how everything pans out. I, too, was wondering if Sue was just really good at keeping a poker face (guess we'll find out at the end if she was involved, huh?), as well as if the envelope was planted for Jack to "find." You've got a good eye for details and it shows in your writing.

Methinks it's someone else entirely...perhaps "frameing" D? I just don't see D doing that...

Love your Avatar.......had never noticed the car before on the show.

Now........yep. That note was planted there. I'm sure of it! Now we just need to figure out who done it!

Jill

I love a good mystery even though I'm lousy at solving them. I want more! Please??????

It is always the quiet ones never trust the quiet ones. I know I'm married to that type and he is sneaky!

Wondering if Bobby's tornado desk came with any hail damage? Hope you don't get either!

AND what's in this envelope???? We need to know!!!!


Restie

Jack is going to be in sooooooo much trouble for 'borrowing' from the supervisors desk!!!! Maybe as punishment they could lock him in a room with Sue. Actually that would be a reward!!!!!!

More soon!

Jenny

Just caught up with the story and already hooked. This really is a mystery, challenging Jack's skills. Who to trust, who not to... I even doubt Levi is completely innocent.

I think it's a group effort and Ted Garrett is the mastermind of the whole thing.... But I've been known to be wrong before.

This is great! Can't wait for more!

Well, I'm positively thrilled that you're writing again, even if it is a short story. I can't wait to see who's standing behind that little adventure!

I'm so excited, JP...got back from being out of town over the Holiday to find a fun fanfic from you!!!!

I'm thinking the envelope was planted because "whoever" knew Jack would be snooping...and inside will be his next clue!!!!

Come on, JP, where's the morning post!!!

“So, anyone know what’s up with Jack?”

Sue glanced surreptitiously around the table at Bobby’s question, but all she saw were a couple of raised eyebrows and blank looks.

Tara shrugged. “He seemed a little thoughtful earlier, but I figured it was just the case. You know how he gets when there are a lot of angles and we’re not sure which one to approach first.”

“Maybe,” Bobby responded, appearing to consider it for a moment. “I don’t know… turning down lunch with us to sit there and review files…”

“This case really isn’t the type that begs for that sort of diligence… not that we aren’t always diligent in our investigations, but…” Myles tilted his head. “Well, you know what I mean.”

“He met up with you in the hallway this morning, Sue; did he say anything?”

Sue caught her breath at Lucy’s question, but then realized Lucy hadn’t seen their conversation when Jack showed her the note. “Um, no… we really didn’t have time for much more than a ‘good morning’ and then he mentioned we had a new case.” She punctuated it with a slight shake of her head and a shrug, turning to the others.

The conversation moved on to another topic and she carefully studied each one of her teammates, wondering if one or more of them was involved in the disappearance. Strange that no one had mentioned his missing model car; it was such a part of his desk that the gaping hole was hard to miss. But, immersed quickly in the new case, maybe they hadn’t noticed. Or maybe they did; but since Jack hadn’t said anything, they wanted to see how it played out. If they were involved, it was a cleverly crafted prank. Sighing inwardly, she continued eating, wondering if there was some way to turn the tables…

***

mmmmmmm looks like sue is going to help jack out, hope she gets at least a kiss as a reward............. or dinner.......... or a date.............!!!!!

cath

Hmmm... maybe Sue really is an innocent party to this prank....