Late babysitter allowed me to catch up this morning - no one is innocent I say!

Looks like Sue is on a mission of her own!

Jill

Very fun post. Let's see what sleuthing Sue decides to do and how Jack will so show his appreciation

The perpetrators better watch out! Sue is now on the trail!

Oops, it looks like Sue truly is innocent. I guess we owe her an apology...

Okay, I had a hard time figuring out what picture everyone was talking about and I only just now realized that you changed your avatar...Jack really does look awfully pleased with himself, I find myself wanting to wipe that grin off his face...I agree with Pam! No one is innocent!

Waiting for that letter that says Jack


And Sue? ... not sure yet

Janet, I'm trying to catch up and found your challenge - what a neat idea!! I've noticed the car on his desk before - figured it must be his favorite kind of car!!!

So now the car is taking a trip without him?? I tend to agree with Jack - I don't think Sue is involved!! And, I am also going to have to agree that it was too easy for him to find the envelope on D's desk - I think it was planted too!!!

Can't wait to see what's in this envelope - I love this!!!

Joy

Jack looked up as Sue set a bag on his desk. “Hey…”

“Hi.” She perched on the edge of his desk, resting her elbow against his computer monitor. “You get much reading done?” The quirk of her eyebrow told him she wasn’t referring to the case files.

Glancing around, he noticed everyone else settling back into their afternoon, their attention on the case and their fresh cups of coffee. “Found something interesting…” He lifted the photo from underneath his blotter and handed it to her, keeping it low and behind the cover of the screen.

Her lips twitched in a hint of a smile as she took in the view of the Grand Canyon, the colorful, sweeping vistas breathtaking in their magnificence. The car was set on the edge of a deep crevasse, the front tires dangerously close to the crumbling edge. “It sure is getting around,” she quipped, and a hint of a smile touched his eyes as he took the picture back, slipping it out of sight. “Where’d you find it?”

Noticing Myles making his way in their direction, Jack quickly signed, TALK LATER… DINNER TONIGHT?

DEAL, she replied, standing. “Just let me know if you want me to dig further on that file,” she said loud enough for Myles to hear before turning with a smile and walking back to her desk.

***

Okay I'm hiding out from the hungry natives (wish Sue had brought some food to our house) and loving this story Janet! Must go, someone is crying!

Someone's whining here, but I'm just going to ignore it for a second...it's just because the squirrels are outside playing and Elsie isn't! So, I take it we're to believe that Sue isn't involved in the car heist? Unless it was an elaborate scheme of hers to get in close with Jack I love how easily he has fallen into confiding in her and am now wondering if someone orchestrated it all with just this in mind. Here's my favoured theory of the day: Are you read? Okay -- I don't think anyone on the team took the car. I think it was borrowed by little people, like in the Borrowers by Mary Norton (atleast I think that's who wrote that one). They're very small and they find the things we misplace and they borrow them for their own comfort. Perhaps one of the country cousins was sick and they need rapid transportation. OR what if a mouse snuck it out for drag racing around the Bureau parking lot? A little brown furry guy like Ralph S. Mouse -- grown bored with his motorcycle. (Beverly Cleary). Only time will tell which of my theories will prove to be the correct one.

kav

Kav, I think you've spent far too much time in that library of yours.

I still think it's a conspiracy and Ted Garrett has to be behind it somewhere. Or maybe Randy. Or Howie. Or, I don't know.... Stuart Little maybe??? KAV!!! You're rubbing off on me!!!

Is it dinner time yet?


Kav, you are absolutely hilarious! I loved those books...that's a very interesting theory!

Not a bad theory, Kav!! I was also wondering if maybe Sue really did set this whole thing up to get closer to Jack!! Heaven knows, none of us would blame her!!!

Joy

Maybe we need to bring in Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to give a hand with this one.

I love Nancy Drew!!!

I'm thinking Sue might have more to do with this than first meets the eye...we'll see...either way, I'm hooked.

Janet I think we need more of your story. I know you said it was short but face it we are impatient and when left to our own devices we tend to get sidetracked easily.

I love Beverly Cleary! But perhaps it was Richard Scary's Lowly Worm who is driving the car!

I'm sure Sue will help Jack solve the mystery and then get some nice reward. I don't think she is involved, but I agree she can make a real poker face if she wants so.

It looks like Jack has an idea!!! I can't wait for the dinner!!!!


Restie

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were enjoying the ‘cloak and dagger’ aspect of us meeting tonight.” Jack smiled as Sue lowered her eyes demurely, color suffusing her cheeks at his teasing. Saving her from having to answer, the waiter approached to take their order. He had decided that taking her to one of their regular restaurants wouldn’t be the best idea, since it was possible that any of the rest of the team could show up. Not knowing yet who was behind the prank, he was reluctant to let anyone know Sue was trying to help him figure it out. Settling back in his seat after they were alone again, he smiled across the table at her, enjoying the way the light set her hair aglow against the soft tinge of her cheeks, her eyes expressive as the candlelight danced in their depths. He’d have to bring her back here again… the atmosphere was perfect…

“What are you thinking?” she asked softly, breaking him from his reverie.

Clearing his throat, he grinned sheepishly. “Just that it was nice to get away from our usual routine and relax a little.”

“It is nice…” She trailed off, holding his gaze with that soft expression that made his heart quicken. Very slowly she pressed her lips together, drawing a breath before tilting her head slightly. “You were going to tell me where you found the picture…”

“Oh… yeah.” He shook his head almost imperceptibly. “It was really strange. I found it under the blotter on D’s desk.”

“You think Dimitrius is involved?” Sue frowned, clearly not equating the prank with the older agent’s demeanor. “I thought the pictures looked more like something Tara might do.”

“There you go again, Thomas… thinking like me…” Jack winked as Sue laughed quietly. “Did anyone say anything at lunch?”

She shook her head. “Bobby mentioned something like you weren’t quite yourself today… a couple others talked about the case, but nothing was said about your car. I can’t believe they all didn’t see it was missing.”

“Maybe they’re all in on it.”

“Why wouldn’t they include me? I can keep a secret!”

Jack nearly laughed at the indignant expression on her face; she really was cute when she was steamed. “Maybe they didn’t think you’d keep the secret from me,” he challenged, tucking his tongue in his cheek.

She sat a little straighter, pinning him with her gaze. “I can keep secrets from you.”

“Really?” He leaned forward, smiling as he rested his chin in his hand and held her gaze. “What kind of secrets do you keep from me, Sue?”

She opened her mouth and then closed it, darting a glance around the room before meeting his gaze again as she squirmed a little in her seat. Then she tipped her chin saucily. “I could tell you… but then they wouldn’t be secrets anymore.”

***

I love their playful banter. It's too cute....

Very good answer, Sue

I am not sure WHO is involved in this but I like the way Jack and Sue cooperate


Restie

this cooperation will definitely deserve a kiss at least

cath

Janet, I love the way you write Jack and Sue - so true to form!! I can picture this perfectly!!!

Sue, I bet we know at least one of your secrets!!!

Joy

This is just delightful, Janet. I love that there is no angst and that Jack seems more intent on spending time with Sue than finding his missing car. I kinda think that if it takes him a while to solve this mystery it will be too soon for him!

Okay, I'm a little late to this one. I've really enjoyed catching up! Great story! I love a good mystery!!!

Tracy

You really captured the friendly banter between Jack and Sue so well. Their comfort with each other is one of the things I like best.

i will second that!!!

What a wonderfully descriptive sentence...you can just feel the flirtatious teasing in the air.

Cute...........very cute! Sue, you sooooooooooo have his number.

Jill

I know. I know. I've got it. I accuse Mrs. White. She has the model in the library, along with the candle stick. Case solved.

Ivory, are you sure it isn't Professor Plum in the conservatory with the rope?

This is just one of my favorite scenes that you have ever written Janet!

If Sue's secret is what I think it is....TELL HIM, SUE! TELL HIM!

Eager to put their plan into motion, Jack arrived at the office ten minutes earlier than he and Sue had agreed to meet. Balancing a coffee tray in one hand, he tucked the bag of pastries between his teeth and nudged the elevator button, sighing with relief when the doors opened almost immediately. He had just set everything down, taken off his jacket and was pinning on his badge when she breezed through the door.

“Good morning!”

“Morning.” He met her at her desk and handed her a cup of coffee, enjoying the tingle of awareness when her fingers brushed his, and then held up the bag in his other hand. “I figured, since we both came in so early, it might be nice to have a little something extra to go with our coffee…”

Sue lifted an eyebrow as she suppressed a smile. “I could say that you’re starting to think like me now, Hudson.”

Shrugging as he grinned, Jack set the bag on her desk and held up an envelope. “I found another one last night… it was under my door when I got home.”

“Where to this time?” She stepped around her desk to view the picture. “Paris! Too bad you didn’t get to go along,” she teased.

Lifting his head, his gaze collided with hers. “Yeah, too bad,” he answered softly, his mind suddenly filled with the vision of visiting the romantic city... with her.

Caught in his sudden intensity, she swallowed hard and made a nervous gesture, breaking the moment. “I saw Charlie this morning…”

“You got it?”

“He had it waiting when I arrived,” she beamed. “He said it’s a year off, but the differences are subtle.” She carefully opened the box and removed a model car that looked much like Jack’s missing treasure. “Were you able to get a tracking device?”

“Yup…” He went to his desk and picked up a small bag. “And I know exactly where to hide it…”

***

I love it! Sounds just like something I would do! Fake out the carnappers....make them make sure they have the real thing - LOL.

Great story, Janet!

Oh ho ho, clever move. Set the trap and see who bites.

I'm giggling ... this is so much fun!!!

Gentleman start your engines...

Oh this is so brill! That's the way to go - try to fake out the carnappers and see who gives. Woohoo, I think this is gonna get fun!

I don't know...I'm leaning towards Miss Scarlett...in the library...with the lead pipe.

Great idea, Jack! A tracking device...

Great story!

Tracy

I love this!!!

Joy

The banter between Jack and Sue is and I do hope. I could see that whole scene playing out like it was on the show. And now those two have concocted a plan -- well, what did we expect? They work for the FBI after all -- but so does the carnapper... this could get very interesting.

kav

i love it, this is wonderful

love the way jack thought about paris with sue.......... sure hope he does more than think about it!!!!


cath

i love this story its excellent!!


its so much fun to read!! jack and sue are so cute!! can't wait to find out who the carnappers are !! jack when he was picturing sue in paris!!! too cute!!


can't wait for more !!

Forget Paris. Lock yourselves in a small closet. After solving the mystery, of course.

Dont worry about the mystery - the car will still be missing after they have locked themselves in the closet!!!

Paris is really nice city, Jack... maybe you could think about it like about the place of your honeymoon with... Sue...

NOW we need more!!!


Restie

“Morning, Sue… you know where Jack is?” D nodded toward the empty desk across from hers.

“He got called upstairs to give an update on the case. Did you need something?” She had been covertly watching each of her co-workers as they arrived to see if any reacted to the sight of the new model on Jack’s desk. But D’s gaze had flown right past it with no sign of recognition.

“I just got a call from one of my snitches. He wants me to meet him, and it’ll probably take a while.”

Smiling, Sue nodded. “I’ll let him know. If he needs you, I’m sure he’ll call.”

THANKS With a quick smile, he turned and left without a backward glance at Jack’s desk.

If she were a betting person, Sue would bet money that D wasn’t involved, and the note on his desk had merely been a decoy to divert suspicion. The question was: who had planted it there? Picking up her cup of coffee, she glanced around as she took a sip, noting a seemingly furtive discussion going on between Bobby and Tara. But with their backs turned, she had no hope of eavesdropping on the conversation. They would bear watching…

***

Hmmm.... Intriguing. Bobbys and Tara acting suspicious? Nah, too easy....