She's My Kind Of Rain is a country song by Tim McGraw

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D entered the bullpen in panic mode. “We have a problem, people.” Four sets of eyes lifted towards him.

“Sounds like the wrong kind of problem, mate.”

“You can say that again. We lost Sue and Jack.”

“What?” Like an echo, the word traveled from desk to desk.

“They failed to respond when I sent the update on Mercer an hour ago.”

Jack and Sue had been following the shady businessman ever since he was seen picking up a small package at an African embassy three weeks earlier. Suspected of smuggling blood diamonds, the bureau wanted to identify the buyer before arresting Mercer.

“What was the update about?” Myles asked.

“Mercer boarded a plane from Billings Logan International Airport. I’ve already contacted Seattle, agents are awaiting Mercer’s arrival and will take over his trail. I was going to tell Jack and Sue to come home.”

“Do we know if they made contact with Mercer?”

D sat on the corner of Jack’s desk and held Bobby’s steady gaze. “No, we don’t. When I talked to Jack last night, he didn’t mention anything about his cover being blown. They’d stopped in Red Lodge, a small Montana town about sixty miles southwest of Billings, and they were heading out for an evening of entertaining at the local saloon.”

“Somehow the images you’re conjuring up are all but flattering,” Myles observed, his arms crossed over his chest.

D smiled. “Jack was taking Sue with him. He was hoping to catch Mercer with a client.”

“Not sure we’re all thinking about the same type of clients here,” Tara giggled. “I have something... Well, maybe not what you want to have.” Her eyes scurried back and forth on her screen. “I accessed Jack’s cell and Sue’s blackberry, and got an out of area—no service message which may happen in the middle of nowhere.”

“That’s not helping, luv.”

Bobby’s grin caused Tara’s cheeks to blush.

“I also found their rental Jeep. According to the onboard GPS, they’re still in Red Lodge, also known as Bad Lodge, estimated population of 2,500—makes you wonder what kind of accommodations they found—and, no, the car hasn’t been returned to the rental agency.” She frowned. “I know—it doesn’t mean they’re still with the car, but—”

“Keep trying their cell and blackberry,” D advised. “Bobby, I want you to brief our office in Seattle on the case. Myles, you’re leaving for Red Lodge.”

“Me? In cowboy country?” he objected with indignation. “Why can’t koala boy go? It’d be right up his alley.”

Bobby got up.

“No.”

“It makes sense for me to go, D. I was in surveillance with Jack and Sue at the embassy. I know the case.”

“Exactly my point, Bobby. If Mercer or any of his accomplices, whom we haven’t identified yet, recognized Jack, you may not be safe. “ He turned toward the rotor. “Lucy, get Myles on the first flight to Montana.”

This sounds great!!!

I seem to remember all the times that James Bond was inaccessible . . . and what was going on during said times . . .

Looking forward to reading more!!

Oh Boy! A New Marlo Story! My morning has just improved by 100%!

Kim

Another road trip by Marlene! And this time its Myles on the road with Jack and Sue instead of Bobby! Oh, the possibilities. I'm beside myself! Now, do I need to be
over Jack and Sue being out of pocket? I can't wait for more!

Lynn

Well, my day is made - a Marlo road trip!! Life can't get any better than this!!!

Joy

Marlene, you just made my day!!! (After the morning commute I had, I'd just about written it off as a loss already! ) I LOVED Myles' line That was sooooooo him!!

I'm nervous about Jack and Sue, and can't wait for more!!!

Janet

Another Marlo special coming right up. What a great start, Jack and Sue missing all on their lonesome....things are heated already!!!!!!

I can't wait to see what is coming up next!

Yay! Myles! I love Myles. Should be interesting, Myles in "cowboy country"!

I swear I just about wet my pants when I saw you had posted. (You have that affect on me. ) And you didn't waste any time getting right to the action, did you? Jack and Sue in the wilds of Montana... WHOOOO-HOOO-HOO-HOO-HOO!

Now the question of course is - are they in danger - or in something else, if you get my fuzz-filled drift. Is Myles going to find them in dire straights and be their hero, or are you just setting up the most colossal interruption of all time? An interruption extrodinaire, Majorus Interruptus, the mother of all interruptions, an interruption so huge it will make all other interruptions pale in comparison, an interruption that....

What? You need to interrupt me so the story thread doesn't reach it's limits and the board crashes? Hmmmmph. Well, I never.... ( )

SOOOOOOO glad to see this!

Tina - hyperbolist

Intriguing start Marlo.

Part of me is thinking warm fuzzies of Jack and Sue alone.

But of course there is that nasty possibility of their cover being blown.

I'm looking forward to this adventure and or whatever else you have planned for us.

Maybe Jack and Sue are enjoying the nature
Can't wait for the next

Tere

Marlos back and a fantastic start hope jack and sue are makinig the most of there alone time with loads of fuzzies and showers cant wait to find out more soon please
Lin

Interesting start! I felt my heart skip a beat when D said,



But then I realized that, you said Sue and Jack which means they've been together for a while and could have already come to their senses about how hot Jack is...I mean...erm... how much they love each other.......yeah....

Sorry, Tina's avatar kept looking at me as I read her response. Nothing I say under the influence of his eyes *swoon* should be taken seriously...

...except that this is really intriguing and I can't wait to read more.

Paula

I love this song and with you writing I'm sure I will love the story!

What a start! You created so many questions in so little time. Can't wait to read this, and I love that song by Tim McGraw!

oh my, we start off with sue and jack being lost? this does sound good. please update soon.
This is going to an interesting trip.

Guys... you are WONDERFUL! Thank you!!!

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Gagged, bound and blindfolded, Jack had no way of communicating with the woman trapped with him in the box of the bouncy truck. He could feel the small tremors of fear coursing through her body at being deprived of her sight and he wished for a way to reassure her, to let her know they’d be fine—or at least he believed they would be, not that he had any idea how they ended up in that predicament.

Tracking Mercer into town, they’d booked a room for the night at the local motel, also called Betsy’s Saloon. They’d discovered an interesting meal—he’d never eaten bison before but it’d tasted better than he imagined—and had enjoyed a wonderful evening on the dance floor—not that he’d been very adept at square dancing, but he recognized a slow song when he heard one. All in all, a perfect evening with the woman of his dream, even under the guise of surveillance. Mercer had eaten alone and received a phone that had appeared irrelevant. After Mercer had left, he’d suggested a walk to keep up with him and Sue had accepted.

Mercer had met with a local resident. In order not to raise suspicion, they’d entered a video store. He’d chatted with the owner while Sue had eavesdropped on Mercer’s conversation from the window looking into the back alley.

Horses, Sue had told him later. Mercer had talked about horses before returning to the saloon for the night. They’d also been prepared to retire to their room when two masked gunmen spoiled their plan. The men had taken his gun and found his badge. From there, their night had spiraled down.

Gagged, bound and blindfolded, they’d been tossed at the back of a truck with a bad suspension before someone had flung a manure-smelling tarp over them.

Jack found solace in the idea they were together, and he hoped that his presence comforted Sue.

They rode for what seemed like hours and hours... and hours.

Eeeek! Well, that dispells the notion that they're holed up enjoying some fuzzy moments together. Manure-spelling tarp - YUCK! But it also means they'll need a shower, huh?

Janet

And it's going to seem like hours and hours... and hours before you post again. Actually, it'll probably BE hours and hours... and hours.

Are they in Kansas/Montana anymore Dorothy? Or have the bad guys wisked them away to the land of flying monkeys they'll have to use their wits to make it back home again. Perversely, I'm liking the sound of that...in your hands.

Tina

Well all I can say is Jack seems pretty calm and confident for being found out he and Sue are FBI and kidnapped. Now let me see, they are about 60 miles S/W of Billings, Montana and although I've never been to Montana I think that's pretty desolate territory, so I'm not calm at all!

Lynn

Oh boy they need to try and get out of this and escape without them getting hurt and they both really need a shower as they will smell awful cant wait for more marlene
Lin

This is not good. This is not good.

Oh no!!!!

But I'm totally glad to see a story from you, Marlene!!!!

Em

No flying monkeys Marlo, please I just can't take any flying monkeys! Not that I really want to see Dorothy or Toto either but perhaps a pair of shoes that you could click together and end up at home might not be a bad idea.

That's my happy dance!!!

Jill

I'm glad to see you've joined in the challenge, Marlene! And what a start....you've got me already! I see lots of potential for edge of your seat twists and turns, not to mention fuzzies!!

I was so hoping that Tina was right...

Manure-smelling tarp? YUCK!

And I have heard that bison isn't that bad!

Well, Marlo, my euphoria has mellowed a little with your last post!! But I am holding on to the fact that Jack and Sue are together under your very competent watch!! I know, in the end, you will pick a shower over a manure-smelling tarp any day!!!

Joy

Well...Myles sure has his work cut out for him.

I couldn't agree with you more Tina! And with Marlene writing the story.....well, we know we are going to get lots of both!!!

I just had a feeling that if I was to check the board I would be lucky enough to find a marlo story and Bing Bada Bing.....there it was! Now, let's recap!

1. LOVING Jack and Sue alone in Montana!
(let's face it...not a lot to do! unless you're creative )
2. KIDNAPPED and stuck in the back of a truck covered in a manure-smelling tarp is never good!
(I mean YUCK!!!! )
3. MARLENE writing this story means we're on for another amazing journey!
(Now that I've said that.....post quickly!....we'll all be waiting! )


smiles from texas............................Lisa

Did I mention I'm looking forward to seeing Myles in cowboy gear??????

Great vivid descriptions -- including smells. It's awful that he can't even reach Sue.

Cowboy Myles riding to rescue any time soon?

Hope they will be fine

Tere

I know I'll regret asking that, but... What do flying monkeys got to do with anything?

BTW, the visual effects of some of your comments are leaving me and/or

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The late afternoon breeze carried the dry dust of the naked field into town. Exiting the old pickup he’d requisitioned at their Billings temporary field office, Myles took a deep cleansing breath—and coughed it out. Spring definitely hung in the air, from the thawing of the ground to the emergence of early blooms. He felt transported in his backyard amidst his rose garden until a burly man bumped his shoulder and walked away.

Brushing the dust from his plaid shirt, he entered Betsy’s Saloon. A middle-aged man wearing a blue flannel shirt with its sleeves rolled up past his elbow welcomed him.

“Where can I find a cheap room?” Myles asked.

The man studied him from head to toe. Myles wished he hadn’t shaved in the morning to add to his roguish appearance, but that was a detail that would take care of itself as the week progressed. With his tousled hair, washed-out jeans and worn out work boots, Myles felt pretty confident he looked just like the man he pretended to be... a transient worker waiting for his big break.

“Why? Are you short on cash?”

“Yeah... I heard a guy named Billy Wrinkley comes here to recruit workers for mines in the far north.”

The man raised a brow. “Pay is great, buddy, but those Canucks work the guys like crazy. Fifteen-hour shift, ten days in a row—no entertainment.”

“I want money, I don’t care about entertainment.”

“Suit yourself, but you’re out of luck. Billy came yesterday. He won’t be back for at least another week.”

Myles already knew all that, which was why Tara had suggested that cover. It gave him a week in the small town to snoop around while supposedly waiting for Billy.

“A week?” He shook his head, exaggerating the motion. “Where am I supposed to stay? They don’t stop people from sleeping in their truck, do they?”

“No,” the man laughed, “but that’d be mighty uncomfortable. I can give you a deal for the week, and you can pay me with the advance Billy will give you.”

“Sounds good,” Myles agreed, shaking the man’s hand.

I love it when Myles, of all people, is all "rough and tumble!" He can be pretty darn surprising, can't he?!!



But now, what about Jack and Sue . . . ??

WOW! I can imagine Myles in his work attire priceless!

Go Myles!

Tere

myles in cowboy gear wow just hope they can find jack and sue
buy love myles being normal and not so stuck up cant wait for more
Lin

Oh dear, Myles dressed up like that? Can I just say yeehaw!

It's surprising, what with his upbringing, how fast Myles can get into character when undercover!! I think he's very good at it!! I'm glad he got a deal on a room though, because I think he would have drawn the line at sleeping in his truck!!! LOL

Joy

Well... the land of flying monkeys were supposed to represent a place where you didn't want to be - but were forced to go - and from which you had to find your way back. Obviously my analogies need work. So just forget the monkeys and carry on with the story. I'll try to do better next time.

Myles in a plaid shirt... he's looking curiously like "Pan Handle" in my mind!

That truck Jack and Sue are in... it's not heading toward those mines in the far north by any chance?

Tina

Well, I'm having a hard time imagining Myles in disguise here, the snobbish, sarcastic witted Bostonian character so ingrained into my psyche. But, I'll try, Marlene. Oh, and I love plaid shirts...plaid anything, actually!
Now Tina, you voiced my thoughts exactly. What better place to hide someone, or worse!

Lynn

Same here. I love it!

Well, this is getting exciting. I feel like yeehaw-ing for some odd reason.

Paula

The mines far north? Of course not...

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The truck came to an abrupt stopped and her stomach almost hurled from both the impact and the stench. The canvas was taken off and Sue felt the weak sun on her cheeks. Morning already? Had they been driving all night?

Someone pulled her up. Standing on shaky legs, she breathed in the morning dew, searching for Jack’s scent. Something brushed her bare arm, and she fought the panic rising inside her chest.

Poked between the shoulder blades by a sharp object, she was forced to move forward. Peddles rolling under the soles of her sandals and dust accumulating between her toes, she silently counted the steps, the mental exercise her only connection with the outside world—sixty-one, sixty-two, sixty-three—she was forced to sit into something. Vibrations shook her body and she began to move. With each toss and turn, she grew more frightened. She frantically tried to loosened the knots around her wrists but couldn’t. After what felt like hours but could have been only minutes, the vehicle that she suspected to be some kind of wheelers stopped.

A large hand grabbed her upper arm, but before she could fight, a needle punctured her skin.

Darkness faded into oblivion.

Ack!! What's going on?

Paula

Marlene, what have you done???!!!

Jill

She is in a mine, though, isn't she? An abandoned mine! They put her in the little bucket or wheel barrel to transport her, didn't they? There's lots of them all over the country out there, so I've seen in the movies and TV shows! They don't have to kill them. All they have to do is take them and leave them!
And did they take Jack along too? I don't want her to be alone, Marlene!

I don't like being left
Why do I think Sue counting her steps will come in handy later on?

Lynn

marlene what have you done dont leave sue alone please dont do that wheres Jack at least leave them together just dont leave sue alone and dont let anything happen to her or Jack please cant wait for the next post loving this one
Lin

:eeek: I'm scared for Sue! Great job, though, taking us into her mind so we could experience what she's experiencing - having to rely on her senses of touch and smell. I'm really, really, really hoping Jack is still with her and was just out of reach and downwind.

Janet

I'll be brief...

ACK!!!

Tina