-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disappearing Act by Beth Arritt Copyright 1997
John Grant slipped into a seat in the command center just as Bailey started the briefing on the new case. As he sat down, he glanced around the table and noticed Nathan was running the computer. He leaned over to whisper to Sam. "Where's George?"
Sam shrugged. "`Personal business'." "That's the fourth time this month he's missed one of these `evening emergencies'," he commented. Sam just shrugged again. "I wonder--"
"Do you have a theory, John?" Bailey asked loudly. John gave him a blank look. "Well, then, do you mind if we continue, or would it disrupt your conversation?"
John shook his head and slouched down into his seat. He put George's mysterious absences in the back of his mind for now.
***
"Hey, George." George looked up from the computer as John approached the table. "How's it going?"
"Fine." He turned his attention back to the computer. John stood next to him without speaking. Finally, George looked up at him again. "Did you want something?"
"Oh, yeah, sorry. Nate and I are going to have a drink when we finish up here. Wanna come?"
George shook his head. "Thanks, but I can't tonight. Next time," he added as he went back to typing.
John walked away with a frown. George's disappearing act had been bugging him since the meeting the night before. He decided this definitely needed further investigation.
***
When George left the office around 5:30, he had no idea he was being followed. John hadn't spent years as a cop without learning a few things about surveillance. He followed George to a building just a few miles from the VCTF Headquarters and waited in his car while George went inside. After a few minutes, John got out of the government car he had requisitioned and went to the door George had entered. John opened the door slowly and peeked inside. When he was sure the coast was clear, he slipped insi de the building. He could hear people talking at the other end of the building, so he headed toward the sound.
The noise was coming from the other side of a set of double doors at the end of the hall. Each door had a small window at eye level. Through the windows John could see George with a group of people at the end of the room. For a moment he had no clue w hat was going on, then he saw a sign on the door that made everything clear.
*That little sneak,* he thought. He left the building without alerting anyone. On the way home he decided not to tell George he knew what he was up to just yet. But he could tell the rest of the team.
***
Five days later, Bailey, Nathan, John, Sam and Grace all sat in a row in the darkened room, thoroughly enjoying themselves. Finally they joined in the round of applause and stood, adding a few whistles and cheers. When George took a bow, he was surprise d to receive a bouquet of daisies. A large note attached read "THIRD ROW!!" He looked out into the crowd, saw the team, and groaned. The whole group not only knew about his role in the charity fundraiser production of *Grease*, they'd all come out to s ee his performance as Kenickie. John even had the nerve to wave at him. He gave the audience a slightly sick smile as he took one more bow, then joined hands with "Rizzo" and moved to the side. As the curtain fell, he only had one thought. *Man, I'm never gonna live this one down.*