He was Doctor Jason Bull, a renowned psychologist that helped a lot of people with his newly founded company. He had amazing friends, a great group of colleagues- who, incidentally, happened to be that group of friends- and a good life. He was financially sound, despite not making much money with his business yet, and he had a nice, decent sized home. But, yet, he was still missing something. He wasn't sure what it was, but there was definitely something missing. He had thought that it was his ex-wife, but after a recent encounter with her, he had realised that she certainly wasn't the reason behind the emptiness he constantly found inside him. Then he had thought that it was because of his lost child, but even that wasn't it. Although, the child that he could have had upset him more and more these days. Bull just couldn't figure it out. Maybe it was the recent loss of his only childhood friend?
"Hey, Bull, we just got a new case," said his right hand woman, Marissa Morgan.
Bull smiled and nodded. "I'll be there in a moment. Assemble the team, Marissa."
Once his friend was gone again, Bull sighed. Their cases were becoming repetitive lately. Easy. They hadn't lost a case in the last two and a half months- not that that was a bad thing. But the work wasn't even being put in anymore. There was no need. The cases were so similar, all the team had to do was go off the previous cases to get the job done. His tech wonder girl, Cable McCrory, hadn't had to use her skills in the last several cases, and Bull was worried that she was getting bored and wanting out. He really didn't want to lose Cable, she was too good of an asset, and far too good of a friend to him. With another sigh, Bull stepped out of his office and into the main area of his company to join his team at their conference table.
Marissa closed the door to Bull's office as she left to get the team, but she couldn't help looking back at her boss. Something was on his mind lately, and it was clearly bothering him, but nobody had been able to get him to talk yet. She was worried about him, but she didn't want to bring it up unless it was absolutely necessary. And she hoped that it wouldn't become necessary.
"Hey, Marissa, is Bull okay?" asked the former FBI agent, Danny James.
"I don't think he is, Danny. Does he seem a little distracted to you lately?" Marissa asked.
"Yes, but I just thought it had to do with him seeing his ex a couple of weeks ago. Benny did say this his sister always the tendency to make Bull feel like he doesn't matter."
"Maybe that has something to do with it, but it can't be that alone. Something else has to be bothering him. I wonder if we can get Benny or Chunk to talk to him?"
"Benny might have a better chance if it has to do with Bull's ex."
"Alright, we'll try Benny first. But that will have to wait. Bull wants me to get the team together to discuss our new case." Marissa grimaced. "I hope it isn't like all the other cases we've been getting."
"Same here. I'll go get Benny, you get Chunk and Cable," said Danny as she turned a corner in the short hallway. "I'll let Benny know what we want him to do before we join you guys."
Marissa nodded as they parted ways. She hoped that Danny was right about the problem being Bull's ex, and that it wasn't anything more. She knew about his friend being sick, after all, and really hoped that he wasn't the cause behind Bull's current gloom.
Benny Colon was reading in the company's small kitchen/dining area when Danny found him. She sat at the table with him and waited until he had put down his book and given her his full attention.
"What can I do for you, Danny?" Benny asked.
"First, we have a case that Bull wants to discuss. Secondly, Marissa and I, and probably Cable and Chunk as well, have noticed that Bull seems a little sad these days. Marissa and I were hoping that you could talk to him and see if it has anything to do with your sister's latest visit."
"Isabella does tend to leave Bull feeling like he's worthless. I wouldn't be surprised if she said something before leaving that upset him."
"So you'll talk to him then?"
"I'll do my best. But if it's something else, it'd be better and easier if Chunk or Marissa talk to him instead."
"Thank you, Benny."
Smiling, Benny stood and followed his friend to where everyone was gathered at the conference table, waiting for them.
"Okay, everyone, we've got a new case," said Marissa. She handed around copies of the case file. "The victim is an elderly man that was living in a retirement home. He was found by his daughter almost three days after his death, according to the coroner. Also according to the coroner, the man did not die a natural death- he was poisoned."
"Poisoned with what?" asked Cable as she flicked through the coroner's notes.
"Something called organophosphorus. I've never heard of it, but it's apparently very deadly if it isn't treated within a couple of days of exposure."
"It's a drug," said Danny. "It's usually used in cleaning products, but it can be purchased in it's original, pure form on the black market."
"Did you deal with it in the FBI?" Bull asked.
"A few times. The EPA usually takes control of cases involving it."
"Do you think you could get in contact with the EPA and find out the specifics of this drug? I want to know how it's possible that this guy was killed by it."
"Sure." Danny smiled and made a note in her spiral-bound notebook.
"The daughter is suing the retirement home," said Chunk Palmer. "Who are we representing?"
"The daughter," answered Marissa. "She's hired us to help show that the home was neglectful even before her father's death. I believe that we have a couple of other families also wanting our representation in a suit against the home once this trial is over."
"It sounds like they should be in on this trial," said Benny.
"This is a wrongful death suit," said Bull. "Their family members are still alive."
"Are we taking that case too?" Cabled asked Bull.
"Let's see what happens with this trial first." Bull sighed, but he was glad that he had a use for Cable again. "Let's get to work, people. Cable, dig into the home's finances and history. See if you can find anything useful to support neglect. Danny, after you get in touch with the EPA, I want you to do thorough background checks on the dead father and the daughter. Make sure there isn't some other motive behind this suit. Benny, get in touch with the daughter and go over what you want to do in court with her. Listen for any inconsistencies in her story. Chunk, I want you to get the daughter ready for court please. And Marissa, I want you to work with Cable. Create a fake story for us to visit the home under the pretense that we are looking to drop our parents off."
"Of course," said Marissa. "Where are you going?"
"I'll be in my office if anyone needs me." Bull didn't offer any more of an explanation, just walked away, leaving his team confused and even more worried that usual.
