Unseen
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All Without A Trace characters belong to Hank Steinberg and the folks with Jerry Bruckheimer Television in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Productions. I'm borrowing them for a while; no infringement is intended, and no profit is being made.
Thanks to TAE for her beta work and support. Follows the fiction "An Off Day"
Jack turned onto 78th Avenue in Kew Gardens Hills and parked the car. He pulled out his phone and dialed Danny.
"Taylor."
"It's Jack. Sam and I are at the house. Where are you guys?"
"We're stuck in traffic. Garbage truck hit a VW bug on the 59th St. Bridge. We'll be there as soon as we can."
"Fine," Jack said, closing his phone. He sighed and then looked at Sam. "They're stuck in traffic. Looks like we go it alone."
Jack got out of the car, paused, and headed to the rear.
"This should be fun," Sam commented, apparently to herself, getting out of the car.
Jack opened the trunk and removed his jacket and tie before slipping on his vest.
"Vests? I thought we're just questioning him."
"We are, I just have a feeling, that's all."
He was nervous and felt the adrenaline rush as he started down the block to the house. After a few steps, he turned back to look for Sam.
"Is there a problem?"
"Not really, it's just that the breast plates have to fit just right, otherwise it's a waste of time. I'll be right there," Sam said, struggling to get the vest on.
Jack waited a moment and then continued towards the brick house. The lawn needed to be mowed and the trees needed trimming. He walked up the concrete steps and scanned the doorframe for a buzzer. Seeing none, he opened the storm door and knocked. The door eased open. Removing his gun from its holster, Jack took a step in.
"Mr. Alvarez? FBI. We'd like to talk to you," he called.
Jack stood for a moment just inside the door. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up and he took a nervous breath. He heard footfalls behind him.
"Anyone home?" Sam asked, out of breath from jogging down the block.
"Sam, get out of here, now. There's something very wrong," Jack warned, continuing to scan the stairwell to the second floor and the hint of the living room.
"What?" she asked, following him into the foyer.
"Now, Sam!" he said, loudly as he took two tentative steps towards the living room.
Sam turned quickly, but lost her balance and reached for something to stop her fall. The click that he heard when Sam clung to the closet door handle caused him to freeze in his tracks. Sam ran out of the house as Jack ran away from the sound and into the living room, diving behind a large sofa. There was a flash, a horrendous noise, and then silence.
Two days earlier (Tuesday)
13.5 Hours Missing (9:30am)
"Missing person is Lucy Aston, twenty eight, paralegal. Her roommate called it in," Vivian said, writing the information on the whiteboard and taping up a photograph of a blonde with green eyes and a great smile.
"Pretty girl," Elena commented.
"Martin is in Washington for the week taking that course, whatever it is, so Elena, would you and Danny run over to her apartment and interview the roommate? Samantha you and I will start digging," Viv directed.
"Where's Jack?" Sam asked.
"He's giving his deposition on the missing sailor found off the rocks at Governor's Island last month," Viv replied.
14.5 Hours Missing (10:30am)
As he rode the elevator alone up to the twelfth floor, Jack tugged at his tie. Walking onto the floor, he headed straight for the break room to brew a cup of coffee using the Keurig B50 high-end single cup coffeemaker. Taking a sip, he walked out to the bullpen to check in with Viv.
"Hi."
"Hi, how did it go?" Viv asked, her eyes glued to the monitor.
"Fine, just the same bureaucratic BS. I'm just tired," he sighed before taking a sip of his coffee.
Walking up to the whiteboard, he studied the timeline, nursing his coffee.
Lucy Aston 7A-NY 516884
"What do you know?" he asked, turning to face Sam and Viv.
"She lives in Jersey City and works for AIG. She has a night job at some place called the Red Rock West Saloon in Manhattan," Sam replied.
"She pays her bills on time. I should be getting her phone records in a few minutes," Viv remarked.
"Okay, Elena and Danny are at her apartment?"
"Interviewing the roommate, an Allison Rosen," Viv read from her notes.
"Keep me posted," Jack said, taking one last look at the picture on the whiteboard, before heading to his office.
"Miss Rosen? I'm Special Agent Elena Delgado, and this is my associate, Special Agent Taylor. We're here to talk to you about Lucy," Elena said, holding up her badge.
"Of course, please come in," the small red-headed woman responded, opening the door wider.
The two agents walked in and sat down on the sofa that faced the window overlooking the marina.
"Nice apartment," Danny commented.
"Thanks, it helps, having two incomes."
"What do you do?" Elena asked.
"I work at American Express, in the city."
"Tell us about Lucy," Danny asked, pulling out his pad.
"I've know Lucy for about six years, since she got out of college."
"Where did you meet?" Elena asked.
"I met her at her job."
"At AIG?" Danny asked.
"No, at the Red Rock West Saloon on West 17th St."
"Go on," Elena prodded.
"She bartends. It's a pretty wild place. I was there with some friends and we just hit it off. Sometimes it just works that way, you know? You meet someone and it's as if you've known them all your life," Allison paused as tears started to roll down her face.
"I know this is hard. When was the last time you saw Lucy?" Elena asked.
"Uhm, yesterday morning, we walk to work together. I take the water taxi from the base of her office building to the city. We had reservations to go to dinner; the three of us, Luce, Joe and myself. Joe is my boyfriend."
"We'll need to speak to him. What's his last name?" Danny asked.
"Joe Enkland, 201-555-7342. That's his cell. He's an actor, so that's the easiest way to get ahold of him."
"What makes you think there's something wrong, Allison? Maybe Lucy went out with some other friends," Elena asked.
"No, she isn't answering her cell phone and she always calls if she's going to be late," Allison said, getting up and turning her back on the agents.
"What aren't you telling us?" Danny asked, standing up.
Elena got to her feet as well, walking up to Allison, sensing her fear.
"There was a man she had been dating. They had been going out for about a month, I guess. His name was Roberto."
"Did you meet this Roberto?" Danny asked.
"Once, right after they started dating. She had the night off from Red Rock, so we went to Woody McHale's on 14th St. for a drink. I met him there. I didn't like him. He kind of scared me."
"Do you know Roberto's last name?" Elena asked.
"No, I'm sorry. Lucy knew that I didn't like him. I mean we even had an argument about it. After that, she never mentioned him until she broke up with him."
Flashback
"Hi, it's me. I just broke up with Roberto. I'm taking the 8:45 water taxi home. Want to meet me at Liberty House for a nightcap? Call my cell. It's 7:30."
"I met her at the bar and I could tell she'd been crying," Allison explained.
Flashback
"You were right. He was scum. He was seeing someone else, when wasn't with me. I was such an idiot. I thought he was so great, such a romantic."
"Luce, it's okay, now. He's gone and you don't have to deal with him"
"So why do you think Roberto is involved?" Danny asked.
"Because he showed up at the Red Rock last Tuesday and caused a scene. The bouncers kicked him out, but she was scared. She took the rest of the week off from the bar."
"Thanks for your help," Elena said, reaching out to shake her hand.
"Please find her. She's my best friend."
"We'll do our best," Danny promised.
They got into the elevator and pressed one.
"We need to find this guy," Elena stated.
"Yeah, and we need to talk to Joe, the other boyfriend, to corroborate."
Entering their car, Elena called the office.
"Agent Johnson,"
"Hi, Vivian."
"Hi, Elena, how did it go?"
"We have a clearer impression of what might have happened. Do you have her phone records?"
"Yes."
"She had a boyfriend named Roberto."
"Hmm, Roberto, Roberto…no, nothing here."
"Okay, after work, Danny and I will go up to the Red Rock and see if anyone remembers this guy. Apparently, he was bad news."
"All right, I'll see you back at the office when I see you."
"Sounds good, bye."
"Bye."
"No one by the name of Roberto called her cell or was called by her," Elena reported.
"It's never easy, is it?" Danny remarked as he drove towards the Holland Tunnel back to the city.
16 Hours Missing (11:30am)
Jack looked up and saw Danny and Elena walk by his office to the bullpen. He picked up his coffee and followed them.
"How did it go?" Jack asked.
"We have an ex-boyfriend who may be a suspect. He threatened her at her bartending job." Danny said, removing his suit coat.
"Right, she worked at Red Rock?"
"Yeah, do you know that bar?" Elena asked, turning to look at him.
"I have been there, yes. Uhm, it's a politically incorrect bar," Jack hedged.
"How incorrect?" Viv asked.
"If you're not a white blue collar male you'll be hassled. I was at the DEA a couple of months ago, across the street, and stopped in for a beer. Never been back," he said softly.
"So I guess you and I will go there, Jack?" Sam said in the vortex.
"You're gonna be hit on from the time you enter to the time you leave."
"Not if you play it right," Sam said, returning her concentration to her computer.
Jack gazed at her back, raising an eyebrow, before returning to his office.
"You said no calls from or to a man named Roberto?" Danny asked.
"Right," Viv confirmed.
"We need to talk to Allison's boyfriend and then we need Jack's report from the bar," Elena stated.
Viv looked at her, eyebrows raised; before Elena gave a detailed report of their interview with Allison.
21 Hours Missing
"You ready?" Jack asked.
"Almost," Sam replied.
Jack waited patiently at the end of her desk.
"Done," Sam said, looking at him for the first time.
"Uhm?" she said, seeing him in a tight black t-shirt, black suit jacket and jeans, his St. Jude and cross hanging in view.
"Yeah, we have to talk, come on," he said, holding out his hand.
"Okay," she said, grabbing her purse and raincoat before taking his hand and following him.
They went to his office to get the duffle filled with his trousers, shirt and tie and then headed to the elevator. As the doors closed, he started to explain.
"This is a working class bar. If I enter in a suit of any kind I'm a Fed be it DEA or FDA. You need to dress a little sexier; not in a power suit."
Sam thought for a few minutes and as the elevator car door opened, she smiled.
"Let's go to my apartment and I will become your gal."
"Uhm, okay, that's great. I'll throw my duffle in my trunk and leave the car here. We'll take taxis tonight; it'll be easier then trying to find a place to park."
"You're not kidding."
22 Hours Missing
Jack walked into the Red Rock and took a seat at the bar. The bartender, a young tattooed woman in black with bright red lipstick came to take his order.
"Scotch on the rocks," he said loudly to overcome the jukebox.
"Slick, do you want to be more specific?"
"Sure, Johnny Walker Black, two rocks," Jack said with a smirk.
She smiled back as she turned to fill his order. Moments later, she brought the drink.
"Six."
"Leave it open," he said, handing her a credit card.
"Sure, slick."
Jack sipped his drink and waited for Sam to make her appearance. He didn't have to wait long.
"Hey, blondie," a very drunk man behind him called.
He looked towards the door and she waved. Jack stood as she crossed to him at the bar. Quickly, he kissed her before she sat on the stool next to him . Her black suit had been replaced by a short skirt and a low-cut blouse.
"What would you like to drink?" he asked.
"Vodka and orange juice, I think."
The bartender came over to take her order.
"Absolut orange and tonic," Sam said, changing her drink before Jack could order for her.
"You got it."
"She's with me," Jack added.
The bartender nodded, still facing away from them, pulling the drink.
The night progressed as Sam made friends with the bartender, Jack made friends with the bouncers. He stood outside, inhaling the secondhand smoke.
"I was hoping Lucy was working tonight," Jack said.
"You know Lucy?" The blonde bouncer asked.
"I met her once. She told me to stop by if I was in the neighbourhood."
"She's taking some time off."
"Is she okay?"
"Yeah, her ex showed up and was a jerk. I think she'll be fine."
Jack turned to face the other man, quietly flashing his ID.
"Hi, I'm trying to find Lucy. She's gone missing. Can you describe the ex for me?"
"What? Uhm, yeah, of course. He was high and tight-"
"Wait, are you saying he was military?"
"Yes, or ex, I guess, but he had a military cut, tattoo on his right bicep, two As,"
"82nd Airborne," Jack remarked softly.
"Yeah, well he was a dick, rude to Lucy, and just a pain in the ass so we threw him out of here."
"How was he when he left?"
"He was fine. We just ejected him. We didn't tune him up at all."
"Thanks, what's your name?"
"Derrick Allen."
"What branch did you serve?"
"Marines, you?"
"82nd Airborne, 1st Brigade, 504th; the Red Devils," Jack said, reaching out his hand. "Do you think you could talk to our sketch artist; maybe give us a good likeness?"
"Sure, tomorrow, though, after I wake up."
"Great, we need to find this guy," Jack said, handing the man a business card.
"He said his name was Ricardo, Ricardo Alvarez," the other bouncer offered.
"Are you sure?"
"Oh, yeah. It was loud but I generally don't forget an asshole," the man smiled.
"I'm Jack Malone."
"Terry Matthews, Jack. Good to meet you. Come back, hell, you can even wear your suit. I'll let you in."
"Semper Fi," Jack said to Derrick.
"Hoo ra!"
Jack grinned and walked back into the bar to collect Sam.
"Hi, hon, this is Carrie. She's a friend of Lucy's," Sam said, kissing his cheek as he sat down.
"Hi, Carrie, I'm Jack."
"Hi, Jack."
"Carrie was telling me about the night Lucy's ex came in,"
"Oh, yeah?"
"It was really awful. I mean he was cussing her out and stuff; threatening her. She was terrified."
"I would be, too," Sam said, reaching for Jack's hand.
"Can you describe him to me?"
"Why?"
"Because I want to make sure my honey doesn't run into him here," Jack said, kissing Sam on the cheek.
"No problem, Jack. He was tossed and is forbidden to come back."
"Great," Jack said, looking at Sam. "Honey, I'm really tired, would you mind if we went home?"
"Sure, Jack. I'm tired, too."
Carrie cashed out the bar tab and brought Jack back his credit card and the slip to sign. Adding a generous tip, he took his copy of the bill and the card, carefully placing both in his wallet. They stood and Jack slid his hand to Sam's waist, guiding her to the door. They got outside and headed towards Ninth Avenue for a southbound cab.
"What did you learn?" she asked.
"I have someone who will talk to Sheila and get a sketch going," he smiled.
"Great. Carrie said Lucy kept to herself, mostly."
"So you learned nothing new?"
"No, I don't think so."
"It's a little after seven. I'll call the office and see who's there," Jack said, pulling out his phone and dialing a number.
"Johnson."
"Hi, Viv it's me. I've got a name, Roberto or Ricardo Alvarez. He was in the 82nd Airborne. Also, one of the bouncers is going to come in and work with Sheila."
"That's great, Jack. Where are you, now?"
"Sam and I are heading to 9th Avenue to catch a cab. Wait, hang on, Viv," Jack said, turning to Sam, who was trying to get his attention.
"Jack, if you don't mind, I'd rather not go back to the office dressed like this. I'd like to call it a night."
"Okay, Viv, uh, Sam is gonna take the rest of the night off. She's not dressed for the office…"
"I understand, I'll see just you, then."
"Thanks, Viv. Bye."
"Bye, Jack."
"So, I'll drop you off then?" Jack asked.
"That would be great, thanks." Sam said, getting in the cab.
Jack climbed into the cab beside her and closed the door.
"Ah, we're making two stops, the first is Greenwich and 11th St and the second is 26 Federal Plaza on Lafayette."
As the cab took off, Sam looked over at Jack, catching him staring out the window.
"Hey?" she called.
He turned and looked at her quizzically.
"That was fun, tonight. I mean, I don't see you except at the office. It was nice to hang out."
"Yeah, it was. I miss your company, too, Sam."
"Okay, first stop," the cab driver announced.
"See you tomorrow."
"See you, Jack."
Jack continued in the cab until he got to the FBI's New York Field Office. After paying the cabbie, he pulled out his ID and headed into the building. Standing in the elevator, he sighed, leaning back against the back wall. The door opened on the twelfth floor and he pushed himself off the wall, walked onto the floor, and headed for the bullpen.
"Like the look," Elena teased, seeing him approach.
Jack sat in one of the chairs at the conference table and leaned back, closing his eyes.
"Jack, you're beat, why don't you go home?" Viv asked.
"I've got him!" Danny exclaimed.
Jack got to his feet and went to stand behind Danny, looking over his shoulder at the monitor.
"Roberto Alvarez was in the 82nd Airborne from 2001 to 2006," Danny read from the screen.
"Check to see if there is a Ricardo Alvarez," Jack instructed.
Danny entered the information and the DOD document came up.
"Ricardo Alvarez, killed in the line of duty in 2005 in Afghanistan."
"They were twins?" Viv asked, now standing with Jack.
"No, brothers, ten months apart," Jack said.
The agents looked at the face on the screen as Danny made both brothers faces appear. The phone rang.
"Delgado."
"Yes, hello, this is Joe Enkland, I'm returning a call."
"Yes, Mr. Enkland, I'm Special Agent Elena Delgado with the FBI. I'd like you to come to our office tomorrow to discuss Lucy Aston."
"Why? What's happened?"
"She's missing. We spoke to Allison and now we need to speak to you."
"All right, all right. I can see you tomorrow but it will have to be early."
"That's fine. What time?"
"Eight?"
"See you then, 26 Federal Plaza, twelfth floor."
"Bye."
"Goodbye, Mr. Enkland."
Elena hung up and turned back to her associates.
"Allison's boyfriend will be here at eight, tomorrow morning."
"Great, do we have an address on Mr. Alvarez?" Jack asked.
"No, I'm gonna have to dig around," Danny replied.
"I'm going home. Reggie has a History test tomorrow and I promised him I'd help him, tonight."
"Night, Viv," Jack said, barely turning his head from the monitor.
"I'm heading out, too," Elena said, picking up her purse.
"Night, Elena," Danny said as he started his search.
Jack cracked his neck.
"I'm going to type up my notes. Holler when you get something," Jack said, slowly walking to his office.
"Okay,"
Walking back to his office, Jack felt the fatigue of the day catching up to him. He sat down at his desk, pulled his notepad from his jacket pocket, and started to type on the computer.
25 Hours Missing
"Jack? I'm heading home. I have calls out, but I haven't heard anything back, yet," Danny said from the doorway.
"Hang on, I'll walk out with you, I'm not getting any work done."
Jack saved his notes and then turned off his computer. He stood slowly and then followed the younger agent to the elevator. Standing there together, Danny looked over at his boss's face.
"You want to get something to eat?"
"Nah, thanks, Danny," Jack said, stepping into the elevator. "Rain check?"
"Sure, no problem; you look wiped out."
Jack looked at him and smiled. Danny followed him into the elevator. Jack pressed G while Danny pressed 1.
"See you tomorrow," Jack said, leaving to get into his car.
"Sure, see you."
Jack walked to his car, unlocked it and got it. He started the engine and half an hour later he was home. Locking the door behind him, he set his phone in the charger, keys in the silver dish, and his gun and holster in the closet. He fixed a scotch and then took his duffle to the bedroom. Taking his shirt and trousers, he put them in the dry cleaning bag and unrolled his tie. Examining it for stains, he hung it on the tie rack in his closet. He took a sip of his scotch and set it down on the bureau. Then he removed his socks and jeans, trading them for a pair of pajama bottoms. He picked up his drink and padded back to the living room. Leaning over, he turned on the stereo and selected a custom CD of Jimmy Barnes' music. The Australian's normal rock n roll voice came over the speakers softly as Jack sat down in a leather chair. He listened to the rough voice and relaxed.