18
Mistletoe and Mayhem
Chapter 2
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December 20
George Mason University
"Special Agent Manning," Bobby stated holding up his FBI badge, "and Agent Thomas."
"Thank you for meeting with us on such short notice, Professor Park," Sue began graciously.
"You lucked out," Professor Meredith Park responded. "Another day and I would've been out of town. What do you want to know?"
"No beating around the bush for you, eh, Professor?" remarked Bobby sardonically.
"I can think of only one reason why the FBI would be here," Park responded dryly. "You want information."
"We do. We'd like any information you may have on student named Hakkim El-Rashad," Sue answered.
"Hakkim?"
"You seem surprised."
"I am."
"Mind telling us why?"
"He just doesn't strike me as the type the FBI would be interested in."
"And what type are we interested in?"
"Subversive? Volatile? Rabble-rouser?"
"And he's none of those?"
"He's pleasant enough. He's always been cordial when we meet."
"Is that often?"
"No. As department chair, I don't get a chance to know all the students as much as I'd like to unless they're under my direct supervision."
"What kind of student is he?"
"Far as I know he's a good student, not brilliant but definitely capable."
"Any friends that you know of?"
"I imagine so. Like I said, he's pleasant enough."
Sue withdrew two photos from a folder. "Do you recognize either man? He may be here in your department either as a student or faculty member."
Park jabbed at the photo on the right. "This is Hakkim. It's a really bad picture of him."
"And the other man?"
"I'm not positive but I think I've seen him with Hakkim several times."
"Do you think he could be a university student?"
"I can't say with absolute certainty but he probably is."
"Do students have access to chemicals?" asked Bobby
"Certainly," confirmed Park, raising an eyebrow at the obvious. "This is after all the chemical engineering department. Students need access to chemicals for experiments and individual projects."
"How do you monitor usage?"
"Since 9/11, all students, faculty and staff members are required to sign out any and all chemicals."
"Is anything missing?"
"Not to my knowledge."
"Would you know?"
"I would after inventory."
"When is that?"
"At the end of the semester."
"Didn't the semester end a couple of days ago?"
"It did."
"So do you have an inventory?"
"We should."
"You should?"
Park bristled. "We don't have one yet."
"But you said…"
"The end of the semester is an extremely hectic time for us. We take inventory at the end of the semester after grades have been submitted which is today."
"Who does it?"
"Usually an instructor with an assistant."
"We would really appreciate it if you could have the inventory done as soon as possible and let us know what you find," suggested Bobby as he handed Park his card. "You can call this number with the information."
"I can tell you right now I don't like what you're intimating," Park stated flatly.
"Neither do we," Bobby responded.
"This is one instance where we'd be more than happy to be proven wrong," Sue told him frankly.
Park's eyes shifted from one agent to the other and saw the truth on their faces.
"I know I don't have to tell you we'd prefer to keep this visit as quiet as possible," said Bobby as they readied to depart.
"Of course."
"By the way, when was the last time El-Rashad was here?"
"I haven't the faintest idea," said Park shaking his head. "I'm assuming it was during finals. We have a couple of students running experiments but for the most part, only the office staff is here so close to the holiday."
"If he shows up, could you give us a call?"
"Of course."
"Thank you…and Merry Christmas," said Sue.
"You, too."
Their footsteps echoed in the nearly deserted hallways.
"Not a warm and fuzzy kind of guy," Sue commented facetiously.
"No," agreed Bobby, "but all is forgiven if he's identified another suspect."
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"Hey!" announced Tara the moment Bobby and Sue walked through the doorway. "Good news!"
"I could do with some," Bobby responded.
"The sketch the professor ID? Two hits."
"Great! He could be suspect number two."
"Or just a friend," reminded Sue.
"Or just a friend," Bobby agreed.
"Well, in either case, here we are," said Tara as two photos appeared on the large screen. "The one on the left is Fateen Nazir and the one on the right Idrees Khalid."
"Any connection to Hakkims one, two or three?"
"Keep in mind we haven't been able to do an in-depth check on either man yet."
"I hear a 'however' coning up."
"Good listening," acknowledged Tara. "Our preliminary check indicates that Nazir also attends George Mason."
"Majoring in…."
"…mechanical engineering." She paused a moment to let the bit of information sink in. "So we don't know if Nazir knows El-Rashad but…"
"…now it's a possibility since both are in engineering," finished Bobby.
"Right."
"What about the surveillance? Any word from Myles?"
"You just missed his last check-in," Lucy shared.
"And?" asked Bobby.
"No sign of El-Rashad yet but he did send some surveillance photos. Maybe your informant could take a look at them?"
"We'll take them by."
"And…."
"And?"
"He did have one final thing to say."
"Which was….?"
"His last words were and I quote…'Who's taking the next shift and it better be soon because I have a dinner date with a beautiful brunette.'"
"A beautiful brunette?" mused Jack interest gleaming in his eyes at this bit of information. "Anyone we know?"
"Rumor has it that it's someone in Accounting," Lucy contributed.
"Hey!" exclaimed Tara. "Maybe that's why the mistletoe showed up in this office. Whoever this woman is, maybe she's Myles' secret soul mate!"
Jack and Sue could barely contain their mirth while Bobby grinned at the thought.
"Don't laugh," admonished Tara. "However unlikely it sounds, Myles may have a soul mate out there secret or otherwise. After all, they say there's someone for everyone in this world if you look hard enough."
"You know," said a non-plussed Lucy, "Tara could be right. After all, with the financial background of the Lelands, someone in Accounting makes sense. " She saw the looks of disbelief. "Hey…it's a start. Not to mention any names and dash any hopes but the couple we thought was the couple turned out not to be the couple so we have to find another couple as the reason for that mistletoe or our whole theory is shot."
"So you're saying if the couple doesn't click after one kiss under the mistletoe then the couple really isn't meant to be a couple?" questioned Jack.
"So it seems," Lucy nodded philosophically.
"No second chances?"
"None to date."
Jack looked thoughtful as he glanced at Sue.
At the mention of the word couple, Sue had made tracks for the coffee station. She knew what was coming—Lucy would look at her with that thoughtful gleam wondering about Jack and her. No matter how many times she denied it, her roommate didn't believe her. She liked Jack, she really did but she wasn't interested in pursuing a relationship with him...not any more. Their time had come and gone.
"I wish Myles all the best with his beautiful brunette," Bobby started, "but this threat has become a credible one and if Christmas is the holiday of religious significance it's right around the corner. Our priority right now is to find those men. He may have to postpone or reschedule his date."
He looked around for confirmation. Somber expressions dotted the faces of the team.
"All right. We need to set up the rest of the surveillance teams while the rest of us contact our sources and see if there's any further chatter on the streets. Let's see who…"
"I'll go next," volunteered Sue.
"Anyone wants to…"
"I'll do it," Jack offered.
"You and I can take the next shift," Tara promptly added.
"Works for me," agreed Bobby. "Change at six and midnight. Now, where are those prints? I'd like to drop by the restaurant and see if Julia can ID any of them."
"Right here," replied Lucy handing him a fairly thick envelope. "Be thankful El-Rashad doesn't live in a bustling neighborhood. There'd be a lot more."
"Now, who's going to be the lucky one to tell Myles he has to work tonight?"
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"I want to say another thanks for taking the next shift on surveillance," Bobby remarked as they drove to the informant's work place.
"It's called teamwork. Besides, the sooner we solve the case the sooner we can help Myles and The Cause," replied Sue.
"The Cause?" He could hear the capital letters in her voice.
"Myles and his brunette," she explained. "If she can forgive him for breaking their date tonight and still begin dating, then the Mistletoe Fairy will have successfully struck again. A perfect track record."
"I understand you and Jack had an encounter under that sprig of greenery," Bobby said carefully as his eyes slid sideways to look at her.
"It was an accident."
"Any truth to the rumor that it was a magical moment?" he asked stealing another glance.
"Maybe for Jack."
"And you?"
"Nope."
To his surprise, Bobby felt strangely relieved.
"Are you sure?" he asked wanting to be certain.
Sue sighed in exasperation.
"What?"
"Not you, too!"
"What?"
"You sound just like Lucy."
"Like Luce? How?"
"No matter what I say, she still thinks Jack and I would make a 'cute' couple."
"What do you think?"
"What I know is Jack and I are friends," she said firmly. "Nothing more nothing less."
"You sure?"
"Positive."
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"I have to be back in ten minutes," said a tired Julia.
"We won't take too long," Bobby responded sincerely, "and thanks again for your time and help."
"Do you recognize either man?" Sue asked handing the woman two photos.
"This one. He's with the group."
"You sure now?"
"Yeah."
"Good. Now, Julia, I need you to look at a few more photos," Bobby said as he took out a thick envelope. "I know this might be difficult because of the quality of the pictures but do any of these men look familiar?"
"Who are they?"
"People going in and out of El-Rashad's apartment building. We had them blown up as much as possible."
"There are so many…." Her voice trailed off as she began to flip through the stack of pictures.
"I know," Sue said apologetically. "Just do the best you can."
The two agents stared hopefully at the young woman while she continued to scan each picture.
Ready to give up, she shuffled the final few photos. "I don't think…." Julia stared at the last one.
"What is it?"
"Him," she said with certainty, "he's one of them."
"Are you sure?"
"It looks like him."
"That's…that's great," Sue responded appreciatively marveling at their luck.
"Can I go now?"
"Of course," Bobby stood. "We'll need your help to identify the fourth man."
"If I can."
"Thanks, Julia."
With a nod, she was gone.
"All we have to do is ID this bloke…," Bobby said delighted at the unexpected good fortune.
"…then we'll have three members of the group since Julia connected Hakkim's friend to the lunch bunch," finished up Sue as they walked back to the car.
"Now all we need to do is find the fourth man."
"We will."
"I like your optimism, Miss Thomas."
Sue smiled. "Okay…now what?"
Bobby looked at his watch. "Now we head back to the office, have Tara run this photo through the databases while you get ready for your watch with Jack."
"Sounds like a plan."
They'd taken only a few steps when suddenly Bobby heard shouting from behind them.
"Stop! Thief!"
Bobby turned and caught a brief glimpse of startled people being shoved to the side when a figure thudded past jostling them. Regaining his footing, Bobby was in immediate pursuit.
Bodies were thrust aside as the suspect pushed his way to freedom. A busy street loomed ahead. The thief hesitated a moment before crossing but it was long enough for the long-legged FBI agent to catch up.
"Hold on there, mate!" Bobby panted as he grabbed the thief's collar and yanked the arm holding the purse behind his back. "You're under arrest!" He pushed the man against a building and whipped out handcuffs.
"Lemme go! I didn't do nothing!" yelled the suspect. "You got no right to hold me!"
"Sure I do," Bobby replied. "FBI."
"The Feds!" groaned the purse-snatcher.
"Live and in person. You picked a bad day to do a grab and snatch."
"I didn't steal it! I found it! Honest!"
"Yea…right," Bobby said dryly noting the discrepancy appearance of the suspect and the designer bag. "Is that why she was yelling, 'Stop, thief!'?"
"Okay, okay…move on the side," ordered a loud voice. "What do we have here?" asked the police officer eyeing the situation.
"A purse snatcher, Officer…" Bobby peered at his badge, "Walters. This drongo appears to have stolen a woman's handbag."
"It's mine!" the suspect said stubbornly.
"Well, well, well," said the officer recognizing the man. "Up to your usual tricks, eh, Freddy? Those judges could save me a lot of time if they kept you in jail," he said shaking his head.
"You know this bloke?"
"Freddy and I are old friends, aren't we, Freddy?" responded Officer Walters reaching for his cuffs. "I'll take it from here, buddy."
"Oh, good!" panted a feminine voice. The two men turned to see a well-dressed older woman. "You've caught the thief!"
"This man did," nodded Officer Walters.
"Thank you, Mr….?"
"Manning."
"Thank you, Mr. Manning."
"I'm glad I was able to help," he smiled. He looked at the officer. "Do you need me?"
"Nope," was the short reply. "Thanks for your help. Ma'am, if you could wait a few…"
Bobby stepped away and turned to look for his companion.
"Sue?" he searched the crowd—she was nowhere to be seen. "Sue?"
Worried, he retraced his steps craning his neck to find her. Finally, he spotted her holding her wrist as a man solicitously hovered by her. Quickly, he strode over.
"Sue?" he asked putting a hand on her arm. "Are you all right? What happened?"
"She fell when that purse-snatcher shoved his way past," explained the man. "I think she may have sprained her wrist. She needs to have it checked."
"I'm all right," protested Sue tersely.
"Let me be the judge of that," said Bobby. "Thank you, mate."
"I hope your wife will be fine," he smiled. "I must go."
"She's not…"
"I'm not…"
The man disappeared into the crowd before the next word could be uttered.
"Wife, huh?" Sue commented. "Whatever gave him that idea?"
"Your guess is as good as mine." He carefully took her gloved hand in his and gently flexed it. "How's that?"
"Oooo. Fine," she grimaced.
"Sure you are," he said wryly noting her reaction. "You're so fine we're going to emergency. What say we head to the hospital for our honeymoon, Mrs. Manning?"
"I could think of more romantic places. You know, like dinner for two at the Willard."
"You're on…as soon as your wrist is better."
"I was joking, Bobby."
"I wasn't. Now that I've given you sufficient incentive, shall we have that wrist checked out?
"I'm okay, Bobby, really."
"Humor me," he cajoled gently. Concerned blue-grey eyes stared into dark green ones.
"All right," she relented.
"Good." He reached down for Levi's leash. "C'mon, boy, let's take Sue to the doctor."
In a few steps they were at the car.
"Bobby?" asked Sue as he let Levi in the back.
"Yeah?"
"I'm supposed to go on surveillance with Jack."
"I'll call Tara and explain," he told her as he opened her door.
"I'll take her shift," Sue said when he slid into the driver's seat.
"You're going home and rest that wrist. I'll get someone else to cover."
"I don't need my wrist to do surveillance," she pointed out, "only my eyes."
"You're going home," he said firmly.
"I'm taking Tara's shift," she said equally firmly.
He gave her a quick glance.
"Has anyone told you you're a stubborn woman, Sue Thomas?"
"Only way I wound up on this team…along with a good dose of luck."
Bobby's dimples flashed. "It was our lucky day," he smiled reaching for her hand to squeeze it.
"Ouch!"
"Sorry!"
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Bobby snapped shut his cell and headed back inside Emergency. While sympathetic, Sam Ellington had not been happy to be pulled into surveillance duty for Sue.
"Sorry, mate," the Aussie agent had apologized, "but there's no one else willing to do this and you're next on the list."
"I know," Sam had grumbled, "but this sucks. I'm in the middle of packing for our family vacation. Jeannie is going to hit the roof."
"It'll only be for a day or two at the most."
"It better be or you are going to owe me big time, Manning."
"I'll give you my first born, Sam."
"Throw in lunch and we'll consider it even."
"You got it. Thanks, mate."
A grunt on the other end had ended the call.
Bobby paused a moment to prepare himself to face the wrath of his partner at his news. He pushed aside the privacy curtain and announced, "Found someone to take your place on surveillance."
"I'm perfectly capable of taking my shift!" Sue glared.
"Sam said he'd be glad to do it for you and only you."
"Sam? Sam Ellington? He's supposed to be leaving for a trip tomorrow. He can't take my place! They're taking the baby to show his parents! You call him right back!"
"Sue! You…"
"Am I interrupting something?" asked a voice as the curtains parted. Bobby whirled around.
"No."
"Sorry it took so long but radiology was swamped. Took a while to get these back," he explained holding up the x-rays.
"How is she, Doctor?"
"The good news is no broken bones," replied the doctor pointing to the images on the screen. "It's just a sprain. That being said, it'll be sore for a couple of weeks so it's important her wrist is rewrapped daily and she uses the sling for a day or two. That'll help with the discomfort."
"So she can't work."
"It depends on what she does."
"She…"
"Excuse me, but I'm here," interrupted a determined Sue waving her good hand. "I can speak for myself."
"Sorry," apologized the young resident.
"I feel fine. Can I work?"
"Like I said, it depends on what you do. It really shouldn't be a problem unless you're on the computer a lot or you're planning to do handsprings," he replied with an encouraging smile. "Of course, no lifting with that arm. Be careful and use that hand as little as possible for the next few days."
"Are you sure she doesn't need to take a day or two off?"
"Positive," Dr. Hayashi replied, "unless it's really hurting. I'll prescribe a mild painkiller if it really bothers you but otherwise, an Aleve or two should be sufficient. Any other questions?" His eyes darted between the tall Aussie and the blonde on the bed. "No? Well, if you think of any later, feel free to call. The nurse will be coming in to wrap her wrist. After that, she signs some papers and she's free to go. Take care."
"You heard the doctor," said Sue when they were alone. "He said I can do my job."
"I still think you should go home and rest."
"I will after we get out of here and after you call Sam. I'm taking Tara's shift which is really my shift now."
Their eyes locked as a battle of wills went on silently.
"All right," Bobby relented. "But I'll do the driving."
"All right," Sue graciously conceded. She'd won her point.
"Now where's that nurse?"
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"Lucy!" called out Sue when she opened the door. "Lucy?" She scanned the apartment for signs of her roommate.
"No one's here," Bobby commented from behind her. Only the lit lamp on the end table indicated that someone had been home.
"Maybe she's working late," said Sue as she turned around. "Someone told the team we…oof! Ouch!" she uttered as her sore wrist hit Bobby. She didn't realize he was right behind her.
"Sorry…I shouldn't have been so close," he countered as he held her arms. "Are you okay? Did you hurt your wrist again?" Gazing at her, he could feel the stirring of an emotion…the same feeling he had the first time he saw her—attraction with a capital A.
"I…uh…I'm…I'm okay." Sue could feel her heart pound faster at his nearness. Bobby was making her pulse race?
The seconds ticked by until Levi began pawing Sue's pant leg.
"Um, Bobby/"
"Yea?'
"Levi wants me."
"Oh." Reluctantly he released Sue. "What is it, boy?"
Levi walked over to his food dish and looked at them.
Sue chuckled. "He's telling us he's hungry. It's way past his usual meal time." She moved to get the bag of dog food and was stumped. She couldn't pour it. She looked helplessly at Bobby.
"I'll do it," he offered. "You go and rest. I'll make sure Levi's fed."
"What about you? You need to rest, too."
"I'll feed Levi and leave. I'll be back for you at 1:15. Now go, scoot!"
"Bobby?"
"Yea?"
"This is only a suggestion but maybe you should sleep here?" she suggested tentatively.
"Here? What will the neighbors think, Miss Thomas?" he teased.
"The neighbors can think whatever they want to think!" she retorted. "I was just thinking even if you left right now, you'd be able to get only a couple of hours of sleep before you have to come back here. If you rested here, you'd be able to get at least another hour or so."
"There's a thought."
"You can sleep on the bed," she offered.
A mischievous gleam appeared in Bobby's eyes. "Really?"
"By yourself," she added hastily, "you can sleep on the bed by yourself. I'll take the couch."
"I'm not about to throw you out of your room…or bed," he smirked.
Sue opened her mouth then closed it. She refused to let him fluster. "I'll be fine on the couch."
"No, should I decide to stay, I'll take the couch," Bobby said firmly.
"But…!"
Bobby held up his finger. "No arguments," he instructed. "I'm the team leader on this case and you don't argue with the team leader."
"Since when?"
"Since now." When she didn't move, he looked at her. "The longer you stand there the less time we both have to rest."
"All right…I can take a hint. Don't forget to change his water, too."
"Got it."
The door to her bedroom closed behind her.
Bobby took off his coat and busied himself.
"Here you go, Levi," he said as he placed the full bowl in front of the dog. "Bon appétit."
Hungrily, the canine began wolfing down his food. Smiling, Bobby refilled the water dish. When he stood up, he stretched. It had been a long day and was going to be longer. Maybe he would stay over at the girls' apartment.
"My bag," he muttered, "I need my bag but it's in the car. If I leave, how am I am going to get back in? I need the key."
He lifted his hand to rap on Sue's door when he paused in mid-air. "What am I doing?" he muttered. "She won't…."
"Oh!" said a surprised Sue as she opened the door. "I was just going to brush my teeth. Did you want something?"
"The key…to the apartment."
"Are you moving in?"
"Temporarily." At her quizzical look, he added, "For a few hours. I want to grab my duffle from the car."
"Sure." She disappeared into her room and came back holding a set of keys in her hand. "Key to operate the elevator, keys to the apartment…deadbolt, door."
"Be back in a few."
Pleased Bobby accepted her suggestion; she rummaged in the linen closet for a pillow, blanket and sheet and began to prep the couch for their unexpected guest. It was awkward with the use of only one hand. Suddenly, she felt hands gently but firmly move her aside.
"Eek!" she uttered as she whipped around to see who it was.
"Sorry!" apologized Bobby his hands still on her arms. "I didn't mean to scare you!"
"Maybe not but you certainly did a good job!"
She could still feel her heart beating rapidly but now she didn't know if it from being startled or so close to Bobby. What was the matter with her?
Concerned, he bent down to catch her eye. "Are you all right?"
She nodded as she took a couple of slow breaths. "I'm okay." She looked up and flashed a quick smile.
"Good." Reluctantly he released her. "You didn't have to bother," said Bobby nodding at the partially made up couch. "I could've done it."
"You're a guest," she said as he finished tucking in the sheet in the crevices of the sofa.
"I'm not a guest," he corrected. "I'm a …" He looked puzzled. "I don't know. What am I?"
"Well, I don't know what you are either but I wanted to make you as comfortable as possible. Here," she said handing him the pillow.
"Compared to some of the other places I've had to sleep, this will be almost like heaven."
"I hope you say the same thing when you wake up in two hours."
"I'll let you know. Go brush your teeth. I'm next."
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