Chapter 3: A small clue...-

After Filling Ted in and getting the "ok for now" from him, Jack and Bobby took their cars to find some of the informants Sue had recently been in contact with. So far he didn't have any luck. Neither did Bobby. Bobby was heading back to the bullpen, but Jack one more thing he had to do.

"Where are you going?" Bobby's voice carried out of the cell phone.

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure it's going to be a waste of time." Jack answered. "I just want to check something."

Lame answer, Jack, he told himself.

"Well, alright then." Bobby sighed, though not sounding very convinced. "See you back at the bullpen?"

"I won't be long, you don't have to worry" he assured the Aussie.

"I know, I still wish you'd tell me where your going."

"The park."

"The park? What's at the park?" Bobby asked, confused.

"I don't know. I feel like we are missing something, Bobby." he admitted, "I just need to take a walk."

"Oh I see, well, do you want some company?"

"No thanks, Bobby. I just need to clear my head. I won't be long."

"Alright then, but remember that we are suppose to meet everyone back at the bullpen in 15 minutes." Bobby reminded.

"I'll be there, I promise."

With that they said goodbye and Jack closed his cell phone in time to pull into the park's parking lot. He turned off his car and opened the door to climb out but stopped. He re-shut the door and buried his face in his hands.

How can this be happening? he thought. Sue, he pleaded silently, Where are you?

He could feel tears beginning to well up in his eyes and fiercely blinked them back.

"Please." he prayed, "Please let us find her. Keep her safe. I..."

His prayer was cut short when he heard a dog barking. Jack was out of the car in a flash! That bark... He knew that bark all too well. He bolted in the direction of the barking.

"Levi!" Jack called out, "Levi, here boy!"

Jack followed Levi's barking though the park. He realized that it was coming from the riverside.

"Levi!" he yelled again, at the top of his lungs.

Suddenly the barking stopped. Jack feared the worse and put on an extra burst of speed as he cleared the trees and reached the grass at the riverside. A bridge was about 15 feet to his left. About 50 feet to his right, Levi lay next to the river moaning sadly and watching the river with distant eyes.

"Levi!" Jack cried in relief.

The golden retriever looked over at the man that had said his name. Levi, instantly recognizing Jack, bolted straight for him. Jack was so happy and relieved to see the dog alive and well, but his excitement was cut short. Levi was head straight at Jack; straight at him and not slowing! Jack gave a small yell as Levi tackled him...

It took a whole minute to get Levi to stop licking and let Jack onto his knees.

As soon as Levi calmed down Jack asked him where Sue was. Levi turned to look at the empty road by the bridge and the edge of the park. Levi trotted over and began whimpering as he sniffed the road and stared down the road. Jack's best guess was that Levi got out of Sue's car and it drove off in the direction Levi was staring. And doing what dogs are usually trained to do, the retriever waited there for his master to return. Only Sue hadn't return.

Jack took Levi to his car and quickly got back to the bullpen. The second he and the dog walked in the room it exploded with noise.

"Levi!" everyone shouted and ran to greet the canine member of their team, even Myles was happy the see the dog.

"Where did you find him?" Bobby asked.

"I was in my car by the park when I heard Levi barking." he answered. "I looked around for Sue, but no luck. Though the way Levi was acting, I wasn't expecting to find anything."

Jack then told everyone what Levi had done. They all seemed even more worried than before. Sue wouldn't make Levi get out of her car and just drive off... unless she was forced to.

"You think she's been kidnapped, don't you?" Tara asked solemnly.

"There could be other possibilities that can't be ruled out but, yes, that's what it seems like" Jack answered honestly.

D looked at Tara. "Did you have any luck tracing Sue's blackberry?"

"No," she answered sadly, "Her blackberry can't be tracked unless someone uses it. Just like any normal phone. My computer will alert me if it is used."

"How about recent numbers called or received?" Myles asked.

"No luck there either." Lucy told him. "The last calls over the past few days have been to and from us, her parents, and the vet. She took Levi in for his yearly check up the other day."

"We even checked her computer, but still nothing we could use." Tara continued.

"Did anyone else find anything? D., Myles?" Jack looked from one to the other. They shook their heads.

"I did get an APB out on her car. The minute it's spotted we should know. But that's the best we could do." D said.

"There has to be something else we can do…" Jack rubbed his forehead, he could think straight, but he knew D was right. "Alright," he gave in, "we'll just have to sit tight for now, I guess." "No, I don't like it either, Lucy" he said before she could speak. "But there's nothing more we can do right now." He locked eyes with her saddened ones, after a moment, nodded her head and stared down at the floor.

Or is there? He thought. He ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "I've… I've got paperwork to do"

With that, Jack went over to his desk and pretended to look busy. Slowly, everyone returned to their own desks and did the same. Jack could feel them all staring at him periodically so he avoided eye contact, especially with Bobby.

For the rest of the day, if someone's phone rang everyone tensed up in hopes of any news. But sadly, none were about Sue, and Jack continued to get more and more agitated...

Thanks for reading! Reviews are appreciated!

More to come.....