Chapter 3
Five minutes later on their way over to Norman Wright, the new Assistant Director in Charge for about five month now, Don didn't know what to expect. Jacobi had told him nothing just mentioning interdepartmental alliances. It sounded great in one way. He could use every help he could get but his instinct told him to watch out. Don was thinking about a big meeting but when they entered the office it was just the three of them.
"Good morning Special Agent Eppes, Special Agent Jacobi," Wright welcomed them.
The looks his boss and Jacobi exchanged gave Don an unpleasant feeling that they've been talking about him before.
"Please, take a seat," Wright said.
He skimmed through some notes on his desk.
"How you're doing Eppes?" Wright wanted to know, "as I told you I'm sorry about what happened to Agent Liz Warner. Her death is a great loss for our Department and even more for you."
From the corner of his eye Don could see that Jacobi starred at the bracelet on her wrist.
Suddenly, the air got thick.
"Would you mind getting to the point?" Don said impatiently, "I guess there's no reason chewing through Agent Warner's death once more. I told you everything about it and …"
"It's okay Eppes, it's okay," Wright calmed him. "Special Agent Jacobi came here to help us along in the cop killer case. She's specialized in managing sensitive cases. And this cop killer thing turned out to be one. Many citizens are worried about their safety and wonder how that maniac succeeded in shooting five cops in a row without being discovered. You know what I mean?"
"Donnie you're about getting royally screwed!" his inner voice stated.
Don gave Jacobi a defiant look, "And what exactly is her part?"
"Her part is controlling the damages, containing and calming the waves," Jacobi shot back.
"Special Agent Jacobi actually works at the Field Office in Chicago. She was investigating a serial murder two month ago. Günter Hagen. Remember?"
Don nodded, "the German Sailor who preferred to slaughter young, black, females."
"Exactly, Jacobi was the one who hunted him down after two other agents failed", Wright said with a voice full of pride.
"Do you really think that makes her qualified for this job? I mean a serial murder and a serial shooting are two different things," Don declared.
"Special Agent Jacobi was serving in Croatia as a member of a reconnaissance unit. She's a trained sniper." Wright looked quite amused when Don's jaw dropped, "consider her as Edgerton's female counterpart."
Jacobi sat there with a smug grin on her face while Don moaned inwardly, "Excellent!"
He took a deep breath before he said, "And who's in charge? You know I'm used to running my own cases."
"That wouldn't be a problem," Wright smirked.
Don looked at Wright evaluating. What's next? Would his new boss tell him he was fired?
"From my point of view you are involved too deeply in the cop killer case, both emotionally and personally. Therefore you're withdrawn from it immediately."
Don's body stiffened in rage, "you can't do this! Special Agent Jacobi can join my team and assist. No problem with that. I'm sure …"
"Eppes, that wasn't a request. You are told to speed up Jacobi," Wright flashed his eyes at Don, "You get another case cause I guess you could need some distraction."
Once more Jacobi and Wright exchanged looks and Jacobi got up.
"See you later Eppes," she extended her hand, Don didn't take it.
"This is ridiculous," Don hissed after she'd left, "I'm doing fine, Sir and I'm able to cope with what happened. There's no need for …"
"I'm not willing to discuss this matter," Wright cut him short, "I've made my decision. Has it occurred to you how lucky you are not being suspended? I'm doing you a favour. The public and the media are watching this case like hawks. You're one of the best Agents but you should know when it's time to retreat. This other case is also very important."
Don swallowed, trying to get rid of the big lump in his throat desperately. He struggled for composure. What did they say about Liz' death? It wasn't his fault. But of course they blamed him. He stood next to her when it happened.
"I wish I could …" Don let his voice drop.
Wright got up and sat down on the edge of his desk in front of him.
"Don't think I'm blaming you for what happened to Agent Warner. It also could've been you instead of her or anybody else on the scene", he said with a soft voice, "I just want you out of the line of fire literally. I can imagine what you are going through now. My wife died in a car crash about five years ago. I thought to lose my mind. During that time I was involved in investigations about gang activities in Downtown. My heart was full of pain and anger. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat, I couldn't think. One day all things came together at once. We were chasing some of the boys from the gang. One of them pulled out a gun but I didn't recognize it. My eyes were tired, I was tired. An innocent old woman, watering the roses in her garden was shot by a ricochet and died. My partner finally killed the bastard. I just stood there in disbelief."
For a minute, the room was filled with silence.
"Don't let this happen to you, Don." Wright said.
Don cleared his throat and lifted his head, "what's this other case about?"
Wright got back behind the desk.
"Jessalyn Ruben and her little niece Cindy need to be protected", he said.
"Ruben?" Don startled.
"Ring a bell? Jessalyn is Anthony Ruben's sister. He left a bloody trace across the country."
"The press was calling him: The black widower," Don said, "Liz I mean Agent Warner was involved in the case. I didn't know he had a sister."
"Now the life of Jessalyn and Cindy, his daughter, are endangered by a lunatic who vows vengeance for the murder of the women. First there were letters, than it was Jessalyn's car and now it's her dog. She found him nailed on the door of her backyard."
"How nice, quite inventive," Don commented sarcastically, "why is this maniac after them? He could pay a visit to Ruben at the state prison any time he wants."
"One of the points you'd figure out if you agree to take this challenge."
"What if I don't?"
"You can stay at home. Unpaid," Wright lifted his eyebrows.
Don ran his hand over his face and muttered, "You know how to cheer people up."
Wright grinned, "Jessalyn and her niece are observed 24/7. I need you to coordinate the operation and to have a look on the girls."
"Girls? How old are they?" Don wanted to know.
"Jessalyn is twenty three and Cindy is five."
Don compared sitting unpaid at home with babysitting. He chose babysitting.
Megan, Colby and David looked at him expectantly when he returned. He called them into the meeting room together with Jacobi and told them about the agreement with Wright. None of them was happy about the decision.
When Don and Jacobi were left alone in the meeting room she said, "I'm not after your job. I've no intensions to move to Los Angeles. I love Chicago and when this is over you won't see me again."
He darted a sardonic glance at her, "Why do you think I won't see you again?"
Nervously she licked her lips.
He felt a slight tingle racing down his spine and at the same time he caught himself thinking, "If times were different …" tbc