15
Mistletoe and Mayhem
Chapter 3
----------
Last time I try to be nice to Ruthie McAllister! groaned Lucy as she pushed opened the apartment door . It was late---very late. A chance meeting with an acquaintance in the parking garage and one relatively innocuous question had resulted in a flood of tears and a garbled explanation. Only after a considerable amount of time and innumerable murmurings of sympathy had Ruthie calmed down enough for the two women to part. Her friend really needed the help of the Mistletoe Fairy in picking men.
Grimacing, she closed the door behind her and shrugged out of her coat. Suddenly, the bathroom door popped open.
"Hey, Luce!" Bobby cheerfully greeted her as he buttoned his shirt. "Home late are we?"
"Bobby!" Lucy screamed dropping her things. "What are you doing here?"
"It seems to be my night for scaring women," he commented as he crouched down to pick up the scattered items.
"When you pop out unexpectedly from their bathrooms in the middle of the night, I don't blame them for screaming," said Lucy breathlessly. "What are you doing here?"
Before he could say a word, she grabbed his arm as a thought occurred to her. "It's Sue, isn't it? She's hurt more seriously than you thought, isn't she? Did you have to stay to take care of her? I'm sorry I should've…"
"Hold on, Luce!" said Bobby stemming the flood of words. He juggled the packages to clamp a hand on her shoulder. "Hold on! Sue's fine…or she will be in a few days. It was exactly what I suspected—a sprained wrist."
"Is that it?"
"That's it."
"Then why are you here?"
"Your very stubborn roommate is insisting on taking Tara's shift on surveillance with me since Tara took her shift with Jack."
"But…that doesn't explain why you're here in our bathroom in the middle of the night."
"Sue suggested I stay here instead of going home so I'd have more time to rest, and after great deliberation decided she made sense."
"She frequently does. Where did you sleep? On the couch?"
"Where else?"
She critically eyed his lanky frame from top to bottom. "There's always the floor which might be more comfortable than our sofa considering you're just so gosh darn tall."
Bobby chuckled. "As I told your roommate, I've slept in worse places."
She nodded recalling some of the more nerve-wracking covert operations. She never liked it when her friends went undercover. "Don't remind me."
"I won't but I will ask…why so late?"
"I did the background checks like you wanted and was headed for my car when I ran into Ruthie McCallister on the way and you know what that means."
"Lost another boyfriend, has she?"
Lucy's eyes widened in amazement, "You knew?"
"I do have my sources, you know, Miss Dotson cultivated by years of experience with the FBI," he kidded solemnly.
"You know, if I close my eyes I could swear it was Myles talking," Lucy shot back.
"There's no need to insult me, Lucy Dotson," Bobby declared assuming an injured air. "I thought we were friends."
"It'll be in the past tense if you keep spouting off Mylesisms," she retorted.
"Mylesisms?"
"You know, things that Myles would say. You may deny it but I think you two guys are more alike than either of you would care to admit."
"And the insults keep coming," he answered in a wounded tone.
"Blame yourself!" she said heartlessly. "Where's Sue?"
"Changing…I think."
As if on cue, the door to Sue's bedroom opened. "Bobby, do you think…," she said holding up her elastic bandage in one hand with her coat in the other. "Lucy!" she said in surprise. "When did you get home?"
"Just now. Heard you're about to head out."
"As soon as I get my wrist re-wrapped. It came loose." She looked at Bobby. "Do you mind?"
"I think the question should be asking is 'do you know how'?" said Lucy.
"Of course, I do," he declared as he took hold of the wrapping. "Not only have I received first aid training courtesy of the Bureau, but having experienced many a strained and sprained appendage myself, I have become somewhat of a reluctant expert. Allow me."
Bobby began wrapping the elastic around Sue's wrist.
"Tell me if it's too tight," he instructed her.
She nodded then turned to Lucy. "Where…?"
"More Mylesisms," muttered Lucy.
Sue looked puzzled. "More what?"
"Myles-isms," Lucy fingerspelled.
"What's that?"
"Myles-speak."
"Myles? Like in our Myles?"
"None other."
She glanced at Bobby for clarification.
"Luce has informed me I seem to have a penchant for speaking somewhat like our irritating Harvard educated teammate," explained Bobby as he put the finishing touches on the wrapping.
"Well…" said Sue as a smile tugged the corner of her lips, "now that you mention it…"
"Hmm, I may need to choose my words more carefully around you two from now on!" he responded. "There…how does that feel? Not too tight, is it?"
Sue cautiously flexed her fingers and wrist. "Feels fine…for a sprained wrist."
"Now, are you sure you want to come with me?" Bobby asked once more. "It won't be any trouble finding someone else."
"I could go if all you need are a pair of eyes," volunteered Lucy.
"You don't have to," Sue said firmly. "I'm going."
"Are you…"
"Bobby…I'm fine."
Lucy's eyes darted between her two friends as she watched them wage a nonverbal argument. She was putting her money on Sue.
"All right," Bobby acquiesced as he reached for her coat. "At least let me help you with your coat."
"Thanks," she smiled graciously. "See you later, Lucy."
"Be careful."
----------
Surveillance Apartment
Tara smothered a yawn.
"Tired?" asked Jack.
"A little. It's been a long day."
"Yeah."
"I hope all this surveillance pays off soon."
"Mmm," responded Jack. He tweaked the camera's angle.
"We were lucky this place was available. At least we can move around instead of being cooped up in a car."
"True."
Tara stopped typing and looked at her teammate with a puzzled expression. The usually affable agent had been unusually reticent on their shift.
"Something wrong?"
"What do you mean?"
"Usually you're a little more chatty than this…not that I'm saying you talk a lot, but this is a little quiet for you."
"Oh."
"Jack?"
"Yeah?"
"Is something wrong?"
"Um…no," he said uncertainly.
"You said that so convincingly," she teased.
He shrugged half-heartedly.
"Wanna talk about it?"
Jack thought for a moment. Maybe it would help to talk to someone. He didn't have a clue himself.
"I've been thinking about what Lucy said."
"She's said so many things," she kidded. "Anything in particular?"
"About that mistletoe that's been showing up in the building…and no second chances."
"It's all in fun, Jack."
"I know…but like I said, it got me thinking."
Tara waited as her teammate gathered his thoughts.
"How do you know when the time's right to pursue a relationship?" was the surprising question.
"Me? You're asking the queen of blind dates and dumb choices in men?"
"You seem to have hit the jackpot with Stanley."
Tara's face softened. "I have, haven't I?" She looked at Jack. "That was just dumb luck. I wasn't looking for a relationship when we met. It just kinda happened."
"What if you've been thinking about it a long time but haven't done anything about it?"
"Because of the no dating policy?"
"Maybe."
"I'd say if the relationship is worth pursuing, you'd find a way around it."
"What if it might mean transferring?"
"Then you have to decide if it's worth it." She let her words sink in, "That being said, I'd want to make sure the other party is thinking along the same lines as I was before taking such drastic action because sometimes…sometimes the right moment may come and slip away while you make up your mind on what to do."
"Thinking about anyone in particular?"
"No, just reflecting upon the missed opportunities in my life."
"Well, you didn't miss it when Stanley came along."
"No…but it did take a little nudge from a couple of guardian angels."
"Is that what you call them?"
She scrunched her nose. "Most times."
"Thanks, Tara."
"I kinda feel like Dear Abby," she smirked. "Usually I'm on the receiving end of the advice. It's a nice feeling." The smile disappeared and a stern look appeared instead. "But don't let it get around. Happy as I am with Stanley, I can barely handle my own love life as it is. I'll leave the advice-giving to Lucy."
Jack laughed and flashed a smile. "Your secret is safe with me."
----------
"Anything?" asked Bobby when they entered the apartment.
"We took a bunch of pictures earlier but traffic's pretty much stopped," Tara reported as she straightened from her shift at the window. "Just a couple of people in the last half hour."
"Should be quiet," Jack remarked. "How's the wrist?"
"A little sore but I'll be fine," smiled Sue. "Sorry you had to change your plans."
"Not a problem," Tara said promptly. "The byword of being an FBI agent is flexibility!"
"Among others," Bobby commented dryly recalling other choice words dates had used in the past about cancelled engagements.
"Okay, so bring us up to speed."
Information was exchanged as the teams prepared to change shifts.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"Good. See you tomorrow…today."
"Uh…Sue?" asked Jack as he pulled on his jacket.
"Mmm?"
"Uh…," he paused.
She waited expectantly.
Uncertainty flitted across his face as he sought for the courage to say the right words and failed. Maybe he could find the words when they were alone.
"See you tomorrow?" he said feebly.
"I won't see you today?"
"What? Oh, right. Today, I mean and tomorrow, too."
"Sure."
Tara's glance flicked between her two friends. If Jack really was interested in Sue, it didn't look like he was going to make a move any time soon. Too bad. A girl could wait only so long. Based on her reaction to the kiss under the mistletoe, maybe Sue had decided enough was enough. Maybe there was some truth to the Mistletoe Fairy's mission after all…maybe Jack and Sue weren't meant to be together.
"See you guys sometime later today," Tara said out loud. "I'll download the shots we took and see if we have any matches to the sketches."
"Thanks, Tara," said Bobby. "'Night or what's left of it."
"I'll take the first shift," Sue offered when the door closed.
"Right-o." He held up a package. "Feel like a bit o' tucker? You didn't eat much for supper."
"My wrist took my mind off of eating."
"Then you must be famished." He held up two sandwiches. "Chicken salad or ham and cheese?"
"Chicken salad."
The pair munched in companionable silence. Sue watched the street below while Bobby watched Sue. The sounds of the city were muted at that hour of the night.
As she turned for her cup of coffee, she noticed Bobby looking at her.
"What? Something wrong with my hair?"
"No, your hair's fine."
"Something wrong with my face?"
"No."
"Then why are you staring at me?"
"I like looking at you."
"Oh." She digested her food and his words as she resumed her watch. Bobby liked looking at her?
"You see me every day," she commented after awhile.
"I see you but I don't get to really look at you. You're not a bad-looking sheila, Miss Thomas," he said cheekily after moving his chair to be in her line of sight.
"I vaguely seem to recall someone saying the very same thing a few years ago," she said with a smile.
"Discerning bloke. Must appreciate the finer things in life."
Sue opened her mouth then closed it again. Sometimes Bobby said the most surprising things.
Now what made him say that, wondered Bobby as he took another bite of his sandwich. Sometimes Sue had the most unexpected effect on him.
----------
Bullpen
"Good morning, one and all!" Myles announced to the room at large as he strode in.
"I take it the beautiful brunette was okay about meeting for coffee last night," commented Lucy.
"Not only okay but perfectly fine. She seems to understand the plight of a federal agent balancing one's duties to one's country mingled with a personal life."
"I hope it continues."
"So do I. We are planning another attempt at fine dining tonight if our exalted leader permits it," he smiled in satisfaction as he hung his coat.
"Two dates in two nights?" D remarked. "Isn't that too much too soon?"
"Not in this case," he replied as he began flipping through the messages on his desk.
Speculative glances bounced back and forth. Who was this mysterious brunette?
"You know, Myles," began D as he fiddled with his pen, "if I didn't know better, I'd say you were smitten with this woman."
"Smitten?" Myles looked affronted. "Lelands are never smitten. We are…" He paused as he searched for the appropriate words.
"Lelands are…" D prompted.
"Appreciative of the finer things in life," he said finally.
"And you put this woman in that category?" questioned Jack.
"Oh, undoubtedly."
"After one date?"
"Sometimes all it takes is a look."
A thoughtful expression appeared on Jack's face.
"He's smitten all right," Lucy tossed out.
"Does this woman have a name?" D continued his interrogation.
"Yes she does but Lelands also like to keep their personal lives private," he responded reaching for the topmost file. "That's why it's called a private life…get it?"
Exasperated looks bounced around as people went back to their tasks at hand.
"Hey, Lucy!" Jack called out.
"Uh-huh?"
"Did you get a chance to talk to Sue before you left this morning?"
"Uh-huh, just before she left for her shift. It's a sprained wrist."
"Better than a broken one and be in a cast," Tara remarked. "That is not fun."
"As you and your fellow ballerinas-in-training should know, Miss Twinkletoes," Myles dropped as he began reading his email.
Tara just rolled her eyes. She should never have shared that bit of information, she decided in exasperation.
"How's she getting around?" queried Jack. "She can't drive with that wrist, can she?"
"I think she could but it doesn't matter. Bobby's got it covered. After the stake-out, they're going to take a short nap then show up here."
"He's dropping her off and picking her up? I could run over and pick her up. Save Bobby some time."
"Not a problem. He's crashing at the apartment again."
"Crash is crashing at your apartment?" commented Myles. "That seems a bit redundant."
"Wait!" interrupted Jack. "You said he's sleeping over again?"
"Yeah," she responded giving him a look of surprise. "He slept at our place after bringing Sue home from emergency and before their turn at surveillance. She thought it would be a better use of his time than driving back and forth."
"Smart," Tara concurred.
"Now that we've agreed Bobby is getting enough beauty sleep, anything of interest?" D inquired bringing the focus back to the business on hand.
"I have…and I think it could be classified under good news," Tara announced. "Well, maybe not good news but certainly not bad news. I think I would…"
"Tara?"
"Yeah?"
"Share."
"Right. That photo Bobby's informant picked out? Here he is." She tapped a few keys and a picture flashed on the screen. "Nabeel Salih."
"Were you able to…." Jack's head jerked around at the sound of laughter at the doorway
"You two sound pretty jolly after being on surveillance," Lucy commented when she saw her friends entering the bullpen with smiling faces.
"Tis the season," stated Sue.
"Nothing like good company to make one merry," Bobby responded as they shared a smile.
Interested eyes noted the moment. The bond that linked the tall Aussie with the blonde one seemed to have a little more sparkle than usual. Maybe the Mistletoe Fairy was right after all.
"Hey, you're just in time," Lucy piped up.
"We are?"
"Look…"
"Bobby!" Sue grabbed his arm in astonishment.
"Hey!"
"Is it?" asked Sue as she locked gazes with Bobby.
"It sure looks like the bloke."
"What? You know him?" exclaimed a shocked Lucy.
"We don't know him but he stopped to see if I was hurt when I fell," Sue explained.
"And you didn't recognize him?"
"I'm sorry," a chagrined Sue apologized. "I wasn't thinking about the photo at the time."
"It's not your fault. I should've recognized the bloke," Bobby declared. "It's my fault."
"Water under the bridge," Dimitrius said firmly. "Things happen. The important thing here is to find out who he is and what they're doing. We don't have much time left."
"Right."
"Sorry."
"So, Bobby, what were you thinking we should do next?"
"Well, I…"
"Bobby?" interrupted Lucy.
"Yea?"
"Phone call…Professor Park from George Mason. Something about an inventory?"
"Thanks, Lucy."
The murmur of voices and tapping of keys came to an abrupt halt as an explosive "What!" pierced through the bullpen. All talk stopped as eyes swiveled towards Bobby.
"Are you sure? Do you know what items are missing?"
"What's up?" asked Sue when she noticed the looks in Bobby's direction. His back was facing her.
"Phone call," Lucy signed.
"Who?"
"Professor Park."
"Remember. What's up?"
"Things missing."
Sue grimaced. This was not good.
"Appreciate the call, Professor. Thanks." Bobby looked grim as he hung up.
"What?" demanded Myles.
"I think our nebulous terrorist attack had just firmed up into very likely."
"What happened?" Sue asked. "Did they find chemicals missing?"
"Not chemicals…lab equipment."
"Lab equipment?"
"That's what the Professor said. According to a teaching assistant who is very particular about taking inventory, more items than usual are gone."
"Gone?" repeated Lucy.
"Disappeared...vanished….not there."
"We got your drift."
"Is there a list of what's missing?" D asked.
"It's being faxed over as we speak."
"You know," said Tara as a thought hit her, "I've been checking the credit card usage of El-Rashad and I couldn't find anything unusual in terms of purchases. Maybe he 'borrowed' the equipment so he wouldn't have to purchase them."
"Maybe he was hoping the university wouldn't notice the items were missing," said Jack extending Tara's idea.
"And if they did notice, El-Rashad was probably hoping the university would attribute the discrepancy in the inventory to normal breakage and wear and tear over the course of a semester," finished D.
"Got the fax," said Lucy waving the sheet of paper. She handed it to Bobby.
"So, what does this tell us?" asked Bobby as he scanned the list.
"There's enough stuff here to set up a mini-lab," Jack pointed out.
"How could they not know someone would notice?" Myles remarked. "The list of things missing covers the page!"
"It's like Jack said…they were hoping no one would notice," said Bobby.
"Thank goodness for that TA!" Tara said in appreciation.
"I'm taking this to the lab. Maybe one of the lab guys may have any idea on what can be done with this equipment," Bobby stated. "That might give us a clue on exactly what these suspected terrorists are planning to do."
----------
"Well, Carol, what do you think?" asked Bobby after giving the forensic specialist the list.
"What I think you don't want to hear," was the response.
Bobby and Sue glanced at each other. This was not good news.
"That bad, eh?"
"With this equipment, your suspects could manufacture any number of lethal chemicals."
"Or a bomb?"
"Possible."
"We were hoping you wouldn't say that," Sue commented.
"I could lie but that won't help here."
"No, it wouldn't," agreed Bobby. "Can you be more specific about what could be produced?"
"Nope. That being said, there are two bright spots if you can call them that."
"We'll take anything at this point."
"One, given the amount of equipment and the time frame you gave me, your suspects won't be able to manufacture whatever it is in bulk."
"Okay, that's a good point…I think," Sue said uncertainly.
Carol flashed a small smile. "It could be."
"And the second bright spot?"
"Unless the suspects have access to the right materials, the products they can manufacture are limited."
"Such as?"
"Ricin for one."
Sue's face paled as she remembered the last time a terrorist tried to use the same poison in an attack.
"That definitely doesn't make me feel any better."
Shooting Sue an understanding look, Bobby requested a list from Carol.
"Give me a minute," said Carol as she searched for paper to write on.
"This doesn't look good," said Sue as they waited. "Can we bring them in?"
"I'd prefer to wait until we can find the fourth member but we may not have a choice. If Christmas or the Eve is the target date, that doesn't leave us much time either," Bobby said grimly. "I hope you've finished your Christmas shopping."
"You were the last person on my list," she said lightly. "Hope you don't mind getting your present late."
"If we can stop these men I'll consider that my present."
"Here," said Carol holding out a sheet of paper to the two agents. "That's not a complete list by any means but the most likely ones." She shrugged. "Sorry I couldn't be of more help."
"Au contraire, Carol," said Bobby gallantly, "you've been a big help. Thanks for this."
"Merry Christmas, Carol," said Sue.
"I hope it's a Merry Christmas for all of us."
----------
