HEY :)

HOPE EVERYONE IS FINE.

IT'S GETTTING FRIGGING COLD HERE IN THE UK NOW.

GOD. I HATE THE WINTER.

ANY WAY, HERE WE ARE WITH ANOTHER CHAPTER.

PLEASE R&R . . . PRETTY PLEASE ;D

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What happened at the end of the previous chapter.

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"Where is she?"

Mac sighed heavily."I don't know."

Russ gaze remained steady on this. "Kye's gone missing?"

Mac came to an abrupt stop. "Kye Simmonds?"

"Yes. The FBI arrived at his place around 05:00, after neighbors reported hearing a disturbance. There was a struggle. He was taken."

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CHAPTER 4.

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Ah crap! Mac turned away and started pacing around his office. "That's . . . not good."

Russ sighed inwardly and rubbed at his forehead. "Mac we're all on the same side here. . ."

Mac whirled around and stared angrily back at him. "Do you really think that?!"

Russ frowned. "What are you talking about?"

He shook his head in exasperation. "For God sake Russ. Several Agent covered for Alex Cole back in 2007."

He rose slowly out of the chair. "What the hell are you doing digging around in this case?"

Mac ignored his question and continued. "Do you really think Jo would make a mistake like this? She would never have insisted she'd seen him, unless she was a hundred percent sure. Alex Cole was in Hollis Lane that night Russ!"

Russ swore inwardly. "Mac. Alex Cole's got nothing to do with this case. He was at Juan Valdez Bar. Even several of the staff that worked there saw him."

"Well that means they covered for him too."

Russ shook his head at him. "Jo talked to you about this last night didn't she? You gonna tell me what she's up to?"

Pure, focused Anger tore through him. He moved quickly toward Russ and slammed his palms down on the desk. "Do you really think I would let her do something so stupid?!"

Anxiety tightened his ribcage. "What the hell has she done?"

"Russ wake up! Alex Cole's got everything to do with this case. The only person in the FBI who believed her was Kye Simmond's and where is he now." Mac forced himself to take a steady breath. "She's gone off on her own . . ." He stopped himself at the last second. He swore under his breath and glanced away.

Dammit! Russ closed his eyes and leaned back against the wall. My God. Could Alex Cole really have been a crooked Agent? He looked back at Mac. "Okay. I know you wouldn't let her run off like this, but I've been in the FBI long enough to know when someone's holding out on me Mac."

Mac ignored him and started pacing once again.

"Okay look. I'll . . . keep this conversation between us. You have my word."

Mac slowed to a stop and slowly turned back to face him.

He knew Russ had been a right idiot overlooking Alex Cole on this case, but he also knew that he was no corrupt Agent. Russ cared about Jo a great deal. He would do everything he could to find her. He released a long, resigned breath. "Okay. . . This is what I know. Before you and I turned up at Seth's apartment last night, Jo told Don she was . . . looking for a missing box."

Russ moved away from the wall. "There was a box missing from the cabinet."

Mac continued. "Don met up with Kye around midnight down at Mallards Industrial Estate. Kye said he'd found out that Alex Cole was Seth's father."

Russ's eyes widened. "What?"

"Kye didn't have the DNA evidence on him when he met Don. He was gonna hand it to you when he came into work this morning." Mac sighed inwardly. "I'm guessing you haven't found it at his place."

Russ muttered a curse. "No. . . we haven't."

And now for the fun part. Mac got ready for Russ's fist and pulled the letter, now in the small seal – able bag, from his pocket. "And . . . Jo left me this."

Russ snatched the letter from his hand and started to read it. Dammit. She really did take off. What have I done? . . . He stopped mid – thought and stared down at the note. P.S. I love you?

Russ's surprised expression was suddenly replaced a split second later, by a steely glare.

Mac cleared his throat and moved on quickly. "And I guess you've already found out she took off in a black Ferrari."

"Number plate VIT 458. We've got it . . . How much do you care about Jo?"

Mac stood dead still and fixed Russ with a stern glare. "That's got nothing to do with you. This is between me and her."

Russ moved quickly across the room toward him, His eyes intense with emotion. "I already know how you feel about her Mac. When we find her, a word of advice. . ." He released a long, unsteady breath and forced his feelings back down. "Be honest with her too."

It took everything in Mac not to show the surprised shock that pummeled through him.

Russ leaned closer. "Oh and another thing. Just between you and me. If you hurt her, I'll kill you." He moved around Mac and started for the door.

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Adam's eyes widened. "Ah crap!" He stepped back from the door, whirled around and legged it up the corridor.

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"Stay away from this case Mac." He sighed inwardly. Who was he kidding? Russ stopped at the door. "Just . . . be careful." He brought out a small card from his pocket. "If anything comes up, you need to contact me . . . so call on this number."

Mac stared across at him for several seconds, before taking it from his hand. He looked down at the card. Russ hadn't given him his work number. This was his personal phone, his way of saying, any information would stay between the two of them. He glanced back at Russ. "Okay."

Russ turned back, walked out of Mac's office and disappeared into the Elevator.

Mac closed his eyes and pushed out a long breath. I need to call Don. Quickly he grabbed his phone and pressed speed dial.

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On the way up the corridor Adam had suddenly been grabbed and pulled into the tech lab. "What the . . ." He spun around and Immediately came face to face with Danny and Lindsay. "Gezuz you guys. . ."

"What did you hear?" Danny interrupted quickly.

Adam took a few seconds to compose himself.

Suddenly his eyes flashed back at Danny. "Wait. You were at the Crime Scene last night. What the hell happened?"

Lindsay sighed heavily and glanced up at Danny.

Danny muttered under his breath and moved away from the door. "Jo was round the victims house. His name was Seth Turner. He was shot dead. That's all I know."

"It's okay. She's fine." Lindsay added. "She's taking some time off."

Adam glanced nervously back at Lindsay. "No she isn't. She's gone missing."

Danny's eyes widened. "What did you just say?"

He took an unsteady breath. "I heard Mac tell Russ she'd taken off in a black Ferrari. . . I need a pen and paper."

Danny forced back the emotions, and quickly grabbed a scrap of paper from his pocket and a pen from the filing cabinet. "Here."

Adam snatched them off him and started scribbling down everything he'd heard. "Number plates of the Ferrari, VIT 458. Mac was angry with Russ. He said the only person in the FBI to believe her was Kye. . ." He stopped writing and glanced back at Danny and Lindsay. "Dammit. What was his surname." He muttered.

Nausea swirled in Danny's stomach. "Not Simmonds?"

"That's it. Simmonds. . . Kye Simmonds." Adam quickly scribbled the name down.

Lindsay gazed anxiously at Danny. "Isn't Kye Simmonds Jo's former FBI Partner?"

He muttered a curse and started pacing. "Yea."

"Apparently Don met up with him last night."

Danny came to an abrupt stop and turned back to Adam.

"He said that Alex Cole had everything to do with this case."

Danny frowned. "We're not talking about FBI's Assistant Director who retired three months ago, are we?"

"I don't know," Adam answered. "but Kye had some DNA Evidence that he was gonna hand in this morning. Apparently, he'd found out that Alex Cole was Seth's father."

"We need to talk to Kye." Lindsay replied urgently.

Adam sighed heavily. "You're gonna have to find him first. Kye's gone missing too."

Danny's eyes widened. "You're kidding me?"

"I wish I was. He was taken from his apartment at 05:00 this morning. Russ said there was a struggle."

Lindsay leaned back against Adam's desk. "My God." She whispered.

Adam glanced back at his notes. "I haven't got a good feeling about this."

"Me neither." Danny grabbed the scrap of paper from his hand. "Let's run these names through the database. See what we can find out."

The three of them dashed around the desk to the computers and started the search.

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Mac pressed the phone closer to his ear. "Don. I didn't give this information to the FBI. I gave it to Russ."

" . . . . . . "

Mac sighed inwardly. "You know we can't take down a whole criminal organisation on our own."

" . . . . . . "

"Okay yea, Russ might act like a jack ass at times, but he's not gonna risk Jo's safety. You know that. He's desperate to find her as much as we are. We have to trust him."

" . . . . . . "

He rolled his eyes. "Fine. . . Look are you sure you didn't notice anyone lurking around down that Industrial Estate last night?"

" . . . . . . "

Mac muttered under his breath. "Did you not hear what I just said? Kye's missing. Of course i'm concerned. Just watch your back."

" . . . . . . "

"Yea. I'll call you back." Mac hung up and released a long, pent up breath. He checked his phone and found another text message from Christine.

I'm coming round your place tonight when I've finished work.

We have to talk.

Christine.

Dammit. What am I gonna say to her? Try the truth you Idiot. Mac muttered a curse and slid his phone back in his pocket.

He glanced across at his desk. He couldn't just sit in his damn office. He had to do something. For all he knew Jo could be in danger right now. The very thought sent a wave of fear slamming through him. He had to get out of here and look for her, but where was he suppose to start searching?

Inwood was crawling with the FBI Crime Scene Unit. He knew there was no way he was gonna get passed them. However, about an hour ago Detective Gary Winters did mention that the other team had finished collecting evidence from Seth's apartment.

Mac stood there for several more seconds. He drew in a breath let it out. Okay. Well I guess I'm going to W88th. He grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair and headed out of his office to find Danny.

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Adam frowned at the screen. "There's nothing in Alex Cole's file about a son. According to this he has no children. He hasn't even been married."

Danny turned back to Adam and Lindsay. "C'mon guys. We're looking at the wrong Alex Cole here. Check the database for Seth Turner."

Adam typed in Seth's name and hit the button. He frowned. "Nothing's coming up on Seth Turner."

Mac was walking past the tech lab, when he caught sight of Adam, Lindsay and Dannu hunched over the computer. He slammed to a stop and opened the door. "What's going on?"

Crap! Adam hit the button and cleared the screen.

Danny and Lindsay straightened quickly and whirled around.

Lindsay plastered on a smile. "Hey. We were. . . just checking Adam's report on the Radcliffe Case."

Adam muttered under his breath. Nice one Lindsay.

For a long, drawn out moment, Mac's piercing gaze was on all three of them. Finally, he shifted his eyes back at Adam. "Good. I'll take the report now."

"Uh. . . It's not quite finished yet."

Mac held Adam's gaze for a few more seconds. "I want it on my desk by 14:00."

Adam cursed inwardly and faked a smile. "Sure. No problem."

Mac turned back to Danny. "I need to deliver a Case File to the D.A's Office and take care of . . . a few things. I'll be back after lunch."

"Okay. . . We'll see you later."

Mac stared across the room at Danny. "Get on with some work." He glanced back at Lindsay. "Both of you." He stepped out of the room and walked quickly back down the corridor.

Danny moved to the door and watched him disappear into the elevator. "He seem's to be in a hurry."

Adam jumped out of his seat. "Lindsay. I haven't even started writing up that report yet."

Lindsay quickly turned back to him. "You haven't?"

"No. How am I suppose to get it finished by 14:00?"

"You'll get it done. No worries. You've still got four and a half hours to go."

"But, What about Jo?" Adam replied anxiously.

"Danny moved back to his desk. "Jo's gonna be fine Adam. Lindsay and I will go next door and continue searching."

He watched Danny and Lindsay disappear out of the tech lab. He sunk back in his seat. "Okay." He brought the Radcliffe case up on the screen.

He paused and gazed at the monitor in front of him.

He let out a long, unsteady breath. "Screw that."

He closed the window and got Alex Cole's file back on the screen.

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Alex walked back through the house with his coffee and entered the computer room. He swore loudly, when he saw Nolan leaning back in his chair snoring his head off. He strode up to him and kicked his feet off the desk. "What are you doing sleeping, You moron?"

Nolan sat bolt up right and glanced around slightly disoriented. "I must have dropped off."

Alex rolled his eyes and slammed the mug in front of him. "Drink the damn coffee. It'll wake you up." He stared down at the monitor and muttered another curse. "It's not like we've got much to watch anyway. Her damn trackers gone." he muttered angrily.

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Jo had spent hours trying to find a way in. She'd tried this countless times in the last few years, but Alex Cole's security systems had always blocked access to his private files.

She released a long, weary breath, leaned across the desk and connected the Port Scanner. "Let's try this again." She sighed.

Several minutes later, her computer beeped loudly. She sat up in the chair and stared back at the monitor. "My God. I've found an Open Port?" She couldn't believe what she was seeing. He'd installed a Third Party Programme which had brought about exploits in the software. This had caused the Security System to become unstable. Quickly, she started up the Sniffer device.

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Nolan's eye's widened. Slowly he leaned forward in his chair "Uh, Alex? What's going on with your computers?"

Alex turned and froze to the spot. "Shit! Someone's trying to access the files!"

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"After only a few seconds, the device had retreived several data packets. Jo brought them up on the screen and found the password. "Bingo."

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Alex dashed across the room to the three computer. "Our Security System's been compromised! . . . They've accessed the encryption data!" Alex's eye's widened. "F~#k! They're accessing data from my private files!"

"Shit!" Nolan's fingers flew across the keyboard. "I'm tracing the program."

"There's no time for that!" He pushed Nolan out of the way and shut the computers down.

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She'd only been able to get access to a few files before he'd locked her out, but when she got the data up on the monitor, she was relieved to find that not only had she managed to get a load of private messages from Alex's Email Account. She'd also retreived some information on Cain Jackson. She brought the information up on the monitor and scanned the file.

She stopped dead in her tracks when she reached the second paragraph.

Cain Jackson had worked at the Modern Art Museum in 14 Constitution Avenue as an unpaid volunteer, between the 21st March to the 4th April 2007.

Jo's eyes widened. My God. That's where Megan worked.

She quickly brought up the next page and came across a message that had been sent to Alex Cole on 13th April 2007. That was a week after Megan was killed.

We broke in last night and searched the warehouse where Cain said he hid it. We even went over to the Museum and looked around but the box was definitely missing.

We headed back to the Museum this morning. Apparently, several members of staff said they saw Megan Williams handing a box to a guy called Colin Smith.

We can't locate him.

We'll do some more digging and update later.

Nolan Garrett.

"Colin? . . ." She rose quickly out of the chair and stepped back sending it crashing to the floor. Fresh tears swam in her eyes. "Why . . . did you do this?"

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Mac drew his car to a stop and glanced up the road. Several FBI Vans were still surrounding Seth's property. He cursed under his breath and leaned back in his seat. Maybe I can get closer without being spotted?

He was torn from his thoughts by the passenger door being wrenched open. Crap! He turned around half expecting to see an FBI Agent staring angrily down at him. Instead, a man dressed in a pair of scruffy jeans and an old leather Jacket jumped in the passenger seat and slammed the car door shut.

Mac quickly reached for his weapon.

The guy raised his hands. "Don't . . . shoot me. You're Mac Taylor right?"

Mac kept his hand steady on his weapon and continued to stare sternly across at him. "Who the hell are you?"

He breathed in a breath for courage. "I'm . . . Colin Smith."

"And what are you doing getting in my car, Colin Smith?" Mac answered, his voice low, measured.

"I . . . need to know if Jo's okay?" He asked anxiously.

Slowly Mac moved his hand away from his gun. "How do you know Jo?"

"I . . . knew Seth. He was a good friend and he introduced me to Jo. Now please, just tell me! Did she . . . get shot?"

Mac immediately noticed the fear and panic in Colin's eyes. "No. She didn't."

"Thank God." Colin took a deep breath and glanced back up the road. The guilt and grief slammed through his heart once again. "Seth's dead, isn't he?"

"Yea. . . He is."

Colin nodded numbly and dropped his head.

"Okay. . .Now you need to tell me everything you know about Seth Turner. Then I'm gonna drive you to the FBI Division . . ."

Colin's eyes flashed back at Mac's. "I'm not giving the FBI any information!" He interrupted angrily.

Mac was slightly taken aback by his sudden outburst. He drew in a breath, let it out. "Colin. The FBI are investigating Seth's death. You can help them get the guys who did this." Mac noticed the shocked expression on his face. He frowned deeply. "Colin what's wrong?"

"Jo told me I could trust you!"

Mac stopped dead in his tracks and stared back at him. "She gave you my name?"

"Mac!"

He glanced back out the front windscreen and cursed inwardly. Dammit. He'd been spotted.

FBI Agent Will Douglas stared angrily up the road at Mac's car. "For God sake Mac. You're not suppose to be anywhere near this Crime Scene!" He called out.

"Crap!" Fear slammed through Colin's chest. Quickly, he reached for the door handle.

Mac grabbed his arm. "Jo was right. You can trust me. Now get down."

He froze and stared back at him.

Mac raised his voice. "Do it!" Colin swallowed hard and ducked.

Mac glanced back at the road and slammed his foot down on the gas pedal.

"Hey! Get back here!" Will pushed away from the side walk and sprinted up the road after Mac.

Mac skidded the car around and floored it back up the street. He glanced back at the rear view mirror and pushed out a long, deep breath. "Okay we're clear."

Colin sunk back onto the seat and fastened his seat belt. "If that Agent saw you, he saw me too." He muttered angrily.

"I was just being careful. He was too far away to see us through these windows. He shouted out my name because he recognised my car." Mac sighed inwardy and looked back at the mirror. "They're not following."

Colin glanced suspiciously across at him. "I still don't trust you. Stop the car. I'm getting out."

Mac released a heavy sigh. "No your not."

He stared anxiously out of the side window and reached for the door handle once again.

Mac swore under his breath and slammed his foot on the brakes.

Before Colin got a chance to open the door, Mac had grabbed him and yanked him back. He grasped Colin's Jacket tighter and pulled him towards him. "Jo's gone missing! She's in trouble!"

Colin became dead still and stared back at Mac. Finally he found his voice. "She's . . . missing?"

"Yes." Mac kept his eyes fixed sternly on his. "Why do you refuse to go to the FBI?"

Mac noticed the indignation flicker in Colin's eyes. He took a deep steady breath and willed himself to calm down. "Look. . . I know about Alex Cole."

Colin's eyes flashed back at his. "You know about what happened back in 2007?"

Not nearly enough. Mac loosened his grip on Colin's jacket. "Jo told me She saw Alex Cole in Hollis Lane that evening. I believe her."

"Yea. Me too." He muttered a curse and looked away.

Mac glanced back at him for several seconds. "You know something about Alex Cole. What is it?"

Colin forced out a long breath. "His brother was a good man, but Alex Cole? All he lives for is domination and power, and he doesn't care how he obtains it."

Mac frowned across at him. "He had a brother?"

Colin swallowed hard and glanced out of the side window.

"Colin. Who was his brother?"

Slowly, he met Mac's anxious gaze. "James Carter . . . Jo's father."

"Oh God." Mac leaned back in the seat and forced himself to take a steady breath. Okay. Calm down Mac. He turned back to Colin. "Okay. Colin. She's looking for a missing box. Do you know where it is?"

Colin closed his eyes. "My God. What have I done?"

The unease crawled up Mac's spine. "Colin. You need to tell me what's going on now!"

He swallowed into an aching throat. "I have the box."

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I COULDN'T GET ANY MORE OF THE CHAPTER UP TONIGHT.

I HOPE TO GET CH 5 UP WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

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Colin glanced back up the street and swallowed back a lump in his throat. "I live at 163. I . . . saw a body being removed from the property. I asked J tok check up n him and saw her turn up at his place. I knew that Jo and Seth could have been the only ones inside."

Mac frowned. "Why?"

"In the last few months, Seth's only opened the door to me and Jo."