Review Replies:
mozzi-girl: Thanks so much!
Oryt: Thanks! I'm warning you though…that part is approaching…:)
maltararox21: Thanks so much! Seriously, your reviews mean a lot! And yes, I have seen 'friends' before (I don't watch a lot of TV, but that's one of the few things that I occasionally watch) so I know who Phobe is :) She's one of my favorite characters.
Mal Fallon
Luckily, I was able to catch a plane to Israel within the next twenty-four hours. I took a plane at noon, but because of the time difference it was already late evening when I arrived in Tel Aviv. As I got off the plane there was already someone waiting for me, a man in a stiff police uniform. He didn't see me at first, but I saw him. I saw the bright stitching, which stood out against the dark fabric, that spelled out his name.
'Locke Katz'.
Remembering this was the name of the man Natara was supposed to be working with, I practically ran to this man, ignoring the protests of the slow-moving tourists crowding the room. When I got to him he had his back turned, and before he could even turn around I tapped him roughly on the shoulder.
The man whipped around, clearly startled. He muttered something in Hebrew, but since I couldn't understand him all I said was "What?".
"Ah, you are American. Can I help you?" he said with a smile, holding his hand out to shake mine. His accent was odd, almost a cross between Australian and Israeli, as if he had spent plenty of time in both places. I didn't return this gesture, and his smile faded slightly. How was I supposed to know this wasn't The same imposter that had taken Natara?
"Detective Mal Fallon, San Francisco police department" I said "You were supposed to meet Special Agent Natara Williams here three days ago?".
"Ah, yes. Are you here to assist with the investigation regarding her kidnapping?".
"Yes" I lied. In truth, the only person who had any idea I was here was Amy. I didn't even tell Captain Yeong, but I knew I'd be getting a call as soon as she found out.
"Excellent" Locke said "Perhaps you can assist me in looking at something? I found a place where I believe she was held for some time, but I am unsure. I was contacted by your government about someone coming, but I was not expecting it so quickly! Good thing I came to get you a little early!".
It was apparent he didn't know much about America. I had already told him I was from a police department, but he still seemed to think I was a Fed. I didn't correct him, since for right now this misconception could help me.
"Let's go then, the faster we find her the better".
I grabbed the bag I had quickly packed and he led me outside to the parking lot, where his small car was parked. I threw my things in the back, he got in the drivers side, and I in the passenger side. We didn't even make it out of the parking lot when my phone rang, and I knew who it was even before I answered it.
"What do you think you're doing?" Captain Yeongs voice rang out as soon as I picked up. "This is an international affair! We have no jurisdiction over this!".
She was speaking so loudly that her voice carried slightly, and as we waited to pull out into the road I could see Locke staring at me strangely. I knew I had to play it off as if I had permission to be here, no matter the price I had to pay when I came back.
"Yes, I've arrived safely and am working with authorities to find her" I said, answering a question that was never asked.
"What are you taking about? Come back here this instant!".
"I'm afraid I can't do that" I said calmly "I'll just be taking care if things here and coming back".
"What are you talking about? You don't even have—".
But I hung up before she finished that sentence.
"Everything alright?" Locke asked, pulling out onto the crowded streets.
"Yes, everything's fine" I lied again. After a while the paved streets faded to dirt roads, and Locke slowed to a stop. There were a few officers, all in stiff uniforms similar to Locke's, standing outside of a small home. As we got out of the car and approached he nodded to the one blocking the door, and he wordlessly stepped out of the way. We stepped into the small home, and Locke led me through another door and down a set of steep steps. It must have been pitch dark at one time, but now a small battery powered lantern was hanging from the ceiling.
"We did not want to touch the scene, since it is a international affair, but if you are here we should be good to look around".
But my eyes had fixed on something on the ground, something small. It was lying by a large red stain on the cement ground, and I didn't hesitate to kneel down to it.
Locke didn't notice. "Of course, I am no doctor, but several of us have become concerned about the blood volume on the ground. It is possible it is a detrimental amount, but we cannot be entirely—".
He stopped when I saw what I was doing. I had picked up the tiny object, recognizing it immediately. The metal was covered in dry blood, but it was undeniably Natara's locket. I pried it open, just to be sure, and saw the same photo I had placed inside completely unharmed. I held it tightly in my hand, curling my fingers around it. Natara's fingers had once done this too. It had once hung over her beating heart, and was now covered the blood that had once run through her veins.
"You are not from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, are you?".
"No".
"But you have a personal connection to this woman, do you not?".
I stood up, still holding the locket tightly. "Yes, I do. And if you're gonna try and send me back, good luck. I'm not going back until I find her".
Locke held up his hands in mock surrender, saying "It is fine, I get it. You have as much of a right to be here as any of us. Although I would not advertise the fact you are not supposed to be here. I would keep it between you and I, yes?".