Thank you for all of the kind reviews. I can see from the stats that lots of people are enjoying the story. That is a great encouragement to me. I just finished writing chapter ten (I believe that there will be seventeen chapters), so there's a lot more to look forward to. As a warning, this is where crime is introduced. From this point on the story gets a bit...darker (I'm not sure if that is the correct word for this, but it is what I can think of).

I also wanted to make sure that I state now that the characters of Sue Thomas: FB Eye belong to Pax and the people who created this wonderful show. I enjoy using the characters (plus I've added). I in no way intend to infringe upon their rights. Now that I've made that statement, on with the story! Enjoy!

It was two days later that the team was assigned their first case since Tara joined their ranks. Eldridge came in as Tara was working at her computer. He gave a file to D, then called for the attention of the agents . Everyone turned to him.

"We have a high-priority case that we've just been handed," he said. He stopped and cleared his throat. Tara sat up straight. If she was correct, this case deeply disturbed this man. After years of fighting some of the most awful criminals in the world this could not be good. He took a deep breath and plunged into the case details while Tara and the others listened in shock.

"Marine Costel, who turned seven last Monday, was kidnapped twenty-six hours ago from her backyard. There is a window of twenty minutes when no one was watching her. It is suspected that during that time the kidnapper came into the back yard and took her by force. The main suspect is her father, Jase Benson, a convicted murderer, rapist, gang member, and abuser among other charges. He is currently serving several life sentences at a high-security prison in California, his home state. Or he was. Two weeks ago he escaped while being transferred in a prison van. He is believed to be armed and dangerous. When he was arrested prior to his conviction, Jase had been in the act of beating up his wife, Lydia Costel, and daughter, Marine Costel, and shouting death threats at them. It was only by a disabling shot that the FBI was able to save his wife's life."

A million horrible possibilities flooded Tara's mind.

"So we think that Jase Benson searched out his family for revenge?" Myles asked from across the room.

"Yes. He swore that he would get revenge. Lydia divorced him while he was in jail. She has told police that he threatened to kill her if he ever got out. Psychiatrists in the jail say that he was very angry at his wife and daughter, who he apparently blamed for abandoning him."

"How long has Benson been in jail?" Bobby asked.

"Four years. Marine was three when her dad was arrested and by reports of the family remembers little about him except that she is very scared of him," Eldridge said.

Tara felt sick.

"Where have Lydia and Marine been staying?" This was from Jack.

"With Lydia's sister, Jennifer Moses, and Jennifer's husband, Derek Moses. Lydia changed her name back to Costel, which was her maiden name, but has gone by Lydia Moses in the community for greater secrecy. Lydia and Marine went to live with Jennifer and Derek in Maine right after Jase's arrest, but they recently moved to D.C. because of a promotion that Derek received. Derek and Jennifer support Lydia and Marine. Lydia has been unable to work for the last four years due to injuries from Jase, despite six surgeries. Marine had to have three to help her recover and lead a normal life. We are involved because Lydia was a former FBI informant. Jase was part of the gang called the 'Black Bullets' and Lydia helped our team take down the gang. That was why Jase almost killed her-he found out right before the agents arrived on the scene."

This guy was crazy and he had a defenseless little girl under his power.

D looked up from the file Eldridge had handed to him and took over. "Behavioral analysts believe that Jase Benson is out for revenge. He would know that Marine is the person dearest to Lydia. They also believe that Jase would eventually kill Marine. Her life is on the line and we need to find her as soon as possible."

Silence reigned. Tara felt as if her heart had been strangled. How can something so horrible happen to such an innocent child? I know that she must be terrified, just like I was. I hate men like that. They love to hurt and terrify. It isn't fair. But at least this time I'm going to bring this guy to justice.

"I'm giving D the role as lead agent. Get to work and bring this girl home," Eldridge commanded before turning and leaving the room. No one seemed ready to talk. Tara looked around slowly and saw pain and fear in each agent's face. We're all terrified for Marine.

Tara cleared her throat, getting the attention of the others. No longer was she a total outsider-they had all been baptized in this common pain. A barrage of memories threatened to overwhelm her.

"Where do we start?" she asked, willing her voice to remain calm.

Everyone sprung into action. D began giving out assignments.

"Shep, find out all you can about Jase-old friends, old hangouts, old girlfriends, all that information. Joe, research the Black Bullets. Gang members usually stick together. If they are involved we need to know. Bobby, try to find out how he could have figured out where Lydia and Marine were staying. Has he been spying on them or has he had someone doing that for him? How did he know where they were? Jack, find out some possible routes that Jase may have taken from the escape to the Moses house. Work with Shep to see if there are any connecting points that may fit together. Myles, alert the media with descriptions of Jase and Marine. Make sure that an Amber alert has been issued. Also do a quick check to see if you can find any other possibilities as to where Marine went or who took her. This was likely done by Jase, but we should check if there are any other suspects. We don't want to chase down only Jase if there are other suspects. Call in Susan and get her checking records and everything else-she'll know which ones and what to do. She always does. Tara, you and I are going to the house to talk to Lydia, Jennifer, and Derek. Oh, Shep, send down some guys to check over the crime scene. We just got this case, but metro police have been working on it since the beginning. We need their reports as well as a once-over by our guys. Tara and I will check for any hiding spots in the neighbourhood that Jase may have used to spy on the Costels and Moseses. Let's go, people. Report any and all developments. I want that girl back to her mom as soon as possible. Come on, Tara. We're taking my car." D was out the door in a flash and Tara ran after him. They had to find this girl. They just had to.

I can't let it happen again.