Chapter 5
"James found me this letter. I want to know what it is about; you have carte blanche. Kennedy, you take care to trace her movements of the last weeks. The scientist unit analyses the evidence of the apartment and the surveillance cameras around. I know you will not like it, but I have to interrogate you to be able to make a preliminary profile of your friend, " Franck told to Jane, Patterson, Kurt, Reade, and Rich.
"Is it really necessary? I mean, we don't know anything more," The brunette asked, unfamiliar with the techniques in a missing investigation.
"It is, most of the time people notice things without realizing it and I know that you are trained to that but in my experience when it comes to a loved one it is very different. In addition, it is always useful to identify the personality of a kidnapping victim to determine the exact motive of the aggressor. I understand that it is disturbing, but it could prove very useful," Kick explained knowing that like her the young woman was not a trained FBI agent but a consultant. "Of course, I understand. Do what you have to do," Jane answered. Kurt had told him about the abilities of this team and their success rate. There was no doubt that they were the best in their field. And the state in which they were all proved well that they couldn't think straight.
"To go faster Bishop, Kick and I will interview you in small groups rather than individually."
The three agents began by questioning Jane, Patterson, and Rich, and they would do the same with Weller and Reade. They began by asking routine questions and then went into the thick of things.
"You told Amanda that you noticed Tasha' stress What made you think that?" Franck asked turning to the young computer specialist and her colleague. They had already established that Rich and Zapata had no personal connection.
"Nothing particular she seemed to have difficulties to sleep and she was more withdrawn, but it was more an impression than anything else. I didn't think at all that it could be something serious I thought it was related to ... Well, I never thought she could be in danger."
"In connection with what?
"Nothing important," The pretty blonde replied. Jane knew what she wanted to talk about, and she had enough hold on Rich to shut him up only she was reluctant to talk about her best friend's private life especially since it didn't have any connection.
"It does not cost anything to talk about it," the brunette suggested to her friend. They looked at each other with a knowing air.
"Okay, but it really has nothing to do with her kidnapping. In any case, I would appreciate if it could stay between us and just between us because only Jane and I know this information".
"As long as it is not vital to the investigation all that you tell us will remain in this room," John reassured intrigued.
"Thanks, and Rich, the instructions are also valid for you," the computer scientist said, turning to her friend.
"Do you know me? I'm a grave. In addition, I think I know what you're going to say," The former criminal guarantees trying to relax his colleague. He was not close to Tasha but this time he felt that it was different, that the situation was serious. He knew the team well enough to know that no one would recover if she died. Patterson rolled her eyes and resumed her speech. "For several years already Tasha and Reade have a rather ambiguous relationship. A few months ago, now she realized that she had feelings for him, far deeper feelings than friendship. Sincerely, I think it's much older, but since the team was reformed things have changed and she realizes it. Finally, he got engaged a month ago and he asked him to be his wedding witness. She was already hurt to have to keep her feelings for her but after that, she was even sadder. When she started to lose sleep, I thought it was for that and it's not necessarily wrong but when I heard Amanda speak, I realized there was more."
"Do other people know about this?" Kick questioned sadly. This young woman didn't have an easy life and today she was still suffering.
"Yes, definitely it's pretty obvious actually. I don't know what you all have in this team but it's not because you are super trained agents that you are good at hiding your feelings," answered spontaneously. Jane smiled weakly and then spoke.
"For once I agree with you. I did not talk about it with my husband, but it would not surprise me that he noticed it too. Honestly apart from Reade, everyone has seen it."
"And she never thought about telling him?" The blonde continued, beginning to feel uncomfortable. She never liked searching in the private life of the victims but with the young woman, it was even worse. She seemed strong, independent, and desperate to make others happy, even if that means sacrificing herself. Kick respected her and admired her.
"Absolutely not she is convinced that it's not reciprocal and that he is better without her. Which is silly because no matter Reade's feelings he cares about her too much to hurt her. After all, two years ago he was in her place."
"What do you mean by that?"
"He was injured during a risky op. When she took him home, he kissed her and told her that he loved her. As she did not answer he said it was painkillers but honestly I don't believe it for a minute."
"I am not sure why Agent Zapata rejected him if she already had feelings for him?"
"Let's say that Tasha is the kind of person who is more afraid of having a broken heart than having a weapon on her or of defusing a bomb in the middle of Central Park," Jane said with regret.
"Do you know where it might come from? Trauma during childhood maybe or something related to her family?" Bishop questioned persuaded to have a track.
"I don't have any idea. All I can tell you is that she has two brothers, a nephew, a niece, and her grandmother. For the rest, Tasha hardly ever talks about her family or her childhood."
"We were already aware of the existence of this part of her family they should also arrive within an hour but it's also the only information we could find."
"Sorry, but we can't help you anymore. I don't think Weller has more information, but you should ask Reade if Tasha confided to someone about her childhood it is him," Patterson suggested, smiling weakly. She promised herself that as soon as they found Zapata, she would make her two best friends talk to each other. The young blonde couldn't stand to see them unhappy and deep inside her she knew that Edgar also had feelings for the brunette. The pretty informatician couldn't imagine a world where they were not happy together. They were totally perfect for each other. She couldn't imagine that Tasha would not come back alive. It was unthinkable.
They continued to discuss for several minutes. Then the team went to the interrogation of Reade and Weller. They asked usual questions and went to more personal questions.
"What can you tell us about Zapata's family?" John asked again.
"No much outside of what is in his file. I know she didn't have an easy childhood, but I really have no details. She didn't talk about it, never," Weller began.
"I know that her mother died a long time ago, but I don't know anything about her father. She is close to her grandmother because she has raised her since her 14. I know she is also protective of her brothers. She took care of them alone for a long time. She literally loves her nephew and niece even if she doesn't see them as often as she would like," Edgar smiled at this last remark. She couldn't help but show him every picture of them in her phone and telling him about each of their exploits, jokes or giggles. It didn't bother him. To be honest he found it adorable. Tasha looked totally relaxed and happy during these moments. Often, he thought about the fact that she would make an amazing mom.
"Assistant director Reade in our research we saw that you are Zapata's closest friend, is there anything you could remember and which nobody would know?" Franck questioned. He wanted to know where he was positioned in his relationship with her teammate to determine who the girl could have confided.
"Please no ceremony, Reade will be fine and no I don't think so. Honestly, we were less close since she had resigned to join the CIA. We fought when she decided to leave, and we didn't talk for a year. We reconnected during the creation of the unit. Even if things are better it's different and she doesn't talk to me anymore. I mean not like before."
Novak was about to ask him a new question, but he was interrupted when James knocked on the door and then returned.
"The family of Agent Zapata has arrived. I had the opportunity to talk with her brothers. They think they know what the letter contained."
Weller and Reade looked at each other worried. They knew that no matter what, the contents of this mail had terrorized their friend, which meant that something terrible was happening. All they wished was that she had called for their help.
