Check this out! Got another chapter up. Woot woot! Thank you for the condolences and reviews, alerts. I hope you guys enjoy this.
Til next time...
"Find Him Alive"
Jeanne Benoit slammed her hand onto the wooden coffee table. Her advisor sat on the love seat across from her, portfolio in his hands. The sudden sound caused him to jump.
"He can't just disappear! A person can never just disappear." She kept her voice level in fear to disturb Jake who was taking a nap in the next room. Her eyes narrowed. "Find someone who can. Surely, there's someone who can find him."
"Yes, Ms. Benoit." He automatically responded with a tremble in his voice. Quickly he made his exit.
She sighed, standing and making her way to the next bedroom, leaning against the doorway and watching her son sleep. He was clueless about her intentions; something she hoped he'd never find out as she hoped he'd stop asking why Daddy wasn't around. Times like these, she wished her parents were still there.
Daddy would know what to do; he always did.
Travis Rodgers straightened his tie, clearing his throat as he waited nervously for Jeanne Benoit's advisor. He'd been contacted on his burn phone a few days ago with a job – to locate Anthony DiNozzo and his team. The day after the team went rogue, he'd been called into Vance's office on a special assignment.
Now, after assuming the identity of George Hanson, he was here in her company, taking care of the assignment. He only hoped she could be stopped before they were killed. A young boy swung open the glass door, carrying a toy as he laughed. He kept looking behind him until he slammed into Rodgers. Looking up at the man, the boy looked frightened. Rodgers instantly recognized those eyes. He must be DiNozzo's son. "I'm sorry, sir. Didn't see you there."
Rodgers gave a fake smile. "It's okay. No harm."
"Jacob! Where are you?" A woman's voice hollered. They watched her open doors and check. Finally spotting him, she glared at him as she picked up speed. "There you are! Your mother wouldn't be happy with you for running off. Come now!" She ignored the man while slipping an arm around the boy's shoulders.
Rodgers had been a little surprised by the woman's rudeness, but oh well. Suddenly, a young man came into view. "Mr. Hanson?" The man asked, opening the glass door.
"Yes?"
"Come with me." The man waited for him to stand before turning on his heel and walking back down the direction he'd just come from. "Ms. Benoit is waiting."
Rodgers quickly caught up.
She glared at the little boy who sat across the desk from her. The seat he sat in was cushioned and had a feminine taste to it. Her son stared at her with an anxious expression. His hands fingered the toy as he waited for the inevitable.
"Jake, really!" Jeanne scolded. "What did Mommy tell you about running around in the building?"
"Not to." He quietly answered.
"Exactly." Jeanne glanced up at the door where her advisor tapped on it. Jake turned around as well, peeking over the brim of the chair. "Don't do it again, Jacob." Jeanne advised with her stern voice.
"Yes, Momma." Jake responded, watching his mother signal them in.
"Ms. Benoit, George Hanson to see you." The advisor announced, taking a few tentative steps into the massive office.
"Yes. Thank you, Ryan." Jeanne flashed a smile, letting Ryan leave and waving for Hanson to sit in the other chair. "Mr. Hanson, this is my son, Jake. Jake, Mr. Hanson."
"Hi." Jake greeted, tentatively in a shy voice. At the little wave, Rodgers/Hanson smiled.
"We meet again, Mr. Benoit."
"That's Momma's name." Jake informed him.
"Oh?" He looked up at Jeanne. "Then, what's your last name?"
"DiNozzo." Jake imitated James Bond in Sean Connery accent. "Jake DiNozzo."
Rodgers had to chuckle at that. "Nice accent."
Jake beamed. "Thank you. Momma told me that I get my love for movies from Daddy."
Yep, definitely his son. Rodgers checked with Jeanne, who nodded. He turned his attention back to Jake. "Is that right?"
"Yep! Momma said that I got a lot of things from Daddy." Jake gloated. "She gave me this. It's one of Daddy's." He pulled out a red-plastic bracklet, resized for his small hand.
"Jake." Jeanne spoke up, drawing her son's attention back to her. She waved a woman, Jake's nanny, in the room. "Go with Linda and I'll come by to pick you up in a little bit."
"Okay, Momma." Jake returned to the soft, tentative voice. He slid off the chair and ran around the desk, running into his mother's opened arms. Jeanne hugged him tightly. "I love you, Momma."
"Love you, too, Jakey Boy." Jeanne spoke softly as she released him. "Listen to her and be good. You may get ice cream when I get home."
At this, Jake got excited. "I will!"
He walked out with his nanny, waving good bye to both his mother and the man sitting across from her.
When Jake and the nanny were gone, Rodgers turned his eyes back to Jeanne. "Cute kid, Ms. Benoit."
"Thank you." Jeanne smiled. "He gets most of his looks and attitude from his father."
I've noticed that. Rodgers thought. "Well, he seems like a great kid."
"He is when he wants to be." Jeanne commented, looking down at the folder before her. She cleared her throat. "Now, you've been recommended by Charles. He says that you're the best."
"That I am, ma'am." Rodgers beamed. "People call me 'The Finder' like that guy from the show on Fox."
"I've seen it." Jeanne said before continuing. She handed him seven files, each labeled with its own individual names. He studied them, already knowing their names and the contents in the files. "I need you to find these people, one in particular." She slid DiNozzo's file to the front. "This man, Jake's father, I need you to bring him to me, alive. Anthony DiNozzo's been a real pain in my ass, and it's time to deal with it."
"Yes, Ms. Benoit." Rodgers lifted the fanned out files, snapping the files in a neat pile. "He'll be the first I look at." He didn't ask questions; had no need to. She'd tell him if she really wanted to.
"I'll be expecting your call." Jeanne told him as he rose from the chairs, slipping the folders under his arm and turning to leave.
