The waiting room was beginning to feel like home, with how much time he had spent there recently. Jack filled up his cup of water, and went to sit next to Tara. It was two days after Sue had been found, and the team was working to try to figure out if Gabriel Grant had previous victims.
"So far, I've only been able to find a record of him in Charlottetown. That was three years ago. He was working as a bank teller at the time. He went by Gabe and kept a low profile there.
"During the same time that he was living in Charlottetown, a prominent judge disappeared. Her family reported stalker-like emails on her computer, and then silence. She was found three weeks later in her office. There was evidence of some severe bruising and a few broken bones. Pinned to her jacket, was a note that said, "You Lost." The killer was never found."
"Good work, Tara. Do you have a name for the judge?"
"Leah Johannson."
"Thanks, we'll throw her name at Grant and see if he breaks."
Jack wrote down the name and stood up, ready to go see Sue and then join Myles in the interrogation room. Tara stopped him from going too far. "I got a call from Bailey Thomas. She was wondering if there was anything else she could do to help us find Sue. I told her that we found Sue and that we have Grant in our custody right now. I also took down her number. I figured Bailey is the type of person that Sue would become good friends with, if she wanted to meet her. Would you mind telling Sue about Bailey and giving her the number?"
"I think that's a great idea. Thank you Tara."
The tech genius nodded, then went back to typing on her computer. She had her cell phone in her other hand and was in the process of dialing the number for the police department in Charlottetown.
Jack smiled at her then turned and walked down the hospital hall to Sue's room. She had been moved from the ICU the day before and she now had a room with quite the view out of the window. Jack spent as much time as he could by her side, even if she was sleeping. Just having Sue near was calming for him after the terror and stress of the last week.
"Enjoying the view?" Sue asked, breaking him out of his thoughts. He hadn't realized that he had reached her room and had just been standing in the doorway.
"The city looks absolutely beautiful tonight. The first snow of the season is always my favorite."
"Mine too. There's something so magical about watching the snow fall across a city particularly at night."
Jack came into the room and took a seat next to Sue's bed. She had been improving much over the last few days. Her bruises weren't as tender, though they had turned yellow and green rather than blue and purple. She was able to sit up in bed by herself and move her arm enough to move the straw towards her mouth. For someone who was very determined and stubborn, Jack figured she would not want to be limited for much longer.
The one thing that had been getting worse for Sue was her nightmares. She woke up every few hours screaming. But waking up didn't necessarily help her escape her nightmares. If there was a man in her room, regardless if he was her father, Jack, or a phlebotomist, she would think that he was her kidnapper. The first time this had happened, Bobby had been in the room, taking a turn watching out for her.
"I had never felt so helpless," Bobby had said. "If I got too close, she would become hysterical and try to fight me. And she was screaming for Jack, or me, or anybody that could help her. It was absolutely terrifying."
When Sue had found out about this episode, she had been extremely embarrassed and had apologized multiple times the big Aussie. He understood, and told her that he didn't blame her in any way, but Sue still felt guilty.
That was when the rest of the team found out about Sue being mistreated so horribly. Everyone was shocked and horrified, some were more angry about it, others just sad. Bobby wasn't allowed to interrogate Gabriel Grant anymore, because the last time they had interacted, Bobby had to be dragged from the room before he hurt that man.
Jack, however, had gotten past the murderous rage that was filling Bobby. Instead, he quietly checked up on Sue and made sure that she was doing better. The entire team had been given the rest of the week off, to catch up on sleep and recuperate before heading back to work. Sue had had a constant stream of visitors and well wishers. Charlie and Troy had come to see her, as well as Howie and Mr. Gomez. Sue had thanked them both for coming forward with information regarding her kidnapping. Had they not helped, Levi might have ended up dead and she would still be in the hands of that madman.
Sue gently touched Jack's hand. "You're quiet tonight. Is everything okay?" she asked him.
Jack looked at her, with tears in his eyes. "Just thinking about all of the people who helped us find you. Without them, I don't even want to think about what would have happened."
"It's in the past, Jack. We need to keep going and not let him control our lives. Don't waste time worrying about what could have been. It's over now."
"I know, but every time I sleep, it just haunts me. But, you're right. There's no use worrying about something that won't happen. Which reminds me, Tara told me that there is a lady that would like to meet you. She gave us a lot of tips that really helped us figure out where you were. Her name is Bailey Thomas. She was the wife of Grant ten years ago, or so. She would like to meet you."
"I would like to meet her. Bailey, you said? Do you have her number?"
Jack smiled and placed the paper Tara had given him onto Sue's lap. "I figured you might want it." He sat quietly next to her for a moment, holding her hand like he had done so many times before. Jack could see himself sitting contentedly next to this amazing woman for the rest of his life. Finally, he looked at his watch and realized he was running a little late. "Well, I have to go. Myles is waiting for me. But are we still on for a movie tonight?"
"Of course. Drive safely."
Myles stood behind the one-way glass, observing Grant as he sat at the table, waiting for someone to come and question him today. The socialite Harvard man hadn't always approved of having Sue Thomas as an FBI agent. But many things had changed since he had thought that. She had personally saved his job, something he found out from D months later, as well as helped him when he was having a panic attack. Sue had proved that she understood criminals and that there were also good people in the world, who did tell the truth. She had taught him to change his perspective on the people he chased every day.
Regardless of what lessons Myles had learned from the deaf woman, he still could not find it in himself to have any compassion for Gabriel Grant. The man was twisted and horrible. Every time Myles closed his eyes, he could see Sue's face when she told him about what Grant had done to her. She was broken and hurting, but still going. She was vulnerable, but she also had shown her strength at that moment. Myles had sworn to himself that her kidnapper would receive the full justice of the law for all of the crimes he committed against her.
Myles glanced at his watch and noticed that Jack was fifteen minutes late. His first reaction was to gripe and growl at Jack when he walked through the door just a few minutes later. But then he noticed the scent of the hospital, and kept his mouth shut.
"Tara gave us the name of a judge that was found murdered after missing for three weeks. The same type of emails were sent to a Leah Johannson. She might be another of his victims."
"We'll throw that name out there and see what his reaction may be. Is Tara getting in touch with the police in that jurisdiction so we can see the evidence from the case?"
"She was calling them when I left to go see Sue for a few minutes."
"Good. Now let's go nail this guy for murder."
Sue sat up in her hospital bed, wincing slightly as her various injuries made their presence known. She looked down at her beloved dog, who was draped over her legs in a protective fashion. She stroked his ears and said, "You know what they say. Pain lets you know you are still alive. I just wish it didn't let me know I'm alive every other second." But I am alive, she thought. Dear God, thank you for hearing my prayers and the prayers of my friends. Thank you for sending Jack to save me. And thank you for bringing Levi back to me. I don't know what I would do without all the people you have put into my life. She had said a similar prayer more times in a day then she could count, since she woke up safe in the hospital.
There had been very few moments when Sue was left alone in her room. Usually her parents, Lucy, or Jack were there to keep her company. But tonight, she was alone. Sue looked out of the window in her hospital room and gazed out over the city that she had grown to love. A gentle snow, the first of the season, was starting to fall, creating a sense of peace. Sue was reminded of a night similar to this, not too long ago, that she made a decision to stay. Her friends, or her family really, were the most important people to her, besides her own family.
Though he didn't know it, Jack had been the biggest reason that she had chosen to stay in DC. Though she had fallen in love with him by that time, Sue knew that by staying, she would not be able to date him. But she could see him every day at work. They could still go to dinner together, as friends, multiple times a week. And in the year since she had made that decision, they had grown even closer as friends.
If, at any time, they were able to date, Sue was ready to take that step with him. And she would wait, regardless of how long it would take.
Sue watched the snow fall, enjoying the peace of the moment. I am able to see this sight because of so many people. Howie, Mr. Ricardo, Bailey Thomas, plus my teammates. I am so grateful for their courage and dedication. They inspire me to be a better person and to reach out to the less fortunate.
Myles had been very sweet. Since her blackberry was considered evidence, she didn't have a way to communicate with people on a telephone. But then, Myles had used his own money and gotten her a brand new phone. She picked up the new electronic and typed in the number Jack had given her for Bailey Thomas.
Thomas. How can I help you?
"Hi, my name is Sue Thomas. I understand that you gave information to the FBI that helped them find me."
You're the one that was kidnapped! I'm so glad that you are okay.
"Thanks to you and your tip."
I had actually called Tara Williams not too long ago. I was wondering if it would be alright for me to visit. I would really like to meet you.
"That's actually why I am calling. I would like to meet you too. Are you free to meet me tomorrow?"
Absolutely. I'll be there around three. I'm excited to see you.
"I'll see you at three, Miss Thomas."
Please call me Bailey.
"Alright, Bailey. See you tomorrow."
Sue hung up the phone and gave a big sigh. She always enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends. Again, Sue felt the peace that she could only feel when she was full of gratitude towards God and everything He had done for her. Though she still had nightmares of those awful days, she was getting better, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Having so many people around her that loved and supported her was a big part of her recovery process.
Sue looked out the window again and smiled. She was going to be okay.
Gabriel Grant was acting just as cocky as he had all the other times Jack had interrogated him. Myles was getting frustrated and had to get up and pace to keep from losing his temper at the man.
Jack leaned forward and looked Grant in the eye. His eyes held secrets, buried in their icy depths. "Look, you can confess to the crimes you've committed or you can keep dodging questions. Either way, we will find out the truth and we will send you to prison. We found a name from your past. Leah Johannson. She was a prominent judge in Charlottetown where you lived three years ago. And she was found murdered after missing for several weeks."
Grant sat silent as Jack spoke. Then he smiled. "If you think that you can get me to confess to a murder, let me tell you something." He leaned forward until he was less than a foot from Jack's face. "You know nothing." He sat back and continued to have that smile on his face.
Even though the man had seemed completely unaffected by the insinuation that he had killed a judge, Jack had been watching his steely eyes. And he had seen a flicker of worry, a shadow of fear. Jack also leaned back in his chair. "We know more than you realize." He stood up and left the interrogation room, followed by Myles.
The teammates went into the observation area and looked through the one-way glass. Myles looked at Jack. He had a hard look on his face and a stubborn set to his jaw. "May I ask why we just left that interrogation. We should have pressed him longer."
"Myles, we need more information about the Johannson case. Besides, we might have just broken through his armor. His eyes were his giveaway. If he thinks we know something, he is more likely to get nervous and give us information, even if it's unintentional. We can't let this kidnapping case go to trial. Sue shouldn't have to testify and relive those awful days anymore than she already does."
Myles nodded and turned towards the glass, observing the cold-hearted man on the other side. "We will get him, Jack."
The next day, Sue was full of nervous energy as she waited for three o'clock to come around. Bailey was a person of mystery for her. The hours seemed to drag on, a neverending parade of nurses and doctors coming in to check her vitals and her various injuries. Lucy came about one in the afternoon, and helped her do her hair and makeup so that she looked presentable.
Before Sue felt ready, there was a tap on her hospital room door. The door opened and a woman about her own age came into the room. Her face was full of concern, but contained a sense of peace with the world. Levi thumped his tail on the bed in greeting.
"Hi, come on in. I'm Sue. And this is Levi."
"I'm Bailey. I'm so glad that you're safe. I was so worried about you. I was praying for you every second I could."
"Thank you so much for everything you did for me and for my team. I'm really happy that I get to meet you."
Bailey walked over to Sue's bed and sat down in the chair next to it. "Is there anything I can do for you? Get you some water, maybe?"
Sue smiled at the woman. "I'm fine. What I would like is to get to know you. Where are you from?"
"I was raised in California, but I went to school in New York. I was going to become an actress, but things changed and I decided to become a stay-at-home wife."
"But, you're not doing that right now?"
Bailey laughed. "Goodness, no. I am a dispatcher for the DCPD. It's a fantastic job. But, what about you? Did you always want to be an FBI agent?"
Sue smiled. "No, when I was little, I wanted to be a figure skater. Then as I got older, I got more interested in law enforcement. The FBI was the first Bureau to accept a deaf person. And it has definitely been a rewarding experience. You never know who you're going to meet that might change your life forever."
"Is Levi your hearing dog?"
"Yes. And our team's all-around wonder-dog."
The two women spent the next two hours talking, getting to know each other, before Bailey eventually stood.
"It has been so nice talking to you. I wish I could stay even longer, but, unfortunately, duty calls. When you are feeling better and are out of the hospital, we will definitely have lunch sometime." Bailey leaned over the bed and gently hugged her new friend. Sue had been right, she thought. You never know who you might meet that will end up changing your life.