Once again, I welcome all my faithful readers back to the next part of the story. A disclosure: Tara and D interview a prostitute. If that would bother you, please skip this chapter! I will also once again announce that I only own the characters that I've added (faithful fans of the show have probably already sorted out any new people that I've made and who is really in the show). Thanks to Pax and all the wonderful people involved in creating "Sue Thomas: FB Eye" for the wonderful characters that I'm enjoying playing with in my writing. All credit goes to them. Now please enjoy this next chapter. Review and comment when you're done-it is motivation to me to keep going! Special thanks to the people who do so regularly (Goof, thank you! And others too!)!
At 4:00 Tara arrived at the office. The security guard did not seem too surprised to see her. He must be used to seeing people coming in here at all hours, Tara thought sleepily. She got onto the empty elevator and went up to her floor. It did not stop once.
By the time 7:00 rolled around and the other agents started straggling in, Tara had already gotten in three solid hours of work. The printer was humming and her computer screen was heating up.
"Tara, you're early," Bobby commented.
You don't know the half.
"Oh, you started coffee," Jack said. "Thanks. Hopefully you can make it better than Bobby."
D and Tara both hid smiles, Tara for more reasons than D. That is the second pot. Do you have any clue how I react to large doses of caffeine? Though I am so sleepy that it may neutralize the effects.
"What have you got going here?" Shep asked as Tara handed him a large pile of papers.
"I've done some research," Tara started.
"I see."
Tara continued, "I printed off the names of possibilities where Jase may be hiding out. I have different business associates and old team members, love interests, and family, people like that."
"Team members?" Jack asked.
"Jase used to play on a rugby team with the Bulldozers, a team from his college. I've run all of the old team mates, but there is only one that raised any red flags." Tara flipped through the papers in Shep's hand and pointed to a name and address. "Diego Santiago. He was a very close friend to Jase-they roomed together for two years during college, and later rented together for about eight months when they were both working in San Francisco. That was around the same time that Jase first met Lydia, so eight years ago. Diego also has a criminal record."
"That would be coincidental," Myle's mentioned, lifting his cup to Tara. "This is very good."
"It should be. Caffeine is pretty much a staple to computer majors."
"You mean geeks," someone said softly behind her. Tara swung around with a frown. Both Bobby and Jack avoided eye contact.
"Be careful about what you say around her. She's a genius, not a geek," D warned from across the room.
Thank you, D. I may be a smidgen of a geek, but I do prefer the term "genius". Better for the self-esteem.
"Back to Jase..." Shep said.
"Oh, and there was one other person who seemed likely to know something. It is Josephine Bright, known as Jojo. She seems to have been a girlfriend for Jase...even after he was married."
"Not so good," Susan said, coming in.
"Jojo Bright. That name sounds familiar for some reason," Shep muttered. He turned to D. "D, do you know who she is?"
"I think that we know her name because of the Trenton case," D said, his face tight. Shep blew out from between his teeth.
"What?" Tara asked.
"Uh, the Trenton case dealt with prostitutes." Shep avoided eye contact. He's a gentleman if he still dislikes talking about that after years of working with some of the worst crimes in America.
Tara did not blush. The guys seemed more embarrassed by the situation than her. Yes, it was horrible that prostitution was still prevalent, but she could approach the subject head-on the majority of the time. After the night mares, she might not do so well this time, but she could handle the details of a case. She did remembered that this team had not had a woman on the team with them before, and Shep seemed to be a gentleman. She appreciated their delicacy in handling the situation, although it was not needed. "Prostitute? I used to volunteer at a shelter for women and there were a lot of hookers who we helped. Anyway, we should find Jojo and see what she can tell us. Is she still in the area?"
"Likely," D sighed. "She was told to move on, but I would guess that she is still there." The regret etched into his features.
He really cares about these people.
"Myles, Bobby, you go check out Santiago. D, Tara, you tackle Bright. The rest of us will work off of these other leads and see if we can get anything. Let's go," Shep said, rallying the group. Tara filled her coffee mug again and poured in five packets of sugar before rushing to follow D out to the parkade.
D drove along the busy streets. Tara leaned back in the chair and allowed herself to rest her eyes for a moment.
"Tired?"
"No," Tara lied, valiantly struggling against sleep. She took a gulp of her coffee. The sugar did not seem to be kicking in. She felt in her pocket. Yes, it was still there-several sugar packets from a cafe she had visited several days before. She emptied two of the sugar packets into her drink, swirling the cup to dissolve the sugar. She took another sip. It tasted more like a sports drink now from the amount of sugar, but hopefully it would be able to keep her going.
"You'll get diabetes with that much sugar. What is that? Three packages in one cup?" D commented. Tara pretended to ignore him. That would be normal cup. This is my keep-going drink. I think that is seven now. No, eight. Wow, maybe I should cut back a bit.
"We're here," D announced, pulling up in front of a shabby apartment. Several loiterers watched them leerily as the two agents approached the door. Tara was glad that D was with her. It was very nice to have someone watching your back when you were in areas like this.
Two creaky flights of steps and several crooked hallways later, Tara knocked on Jojo's door-number 24, with the crooked, dusty brass numbers appearing ready to take a vacation to the floor or trash bin if anything touched them. They waited. Finally a small voice on the other side greeted them with a shrill, "What do you want?"
"This is the FBI. Please open the door," D directed.
"Oh." The door slowly, creakily wobbled open and a skinny face peered around it. It was long and pale, covered in huge freckles. Two bright, light brown eyes glittered at them. The eyes-they were what stood out to Tara from the tiny woman-scrutinized them. Finally the woman opened the door fully and stood there defiantly, glaring at them. She was dressed the part of a harlot and did not seem to have a bit of shame, even in front of two officers of the law. Tara had seen a lot of get-ups at the shelter, but this one was definitely the most revealing. How could any woman willingly expose so much of herself to anyone who knocks on her door? Tara recognized her as the Jojo of the files.
"Josephine Bright?" she asked anyway.
"Yes. What do you want now? Oh, Agent Gans." Jojo recognized D and shrank back. She seemed afraid to let him see her.
He's probably warned you before, hasn't he? Can't you see that what you're doing is wrong? Not only is prostitution illegal, but it will only end up hurting you. I've been hurt. Why are you letting that happen willingly? You poor woman. Tara tried to focus.
"Hello, Jojo. What have you been up to?" D asked. Jojo looked down. "Jojo, we're not here to get you in trouble. We were just wondering if you know where Jase Benson is."
"Jase Benson?" Jojo's face crinkled as much as it was possible for a face so long and skinny to crinkle.
"You know him. He's a boyfriend of yours. Or is he something else?" D questioned.
"I don't know any Jase Benson or Jase anything," Jojo replied. Tara noticed that the woman was avoiding all eye contact with D. Perhaps I could get something from her.
Tara pulled a photo of Jase from her pocket and showed it to Jojo. "This is the man who we're talking about. Don't you recognize him?"
A flash of recognition sparked in Jojo's eyes, but it was not a happy spark. Tara recognized that look. She had seen it in her own mirror several times. This woman was afraid.
"I know him." Her squeaky voice was even squeakier.
"Was he going by Jase then or a different name."
"As I said, I don't know any Jase. If that is his real name, he was using a different name around me. Said his name was Kurt. He never gave me a last name, though once he answered his cell phone and said, 'Yeah, this is Gregory'. I don't know if that was his last name or a different first name or what."
Tara scribbled down the information. This was a break in the case.
"Why are you afraid of him?" Do I really sound that unfeeling and cold? Do I really sound like all those cops years ago, questioning me about Andrew?
"I'm not afraid of him." She's trying to cover it by sounding offended at the question, but I know she's afraid. I know that act too well.
"I know you are. Tell me why." Tara amazed herself at her own persistence. I really want to help little Marine. Nothing will be left undone that can be done on my end.
"He...terrorized this whole apartment house. He and several other guys did. He wouldn't listen when I said 'no'."
Tara looked up and studied the woman's face before her. The prostitute looked back. She was telling the truth. Tara could sense that the woman was begging for help without even realizing it. She needed out of her life and into one where she would be respected and loved as a woman, not be simply a plaything for men.
She may have made decisions that made her a victim, but at the end of the day that is what she is-a victim.
D and Tara alternated asking questions, getting descriptions of Jase the last time Jojo had seen him-a month ago-and the men with him. One sounded very much like Diego Santiago.
"Why are you looking for him?" Jojo asked.
Tara looked to D for the answer. D seemed to be weighing his options. After all, if Jojo was acting and was really in a relationship with Jase...but Tara was certain that Jojo was not. D seemed to be as well, for he answered, "Kidnapping. A little girl is missing and he's the prime suspect."
Jojo's face blanched and tears came to her eyes. "No! Oh, no! He's as cruel as a snake. And a little girl...oh, you've got to hurry. If I see him, I'll let you know, but he isn't around here now. Oh, hurry. That girl doens't have a chance against him. I've seen the worst of men, and that would be him."
"We'll do our best. Thank you, Jojo. You've been a help."
Jojo nodded mutely to them as they turned to leave. Tara remembered something and checked her wallet. Yes, it was there.
"Take this. Call the number and they'll help you," she said softly, handing the business card to Jojo. The woman took it, looked at the name, and nodded slowly.
"I want out," she whispered.
"I know. And they'll help you," Tara replied encouragingly. Jojo half-smiled and disappeared once again beyond door twenty-four.
"What did you give her?" D asked as they squeaked back down the stairs.
"A business card for a woman's shelter. It has a program for helping women like her get off the streets and into real work. It offers therapy, financial assistance, stuff like that. It is the one that I used to volunteer at sometimes. It's a good place. They can help her get out."
"If she wants out."
"She does."
"Good."
Once they got into the vehicle Tara grabbed her coffee cup and took a sip. This isn't sweet. She took out another sugar packet and emptied it in.
"Is that the same coffee as earlier? How can you handle that much?" D asked, pulling into traffic.
Tara shrugged and took another sip. The coffee was cooling quickly. If it was to be drunk, it must be drunk now before it cooled down any more. Besides, she was exhausted and depressed-only sugar helped with a combination like that.
"Seriously, how many cups of coffee have you had today?"
"A few." What is it now? Over ten since I woke up, I think. I feel a head ache coming on.
"You might want to cut back a bit. You'll never be able to sleep tonight if you keep it up."
Not that I would want to, not after last night. But I am tired. I'll have to risk sleep at some point. But not now. I have a job to do, and I've got to do it well. A little girl's life may depend upon it.
Back at the office, Tara could hear excited voices as she approached the bull pen. It was Bobby exalting, and he met them at door. Tara could see Myles looking very self-satisfied at his desk.
"What is it?" D asked.
"Tara's idea was right. Santiago was gone, but we met with his wife, Maria. She told us that Diego would do anything for a bit of cash and that he was a very violent man."
"Lines up with what we learned," D said, moving past.
"Shep found out that we Diego owned several other properties besides his house and the apartment. Jack and Joe are off trying to get warrants."
"Got them," Jack announced loudly, coming in the door triumphantly.
"Good."
Tara got to work on her computer. Several other teams mobilized with her own. A tech person named Rachel Norton from one of the other teams helped her to coordinate the team. Soon she would be expected to do this on her own. She paid attention to all the checks that Rachel did. Missing any of them could lead to disaster.
The teams moved quickly. After four hours, at 2:40, the fourth warrant was executed at the final property. Tara listened on her headset and watched the screens as the team arrested Diego Santiago. That was not all that they found. There were weapons-and blood. Forensics immediately took samples.
Oh, don't let it be Marine's.
Bobby and Myles began interrogating Diego once they brought him in. Tara and D watched from the other side of the mirror. D gave Tara pointers as they watched. Diego denied all knowledge of Jase or the kidnapping. Myles pressed on him and they finally got a reaction.
"I just hope that Jase is having fun, wherever he is," he sneered.
"That's it," Tara muttered. She turned and walked out.
"Tara," D called after her. "You okay?"
"I'm just going to go see if those blood samples have come back." And to escape being near that man. And to get some more coffee.
"Got the report on the blood," Shep told her as she passed him in the doorway to the bull pen.
"And?"
"B negative. Marine is A positive and Jase is O. So far, no evidence ties Jase and Marine to that scene. Santiago is B positive, so it's no one that we know of."
"So we just wasted all that time?" Tara felt as if her stomach was sinking.
"No. We arrested a guy with a lot of illegal weapons and blood is his building that isn't his and that he has yet to explain. That's not a waste of time. We've narrowed down one lead. That's a good start."
"I think that it's a waste," Tara muttered rebelliously under her breath. She sat down at her computer and started searching through lists, statistics, associates, old work places, and all of her other ideas. People walked in and out and the minutes turned into hours. Cup after cup of coffee was drunk, and Tara indulged herself in the research that held the keys to solving the case.
The screen seems as if it is swimming, she thought, her head jerking up. I almost fell asleep then.
"Tara? Would you answer the question?" D asked. Tara turned to him, dazed.
"What?"
"When did you last eat or sleep? You look ready to keel over."
"I don't really...oh, I woke up at 4:00. No, that's when I came to work. I kept having...I didn't sleep well, so I came in early. But I woke up at 1:45, and I think that I ate then...no I didn't. I ate sometime...yesterday. Maybe last night. I don't remember." She reached for her coffee, but someone grabbed it from her.
Bobby.
"You need some sleep, not coffee," he said, taking a sip. That's gross. And you're mean. I feel tired and ready to cry. Or strangle you. Or both. Definitely both-if only I were awake enough to do that. He choked.
"How much sugar do you have in here?" Ha! At least you won't enjoy it.
"Anymore caffeine and you'll explode. Bobby's doing you a favour," D admonished.
True, but no reason to like him. Before she could think about what she was doing, she stuck her tongue out at him.
Oh, that was mature. I'm so embarrassed! My brain really is fried!
"I'm sorry, Bobby," she began, but he waved it off.
"It's 7:00, and you've got nothing to run on. You should have been eating and gone home long ago with that lack of sleep. Go home, something to eat and sleep. Come in again in the morning. Some of us will keep working. If we need you, we'll call you in," D said.
Tara tried to protest, but Shep interrupted. "Yeah, you need something other than coffee to keep you running." Shep then turned to D. "And Dimitrius, your wife called."
"What did Donna want?" D asked, making a shooing motion at Tara to get moving.
I will move if I can find the energy somewhere.
"I won't tell her that you didn't remember," Shep said. "Just return the favour for me someday. Your sister is in town and..."
"Donna and I are supposed to be having supper with her!" D exclaimed. "I've got to call Donna and let her know that I can't make it."
"Why not? Take the advice that you just gave Tara. We'll be fine for a few hours. If we need you, we'll reach you."
"I know that you will," D said.
Tara finally stood and gathered her things. My brain feels like a brick. My head is so heavy. What was I needing to tell Shep? Oh, I know.
"Shep, you may want to..." What was that thought again? I'm almost asleep. "Check...old jobs. Here's my current list of idea. Maybe Jase has a...security code...to a building, or something."
"Good idea. We'll check them. Get some rest," Shep said, patting her arm. Tara nodded and began to make her slow, sleepy way out of the Hoover building and to her car. She stopped at the cafeteria and bought a cup of coffee.
D will kill me if he sees me with it.
The risk is worth it. I need to stay awake on the drive home. Now, how many sugars would that be?