ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
A week passed, and Jessica and Doggett comfortably settled into cohabitation. A trip to the local mall had restored Jessica's wardrobe and a few personal effects, but most of what she valued was forever lost because of the fire. Although the couple was sharing a bed, they had not yet made love; partly due to the necessity for Jessica's complete recovery and partly due to the desire to let the physically intimate aspect of their relationship resume naturally. Following the destruction of her home and Trouble's murder, no further attempts were made on the lieutenant's life, and no further information regarding her abduction/adoption had been revealed. Mulder, Scully and Doggett continued to investigate what leads they had, and had enlisted Reyes' help as well.
Early in the afternoon on the two-week anniversary of Scott's death, Jessica was in her office catching up on her case load when she heard Lupen and his partner David Griffin talking in the hallway outside.
"It's too bad that witness of ours turned up dead at the bottom of the Potomac," Griffin remarked. "He could have made our entire case against Rogers."
"Rogers was too smart to leave any witnesses alive to finger him for the girl's murder," Lupen responded. "After all, dead men tell no tales, right?"
"Damn straight," Griffin agreed. "Well, I don't know about you, but I could use a nice, cold beer. Want to head over the Bart's Deli and grab a steak sandwich and a couple of Coors?"
"Sounds good to me."
The two men headed out of the station as an astonished Jessica attempted to assimilate what she had just overheard.
"After all, dead men tell no tales, right?"
Lupen's off the cuff remark was too similar to the statement in the first note she had received to be just a coincidence, and she felt the anger well up inside her.
"If he had anything to do with Scott's murder I'm going to castrate the bastard," she muttered to herself, just as another thought occurred to her and she picked up the phone to dial her brother's office. Gillian answered on the second ring. "Good Afternoon. Thank you for calling Grant & Caldwell."
"Hi, Gillian. It's Jessica Doggett."
"Hello, Jessica. How are you?"
"I'm fine, thank you. I was calling because I was hoping you could do me a favor."
"Certainly."
"I'm reviewing the notes in the file on Scott's accident, and it seems that the detective who came to the office to retrieve his things forgot to put the inventory list in the file. Do you by chance remember who it was?"
"Of course," Gillian responded. "It was that good-looking Hispanic fellow, the one Scott said was always trying to hit on you. I think his name is Miguel Lucas."
"Miguel Lupen," Jessica corrected evenly.
"Yes, that's him."
He's a dead man, she thought to herself. To Gillian she said, "Thanks for your help, Gillian."
Hanging up the phone, she buried her face in her hands in an attempt to reign in her emotions.
"Looks like someone's havin' a bad day."
The lieutenant glanced up to see Doggett hovering in her doorway and flashed him a weary smile. "That may be the understatement of the year," she said. "Come in and shut the door behind you."
Giving her a curious look, he did as she requested and settled himself in the chair in front of her desk. "Has something happened?"
Jessica told him what she had overheard. "Once I made the connection between Miguel's comment and the first note, I suddenly remembered what Scott's assistant Gillian had told me about one of my detectives showing up at the firm to retrieve his personal effects. I called her to ask if she remembered who it was, and she identified Lupen."
"That would explain how he got access to Scott's personal stationery," Doggett mused. "And it would explain how my mysterious caller from the night you were assaulted knew you by name."
"If we can get a record of every phone call he made that day from his cell phone, we could trace the call to your number."
"In order to do that, we'd need his cell phone number."
Jessica smiled. "Rank has its privileges," she replied, and retrieved a small key from her desk as she stood up. "Follow me."
Grabbing her crutches, Jessica exited her office and made her way across the room and into a small storage area, containing several filing cabinets. Walking over to the one marked "Personnel", she unlocked it and pulled open the second drawer. Flipping through the files, she found the one marked LUPEN, MIGUEL R. and pulled it out. Opening it, she scanned the papers inside until she found the one she was looking for.
"Bingo," she said aloud. "Under pager/cellular numbers, we have 202-555-6988."
Doggett withdrew his cellular phone and dialed his office.
"Monica Reyes."
"Monica, it's me. Grab a pen and write this number down: 202-555-6988."
"Got it," Reyes said. "What am I doing with it?"
"This is the cell number for an Alexandria P.D. homicide detective named Miguel Lupen. I need to get a record of all the calls he made from this number last Tuesday."
"What am I looking for?"
"We think he may be connected to Scott Caldwell's murder," Doggett told her. "How soon can you get me the information?"
"I should have something for you by tomorrow morning."
"Fine. I'll be at the office around 9:00 a.m."
"I'll see you then."
Doggett ended the call and pocketed his cell phone, then looked over at Jessica to find her watching him with an odd expression on her face. "What?"
"Any particular reason you called Agent Reyes first, and not Fox or Dana?" she asked.
"They left early to spend some time with Will," Doggett answered. "But I don't see why it matters. You got something against Monica?"
"Not at all, but it's fairly obvious that she cares about you."
"Most friends do."
Jessica smiled. "Let me rephrase the statement: it's fairly obvious that she's in love with you."
Doggett snorted. "You think Monica's in love with me?" he asked incredulously. "You're nuts, sweetheart."
The lieutenant replaced Lupen's file before turning to face Doggett. "As a woman who knows what it's like to love you, I recognize the signs in Agent Reyes," she clarified patiently. "You may not see it, but I do."
He paused. "Even if what you're sayin' is true, it's not mutual. Monica is nothing more to me than a friend. I made it clear to her a long time ago that I wasn't ready for anything else until I resolved my feelings for you."
Her smile widened and she gently placed her palm against his cheek. "I appreciate the clarification, Sunshine, but I wasn't worried about that. My concern is that until you settle the issue permanently by telling her we're getting remarried, then she may still be holding on to the hope that I'll be out of your life again once we solve Scott's murder and my abduction."
"She knows we're livin' together, Jess; I'm fairly certain she can put two and two together."
Jessica sighed. "I'm trying to make an issue out of nothing, John, but I honestly think you need to set the record straight with Agent Reyes," she replied. "She's your friend and your colleague and for both of your sakes you need to definitively tell her that that's all it's going to be."
Doggett echoed her sigh. "Fine; as soon as I get the chance to have a private conversation with her, I'll fill her in on our engagement."
"Thank you."
"If you're done lecturin' me, could we go to dinner now? We're gonna miss our reservation."
"Fine, but after that crack about being lectured you're buying."
The couple headed out of the police station just as Jessica's cell phone rang, and she pulled it out of her purse. "Hello?"
"I hope you're going to tell me that you are on your way home to change into formal wear for my fundraiser tonight," Elizabeth said.
"Hello, Mother," Jessica responded stiffly. "Actually I'd forgotten about your shindig and was on my way to dinner with John."
"Well you're living with him now so you can have dinner every other night," Elizabeth declared. "I'll send a car for the two of you at 6:00 p.m."
Without giving Jessica a chance to respond, Elizabeth ended the call, and Jessica released an aggravated sigh as she replaced her phone in her purse.
"I take it from your unhappy expression and the brevity of the call that Elizabeth has summoned you to one of her infamous political parties?" Doggett prompted.
"She's summoned us," Jessica corrected. "She's sending a car for us at six o'clock."
"Are you gonna be okay with puttin' in a public appearance with her now that you know what she did?"
"Unless I want to tell her that I know, I have no choice," Jessica responded. "Besides, with you by my side I can handle anything."
"Well at least we'll be in a public place so I won't have to worry about you whacking her with one of your crutches."
"Thank God for small favors."
They shared a smile at their silliness and climbed into John's truck.
GEORGETOWN
Elizabeth's fundraiser was a private party being held in the townhouse of one of Washington's most prominent attorneys and staunchest Democrats, Michael Kelly. He and his wife Nicole were close friends of Elizabeth's, and Michael was her personal attorney. Nicole was hovering near the door talking with another guest when Jessica and John arrived, and she quickly excused herself to make her way over to greet them.
"Good evening, Jessica," she greeted. "I heard about what happened to you last week and I'm so glad to see you're up and about."
"More or less," Jessica responded wryly, gesturing with her crutches. "Unfortunately, I'm stuck with these for another three weeks."
"Let me know if you need a physical therapist," Nicole said. "I broke my ankle skiing last year and my rehab therapist was wonderful."
"I'll keep that in mind. You remember my ex-husband, John Doggett."
"Of course," Nicole responded. "You were at Scott's funeral."
"Yes, Ma'am," Doggett confirmed.
Just then Michael joined them and greeted Jessica with a warm hug. "Hello, Jessica," he said. "It's good to see you."
"Thanks, Michael."
He glanced at John. "Agent Doggett," he acknowledged. "Nice to see the Bureau lets you boys off your leashes once in a while."
"A pleasure to see you too, Mister Kelly," Doggett responded dryly.
"You two know each other?" Jessica prompted.
"We've crossed paths on occasion," Doggett allowed.
"Usually on opposite sides," Michael added. "But I admire a man who has enough intestinal fortitude to stand up for what he believes in."
"Thank you."
Michael returned his attention to Jessica. "I understand you had a close call last week after you interrupted a burglar," he remarked. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine, thank you. John's been taking very good care of me."
"I'm glad to hear it."
"We should probably track down your mother and say hello," Doggett interjected.
"Of course. Will you excuse us, Michael?"
As Nicole and Michael returned to their guests, Jessica glanced at Doggett as they made their own way through the crowd. "Why the sudden desire to see my mother?" she asked.
"The sooner we see her, the sooner you can relax and enjoy the evening," Doggett answered. "You're so tense about seein' her you'll shatter into pieces if you sneeze too hard."
Jessica did not bother to deny it and instead gave him a look of mock annoyance. "Have I mentioned lately how irritating it is that you know me so well?"
"I love you too, sweetheart."
After being stopped in the crowd by family friends, they discovered Elizabeth in the living room talking with her Chief of Staff Robert Connor and his wife Patricia. Taking a deep breath to maintain her composure, Jessica made her way over to them with John a step behind her.
"Good evening, all," she greeted.
"Jessica, darling, how nice of you to put in an appearance," Elizabeth responded, and embraced her in a brief hug.
"Don't start, Mother," the lieutenant whispered stiffly.
Elizabeth ignored the admonition as she shifted her attention to Doggett. "Good to see you again, John," she said.
"Thank you for inviting me, Senator," Doggett responded formally.
"I don't believe we've met," Connor interjected, and extended his hand. "I'm Robert Connor, and this is my wife Patricia."
Doggett exchanged a handshake with both of them as he supplied his name. "John Doggett. Nice to meet you."
"Doggett?" Connor echoed. "As in Jessica's ex-husband?"
"Ex and future husband," Jessica answered.
"You're getting remarried?" Elizabeth queried. "That's wonderful!"
"Congratulations to both of you," Connor added.
"Thank you," Doggett said.
"Have you set a date?" Patricia inquired.
"Not yet," Jessica responded. "We've had a lot of professional issues to deal with lately and haven't had the chance to make specific plans."
"Well when you do I hope that this time I'll hear about them from you and not the Post," Elizabeth replied.
Not knowing or caring if the remark had been meant as a jest, the lieutenant shot her mother an icy glare. "Another comment like that one and you won't hear about it all," she said tightly. "I'm an adult, Mother, and not required to check in with you about every move I make."
"Jess…" Doggett began, but she cut him off.
"Save it, John!" she snapped, and again addressed Elizabeth. "Out of respect for your friends and colleagues I'm not going to make a public scene, but I'm not going to play the part of the dutiful daughter anymore. I've discovered your little secret, Elizabeth; does the name Carl Spender ring a bell?"
The senator's face instantly went white. "How much do you know?" she asked in a near whisper.
"I know enough to want you to stay the hell away from me until I'm ready to discuss it," Jessica declared heatedly, and glanced over her shoulder at Doggett. "Let's go."
Without waiting for a response or excusing herself from the others, she pushed her way into the crowd and started toward the door.
"How did she find out about Spender?" Elizabeth asked of Doggett.
"I'm not at liberty to divulge that information, Senator," Doggett evaded. "Excuse me."
Keeping an eye on his fiancée's hastily retreating form, Doggett pushed his way into the crowd after her, leaving a shocked and anxious Elizabeth alone with her friends.
"What was that all about?" Connor wondered aloud.
"Old ghosts," Elizabeth responded, and excusing herself, disappeared into the crowd. A moment later she encountered Alan Grant near the study and quickly pulled him inside.
"We have a problem," she said, "Jessica and John were just here, and apparently they know about the adoption."
Grant frowned. "How do you know?" he asked.
"Jessica said she had discovered my 'little secret' and mentioned the name Carl Spender to me," Elizabeth revealed.
"I don't suppose she mentioned how she uncovered the information?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "Neither she nor John were willing to tell me."
He sighed. "Somehow I'm not surprised," he said. "But even if they have discovered Jessica is adopted, there isn't a whole lot they can do with the information."
"If it gets leaked to the public they won't have to do anything; the media will crucify us."
"Paranoia doesn't become you, Elizabeth," Grant chided. "I suggest you talk to your daughter and convince her not to air the family's dirty laundry in public. There are other people besides us who would not be pleased should the truth of Jessica's parentage be revealed."
The senator gave him an even look. "Surely that isn't a threat I hear in your voice," she replied carefully.
"Just make sure your daughter and Doggett keep their mouths shut," Grant retorted, and left the study.
A light rain had begun to fall when Doggett caught up with Jessica a block away from the townhouse.
For a woman on crutches she moves pretty damn quickly, he thought wryly. Aloud he shouted, "Damnit, Jess, slow down!"
Jessica stopped at the sound of his voice and pivoting on her crutches, turned to face him. "I suppose you're going to chastise me for letting my temper take over," she said.
"I warned you when you got out of the hospital about allowin' your anger to show when you're dealin' with your mother," Doggett replied. "We still don't know who orchestrated your abduction all those years ago, or why they're apparently willin' to murder anyone who uncovers the truth. I almost lost you last week; I'm not gonna go through that again."
She sighed. "I'm sorry. You're right; I shouldn't have let myself react to her needling. But I'm just so furious with her for lying to me and when she went into mother superior mode, I just snapped."
"At the risk of soundin' like a broken record, sooner or later you're gonna have to find a way to deal with her," Doggett reminded her.
"I know, but obviously it's not going to be tonight."
He flashed her a sympathetic smile. "Well it is still early, and we never did get around to havin' dinner."
She smiled back. "You still buying?"
"I could be persuaded."
Her smile widened and she slid her arms around his neck to pull him down for a lengthy kiss. "Was that sufficient motivation?"
"Kiss me again and I'll throw in dessert."
Jessica laughed before she did just that.
