Author's notes: Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I hope that you can remember what last happened in that chapter long ago. The young son, David, of the mother killed during a bank robbery that Jane was hurt in, has ran away and Jane thinks he knows where he's gone. I hope you enjoy.
At Jane's requests all sirens and lights are switched off a couple of blocks away from the track, he doesn't want David frightened by the noise. They come to a halt at the front gates, Jane, Lisbon, Cho and the other agents climbed out of their cars along with local cops who are helping with the search. Arriving at the same time is the manager of the track, a wild looking man, with an unruly peppered beard that almost rests on his chest, countered with a ring of hair level with his ears. He's dressed in loose floral patterned, flowing pants and a white linen shirt. Jane gives a double take when he catches sight of him, a small twitch of his mouth indicating his interest in the man, but his concern for David dismissing it. Cho strides up to him, with his credentials on display, the man gives then a cursory glance and quickly opens the gates and points them in the direction of the Pits.
"They're about mile on your left, Danny Jager's pits is the third one in from this side."
This was an added piece of information David's dad supplied. Danny Jager's David's favourite driver.
Jane groans at the distance.
"Is there anything to get us there quicker?"
The manager shakes his head.
"Sorry everything is locked up, the season is over".
The place is deserted, and there's no option but to walk.. By agreement Jane goes on ahead, and he quickly moves into a gentle jog. Lisbon and Cho follow behind. Agent Picket organizes the rest of the search teams, just in case David isn't there. Jane looks around constantly as he makes his way towards the pits. He passes the stands that watch over the start of the races. Usually full of cheering fans but now silenced. Jason told him that they have the executive season tickets which includes four behind the scenes visits and David always chooses the Pits. He's fascinated by the speed of the engineers as they all work together to get the car back out into the race as quickly as possible.
Flashes of a memory, forgotten a long time ago, awakens in Jane's mind.
He was eight years old and his Dad had taken him to a race track when they were on the circuit in the Midwest. He was filled with excitement at this unexpected excursion with his dad, it never happened. They were always travelling and working, or in the off season his dad spent his time with his cronies, some that frightened Jane, rather than with his son. His excitement was quickly squashed when his father guided him to his seat and then left him there. The racing quickly bored him, waiting for cars to flash past in seconds was not his idea of fun. After a while, needing to use the bathroom, he left his seat and went in search of the facilities. Returning from the bathrooms he turned the wrong way and found himself in a deserted part of the stadium. As he was about to turn around he heard voices and recognised his father's voice. He slowly walked towards the sound. A knot twisted in his stomach at the angry tones. He wanted to turn back but he was sure his Dad was in trouble and he couldn't just leave him. He footsteps slowed further as he reached a bend in the corridor, the voices were now loud enough that he was certain that they were close and turning the corner he would see them. He could also make out their words. His Dad wasn't in trouble, it was someone else and his Dad was threatening him.
He stopped, unsure of what to do. His Dad certainly didn't need him, that was plain, but he didn't want him hurting the other guy either. It sounded like the man was crying, pleading for more time. Jane jumped as he heard flesh meet flesh and the man cry out. He turned to flee but his feet didn't obey his commands and they twisted beneath him, sending him to the floor. He became gripped with terror when he heard his Dad call out:
"Whoever you are, show yourself."
He didn't answer and began picking himself up off the floor, suddenly a hand grabbed his collar and he was being pulled around the corner and then pushed to the floor. He heard his Father's startled voice:
"Paddy! What are you doing here!"
His back exploded in pain, as he attempted to curl up into a ball he was hauled to his feet, and he was looking into his Dad's furious face, who slapped him hard across the cheek. Jane cried out to try and stop the onslaught.
"I..I…I was looking for the bathroom."
His Dad pushed him hard against the wall, and pinned him there with a hand around his neck and snarled at him, inches away from his face.
"I told you to stay put you snivelling worm. Shut up and stop your tears. First you turn up here, where you have no business, disobeying me as usual, and then embarrass me by crying like a little girl!"
Jane fought to gain control, he managed to stop the tears and to look his father in the eye. As he did so, his father's face softened a little, if not his grip.
"That's better Paddy. Tears are just for girls. If you do something wrong, you get punished and you take it like a man. No matter how much it hurts."
The hand around his neck tightens but Jane daren't cry or look away from his father, although he hates the satisfied sneer that confronts him.
"That's good Paddy. I don't like hurting you, you know that. But there are lessons you need to learn if you are to survive in this world and they are?"
Jane struggled to force his voice through the grip.
"To never show weakness. That everyone is a sucker"
His father's smiles and nods his head.
"That's very good Paddy. Now look at this guy"
His father turned his head to the right and loosened his grip on Jane, just a little, so he could do the same. Laying on the ground was a man, blood pouring out of his nose. For the first time Jane sees there are two others who are standing over him.
"This man owes me Paddy. He said he was going to pay me back, but he hasn't. What do I have to do Paddy? Do I just let him go? Give him more time?"
Jane looks at the bloodied man. Suddenly his head is roughly turned so he's facing his father once more.
"I expect an answer."
Jane's eyes widen at the fury he sees in his father's face, he feels his body shaking. He stammers out the answer his father wants to hear.
"N..n…no."
His father's face changes into a snarl of a smile and he slowly releases his grip on Jane's neck. Jane resists the, almost, overwhelming urge to rub it.
"That's exactly right boy. Now off back to your seat, and if you're not there when I come to find you.."
Although his father left the sentence unfinished, Jane was in no doubt about what he meant. He didn't need telling twice.
"Yes dad."
His father patted him on the head and Jane ran as quickly as he could away from his father, away from the man on the floor, wishing he could block out the man's cries that followed him.
An involuntary shudder runs through Jane's body at the unexpected memory, one he had successfully closed away for many years. He never asked his father what happened to the victim. He shakes his head against it, to get rid of it, David is what is important. He looks down, in surprise, when he feels a warm hand slip into his. His gaze moves up from the hand until he's looking into his beautiful wife's concerned face. He gives her hand a squeeze acknowledging his gratitude and nods to say that he's fine. As they approach the pits the group stop in their tracks. They are looking at shutters down and padlocked. Cho moves up to Jane and Lisbon.
"He's not here then, you'd think the owner would have mentioned they were locked. I'll get on the radio to Agent Pickett and let her know."
Jane moves towards something on the ground. He picks it up and holds it up for Lisbon and Cho to see.
"He's been here. This is one of his cars. Somehow he dropped it."
Jane slips it in to his pocket and sweeps his arm in the direction of the pits.
"We need to search this entire area."
