Chapter 21

With the snowstorm outside, the cozy little drugstore/gift shop was bustling with guests. Despite that, Tara could feel the tension between her two co-workers as soon as Bobby saw them step through the doorway.

Tara wanted to believe it was just the case, but she'd seen that look on Jack's face before. When he had to watch Sue and Tony working together, he'd been the same way.

But this is his best friend, Tara thought, with a slight shake of her head. He has to know Bobby would never do anything to hurt either of them, she sighed silently, glancing at the dark-haired agent briefly out of the corner of her eye.

"Mr. Manning, I hope everything is all right," Jack stated pointedly, indicating the other man's location at the pharmacy counter. His formality was obviously for the benefit of the other guests within earshot, but the tone of his voice had Tara's head snapping around to stare at him in concern.

"Of course, mate," Bobby responded equally as sharp, his semi-relaxed stance belying the subtle competition in his blue eyes. Tara could have sworn she saw a slight raise of the other agent's chin, almost in acceptance of that challenge. "Just picking up some vitamins for my wife the nutritionist suggested," he continued as the pharmacist handed him a bag, confusion lining the young man's face.

Frowning, Tara caught a look between the tall Aussie and the lanky blonde behind the counter, before Bobby turned back to meet their team leader's glower. What's going on with these two? she wondered, her brow furrowed in worry as she glanced between the two agents. If they don't straighten up soon, I'm going to pop them both up side the head.

"Speaking of your 'wife', I hope the two of you will be joining us in the main dining room for special activities today?" Tara inquired, pulling their focus away from each other.

"Perhaps," Bobby shrugged nonchalantly as he looked down at her briefly, before glancing away. "With everything going on, Sue decided to lie in this morning," he admitted, refusing to meet her eyes.

"Is she okay?" Jack demanded, his abruptness drawing the attention of those around them. A warning hand on his arm from the petite blonde next to him reminded him of their situation.

"Do you really think it's a good idea to leave her alone?" Tara whispered quietly, the worry for her friend apparent in her glare.

"No worries," Bobby brushed her off easily. "Sue knows to stay in the suite, and SOG is watching the door. She's fine," he insisted, smiling confidently at his friends.

"But you're supposed to be with her, Bobby," Jack hissed quietly, stepping forward menacingly. "I swear, if anything happens to her, I'll…"

"It won't," Bobby interrupted firmly, meeting the shorter man's threatening stare with one of his own.

Eyes wide as she took in the hostility between the two men, Tara thought she was going to have to physically separate them. However, before she could do anything, Jack's cell phone rang startling them both to where they jumped apart.

"Yes!" Jack snapped into the phone as he turned slightly away. Tara sigh of relief was short-lived, when he stiffened noticeably. "What? When?" he demanded loudly, his face suddenly fierce. "We'll be right there!" he told them as he flipped the phone shut.

"What happened?" Tara asked, her body rigid.

"Sue's missing," Jack replied, fixing an angry stare in the tall Aussie's direction. His announcement barely had time to register, before he was striding off in the direction of the suite.

"But I just left her," Bobby protested, his long strides easily catching up with the dark-haired agent. "Where was SOG?"

"Outside the room…where they were supposed to be," Jack confirmed angrily. "When a maid knocked at the door, they thought they'd better intervene. They went in with the maid and found the suite empty," he growled, glancing briefly at Tara who was struggling to keep up.

"Oh, my…" the petite blonde gasped, realizing she may never see her friend again. Please God let us find her, she prayed silently. However, she knew it wasn't going to be that easy.