Chapter 21

XXXXXXX

"I'm hoping to join the bureau someday and I would like to ask what you think we should take away today," a student asked. Vivian looked up at one of her student, Randi, a thoughtful young woman with short brown hair and wide inquisitive eyes. "What is the most important thing an investigator can do?"

Jack smiled up from where he stood behind the podium. So far his stint as a guest speaker in her class was a huge success. Not only did she have perfect attendance, there were several other students who wanted to sit-in for the guest lecture. She was sure it had a great deal to do with the fact that she often used cases she worked with him as examples during class.

Jack cleared his throat and replied, "That's easy: ask a question. In my years as an agent I have found that asking even the most simple question, the sort that friends or family of the MP would not have thought was of any significance, can be the key in breaking a case. Asking questions like: when did you first notice a change in the MP's behavior? Who is your son or daughter's best friend? Does he or she have a boyfriend? How long ago did they break up? Have they been doing anything out of the ordinary lately? It's not always the question of where they were last seen. I have often found that there is a series of events that lead up to someone's disappearance."

Viv scanned her class to see the thoughtful faces of her students as they listened intently as Jack spoke. This was the part of teaching that she enjoyed. Being able to share something with her students that they didn't know and see them eagerly absorb the information. She checked her watch and saw that class time was almost over so she stood up and walked up next to Jack announcing, "We only have five more minutes, are there any more questions for Agent Malone?"

Several hands flew up in the air, eager students wanting to ask Jack a few more questions. She tossed him a smile before glancing around to decide whom to call on. She spotted Henry, Marcus' graduate assistant among the crowd. He was not in her class but he asked if he could sit-in so he could hear Jack talk. He met her eyes, his hand raised high.

"Henry, what would you like to ask Agent Malone?"

Henry stood up and adjusted his glasses, pushing them up with his index finger. "Agent Malone, I have a two part question. You mentioned that you used to work violent crimes before transferring to missing persons. I was wondering if one division had a higher solve rate than the other and why do you think that is?"

Henry sat down as Jack considered the question.

"I afraid I can't speak the bureau statistics as a whole but as far as my own personal experience, I have found that there is a higher solve rate in violent crimes." He braced the podium with both hands. "As to why, well there are a number of factors. As a whole, people go missing in greater numbers than those involved in a violent crime. That is partly because of teenage runaways, child abductions by a molester, kidnappers or a parent involved in a custody battle, people who just want to leave their life, or a number of other reasons. Also, in the case of an MP, there often isn't as much evidence left behind to work with whereas in violent crimes there is usually a crime scene or a body left to be examined." Jack scanned the crowded classroom with a serious penetrating gaze and finished, "That said, when it comes to finding a missing person – we never stop looking. Never." When he was done talking he nodded his head and said, "Thank you."

Jack stepped back from the podium as the room erupted in applause. Viv announced that the class was dismissed and the students started gathering their things or just lingered to discuss what Jack talked about. Viv watched as her more ambitious and eager students hung back trying to get a chance to talk to Jack one-on-one. She picked up her own book bag and placed some of her handouts in a folder when Henry walked up.

"Hi Vivian," he greeted her with his shy smile. "Thanks for letting me sit in."

"No problem," she replied as she clasped her bag shut. "I had no idea you would be interested in criminology. I thought all you of you in the English Department preferred attending guest lectures by writers and poets."

He laughed softly. "While I can't speak for Marcus, I find these types of talks fascinating. They are really informative and helpful research."

"Really? Are you thinking of writing a crime novel?"

"Something like that," he replied with a sheepish smile. He slung his backpack over his shoulder and said, "I better go. I have to finish grading the papers for Marcus' creative writing class and you know he doesn't like them late."

"Oh, believe me I know," she replied as Marcus gave her small goodbye wave before walking out.

Vivian looked over to see Jack speaking with Randi and decided that she better rescue him before the ardent young woman.

"I've read that while the academy accepts about thirty two students a session and about ten percent fail. Is that correct?" Randi asked, her eyes fixed on Jack.

Jack sat back on one of the desks and folded his arms across his chest. "That sounds about right."

Viv stepped up and pat Jack on the back saying, "We better get going or we're going to be late for our lunch reservation." While they were supposed to have lunch there was so reservation but she couldn't think of any other way to extract Jack from Randi's seemingly endless list of questions. She knew well enough, she had been on the receiving end of Randi's compulsive inquiries.

Thankfully, Jack played along. "Oh, yeah." He looked at Randi and reached out to shake her hand. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Randi. Good luck in your future endeavors."

Randi gave him a beatific grin and replied, "No, thank you for all your advice Agent Malone." She picked up her notebook and as she started to the door she added, "I'll see on Thursday Professor Johnson. Bye."

"Goodbye, Randi," Viv replied as she watched the girl walk out. She turned to look at Jack and said, "Thanks again for doing this, the students really seemed to respond to you."

"Well, I am a charismatic guy," he deadpanned.

"Before you go all rock star on me, maybe you can teach a class after you retire," she said as they moved to the door.

"Do me a favor and don't say the word retirement around Elaine," he replied as he held the door open for her. "She's been bringing it up more and more."

"Well, you are getting old," she teased. "And teaching is something to think about because you and I both know that you are not going to be that guy who just fishes or builds model boats in bottles."

He gave her one of his self-deprecating smirks. "I was thinking I would be the old guy who hangs out in the park feeding the pigeons and complains about everything."

"That's actually a pretty good plan," she quipped. "You'd be great at that."

xxxxxxxxxx

A/N: This should be the last update for the weekend. I'll post again tomorrow night.

Thanks for reading!