Blind, Thick-Headed and Handsome – 28
Matt, surprised at that comment, looked at CJ and asked, "What do you mean? I thought you'd be happy I'm putting aside my work for you. Do you really think I'd rather be any place but right here with you … like this right now?"
Tears surprised her eyes at his sincerity. He considered Elizabeth "work," and even though she intended it to be a casual remark, it was still nice to hear his response … real nice.
"No, it's just that I'm not used to seeing this side of you. And you have to admit, it's not like you."
"Is that a complaint?"
"No! Not at all. It's just that …"
He saw the seriousness on her face as she paused, "What is it, CJ?"
She wondered if she'd be able to deal with the guilt of not telling Matt about those escaped terrorists, especially if they were the reason Elizabeth was missing. But, what if Elizabeth's disappearance was nothing serious, that maybe she simply got bored and ran away to the mall to do some shopping or have her hair done (God knows it could use it)? Either way, Matt might be right about Hoyt's people handling it. A missing heiress and two escaped international criminals were not your local run-of-the-mill serial killer-types that they were accustomed to handling. There were highly trained experts who were probably better equipped in handling these kinds of terrorists than injured Matt ... right?
"I don't want you to sacrifice what makes you happy just because you're married now. If you want to run off and investigate this, I'll gladly drive you to the convent and assist you like always."
He sighed.
"Come here, Wifey," he said, wrapping his arms around her and letting his body sink into hers.
"The world could fall apart right now for all I care. You … you are the only one who needs my attention."
Murray and Chris stared at the DMV printout of blue van owners searching for - well they weren't really sure. Maybe, they hoped, something would jump out at them as Chris began the long, tedious job of entering each name into Baby to see if there were any connections to somebody Matt once apprehended or someone with a suspicious Irish surname.
One by one she labored until she reached the Ks and saw the name "Peter Kinkaid."
"Wait a minute, we might have something here."
Murray looked at Baby's screen, unsure if that name was supposed to mean anything to him.
"He was Elizabeth's fiancé," she reminded him, "the one her brother killed and tried to frame her for the murder of."
"Oh. So there's a blue van owned by a dead man? A dead man tried to kill Houston?"
"No silly. Maybe the former fiancé of the dead man tried to kill him."
They exchanged glances with one another, thinking about how all the clues were unfortunately pointing to Elizabeth as the perpetrator, even without knowing the information Hoyt wanted to share with them.
"We've got to get this information to Hoyt."
But no sooner had they said that then the elevator bell rang, changing all their plans.
Roy neared the beach house hoping this was the last place he had to search for his son. Having not heard from him in a couple of days, he tried to not let his imagination go wild. But, ever since Will had returned from a twelve-year stint as a P.O.W. in Cambodia, he had to consciously practice not worrying about him every single second of the day.
He used his key to open the door and headed straight up the stairs to the living room. As he reached the top of the stairs he couldn't believe his eyes: trash everywhere and a strong odor of booze and cigarettes. No wonder Will didn't want Matt or CJ to help move Matt's things from the beach house. The place was a mess!
"Will," he called out, almost hoping that he wouldn't answer and that there was a very logical reason for the beach house looking like a war zone. Something caught Roy's eye and he looked over at the couch and saw Will sitting on the floor in front of it amongst the litter. He seemed to be asleep, so Roy called out again.
"Will?"
Will lifted his head and smiled when he saw Roy standing a few feet from the sofa.
"Hi, Dad. What brings you…"
And then Will suddenly closed his eyes and dropped back down into a nod. Roy rushed closer to the sofa and placed his hand on Will's shoulder.
"Will?"
He lifted his head and finished, "… here?"
Roy studied his son a bit while Will was doing the same.
"Well, Dad?"
Roy started to explain but Will's head dropped back down again.
Looking his son over for more hints, he inched downward to notice marks on his arm. Looking a little further he saw a syringe on the coffee table.
And then it hit him. His son needed help, and he needed assistance getting him help. But, he knew he couldn't bother Matt or CJ.
CJ lay wrapped up in Matt's arms thinking about their love-making, or more specifically, his technique. He made it quite clear he was totally in love with her, yet she couldn't stop a part of herself from feeling insecure. Why? Before she became paranoid enough to chastise herself about her utter lack of self-confidence, she remembered they were newlyweds. Not only newlyweds, but newly romantic sexual participants. She knew most of the population embarking on new relationships thought the same thing. It was only natural. Would their union be happy? Would it last? She intrinsically knew marriage is work. Bumpy roads will force them off-track from time to time. It was bound to happen. Did they have what it takes? She didn't know, but then again, who did?
"CJ, you know I could just lie in this bed with you all night, but …"
She arched an eyebrow at him as she leaned up onto her elbow.
"But what?"
The vulnerable look in her eyes stunned him so he immediately changed course and brought his hand to her face, lovingly tracing his finger over her features.
"There's only one thing in this world I love and need more than you, darlin'."
He watched her face, waiting to see if she would figure it out.
"Food, CJ! I'm starving! Think we could just order out and get some grub delivered?"
She immediately relaxed, feeling foolish for thinking so negatively.
"I can do better than that. How does a cobb salad with nice, thick marinated steaks on the grill sound to you," she asked as she started out of the bed. He caught her hand, causing her to look back at him.
"What?"
"You're amazing, CJ."
She could have been so moved that tears came to her eyes but instead threw a witty comeback at him.
"Is that for the steaks or the sex?"
He smiled broadly, revealing his dimples.
"That was for the sex. I'll show you later what you get for the steaks!"
He watched her leave his side, enjoying the view as she climbed out of bed wearing only a smile on her face. He would have laid in bed a little while longer savoring the image if not for the distraction of the strange sounds coming from outside.
As he listened some more, he figured they should check it out.
"Ah, CJ. I think we better put some clothes on."
Hoyt figured he deliver the information to Murray and Chris first-hand and high-tailed it for the penthouse office alone. But, when he arrived he didn't see anyone at first except the sight of overturned chairs and papers scattered across the floor. Scanning the office further he saw bullet holes adorning the walls, Baby's screen and a few light fixtures. The office looked like a war zone.
"What the hell happened here," he asked as a pile of papers and a broken desk chair moved in the corner. Chris emerged from the rubble, bracing herself on the seat of the chair as she hoisted her body off the floor.
"Chris! Are you okay," he anxiously asked, rushing to her side.
"I think so. Hmm. Murray?" she called out.
As Hoyt helped the disheleved attack-secretary to her feet, he scanned the room for the nervous accountant/CEO. He looked around and followed the trail of debris into the office, cautiously searching, hoping they would find him in one piece. Was he in CJ's office? Was he downstairs? Was he lying on the floor by the couch? They walked a few feet towards the bar and spotted a foot.
"Murray," Chris exclaimed as Hoyt went to the phone and called the station.
Murray straightened out his glasses and gingerly pulled himself up behind the bar. "Are they gone?"
"Yes, they're gone," she answered while Hoyt dialed the precinct.
"Hello, this is Lieutenant Hoyt. I need some back-up at the Houston Inc. building ... What?... When? ... Okay, I'll be right there."
"What is it, Lieutenant?"
"A call just came in from Matt and CJ's home. Seems there was a break-in."
Did someone say something about the world falling apart?
