Chapter 29

I have been trying to finish this chapter for weeks. Between starting a new job and sickness I haven't been able to find time to write. I apologize for the delay. This story won't disappoint you!

Disclaimer:Don't Own Anything

Fischer and Lisbon arrived at Alfred Mackovich's house. Fischer obtained the list from Sanders when he searched Lydia Sheffield's apartment. Fischer knocked on the door. A balding gray haired man opened the door. Lisbon was shocked a young woman such as Lydia would be with a man that old. Though Mr. Mackovich was a client, a way to make money.

"May I help you?" Mr. Mackovich asked staring at the women.

"Yes. My name is Agent Kim Fischer and this is Agent Teresa Lisbon, FBI." Fischer said holding up her badge while Lisbon did the same.

"We want to ask you some questions." Lisbon said.

"Am I in some sort of trouble. I haven't done anything wrong." Mr. Mackovich said.

"Other than pay a prostitute for her services." Fischer responded harshly.

"She was found dead yesterday. Lydia Sheffield. Name ring a bell?" Lisbon said.

"I had nothing to do with it." Alfred yelled. "No, that name doesn't ring a bell. Her name was Starla."

"That would be her."Fischer said.

"We still need to ask you some questions." Lisbon reminded.

"Fine. Come in." Alfred led the women inside his house. Papers scattered the floor and a coat thrown over the couch. Socks were also strewn over the floor. Dirty dishes filled the sink. Leftover food on a plate sat on the table and a half empty bottle of beer was set there as well.

"Excuse the mess, I didn't expect the FBI to come." Alfred said

The agents got seated on the couch while Mr. Mackovich sat in the chair across.

"Is it true that you were a client to Lydia Sheffield?" Fischer asked showing the crime scene photo.

"Like I said I didn't know her by that name. Yes, I was." Alfred said.

"What was the reason you hired her?" Lisbon asked.

"Look, I've been going through a horrible divorce and what can I say I needed some female companionship." Alfred explained. "And she was there."

"When was the last time you saw Lydia?" Fischer asked.

"Well, three days ago." Alfred admitted.

"How did she seem?" Lisbon asked.

"Oh, normal." Alfred said.

"So, she didn't seem off at all?" Fischer iquired.

"I don't think." Alfred said.

"You're lying." Lisbon observed carefully. Jane had taught her a few things about observation she hadn't thought about before. He told her about pulses that showcased a lie.

"No, I'm not." Alfred said.

"Yes, you are. You don't want to be accused of her murder, do you?" Lisbon said in a surprisingly Jane manner.

"Okay, fine. Three days ago when she came, she was very edgy. Normally, she'd get right to it but she started pouring out to me that she thought she was being followed. Normally she didn't engage in personal stuff and we get down to business of the dirty deed. She did it that night but not as long." Alfred confessed

"Where were you yesterday?" Fischer asked sternly.

"I was at work, and later home." Alfred said.

"Thank you for your information." Fischer stated getting up. Lisbon followed and went out the door.

"How'd you know he wasn't telling the truth? You seemed to have learned something from Jane." Fischer said.

"Oh, yes he's given me some pointers. I'm still not as good as him. We're working together more as a team we ever have. He's not keeping me in the dark anymore like he did at the CBI." Lisbon explained.

"I'm glad you and Jane are happy now. I personally didn't think you and Pike fit together. You needed someone who challenges you. Pike was too cookie cutter." Fischer admitted.

"Oh, Jane challenges me, alright, but he loves deeply. He wants to be protective of me and of course now our daughter." Lisbon said.

"I imagine because he had to work with you. I knew he loved you." Fischer said getting back into the driver's seat. "Let's go see another client."

Jane had arrived back home after lunch. He spent some time folding clothes in the living room while Lisby Michelle spent time on her activity mat doing her tummy time. "Well, how'd you like meeting mommy and daddy's friend Kim? She used to work with us, though I liked to drive her crazy." Jane said. "She was very stiff and strict like your mommy used to be when I first met her." He folded one of Lisby Michelle's onesie's and looked at Lisby Michelle. She glanced at him, and laughed moving her arms up and down. In the beginning when they started having Lisby Michelle do tummy time, she hated it and often cried to let them know her displeasure, but having toys in front of her helped and now she loved it. "You're doing very well, little girl."

His life had become different now considering what it had been for the last 13 years, being in unstable living arrangements and searching for a killer. Sometimes seeing Lisby Michelle brought him back to Charlotte's milestones and babyhood. Then it became bittersweet for him and his eyes would tear up. He wouldn't tell Teresa, but sometimes he felt panic that something could happen to destroy his life again like it did all those years ago with Angela and Charlotte. It didn't happen very often, at times a dream would come to him, that he found Teresa and Lisby Michelle bloodied and dead. In the morning, when he saw they were both fine, he sighed relief they were safe. He had to admit he was surprised how well he reacted to the birth of his new daughter. Then again, it helped that the baby looked like her mother. During Teresa's pregnancy he often wondered how he would react to the birth of their child. Could he handle it? Would he panic? He knew he was happy about their child and he knew there was a 50/50 chance he could have a girl again. When he saw Lisby Michelle, she was the most beautiful sight and she amazed him and his thoughts of possible fear went away.

Lisby Michelle started fussing soon ready to be done being on her stomach. Jane right away went to her and picked her up. "That was good, sweetie. I love you so much." Jane went to pick up his baby girl and held her. She quieted at his touch and relaxed.

Fischer and Lisbon arrived at another of Lydia's clients home. Lisbon knocked on the door. A 30-35 year old man with a beard opened the door. "What do you want gorgeous ladies?" He noticed Fischer and Lisbon and looked them up and down. They didn't react to his leering.

"We want to ask you a few questions regarding Lydia Sheffield or Starla." Fischer said holding up her FBI badge. Lisbon held hers up as well.

"Whoa, FBI. What's the FBI seeing me for?" The man said startled.

"I'm Agent Lisbon and this is Agent Fischer." Lisbon said.

"What do you want to know about Starla?" The man asked. "I didn't do anything."

"Lydia Sheffield was found dead." Fischer said.

"I don't know anything about it." The guy said.

"What's your name?" Fischer asked.

"David Jones."

Fischer and Lisbon entered David's house and sat on the couch.

"Where were you two nights ago?" Lisbon asked.

"I was with friends at "O' Malley's bar." David said irritated at the question.

"And who are they?" Fischer asked.

"Sam Johnson and Rick Harlan." David explained.

"When was the last time you saw Starla?" Lisbon asked.

"Three days before that. She seemed kind of nervous, I guess. She received a phone call and was quite upset with the person. She didn't say a name at all. After she finished the call, she became serious and went on to our business. She mentioned nothing more about the call and I didn't ask." David explained.

"How did you come about seeing her?" Fischer asked sorely.

"Oh, I just saw her on the street. You know how it is. Are you accusing me of killing her?"

"You seem like a likely suspect." Lisbon said.

"Figures. I wouldn't hurt her." David said. "She was kind and gentle. She wasn't like any of the other ones I've been with, rough and tough."

"Thank you for your time." Fischer said getting up from the seat. Lisbon followed. They went out the door and felt they didn't get anywhere.

"His alibi is solid, so was Alfred's. We could try the other clients. I don't know about either one of them." Fischer said. "Sanders informed me her coworkers at the grocery store thought she was acting strange too. She was afraid of someone."

"I probably should call Jane. He'd probably have an insight." Lisbon said pulling out her phone.

"You think he's going to help?" Fischer asked.

"I think he might. I hope so, because he doesn't want to be greatly involved with cases anymore." Lisbon said. She dialed Jane's cell phone.

"Hello, dear. Suffering from separation anxiety again?" Jane asked.

"We're at a standpoint. We talked to Lydia's clients, at least a couple of them." Lisbon said after explaining the case to Jane. "Sanders and Cho looked at her coworkers at the grocery store."

"And you need my help. Did Cho want me too?" Jane asked.

"No. It's just me calling for you." Lisbon said. "We thought the killer would be one of the clients. They're the obvious suspect. They're sleazebags."

"Of course, you cops never learn. You always go to the wrong person. Is there anything else she does outside the prostitute life?"

"Wylie said she attends the Austin People's Church. Her parents mentioned it when Fischer talked to them in Seattle." Lisbon explained.

"That needs to be looked into." Jane said.

"We haven't. It has to be a client." Lisbon said.

"No. Let me look at the church." Jane said.

"I don't know about that." Lisbon said reluctantly.

"You and Fischer are too much like cops. You wanted my help, didn't you?" Jane said.

"Yes, I did. I hardly doubt people at a church are against cops." Lisbon said.

"Sometimes people freeze up. They won't tell the whole truth." Jane said.

"I'll have to tell Cho you're going to do this." Lisbon said.

"Nah, Cho doesn't need to know. Deniability." Jane said.

"You're going to pull that on him." Lisbon said. "What about the baby?"

"I'll take her." Jane said. "People can't resist babies."

"Fine, be careful." Lisbon said.

"Can you and Fischer come by the house and show me the photo of the crime scene first?" Jane asked.

"Okay. Bye."

"We're supposed to come by the house." Lisbon said.

Lisbon and Fischer arrived at the cabin and got out of the car. "Jane built this?" Fischer said gazing at the complete house.

"Well, it was already a rundown shack. He fixed it up. My brothers came down and helped and he hired some other help, but yes, he worked on most of it on his own." Lisbon explained.

"It's beautiful out here." Fischer said gazing at the pond. "And of course he still has the Airstream." Fischer noticed the RV parked besides the house.

"Yes, he can't let go of it. I stayed with him in it when we were dating." Lisbon admitted.

"You must really be head over heels to stay in the bucket." Fischer laughed.

"Believe me, it wasn't easy. It was pretty cramped. We stayed in my house in town before selling it while I was pregnant. There was no way I was staying in the Silver Bucket when I was eight months pregnant." Lisbon rolled her eyes.

Lisbon opened the door and Jane right away greeted them at the door. He was holding Lisby Michelle in his arms. The baby smiled at the sight of her mother.

"Hello, wonderful you could come see our humble abode, Fischer." Jane said.

"The house is beautiful, Jane. You did an amazing job." Fischer said. "Hello, it's good to see you again." Fischer spoke to the baby who looked at Fischer curiously.

Getting seated at the table, Fischer, Lisbon, and Jane looked at the crime scene photo. Jane had placed Lisby Michelle in her bouncy chair by him.

"She was strangled in the park as you can see." Fischer said pointing to the photo.

"I see." Jane said. Jane hated seeing the bodies of young women. He was surprised Lisbon called because she knew he didn't want to be involved with the cases. He might as well do something to help them out or else they'd arrest the wrong person. "This was done by someone she trusted not the clients. She comes from a good family. She struggled to keep up on finances, thus her need for unfortunately soliciting herself." Jane looked sadly at the picture.

Jane entered the modern building which looked so much different than the Catholic church. There were offices, a music room, and knew something was going on since cars were parked. He parked his car besides them, carefully took out the car seat. Teresa convinced him he needed an alternate vehicle before the baby was born that would be ready for a car seat. They each had one in their cars so they didn't have to take the same one out.

He heard voices discussing church business. It looked to be a large room by the modern sanctuary with fold out chairs rather than pews and large screen and a microphone. He carried the car seat with his sleeping daughter. He knocked on the door of the room.

"May we help you?" A clean cut man who seemed to be transported from the 1950s in his double breasted suit and slicked back brown hair. The man eyed Jane curiously.

"We were in the neighborhood and curious about this church." Jane said.

The man looked around for another person but then noticed the baby car seat.

"Just wait a few minutes and someone will be with you, Mr...?" The man questioned.

"Jane. I appreciate it." Jane said observing the men. He could tell this group was rigid.

A few minutes later, the main man or leader came out of the room. "So, Mr. Jane, you're interested in attending? By the way, I'm the Youth Pastor Eric Nelson."

"I'm just curious." Jane grinned.

"Where's your wife?" Pastor Nelson asked looking towards Lisby Michelle.

"Oh, she's at work." Jane said wondering why he asked. It seemed funny why nowadays someone would asked about a woman working. It was such a common place. "I take care of the baby."

"She's one of the progressive types." Pastor Nelson Nelson said.

"I suppose she is, she even wears pants if you can believe it." Jane said.

"I'm surprised your wife left your child so soon to go back to work." Pastor Nelson said.

"She trusts me to care for her. You were going to explain about your church."

"We have women's group and a men's group, Sunday school. We have services at 8:45, and 11:00. We also have single groups. Lots of options."

"So, when is the singles group?" Jane asked.

"Why are you interested in the singles group. You're married." Pastor Nelson said eyeing Jane's ring.

"I have a friend who may be interested." Jane said thinking of Wylie.

"It's 5:00PM Wednesdays."

Leaving the church, Jane traveled back to the FBI building. Wylie excitedly noticed Jane coming in and raced to him. "Hey, Jane, you're back." He greeted, and then looked at the baby in the car seat. "Hey, Lisby Michelle."

"Wylie, I have a job for you?"

Jason Wylie, with his hair dyed in raven black, skeleton necklace on his laced lined chesty shirt and stretch black jeans arrived at the church by 4:45. He wasn't sure about this outfit when Jane and him went shopping at the mall. Jane took him to the darkest and most gothic store the mall had to offer.

"Jane, I don't think I can pull this off. I've always come across as nerdy." Wylie looked at the black shirt that Jane held up to him. Jane observed him and Wylie looked at him.

"Of course, you can. I believe in you." Jane grinned excited for Wylie's undercover adventure.

Wylie stared at the shirt with a look of caution. "If you say so."

Wylie wanted to come early to check out the singles Christian Club and also the whereabouts of Youth Pastor Nelson. Jane's assignment for Wylie was for him to monitor the activities planned and Nelson's reactions to singles, especially the young ladies.

"Good afternoon," Nelson greeted, dressed quite properly in church clothes, nice shirt, tie and dress pants. "You must be Jason, the one Mr. Jane mentioned who might come to youth activities."

"Yep, that's me, man. I'm Jason Wylie and I want to see what cool activities you have to offer." Wylie cracked his grin and winked his black makeuped eyes. "They say church is a good place to meet girls."

"Yes, Jason. Our activities are varied. Today we'll watch a movie here at the church for a warmup to others. This Friday we will do a walk in the park and watch stars at 9PM." Nelson glanced at the young girls entering the door. A blonde with hair whirling back and forth with a tight tank top with abounding breasts and a skirt going down to just her knees entered. A red head with a blunt cut came next who was dressed conservatively in khakis and a button up shirt.

"Hey,Rev Nelson, we're ready for some fun," The blonde giggled. "Any new boys coming tonight?"

"Yes, Candy, we have a new student named Jason. Jason, please meet Candy and Evelyn."

Candy flipped her hair flirtily while Nelson ogled her disapprovingly. Evelyn demurely smiled and bowed her head cooperatively. Nelson took Candy aside and whispered in her ear as if a mini lecture was happening.

As other students arrived the room filled with around 20 and sitting in a lounge area on couches and lounge chairs. Nelson turned on the DVD on the large screen TV. Nelson and Candy left the scene when the movie began. Wylie's eyes and ears perked up as he tried to navigate their whereabouts. Nobody else seemed concerned about their disappearance which surprised him. Soon the two came with popcorn and cans of soda and distributed to the crowd. They handed people plastic bowls filled with popcorn as well. Inconspicously, one at a time the two of them disappeared once again. Wylie knew it wasn't to retrieve anymore food. Everyone else continued to watch the movie without any concern where the pair disappeared to all of a sudden. Wylie got up sneakily as if to find the bathroom and saw a closed door and heard heavy breathing and moving of furniture. He peeked through a crack in the door to see Nelson and Candy lovemaking hot and heavy. Wylie quickly went back to his seat. This wasn't what he expected to see in a church. He thought-this must be how the Pastor operates. First, he disapproves of the girls' actions and then leaps at her. If this man killed their victim, he obviously didn't approve of her lifestyle, but yet was attracted to her. What will happen in the park next?

Feedback is appreciated. The next chapter will be the conclusion of the case. I had fun using Wylie in this chapter