There is looonnnngggg post for you ;0)
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Footsteps were heard in the quiet and dimmed hallways. A door opened in a hush and a middle-age man with grey hair exited a room. His weary eyes met six pairs of eyes: a mix of dark brown, different shade of green and hazel colors. A smile stirred on his lips and he had to recognize the strength that tied this team together: friendship and deep concern for each other, like a family.
The doctor raked his hair with lassitude. He moved forward to meet the team. His shoes squeaked lightly on the polished floor. He stretched his hand and shook D warm hand.
"You know, if Ella sees you, you are so out of here", teased lightly Dr. Malland. D smiled.
"We know that the visitation time is over but we need to speak with Agent Leland. It's really important.", explained the supervisor, his team standing quietly behind him. Dr. Malland nodded his understanding and looked over his shoulder. Sure enough, a mature woman with a blue uniform and black hair tied in a chignon walked in their direction. Her gaze was lethal and her voice hard.
"Dr Malland!", she interjected. The man raised his hand in an attempt to peace the issue and smiled faintly to his chief-nurse.
"Ella, these persons are FBI agents who need to talk with Agent Leland. They are on an investigation and I granted them permission to come anytime", said the doctor with a calm voice. Hands on her hips and her head tilted, Ella bit her bottom lips and shook her head in dismay.
"Doctor Malland! The room can contain only a certain number of persons. Agent Leland already has three persons in his room", she said, hoping for a change. Jack frowned.
"Who are they?", questioned the team leader. The chief-nurse turned her attention to the dark-haired agent and looked stiffly at him.
"Agent Leland's sister and Miss Lambert's parents", she replied, unwilling. She switched her focus to Dr Malland who gave her a sharp look.
"They will be quiet I am sure and we have no right to be an obstacle to an ongoing investigation", he said, closing the discussion. Ella shrugged and went back to her station.
"Thank you Dr Malland", said Demetrius and after a light nod, walked to Myles' door. Lucy observed the slumped shoulders of the doctor and decided to ask.
"Dr. Malland?" she said with a quiet voice. "How's Miss Lambert?", she asked, afraid of his answer. His eyes softened and pride across his gaze.
"She is a fighter. She scared us earlier but she might stand a chance", he responded and his answer soothed the team troubled heart.
With a light nod of his head, Doctor Malland went his way and D. knocked on the door. A husky and a low voice told them to come in.
The team entered the room silently but smiles warmth the room when they saw their colleague: leaning against pillows, still pale but rested. A common sigh of relief exhaled their lips. Anne, legs crossed, was sitting at his foot bed. She seemed more relaxed and even smiled. At Myles' right, a couple with fingers interlaced was sitting. At their sight, Pinot whined and jolted from his leash. The man bent and patted affectionately the Lab that snuggled his head on the woman's lap. She scratched his ears to the dog's delight.
"We heard that you were feeling much better", said D while approaching his friend. His dark eyes were peaceful. Myles nodded his agreement. The team approached as well. Anne moved a bit so Lucy sat at her turn at Myles's feet. Her grin brightened the room. Bobby exited the room to come back with extra chairs and they all sat around his bed.
Myles turned his head towards the couple and the attention switched in their direction.
"I would like to present you Daniella's parents: Claude and Madeleine Lambert.", said Myles with a voice hoarse. Sue observed that his gaze had softened. The couple rose on their feet and Pinot curled at their side.
"Claude and Madeleine, I want you to meet my team" said the man. His features were softened by a little smile. D observed the weariness in Madeleine's familiar green eyes.
"Even if the circumstances are not the best, it's a pleasure to meet you", welcomed Demetrius with his soft voice. Claude smiled. Jack appreciated the stoicism of Dani's father and the levelheaded attitude of Madeleine. Then, Madeleine smiled at the sight of Levi. Sue approached the mother and stretched her hand.
"This is Sue Thomas and her hearing dog, Levi", presented Myles with a smile, knowing how much Madeleine loved dogs.
"Really nice to meet you and now I understand why Dani could bring Pinot at work", she said with a lilting voice. Her voice had a trace of a light accent but Jack could not determine the origin.
Myles continued the presentation but in his heart, an uneasy feeling settled. He tried to breathe it away but a pain crushed in chest. He winced and Lucy observed it. However, she didn't say a word. Instead, she laid her hand on his knee and searched for his eyes. Through the thin hospital sheets, he felt her warm touch. His gaze found refuge in her friendly and dark eyes: they exhaled peace and confidence.
"Myles, son, are you alright?" she asked with the same unidentified accent. Her green eyes darkened and focused on the man that became with the years, a member of her family.
Tara heard the affectionate name that Mrs. Lambert called Myles. She seemed truly concerned and not even upset that Daniella was in a coma. Tara frowned. Instinctively, Madeleine lifted up her chin and locked her sight with Tara's. Madeleine's eyes were filled with tears. Still, she fought them, to keep them at bay.
"I am fine", lied the proud man but Claude was not dupe. However, he decided not to pursue and switched his focus to the dark-colored man.
"I presume that you want to talk to Myles… in private", he questioned, frowning lightly.
"In fact…" started D but was interrupted by Jack. The team leader apologized but D. encouraged him to pursue.
"Yes, we wanted to speak with Myles but if you want to stay, you can help us too", he explained. "You too, Anne, you are welcomed to stay and help us even if you already did", thanked the dark-haired agent. Myles moved and tried to find a comfortable position against his pillow.
"Is he still in the hospital?", questioned Myles, his gaze evasive.
"Nope. He is locked up and waiting for us to interview him…again", answered Bobby with a certain annoyance in his voice. He had crossed his arms on his chest and his green eyes darkened.
"He refused to talk" said Myles, matter-of-factly.
"Yes" said a perky voice. "but we might have a change to break him" , said Tara, opening her laptop and typing her password.
"By…?" trailed the proud agent, frowning. He had a vague idea forming in the back of his head but was afraid to voice it. He felt a wet muzzle under his palm and then a square and furry head. Absent-minded, Myles scratched Levi's neck and its tags tingled in the air.
"By having Tara and myself conduct the interview" stated Sue with determination in her voice. Myles sighed and continued to pet Levi. His blue eyes were troubled. Sue sat on the corner on his bed and leaned against Lucy's shoulder.
"Listen to the idea before you interjected", tried to convince Sue with a little smile. Myles nodded and saw on the corner on his eyes that Jack needed some reassurance too. He brought back his attention to the blond analyst and waited for her to explain.
"It seemed that Spencer refused to talk to men. Plus, he refused to admit his implications in the others murders."
"Other murders?", cut Madeleine with her musical voice and a hand on Sue's shoulder. Her fingers were intertwined with the one of her husband. Sue nodded.
"Yes. He doesn't deny Dani's assault but refused to confess for the others girls" explained Sue while looking for the familiar dark green eyes. "So I thought that if women instead of men speak with Spencer and we reveal to him that Daniella survived, we might get him by surprise.", explained Sue.
Myles shook his head, bedazzled by the cleverness of his blonde friend. Still…
"You never told him that Dani survived?", said a surprised Myles. He turned his head and a grimace of pain took shape on his face. His neck was stiffed and pain constricted his muscles. He rubbed his uninjured hand on his neck and sighed loudly.
"No…but it seems that a new strategy is in order" said Jack, with a smirk. However, his dark eyes were not smiling. Myles could see worry. Then, he lifted his gaze and met Bobby's green gaze. He could detect anger and impatience. He was sitting slantwise from Tara and his position showed his protectiveness. His arm laid nonchalantly on the back of Tara's chair. Myles tilted his head lightly.
"And I guess that Sue's suggestion does not delight you?", said Myles, more like a fact than a question. A silence answered his question. The blond agent continued to scratch Levi's head.
"Even if I am not too enthusiastic on the idea myself, Sue is right. Spencer had develop and mastery the art of manipulation. So, if you surprise him, he will lose his confidence and his arrogance.", agreed Myles.
"If we knew…" whispered Madeleine with tears in her voice. Sue observed that all eyes switched their attention and she followed them to see tears rolling silently on Madeleine's cheeks. In a tender gesture, her husband swiped them away with his thumb. She lowered her head to hide her sadness.
"You might help us. In order to have all the chances on our side, we need to know Spencer. It seems that you knew him before…" said D with calm.
Madeleine snuggled her head in the crook of her husband's shoulder.
"Tell us what you know so far and we will fill the blanks at the best of our knowledge" assured Claude with determination.
Tara disabled the lock on her laptop and connected to her files. Since she was the one who spoke mostly with Sara and did the research, she decided to explain.
"Spencer Marks was born in Surrey, British Columbia. The name written on his birth certificate was Marc Spencer Alexandre Sims but his parents used to call him Spencer. Both of his parents were Americans but they were working at the Canadian branch of an informatics company named Rio S. Co. Both were engineers. Because of his birth, Marc obtained dual citizenship. Five years later, the parents, Carl and Marian moved back in the US and settled in Portland. Both had resigned and started their own company as consultants. Unfortunately, both of them died when Marc was 10 years old, in a car accident. He went to live with his maternal grandmother in Boston…" said Tara while looking to her laptop.
"Mrs Elizabeth Taylor who was our neighbor", said Claude evenly.
Madeleine was playing with her wedding band and that quirk didn't escape Myles' tired eyes. "Like mother, like daughter" he mused tenderly. He closed his eyes and opened them after few seconds.
"I remembered when Spencer moved with his grandmother. She was a widow and she just lost her only daughter. She was a discreet woman. She kept everything to herself and raised her grandson with authority and big expectations. As much as Daniella was jovial and fun, Spencer was the opposite. However, for whatever reasons, she had been the only one capable to reach him. He was secret and even strange sometimes. He barely talked but was really smart. Daniella and him went in high school together. In school, he was a solitaire." explained in one breathe, Claude who was lost in his thoughts. His hand caressed lightly his chin in a long lost habit.
Tara's hair danced playfully while she bounced her sight from her laptop to Claude. Her fingers hit the keyboard letters at a quick pace. She decided to continue.
"After his graduation, which he did with mention, he disappeared from Boston." And once again, she was interrupted by Madeleine.
"Mrs. Taylor told us one day that Spencer was traveling in Europe, working from Youth Hostel to another. Meanwhile, Daniella finished high school a year later and went at her turn in Europe where she met again Spencer in Portugal…" trailed off Madeleine, her eyes troubled. She shook her head and her brown hair swirled.
"Daniella came back at the end of autumn and started Harvard at the winter session. At the summer, Spencer came back at his turn and because on his outstanding marks and his family references, he was able to register at the Harvard Medical School. Mrs. Taylor was so proud!" exclaimed Madeleine.
Myles's blue eyes darkened while listening to their story. He was pulling threads from his cast. Tara's light voice broke his reverie.
"As per the comments on his teachers, Spencer was an excellent student but rude with others. Good in theory but had issues with interpersonal relationships. Of course, it caused an incidence on his studies. His teachers could not refer him for any internship. After a while, he dropped out but hid the fact from his grandmother…it seems", asked subtly the computer whiz while looking at Daniella's parents.
Claude and Madeleine exchanged a regard and sighed.
"Daniella told us one day that Spencer dropped out but asked us to keep our mouth shut and we did. We used to think him as strange but inoffensive" said Claude, raking his light hair. His wedding band twinkled under the dim light of the lamp.
"I met Spencer only once", said Myles suddenly with his throat constricted. His fingers drummed his cast in a nervous gesture. He lifted his chin so Sue could read his lips easily but his eyes were still evasive. Bobby frowned. "He is feeling guilty", thought the Aussie.
"At the beginning of our relationship, Dani mentioned Spencer. I didn't meet him right away. She told me that he was solitaire and taciturn. So, I accepted the fact that Dani was friend with a person who needed friendship but didn't know how to develop it. However, I observed over the months that Daniella was trying and failing putting some distance between them.", he said, with tremolos in his voice.
"One night, that was six months before her assault, I found her crying her heart out on my couch. I was in Providence and she was not supposed to come that weekend so I worked late that night.". He stopped and licked his dry lips. Anne poured some water on a plastic mug and gave it to him. He took a sip and pursued.
"That day, she fought with Spencer. He had made rude and mean comments towards her and the fact we were engaged. I realized, maybe too late, that Spencer desired more than friendship with Daniella and that realization hit her too." Silence settled and no one broke it. Myles was trying to put some order in the frenzy on his thoughts. He could feel Levi's head on his leg and all the eyes waiting for him…patiently and caring. He turned his head to meet dark green eyes.
"That night, Daniella told me that she was afraid of him. She was scared. I convinced her to stay that weekend at Providence. Meanwhile, I made some arrangements to have some time off. I went back to Boston that Sunday night with her. I told her to stay with some friends and to file a restraining order against Spencer. She agreed to do so. However, I hid the fact that I tracked down the guy and met him", he said in one breath.
"It didn't go very well, I guess?" asked Bobby with a cold smile. Myles's blue eyes became icy. He didn't expand on what happened but behind the pride, Sue saw the tears. He shrugged the memories away but sadness caved his shoulders in.
"Dani had filled the restraining order and it seemed he respected it until…" said Tara with a soft voice and blushed. She sensed Bobby's fingers on her neck and found comfort on his light touch.
"Dani never told us" said Madeleine with a hurt tone. Myles looked away, ashamed.
"Daniella refused to worry you and she thought…" but he continued as a lump of emotions settled in his throat.
"She thought that not confronting the problem will make it go away" said Claude with his warm voice. "Daniella is good to face anything as long as it's not too personal!"
Myles nodded. Memories of her beaten body flashed in his mind. In an effort to erase them, he shook his head abruptly but it caused more pain.
Tara decided to pursue with the facts, to lighten the burden on Myles' shoulders.
"As per what I found, Spencer activities in the US stopped at the same time that Daniella was assaulted. Mrs. Spencer had died one month before and the guy inherited all her assets of which a house with view on the sea on Tancook Island on the Southern Coast on Nova Scotia. Because of his dual citizenship, he moved there without any problem. He blended in and he had been forgotten here in the US. However, he didn't stay quiet for a long time…" said Tara, still typing furiously on her laptop. Everyone was listening with attention.
"Tancook Island has a population on 35 souls but in the summer, it swells up to 200 because of the tourism. The only way to reach that island is with the ferry. Because of his inheritance, he didn't need to work so he created an image as he was an artist…a painter. People discovered soon enough that he was not too sociable but respected his solitude. He traveled a lot to Halifax for "business"" and Tara slowed her monologue.
"The following information was dug by a friend of mine, an analyst at the RCMP who was able to find that Spencer's activities for the last eight years" she explained. None a word were whispered.
"In November seven years ago, after traveling more or less one hour and half under pouring rain, he saw a girl hitching a lift for Halifax. She climbed in his car but unfortunately for her, it was a wrong twist of faith.", and Tara downloaded a picture and turned her computer to show the girl: sly smile, freckles, dark brown hair but what hit the most: her dark green eyes.
"The girl had been found in a ditch, beaten to death two days later. Spencer was arrested few months later after a lengthy investigation. It took a while before he went under trial. He was judged under the name of Alexander Taylor Marks and his fingerprints are under that name. Spencer had been able to create another life, another self and because, he never had been arrested in the US, the Canadian authority could not retrace anything from his previous life" explained the young women.
Again, silence and an uneasy feeling settled in the room. With one hand, Myles massaged his stiff neck. Tara continued.
"He was convicted of manslaughter. The crown had never been able to proof without any doubt that it was premeditated. Also, Spencer was drunk and stated cannot remember the night's events. He received a sentence of 15 years but…because of his good behavior and all the therapies he agreed to follow, the National Parole Board granted him day parole after 6 years which allowed him to go out during the day but have to come back in a house arrest for the night. One day, which was six months ago, he left the house arrest but never came. Because no passport is needed to cross the US-Canadian borders, as of yet, he showed his US ID with his American names and he was not bothered at all" sighed Tara.
Jack moved on his chair and shook his head with dismay. He racked his dark hair and sighed loudly. His head was spinning with all the information that been throw at them. He felt Sue's hand on his knee and he intertwined his fingers with her. The motion was discreet but didn't escape Lucy's watchful eyes.
"In one way or another, he found out that that Daniella was here in DC and…" Bobby started but didn't dare to finish as the view of Myles' hurtful eyes. In Myles head, pieces of memories snowed in. Dani's tender teasing interlaced with his team's bantering. Lucy's smile mixed with Sue's compassionate eyes. Tara's bubbly smile twirled with the affection of his family. He was thankful for this team that became his family.
"Myles?", said an articulate voice. He locked his gaze with his sister. Her soft eyes expressed all the affection she had for him.
"When did you realized that it was him?", she asked with a low voice. She wondered what the trigger was.
Myles hesitated. He felt ashamed and guilty. He felt he should have done things to recover the truth much sooner! He closed his eyes and explained after a moment.
"Before I lost consciousness, Spencer whispered to my ear: "I told she was mine" and these words brought back memories that I forgot with time.", he tried to explain but he could see the perplexity in his friends' eyes. Myles sighed and continued to pull on his cast.
"When I met Spencer for the first time, he turned ugly. I made clear to him that Daniella could not be approach by him anymore and he didn't take it very well" he said dryly. He shrugged the memories away." At his turn, he told me that Daniella was his and I should be aware of it. I took it lightly at the time…" he trailed off..
The team understood and silence settled. Sue and Tara looked at each other. They were ready to confront Spencer and no one would stop them!
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Please R&R...please ;0)