Part 13

I'm glad I managed to talk to Josh. I wasn't planning to open up like that but something just made me talk. I'm glad he just listened and didn't say much. I really needed that. I do feel a lot more free now. I wish I did it sooner. But hey, better late than never.

Jane called me when I was at the office today. She told me to go to two of the bars which the second and third victim went to. Since it's a Friday night, it should be busy and the usual customers will most probably be there as well.

"Donna, can I talk to you a minute?" CJ asked me and signaled me to come into her office.

"Sure CJ." I followed CJ in and she shut the door.

"Donna, did Jane tell you about the plan tonight?"

"Yeah, we are going to two bars. She'll investigate in the other two."

"Yeah. Anyway, I did some of my own research." CJ said.

"Really? Found anything?"

"As a matter of fact I did. It's kinda silly but I noticed that the bars or clubs names all started with the letter M and N. 'Margarittas', 'Night Owl', 'Nuane' and the one you went to, 'Mission'. I don't know if that makes any sense, but I also got all the other clubs starting with these letters in the same area. There are only two others, 'Midnight' and 'New Shine' " CJ said.

I smirked a little. Come on, like he's got a fetish for certain letters of the alphabet. I have never thought CJ had ever had too much time on her hands but now I'm starting to wonder.

"CJ, don't you think you're looking too much into this? I mean, seriously….M and N?" I asked her mockingly.

"Ok fine. It's dumb…..but don't completely disregard it…Anyway, that's not my main findings. Apparently, five years ago, in the Green Lane area of DC, there were also similar rape cases. There were five cases and the night clubs that the victim went to were just a few blocks apart. And the incidents occurred every three to five weeks." CJ said sounding like she just uncovered an unsolvable mystery.

"Okay…..how did you find that out in the first place? In such a short time." I asked her.

"I have friends in high places, Donna. It pays to be the White House Press Secretary. People in big places owe me favors. And like I say, I will always collect." CJ said in a smug manner.

"How similar were those cases to the ones now?"

"Well, the date rape drug was not Rohypnol, it was Progesterex. The girls had long blond hair and were thin-framed. And he brought them all to their apartments except for one girl who was left near some dumpsters. Apparently there were about two other people in her apartment at that time. The police investigator for those cases also treated them as a serial rapist case. I talked to him. Apparently he interviewed the neighbors of these women. Only one neighbor of one of the cases noticed a car outside. She described it as a blue Civic. But that information was useless, as you know how many blue Civics are there. Two of the bartenders also described a man who bought drinks for two of the women. They both described a 5'10 or 5'11 white male with dark hair. Nothing out of the ordinary. And of course you know how many men fit THAT description. Both of the bartenders said they wouldn't really be able to identify that guy even if they saw him." CJ said.

"Wow, CJ. You found out all that in less than two days? I have to say I'm more than impressed." I said honestly.

"Yeah I know. I outdid myself yet once again." She replied.

"Anyway, that police investigator said he'll send me the reports for those cases and also help us anyway he can." CJ continued.

"That's good CJ. YOU did good. Anyway, I guess we'll go to 'Night Owl' first and then the other N club." I said slightly jokingly as I dramatically expressed the letter N.

CJ laughed a little. "Yeah, yeah. Mock all you want. We'll see what you'll be saying once I uncover the mystery." CJ sounded rather cocky but she totally earned it.

"Fine Nancy Drew. Meet me at about 10pm?" I asked.

"Yup. See you then." CJ said.

I went back to work as usual. I thought about calling the hospital to get a rape counselor's contact but I decided to postpone it. The fact that I managed to open up to Josh has decreased my urgency to talk to a counselor.

"Excuse me. Donnatella Moss, can I see you in my office please?" Josh popped his head out of his office as he called for me.

Wow. I think this is the most polite request Josh has had for me. I wonder what he wants.

I walked into his office. Josh stood in front of me looking at me for a second before placing his hand pass me to shut the door. Then, he practically pinned me to the door with both of his hands on the door while I was between them and started kissing me. Rather forcefully I must add. Whoa! That was definitely not what I expected him to do. Not that I'm complaining.

I slowly pushed Josh on his chest as reality hit me.

"Joshua Lyman, as much as I appreciate your…gesture…I believe we are breaking the 'no office display of affection' rule." I said as I bent down and walked pass under his stretched arm.

"Come on. A little rule bending won't hurt anyone." Josh whined. He's so cute when he whines. I bet he knows that too.

"Well, it would hurt you if someone catches you. And I'm guessing it would hurt physically too." I said playing a mental picture of Leo banging Josh on his head.

"Fine, whatever." Josh sounded like a ten year old saying that.

"Anyway, Joshua…You have a few minutes now right?" I asked knowing his next meeting is in about twenty minutes.

"Yes. Can I help you?" Josh asked as he went over to his chair and sat down.

I sat in front of him. I told him what CJ had told me and also our plan for tonight.

"So, we are leaving at 10pm?" Josh asked.

"No. We, CJ and I will be leaving at 10pm. Josh, you don't really need to come. Why not you get some rest tonight? Maybe you can come with us another time. Maybe CJ can take a break and you can come later on." I said.

"Donna, I meant it when I said we'll go through this together. Every step of the way. So, unless there's a national emergency, I'll be following you guys tonight and every other night, whether you like it or not." Josh said looking straight at me.

Man, can he be stern. I better not argue with him. Not this time anyway.

"Okay, whatever you want, boss." I mocked.

"Ah, that's something you haven't called me before. I think I could live with that. Yeah. Call me boss from now on." Josh said nodding away.

"Like hell Joshua. In your dreams." I said as I stood up.

"Ah, in my dreams you tend to do every one of my bidding commands." Josh said wiggling his eye brows.

I glared at him and went back to my desk.

Just before 10pm CJ, Josh and I got ready to leave. As we were walking down the bullpen, we saw Sam coming our way.

"Hey guys, done for the day I see. Me too. Going out for a drink?" Sam asked.

We paused for a second and then I said yes while Josh said no. Then a millisecond later CJ said no and then yes. Sam looked at us with a questioning look.

"Yes and no. Donna and I are going out with some of the girls. Josh is not." CJ said saving the day as usual. And so I thought.

"Oh, okay. Josh, wanna go for some drinks? I'll get Toby and we'll go to the place next to your townhouse." Sam said.

"Mmm….Maybe next time. I'm kind of tired. Just planning to go to bed after dinner." Josh lied.

"Tired Josh? Before 10pm? Man, what's Donna doing to you that's making you this tired?" Sam joked.

"Funny Sam. You're a funny guy." Josh said sarcastically.

"I try my best. Okay, I should get going. Ladies, enjoy yourselves. Josh, don't let the bed bugs bite." Sam said laughing away as he walked past us.

CJ and I had to hold our breath to prevent from laughing. Mainly at Josh. Josh just glared at us.

I didn't like lying to Sam. I know it's up to me if I want to tell other people what's going on. Josh and CJ aren't going to do that unless I ask them to. I don't know if I want to tell the others. Maybe a little later if I feel more comfortable. I probably will have to tell Sam sooner or later as the investigations will be done during weekends. He'll get suspicious and I wouldn't want his feelings hurt if we ditch him every time. You know how sensitive Sam Seaborne can be.

We reached 'Night Owl' and immediately started asking questions. We talked to the bartenders on duty if they've seen the girl on the photo we brought. And then we asked them if there was any guy who buys drinks and asks them to send the drinks to girls. They didn't recognize the girl on the picture and also mentioned that lots of guys ask them to send drinks to girls. We asked them if any guy had the drink before hand and not just ordered a drink to be sent to the girl. We didn't get any useful response from the bartenders.

We even got the schedules of the bartenders who worked on the night of the assault. It's amazing how much people would cooperate once you play the White House card. No wonder Jane really wanted us to be involved in the investigation.

There are two other bartenders who were present on that night who are not on duty tonight. Apparently they'll be here tomorrow night according to the manager.

We went on to 'Nuane' which was just two blocks down. We asked the same questions as before. The bartenders who were working on the night of the assault were also there tonight. We were quite disappointed here as no one could give us any useful information.

We decided to come back tomorrow night to both of the clubs to commence the questioning. Hopefully it would be a little better tomorrow.

*****************************************************

The past few days have been extremely overwhelming to me. The investigation has been pretty useless. I know it's just been a day but I've learnt that I'm not a very patient person. Right now, I can only focus on nailing the jerk. I have to think of a better way of investigating than just asking the bartenders questions. I doubt any of them remember these women even if we show them photos. There's just got to be a better way.

"A penny for your thoughts Josh." I look up to see Sam standing at my door. He's wearing a sweatshirt and jeans as it's a Saturday.

"Hey Sam. I'm just running through the tax cut bill. What bout you? Toby still pouncing on you on the Foreign Aid address?" I asked him as I push my chair back and place my legs on the desk.

"Josh, could you not refer to Toby as 'pouncing' on me. It's gonna be a permanent mental scar." Sam said. I grinned at the thought of it.

"Hey, so is that all you have for today?" Sam asked.

"Yup. Pretty much. I have a short meeting with one of the environmentalist people. But other than that, it's a light day."

"Great. Then we cab watch the game tonight. Come to my place. Bring Donna and some beer .Toby's coming as well. I'll let CJ know." Sam said as he was walking out of my door.

I gotto stop him. Damn, what do I say? Ditching him two days in a row is not the best idea.

"Aw, I can't. Donna and I have plans. It has been kinda crazy here the past week. We haven't spent much time together alone." I said quickly. Man, I'm getting good at this lying thing.

"Oh…..well that's ok then. I'll go ask CJ now." Sam said as he left my office. Damn, I feel like crap. He sounded hurt. Well, he's just gonna have to get over it, wouldn't he.

Oh no…..Oh NO!! He just said he's gonna ask CJ. Shoot, she's coming with us to. What if she says she's spending time with me and Donna? Shit, I gotta go to CJ' office.

I should use the connecting door. I open the door slightly as I hear Sam's voice.

"So, you have plans with Donna tonight? Two days in a row. Josh must be annoyed."  I hear Sam say. Could this day get any better?

I kept the door still and heard their conversation from the other end.

"Yeah. We just wanted catch up this weekend. You know, with Donna and Josh spendinf all those 'alone' times together. She really wants some time away from him and just relax with the girls. No biggie."  CJ said.

If CJ only knows how much she screwed up!! Sam is gonna think she's ditching him. To spend time with Donna of all people! Like Sam's gonna believe that. Donna would obviously prefer to spend time with her boyfriend, especially after I told him so!

"Huh…Okay. That's fine. I'll see you later." Sam said as I hear him leave the office. That's funny. I thought he would call her bluff. Oh well, I guess he's gonna let CJ off the hook this time.

Bang ! Bang! What the heck? Who the hell is banging my door. I closed the connecting door and saw Sam walk into my office.

"Why Sam, nice to see you again. I didn't hear you knock my door." I said sarcastically.

"If you don't want to spend time with me, why don't you just say so!!??"

"Wha….?"

"CJ said she's going out with Donna tonight coz you both have been spending too much time alone together!!" Ok, Sam is slightly reaching the shouting range.

"Sam..listen…"

"And yesterday, you wanted to go to bed early? I mean come on Josh, that's even lame for you! I can't believe you lied to me to my face!" Sam went on not reducing the sound of his voice.

"Sam. Calm down. If you would just listen….didn't it ever occur to you that CJ's lying to you?" I asked trying to look as cool as a cucumber.

Sam was quite. Looking directly at me like he was trying to look through my head to see if I was lying or not.

"Well…..I guess that's possible." Sam said.

"Thank you. Look, maybe CJ has a date or something. She probably wants to keep it to herself. You know how women are with secrecy." I said gulping.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Well, I'll see you then. I better get back to the speech."

Whoa, that was close. Slam!

"Joshua Lyman, you are a dead man!!"

"What the…" I see CJ standing at the connecting door. I swear her eyes are red and there's smoke coming out of her ears.

"Hey, CJ. What's up?" I said casually. Oh, I hope she hadn't heard us. Please don't have heard that.

"I heard that!!" CJ said. More like shouted. There seems to be a lot of shouting matches in my office today.  I just wish they weren't directed at me.

"CJ, I didn't know what else to say!! How did you hear us anyway?"

"Well, the connecting door wasn't completely shut. Which I can only guess that you opened it to eavesdrop on my conversation with Sam!!!"

"What's going on here? Could you to keep it down, you're scaring the interns." I turned to see Donna in my office as she shut the door behind her.

"It's all your boyfriend's fault!" CJ said beating me to it.

"What else is new?" Donna said sounding annoyed and fed up.

"Donna, it's not all my fault. Look…" I explained the whole story to her with CJ butting in with her 'complimentary' comments every two seconds.

"Well, I guess there's just one thing there is to do."  CJ and I turned towards Donna.

"I guess I'll have to tell Sam the truth. The whole story." Donna said looking down and then she turn her head up and looked at us.

She's got to be kidding. She doesn't really want to go through the whole thing again. It's too soon if anything.

"Donna, you don't have to do that. Look, we'll fix this. We'll talk to Sam, We'll com up with something. You've gone through enough without doofus here making it worse for you." CJ said as I glared at her.

"In her own twisted way, CJ's right." That earned a spank on my head by CJ.

"No. Look, we are going to do this investigation like every weekend. This is just the first and already we've hurt Sam's feelings. I mean, we ARE gonna tell HIM at least… sooner or later. I think we'll only hurt him more if we drag this." Donna explained.

"Donna, I understand. But how much he gets affected doesn't compare to how are." I said trying to talk her out of it.

"Josh, I've made up my mind. I'll have lunch with Sam today." Donna said.

"Okay….." I accepted it reluctantly. I hope she knows what she's doing.

"Do you want us to come with you?" CJ asked.

"No, no. That will just take a longer time. Especially since he's mad at both of you. Look, you guys better get back to work, or we'll never get to the clubs tonight." Donna said as she walked out of my office.

She never ceases to amaze me. She's the one who's most affected here, and she keeps fixing everything herself.

"She's quite something Josh. You better never ever forget that." CJ said giving me the death glare. I'm growing accustomed to that look.

TO BE CONTINUED………………