Disclaimer: Profiler and all characters belongs to NBC, Sanders/Moses Productions, Cynthia Saunders, Stephen Kronish ... Not to me. No copyright infringement intended.
Part XV : Slow down
Bailey returned alone to his home. He had got used to having Frances around, and finding the place empty made him even more depressed. He went directly to his room and laid down in bed. He tried during one hour to sleep, but with no success. Each time he was closing his eyes, images of his past came over.
He finally gave up and went to the bathroom to take a shower.
He was back at the VCTF at 7:00. The place was quiet. He went to his office and took up the phone. He dialed the number of the Atlanta central police station.
" Lieutenant Granger, for Bailey Malone, FBI." he asked. He had to wait for a dozen seconds before a familiar voice answered back.
" Malone ! How are things going in the FBI ?
- As usual. Just trying to do your job.
- What can I do for you ?
- Steve, John Grant called you last night to have five citizens put under protection. I just wanted to know if you have news.
- Aways leaving us the dirty part, hum ? You know who Grant talked to ?
- No. Your guys were also supposed to check everything was going fine so far.
- Hold on a minute, will you."
Steve Granger had worked on a case with Malone a few years ago. They had stayed in contact since then. Were sometimes going out together. Steve had helped him with Frances. Bailey thought Steve might as well become a target for Jack ...
" Malone ? Still here ?
- Yeah. Sorry Steve. What did you say ?
- I said everything is clear. Your clients are Ok. And we have two unmarked cars in front of each residence.
- Thanks Steve.
- Sergeant Durgan is in charge, but if you want me to take over ...
- I don't want to create problems.
- No problem. Durgan is Ok. I'll keep you informed.
- You're a decent man, Lieutenant. I mean for a cop ...
- Just give me a call when you want to loose a tennis match. Ciao Bello."
Bailey took an aspirin tablet out of his drawer, though he doubted he could get rid of his headache so easily. The three letters, SBR, marked in blood obsessed him. Sam was seemingly doing right, but the last thing he wanted was to have her go through all this again ... because of him.
He was feeling bad, but he knew the next few hours would be worse. How do you go to old buddies, people you haven't seen in twenty years and announce them their lives and the lives of their families may be in danger because you fell in love with a woman ? How do you tell them a psychopath may be after them just because they once knew you ?
And they had nothing to do but wait. No track to follow, no clue whatsoever. Bailey hated that. He couldn't stand being powerless. He looked at his watch, 8:15. He dialed Frances cell phone number. He did not want to have to talk with Janet.
" Hi honey, how are you ?
- Dad ! I've been waiting for your call whole day yesterday !
- Sorry, but we've been pretty busy. Hope I'm not waking you up.
- No. I'm going to the shopping center with Anna this morning.
- Remember your father's just a cop, not a banker like Anna's father; don't spend too much. How is Anna ?
- She's fine. She's going out with Andy now. How are things going in Atlanta ?
- Same old stuff.
- Dad ? "
Her voice had changed. Bailey could feel the stress in it.
" What is it honey ?
- Are you Ok ?
- Sure. Just working too much, that's all.
- You said we would always be honest to each other. You promised.
- I remember ...
- I've seen the cops, dad. They try not to show up, but I have some experience, you know. What are they here for ?".
Bailey's heart cracked down. Her daughter was too smart, certainly smarter than him. He knew from the start he shouldn't have lied to her.
" Jack has reappeared. Frances, I didn't want to break my promise, I just wanted you to be safe.
- He's after you, isn't he ?
- Not exactly. He's rather pissed off that Sam and I ... He's after people I knew, when I was young. Frances, will you forgive me ?
- I love you daddy. But I'm old enough now. You don't have to over-protect me like that. You've always protected people, but who is protecting you ?"
Sam entered his office. She sat in front of him.
"- You are, honey. You're protecting me from myself. And Sam is here too. For the rest, we have a team.
- I can't loose you now, daddy.
- And you won't. I'll be cautious, as cautious as I can be. I can't loose you either, baby.
- Allright. But promise me you'll let the others take care of you.
- I do. Give a kiss to your sister for me, will you ?
- She went camping with her school in Altoona.
- I know.
- Then there are probably other cops in Altoona, right ?
- FBI.
- Good. I'll let you work now. The sooner you catch this bastard, the sooner I can get back home. I love you.
- I love you too. I'll call you."
He hung up the phone. He looked at Sam and made an effort smiling.
" Hi ! " he said.
" You look awful.
- Thanks a lot. Always a pleasure to hear a compliment.
- You're sure you slept ?
- I tried.
- You told Frances about Jack ?
- She rather guessed. She saw the Baltimore cops I asked for their protection.
- How did she react ?
- She's worried and a little upset I lied to her. Want a coffee ?
- No, thanks."
He got up and helped himself another cup.
" Have the others arrived ?" he asked.
" Not yet. Bailey, you know you can talk to me. You shouldn't keep it all to yourself. I know. I've been there before.
- I'm not really the talking kind. I'm not used to it.
- Never too late to give it a start."
He sat down. They both kept silent for a while.
" You know what Frances told me ? That she is old enough for me to stop protecting her like that.
- I think she's right.
- I'm older than her."
" I'm sorry Sam. It's just that ... I have a tough morning ahead of me. I really don't know what I'm gonna tell these people. Hi ! Remember me ? Bailey Malone ! We were in Viet Nam together ! Well, I just dropped by to tell you there is a psychopath around planning to kill you. But don't worry, there's nothing personal. He just wants to make me crazy.
- You want me to come with you ?
- No."
" Bailey, there's a way to stop all this.
- Yeah. I'm gonna get this son of a bitch and make sure he never sees the sunlight again.
- Jack is not mad at you. He's mad at the fact that you and I are together."
Sam had spoken very quietly. Bailey looked at her, distraught.
" Sam, are you serious ?
- It is something we have to think about. If our relationship puts your life, and the lives of your friends in danger ...
- Our relationship ? Sam, I love you !"
" I love you too. But I don't want to see him destroying you.
- You're destroying me if you destroy what has happened between us. Sam, it's been so many years that I survived, hiding my feelings for you. I could stand it no more now.
- I don't want it either, but do we have the choice ?
- We have it, Sam. It all depends on you." Sam turned her face away.
" I don't know, " she said, " Maybe we should slow down, stop provoking him for a while.".
When she looked at him again, she could see grief in her eyes. Her heart sank, but she felt she had to do it. She firmly believed it was his best interest.
" I'll be in the command center." she simply said, and she left his office.
To be continued ... R&R, Thanks.
Absolut.
