"I know," I let out another sigh as we pull into the federal building.
"I've given him his space. I'm not sure what else to do at this point,
aside from transferring out," I state as we step into the elevator and make
our way into the office.
*****
I notice Jack, Martin, and Danny sitting around the conference table discussing what they've got. Vivian and I take a seat with them.
"We've got two leads and only one has an alibi. Martin, I want you to find out if Mr. Landau's alibi checks out. Sam, you'll go with him. Danny and Vivian, you two are going to speak with Mr. Matthews' family, and see if they can shine some light on the situation. Maybe they know of a cabin or someplace Lisa could be."
"Alright," we all nod in agreement and I grab the file, before glancing over towards Jack. He looks tired and mildly depressed. Maybe it's the fact it's Christmas Day, and we're all stuck at work. I know the missing never take a day off, but maybe just once it would be nice if we could have a real holiday. I'm sure Jack could use that with his family, to rekindle their marriage. I let out a soft breath. Why am I thinking of Jack and his wife together? Maybe I am ready to move on.
"Sam, can I have a word with you in my office?"
"Sure." I follow Jack inside and watch as he shuts the door behind me.
"Take a seat," he tells me before moving towards his desk. He glances down at a file, and shuts it rather quickly before meeting my eyes.
"Jack, what's going on?"
"There's a lot of paperwork for this case," he muses, "Not sure what to make of all of it just yet."
"That's not why you called me into your office and shut your door," I point out.
"You're right, it's not."
"It's about Maria?" He nods, letting out a soft breath. "She knows about us?" I question.
"She asked me almost two years ago. I didn't deny it but certainly didn't tell her who it was."
"I guess she figured it out on her own," I state softly. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Yes." His eyes meet mine and I see concern and worry written all over his features. "I shouldn't even be asking you this, Samantha. We've been over for some time and I know you're moving on with your life."
"Yeah," I respond, eyeing him skeptically.
"Maria doesn't believe it's over between us. I thought perhaps if she met your current boyfriend, then maybe." his words trail off.
"Jack, you're not suggesting we double date," I laugh at the absurdity of the idea.
"No, maybe just run into each other at dinner."
"I can't, Jack."
"You know I wouldn't ask you if I wasn't desperate." His eyes meet mine and I feel my heart ache.
"I don't think it's such a good idea."
"You don't think this guy will go with you? You don't have to tell him about us," Jack reminds me. "You could introduce me as your boss."
"Jack," I shake my head no. "He's always busy, I'm not sure he could get the time off, and even if he could."
"Let me guess; he's a doctor?" Jack's eyes raise in amusement. "He'll likely get paged and have to leave."
"Something like that," I answer. "Besides, I've only had one date with the guy. You're putting a whole lot of presumption in the fact we'll go out again." I eye him seriously.
"I can't imagine any guy saying no to you, Sam."
"Yeah, well." I pause, not wanting to remind Jack he's a guy that did just that. "Can't you two try marriage counseling?" I suggest.
"We're doing that, but it's not getting anywhere. I'm hoping if she sees you've moved on, then she'll know I am working late, and won't badger me about the hours I've kept."
"Jack, maybe she's right," I softly answer. His eyes hold confusion and hurt. "You shouldn't be here on Christmas; you should be with your family."
"The missing have a right to be found," Jack reminds me.
"I know," I let out a sigh, "I can't make any promises on who I'll bring. If my date can't make it, maybe Danny or Martin will be able to," I state blandly, trying not to clue Jack in on who I spent Christmas Eve with.
"Maria knows both of them. Bring your date from last night," Jack states. "Besides, are you afraid to let me meet him?"
"No," I answer with a hint of a smile on my lips. "I just don't want you to make a big deal of it."
"I won't," he says as he rests his hands over mine. "You know I wouldn't ask you if."
"I know," I nod. "I'll see what I can do," I tell him. I stand up and head out of his office, debating on whether I should invite Martin or find a one- time fling to bring with me.
"Ready to go?" I hear Martin's voice and nod in his direction as we head down to his car. He's quiet on most of the drive there, and I glance over at him.
"Is something bothering you?" I question.
"It's nothing," he shakes his head. "Just a waste of another holiday," he whispers out.
"I hope that's not true," I eye him with a sad glance. "I thought last night was special, and I was hoping tonight could be too."
"Yeah, well not if we're on this damn case."
"Martin what's gotten into you?"
"I said it's nothing," he answers loudly as I shift away from him and glance out the car window. He lets out a sigh. "I'm sorry Samantha," he tells me as his hand moves towards mine. I don't make any move at all, since I'm not sure how to feel or respond to his behavior.
I let out a soft breath, as we pull into the parking lot where Mr. Landau works. We head inside the building, flashing our credentials to speak with his boss. As the interview drags on, we find out he was at work the night of the disappearance, but his record for showing up on time is marked heavily in dark ink.
"He was here with you at six last night?" I question.
"Yes. I offered to give him the night off, but he refused. I left quarter after six, so I can't say how long he stayed."
"Is there any surveillance footage of employees?" I question.
"No," he shakes his head. We finish our interview and head back to Martin's car.
"Any ideas?" I inquire.
"Maybe Vivian and Danny found something."
"Yeah but I think Landau is more likely to have done it."
"Gut instinct?" Martin glances my way.
"Actually I think his record stands on its own."
"Are you going to phone Jack? Let him know we didn't find anything?"
"No," I shake my head, "we'll tell him when we get back."
"He's not going to be happy," Martin muses.
"He's busy anyways. No sense in burdening the man. I'll try Danny; maybe he's got something we can work with."
I dial Danny's cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Tell me you have something," I answer.
"No one's been in contact with Matthews in forty-eight hours, aside from the FBI. He had Christmas Eve off, and he called in sick the day before."
"You think it's him?"
"I think it's plausible," Danny responds. "I can't see the connection, though---not really. If he wanted to be with Lisa, why not the daughter too?"
"Maybe he doesn't know about the girl?" I offer the suggestion. "Has he been in contact with Lisa?"
"You'll have to call Jack to find out," Danny answers.
"Will do." I hang up the phone and then dial Jack.
"Malone," Jack answers the phone.
"Jack, I've got a scenario I want you to hear."
"Yeah?"
"We didn't find anything useful from Landau, so I called Danny, and we've come up with something interesting. We know Lisa has a four-year old girl, and we're suspecting the child is Matthews', but what if he doesn't know he has a daughter? I'm thinking if he's kidnapped Lisa, he's done it to be with her. It's only a matter of time till the young girl goes missing too."
"Assuming it's Matthews and he's doing it to have a family," Jack offers.
"Do you have a record of any calls between Matthews and Harris in the past year?"
I hear Jack sifting through papers. "Yeah, there's a few calls late at night being made to her cell phone."
"You want us to look into it?"
"No," Jack answers, "I'll go and question him. Danny and Vivian should be back any time. I want you to go to the Harris' home and bring in the daughter."
"What's her name?" I question.
"Ashley Harris. From what we've gathered, she doesn't know either possibility of a father, but I'm thinking if we show her pictures of both men, we might have something to go on."
"It's a shot in the dark," I point out. "After all, Jack, she's only four."
"Our biggest concern is that she doesn't go missing," he reminds me. "I'd prefer if you didn't worry the parents though. You might offer keeping an eye on her."
"You're joking?"
"No," he answers firmly before hanging up.
"Make a right," I tell Martin. "We're going to the Harris' home."
"Lisa's?"
"No, her parents. We're going to talk to Ashley and take her into custody."
"You're kidding? She's only a child."
"We want to make sure she's not in any danger," I answer.
We knock on the Harris' front door and there's no answer. "Weren't Danny and Viv just here?" I glance at Martin seeing no sign of their car.
"They must have left already." He points out.
I hear a loud crash on the inside of their home, and see no one approaching the door.
"FBI!" I shout, pounding again before busting inside and breaking the lock. I hear a young child crying and screaming in the distance, while Martin and I approach every corner with caution, and our gun drawn. I feel a blow to the back of my head and minutes later Martin's fingers in my hair. "I'm okay," I whisper out.
"He took the little girl."
"Jonathan Matthews?"
"I couldn't get a proper ID, but I'd guess so." He helps me to my feet, and I feel my balance wobble as the room spins.
"Give me a second," I whisper out. "Where's the parents?" I question.
"They're being taken by ambulance, with a mild concussion and some abrasions."
"How long was I out?" I eye him.
"Not long. The neighbors heard the commotion and called the police. Should we get you checked out too?"
"No, I'm fine," I answer. "Just a tinge of a headache. Don't worry," I smile in response. "Did you see the make and model of the vehicle?"
"No," Martin shakes his head with a sigh. I notice Jack making his way through the door.
"You ok?" He glances towards me.
"Yeah, fine," I nod. He looks to Martin and then back to me.
"You sure?"
"Yes, Jack," I laugh softly, heading towards the mirror to see my ghostly reflection but no apparent bruising. I feel over the back of my head and know I'll have a bump there tomorrow though.
"So our suspect took off with Ashley Harris?" He eyes me.
"I was out cold," I answer.
"Then you need to get checked out before going back into the field."
"I wasn't that cold," I laugh and shake my head. "I just didn't see what went down."
"Martin?" Jack eyes him.
"We entered the home when we heard screams from the daughter. The parents were unconscious and the perp took off on foot."
"And you let him leave?"
"Agent Spade was down, sir," Martin answers. "I brushed past her as she was regaining consciousness but failed to see the suspect or the vehicle that was used."
"Just great," Jack lets out an annoyed sigh.
"I'm sure it was Jonathan Matthews."
"Did you get a good look at him?"
"No," Martin responds.
"Then how will you testify that he's the one who kidnapped Lisa and Ashley Harris?" Jack eyes him sternly and Martin doesn't answer right away.
"We'll find him and bring the girls home safely."
"You better hope so," Jack responds dryly and exits out the front door.
"We should try any family Matthews has; maybe they can shine some light on where he would have taken them."
"You're assuming we have the right man," Jack retorts over his shoulder.
"He's never going to forgive me, will he?" Martin mumbles, quiet enough for me to hear.
"Don't sweat it," I smile softly, walking outside and to the car.
"I'm sending Danny and Vivian to speak with the parents. You two go check out his house again. If he's there, interview him."
Martin takes a seat behind the wheel as I slowly step into the passenger side.
"You sure you're ok?"
"A little sore," I answer honestly. "It'll be worse tomorrow."
"Hopefully, we'll have tomorrow off."
"When do we ever?" I point out with a sigh.
"We'll find them," Martin reassures me, backing out of the driveway as I give him directions to Jonathan Matthews' home.
*****
I notice Jack, Martin, and Danny sitting around the conference table discussing what they've got. Vivian and I take a seat with them.
"We've got two leads and only one has an alibi. Martin, I want you to find out if Mr. Landau's alibi checks out. Sam, you'll go with him. Danny and Vivian, you two are going to speak with Mr. Matthews' family, and see if they can shine some light on the situation. Maybe they know of a cabin or someplace Lisa could be."
"Alright," we all nod in agreement and I grab the file, before glancing over towards Jack. He looks tired and mildly depressed. Maybe it's the fact it's Christmas Day, and we're all stuck at work. I know the missing never take a day off, but maybe just once it would be nice if we could have a real holiday. I'm sure Jack could use that with his family, to rekindle their marriage. I let out a soft breath. Why am I thinking of Jack and his wife together? Maybe I am ready to move on.
"Sam, can I have a word with you in my office?"
"Sure." I follow Jack inside and watch as he shuts the door behind me.
"Take a seat," he tells me before moving towards his desk. He glances down at a file, and shuts it rather quickly before meeting my eyes.
"Jack, what's going on?"
"There's a lot of paperwork for this case," he muses, "Not sure what to make of all of it just yet."
"That's not why you called me into your office and shut your door," I point out.
"You're right, it's not."
"It's about Maria?" He nods, letting out a soft breath. "She knows about us?" I question.
"She asked me almost two years ago. I didn't deny it but certainly didn't tell her who it was."
"I guess she figured it out on her own," I state softly. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Yes." His eyes meet mine and I see concern and worry written all over his features. "I shouldn't even be asking you this, Samantha. We've been over for some time and I know you're moving on with your life."
"Yeah," I respond, eyeing him skeptically.
"Maria doesn't believe it's over between us. I thought perhaps if she met your current boyfriend, then maybe." his words trail off.
"Jack, you're not suggesting we double date," I laugh at the absurdity of the idea.
"No, maybe just run into each other at dinner."
"I can't, Jack."
"You know I wouldn't ask you if I wasn't desperate." His eyes meet mine and I feel my heart ache.
"I don't think it's such a good idea."
"You don't think this guy will go with you? You don't have to tell him about us," Jack reminds me. "You could introduce me as your boss."
"Jack," I shake my head no. "He's always busy, I'm not sure he could get the time off, and even if he could."
"Let me guess; he's a doctor?" Jack's eyes raise in amusement. "He'll likely get paged and have to leave."
"Something like that," I answer. "Besides, I've only had one date with the guy. You're putting a whole lot of presumption in the fact we'll go out again." I eye him seriously.
"I can't imagine any guy saying no to you, Sam."
"Yeah, well." I pause, not wanting to remind Jack he's a guy that did just that. "Can't you two try marriage counseling?" I suggest.
"We're doing that, but it's not getting anywhere. I'm hoping if she sees you've moved on, then she'll know I am working late, and won't badger me about the hours I've kept."
"Jack, maybe she's right," I softly answer. His eyes hold confusion and hurt. "You shouldn't be here on Christmas; you should be with your family."
"The missing have a right to be found," Jack reminds me.
"I know," I let out a sigh, "I can't make any promises on who I'll bring. If my date can't make it, maybe Danny or Martin will be able to," I state blandly, trying not to clue Jack in on who I spent Christmas Eve with.
"Maria knows both of them. Bring your date from last night," Jack states. "Besides, are you afraid to let me meet him?"
"No," I answer with a hint of a smile on my lips. "I just don't want you to make a big deal of it."
"I won't," he says as he rests his hands over mine. "You know I wouldn't ask you if."
"I know," I nod. "I'll see what I can do," I tell him. I stand up and head out of his office, debating on whether I should invite Martin or find a one- time fling to bring with me.
"Ready to go?" I hear Martin's voice and nod in his direction as we head down to his car. He's quiet on most of the drive there, and I glance over at him.
"Is something bothering you?" I question.
"It's nothing," he shakes his head. "Just a waste of another holiday," he whispers out.
"I hope that's not true," I eye him with a sad glance. "I thought last night was special, and I was hoping tonight could be too."
"Yeah, well not if we're on this damn case."
"Martin what's gotten into you?"
"I said it's nothing," he answers loudly as I shift away from him and glance out the car window. He lets out a sigh. "I'm sorry Samantha," he tells me as his hand moves towards mine. I don't make any move at all, since I'm not sure how to feel or respond to his behavior.
I let out a soft breath, as we pull into the parking lot where Mr. Landau works. We head inside the building, flashing our credentials to speak with his boss. As the interview drags on, we find out he was at work the night of the disappearance, but his record for showing up on time is marked heavily in dark ink.
"He was here with you at six last night?" I question.
"Yes. I offered to give him the night off, but he refused. I left quarter after six, so I can't say how long he stayed."
"Is there any surveillance footage of employees?" I question.
"No," he shakes his head. We finish our interview and head back to Martin's car.
"Any ideas?" I inquire.
"Maybe Vivian and Danny found something."
"Yeah but I think Landau is more likely to have done it."
"Gut instinct?" Martin glances my way.
"Actually I think his record stands on its own."
"Are you going to phone Jack? Let him know we didn't find anything?"
"No," I shake my head, "we'll tell him when we get back."
"He's not going to be happy," Martin muses.
"He's busy anyways. No sense in burdening the man. I'll try Danny; maybe he's got something we can work with."
I dial Danny's cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Tell me you have something," I answer.
"No one's been in contact with Matthews in forty-eight hours, aside from the FBI. He had Christmas Eve off, and he called in sick the day before."
"You think it's him?"
"I think it's plausible," Danny responds. "I can't see the connection, though---not really. If he wanted to be with Lisa, why not the daughter too?"
"Maybe he doesn't know about the girl?" I offer the suggestion. "Has he been in contact with Lisa?"
"You'll have to call Jack to find out," Danny answers.
"Will do." I hang up the phone and then dial Jack.
"Malone," Jack answers the phone.
"Jack, I've got a scenario I want you to hear."
"Yeah?"
"We didn't find anything useful from Landau, so I called Danny, and we've come up with something interesting. We know Lisa has a four-year old girl, and we're suspecting the child is Matthews', but what if he doesn't know he has a daughter? I'm thinking if he's kidnapped Lisa, he's done it to be with her. It's only a matter of time till the young girl goes missing too."
"Assuming it's Matthews and he's doing it to have a family," Jack offers.
"Do you have a record of any calls between Matthews and Harris in the past year?"
I hear Jack sifting through papers. "Yeah, there's a few calls late at night being made to her cell phone."
"You want us to look into it?"
"No," Jack answers, "I'll go and question him. Danny and Vivian should be back any time. I want you to go to the Harris' home and bring in the daughter."
"What's her name?" I question.
"Ashley Harris. From what we've gathered, she doesn't know either possibility of a father, but I'm thinking if we show her pictures of both men, we might have something to go on."
"It's a shot in the dark," I point out. "After all, Jack, she's only four."
"Our biggest concern is that she doesn't go missing," he reminds me. "I'd prefer if you didn't worry the parents though. You might offer keeping an eye on her."
"You're joking?"
"No," he answers firmly before hanging up.
"Make a right," I tell Martin. "We're going to the Harris' home."
"Lisa's?"
"No, her parents. We're going to talk to Ashley and take her into custody."
"You're kidding? She's only a child."
"We want to make sure she's not in any danger," I answer.
We knock on the Harris' front door and there's no answer. "Weren't Danny and Viv just here?" I glance at Martin seeing no sign of their car.
"They must have left already." He points out.
I hear a loud crash on the inside of their home, and see no one approaching the door.
"FBI!" I shout, pounding again before busting inside and breaking the lock. I hear a young child crying and screaming in the distance, while Martin and I approach every corner with caution, and our gun drawn. I feel a blow to the back of my head and minutes later Martin's fingers in my hair. "I'm okay," I whisper out.
"He took the little girl."
"Jonathan Matthews?"
"I couldn't get a proper ID, but I'd guess so." He helps me to my feet, and I feel my balance wobble as the room spins.
"Give me a second," I whisper out. "Where's the parents?" I question.
"They're being taken by ambulance, with a mild concussion and some abrasions."
"How long was I out?" I eye him.
"Not long. The neighbors heard the commotion and called the police. Should we get you checked out too?"
"No, I'm fine," I answer. "Just a tinge of a headache. Don't worry," I smile in response. "Did you see the make and model of the vehicle?"
"No," Martin shakes his head with a sigh. I notice Jack making his way through the door.
"You ok?" He glances towards me.
"Yeah, fine," I nod. He looks to Martin and then back to me.
"You sure?"
"Yes, Jack," I laugh softly, heading towards the mirror to see my ghostly reflection but no apparent bruising. I feel over the back of my head and know I'll have a bump there tomorrow though.
"So our suspect took off with Ashley Harris?" He eyes me.
"I was out cold," I answer.
"Then you need to get checked out before going back into the field."
"I wasn't that cold," I laugh and shake my head. "I just didn't see what went down."
"Martin?" Jack eyes him.
"We entered the home when we heard screams from the daughter. The parents were unconscious and the perp took off on foot."
"And you let him leave?"
"Agent Spade was down, sir," Martin answers. "I brushed past her as she was regaining consciousness but failed to see the suspect or the vehicle that was used."
"Just great," Jack lets out an annoyed sigh.
"I'm sure it was Jonathan Matthews."
"Did you get a good look at him?"
"No," Martin responds.
"Then how will you testify that he's the one who kidnapped Lisa and Ashley Harris?" Jack eyes him sternly and Martin doesn't answer right away.
"We'll find him and bring the girls home safely."
"You better hope so," Jack responds dryly and exits out the front door.
"We should try any family Matthews has; maybe they can shine some light on where he would have taken them."
"You're assuming we have the right man," Jack retorts over his shoulder.
"He's never going to forgive me, will he?" Martin mumbles, quiet enough for me to hear.
"Don't sweat it," I smile softly, walking outside and to the car.
"I'm sending Danny and Vivian to speak with the parents. You two go check out his house again. If he's there, interview him."
Martin takes a seat behind the wheel as I slowly step into the passenger side.
"You sure you're ok?"
"A little sore," I answer honestly. "It'll be worse tomorrow."
"Hopefully, we'll have tomorrow off."
"When do we ever?" I point out with a sigh.
"We'll find them," Martin reassures me, backing out of the driveway as I give him directions to Jonathan Matthews' home.
