Samantha Spade POV:
Samantha Spade Residence
March 12, 2004
6:37 a.m.
"Jack?" I feel a warm arm draped along my stomach and a soft breath against my neck. My eyes open, glancing over to see his sleeping face. I eye the clock and let out a soft sigh, knowing I need to get up and ready for work.
As soon as I slip from his embrace, he stirs awake. "Is it time to get up already?" He runs a hand through his hair and lets out a tired yawn.
I head towards the bathroom, glancing back and catching his gaze. "You can stay for breakfast if you want. I think there might even be an outfit of yours in the closet," I tell him.
I run the shower and quickly get washed up and dressed for work. I head into the kitchen, seeing Jack dressed in a fresh change of clothes and making pancakes.
"When I said you could stay for breakfast, I didn't mean you had to make it," I laugh and head towards the fridge to grab some orange juice.
"Thought I'd help," he offers, taking the food off the stove as he finishes up. I head towards the table, take a seat beside him and start eating.
Once we're done, we quickly clear the dishes and grab what we need before driving into work.
I take my own car, careful not to have anyone ask too many questions—we have enough going on as it is. Besides, Jack's picking the girls up tonight and I'll have the night to myself, so we'll need both our cars.
We arrive at the office a few minutes apart and find out our missing person had several deleted e-mails of a threatening nature in regards to some pro- choice demonstrations she attended. Jack assigns me to find out who they're from, while Danny and Martin interrogate two people known to have gone with her.
"Anything?" Vivian approaches me and I feel her eyes over my shoulder.
"The IP address that was logged came through four different addresses. It looks like they knew how to hack into computers."
"What's the farthest back address you have?"
I let out a sigh, skimming the print out. "Upstate New York," I answer. "Give me five minutes and I'll have a more detailed address and a name of who to visit."
Vivian nods and heads back towards her desk. I let out a soft breath, remembering how Kellar called and mentioned he thought he recognized our missing person. If it was she, and she was running—why has she stayed within the city? I shake my head, slightly confused and grab my jacket.
"Ready?" I eye Vivian and she stands up and heads with me towards Jack's office. I slip inside, with Vivian standing outside the door. "We've got a lead we're going to check out."
"Connected to the e-mails?" Jack questions.
I nod my head. "Is Viv going with you?"
"Yes," she answers from the doorway.
I eye Jack intently. Is he questioning my integrity or my ability as an agent in the field? I dismiss the thought and head for the door.
"I'm going to head out a little early this afternoon. Call my cell phone when you guys are done."
"Will do," I answer, as I shut his door and we head for the elevator.
I pull out my keys, unlock the door and slip inside. Vivian takes a seat beside me in the passenger side and glances through the file before promptly shutting it.
I head out of the parking garage and feel her gaze on me.
"Quit staring at me," I laugh softly, trying to break the tension. I know she wants to ask me something, and I can only wonder exactly what it is she wants to know.
"You sure you're all right, Samantha?"
"Fine," I yawn as I turn up the radio and deflect any more of her questions.
*****************
Jack Malone POV:
Jack's Office
March 12, 2004
2:47 p.m.
I grab my keys and glance down at my watch. "Shit," I pull on my jacket, sliding my phone into my pocket as I tear out of the building and down to my car.
I've been waiting around for Sam and Vivian to call and almost forgot to get the girls from school. I have to take Hannah to meet at 4:00 with the child psychiatrist, who is across town.
I slip into my car and make my way towards the girls' school.
Sometime tonight I'll have to inform the girls, along with Maria, that Samantha had a miscarriage. I'm slightly concerned Hannah will be overzealous with joy. If that happens, I don't know what I'm going to do. I can't bring her around Sam then. I let out a sigh, pulling up in front of Hannah and Kate's school.
My cell phone vibrates against my pocket and I slip it out before stepping outside of the car. "Malone."
"We're on our way back to the office." I hear Samantha's voice and let out a soft breath.
"Find anything?"
"We checked the guy out; he has a solid alibi. The thing is, he isn't the only person intent on abducting or possibly killing this woman. She has a lot of enemies—along with all the other women that were involved in the demonstration."
"Danny and Martin are back at the office. Give them a call with the information you found."
"There isn't much," she lets out a sigh. "Are you coming back into the office or—"
"I'm done for the night," I answer, stepping out of the car and walking along the sidewalk. "I've got to get the girls, take Hannah to therapy and then head over to Maria's for their clothes."
"I thought they had stuff at your place."
"It hasn't exactly been washed," I answer with a soft laugh. "Besides, Kate needs to grab her stuffed animal—she won't sleep without it."
"Oh, okay. Well," she pauses, "I guess I'll see you Monday then." She hangs up the phone before I have time to object or, at the very least, say goodbye.
I let out a sigh, slipping my phone into my pocket as I see the girls coming outside.
"Daddy!" Kate exclaims, her eyes wide with delight.
"You remembered," Hannah quips.
"When have I ever forgotten you girls?"
They both exchange glances and shrug.
"Will you take us out for ice cream?" Kate takes my hand, and Hannah walks on the other side of me, as we head for my car.
"Maybe after Hannah's appointment," I remind the girls.
"Do I have to go?" I eye her intently and she whines, "It isn't like I tell her anything anyways."
I open the back door, letting the girls inside before shutting it. Both doors are still child-locked. After the incident with Hannah roughly a month ago, I don't take any chances.
I buckle myself in the front and glance back at the girls before heading towards the psychiatrist's office.
"Are we going to see Samantha again?" Kate eyes me as I glance back in the rearview mirror.
"I don't know," I answer with a sigh. "She's been going through a lot lately."
"Will we see the baby?" Kate chirps with hopeful eyes. "I want to be a big sister," she exclaims with a smile.
I let out a soft sigh, "Samantha had a miscarriage."
"The baby's gone?" Hannah questions softly, her voice betraying no emotion.
"Yes," I answer with a sigh.
"Is Samantha okay?" Kate leans forward, wanting to see my expression, and I try to remain calm.
"I hope so," I respond with a soft breath.
We pull in front and I walk the girls inside. Hannah's incredibly quiet and I honestly have no idea what's running through her mind. Is she happy there won't be a child between us? I can't blame however she's feeling.
Hannah is escorted into the psychiatrist's office while Kate and I sit in the waiting room. I glance through a few magazines while she draws a picture, and I feel my cell phone vibrating.
"I'll be right outside. You wait here," I tell Kate and she nods as I slip outside for some privacy.
"Okay," Kate answers.
"Malone."
"Hey, Jack, I'm sorry to bother you again."
"It's fine," I answer with a smile, glad she called and not someone else. "What is it, Sam?"
"We thought maybe our missing person was trying to escape and that's why she left—to save herself."
"And?"
"Remember the car Kellar mentioned?"
"Yeah," I nod.
"It was found ditched at the airport. They ran prints and some fibers and it matches our missing person."
"That's great! Where is she?"
"We don't know," Samantha answers with a sigh. "She's not on any flight manifests."
"How about a pseudonym?"
"She'd need identification," she points out.
"What do you need from me?" I question, glancing down at my watch and looking through the door to see Kate glancing back towards me before she resumes coloring.
"We wanted to run it by you. We were hoping you'd have a new angle to take with it."
"Does she have a passport?"
I hear her sifting through some papers. "No."
"Credit card receipts?"
"Nothing, Jack," she lets out a sigh. "We've even considered the possibility she ditched the car at the airport and took transportation elsewhere."
"Where to?"
"We don't know," she groans. "That's why we were calling you."
"Nothing new to go on?"
"She's friends with the other demonstrators," Sam pauses. "They've gotten some threatening phone calls and letters. Aside from that, the last call one of the others received was from Janet Murdock, our missing person. She was cut off but kept saying how she was in trouble."
"Did they trace the call?" I question.
"To her cell phone. They weren't able to get anything more out of it."
"Has her cell phone been used since?"
"No," she lets out a sigh.
"Go back to these other demonstrators' homes, talk to them, their friends, their enemies, their neighbors, even family. Maybe they'll come up with something that will help."
"All right. Sorry I interrupted you," she laughs softly, slightly embarrassed. I've rarely seen her act or feel that way.
"Call me if you need anything," I remind her and hang up the phone. I head inside the waiting area and Kate comes over towards me to sit down. She scoots up beside me, and I move my arm behind her so she can scoot closer.
"Do you have to go into work?"
"No," I shake my head. "You girls are staying with me this weekend."
"Will we see Samantha again?"
"Do you want to see her?"
"I don't know," Kate shrugs. "She seemed nice. We were pretty mean to her, though. She probably hates us."
"She doesn't hate you. She's going through a rough time—after losing the baby."
Kate nods her head. "Are you still going to marry her?"
"You like to ask a lot of questions."
"I know," she answers with a smile and a soft laugh before heading over towards the table to draw.
An hour later I hear the door from down the hall open and shut and see Hannah and Dr. Sterling making their way towards me. Hannah's face is fairly red and looks as though she's been crying. She refuses to meet my gaze and I thank the doctor, write out a check and head with the girls to the car.
"Hannah," I hear Kate's voice and wait for the girls to buckle themselves in before heading to Maria's to grab their things. "I made this for you." Kate hands her a picture.
"Thanks," she gives her little sister a brief hug before glancing out the window sadly.
"You all right?" I eye her, feeling overly concerned.
"Fine, Dad."
"Can you turn up the music?" Kate interjects and I let out a soft breath, glancing back at the girls before turning the volume up.
Twenty minutes later, we pull in front of the apartment and I notice Maria's car outside. We head inside the house and I glance around, surprised to see her home already.
"They needed to pick up their clothes," I remind her, standing awkwardly in the living room.
"Jack," she lets out a sigh, and I take a seat waiting for the girls to get done. She eyes me, trying to make small talk or—at the very least—to be polite. "How's Samantha?"
"It's complicated." My eyes meet hers. "She had a miscarriage."
"I'm sorry, Jack."
"Yeah," I nod with a sigh. "Things haven't been easy for us lately."
"Do you want the girls to stay here this weekend, so you can be with her?"
"No," I shake my head. "Thanks though."
"If you need anything," she tries her best to show empathy and I nod appreciatively.
"Ready girls?" I notice them both carrying two small duffel bags and I grab hold of them, heading for the door.
"Are you going to drop them off Sunday night?"
"What's good for you?" I offer, "I can take them into school on Monday if you have to be at the office early."
"You'll have their things, though," she lets out a sigh. "Drop them off Sunday night after dinner."
"Okay," I answer. The girls both give Maria a hug and kiss before heading down to the car.
We head back towards my apartment. "What do you girls want for dinner?"
"I'm not hungry," Hannah whispers.
"What do you want to eat, Kate?"
"Ice cream," she giggles.
"After dinner I'll take you girls to get ice cream."
"Really?" Kate's eyes light up with a smile.
"Any ideas for dinner?" I repeat, glancing towards Hannah and then back towards Kate. They both shrug in response. "Do you want me to make you girls something or do you want to go out to eat?"
"Let's eat at home," Kate answers. "Will Samantha be there?"
"No," I shake my head. "It's just the three of us."
"Are we going to see her this weekend?" Hannah quips.
"Yeah, I want to give her my stuffed animal," Kate adds.
"You do?" I glance back before parking the car. I slip out, opening the door for the girls and then grabbing their bags from the trunk.
"I owe her an apology," Hannah points out with a sigh. I walk with the girls inside my apartment and flip on the lights.
"Why's that?" I glance towards Hannah. Does she really understand what she's done?
"I wished for something awful to happen, and it did." Her eyes meet the floor and she plops onto the couch with a sigh of defeat.
"Hannah?"
"I didn't want her to have the baby. I wanted us to be a family again." Her eyes meet mine and I see tears forming. "I'm so sorry, I had no idea-- "
"Hannah," I head to the sofa, kneeling down to embrace her. "This is not your fault."
"Even if I prayed for it?"
Pours tear from her eyes as she finds her head against my chest. I run my hand along her back to soothe her. "It wasn't your doing."
She nods her head with a sigh, "I still feel awful, though."
"We all do," I whisper.
She finally untangles herself from my hold. "Can we stop by tomorrow?"
"We'll see," I answer with a sigh. "I'm going to start on dinner."
"I'll help," she stands up, following me into the kitchen. I'm completely baffled by her eagerness and sudden maturity. Has going to the psychiatrist really helped or is she doing this so she won't have to go again? Either way, something seems to be helping.
She opens the cabinets and sets the table while I prepare dinner.
Samantha Spade Residence
March 12, 2004
6:37 a.m.
"Jack?" I feel a warm arm draped along my stomach and a soft breath against my neck. My eyes open, glancing over to see his sleeping face. I eye the clock and let out a soft sigh, knowing I need to get up and ready for work.
As soon as I slip from his embrace, he stirs awake. "Is it time to get up already?" He runs a hand through his hair and lets out a tired yawn.
I head towards the bathroom, glancing back and catching his gaze. "You can stay for breakfast if you want. I think there might even be an outfit of yours in the closet," I tell him.
I run the shower and quickly get washed up and dressed for work. I head into the kitchen, seeing Jack dressed in a fresh change of clothes and making pancakes.
"When I said you could stay for breakfast, I didn't mean you had to make it," I laugh and head towards the fridge to grab some orange juice.
"Thought I'd help," he offers, taking the food off the stove as he finishes up. I head towards the table, take a seat beside him and start eating.
Once we're done, we quickly clear the dishes and grab what we need before driving into work.
I take my own car, careful not to have anyone ask too many questions—we have enough going on as it is. Besides, Jack's picking the girls up tonight and I'll have the night to myself, so we'll need both our cars.
We arrive at the office a few minutes apart and find out our missing person had several deleted e-mails of a threatening nature in regards to some pro- choice demonstrations she attended. Jack assigns me to find out who they're from, while Danny and Martin interrogate two people known to have gone with her.
"Anything?" Vivian approaches me and I feel her eyes over my shoulder.
"The IP address that was logged came through four different addresses. It looks like they knew how to hack into computers."
"What's the farthest back address you have?"
I let out a sigh, skimming the print out. "Upstate New York," I answer. "Give me five minutes and I'll have a more detailed address and a name of who to visit."
Vivian nods and heads back towards her desk. I let out a soft breath, remembering how Kellar called and mentioned he thought he recognized our missing person. If it was she, and she was running—why has she stayed within the city? I shake my head, slightly confused and grab my jacket.
"Ready?" I eye Vivian and she stands up and heads with me towards Jack's office. I slip inside, with Vivian standing outside the door. "We've got a lead we're going to check out."
"Connected to the e-mails?" Jack questions.
I nod my head. "Is Viv going with you?"
"Yes," she answers from the doorway.
I eye Jack intently. Is he questioning my integrity or my ability as an agent in the field? I dismiss the thought and head for the door.
"I'm going to head out a little early this afternoon. Call my cell phone when you guys are done."
"Will do," I answer, as I shut his door and we head for the elevator.
I pull out my keys, unlock the door and slip inside. Vivian takes a seat beside me in the passenger side and glances through the file before promptly shutting it.
I head out of the parking garage and feel her gaze on me.
"Quit staring at me," I laugh softly, trying to break the tension. I know she wants to ask me something, and I can only wonder exactly what it is she wants to know.
"You sure you're all right, Samantha?"
"Fine," I yawn as I turn up the radio and deflect any more of her questions.
*****************
Jack Malone POV:
Jack's Office
March 12, 2004
2:47 p.m.
I grab my keys and glance down at my watch. "Shit," I pull on my jacket, sliding my phone into my pocket as I tear out of the building and down to my car.
I've been waiting around for Sam and Vivian to call and almost forgot to get the girls from school. I have to take Hannah to meet at 4:00 with the child psychiatrist, who is across town.
I slip into my car and make my way towards the girls' school.
Sometime tonight I'll have to inform the girls, along with Maria, that Samantha had a miscarriage. I'm slightly concerned Hannah will be overzealous with joy. If that happens, I don't know what I'm going to do. I can't bring her around Sam then. I let out a sigh, pulling up in front of Hannah and Kate's school.
My cell phone vibrates against my pocket and I slip it out before stepping outside of the car. "Malone."
"We're on our way back to the office." I hear Samantha's voice and let out a soft breath.
"Find anything?"
"We checked the guy out; he has a solid alibi. The thing is, he isn't the only person intent on abducting or possibly killing this woman. She has a lot of enemies—along with all the other women that were involved in the demonstration."
"Danny and Martin are back at the office. Give them a call with the information you found."
"There isn't much," she lets out a sigh. "Are you coming back into the office or—"
"I'm done for the night," I answer, stepping out of the car and walking along the sidewalk. "I've got to get the girls, take Hannah to therapy and then head over to Maria's for their clothes."
"I thought they had stuff at your place."
"It hasn't exactly been washed," I answer with a soft laugh. "Besides, Kate needs to grab her stuffed animal—she won't sleep without it."
"Oh, okay. Well," she pauses, "I guess I'll see you Monday then." She hangs up the phone before I have time to object or, at the very least, say goodbye.
I let out a sigh, slipping my phone into my pocket as I see the girls coming outside.
"Daddy!" Kate exclaims, her eyes wide with delight.
"You remembered," Hannah quips.
"When have I ever forgotten you girls?"
They both exchange glances and shrug.
"Will you take us out for ice cream?" Kate takes my hand, and Hannah walks on the other side of me, as we head for my car.
"Maybe after Hannah's appointment," I remind the girls.
"Do I have to go?" I eye her intently and she whines, "It isn't like I tell her anything anyways."
I open the back door, letting the girls inside before shutting it. Both doors are still child-locked. After the incident with Hannah roughly a month ago, I don't take any chances.
I buckle myself in the front and glance back at the girls before heading towards the psychiatrist's office.
"Are we going to see Samantha again?" Kate eyes me as I glance back in the rearview mirror.
"I don't know," I answer with a sigh. "She's been going through a lot lately."
"Will we see the baby?" Kate chirps with hopeful eyes. "I want to be a big sister," she exclaims with a smile.
I let out a soft sigh, "Samantha had a miscarriage."
"The baby's gone?" Hannah questions softly, her voice betraying no emotion.
"Yes," I answer with a sigh.
"Is Samantha okay?" Kate leans forward, wanting to see my expression, and I try to remain calm.
"I hope so," I respond with a soft breath.
We pull in front and I walk the girls inside. Hannah's incredibly quiet and I honestly have no idea what's running through her mind. Is she happy there won't be a child between us? I can't blame however she's feeling.
Hannah is escorted into the psychiatrist's office while Kate and I sit in the waiting room. I glance through a few magazines while she draws a picture, and I feel my cell phone vibrating.
"I'll be right outside. You wait here," I tell Kate and she nods as I slip outside for some privacy.
"Okay," Kate answers.
"Malone."
"Hey, Jack, I'm sorry to bother you again."
"It's fine," I answer with a smile, glad she called and not someone else. "What is it, Sam?"
"We thought maybe our missing person was trying to escape and that's why she left—to save herself."
"And?"
"Remember the car Kellar mentioned?"
"Yeah," I nod.
"It was found ditched at the airport. They ran prints and some fibers and it matches our missing person."
"That's great! Where is she?"
"We don't know," Samantha answers with a sigh. "She's not on any flight manifests."
"How about a pseudonym?"
"She'd need identification," she points out.
"What do you need from me?" I question, glancing down at my watch and looking through the door to see Kate glancing back towards me before she resumes coloring.
"We wanted to run it by you. We were hoping you'd have a new angle to take with it."
"Does she have a passport?"
I hear her sifting through some papers. "No."
"Credit card receipts?"
"Nothing, Jack," she lets out a sigh. "We've even considered the possibility she ditched the car at the airport and took transportation elsewhere."
"Where to?"
"We don't know," she groans. "That's why we were calling you."
"Nothing new to go on?"
"She's friends with the other demonstrators," Sam pauses. "They've gotten some threatening phone calls and letters. Aside from that, the last call one of the others received was from Janet Murdock, our missing person. She was cut off but kept saying how she was in trouble."
"Did they trace the call?" I question.
"To her cell phone. They weren't able to get anything more out of it."
"Has her cell phone been used since?"
"No," she lets out a sigh.
"Go back to these other demonstrators' homes, talk to them, their friends, their enemies, their neighbors, even family. Maybe they'll come up with something that will help."
"All right. Sorry I interrupted you," she laughs softly, slightly embarrassed. I've rarely seen her act or feel that way.
"Call me if you need anything," I remind her and hang up the phone. I head inside the waiting area and Kate comes over towards me to sit down. She scoots up beside me, and I move my arm behind her so she can scoot closer.
"Do you have to go into work?"
"No," I shake my head. "You girls are staying with me this weekend."
"Will we see Samantha again?"
"Do you want to see her?"
"I don't know," Kate shrugs. "She seemed nice. We were pretty mean to her, though. She probably hates us."
"She doesn't hate you. She's going through a rough time—after losing the baby."
Kate nods her head. "Are you still going to marry her?"
"You like to ask a lot of questions."
"I know," she answers with a smile and a soft laugh before heading over towards the table to draw.
An hour later I hear the door from down the hall open and shut and see Hannah and Dr. Sterling making their way towards me. Hannah's face is fairly red and looks as though she's been crying. She refuses to meet my gaze and I thank the doctor, write out a check and head with the girls to the car.
"Hannah," I hear Kate's voice and wait for the girls to buckle themselves in before heading to Maria's to grab their things. "I made this for you." Kate hands her a picture.
"Thanks," she gives her little sister a brief hug before glancing out the window sadly.
"You all right?" I eye her, feeling overly concerned.
"Fine, Dad."
"Can you turn up the music?" Kate interjects and I let out a soft breath, glancing back at the girls before turning the volume up.
Twenty minutes later, we pull in front of the apartment and I notice Maria's car outside. We head inside the house and I glance around, surprised to see her home already.
"They needed to pick up their clothes," I remind her, standing awkwardly in the living room.
"Jack," she lets out a sigh, and I take a seat waiting for the girls to get done. She eyes me, trying to make small talk or—at the very least—to be polite. "How's Samantha?"
"It's complicated." My eyes meet hers. "She had a miscarriage."
"I'm sorry, Jack."
"Yeah," I nod with a sigh. "Things haven't been easy for us lately."
"Do you want the girls to stay here this weekend, so you can be with her?"
"No," I shake my head. "Thanks though."
"If you need anything," she tries her best to show empathy and I nod appreciatively.
"Ready girls?" I notice them both carrying two small duffel bags and I grab hold of them, heading for the door.
"Are you going to drop them off Sunday night?"
"What's good for you?" I offer, "I can take them into school on Monday if you have to be at the office early."
"You'll have their things, though," she lets out a sigh. "Drop them off Sunday night after dinner."
"Okay," I answer. The girls both give Maria a hug and kiss before heading down to the car.
We head back towards my apartment. "What do you girls want for dinner?"
"I'm not hungry," Hannah whispers.
"What do you want to eat, Kate?"
"Ice cream," she giggles.
"After dinner I'll take you girls to get ice cream."
"Really?" Kate's eyes light up with a smile.
"Any ideas for dinner?" I repeat, glancing towards Hannah and then back towards Kate. They both shrug in response. "Do you want me to make you girls something or do you want to go out to eat?"
"Let's eat at home," Kate answers. "Will Samantha be there?"
"No," I shake my head. "It's just the three of us."
"Are we going to see her this weekend?" Hannah quips.
"Yeah, I want to give her my stuffed animal," Kate adds.
"You do?" I glance back before parking the car. I slip out, opening the door for the girls and then grabbing their bags from the trunk.
"I owe her an apology," Hannah points out with a sigh. I walk with the girls inside my apartment and flip on the lights.
"Why's that?" I glance towards Hannah. Does she really understand what she's done?
"I wished for something awful to happen, and it did." Her eyes meet the floor and she plops onto the couch with a sigh of defeat.
"Hannah?"
"I didn't want her to have the baby. I wanted us to be a family again." Her eyes meet mine and I see tears forming. "I'm so sorry, I had no idea-- "
"Hannah," I head to the sofa, kneeling down to embrace her. "This is not your fault."
"Even if I prayed for it?"
Pours tear from her eyes as she finds her head against my chest. I run my hand along her back to soothe her. "It wasn't your doing."
She nods her head with a sigh, "I still feel awful, though."
"We all do," I whisper.
She finally untangles herself from my hold. "Can we stop by tomorrow?"
"We'll see," I answer with a sigh. "I'm going to start on dinner."
"I'll help," she stands up, following me into the kitchen. I'm completely baffled by her eagerness and sudden maturity. Has going to the psychiatrist really helped or is she doing this so she won't have to go again? Either way, something seems to be helping.
She opens the cabinets and sets the table while I prepare dinner.