FBI Headquarters
14 hours missing
Vivian had to wait over half an hour before Van Doren could see her, so by the time she got into her office she was even more irate.
"Agent Johnson, thank you for waiting. Please sit down. Now what can I do for you" Van Doren greeted as unflappable as ever, Vivian sat down opposite Van Doren, her annoyance disappearing.
"It's Jack" Vivian began. Van Doren nodded anticipating what she was going to say.
"Ah. I understand he's been . . assisting on the new case that just came in. If he's not being . . helpful, you can send him home. You would have my full backing."
"I don't want to do that, Jack's an old friend. It's just . . am I still in charge or not? Is he rejoining the unit and if so in what capacity? It's very awkward not knowing" Vivian explained, Van Doren nodded, she'd been afraid of this ever since she'd got her messages that morning. In all honesty nobody knew what to do with Jack's sudden decision to remain in New York, she was meeting with her boss later to discuss the matter, although he probably would have less idea than her for what to do.
"It hasn't been decided yet. However, until the decision is made Jack is on leave. He can help out if he likes, though as I said you can send him home. If you and he both decide that he can continue helping out, treat him as you treat Taylor or Spade. For the moment, you are the boss." Vivian nodded, reading between the lines and wishing somebody would make the decision. All she knew was that whatever happened, it was bound to be uncomfortable and awkward for all concerned.
Demon Disasters
14 hours missing
Martin walked into the hardware area of the Demon Disaster offices. There were at least twenty men in the room, they all had a computer that looked like it would never work again in front of them. Some had individual components out and were doing something with what looked like a needle and a microscope. Martin headed over to the technician that looked like he could be the boss, or at least somebody who knew his way round the place. He was talking to another technician, clearly showing him what to do.
"Excuse me" Martin interrupted, holding his badge up for inspection. "FBI. May I ask you a few questions about Alec Parker" The man turned round and nodded leading the way to a small, gloomy looking office at the edge of the room.
"Mr Douglas said you'd want a word. I'm Pete Brown, chief technician." Pete walked into the room and took the only available chair while Martin fished his notebook out of his jacket pocket.
"Tell me about Alec Parker" Martin began, Pete sighed,
"What do you want to know"
"Work habits. What he said about home. Tell me about him" Martin elaborated.
"He never talked about his wife but he was talking about his kid, Alice. Every little thing that she did he talked about, he was really proud to be a dad. As for work habits, he's always a little late because he drops Alice at school before coming in, the same in the evening, he clocks off a couple of hours early. Must be nice to be the boss huh" Pete laughed"He was always taking long lunches, sometimes he never came back." Martin looked up at that, remembering back to what Jack said about a secret credit card and a possible mistress.
"Do you know where he went for lunch"
"Not for the long lunches, all I know is it wasn't local for them. Other times he ate with me and the lads, we got to the local pub" Pete told him, smiling. Martin nodded and thanked him for his time before leaving. Once outside he pulled out his cell phone and dialled Sam, it would be interesting to know whether the credit card charges were for long lunches.
The Bistro
15 hours missing
Jack and Sam pulled up into one of five parking spaces outside the exclusive looking restaurant, taking the only remaining free space. This place wasn't far from FBI headquarters and if memory served correctly they'd been here once when they were together. The short drive over had been in silence, neither of them knew what to say to the other.
"This was the place he used the credit card the most, if someone's going to remember him it'll be here" Jack commented, more to break the silence than because it was something useful to say. Sam didn't bother replying. They walked into the Bistro, pausing only to take their badges out of their pockets. They walked up to reception, Sam took the lead.
"FBI. Do you recognise this man" Sam produced a photo of Alec Parker, she placed it deliberately down on the desk in front of the waiter.
"Yes" the waiter nodded"He came in here quite often, with a lady friend." Jack and Sam exchanged a glance, they'd hit pay-dirt.
"Can you describe this lady-friend" Jack asked, pulling out his notebook.
"Brown hair, natural I'd say, shoulder length and wavy. Brown eyes. Always dressed casual, yet looked smart. In fact they were in here only a couple of days ago, it was the same as always, loves young dream." The waiters words faded into the background as Jack turned to look at the booth in the corner. Through his eyes Alec Parker and his lady friend appeared. They held hands across the table as Alec talked animatedly, sometimes gesturing with his other hand. They were both smiling, laughing and looking really happy. They disappeared when Jack's attention was turned to San's next question.
"Did this lady friend ever pay" The waiter frowned and pulled a leather bound book out from under the desk, he placed it down on the top of the desk and opened it searching for a page. After a moment he found what he was looking for.
"Yes I thought so." The waiter looked up at Sam"She paid when they were here three weeks ago."
"Credit card" Sam checked, the waiter nodded"I'm going to need to see that receipt."