Disclaimer: still don't own it.
……………………
Samantha was talking to the desk clerk of the motel.
"Can you tell me anything about how Mrs Malone was acting? Was she angry? Upset? Scared?"
"She was scared," he said. "And upset. I think she'd been crying, but I couldn't really tell because of the black eye."
"The what?"
"The black eye. Looked like somebody socked her pretty bad."
"Which eye was it on?"
"Left one, I think."
"Did she say anything about being attacked or having a fight with someone?"
"No. all she said was she needed a room for her and her kids, she didn't want to give her name, and then paid in cash. She was real nervous though. Kept looking behind her, like she thought someone was following her."
"Okay. Thanks for your help."
Samantha put her notebook away and went back to her car.
She was not looking forward to sharing this information.
……………………
Paula Van Doren walked over to Vivian.
"Hey, Viv. Where's Jack?"
"In his office."
"How is he?"
"How do you think?
Van Doren walked over to Jack's office, bracing herself before entering. Jack was on the couch with Kate and Hannah, trying to keep them occupied while the team searched for their mother.
"Hi, Jack. Can I talk to you? Outside."
Jack told the girls that he would just be a minute and followed Van Doren out into the corridor.
"What is it?"
"Jack, I know this is a hard time for you. But I have to inform you that, in keeping with FBI protocol, I have to remove you and your team from this case."
"No."
"You know the rules, you aren't supposed to be on the case if it's a family member."
"Screw the rules Paula. I want my team on this. I'll sit back and let them do it alone, fine. Viv can take over as team leader. But I want them to be the ones out looking for her. I trust them. I trust only them, to bring her back to me."
"The rest of the agents are just as good and dedicated."
"I have worked with you for years. Followed protocol to the letter, all along the way and now I want you to bend the rules a little, just this once, and you won't budge an inch? Not really fair is it?"
"Fine. Have it your way. But if I think that personal feelings are getting in the way then your team will be off the case so fast that it will make your head spin. Got it?"
"Got it."
……………………
Samantha entered the office and motioned Viv to one side, away from Danny and Martin.
"I talked to the desk clerk at the motel. He said Maria had a black eye."
"What?"
"A black eye. He also said she was upset and scared and looked like she thought someone was following her."
"Who else have you told about this?"
"No-one."
"Good. We'll tell Danny and Martin. But, at least for now, we don't tell Jack. He's got enough to deal with."
"Okay."
……………………
Van Doren called Viv, Danny, Martin and Samantha together.
"I just spoke to Jack. As you all know, I'm sure, procedure dictates that as it is Jack's wife that is missing, you should not be the team to work this case."
"You can't be serious?" Martin questioned.
"However, we have decided that Jack is stepping down as team leader, just for this investigation, and Agent Johnson is in charge."
"Me? Why me?"
"Jack trusts you. He trusts you all. He said you were the only team he trusted to find her. So, as of now, Vivian is the boss and Jack is just another man whose wife has gone missing. But the case WILL be reassigned if the lines between professional and personal get blurred."
Van Doren walked away, leaving the team shocked.
……………………
Jack returned to the office, having dropped the girls off at Maria's sister's house. Danny was shocked to see him.
"Jack, what are you doing here? I thought you went home."
"Just cause I'm not on the case doesn't mean I can't hang around. Any leads?"
"Nothing yet. You should go home. We got everything under control."
"I want to stay here. Where is everyone?"
"Vivian's at Maria's firm, talking to her colleagues and Sam and Martin went to your building to see if any of your neighbours have seen her. How are the girls?"
"Worried. They're pretty confused."
"And how are you?"
"Pretty much the same."
"You sure you don't want to be with them? We'll call you if anything turns up."
"I don't think I can face them. It's my job to find people and I can't find their mother."
Danny's mobile rang. He was thankful. He didn't know what to say to Jack.
"Danny Taylor."
"It's Viv. Where are you?"
"At the office."
"Is Jack back yet?"
"Yeah, why?"
"If he's within earshot, walk away from him."
"Okay. Hold on."
Danny stood up and did as he was told. Jack didn't notice. He was too busy staring at the picture of his wife on the board.
When he was out in the corridor, Danny stopped.
"Okay, Viv. What is it?"
"The police found Maria's car. It was left at the side of the road."
"Any sign of a struggle?"
"I don't know. I'm gonna head over. Meet me down there."
"Okay. Gimme the location."
Viv told him and he went back to his desk. He picked up his jacket and went to walk away.
"Where you going?" Jack asked stopping him in his tracks. "Did a lead come in?"
"Erm, that was Viv. She needs me to go get her. Her car won't start."
Danny hurriedly left the office before Jack could question him further. He hated lying to him, his boss and his friend, but it was important that Jack didn't get in the way.