A/n: For reading purposes, ASL is rendered into regular English grammar for ease in reading (and typing). Any mistakes are entirely mine

Chapter Three

"Oh, my," was her reaction as she rushed to the fallen man. She checked for a pulse and found it to be quite steady. As she reached into her pocket for her blackberry, she was startled when a strong hand gripped her wrist. Both she and Levi turned to see another man kneeling next to them, his finger against his lips. Sue looked at the new stranger and waited for him to speak but his lips never moved.

Quietly she said, "I need to call for help. This man is ill."

The silent man shook his head 'no'.

Beside them, the unconscious man began to stir. He raised his hands to his head. With a groan he sat up, rubbing his eyes. Sue turned to him.

"Sir, are you all right? You passed out."

"Yeah, I...I think I'm okay. How long was I out?" was his reply. He held his hand in front of his face as if he were looking for something. "Why is it so dark in here? Isn't there a full moon tonight?"

The man next to Sue waved a hand in front of the other man's face but he didn't blink.

"Miss? Are you there? I—I don't think I feel too well now. And my eyes don't seem to be working." Frowning, he put his hand tentatively out to feel in front of himself. He made contact with Levi. "Whoa! A dog in a diner. How'd you manage that?"

Sue grabbed his other hand. "Levi is my hearing dog. I'm deaf."

The silent man put his hand on top of Sue's to catch her attention. He moved next to the golden Labrador so he would be in her line of sight along with the other man. 'A-s-l you' he signed.

She signed 'yes' in return even as she spoke it.

"Is there someone else with you, sweetheart?" He began to get up off the floor. The silent man stepped back as the blond FBI analyst helped steady the sightless man. "Thanks, Doll. Name's Wr—Hector." He held out his right hand.

"Sue," was her response as she shook his hand.

"Well, Sue, I'm guessing we're not alone. And I really need to be somewhere out of sight, no pun there."

The silent man pointed to Hector, then himself and nodded.

"He says he knows you."

"Man with a stone face and shades?"

"Yes."

"Yeah, I know the lout. But I need to know if anyone else knows he's here?" He held up a hand to forestall her questions.

"Okay, but you will have to at least explain a little so I can help."

"Deal. But for now you'll have to trust me."

Sue nodded. When he didn't respond, she remembered he couldn't see her and said, "Deal."

The silent man put a hand on Hector's shoulder to let him know he was there. Then he began to 'talk' to Sue.

'A-s-l you. Military?'

"Military?" she asked.

"He means field sign."

"Oh. No, I don't know that but I can catch on."

The silent man nodded. Then 'We go. W hurt. Need to be out of sight. No protection here. Too open. Come with me.'

"I need to call my office to let them know I'll be out."

He shook his head and pointed at the couple across the room. 'They watch him. Will follow. You take W. Call me here.' He spelled out an alphanumeric code. 'Remember, yes?'

Sue swallowed and nodded. The silent man guided her and Hector toward the door. As he pushed the two out, the couple started to leave as well. A tug on Levi's lead caused the dog to turn and the silent man signaled him to growl. The Labrador bared his teeth and growled menacingly as the silent man put his hand in his jacket. The man spat as the woman tried to continue her advance. A slight shift in the silent man's jacket revealed the butt of a handgun. The duo stopped momentarily.

Levi bolted out the door after his mistress when she called for him. She let him into her car and buckled herself in. Next to her, Hector fumbled with the strap. "Here let me."

"I ain't helpless, Dollface," he replied taking the pieces again. Slowing down he managed the buckle then gestured outward. "Let's blow this pop stand."

Sue watched in amusement. She touched his bearded chin and turned it toward her. "Hector, I know you can't see right now but I have to see you in order to see what you are saying."

"Ooops. Sorry." He had the grace to look chagrined. "Let's get to someplace safe. Not your home because it's too dangerous."

"I work for the FBI. I can help you if you let me."

"First, I need to be out of sight, then we'll deal, Sweetheart."

"All right." She backed out and headed toward safety.