Chapter 3
Jack and Sue rode in silence, each nervous for their new assignment for many of the same reasons. Levi was perched in the backseat chewing on his bunny, oblivious of the fact that they were going on a twelve hour car ride.
JACK thinking: This guy could be dangerous. He lost his sister to a serial killer and has been holed up in a hidden cabin. This sounds dangerous and I really don't want Sue to come along. Steven Malcolm could get angry if we are prying and if he retaliates…..we need to be prepared.
SUE thinking: I feel so bad for Steven Malcolm. If one of my brothers was killed…I don't know how I would cope. I wonder how well he is going to deal with us prying in to his private feelings.
JACK: Sue.
Jack tapped her shoulder and Sue turned to look at him. He was driving, so she could only see the profile of his face, but that was enough to read his lips.
JACK: We need to come up with a story. Garret said our names are…
He handed her a fake ID from the front pocket of his coat and she read the name, puzzled and slightly amused. The FBI certainly had a sense of humor.
SUE: Carly Simon? Does Garret know that this person already exists?
Sue tried not to laugh as she spoke, but it was hard. Who knew that the FBI could be so unprofessional? Not only did the Bureau give her an already used ID, but it belonged to a famous singer.
JACK: Yeah, this was the only one Randy would let us use at such short notice. Some obsessed fan or something…..
He shrugged his shoulders slightly as he drove, glancing at her from the corner of his eye to make sure she saw his reaction. Sure, it was a little unconventional, but it's not like this guy is connected to the outside world.
SUE: Who are you? And what about Levi? Can we bring him along with us? We kind of have to at this point, but I don't want to jeopardize the case.
JACK: Garret didn't say anything about Levi, so as far as I know it's safe to bring him. My name is…
He fished around in his pocket, trying to keep one eye on the road as he tried to locate his ID. Finally finding it, he opened it just enough to see the name.
Jack: I am…Roger Simon.
SUE: Looks like Garret married us again.
Her voice was deliberately flat of any emotion, whilst her heart was beating faster and her mind was whirring at 100 miles an hour.
Sue thinking: Married to Jack again…I don't think I could handle it. The first time, it was hard enough not making any time of romantic gestures on such close quarters for such a long time. I honestly don't think I can do it again. I just…love him too much to have to pretend we are together.
The car fell silent, and Levi barked as if he could feel the tension, too. Jack was anxious to bring her out of her thoughts, because as nervous as he was playing her husband again, he was excited, too. Being that close and intimate with Sue, even if it was for an assignment, was a treat that didn't come often.
JACK: Oh, I almost forgot. Here, if we are going to be married we need these.
Sue watched Jack open his glove box and take out a long glasses case that was shoved in the back, almost as if it was being concealed. Jack handed her the case as he shifted his attention back to the road.
JACK: The first bag inside, open it.
Sue opened the case and took out a small, white jewelry bag of soft leather. Inside was their wedding rings, her engagement ring too, from the Areef Dessah case.
SUE: I can't believe you kept these!
Her voice was fully of awe and emotion, raw pleasure and, if he had looked deep enough, love. Sue looked at him, confused and touched. She had wanted to buy the rings, had seriously thought about it, but had decided against it. She was glad she hadn't bought them, because he had! She felt elated at this new discovery, but bit her lip and tried to act unaffected.
JACK : Well-I…"
Jack had bought the rings because it was as close to together he and Sue had ever gotten, and it wasn't something he wanted to forget. It was something he wanted to strive for. But how was he going to explain those rings without letting it slip that he loved her, and wanted anything that could remind him of her nearby?
His response was to turn bright red. Sue laughed, relieving the built-up emotions for both of them.
SUE: Here, give me your hand.
Jack shifted so he was driving with his right hand and held out his left, trying not to look anywhere but the road. Those rings brought up too many questions that he wasn't sure he could answer just yet
She slipped on his ring and then hers, trying to ignore the questions that have been budding ever since she found out they were going to be "married" again. Trying to ignore the spark that had played across her skin when she had touched his hand.
Jack, feeling those sparks too, tried desperately to change the subject to something they both were more willing to discuss.
JACK: Garret said that we had to pretend to be lost hikers in order for Steven Malcolm to feel unthreatened. We are hiking and got lost, saw his cabin, and went inside for directions. Hopefully he will let us stay a little.
SUE: How are we going to ask him about Slicker? Most people wouldn't be connecting the dots from the previous cases to this new murder.
JACK: We are just going to have to wing it and hope he doesn't see through us. If he does…I honestly don't think he will attack us, but Garret did say to be careful. Slicker and the FBI caused him and his family a lot of pain.
SUE: Basically, keep our cover and stay low profile or who knows how far out this guy could go.