Chapter 2

xxxxxxxxxx

"Come on!" Danny growled in frustration. New York City traffic didn't seem to be in a rush to get anywhere. He exhaled loudly and honked the car's horn again.

"Please stop that." Sam asked, pinching her forehead with her fingers. She had been fighting back a headache from the moment the seminar began this morning until it finally ended thirty minutes ago. It's an ironic thing that spending eight straight hours in a crowded ballroom participating in workshops about 'team building' actually makes one want to strangle members of their team. Thankfully it was over because all she wanted to do was take a nice long hot bath and go to bed.

"Sorry, I just want to get home already. I don't understand why we had to take this seminar." Danny lamented as he turned around and looked at the man in the backseat. "What happened, Jack? You can usually get us out of these things."

"Van Doren caught on to us. We are the only team that has not attended a work shop in four years." Jack shifted in his seat to adjust for his knee that was feeling stiff because of the rain. "Just be thankful it's over and we don't have to worry about this again until next year."

"I didn't mind it." Viv chimed in from the other side of the backseat. "It was kind of a nice change of pace." The three other agents all turned and looked at Vivian in disbelief. "What? I didn't."

"You are one disturbed woman Vivian Johnson." Danny muttered before turning back around to look out the windshield as the wipers swished back and forth. It had started raining this morning and showed no signs of letting up. "Maybe I should have followed Martin's lead and called in sick. Then I could have stayed home and watched TV all day."

"Oh, yeah, I'm sure Martin is having a great time at home with the flu." Viv replied sarcastically.

"Whatever. I'm pretty sure he's faking it." Danny joked as he tossed a quick glance at Sam.

Sam sighed, sunk herself lower into the seat and gazed out the window. Whenever Martin's name came into the discussion she could feel everyone's eyes on her trying to gauge her reaction. They knew that she and Martin had broken up a few weeks ago but that the topic was still considered taboo. They didn't ask her what had happened and she was not about to volunteer details. And judging by their curiosity, Martin hadn't either.

Jack's cell phone rang and he pulled it out of his jacket pocket answering, "Malone. What's going on? He called in sick. Yesterday. I'm on the road. About two blocks. What's this about? I see. I'll go right now and get back to you." Jack clicked off his phone and said, "Danny, turn left at the light. Let's go pay Martin a visit."

Danny looked at Jack curiously but did as he was told and clicked on his blinker. He glanced in his rearview mirror and asked, "What's up Jack?"

"I'm sure it's nothing but Victor wants us to check up on Martin." Jack replied as he looked pensively out the window.

"Is Daddy worried about his little boy?" Danny smirked as he looked over at Jack.

Ignoring Danny's comment, Sam turned around so she could look directly at Jack. "Why is Victor calling you about Martin?"

Jack cleared his throat and replied, "He said Martin's not answering his phone. He's probably just asleep. I'm sure it's nothing but since we are in the neighborhood we might as well check up on him."

Sam narrowed her eyes not believing him but turned back around in her seat just the same. She rubbed her temples as the headache's intensity increased.

The car ride to Martin's building was virtually silent beyond the sound of rain and traffic. Danny parked the car in the loading zone in front of the building. They all knew that it was an abuse of their federal plates but considering the rain and lack of on-street parking, they over looked it.

The team hurried into the building and shook off the rain as they entered the lobby with its mahogany wood walls and marble floor. It was an upscale apartment building on the upper west side. The first time Sam came to his place she asked him about it and he explained that he was subletting it from a college friend. She knew that the rent still had to be high but knowing who his father was she assumed that Martin probably had some family money to cover expenses.

"Good Evening." Charlie, the doorman greeted. He reminded Sam of Kenny Rogers with his gray hair, full beard and big belly while Martin said he thought he looked more like Santa Clause. Charlie looked directly at Sam and smiled as he said, "Ms. Spade, it's nice to see you again."

Sam could feel all eyes on her upon hearing Charlie's comment but she refused to meet their looks and replied, "It's good to see you too, Charlie." She turned to the others and made introductions.

Charlie greeted everyone before looking back at Sam and saying, "I'm sure Mr. Fitzgerald will be happy to see you. He's been cooped up in his apartment for several days and could use the company," He smiled at Sam as if she were here for what was once a regular social call.

She gave him a tight smile, nodded her head and turned and headed to the elevator as the others thanked Charlie and came to stand alongside her. She kept her eyes on the elevator doors and hurried inside the moment they slid open.

Once they all boarded she thought she was in the clear when Danny softly asked, "So, Ms. Spade, on which floor does Mr. Fitzgerald live?"

Sam rolled her eyes and leaned over to press the button for the fifteenth floor.