Chapter 15

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Jack took the clipping from Jeanne and said, "So in the same newspaper that had Jake's obituary published Martin's baseball victory on the other side. That had to be hard."

"Jake lost it. He and Victor had bonded over having sons the same age who loved baseball. I think that is why he wanted to believe in Victor so badly. He was so certain that Victor would find Chris." Jeanne took back the newspaper clipping and looked at it. "When he saw this he went on and on about how his son was dead and the son of the man he blamed went on to play the game Chris should have. I tried talking to him but it was no use."

As Jeanne put the clipping back in the album Sam asked, "Do you have any idea where Jake could be?"

"No. The last I heard he was still in Arlington working odd jobs where he could find them. But it was pretty unsteady – his drinking usually got in the way of keeping anything long term. He was mostly living off of his retirement pension."

Jack could relate to Jake – and Victor for that matter. He was constantly eaten up by the guilt of never having spent enough time with his daughters. He handed her his card and said, "Please call us if you hear from him."

Jeanne took the card and said, "You still haven't told me what this is all about."

Jack hesitated a moment before deciding that Jeanne should be aware in case Jake does call, "Victor's son, Martin, is missing."

"Oh my God." Jeanne put her hand to her mouth and looked away. "I know Jake was angry but I can't imagine he would ever hurt anyone."

"I hope you're right." Jack replied.

Jack and Sam headed back to the federal building and tossed around ideas on where Jake could be when Jack's cell phone rang, "Malone."

"Jack," Danny began anxiously, "I just talked to the doorman, Charlie, and he said that the other doorman, Joseph, who works the night shift hasn't shown up for work. I'm thinking he had access to Martin's place. Maybe he took a bribe or was an accomplice."

"Hang on," Jack put the cell phone on his shoulder and turned to Sam, "How well do you know Joseph?"

"The doorman at Martin's building?" Sam asked as Jack nodded his head. "Um, I don't know him that well. He wasn't that social, he was an older man and he had only worked there since last March…." Sam thought back and realized he started there shortly after Martin was in the news about the kidnapping. He was around the right age. She mentally tried to remember what he looked like: he was tall, skinny….but his face…. "Wait, where is the picture we have of Jake Miller?"

"In the file." Jack replied and nodded to the folder stuck in between the seat and emergency brake. Sam started searching through it. "Danny, you and Viv go to his apartment and look around. I'll call you right back."

Sam quickly pulled out the photo of Jake and studied it. If Jake Miller had lost some weight and aged nine years since the photo was taken it could very well be him. Sam cursed herself for not noticing it earlier. "Jack, I know where we can find Jake Miller."

"Where?"

Sam held up the photo and replied, "By finding Joseph Merrill."