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An Up Note Chapter 3: Remembering
Jack tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for the elevator doors to open. He stepped out and began to search for Samantha. He found her in the bullpen, obviously frustrated with her computer.
"Hey," he greeted.
"Yeah. So, we gonna tell the families?" she questioned, never one for small-talk.
"I don't see how we can put it off any longer."
"I called Danny's brother. He and Sylvia are on there way up here."
"And Martin's father?"
"Ha," Sam said with a slight smirk, "I was waiting for you."
"Oh, well thank you," Jack replied sarcastically as he took a seat at the conference table.
"Why didn't Van Doren call Victor when she first got the call?"
"I don't know, I guess she thought he would take it better coming from Martin's team. Of course it could be the same reason you and I are dreading it."
"Good point."
"So what are you working on?" Jack inquired, nodding towards her computer.
"I don't know. I was trying to find some information, somewhere, anywhere, that would make this all make sense. You know background on the conflict in Makeba, the country's ties with organizations and other countries. Did we find any pictures of the gunmen?"
"They are still going through security videos."
"Oh."
The look in Sam's eyes made Jack lean over and take her hand.
"Sam."
She looked up into his eyes.
"We'll find them."
"Jack, we don't even know if they are still alive. The picture on Danny's phone doesn't prove anything." A lone tear traced a path down her cheek.
"Remember the Colleen case?"
"How could I forget?" Her hand impulsively let go of his and covered the side of her face, where bruises once were.
"Everyone else had almost given up because the case had grown cold, but you didn't. Martin was right there with you, pressing on, going through old cases and you got somewhere. I've never seen Martin give up. Neither have I ever seen Danny give up. They will fight."
Samantha remained silent, remembering past cases, remembering just the pleasure of working with the men.
"Now, we need to get to work. Are you gonna be okay to do this?"
"Yes." She turned back to her computer and continued searching. The phone next to her computer began to ring.
"Spade," she answered, hoping for information.
"A Rafael and Sylvia are here to speak to you," the receptionist informed.
"Oh," a feeling of dread came over Sam, "Um, send them up."
She turned to Jack and answered his inquiring look with, "Danny's brother is here."
Jack stood up as Rafael entered the room with his girlfriend. After exchanging handshakes, the four sat down.
"So, what's going on?" Rafael asked, clearly dreading what was to come.
Jack and Sam exchanged glances before Sam decided to be the one to break the news.
She cleared her throat and began, "About two and a half hours ago, Danny left this office with another agent, Martin Fitzgerald, to take a man to prison. N.Y.P.D. responded to reports of heavy gunfire," she paused, a million thoughts battling through her mind, "When they arrived, Martin's car was left. It was cover with bullet holes and blood was splattered in the front seat."
"What are you saying? My brother is dead?" Rafael interrupted.
"Danny is missing. His phone was left in the car with this picture on it."
Jack took out the photo from the file in front of him and slid it across the table. The photo would be forever burned in their memories.
"I'm sorry," Jack said, his expression pained. "This is the only proof we have that they are alive, but we have many agents working this case. It is top priority and we will do everything to bring our agents back."
Rafael didn't hear anything the agent across from him was saying. The photo trembled in his hands as he stared at his brother. Pale skinned and covered in blood were the missing agents, both cuffed and blindfolded and losing too much blood.
Sam regretted having to show him the picture, knowing that his reaction must be worse than her's was.
"Holy," Rafael began, but was unable to complete. His brother, who had just saved him, could now be dead. "Danny," he whispered.
Sylvia reached over and pulled him into her arms, tears streaming down her face. He looked across the table and could tell that the agents were struggling to keep their eyes dry.
The group stood up and Jack and Sam showed them to the waiting area. As the agents returned to the bullpen, Sam asked, "Does Vivian know?"
Jack sighed then answered, "No. When I left, she was still in recovery. Should we tell her?"
"I don't know. She would be pissed if we didn't, but we should probably get clearance from her doctors. I hope this does mess up her heart again."
"Yeah, let's just take this one step at a time. First, we need to tell Victor."