Chapter 28
Silence reigned inside the car as a silver sedan snaked its way through traffic north of Frederick on I-70. Its occupants had a mission to retrieve formal statements from Annie, Craig, and Danni about the events of the last several days.
By threatening federal agents, coupled with their previous activities, Webster and Gary Clemens would be behind bars for a long time. They had a hard time believing a law enforcement officer would commit the crimes that he did, but after what he'd done to Tara and Myles, they were glad he would finally pay the price.
In the passenger seat, the brown haired agent thought of the events of the last few days. While comfortable that they didn't have a case, their happiness soon turned to worry and then fear and finally anger when they learned of their friends disappearance, accident, and subsequent hostage situation.
A quick glance over at his best friend in the driver's seat confirmed that he too was lost in thought. However, the dark haired agent was reflecting on the conversation he shared with the blonde haired agent in the hospital's I.C.U. waiting room a short time before.
"You don't have a very good track record with women, Myles,"
"And you do?" Myles questioned, causing them both to recall Allie, Rhonda, and some of the other women Jack had casually dated over the years.
"I don't want to see Tara hurt if things don't work out," Jack insisted, trying to change the subject.
"Oh, is that why you haven't done anything about your feelings for Sue?" Myles retorted.
"Sue and I are just friends," Jack maintained. "Besides that has nothing to do with this."
"It doesn't. Let me see…you question about how Tara and I looked at each other, yet you don't think we see the looks flying between you and Sue in the bullpen when you think no one is watching. And what about when Sue disappeared with Malone? You didn't sleep the entire time she was missing and snapped at everyone around. Don't even get me started on the whole serial killer case with Simon. Before you start questioning my motives, you might want to look in the mirror, my friend."
With that, Myles struggled with his hurt arm to try to unlock the wheels on his chair and maneuver towards the elevators. As a Leland, exiting with dignity was paramount, but his injuries hampered his actions.
"Myles wait!" Jack called before he got too far. His hand on the other man's shoulder, he waited for him to look up before continuing. "I'm sorry. That didn't come out the way I meant it. I just don't want to lose either of you – as agents on my team or as friends."
Myles nodded softly, not sure what to say as his anger started to wane and his former uncertainty returned. He didn't want to admit that Jack's questions were the same one's he'd all morning and still hadn't found the answer. Was Tara more than just a friend now? he wondered again. Would she even been interested in someone like me?
"Tara is like a little sister to me and I don't want to see her hurt," Jack warned, his dark eyes very clearly conveying the veiled warning to the other man. "She's not had the best relationships in the past and I certainly don't want her to go through what Lucy did..."
"JACK!" Bobby shouted from the passenger seat breaking him out of his reverie.
"WHAT?" Jack jumped startled, flashing an irritated glance over at the tall Aussie.
"Just wondering if you were with me there, mate?" Bobby grinned at the pink tinge coloring his friend's cheeks.
"Yeah, why?" Jack asked, focusing his attention on the road again wondering where they were.
"Well, I had to call you three times to get your attention," the sly Aussie smirked. "And we just missed our exit back there."
"Are you sure?" Jack questioned, knowing the other man's aversion to maps as he looked out the windshield at the next green Interstate sign for confirmation.
"Ah, I do have the directions Myles gave us," Bobby declared, waving the paper in front of him. "I think I know where we are going," he smiled as Jack glared, turning onto the next exit ramp so they could turn around.
Maybe what Myles said was true, Jack thought as they finally found the correct road. Am I projecting my own emotions into what I see with him and Tara? he wondered. Should I be addressing my own feelings?
Taking a deep breath, Jack glanced over at Bobby before returning his attention to the road. There would be enough time to think about this later, he assured himself.