Chapter Three - Memories

F.B.I. Headquarters: Missing Persons Division

There was never much down time in the Missing Person's Divison so when there actually were a few spare moments, most of the agents didn't really know what to do. Of course, there were always files to organize and paperwork to do. But on this particular afternoon, nothing seemed to be too urgent. There were no open case files and Agent Danny Taylor was walking around the building aimlessly.

He came back into the familiar surroundings of the bullpen and saw that his co-workers Samantha Spade, Martin Fitzgerald, and Vivian Johnson were all huddled over Samantha's desk looking at something. Joining the party, Danny asked, "What's up?"

Martin grinned and said, "The latest edition of The Enquirer found it's way into the lounge. And this issue makes for some interesting reading."

Danny shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe you guys actually read that trash."

Danny began to walk away when Sam said, "I usually don't, but I am such a big fan of Kassia James' that I had to see these pictures for myself."

He stopped dead in his tracks. Kassia James. Jimmy. Simply hearing her name could cause his blood pressure to raise several degrees. Pasting on a look of casual aloofness, Danny turned around. "What pictures?" He asked.

"Nudes." Vivian and Samantha replied at the same time and then laughed at each other.

"What?" Danny was shocked as he headed over to Sam's desk. He looked down at the open magazine on her desk and couldn't believe what he was seeing. His Kassia. His pictures. In a magazine. What had she done?

"God, she's in great shape." Vivian mused with a smile. "Look at those legs."

"And those abs. God!" Samantha joined in. "But she looks so young. These can't be current pictures. The hair is all wrong."

"I thought her career is going so well. Why would she need to pose for sexy pictures?" Martin asked. "She certainly doesn't need the publicity."

"Her career is soaring." Sam answered. "She's the biggest thing in Hollywood right now. She's got an Oscar and several Golden Globes on her shelf and scripts from the biggest directors on the planet for a little light reading."

"This is The Enquirer, remember." Vivian said. "They could be doctored photos. You know, her head on someone else's body." She looked down at the pictures again and shook her head. "Although, usually you can see where they cut and pasted the pictures. These look real."

"They are." Danny said suddenly. The conversation between his co-workers seemed to be going on over his head and he barely heard any of it. So, he was surprised to hear his own voice.

The other three turned to look at him and Danny had to back track fast. "I mean, they look real. Viv's right...they don't seem to have been doctored."

"Stop drooling, loverboy." Vivian teased, looking at Danny like she didn't quite believe him. "They've blocked out her most private areas..."

"But definitely left enough for the imagination." Martin grinned, prompting Sam to smack him.

Vivian looked down at the magazine again. "They're good photos, actually. I mean, not sleazy at all. She looks beautiful in them."

"She looks like she's in love." Sam mused. "I bet the photographer was some secret lover and he took those pictures as a romantic gesture. I mean, look at her. She just oozes happiness."

"But then why would she sell them to a sleazy tabloid?" Martin wanted to know.

"Maybe he sold them. I mean, Kassia James is too classy to ever use something like this to further her career. And she doesn't need to. But maybe she went through a messy break up." Sam mused, cocking her head to one side as she played the story out in her head. "She keeps a tight lid on her personal life, so no one really knows who she's dating."

"She just moved to New York. Maybe to get away from the guy after things went bad?" Vivian joined in.

"And he sold the pictures to get back at her for breaking his heart." Samantha concluded, grinning at Vivian.

"You make it sound like you know this woman." Martin teased the two women he worked with. They were usually so level headed and practical. It was almost comical that a movie star they had never met could make them behave so dreamy and silly.

"I've seen every interview she's ever given and I would like to know her. And there never seems to be anything bad written about her, which is why these photos are such a big deal." Sam said. "She seems so down to earth, not stuck up. I think she's fabulous..."

"I have to make a phone call." Danny said suddenly, turning and leaving the group.

Martin, Sam and Viv watched him walk away and then turned to look at each other. "What's with him?" Martin wanted to know.