Chapter 27

The bullpen was buzzing was activity as they were getting closer to their target. Carrie Peters had moved her team over to review the latest from SOG on the suspects. Files and folders were scattered everywhere as the agents tried to pin down the newest overnight developments.

Bobby towered over Carrie's petite frame as they considered the pictures taped to the whiteboard. Mike Grail leaned over D's shoulder to look at a folder as they discussed some recent evidence. Myles passed some papers to Dale Newman, who sat at Bobby's desk, neither of them saying a word. The two computer specialists, Tara and Katherine Grissom, were typing feverishly on their respective laptops, each with a mission to accomplish.

"Bobby, line two," Lucy called from her desk, having picked it up on the first ring. "It's Darcy. She says it's important, and she sounded worried," she told him when he turned around from the board. The Aussie strode quickly to his desk, snatching up the phone, and after listening for a brief moment, Bobby asked Tara to turn on the TV. The concern in his voice had everyone moving towards the screen as the newscaster began talking with the caption 'Small Town Robbery Thwarted' below her.

"In a Channel 9 News exclusive, the quiet town of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia was shattered by gunfire yesterday during their annual Apple Butter Festival, when two armed men attempted to rob the local bank. Thanks to the heroics of a vacationing F.B.I agent shown here on amateur home video with his wife…" The scene shifted to a shaky view of Jack and Sue sitting on the ground surrounded by a crowd of people.

"Wife? Did I miss something again?" Myles muttered, earning a reproaching glare from the others. Seeing the blood on Sue's coat, Lucy gasped and D put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"One gunman received a minor wound from the unknown agent after shooting a deputy, but no other bystanders were hurt," the newscaster continued and Lucy visibly relaxed. "While Channel 9 was unable to reach the agent for comment, the local sheriff stated that they were very lucky he choose to spend his vacation in the town…" Tara flipped off the TV as everyone looked around solemnly.

"If we're seeing this…" Dale started worriedly, his hands jammed in his pockets.

"Then the stalker probably knows where Sue and Jack are," Ted Garrett bellowed from the doorway, having seen the newscast. "Get them out of there. Set them up in a new location. NOW!" he ordered, turning and stalking back out as quietly as he arrived.

"Man, that Sparky…even on vacation he still plays the hero," Bobby grumbled to no one in particular as he made is way back to his desk. Picking up the phone, he dialed the cabin's number, his worry turning into fear as the phone continued to ring and ring and ring.

"Carrie, there's no answer at the cabin!" Bobby shouted, slamming the receiver down so hard it made the others jump. They've got to be alright! he cried to himself, panic setting in. It had already been more than twelve hours, almost twenty four. He didn't want to image what could have happened if the stalker found them first. Grabbing his coat, Bobby was out the door while Carrie barked orders to the others.

"Myles, Dale come with us," she directed, snatching her jacket as she spoke. "D, call the Martinsburg office, see if they can get someone out there now. Tara, continue to try the cabin." At the door, she turned back around, "Mike, don't let Lucy out of your sight."

When she was gone, the others scampered to do her bidding, all the while praying they weren't too late.

Chapter 28

Luke and Billy watched the couple approach from the parking lot. Normally a friendly bunch, the diners noticed something different about this pair as soon as they pulled up in their shiny BMW. They'd been getting a lot of people from the city lately, not that it was unusual, just different.

"Evening," Nikki smiled as they sat down at the booth. "What can I get ya?"

"Just coffee," the woman said pasting a fake grin on her painted face. "We're trying to meet up with my sister who is vacationing up here, and we've gotten a bit lost."

"Uh, yeah," the big man agreed. "Decided to stop in here to warm up, and see if we can figure out where we're at." He nodded to the woman as she pulled out a map, conveniently dropping some pictures on the floor as she did.

"Here, let me get those for you," Nikki told her, bending to retrieve the photos. When she picked them up, Nikki recognized the man and woman as she handed them back. Apprehensive Nikki eyed the pair, saying, "Nice couple."

"Oh, thanks," the woman stated with a quick glance at her partner. "That's my sister and her husband. You haven't seen them in here, have you?" she inquired.

Nikki didn't know why, but these people bothered her. The woman didn't look anything like the lady in the photo, and man was really starting to freak her out. Fortunately, Luke had observed her discomfort and came over.

"What's up, Nikki?" Luke winked, giving her a toothless grin as he put his arm over her shoulders.

"Oh, nothing, Mr. Luke," Nikki breathed a sigh of relief. "This couple is just looking for some kinfolk."

"My sister and her husband," the woman eagerly passed him the picture. "We got lost and I'm afraid we won't find them before dark." Luke took the photo as Nikki noticed the way the woman tried to look sad as she peered up at him.

"Oh, you shouldn't have much trouble finding them," Luke started, squeezing the teenager's shoulders tight. "They're staying up at old man Wilson's place," he grinned as they smiled back at him broadly. "I'll give you directions…"

Chapter 29

After snowing most of the night, the mountain seemed to be sleeping as the land was shrouded in a heavy blanket of white. Sue looked around her feeling the silence wasn't just in her but in the world around her as everything was just so peaceful. Watching the tranquil scene around her, she jumped when Jack touched her arm.

SORRY, he signed smiling apologetically. BEAUTIFUL HERE, Jack indicated the panoramic view and she agreed. QUIET, he noticed, and she cocked her head, looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Really?" Sue stated sarcastically. "I hadn't noticed!"

FUNNY YOU, Jack felt the heat in his face as he realized what he had signed. SORRY, he signed, bashfully looking down as his feet.

NO-PROBLEM, Sue grinned, stepping closer to put a hand on his arm as Jack glanced up with a smile. Their eyes met, and the fire building inside them chased away the cold from the snow.

Sue was the first to look away, nibbling on her bottom lip nervously as she looked around for Levi. While they had spent a long time talking yesterday, Sue was still worried that after Jack realized how many differences there really were between the deaf and hearing worlds, he wouldn't want to be with her.

"Where's Levi?" she asked, not seeing the hurt flash through Jack's eyes as he watched her back away from him. Touching her arm lightly, he pointed towards a large rock back by the house.

"He and Mr. Rabbit have come to an understanding," Jack smiled. Levi and the rabbit he'd been chasing all morning were now sprawled out on the rock, enjoying the late morning sun. Sue and Jack laughed at the sight the pair made.

Suddenly, Jack's smile faded and he peered towards the woods at the edge of the clearing. His brow furrowed as he cocked his head to one side.

"What's wrong?" Sue questioned, noticing the change in him.

"I hear something," he stated quietly. Sue scanned the woods in the direction he was looking and didn't see anything so she turned back to him, waiting for more information.

"It sounds like snowmobiles," Jack finally said. "And they are coming closer." As a F.B.I. agent, he couldn't help but worry because of the situation they were in with the stalker. However, only his team and Carrie Peter's team knew where they were, so it was likely that the snowmobiles were locals out enjoying the new fallen snow.

Still, Jack pulled Sue to his side, one hand protectively on her back, while loosening his jacket to check his gun holstered on his hip. Together, they watched the tree line for movement as Jack listened to the sounds of the engines getting closer.