Friends and Lovers
Chapter 11
The usual disclaimers: main characters not mine, featured players are
Author's Note: for those of you despairing that the case will ever be resolved, hold on. It continues in this chapter. And thanks for the reviews. Every one is treasured.
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Following morning
Hospital
"Excuse me, Miss, but visiting hours aren't until eight," said a nurse at the duty station spotting the visitor. "You'll have to come back later."
"Oh," said Lucy, "I'm not here to visit anyone. I just came to pick up my friend."
"The pretty blonde?"
"Yeah, that's the one," confirmed Lucy looking puzzled. "How... ?"
"How did I know?" she finished. "She's the only non-patient here. I think they might still be sleeping," reported the nurse, "at least they were when we changed shifts about fifteen minutes ago."
"Thanks."
Lucy walked over to Bobby's room and peered in the glass inset. The nurse was right—they were still asleep. They looked so comfortable she hated to wake Sue, but they were expected at the office. If they didn't leave soon, they'd never make it on time.
Reluctantly opening the door, Lucy greeted Levi with a pat on the head. "Good morning, boy. Time to wake up." Levi yawned in response. "You're not the only sleepyhead around here," she commented as she continued to the woman on the bed. "Sue...Sue...it's time to go," she said softly, shaking her friend.
Sue sleepily blinked her eyes open. "Lucy? Oh...what time is it? Sorry. I meant to be ready when you came." She started to get out of bed without disturbing Bobby but his arm only tightened around her. Just for a second, she allowed herself to revel in the comfort of his embrace. Then, she gently, but firmly removed his arm so she could slip out of the bed.
"I brought the change of clothing you wanted," Lucy said handing Sue a tote bag. She glanced at the athletic shoes beside the bed. "But I think I forgot something crucial...like shoes." She looked up in chagrin and signed, "Sorry."
Sue looked down at her stockinged feet. "I guess I'll be a little more casual than usual. Doesn't matter. I'll be as fast as I can." She disappeared into the bathroom.
"Sue?" mumbled Bobby as his hand felt around for her. He opened one eye. "Lucy?"
"Sue's getting dressed," Lucy explained. "How're you feeling today?"
He pushed himself up to a sitting position stretching to get some kinks out. "A little cramped from sleeping in this bed but it did have a perk not available elsewhere," he grinned sleepily. "I may never feel the same way about hospitals again."
"Well, let's hope you'll never have to be a patient again," declared Lucy. She looked at him seriously. "You think you're gonna be able to keep your relationship with Sue out of the office like Dimitrius said?"
"Got to or one of us has to transfer," he said honestly. "And I think neither one of us wants to do that at this point in time." He looked at her. "How did you and Myles manage to do it?"
"Well, for starters, we knew we had to." She grimaced. "And we did like each other—a lot at one time. But I think there's a big difference between what Myles and I had and what you and Sue have," she pointed out. "I think it's gonna make it that much harder for the two of you."
He looked upwards and sighed. "Yeah." Then he turned to Lucy with an impish look. "But I'm expecting you and Tara to help us out here." At Lucy's puzzled face, he grinned, "I know who put that mistletoe up and started this whole thing. I'll be forever grateful for that, but the least you can do is help us out. Deal?"
She narrowed her eyes. "You drive a hard bargain, Special Agent Manning, but I think Tara and I are up to the assignment."
At that moment, Bobby's focus shifted behind her and his face brightened. Turning around, she was not surprised to see Sue behind her.
"I'm ready," announced Sue. She stopped at the side of the bed. "Call me when they discharge you," she reminded him. "And remember your promise."
He grinned. "Which one?" At her look, he added, "I'll try." His eyes shifted to Lucy. "I'm sure Lucy won't mind giving us a minute or two alone to say good-bye," he hinted, "would you, Luce?"
"No," she said quickly getting the message. "Levi and I'll be right outside," she said pointing.
He turned to Sue and gathered both hands in his. "I promise to try and cooperate with the nurses...no matter how unreasonable their requests are." She bit her lower lip to hide her smile as he continued, "I promise to call but as an added incentive, you have to promise me something, too." At her questioning look, he pulled her closer and kissed her. "I get another one when I see you next," he grinned when he released her.
Her eyes bright, she smiled. "I think I can keep that promise."
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Bullpen
"The suspect that died was Jason Mitchell, age thirty-four," began Tara. "No previous record. We have a couple of addresses but nothing recent. He may have been homeless the last few months or so. There's not much more information about him."
"What about his friend, Danny?" asked Myles. "Sorry, but I don't know his last name."
"The hospital said he gave the name Danny Johnson," said Lucy. "He says he's about thirty-six but they're not sure if that's accurate. The doctor gave the okay so he's been transferred to a federal holding facility."
"Well, people," declared D, "this calls for old-fashioned legwork. We need to find out why a guy with no previous record decides to plant bombs, rob a bank and then blow himself up. Tara, Lucy... see if there's anything else you can dig up. Myles and Sue, go talk to Danny. Maybe you can get him to reveal something new. Jack, you and I'll check out the addresses. Okay?" He looked around. "Let's go."
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Seedy hotel
As they got out of the car, the two men looked at the run-down establishment. "I doubt we'll learn anything much here," Jack said skeptically.
"Yeah," agreed D. They entered the shabby lobby and walked up to the disinterested clerk.
D and Jack flipped out their badges. "FBI, we'd like to ask you a few questions."
The heavy-set man behind the counter shrugged. "Sure. How can I help you?" he asked with a decided lack of interest.
"I know this is a long shot, but do you remember two men that lived here about a year ago?" asked Jack. "One of them was named Jason Mitchell, age thirty-four."
"The other man may have been named Danny...Danny Johnson," added D showing him a photograph.
"We get a lot of guys that come and go," answered the man after barely glancing at the picture. "Don't remember most of them."
"Maybe if I told you that Danny was mentally challenged, a big husky guy but he acted like he was a little kid, could you remember him then?" prodded Jack.
"Nah, I told you..." the clerk stopped. "Lemme look at the picture again."
D handed it back. The clerk scrutinized it more carefully this time. D and Jack glanced at each other hopeful for some information.
Finally, the clerk spoke. "Yeah, I remember now. This guy," he tapped the picture, "did act like a big kid. Always smiling, happy. Not like the other guy. That one seemed to be mad...angry all the time. Except with him," he pointed to the picture again. "Took care of him like he was his little brother or something."
"Why did they leave?"
"You can't pay the rent, you gotta go. I think something was wrong with the other guy though. He was kinda young but he moved like he was a really old man."
"Anything else?"
"Nah, I don't think so."
"Well, if you do remember anything, you can call us at this number," said D handing the clerk a card.
"Sure."
"Thanks."
Once outside, Jack commented, "Doesn't fit the usual bank robber profile."
"Yeah. And we still don't know why he blew himself up," added D as he opened the car door.
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