Hmmm...I've been told the natives are getting restless...Sorry for the delay! Darned real life - I keep tripping over it on my way to the computer! g> Please accept this as a somewhat belated Thanksgiving present! As always, thank you for the reviews and encouragement - you guys rock big time. And Diane, I thank you for the beta-ing - and acknowledge that any typos in this are mine and due to rewriting that you didn't get a chance to see! Needless to say, I made changes right up to the time I posted.
Thanks also to everyone still writing great stories. You guys are just...
Too Good To Be True
By: Mariel
Chapter 20
The next morning, it was soon apparent that everyone had decided upon an early start. Emerging from his office for a second cup of coffee, Jack saw that even Terry had arrived, bringing with him a large box of donuts, the contents of which Danny was examining with expert efficiency.
Glancing around, he saw that in spite of the hour, only one person was missing. About to ask where Martin was, the person in question strode in from the direction of the elevators. The look of surprise and the glance at his watch when he saw everyone gathered in the bullpen was testimony to just how early it was.
Jack smiled. "Your watch is right," he said to the approaching agent. Glancing at the others, he said, "I guess we're all on the same page about this case. We might as well get started, then." Placing his mug on the table, he waited as Martin moved quickly towards an empty chair. Once he was seated, Jack began the session.
While his boss made his opening comments, Martin gave a quick nod in Samantha's direction. He had hoped to get in before everyone else and perhaps waylay her in order to talk. He had spent the past few hours feeling sorry for pushing her so hard about making their relationship public. He also regretted his display of jealousy where Jack was concerned. He wasn't sure whether or not his questions and innuendo about her relationship with their boss had struck home, but they likely had. In retropect, he knew it hadn't been fair of him: Samantha had done nothing overt to elicit such suspicions.
Sitting back, he looked around at the people gathered around the table.
Then his eyes fell upon the whiteboard.
And the two different styles of handwriting on it.
He recognised both.
He glanced over at Samantha, who sat listening to something Danny was saying to Vivian. Doubt, quickly followed by anger, filled him. His jaw tightened. While he'd been at home feeling badly about how suspeicious he'd become, she'd been here, in the office with Jack. He had no idea how they had arranged it, but they had, and he felt cheated, used, and fed up. Then he watched as Samantha smiled at something Vivian said, and hard upon the tail of those angry thoughts came the more temperate acknowledgement that the writing could have been done this morning or at different times altogether. His innate sense of fairness reminded him she'd said nothing last night about Jack being there with her.
Shooting a quick glance between Jack and Samantha, he grimaced. Not, he thought, that she'd be likely to.
Jack walked around the table, dividing the files amongst the team. "Each file has a number," he told them. "You need to put the pertinent information up next to the corresponding number on the whiteboard, so that we can look at everything in sequential order. I'm hoping a pattern will emerge once we've got them all up and accounted for."
Refusing to look at his boss, Martin opened a file and began to read.
Not recognising the change in Martin's mood, everyone else settled in to look for the coincidences that Jack and Terry were so fond of.
An hour later, all the files had been accounted for and almost all the information recorded.
A definite pattern had emerged.
"The name 'Raphael' has come up six times when a woman has gone missing or been found dead," Terry noted.
"I just found another 'Odin' and another 'John'," Martin said, rising to add the last bit of information on the board.
Terry frowned. Looking at the completed picture, he said, "I thought at first it might be just one person, moving back and forth between the two cities. Now I'm wondering if perhaps there are two people involved."
Everyone's attention became riveted on the whiteboard. Up in black and white, the pattern was obvious. Six missing or dead in New York with Raphael as their contact person. In Houston, a 'John' had been involved with 7 women who were either dead or missing.
"Working independently? What are the odds?" asked Danny.
"Maybe they're working together," suggested Terry.
"You mean sending women to each other? My God..." Jack said, his brow creased at the disturbing thought.
Samantha sat back, appalled.
"So now we find out who these guys are," Martin said.
"I think that would be the plan," Terry said, his eyes glued to the whiteboard, his mind working furiously.
His eyes still thoughtful, he said, "We'd better find the woman who witnessed Georgina's murder fast. My guess is she was the next intended victim, and I don't think whoever is doing these murders gives up easily. Whether it's one person or two people working together, the characteristics of these murders indicate that the perpetrators are meticulous and not apt to leave unfinished business. If she was a target, she will remain one until he's got her"
"So she might already be dead," Danny commented.
Jack nodded. Revising his action plan slightly, he said, "Let's not jump to conclusions. We're going to have to work a couple angles at once, here. First thing is to find the woman we believe witnessed Georgina's murder. I asked NYPD to put in an extra effort, but they've had no luck. Part of the problem was that they didn't know who they were looking for." Glancing at the whiteboard, he said, "Now, I think we can be pretty certain the woman we're looking for is the Miquella we've listed as the last person to go through the system. She was the woman Georgina was supposed to meet the night she was murdered. She's the one our murderer will be looking for, if he hasn't found her already." Turning his gaze back towards his team, he said, "With the additional information we have from the files here, I think we should take another look ourselves."
He turned to Danny. "Danny, I'd like you to have a go at it. Take a look at where Georgina was murdered and where her body was found, and ask some questions." It was a shot in the dark, but it was one worth making. He'd learned a long time ago that a second visit sometimes produced results a first visit did not, and another person asking questions in a different way often got a different answer.
Danny nodded. "I know there are some stores around where Georgina's body was dumped. Maybe a customer saw something. I'll ask if any of the employees remember anyone coming in. We might hit it lucky."
Luck being what they needed, Jack nodded. "Good," he said. "I'm going to head over to see if Victoria Newbury can give me a hand in finding out who "Raphael' and 'John' are, and if she knows where we might find them. Vivian, I'd like you to contact Houston PD and find out which of their people worked on the cases we've marked. We've got to track down the 'John' person working there.You're also the one I want to track down the women who haven't been reported missing or turned up dead, just to make sure we have our facts straight and they're all actually alive." He looked at Terry. "Can you help her?"
Terry nodded. "I need to step out for a bit, but I know a couple people I can talk to in Houston who 'll get us quick answers. That will free Vivian up, if she wants to get a start on confirming that all the others are accounted for."
A quick glance in Vivina's direction told him that she was okay with the idea. "Fine, then," Jack agreed.
Turning to Samantha and Martin, he said, "You may not like this, but for you two, there's a new case just come in."
Samantha opened her mouth to object. She wanted to go along with him when he spoke to the Newbury woman.
Before she could object, however, he told her, "It's not a red flag issue, but the last name on the file will tell you why we've been called in. Just do the interviews with the parents. I'll give you the details. It shouldn't take you long," he said. "By the time you've cleared things up, we'll hopefully have enough information to begin a real search for our killer. You'll be in on that, no problem." Turning to Martin, he added, "And it's the same for you - I need you and Samantha to finish this new thing up quickly, because I'll need you to head to Houston with Danny sometime in the next day or so. There's no way we'll find the Houston connection from here."
Partially appeased, Samantha slouched back in her seat.
Jack looked at his watch. "Okay, finish up your coffees and we'll meet back here by lunchtime. If you can't be here, call in, okay?"
While everyone was sorting out the paperwork in front of them, Janice arrived in a flurry of colour and expensive fragrance. Stopping by Jack's office doorway, she looked over to where the team was gathered, an expectant look on her face. Jack walked over to her and they spoke quietly, then approached the bullpen table together.
Smiling a greeting at everyone, Janice said, "Sorry for arriving unexpectedly, but Jack said this would be the best time to find all of you together." She smiled at Jack. "And from what I hear, I arrived just in time!" Turning her attention back to the others gathered around the table, she said, "I want to extend an invitation to all of you. I've tickets to a fundraiser and would love it if you could all go with me, as my guests. Jack has already said yes, of course, but he said he couldn't answer for the rest of you. We'd love it if you could all go."
Terry wondered if anyone noticed the 'we' she had thrown in, and sat back to enjoy people's reactions.
Surprise was the first one. Then Danny asked, "It sounds like it could be fun. When is it, and what's it about?"
Janice rewarded his enthusiasm with a smile. Terry was sure she was relieved at getting such an immediate, positive response.
"It's a benefit dinner and dance for the Children's Hospital and is being held on October 17. I'm told it's a great thing to go to as a group. We'll fill a complete table of eight, which is perfect."
It was against Danny's nature to say no to an evening with friends. "Sounds good to me," he said readily. "I'm always up for a night out."
"There are extra seats, obviously," Janice said, "so that means a couple of you can bring someone. " She looked at Vivian, "I've never met your husband. I hope he'd like to come. It's formal - tuxedos for the men - but everyone I've spoken to says it's a lot of fun."
"It's nice of you to invite us," Vivian said, liking the idea of a rare evening out with her husband. To spend it with everyone she worked with was an added pleasure. That she recognised this event as one that was considered 'not to be missed' in certain circles, made it impossible to resist. "I'll need to check with Marcus, but for now, you can put us down as a yes." She glanced around at the others. "Janice is right about it being a good time - I've read about it in the paper."
Martin quickly did the relationship math. Jack with Janice, himself with Samantha. Vivian with her husband and Danny with his woman of the hour. It would work out perfectly.
Glancing at Samantha, and expecting that she would go if he did, he said, "I'm in." He thought perhaps if she saw Jack and Janice together and happy, she might get over whatever reservations she had about their making their own relationship public.
Janice looked at the only member of the team left to respond. "You don't have to answer now, Samantha, if you're not sure what you have planned for that evening, but I really hope you can come, too," she said.
Put on the spot, Samantha nodded. "I'd love to go. Thanks." For some reason, the thought of attending something with the older woman brought out all her competitive instincts. She was already deciding she didn't have anything to wear and since it was a formal, knew she'd be spending hours searching for a dress to compete with whatever Janice might wear that night.
She looked at the gems glittering in the older woman's ears, and made another wardrobe decision. She'd forego the jewelry. She'd go without, to make a contrast to the other woman's seemingly endless supply. In areas where you can't compete, she believed, it was better not to compete at all.
She paused, then reconsidered slightly. Earrings. She had a pair of drop-dead chandelier earrings. She'd wear those.
Having some idea of the thoughts now racing around the younger woman's head, Janice smiled happily and took a step backwards. "I'm so glad." Looking at Terry, she arched an eyebrow and said, "See what a good time you're going to miss? We could fit an extra chair, if you changed your mind."
The entire group turned their eyes towards the tall, lanky man at the end of the table. Terry laughed and shook his head. "Not a chance! I want pictures, though - I expect this group cleans up real good! Besides, knowing you, there'll be other times, right?"
She grinned. "Most likely!" Still smiling, she turned to Jack and said, "Can I speak with you for a second or two, love?"
Jack nodded and followed her to his office.
The people left at the table paused, noting the way Janice touched his arm as they talked, and the way his hand automatically went to her back as he ushered her into his office. Glancing at Terry, however, they refrained from comment.
Terry tried not to grin. He knew no one wanted to say anything in front of him for fear he'd report back to Jack, but damn, he thought, there was certainly a lot of rapid thinking going on. Poor Jack. If he'd known what they were thinking, he'd have died. Janice, of course, would be patting herself on the back.
"Lucky stiffs. I miss all the good stuff," he said good-naturedly before turning his gaze back to the whiteboard.
Taking their cue from him, the team settled down to prepare for their assignments. A few minutes later, after saying goodbye to Janice, Jack returned to find that they were almost ready to leave. Looking over at Terry, he asked, "Got a minute?"
Terry nodded and rose. "You bet.'
Before the two of them left, Jack turned to Martin and Samantha. "I won't be long. You can check the details of your case on your computers - I've forwarded what NYPD sent along. Wait until I have a chance to speak with you before you leave, though."
That said, he and Terry headed for his office.
As soon as they were out of earshot, conversation started.
Leaning forward slightly, Danny glanced at everyone and said in a sly tone, "This is going to be interesting."
Vivian shot him a gentle, reproving look. "Danny, don't start!"
He raised his hands in a gesture of innocence and sat back. "Me? What are you talking about? She just seems pretty comfortable, don't you think? And asking us all out? I wonder if they're going to make an announcement of some sort. Did you notice that 'we' in "We hope you can all come"?"
"She told me she was returning to England around Christmas time," Samantha said.
"A lot can happen before then," Danny grinned knowingly.
"Perhaps she's just going to settle her affairs," Martin suggested.
Vivan watched them carefully, aware there were very different sentiments behind each one of the comments she'd just heard. Turning her gaze towards Martin, she scolded, "Martin, not you too?"
The hopeful tone in his voice had been unmistakable. Having Jack tied up with someone would make things easier, perhaps, for him and Samantha, so she could understand the reason for the tone. Still, she thought it would be wise to stop the speculative conversation before it went too far.
Danny grinned again. "Okay, Mom," he teased. "We'll behave. It's going to be a good time, though. Watching Jack and Janice will just be an enjoyable side line to the evening!"
"Who you going to bring?" Martin asked.
"That'd be telling," Danny said. "I'll leave it a surprise."
Martin laughed. "Which means you don't know which one, eh?"
"We'd better get started, don't you think?" Samantha asked. She didn't like what she was seeing develop between Jack and Janice, and found it hard not to express her concern when everyone else seemed to be so positive.
Sobering, the rest of the team agreed, and rose to do their work.
-XXX-
While they were compiling their notes on their new case, Martin sat back and regarded Samantha carefully. "Janice and Jack seem to be quite an item," he said casually.
She didn't look up from the paper she was writing on. "Yeah, they do," she replied in a neutral tone.
"Seems awfully soon after his separation," he observed.
"They've known each other a long time," she said abruptly.
"They seem to complement each other."
"They haven't lived with each other yet.".
"They are now," was Martin's quick return.
Finally, she looked up and frowned. "Can we talk about something else? We don't know for sure what's going on, and we likely won't, until Jack decides to tell us."
Martin's face stiffened, and his brows drew together. "Then perhaps we should talk about who you were with last night when I called here," he said, taking a stab in the dark.
Not knowing how the hell he knew Jack had been there, she decided to stick to the truth. "Jack came in about midnight. I had no idea he'd show up," she told him abruptly.
Martin felt his guts tighten. Now he had confirmation of his worst suspicions. "You said you were going home."
"I told you last night; I changed my mind."
The two regarded each other warily, Samantha trying not to feel defensive, in spite of knowing she'd done nothing wrong, and Martin trying to contain his anger and disappointment - and trying to resolve what was obviously going on with Jack and Janice with what he suspected was going on between Jack and Samantha.
Finally, he shrugged. "I guess we should get going. Can't keep important people waiting too long, or they'll complain to our boss. Want to check to see if Jack's ready to talk to us?"
Not liking the tone in which he asked his question, Samantha shook her head. "You do it. I want to see how Viv's doing with Houston before I go."
Martin shrugged. Life had taught him that persistence usually won out, so it was second nature to him to continue to consider how he could make things work with Samantha. It was what he wanted, and it only made sense, after all, that the two of them should be together. Jack, he figured, would soon be off limits and not apt to look Samantha's way again - after all, if it had been Samantha Jack was truly interested in, he'd have made a move back in her direction after his decision to remain in New York, right?
-XXX-
Inside Jack's office, Terry shook his head. "I didn't want to emphasize it too much out there, but we'd better find this Miquella woman fast."
Jack looked at him quizzically. "Oh?"
"Yeah. Whoever's doing these murdrs is very seirous about it. The plan was to kill Miquella, so that's what he's going to do - unless, of course, he has already."
"So we'd better hope Danny meets up with some luck out there this morning."
Terry nodded. "Damned right, 'cause something tells me if he doesn't strike it lucky soon, it means our missing woman is a very dead missing woman." He cursed at himself inwardly, kicking himself for not realising just how important it was that they find the woman in the first place. He'd been too complacent, and now there was a good chance someone would pay with their life because of it.
If they hadn't already.
End
Chapter 20