Standard disclaimer: I just wish they were mine. And yes, of course, this is a J/S fic!
A/N: Loads of thanks to Mariel who is more like a friend than an awesome beta'er. Also, thanks to gentle nudges from Serataja and Jbird.
This is my first attempt at working a MP into the story. After the struggles, I bow down humbly at the feet of Mariel, who, IMHO, simply rocks the world of MPs in fanfics.
Finally, thanks to my true love (no...not ALP) my husband, who patiently tolerates my hours in front of the computer chasing this alter ego of mine. I love you darlin'!
Okay, here we go...It Was There All Along...enjoy!
Chapter 1 – A Game Of Cat And Mouse
Jack hurried out of his office and headed directly for the whiteboard. "Come on guys. We just got handed a case." Placing a picture on the board, he continued, "Jennifer Novak. Twenty-two years old. Single. Only known family is her fifteen year-old brother, Charles. Employed at a Quik Pak convenience store in Queens. The store manager reported her missing when she didn't show up for her shift yesterday afternoon."
Vivian viewed the picture. A fresh-faced young woman smiled back at her. Jennifer had short brown hair and sparkling brown eyes. It struck Vivian that Jennifer looked naïve and timid…not the type to be able to easily defend herself in a pinch.
Martin mused, "Seems strange the manager of a C store would report something like this. I mean, it's not like this a high-powered firm on Wall Street. Is there something more between the manager and Ms. Novak?"
Samantha rolled her eyes and huffed out a breath. She and Martin had been at odds with just about everything lately. She didn't know why, but he was really starting to annoy her. Unfortunately, those kinds of thoughts just made her think it was her causing the problem. After all, he had done absolutely nothing out of line or worthy of anger. Yes, he wouldn't let the "let's go public" thing go, but he always backed off when she bowed her neck.
Not about to let his comment go unchallenged, she retaliated, "Just because she works at a C store doesn't mean she isn't a valuable person Martin. And furthermore, why do you just assume there is something going on between them? This may come as a surprise to you, but there are some people in the world who care about their fellow human being….regardless of what their net worth is or who they dined with the night before."
Martin just blinked his confusion at her outburst. Vivian couldn't help but notice the muscle in Martin's jaw working overtime. Danny attempted a rescue saying, "Well, I don't think the question is out of line. We are just brainstorming here to make sure we cover all possibilities….like we always do."
Jack tried to not let his amusement show as he watched Samantha tear into Martin. It was obvious poor Martin didn't stand a chance and was totally bewildered by the attack.
He should know. He, too, had made the grave mistake of concentrating on her gorgeous looks while overlooking her brains. But, he had only made that mistake once. It looked like young Martin was treating Samantha like his own personal Barbie Doll, and she was getting fed up with it.
About then, Samantha narrowed her eyes, pursed her lips, and leaned forward in her chair toward Danny. Jack had seen that posturing from her before and knew she was going to explode.
He cleared his throat, "Okay. I'm sure we will find out all about Ms. Novak's life as we work to find her. Bottom line is the manager, uh, a Mr. Anthony Davis, said she was a dedicated employee who was never even late, much less likely to not show up without a call."
"Danny, you start working on the financial trail and try to find her brother. Martin, I want you to work on phone logs and any priors. Viv, you and Sam interview Mr. Davis. I'm heading over to her apartment on 29th Street. Let's keep in touch and meet up with whoever finishes first. Questions or comments?"
Jack looked around at everyone, nodding he was satisfied that everyone understood their assignment. "Okay, we'll meet back here after lunch to coordinate. Let's get started."
As they gathered up notepads and moved away from the table, Jack added a few notes to the whiteboard before walking to his office. Passing Samantha, he leaned toward her and cooed, "Eeeaaassy tiger. Why don't you pick on someone your own size?"
Spinning around, she was ready to fire back a smart-assed retort when his devilish grin and close proximity stopped her short. Stammering a bit she recouped, "Ye..Yeah. Well don't you start with me. I'm not so sure you are up to it either."
Her reply came out a bit more challenging than she intended. Shit. That was dripping with flirtations! What are you doing!
Jack's raised eyebrow and instant smirk immediately showed her he felt up to the challenge.
Stepping a bit closer, he looked her right in the eye, daring her to look away. When she met his eyes dead on, he replied very quietly, "I guess I never told you when I was in Airborne, my nickname was Jack The Lion."
Letting the correlation sink in, he continued, "Still think I'm not up to the challenge?"
She watched his smug expression as he turned and headed to his office, vaguely aware that she hadn't taken a breath in quite some time. Am I crazy, or did he not totally come on to me? What the hell is happening, and why am I egging it on?
Walking smoothly into his office, Jack's calm exterior belied the pounding in his chest and his inability to take a complete breath.
His divorce and custody battle had taken place over six months ago. But when he found out for sure Sam and Martin were dating, he fully understood why it felt like someone had punched him in the gut.
Jack didn't know everything about himself, but one thing was certain, Samantha Spade would always be part of him. Before finding out about the couple, he'd wished the rest of his life would play out like a paperback romance novel. Samantha would confess her undying love for him and they would live happily ever after.
Scoffing at the notion, that something that good would actually happen to Jack Malone, he had tried hard to forget the past and move on. He had even gone on a few dates, but no one even came close to being interesting enough for a second call.
As time crept by, he couldn't help but notice the dynamics between Martin and Samantha. Yes, they were trying to be discreet, but Samantha seemed more intent on secrecy than Martin. And she often seemed…annoyed…with him. He wondered how long Martin would accept that attitude.
He didn't know what just came over him to blatantly flirt with her in the office, but he had to admit her reaction made his heart pound. Was there still something in her heart for him?
Snapping out of his reverie, he gathered a few things and headed for Jennifer Novak's apartment. What he found wasn't very helpful. Jennifer lived a meager existence with only bare necessities in her small apartment. The only personal items were a few photos of her with the same young man. The back of one photo noted, "Charlie and me. Summer 2002."
He thumbed through a small organizer, but found only a few notations for doctors' appointments and haircuts. The phone/address section of the book also held very little information, but he made note of the numbers for Martin to follow.
After frustrating talks with several neighbors who claimed to know nothing, he called Vivian to say he would be at the convenience store shortly.
tbc