Chapter 2:
Martin knocked at the wooden door which belonged to Phineas Fitzlewis apartment. He and Vivian stood there for a while, but nobody opened.
Martin knocked again.
"Mr Fitzlewis, please open the door. It's the FBI."
Finally something started to stir behind the door and they could hear a male voice.
"I'm coming, I'm coming."
Martin and Vivian exchanged knowing glances.
The door opened and in front of them stood a man about Martin's age, who was at least 6'3" tall. He looked as if he had just got out of bed: Half-dressed and quite undone.
"I'm very sorry about this. I didn't expect to get company." He said obviously a bit ashamed of his present appearance.
"No problem, Mr Fitzlewis. Would you mind if we come in?" Vivian asked holding up her badge.
"Of course not. If you don't mind the mess."
Martin grimaced when they entered the apartment. It was dark and Mr Fitzlewis hadn't exaggerated when he had mentioned a mess. Admittedly he himself wouldn't win the homemaker's award either, but this was even worse.
"Please take a seat." Fitzlewis offered.
The agents took that offer.
"Mr Fitzlewis, we wanted to talk about Alexander Rowley. We understand that you were the last to see him yesterday." Vivian explained.
"So it would seem. We wanted to get a drink and talk about this and that. We were friends since we left high school. You know, two Boston kids stranded in New York City together." He seemed to get lost in his memories and Martin wanted to call him back to reality before he drifted too far away.
"And where did you go?"
The question produced the effect Martin had hoped for, Fitzlewis focused on them again.
"Oh, that was the O'Neill's just around the corner. I have Irish ancestors and I like to get a glass of Guinness every now and then."
"Right. And how long did you stay?" Vivian asked unmistakably a bit annoyed about the unimportant details Fitzlewis was giving.
"Till about 10 o'clock. I had to get home, because I was working the early shift today. I just got back and went to take a nap when you came by."
"Did Alexander go anywhere else after that?" Martin inquired.
Phineas Fitzlewis chuckled silently and shook his head.
"I wouldn't know for sure of course, but I don't think so. He never wants to get his wife worried about his whereabouts."
"Did he have any problems with his wife?" That was Vivian again.
"I think I'm not really the person you should ask that."
Martin started to get angry with this guy.
"Look, I don't know why you seem to think this is a joke, but just to enlighten you: This is quite a serious subject here. And if you have any intention of finding your Boston friend without becoming the prime subject I suggest you start talking now about the things that are important for us to know."
Fitzlewis threw his hands up.
"Alright, alright. He had some trouble with his wife lately. He was under some pressure, because he thought he couldn't stand up to her expectations. But that's all I know. He never really talked to me about it."
Vivian nodded.
"Now that's a beginning. Did Alexander leave the bar with you?"
"Yes, he went to his car and I walked home. We said our good-byes and that was it."
"Did Alexander drink as well?" Martin asked.
"Yeah, 2 pints or something... I can't remember."
"And he drove home with his car after drinking alcohol?"
"Yes, it wasn't that much though... I guess."
"Right." Martin stood up. He left the apartment to call the office. Someone had to check out, if there had been any car accidents last night on the way from the bar to the Rowley's home.
"That was Martin. He wants us to check out if there have been any car accidents on the way from a bar where Rowley was last seen to his home." Danny said rushing back into his bullpen. He had got Martin's call on his mobile while he had got himself a cup of coffee.
"I'm on it." Sam spoke with a little less enthusiasm than intended. She searched all filed reports of car accidents last night. There were several, some more severe than others, but none matched the description Martin had given them.
"No, I can't find anything. This is just so frustrating. The guy didn't even have a reason for running away. I really can't figure why he's missing." She rested her head on her hands.
Danny eyed her suspiciously.
"Are you okay, Sam? You look quite pale."
She shook her head vehemently.
"I'm fine. It's just a headache nothing else."
"If you say so."
"I get myself some coffee."
Sam stood up and headed for the break room. She just wanted to be alone for a moment.
When Martin and Vivian entered the office again Danny already came up to them.
"Hey, good to see you. Where have you left Jack and Elena?" He asked.
"They're questioning some people from Rowley's work. They'll be back here within the hour." Vivian said while she headed for her bullpen.
When she was out of sight Danny turned to Martin.
"You know what's going on with Sam? She is in quite a mood today."
Martin felt a little uncomfortable that he was the one asked about Sam. He thought Danny expected him to have something to do with it.
"I don't know. Maybe just a bad day." He stated, but he wasn't convinced with what he had said himself. Before anything more could be said Vivian called them.
"We just got another call from the police. A 21 year-old woman named Juliet Newman has gone missing. Her brother called the police about half an hour ago. Jack wants Sam and Martin to check this one out. Danny, what have you got on her?"
Danny had returned to his computer and called up the file of Juliet Newman.
"Newman Juliet, born in Riverside/Ohio, 21 years old, single, father deceased, no record. Her brother's name is Matthew by the way. In case anyone needs to know."
"Alexander Rowley, missing? I don't believe it."
"It is true, Mr Thornton." Jack looked around Alex Rowley's bosses office.
"Well I wondered why he didn't show up at work without saying anything today. He usually is a very reliable worker."
Jack nodded. The only thing he had heard from as well Rowley's wife as well as his boss was what a wonderful person he was. This was something that rang the alarm bells inside of him. Nobody was that perfect. Martin had called him and said that he had some trouble with his wife. Now that was something, but Catherine Rowley wouldn't know anything about it.
"Did Mr Rowley behave differently within the last few days?" Elena asked Mr Thornton who ran the IT section.
"No, I don't think so. He was always a quiet person, but very friendly. I've never seen him act strangely in any way."
"Did he ever mention he had trouble with his wife?" Elena was a specialist for very direct questions and that took many people by surprise, but Jack appreciated this new wind in his team. Thornton was a little confused by this straightforwardness.
"No, he never mentioned it. He kept his personal life and work strictly separated. But I actually can't believe there was trouble. He always left on time so he could be home with his family."
That definitely ran alarm bells in Jack.
When they had left Thornton's office to return to the FBI headquarters both agents were thinking the same.
"I thought his wife said Rowley often worked late." Elena finally said. Jack nodded. Finally they had found a fact which gave them something about Alex Rowley.
END CHAPTER 2...
A/N: Okay this was very much about the case... I'm sorry for that. But the next one will be better. Even got a little more MS;)