Chapter Three

Jack woke up to a sharp cry. He opened his eyes and saw Al raping Jessica. Closing his eyes again, he started to whisper The Rosary, tapping his right index finger in place of rosary beads. After several minutes, the almost imperceptible noise was heard.

"You're up, Ness? What are you doing? Morse code? No, wait, you're praying, how pathetic. Enough of that," Al said, leaving the bed to stand naked next to Jack, sweat streaming down his body.

Al reached across and in one single motion he twisted Jack's right index finger: breaking it instantly. Jack remained silent although every nerve in his body felt on fire.

"I will break all of your fingers if you continue, Ness."

Al left his side and resumed his destruction of Jessica. Jack could shut his eyes but he couldn't shut his ears to the screams from the both of them. Struggling against the duct tape, it didn't give him any freedom. He mouthed The Rosary as tears streamed down his face. Suddenly, the room was silent. Jack heard Al get off the bed and walk towards him.

"You're next," Al whispered in his ear before walking away.

Jack heard the shower and opened his eyes. Jessica was dead, her eyes and mouth open, and the bed was bathed in blood. Looking at the floor, Jack saw the bloody footprints leading to the bathroom. As he was about to try to rip the tape from his hands, the shower stopped. Closing his eyes, he started The Rosary again.

"You awake, Ness?"

Jack opened his eyes to look at Al and tried to be calm but the pain from his shoulder and his finger was etching away his resolve.

"You look like you're thinking, Ness, and that is dangerous for the both of us," Al said, standing in front of him, dressed only in a towel.

Jack saw him turn to look at Jessica. Al's face flushed with arousal and without warning, he started to punch Jack; striking his face. He continued, hitting him on his face and chest. Jack tried to move his chair to get out of the way, only to incur more wrath. Finally, when Jack's face and suit coat were almost covered in blood, Al took hold of two fingers of his left hand and waited until Jack looked at him. Al broke them, at which point Jack fainted. Grinning, Al washed his hands, got dressed, and left the squalid apartment.

8:00pm

"We have a lead," Danny yelled, running back to the bullpen. "We have fingerprints from a Robert Covall, Jr."

"Robert Covall, Jr. oh, this guy is not good. In and out of juvie and he's done time in Attica for rape and attempted murder," Martin said, looking at his screen.

"Any known address?" Tyler asked.

"No, but here's his photo," Martin said, pulling several copies from the printer.

"Yeah, we'll go out right now and canvas," Sam said, pulling on her wet coat, Martin right behind her.

"Thanks," Tyler said, running his hand through his hair again.

"I'll have PD put out an APB," Viv said, turning back to her phone.

"Can I get you a cup of coffee, Tyler?"

"Thanks, Danny."

Friday 1:00am

Jack woke up in pain, cold, in the dark, and alone. Taking a cautious breath, he leaned over and started to work on the tape on his hands with his teeth.

3:00am

Tyler's cell phone went off.

"Shit, shit, shit," he said, standing quickly, looking at the screen of his phone.

"What?" Viv said, yawning.

"1976, 1976, 1976."

"Okay, buddy," he said into the phone. "It's Jack," he said to Vivian.

"1976, 1976, 1976."

"I got it, Jack. Don't hang up."

There was only silence on the phone, just the noise of the city in the middle of the night.

"Where's your tech guy? We need a trace."

"This way," Danny said, running down the hall to wake up Mac.

Tyler followed, holding his phone in front of him while Vivian ran at his side.

"Jack is connected, you need to trace this call," Tyler directed.

"Okay, and what's your number?" Mac said, wiping the sleep from his eyes.

"730-555-0675."

"Got it, tracing, a pay phone, routing, Avenue A and 1st Street."

"This is Special Agent Johnson, I have an agent down in the area of Avenue A and 1st Street. Please respond an ambulance, we're on our way."

Danny, Tyler, and Viv headed out to their car and drove in the dark rain the short distance. The receiver was hanging down, but Jack was no longer at the phone booth.

"Malone? Malone?" Tyler shouted.

"He's here, I've got him," Danny said, hearing a groan from behind a pile of garbage.

Tyler went to Jack as the ambulance pulled up. The noise from the siren brought him to full consciousness.

"Help me."

"Jack, it's me, Tyler. You're safe. You'll be okay," Tyler said, distracted by the blood.

"I need…I need," Jack said, panting.

"What do you need?"

"I need Sean, please, Tyler, get me Sean," Jack said as they placed him on the stretcher.

"Who's Sean?" Tyler asked the group.

"I think he means Father Walker from St. Germaine's. He and Jack sort of hit it off a couple of years ago," Danny volunteered.

"Okay, Viv, do you want to ride with him?"

"No, Tyler, I think you should do it. I'll call Sam and then I have to go home. Danny would you track down Father Walker?"

"Sure."

"Night," Viv said, walking over to Jack, who was being treated by EMS on the gurney.

Viv slipped a hand on his jaw and he woke immediately, looking at her.

"I have to go home, but you're going to be fine. Danny is bringing Sean and Tyler is going to stay with you," Viv explained.

"Anne?" he whispered.

"I'll call her."

"No, don't," Jack said before the EMS technicians took one last reading.

"All right, I won't. Okay? You're safe, now Jack," Viv said, leaning over to kiss his forehead before turning away to hide her tears.

Tyler climbed into the ambulance as they loaded Jack. Tyler tried to calm his friend by gently brushing back his hair. Jack's left eye was swollen shut, but the other one was fixed on Tyler. An oxygen mask was placed over his battered mouth and nose as the EMS technician noticed Jack struggling to breathe.

"Easy, easy, we're almost there," the man soothed.

"Jack, listen to me. You need to relax into the medication. I'm not leaving you. You know that."

Jack blinked as tears started to stream down his face. Tyler too had silent tears looking at what had been done to his friend.

"Okay, we're here at St. Vincent's," The tech said, as the ambulance shifted into reverse.

The doors opened and two orderlies helped get the gurney out of the ambulance. Tyler walked in eyesight of Jack until they entered the trauma room. Jack started to hyperventilate as Tyler's image disappeared.

"Easy, we have to access the damage, just breathe," a man's voice said firmly.

Jack moved his head to the voice and paused before finally giving in to the pain.

4:30am

"Are you with Agent Malone?" a doctor in scrubs came into the waiting area.

"Yes, we are," Tyler replied, standing with the other agents next to him.

"Well he's pretty banged up, but he'll be out of here in a few days. I repaired his shoulder, taped his ribs, and set his fingers. Which one of you is Sean?"

"I am," a quiet lilting voice came from behind the group.

Father Sean Walker stood looking at the doctor.

"Father, please come with me before we move him upstairs."

Sean followed the doctor into the open trauma area. Going behind a curtain, he saw Jack, his face bruised and swollen, his fingers bandaged, with his left shoulder wrapped and arm strapped to his chest. He also saw the restraints.

"Father, he's very upset and won't talk to anyone. All he does is struggle against the medication. He was halfway out of the bed before we were able to subdue him. I'll be at the nurse's station if you need me."

Sean nodded and walked up to Jack's right side. He put a gentle hand on his right shoulder and started to pray.

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen."

Sean opened his eyes and continued.

"Our Father, Who are in heaven, Hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen."

"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;"

A low quiet voice from the bed joined him in the prayer. When they had finished, Sean looked at Jack. He pulled a chair up to the bed and sat down, waiting for Jack to speak. His eye spoke volumes as he looked at Sean. His right hand grasped the sheets as tightly as he could with his splinted finger.

"Jack, what is it? Do you want to confess?"

"I…I can't…please Sean, stay with me until I fall asleep."

"I won't leave you, Jack," Sean said, gently brushing Jack's hair from his sweaty forehead.

"So tired."

"Just sleep, your body and mind need the rest."

6:00am

"We have a room for him, Father. You can walk with us if you wish," an orderly came into the curtained area.

"Thank you," Father Walker said, waiting until Jack was ready to be transported.

They left the trauma area and passed the waiting room on their way to the elevator. Sam, Martin, Danny, and Tyler all stood to follow.

"Eighth floor," the orderly commented.

"We'll meet you there," Tyler replied.

It was the first time the others had seen Jack and they were shocked. Their canvas of the area near where they found Jack had proven fruitless. Now it was up to the NYPD to find the alleged kidnapper.

They entered the passenger elevator and got off on the eighth floor, they saw Father Walker standing outside the room.

"They're just getting him settled."

A few minutes later, the orderly came out to see them.

"He's asleep but the doctor said he can have one visitor at a time."

Sam looked at the men around her and then walked into Jack's room. The tears started as soon as she was close enough to see the extent of the injuries to his face. Leaning over, she kissed his forehead and sat down on the chair next to him. Holding his hand gently, she continued to cry, eventually waking him. He looked at her, blonde hair, brown eyes, a collection of freckles and he lost control. Shutting his eye, he started to speak.

"No, no, no, please leave, you're not real."

"Jack?"

"No, please leave. You're not alive!" He shouted.

Father Walker and Tyler ran into the room. Tyler walked up to his left side and Father Walker to his right.

"Leave, Samantha," Tyler instructed.

"What?" she sniffled, standing and moving away from the bed.

"Leave now," Father Walker said.

Sam left the two men as they tried to calm Jack. Tyler picked up the drip button and hit it once before placing his hand on Jack's head. Father Walker picked up Jack's right hand and held it lightly before seeing the cross peeking out from his gown. He pulled it out and held it, feeling an embossment on the back. Flipping it over, Sean saw the name, Doris, and the date of her confirmation.

"Relax, Jack, relax."

Jack opened his eye to look at Father Walker and then at Tyler.

"I can't see her. I don't know. Please make her understand."

"I will. It's all good, now. Just try to sleep."

Jack closed his eye but the monitors showed he was still awake. Slowly, his heart rate and breathing began to ease as he started to fall asleep.

"Jack, I have to go give morning mass. I'll be back this afternoon. I'll talk to Samantha."

"Thank you, Father," Jack whispered.

Father Walker left the room and walked up to Sam, who was being consoled by Martin.

"Tyler's going to stay with him. What Jack needs is for you to find out what happened to him. He can't talk about his ordeal right now," Father Walker said before walking to the elevator.

"He's right. Let's all go home, grab a shower and meet back at the office at ten," Danny suggested.

Martin looked at Sam and then Danny before nodding his head in agreement.

Tyler turned out all of the lights but one and sat in the chair nearest Jack. He was sleeping but restless, struggling against the restraints.

"No, no, no, no, no…" Jack said softly.

Tyler gently put his hand on his chest. Feeling something, he pulled back the gown to reveal the St. Jude and gold cross. He set them on top of Jack's gown and then placed his hand again on Jack, just trying to calm him.

9:30am

Paula Van Doren walked into the bullpen after being on vacation for four days and was surprised not to see anyone. At that moment, Vivian stepped off of the elevator and went towards her desk.

"Agent Johnson, where is everybody?"

"I received an email. The team went home around six this morning to shower and change into fresh clothes. I expect them in a half an hour," Viv said, taking off her coat, her fatigue evident.

"And Jack?"

"Jack was kidnapped yesterday morning and escaped earlier today. He's at St. Vincent's with Tyler Simpson. NYPD is trying to find the suspect, Robert Covall, Jr.," she said as she put her purse into her bottom desk drawer.

"How is he?"

"He was shot, beaten and tortured," Vivian remarked, looking at her superior.

"Do we know why he was kidnapped?"

"We were investigating the disappearance of an art gallery owner on the Lower East Side. Jack went to the gallery alone to talk to the assistant. The assistant is dead, and there was a pool of Jack's blood on the floor. That's all we know right now."

"Keep me in the loop, if you need anything, let me know."

"I will."

"Did you call Anne Cassidy and Maria?"

"No, I wanted to hear from the team exactly what the doctor said."

"All right, I understand."

Tyler sat with Jack until a man in a suit walked in.

"Hi, Det. Delbrizzio, NYPD. How is he?"

"Special Agent Simpson, FBI, physically, he'll be fine. He's not talking about what happened yet."

"I'm following up on William Farrell's murder. I need to ask him some questions."

"I understand the need, I'm just not sure how much he can help you right now. Jack? Malone? Wake up. PD is here to talk to you."

Jack opened his eye and looked at the man standing by his left side.

"Special Agent Malone, I'm Det. Delbrizzio, NYPD. I need to talk to you about the gallery."

Jack looked back at Tyler and then at the detective. He took a breath and started his story.

"I went to the gallery to talk to Farrell about his boss's disappearance. The door was unlocked so I walked in. I kept going further and further into the gallery until I came to a door marked, private. I knocked, then opened it and was shot."

"Describe the man who shot you, Jack," Tyler instructed.

"Thin, 5'-8", mid twenties, greasy brown hair, edgy," Jack replied.

"Did you see Farrell?"

"No."

"What about the gallery owner? She's still missing. Have you seen her?"

"No."

Jack turned back to Tyler, his face draining of colour as the monitors started to beep faster. He grabbed Tyler's hand as the doctor and nurses ran in. They pushed the police detective from the room but they couldn't get Jack to release Tyler until he was sedated. Tyler took his hand back and massaged it as he walked out of Jack's room.

"I'm sorry," Det. Delbrizzio said, seeing Tyler exiting the room.

"Forget about it," Tyler said, before quickly walking off in search of a place he could use his cell phone.

Finally finding the cafeteria, he called Viv.

"Johnson."

"Viv, it's me. Jack just gave me a description of the shooter. Thin, mid twenties, 5'-8", greasy brown hair, and edgy."

"That fits the photo of Covall that we have."

"Look Viv, I need you to lead a team in a four block radius of the gallery. This guy is probably a crack addict. Look for flophouses, S.R.O.s, or squatters. Wherever he lives, you can bet you'll find Jessica."

"All right, Tyler. The team is just coming in now."

"He's armed and dangerous. Don't take any chances."

"I won't. Are you coming?"

"No, I need to stay here with Jack. What' s the name of the shrink at the office, Len?"

"Glenn Bradley, you want his number?"

"Yeah, the doctor says Jack's physical problems are moderate. He should be out in a few days. But, I think Jack saw something and whatever it was is scaring the crap out of him. He freaked at Sam and the detective who just did the interview."

"Whoa, okay, Glenn is at extension 7502."

"Thanks, Viv. Keep in touch."

Tyler closed his phone, bought a cup of coffee, and opened the phone again.

"Dr. Bradley's office."

"This is Special Agent Tyler Simpson, is he in?"

"Yes, but he is with a patient. May I ask what this is about?"

"Would you tell him that Agent Malone was kidnapped and escaped from his captor. He is now at St. Vincent's, room 804. He really needs Dr. Bradley."

"One moment, please."

Tyler sipped his coffee until a new voice came on the line.

"Agent Simpson?"

"Dr. Bradley, it's Tyler, please. Jack really needs you. He can't talk about what happened and I think it's somehow tied up with this woman who's gone missing."

"Tyler, I have thirty minutes left in this session and then I'll be right over. Does my secretary have the information where Jack is?"

"Yes, and thank you."

"You're welcome."

Tyler closed his phone and took the elevator back to the eighth floor. He walked into Jack's room just as the doctor was leaving.

10:15am

"What happened?" the doctor asked.

"The police asked him about a missing woman and he lost it. He knows something but he won't let himself remember."

"What do you do for a living?"

"I'm a profiler for the FBI."

"Well, he's been calm when you're with him so if you can stay, that would be great."

"I'm not leaving. I'm having the FBI staff psychiatrist stop by in about an hour."

"Page me, I'm pulling a double shift. I'd like to sit in on his session."

"All right."

Tyler went to the chair and pulled it close to the bed again. The room was quiet except for the soft beeps of the monitors. Jack was asleep but his eyes were active under their lids. He noticed that the swelling had gone down and his left eye looked like he could open it. The perspiration started at Jack's hairline and Tyler held his hand gently.