Chapter One – Where I Begin
"Good news everyone," Dimitrius Ganz assembled the members of the F.B.I surveillance unit around the white board where they outlined the latest case they were working on. "We've managed to locate Boon's girlfriend, Patsy. Looks like she used a stolen credit card to check herself into the Casa Seven Motel last night."
"Casa Seven, very classy lady." Myles said in his usual dry wit.
"She was the last one to see Boon before he disappeared off the face of the Earth. If she's taking all these precautions to be on the down low I'd say she's either hiding from him or hiding from us. Either way she may be the only way to get to Boon." Eric Sugden, the latest edition to the unit explained.
"So we want to lean on her but not too much. Best we go in discreetly." Bobby observed.
"Patsy was with Boon for almost ten years. She stayed with him even through his lying and cheating. Do you really think it'll be that easy to get her to talk?" Sue asked.
"We ought to try anyway. If we twist her arm enough we might be able to get something out of her," Dimitrius explained. "Sue, Eric. Go in and try to see what you can get out of her."
As the group disbanded, Sue Thomas slipped on her jacket and walked to Bobby's desk before heading out of the bullpen with Eric.
"Bobby?"
She said. "I tried to call you last night but there was no answer.
Where were you?"
"Aw, sorry I had an early night in. Did
you want to talk about something?"
"Well…some of us were going to go see Jack's grave tonight. Bring some fresh flowers. Are you going to come?"
Bobby's heart fell to the pit of his stomach and hoped that his discomfort wasn't visible on his face. He had tried to avoid going to his grave for nearly three years and he was running out of excuses. "Aw…uh…I don't know girl."
"Oh…well. I know it's hard for everyone. And since you and Jack were so close, I just thought it'd be easier if we all went together for you. But if you don't want to—"
Bobby smiled tightly. "It's okay. Thanks…for telling me."
Sue gave him a parting smile and headed out with Eric to talk to their witness. Bobby watched her disappear through the door, her hearing dog Levi following obediently behind. He reluctantly went back to his work but found it hard to concentrate, sincerely hoping his conflicting feelings weren't registered on his face. For a moment he hated Jack Hudson for so many different reasons. He hated Jack for being a man of his word, for being so determined for justice that he risked his own life. He hated Jack for being a man of his word, for promising her that they would find out who did this to her and her family. He hated her for making him promise.
Bobby stopped himself right then and chided himself. She was just a kid. She died in his arms due to a ruthless and pointless act of violence. Jack only did what any honourable man would do. But Bobby still hated him, hated him and loved him at the same time for making him the only one who knew the truth that he was still alive.
In his mind, anybody would have been better than himself, anybody. Bobby was often criticized for allowing his emotions to get in the way and this was no exception. Jack was in love with Sue, everybody could see it. Why couldn't he have told her? Given her the proper goodbye and peace of mind that she deserved from a man who claimed to love her.
"Bobby, I have the report you wanted." Tara's voice brought him back down to reality.
"What? Sorry mate, I was kind of…" Bobby trailed off, not sure how to finish his sentence. He cleared his throat and forced a smile onto his face. "What can I do for you?"
"Actually…I just did something for you. The report on Boon's estate finances?" Tara said showing him a folder.
"Oh yeah…thanks." He said and took the folder from her.
"You okay? You seem kind of…not fully here." Tara asked with concern.
Bobby drew in a deep breath and shrugged. "Nothing to worry about."
Tara looked at him with doubt and then nodded, and moved to head back to her desk. Bobby cleared his throat and plucked up his courage. "You guys are going to see Jack today?"
Tara stopped in her tracks and turned around nodding. "Yeah. In the afternoon for a little while."
"It doesn't really…feel like he's gone…you know?" He said hesitantly.
Tara looked at him sympathetically. "He did have quite the presence. I guess working here…it just gives you constant reminders of him. Not to mention Eric is…similar to him in many ways," Tara paused and smiled sadly. "I keep thinking he's going to waltz in one day and pronounce it some big elaborate practical joke."
"You never know." Bobby replied without a second thought.
Tara glanced at him worriedly. "Come on, back to work Agent Manning."
Jack placed an ice pack to the cut right above his eye and cringed a little from the contact. The bleeding had already stopped, thankfully but it did leave a right mess in Steve's car and all over his favourite hockey jersey. Steve handed the clipboard with the information forms to a nurse and sat back down next to him.
"Once again, Trev. Really, really sorry." Steve apologized profusely.
"No worries Steve. My own fault for not wearing a helmet when slapping sticks with you. You'd think I'd know better by now." He replied.
"It doesn't look too bad. You're not going to get brain damage are you?" Steve asked with worry.
Jack laughed. "Well who knows, maybe it'll make me a little bit smarter if I do."
A young intern approached Steve and Jack and Steve stood up immediately. "Sylv, I can totally explain."
"You have a crush on me and you're always looking for excuses to see me at work?" The female intern said with a serious face.
"Yeah, just don't let the wife know. Kristen…she gets a little rough when she gets jealous."
"Oh yeah? Is that where you get it from?" She said looking through Jack's papers. "Now what did I tell you before Steve. You're a big guy…you hurt people sometimes, even when you don't intend it," She turned to Jack. "And you. You're a brave man for playing hockey with this guy…without a helmet even." She said as she looked through the rest of the form.
"I plead insanity," Jack said. "Although with the gash on my head it'll probably be reality."
"Well come on then, I'll see if there's any part of your brain I can save," She said. "Be strong." She said mockingly.
"You're in good hands, Trev. I've got to go pick up the kids from gymnastics so uh—"
"I'll be fine, Steve. You've done more than enough." Jack said with a good-natured smile and Steve went ahead on his way.
Jack followed the young intern into an exam room and propped himself onto the examination table. He gave her the icepack and she examined his wound carefully.
"This doesn't look too bad. I'll have to put in some stitches so it doesn't get infected. You're not allergic to…thread are you?" She asked.
"Not that I recall." He replied.
"Well, good. Because this one time I had to put this band-aid on this patient who cut herself on glass. She was allergic to the bandage and ended up with a rather attractive square on her arm." She said.
Jack let out a genuine laugh. "I think I'm okay with the thread. I'm just worried about having to look like Frankenstein for the next couple of weeks."
"A very handsome Frankenstein at least," She replied. Jack looked at her and smiled a little. "I'll make sure to do a good sewing job." She assured him and handed him a lollipop from the drawer. "Just for good measure." She said with a grin and placed her hands gently on Jack's forehead to begin the stitching.
"So am I allowed to speak or do you need silence for concentration so you don't take out my eye or anything." Jack asked.
"Speaking is permitted, eye injuries are not not- guaranteed." She joked.
"So…you've known Steve for awhile huh?" He asked.
"Only for about a year. I only moved here when I started my residency here a year ago. I seem to have a habit of treating his casualties though. There should be some sort of frequent fliers card for him. What about you?"
"I play hockey with him. My name is…" he hesitated a little bit. "Trevor…Trevor Tomlin."
"Sylvia Shaun," The young intern introduced herself.
"You've only been here a year? Why of all the places you could do your residency at did you choose the beauty and excitement that is Hartbridge general?" Jack asked.
"I don't know," Sylvia answered with a smile. "I think it's something about the fact that you can walk around the whole township in half an hour or the quirky festivals we have around here. My favourite is…oh what's that one called. The 'Ode to Polka Dots Day', I mean who can resist." She said with a completely straight face as she completed the stitches.
"Hey, don't laugh. Some say the polka dots originated in Hartbridge." Jack answered.
Sylvia laughed and started filling out some patient forms. "Well, in all seriousness I liked the change of pace. The school I went to was all about competition and living life in the fast lane while stepping on everyone you possibly can to get your way. I mean…they weren't all like. I made some great friends, but a change of scenery is nice once in awhile." She explained as she handed Jack some forms to sign. They exited the exam room and out to the reception area, standing side by side as they talked.
"I used to think that. I've only moved all of twice in my life and at my last home I got really comfortable. The thought of leaving pretty much tore me apart. I mean you start to miss your friends…your family…your old carpeting even." Jack replied.
"Well, are you glad you moved here? It sounds like you're quite fond of Hartbridge." Sylvia asked.
"At first I wasn't, but…once you start to find your groove you really come to love environment, the locals, the people."
"Even the ones that chuck you in the head with hockey pucks?" Sylvia said with a smile.
"Especially the ones that chuck you in the head with hockey pucks." Jack responded with a laugh.
Sylvia handed Jack a slip of paper. "Well, if it's as great as you say don't be surprised if you see me here again in two weeks."
Jack took the slip of paper where his next appointment was written on it. "Will I get a lollipop next time too?"
"You get a lollipop AND your stitches taken out. So try not to skip town between now and then okay?" She said and patted him on the head before she went to see her next patient.
Jack smiled at the young woman and smiled. "Bye." He said softly and gave her one last glance before heading out of the hospital. He was really beginning to like it in Hartbridge.
