12
Mistaken Identity
Rating: K
Disclaimers: Not mine
A/N: Thank you for the wonderful reviews. They have been most gratifying. Just a heads up—I normally make it a point to post only completed stories (not including the beta process) but this one slipped by so it's a work in progress. Sorry 'bout that. And for those who think there's not enough Bobby and Sue together, there will be more—but not in this chapter.
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Chapter 5
Chandler Tighe's apartment building
"I've never had a tenant's place searched before," declared the building manager nervously as he unlocked the front door of Chandler Tighe's apartment.
"Let's just hope this doesn't set a precedence, shall we?" Myles commented wryly.
"What kind of tenant was Chandler Tighe?" asked Jack
"Quiet. Never had a problem with him. Wished I had more like him." Pushing the door open for them, he added uneasily, "Before today anyway. Just lock up when you leave. If there's anything else you need, I'll be downstairs changing the light fixture."
"We appreciate your cooperation," Jack called after the rapidly departing manager.
"It's always the quiet ones," Myles remarked, entering the suspect's apartment. Surveying the room, he observed, "It seems our suspect is a tidy soul."
"But doesn't it seem like the place is a little too neat?" asked Jack as he scanned the place. "Like he was planning on going a way for a while?"
"Now that you mention it, the place does have that appearance," agreed Myles as he began searching the room.
"Why don't you keep looking in here and I'll check the bedroom," suggested Jack.
"Fine," replied Myles as he hunted through the first shelf of the bookcase. He'd just replaced a book when he heard a low whistle. Spinning around, he saw Jack transfixed at the doorway.
"What is it?"
"Look for yourself."
Myles immediately responded and peered curiously over his shoulder into the bedroom.
"What…" His voice trailed away.
A large section of a wall was covered with photographs of Monica Temple at various places and different times of the day.
"I guess he didn't get over her," Jack stated grimly.
He took a few steps towards the montage to get a better look at the pictures.
"Look," Jack said pointing to one of Monica and a male acquaintance. A thick black "x' obliterated the man's face.
"What happened to just drawing mustaches on people you don't like?" Myles muttered scathingly.
"Doesn't get rid of the competition."
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University of Maryland
Physics Department
Bobby and Sue stopped next to a man closing the door of his office.
"Drew Stoddard?" Bobby inquired.
"If this is about an assignment, could it wait until tomorrow? I'm kind of in a hurry and if I don't leave now, I'm going to be late for a very important date." He broke into a smile. "Did I sound like the White Rabbit?"
"Excuse me?" asked an astonished Sue.
"You know…from Disney's Alice in Wonderland?" he elaborated. "The White Rabbit? I'm late…I'm late." Embarrassed, he shook his head and smiled self-consciously as he moved to leave. "Never mind. I have to go."
"Hold on, mate," said Bobby blocking his way. He held up his badge. "FBI. I'm Special Agent Manning, this is Sue Thomas and Levi."
"FBI?" echoed a startled Stoddard. "I'm not doing any experiments that require FBI monitoring. I teach introductory physics. Are you sure you have the right person?"
"We're not here about your classes," Sue countered quietly.
"Then what are you here for?"
"Could we speak to you privately…in your office?" Bobby requested.
"Have I done something wrong that the FBI is investigating me?" he asked a shade nervously.
"Nothing like that," assured Bobby, "but we would like to talk to you."
"I hope it won't take too long. I really am late," totally at a loss why the FBI would want to talk to him. Plunking his computer case on his desk, his eyes strayed to the picture frame on his desk.
He smiled sheepishly at the two agents. "The FBI wants to talk to me and all I can think about is proposing to my girlfriend tonight." He shook his head in bemusement, "You must think I'm crazy."
As the agents' eyes met, a question was asked and response given. They were about to crash the young man's dreams.
"There was an incident at the post office today," Sue began, sympathy apparent in her expression for the news to come. "A shooting."
"That's terrible, but what does it have to do with me?" Stoddard was clearly puzzled.
"I'm so sorry," she said compassionately, "but there is no easy way to say this…Monica Temple was one of the victims."
"Monica?" he exclaimed. "Monica was shot? How badly? What hospital?" he asked urgently as he jumped up in alarm.
"I'm sorry, mate," Bobby grimaced, "but she died at the scene. There was nothing the paramedics could do for her."
"No…you must be wrong," Stoddard protested vehemently. "You must have Monica mixed up with someone else. Mistaken identity. I've heard of that happening." He started pacing the small room, muttering more to himself than them, "That's it. It's not Monica. It can't be my Monica."
Sue couldn't follow his speech and looked towards Bobby to fill her in. "Can't believe it," he signed.
"Mr. Stoddard, I'm sorry, but there's no room for doubt. It was Monica Temple," Bobby stated with finality. "We matched her fingerprints with our database."
Stoddard stood still for a minute as he tried to absorb the information, pain clearly etched on his features.
"You said…you said it happened at the post office?" he asked hesitantly, trying to make sense of the tragedy.
"That's right," Sue answered quietly.
"Postal employee gone beserk?"
"We don't think so," Bobby responded.
Stoddard looked at them in bewilderment. "Then who?"
"We have a suspect in custody."
"Did he say why he did it?"
"No."
"Can I…can I see her?"
"Not right now," Sue replied. "We'll contact you when you can."
He nodded slowly, clearly in shock.
"Is there someone we could call for you?" Sue asked gently.
He shook his head. "I think I'll just sit here for a while." He picked up the picture once more and stared at it.
They left the grieving man and headed back to their vehicle.
Bobby paused at her door, "Sue? I don't want to make the same mistake."
"Mistake?"
"Waiting too long to tell you how much you mean…"
"Bobby…I know all those things…right here," she interrupted him, pointing to her heart. "I hope you do, too."
A slow smile was her answer.
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Hospital
"Excuse me," called out a voice as Bobby and Sue passed the nurse's station to interview Ashley Mason's mother. Lucy had called to say Jennifer Mason was awake and alert. "You…with the dog."
Bobby placed a hand on Sue's arm.
"Stop."
He pointed behind them. Turning, they spotted a nurse striding purposefully towards them.
"No animals allowed," the pretty young nurse said firmly.
"He's a service dog," explained Sue. "I'm deaf."
"Oh, then I guess it's okay." She turned her attention to the good-looking agent and smiled vivaciously. "Can I help you?"
He pulled out his ID. "FBI. Special Agent Manning and this is Sue Thomas and Levi. We're here to see Mrs. Mason."
"Oh, right…one of the gunshot victims."
"How is she?" Sue asked.
"Resting comfortably."
"That's good news," smiled Sue.
The nurse smiled flirtatiously at Bobby, "Haven't I seen you around here before?"
"I'm afraid not," he answered with a polite smile.
"Are you sure?" she persisted.
"Positive," he replied firmly.
"Oh well," she sighed, accepting his rejection. "She's in room 325…down the hall and to the right."
Nodding their thanks, Bobby and Sue proceeded to room 325.
"I think she was interested in you," teased Sue lightly.
"You think so?" replied Bobby matter-of-factly. "I hadn't noticed."
A little smile appeared. "Good answer."
"Wouldn't matter if she was," he continued. "I'm only interested in one woman and one woman only." He gazed at her meaningfully.
Her dimple appeared. "Very good answer."
"It's the truth," he smiled sweetly before knocking. He pushed open the door. "After you."
Three faces greeted the two FBI agents—a man, a woman and a little girl.
"Sue!" exclaimed Ashley ecstatically. She wiggled out of the man's arms and ran to hug her. "And Levi!" She threw her arms around her canine friend.
"Don't I get a hug, too?" joked Bobby.
Ashley giggled and stood up to hug the tall agent. "Oh, Bobby! I didn't forget you."
"I think she saved the best for last," Sue remarked with a wink.
"I take it you know our daughter," smiled the man standing at the bedside of the woman. "I'm Rod Mason."
"Bobby Manning, Sue Thomas and of course, Levi," Bobby introduced themselves.
"I brought her here so she could see her mother was all right," Rod Mason explained.
"You right, Sue," said Ashley. "The ambulance man took good care of Mommy."
"Ashley hasn't stopped talking about all of you—especially Levi," the father said with a smile. "Jenny and I can't thank you enough for looking after her."
Acknowledging the Masons' gratitude with a self-effacing nod, Bobby proceeded with the purpose of their visit. "Ashley may not have told you, but we're with the FBI and we need to ask Mrs. Mason a few questions."
"Is this really necessary?" objected Rod Mason with a frown.
"We just need to get a statement for our records," Sue responded soothingly. "We'll make it as quick as possible."
Jennifer Mason put a hand on her husband's arm. "It'll be fine, Rod,"
"Are you sure?"
"I promise we won't take long," Sue assured them.
Exchanging a glance with his wife, Rod Mason nodded. "Let's go get something to drink, Ashley," he said holding out his hand to the little girl. "These people need to talk to Mommy."
"But I want to stay and play with Levi," she wailed.
"We'll be here when you come back," promised Sue.
"All right," she reluctantly agreed. Before they left the room, she turned around and reminded them, "Wait 'til I come back, okay?"
"Okay." Sue waited until the door closed before turning her attention to Mrs. Mason. "How are you feeling?"
"I think I'm still numb," answered Jennifer Mason. "Things like this aren't supposed to happen when you just go to the post office."
"Could you tell us what happened?" Bobby prompted gently, his pen and notepad ready.
"Where do I start?"
"Why don't you begin by telling us why you were at the post office," suggested Sue.
"To mail a package to my brother and get some stamps. Ashley and I were talking about the different stamps we saw on the walls when I heard someone yell something—a name, I think. There was a scream and then shots." She closed her eyes and shuddered.
Sue laid a gentle hand on Mrs. Mason's arm. She grabbed it, holding on tightly before continuing.
"I pushed Ashley down but before I could cover her, I felt something hit me in the back and then this incredible pain." She opened her eyes reliving the terror.
"You're safe now, Mrs. Mason," Sue said reassuringly. "So is Ashley."
She nodded unsteadily. "That's what I keep telling myself." Her eyes flitted between the two agents, fear still evident. "Did you get the person that did this?"
"We did," Bobby affirmed.
Mrs. Mason visibly relaxed.
"Do you…do you know why he did it?"
"No," said Bobby shaking his head. "He's unconscious. The moment he wakes, he'll be questioned."
Mrs. Mason looked at them for a moment, her bewilderment with the day's events still clearly evident. "They tell me I was shot and I still can't believe it happened."
"After a traumatic experience—and this definitely qualifies—it's not unusual to feel the need to talk to someone professionally." Bobby shared.
"I'll keep that in mind." She took a deep breath as though to cleanse herself of the frightening memories. "Thank you again for taking care of Ashley. In spite of the horror of this morning, what she remembers most is spending time with you…especially Levi."
"He did make an impression on her," smiled Sue.
"She also told me she wants to trade her brother for a dog," Jennifer Mason added ruefully.
"She did mention that fact on the ride home," Sue shared with a smile.
She noticed that Mrs. Mason was tiring and glanced at Bobby. An almost imperceptible nod followed.
"I think that should be it," stated Bobby as he closed his notepad. "If we have any more questions, we'll contact you."
"The doctor said I'll probably be able to go home tomorrow."
"Ashley will be happy."
"Me, too."
"We'll let you rest," Sue observed gently. "We'll wait for Ashley outside."
Tiredly, Jennifer Mason nodded and closed her eyes as Bobby and Sue quietly left the room.
"We'll wait a couple of minutes for Ashley," Bobby told her. "In the meantime, I'll check if we should interview any of the other victims."
"All right."
In a few minutes, he rejoined her. "Derek Nichols is awake. We have permission to talk to him. We have to wait until tomorrow to interview the third victim, Miriam Koenig. As for our suspect," Bobby shook his head, his expression grim, "he's still critical."
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After a short visit with Ashley and a promise to keep in touch, Bobby and Sue headed to interview Derek Nichols. His story was very similar to Jennifer Mason's.
"Their stories are consistent," Sue informed the others when they returned to the office. "No one knew each other…just a random group of strangers at the post office waiting their turn at the counter. In comes the suspect and in a matter of a minute three people are dead and five wounded."
"Status on the shooter?" asked D.
"To all intents and purposes, he's brain dead," Bobby replied succinctly. "Too much damage. It's up to the family if and when to take him off life support."
"We have all the evidence we need to close the case," D decided. Myles and Jack had disclosed their findings at the suspect's apartment—the wall of pictures, the letter detailing how he wanted his personal effects to be disposed of, the letter to his parents—all pointed to his intent to kill Monica Temple and then himself.
D glanced at the clock—it was almost seven thirty. "If anybody is still in the mood, there may still be time to salvage the rest of what's left of Valentine's Day."
"I don't know if I feel like celebrating Valentine's Day after what happened today," commented Lucy. "Chandler Tighe really loved Monica Temple in his own way."
"He was obsessed with her," Myles disagreed. "That's not love."
"Yeah," said Tara. "It sounds strange, but I agree with Myles. Sometimes relationships just don't work out. I should know. It's happened to me often enough. You get mad…you get upset but you don't kill the person."
"And when a relationship does work out, you marry the person," pointed out D as he adjusted his jacket. "I'm going home and take my wife out to dinner. We may still be able to make that reservation if Donna didn't cancel it. See you all tomorrow."
Myles checked his watch. "If I hurry, I may make it for the entrée," he announced as he reached for his coat. "See you all tomorrow."
Tara reached for her purse. "If I rush, I can still get ready and wear that new dress I bought for tonight. Gotta go, guys…see you tomorrow!"
"I've seen her dress," commented Lucy as she pulled on her coat. "She'll knock his socks off!" she said with a smile. "Coming home soon?"
"In spite of everything that's happened today, I still have this manpower report to finish," Sue commented wryly. "Calling Tyler?"
Lucy grimaced. "I don't know. I really don't feel like going out after everything's that's happened today. Maybe I'll tell him to come over. Want me to take Levi home with me?"
Sue glanced down at her hearing dog. "Want to go with Lucy, fella?"
Levi sat up and held up a paw.
"I guess that's his answer," smiled Sue. "He wants to go home. Thanks, Lucy."
"No problem. See you later. Staying late, Bobby?"
He looked up. "I have a bit of work to finish myself. Maybe Sue and I'll grab some dinner later."
"You do that. Bye."
Bobby held Sue's eyes for a moment before he stood up and walked over to her desk.
"It appears, Miss Thomas," he began conversationally as he perched on the edge of her desk, "we are the last two members of this office still here."
"A keen observation, Mr. Manning. Nothing escapes those eagle eyes of yours, do they?" she teased.
"No, they do not," he agreed affably. "Do you really have to do that report for Randy?"
"Well, it's already a day late," she admitted. "I don't think another day would hurt."
"What say we have dinner and go somewhere private so I can fulfill that promise I made to you earlier?" he suggested meaningfully.
After a breath stopping moment, she smiled sweetly at him. "I think I'd like that very much."
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