She and Joe had poured over the files; going over every detail….reaching the same conclusion...Richard Haibach. Why Wayne, why Grace…..if anyone was to blame it was Jane and his fake RedJohn list or her for hounding him. How do they prove it especially since he has this stick up her behind, trigger happy lawyer just waiting to dump a lawsuit on them.
"Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots."
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
Sun Tzu was a genius and so was Joe to say it so eloquently. Joe had hit the nail on the head; Opportunity and accessibility. Any member of the CBI team would have sufficed; it was easiest to target the Rigsbys. Joe was no stranger to the depravity, cruelty and pure evil man was willing to inflict on each other. She was lucky, she had nothing to fear…Joe was more than capable of protecting not only himself but others as well. Although she hoped she didn't have to face another gruelling session of Krav Maga with Joe. The man was a trainer from hell.
The s.o.b. had taken Grace and Wayne was out of control. She feared the worst; what Joe said was true….she knew it herself…...man hellbent on revenge was not a man you could reason with, look for the father, family...that's what Joe had said...sexual crimes ran in families 70% of the time. He had to come from somewhere. He wanted payback, this was his moment and he was crowing...sheer joy on his face. She knew Wayne had begged Jane for his help...and Jane would give it….after all who knew better what it was like to lose a wife. No...this was not the time to play by the rules; Grace would die….and soon if they didn't do something. She didn't hesitate to look the other way so did Cho….Grace was like family.
It had been harrowing….the last few hours….combing through every lead...a needle in a haystack till they finally found Haibach's sister. Huh..her hunky brit was right and he wasn't even FBI. Wayne Rigsby was a hero...2 bullets in him and he still got the bad guy. Grace and Wayne had been put through the worst moments of their life. It was these things that made her pause, stop and review. So little time and one could lose it all overnight. Joe had wanted to meet her at the hospital; his concern for Rigsby and Grace was touching and it was genuine. She felt horrible telling him to stay away especially when Joe had asked her if it was because of Jane….GOD...what was she afraid of….Jane? No….it was her and her alone…..'coming out' meant commitment, admittance and reality. Joe was hurt; she could tell and it was all her fault,
No...careers in FBI were not for the Rigsbys; they had enough excitement to last them a lifetime. She had said her goodbyes to them and she needed to get home. She only hoped Joe would forgive her and look past her insecurities. Jane had watched her as Wayne and Grace asked her to convey their best to Joe. Strangely he had refrained from saying anything.
She knew something was wrong….it was too quiet….no Nelson greeting her at the door...you just knew….Joe had left, no note, not even a text to her cell-phone. She clutched the keys in her hand; still rooted to her spot in the kitchen. Her tears fell unchecked; he was gone.