Lucy entered the flat tired. I hope we'll solve this case soon, it consumes a lot of energy… She took her coat off and headed to the kitchen. I'll make some dinner, so that Sue won't have to do that when she gets home… Let's see what we have in the fridge… I think it is time for shopping… - she said. I fear I'm not in the state for cooking… - she thought, then took some instant food, mixed it with some water and put it in the microwave oven. I think some reading will do good after such a tiring day… where is my book? I lent it to Sue... It must be in her room… She entered her friend's room, searching for the book. I think it's in the drawer… - she suddenly realized, and headed to the night table. She opened it, and her glance was immediately fixed on the package which she saw there. – What's this? – she wondered, then smiled, when she realized what the answer to her question was. I knew she is in love with him. However much she wants to hide this, she can't deceive me – she thought.
- Lucy! – she heard her friend's voice. – Hi, so you are here! – Sue entered the room.
- Yes… I was searching for my book… I must read something or I'll go crazy, this day was rally hard.
- Sorry for not giving it back to you yet…
- No problem, I have time to read it only now anyway… What's this? – she asked, grinning at the package.
- My cousin's birthday is soon, it's for her… - Sue replied blushing.
- In a „Happy Valentine's Day" – wrapping paper?
- Oh, I believe I put it in the wrong wrapping paper… - Sue said with a red face.
- Are you so much in love that you can't even think? – Lucy grinned.
Sue's face became fiery red. – Me? What makes you think this? – she asked, trying to conceal her embarrassment in vain.
- Sue, it is enough to look at you, you are beaming with love… - Lucy smiled. – I hope Jack sees this as well and doesn't wait too long with admitting this, because if this goes on like this, you have a good chance of winning first prize at the „How not to get together with the love of our lives for sure" – contest… - she shook her head.
- But… What makes you think that he… that I…
- Sue, in case you have forgot, I'm your best friend, and can almost read your thoughts… not if there would be a need for this now, it can be seen from miles that you are in love with Jack.
- But he only considers me a friend… - Sue replied sadly. – it is unimaginable that he wants anything more…
- Sue, if you weren't unable of thinking from love and would open your eyes a bit, you would see how Jack is looking at you… he is in love with you as much as you are with him, only neither of you have taken the courage to admit your feelings… Although it would be so simple… to tell what you feel towards each other… then you would get together at last, making the whole team happy; we would really deserve this, after everything we had to endure in the past three years, while waiting for one of you to take the courage and take the initiative at last.
- Do you think that Jack…
- I don't think that, I know that for sure. Sometimes I honestly think I should lock you up in a room, and you would stay there until you admit your feelings towards each other… It is unbelievable what you have been doing for three years… - she shook her head. – Come, dinner must be ready by now… - she said, and led Sue out of the room. I always knew the two of them aren't an easy case, but even I didn't expect this. Now it is official that they are the biggest challenge of my career as a matchmaker. But no matter how hard the task seems to be, they have to be a couple… they were made for each other.
Jack walked on the snowy street smiling. He had been thinking for days what would be the perfect surprise for Sue for Valentine's Day. Yes… this is the one. I'll need Lucy's help, but she'll surely cooperate. I love you so much, Sue… I hope you'll like the surprise…
Next day Sue woke up early. She didn't sleep too much at night… her thoughts kept going back to the conversation with Lucy on the previous afternoon. Is it possible that he feels the same way as I? I would have never thought that he feels more than friendship… After all, he can get any woman he wants… And why would a man like Jack Hudson choose me… Maybe Lucy is wrong this time… But she is so convinced that what she says is true… I wish it was so. Jack… I wish you loved me the same way as I love you…
Jack lay on his bed sleeplessly. He has never liked to get up early, but this time he was unable to sleep. He couldn't think of anything else… only Sue… and the surprise he planned for her. Will she like it? Isn't it too pushy? We aren't even together… Although I would like it to be so more than anything else… She is the love of my life. But what if she doesn't feel the same way as I do, and rejects me? How could we look into each other's eyes? But I can't suppress my feelings any more… I hope she will like the surprise. Everything will turn out on Valentine's Day…
Sue arrived at the door of the bullpen musing. She was unable to chase the morning thoughts away from her head… she kept thinking of Lucy's words. And if he really loves me? If he feels the same way as I do? Nothing would make me happier… I love you, Jack…
She was brought back to reality from musing by a sudden thump. Heading to the bullpen, she didn't notice the people passing her, and now she saw surprised that she bumped into someone and both of them landed on the floor. Sue realized that she was lying under a man.
- I'm sorry, I didn't pay attention… - she looked up. – Jack! – she exclaimed in surprise, when seeing the familiar face. They looked at each other for long seconds, lost in each other's eyes…
She is so beautiful… What I would like most is to kiss her in front of all our colleagues, so that everybody sees that we belong together.
He looks so good… and these eyes… I wish he kissed me…
- Thomas, Hudson, do you intend to spend the whole day here, or you are willing to start work as soon as today? – Myles said from the doorway. – But first let me take a photo of you in this position, it's so funny… my grandchildren will certainly be happy to see this – he smiled.
Jack and Sue stood up from the ground embarrassed, and they escaped to the bullpen to get rid of the curious gazes of their colleagues gathered in the hallway.
- Sparky, I knew that you have a sweeping influence on women, but even I didn't expect that this was so true – Bobby grinned. – But you could have waited to get home…
- Stop it, Crash, it was an accident – Jack grumbled.
- What was an accident? – Lucy asked, who had just entered the bullpen.
- Lucy, you always miss the most important things… - Tara said smiling. – Jack and Sue have just found each other, and apparently they really enjoyed each other's company on the floor…
- Sue, you didn't…? – Lucy smiled. – I want to hear all details!
- But nothing happened which is worth to be mentioned… - Sue protested.
- We find the two of you laying on each other on the floor and you call this „nothing worth to be mentioned"? – Bobby asked with a surprised face. – Well Jack, I believe you have found the only woman in the world who wasn't charmed by you right in the first moment…
- We didn't look at where we were going and just bumped into each other, that's all… - Jack explained.
- Were you so lost in your thoughts about each other? – Lucy asked smiling.
Jack was about to protest, but D interrupted him.
- Guys… new information about the Perkins - case… We have an eyewitness.
- John Baker, homeless, he was eyewitness to the murder of Perkins – D informed the team. – Bobby, since you are leading the case, you should talk to him. Meet with him, find out how much he knows, and if he can provide useful information, bring him in – he looked at his colleague.
- OK… There are some things which I should urgently do, but as soon as I'm finished, I'll search for him and talk to him. Until then, go through the files once again, in case something escaped our attention – he looked at the team. – Arnold Perkins was a popular politician, we have to quickly find out who killed him and what could be the reason for the murder – he said.
The alley was dark and deserted, when Bobby walked through it, searching for Baker. Why do I have to come to such places… Another good thing about being an FBI special agent… He hoped he wouldn't have to search for too long, and will quickly find out what he wants to know. Soon he saw someone standing near a house.
- John Baker? – he went over to him.
- It's me, who is asking?
- Bobby Manning, FBI. I have to ask you a few questions. I was informed that a few days ago you saw a murder. Could you talk about this?
- A few days ago a man came here… He was wearing a suit, came with an expensive car… I was wondering what he was doing here; rich people don't usually come to this area. A few minutes later another man appeared. They started talking… and not much later the man who arrived second shot the one with the suit.
- Did you hear what they were talking about?
- No, I was standing too far for that.
- Did the case have another eyewitness?
- No… As far as I know, I am the only one who was there.
- Would you recognize the man with the gun?
- Any time… I'll never forget his face.
- Would you identify the murderer? It would help a lot in capturing him and putting him to prison for the rest of his life.
- Yes… He cannot get away with such a terrible deed.
- In this case, please come with me… You identify the murderer and you can leave.
So they found him, the woman thought. But I won't let my plans be destroyed, even if it is about the FBI. Too much is at stake for this. Yes… these days could fundamentally change my life – she remembered her thoughts from a few days ago.
The two men suddenly heard the noise of the grating wheels of the car. They tried to jump aside from the fast approaching vehicle, but the alley was too narrow for them to be able to get to a secure distance. They only saw the headlights of the fast approaching car… Then complete blackness.