9

It Had to be You

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Chapter 15

"Lucy and I came in early this morning and put the names on your lists on a database. There are a few names that came up more than once," Tara announced to the team. "A couple of doctors, a dentist, and a social worker."

"Not the usual suspect types in a case like this," remarked Myles. "The doctors and dentist working pro bono, I take it?"

"Yeah. But none of them are on all the lists of the shelters of the murder victims."

"What about the other volunteers?" asked Jack.

"Most of them are listed only by organization," Lucy shared. "There are about a dozen people that volunteer regularly but they've confined their good works to only one shelter. The same goes for the staff members—they work exclusively for one place."

"Well," said Bobby, "Father Dancy did say the list is incomplete. They don't take down the names of all the volunteers."

"So we could still be looking for a volunteer," D commented.

"Or perhaps someone entirely different," Myles pointed out.

"I don't think so," chipped in Bobby. "The fact that only the homeless has been targeted indicates it's someone with some kind of connection. What it is we don't know."

"Perhaps if we brought a psychic on board to assist in the investigation we'd have something a bit more substantial to work with," Myles said sarcastically.

"At this point in time, that may not be a bad idea," D said dryly.

"Well, if it is someone who's been at each shelter, either he isn't on any of the lists or maybe he uses a different name at each place," suggested Tara.

Everyone turned to look at her skepticism evident in their expressions.

"Think about it," said Tara, "if you intended to murder someone, would you give the same name at each place?"

"You've been watching too many cop shows," Myles proclaimed. "However, you may have a valid point. Our suspect may not be using the same name."

"Lucy," spoke up Bobby, "what about the profile on our suspect?"

"I called Theresa first thing when I arrived and she said she'll be here at eight-thirty," replied Lucy glancing at the clock. "It's almost that now."

"Okay then people, let's start bouncing around some ideas," instructed D. "It's been two days since Metro PD dropped this in our laps and so far we've come up with nothing."

"The problem is these blokes are invisible," Bobby pointed out. "People don't see them."

"Yeah," agreed Jack. "So how do we go about making them visible to the extent people will notice them?"

"Well, someone's noticed them," said a new voice. The team turned to the newcomer.

"Theresa!" welcomed D holding out his hand. "It's been a while."

"Which is good," she smiled.

"I think you know everyone here."

Waves and smiles accompanied his statement.

"Can I get you a cup of coffee before you start?" offered Bobby.

"Get me one after I finish," she said as she settled herself next to him.

"So, what do you have for us?" asked Jack as he folded his arms.

She opened her folder and scanned the first page. "Based on the reports you sent to me, our killer is probably a male in the early to mid thirties most likely a college grad with a background in chemistry or medicine. I know this sounds peculiar in the face of what he's done but he's not prone to physical violence."

"He's killing people!" exclaimed Lucy. "Doesn't that qualify as physical violence?"

"In one sense but not another," said Theresa patiently. "None of the victims had physical marks on their bodies nor was the crime committed with weapons. They were, so to speak, bloodless deaths."

"So what you're saying is that this person doesn't kill because he's enraged but he selects his victims and quietly goes about his business?" Bobby asked.

"Oh, he's angry all right," corrected Theresa, "otherwise he wouldn't be doing what he's doing. However, you're right, Bobby, he selects his victims and then kills them."

"You think we're dealing with someone with a vendetta against the homeless?" suggested Myles.

"Precisely," she confirmed. "I'm guessing a loved one had a crime or something similar perpetuated against them by a homeless person and perhaps was never caught or the punishment didn't fit the crime. As a result, the killer has taken the law into his own hands."

"A one man judge, jury and executioner," commented Jack.

"That's what it looks like."

The team mulled over the information the profiler had provided.

"Will there be any identifying habits or personality types we could be looking for?" asked Tara.

"Nothing obvious," Theresa answered. "This person wants to blend in and so far, has been successful." She looked around at the team. "I wish I could give you specific information like height, weight, hair color but this profiling thing doesn't work like that."

"I wish it would," sighed D. "It would make our jobs a lot easier."

"And with the demand for your services, your consulting fees would be astronomical," added Myles.

"That would be nice," smiled Theresa, "but until I ramp up my psychic skills like The Medium, it's not going to happen any time soon. Now, how 'bout that cup of coffee?"

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With the information provided by Theresa, they began a background search on the names on the lists. The organizations were contacted for names of their volunteers which added to the investigation.

"I don't know about you guys," said D standing up to stretch, "but I'm ready to call it a day. Go home. It'll all be here tomorrow."

A weary group of agents nodded in agreement. Background checks were tedious and time-consuming but with no other leads, it held the only potential clue as to the identity of the killer.

"Wanna grab some dinner?" Jack asked Bobby.

"Can't."

Jack eyed his friend pensively. Bobby seemed—anxious. That was the only word to describe him.

"What's up?"

"I don't know what you're talking about?" Bobby responded innocently.

Jack hazarded a guess. "Does this have anything to do with a certain female?"

Bobby clapped a hand on Jack's shoulder. "It has everything to do with her. I'll see you tomorrow."

Lucy watched Bobby almost run out of the bullpen in his haste to leave.

"What's up with Bobby?" she asked Jack.

"Your guess is as good as mine."

Her eyes widened. "He's meeting her, isn't he?"

"He didn't say exactly."

"What did he say? Details, Jack, details!"

"All he said was it had everything to do with her. Draw your own conclusions."

"I hope he's not setting himself for a major disappointment."

"Me, too."

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The dinner meal was the busiest time at the shelter. For many, it was their one hot meal of the day. Sue had a smile and a pleasant word to share with everyone.

"Thanks, Sue," said a grateful man.

"You're welcome, Richie," she smiled.

"Thank you," signed Eric.

"You're welcome. Feeling better?"

"Much. Cough gone."

"That's good. Enjoy your dinner."

As she conversed with the deaf man, she was vaguely aware that someone had slipped next to her in the serving line. She glanced up ready to welcome to newcomer when her smile froze on her face.

"Hello, Sue," grinned Bobby. "Fancy meeting you here! Ready for a bun, mate?"

Speechless, all she could do was stare at him. What was he doing here? A nudge from another volunteer brought her back to reality.

Hastily, she spooned the hot vegetables onto the next person's plate. "Enjoy your meal," she said automatically.

Throughout the rest of the serving time she continued to peek surreptitiously at the man beside her. He was really here smiling and saying pleasantries to the people in line. Who had told him that she would be helping at the shelter tonight? Was it Mark? Had Bobby deliberately sought him out to find out what he knew about her whereabouts? Would he do something like that?

She was here next to him, Bobby thought exultantly. She couldn't run away…she wouldn't run away not when she had an obligation to perform. Maybe this time she would give him a few minutes. He was sure if he could just talk to her they could clear the air and maybe start all over again.

From his viewing point at the kitchen door, Mark observed the pair standing side by side. Their whole body language indicated they were very aware of one another yet neither had uttered a word to the other aside from Bobby's greeting. They need a little help here, thought Mark

Walking towards the serving line, he tapped Sue on the shoulder and spoke to both of them. "Sue? Bobby? The line is slowing down. Do you mind staying here to serve the rest of the diners while the others start cleaning up?"

"Oh, no problem," answered Bobby promptly "I'll be glad to."

"Of course," agreed Sue.

"Thanks," said Mark. He returned to the kitchen to help.

"Busy night," Bobby remarked when he caught Sue looking at him.

"No more so than usual."

"What happens after dinner?"

"There's television if you want to watch. Checkers, chess, cards. Bathing facilities for those who want to make use of them."

"Do they?"

"The women and children usually do."

"They sleep here, too?"

"There's a separate sleeping area for them."

"And the men?"

"There's a designated area for them, too, but usually there are more men than there is room."

"So what happens to the overflow?"

"They sleep on the streets," she said plainly.

"Oh. Makes you want to thank your lucky stars, doesn't it?"

"Yes, it does."

The last person went through the line.

"It was a good day," Sue remarked.

"How so?"

"We had enough food for everyone."

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"Thank you for your help," Mark told the volunteers when the clean up was done. "May God bless each and every one of you. Have a good evening."

The volunteers began to trickle out into the night. Sounds of 'good night' and 'see you next week' were heard as people left. Not wanting to be left alone with Bobby, Sue slipped out to leave with the bulk of the crowd. She'd taken a few steps out the door when she felt a hand on her arm stopping her.

Her dark green eyes stared up at Bobby.

"We need to talk," he said seriously.

"There's nothing to say." Even through her light jacket, the touch of his hand sent a shiver down her spine.

"I know why you left Chicago."

She opened her mouth to ask how he knew but snapped it shut when she realized only one person could have told him the truth—Terry. But why would he tell Bobby?

"Then you know why we can't. I have to go, Bobby," she pleaded.

"Sue, I can take care of myself," he said softly. "I'm a Federal agent who's been trained in self-defense. I have friends who are Federal agents. They won't let anything happen to me either." He took a step closer.

"I…I…" His nearness was making it difficult for Sue to think.

"I've missed you." His hand had slipped down to grasp hers. "More than you could possibly realize."

She could feel her determination to keep her distance seep away with the feel of his warm hand covering hers. She had to restrain herself from throwing her arms around him.

"What say we continue this conversation elsewhere, say at a restaurant over dinner?" he proposed. "This area is not the most conducive to holding a discussion."

"A discussion?"

"A very serious one."

"I'll pick up my car by the shop and follow you."

"I'm not letting you out of my sight," Bobby said promptly. "I'll drive. We can get your car later."

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