10
It Had to be You
A/N: There was a question about Levi's non-appearance. I decided in this particular story not to include him because of plot purposes and because most deaf people, at least the ones I've known, don't have hearing dogs.
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Chapter 25
Alerted by the bell tinkling overhead, Howie glanced up as he wiped a table. "Hey! Look who's here!" he beamed.
Janice straightened up from putting a tray in the display case. "Came to tell us you caught that psycho?" she asked hopefully as the two FBI agents approached the counter.
Bobby regretfully shook his head. "I wish I could say yes but we haven't." He looked around. "Could we talk to Sue for a minute?"
"Sure. I'll get her." She looked at them. "You want some coffee?" she offered.
Jack held up his hand. "No, thanks," he declined.
"If you change your mind, let me know." She took a step then stopped. "By the way, I may offer Tina a job when this is all through," she stated. "I could use someone like her…especially if and when Sue eventually decides to leave…some day."
"Leave?" asked a puzzled Howie. "She's going somewhere and she didn't mention it to me?"
Janice raised an eyebrow as her glance slid towards Bobby. She smirked as she disappeared into the back.
"Oh!" Howie exclaimed his eyes growing round as his attention turned towards Bobby. "I get it! She means if you and she…I mean you and Sue not you and Janice because it's obvious that you and Sue have this thing between you two and not you and the boss because…."
"We get the idea," interrupted Jack hoping to stop the rambling.
"Hi!" said Sue her appearance curtailing further comments from her co-worker. "This is a nice surprise. I didn't expect to see you 'til later."
As Bobby leaned down to kiss her on the cheek, he could clearly see the question in her eyes despite her smiling countenance.
"We're here on business," he said regretfully. "We need to ask you a couple of questions."
"Sure but I think I've told you everything. "
Bobby glanced around for a spot with a little more privacy.
"Let's talk over there," he gestured and took a hold of her elbow to guide her to a table in the corner as Jack trailed behind. As they settled down, Howie brought over two cups of coffee.
"On the house," he told them. "Plus, it'll make you blend in with the customers better," he said conspiratorially. "It was my idea. I've watched plenty of cop shows to know how you guys like to become part of the scenery…you know, be inconspicuous."
"Tell Janice thanks," said Bobby. "And thanks for the idea, Howie."
"Any time," he beamed. "You need anything else, just give me a sign. I'll be keeping an eye out on your table."
The little group watched Howie as he returned to his spot behind the counter. He wiggled his fingers in a little wave.
"You wanted to ask me some questions?" Sue reminded them.
"Did you tell anyone you found Eric?" asked Bobby.
"No," she responded shaking her head. "Only the police and you. It's not something I want to talk about."
Both men nodded sympathetically. Most witnesses to a violent crime tended to be reticent about their experience.
"So aside from the FBI and police, the only people who even know of your involvement in this case are Janice and Howie," summarized Bobby.
"And Mark, of course."
"Did they mention your involvement to anyone?"
"I'm not positive but I don't think so."
"We need to find out," Bobby stated.
"I'll do it," volunteered Jack. "Finish your coffee. This stuff is way better than what we have back at the office." With a flash of a smile, he headed towards the counter to pose his questions.
"That was a convenient excuse to give us some time together," she remarked.
"He does have his moments." The pair stared at each other for a few seconds before Bobby asked, "How are you holding up?"
"Fine," she smiled to reassure him. "There's Janice and Howie in the front and Tina in the back. I've never been so well-chaperoned in my life," she kidded.
"That was our intent."
"Well, I hope you catch the killer soon because all these chaperones are going to wreak havoc with my personal life."
"Ah…your personal life," he repeated as he reached to grasp her hand. "I've been thinking about that," he said conversationally attempting to keep the mood light.
"You have?"
"I have. When this is all over…and it will be soon," he promised, "I think we should spend some time together getting to know each other better just as we planned three months ago."
"You mean getting to know each other better like this past weekend?"
"You read my mind," he smirked.
"It wasn't that difficult," she teased.
"I promise to make it even more memorable," he boasted.
"Is it possible?"
"Oh…definitely."
"I'll look forward to you living up to your word when this is all over."
"It's a task I'll truly enjoy," he smiled as his grip tightened.
From behind the counter, Jack and Janice discreetly observed the pair trying to maintain an air of normalcy in spite of the overhanging threat of danger.
"If that creep touches a hair on her head, I'm going after him myself," declared Janice.
"You'll have to wait in line."
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"How's she doing?" Jack inquired as he and Bobby drove the short distance to the shelter. A visit to Father Dancy was next on the list.
"Handling it as well as can be expected under the circumstances."
"Better than you?"
"Probably," answered Bobby with a wry smile.
"You can always ask off the case if the pressure gets to be too much for you."
Bobby gave him a look. "You know I wouldn't."
"I know you wouldn't," shrugged Jack, "but I thought I'd just mention it because no matter how this case unfolds, when we catch the perp and you know we will, you need to remember you're an FBI agent first."
"And what does that mean?"
"That means keeping your feelings in check and treat this like any other case."
"You think I won't?"
"I figure a reminder wouldn't hurt."
"Your concern has been duly noted."
"Good," said Jack as he pulled into a parking stall. "We're here."
In a couple of minutes, the two agents walked down the hall towards Father Dancy's office. A handyman stood on a ladder changing an overhead light.
"Excuse me," called out Bobby. "Is Father Dancy here?"
"In his office."
"Thanks."
The worker's eyes followed the men noting their official appearance until they disappeared into the priest's office.
"Need I ask what brings you here?" greeted Mark in a tired voice. He'd been called to identify the body. "No more bodies I hope."
"No, and we're trying our best to prevent Sue from being the next one," said Bobby grimly.
"What do you mean?" Mark asked sharply.
"It's too much of a coincidence that Richie was killed so soon after the last victim," spoke up Jack.
"We think he feels threatened by the presence of possible witnesses to his crime," Bobby continued, "so he's getting rid of the dangers."
Mark's face paled as he realized what they were telling him. Sue would probably be the next target.
"What can I do to help?"
"Did you speak to anyone about finding Eric Shelton?" asked Bobby.
Mark thought for a moment. "No one except Sean."
"Sean?"
"Brother Donahue. We talked about Eric over a cup of coffee."
"Did you mention names?"
"Oh, dear God! I think I did," responded Mark looking stricken. "Do you think…"
"Calm down, Mark," said Bobby. "Think…was anyone around when you did?"
"There was no one in the dining room with us but that's not to say someone couldn't have been outside listening in."
"Any idea of who could've been hanging around?"
"Joe is usually around."
"Joe?"
"Our handyman. He stays here 24/7."
"Anyone else?"
"Clarice and Norman the dorm supervisors, Mitch the head cook, his staff…any of our clients…" Mark shrugged helplessly.
"Okay," interrupted Jack. "We have to start somewhere. Could we get a list of the staff that's here at that particular time?"
"Got it." Mark looked at Bobby. "What about Sue? She's in a great deal of danger if what you say is true."
"We have an agent with her at all times plus Janice and Howie are keeping an eye on her."
"How's she taking it?"
"Making the best of a stressful situation."
"Sounds like Sue."
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"Anything?" asked Jack as he entered the bullpen with Bobby. Worry was written all over the tall agent's face.
"As a matter of fact," answered Tara with a smile pleased to have some good news, "there is."
"There is?" Bobby asked eagerly.
"You know how we've been wondering if the killer worked at each shelter?" asked Tara.
"Yea but you came up with only a few names that were similar."
"Yeah we did but we thought what if the killer worked at each place but changed his name each time?" brought up Lucy.
"Good thinking," Jack praised.
"So we got on the phone and checked with each shelter. All four had someone who left within four to eight weeks after the murders."
"This didn't raise a flag?" Jack queried.
"No," answered Tara. "The staffing at these places tend to be rather transient because the pay's not good and the situation not ideal. You have to have a real sense of altruism and commitment to stay at one of these places on a long term basis."
"But what about a social security number?" asked a puzzled Bobby. "You need a social security number to get a paycheck unless they were paid in cash."
"We did background checks on these men," shared Tara. "Three are still alive, one died three years ago."
"Okay, sounds like we have something to work with here. Where's D and Myles?"
"Checking out the other three men."
Lucy's eyes darted between the two men. "Did you guys come up with anything?"
Bobby took out a sheet of paper from his coat pocket. "A list of people who could've possibly overhead Father Mark tell his co-worker about Sue."
Lucy and Tara frowned. "It's kind of long. Can we eliminate the women?"
"No, we cannot," said Jack decidedly. "A woman may have overhead the conversation and inadvertently shared the information with the killer."
"You've got a point," agreed Tara.
"Okay, let's check out these names and hope we get lucky."
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"You're what?" exclaimed Janice.
"It's Thursday, my day to volunteer at the shelter," Sue said calmly. "You know how difficult it for Mark to get volunteers."
"I'm sure he'll understand if you don't go until your young man catches the killer," Janice said trying to be reasonable.
"Janice, what could happen with an FBI agent with me?" Tina had left and another agent took her place. "Plus Mark and Sean will be there and all the other volunteers. I'll be surrounded by people."
"Sue," said Janice warningly.
"I'll be fine," she insisted. "As soon as we finish serving and cleaning up, I'll come straight home…I promise."
Janice stared at her young friend and saw determination on her face. "What can I say to change your mind?"
"Not a thing."
"All right," Janice reluctantly gave in. "But I'm staying up until you get home."
"You don't have to do that," protested Sue.
"It's for my peace of mind," said Janice firmly, "so don't dilly dally. I'm an old lady. I need my rest."
Sue smiled and gave her friend a hug. "You are the least old person I know," she said.
"Ha! I bet you say that to all your bosses," replied Janice.
"It's the truth."
"Truth or not, I have one bit of advice."
"Only one?" Sue's eyes twinkled.
"You stick to that agent like gum to a shoe. I don't want anything to happen to you."
"Bobby will make sure nothing does," Sue said confidently.
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"What are you doing here?" demanded Mark when he saw Sue enter the building.
"It's my day to volunteer," she replied. "Remember?"
"Of course I remember but I just thought maybe you'd prefer being home until everything is…settled."
She appreciated his unstated concern. "And leave you short-handed?" she said lightly. "I don't think so."
"I see you have a new friend," he commented noticing Sue's escort for the first time.
"Mark, Special Agent Dennis Emerson," introduced Sue. "This is Father Dancy."
"Father."
"I take it you're here to watch her."
"Right."
"Is he going to help serve?" Mark asked Sue. "People will wonder what he's doing here if he's jus standing around. Besides, we can always use an extra pair of hands."
A frown appeared on the young agent's face. "I'm here to make sure nothing happens to you."
"How much safer could I be with an FBI agent next to me?" smiled Sue.
"She's got a point there," smiled Mark. "Get him an apron, Sue."
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