10
It had to be you
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Chapter 29
"I think everything you wanted on the Bailey case is in there," Lucy said handing Jack a file.
"Thanks, Luce."
She didn't move. Jack's eyes traveled up. "Is…there something else?"
"What about that Joe Denning? Did he say anything last night?"
Jack sat back in his chair. "Not a word. We're having another go round with him this morning in about…" he checked his watch, "ten minutes."
"You gonna tell Bobby? He might want to be there."
"Nope."
He and D had decided it would be best for the case if Bobby was not involved in the questioning.
"And if he shows up?"
"He can watch from behind the glass."
Lucy looked skeptical. "He's not gonna like that."
"He doesn't have to like it," said D overhearing their conversation. "That's the way it's going to be."
"Who's going to tell him?"
Jack jabbed his thumb towards D.
"Lucky me," D said wryly.
"As the titular head of this unit, along with the prestige and big bucks," smirked Myles, "that go with the title comes certain unenviable responsibilities including telling Bobby he can't be part of the interrogation of the man who attempted to kill his own personal cookie baker.
The phone rang as eyes rolled.
"Hudson."
Eyes focused on Jack
"Thanks. We'll be right there." Jack reached for his coat jacket. "They're early. Denning…I mean Tyler and his lawyer are here."
Instantly, Myles and D grabbed their coats closely following behind Jack.
"Hey!" called out Lucy as the men hurried out of the bullpen. She turned with an exasperated expression.
"What?" asked Tara.
"D just left," Lucy pointed out. "Now who's gonna tell Bobby he can't be in there?"
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"Potential upset agent spotted at twelve o'clock high," Tara muttered to Lucy as she looked up from the computer screen they were both staring at.
"Oh boy!" responded Lucy under her breath. "Hey, Bobby!" she exclaimed with a bright smile. "We weren't expecting you until later. How's Sue?"
"She was thinking of baking cookies when I left her," he replied his footsteps slowing as he neared the women. He looked around and noticed the men were gone. "Where's everyone?"
"He noticed!" Lucy mumbled. "What do you mean everyone? We're here," she replied out loud.
"D? Myles? Jack? Where did they go?" Bobby's eyes narrowed as he gazed at the two women. "All right, what's going on?" he asked suspiciously.
"Going on?" repeated Tara innocently. "Nothing's going on. Is anything going on, Lucy?"
"Not to my knowledge."
"Lucy…Tara…" He took a step forward a stubborn set to his jaw.
The women stared at each other conducting a silent argument as to who would tell Bobby.
"Ladies…now," he said firmly.
"All right," blurted Tara. "They're questioning the suspect."
"What!" exploded Bobby. "Why wasn't I informed?"
He spun on his heels ready to head for the interrogation room before Lucy could take a step.
"Bobby!" Lucy called out as she hurried after him. Tara was already on the phone to D. She grabbed his arm to stop him.
"Let go, Luce."
"No, I won't," she said resolutely. "Not until you promise you won't go into the interrogation room."
"That blasted bloke nearly killed Sue," he said angrily. "Tell me one reason why I shouldn't go there."
"Because your presence could compromise the case against Joe Denning! Is that what you want? The case thrown out before the trial even begins?"
That stopped him.
"Let them do their job. I know how much you want to be in there but you have to step back this time."
She watched as Bobby struggled with his emotions. She knew how he felt and sympathized but it wouldn't help the case.
"It's the best way to protect Sue," she added playing her trump card.
At the mention of Sue's name, Bobby's common sense kicked in. Lucy was right.
A sardonic smile creased his face. "Can I at least say nasty things about the bloke from behind the mirror?"
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Bobby strode down the corridor to the interrogation area when he spotted D…arms folded waiting for him.
"Denning in there?" Bobby asked nodding towards the questioning room.
"Yes."
"You letting me in there?"
"No."
"Didn't think so but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask. You know, you didn't have to wait outside the door of the interrogation room," Bobby remarked. "I promised Luce I'd watch from in there."
"That's why I'm here."
"To make sure I wouldn't interrupt the questioning?"
"No, I'm actually here to tell you the guy cracked."
"He confessed?" Disbelief was plain in his voice.
"He's singing like the proverbial canary including three other murders we didn't know anything about."
"Are you certain he's the serial killer?"
"He's supplying details only the killer would know. He's our man."
Bobby took a moment to absorb the news.
"Did he say why?"
"His sister died when she swerved to avoid hitting a homeless man running across the street. Instead of hitting the man, she hit a utility pole. She died on the way to the hospital. This was his way of getting back."
"Why Sue?"
"It's like Theresa said. Sue was a threat to him so he needed to get rid of her."
"You think he's crazy?"
"His lawyer wants a psych eval done."
"Insanity plea?"
"The lawyer doesn't have many options since her client confessed."
"Can I listen in?"
"It's up to you but if it were me, I wouldn't," D advised him. "It won't make you feel any better."
Bobby wavered. A part of him wanted to inflict serious bodily harm to the man and another wanted to put the whole incident behind.
"We got him, Bobby. It's over. Finish up whatever's on your desk and go break the news to Sue."
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"Mark!" exclaimed Sue as she opened the door. "What are you doing here? I mean…
come in."
"Thanks," he smiled as he entered. He sniffed. "Something smells good."
"Chocolate chip cookies just out of the oven. Would you like some?"
"I never pass up a chance for homemade cookies."
He followed her into the kitchen.
"Milk? Coffee? Tea?"
"Oh, milk, of course." He settled himself onto a chair.
"There you go…freshly baked cookies right out of the oven," she smiled as she placed a plate and a glass of milk in front of him.
"Thanks."
Mark took a bite. "Good…very good."
"I'll pack some for you to go."
"I may have to fight off the rest of the staff if they know I have home-baked cookies."
"I made a double batch," she informed him. "Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"I came to see how you are," he explained. He felt a pang of guilt when he saw the traces of the bruises on her neck through the opening of her collar. "And to apologize for this," he said as he gently touched her neck.
"You had nothing to do with these," she answered as she drew her collar closer.
"I feel responsible," he grimaced. "I left you alone with a homicidal maniac."
"Don't be silly!" she protested. "You didn't know!"
"He came to me asking for a job while he got back on his feet and I just snatched at the opportunity of someone so willing to work for a pittance. What kind of priest am I if I couldn't sense such conflict…such anger in someone? Especially a person I've seen nearly every day for three months?" he said in an anguished voice.
"Someone overworked with too many responsibilities," she responded matter-of-factly. She knew the memory of the attack would linger for a long time but she was coping with the help of Bobby and her friends. Mark needed support, too.
Her hand covered his. "You can't go around psychoanalyzing everyone. You'd go crazy…which probably a lot of people already think you are since you're a priest and you work with the homeless."
A reluctant smile lifted the corner of his mouth. "Maybe you should be wearing this collar instead of me," he said ruefully.
"I might for the next few days," she said lightly. "Until these fade."
The stricken look reappeared.
"It was a joke, Mark, and not a very good one," Sue instantly said. "I'm sorry."
"If anyone should apologize it should be me."
"Stop it, Mark! If you don't stop apologizing I'll….I'll tell Janice never to send pastries to the shelter again!" threatened Sue.
"But it's what we priests do so well….ask forgiveness for the sins of everyone," he quipped. He got her message—she would cope in her own way as he should cope in his. "No more pastries, huh? That is pretty dire," he remarked. "My people would never forgive me if I stopped their pastry supply line. You've got yourself a deal."
He held out his hand.
"Deal," she smiled. "Now, how 'bout another cookie?"
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Bobby frowned slightly as he pulled up in front of the O'Brien house. Whose car was in the driveway? he wondered as he reached for the bouquet beside him. He'd planned to surprise Sue with the good news and celebrate the closure of the case beginning with the flowers.
After a quick phone call to Janice, he'd received the okay from D to take some time off. He planned to do his utmost to create those new memories Janice had spoken of with Sue to erase the horror of the past few days. And maybe…just maybe Sue would change her mind about them.
Ringing the doorbell, a goofy smile appeared on his face as his gaze landed on the bouquet he held. He remembered the other time he'd brought flowers. Would it happen again? The smile turned into a slight frown when there was no answer.
Where could she be? he wondered. Or…or had something happened? His face paled momentarily as he thought of the possibilities before common sense kicked in. She was probably in a part of the house that wasn't hooked up to the doorbell. Now where would that be? Kitchen? She had mentioned something about baking cookies.
He rounded the corner and peeked in. There she was, he smiled in relief as he watched her slide a cookie sheet out of the oven. He knocked on the door before he remembered she wouldn't be able to hear him. To his surprise, the door swung open.
"Oops! Sorry…I was just leaving," said Mark.
"Mark? What are you doing here?" blurted a startled Bobby.
"Apologizing for last night."
"It wasn't your fault."
"That's what I've been told," Mark said, "but it'll take a while before I forgive myself for what almost happened to Sue."
"Join the club."
"Bobby!" exclaimed a delighted Sue spotting him over Mark's shoulder. "I didn't expect you until tonight."
He gave her a brief kiss and the flowers.
"Thank you but what's this for?" she asked puzzled.
"The reason why I'm here," he answered. "I was ordered to share some news with you." He looked at the priest. "You'll be interested in this, too."
"Good news, I hope."
"John Tyler aka Joe Denning confessed to the serial killings. The case is closed."
"It's…it's over?" she asked incredulously trying to absorb the impact of the information.
"It's over."
She wrapped her arms around him. "It's over," she said unsteadily. She buried her head in his chest.
"Is it really?" asked Mark.
"He gave enough details to convince the FBI that we have the right person. It's over, Mark," Bobby assured him.
"Thank God!" He thought for a moment then asked, "What happens to Joe?"
"That's up to the court to decide."
Able to reign in her emotions, she lifted a damp face to Bobby. "Sorry," she smiled tremulously. "Seems to be a habit with me."
"It's what brought us together," he answered as he wiped her tears away.
Mark's eyes darted between the two people. They seemed to have forgotten he was there. Quietly, he let himself out. A small smile hovered on his lips as he closed the door behind him. I wonder if they want a Catholic service, he thought.
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A/N: There's just one more chapter to wrap everything up. Thank you for all the comments. Those are much appreciated and keep me going.