Chapter Five

All of George's work to relax Jessica flew out the window. She was fidgety and wringing her hands after trying to pump Michael for more information. He informed Jessica that all four of the missing Americans had similar physical features, older, overweight, gray haired, wore glasses, and were physicians. The only differences they could discern were two were left handed and two were right handed.

Michael was in constant communication with several people but Jessica couldn't understand what he was saying. It was like he was speaking in code. Jessica didn't know exactly where they were going but it seemed Michael was aware.

"Breathe Jess," George whispered in her ear. "Just relax and breathe."

Jessica hadn't realized she was holding her breath. She let out a long breath of air and closed her eyes. Focusing on her breathing she began to think about Seth. She felt he was still alive. She had no reasoning other than a gut feeling but it was enough for now.

She squeezed George's hand in thanks and began to look out the window. She watched the signage on the highway and determined they were headed toward Albany, NY. An hour before reaching the state capitol though Michael turned off and headed away from the capitol.

Flashing lights and emergency personnel announced their destination.

"Remain in the car." Michael stated just as Jessica was about to open her door. They sat for thirty minutes watching police and technicians doing their job. Jessica noticed a dark sedan with tinted windows parked near them. She couldn't tell if anyone was in the car or not but there was no movement currently.

George leaned towards her. "I think that's your FBI but it could be CIA, hard to say."

A police officer approached the sedan and spoke briefly. The car then started and sped off. The officer approached them next.

He asked for identification and Mort provided his and was asked to vacate the car. George held Jessica's hand either to keep her in the car or for comfort she didn't know.

Mort was gone for 15 minutes and Jessica was becoming agitated when she saw him returning. He nodded towards the men and opened Jessica's door.

"They're willing to let you see the crime scene, Jessica. It's not Seth." His eyes were grave. "Watch where you step."

Jessica followed behind Mort with Michael and George bringing up the rear. The grass had been walked over but a path that led to the bodies was untrampled. They carefully skirted the area and leaned over to see better. The first male was partially hidden by rocks. No wounds were visible, no blood, no bones appeared broken and she didn't see any marks around the neck. The cause of death may have been poison but it certainly wasn't a gunshot or knife killing. No blow to the head, no strangulation. The tongue wasn't protruding so hanging was unlikely.

"Is drowning a possibility?" she asked. Although the clothing wasn't wet depending on how long the body was outside, they could have dried.

"An autopsy will have to be performed but everyone is thinking poison as being more likely. We've all been fooled before though." said Mort. He led the way to the second body. This one made Jessica gasp.

She bit her lip. The man wore a bow tie so similar to one that Seth wore. There was a similarity to Seth but the coloring and hair was different.

George put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. Michael narrowed his eyes but otherwise didn't react. He had to leave tomorrow morning for an assignment he couldn't change and he couldn't deny whatever comfort Jessica could receive even if it was from the dotty Scotty.

Jessica watched as three pairs of dogs started sniffing around. If there were more buried bodies, they would be able to detect them.

"While we wait on the dogs, I'm going to finish calling hospitals," injected Harry as he approached the group. "I still think we need to eliminate the rest while we can."

Jessica nodded as well as George and they trooped back to the car carefully watching where they stepped.

Two hours later the dogs search was completed without success and so were the calls to the hospitals and morgues in the respective states. Jessica supposed no luck was good news but she was starting to get stressed again.

She looked out the window at Michael Haggerty. He had a carefree charm that usually lightened her heart but he was very serious right now. She was grateful he was there to help.

Mort was standing beside Michael and she had to admit they would make a good team. Mort was so expressive and he had a sarcastic wit that appealed to her. He would fit in with her brothers quite easily. Having older brothers she thought it nice that he fit in a younger brother sort of way. Mostly in the way he didn't listen to her and the way he stubbornly tried to keep her out of his investigations. She smiled at the thought. Mort would learn given enough time.

She patted George's hand beside her. He gave her hand a squeeze in return. She was very grateful for his presence. She knew things could get awkward when George and Seth were together but they seemed to make an effort to get along for her sake. She was fond of both men but tried not to dwell on it. There were so many features she liked about both Seth and George. It was like the old song, Torn Between Two Lovers. The first verse really said it all.

There are times when a woman has to say what's on her mind

Even though she knows how much it's gonna hurt

Before I say another word, let me tell you "I love you"

Let me hold you close, and say these words as gently as I can

"There's been another man that I've needed, and I've loved

But that doesn't mean I love you less

And he knows he can't possess me, and he knows he never will

There's just this empty place inside of me that only he can fill"

Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool

Loving both of you is breaking all the rules

Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool

Loving you both is breaking all the rules

Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool-

How apropos Jessica thought. While she didn't think of Michael as a love interest, she knew he was interested as well. Goodness, she thought. At least Harry and Mort are safe from her. The senator showed a lot of interest when she was in Washington, D.C. but moving away had dimmed any hope he may have had. Where were these men when I was young, thought Jessica. She wished Seth was with her. She missed him so much but he was alive, she just knew it.

Seth, where are you?

Seth shivered. It was cold in the dark dank room he was being held in. There were no windows so he wasn't certain how many days he had been captive but he figured at least four days, maybe five. He wasn't afraid of death. As a doctor he saw his fair share and his only worry was his daughter and Jessica. His daughter would feel inconvenienced but he knew she loved him. She had the same gruff exterior that he had.

He spent a lot of time thinking of Jessica, thinking of time wasted because he worried he would make a fool of himself. He hoped Jessica was doing well. They were such good friends, his death would devastate her. He grunted. She would investigate every inch of his death before she was satisfied she knew the truth. He wasn't sure his captors planned to kill him but they had taken two men away and they didn't return. There used to be more according to another man but now that man is gone as well.

The man lying in the next bed was snoring again. Seth knew sleep was a coping mechanism but he didn't find himself very sleepy anymore. If anyone thought something was unusual it would be Jessica. She knew he intended to be gone only three days. Was she searching for him?

Jessica, where are you?