"Sounds like somebody needs a hand." The loud booming voice announced his presence as he entered through the doorway.
"Well now. You are a sight for sore eyes." Rose grinned as she stepped forward and hugged him.
"Please tell me you have something?" Mal stood straight and firm, shaking his hand.
"It's not much but…" Wolf shrugged as he took a look at the board. "You've been busy."
"Hey look who I found." Boyd announced as he and Des walked into the office like old buds. Des still didn't trust him.
"You remember Boyd." Wolf checked as he watched Des trying to stand tall and calm, leaning against the door frame. Wolf had always had a sweet spot for Des, he reminded him of Jimmy in many ways.
"Boyd!" Mal welcomed him cautiously.
"Malachy." Boyd sat down at the table ready to listen. "I hear you need my help."
"You could say that again."
"We really appreciate this Boyd." Rose thanked him, "We know this isn't exactly your jurisdiction but…"
"What do you know so far?" Rose started to fill them in as Des took a seat next to rose for protection.
"Your boy there has made lot of enemies. I'd hate to state the obvious but how do you know that Becker still has Jake? Or that Becker isn't dead himself?"
"The truth is we don't." Mal admitted, "But Becker wouldn't have let Jake go unless he didn't have a choice. Killing Jake became his life goal."
"We'll when I heard what happened and that Mal here was looking for me, I made some investigations of my own."
"Great what did you find?" Mal asked, impulsively leaning closer. Boyd was just about to fill them in when they heard a crashing sound coming from the stairwell.
"Damn it." The soft, feminine voice cursed with frustration.
"Leslie." Mal almost leapt passed Wolf to go see what was happening. When he got to the stairs he could see Leslie at the bottom of the staircase, collecting all of the files that had spilled out across the floor.
"I'm so sorry Boss. I didn't see her." Jimmy apologised as he helped her pick up the papers. By now everyone was at the top of the stairs looking at the mess below.
"You are a walking disaster Jimmy." Boyd scolded him.
"Are you all right?" Mal asked as he pushed past and down to see Leslie.
"I'm fine. Honest Mal, just help me get these files under control. It's going to take me ages to put them back together again." Placing the last file in the box, Leslie picked it up and went to make her way up the stairs. Without allowing an argument, Mal took the box from her and followed right behind.
Back in the office, Leslie opened the box up again, "I grabbed everything I could on Romero." Leslie informed them.
"I'm sorry we haven't been officially introduced. "Jimmy smiled, extending his hand and wondering if he had a shot.
"My apologies. Leslie Bennett, meet Boyd, Jimmy and Wolf."
"We've met." Wolf smiled, nodding his welcome, and nudging Jimmy to back off.
"And your role here is?" Boyd asked politely.
"Leslie is Jake's um…." Rose stumbled.
"Girlfriend" Leslie added.
"More like unofficial fiancé." Mal hoped aloud.
"Well he's a lucky man." Boyd shook her hand. He could see she was not at the top of her game, he felt sorry for her, "Whatever we can do to help find Jake you let us know."
"Thanks I appreciate that." Leslie didn't make much eye contact, she just poured herself a glass of water and drank it slowly. It was only early in the morning and things didn't normally settle down until after lunch.
"As you were saying?" Mal reminded Boyd.
"Yes. Right." Boyd stopped staring at Leslie and continued his speech, "We've been hearing on the down low of this new drug cartel trying to break into Canada and England."
"Carlos Romero's crew, yes we've heard of them."
"We'll rumour is they are operating somewhere near the border of Spain and Morocco."
"We are tracking four ships that headed that way. Do you think you could ask your contacts over there if they have heard anything?"
"It's worth a try." Wolf took the names and left the room to dial a few numbers, Boyd and Mal continued discussing the case.
"My money is definitely on these guys, but what I don't understand is why they have kept him so long. You haven't received a ransom or anything?"
"No." Leslie jumped in. "Becker is insane."
"I remember." Boyd recalled,
"It's personal with him. He wants Jake dead, but not before his broken him."
"Well if that's the case, you can bet Jake's still alive. From what I recall he was quite a cocky little bastard. It's going to take a lot to break him." Wolf smiled at Leslie, trying to give her some hope.
"I have a few more notes in the car. Maybe they can help." Leslie stood up to go and fetch them.
"Wait up, I'll come with you."
"Rose please, I'm all right. You don't need to coddle me."
"I thought I might get us something to drink while I'm down there."
"All right." With Leslie and Rose leaving, and Wolf in the other room on the phone only Jimmy, Boyd and Mal remained.
"Leslie and Jake, they're pretty tight?"
"His head over heels for her."
"Becker knows this?" Boyd asked, making notes.
"I dare say he does."
"We have eyes and ears out. They'll let us know if they find anything." Wolf announced as he returned. He took a seat at the table.
"Jimmy go do a perimeter search. Make sure no ones staking the place out."
"But?"
"Now Jimmy." Reluctantly Jimmy left and Boyd lowered his voice and sat a little closer for privacy.
"How's Leslie holding up?" Boyd needed clear heads and he wanted to know she was up for the job.
"She's tough. It hasn't been an easy few weeks for her."
"For any of you." Wolf added.
"How long do you think Jake can hold out? What does Becker know about him?"
"I'm not sure what you mean?"
"From what I understand Becker's going to use every piece of information he can to make Jake wish he was dead. I have to know Mal. Does Jake know about Leslie?"
"No." Mal whispered back, "No one does. Only Rose and me."
"How far along is she?"
"Three months." Mal's heart felt heavy. "Forgive me for saying this but I'm glad he doesn't know." He knew it would tear Jake apart to think of Leslie sitting back here worried about him. But she was a fighter. They both were.
"Well that's a blessing at least. "
"You have to get him back for me. I don't know what I'll do if this doesn't end well."
"I can't make you any promises Mal, but we'll try."
"I know you will. And thanks."