Here's another update. If you're reading this, please know that I really do appreciate getting reviews on these chapters. When I update and don't get anything, it makes me wonder if people are still reading. If you want to keep getting more of this and other Wega stories, please let me know, so I don't mistakenly stop writing because I'm under the impression that no one cares.
"Who are we trying to identify?" Wylie asked as he activated his facial recognition software.
"This man," Lisbon said, sliding an eight by ten across the desk. Vega leaned past her to see. "He is our prime suspect in a series of home invasions of local politicians. He may be working for some people looking to fix next year's elections in favor of those who want to deport everyone who isn't a U.S. citizen."
"Even people here through legal channels?"
"All the victims of the burglaries have one thing in common – their stance on this single issue," Jane said. "Personal documents are being taken, which makes me think this man, or someone who hired him, let's be honest, you can tell by this one security image that he does not take his political opinions to the extreme - " Cho rolled his eyes at Jane's confidence " – but he's the prime candidate for petty thievery for hire. We find him, we should be able to break him and figure out who he is working for."
"But we have no idea who he is."
"No one recognized him when we circulated the photo near the crime scenes," Lisbon said. "Agent Kemper and I talked to over fifty people within three blocks of every house."
"Well, just give me an hour or two and I'll let you know his name, address, family, and the last place he bought lunch," Wylie said.
Vega smirked.
"We'll leave you to it, then," Cho said. "Vega, I need you and Lisbon to go back to one of the crime scenes and speak to the family; all but one were not home when we were there the morning after the incident. Wylie, keep working. Jane, I can tell by the way you keep looking at your watch that you need to run home and try and surprise the babysitter to see if it's her or Mimi eating your muffins, so go. Meet up with Lisbon and Vega at the house."
"Got it, boss," they all said, slightly out of unison.
"His name is Frederick Schumacher," Wylie said. "Twenty four. He lives in Laredo, but he's originally from Huntsville, just moved here two months ago. Doesn't appear to have any living relatives but does have a couple MIPs from his college days. Looks like he dropped out because there's no record of a graduation."
"But what did he have for lunch?"
Wylie rolled his eyes as he adjusted the phone to be held between his shoulder and ear. "I'm not a miracle worker, Michelle." He smiled. "You enjoying being in the field again?"
"It feels like it's been longer than two weeks," she said. "Lisbon even paid for my hot chocolate."
"Hot chocolate?"
"I can't for the life of me remember if I can drink coffee. And that place down the street puts whipped cream on theirs now. What?" He heard a muffled voice in the background. "Okay," she said, speaking to him again, "apparently that isn't that recent of a development. But it's new to me, and I like it. How are you?"
"Okay," Wylie said, setting his jaw for a moment before speaking again. "I'm glad you sound happy."
"I am," she said. "I feel so good, today."
"Good." Wylie nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "Well, I'll let you get back to work. Text me when you guys are on your way back, okay?"
"Of course. Love you."
"Love you too."
Wylie put his phone down, pressing the side button to turn off the display after she had hung up. He tapped his fingers on the desk, glancing over at hers. There was a picture frame sitting on it. He couldn't see from his angle, but he knew there was a picture of them in it, on their wedding day. She had stood on a chair to appear taller than him, then leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind, kissing his temple and then resting her cheek against his. Her aunt had gotten the picture, both of them smiling like idiots. Wylie had the same photo in his wallet. The one on his desk was from her first day back working at the FBI, under her new identity, Michelle Bonaventura. His arm was around her shoulders; one of hers was around his waist, and her other hand was held up by her chest, giving the camera a thumbs up. They were both wearing their FBI badges. The biggest similarity between his desk photo and hers were their smiles.
"Was that Vega?"
"Yeah," Wylie said. He relayed the information he'd given Vega to Cho, adding that he believed the two women would be home within the hour. "Jane ever meet up with them?"
"No," Cho said. "I sent him out to survey the employees of the park next to the second victim's home. We suspected a few of them were lying about never seeing Schumacher before." He paused a moment, then spoke again. "She will thrive the next couple months she's able to work at full capacity. I think now that she's feeling a bit better, work will help her. Do you agree?"
"Yeah," Wylie said, unsure of if he wanted to be having this conversation. He blocked his next thought from leaving his lips.
"Good." Cho turned to head to the elevator. "I'm going to meet up with Jane, see what we can figure out."
"Okay."
He watched his boss go. Once the elevator doors closed behind him, sighed. "Nothing I tried made you feel better."
But one conversation with Cho, and you're smiling like you are in those photos.
