Redemption

Chapter Fifty-Six

The Dungeon wasn't exactly the perfect meeting spot Bobby had envisioned. He was sure he would rather stand at the end of an alley while Danni conducted her business, but this wasn't exactly a social call and they weren't exactly being announced. Danni would work alone, but there was no way he was going to let her out of his sight. This club wasn't exactly known for its upstanding citizens, but more for their mysterious and perverse sides. He wasn't sure he wanted her to go in there at all, but she'd explained about conducting business in there before. It didn't mean Bobby had to like it, though.

He grimaced when he entered, the smell of cigarettes, booze, and a few other odors he didn't want to identify burned his nose, while Danni entered without a problem. Both of them walked up to the bar, Danni's smile and most certainly her badge attracting the bartender. He was tall and muscular, though his abs had seen better days and more than enough alcohol in his younger days. His head was completely shaved which made it all the more easy for people to see his tattoo: a naked woman on a Harley.

He'd made may comments to Danni that it made him think of her when she pulled on her bike, though she only disregarded them before getting down to business. This time, however, she wasn't going to give him the pleasure of saying something sexist or give Bobby the opportunity to shoot someone who was very important to her operation.

His name was Carl and he was an ex-con who'd gone straight enough to become another of her snitches. Though, he wasn't the one she wanted to speak to. Marty was in the club somewhere and she was very eager to talk to him. Without a word, he pointed to the back corner, Marty's usual table, and went back to the glass he'd been cleaning before she approached.

Bobby took a seat at the bar, making sure to keep her in his eyesight. One wrong move and Bobby would pull rank and make sure this Marty character knew who he was dealing with. He knew he was being overprotective, but he couldn't help it in a dump like this. He'd never actually say it was a dump, because there were quite a few angry-looking men who looked like they'd be able to snap him in half if given the opportunity, so he just remained quiet and focused on what was happening in front of him.

Danni looped her thumbs into the decorative pockets of her dress slacks as she sauntered to the back table. The small gesture made her seem so much more imposing and menacing than she really was, though ask any criminal who'd underestimated her small stature and frame and they could tell a very interesting story. She was tough cookie and given the opportunity, she wouldn't hesitate to put her skills into practice.

She hadn't been able to tell from the bar, but Marty was not alone which wasn't usual for him. She wondered what he'd done to attract such company, though she wouldn't ask. Time was of the essence, here and that meant getting down to business. She flashed her badge, which rested upon her left hip, while her gun rested in its hip holster. Keeping up pretense was not what she had in mind for today.

The two rather voluptuous women that sat with him—one on each side—looked up at Danni as if she'd insulted them with just her presence, but with one look at her badge and gun, their demeanor changed and they scurried away from the table as fast as their three-inch stiletto heels would allow them. Their quick movement was what caused Marty to look up at her, his eyes darkened with offense that she had ruined his fun. "That wasn't necessary," he said as Danni took a seat across from him.

"I didn't say a word, but the fact that they ran has me curious." Her tone was calm, though her eyes showed her true feelings. Anger was too harsh of a word to describe her feelings, yet it was the only thing she could think of.

He leaned back and slumped in his chair, making himself look much tougher than he really was. All Danni had to do was call Bobby over and his attitude would change quickly. "What do you want, Talbot?"

"Where were you yesterday?"

"I had something to take care of."

"Care to elaborate?" She leaned forward, folding her arms flat upon the table top. She was happy she'd left her jacket on, because she really wasn't sure what was on the tabletop and probably didn't want to know. Pretending to be menacing was difficult if your elbow was in goo, though around Marty it was a bit easier. All she had to do was narrow her eyes and tense up as if in anger and he'd usually spill. Unfortunately, he wasn't in a very talkative mood so she had to change her usual rapport to get the information she wanted.

"You're not my only contact with the police, you know. I do have others who are in need of my services as well." He buffed the nails of right hand on his shirt to show that he felt so special that he was trusted by so many law enforcement officers. She didn't find it so intriguing, so she decided to bring him down a notch.

"I really don't have time for this, Marty," she groaned, running a hand through her loose-flowing hair. It seemed like he was getting the better of her for once and she was becoming agitated by his sudden cockiness.

"You know how this works, Talbot. I don't give you what you ask for unless you give me something in return." Snooty little elf.

"That rule doesn't apply when you stand me up," she reminded him. He opened his mouth to argue, but closed it when he saw the look of aggravation in her eyes. She'd gotten him there.

"All right. I'll waive my usual payment for today."

She smiled triumphantly and leaned back in the chair. "Good."

Garrett's stare was fierce as he stared at one of his top agents. His dark eyes burned with a fire that told the two people in front of him that this was no joking matter. This was serious and they had a lot of explaining to do. As calmly as possible, he folded his hands in front of him. He wasn't going to yell at them or forbid them to speak while he gave his speech. He would speak to them as the father-figure he'd become in hopes of getting this matter resolved.

"I suppose you two understand why my vacation was cut short just so we could have this conversation?" He waited for any inkling of notification that his question had been understood, which he received as only slight nods of their heads. "You two knew and understood the rules, yet you still disobeyed them. Now, I knew this was forthcoming and I probably would have let it slide if you'd come to me. Unfortunately, I can no longer do that."

"Why?" Sue piped up, still unsure of how anyone could have known. They'd been so careful and still they were discovered.

Garrett's dark eyes scanned the couple's confused expressions; they hadn't known about the video, which he suspected. He said nothing as he pulled his keyboard toward him and typed something before turning his flat-screen monitor toward them. With a touch of a button, he pushed play and watched as the embarrassment crept to Jack and Sue's faces.

Sue's apartment appeared on screen, Jack and Sue standing only a few feet from her door. A wince appeared on Jack's face as he leaned forward in his seat and watched the video via the tops of his eyes. The moment when he and Sue had tumbled onto the couch had just passed, yet he couldn't watch anymore. He diverted his eyes every few moments before he realized what was coming.

He let out a heavy sigh as he watched him and Sue approaching the door to say goodbye, Lucy having already entered and passed by them without a second glance. His heart clenched when he glanced over at her to find her watching intently, despite the embarrassed tint that colored her cheeks. "I've seen enough," he told Ted, turning the screen away just as Virtual Jack's lips started forming the phrase he didn't want Sue to see just yet. Another glance at Sue told him how afraid she was about the repercussions that would ensue when Ted finally passed judgment. They would be great, he was sure, but whatever the Assistant Director had to throw at him, he could take it like the agent he was.

He opened his mouth to speak to Ted again, but closed it when he found he had nothing to say. The want to tell the superior agent to punish him, instead of Sue was unyielding. He didn't want her to be disciplined for something that he started, yet she hadn't pulled away from. Jack would ask for him to be transferred. He could work with any unit the FBI had to offer. Sue was unique and wouldn't be treated the same if she were to be moved. She deserved to be surrounded by her friends—the ones she'd considered a family.

He was surprised when she spoke up, yet her voice was barely audible. "What's going to happen to us?"

Garrett didn't respond at first as he considered the possibilities. There was so much he could do, yet Jack and Sue were like family to him as well. He could punish them for going behind his and the rest of the FBI's backs or he could completely ignore the situation. The latter wasn't an obvious choice, though he was sure he could work something out. "Like I said before, Miss Thomas, if you would have come to me first, I would have let this slide. But, this video was sent to the upper brass and they aren't very happy about it or with me for letting this situation get by unnoticed."

"Where did the video come from?" Jack asked, wondering who could have had the guts to pull such a stunt and video tape him and Sue in such a passionate embrace.

"They didn't say."

"Don't you think that's a little suspicious?" Sue asked, catching onto Jack's reasoning. If they could find the source of the video, then they might find a connection to their murderer.

"What are you getting at, Thomas?" Ted awkwardly cleared his throat, not wanting to admit that he hadn't thought of that before. He was more focused on other things and not the origin of the video.

"What Sue's trying to say is that we think he might assist with our case. We think it might lead to Dessa or one of his men." A small grin formed on Jack's lips. It was perfect. If Tara could trace it back to the original sender, they might have the perfect lead.

Ted nodded. "I'll check on it." He paused and looked at the two sitting in front of him. It was in that moment that he noticed something that could assist him in his persuasion, yet he wouldn't reveal his musings until he took it up with his bosses. "This little bit of information doesn't let you off the hook, though," he said before picking up his telephone and shooing them out the door.