Redemption

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Myles and D had returned by the time Jack and Sue arrived back at the bullpen, their jackets still on their backs and waiting for the approval they needed. They watched Bobby as he talked to the man on the other end of the line, his annoyance evident as he tried to convince the judge to give them what they needed. "Yeah, I understand that, but that's why we need the warrant." He paused as he listened to the man's reasoning. Jack could swear he heard him mutter "drongo" under his breath before he nudged Danni's arm and motioned his head in the team leader's direction.

"Jack, Marty came through for us," she stated simply as Bobby continued his work on the judge. So far, the old man wasn't budging and the Aussie was losing his last nerve.

"I thought he stood you up," Sue said as she bent down to rub Levi's head when he ran over to greet her. She received a warm wet kiss upon the palm as a welcome back from her favorite, furry friend.

"He did, but I was able to track him down." She was met with two puzzled expressions which she shrugged off. "It's a long story. Anyway, there's a warehouse that's been storing some illegal ammo and arms. He things it'll give up the lead we're looking for, but we need a warrant and Judge Treger isn't budging."

"He's sure about this?" Jack asked, skeptically. "He's not just pulling your leg so you'll lay off him?" He'd done it once, what's supposed to make Jack think he wouldn't do it again?

She crossed her arms over her chest in a proud stance, a smile curled on her lips. "He knows better." Fool her once, shame on her; fool her twice, shame on him.

He nodded and took the phone from Bobby who looked like he was about to begin yelling at the stubborn judge. "Judge Treger? Jack Hudson," he began as if they'd been friends forever. He smiled when he was greeted in the same fashion.

Danni's gaze shifted to Sue when she figured Jack could handle the warrant. Her cousin still looked a bit shaken by Garrett's sudden arrival. "You okay?" she signed to which Sue nodded.

"Explain later," the blond signed in return before setting her gaze back to Jack.

"Great. Thank you, sir," Jack said as he hung up the phone with a triumphant smile. "We got it. You'd better be right about this." He pointed to Danni, yet it was the slight teasing glint in his eyes that told her that he was semi-serious. Teasing her had become part of his routine, these days. He just couldn't resist, considering she was like a sister to him and would be as soon as she and Bobby tied the knot. It kind of sounded weird, but it made so much sense. They would make one another happy, he was sure of it.

"Well, there's only one way to find out, now isn't there?" she replied in the same manner as she straightened her jacket.

Jack pulled on his jacket and pointed to Myles and Bobby to tell them that they were joining him. He looked at Danni as if studying her before nodding to her. She was the one who'd gotten the address, after all, so he figured he might as well let her join. He turned to D. "Hold down the fort. We won't be long." D nodded as he removed his coat and hung it up on the coat rack.

"How'd you get Treger to agree?" Bobby asked as the three agents and the detective made their way out into the hall. "I had him on the phone for twenty minutes trying to get him to give us the warrant."

Jack smiled as he pushed the button for the elevator. "I just reminded him that he owed me a favor." They all climbed on and Danni pushed the button for the parking garage since she was the closest to the console.

"Show off," The Aussie muttered, a smile creeping to everyone's lips as the doors closed and the lift went into motion.

The building before them wasn't like they had pictured. Surely one whose maintenance had been kept up would be a better facility to house dangerous weapons and ammo, along with a few heavy explosives. A few windows were broken from thrown rocks, wind damage and loose bullets—along with regular wear and tear. The door was boarded up with only a small space that they would need to squeeze through to get inside.

On the other hand, why would any of them think to use a perfectly good warehouse? These one were always so much fun to move around in, never knowing what you're stepping on or running into. This was certainly going to be entertaining.

"How quaint. It's of the rustic, variety," Myles quipped, which went ignored by everyone except Bobby.

"Yup, comes with rats of the sewer variety." He chuckled softly as he peered through one of the broken windows to see what was in store for them. Unfortunately, there was so much dirt and grime caked on them that no light was able to filter inside, making him unable to see only a few beams of sunlight that shined through the few broken windows.

"Are they always like this?" Danni asked Jack before she moved a few loose boards out of her way before she could squeeze inside. It would be a tight fit for the guys, she knew, which made her happy her frame was so small.

"This is them a bit subdued. Take it as a blessing, though. The insults are only downplayed because you're here," Jack chuckled as he slipped in behind her.

"Yay me," she said sarcastically before flipping on her flashlight and letting it scan the area in front of her. Hers was greeted by three more beams of light as the agents turned theirs on as well.

"So, what are we looking for, exactly?" Myles asked, letting the beam of his light scan the area in front of him. Layers upon layers of dust rested upon large crates that were stacked in five-high pyramids. Nothing about them was suspicious, so he only passed over them.

"Anything that doesn't fit, mate," Bobby answered, focusing his light upon the floor. The warehouse was able to house a few trucks, so tire tracks would be a huge help to them. Unfortunately, the only tracks on the floor were made by his shoes. He was beginning to think they'd been had, yet he would trust Danni's instincts. There was something in here for them to find and they would find it.

"Hey, look at this!" Danni called to them from a distant corner. The three beams of light turned to her direction, illuminated the large, old gun cabinet in front of her. There wasn't a speck of dirt on its smooth surface, which caused the item to be conspicuous. Clear footprints could be seen when Myles' beam swept across the floor. Wheel marks were clear as well, telling him that they'd used a dolly to move the probably heavy cabinet.

"I'd say that doesn't fit," Jack said, removing a pair of medical gloves from his inside pocket and slipping them on. He slipped Danni a pair, which she put on with ease after sticking her flashlight in her mouth so her hands would be free.

Bobby stood in front of Danni, his gun drawn just in case, Myles by his side in the same position. She rolled her eyes at her fiancée's over-protectiveness and squeezed passed the two agents before joining Jack's side. He held onto one handle, while she held onto the other. Bobby could try to keep her safe as much as possible though she was quite sure there was no reason for him to shield her from opening a cabinet. She'd been in worse situations before and he sometimes forgot about that. She would have to remind him yet again that she was a big girl and she could take care of herself.

A nod of the head was the only signal Jack gave before they pulled open the doors, revealing its contents. Dust was blown around from the sweeping movement, causing all four of them to be momentarily blinded. The debris cleared quickly, settling down on their clothing and covering the once-clear footprints and whatever evidence they could have had.

"Blimey!" Bobby breathed; his eyes wide.

"My God," Myles mumbled, his eyes scanning the photographs posted to the inside of the door. He wanted to say more, yet he was in shock and he knew Jack wouldn't appreciate his comment—that is, if he could think of one.

Jack pulled a single picture from the collection, pulling it closer so he could examine it better. It was a photo of him and Sue—it's what all of them were. This one in particular was from a week ago when Jack had kissed Sue and then apologized for it. Whoever had taken it had captured the moment beautifully—their lips connecting in a heartwarming embrace that still warmed him to this day—yet he couldn't help but be disgruntled by it.

Silence had engulfed the group of four as Jack's anger boiled inside of him. "Jack," Danni tried to say as she laid a caring hand upon his arm, but he pulled away. She didn't try to say anything else to him. She couldn't quite understand what he was feeling, yet she would try her hardest to sympathize if he would let her.

Their privacy had been invaded by this sick group and their relationship could very well have been spread to every newspaper in DC with a story that would rattle some cages. That would really pound the final nail into his and Sue's coffins. They only had to hope that this hadn't been leaked yet.