The team had translated the recordings from Louis on that Thursday, and they were pleased with the information they received; they now had a location that Tara targeted through satellite, a date, and a time that the major transaction was going to occur; they placed that information on their whiteboard. They'd also put together their backup plan, so that they could have their own transaction that same night if needed. Arranging a fake order was also what was keeping their informant alive since they were 'friends' of his with big money.

Now, four days later (Monday), the squad sat around and waited. They hoped that Alain or a representative of Alain would call and they could organize a transaction, but there were no guarantees. Jack even set up a separate office phone that his fake phone number on the business card would instantly transfer to. Once that phone rang, he knew it would be them.

In those four days, they also lost contact with Louis. As much as they didn't trust him, they had to trust that he would give them any new information once he came across it. For now, everything was going according to plan.

Jack and Sue were chatting at his desk. Sue talked about her issues at home; her fireplace practically exploded and soot flew everywhere in the living room. Luckily, they had tenant insurance, and could claim their belongings that got damaged, but eventually, they would have to leave the house for flooring and wall repairs that their landlord was responsible for.

Jack said, "Well, you practically live at my house, so my door is always open for you. What about Lucy?"

Sue said, "She's going to be staying with another friend. She didn't want to bother you…or us."

Jack raised a brow. "Well, tell her that she's welcome to stay with us too…or even for dinner. I'll be making my famous meatloaf."

Sue wanted to Cringe. He was good at cooking some stuff, but bad at other dishes. Unfortunately, she was too sweet to tell him. "Sure. Meatloaf it is."

Lucy was busy peeking out of the Bullpen door. She was waiting for someone, or to see someone waltzing down the hallway.

Sue asked, "Do you think he'll come back to work today?"

"Well, he better," Jack answered, "I don't want all those doughnuts in the break room to go to waste.

Bobby, playing with the pens at Myles' desk said, "Well, when I took him out for lunch on Saturday, he said he was coming back."

Jack asked, "Oh, how did he look?" He rubbed his temples. He totally forgot to visit Myles this week to see how he was fairing.

Bobby answered, "He looked really good, he's feeling much better. He wouldn't shut up about how bored he was at Anne's home, so I'm sure that he is eager to come back."

Tara chimed, "Albeit, he'll be complaining nonstop when we go onto the field, and he's - metaphorically speaking - chained to a desk."

Bobby then grabbed his coffee mug, and wrapped it in tinfoil. He was almost done. He'd practically completed his quest for a 'welcome back' prank that only Myles could endure; despite not always being able to take a joke, he was a pretty good sport when it came to pranks directed at him.

Sue said, "Do you think he'll appreciate our 'welcome back' prank?"

Bobby said, "Ah - he'll get a bit annoyed. It's just been boring without him here. I like having fun at his expense."

Jack said, "I hate to admit it, but although the quietness is nice for once, the novelty of it does wear off."

Sue added, "It's weird…you don't realize someone had that much of a presence until they're gone."

"You make it sound like he's dead. Anyway," Bobby said, "Any word on phone calls, or from Louis yet?"

"Nah," Jack said, "I'm hoping that they call today. The big transaction and shipment is next week, so I want a backup plan established in case something happens between the buyer and the seller."

"Do you think your French is good enough for a basic conversation?"

"Well, I would get Myles to do it, but then he's got to pretend he's Jack…me; and I don't want to use first names on the wrong people. I'll manage." He then spoke in a French accent, "How's this? It's subtle right?"

Bobby shrugged, "It's a little stereotypical, but it will have to do."

Jack continued, "As for Louis, we still haven't heard anything from him, so I'm guessing that he's hip deep in the operation now, and we will no longer be receiving any new information unless something drastic occurs."

Then, Lucy shouted from across the room, "He's coming. Everyone, pretend you're working!" And with that, everyone dispersed to their desk and started filing, or typing on their computer nonchalantly. Myles came into the room with his briefcase in one hand and coat in the other, and said:

"I'm back! Myles Leland has returned. Hello, Lucy."

Lucy looked up and gave him a small smile. "That's nice."

Myles raised a brow at that statement. It was obvious that she tolerated him, but to not welcome him back at least with proper manners was uncalled for. He said sarcastically, "I'm touched. I'm not surprised that you're not happy I'm back, so things must've been fantastic for you."

Lucy replied, "Do you want to know how many years I've been begging for you to either get transferred or get some mental help?"

Myles gave an annoyed smile. He then turned around and continued to his desk. He continued shouting, but nobody was paying attention to him. Eventually, they all acknowledged that he was present, but only gave him hesitant finger waves. He stood there in the middle of the Bullpen, confused. He was excited to come back to work, and thought that everyone would be a little more welcoming; especially Sue and Bobby who had visited him when he was on leave. Was this a joke?

Frowning a bit, Myles then looked at his desk, and saw that everything was wrapped in tinfoil; including the desk itself and his chair. Myles gave a slow sarcastic laugh. He knew it; this was a joke. "Ha…ha…ha everyone. You're all so funny."

He could hear a few people chuckling. He continued, "You know, this is the biggest waste of tinfoil I've seen. Do you know how many pies and baked potatoes could have been wrapped in this? Whatever, I'm fine with working like this today." He placed his briefcase on his desk, sat down in his tinfoil chair and grabbed a tinfoil wrapped pen. He unwrapped it, and then clicked the top, but let go immediately when he was given a small, electric shock. "Ow! Hey, who did this? This isn't funny. Office pranks aren't supposed to cause injury."

Myles heard giggling again, but it was louder this time. Grumbling, he grabbed his tinfoil covered mug and went straight to the break room. He stopped as soon as he entered when he saw a 'WELCOME BACK MYLES' sign and dozens and dozens of doughnuts lingering on the table with plates and cutlery."

He then heard clapping behind him, and small cheering. He turned around and saw his teammates laughing and smiling, happy that he was back and that their prank was a success. Bobby then approached Myles and was the first to hug him. He then placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "Glad to have you back, mate."

Jack then shook his friend's hand, "Welcome back. Sorry I couldn't visit you, there was a lot that came up."

Myles waved him off, "Whatever. You're forgiven."

Jack said, "I was worried about you though. You scared the crap out of me. Don't do it again."

After everyone said their piece to Myles and chowed down on doughnuts, Jack and Sue were filling Myles in on the fentanyl case. They explained that they received all necessary information and now all they had to do was wait for a phone call to fill out an order form for their fake operation.

Jack said, "I have a question for you, Myles. You don't have to say 'yes' if you are uncomfortable with it."

Myles crossed his arms. "Ohhh - so you finally need something from me. It's about time."

Sue said, "Yes, we do. It's about that phone call. We were wondering if you could take the call once Jack receives it."

"Why is that?"

"These guys mostly speak French, and you're the only one in our squad that is fluent in it. We know some, but it's not enough to have a professional conversation about a transaction for fentanyl. Our schtick is that we are friends of Louis, so we should speak his language. I know enough, but I might come off as disingenuous."

"Okay," Myles asked, "Then why would you think I'd say 'no'?"

"Because I used my first name on the business card we gave them. I initially thought that I could do the phone call, but after careful thought, I knew that I couldn't. If you're initiating the conversation, your name is Jack. Now, I know we shouldn't use first names except our own, but…"

Myles interjected, "Well, I can do it. I'm stuck at my desk all week anyway. Just tell me what I need to say and order for our bogus transaction."

"Okay, I'll make you a script…later." Jack ate another big chunk of his doughnut. "As a reminder, this is just a backup plan if their original big buyer decides not to go through with their order that night. In addition, our side operation is keeping that snake alive. At least I think he's still alive."

Sue said, "Well Myles, why don't we just enjoy having you back for now, and then we will come up with a script for verbal contact after?"

Jack finished his doughnut and then immediately grabbed another one.

Myles commented, "You know Mr. Heart Attack, you should really watch what you eat."

Jack then pushed Myles' arm, and muttered, "Ah - be quiet. One more won't hurt me."

Chapter 10 is next...