Blinded

Chapter 1

10 days earlier…

It was a quiet Tuesday afternoon. Another case had wrapped up and it was the usual slog of paperwork keeping the team busy. Sue glanced around the room as Levi sat at her feet.

Lucy was busy gnawing on her pencil, eyes struggling to stay focused on her screen. Tara and Bobby were huddled together over her computer quietly discussing something Sue didn't want to eavesdrop on by watching. Myles brow was furrowed as he steadily pressed his keyboard, typing out what was likely his final report on the latest case. D's desk remained empty as he finally was promoted officially as their supervisor. They wondered curiously if there would be a new addition to their team, and what a new member would do to their team dynamic.

Lastly, she looked over at Jack. Three months had passed since she had decided to stay and not go to New York. The two of them seemed on the brink of something, but still had not taken the plunge into any sort of relationship beyond that of colleagues. Like so many times before, they had teetered on the edge of acknowledging something between them, only for normalcy to creep back in and life to return to the way its always been – comfortable and predictable.

Sue frowned slightly. The shadows under Jack's eyes were evident. She knew he had worked long nights, looking at the evidence, hoping to find the killer of the young 16 year old girl who's life had ended far too early. Jack always put so much of himself into his cases, but she could see the wear and tear on his psyche. She worried about him. There was a small voice inside that wished she could do more to take care of him, but hesitated to be the one to take that last step.

He must have sensed her looking as he glanced up towards her. His immediate smile melted her heart and made her stomach jolt slightly. Even after almost 4 years. He raised his eyebrows slightly and signed – you okay? She nodded gently and returned his smile before signing back – you? He nodded and gave her a small wink. She blushed at the easy banter and mild flirtation, focusing back on her computer as she saw a new email in her inbox. She re-read the subject twice. Be warned. The sender was Anonymous115.

She quickly opened the message and read.

Sue Thomas,

You should remember me. I've been watching you.

From the moment we first crossed paths, I knew someone like you was trouble. You shouldn't be where you are. I've been waiting. Waiting all these years and now I'm coming from you. You should have gone to New York and left this place.

You ruined my life. Now I will ruin yours.

Sue sat stunned as her mind raced, trying to think of who may have sent it. She bit her lip. Should she just ignore it? Should she tell someone? There were too many personal details to make this some sort of spam. They knew her name. They knew about the promotion to New York.

She and the team had worked on many cases in her almost four years at the FBI. There could be many people whom their work had negatively impacted their lives that she had contributed to their conviction, but this felt so personal.

Sue decided to ignore it for now. She didn't want to worry anyone, especially so fresh off their last case. She filed the email away and returned back to her report, trying to push back the thought of someone threatening her and what that could mean.

-STFBE-

The office was mostly empty as evening came. Lucy had left on time to catch a Pilates class and the rest of the team, with the exception of Sue, took off to go home while they had the reprieve. Jack decided to stay, wanting to finish his paperwork before going home to get it off his plate. He knew he'd sleep better if he didn't have the remnants of the previous case hanging over him. His other motive? Sue was still here as well and it didn't feel right leaving before she did.

He hit the save button, feeling for the first time in days some relief as he attached the report into an email and sent it off to D. He looked up, thinking he would ask Sue to go for dinner when he glanced over at her desk. She looked a little pale and was staring blankly at her computer. His brow furrowed in concern and got up immediately and made his way over to her. Levi raised his head and put his paw on her leg.

Sue quickly looked up at Jack, a small look of terror in her eyes.

"What's wrong?" Jack said, in concern. Sue just stared at him for a moment. She took a breath.

"I got another email." She replied.

"What do you mean another email?" Jack said – moving to stand beside her and see what was on her screen. He saw an email from an anonymous sender with a picture attachment. He reached over, brushing her hand lightly as he took command of her mouse opening the attachment she must have just closed.

A window popped up with a picture of Sue, wearing the same clothes she was wearing at a coffee shop that morning with Lucy. It must have been from today. However, there was a big red X drawn over Sue's face. Jack's stomach dropped.

"Is this from today?" He asked. She nodded. "When did this arrive?"

"Just a few minutes ago. I thought…" Jack waited but she didn't continue.

"You said another email. Have you gotten another email from this person?" She nodded again. She opened a folder in her email and pulled up an email from the same sender sent a few hours previously. Jack quickly read through it, his anger rising. How could someone dare threaten Sue? She was the kindest, most compassionate person he had ever met. He stood up quickly and saw her eyes were fixed on him, with a desperation he rarely saw. At the moment, he could only see red.

"Why didn't you say something? This person is threatening you!" She again chose not to speak but only nod, the hint of tears welling in her eyes. He took a few deep breaths. "I'm sorry Sue. But this is serious."

"I know Jack. I'm sorry too. I thought maybe it was nothing. Or perhaps rather I hoped. But when I saw the picture. What did I do wrong?" She ended quietly.

"You did nothing wrong." Jack emphasized. "We will figure out who sent this. In the meantime, I promise I'll keep you safe."