Blinded

Chapter 4

Jack entered the conference room, Sue close behind him with Levi at her side. The first thing he saw was Marty Pavone, pacing back and forth. His former colleague looked aged by years, though it had only been just over 2 years since they had last crossed paths. Marty had left the AUSA office to go back to private practice once his two children had finished high school. He had a rough 5 o'clock shadow growing that matched the shadows and bags under his eyes. The moment he spotted Jack, he rushed over

"Jack!' he exclaimed, reaching his hand out which he shook firmly with his old colleague. "Thank you for taking this case. Please tell me you've got some information. Are my children safe? Do you have my kids?"

"Yes," Jack reassured the man as he tried to guide him towards one of the chairs. "We only just got the file and we need some time to catch up from the initial team in Virginia who first took your report. However, both of your children are in police protection. We'll get you on a secure phone line to them as soon as we can." Marty sighed in relief, then putting his face in his hands, his shoulders slumped and slightly shaking. Jack's heart ached for the man, as he took a seat next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Sue joined the two men at the table.

"Marty, I'm so sorry for what you're going through. Can you tell us what happened?" It took a few seconds before Marty lifted his head, his eyes red rimmed.

"Gayle went out for a walk early this morning. It's something she does every day since she decided to retire from teaching last year. She is usually gone about an hour but when she didn't return after almost two, I started to worry something had happened. I went out looking for her, knowing her usual path but I couldn't find her." He took a deep breath. "I rushed home. I called the local hospital, I called the police but there was no one with her description that had been reported." He looked down.

"I went online to check our family calendar, wondering if perhaps I had missed something and she had made plans I had forgotten, praying she was okay, but all the while sensing in my gut something was wrong. Then I saw the email."

"What email?" Jack asked, something unpleasant settling in his stomach as well. He determinedly didn't look at Sue.

"It was from an anonymous sender. I brought you a copy."

He handed it over to Jack. Sue moved closer to the agent to read over his shoulder.

Marty Pavone,

I trust by now you've realized something precious of yours is missing. This is retribution for all the harm you caused, for my life now in ruins thanks to you. I want you to know what loss feels like. Loss of a life, loss of control. Years wasted.

Clock is ticking. Until we meet again.

Sue gently grabbed the second page, which was a printed photo attachment of Gayle Pavone, holding today's edition of the Washington Post. Her eyes looked terrified, the left eye slightly swollen as if she had been recently hit.

"Marty – I can't imagine what you're going through." Sue said kindly, sitting back down across from him. "Do you have any idea who may have done this?" Marty sighed.

"I've been wracking my brain, trying to think who, but it could be anyone. I was an AUSA for 15 years. There are some I defended in the last two years who were not happy with my defence. It could be any of them." Jack cut in.

"Have you received any other threats? Any other indication that someone was after you or your family?"

"No, nothing that I've noticed. Jack you have to find her. She looks so scared. She's done nothing wrong." Jack nodded.

"Marty, we'll do everything we can. However, we also need to keep you safe too." Marty went to interrupt. "No – we are putting you under surveillance. No risks. His message implies he will be in touch or in some way plans to meet. We have to trust he will do something to make his intentions clearer." Marty just nodded as Jack glanced at Sue. She looked back at him sadly. They both excused themselves, taking the letter and picture with them. Marty agreed to stay and wait in the conference room until they knew next steps.

Out in the hallway and out of earshot, Sue turned to Jack.

"Jack, this is terrible. Why would anyone want to harm Marty's wife?" Jack signed.

"My guess? They are doing it to scare him. It's not about her, its about going through her to get to him. We just have to hope he reaches out again, there is so little to go on." Sue nodded solemnly and went to move to head back to the bullpen, when Jack gently held her arm and she turned back toward him.

"What is it Jack?" His hand lingered, holding her. He looked at her intently, as she stared back quizzically for a moment or two. She could see in his eyes he was contemplating what to say. Her heart beat a bit faster.

"Something's not right with this." He finally let out.

"What do you mean?"

"The writing in the note. It seems familiar." Recognition finally hit her.

"You think its similar to the note I received." She replied quietly. He nodded.

"What are the chances that both you and Marty would receive an anonymous email within the same week?" Jack gave her a moment to process. His arms ached to just pull her closer into a hug, but in the hallways of the Hoover building, knew it wasn't the moment or the space to do so. However, he had to trust his gut. Something was telling him the two were connected. Sue just nodded.

"At the very least, I want you to be careful. Don't take any risks. I know you haven't received anything further but clearly whoever this is isn't joking. If its not related, then we were better safe than sorry. If it is, it gives us something to start with."

"Looking at cases both Marty and I were involved in…" Sue started. Jack nodded in agreement. The two continued to look at each other, locked in a moment with words unspoken before breaking the spell between them and turning in synchronicity to start walking back towards the bullpen. As they started walking, their hands brushed and briefly clasped, eyes not meeting, before entering the busy bullpen.