Blinded

Chapter 15

The atmosphere of the bullpen was one of darkness and tension as the day progress. Sue's desk felt impossibly empty, and Bobby's seat remained vacant as he had yet to return from being cleared at the hospital. Jack sat staring at his computer, his mind willing to focus but his mind drifting, running worst case scenarios in his head.

D came in, along with the secondary team.

"Where are we at?" Jack looked up but failed to stand. D looked at him, then glanced between Tara and Myles. Lucy also remained sitting, her eyes red rimmed. Myles spoke up, realizing it was now on him to take the lead.

"We've established that the abductor is likely Pete Hadley. He was released from prison just over 4 weeks ago; he was given early release for good behaviour. All evidence points to him. We have yet to track him down, nor know if he has any accomplices." He swallowed. "We think he killed Missy Baker two weeks ago, likely as unfinished business before his arrest almost 4 years ago. From what we know from the forensic anthropologist and pathologist, her death was likely quick, but her body was exposed to the elements and animals for about a week before she was left in the park last Wednesday."

Myles took a deep breath. He looked around the bullpen. Jack looked like he was in another world. Lucy was staring at her desk. Tara looked at him with pity. D cleared his throat. He also looked exhausted like he hadn't slept in days. Greg, the lead from the violent crimes team spoke up. Daniel, a newer agent and Emma who was Greg's second in command, stood behind him.

"I can continue?" He offered. D nodded. He could see his team was crumbling.

"The day before the body of Michelle Baker was found, Gayle Pavone went missing. Three days later Marty was taken directly from his secured hotel room. Their bodies were found on Monday. Ms. Pavone was killed with a single gunshot wound to the head, though with signs she had suffered over days of physical and sexual abuse. Mr. Pavone was killed after a head injury and bullet to the chest which nicked his pulmonary artery. He bled out in minutes."

Jack was done. He didn't want to hear any more. He knew what was coming next. He got up. Greg stopped and looked at him, all eyes on Jack as he silently left the room. Myles and Tara both looked at D, questioning what they should do, whether they should follow after him. D shook his head and motioned for Greg to continue.

"Two weeks ago, shortly before Gayle Pavone went missing and Michelle Baker's body was found, Ms. Thomas from this team received a threatening email from an anonymous sender. She was again threatened with a note when Missy's body was found and was in protective custody when Marty was kidnapped from the hotel. We think the abductor was not aware that she was just across the hall or likely would have taken her as well considering his previous threats and the effort put into the abduction." Tara spoke up at this point.

"Hotel security video showed two men who entered the hotel via a back entrance with masks on, went up a back stairwell, shot the security guard in the 4th floor hallway. We see them kicking down the hotel room door and dragging Marty out. Marty was resisting, but not strongly. We think they likely had threatened his wife again if he didn't go. We also know they critically injured the second guard who had entered Marty's room to try and protect him. He is still in ICU. We were unable to identify either abductor from the video, though now…". She trailed off. Greg jumped in again.

"Ms. Thomas was moved to another secure location and sadly, the bodies of both Gayle and Marty Pavone were found yesterday. Another threat was received that also implicated Agent Hudson. It was decided that Agent Manning would take over the transport of Ms. Thomas."

D sighed. "That brings us to this morning". Greg nodded.

"At approximately 822 this morning a white van ran a red light, smashing into Agent Manning's vehicle at the intersection of 1st and E street on the passenger side. Witnesses also identified two men, though without strong descriptions. While we are waiting for video footage, witnesses heard a single gunshot which killed the service dog of Ms. Thomas who had been barking as Ms. Thomas was taken from the vehicle, put in the white van, which quickly departed, continuing east on E street. We suspect Ms. Thomas is injured." Lucy let out a small sob, her eyes remaining on her desk, not looking up.

"Unfortunately, no one got the licence plate as they had taken cover once they had heard the gunshot. On a positive note, Agent Manning was eventually escorted to hospital and is expected to make a full recovery." Daniel added in, as silence reigned.

"Thanks everyone." D finally said, his voice tight. "We need to track down Pete Hadley and determine who is helping him. Most of all, we need to find Sue and find her quickly". He looked at Tara and Myles whose dark circles and pale faces shone back at him at attention. D knew they would continue to do whatever they could, despite truly being the only two from the team who were even partially functioning. "I've also decided that Greg and his team will take over as lead of the investigation." Lucy raised her head from the desk, and Myles stood.

"What?" Myles said as he stood. D looked at him.

"Myles, Tara, Lucy. We need help. Every moment counts and my priority is finding Sue and finding her alive and unharmed. I have full confidence in the violent crimes team. We're too close to this. Myles, Tara, I trust you will completely support this team with whatever they need as you are able. Lucy, I suggest you take some time. I know how hard this is on you, with Sue as your best friend. Why don't we talk after this privately." Lucy didn't say anything but just nodded. "I'm bringing in an assistance program support member who will be available for anyone who needs help or support as we navigate this trying situation. Myles, Tara – I will be back to connect with you in a moment."

Myles and Tara glanced at each other but nodded. Lucy followed D out and Tara moved towards Myles desk.

"I can't believe he's taken this away from us!" She said adamantly. Myles looked at her.

"You are?" Tara just looked at him but then softened. They looked towards Sue's desk. "Look, let's do what we can to help that team, but I wasn't sure how much longer I could do this either. With everything with know, with Sue now missing for 3 hours with no leads…"

"Should one of us go find Jack?" Tara asked Myles.

"Let's wait until D comes back." He replied. He was only another 5 minutes when he came back into the bullpen and approached his two remaining agents.

"I've sent Lucy home. She's going to go stay with her mom for right now. She's in no shape to be here. I've promised to keep her updated." Tara and Myles agreed. "Look, I know you are likely not happy with my decision, but I have to do what's best for this case." He wiped his face with his hand.

"D, we understand." Tara said quietly. "We'll do everything we can to help them. We were wondering, do you know where Jack went?" D sighed.

"I think he's in the boardroom. I have an agent assigned to follow him. I fully suspect we will here from Pete Hadley at some point, but I'm not sure if he will do anything to try and lure Jack in. Pete had more to do with Marty and Sue…"

"And me? Jack was the one who arrested him though." D nodded.

"Myles, I want you to be cautious too. You've not heard anything, no suspicious emails?" Myles shook his head. He hadn't gotten the sense Hadley had blamed him for anything that had happened as he mostly had been removed from the case once everything went down. He felt ashamed, but anticipated Pete had suspected his own reticence about Sue in their early days. "Tara, can you investigate any known associates of Pete Hadley? Both before and after he was arrested and jailed. Maybe we can find clues through who he's working with. Continue to try and trace the communications – he must still have access somehow through his previous DEA connections." Tara nodded. D turned to Myles.

"Can you check in on Bobby and then review the accident today and work with Tara on the traffic footages to see if you can figure out where they may have gone?" Myles nodded. "However, are you both okay to continue this case? I'm not pulling you off but also would respect if you need to step away." Myles and Tara both assured D they were okay for now.

"What about Jack?"

"I need to talk with him. I have no expectation that he will be even remotely functional to work, but nor do I want him out of our sight. We don't know what Hadley may do…". Myles jumped in.

"Or what Jack may do to try and find Sue." D nodded.