Blinded

Chapter 5

Current Day

"Where is she?" He cried, staring at the man who glared back at him. It finally had dawned on him who this man was. Not someone he had ever expected to see again, but he knew deep down all of this was misguided retribution and the reason she had gone missing. He also knew if this man was involved, others were in danger too.

"Don't you know?" The man snarled back. "She's here with us."

"What do you mean? Please tell me she's okay. Your issue is with me, not her." He pleaded. The man rushed forward wrapping his strong hands around his neck, cutting off his air supply, moving towards his right ear to whisper.

"This is how I will make you feel pain, pain you could not have imagined. Pain for ruining my life." He released his grasp and the man gulped for air, coughing hard. His captor stood, watching… waiting...

—STFBE—

Three days previous.

Their work went late into the night. Someone finally convinced Marty to go to a hotel to rest as they were no further ahead. Likewise, as vision blurred and concentration faded, the team also decided to call it a night, knowing there were many hours of work ahead.

Jack felt guilty going home knowing the pain Marty must be in, knowing that Gayle was out there somewhere in the control of some madman. He watched as Lucy walked out with Sue, Sue pausing briefly to give him a weak, but sad smile before leaving. His stomach also clenched. His gut told him that there was more to what was happening with the Pavone's, but he could not see the connection yet. He packed up his belongings too, grabbed his coat knowing despite returning home, his night would be restless and sleepless.

—STFBE—

Four o'clock in the morning Sue roused after tossing and turning for several hours. She felt Levi pawing at her, and the flashing of her blackberry showing she had a message. She picked it up and saw it was from Jack.

Sorry to wake you – they've found a body…

Sue's heart sank. Could it be Gayle? She had seen much death since working at the FBI but it felt different knowing it was the loved one of someone she knew. She quickly typed back.

I'm up – I'll be in asap.

It didn't take long for Jack to reply.

Get there safe.

She grabbed her clothes and made her way towards the washroom to shower. She saw the light on under Lucy's door and knew her friend and colleague was up too. Sue sighed in fatigue and grief as she started to get ready for what she knew would be a long day.

—STFBE—

Jack had barely gotten home and tossed and turned for a few hours when he was awoken at around 330am. Marty had received another email with an address and had called him. The fact Marty had seen the email come in told him he wasn't the only one not sleeping.

Jack had dispatched the police at once to the scene and within 20 minutes as he finished getting ready, they had informed him found the body of a woman. After messaging the team, he rushed towards the crime scene, an empty dog park near D street and 2nd, slowing to a stop as he came upon the scene of yellow tape and flashing red and blue lights. He got out and flashed his badge, the DC police on scene granting him access. On the other side of the yellow tape, he saw Marty had beaten him there, being held back by two officers, his face stricken with grief.

A body was in the bushes, though covered by a black tarp. Jack took a breath and moved towards Marty, his face clearly etched in grief, fear and panic knowing the body wasn't going anywhere and he needed to first talk to his friend.

"Marty…"

"Jack – please let me through, let me see her. I have to know if its her." Marty responded in a panic.

"Marty, you know I can't do that. This is a crime scene and we need to ensure no evidence is tampered. Has anyone confirmed…?"

"No." Marty responded. "I just got here a few minutes before you but who else could it be Jack? Why is this happening? How could this have happened to us?" Marty had his face in his hands and Jack struggled to maintain his own composure. He saw a car pull up at the same time, and Sue step out. Her timing only compounded the emotions he was feeling as he saw her make her way towards him.

How would he feel if he thought it was her under that tarp? He had been in that position before a few more times than he would have liked. He remembered feeling like his heart couldn't pump properly. A pain worse than when he had had his arrhythmia. However, his feelings aside, he had to focus. He turned back towards Marty.

"What happened Marty?" Marty sighed, still looking past him, trying to see around him to where the body lay.

"I couldn't sleep." Marty started. Sue came up quietly next to Jack, who glanced at her briefly in welcome. She gave a small nod and turned to look at Marty gracefully integrating into the conversation. "I was on my computer looking at old pictures. Pictures of Gayle and I, of the kids on our last holiday. Dropping Jake off at university last year. Pictures of us at Jayne's graduation. That's when I saw an email notification. It was from anonymous."

"What did it say Marty?" Sue asked gently.

"It was an address. This address. And the words: 'Now you know'. I rushed here as quickly as I could. It can't be her. It can't end this way…" Jack looked at Sue who had reached across to tape to gently put a hand on Marty's arm, her eyes downcast towards their friend.

"Marty, we'll go take a look at the body." Jack started. "Stay here…" Marty went to protest but he interrupted. "I've met Gayle. I will let you know if its her." Marty nodded and Jack and Sue turned around.

"Are you going to be okay doing this?" Sue asked him gently.

"No." Jack sighed. "But we need to know." They moved towards the body and knelt down, they could see a few locks of blond hair from under the shroud.

"Gayle was blond…" Jack said sadly. Sue bit her lip, her heart pounding, trying to hold back tears and Jack lifted the tarp. The body underneath was decayed and mostly unrecognizable. The body had no clothes on, the face black, blue and red, bloated with insects creeping in and out the open orifices. She had to press her hand to her mouth, pushing back the reaction to want to retch. Jack stood, turning to Sue.

"I can't tell." He replied, his eyes full of emotion. They both turned to look at Marty who looked at them with expectant eyes, searching in their faces as to whether his beloved was gone.